JPH11110169A - Print processing system and method therefor, and computer-readable recording medium recording print processing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print processing system which carries out the preprocessing such as a preview processing, etc., and also can perform fast print processing even when the image data are included in the print data. SOLUTION: If the image data are included in the print instruction data, a print image is not directly drawn in a preview data production mode. Instead, the print image is once segmented, decoded, expanded to the plotting data and then stored in a storage means. The segmented image is enlarged or reduced at a prescribed position and also stripped in the print image. When the print processing is executed, the print image is directly drawn for the data excluding the image data like in the preview data production mode. In regard to the image data, a print image is produced based on the plotting data stored in the storage means as the segmented image data without expanding any new plotting data. As a result, no image data have not to be decoded when the print processing is executed and accordingly the print processing speed is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to transmitting print data from a data processing device such as a personal computer to a data conversion device such as a printer server device and confirming preview data created by the data conversion device with the data processing device. A print processing system and a print processing method for transmitting print data from a data processing device to a printing device such as a printer device to perform a printing process after performing a pre-processing such as a printing process, and a computer reading a print processing control program. It belongs to the technical field of possible recording media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a print processing system as described above, an image is first created on a data processing device by application software or the like, and print data based on the image is created in a page description language or the like and transmitted to a printer device. I do. Next, the printer device creates the drawing data by interpreting the page description language and the like, and also creates the preview data. When the data processing device requests the transmission of the preview data, the preview data is generated. Is transmitted to the data processing device. Therefore, the user of the data processing device can confirm that desired drawing data is created by visually recognizing the preview data on the display device of the data processing device. Then, after this confirmation, the data processing device transmits a print start request to the printer device, so that the printing process is performed by the printer device and a desired print image can be obtained.

However, when such preview processing is performed, the drawing data is generated twice when the preview data is generated and when the print execution data is generated, so that the rapid print processing can be performed. There was a problem that it was difficult.

Conventionally, when print data transmitted from the data processing device is composed of a plurality of character data and its font instruction data, for example,
When the preview data is created, each character is developed into character drawing data and stored in the page memory, and the developed character drawing data is also stored in the cache memory. Then, when the print start request is transmitted after the preview data is confirmed and the same character and font instruction data are developed again, the character drawing data in the cache memory is read and stored in the page memory. As a result, the speed of the printing process has been increased.

[0005]

However, in the conventional print processing system, for the image data, the overlapping drawing data was created when the preview data was created and when the print execution data was created. The required time could not be reduced.

In particular, image data includes data in various formats, such as bitmap data defined on an OS such as Windows, or standardized coded data such as JPEG. Therefore, at the time of creating the drawing data, it is necessary to decode the image data of these various formats, and there is a problem that the decoding process requires a considerable time.

According to the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, even when image data is included in the print data, a print process such as a preview process capable of performing a high-speed print process is performed. It is an object to provide a computer-readable recording medium on which a processing system, a print processing method, and a print processing control program are recorded.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing system including a data processing device, a data conversion device, and a printing device, wherein at least a printing process and a printing process are performed. A print processing system that performs pre-print processing for checking or changing print execution data, wherein the data processing device includes: first data in which characters, symbols, graphics, or control information are described in a predetermined language; A print instruction data control unit for generating print instruction data composed of at least one of an image represented as a set of a plurality of elements and second data processed in a predetermined format and outputting the generated data to a data conversion apparatus; Requesting means for outputting a request signal for processing or print processing to a data conversion device; and data editing means capable of confirming or changing print execution data. A print instruction data storage unit for storing print instruction data; a print execution data storage unit for storing print execution data; and a print execution data storage unit that expands the first data into first drawing data and outputs the first drawing data according to the control information. First data control means for generating the second drawing data and storing the second drawing data in the print execution data storage means; second data developing means for developing the second data into second drawing data; and second drawing data for storing the second drawing data. A storage unit configured to generate print execution data from the second drawing data in accordance with the control information;
A second drawing data control unit that stores the print execution data in the print execution data storage unit, and outputs the print execution data stored in the print execution data storage unit to a data processing device in response to a pre-print processing request; The print execution data newly generated based on the first data
And print control means for outputting print execution data generated based on the second drawing data stored in the drawing data storage means to the printing apparatus to execute printing.

According to the print processing system of the first aspect, the print instruction data control means of the data processing device provides
It is composed of at least one of first data in which characters, symbols, graphics, or control information are described in a predetermined language, and second data in which an image is expressed as a set of a plurality of elements and processed in a predetermined format. Print instruction data is generated and output to the data conversion device. The data conversion device that has input the print instruction data expands the first data included in the print instruction data into the first drawing data by the first data control unit, and performs printing in accordance with the control information included in the print instruction data. Execution data is generated, and the print execution data is stored in the print execution data storage unit. Further, regarding the second data included in the print instruction data, first, the second data
The data is developed into second drawing data by data developing means, and the second drawing data is stored in a second drawing data storage means different from the print execution data storage means. Then, based on the stored second drawing data, the second drawing data control unit generates print execution data according to the control information, and stores the generated print execution data in the print execution data storage unit. .

On the other hand, when a pre-print processing request signal is output from the request means of the data processing device, the print execution data stored in the print execution data storage means is printed by the print control means of the data conversion device. Output to the data processing device. This print execution data can be confirmed or changed by data editing means of the data processing device,
After confirming or changing the data processing device, the user of the data processing device operates the data processing device to output a print processing request signal from the request unit of the data processing device to the data conversion device.

[0011] When the print processing request signal is output, the print control means of the data conversion device, based on the first data stored in the print instruction data storage means,
Generate new print execution data. However, for the second data, print execution data is generated based on the second drawing data already stored in the second drawing data storage unit. Then, the print execution data is output to the printing device to execute the printing.

As described above, the image is represented as a set of a plurality of elements, and the second data processed in a predetermined format is developed into drawing data only at the time of pre-print processing, and at the time of print processing. Since the print execution data is generated based on the already stored drawing data, the drawing data processing for the second data can be omitted even in the case of performing the pre-print processing, and the printing processing can be speeded up. Can be

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print processing system according to the first aspect, the second drawing data control unit manages a plurality of pieces of drawing data. It is characterized by having a table.

According to the print processing system of the present invention, when the print processing request signal is output from the data processing apparatus, the second drawing data control means of the data conversion apparatus stores the print processing request signal in the second drawing data storage means. Print execution data is generated based on the stored second drawing data. And at this time,
Since the second drawing data is managed by the second drawing data control means in the management table, even when there are a plurality of second drawing data, the second drawing data is selected quickly and accurately and the printing process is speeded up. Is achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the second drawing data control means controls the control information when the control information is If the information indicates that the second data is to be enlarged or reduced, enlargement or reduction processing is performed using the second drawing data stored in the second drawing data storage means, and the print execution data is used as the print execution data. The printing execution data storage unit stores the print execution data.

According to the print processing system of the third aspect, a print processing request signal is output from the data processing device,
At the same time, when control information for enlarging or reducing the second data is output as print instruction data, the second drawing data control unit does not generate the second drawing data based on the new second data. Enlargement or reduction processing is performed using the second drawing data already stored in the second drawing data storage unit, and stored in the print execution data storage unit as print execution data. Therefore, the drawing data processing for the second data can be omitted, and the printing processing can be speeded up.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing method comprising a data processing device, a data conversion device, and a printing device, wherein at least a print process and a check of print execution data before starting printing are performed. Or a pre-printing process for performing a change, wherein a first data in which characters, symbols, graphics, or control information are described in a predetermined language, and an image are represented as a set of a plurality of elements, Generating print instruction data composed of at least one of the second data processed in the format described above, generating a request signal requesting a pre-print process or a print process, and outputting the request signal to the data processing device. Confirming or changing print execution data, developing the first data into first drawing data, generating and storing print execution data in accordance with the control information, Developing data into second drawing data, storing the second drawing data, generating and storing print execution data in accordance with the control information from the second drawing data, and pre-print processing The stored print execution data is output to the data processing device in response to the request, and the print execution data newly generated based on the first data in response to the print processing request and the second stored print execution data.
Outputting printing execution data generated based on the drawing data to the printing apparatus to execute printing.

According to the print processing method of the fourth aspect,
In the data processing device, at least the first data in which characters, symbols, figures, or control information are described in a predetermined language, and the second data in which an image is expressed as a set of a plurality of elements and processed in a predetermined format Print instruction data composed of either one is generated and output to the data conversion device. Next, in the data conversion device, the first data included in the print instruction data is developed into first drawing data,
Print execution data is generated according to the control information included in the print instruction data, and the print execution data is stored. The second data included in the print instruction data is first developed into second drawing data, and the second drawing data is stored separately from the print execution data. Then, based on the stored second drawing data, print execution data is generated in accordance with the control information, and the generated print execution data is stored.

On the other hand, when the pre-print processing request signal is output, the stored print execution data is output to the data processing device. This print execution data can be confirmed or changed in the data processing device, and the user of the data processing device operates the data processing device after performing the confirmation or change, so that the print processing data is printed from the data processing device. The request signal is output to the data conversion device.

When the print processing request signal is output, the data conversion device newly generates print execution data based on the stored first data. But,
For the second data, print execution data is generated based on the already stored second drawing data. Then, the print execution data is output to the printing device and printing is performed.

As described above, the image is expressed as a set of a plurality of elements, and the second data processed in a predetermined format is developed into drawing data only at the time of pre-print processing, and at the time of print processing. Since the print execution data is generated based on the already stored drawing data, the drawing data processing for the second data can be omitted even in the case of performing the pre-print processing, and the printing processing can be speeded up. Can be

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing method according to the fourth aspect, further comprising the step of creating a management table for managing a plurality of second drawing data. It is characterized by having.

According to the print processing method of the fifth aspect,
When a print processing request signal is output from the data processing device,
In the data conversion device, print execution data is generated based on the already stored second drawing data. And
At this time, since the second drawing data is managed by the management table, the second drawing data is quickly and accurately selected even if there are a plurality of second drawing data, thereby speeding up the printing process.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing method according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the control information enlarges or reduces the second data. If the information is information indicating that the print execution data has been stored, the enlargement or reduction processing is performed using the already stored second drawing data, and then stored as the print execution data.

According to the print processing method of the sixth aspect,
When a print processing request signal is output from the data processing apparatus and control information for enlarging or reducing the second data is output as print instruction data, the data conversion apparatus newly generates a print processing request signal based on the second data. Enlargement or reduction processing is performed using the already stored second drawing data without generating the second drawing data, and is stored as print execution data. Therefore, the drawing data processing for the second data can be omitted, and the printing processing can be speeded up.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium in which a print processing control program is recorded.
From at least one of first data in which characters, symbols, graphics, or control information are described in a predetermined language, and second data in which an image is represented as a set of a plurality of unit elements and processed in a predetermined format Receiving the print instruction data from the data processing device, and causing the printing device to perform at least a pre-print process for confirming or changing print execution data before the start of printing and a print process based on the print instruction data. A computer-readable recording medium having a print processing control program recorded thereon, wherein the print processing control program stores, in a computer, characters, symbols, graphics, or first data in which control information is described in a predetermined language; The image is represented as a set of a plurality of elements, and is composed of at least one of second data processed in a predetermined format. Generating a printing instruction data,
Generate a request signal for requesting pre-print processing or print processing,
Outputting to the data processing device, confirming or changing print execution data, developing the first data into first drawing data, and generating and storing print execution data according to the control information; Developing the second data into second drawing data; storing the second drawing data; generating and storing print execution data from the second drawing data in accordance with the control information; Outputting the stored print execution data to the data processing device in response to the pre-print processing request, and newly generating print execution data based on the first data in response to the print processing request; Outputting printing execution data generated based on the second drawing data to the printing apparatus to execute printing.

By causing a computer to read a recording medium on which the print processing control program according to claim 7 is recorded, the computer executes the following processing. First, in a data processing device, first data in which characters, symbols, figures, or control information are described in a predetermined language, and second data in which an image is expressed as a set of a plurality of elements and processed in a predetermined format, Is generated and output to the data conversion device. Next, in the data conversion device, the first data included in the print instruction data is expanded into first drawing data, and print execution data is generated according to the control information included in the print instruction data. Is stored. Also, the second instruction included in the print instruction data
The data is first expanded to the second drawing data,
The second drawing data is stored separately from the print execution data. Then, based on the stored second drawing data, print execution data is generated in accordance with the control information, and the generated print execution data is stored.

On the other hand, when the pre-print processing request signal is output, the stored print execution data is output to the data processing device. This print execution data can be confirmed or changed in the data processing device, and the user of the data processing device operates the data processing device after performing the confirmation or change, so that the print processing data is printed from the data processing device. The request signal is output to the data conversion device.

When the print processing request signal is output, the data conversion device newly generates print execution data based on the stored first data. But,
For the second data, print execution data is generated based on the already stored second drawing data. Then, the print execution data is output to the printing device and printing is performed.

As described above, the image is expressed as a set of a plurality of elements, and the second data processed in a predetermined format is developed into drawing data only at the time of pre-print processing, and at the time of print processing, Since the print execution data is generated based on the already stored drawing data, the drawing data processing for the second data can be omitted even in the case of performing the pre-print processing, and the printing processing can be speeded up. Can be

According to the recording medium in which the print processing control program according to claim 8 is recorded, the recording medium according to claim 7 further includes a step of creating a management table for managing a plurality of second drawing data. It is characterized by being executed.

By causing a computer to read a recording medium on which the print processing control program according to claim 8 is recorded, the computer executes the following processing. First, when a print processing request signal is output from the data processing device, the data conversion device generates print execution data based on the already stored second drawing data. At this time, since the second drawing data is managed by the management table, even when a plurality of second drawing data exist, the second drawing data is selected quickly and accurately, and the printing process is speeded up. Can be

According to a recording medium in which the print processing control program according to claim 9 is recorded, in the recording medium according to claim 7 or claim 8, the print processing control program causes a computer to execute the control information. Is information indicating that the second data is to be enlarged or reduced, the enlargement or reduction process is performed using the already stored second drawing data, and then stored in the storage unit as the print execution data. The method is further characterized in that the step of causing the image to be performed is further executed.

By causing a computer to read the recording medium on which the print processing control program according to claim 9 is recorded, the computer executes the following processing. First, when a print processing request signal is output from the data processing device and control information for enlarging or reducing the second data is output as print instruction data, the data conversion device newly outputs the second data. Based on the second
Without generating the drawing data, the second data already stored
Enlargement or reduction processing is performed using the drawing data, and stored as print execution data. Therefore, the drawing data processing for the second data can be omitted, and the printing processing can be speeded up.

[0035]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of a data processing device in a print processing system according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of functional aspects of the data processing device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of a printer unit in the print processing system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer unit in the print processing system according to the embodiment from a functional aspect.

The print processing system according to the present embodiment includes a data processing device such as a personal computer and a printer unit connected to the data processing device. The printer unit includes a data conversion device and a printing device. Have been. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the data processing apparatus 1 has a CPU 10, an input unit 11 for inputting data necessary for processing in the data processing apparatus 1, and a communication unit for communicating with the printer unit. Interface section 12
, A ROM 13, a RAM 14, a display 15 as a display means, and a bus 16 for connecting these components.

The interface unit 12 controls communication between the data processing apparatus 1 and the printer unit, outputs data from the data processing apparatus 1 to the printer unit, and outputs data from the printer unit to the data processing apparatus 1.
Is inputting data to be output.

The input unit 11 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs data input by a user of the data processing device 1 to the CPU 10 and the like via the bus 16.

The ROM 13 is a read-only memory storing a control program required for processing in the CPU 10. The ROM 13 reads out a necessary program at a predetermined timing and outputs it to the bus 16. Note that the control program may be stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk (not shown) instead of the ROM 13.

The RAM 14 is a storage unit for temporarily storing data and the like necessary for processing in the CPU 10 and a storage unit for storing data for displaying an image on the display 15, and stores each data as necessary. Bus 16
Output to In the case where the control program is stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk,
The control program is transferred from the hard disk etc. to RAM
14 may be used.

Further, the display 15 displays images necessary for processing in the CPU 10 and displays an image corresponding to preview data and the like described later.

Then, the CPU 10 performs arithmetic processing or the like by itself based on a program stored in the ROM 13 or the RAM 14 or controls each of the above-described components, thereby causing the data processing device 1 to function as the following units. Things.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the data processing device 1 from the viewpoint of functions. As shown in FIG. 2, the data processing device 1 is stored in the above-described ROM 13 or RAM 14 or a hard disk. When the CPU 10 executes the application program, the data editing unit 20 and the print instruction data control unit 2
1. Function as requesting means 22, transmitting means 23 and receiving means 24.

More specifically, the data editing means 20 comprises a data processing control means 20a, a data storage means 20b, an input means 20c, and a display means 20d, and is operated by a user through the input means 20c. The data processing control means 20a displays characters, graphics, image data, and the like on the display means 20d, and stores the processed data in the data storage means 20b. With such a configuration, the user can create a document in which characters, graphics, or image data exist independently, or in which these are mixed.

The print instruction data control means 21 is means for generating and outputting print instruction data to the printer unit in accordance with a print processing signal or a pre-print processing signal output from the data processing control means 20a. The print processing signal or the pre-print processing signal is output from the data processing control means 20a, for example, when the user selects the print processing command or the pre-print processing command displayed on the display means 20d by the input means 20c. Signal. The print instruction data control unit 21 that has received this signal, based on the processing data stored in the data storage unit 20b, uses a page description language such as PostScript (Adobe Systems) for characters, symbols, or graphics. In the case of image data, second data processed in a predetermined format such as a bitmap file (identifier .BMP) on Windows is generated. Various commands for enlarging / reducing bitmap data, such as painting a figure, are included in the first data as control information.

Then, the print instruction data control means 21
The print instruction data including at least one of the first data and the second data is output to the printer unit via the transmission unit 23.

The print processing signal or pre-print processing signal output from the data processing control means 20a is also output to the request means 22.
And outputs a print processing request signal or a pre-print processing request signal that can be interpreted by the printer unit via the CPU. Here, the printing process is a process of executing printing in the printer unit, and the pre-printing process is a process performed before the execution of printing, such as creation of preview data or command analysis. In the following description, a case will be described in which preview data is created as pre-print processing.

For example, when a pre-print processing request signal is output to the printer unit as a preview data creation instruction signal, the printer unit creates preview data as described later, and this preview data is sent from the printer unit. The data is output to the data processing device 1. The output preview data is stored in the data processing device 1
Of the data storage means 20
B.

The preview data is displayed on the display means 20d by the data processing control means 20a, and the user can confirm the print image by looking at the displayed image. If necessary, the image can be corrected via the input means 20c.

After the preview data has been confirmed or corrected, if a print processing command is selected via the input means 20c, the print processing request signal is transmitted from the request means 22 via the transmission means 23. Is output to the printer unit, and a printing execution process is performed as described later.

Next, the configuration of the printer unit 2 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer unit 2 of the present embodiment has a CPU
30, an interface unit 31, a ROM 32, and R
An AM 33, a printing unit 34, and a bus 9 are provided, and a data conversion device that creates print execution data and the like and a printing device that actually executes printing are formed as one device.

The interface unit 31 controls communication between the printer unit 2 and the data processing apparatus 1 to input print instruction data transmitted from the data processing apparatus 1 and to input pre-processing data such as preview data. The data is output to the data processing device 1.

The ROM 32 stores a print control program 32a.
And reads out necessary programs at a predetermined timing and outputs them to the bus 35.

The RAM 33 is a storage device for storing data necessary for processing in the CPU 30 and image data necessary for printing, and includes a page memory 33a for storing print execution data in units of one page and a page memory 33a as described later. And a cut-out image memory 33b for cutting out and storing only image data.

The printing unit 34 includes a printing engine of an ink jet system or a laser beam system, and has a CPU.
Under the control of 30, a print output process is performed based on the print image stored in the page memory 33a.

The CPU 30 performs its own arithmetic processing based on the control program 32a stored in the ROM 32,
Alternatively, the printer unit 2 functions as the following units by controlling the components described below.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the printer unit 2 in view of this function. The receiving unit 40 is a unit that receives the print instruction data transmitted from the data processing device 1, and outputs the received print instruction data to the print instruction data storage unit 41.

The print control unit 42 stores the print instruction data in the print instruction data storage unit 41 at a predetermined timing, and instructs each unit to create print execution data based on the stored print instruction data. . The output destination of the instruction differs depending on the type of the print instruction data.
As described above, for the first data including characters, symbols, graphics, or control information, an instruction is output to the print image creating unit 43 as the first data control unit, and for the second data related to the image data, An instruction is output to the cut-out image control means 44a as the second drawing data control means. Although a part of the first data includes control information on image data, this kind of control information is configured to be processed by the second drawing data control unit 44a.

The print image creating means 43 analyzes the first data described in a page description language or the like, and outputs characters, symbols,
Alternatively, the first drawing data relating to the graphic is stored in the print image storage unit 46 as the print execution data storage unit.

The cut-out image control means 44a
The second image data is processed in a predetermined format.
The data is output to the cut-out image creating means 44b, and the cut-out image creating means 44b decodes the second data according to the predetermined format, and uses the second drawing data obtained as a result of the decoding as the second drawing data storage means. To the extracted image storage means 44c. And
The cut-out image control means causes the second drawing data storage means 44c to store the second drawing data at a predetermined timing.

As described above, the first drawing data is stored in the print image storage means 46, and the second drawing data is stored in the second drawing data storage means 44c.

When a pre-print processing request signal is output from the data processing device 1, the print control means 42
It instructs the cut-out image control means 44a to insert the second drawing data. The embedding process is a process of embedding the second drawing data into the print image storage unit 46. In accordance with the control information on the second data, the embedding position on the print image and the process of enlarging / reducing are performed. Presence or absence is determined.

As described above, print execution data including both the first drawing data and the second drawing data is developed on the print image storage means 46, and the print execution data is stored in the display of the data processing apparatus 1. After being subjected to appropriate processing such as processing adapted to the resolution of 15, the data is output to the data processing apparatus 1 via the transmission means 47 as preview data.

The data flow at this time is shown in the block diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the image data other than the image data is directly drawn as a print image by the print image creation means, but the image data is once subjected to the extraction processing as the cut image data by the extraction image creation means 44b. Thereafter, the image is pasted on the print image by the pasting process.

On the other hand, the preview data is displayed on the display 15 of the data processing device 1 as described above, and is subjected to confirmation by the user or correction processing by a predetermined operation.

Then, a print processing request signal is output from the data processing apparatus 1, and the reception means 40 of the printer unit 2
When the signal is received by the
As shown in FIG. 6, for the data other than the image data, the first
By outputting a drawing data creation instruction, the first drawing data is directly generated on the print image storage unit 46.

However, as for the image data, instead of newly generating the second drawing data, the cut-out image control unit 44a instructs the cut-out image control unit 44a to insert the image data by the print control unit 42. The second drawing data stored in the image storage unit 44c is stored in the print image storage unit 46,
Perform the embedding process.

Accordingly, when the print execution process is performed, the decoding process for the image data is omitted, and the print execution process is speeded up.

As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, the cut-out and filling processing of the image data according to the present embodiment is performed for each image data. A plurality of cut-out image data will be generated.

Therefore, in order to manage such a plurality of cut-out image data, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the cut-out image information 33c is stored in the RAM 33.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cut-out image information 33c is made up of table number information and a management table. Each time image data is cut out, the contents of the table number information are changed by the cut-out image control means 44a. The address information on the RAM 33 of the cut-out image that has been incremented is recorded in the management table. Therefore, at the time of print execution processing, by referring to this management table, it is possible to quickly execute the cut-out image data insertion processing.

The storage location of the extracted image data is R
The configuration is not limited to the AM33, and may be configured to be stored in a storage device such as a hard disk. Further, the management information is not limited to the address information, but may be managed as a file.

Next, the operation of the print processing system according to the present embodiment as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, when a pre-print processing request signal is output from the data processing device 1 and the signal is input to the printer unit 2, receiving means for print instruction data output from the data processing device 1 together with the signal. The reception by the print instruction data storage unit 41 and the storage by the print instruction data storage unit 41 are performed (step S1).

Next, the print control unit 42 analyzes the stored print instruction data and determines whether or not image data processing is necessary (step S2). As a result, when the processing of the image data is not necessary (step S2: N
o) That is, for the first data, an instruction is output to the print image creating means 43 and the print image storage means 46 is output.
The preview data is created on the top (step S3).

On the other hand, when the processing of the image data is necessary (step S2: YES), that is, for the second data, an instruction is output to the cut-out image control means 44a to process the image data. Specifically, the cut-out image control means 44a
A management table is created on c as clipped image data information, and the table number information is incremented (step S4).

Next, the cut-out image control means 44a
An instruction is output to the cut-out image creating means 44b,
The second image is decoded by the cut-out image creating means 44b (step S5), and the cut-out image is registered in the cut-out image storage means 44c (step S6). Then, the registered cut-out image is pasted at a predetermined position to generate preview data (step S3). Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 expresses the processing to be completed for each section of the print instruction data. In practice, the above processing is repeated for all the print instruction data, so that the preview is performed. Data will be generated.

Next, after the preview data is confirmed and corrected as described above, a print processing request signal is output from the data processing device 1 and if the signal is input to the printer unit 2, the print processing request signal is output. The control unit 42 determines whether image processing is necessary for the print instruction data stored in the print instruction data 41 (step S10). When the image processing is not necessary (step S10: No), that is, in the case of the first data, the print image creation unit 43 causes the print image storage unit 46 to create a print image as in the case of preview data creation (step S10). Step S11).

However, when image processing is required (step S10: Yes), that is, when the data is the second data,
Instead of generating new cut-out image data, the cut-out image data already stored is obtained from the cut-out image storage means 44c (step S12), and this cut-out image data is stored in the print image data storage means 4.
6 to create a print image (step S11). The flowchart shown in FIG.
The process is expressed so as to be completed for each section of the print instruction data. In practice, a print image is created by repeatedly performing the above process for all of the print instruction data.

Then, based on this print image, the printing means 45 executes a printing process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the decoding process of image data, which generally requires a considerable processing time, can be omitted in the print execution process after the preview process. Can be achieved.

Although the present embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the data conversion device and the printing device are integrated into a printer unit, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a computer device such as a server device may be used. May be configured to connect the data conversion device and a printer as a printing device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the print processing control program is recorded in the ROM in each of the data processing apparatus 1 and the printer unit 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The control program may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk, and the data processing apparatus 1 and the printer unit 2 may install the print processing control program. In the case of this embodiment,
The ROM functions as a recording medium.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described where the first data relating to characters, symbols, figures, and the like is always developed from print instruction data to drawing data, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example,
Font data and the like may be developed into drawing data using a cache memory.

[0086]

According to the print processing system of the first aspect, in a print processing system that performs pre-print processing such as preview processing before executing print processing, an image is represented as a set of a plurality of elements. The second data relating to the image data processed in the predetermined format is expanded into the drawing data only at the time of the pre-print processing, and at the time of the printing processing, the generation of the print execution data is performed based on the already stored drawing data. Since the configuration is such that decoding is performed, decoding processing of image data that generally requires a considerable processing time can be omitted, and the printing processing can be speeded up.

According to the print processing system of the present invention, when the print execution data is generated based on the drawing data of the already stored image data, the drawing data managed by the management table is used. , Even when there are a plurality of drawing data for image data, the user can quickly and accurately select the drawing data.
The speed of the printing process can be increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when control information for enlarging or reducing the second data relating to the image data is output from the data processing device, the control information is newly based on the second data. Since the enlargement or reduction processing is performed using the already stored drawing data without generating the drawing data, the drawing data processing for the second data can be omitted, and the printing processing can be speeded up. it can.

According to the print processing method of the fourth aspect,
In a print processing system that performs pre-print processing such as preview processing before execution of print processing, an image is represented as a set of a plurality of elements, and second data related to image data processed in a predetermined format is processed before printing. Since development to drawing data is performed only at the time of processing, and at the time of printing processing, print execution data is generated based on the already stored drawing data. The decoding process can be omitted, and the printing process can be speeded up.

According to the printing processing method of the fifth aspect,
When generating the print execution data based on the drawing data for the already stored image data, since the drawing data managed by the management table is used, even when there are a plurality of drawing data for the image data,
The drawing data can be selected quickly and accurately, and the printing process can be speeded up.

According to the print processing method of the sixth aspect,
When the control information for enlarging or reducing the second data related to the image data is output from the data processing device, the drawing data already stored is generated without generating new drawing data based on the second data. Since the enlargement or reduction processing is performed using this, the drawing data processing for the second data can be omitted, and the printing processing can be speeded up.

By causing a computer to read a recording medium on which the print processing control program according to claim 7 is recorded, a print processing system that performs a pre-print processing such as a preview processing before executing the print processing has The second data relating to the image data expressed as a set of a plurality of elements and processed in a predetermined format is developed into drawing data only at the time of pre-print processing,
At the time of printing processing, print execution data is generated based on already stored drawing data, so that decoding processing of image data that generally requires a considerable processing time can be omitted, and the printing processing can be speeded up. Can be achieved.

By causing a computer to read a recording medium on which the print processing control program according to claim 8 is recorded, when generating print execution data based on drawing data of image data already stored,
The drawing data managed by the management table is used,
Even when there are a plurality of drawing data for the image data, the drawing data can be selected quickly and accurately, and the printing process can be speeded up.

By causing a computer to read the recording medium on which the print processing control program according to claim 9 is recorded, control information for enlarging or reducing the second data relating to the image data is output from the data processing device. In this case, since the enlargement or reduction processing is performed using the already stored drawing data without generating new drawing data based on the second data, the drawing data processing for the second data is omitted. And the speed of the printing process can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of functional aspects of a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of hardware of a printer unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a functional aspect of a printer unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a data flow when preview data is created in the print processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a data flow when print data is created in the print processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of management information of cut-out image data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating preview data creation processing in preview processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating print image creation processing in print processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data processing apparatus 2 ... Printer unit 10 ... CPU 11 ... Input part 12 ... Interface part 13 ... ROM 14 ... RAM 15 ... Display 16 ... Data bus 20 ... Data editing means 20a ... Data processing control means 20b ... Data storage means 20c ... Input means 20d ... Display means 21 ... Print instruction data control means 22 ... Request means 23 ... Transmission means 24 ... Reception means 30 ... CPU 31 ... Interface part 32 ... ROM 32a ... Print control program 33 ... RAM 33a ... Page memory 33b ... Cutout image memory 34 ... Printing unit 35 ... Data bus 40 ... Receiving means 41 ... Print instruction data storage means 42 ... Print control means 43 ... Print image creation means 44a ... Cut out image control means 44b ... Cut out image creation means 44c ... Cut out image憶 means 45 ... printing means 46 ... print image storage means 47 ... transmission means

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A print processing system comprising a data processing device, a data conversion device, and a printing device, and performs at least a printing process and a pre-printing process for checking or changing print execution data before starting printing. The data processing device includes a first data in which characters, symbols, graphics, or control information are described in a predetermined language, and a second data in which an image is expressed as a set of a plurality of elements and processed in a predetermined format. Print instruction data control means for generating print instruction data comprising at least one of them and outputting the print instruction data to the data conversion apparatus; request means for outputting a pre-print processing or print processing request signal to the data conversion apparatus; and confirmation of print execution data Or a data editing unit that can be changed, wherein the data conversion device includes a print instruction data storage unit that stores print instruction data, and stores print execution data. Print execution data storage means for storing, first data control means for expanding the first data into first drawing data, generating print execution data according to the control information, and storing the print execution data in the print execution data storage means, Second data expanding means for expanding the second data into second drawing data; second drawing data storing means for storing the second drawing data; print execution data based on the second drawing data in accordance with the control information A second drawing data control means for generating the print execution data storage means, and outputting the print execution data stored in the print execution data storage means to a data processing device in response to a pre-print processing request;
The print execution data newly generated based on the first data in response to the print processing request, and the print execution data generated based on the second drawing data already stored in the second drawing data storage unit, A print processing system, comprising: a print control unit that outputs to a printing device to execute printing. 2. The print processing system according to claim 1, wherein said second drawing data control means includes a management table for managing a plurality of drawing data. 3. The second drawing data control means, if the control information is information for enlarging or reducing the second data, store the second drawing data stored in the second drawing data storage means. 3. The print processing system according to claim 1, wherein enlargement or reduction processing is performed using the drawing data, and the print execution data is stored in the print execution data storage unit. 4. 4. A print processing method comprising a data processing device, a data conversion device, and a printing device, wherein at least a printing process and a pre-print process for confirming or changing print execution data before starting printing are performed, It is composed of at least one of first data in which characters, symbols, graphics, or control information are described in a predetermined language, and second data in which an image is expressed as a set of a plurality of elements and processed in a predetermined format. Generating print instruction data and outputting it to the data conversion device; outputting a pre-print processing or print processing request signal to the data conversion device; checking or changing print execution data; Storing the first data into first drawing data and generating and storing print execution data in accordance with the control information; and storing the second data in a second drawing data. Developing the print execution data into the data, storing the second drawing data, generating and storing the print execution data according to the control information from the second drawing data, and responding to the pre-print processing request. The stored print execution data is output to a data processing device, and is generated based on print execution data newly generated based on the first data in response to a print processing request, and second print data already stored. Outputting the print execution data to the printing apparatus to execute printing. 5. The print processing method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of creating a management table for managing a plurality of second drawing data. 6. When the control information is information for enlarging or reducing the second data, after performing an enlarging or reducing process using the already stored second drawing data, The print processing method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of storing the print execution data. 7. A combination of first data in which characters, symbols, figures or control information are described in a predetermined language, and second data in which an image is expressed as a set of a plurality of unit elements and processed in a predetermined format The print instruction data including at least one of the print instruction data is received from the data processing apparatus, and based on the print instruction data, at least the print pre-processing for confirming or changing the print execution data before the start of printing and the print processing are performed. A computer-readable recording medium on which a print processing control program to be executed by an apparatus is recorded, wherein the print processing control program has a computer in which characters, symbols, graphics, or control information is described in a predetermined language. At least one of the first data and the second data in which the image is represented as a set of a plurality of elements and processed in a predetermined format Generating print instruction data composed of one of them and outputting the data to a data conversion device, generating a pre-print processing or print processing request signal and outputting the request signal to the data conversion device, and confirming or changing print execution data Storing print instruction data; developing the first data into first drawing data; generating and storing print execution data in accordance with the control information; and storing the second data as second drawing data. Developing, storing the second drawing data, generating and storing print execution data from the second drawing data according to the control information, and storing the print execution data according to a pre-print processing request. The print execution data is output to the data processing device, the print execution data newly generated based on the first data in response to the print processing request, and the second drawing data already stored And a print execution data generated based, print processing control program recorded computer-readable recording medium characterized in that to execute the steps of causing the execution of a print is output to the printing apparatus. 8. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 7, further comprising a step of creating a management table for managing a plurality of second drawing data. 9. The print processing control program, when the control information is information for enlarging or reducing the second data, causes the computer to use the already stored second drawing data. 9. A computer readable recording of the print processing control program according to claim 7, further comprising, after the enlargement or reduction processing, storing the print execution data in the storage unit. Recording medium.