JP2005246796A - Printing apparatus and printing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly lay out even when a page break is necessary for an object or its group for which page break prohibition is designated.
When the necessity of a page break is determined and a page break is made (S406), when page break prohibition is designated (S408), the contents analyzed so far are temporarily stored in a memory (S410). ), The contents stored after the page break is created and the new page box is created are reflected as analyzed after the page break (S414, S416), and the subsequent analysis is resumed (S418, S420). As a result, it is possible to create a layout more quickly than in the case of reanalyzing after a page break.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method therefor, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that analyzes a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described and prints them on a medium such as paper and a printing method therefor.

Conventionally, as this type of printing apparatus, there has been proposed a printer system including a printer that analyzes and prints an SVG document and a formatting server that converts an HTML document into an SVG document (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . In this system, when an HTML document is received, the HTML document received by the formatting server is converted into an SVG document, and the converted SVG document is analyzed by a printer and printed.
JP 2002-91726 A (FIG. 1, page 5)

  However, since the above-described printer system is composed of a printer and a formatting server, the printer system is increased in size and is not suitable for installation in a limited space such as a living room. When an HTML document is received, it is converted into an SVG document by the formatting server and the converted SVG document is analyzed and printed. Therefore, it takes time for conversion and analysis, and rapid printing cannot be performed. Some objects described in the HTML document may cause inconvenience such as being difficult to see due to page breaks during printing.

  An object of the printing apparatus and printing method of the present invention is to more appropriately analyze and print a descriptive document such as an HTML document or an XHTML document obtained by extending the HTML document. In addition, the printing apparatus and the printing method of the present invention specify page break prohibition among objects described in a description document when analyzing and printing a description document such as an HTML document or an XHTML document extended from the HTML document. One of the purposes is to print an object or a group of objects so that no page breaks occur during the process. Further, it is an object of the printing apparatus and the printing method of the present invention to quickly lay out an object or a group of objects for which page break prohibition is designated even when laying out without page break.

  The printing apparatus and printing method of the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above object.

The first printing apparatus of the present invention includes:
A printing device that analyzes a description document that hierarchically describes printable objects and prints it on a medium such as paper,
A structure format analysis means for analyzing the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document and the format of the object;
When creating a layout for each page on the medium by laying out with a method of sequentially analyzing and arranging objects based on the analyzed tree structure and format, page breaks including at least one object are prohibited. For the objects belonging to the specified page break prohibition group, the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is required, and the page break is prohibited when a page break is required. When the analysis and arrangement of the objects performed before the page break is necessary among the objects belonging to the group are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the objects performed after the page break, and the page break is necessary Sequentially analyze and distribute objects after the object being analyzed By, the layout creating means for creating a layout for each page,
Print execution means for laying out an object based on the created layout for each page and printing on the medium;
It is a summary to provide.

  In the first printing apparatus of the present invention, a method of analyzing a hierarchical tree structure of an object and a format of an object in a description document, and sequentially analyzing and arranging the objects based on the analyzed tree structure and the format. The layout for each page on a medium such as paper is created by laying out the object, and the objects are laid out based on the created layout for each page and printed on the medium such as paper. Therefore, the description document can be analyzed and printed more appropriately. In addition, for objects belonging to a page break prohibition group that includes at least one object and page break prohibition is specified, objects belonging to the page break prohibition group are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is required. When a page is required, the analysis and placement of objects that belong to the page break prohibition group before the page break is required are applied as the analysis and placement of the object after the page break and the page break Since the objects after the object that has been analyzed when it becomes necessary are sequentially analyzed and arranged, objects belonging to the page break prohibition group can be laid out without performing page breaks within the group. In addition, since the analysis and arrangement of the object performed before the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the object performed after the page break, the layout of the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group can be quickly performed. Can do.

  In the first printing apparatus of the present invention, when the layout creation means needs a page break in the middle of arranging the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group, The object analyzed and arranged before the page break can be a means for deleting from the layout of the previous page of the page break. In this way, it is possible to prevent the same content from being laid out on the pages before and after the page break.

The second printing apparatus of the present invention is
A printing device that analyzes a description document that hierarchically describes printable objects and prints it on a medium such as paper,
A structure format analysis means for analyzing the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document and the format of the object;
When creating a layout for each page on the medium by laying out an object based on the analyzed tree structure and format by a method of sequentially analyzing and arranging the contents of the object, the object is modified. For a page break prohibition object for which page prohibition is specified, the contents of the page break prohibition object are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is required, and when a page break is required, the page break prohibition object The analysis and arrangement of the contents performed before the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the contents performed after the page break and are analyzed when the page break is necessary. A layout that creates a layout for each page by sequentially analyzing and arranging the contents after the previous contents And forming means,
Print execution means for laying out an object based on the created layout for each page and printing on the medium;
It is a summary to provide.

  In the second printing apparatus of the present invention, the hierarchical tree structure of the object and the format of the object in the description document are analyzed, and the contents of the object are sequentially analyzed based on the analyzed tree structure and the format. A layout for each page on a medium such as paper is created by laying out using a layout method, and objects are laid out based on the created layout for each page and printed on a medium such as paper. Therefore, the description document can be analyzed and printed more appropriately. In addition, for the page break prohibition object for which page break prohibition is specified, the contents of the page break prohibition object are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is necessary, and page break is prohibited when a page break is required. The analysis and arrangement of the contents of the object before the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the contents performed after the page break and are analyzed when the page break is necessary. Since the contents after the contents are sequentially analyzed and arranged, layout can be performed without performing a page break in the middle of a page break prohibited object. In addition, since the analysis and arrangement of the contents performed until the page break is necessary are applied as the contents analysis and arrangement performed after the page break, the layout of the page break prohibition object can be quickly performed.

  In such a second printing apparatus of the present invention, the layout creation means, when a page break is necessary during the placement of the contents of the page break prohibited object, the page break of the contents of the page break prohibited object. The contents analyzed and arranged before may be a means for deleting from the layout of the previous page of the page break. In this way, it is possible to prevent the same content from being laid out on the pages before and after the page break.

  In the first or second printing apparatus of the present invention, the layout creation means may be a means for giving a print execution instruction to the print execution means for each page for which layout creation has been completed. The layout creation means may be means for giving a print execution instruction to the print execution means after the creation of the layout for one page is completed.

  In the first or second printing apparatus of the present invention, the description document can be described in a markup language. In this case, the markup language may be an XHTML language.

  Furthermore, in the printing apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the object may include at least one of a text, an image, and a table, and the printing apparatus is a color inkjet printer. You can also.

The first printing method of the present invention includes:
A printing method in a printing apparatus that analyzes a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described and prints on a medium such as paper,
(A) Analyzing the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document and the format of the object;
(B) When creating a layout for each page on the medium by laying out with a method of sequentially analyzing and arranging objects based on the analyzed tree structure and format, the page break includes at least one object. For the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group for which prohibition is specified, the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is necessary. Of the objects belonging to the page prohibition group, the analysis and arrangement of the object performed until the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the object performed after the page break, and the page break is necessary. Analyze objects after the object that was being analyzed By arrangement, to create a layout for each page,
(C) The gist is to lay out an object based on the created layout for each page and print it on the medium.

  In the first printing method of the present invention, a hierarchical tree structure of an object in a description document and an object format are analyzed, and objects are sequentially analyzed and arranged based on the analyzed tree structure and format. The layout for each page on a medium such as paper is created by laying out the object, and the objects are laid out based on the created layout for each page and printed on the medium such as paper. Therefore, the description document can be analyzed and printed more appropriately. In addition, for objects belonging to a page break prohibition group that includes at least one object and page break prohibition is specified, objects belonging to the page break prohibition group are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is required. When a page is required, the analysis and placement of objects that belong to the page break prohibition group before the page break is required are applied as the analysis and placement of the object after the page break and the page break Since the objects after the object that has been analyzed when it becomes necessary are sequentially analyzed and arranged, objects belonging to the page break prohibition group can be laid out without performing page breaks within the group. In addition, since the analysis and arrangement of the object performed before the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the object performed after the page break, the layout of the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group can be quickly performed. Can do.

The second printing method of the present invention includes:
A printing method in a printing apparatus that analyzes a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described and prints on a medium such as paper,
(A) Analyzing the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document and the format of the object;
(B) When creating a layout for each page on the medium by laying out an object based on the analyzed tree structure and format by a method of sequentially analyzing and arranging the contents of the object, Among the page break prohibition objects for which page break prohibition is specified, the contents of the page break prohibition object are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is necessary. When the analysis and arrangement of the contents of the prohibited object before the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the contents performed after the page break and the page break is necessary Create a layout for each page by sequentially analyzing and arranging the contents after the analyzed contents,
(C) The gist is to lay out an object based on the created layout for each page and print it on the medium.

  In the second printing method of the present invention, the hierarchical tree structure of the object and the format of the object in the description document are analyzed, and the contents of the object are sequentially analyzed based on the analyzed tree structure and the format. A layout for each page on a medium such as paper is created by laying out using a layout method, and objects are laid out based on the created layout for each page and printed on a medium such as paper. Therefore, the description document can be analyzed and printed more appropriately. In addition, for the page break prohibition object for which page break prohibition is specified, the contents of the page break prohibition object are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is necessary, and page break is prohibited when a page break is required. The analysis and arrangement of the contents of the object before the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the contents performed after the page break and are analyzed when the page break is necessary. Since the contents after the contents are sequentially analyzed and arranged, layout can be performed without performing a page break in the middle of a page break prohibited object. In addition, since the analysis and arrangement of the contents performed until the page break is necessary are applied as the contents analysis and arrangement performed after the page break, the layout of the page break prohibition object can be quickly performed.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using examples.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a color inkjet printer 20 as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment is connected to a computer 10, a digital television 12, a digital camera 14, and the like, and an input interface 22 that controls input of a digital image (hereinafter referred to as an image), and an input interface 22 Analyzing an XHTML document described in XHTML (eXtensible Hyper Text Markup Language) as a markup language by assigning an output destination of data based on the format of the input image, and as an element tree structure Creates a DOM (Document Object Model) tree and reads a CSS document described by CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to create a style object and create a memory An image and text as an element (object) described in an XHTML document using the analysis unit 30 written in the data 50 and the DOM tree and style object created by the analysis unit 30 are laid out for each print page for printing. A layouter 38 to be written in the memory 50 as a page box, and a rendering plug-in (hereinafter referred to as RPI) 40 for rendering an image for printing as RBG data using a page box obtained by laying out by the layouter 38. The RGB (Red Green Blue) data printing screen is converted into CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black) data, and the converted CMYK data is binarized by image processing such as error diffusion processing. A binarization unit 44 and An image buffer 46 that temporarily stores data for outputting binarized CMYK data to a print execution unit 48 including a print head (not shown) in units of bands.

  The signal processing unit 24 outputs the data to the image buffer 46 of the print execution unit 48 when the input signal is printable data that can be printed immediately, and the print screen storage area of the memory 50 when the input signal is RGB data. In the case of a file described in an XHTML document, it is output to the analysis unit 30.

  The analysis unit 30 includes a core 32 that creates a DOM tree by instructing analysis of an XHTML document, an XML parser 34 that analyzes an XHTML document based on an instruction from the core 32, and a link tag of the created DOM tree. The CSS plug-in (hereinafter referred to as CSSI) 36 for analyzing the CSS document requested by the initialization process of FIG. The CSSI 36 reads and analyzes the file described in the CSS document when it is described in the XHTML document, and creates a style object. The file described in the CSS document is not described in the XHTML document, and when the style (format or style) is directly described for each element in the XHTML document, the core 32 analyzes the style, and the DOM. Add to tree element information.

  The operation unit 60 includes a liquid crystal display 61 arranged in front of the printer, two operation buttons 62 provided on the side, a CPU 63, a ROM 64, a display controller (hereinafter referred to as LCDC) 65 configured as one chip inside. , And a memory 66. The contents set by the operation unit 60 include, for example, the type and size of the loaded printing paper, the type of ink, and the setting is a processing program stored in advance in the ROM 64 based on the operation of the operation button 62. Is started according to the menu displayed on the liquid crystal display 61 by this processing program. For example, in the case of setting the paper type, the paper size is selected from the menu and is set by selecting from “plain paper”, “photo paper”, etc. displayed by being toggled on the liquid crystal display 61. In this case, the paper size is selected from the menu and is set by selecting from “A4 portrait”, “B5 portrait”, etc. displayed by being toggled on the liquid crystal display 61. The contents set in this way are written into the memory 66. In the embodiment, even if the setting by the operation unit 60 is not performed, as a default, for example, “plain paper” as the type of printing paper, “A4 portrait” as the paper size, and “pigment type” as the ink type. Etc. are set. Since the setting process by the operation unit 60 does not form the core of the present invention, further description is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the color ink jet printer 20 of the embodiment configured as described above, particularly the operation when printing an XHTML document will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the analysis layout instruction process executed by the analysis unit 30. This process is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, every 8 msec). When the analysis layout instruction process is executed, first, it is determined whether or not a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for specifying an XHTML document is specified (step S100). If a URL is specified, the URL is stored in the memory. 50 is stored in the URL storage buffer area set in the area 50 (step S110), and if no URL is designated, the process proceeds to the next process. The URL designation is output to the color inkjet printer 20 from the digital television 12 when the operator selects an item to be printed by the color inkjet printer 20 among the printable items displayed on the digital television 12. Or by simply selecting a URL from the computer 10 and making a print request to the color inkjet printer 20. In the URL designation from the computer 10, the XHTML document can be analyzed, laid out, color converted, binarized, etc. by the computer 10, but the computer 10 does not perform such processing at all, and only the URL is colored. In this case, the data is transmitted to the ink jet printer 20.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50 (step S120), and whether or not the XHTML document is currently being analyzed is determined (step S130). Whether or not the XHTML document is currently being analyzed is determined by determining whether or not the analysis unit 30 is confident in parallel with the analysis layout instruction processing, for example, at the start of analysis and at the end of analysis. If so, this can be done by checking the flag. When the URL is stored and the XHTML document is not currently being analyzed, the first URL stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50 is read and analysis of the XHTML document specified by the URL is started ( In step S140, when the URL is not stored or when the XHTML document is currently being analyzed even if the URL is stored, the process proceeds to the next process. The analysis of the XHTML document is performed based on the analysis process illustrated in FIG. In this analysis processing, the XHTML document specified by the URL is analyzed to create a DOM tree, the CSS document described in the XHTML document is analyzed to create a style object, and the DOM tree storage area in the memory 50 is associated with the analysis. And the style object storage area. At this time, a DOM tree ID is assigned as identification information to the DOM tree, and a style object ID is assigned to the style object as identification information. Details of the analysis processing will be described later.

  Next, it is determined whether the layout is being performed by the layouter 38 (step S150). When the layout is not performed by the layouter 38, the DOM stored in the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50 is determined. The first DOM tree in the tree is designated using the DOM tree ID, and a layout start instruction is output to the layouter 38 (step S160). This analysis layout instruction process is terminated, and the layout layout 38 is being executed. When it is in the middle, the analysis layout instruction process is terminated without outputting the layout start instruction. Here, whether or not the layout is being performed by the layouter 38 can be determined based on whether or not a layout end signal is input from the layouter 38. The reception of the layout end signal will be described in detail when the processing of the layouter 38 is described.

  Since such an analysis layout instruction process is repeatedly executed as described above, every time the URL is specified in the analysis unit 30, the specified URL is stored in the memory 50 regardless of whether or not the XHTML document is being analyzed. Store in the URL storage buffer area. When a URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, XHTML documents are sequentially analyzed regardless of whether the layout by the layouter 38 is being executed. Accordingly, a plurality of URLs may be stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, a plurality of DOM trees may be stored in the DOM tree storage area, and a plurality of styles may be stored in the style object storage area. An object may be stored. In the embodiment, a URL storage buffer area is set so that a plurality of URLs can be stored, and a DOM tree storage area is set so that a plurality of DOM trees can be stored. A style object storage area is set so that the style object can be stored.

  Next, analysis processing executed by the analysis unit 30 will be described. The analysis process is performed based on the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3 as described above. For ease of explanation, a specific example will be described using the XHTML document illustrated in FIG. When a URL is specified by the analysis layout instruction process and an analysis start instruction is given, the XHTML document specified by the URL is read (step S200), and the read XHTML document is analyzed to create a DOM tree (step S210). . At this time, a DOM tree ID (for example, an ID created by adding a DOM to a URL) is assigned as identification information to the DOM tree to be created. Specifically, the XHTML document is read by the XML parser 34 when the core 32 designates a URL and requests an analysis to the XML parser 34. Specifically, the analysis of the XHTML document and the creation of the DOM tree are performed by the XML parser 34 analyzing the XHTML document from the beginning in order to create each element and register it in the DOM tree. The element is created for the core 32, and the element is registered by associating it with the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50. FIG. 5 shows a DOM tree created by analyzing the XHTML document illustrated in FIG.

  When the DOM tree is created in this way, the CSS document designated as the XHTML document is read (step S220), and the read CSS document is analyzed to create a style object (step S230). Specifically, the CSS document 36 is read by the request in the initialization process in the link tag of the DOM tree. Specifically, the CSS document is analyzed and the style object is created by the CSSI 36 analyzing the CSS document in order from the beginning and storing each rule in the storage area for the style object in the memory 50. In the example of FIG. 4, the style is described directly in the XHTML document, and no CSS object is specified, so no style object is created.

  When the DOM tree and style object are created in this way, the created DOM tree and style object are associated with each other (step S240), and the URL to be analyzed is deleted from the URL storage buffer area (step S250). End the analysis process.

  Next, processing of the layouter 38 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a layout drawing instruction process executed by the layouter 38 when the analysis unit 30 designates a DOM tree and gives a layout start instruction. When the layout drawing instruction process is executed, the layouter 38 first starts layout based on the designated DOM tree (step S300). The layout is executed by the layout process illustrated in FIG. For convenience of explanation, layout processing will be described here.

  In the layout process, the layouter 38 first creates an element box for each element of the DOM tree according to the characteristics of the element (step S400). For example, if the element is an image, an image box is created, and if the element is text, a text box is created. Subsequently, a page box corresponding to the first page is created (step S402), and the element box in the body tag is sequentially laid out under the page box until it cannot be laid out (steps S404 to S424). In the layout of the element box, first, the element box is analyzed (step S404), and the necessity of a page break is determined (step S406). This analysis and the necessity of line breaks are determined by analyzing the size and background color when the element box is text, placing each character on the target line based on its size, and if the line cannot be placed If the element box is an image, the size and background color are analyzed, and the vertical line of the target line is analyzed. When the element box is a table set, the horizontal size of each cell that composes the table set is calculated. This is done by determining the width of the combination, assembling the cells for each row, and determining the necessity of a page break when incorporating the cells into the row. If a page break is unnecessary as a result of the analysis, the analyzed element box is laid out (step S422), and the presence of the next element box is determined (step S424).

  When it is determined that a page break is necessary, it is determined whether or not page break is prohibited (step S408). For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the page break prohibition determination is specified by “peg-break-inside: void” underlined in the table tag in the second row under the body tag. In this example, a page break is prohibited in a table set analyzed and arranged by the table tag. When page breaks are not prohibited, the contents analyzed and arranged until it is determined that page breaks are necessary are laid out (step S409). When page breaks are prohibited, the contents analyzed so far are temporarily stored. Then, it is stored in the memory 50 (step S410), and a page box for the next page is created (step S412). When the analyzed contents until the necessity of page break is determined are temporarily stored in the memory 50, the analyzed contents are reflected as having been performed after the page break (steps S414 and S416). When page breaks are not prohibited, the contents analyzed up to that point before page breaks are laid out on the previous page. Then, it is determined whether or not analysis is in progress (step S418). When analysis is in progress, analysis is resumed (step S420). Then, the contents analyzed after the page break are laid out (step S422), and the presence of the next element box is determined (step S424). In the example of the XHTML document in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 8, an image (image) is laid out, and then the element box corresponding to the table tag is analyzed and tabulated (three rows of the table tab) When the eye is analyzed), the necessity of a page break is determined, and page breaks are prohibited. Therefore, the contents analyzed so far (up to the second line of the table) are temporarily stored in the memory 50. The contents (up to the second line of the table set) stored in the memory 50 after the page break are reflected, and the third and subsequent lines of the table set are subsequently analyzed and laid out. That is, only images (images) are laid out on the first page, and all tables are laid out on the second page. FIG. 9 shows a page box of each page when laying out using a specific example DOM tree.

  When all the element boxes are laid out in this way, the designated DOM tree is deleted from the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50 (step S426), and the layout process is terminated. As described above, by deleting the DOM tree used when the layout process is completed from the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50, the state where the unnecessary DOM tree is stored in the DOM tree storage area is continued. Can be avoided. As a result, a storage area for a new DOM tree created by the analysis unit 30 can be secured.

  Returning to the description of the layout drawing instruction process (FIG. 6). When the layout is started, it waits for the layout of the first page to be completed (step S310), specifies the page for which the layout has been completed, and outputs a drawing start instruction to the RPI 40 (step S320). Whether or not the layout for the page has been completed can be determined based on whether or not the page box corresponding to the next page has been created and whether or not the layout processing has been completed when there is only one page. The RPI 40 instructed to start drawing executes the drawing process illustrated in FIG. 10, and draws text and images as RGB data using the print image storage area of the memory 50 according to the page box (step S500), and the drawing ends. When this is done, a color conversion instruction is output to the color conversion unit 42 (step S510), and a drawing end is output to the layouter 38 (step S520). For image drawing, an image file is read and, depending on the file format, is developed and drawn. FIG. 11 shows an example of a print result of a specific example.

  After outputting the drawing start instruction, it waits for the drawing of the page to end (step S330), and deletes the page box corresponding to the page (step S340). In this way, by deleting the page box corresponding to the page every time drawing of the page is completed, it is possible to avoid the state where unnecessary page boxes are stored in the box storage area. . When the page box is deleted in this way, it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step S350). If there is a next page, the process returns to step S310. That is, it is determined whether or not the layout for the next page has been completed. If the layout has not been completed, the process waits until the layout is completed, specifies the page for which the layout has been completed, and outputs a drawing start instruction to the RPI 40. is there. When all pages are drawn in this way and there is no next page, the end of layout is output to the analysis unit 30 (step S360), and the layout drawing instruction processing is ended. In this way, by outputting a layout end signal from the layouter 38 to the analysis unit 30, the analysis unit 30 can determine whether the layout by the layouter 38 is in progress.

  FIG. 12 shows an XHTML document of another specific example, FIG. 13 shows an example of the DOM tree of the specific example of FIG. 12, FIG. 14 shows how the layout of the specific example of FIG. Shows an example of the print result of the specific example of FIG. In the specific example of FIG. 12, “page-break-side: void” with an underline in the p tag on the fourth line below the body tag is described, thereby preventing page breaks in the p tag. The In this p tag, as shown in the DOM tree of FIG. 13, element boxes of three images (img) are created, and the necessity of a page break is determined in one of the three images. Then, all three images are laid out after the page break. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the necessity for a page break is determined for the third image (img3), all the images (img1 to img3) are arranged after the page break as shown in FIG. Will be.

  According to the color ink jet printer 20 of the embodiment described above, when prohibition of page break is designated, the analyzed contents are temporarily stored in the memory 50 until the necessity of page break is determined. Since the stored contents are applied as after page break and the subsequent analysis is continued, a layout can be created more quickly than in the case of newly re-analyzing after page break. As a result, the XHTML document can be quickly analyzed and printed. In addition, the designation of page break prohibition can be performed for each object or for a group including a plurality of objects.

  Further, according to the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, every time a URL is specified, the specified URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50 regardless of whether the XHTML document is being analyzed. be able to. Further, when the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, the XHTML document can be sequentially analyzed regardless of whether the layout is being executed by the layouter 38 or not. As a result, regardless of whether the layout is being executed by the layouter 38, the designation of the URL can be stored, and the XHTML document specified by the URL can be read and analyzed. Therefore, each time printing is completed, the XHTML document specified by the URL is read, analyzed, and printed more quickly than when it is printed.

  Here, in the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, the XML parser 34 corresponds to the structure format analysis means, the layouter 38 corresponds to the layout creation means, the RPI 40, the color conversion unit 42, the binarization unit 44, and the image buffer 46. And the print execution unit 48 correspond to print execution means.

  In the color ink jet printer 20 of the embodiment, not only the prohibition of page breaks can be specified for each object but also a group including a plurality of objects. The designation may be performed only for each object, or may be performed only for a group including at least one object.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, when the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, the XHTML document is used regardless of the number of DOM trees stored in the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50. However, when the number of DOM trees stored in the DOM tree storage area of the memory 50 is a predetermined number, the analysis of the next XHTML document may be suspended until the number becomes less than the predetermined number. For example, the predetermined number may be 2. In this way, the storage area for the DOM tree in the memory 50 can be reduced.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, when the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50, the analysis of the XHTML document is immediately performed upon completion of the analysis of the XHTML document. After the analysis is completed, the next XHTML document may be analyzed at any timing.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, every time a URL is specified, the specified URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area of the memory 50 regardless of whether the XHTML document is being analyzed or not. When the URL is stored in the URL storage buffer area, the XHTML document is sequentially analyzed regardless of whether the layout is being executed by the layouter 38. However, the printing process such as the execution of the layout is performed. During execution, the XHTML document may not be analyzed. In this case, the URL may be accepted when the printing process is completed.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, an XHTML document described in XHTML is analyzed and printed as a description document. However, a description document described in another markup language may be analyzed and printed. Good. In addition, a document described in a language other than the markup language may be analyzed and printed.

  In the color inkjet printer 20 of the embodiment, the computer 10, the digital television 12, the digital camera 14, and the like are described as devices connected to the input interface 22, but any device may be connected.

  In the embodiment, a color inkjet printer is used as the printing apparatus of the present invention for analyzing and printing an XHTML document. However, various printers such as a color laser printer, a monochrome inkjet printer, and a laser printer may be used.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, it can be implemented in the form.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a color inkjet printer 20 according to an embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of an analysis layout instruction | indication process. The flowchart which shows an example of an analysis process. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the XHTML document of a specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the DOM tree of a specific example. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a layout drawing instruction process. The flowchart which shows an example of a layout process. Explanatory drawing explaining the necessity of a page break in a specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the page box of a specific example. The flowchart which shows an example of a drawing process. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the printing result of a specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the XHTML document of another specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the DOM tree of another specific example. Explanatory drawing explaining the necessity of a page break in another specific example. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the printing result of another specific example.

Explanation of symbols

  10 computers, 12 digital televisions, 14 digital cameras, 20 color inkjet printers, 22 input interfaces, 24 signal processing units, 30 analysis units, 32 cores, 34 XML parsers, 36 CSSPIs, 38 layouters, 40 RPIs, 42 color conversion units, 44 binarization unit, 46 image buffer, 48 print execution unit, 50 memory, 60 operation unit, 61 liquid crystal display, 62 operation button, 63 CPU, 64 ROM, 65 display controller (LCDC), 66 memory.

Claims (12)

A printing device that analyzes a description document that hierarchically describes printable objects and prints it on a medium such as paper,
A structure format analysis means for analyzing the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document and the format of the object;
When creating a layout for each page on the medium by laying out with a method of sequentially analyzing and arranging objects based on the analyzed tree structure and format, page breaks including at least one object are prohibited. For the objects belonging to the specified page break prohibition group, the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is required, and the page break is prohibited when a page break is required. When the analysis and arrangement of the objects performed before the page break is necessary among the objects belonging to the group are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the objects performed after the page break, and the page break is necessary Sequentially analyze and distribute objects after the object being analyzed By, the layout creating means for creating a layout for each page,
Print execution means for laying out an object based on the created layout for each page and printing on the medium;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The layout creation means, when an object belonging to the page break prohibition group is placed, when a page break is required, among the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group, the object analyzed and arranged before the page break 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, which is means for deleting from the layout of the previous page of the page break. A printing device that analyzes a description document that hierarchically describes printable objects and prints it on a medium such as paper,
A structure format analysis means for analyzing the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document and the format of the object;
When creating a layout for each page on the medium by laying out an object based on the analyzed tree structure and format by a method of sequentially analyzing and arranging the contents of the object, the object is modified. For a page break prohibition object for which page prohibition is specified, the contents of the page break prohibition object are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is required, and when a page break is required, the page break prohibition object The analysis and arrangement of the contents performed before the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the contents performed after the page break and are analyzed when the page break is necessary. A layout that creates a layout for each page by sequentially analyzing and arranging the contents after the previous contents And forming means,
Print execution means for laying out an object based on the created layout for each page and printing on the medium;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The layout creation means, when a page break is necessary during the placement of the contents of the page break prohibition object, the contents analyzed and arranged before the page break among the contents of the page break prohibition object 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus is means for deleting from the layout of the previous page of the page break.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout creation unit is a unit that issues a print execution instruction to the print execution unit for each page for which layout creation has been completed.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout creation unit is a unit that issues a print execution instruction to the print execution unit after the creation of a layout for one page is completed.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the description document is described in a markup language.   The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the markup language is an XHTML language.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object includes at least one of a text, an image, and a table.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, which is a color inkjet printer. A printing method in a printing apparatus that analyzes a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described and prints on a medium such as paper,
(A) Analyzing the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document and the format of the object;
(B) When creating a layout for each page on the medium by laying out with a method of sequentially analyzing and arranging objects based on the analyzed tree structure and format, the page break includes at least one object. For the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group for which prohibition is specified, the objects belonging to the page break prohibition group are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is necessary. Of the objects belonging to the page prohibition group, the analysis and arrangement of the object performed until the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the object performed after the page break, and the page break is necessary. Analyze objects after the object that was being analyzed By arrangement, to create a layout for each page,
(C) A printing method in which an object is laid out based on the created layout for each page and printed on the medium. A printing method in a printing apparatus that analyzes a description document in which printable objects are hierarchically described and prints on a medium such as paper,
(A) Analyzing the hierarchical tree structure of the object in the description document and the format of the object;
(B) When creating a layout for each page on the medium by laying out an object based on the analyzed tree structure and format by a method of sequentially analyzing and arranging the contents of the object, Among the page break prohibition objects for which page break prohibition is specified, the contents of the page break prohibition object are sequentially analyzed and arranged until a page break is necessary. When the analysis and arrangement of the contents of the prohibited object before the page break is necessary are applied as the analysis and arrangement of the contents performed after the page break and the page break is necessary Create a layout for each page by sequentially analyzing and arranging the contents after the analyzed contents,
(C) A printing method in which an object is laid out based on the created layout for each page and printed on the medium.

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