JP2005208792A - Print preview system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present a print preview close to the state of a printed matter.
A print preview system is configured by connecting a printer and a projector to a personal computer. The printer 300 is provided with a holding mechanism 310 for holding the printing paper 320 at a position where the projector 200 can project a print preview image. By sending preview projection display data from the personal computer 100 to the projector 200, the print preview PV is projected and displayed on the printing paper held by the holding mechanism 310 in actual size. This makes it possible to present a print preview that reflects the size of the printed material and the texture of the printing paper.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a print preview system that displays a print preview representing a state in which an image is printed on a print medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer is used in a computer to print a document created by various application programs. The application program and the printer driver have a function of displaying a print preview on a computer display so that the state of printing a document can be confirmed in advance (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-40045

  However, the image displayed in the conventional print preview is insufficient to accurately recognize the actual state of the printed matter in the following points. For example, since the size of the print preview image is limited by the size of the display, when the size of the printing paper is larger than the display, the print preview cannot be displayed at the actual size. In addition, when printing on special printing paper with coloring, ground pattern printing, surface coating, embossing, etc., or printing on cloth, plastic, metal, wood, etc., the print preview will make it an actual printed matter. The comparable texture could not be expressed. Due to this lack of print preview, the user has had to repeat trial prints to obtain the desired print. In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to present a print preview that makes it easy to grasp the actual state of printed matter.

  The present invention can be configured as a print preview system that displays a print preview representing a state in which an image is printed on a print medium. The print medium includes various printable media such as printing paper, cloth, plastic, metal, and wood. The print preview system of the present invention includes a projector for projecting and displaying a print preview, a data output device, and a print medium holding mechanism. The data output device generates projection display data based on the image data to be printed and outputs the data to the projector. The data output device can be composed of, for example, a personal computer. The holding mechanism holds the print medium at a predetermined relative position from the projector so that the print preview is projected and displayed at an actual size. According to the present invention, a print preview can be displayed in actual size on a print medium. Accordingly, it is possible to present a print preview with a size and texture close to those of an actual printed material.

  For example, the holding mechanism may be configured using at least a part of a paper feeding mechanism to the printing apparatus. In this case, the print medium itself used for displaying the print preview is supplied to the printing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an error that the print medium displaying the print preview is different from the print medium supplied to the printing apparatus.

  The holding mechanism is not necessarily integrated with one of the projector and the printing apparatus, and may be a separate body. The mechanism is not necessarily a dedicated mechanism for holding the print medium, and various mechanisms that can hold the print medium in a fixed positional relationship with the projector can be applied while the print preview is displayed. The actual size display of the print preview can be realized by finely adjusting a zoom mechanism or the like according to the interval between the projector and the print medium. In order to reduce the frequency of this fine adjustment, the holding mechanism may be capable of holding the distance between the projector and the print medium constant.

  In order to efficiently perform print preview for various print media, the data output device inputs designation of the size of the print media, and enlarges or reduces the image data at a magnification according to the input size and displays the projection. It may be possible to generate data for use. The magnification means the conversion rate of the resolution of the image data, and can be defined by “the number of pixels in the projection display data / the number of pixels in the image data” for either the width or the height of the image to be print previewed. The larger the print medium size, the larger the number of pixels in the image data, and the smaller the magnification. If the image data is enlarged or reduced at a magnification according to the print medium in this way, after the fine adjustment described above is once completed, a print preview corresponding to the size of the print medium can be obtained without performing such fine adjustment. Can be displayed.

  This magnification can be set using, for example, any of a plurality of types of print media to be displayed as a print preview as a reference medium. The reference medium can be set by the following procedure, for example. First, a magnification for displaying a print preview corresponding to each print medium at a maximum size in a projection area of a certain size is obtained, and a reference medium is selected based on this magnification. For example, it is preferable to use the print medium with the minimum magnification as the reference medium. In this way, the magnification for each print medium can be set so that the print preview for each print medium can be displayed in actual size with respect to the projection area having a size capable of displaying the print preview for the reference medium in actual size. Once the reference medium is determined, it is determined how long each pixel interval of the projection display data corresponds to, and based on this value, the magnification for displaying each print medium in actual size can be set easily. It is.

  When enlarging or reducing the image data at a magnification corresponding to each print medium, there may be a degree of freedom in the arrangement of the print preview image in the projection area depending on the magnification. Therefore, the display position of the print preview in the projection area may be stored in advance for each print medium. In this way, a print preview can be arranged at an arbitrary position according to the display position, and can be projected and displayed. This aspect is useful when the position where the print medium is held differs depending on the size of the print medium due to the structural restrictions of the holding mechanism.

  The data output device may perform color correction on the image data using color correction data prepared in advance for projection display of the print preview regardless of whether or not the above-described magnification conversion is performed. The color correction data can be set based on, for example, a comparison between a pre-printed color chart and a print preview color. The color correction data can be given, for example, in the form of a tone curve for converting the gradation value of each color component of the image data, a γ value for converting the γ characteristic, and the like. Thus, by using the color correction data for print preview, it is possible to present a print preview with a color tone close to that of an actual printed matter.

  In addition to the print preview system described above, the present invention can be configured in various modes. For example, the printing preview system may be configured as a printing method for performing printing after confirming the print preview. Further, it may be configured as a print preview method for generating projection display data using a print preview system and performing print preview. You may comprise as a computer program for producing the data for projection display, and performing a print preview, and the computer-readable recording medium which recorded this computer program.

  Here, as a recording medium, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, an internal storage device of a computer (RAM, ROM, etc. Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory) and an external storage device can be used.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
A. overall structure:
B. Internal structure:
C. Calibration process:
D. Display position registration processing:
E. Color correction data registration process:
F. Print preview processing:
G. Variation:

A. overall structure:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a print preview system as an embodiment. The personal computer 100 is connected to the projector 200 and the printer 300 via cables C1 and C2, respectively. The personal computer 100 can output print data to the printer 300 and can output projection display data to the projector 200.

  In this embodiment, the printer 300 is an ink jet printer that performs printing on a large roll paper 320. Roll paper 320 is held by holding mechanism 310, fed to printer 300, and conveyed in the direction of the arrow. The holding mechanism 310 is fixed to the ceiling 330 and holds the roll paper 320 in a state where an image can be projected from the projector 200. By adjusting the zoom mechanism of the projector 200 in advance according to the distance D between the roll paper 320 and the projector 200, the print preview PV can be projected on the roll paper 320 in actual size. When the projector 200 performs so-called “tilting projection”, it is preferable to adjust the trapezoidal distortion. The printer 300 is not limited to the illustrated example, and a type that performs printing on a single sheet may be used. In this case, in place of the illustrated holding mechanism 310, various mechanisms that can hold a single sheet of printing paper in a position where projection display is possible can be used.

B. Internal structure:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of each device. On the upper side, functional blocks constructed by software by installing a computer program in the personal computer 100 are shown. On the lower side, the hardware configuration in the projector 200 is schematically shown as functional blocks. Those configured in software may be configured in hardware or vice versa.

  The internal structure of the personal computer 100 will be described. In the personal computer 100, various software runs on an operating system and constitutes the functional blocks shown in the figure. The application program 110 generates a document or an image to be printed (hereinafter, both are collectively referred to as “image”). When the user instructs “print”, the application program 110 passes the image data to be printed to the printer driver 120. The printer driver 120 generates print data for causing the printer 300 to perform printing based on the image data, and outputs the print data to the printer 300.

  When the user instructs “print preview”, the application program 110 sends the image data to the preview control unit 130. Although the application program 110 itself may have a function of providing a print preview, in this embodiment, this function is provided by software different from the application program 110. Transfer of image data from the application program 110 to the preview control unit 130 can be easily realized by causing the application program 110 to recognize the preview control unit 130 as a kind of printer driver, for example. The preview control unit 130 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be incorporated in the application program 110 or the printer driver 120 as one function.

  In preview control unit 130, preview data generation unit 138 generates print preview data (hereinafter referred to as “preview data”) based on the image data received from application program 110. The preview data generation unit 138 performs color correction processing, enlargement / reduction processing, and the like on the image data in order to display the print preview in the same color tone as an actual printed matter and in actual size. The color correction data storage unit 136 stores parameters used for color correction processing, such as tone curves and γ values. The reference value storage unit 134 stores parameters used for enlargement / reduction processing, for example, data specifying a scale and a display position. The data in the color correction data storage unit 136 and the reference value storage unit 134 is registered by the registration unit 132 based on a user operation on a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

  The structure of the projector 200 will be described. The projector 200 modulates the light emitted from the light source 242 with a liquid crystal panel (hereinafter referred to as “LCP”) 244 and projects it onto the screen via the projection optical system 246. The projection optical system 246 is provided with a zoom mechanism 248 for adjusting the zoom.

  The input interface 210 inputs preview data from the personal computer 100 and passes it to the image processing unit 220. The image processing unit 220 performs various image processing based on the preview data, and generates data for driving the LCP. As one of the image processes, the keystone correction unit 222 performs keystone correction, that is, correction for trapezoidal distortion that occurs in the display image during tilt projection. Since the keystone correction method itself is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here. The LCP driving unit 230 receives data from the image processing unit 220, drives the LCP 244, and modulates the emitted light, thereby realizing print preview projection.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the reference value storage unit 134. Here, description will be made assuming that printing paper of various sizes can be fed to the printer 300. The reference value storage unit 134 stores a scale and a display position for each print sheet as data referred to when generating preview data. An explanation of the scale and display position is shown below the figure.

  The example in the figure shows a state in which the print preview B is displayed in the projection area A by the projector 200. In order to store the print preview B in the projection area A of a certain size and display it at the actual size, it is required to enlarge or reduce the image data according to the paper size. For example, let us consider a case where the scale S1 and the size of the projection area A for the A3 portrait are set so that the print preview for the A3 portrait can be displayed in an actual size in a state inscribed in the projection area A. In this way, the paper size displayed in a state inscribed in the projection area A is referred to as a reference size in this embodiment. When the application program 110 renders image data at a constant resolution and outputs it to the preview control unit 130, the paper size is reflected in the number of pixels constituting the image data. The scale S2 for displaying the actual print preview for the A4 portrait has the same value as the scale S1. When the resolution at the time of rendering differs depending on the paper size, the scale S2 becomes a value different from the scale S1 by considering this resolution.

  The display position is information that defines the arrangement position of the print preview B in the projection area A. In this embodiment, the representative point of the print preview B, for example, the position of the center Rp is represented by the reference point of the projection area A, for example, the x coordinate and the y coordinate defined in the horizontal and vertical directions with the center O as a reference. Is used as the display position. Various settings are possible for the representative point and the reference point. In this embodiment, the reference size is arranged in the center of the projection area A. Therefore, for the reference size, the display position is (0, 0).

  As illustrated, the reference value storage unit 134 stores the scale and the display position set in this way. In the figure, an example is shown in which scales S1, S2 and display positions (0, 0), (x1, y1) are stored for A3 length and A4 length. A1 vertical and A2 vertical indicate that the paper size to be subjected to print preview is not selected. In addition, it can be seen that A3 vertical is the reference size because the display position is (0, 0).

C. Calibration process:
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the calibration process. This process corresponds to the initial setting of the print preview system, and is a process for setting a reference size and setting for displaying a print preview corresponding to each paper size in actual size. This process is a process executed as one function of the registration unit 132 shown in FIG.

  When this process is started, the registration unit 132 accepts selection of a paper size to be previewed (step S10). In the drawing, an example of an interface displayed on the display of the personal computer 100 by the registration unit 132 for making this selection is shown. The user selects, as a preview target, a paper size that may be used for printing from various paper sizes such as A1 portrait. The example in the figure shows a state in which A3 portrait, A4 portrait, A3 landscape, and B4 landscape are selected.

  Next, the registration unit 132 determines a reference size according to the following procedure. First, the registration unit 132 calculates a scale conversion rate for each selected paper size (step S12). The scale conversion rate means a scale for displaying each paper size inscribed in the projection area, and is different from the scale stored in the reference value storage unit 134 (see FIG. 3).

  An explanatory diagram for explaining the scale conversion rate is shown in the figure. It is assumed that the numbers of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions of the projection area are Px and Py, respectively. It is assumed that the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction when image data is rendered at a constant resolution is W and H, respectively. As indicated by hatching in the figure, in order to display the image inscribed in the projection area, the scale conversion rate of the image data is obtained as “Py / H”. In the case of landscape paper, the scale conversion rate may be obtained by “Px / W”. In general, by taking the smaller value of “Py / H” and “Px / W”, a scale conversion rate for inscribed can be obtained.

  In order to make it possible to display the actual size of the print preview for all paper sizes in a projection display area of a certain size, the size of the projection display area is preferably set so that the print preview for a large paper size is inscribed. When rendering at a constant resolution, the number of pixels W and H in the horizontal and vertical directions increases as the paper size increases. According to the above definition, the scale conversion rate decreases as the paper size increases. Value. Therefore, it is preferable to select a paper size that minimizes the scale conversion rate obtained in step S12 as the reference size that defines the size of the projection display area.

  From this point of view, the registration unit 132 selects the paper size that minimizes the scale conversion rate as the reference size (step S14). Then, the scale conversion rate is readjusted for each paper size other than the reference size and registered as “scale” in the reference value storage unit 134 (step S14). As described above with reference to FIG. 3, when the same resolution is used for rendering for all paper sizes when the application program 110 is rendered, the “scale” of the reference value storage unit 134 has the same value for each paper size. Just register. When the resolution at the time of rendering is different, the “scale” may be obtained by “scale with respect to reference size × (rendering resolution of reference size) / (rendering resolution of each paper size)”.

  When the registration process is completed, the registration unit 132 causes the preview data generation unit 138 to perform projection display of an image for calibration with respect to the reference size (step S16). An example image is shown in the figure. This image may include a dimension display as shown in the figure, or may include a word for instructing adjustment of the zoom mechanism. The user adjusts the distance between the projector 200 and the printing paper, the tilt angle at the time of projection, the level of keystone correction, the zoom mechanism, and the like so that the dimensions presented on this screen become the actual dimensions. By this adjustment, it is possible to display a print preview in actual size with respect to the reference size.

D. Display position registration processing:
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the display position registration process. This is a process for adjusting and registering the print preview display position for each paper size other than the reference size. This process is a process executed as one function of the registration unit 132 shown in FIG.

  When this processing is started, the registration unit 132 selects one paper size to be adjusted from among a plurality of types of paper sizes designated as preview targets (step S20). Assume that the printer 300 holds printing paper corresponding to the paper size. The registration unit 132 reads the scale and display position corresponding to the selected paper size from the reference value storage unit 134 (step S21), and causes the projector 200 to project and display an image for display position adjustment (step S22). An example image is shown in the figure. In the projection area A, the print preview is displayed at a hatched position, that is, at a position shifted from the print paper B. In this case, the print preview can be displayed on the print paper B by moving the representative point of the print preview to Rp in the drawing.

  When the user inputs an adjustment amount for moving the representative point of the print preview by operating the keyboard, the registration unit 132 accepts this (steps S23 and S24), and displays the display position adjustment image again (step S23). S22). When the user inputs a “decision” instruction (steps S23 and S24), the registration unit 132 registers the adjustment amount at that time in the reference value storage unit 134 as a display position (step S25). The registration unit 132 repeatedly executes the above processing for all paper sizes designated as preview targets (step S26). With this processing, it is possible to display a print preview in actual size for each paper size.

E. Color correction data registration process:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the color correction data registration process. This is a process for registering data for color correction used when generating preview data, and is a process executed as one function of the registration unit 132 shown in FIG.

  The registration unit 132 uses the printer 300 to print a color chart prepared in advance for color correction on a reference-size sheet (step S30). At the same time, the projector 200 projects and displays a print preview corresponding to the color chart on the reference-size printing paper (step S31). Assume that the printing paper used for projection display and the printing paper used for printing the color chart are of the same quality.

  When the user operates the keyboard to input color correction data, the registration unit 132 accepts this (steps S32 and S33), and again performs color chart projection display (step S31). As the color correction data, for example, various data for correcting lightness, saturation, and hue, such as a tone curve that defines gradation conversion of each color component of image data and a γ value that defines a γ correction amount, are used. I can do it. When the user inputs a “decision” instruction (steps S32 and S33), the registration unit 132 registers the color correction data in the color correction data storage unit 136 (step S34). With this processing, it is possible to display a print preview with a color tone close to that of an actual printed matter on the printing paper.

F. Print preview processing:
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the print preview process. This process is executed as a function of the preview control unit 130 when the user inputs a “print preview” instruction in the application program 110.

  When the process is started, the preview control unit 130 inputs a paper size and image data from the application program 110 (step S40). Then, the scale and display position corresponding to the image data are input from the reference value storage unit 134 (step S41), and preview data is generated (step S42). In the generation of the preview data, the image data is enlarged or reduced according to the scale, the print preview is arranged according to the display position, and the color correction processing according to the color correction data is performed. The preview control unit 130 outputs the preview data generated in this way to the projector 200 (step S43), and realizes a print preview projection display.

  According to the print preview system described above, the print preview can be projected and displayed on the printing paper in actual size. Accordingly, it is possible to reflect the size and texture of the printing paper in the print preview, and it is possible to present a print preview that makes it easy to grasp the actual state of the printed matter.

  In this embodiment, print preview can be performed with enlargement / reduction and display position adjustment according to the size of the printing paper. Therefore, even if the size of the printing paper changes, there is an advantage that the print preview can be easily displayed without performing fine adjustment corresponding to the calibration process (FIG. 4) and the display position registration process (FIG. 5). . However, these processes are not essential, and the print preview system according to the embodiment may be configured such that enlargement / reduction according to the size of the printing paper and adjustment of the display position are omitted. The color correction process can also be omitted.

G. Variation:
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a print preview system as a first modification. A configuration example using the printer 300A that performs printing on the single sheet 320A is shown. In this case, it is possible to project and display a print preview from the projector 200 by using the holding mechanism 310A that holds the single sheet 320A upright.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a print preview system as a second modification. An example is shown in which a holding mechanism for holding printing paper for print preview is prepared separately from the paper feeding mechanism of the printer 300A. In the second modification, the mounting table 310B for placing the printing paper 320B corresponds to the holding mechanism. The mounting table 310B is provided with a marker 311B that defines the mounting position according to the size of the printing paper.

  The projector 200B is fixed downward on the mounting table 310B by a stand 315B. When the printing paper 320B is placed on the mounting table 310B according to the marker 311B, a print preview can be projected and displayed on the printing paper 320B from the projector 200B.

  Since the interval between the projector 200 and the printing paper 320B affects the display size of the print preview, it is preferable to fix the interval between them in order to stably display the actual size of the print preview. In the second modification, since the interval between the projector 200B and the mounting table 310B is fixed by the stand 315B, it is possible to stably display the actual size of the print preview, and avoid re-execution of the calibration process due to the deviation of the interval. can do.

  In the second modification, the example in which the projector 200 is fixed to the mounting table 310B is shown, but the two may be separated. For example, the projector 200 may be attached to the ceiling. In this case, a normal table can be used as the mounting table 310B. Further, the projection does not necessarily have to be performed from above, and may be performed from the side as shown in FIGS. In this case, for example, a board that leans against a wall or a wall that can hold printing paper with a magnet or the like may be used as a holding mechanism. Also in this case, it is preferable to provide a mark for defining the position for holding the printing paper, like the marker 311B.

  As mentioned above, although the various Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to these Examples, and can take a various structure in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the print preview system as an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows a functional block. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a reference value storage unit 134. FIG. It is a flowchart of a calibration process. It is a flowchart of a display position registration process. It is a flowchart of a color correction data registration process. It is a flowchart of a print preview process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the print preview system as a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the print preview system as a 2nd modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Personal computer 110 ... Application program 120 ... Printer driver 130 ... Preview control part 132 ... Registration part 134 ... Reference value memory | storage part 136 ... Color correction data memory | storage part 138. ..Preview data generation unit 200, 200B ... Projector 210 ... Input interface 220 ... Image processing unit 222 ... Keystone correction unit 230 ... LCP drive unit 242 ... Light source 244 ... LCP
246 ... Projection optical system 248 ... Zoom mechanism 300, 300A ... Printer 310, 310A ... Holding mechanism 310B ... Mounting table 311B ... Marker 315B ... Stand 320 ... Roll paper 320A ... cut sheet 320B ... printing paper 330 ... ceiling

Claims (11)

A print preview system that displays a print preview representing a state in which an image is printed on a print medium,
A projector for projecting and displaying the print preview;
A data output device for generating the projection display data based on the image data and outputting the data to the projector;
A print preview system comprising: a holding mechanism for holding the print medium at a predetermined relative position from the projector so that the print preview is projected and displayed at an actual size. The print preview system according to claim 1,
A printing apparatus for performing the printing;
The holding mechanism is a print preview system that constitutes at least a part of a paper feed mechanism to the printing apparatus. The print preview system according to claim 1,
The print preview system, wherein the holding mechanism can hold a constant distance between the projector and the print medium. The print preview system according to claim 1,
The data output device includes:
A paper size input unit for inputting designation of the size of the print medium;
A print preview system including a data generation unit that generates the projection display data by enlarging or reducing the image data at a magnification according to the size of the print medium. The print preview system according to claim 4,
The data output device includes:
A target size storage unit for storing each size of a plurality of types of print media to be displayed in the print preview;
A reference setting unit that selects any one print medium as a reference medium based on a magnification for displaying a print preview corresponding to each print medium at a maximum size within a projection area of a fixed size;
A magnification setting unit for setting a magnification for each print medium so that a print preview for each print medium can be displayed in an actual size with respect to a projection area having a size capable of displaying the print preview for the reference medium in an actual size;
The data generation unit is a print preview system that generates the data using the set magnification. The print preview system according to claim 4,
A display position storage unit that stores a display position of the print preview in a projection area for each of a plurality of types of print media to be displayed in the print preview;
The data generation unit is a print preview system that generates the projection display data by arranging the print preview according to the display position. The print preview system according to claim 1,
The print output system, wherein the data output device performs color correction on the image data using color correction data prepared in advance for projection display of the print preview, and generates data for projection display. A print preview method for projecting and displaying a print preview representing a state of printing an image on a print medium by a projector,
As a step executed by a data output device that outputs data for projection display to the projector,
Inputting the image data;
Inputting a designation of the size of the print medium;
And a step of generating the projection display data by enlarging or reducing the image data at a magnification according to the size of the print medium. A print preview method for projecting and displaying a print preview representing a state of printing an image on a print medium by a projector,
As a step executed by a data output device that outputs data for projection display to the projector,
Storing in advance color correction data for projection display of the print preview;
Inputting the image data;
And a step of performing color correction on the image data using the color correction data to generate the projection display data. In a print preview system for projecting and displaying a print preview representing a state of printing an image on a print medium by a projector, a computer program for outputting projection display data to the projector,
A function of inputting the image data;
A function for inputting designation of the size of the print medium;
A computer program for realizing, by a computer, a function of generating data for projection display by enlarging or reducing the image data at a magnification according to the size of the print medium. In a print preview system for projecting and displaying a print preview representing a state of printing an image on a print medium by a projector, a computer program for outputting projection display data to the projector,
A function for referring to color correction data prepared for projection display of the print preview;
A function of inputting the image data;
A computer program comprising: a function of performing color correction on the image data using the color correction data to generate the projection display data.

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