Patent Abstract:
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a set of program instructions installed on and executed by a computer. The set of program instructions includes (a) acquiring a layout image size where the layout image is generated based on an original image data, the size of the layout image is specified by base data, and the base data represents graphical image in which the layout image is arranged and includes location data that specifies a location at which the original image data is stored, (b) acquiring an original image size, (c) determining whether the original image size is greater than the layout image size, (d) setting the original image as a print target when the original image size is greater than the layout image size, and (e) generating a print instruction instructing to print the original image set as the print target in a size larger than the layout size.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-260696 filed Nov. 23, 2010. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a data processor and a data processing program. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Personal computers have conventionally used various types of display data for displaying documents and Web pages, on a monitor, for example, in a form that the user can browse. Often images are laid out in the display data. Conventional technologies for printing Web pages allow the user to print just the image portions of the Web page without the background colors and text portions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In many cases, the images laid out in the display data are reduced in size to fit within defined layout areas. When documents including images are printed using the above conventional technology, the subject matter in the printed images can be difficult to discern because the images are printed at reduced sizes. However, the user most likely desires clearer printing results, particularly when printing only the image portions of the display data. Consequently, printed images that are barely legible do not meet the user&#39;s expectations. 
         [0005]    In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide a data processor and a data processing program capable of printing images contained in display data in a more legible form. 
         [0006]    In order to attain the above and other objects, the invention provides a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a set of program instructions installed on and executed by a computer. The set of program instructions includes (a) acquiring a layout image size that is a size of a layout image where the layout image is generated based on an original image data, the size of the layout image is specified by base data, and the base data represents graphical image in which the layout image is arranged and includes location data that specifies a location at which the original image data is stored, (b) acquiring an original image size that is a size of an original image represented by the original image data, (c) determining whether the original image size is greater than the layout image size, (d) setting the original image as a print target when the original image size is greater than the layout image size, (e) generating a print instruction instructing to print the original image set as the print target in a size larger than the layout size, and (f) outputting the print instruction. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect, the invention provides a data processor. A data processor includes a processing unit, and a non-transitory medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the processing unit to function as a layout image size acquiring part, an original image size acquiring part, a determining part, a setting part, and a generating part. The layout image size acquiring part acquires a layout image size that is a size of a layout image. The layout image is generated based on an original image data. The size of the layout image is specified by base data. The base data represents graphical image in which the layout image is arranged and includes location data that specifies a location at which the original image data is stored. The original image size acquiring part acquires an original image size that is a size of an original image represented by the original image data. The determining part determines whether the original image size is greater than the layout image size. The setting part sets the original image as a print target when the original image size is greater than the layout image size. The generating part generates a print instruction instructing to print the original image set as the print target in a size larger than the layout size. The outputting part outputs the print instruction. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect, the invention provides a method. The method includes (a) acquiring a layout image size that is a size of a layout image, where the layout image is generated based on an original image data, where the size of the layout image is specified by base data, where the base data represents graphical image in which the layout image is arranged and includes location data that specifies a location at which the original image data is stored, (b) acquiring an original image size that is a size of an original image represented by the original image data, (c) determining whether the original image size is greater than the layout image size, (d) setting the original image as a print target when the original image size is greater than the layout image size, (e) generating a print instruction instructing to print the original image set as the print target in a size larger than the layout size, and (f) outputting the print instruction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the general electrical structure of a personal computer in which an EMF creating program is installed and a printer connected to the personal computer; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram illustrating samples of printing results acquired when the personal computer executes a Web page printing process; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating steps in a Web page printing process executed by a CPU  11  of the personal computer; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating steps in an image verification process executed by the CPU. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the general electrical structure of a personal computer  10  (hereinafter “PC  10 ”), and a printer  20  connected to the PC  10 . An Enhanced MetaFile (EMF) creating program  14   b  installed on the PC  10  is an embodiment of the data processing program according to the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the PC  10  and the printer  20  are interconnected via a local area network (LAN)  4 . The LAN  4  is further connected to Internet  8  via a router (not shown). The PC  10  is configured to control the printer  20  to print images arranged on a Web page in a more legible form. This process will be described later in greater detail. 
         [0015]    The PC  10  primarily includes a CPU  11 , a ROM  12 , a RAM  13 , a hard disk drive  14  (hereinafter HDD  14 ), a LAN interface  16 , an input device  17 , and a liquid crystal display (LCD)  18 . The above components are interconnected via a bus line  19 . 
         [0016]    The CPU  11  controls each component connected to the bus line  19  according to fixed values and programs stored in the ROM  12  and the HDD  14 . The ROM  12  is memory that serves to store programs and the like for controlling operations of the PC  10 . The RAM  13  is writable memory that functions to temporarily store data and the like required for processing by the CPU  11 . The RAM  13  is provided with an image list  13   a,  and a print target list  13   b.  The image list  13   a  is a list of file paths for image data representing images laid out on a Web page, size data specifying the sizes of images laid out on the Web page, and the like. The print target list  13   b  is a list of images arranged on the Web page that meet a prescribed condition and are thus recorded as print targets. 
         [0017]    The HDD  14  is provided with a Web browser  14   a,  a EMF creating program  14   b,  a printer driver  14   c,  and image data memory  14   d.  When the Web browser  14   a  is executed, the PC  10  accesses a server (not shown) on the Internet  8 , acquires Web page data in the HTML format, i.e., the source code for the Web page, and stores the acquired data in the RAM  13 , for example. The PC  10  subsequently interprets this Web page data, creates a Web page, and displays the Web page on the LCD  18 . 
         [0018]    The EMF creating program  14   b  is a plug-in installed in the Web browser  14   a.  When the EMF creating program  14   b  is executed, the PC  10  creates Enhanced MetaFile (EMF) format data as an intermediate file for creating print data. The PC  10  subsequently outputs the EMF data to the printer driver  14   c.    
         [0019]    The printer driver  14   c  is a program used to control the printer  20 . When the printer driver  14   c  is executed, the PC  10  creates print data from the EMF data and outputs the print data to the printer  20 . The LAN interface  16  functions to connect the PC  10  to the LAN  4 . The input device  17  enables the user of the PC  10  to input instructions and data into the PC  10 . The LCD  18  displays various information, including Web pages. 
         [0020]    The image data memory  14   d  is memory for storing original image data that the PC  10  acquires from the Internet  8 . Original image data will be described later with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0021]    The printer  20  primarily includes a CPU  21 , a ROM  22 , a RAM  23 , a LAN interface  24 , operating keys  25 , an LCD  26 , and a printing unit  27 . The above components are interconnected via a bus line  28 . 
         [0022]    The CPU  21  executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM  22 . The ROM  22  is memory functioning to store programs and the like used to control operations of the printer  20 . The RAM  23  is memory for temporarily storing data and the like required in processing by the CPU  21 . 
         [0023]    The operating keys  25  enable a user to input instructions and data into the printer  20 . The LCD  26  displays various information. The printer  20  drives the printing unit  27  based on print data inputted from the PC  10  via the LAN interface  24  to print images on paper. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram illustrating samples of printing results acquired when the PC  10  executes a Web page printing process described later with reference to  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 2 , a Web page  30  denotes a Web page displayed on the LCD  18 , while a Web page P 30  denotes a Web page printed on a sheet of paper P. When the PC  10  receives a print command from a user to print the Web page  30 , the PC  10  controls the printer  20  to print the Web page P 30 , and also controls the printer  20  to print images in the Web page  30  that meet a prescribed condition on separate sheets of paper P from the Web page P 30 . This process will be described later in greater detail. 
         [0025]    The HTML data for a Web page that the PC  10  acquires from the Internet  8  includes file paths and size data. File paths are data indicating the storage locations on the Internet  8  for image files in the JPEG or the bitmap format. An image file that can be acquired from the storage location indicated in a file path will hereinafter be referred to as original image data. The size data indicates the sizes of layout images  32  arranged in the Web page  30 . The Web browser  14   a  analyzes Web page data, creates layout images  32  of a size specified by the size data based on the original image data specified by the file paths, and lays out the layout images  32  in the Web page  30 . 
         [0026]    In the embodiment, the “image size” is expressed by the number of pixels in the width direction by the number of pixels in the height direction. In some cases, the size of an original image represented by the original image data differs from the size of the corresponding layout image  32  laid out on the Web page  30 . For example, if the size of an original image represented by the original image data is 400×300 and the size of the corresponding layout image  32  specified by the size data is 200×150, the PC  10  executes a reduction process well known in the art on the original image data in order to create the layout image  32  at the size of 200×150 by reducing the original image by 50%, and lays out the layout image  32  in the Web page  30 . In this way, layout images  32  can be laid out on the Web page  30  at sizes specified by the creator of the Web page, regardless the sizes of the original images. 
         [0027]    In order to control the printer  20  to print the Web page P 30 , the EMF creating program  14   b  creates EMF data constituting write commands based on the Web page  30  and transfers this data to the printer driver  14   c.  The printer driver  14   c  creates print data from the EMF data and outputs the print data to the printer  20 . When the layout images  32  laid out in the Web page  30  were generated by reducing the original images, it is unlikely that the corresponding images in the printed results will be clearly recognizable because the EMF data was created based on layout images  32  that lost a portion of the image data during the reduction process, i.e., layout images  32  having a smaller number of pixels than the original images. 
         [0028]    In addition to the creation of the EMF data to print the Web page P 30 , the PC  10  according to the embodiment creates EMF data using the original image data for an original image that is larger than the corresponding layout image  32 . Therefore, the PC  10  can control the printer  20  to print the original image at a larger size than the corresponding layout image  32  in a form that is more legible. For example, if the original image is 400×300 in size and the layout image  32  is 200×150 in size, it is possible to obtain a 400×300 printed image simply by enlarging the Web page  30  that includes the layout image  32  by a printing magnification of 200%. However, this method simply stretches the 200×150 layout image  32  to a size of 400×300 and cannot compensate for the data lost when the original image was reduced. In contrast, the PC  10  according to the embodiment creates EMF data using the original image data that has not undergone the reduction process, thereby enabling the printer  20  to print an image at a size greater than the layout image  32  that is clearer and more legible. 
         [0029]    In order to differentiate the original image printed on a sheet of paper P from the original image represented by original image data, a reference number will be assigned to the original image printed on the paper P in the following description. Specifically, the printed original image will be referred to as an original image  34 . No reference number will be assigned to the original image represented by the original image data. The size of the original image  34  printed on a sheet of paper P is adjusted based on various print settings, such as the printing magnification. Therefore, the size of the original image  34  printed on paper P may in some cases be different from the size of the original image represented by the original image data. 
         [0030]    For example, if the original image has the size 400×300 and the printing magnification is set to 200%, then the PC  10  can create EMF data using the original image data after enlarging the original image data by the printing magnification of 200%, thereby controlling the printer  20  to print an 800×600 original image  34 . Further, one of the print settings that may be possessed by the Web browser  14   a  is the option “Scale to paper size.” When this option is selected, the EMF creating program  14   b  automatically enlarges or reduces the image data to be printed based on the selected paper size and printing resolution when creating the EMF data. For example, if the selected paper size is 3R (L in Japan; 89×127 mm) and the printing resolution is set to 300 dpi, there are approximately 1051×1500 printable pixels on the 3R sheet of paper P. Therefore, if the original image represented by the original image data has a size of 200×300 and the option “Scale to paper size” has been selected, the EMF creating program  14   b  creates EMF data using the original image data after enlarging the data by the printing magnification of 500%, for example, thereby controlling the printer  20  to print a 1000×1500 original image  34  that matches the 3R paper. 
         [0031]    Various print settings, such as printing magnification, paper size, and printing resolution, are similarly reflected in the results of printing the Web page P 30 . Accordingly, the Web page P 30  printed by the printer  20  is not necessarily the same size as the Web page  30  displayed on the LCD  18 . However, for the sake of simplification, the following description of this process will assume that the Web page P 30  printed by the printer  20  is the same size as the Web page  30  displayed on the LCD  18  and that the original images  34  printed by the printer  20  are the same size as the corresponding original images represented by the original image data. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating steps in a Web page printing process executed by the CPU  11  of the PC  10 . The Web page printing process is executed to control the printer  20  to print the Web page P 30  and the original images  34  and is executed when the user inputs a print command on the input device  17  to print the Web page  30  while the Web page  30  is displayed in the Web browser  14   a.  The CPU  11  of the PC  10  executes this process according to the EMF creating program  14   b.  The following description also assumes that the user has already configured print settings before the process is initiated. 
         [0033]    In Step S 302  at the beginning of the process in  FIG. 3  (hereinafter “Step” will be omitted), the CPU  11  acquires Web page data for the Web page  30  displayed on the LCD  18 . The Web page data is the source code of the Web page  30  being processed. The Web page data includes the file paths for original image data and size data for the layout images  32 , as described above, as well as various information regarding the images, such as the format of the original image data. 
         [0034]    In S 304  the CPU  11  extracts the information on the image from the Web page data and in S 306  determines whether the Web page  30  includes images. The CPU  11  can determine whether the Web page data includes image data based on the format of the image files (JPEG or bmp, for example). If the CPU  11  determines that the Web page data does not contain any image data and thus that the Web page  30  does not include any images (S 306 : NO), in S 326  the CPU  11  creates EMF data based on the Web page  30 , and subsequently advances to S 328  described later. 
         [0035]    However, if the CPU  11  determines that the Web page data includes image data and hence that the Web page  30  includes at least one image (S 306 : YES), then in S 307  the CPU  11  acquires a file path for each set of original image data and size data for each layout image  32  in the Web page  30  and records this data in the image list  13   a.  Here, file paths for original image data are recorded in the Web page data in association with size data for the layout images  32  laid out based on the original image data. Accordingly, in S 307  the CPU  11  records the associated file paths and size data acquired from the Web page data in the image list  13   a,  while maintaining the associations. 
         [0036]    In S 308  the CPU  11  downloads original image data on which the layout images  32  are based from the Internet  8 . The CPU  11  downloads original image data for all layout images  32  in the Web page  30 . More specifically, the CPU  11  acquires the original image data from storage locations on the Internet  8  indicated by the file paths recorded in the image list  13   a  and stores this original image data in the image data memory  14   d.  Depending on the specifications of the Web browser  14   a,  the CPU  11  may instead display the layout images  32  on the Web page  30  rather than downloading the original image data. However, since the Web page printing process of the embodiment is provided with Step S 308 , the CPU  11  of the PC  10  can first reliably acquire original image data on which the layout images  32  are based before advancing to the subsequent processes. 
         [0037]    In S 310  the CPU  11  selects original image data for any single original image from among the data downloaded in S 308 . In S 312  the CPU  11  executes an image verification process to verify whether the original image represented by the selected original image data is a print target and to record the original image in the print target list  13   b  when determining that the image is a print target. The image verification process will be described later in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 4 . Although not illustrated in the drawings, the CPU  11  sets a flag for the original image data that has been subjected to the image verification process in order to distinguish verified original image data from unverified original image data. 
         [0038]    In S 314  the CPU  11  determines whether the image verification process has been performed for all original image data. In other words, the CPU  11  determines whether flags indicating that original image data has been verified have been set for all sets of original image data. When the CPU  11  determines that there remains unverified original image data (S 314 : NO), in S 316  the CPU  11  selects original image data for another original image from among the unverified original image data and repeats the image verification process in S 312 . 
         [0039]    After repeatedly performing the image verification process until all original image data has been verified (S 314 : YES), in S 318  the CPU  11  determines whether the print target list  13   b  is empty. If the print target list  13   b  is found to be empty (S 318 : YES), in S 326  the CPU  11  creates EMF data based on the Web page  30 , and subsequently advances to S 328  described later. 
         [0040]    However, if any original images have been recorded in the print target list  13   b  (S 318 : NO), in S 320  the CPU  11  creates a selection list (not shown) of thumbnails or other data for specifying each of the original images recorded in the print target list  13   b  and displays this list, as distinction information, on the LCD  18  together with the Web page  30 . Here, reduced image data needed to display the thumbnails may be obtained by reading such data stored in the header of the original image data or may be created from the original image data. The selection list displayed on the LCD  18  enables the user to distinguish between those original images that have been selected as print targets and those that have not been selected as print targets from among the original images on which all layout images  32  in the Web page  30  are based. Accordingly, the user can see which of the images can be printed in a more recognizable form. For example, the user can learn whether images can be printed at a larger size based on the original image data when the layout images  32  based on these original images were reduced in size to be displayed in the Web page  30 . Next, the user can select desired original images from the original images that the CPU  11  of the PC  10  has set as print targets. 
         [0041]    In S 322  the CPU  11  waits for user input and receives the selections for original images to be printed. The PC  10  may clear the selection list from the LCD  18  after the user has finished selecting original images. Further, although the PC  10  is configured to display the selection list after verifying all original image data in the embodiment, the PC  10  may be configured to display the selection list together with the Web page  30  upon receiving a print command from the user to print the Web page  30  and to add a thumbnail or other data to the displayed selection list each time an original image is set as a print target in the image verification process of S 312  in order to specify the original image newly set as a print target. 
         [0042]    In S 323  the CPU  11  determines whether one or more original images were selected in S 322 . If no original images were selected (S 323 : NO), in S 326  the CPU  11  creates EMF data based on the Web page  30  and subsequently advances to S 328  described later. 
         [0043]    However, if at least one original image was selected (S 323 : YES), in S 324  the CPU  11  creates EMF data based on the Web page  30  displayed by the Web browser  14   a  and in S 325  creates EMF data for printing the selected original images at a size larger than the corresponding layout images  32  using the original image data stored in the image data memory  14   d.  If a plurality of original images was selected in S 322 , the CPU  11  creates EMF data for each original image. Here, EMF data is created so that the Web page P 30  and each of the original images  34  are printed on different sheets of paper P. 
         [0044]    After creating EMF data for printing the Web page P 30  and the original images  34  in S 324  and S 325  or after creating EMF data for printing the Web page P 30  in S 326 , in S 328  the CPU  11  outputs the EMF data, as print instruction, to the printer driver  14   c,  and subsequently ends the Web page printing process. Thereafter, the printer driver  14   c  creates print data from the EMF data and outputs this print data to the printer  20  to be printed. 
         [0045]    Through the Web page printing process described above, the PC  10  can control the printer  20  to print original images  34  at a larger size than the corresponding layout images  32  in addition to printing the Web page P 30 . Further, since the PC  10  controls the printer  20  to print the Web page P 30  and each of the original images  34  on different sheets of paper P, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the user has the added convenience of being able to use the Web page P 30  and the original images  34  separately. 
         [0046]    Further, since the Web page printing process allows the user to select original images from those that have been specified for printing, the PC  10  can output EMF data to print those images that the user desires. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating steps in the image verification process of S 312  executed by the CPU  11  of the PC  10 . The image verification process serves to identify original images that are print targets. 
         [0048]    In S 402  at the beginning of the image verification process in  FIG. 4 , the CPU  11  acquires the size of the original image represented by the original image data stored in the image data memory  14   d.  Specifically, the CPU  11  reads the size (i.e., number of pixels in the width direction and number of pixels in the height direction) for the original image from properties recorded in the header of the selected original image data. In this way, accurate sizes of the original images can be acquired since the data is read from the properties of the original image data. 
         [0049]    In S 404  the CPU  11  acquires the size of the layout image  32  laid out in the Web page  30  based on the selected original image. That is, the CPU  11  acquires size data recorded in the image list  13   a  in association with the file path for the selected original image data and extracts (i.e., reads) the size of the layout images  32  specified in the size data. When the Web page data is in the HTML format and a “%” is attached to the size data, the size data specifies the ratio of the size of the layout image  32  to the size of the Web page  30 . In other words, the size data denotes the relative size of the layout image  32 . However, if a “%” is not attached to the size data, then the size data denotes the number of pixels in the layout image  32  (number of pixels in the width direction and number of pixels in the height direction), i.e., the absolute size of the layout image  32 . 
         [0050]    In S 406  the CPU  11  determines whether the selected original image is larger than the layout image  32  arranged in the Web page  30  based on the selected original image. Specifically, the CPU  11  determines whether the number of pixels for the selected original image in the width direction and the height direction is greater than the number of pixels for the corresponding layout image  32  in the width direction and height direction. When the size of the layout image  32  is expressed as a relative size, the CPU  11  makes a negative determination in S 406  and proceeds to S 408 . When the size data specifies the absolute size of the layout image  32 , the CPU  11  reaches a negative determination in S 406  if the layout image  32  has a size greater than or equal to the size of the original image. 
         [0051]    If the selected original image is not larger than the corresponding layout image  32  (S 406 : NO), in S 408  the CPU  11  determines whether the size of the layout image  32  is expressed as a relative size. If the size of the layout image  32  is not expressed as a relative size (S 408 : NO), the CPU  11  ends the image verification process. In this case, the CPU  11  does not set the original image expressed by the selected original image data as a print target. 
         [0052]    However, when the original image is larger than the layout image  32  (S 406 : YES), the CPU  11  advances to S 410  to check other conditions. 
         [0053]    First, in S 410  the CPU  11  determines whether the aspect ratio of the original image represented by the selected original image data is equivalent to the aspect ratio of the layout image  32  that is located in the web page  30  based on this original image data. If the aspect ratios are not equivalent (S 410 : NO), the CPU  11  ends the image verification process. In this case, the CPU  11  does not set the original image represented by the original image data as a print target. The CPU  11  does not select the original image when its aspect ratio differs from that of the layout image  32  because printing an image of higher clarity using the original image data for this original image is not likely to yield the desired printing results since the aspect ratio of the printed image will differ from the image that the user is viewing. 
         [0054]    However, when the aspect ratio is equivalent to the aspect ratio of the layout image  32  (S 410 : YES), in S 412  the CPU  11  determines whether the ratio of the size of the selected original image to the size of the layout image  32  that is located in the Web page  30  based on the selected original image is at least a prescribed ratio (1.5, for example). If the ratio of sizes is greater than or equal to the prescribed ratio (S 412 : YES), in S 416  the CPU  11  records the original image in the print target list  13   b  and subsequently ends the image verification process. 
         [0055]    However, if the ratio of the size of the selected original image to the size of the layout image  32  is less than the prescribed ratio (S 412 : NO) or if the CPU  11  determines in S 408  that the size of the layout image  32  is represented as a relative size (S 408 : YES), in S 414  the CPU  11  determines whether the size of the original image represented by the selected original image data is at least a prescribed value (200×150, for example). If the size of the original image is greater than or equal to the prescribed value (S 414 : YES), in S 416  the CPU  11  records the original image in the print target list  13   b  and subsequently ends the image verification process. However, if the CPU  11  determines in S 414  that the size of the original image is less than the prescribed value (S 414 : NO), the CPU  11  ends the image verification process. In the latter case, the CPU  11  does not select the original image represented by the selected original image data as a print target. 
         [0056]    Through the image verification process of S 312 , the PC  10  can set original images as print targets when the creation of EMF data based on the original image data for the original image is likely to benefit the user. That is, EMF data created based on original image data for an original image will have a great effect on improving the legibility of the printed result when the size of the original image relative to the size of the layout image  32  exceeds a prescribed ratio. Consequently, the PC  10  sets these types of original images as print targets in the image verification process of the embodiment. 
         [0057]    The PC  10  also determines that an original image should be printed when the image is larger than the corresponding layout image  32  and when the size of the original image exceeds a prescribed value. Since the user will not likely need images, such as buttons and banners in the Web page  30 , to be printed on separate sheets of paper P, this process can limit the number of such images that are set as print targets. 
         [0058]    Further, when the size data denotes the relative size of the layout image  32 , the PC  10  sets an original image as a print target only when the size of the original image exceeds a prescribed value, regardless of whether the original image is larger than the layout image  32 . Therefore, the PC  10  can determine whether an original image should be printed, even when the size of the layout image  32  is expressed as a relative size. 
         [0059]    While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0060]    The data processor of the invention may be implemented by other devices, such as the printer  20  or a mobile phone. 
         [0061]    While the Web page P 30  and the original images  34  are printed on separate sheets of paper P in the embodiment, the data processor may be configured to print the Web page P 30  and the original images  34  on a single sheet of paper P when it is possible to arrange all images on the sheet. In this case, the data processor creates EMF data for printing the targeted original images and the Web page P 30  on different pages and controls the printer  20  to print a plurality of pages worth of images (i.e., the original images and the Web page P 30 ) together on a single sheet of paper P. 
         [0062]    Further, while Web page data is used in the embodiment as an example of target data processed by the data processor of the invention, various other data may serve as the target data, including document files and spreadsheet files. Document files and spreadsheet files may be targeted for processing by the data processor because images are laid out in display data displayed based on such files when either images are embedded in the files or the files contain links specifying images to be laid out therein. 
         [0063]    In the embodiment described above, the EMF creating program  14   b  executes the Web page printing process and outputs EMF data created in this process to the printer driver  14   c.  However, when the printer  20  is capable of processing EMF data, the EMF creating program  14   b  may be configured to output the EMF data directly to the printer  20 . 
         [0064]    Further, while EMF data is used as print instruction, in the embodiment, the invention may be applied, to cases in which PostScript data or data in other formats is created as a print command. The invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the CPU  21  of the printer  20  acquires Web page data and original image data from the Internet  8  and/or the PC  10 , generates EMF data, as an example of the print instruction, based on this data, and outputs the print command to the printing unit  27 . 
         [0065]    In the embodiment described above, a selection list is displayed together with the Web page  30  as “differentiation information” for showing a distinction between original images set as print targets and original images that are not set as print targets. As an alternative, the differentiation information may be configured of marks displayed next to those layout images  32  in the Web page  30  based on original images that have been set as print targets, for example. There is no particular restriction on the format of this differentiation information. Further, while thumbnails are displayed in the selection list in the embodiment described above, the filenames of the original image data or other data that can convey to the user which original images have been set as print targets may be displayed in the selection list. 
         [0066]    In the embodiment described above, the data processor determines that the original image is larger than the layout image when the numbers of pixels in the original image in the width and height directions are greater than the numbers of pixels in the layout image in the width and height directions. However, the data processor may instead determine that the original image is larger than the layout image when the number of pixels in the original image is greater than the number of pixels in the layout image in at least one of the width direction and the height direction. 
         [0067]    An additional step may be provided in the Web page printing process of the embodiment ( FIG. 3 ) prior to S 325  for comparing the size of an original image with the size of the paper loaded in the printer  20 . If the PC  10  determines that the original image does not fit within the size of the paper, the PC  10  may be configured to perform a reduction process on the original image data so that the original image will fit within the paper, and subsequently may create EMF data, as an example of print instruction, using the reduced original image data. The PC  10  may also be configured to change the orientation of the original image relative to the paper so that the image can fit within the specified paper size. 
         [0068]    In the Web page printing process of the embodiment, the PC  10  controls the printer  20  to print the Web page P 30  and the original images  34  upon receiving a print command for printing the Web page  30 . Alternatively, or in addition, the PC  10  may be configured to execute a Web page printing process for creating a print instruction using the original image data on which a layout image  32  of the Web page  30  is based upon receiving EMF data, as an example of print instruction, for this layout image  32 , and may control the printer  20  to print an original image  34  that is larger than the layout image  32 . 
         [0069]    In S 412  of the image verification process according to the embodiment ( FIG. 4 ), the PC  10  determines whether the size of the original image relative to the size of the layout image  32  exceeds a prescribed ratio. When this “prescribed ratio” is set to a value greater than “1”, the process in S 412  may be used to determine whether the size of the original image is greater than the size of the layout image. In this case, the process of S 406  for determining whether the size of the original image is greater than the size of the layout image  32  may be eliminated, and the process may advance to S 410  upon reaching a negative determination in S 408  (S 408 : NO). 
         [0070]    The image verification process described in  FIG. 4  according to the embodiment may be modified to set an original image as a print target under the condition that the ratio of the size of the original image to the size of the layout image based on this original image is greater than or equal to a prescribed ratio (0.9, for example), or that the size of the original image is greater than or equal to a prescribed value, regardless of whether the original image is larger than the layout image, by eliminating the determinations in S 406 , S 408 , and S 410  and advancing directly to the determination in S 412  after completing S 404 . This variation is also convenient for the user since images in the display data that meet the prescribed condition can be printed on separate sheets. 
         [0071]    While the condition for selecting original images to be printed in the image verification process of the embodiment is that the aspect ratio of the original image is identical to that of the layout image, the invention may be implemented without this condition.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7