JPH11268367A - Printer, printer controller, and computer readable recording medium storing program for altering print position - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which can print out all data while altering a print position without transmitting data from a computer to a printer when the print position is altered after executing print out once. SOLUTION: The printer comprises a communication I/F 11 receiving a data to be printed out, an image memory 16 for storing the received data, an operating section 14 designating print position alteration for a sheet, an image processing section 12 for modifying the layout of a stored print data based on a designated print position alteration, and a printer engine 15 for printing out the print data on the sheet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printer capable of arbitrarily changing a print position, a printer control device, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a print position change program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one mode of using a printer, for example,
In some cases, ruled lines, print frames, and the like are printed out on a sheet of paper that has been printed on the sheet. In such a case, printout is performed by designating, for example, upper and lower margins and left and right margins with respect to the paper, so that characters and figures are printed along ruled lines and print frames on the paper. However, sometimes the ruled lines and print frames that are printed,
Change the print position of characters and figures on the paper by changing the top, bottom, left and right margins again after seeing the result of printing on paper, because the print position of characters and figures does not exactly match And print it out.

[0003]

In such a case, in the conventional printer, the upper, lower, left and right margins are re-designated on the computer in order to change the print position, and all the print data is again transferred. The printout is sent from the computer to the printer. For this reason, if printout is performed many times until a desired print result is obtained, there is a problem that a waiting time due to data transfer becomes longer because all print data is sent from the computer to the printer each time. Also, when a single printer is shared by a plurality of computers in a network, all data is sent every time, although the same data is actually printed out on paper. Therefore, there is also a problem that traffic of the network is congested and other processes using the network are stagnated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to change the print position after executing printout once.
A printer or printer control device capable of changing the print position and printing out without transmitting all of the data to be printed from the computer to the printer, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a print position change program It is to provide.

[0005]

The object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) A printer capable of arbitrarily changing a print position on a sheet, comprising: print data receiving means for receiving print data to be printed out on the sheet; and print data for storing the received print data. Storage means, a print position input means for designating a print position change of the print data on the paper, and a layout of the stored print data based on the change of the print position designated by the print position input means. A printer comprising: print data changing means; and printing means for printing out print data on the paper in accordance with the layout of the print data changed by the print data changing means.

(2) A printer capable of arbitrarily changing a print position on a sheet, comprising: print data receiving means for receiving print data to be printed out on the sheet; and print data for storing the received print data. Storage means, print data changing means for changing the layout of the stored print data based on a print position change arbitrarily specified, and print data on the paper according to the print data layout changed by the print data changing means. A printer for printing out print data.

(3) A printer control device for arbitrarily changing a print position when a printer prints out print data on paper, and data receiving means for receiving print data to be printed out on the paper. A print data storage unit for storing the received print data; a print position input unit for designating a print position change of the print data on a sheet; and a print position change designated by the print position input unit. A data output unit for changing a layout of the stored print data and outputting the changed print data to the printer.

(4) A computer-readable recording medium storing a print position change program for arbitrarily changing a print position when a printer prints out print data on a paper, and prints the print data on the paper. A data receiving procedure for receiving print data to be output, a print data storing procedure for storing the received print data in a memory resource in the computer, and a print position input for designating a change of a print position of the print data on a sheet. And a data output step of changing the layout of the stored print data based on the print position change specified by the print position input procedure and outputting the layout to the printer. The computer that memorized the program Data-readable recording medium.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a printer to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network using this printer.

The printer 1 to which the present invention is applied has basically the same configuration as what is called a page printer or a laser beam printer. Therefore, only the parts according to the present invention will be described here without detailed description of each part.

The configuration of the printer 1 is as shown in FIG.
A communication interface (communication I / F) 11 for communicating with a plurality of client computers 20 (see FIG. 2) via a network line 25;
Rasterizing processing for converting the received page description language into bitmap data from 0, and converting bitmap data to 1
An image processing unit 12 for performing layout processing for developing on the editing memory 17 for each page; a display unit 13 for displaying various states and error messages of the printer 1 when printing position is described later; And an operation unit 14 for designating a print position, which will be described later, a printer engine (PRT) 15 for printing out data developed on the editing memory 17 on paper, and an image for storing (spooling) rasterized bitmap data. A storage memory 16, an editing memory 17 used for the layout processing, and each part of the printer 1 are controlled,
Further, the control unit 18 includes a control unit 18 that performs control when a print position is changed, which will be described later. Although not shown, the editing memory 1
Between the printer 7 and the printer engine 15 only by an instruction from the controller 18 without data passing through the controller 18.
A DMA (Direct Memory Access) device for reading data from the direct edit memory 17 and transferring the data to the printer engine 15 is provided.

The image storage memory 16 stores bitmap data after rasterization in units of jobs, and may be a semiconductor memory such as a RAM.
In the first embodiment, a hard disk which can secure a large capacity at a lower price than a semiconductor memory is used in order to store bitmap data in a job unit including a plurality of pages.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 13 and the operation unit 14 are provided with a liquid crystal display 31,
The EDs 32 to 34 and input keys 41 to 45 for various settings, which are the operation unit 14, are used to specify a print position when changing the print position, as described later.

The liquid crystal display 31 of the display unit 13 displays an error message and a message when various settings of the printer function are performed. For example, when the print position is changed, the changed value is displayed. In addition, LED32
Numerals 34 to 34 indicate the current operation state of the printer, and LEDs 32 indicating the presence or absence of data in the image storage memory 16.
The LED 33 indicates that the setting in the X direction is being performed, and the LED 34 indicates that the setting in the Y direction is being performed.

Each of the input keys 41 to 45 of the operation unit 14 includes an X / Y key 41 for designating which direction of the X or Y direction to change the print position.
UP key 42 and D for inputting change amount of print position
An OWN key 43, a Print key 44 for instructing execution of printout when the printer is off-line (when printing is not controlled by a computer), and an OnLine key 45 for switching between online (printing under control from a computer) and offline. Become. When the print position is changed, one of the LEDs 33 or 34 indicating the direction to be changed by operating the X / Y key 41 is lit to indicate the direction to change the print position, and the UP key 42 or DOWN is displayed. The change amount of the print position is input by an input from the key 43, and the numerical value displayed on the liquid crystal display 31 changes by 0.1 mm.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the print position changing directions X and Y are
, The direction moved in the long side direction (vertical direction in the drawing) is X, the upper side in the drawing is “+”, the lower direction is “−”, and the direction moved in the short side direction (the left and right direction in the drawing) is Y. In the figure, the right side is “+” and the left side is “−”.

An input from each key of the operation unit 14 is transmitted to the control unit 18, and the control unit 18 determines which key has been pressed and executes an operation corresponding to the key input. When the print position is changed, the control unit 18 receives a position change command value input from the operation unit 14, transmits the command value to the image processing unit 12, and causes the image processing unit 12 to change an image according to the changed value. The bitmap data stored in the storage memory 16 is developed in the editing memory 17, and the developed data is sent to the printer engine 15 and printed out to the designated print change position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 is connected to a plurality of client computers 20 via a network line 25, and executes a printout using print data transmitted from each client computer 20. Further, the printer 1 is locally connected to a client computer 21 independent of a network, so that print data can be directly received from the client computer 21 and printed out without passing through the network line 25. Has become.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

First, it is determined whether or not the current control state of the printer is online (S1). Here, when it is determined that the user is online, that is, when printing out the data from the client computer 20 (or 21, the same applies hereinafter) as it is, it is determined whether or not the data has been received from the client computer 20 ( S2) When data is being received, print data and control data from the client computer 20 are received (S3). Here, the print data is data such as characters, figures, or images actually printed out on paper, and may be referred to as document data. Then, the print data is transmitted by the printer driver in the computer 20.
This is data converted to a page description language. Normally, in this page description language, when the top, bottom, left and right margins are specified by application software in the computer 20, these values become layout information as positions where characters and figures are actually printed on paper, and It is converted to a page description language along with document data such as text and graphics. The control data is data including an address (client address) indicating the client computer that has transmitted the print job, the name of the job, designation of a paper size and a paper cassette, and the like.

The received print data is converted (rasterized) into bitmap data by interpreting the page description language (S4). Then, the rasterized bitmap data is stored in the image storage memory 16 together with the client address and the job name in the control data (S5). Since the data stored here is used later when the print position is changed, the data is not erased even when the next print job comes. The data may be deleted when a print job having a different job name is received, for example, from the client computer that sent the print job of the data. This is for normal use
The change and adjustment of the print position are performed continuously, and it is rare that another print job is executed while the same client is adjusting the print position. However, if it is considered that the same client will execute another print job while the print position is being adjusted, save the print job when receiving a print job with another job name from the same client. After inquiring whether or not data of a certain job may be deleted, the data may be deleted according to a command from the client computer 20.

After the step S5, the stored bitmap data is directly stored as 1
A layout process for developing the data on the editing memory 17 for each page is performed (S6), the developed data is directly sent to the printer engine 15, and a printout is performed (S7).
The process returns to step S1.

Here, the layout processing S6 is executed once in the editing memory 17 in accordance with the designated paper size.
This is a process of developing data in the same manner as actually printing out on paper.
The bitmap data is developed with respect to an address representing a vertical and horizontal print range on a sheet (here, the horizontal is an x address and the vertical is a y address). Then, the addresses of the editing memory 17 are sequentially read, and the data is transferred to the printer engine 15, whereby the developed data is image-formed on paper.

If it is determined in step S2 that no data has been received, the OnLine key 45
Is determined (S10), and if the OnLine key 45 is pressed, it is switched to offline (S11) and the process returns to the step S1. On the other hand, OnLi
If the ne key 45 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1.

Next, when it is determined in step S1 that the user is not online, it is determined whether any key has been pressed from the operation unit 14 (S20). The processing is executed according to the key input of.

When the X / Y key 41 is pressed, the direction for setting the print position change is changed (S21), and the process returns to step S1. Here, for example, when the X direction is set, conversion is performed in the Y direction, the LED 33 is turned off and the LED 34 is turned on. On the other hand, when the Y direction is set, the conversion is performed in the X direction, and the LED 34 is turned off and the LED is turned off.
33 is turned on.

If the UP key 42 is pressed, the value of the print position in the set direction is increased by 0.1 mm (S22), and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, DOWN
When the key 43 is pressed, the value of the print position in the set direction is reduced by 0.1 mm (S23), and the process returns to step S1.

When the Print key 44 is pressed,
It is determined whether there is data in the image storage memory 16 (S24).

When there is stored data, when the bitmap data is developed on the edit memory 17, the address on the edit memory 17 to be developed is changed with respect to the address position of the original bitmap data. The layout processing is performed so that a value obtained by adding the values in the X and Y directions obtained (in some cases, the set value is “−” (minus)) is obtained (S2).
5). More specifically, when the original bitmap data is directly expanded on the editing memory 17, for example, looking at specific data, the data at [x address = 100, y address = 100] 0.5m in direction
When the m position is changed, the data is developed on the edit memory 17 so that [x address = 100 + 0.5 mm address, Y address = 100].

Then, a printout is executed by using the data developed in accordance with the position change (S
26), returning to step S1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S24 that there is no stored data, the process returns to step S1 without printing out.

When the OnLine key 45 is depressed (S27), it is switched to online (S2).
8) Return to step S1.

According to the above-described processing, in the first embodiment, when a print job is received, the print data at that time is printed out as it is, the image is stored in the image storage memory 16 in the printer 1, and then the print position is Is changed, the bitmap data stored in the image storage memory 16 in the printer 1 is stored in the printer 1.
Is laid out on the editing memory 17 in accordance with the change value of the print position input from the operation unit 14 and printed out. Therefore, at the time of reprinting for changing the print position, the print data does not have to be transmitted from the client computer 20 via the network line 25 one by one. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the traffic on the network from being congested and the processing using another network being stagnated. Further, since the print position can be changed by directly inputting data from the printer 1, even if the printer 1 is located at a distance from the client computer 20, the print position is changed between the client computer 20 and the printer 1. There is no need to go back and forth, and the convenience is improved.

In the first embodiment, the operation unit for inputting the change of the print position and the display unit (see FIG. 3) for displaying the contents are integrally formed in the printer main body. The configuration is not limited to this, and in consideration of ease of input for changing the printer position, for example, a print position change input device having an operation unit and a display unit separated from the printer main body and separately provided may be provided. . In this case, the print position change input device serves as a print position input unit of the present invention. Further, bitmap data after rasterization is stored as data to be stored in the printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, data in a page description language sent from a computer is stored, and the print position is stored. When the change of the page description language is input, the stored page description language may be interpreted and converted into bitmap data at that time, in accordance with the print position change.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the change of the print position is input directly from the printer. In the second embodiment, the change of the print position is instructed from the client computer. Note that the configuration of the printer, the network configuration, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a print sequence when printing out from a client computer according to the second embodiment.

First, in the client computer 20, a document is created and edited by the document creation application software as normal work (S101), and a printer driver activation instruction is given (S102). Here, when creating or editing a document, or even after starting the printer driver, a margin is specified (or a margin is changed).
Is performed, the document data itself is changed so as to be the designated margin.

The printer driver designates the number of copies to be printed, the direction, and the like (S103). In response to the print execution instruction (S104), control data (eg, client address and print job name) and print data obtained by converting document data from application software into a page description language are sent to the printer 1.

Thereafter, the printer 1 performs rasterizing (S105) and spooling (S105) as normal print processing.
106), layout (S107), etc., and print out (S108). Here, when spooling, the rasterized bitmap data is stored in the storage memory 16 for each job.

When the print position is changed or adjusted, after the printer driver is instructed to start (S111), the print position is changed from the printer driver (S112) as described later, and the print execution instruction (S113). Thus, an instruction to print out using the changed print position data and the stored data stored in the printer is transmitted to the printer 1. In accordance with the instruction, the printer 1 uses the bitmap data stored in the printer to perform the layout (S114).
Thereafter, printout is executed (S115).

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of specifying the print position by the printer driver. FIG. 8 shows the main routine, and FIG. 9 shows the window display subroutine in FIG. 8, respectively.

The printer driver is one of software installed in the client computer 20 and is started by a start command from the application software, and firstly opens a window for inputting settings such as a paper size and the number of prints. It is displayed on the display of the client computer (S41).

As for the window display at this time, referring to FIG. 9, first, a first window for setting the paper size, the number of copies, and the like is displayed (S51). This first
As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the window 70 is a small window 7 for setting a paper size, a paper cassette, a resolution, a paper type, and the number of copies.
1, 72, 73, 74, 75, a radio button 76 for designating the paper use direction, and an alignment button 7 for displaying a second window for designating the print position
7, an OK button 78 and a cancel button 79 are displayed. In the following description, since the paper size, paper feed cassette, resolution, paper type, number of copies, and paper use direction are normal setting operations, the description thereof is omitted.

When one of the buttons in the first window 70 is pressed (actually, the pointer of the GUI using a mouse or the like is moved in the displayed screen to specify each button). (S52), and the process is executed according to the pressed button.

First, when the cancel button 78 is pressed, the currently displayed setting is invalidated, the print command itself is canceled, and the first window 70 is erased (S
53) Return to the main routine.

When the OK button 77 is pressed, the currently displayed setting is validated and the first window 70
Is erased (S54), and the process returns to the main routine.

When the alignment button 79 is pressed,
A second window for designating a print position is displayed (S55). Second window 80 displayed here
11 shows, on the display of the client computer, a paper 81 and an image 82 to be printed on the display of the client computer, and inputs an increase / decrease value of the print position of the image 82 with respect to the currently displayed paper 81 as shown in FIG. Windows 83 and 84 are displayed, and a check box 85 for instructing to use the data stored in the printer is displayed below the small windows 83 and 84. There are small windows 83 and 84 for inputting the increase / decrease value in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. By entering a value in each window, the position of the image 82 with respect to the sheet 81 is moved and the print position is designated. . If the check box 85 indicating that the data in the printer is to be used is checked (the state shown in the figure), a signal indicating to the printer that the data stored in the printer is to be used, The print job name and client address are transmitted, but the print data itself is not transmitted. on the other hand,
When the check box 85 is not checked, all control data and the like are transmitted, including data obtained by converting document data from application software into a page description language.

Then, OK in the second window 80
By pressing the button 86 (S56), the setting of the currently displayed print position data becomes valid (S5).
7). Then, when the OK button is pressed, the screen returns to the first window 70. The second window 8
When the cancel button 87 in 0 is pressed, the second
The setting in the window 80 is invalidated, and the display returns to the first window.

As described above, the state set by each window is the OK state in the first window 70.
When the button 77 or the cancel button 78 is pressed, the process returns to the main routine (FIG. 8), and according to the return value at this time (S42), when the cancel button is pressed and returned, the print instruction itself is returned. Canceled and the process ends.

On the other hand, when the return is made by pressing the OK button 77, the paper size,
Create control data including paper cassette, resolution, paper type, number of copies, paper use direction, client address, print job name, and position change data, if any, and send them to the printer. (S
43). Thereafter, it is determined whether there is a check in the check box 85 and when using the stored data,
A signal of a command to use stored data in the printer is transmitted to the printer (S45). On the other hand, when the stored data is not used, the data from the application software is converted into a page description language and transmitted to the printer as print data (S46).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer according to the second embodiment.

In the printer, first, the same initial settings as those in the normal printing process are performed (S61). Next, it is determined whether or not control data has been received (S62). Then, it is determined whether or not to use the data in the image storage memory 16 based on whether or not the storage data use signal in the printer has been received (S63).

If it is determined that the stored data is not used, the print data is received (S64), the received print data is rasterized and converted into bitmap data (S65), and the converted bitmap data is converted into bitmap data. , The client address in the received control data,
It is stored in the image storage memory 16 together with the job name (S6
6).

Thereafter, a layout process for developing the bitmap data as it is in the editing memory 17 is performed (S6).
7) Execute printout (S68).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S63 that the stored data is to be used (that is, when a command to use the stored data in the printer is received), the client in the received control data from the image storing memory 16 is read. The bitmap data having the client address and the job name that match the address and the job name is read (S69), and then the read bitmap data is read according to the print position change data received in the editing memory 17 as in the first embodiment. A layout process for shifting the address is performed (S70), and this is printed out (S68).

As described above, the printer receives the stored data use signal based on the presence or absence of the signal (the stored data use signal) indicating that the data in the image storage memory transmitted from the printer driver is used. Otherwise, print data is received, stored in the image storage memory, and the data is printed out as it is. On the other hand, when the stored data use signal is received, the data stored in the image storage memory is deleted. Since the printout is performed in accordance with the print position data received at that time, the print data itself need not be received when the print position is changed or adjusted for the print data once executed. Can be shortened, and especially when sending and receiving print data In the system that, it is possible to reduce network traffic.

Third Embodiment In the third embodiment, a dedicated printer control device for changing the print position is provided.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer control device according to the third embodiment and the configuration of a printer network system provided with this device.

The printer network system receives a print command from a network 95 to which a plurality of client computers 20 are connected and from each of the client computers 20 in the network 95, and prints out the actual paper on a sheet, similarly to a normal network system. Control data (collectively referred to as print data) consisting of the print data to be used and the paper size and the number of print copies to be used, and sequentially store the print data as a print queue. It comprises a printer server 92 for outputting, a printer 90 for performing printout, and a printer control device 100 according to the present invention provided between the printer server 92 and the printer 90. Here, the printer control device 1
Except for 00, the computer system is the same as a normal computer system, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The configuration of the printer control apparatus 100 includes a control section 101 for controlling the entire printer control apparatus and a control for changing a print position, which will be described later, and a printer server 9.
Interface (I) for transmitting and receiving data to and from
/ F) 105; an interface (I / F) 106 for transmitting print data and the like to the printer 90; and receiving various messages from the printer; an operation unit 102 for inputting when changing the print position; A display unit 103 for displaying the value of position data and various messages input when the print position is changed, a storage memory 104 for storing print data, and a layout process for temporarily expanding bitmap data when the print position is changed. It comprises an image processing unit 105 and an editing memory 106 used for layout processing.

Here, the operation unit 102 and the display unit 103
Are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. Various input keys 41 to 45 for changing the print position, a liquid crystal display 31 for displaying the changed value, and LEDs 32 to 34 Consisting of

The storage memory 104 preferably uses a hard disk so that print data can be stored in job units.

In this printer network system, as described above, the printer 90, the printer server 92, the client computer 20, etc. other than the printer control device 100 according to the present invention use existing devices as they are. Therefore, in this printer network system, the print server 92 rasterizes the print data in the page description language received from each client computer 20 and converts it into bitmap data, which is spooled on a hard disk in the server. Transmit to the device 100. When print data (here, bitmap data is transmitted from the server) is received from the printer server 92, the printer controller 100 outputs the print data to the printer 90 as described below,
At 0, the printout is performed, and the print data is stored in the storage memory 104. When the print position is changed, as described later, the print data (bitmap data) is developed in its own edit memory 106 according to the change of the print position, and the layout is changed (change of the print position). ), And outputs the changed bitmap data to the printer 90. Printer 90
Then, as in the normal operation, the bitmap data received from the printer control device 100 is sequentially printed out on paper.

Hereinafter, the operation of the printer control device 100 will be described in detail.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the flow of the operation of the printer control device.

First, the current control state is changed to the printer server 9.
It is determined whether or not the user is online with the user (S10)
1). If it is determined that you are online,
It is determined whether or not data has been received from the printer server 92 (S102).
Print data from the printer server 92 (this print data is bitmap data converted by the printer server) is received (S103).

The received print data is stored in the storage memory 104 (S104) and transmitted to the printer as it is (S105). As a result, the printer 90 performs printout. In this case, the print data to be stored is only the latest received job. However, a plurality of jobs are stored, and when the capacity of the storage memory 104 is used for a certain amount or more, the oldest one is used. Erasing may be performed in order, or an erasing key may be provided on the operation unit 102 to input an erasing command as needed.

When it is determined in step S102 that no data has been received, it is determined whether an OnLine key 45 (see FIG. 3, the same applies hereinafter) has been pressed (S106), and the OnLine key 45 has been pressed. In some cases, the mode is switched to offline (S107), and the process returns to step S101. On the other hand, if the OnLine key 45 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S101.

If it is determined in step S101 that the user is not online, it is determined whether any key has been pressed from the operation unit 102 (S120).
When there is a key input, processing is executed according to each key input.

When the X / Y key 41 is pressed, the direction for setting the print position change is changed (S121).
The process returns to step S101. Here, for example, when the X direction is set, conversion is performed in the Y direction, the LED 33 is turned off and the LED 34 is turned on. On the other hand, when the Y direction is set, the conversion is performed in the X direction, and the LED 34 is turned off and the LED 33 is turned off. Lights up. Here, the directions of changing the print position are the X and Y directions as in the case of FIG.

If the UP key 42 has been pressed, the value of the print position in the set direction is increased by 0.1 mm (S122), and the process returns to step S101. On the other hand, D
When the OWN key 43 is pressed, the value of the print position in the set direction is reduced by 0.1 mm (S12).
3) Return to step S101.

When the Print key 44 is pressed,
It is determined whether there is data in the storage memory 104 (S
124) If there is data, the stored bitmap data is shifted and developed based on the values in the X and Y directions set for the address on the edit memory 106 (S125). Specifically, for example, when the original bitmap data is directly expanded on the edit memory 17, looking at certain data, the data at [x address = 100, y address = 100]
To change the position by 0.5 mm in the X direction, [x address = 100 + 0.5 mm
Address, Y address = 100].

Subsequently, the developed data, that is, the data laid out by changing the print position, is sequentially output to the printer 90 according to the address (S12).
6). Then, the process returns to step S101.

When the OnLine key 45 is pressed (S128), the communication with the printer server 92 is switched online (S129), and the process returns to step S101.

When a plurality of jobs are stored in the storage memory 104, the operation unit 102 is provided with a key for selecting a job, and the print position changing operation (S121 to S127) is performed. Prior to this, a print job whose print position is to be changed may be selected using the job selection key.

When the print position is changed or corrected by the operation of the printer control device 100 described above, reprinting can be performed using the data stored in the printer control device 100. It is not necessary to transfer print data between the printer control device 100 and the printer control device 100 via the printer server 92, so that traffic on the network 95 can be reduced.

It should be noted that a specific device of the printer control device according to the third embodiment may be a dedicated device or a floppy disk or a CD.
-A program describing the above procedures may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a ROM, and the program may be executed by a personal computer. Further, when provided by such a storage medium, instead of a dedicated personal computer, for example, a printer server is made to execute a program stored in this storage medium, and the printer server executes the function as the above-described printer control device. You may make it.

[0080]

According to the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained for each claim.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the data to be printed is received and stored, and the stored print data is printed out according to the change in the input print position. ,
After receiving the data to be printed once, the print position can be changed using the stored print data. Therefore, when changing the print position and printing out, the print data is changed every time the print position is changed. Since there is no need to send the data from the computer to the printer, the time required for printout can be reduced by the transfer time of the print data. In addition, for example, when this printer is used by connecting to a network, it is not necessary to transmit print data through the network when changing the print position, so network traffic is congested, and another network is used. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the processing stagnates. Furthermore, since the print position can be changed by directly inputting from the printer, even if the printer is located away from the client computer, the characters and images printed on the paper can be checked near the printer, and the The print position can be changed on the spot, and the convenience is improved.

According to the printer of the second aspect of the present invention, data to be printed is received and stored, and the stored print data is printed out in accordance with an arbitrary designated print position change. After receiving the data to be printed once, the print position can be changed using the stored print data. Therefore, when changing the print position and printing out, This eliminates the need to receive the print data, thereby reducing the transfer time of the print data. Also, for example, when this printer is connected to a network, when the print position is changed, only the print position data is transmitted, and the data to be actually printed out does not need to be transmitted. It becomes possible to reduce.

According to the printer control device of the present invention, the data to be printed is received and stored, and the stored print data is laid out again according to the input print position change value. Output to a printer, so when changing the print position and printing out, it is not necessary to send the print data from the computer to the printer every time the print position is changed. Can be shorter. For example, when this printer control device is used by connecting to a network, this print control device is provided immediately before a printer on the network, so that when the print position is changed, print data is transmitted through the network. Therefore, it is possible to reduce network traffic.

According to the computer-readable recording medium storing the print position changing program according to the present invention, the program stored in the recording medium is read and executed by the computer to thereby print data to be printed. The print data is received and stored, and the stored print data is laid out again according to the input print position change value and output to the printer. In this case, it is not necessary to transmit the print data from the computer to the printer every time the print position is changed, so that the transfer time of the print data can be shortened. Further, by reading and executing the print position changing program stored in the recording medium by a computer connected to the network, it is not necessary to transmit print data through the network when the print position is changed, and the network traffic is reduced. Can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network system using the printer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit and a display unit provided in the printer.

FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a direction in which a print position of an image on a sheet is changed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer following FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a print sequence according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printer driver according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a subroutine flowchart of window display in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first window displayed by a printer driver according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second window displayed by a printer driver according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a printer control device and a printer network system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer control device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer control device following FIG. 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 12 ... Image processing part, 13 ... Display part, 14 ... Operation part, 15 ... Printer engine, 16 ... Image storage memory, 17 ... Editing memory, 18 ... Control part, 100 ... Printer control device, 101 ... Control unit 102: operation unit 103: display unit 104: storage memory 105: image processing unit 106: editing memory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printer capable of arbitrarily changing a print position on a sheet, comprising: print data receiving means for receiving print data to be printed out on the sheet; and print data storage for storing the received print data. Means, a print position input means for designating a change in the print position of the print data on the paper, and a print for changing the layout of the stored print data based on the change in the print position designated by the print position input means. A printer, comprising: data changing means; and printing means for printing out print data on the paper according to the layout of the print data changed by the print data changing means. 2. A printer capable of arbitrarily changing a print position on a sheet, comprising: print data receiving means for receiving print data to be printed out on the sheet; and print data storage for storing the received print data. Means for changing the layout of the stored print data based on a print position change arbitrarily designated; and printing on the paper in accordance with the print data layout changed by the print data changing means. A printer for printing out data. 3. A printer control device for arbitrarily changing a print position when a printer prints out print data on paper, comprising: data receiving means for receiving print data to be printed out on the paper; A print data storage unit for storing the received print data; a print position input unit for designating a print position change of the print data on a sheet; and a print position change designated by the print position input unit. A data output unit that changes a layout of the stored print data and outputs the print data to the printer. 4. A computer-readable recording medium storing a print position change program for arbitrarily changing a print position when a printer prints out print data on paper, the printout being performed on the paper. A data receiving procedure for receiving print data to be printed, a print data storing procedure for storing the received print data in a memory resource in the computer, and a print position input procedure for designating a print position change of the print data on a sheet. A data output procedure for changing a layout of the stored print data based on a print position change designated by the print position input procedure and outputting the layout to the printer. Computer that remembers Readable recording medium.