JP5151564B2 - Printer control method and apparatus, and printer control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print a preview in a plurality of patterns equivalent to the print surface shape of a print medium to print in a printer. <P>SOLUTION: The respective shapes of the plurality of patterns are defined, image data are received from an image data supply source and stored in an image buffer, and the image data stored in the image buffer are respectively worked into the plurality of patterns and sent out to a printer. When working them into the plurality of patterns, the image data stored in the image buffer may be individually worked to generate separate patterns, and the image data of an unneeded part may be erased in the order from the one of a wide print range to the one of a narrow print range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer control method and apparatus for printing a preview with a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of a print medium to be printed by a printer, and a printer control program. In this specification, the term “printer” refers to all devices that color a target medium using black or colored gas, liquid, or powder. In addition, it includes devices called multifunction devices with scanner and copy functions.

Some printers support printing on a CD / DVD label. Here, “corresponding to printing on a CD / DVD label” means a shape equivalent to a CD (Compact Disc) or DVD, that is, a disc-shaped electronic information recording medium (CD-R or the like) with a circular hole in the center. It is possible to print on the surface of a recording medium (including a writable recording medium). Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that performs printing by adapting image data to be printed to a printable area of a CD / DVD.
JP 2004-122583 A

  When printing on a CD / DVD label from an application program running on a computer, it is known to process an image into the shape of a CD / DVD label. However, in the case of a simple application program, a printer driver program is used. The printing process is performed in a fixed flow of selecting an image, selecting a print medium size, selecting a print medium type, and starting printing. If the printer is compatible, the CD / DVD label can be selected by selecting the print medium size and print medium type, and printing on the CD / DVD label can be performed. However, if the user wants to test the printing condition of the CD / DVD label with another print medium such as paper, selecting the print medium size for the test print causes the original square image to be printed with that size. Even if a CD / DVD label is selected, a print medium error will occur if a disc is not actually set in the printer.

  Therefore, the user cannot confirm the finished state in advance, and it is necessary to actually print how the original square image is arranged and printed in the donut-shaped area of the CD / DVD label. do not know. For this reason, there is a risk that an expensive disk is wasted. It may be possible to cut and print a sheet of paper as thick as the disc, but you have to get such a paper and it is easy to cut into that shape Not that.

  The present invention solves such problems and provides a printer control method and apparatus, and a printer control program capable of printing a preview with a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of a print medium to be printed by a printer. For the purpose.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preview printing a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of one print medium to be printed by a printer on another print medium, and each of the plurality of patterns. A first step of defining the shape of the image, a second step of receiving image data from the image data supply source and storing it in the image buffer, and processing the image data stored in the image buffer into a plurality of patterns, respectively. A third step of sending image data for one raster line to be printed by the printer from the image buffer for each of the plurality of patterns, and a third step for each raster line. 2 points on the outer side where the raster line intersects the pattern is obtained, and the outer side of the image data for one raster line is obtained. For the area corresponding to the outside of the two points, there is a fifth step in which there is no print data, and when there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points, 1 A sixth step in which there is no print data for an area corresponding to the inner side of the two inner points of the image data for raster lines, and one raster line for processing in the fifth step and the sixth step A printer control method is provided in which the seventh step of transmitting image data as raster data to a printer is repeated until the end of the image data stored in the image buffer.

  The process for eliminating print data in the fifth step and the sixth step is preferably a process for using the print data as a background color. In addition, the process of eliminating the print data in at least one of the fifth step and the sixth step is performed by specifying an area where the printer should scan the print head for each raster line and corresponding print data outside the area. Can be excluded from printing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preview printing a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of one print medium to be printed by a printer on another print medium, and each of the plurality of patterns. A first step of defining the shape of the image, a second step of receiving image data from the image data supply source and storing it in the image buffer, and processing the image data stored in the image buffer into a plurality of patterns, respectively. A third step of sending to the printer, and in the third step, the printer of the image data stored in the image buffer prints the pattern having the largest print range including other patterns among the plurality of patterns. For each raster line to be processed, two outer points where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range are obtained, and the image bar The area corresponding to the outside of the two outer points of the image data stored in the file is updated with no print data, and in addition to the two outer points, the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range. If there are two inner points, the image data stored in the image buffer is updated with no print data in the area corresponding to the inner two points, and the updated image data is transmitted to the printer. For the pattern included in other patterns among the plurality of patterns, and in the case where there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points, the image The area corresponding to the inner side of the two inner points of the image data stored in the buffer is regarded as having no print data, and the pattern having a large print range is small. In order to turn the printer control method characterized by comprising a fifth step of repeating the transmission of the update of the image data stored in the image buffer and to the updated image data printer is provided.

  The processing for eliminating print data in the fourth step and the fifth step is preferably processing for using the print data as a background color. In addition, the process of updating the area corresponding to the outside in the fourth step as no print data is performed by specifying an area where the printer should scan the print head for each raster line and printing data corresponding to the area outside the area. Can be excluded from printing.

  The printing medium to be printed is an electronic information recording medium on a disc having a circular hole in the center, and a plurality of patterns have an outer periphery on the outer periphery of the electronic information recording medium and an inner periphery corresponding to a hole. It is preferable that the pattern has a concentric pattern with a different inner circumference for each pattern.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, shape defining means for individually defining a plurality of patterns corresponding to the printing surface shape of one printing medium to be printed by a printer, and receiving and storing image data from an image data supply source And an image processing means for processing the image data stored in the image buffer into a plurality of patterns and sending them to a printer. The image processing means allows the printer from the image buffer to another printing medium. On the other hand, a raster buffer for receiving and storing image data for one raster line to be printed, and two outer points where the raster line intersects the pattern for each raster line are obtained, and the image data stored in the raster buffer is For the area corresponding to the outside of the two outer points, no print data is contained, and in addition to the two outer points, the raster line is printed. If there are two inner points that intersect the pattern, a masking process is performed for masking the print data for the area corresponding to the inner two points of the image data stored in the raster buffer. There is provided a printer control apparatus comprising: means; and means for transmitting the image data in the raster buffer subjected to the masking process to the printer as raster data.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, shape defining means for individually defining a plurality of patterns corresponding to the printing surface shape of one printing medium to be printed by a printer, and receiving and storing image data from an image data supply source For each raster line that the printer of the image data stored in the image buffer prints on another print medium with respect to the image buffer to be printed and the pattern with the largest print range that includes other patterns among a plurality of patterns In addition, two outer points where the raster line intersects the pattern having the largest print range are obtained, and no print data is included in an area corresponding to the outer side of the two outer points of the image data stored in the image buffer. If there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range in addition to the two outer points, The area corresponding to the inner two points of the image data stored in the buffer is updated as no print data, the updated image data is transmitted to the printer, and the other pattern is changed to another pattern. For the included pattern, in addition to the two outer points, if there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern, the inner two points inside the image data stored in the image buffer. Image processing means for repeating the update of the image data stored in the image buffer and the transmission of the updated image data to the printer in order from the pattern having the larger print range to the pattern having the smaller print data with no print data for the area corresponding to A printer control device is provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a first procedure for defining a shape of each of a plurality of patterns corresponding to a print surface shape of one print medium to be printed by a printer on a computer, and an image data supply source A second procedure for receiving the image data and storing it in the image buffer; and a third procedure for processing the image data stored in the image buffer into a plurality of patterns and sending them to the printer. Then, for each of a plurality of patterns, a fourth procedure for receiving image data for one raster line that the printer prints on another print medium from the image buffer, and for each raster line, the raster line Obtain two points outside the intersection and print data for the area corresponding to the outside of the two points outside the image data for one raster line. In the case where there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points and the fifth point, the inner point of the image data for one raster line is more than the two inner points. A sixth procedure for eliminating print data for the area corresponding to the inside, and a seventh procedure for transmitting image data for one raster line processed in the fifth procedure and the sixth procedure to the printer as raster data Is repeated until the end of the image data stored in the image buffer. A printer control program is provided.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a first procedure for defining a shape of each of a plurality of patterns corresponding to a print surface shape of one print medium to be printed by a printer on a computer, and an image data supply source A second procedure for receiving the image data and storing it in the image buffer; and a third procedure for processing the image data stored in the image buffer into a plurality of patterns and sending them to the printer. Then, for each raster line that the printer of the image data stored in the image buffer prints on another print medium for the pattern having the largest print range that includes other patterns among a plurality of patterns, Two outer points where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range are obtained, and the two outer points of the image data stored in the image buffer are obtained. The area corresponding to the outside is updated with no print data, and if there are two points on the inner side where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range in addition to the two points on the outer side, they are stored in the image buffer. A fourth procedure for updating the area corresponding to the inside of the above two points of the image data as no print data, and transmitting the updated image data to the printer, and another pattern among the plurality of patterns If there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points, the pattern included in the image data is more than the two inner points of the image data stored in the image buffer. With no print data for the area corresponding to the inner side, the image data stored in the image buffer is printed in order from the pattern with the largest print range to the smallest pattern. Printer control program, characterized in that to execute a fifth step of repeating the transmitting of new and to the updated image data printer is provided.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which the present invention is implemented as a printer control apparatus. The printer control device 1 is connected between a printer, a computer, a network, an image memory, and other image data supply sources, and generates and outputs data for printing by the printer 2 from input image data. It is. The printer control apparatus 1 includes a printing surface shape memory 15 as shape defining means for individually defining a plurality of patterns corresponding to the printing surface shape of one printing medium to be printed by the printer 2, and an image data supply source. An image data input unit 11 that receives image data, an image buffer 12 that stores the image data, and an image processing unit that processes the image data stored in the image buffer 12 into the plurality of patterns and sends them to the printer 2. A raster buffer 13, a masking processing unit 16, and a raster data transmission unit 14.

  The image data input to the image data input unit 11 does not necessarily conform to the size of the print medium to be printed. In particular, when printing a preview, image data having a size larger than the size to be printed is often input. Therefore, the image data input unit 11 reduces the image data received from the image data supply source and stores it in the image buffer 12. If the size of the image data is small, it can be enlarged. The raster buffer 13 receives and stores image data for one raster line that the printer 2 prints on the printing paper from the image buffer 12. For each raster line, the masking processing unit 16 obtains two outer points where the raster line intersects with the pattern, and an area corresponding to the outer side of the two outer points of the image data stored in the raster buffer 13. When there is no print data and there are two inner points where the raster line intersects with the pattern in addition to the two outer points, the inner two points on the inner side of the image data stored in the raster buffer 13 A masking process for eliminating print data is performed for the area corresponding to. The raster data transmission unit 14 transmits the image data in the raster buffer 13 subjected to the masking process to the printer 2 as raster data. Note that “no print data” includes not only printing nothing but also printing some color as a background. In the present specification, such a color is referred to as a background color including a color when nothing is printed.

[Operation of First Embodiment]
The operation of the printer control apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is an overall flowchart, FIG. 3 is two patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of the medium to be printed, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of a part of processing in the flowchart of FIG. 2, and FIG. It is a figure explaining a processing condition. Here, an example in which a print image on a CD / DVD label surface is printed on printing paper will be described.

  The printing surface shape memory 15 stores in advance two shapes of the CD / DVD label surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the two shapes are concentric circular patterns having the same outer circumference and different inner circumference sizes. The masking processor 16 reads the two shapes of the CD / DVD label surface from the printed surface shape memory 15 and defines the circles (outer periphery, inner periphery 1, inner periphery 2) that define the respective shapes (step S1). . The image data input unit 11 receives the entire image data from the image data supply source, reduces it, and stores it in the image buffer 12 (step S2). The raster buffer 13, the raster data transmission unit 14, and the masking processing unit 16 process the image data stored in the image buffer 12 into a plurality of patterns, respectively, and send them to the printer (steps S3 to S6). That is, first, a label pattern of inner circumference 1 (large inner circumference) is printed (step S3), followed by “CD / DVD label” as a preview explanatory character (step S4), and then inner circumference 2 A label pattern (with a small inner circumference) is printed (step S5), and “CD / DVD label wide” is printed as an explanatory character of the preview (step S6).

  In this embodiment, the same processing is performed on the same image stored in the image buffer 12, and the printer 2 is printed with two patterns having different inner circumferences arranged on a sheet. That is, Step S3 and Step S5 are the same process except that the inner circumference value is different. The printing in steps S5 and S6 is at a position shifted from the printing in steps S3 and S4, for example, below the paper. The processes of steps S3 and S5 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  The masking processing unit 16 first defines two circles (outer periphery and inner periphery) that define the form of CD / DVD label printing (step S7), and image data for one raster line to be printed by the printer 2 from the image buffer 12. (Step S8), the length of one raster line is set to the same length as the outer diameter, and is stored in the raster buffer 13 (step S9). Subsequently, the masking processing unit 16 obtains two outer points where the raster line intersects the pattern for each raster line (S10) and corresponds to the outer side of the two outer points of the image data for one raster line. When there is no print data (background color) for the area (step S11), there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points (Y in step S12 and step S13). No image data (background color) in the area corresponding to the inner side of the two inner points of the image data for one raster line (step S14). If there are no two inner points (N in step S13), the image data is used as it is as print data. The raster data transmission unit 14 transmits image data for one raster line obtained by the above processing to the printer 2 as raster data. The above processing is repeated until the end of the image data stored in the image buffer 12 (N in step S16). When the last raster line is completed (Y in step S16), this processing is ended.

  Here, the case where preview printing of two patterns on the CD / DVD label surface, where the shape of the printing surface is defined by two concentric circles, has been described as an example. More patterns can be printed as well. For example, when there are three or more points where the raster line and the printing surface intersect, the two points on the outermost side are taken as the first point pair, and the odd numbered point is further inside the even numbered point pair from the outside. If there is a pair, if there is no point pair on the even-numbered inside, the area of the image data corresponding to the inside of the point pair is set to no print data, so even a more complicated shape can be inside the shape. It is possible to print on the inside only.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, instead of performing masking for erasing print data, the printer 2 performs processing for specifying the position of the end point to be scanned with the print head for each raster line. Different. That is, a print surface shape memory 15 as shape defining means for individually defining a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of one print medium to be printed by the printer 2, and an image that receives image data from an image data supply source A data input unit 11; an image buffer 12 for storing the image data; a raster buffer 13 as image processing means for processing the image data stored in the image buffer 12 into the plurality of patterns and sending them to the printer 2; A logical seek position specifying unit 161 and a raster data transmitting unit 14 are provided. For each raster line, the logical seek position specifying unit 161 obtains two outer points where the raster line intersects the shape of the printing surface, and corresponds to the outer side of the outer two points of the image data stored in the raster buffer 13. If there is no print data for the area to be printed (outside the print range) and there are two points on the inner side where the raster line intersects the shape of the print surface in addition to the two points on the outer side, they are stored in the raster buffer 13 It operates as a means for performing a process of making no print data (background color or out of print range) in an area corresponding to the inside of the above two points inside the image data.

[Operation of Second Embodiment]
The operation of this embodiment basically follows the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, but the logical seek position specifying unit 161 performs the processing from step S10 to step S14, and in step S11, the two points obtained in step S10. On the outside, the print data is not erased but is designated as out of the print range, which is different from the first embodiment. That is, the printer 2 specifies an area where the print head should be scanned for each raster line, and print data corresponding to the area outside the area is excluded from printing. The result is sent to the raster data transmission unit 14 and transmitted to the printer 2 together with the raster data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique called logical seek is known in which a print head of a printer scans only an area having data to be actually printed. A serial printer forms a print image while moving the print head left and right by the width of the print medium. Since the print medium is generally “white”, it is not necessary to eject ink for a portion where white image data is printed. Therefore, for example, white image data (data without print data, null pixel) portions located at both ends of the print medium of print image data are ignored even if they are ignored, so the scan width of the print head is set to white image data. Scan the left and right for the net image that was removed. Thereby, the scanning distance can be shortened, and the printing time can be shortened. In executing this logical seek, the “left end position (position to be turned back for the next scan)” and “right end position (position to be turned back for the next scan)” for scanning the print head for each raster line are set. It is necessary to specify. In this embodiment, even if the image data is not actually a null pixel, the left end and the right end of the image data to be actually printed are the left end position and the right end position of the upper logical seek. As specified. As a result, masking can be performed on the print medium as a result without masking the image data in the raster buffer 13.

  When there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the shape of the printing surface in addition to the two outer points, that is, in step S14 in FIG. Although it is possible to instruct the printer 2 not to perform printing, the print head moving distance during that time is not so large, so the print data may be erased as in the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs greatly from the first embodiment in that the masking processing unit 17 processes the image data in the image buffer 12.

  That is, the printer control apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a print shape memory 15 as shape defining means for individually defining a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of a print medium to be printed by the printer 2, and image data. An image buffer 12 that receives and stores image data from the supply source via the image data input unit 11, a masking processing unit 17 as an image processing unit, a raster buffer 13, and a raster data transmission unit 14 are provided.

[Operation of Third Embodiment]
The operation of the printer control apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 are flowcharts, and FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the processing status of image data. Here, an example in which a print image on a CD / DVD label surface is printed on printing paper will be described.

  The printing surface shape memory 15 stores in advance two shapes of the CD / DVD label surface. The masking processing unit 17 reads the two shapes of the CD / DVD label surface from the printing surface shape memory 15, and defines the circles (outer periphery, inner periphery 1, inner periphery 2) that define the respective shapes (step S21). . The image data input unit 11 receives the entire image data from the image data supply source, reduces it, and stores it in the image buffer 12 (step S22). The masking processing unit 17 performs masking on the image data in the image buffer 12 with the outer periphery and the smaller inner periphery (step S23), and prints the image data in the image buffer 12 that has been masked (step S24). ). That is, the image data is stored in the raster buffer 13 for each writer line from the image buffer 12, and transmitted from the raster data transmission unit 14 to the printer 2 for printing (step S24). Further, “CD / DVD label wide” is printed as an explanatory note of the preview (step S25). Subsequently, the masking processing unit 17 performs masking on the image data in the image buffer 12 with the larger inner circumference (step S26), and prints the image data in the image buffer 12 that has been masked (step S27). ) “CD / DVD label” is printed as an explanatory note of the preview (step S28).

  The process of step S23 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In this process, a masking process is performed on a pattern having a small inner circumference, that is, a pattern having the largest print range. The masking processing unit 17 first sets the raster line number n to n = 1 in order to process each raster line printed by the printer 2 of the image data stored in the image buffer 12 (step S29). Subsequently, the masking processing unit 17 obtains two outer points where the raster line intersects the inner circumference (step S30), and an area corresponding to the outer side of the two outer points of the image data stored in the image buffer 12. When there is no print data and there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points, the two inner points of the image data stored in the image buffer 12 For the area corresponding to the inner side, no print data is set (step S34). If there is no intersection in step S32 (N in step S33), the print data remains as image data. The above processing (steps S30 to S34) is repeated until the last raster line (until Y in step S35) while incrementing the value of n (step 36). Thereby, the process of the masking 1 shown in FIG. 11 is completed.

  The process of step S26 will be described with reference to FIG. In this processing, a pattern included in another pattern among a plurality of patterns is masked. The masking processing unit 17 first sets the raster line number n to n = 1 in order to perform processing for each raster line printed by the printer 2 of the image data stored in the image buffer 12 (step S37). Subsequently, in addition to the two outer points obtained in Step 30, the masking processing unit 17 obtains two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern (Step S38). When there are two such points (Y in step S39), the masking processing unit 17 sets the print data to the background color for the region corresponding to the inside of the two points of the image data stored in the image buffer 12 ( Step S40). If there is no intersecting point in step S38 (N in step S39), the print data remains as image data. This is repeated until the last raster line (until Y in step S41) while incrementing the value of n (step S42). Thereby, the masking 2 process shown in FIG. 11 is completed.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, for the masking of the outer periphery, the print data is not set as the background color, but the area where the printer 2 scans the print head for each raster line is specified, and the print data corresponding to the outside of the area is The third embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the processing not to be printed is performed. That is, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the processing from step S32 to step S34 is performed by the masking processing unit 171 as in the third embodiment, but the processing of step S31 is performed by the logical seek position specifying unit 172, The print data is not set as the background color, but is specified as outside the print range. This designation is sent to the raster data transmission unit 14 and is sent to the printer 2 together with the raster data for each raster data.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which the present invention is implemented as a printer driver program. The computer 20 includes hardware such as a CPU, RAM, ROM, hard disk, and various interfaces, and programs such as an application program 31, a video driver program 32, and a printer driver program 33 can operate under a predetermined operating system. ing. In FIG. 13, the memory 23, the video interface 24, and the printer interface 25 related to printer control among hardware configuring the computer 20 are indicated by broken-line blocks. The printer driver program 33 reads an image data input unit 34 that receives image data from the application program 31 and a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of the print medium to be printed by the printer from the memory 23 for definition. A first procedure for receiving image data from an application program 31 serving as an image data supply source and storing the image data in an image buffer in the memory 23; and image data stored in the image buffer in a plurality of patterns. A masking processing unit 35 that executes a third procedure for processing and a raster data generation unit 36 that transmits the processed image data to the printer 22 via the printer interface 25 are provided.

  The printing process by each program will be described. The application program 31 performs various processes for processing, displaying, and printing an image. The video driver program 32 displays various types of information such as images, characters, videos, and user interfaces on the display device 21 via the video interface 24 according to instructions from the application program 31. The printer driver program 33 performs processing for printing images and characters on the printer 22 in accordance with instructions from the application program 31.

  Next, the operation of the printer driver program 34 will be described. The image data input unit 34 receives a print command and image data to be printed from the application program 31. This print command includes information on the size and type of the selected print medium. The masking processing unit 35 generates image data corresponding to a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of the print medium to be printed by the printer 22 by the processes of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 or FIG. 8 to FIG. The raster data generation unit 36 captures the image data generated by the masking processing unit 35 for each raster line and transmits it to the printer 22 via the printer interface 25.

  In the present embodiment as well, in the same way as in the second embodiment, a printer unit that performs the same operation as the logical seek position specifying unit 161 shown in FIG. However, it is also possible to specify a region where the print head is to be scanned for each raster line, and to perform processing for excluding print data corresponding to the region outside the region to be printed. Further, by causing the masking processing unit 35 to execute an operation equivalent to the masking processing unit 171 shown in FIG. 12, and further providing program means for executing an operation equivalent to the logical seek position specifying unit 172 shown in FIG. The print data corresponding to the outside of the outer periphery can be excluded from the print target.

  In the above embodiment, the shape of the printing surface can be defined by storing shape data in the printing surface shape memory 15 or the memory 23. In the case of a CD / DVD label, this shape data may be only the diameter of two circles. However, in the case of a more complicated shape, it is desirable that the shape data be a set of coordinate data defining the shape. In the case of dealing with a new shape, the shape is newly stored in the printing surface shape memory 15 or the memory 23, so that the configuration or program of the printer control device 1 or the printer driver program 20 is not updated. It can correspond to a new shape. In the above embodiment, the shape of the print medium is stored in the memory. However, it can be defined by other means.

  Although CD / DVD has been described as an example of the print medium, the present invention can be used for printing on T-shirts, handkerchiefs, special-shaped ornaments, etc. as long as the printer can handle them. It is possible to check the finished state in advance by printing on an inexpensive print medium before actually printing.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which the present invention is implemented as a printer control device. FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the printer control device shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining the two patterns equivalent to the printing surface shape of the medium which is going to print. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the one part process in the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure explaining the processing condition of image data. It is a block block diagram which shows the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the printer control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of a part of process of the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart of a part of process of the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure explaining the processing condition of image data. It is a block block diagram which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the 5th Embodiment of this invention, and shows the example which implemented this invention as a printer driver program.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer controller 2, 22 Printer 11, 34 Image data input part 12 Image buffer 13 Raster buffer 14 Raster data transmission part 15 Print surface shape memory 16, 35, 171 Masking process part 161, 172 Logical seek position specification part 20 Computer 21 Display device 23 Memory 24 Video interface 25 Printer interface 31 Application program 32 Video driver program 33 Printer driver 36 Raster data generation unit

Claims (5)

A method of preview printing a plurality of patterns corresponding to the print surface shape of one print medium to be printed by a printer on another print medium by the printer,
A first step of defining each shape of the plurality of patterns;
A second step of receiving image data from an image data source and storing it in an image buffer;
A third step of processing the image data stored in the image buffer into the plurality of patterns, respectively, and sending the processed data to the printer;
The third step is
For the pattern having the largest print range including the other patterns among the plurality of patterns, the raster line is printed most for each raster line printed by the printer of the image data stored in the image buffer. Two outside points intersecting the pattern having a large range are obtained, and the area corresponding to the outside of the two outside points of the image data stored in the image buffer is updated as no print data, and the two outside points are updated. In addition to the points, if there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest printing range, an area corresponding to the inner side of the inner two points of the image data stored in the image buffer A fourth step of updating the printer with no print data and transmitting the updated image data to the printer;
Of the plurality of patterns, patterns included in other patterns are stored in the image buffer when there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points. Update the image data stored in the image buffer and the updated image in order from a pattern with a larger print range to a smaller pattern with no print data for the area corresponding to the inner two points of the image data. And a fifth step of repeating transmission of data to the printer. The printer control method according to claim 1, wherein the process of eliminating print data in the fourth step and the fifth step is a process of setting the print data as a background color. In the process of updating the area corresponding to the outside in the fourth step as no print data, the printer specifies the area where the print head should be scanned for each raster line and prints corresponding to outside the area. The printer control method according to claim 1, wherein the data is processing not to be printed. Shape defining means for individually defining a plurality of patterns corresponding to the printing surface shape of one printing medium to be printed by a printer;
An image buffer for receiving and storing image data from an image data source;
For each raster line that the printer of the image data stored in the image buffer prints on another print medium with respect to a pattern having the largest print range including the other patterns among the plurality of patterns, Two outer points where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range are obtained, and no print data is included in the area corresponding to the outer side of the two outer points of the image data stored in the image buffer. If there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range in addition to the two outer points, the two inner points of the image data stored in the image buffer are updated. The area corresponding to the inner side is updated with no print data, the updated image data is transmitted to the printer, and the plurality of patterns are transmitted. For patterns included in other patterns, the image data stored in the image buffer is stored when there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points. In the area corresponding to the inside of the two points on the inside, there is no print data, and the update of the image data stored in the image buffer and the update of the updated image data are performed in order from a pattern with a larger print range to a smaller pattern. An image processing unit that repeats transmission to a printer. On the computer,
A first procedure for defining a shape of each of a plurality of patterns corresponding to a print surface shape of one print medium to be printed by a printer;
A second procedure for receiving image data from an image data source and storing it in an image buffer;
A third procedure for processing the image data stored in the image buffer into the plurality of patterns and sending the processed data to the printer;
In the third procedure,
For each raster line that the printer of the image data stored in the image buffer prints on another print medium with respect to a pattern having the largest print range including the other patterns among the plurality of patterns, Two outer points where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range are obtained, and no print data is included in the area corresponding to the outer side of the two outer points of the image data stored in the image buffer. If there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern with the largest print range in addition to the two outer points, the two inner points of the image data stored in the image buffer are updated. A fourth procedure of updating the area corresponding to the inner side as no print data and transmitting the updated image data to the printer;
Of the plurality of patterns, patterns included in other patterns are stored in the image buffer when there are two inner points where the raster line intersects the pattern in addition to the two outer points. Update the image data stored in the image buffer and the updated image in order from a pattern with a larger print range to a smaller pattern with no print data for the area corresponding to the inner two points of the image data. A printer control program characterized by causing a fifth procedure to repeat transmission of data to the printer.

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