Abstract:
In an image information processing device, in order to execute printing with a printing apparatus that applies as a basic form any printing form of plural differing printing forms to print an image, a receiving unit receives image information and instruction information including printing form information and scale information for printing based on the image information. An extracting unit extracts an object whose printing form is to be changed in code image units on the basis of scale designation information. A comparing unit compares a dot pattern that is expanded on the basis of printing form designation information and a dot pattern that is expanded on the basis of the basic form. A determining unit determines, on the basis of the comparison result, whether or not to maintain a designated printing form based on the printing form designation information with respect to the extracted object.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-014316 filed Jan. 26, 2010. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an image information processing device, a computer-readable medium that stores an image information processing program and an image information processing method. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    In printing systems and the like particularly in enterprise printing, printing information of printing matter of those printing systems is described by printing language such as page description language. For example, printing systems and the like interpret the printing language form, generate bitmap font data, and perform printing on the basis of the bitmap font data. Usually, as fonts, there are bitmap fonts and outline fonts. Relatively speaking, oftentimes the image quality of bitmap fonts is inferior to the image quality of outline fonts. Superiority or inferiority in image quality may occur also in differences in resolution. Hereinafter, whether or not there are differences in image quality will sometimes be expressed as whether or not there is compatibility. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an image information processing device including: a receiving unit that receives image information and instruction information including printing form information and scale information for printing on the basis of the image information in order to execute printing with a printing apparatus that is capable of applying at least plural differing printing forms and applies as a basic form any printing form of the plural differing printing forms to print an image; a processing unit that executes processing that is necessary in order to print on the basis of the instruction information that is received by the receiving unit; a sending unit that sends to the printing apparatus printing information after the execution of the processing by the processing unit; an information acquiring unit that acquires printing form designation information and scale designation information that are instructed by the instruction information at the time of the processing in the processing unit; an extracting unit that extracts, on the basis of the scale designation information that is acquired by the information acquiring unit, an object whose printing form is to be changed in code image units registered on the basis of identification codes beforehand; a comparing unit that compares, with respect to the object that is extracted by the extracting unit, a dot pattern that is expanded on the basis of the printing form designation information that is acquired by the information acquiring unit and a dot pattern that is expanded on the basis of the basic form; and a determining unit that determines, on the basis of the result of comparison by the comparing unit, whether or not to maintain a designated printing form based on the printing form designation information with respect to the extracted object. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a general configuration diagram of a printing processing system pertaining to the exemplary embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a main controller installed in printing apparatus; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a comparison diagram showing printed states resulting from differences in font types and the like of the printing apparatus; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram for executing printing processing in the main controller pertaining to the exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are control flowcharts showing a flow of processing for font selection that imparts compatibility pertaining to the exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a control flowchart showing a bitmap font change confirmation processing routine shown in step  118  of  FIG. 5B ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a control flowchart showing an outline font change confirmation processing routine shown in step  132  of  FIG. 5B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    In  FIG. 1 , there is shown the general configuration of a printing processing system pertaining to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0016]    The printing processing system has a host computer  10  and plural printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) to  12 (N) (where N is a positive integer) that are interconnected via a communication network  14 . The printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) to  12 (N) will be called “the printing apparatus  12 ” when they are collectively referred to without being distinguished between. 
         [0017]    A printing job is outputted from the host computer  10 . The printing job has image information and management information that designates the printing form in which this image information is to be printed and processed. The management information includes font type, resolution, and font size, and scale information, which serve as printing form information. When outputting this printing job, the host computer  10  designates the printing apparatus  12 . 
         [0018]    Sometimes the respective printing apparatus  12  have differing specifications. For example, in the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ), the basic font type serving as the printing form is a bitmap font, and in the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ), the basic font type serving as the printing form is an outline font. In the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ), the printing resolution serving as the printing form is a relatively low resolution, and in the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ), the printing resolution serving as the printing form is a relatively high resolution. In the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ), the basic font size serving as the printing form is 12×12 dots, and in the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ), the basic font size serving as the printing form is 18×18 dots. Below, in the present exemplary embodiment, description will be given using the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) and the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ) as targets and assuming that the basic fonts serving as the printing form differ between the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) and the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ). 
         [0019]    On a time-series basis, oftentimes the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) whose basic font type is a bitmap font is an old type of printing apparatus and the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ) whose basic font type is an outline font is a new type of printing apparatus. 
         [0020]    The printing job in which the printing apparatus  12  has been designated and which is sent from the host computer  10  is sent to a main controller  16  disposed in the designated printing apparatus  12 , and the main controller  16  executes printing information format processing and the like on the basis of the management information included in the printing job. 
         [0021]    Sometimes the font type is designated in the management information. In the printing apparatus  12 , printing is executed on the basis of the basic font type that is set beforehand. If the font type is designated, oftentimes that designated font type is the basic font type of the aforementioned old type of printing apparatus (the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 )) and is intended to maintain the result of printing by this old type of printing apparatus. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the main controller  16  installed in the printing apparatus  12  has a CPU  18 , a RAM  20 , a ROM  22 , an input/output (I/O)  24 , and a bus  26  such as a data bus or a control bus that interconnects these. 
         [0023]    A keyboard  28 , a mouse  30 , and a monitor  32  are respectively connected to the I/O  24 . A hard disk (HDD)  34  that is a large-capacity storing medium whose storage capacity is at least larger than that of the RAM  20  is connected to this I/O  24 , and the hard disk  34  may store plural printing jobs. The I/O  24  is connected to the communication network  14  via an interface (I/F)  36 . 
         [0024]    In the printing apparatus  12  that has been designated by the printing job that is transmitted from the host computer  10 , the usual processing is to execute printing by the basic font type as mentioned above. In this case, if the printing is printing where there is no scale designation, even if the basic font type differs from the designated font type included in the management information of the printing job, there are no visible differences in the results of printing by the basic font type and the designated font type. It is judged that the printing results are “compatible”. 
         [0025]    If the printing apparatus  12  execute printing in a state where there is a scale (enlargement) designation in the printing job and the number of dots has increased in accordance with the scale designation, visible differences occur in the results of printing by the basic font type and the designated font type. It is judged that the printing results are “not compatible”. 
         [0026]    Whether or not the printing results are compatible will be described in detail in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0027]    In  FIG. 3 , the printing result of the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) whose basic font type is a bitmap font and the printing result of the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ) whose basic font type is an outline font (see (a) of the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 )) will be compared. If there is no scale designation (in the case of standard size), there is no difference between the printed state using a bitmap font in the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) and the printed state using an outline font in the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ) (( a ) of the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 )). 
         [0028]    In contrast, if there is an enlarge designation, there is a difference between the printed state using a bitmap font in the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) and the printed state using an outline font in the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ) (( a ) of the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 )). That is, referring to the enlarged size characters, whereas in the bitmap font character, the sloping lines have steps, in the outline font character, the sloping lines slope smoothly. In  FIG. 3 , this is described using Japanese characters, but even with alphabetical letters, numbers, symbols and etc., if there is an enlarge designation, a difference arises in the similar manner between the printed state used a bitmap font in the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) and the printed state using an outline font in the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ). 
         [0029]    In the present exemplary embodiment, if the printing job includes a font type designation and a scale designation, the states of the dots that are expanded are compared, in symbol units expressed in single fonts (usually, character code units), between a dot pattern that has been expanded by the basic font type and a dot pattern that has been expanded by the designated font type that has been designated in order to obtain a target printing result. The character code units correspond to code image units registered on the basis of identification codes. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a functional block diagram for image information processing control based on font adjustment control in the main controller  16  of the printing apparatus  12 . This functional block diagram is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the main controller  16 . The functional blocks may also have another hardware configuration, may also be configured by software, and may also be configured by hardware and software. 
         [0031]    The printing job outputted from the host computer  10  is inputted to a data receiving unit  50 . The data receiving unit  50  is connected to a job managing unit  52 . The printing job that has been received by the data receiving unit  50  is analyzed and separated into the image information and the management information with respect to the image information by this job managing unit  52 . 
         [0032]    The job managing unit  52  is connected to a printing apparatus managing unit  54 . The printing apparatus managing unit  54  manages image forming unit specification information (status, information, etc.) received from a printing control unit  56  that controls the operation of the image forming unit, and the printing apparatus managing unit  54  sends this specification information to the job managing unit  52 . 
         [0033]    The job managing unit  52  is also connected to a job format processing unit  58  and an imposition processing unit  60 . 
         [0034]    The job managing unit  52  executes printing job scheduling, holding, hold cancellation, and deletion processing. The job managing unit  52  deploys a filter corresponding to the data format of the printing job to the job format processing unit  58  and the imposition processing unit  60 . 
         [0035]    The job managing unit  52  controls the data receiving unit  50 , the job format processing unit  58 , and the imposition processing unit  60  and processes the image information of the printing job that has been received by the data receiving unit  50 . 
         [0036]    The printing apparatus managing unit  54  is connected to the imposition processing unit  60  and a RIP processing and managing unit  62  and manages the image information that is sent from the job format processing unit  58 . 
         [0037]    The image information on which processing by the RIP processing and managing unit  62  has been executed is stored, via a decomposer processing unit  64 , in a spool unit  66  that is a partial region of the hard disk  34  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the main controller  16 . The image information that has been stored in the spool unit  66  is sent in response to a request from the printing control unit  56 . 
         [0038]    The storage region of the hard disk  34  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the main controller  16  is equipped with the spool unit  66  and also two types of information storing units  68  and  70 . The information storing unit  68  stores font information, resource information, and font threshold value information and is connected to the job format processing unit  58 . The information storing unit  70  stores font information, form information, and font history information and is connected to the job format processing unit  58  and the decomposer processing unit  64 . 
         [0039]    The job format processing unit  58  executes format processing of the image information on the basis of the filter that has been designated from the job managing unit  52 . 
         [0040]    The job format processing unit  58  acquires the font information, the resource information, and the like from the information storing unit  68  and executes filter processing. 
         [0041]    The job format processing unit  58  performs font suitability determination processing between the basic font type of the printing apparatus  12  and the designated font type included in the management information of the printing job on the basis of the management information of the printing job. That is, for example, if the basic font type is an outline font and the designated font type is a bitmap font and if the scale information included in the management information designates an enlargement equal to or greater than a given scale, the job format processing unit  58  performs font type suitability determination processing (a steady determination processing mode). Here, the determination processing is performed if an enlargement has been designated, but the determination processing may also be performed if a reduction has been designated. 
         [0042]    The job format processing unit  58  determines whether or not it is necessary to execute font type suitability determination processing on the basis of the font type information and the scale information that have been designated. If the job format processing unit  58  determines that execution is necessary, it acquires the image information and executes dot pattern expansion in the basic font type of the printing apparatus  12  and dot pattern expansion in the designated font type of the printing job. 
         [0043]    Here, dot patterns resulting from the respective font types are expanded using an outline font for the basic font type that has been set as the basis for printing in the printing apparatus and using a bitmap font for the designated font type that has been designated in order to obtain the target printing result. 
         [0044]    The job format processing unit  58  calculates a difference between the fonts in predetermined units with respect to the dot patterns that have been expanded. 
         [0045]    That is, the dots are signals of either value of a binary signal (white pattern/black pattern). A difference per dot occurs between the dot patterns resulting from the expansion. Thus, the job format processing unit  58  calculates the degree of congruency as a comparison target using 100% for complete congruency between the dot patterns. 
         [0046]    In the present exemplary embodiment, the job format processing unit  58  calculates the degree of congruency in dot units and also the degree of congruency in 1-byte delimiting units (hereinafter called “byte units”) and the degree of congruency in 2-byte delimiting units (hereinafter called “word units”). 
         [0047]    A comparison with a threshold value is executed with respect to this calculation result. The comparison processing is as follows. 
         [0048]    When the font size is 48×48 dots, 2,304 (=48×48) dots are compared in dot units, 288 (=48×(6 bytes/1 line)) bytes are compared in byte units, and 144 (=48×(3 words/1 line) words are compared in word units. 
         [0049]    A threshold value per font type (a threshold value for outline fonts and a threshold value for bitmap fonts) is set beforehand for the dot units, the byte units, and the word units. 
         [0050]    Here, if the basic font type is an outline font, if the comparison result in all of the dot units, the byte units, and the word units is within the range of the outline font-use threshold value (equal to or less than the threshold value) of the corresponding unit, the job format processing unit  58  judges to maintain the outline font that is the basic font type and execute printing. 
         [0051]    If the comparison result in any of the units is outside the range of the threshold value (exceeds the threshold value) of the corresponding unit, the job format processing unit  58  may also judge to switch to a bitmap font. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the job format processing unit  58  executes a confirmation processing mode after the steady discrimination processing mode. 
         [0052]    In the confirmation processing mode, the job format processing unit  58  uses a threshold value for a font (here, a bitmap font) that is other than the basic font type and executes the similar comparison as described above. If the comparison result is within the range of the bitmap font-use threshold value of the respective units, the job format processing unit  58  judges to switch to a bitmap font and execute printing. 
         [0053]    If the comparison result of any of the units is outside the range of the bitmap font-use threshold value (exceeds the threshold value) of the corresponding unit, the job format processing unit  58  employs the font type where, of differences resulting from the comparison with the bitmap font-use threshold value and differences resulting from the comparison with the outline font-use threshold value, the differences are few. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the imposition processing unit  60  decides how the data that have been converted into an intermediate code by the filter processing of the job format processing unit  58  are to be placed (imposed) on recording paper. For example, the imposition processing unit  60  decides one-sided or two-sided printing on the recording paper and the number of pages allocated to one side. 
         [0055]    The RIP processing and managing unit  62  receives the intermediate code that has been imposed by the imposition processing unit  60  and controls the decomposer processing unit  64  to convert the intermediate code into image data. 
         [0056]    The decomposer processing unit  64  analyzes the intermediate code it has received from the RIP processing and managing unit  62  and performs drawing processing to generate data. Font imaging processing and rendering processing are also executed in this decomposer processing unit  64 . 
         [0057]    This decomposer processing unit  64  has the function of again executing the font determination that has been implemented in the job format processing unit  58  and storing the determination as history information. This history information is stored in character code units. If an identical character code is stored as history information at the time of the font type determination by the job format processing unit  58  in subsequent printing jobs, the font type determination by the job format processing unit  58  is omitted. 
         [0058]    The action of the present exemplary embodiment will be described below. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are control flowcharts showing a processing routine for performing the determination of whether to maintain or change the basic font type of the printing apparatus  12  when there is a font designation in the printing job. 
         [0060]    In step  100 , printing job analysis processing is performed. Then, the processing routine moves to step  102 , where it determines whether or not it is necessary to execute the font type suitability determination processing on the basis of the designated font type and the scale information included in the printing job. If it is judged in step  102  that the determination processing is unnecessary, the processing routine moves to step  134 . 
         [0061]    If it is judged in step  102  that the determination processing is necessary, the processing routine moves to step  104 , where it determines whether the basic font type of the printing apparatus  12  is an outline font or a bitmap font. 
         [0062]    If the basic font type is an outline font in step  104 , the processing routine moves to step  106 , where it performs outline font-use dot pattern expansion processing. Then, the processing routine moves to step  108 , where it calculates outline font-use difference determination information ΔOut. That is, the difference is calculated in dot units, byte units, and word units between the dot pattern that has been expanded by the printing apparatus  12  in the outline font that is the basic font type and the dot pattern in the designated font type (here, a bitmap font) that serves as the target. 
         [0063]    In the next step  110 , the outline font-use threshold value is read. Then, the processing routine moves to step  112 , where it compares the difference determination information and the threshold value. 
         [0064]    In the next step  114 , it is judged as a result of the comparison in step  112  whether or not the difference is within the range of the threshold value. If the determination of step  114  is YES, the processing routine moves to step  116 , where it maintains the basic font type—that is, the outline font. Then, the processing routine moves to step  134 . 
         [0065]    If the determination of step  114  is NO, the processing routine moves to step  118 , where the confirmation processing for changing to a font type that is other than the basic font type—that is, to a bitmap font, in this exemplary embodiment—is executed. Thereafter, the processing routine moves to step  134 . 
         [0066]    On the other hand, if the basic font type is a bitmap font in step  104 , the processing routine moves to step  120 , where it performs bitmap font-use dot pattern expansion processing. Next, the processing routine moves to step  122 , where it calculates bitmap font-use difference determination information ΔBit. That is, the difference is calculated in dot units, byte units, and word units between the dot pattern that has been expanded by the printing apparatus  12  in the bitmap font that is the basic font type and the dot pattern in the designated font type (here, a bitmap font) that serves as the target. Even when the font types are the same (here, bitmap fonts), sometimes, due to the specifications of the printing apparatus such as scale, resolution and etc., the dot pattern that has been expanded by the printing apparatus and the dot pattern that has been expanded by the designated font type are not identical and differences per dot arise. 
         [0067]    In the next step  124 , the bitmap font-use threshold value is read. Then, the processing routine moves to step  126 , where it compares the difference determination information and the threshold value. 
         [0068]    In the next step  128 , it is judged as a result of the comparison in step  126  whether or not the difference is within the range of the threshold value. If the determination of step  128  is YES, the processing routine moves to step  130 , where it maintains the basic font type—that is, the bitmap font in this exemplary embodiment. Then, the processing routine moves to step  134 . 
         [0069]    When the determination of step  128  is NO, the processing routine moves to step  132 , where the confirmation processing for changing to a font type that is other than the basic font type—that is, to an outline font in this exemplary embodiment—is executed. Thereafter, the processing routine moves to step  134 . 
         [0070]    In step  134 , the filter processing that is the inherent processing of the job format processing unit  58  is executed. In the next step  136 , it is judged whether or not filter processing of all image information has ended. If the determination is NO, the processing routine returns to step  134  and repeats the filter processing. If the determination of step  136  is YES, this routine ends. 
         [0071]      FIG. 6  shows the bitmap font change configuration processing routine in step  118  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0072]    In step  150 , bitmap font-use dot pattern expansion processing is performed. Next, the processing routine moves to step  152 , where it calculates bitmap font-use difference determination information ΔBit. That is, the difference is calculated in dot units, byte units, and word units between the dot pattern in the bitmap font that has been expanded by the printing apparatus  12  and the dot pattern in the designated font type (here, a bitmap font) that serves as the target. 
         [0073]    In the next step  154 , the outline font-use difference determination information ΔOut that has been obtained in step  108  of  FIG. 5  is read. Then, the processing routine moves to step  156 , where it compares the bitmap font-use difference determination information ΔBit and the outline font-use difference determination information ΔOut. 
         [0074]    If ΔBit&lt;ΔOut as a result of this determination, the processing routine moves to step  158 , where it changes the font type from the basic font type (an outline font in this exemplary embodiment) to a bitmap font. Then, this routine ends. 
         [0075]    If ΔBit≧ΔOut in step  156 , the processing routine moves to step  160 , where it maintains the basic font type (an outline font in this exemplary embodiment). Then, this routine ends. 
         [0076]      FIG. 7  shows the outline font change confirmation processing control routine in step  132  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0077]    In step  170 , the processing routine performs outline font-use dot pattern expansion processing. Next, the processing routine moves to step  172 , where it calculates outline font-use difference determination information ΔOut. That is, the difference is calculated in dot units, byte units, and word units between the dot pattern in the outline font that has been expanded by the printing apparatus  12  and the dot pattern in the designated font type (here, a bitmap font) that serves as the target. 
         [0078]    In the next step  174 , the bitmap font-use difference determination information ΔBit that has been obtained in step  122  of  FIG. 5  is read. Then, the processing routine moves to step  176 , where it compares the outline font-use difference determination information ΔOut and the bitmap font-use difference determination information ΔBit. 
         [0079]    If ΔOut&lt;ΔBit as a result of this determination, the processing routine moves to step  178 , where it changes the font type from the basic font type (a bitmap font in this exemplary embodiment) to an outline font. Then, this routine ends. 
         [0080]    If ΔOut≧ΔBit in step  176 , the processing routine moves to step  180 , where it maintains the basic font type (a bitmap font in this exemplary embodiment). Then, this routine ends. 
         [0081]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the printing result of the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) whose basic font type is a bitmap font and the printing result of the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ) whose font type has been changed to a backup font type (a bitmap font) (see (b) of the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 )) are compared, it will be understood that, even if there is an enlarge designation, differences disappear between the printed state in the printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) and the printed state in the printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ) (see the enlarged size characters in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0082]    In the present exemplary embodiment, compatibility between the old type and the new type of printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) and  12 ( 2 ) resulting from differences in font type has been described. However, the similar is true in regard also to compatibility resulting from resolution, and the invention may also be configured such that, if the old type of printing apparatus  12 ( 1 ) has a relatively low resolution and the new type of printing apparatus  12 ( 2 ) has a relatively high resolution, it determines whether or not it is necessary to change the resolution by expanding and comparing dot patterns. The similar is true in regard also to compatibility resulting from font size, and the invention may also be configured such that it determines whether or not it is necessary to change the font size by expanding and comparing dot patterns. Moreover, the invention may also be configured to determine multiple compatibilities resulting from a combination of two or more of font type, resolution, and font size by comparing dot patterns. 
         [0083]    In the present exemplary embodiment, control that selects the font type for imparting compatibility is configured to be performed by the main controller  16  of the printing apparatus  12 , but it may also be performed by the host computer  10  or by a dedicated server disposed on the communication network  14 . 
         [0084]    The type and form of the printing apparatus  12  are not particularly limited, and the present exemplary embodiment may also be applied to so-called enterprise printing apparatus (mission-critical printing apparatus) intended for large-volume printing. 
         [0085]    The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to be suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.