Control program, control method of information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a control program, a control method of an information processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that can suppress occurrence of a printing error or the like in a printing device regardless of size of printing data.SOLUTION: An extended application is a control program that is connected to a printing device to be able to communicate, and controls a host computer which can process information between itself and the printing device, and comprises: an acquisition step of acquiring a pixel number corresponding to size of a sheet-like printing medium on which printing data used in printing in the printing device is printed; and a generation step of generating printing data as primary data when the pixel number acquired at the acquisition step exceeds a paper size threshold value Ts, and generates secondary data having a capacity smaller than a primary data capacity by decreasing resolution of the primary data. The extended application causes the host computer to execute each step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control program, a control method for an information processing device, and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A host computer (information processing device) capable of processing information exchanged between the printing device and the printing device is communicatively connected to the printing device. The control software for controlling the printing device is, for example, a printer driver installed on the host computer by the printing device. This printer driver allows the host computer to issue print instructions to the printing device. An operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS"), which is the basic software, is pre-installed on the host computer. The printer driver is configured in accordance with specifications defined by the OS and can be called and operated by the OS. Furthermore, such printer drivers differ depending on the vendor supplying the printing device; in other words, they are model-specific printer drivers suited to each printing device.

[0003] In recent years, Windows® has provided standard class drivers (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "standard drivers") that can be commonly used with printing devices supplied by multiple different vendors. Such standard drivers are pre-installed in the OS. Any printing device can be connected to a host computer with an OS that has the standard driver installed and use the standard driver. This eliminates the need to install a model-specific printer driver. Furthermore, the standard driver can be used by specifying the printing functions of the printing device according to Print Device Capabilities (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "PDC") generated based on information obtained from the printing device. This allows printing functions to be specified for each printing device using a single standard driver. A function-enhancing application (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "extension application") that expands the standard driver's functions can be associated with the standard driver. The extension application is provided by each vendor.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that uses an extended application to compare first paper information about the paper used for printing on a printing device with second paper information about the paper in the print settings that set the printing conditions on the printing device to determine whether the paper is suitable. Depending on the paper size, there is a risk that the image will extend beyond the paper, resulting in printing that the user did not intend, i.e., a drawing error, but the technology described in Patent Document 1 can reduce drawing errors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-100565 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the functions of suppressing the occurrence of drawing errors such as missing drawing objects and suppressing other deterioration in image quality are insufficient.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control program, a control method for an information processing device, and an information processing device that can suppress the occurrence of print errors in a printing device, regardless of the size of print data, even when using a program that operates based on IPP, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the control program of the present invention is a control program that controls an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a printing device that performs printing and is capable of processing information between the printing device, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring a pixel count corresponding to the size of a sheet-like printing medium on which the printing data used for the printing is printed, and a generation step of, if the pixel count acquired in the acquisition step is equal to or greater than a predetermined pixel count threshold, treating the printing data as primary data, reducing the resolution of the primary data, and generating secondary data that is smaller in size than the primary data, and is characterized in that each of the above steps is executed by the information processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, even when a program that operates based on IPP is used, it is possible to prevent print errors and the like from occurring in a printing device regardless of the size of the print data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration centered on software of the printing system. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating formats of data handled by each software program of the printing system. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process of editing print function information by a print function expansion unit of a printing system. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a PDC. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PDC to which information indicating a pixel number limiting function has been added. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print setting screen by a print setting screen extension unit. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print setting screen display process performed by a print setting screen expansion unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pixel number threshold table of a drawing application. [Figure 10] 9 is a flowchart showing the processing in step S808 (subroutine) of the flowchart shown in FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a skip process performed by a skip control unit. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print data editing process performed by a print data editing unit. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing main processes among the editing processes of print function information by a print function extension unit of a printing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PDC to which information indicating a minimum resolution specification function has been added. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print setting screen by a print setting screen extension unit. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process in step S808 (subroutine) of the flowchart shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in each embodiment. For example, each component constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can perform the same function. Also, any component may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of each embodiment can be combined.

[0012] <<First Embodiment>> A first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a host computer 101, a printing device 102, a display unit 119, a pointing device 117, and a keyboard 118. The host computer 101 is an information processing device communicatively connected to the printing device 102, the display unit 119, the pointing device 117, and the keyboard 118 and capable of processing information exchanged among them. The host computer 101 includes an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, an input / output interface 116, and a NETIF 120. The ROM 112 stores an initialization program. The external storage device 114 stores application programs, an operating system (OS), print data generation software, and various other data. In this embodiment, the OS is assumed to be Microsoft Windows 10. The RAM 113 is used as a work memory or the like when various programs stored in the external storage device 114 are executed, and the various programs can run within the host computer 101. These various programs include, for example, two control programs that control the host computer 101. One of the two control programs is a program that operates based on IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). This program is print data generation software 202, which will be described later. The other control program is a program that extends the functions of the program that operates based on IPP, and causes the host computer 101 to execute each process (a control method for an information processing device). This program is an extension application (print software) 204, which will be described later. Information can be exchanged between the print data generation software 202 and the extension application 204.

[0013] A keyboard 118 and a pointing device 117 are connected to the input interface 110. The keyboard 118 and the pointing device 117 are input devices for inputting information, etc. A display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115. The display unit 119 is, for example, a display device that displays images, etc. The NETIF 120 is a network interface that controls data transfer with an external device (not shown) via a network. Note that in the printing system 100, the host computer 101 and the components from the pointing device 117 to the display unit 119 can be collectively implemented by, for example, a desktop or notebook personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc.

[0014] The input / output interface 116 is connected to the printing device 102. The printing device 102 is capable of printing print data generated by the host computer 101 and used for printing onto a sheet-like printing medium. The printing medium may be, for example, A-size printing paper, B-size printing paper, or roll paper, depending on the type of printing device 102, all of which are rectangular in plan view. In addition, in this embodiment, the printing device 102 is an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink onto the printing medium, but is not limited thereto and may be, for example, a printer that prints using an electrophotographic method. While the host computer 101 and the printing device 102 are configured as separate entities in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, this is not a limitation and they may be configured as an integrated device, for example.

[0015] <Software-based printing system configuration> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the software-focused configuration of a printing system. Figure 2(a) shows a typical configuration when an extended application is not associated with print data generation software and a printing device. Figure 2(b) shows a configuration when an extended application is associated with print data generation software and a printing device.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2A, the print data generation software 202 can exchange information, i.e., send and receive information, with the drawing application 201 and the printing device 102. The drawing application 201 is software that creates content (print data) to be printed by the printing device 102. The drawing application 201 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a word processing application or a spreadsheet application. The drawing application 201 issues a print instruction to the OS upon receiving a print request from a user via, for example, the keyboard 118. The print instruction includes print setting information for instructing the operation of the print data generation software 202 and the printing device 102. The print setting information is also called a "Print Ticket (PT)." In addition, to output the print setting information, the drawing application 201 can display a print setting screen provided by any of the print data generation software 202, the OS, or the drawing application 201. The print setting screen includes setting items indicating configurable print functions and control items indicating their setting values ​​according to capability information acquired from the print data generation software 202, i.e., information that can be set as print settings. The capability information is also called Print Capabilities (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "PC").

[0017] The print data generation software 202 determines the PC based on the print capability information 203. The print capability information 203 is data indicating print capabilities that describes all configurable print functions, their setting values, and the exclusive relationships between the setting values. The print capability information 203 is also called PDC (Print Device Capabilities). The print capability information 203 is included in a configuration file of the print data generation software 202 and stored in the external storage device 114 as an unchangeable file. Alternatively, the print capability information 203 is dynamically generated by the print data generation software 202. Specifically, the print data generation software 202 acquires attribute data of the printing device 102 from the printing device 102. The print data generation software 202 generates the print capability information 203 according to the attribute information in this attribute data. When the print capability information 203 is dynamically generated in this manner, the print capability information 203 can be edited. The attribute data of the printing device 102 is a response obtained by issuing an IPP "Get-Printer-Attributes" operation to the printing device 120. The response includes attribute information indicating the functions that can be specified by the printing device 102, i.e., the capabilities of the printing device 102, and setting values ​​related to the attribute information. The response is also stored in RAM 113.

[0018] With this configuration, the print data generation software 202 allows the user to specify print functions available on the printing device 102, depending on the printing device 102 connected to the print data generation software 202. This allows the user to specify print functions available on the printing device 102, regardless of the printing device 102 connected to the print data generation software 202, i.e., even when printing devices with different functions or printing devices developed by different printer vendors are connected. In this embodiment, the print data generation software 202 is configured to use the "IPP Class Driver" included in Windows® 10. The "IPP Class Driver" is a printer driver that executes printing processing according to the specifications of a standard printing protocol called IPP and is included in the OS package. The "IPP Class Driver" is not a printer driver specific to the model of the printing device 102, but a standard class driver that can be used by multiple printing devices 102. The "IPP Class Driver" also acquires capability information from the printing device 102 and generates print capability information 203 based on that information. This allows the host computer 101 to specify the print functions that can be executed by the printing device 102 .

[0019] The OS generates intermediate data (sometimes referred to as "input data") based on the print instruction output from the drawing application 201 and sends it to the print data generation software 202. The data output by the drawing application 201 for printing is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, data in XML Paper Specification format (XPS format). The data output by the drawing application 201 for printing may also be data in Graphic Device Interface format (GDI format). When an IPP Class Driver is used as the print data generation software 202, if the data output by the drawing application 201 is GDI format data, the OS converts the GDI format data into XPS format data. The OS then sends this converted XPS format data to the print data generation software 202 as intermediate data. If the data output by the drawing application 201 is XPS format data, the OS also sends the XPS format data to the print data generation software 202 as intermediate data. The intermediate data includes drawing data, which is information such as characters and figures to be formed on a print medium, and print setting information set by the user.

[0020] The print data generation software 202 converts the intermediate data into print data that can be processed by the printing device 102 and sends it to the printing device 102. The print data is generated based on the contents of the intermediate data. That is, like the intermediate data, the print data includes drawing data, which is information such as characters and figures to be formed on a print medium, and print setting attribute information that is generated based on print setting information set by the user and specifies the print settings. The print setting attribute information includes attribute information that indicates functions that can be specified by the printing device 102, i.e., the capabilities of the printing device 102, and setting values ​​related to the attribute information.

[0021] The printing device 102 prints on a print medium based on the print data sent from the print data generation software 202. At this time, the printing device 102 performs operations in accordance with the print setting attribute information included in the print data, thereby forming the drawing data included in the print data on the print medium. The print setting attribute information includes, for example, print quality such as image quality priority or speed priority, attribute information for specifying double-sided printing or single-sided printing, and setting values ​​for the attribute information. For example, if the print setting attribute information includes attribute information specifying double-sided printing, the printing device 102 can perform double-sided printing.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2(b), unlike FIG. 2(a), an extension application 204 is added. The extension application 204 is software for extending the functions of the print data generation software 202. The extension application 204 is software that is not pre-installed (not bundled) in the OS. Therefore, the extension application 204 is downloaded from a server (not shown) via the Internet by a user operating the host computer 101 and installed on the host computer 101. Alternatively, when the printing device 102 is connected to the host computer 101, the extension application 204 may be automatically installed on the host computer 101 based on this connection. Specifically, when the printing device 102 is connected to the host computer 101, the OS acquires device identification information from the printing device 102. The OS may download and install the extension application 204 corresponding to this device identification information from a server via the Internet. As a result, the print data generation software 202 and the extension application 204 are held in the host computer 101 as separate control programs. The print data generation software 202 and the extension application 204 may be updated and upgraded. In this case, the update process for the print data generation software 202 and the update process for the extension application 204 may be performed at the same time or at different times.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2B, the extension application 204 can exchange information (send and receive information) with the drawing application 201, the print data generation software 202, and the printing device 102. That is, the extension application 204 is associated with the drawing application 201, the print data generation software 202, and the printing device 102. In this embodiment, the extension application 204 includes a print setting screen extension unit 205, a skip control unit 206, a print function extension unit 207, a print data editing unit 208, and a notification unit 209. The extension application 204 also includes shared information 210 that can be accessed by each of the print setting screen extension unit 205, the skip control unit 206, the print function extension unit 207, the print data editing unit 208, and the notification unit 209. The shared information 210 is a file saved in the external storage device 114 or information stored in the RAM 113. The extension application 204 can write and read the shared information 210 by using an API (Application Program Interface) provided by the OS.

[0024] The extension application 204 also uses a paper size threshold T s The paper size threshold T s is a length used to determine whether a pixel count limiting function, which will be described later, is added as a printing function of the printing device 102. The extension application 204 has a drawing application pixel count threshold table 901 (see FIG. 9). The drawing application pixel count threshold table 901 contains a pixel count threshold T p are prepared (stored). In addition, each pixel number threshold T pdiffers for each type of drawing application 201. This is because the number of pixels in the drawing area where a drawing error may (easily) occur differs for each drawing application 201. The extended application 204 may terminate its operation as a whole when the processing of each unit from the print setting screen extension unit 205 to the notification unit 209 ends. In this case, the OS will start the extended application 204 every time it receives a processing execution request from each unit. The OS may also terminate the operation of the extended application 204 as a whole when the processing of the print setting screen extension unit 205 ends, but may leave the extended application 204 running as a whole when the processing of the skip control unit 206 ends. The extended application 204 may also cancel the processing of each unit from the print setting screen extension unit 205 to the notification unit 209 while that unit is processing that unit. In this case, the OS deletes the job being processed in the print queue.

[0025] As described above, the drawing application 201 issues a print instruction to the OS upon receiving a print request from the user. The drawing application 201 can also display a print setting screen. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2(b), the drawing application 201 can display a print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 205 (extension application 204). Whether or not to allow the display of the print setting screen provided by the print setting screen extension unit 205 can also be made dependent on the user's operation.

[0026] Furthermore, when the drawing application 201 receives a print request from a user and issues a print instruction to the OS, the OS activates the skip control unit 206. The skip control unit 206 controls whether or not to skip (omit) the conversion process in the print data generation software 202. Note that the skip control unit 206 cannot acquire intermediate data or print setting information. When the skip control process is not executed, the intermediate data from the drawing application 201 is converted by the print data generation software 202 into print data that can be processed by the printing device 102, i.e., into print data that can be printed by the printing device 102. This print data is then sent to the print data editing unit 208. When the skip control process is executed, the intermediate data from the drawing application 201 is sent to the print data editing unit 208 without being converted by the print data generation software 202. In this case, the intermediate data is converted by the print data editing unit 208 into data that can be printed by the printing device 102. There are no particular limitations on the cases in which it is preferable to skip the conversion process in print data generation software 202, and examples include cases in which it is desired to perform scaling in print data editing unit 208. Intermediate data can be held in vector format, which can prevent or suppress image degradation during scaling. Therefore, in a configuration in which print data generation software 202 outputs images in raster format, it is preferable to skip the conversion process in print data generation software 202 and have the intermediate data converted in print data editing unit 208.

[0027] The print data editing unit 208 edits the intermediate data sent from the print data generation software 202 or the print data converted by the print data generation software 202. After editing by the print data editing unit 208, the print data is sent to the printing device 102 via the OS. The printing device 102 prints onto a print medium based on this print data. Note that if the conversion process by the print data generation software 202 is skipped, the print data editing unit 208 converts the intermediate data into print data that can be processed by the printing device 102 and sends it to the printing device 102.

[0028] The print function extension unit 207 can edit the print function information 203 (PDC) generated by the print data generation software 202 or the OS. This allows for adding functions provided by the extension application 204, adding functions that can be executed by the printing device 102 but not by the print data generation software 202, and adding exclusive relationships between print function setting values. The OS starts the print function extension unit 207 when the extension application 204 is first associated with the printing device 102 and the print data generation software 202. The OS may also start the print function extension unit 207 at other times (e.g., when the OS starts up). Even if printing-related functions are later extended by such activation, the print function extension unit 207 can detect the extended function and add it to the print function information 203. An example of later extension of printing-related functions is adding an optional device (e.g., a two-stage roll unit or a finisher) to the printing device 102.

[0029] The notification unit 209 can notify the user when an error occurs in the printing device 102. For example, if an out-of-paper error occurs in the printing device 102, the print data generation software 202 detects the occurrence of this error. The OS uses a notification function called a toast notification, which is one of the OS's functions, to display a message on the display unit 119 indicating the occurrence of the out-of-paper error, which is the result of detection by the print data generation software 202. When the user operates the toast notification, the OS calls the notification unit 209, and a user interface screen for the notification unit 209 is displayed. The user interface screen can display, for example, a detailed message about the out-of-paper error, instructions on how to load paper, etc.

[0030] As described above, in this embodiment, the extension application 204 can be said to have the following five functions. The first function is to display a settings screen. This function is executed by the print setting screen extension unit 205. The second function is to control whether or not to skip the conversion process of the print data generation software 202. This function is executed by the skip control unit 206. The third function is to edit print data input to the printing device 102. This function is executed by the print data editing unit 208. The fourth function is to extend the functions that can be specified in the print data generation software 202. This function is executed by the print function extension unit 207. The fifth function is to display errors in the printing device 102. This function is executed by the notification unit 209.

[0031] <Data format handled by the printing system> The print data generation software 202 acquires capability information from the printing device 102. Based on this capability information, the print data generation software 202 determines the print data format that the printing device 102 can support, i.e., can process. This allows the print data generation software 202 to generate print data that can be processed by the printing device 102. Note that hereinafter, when the term "print data format" is used, it actually refers to the format of the drawing data included in the print data.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates the data formats handled by each software component of the printing system. FIG. 3(a) corresponds to FIG. 2(a). FIG. 3(a) illustrates the data formats handled by each software component of the printing system when an extensible application is not associated with the print data generation software and the printing device 1. As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the OS receives a print instruction from the drawing application 201, it generates XPS data 302, which is intermediate data. As described above, the drawing application 201 is software that creates print data to be printed by the printing device 102. The XPS data 302 is generated by reducing the resolution of the print data (primary data) from the drawing application 201, resulting in data (secondary data) smaller in size than the print data. Next, the print data generation software 202 converts the XPS data 302 into print data that can be processed by the printing device 102 (conversion process). At this time, the print data generation software 202 determines the print data format that can be processed based on capability information (attribute data) acquired from the printing device 102. The print data generation software 202 then generates print data that can be processed by the printing device 102 in accordance with this format. In this embodiment, the print data format is PWGRaster, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, PDF. The print data generation software 202 converts the XPS data 302 into PWGRaster data 303 and sends it to the printing device 102. As a result, the printing device 102 receives the PWGRaster data 303 and performs printing based on the PWGRaster data 303.

[0033] FIG. 3B corresponds to FIG. 2B. This FIG. 3B illustrates the data formats handled by each software component of the printing system when an extension application is associated and a skip instruction for the conversion process (print data generation process) in the print data generation software is not issued. As shown in FIG. 3B, upon receiving a print instruction from the drawing application 201, the OS generates XPS data 302, which is intermediate data, and calls the skip control unit 206 of the extension application 204. Note that in FIG. 3B, the skip control unit 206 does not execute the instruction to skip the conversion process in the print data generation software 202. As a result, similar to FIG. 3A, the print data generation software 202 converts the XPS data 302 into PWGRaster data 303. Next, the print data editing unit 208 receives the PWGRaster data 303 as input data. The PWGRaster data 303 is print data that can be processed by the printing device 102. The print data editing unit 208 transmits the PWGRaster data 303 as is to the printing device 102. As a result, the printing device 102 receives the PWGRaster data 303 and performs printing based on the PWGRaster data 303.

[0034] FIG. 3(c) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2(b). FIG. 3(c) is a diagram showing the data format handled by each software of the printing system when an extension application is associated and an instruction to skip the conversion process (print data generation process) in the print data generation software is given. As shown in FIG. 3(c), when a print instruction is received from the drawing application 201, the OS (generation means) generates XPS data 302, which is intermediate data (generation step). The number of pixels in the XPS data is determined based on a pixel number threshold T pIt is preferable that the time t1 is less than 1 / 2. The OS also calls the skip control unit 206 of the extension application 204. Next, the skip control unit 206 issues an instruction to the print data generation software 202 (or the OS) not to convert the XPS data 302 (intermediate data) into print data, i.e., an instruction to skip the conversion process (omission step). When the print data generation software 202 receives this skip instruction, it sends the XPS data 302 directly to the print data editing unit 208 of the extension application 204 without converting it into print data. Next, the print data editing unit 208 performs necessary editing on the XPS data, for which the conversion process in the print data generation software 202 was omitted, based on the print setting information, and converts it into PWGRaster data 303 (conversion step). The print data editing unit 208 then sends the PWGRaster data 303 to the printing device 102 (transmission step). As a result, the printing device 102 receives the PWGRaster data 303 and performs printing based on the PWGRaster data 303. Note that if XPS data is included in the print data format that the printing device 102 can process, the print data editing unit 208 can also send the XPS data to the printing device 102 without converting it into another format.

[0035] <Editing process of print function information by the print function extension unit> Here, a process for adding a pixel count limiting function to the print function information will be described. The "pixel count limiting function" is a function that prevents the occurrence of printing errors (drawing errors) such as missing drawing objects by setting an upper limit on the number of pixels in the intermediate data generated by the drawing application 201. The "missing drawing object" refers to an error in which a drawing object (a drawing target such as a character, line, figure, or image) that should be present in the intermediate data is missing, depending on the paper size, for example. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the main processes in the process of editing print function information by the print function extension unit of the printing system. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a PDC. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a PDC to which information indicating the pixel count limiting function has been added. The program based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed by the CPU 111. The program based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is started by activating the print function extension unit 207, for example, when the extension application 204 is associated for the first time. As shown in FIG. 4, in step S401, the print function extension unit 207 (acquisition means) acquires the paper size threshold T s After obtaining the information, the process proceeds to step S402. The printing error such as the missing drawing object described above is particularly noticeable in large format printers that support paper sizes larger than A3. s Although it can be set to any value for each printing device 102, it is preferable to use, for example, the length of A3 size paper, "420.0 mm," in consideration of printing errors.

[0036] In step S402, the print function extension unit 207 acquires a PDC 501 (see FIG. 5) as the print function information 203 from the print data generation software 202, and the process proceeds to step S403. The PDC 501 shown in FIG. 5 includes information on features supported by the printing device 102, information on setting values ​​(options) for specific functions, and the like. In this embodiment, the PDC 501 includes information 502, 503, and 504. The information 502 indicates that ISOA4 and Poster44x64 can be set as the PageMediaSize (paper size). The information 503 indicates that Plain (plain paper) and Photographic (photo paper) can be set as the PageMediaType (paper type). The information 504 indicates that Portrait (vertical) and Landscape (horizontal) can be set as the PageOrientation (print orientation). Note that the PDC 501 does not include information indicating that a pixel count limiting function can be set.

[0037] In step S403, the print function extension unit 207 acquires the length (size) along the long side of the largest paper sheet supported by the printing device 102 (acquisition step), and the process proceeds to step S404. In this embodiment, the print function extension unit 207 references the information 502 of the PDC 501 acquired in step S402 and acquires the largest value among the MediaSizeHeight values ​​as the height H of the largest paper size supported by the printing device 102. Note that in this embodiment, the height (total length) of the paper sheet is used as an index indicating the size of the paper sheet, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the width of the paper sheet or the like can also be used.

[0038] In step S404, the print function expansion unit 207 calculates the paper size threshold T s is compared with the maximum paper size height H obtained in step S403, and H≧T S As a result of the determination in step S404, it is determined whether H≧T SIf it is determined that H≧T, the process proceeds to step S405. S Not H <T S If it is determined that this is the case, the process ends.

[0039] In step S405, the print function extension unit 207 adds information indicating the pixel number limiting function to the PDC 501. As shown in FIG. 6, information 602 has been added to the PDC 601. The information 602 is information indicating the pixel number limiting function added by the processing of step S405. The information 602 indicates that Auto, ON, or OFF can be set as JobPixelNumberLimitation. Note that "Auto (see FIG. 7(b))" is a setting in which the upper limit of the pixel number of intermediate data is set to a different value depending on the name of the drawing application 201, or no upper limit is set depending on the name of the drawing application 201. "ON (see FIG. 7(b))" is a setting in which the upper limit of the pixel number of intermediate data is set to the same value regardless of the name of the drawing application 201. "OFF (see FIG. 7(b))" is a setting in which no upper limit is set on the pixel number of intermediate data.

[0040] <Print setting screen using the print setting screen expansion unit> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a print setting screen created by the print setting screen extension unit. FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen displayed by the print setting screen extension unit. The print setting screen 701 shown in FIG. 7(a) is a screen on which print functions in the print data generation software 202 can be specified by a PC generated based on the PDC described above. The print setting screen 701 includes a control item 702, a cancel button 705, and an OK button 706. The control item 702 allows the user to set or change various print functions, such as paper type, paper size, and print orientation. When the cancel button 705 is pressed, the setting values ​​changed using the control item 702 are not reflected in the print settings. On the other hand, when the OK button 706 is pressed, the setting values ​​changed using the control item 702 are reflected in the print settings.

[0041] The control item 702 includes a pixel count limiting function control item 703. The pixel count limiting function control item 703 allows the user to set the pixel count limiting function added to the PDC 601 in step S405 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7B shows an example of the pixel count limiting function control item and a pixel count limiting function drop-down list for selecting a setting value for the pixel count limiting function. Operating the pixel count limiting function control item 703 displays a pixel count limiting function drop-down list 704. The pixel count limiting function drop-down list 704 displays setting values ​​based on the information 602, i.e., "Auto," "ON," and "OFF" (display step). This allows the user to select a desired setting value and switch whether or not to enable the pixel count limiting function (executing a judgment in the judgment step). In this way, the pixel count limiting function drop-down list 704 functions as a switching screen for switching between enabling and disabling the pixel count limiting function. Note that the default setting is preferably "Auto." As mentioned above, "Auto" can set different upper limits for the number of pixels in intermediate data depending on the name of the drawing application 201. Therefore, by setting "Auto" as the default setting, it is possible to perform processing suitable for the drawing capabilities of the drawing application 201.

[0042] <Print setting screen display processing by the print setting screen extension unit> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of print setting screen display processing by the print setting screen expansion unit. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a pixel count threshold table of a drawing application. A program based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is executed by CPU 111. The program based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is started, for example, when OK button 706 on print setting screen 701 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 8, in step S801, print setting screen expansion unit 205 initializes shared information 210, and the process proceeds to step S802. Specifically, print setting screen expansion unit 205 deletes information already saved in shared information 210.

[0043] In step S802, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 acquires the setting value of the pixel number limiting function set on the pixel number limiting function control item 703, and the process proceeds to processing step S803.

[0044] In step S803, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 determines the setting value of the pixel count limiting function acquired in step S802. If the determination in step S803 determines that the limiting value of the pixel count limiting function is Auto, the process proceeds to step S804. If the determination in step S803 determines that the limiting value of the pixel count limiting function is ON, the process proceeds to step S807. If the determination in step S803 determines that the limiting value of the pixel count limiting function is OFF, the process proceeds to step S809.

[0045] In step S804, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 acquires the name of the drawing application 201, and the process proceeds to step S805.

[0046] In step S805, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 obtains the pixel count threshold T corresponding to the name of the drawing application 201 acquired in step S804 from the drawing application pixel count threshold table 901 (see FIG. 9). pThe drawing application pixel number threshold table 901 shown in FIG. 9 includes the names of a plurality of drawing applications 201 and the pixel number threshold T corresponding to each drawing application 201. p For example, in the case of the name of the drawing application 201 being "Architecture 3D", the pixel number threshold T p is 100000 (dots). Such a drawing application pixel count threshold table 901 is stored in advance in the extension application 204. When the drawing application 201 draws in a drawing area with a relatively large number of pixels, a drawing error (print error) such as a missing drawing object may occur. The threshold for the number of pixels in the drawing area at which such a drawing error may occur (is likely to occur) varies depending on the drawing capability of the drawing application 201. Therefore, in the drawing application pixel count threshold table 901, a pixel count threshold that can sufficiently suppress the occurrence of drawing errors is set for each drawing application 201 as the pixel count threshold T p The pixel number threshold T p can be set arbitrarily, but is preferably set to an experimental value based on the number of pixels at which a drawing error such as a missing object actually occurs in the drawing application 201. p In the drawing application 201 in which the pixel number threshold T is not set, the value of "None" is defined (the name of the drawing application 201 in FIG. 9 is "Fine CAD Creator" and the pixel number threshold T p (See "None"). Note that the pixel count threshold T p In the drawing application 201 in which the pixel number threshold T p You can define "0" or "negative value" as the pixel number threshold T p is "0" or a "negative value", the drawing application 201 p Alternatively, the drawing application 201 may be determined to be one for which the setting is not set. After step S805 is executed, the process proceeds to step S806.

[0047] In step S806, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 sets the pixel number threshold T p If it is determined in step S806 that the pixel number threshold T p If printing is performed by the drawing application 201 for which no setting is made, the process proceeds to step S809. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S806 is that it is not None, the process proceeds to step S808.

[0048] In step S807 after step S803, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 sets the pixel number threshold T p The default value is set to , and the process proceeds to step S808. This default value is a value that is stored in advance in the print setting screen extension unit 205 or the extension application 204 and can be set arbitrarily by the designer, and in this embodiment, it is set to, for example, "24000". The default value is the pixel count threshold T defined in the drawing application pixel count threshold table 901. p It is preferable that the pixel count limiting function be maintained at or below the smallest value among the above. If a rendering error occurs when printing is performed with the pixel count limiting function set to "Auto," such a setting value contributes to minimizing the occurrence of rendering errors by changing the pixel count limiting function setting to "ON" before printing. Furthermore, the setting value is not limited to a constant, but may be a variable determined by referring to conditions that may affect the rendering results of the drawing application 201, such as the capacity of the RAM 113 of the host computer 101 or the version of the OS.

[0049] In step S808, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 performs pixel count change processing, and the process proceeds to processing step S809. Details of the pixel count change processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0050] In step S809, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 reflects the changed print setting in the PT (print setting information), and the process ends.

[0051] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing in step S808 (subroutine) of the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 10, in step S1001, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 acquires the paper size and the vertical resolution (dpi) and horizontal resolution (dpi) settings for that paper from the PT, and the processing proceeds to step S1002. It is assumed that this paper size includes the paper height and paper width.

[0052] In step S1002, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 calculates the number of pixels for the height and width of the paper based on the paper size acquired in step S1001 and the set values ​​for the vertical and horizontal resolutions, and the process proceeds to step S1003. The number of pixels for the height of the paper is calculated using the following formula (1). The number of pixels for the width of the paper is calculated using the following formula (2). Note that in this embodiment, the calculation results of formula (1) and formula (2) are both rounded down to the nearest integer. Paper height in pixels (dots) = Paper height (mm) × Vertical resolution (dpi) ÷ 25.4 (1) Paper width in pixels (dots) = Paper width (mm) × Horizontal resolution (dpi) ÷ 25.4 (2)

[0053] In step S1003, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 assigns 1 to the variable N, and proceeds to step S1004. The variable N is a variable used for the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0054] In step S1004, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether "(the number of pixels of the height of the paper ÷ N)>T p If the result of the determination in step S1004 is "(number of pixels of the height of the paper ÷ N) > T p If it is determined that "(the number of pixels of the height of the paper ÷ N)>T" is true, the process proceeds to step S1005. pIf it is determined that the height is not "," the process proceeds to step S1006. In this embodiment, the number of pixels in the height of the paper is used for the determination in step S1004, but this is not limiting, and the number of pixels in the width of the paper, or the product of the number of pixels in the height and the number of pixels in the width, may also be used. Also, the height or width of the printable area excluding the margins at the edges of the paper, or the product of these, may be used. In these cases, the corresponding pixel number threshold T p It is necessary to define.

[0055] In step S1005, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 adds 1 to the variable N, and the process returns to step S1004, where the subsequent steps are executed in sequence.

[0056] In step S1006, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether the variable N is 1. If it is determined in step S1006 that the variable N is 1, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1006 that the variable N is not 1, the process proceeds to step S1007.

[0057] In step S1007, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 calculates values ​​obtained by dividing the vertical resolution and horizontal resolution acquired from the PT in step S1001 by the variable N. The print setting screen expansion unit 205 then changes the vertical resolution of the PT to the value obtained by dividing the vertical resolution by the variable N, and changes the horizontal resolution of the PT to the value obtained by dividing the horizontal resolution by the variable N, and the process proceeds to step S1008. The vertical resolution and horizontal resolution of the PT and the pixel values ​​of the height and width of the paper calculated based on these are notified to the drawing application 201 as drawing capability information via the print data generation software 202 (or OS). In response to receiving the print instruction, the drawing application 201 performs drawing in a drawing area of ​​a size according to the drawing capability information when generating intermediate data.

[0058] In step S1008, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 stores the number of pixels of the paper height and the number of pixels of the paper width calculated in step S1002 in the shared information 210, and then proceeds to processing step S1009.

[0059] In step S1009, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 saves the PDL conversion skip setting in the shared information 210, and the process ends. This PDL conversion skip setting is used by the skip control unit 206 to determine whether to issue a PDL conversion skip instruction, as will be described later.

[0060] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of skip processing by the skip control unit. A program based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 11 is executed by the CPU 111. The program based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 11 is started, for example, when a print instruction is issued from the drawing application 201 and the skip control unit is started by the OS in response to this issuance. As shown in Fig. 11, in step S1101, the skip control unit 206 obtains a PDL conversion skip setting from the shared information 210, and proceeds to processing step S1102.

[0061] In step S1102, the skip control unit 206 determines whether or not the PDL conversion skip setting was acquired in step S1101. If it is determined in step S1102 that the PDL conversion skip setting was acquired, the process proceeds to step S1103. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1102 that the PDL conversion skip setting was not acquired, the process ends.

[0062] In step S1103, the skip control unit 206 issues a skip instruction to the print data generation software 202 (or the OS), and the process proceeds to step S1104. A "skip instruction" is an instruction to omit the process in which the print data generation software 202 converts the intermediate data into print data that can be processed by the printing device 102.

[0063] In step S1104, the skip control unit 206 deletes the PDL conversion skip setting stored in the shared information 210, and the process ends.

[0064] Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of print data editing processing by the print data editing unit. A program based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 12 is executed by CPU 111. The program based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 12 is started, for example, when data (intermediate data and print data) received from print data generation software 202 becomes ready for processing. As shown in Fig. 12, in step S1201, print data editing unit 208 acquires the format of the data received from print data generation software 202, and the process proceeds to step S1202.

[0065] In step S1202, the print data editing unit 208 determines whether the format of the data acquired in step S1201 is XPS data. If the result of the determination in step S1202 indicates that the data is XPS data, the process proceeds to step S1203. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1202 indicates that the data is not XPS data, the process proceeds to step S1207.

[0066] In step S1203, the print data editing unit 208 obtains the number of pixels for the height of the paper and the number of pixels for the width of the paper from the shared information 210, and the process proceeds to step S1204.

[0067] In step S1204, the print data editing unit 208 determines whether the number of pixels for the height and width of the paper was obtained in step S1203. If the determination in step S1204 indicates that the number of pixels was obtained, the process proceeds to step S1205. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1204 indicates that the number of pixels was not obtained, the process proceeds to step S1206.

[0068] In step S1205, the print data editing unit 208 enlarges the intermediate data and converts it into print data (PWGRaster) so that the size is equal to the number of pixels for the height and width of the paper obtained in step S1203. Note that the number of pixels for the height and width of the paper obtained in step S1203 are the number of pixels calculated before dividing the resolution by the variable N. Therefore, the processing in step S1205 enlarges the intermediate data to a size that matches the original paper size. After step S1205 is executed, processing proceeds to step S1207.

[0069] In step S1206 after step S1204 is executed, the print data editing unit 208 converts the intermediate data into print data (PWGRaster) at the same size, and the process proceeds to step S1207.

[0070] In step S1207, the print data editing unit 208 transmits the print data converted in step S1205 or step S1206 to the printing device 102, and the process ends.

[0071] In the printing system 100 configured as described above, if the printing device 102 is capable of printing in accordance with a specific paper size, a pixel count limiting function can be added that sets an upper limit on the number of pixels in the height direction of the paper when drawing by the drawing application 201. This pixel count limiting function can suppress drawing errors such as missing drawing objects when the drawing application 201 draws in a drawing area with a relatively large number of pixels (see FIG. 3(c)). In addition, the pixel count limiting function control item 703 on the print setting screen 701 shown in FIG. 7 can be used to set the pixel count limiting function to a desired setting value and switch between enabling and disabling the pixel count limiting function. For example, if the setting value of the pixel count limiting function is "Auto," the pixel count threshold T corresponding to the name of the drawing application 201 is set to "Auto." pThe drawing capability information (drawing capability information) is automatically set. As a result, for example, a drawing application 201 with relatively low drawing capability can suppress the occurrence of drawing errors by executing drawing with a low number of pixels. On the other hand, a drawing application 201 with relatively high drawing capability can obtain high-quality print results by executing drawing with a high number of pixels. Furthermore, if a drawing error occurs when printing is performed with the pixel count limiting function set to "Auto," the setting value of the pixel count limiting function can be changed to "ON" and printing can be performed. This suppresses the occurrence of drawing errors. Furthermore, in an environment where drawing errors are unlikely to occur, it is preferable to set the pixel count limiting function to "OFF." This makes it possible to obtain high-quality print results. Therefore, even when using a program that operates based on IPP, for example, the printing system 100 can suppress the occurrence of drawing errors in the printing device 102, regardless of the size of the print data.

[0072] <<Second embodiment>> A second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. The description will focus on differences from the previous embodiment, and similar aspects will be omitted. In the first embodiment, a pixel count limiting function was added to limit the number of pixels in the height direction of the paper when the drawing application 201 draws. This prevented drawing errors from occurring when the drawing application 201 drew in a drawing area with a relatively large number of pixels. In this first embodiment, depending on the combination of the drawing application 201 and the paper size, the resolution of the drawing application 201 may be significantly reduced, potentially preventing the user from achieving the desired print quality. Therefore, in this embodiment, a user interface that allows the setting of a lower limit for the resolution of the drawing application 201 when drawing may be described.

[0073] <Editing process of print function information by the print function extension unit> 13 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the editing process of print function information by the print function extension unit of the printing system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, step S1301 is executed after step S405. In step S1301, the print function extension unit 207 adds information indicating a minimum resolution specification function to the PDC, and the process ends. The "minimum resolution specification function" is a function that specifies (sets) the minimum value of the resolution when lowering the resolution.

[0074] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a PDC to which information indicating a minimum resolution specification function has been added. As shown in Fig. 14, information 1402 has been added to PDC 1401. Information 1402 is information indicating the minimum resolution specification function added by the processing in step S1301. Information 1402 indicates that None, 300 dpi, 150 dpi, and 75 dpi can be set as JobMinimumResolution.

[0075] <Print setting screen using the print setting screen expansion unit> FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a print setting screen by the print setting screen expansion unit. FIG. 15(a) is a diagram showing a modified print setting screen displayed by the print setting screen expansion unit. As shown in FIG. 15(a), the control item 702 includes a minimum resolution specification function control item 1501. The minimum resolution specification function control item 1501 allows the setting of the minimum resolution specification function added in step S1301 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15(b) is a diagram showing an example of the minimum resolution specification function control item and a minimum resolution specification function drop-down list for selecting a setting value for the minimum resolution specification function. Operating the minimum resolution specification function control item 1501 displays a minimum resolution specification function drop-down list 1502. The minimum resolution specification function drop-down list 1502 is a setting screen for setting the minimum value of the resolution when reducing the resolution. The minimum resolution specification function drop-down list 1502 displays setting values ​​based on the information 1402, i.e., "None," "300 dpi," "150 dpi," and "75 dpi" (display step). This allows the user to select a desired setting value and specify the minimum resolution.

[0076] <Print setting screen display processing by the print setting screen extension unit> FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the process in step S808 (subroutine) of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 16, after step S1001 is executed, the process proceeds to step S1601. In step S1601, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 acquires the setting value of the minimum resolution set via the minimum resolution designation function dropdown list 1502, and the process sequentially executes steps S1002 to S1004. Then, as a result of the determination in step S1004, if "(number of pixels of the height of the paper ÷ N)>T p If it is determined that "(the number of pixels of the height of the paper ÷ N)>T" is true, the process proceeds to step S1602. p If it is determined that the answer is not "YES", the process proceeds to step S1006.

[0077] In step S1602, the print setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether "((resolution acquired in step S1001) ÷ (N+1)) ≧ minimum resolution" holds. Note that the resolution acquired in step S1001 may be a vertical resolution, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a horizontal resolution. If it is determined in step S1602 that "(resolution ÷ (N+1)) ≧ minimum resolution" holds, the process proceeds to step S1005, and subsequent processes are executed sequentially. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1602 that "(resolution ÷ (N+1)) ≧ minimum resolution" does not hold, the process proceeds to step S1006, and subsequent processes are executed sequentially. Note that if "None" is selected from the minimum resolution specification function dropdown list 1502, the right side of "(resolution ÷ (N+1)) ≧ minimum resolution" is calculated as 0.

[0078] In the printing system 100 configured as described above, the minimum resolution can be set to a desired value using the minimum resolution specification function control item 1501. This allows the drawing application 201 to generate intermediate data with a resolution equal to or higher than the minimum resolution, thereby achieving an excellent balance between reducing drawing errors and achieving good print quality.

[0079] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0080] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following programs, methods, and configurations. (Program 1) A control program for controlling an information processing device that is communicably connected to a printing device that performs printing and that can process information between the printing device and the information processing device, an acquisition step of acquiring the number of pixels corresponding to the size of a sheet-like printing medium on which the print data used for the printing is printed; a generating step of treating the print data as primary data when the number of pixels acquired in the acquiring step is equal to or greater than a preset pixel number threshold, and reducing the resolution of the primary data to generate secondary data smaller in volume than the primary data, A control program causing the information processing device to execute each of the steps. (Program 2) The control program is capable of exchanging information with another control program, the other control program has a conversion step for performing a conversion process to convert the secondary data into data that can be printed by the printing device, The control program according to Program 1, characterized in that the control program has an omission step of omitting the conversion processing in the conversion step for the secondary data. (Program 3) A control program according to Program 2, characterized in that it includes a conversion step for performing a conversion process to convert the secondary data from which the conversion process has been omitted into data that can be printed by the printing device. (Program 4) The control program according to Program 3, further comprising a transmitting step of transmitting the secondary data converted into printable data by the conversion process in the converting step to the printing device. (Program 5) The other control program is a program that operates based on IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), 5. The control program according to any one of programs 2 to 4, wherein the control program is a program that extends the function of the other control program. (Program 6) A control program according to any one of Programs 1 to 5, characterized in that in the generation step, when generating the secondary data, the number of pixels of the secondary data is set to be less than the pixel number threshold value. (Program 7) The control program according to any one of Programs 1 to 6, wherein the pixel count threshold corresponds to the size of the largest print medium on which the printing device can perform the printing. (Program 8) A plurality of pixel number thresholds are prepared, 8. The control program according to any one of Programs 1 to 7, wherein in the generating step, one pixel number threshold is selected from the plurality of pixel number thresholds. (Program 9) a determination step, prior to the generating step, of determining whether the number of pixels is equal to or greater than the pixel number threshold; 9. The control program according to any one of programs 1 to 8, further comprising: a display step of displaying a switching screen for switching whether or not execution of the judgment in the judgment step is enabled. (Program 10) The control program according to any one of Programs 1 to 9, further comprising a display step of displaying a setting screen for setting a minimum value of the resolution when the resolution is reduced. (Program 11) The print medium is rectangular in plan view, 11. The control program according to any one of Programs 1 to 10, wherein in the acquisition step, the length along the long side direction of the printing medium is acquired as the size of the printing medium. (Method 1) A method for controlling an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a printing device that performs printing and that can process information between the printing device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring the number of pixels corresponding to the size of a sheet-like printing medium on which the print data used for the printing is printed; A control method for an information processing device, characterized by comprising a generation step of treating the print data as primary data when the number of pixels acquired in the acquisition step is equal to or greater than a predetermined pixel number threshold, reducing the resolution of the primary data, and generating secondary data smaller in size than the primary data. (Configuration 1) An information processing device that is communicably connected to a printing device that performs printing and is capable of processing information between the printing device, an acquisition means for acquiring the number of pixels corresponding to the size of a sheet-like printing medium on which the print data used for the printing is printed; and a generation means for treating the print data as primary data when the number of pixels acquired by the acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined pixel number threshold, reducing the resolution of the primary data, and generating secondary data smaller in size than the primary data. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 101 host computer 102 Printing device 202 Printing data generation software 204 Extended Applications 205 Print setting screen expansion unit 206 Skip Control Unit 207 Printing function expansion unit 208 Print Data Editing Unit T s Paper Size Threshold H Maximum paper size height

Claims

1. A control program for controlling an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a printing device and capable of processing information with the printing device, A first acquisition step involves acquiring a paper size threshold for a sheet-like printing medium on which print data is printed, which can be set in the printing device, and print function information for a print function that can be executed by the printing device. A second acquisition step involves acquiring the maximum length of the printing medium that can be used for printing in the printing apparatus, based on the printing function information acquired in the first acquisition step. If the maximum length obtained in the second acquisition step is greater than or equal to the paper size threshold obtained in the first acquisition step, an additional step is to add information indicating a pixel count limiting function that sets an upper limit on the number of pixels in the print data to the print function information, A third acquisition step involves acquiring the number of pixels corresponding to the size of the printing medium, The process includes a generation step in which, if the number of pixels acquired in the third acquisition step is equal to or greater than a preset pixel count threshold, the print data is treated as primary data, and the resolution of the primary data is reduced to generate secondary data smaller in size than the primary data. A control program characterized by causing the information processing device to execute each of the above steps.

2. The aforementioned control program is capable of exchanging information with another control program. The aforementioned control program includes a conversion step that performs a conversion process to convert the secondary data into data that can be printed by the printing device. The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an abbreviation step that omits the conversion process in the conversion step for the secondary data.

3. The control program according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a conversion step that performs a conversion process to convert the secondary data, from which the conversion process has been omitted, into data that can be printed by the printing device.

4. The control program according to claim 3, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting the converted data, which is printable by the conversion process in the conversion step, to the printing device.

5. The aforementioned other control program is a program that operates based on IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), The control program according to claim 2, characterized in that the control program is a program that extends the functionality of the other control program.

6. The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that, when generating the secondary data in the generation step, the number of pixels in the secondary data is made less than the pixel count threshold.

7. The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that the pixel count threshold corresponds to the largest printable medium size that can be printed by the printing device.

8. Multiple pixel count thresholds are provided. The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that in the generation step, one pixel count threshold is selected from among the plurality of pixel count thresholds.

9. Prior to the generation step, a determination step is performed to determine whether the number of pixels acquired in the third acquisition step is equal to or greater than the pixel count threshold, The control program according to claim 1, further comprising a display step that displays a switching screen for switching whether or not to enable the execution of the decision in the decision step.

10. The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a display step of displaying a setting screen for setting the minimum value of the resolution when the resolution is reduced.

11. The aforementioned printing medium has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that the third acquisition step acquires the length along the long side direction of the printing medium as the size of the printing medium.

12. The printing function information includes paper size information relating to the paper sizes supported by the printing device, The aforementioned paper size information includes multiple types of the aforementioned maximum length, The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that in the second acquisition step, the maximum length is acquired from among the multiple maximum lengths.

13. The control program is capable of exchanging information with a program that operates based on IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that the printing function information is generated by a program that operates based on the IPP and is generated according to attribute information obtained from the printing device.

14. The control program according to claim 13, characterized in that the attribute information is obtained by issuing the IPP's "Get-Printer-Attributes" operation to the printing device.

15. The control program according to claim 1, characterized in that if the maximum length obtained in the second acquisition step is less than the paper size threshold obtained in the first acquisition step, the information indicating the pixel count limiting function is not added to the printing function information.

16. The control program according to claim 1, further comprising a display step of displaying a switching screen for switching whether or not to enable the pixel count limiting function.

17. The control program according to claim 16, characterized in that in the display step, the switching screen is displayed based on the information indicating the pixel count limiting function that was added to the print function information in the additional step.

18. The control program is capable of exchanging information with the drawing application program that creates the print data, The aforementioned switching screen displays: An option to automatically switch whether or not to enable the pixel count limiting function according to the name of the drawing application program, Regardless of the name of the drawing application program, there is an option to enable the pixel count limiting function, The control program according to claim 16, characterized in that it includes an option to disable the aforementioned pixel count limiting function.

19. A method for controlling an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a printing device and capable of processing information with the printing device, A first acquisition step involves acquiring a paper size threshold for a sheet-like printing medium on which print data is printed, which can be set in the printing device, and print function information for a print function that can be executed by the printing device. A second acquisition step involves acquiring the maximum length of the printing medium that can be used for printing in the printing apparatus, based on the printing function information acquired in the first acquisition step. If the maximum length obtained in the second acquisition step is greater than or equal to the paper size threshold obtained in the first acquisition step, an additional step is to add information indicating a pixel count limiting function that sets an upper limit on the number of pixels in the print data to the print function information, A third acquisition step involves acquiring the number of pixels corresponding to the size of the printing medium, A control method for an information processing device, characterized by comprising: a generation step in which, if the number of pixels acquired in the third acquisition step is equal to or greater than a preset pixel count threshold, the printed data is treated as primary data, and the resolution of the primary data is reduced to generate secondary data smaller than the capacity of the primary data.

20. An information processing device that is communicatively connected to a printing device and capable of processing information with the printing device, A first acquisition means for acquiring a paper size threshold for a sheet-like printing medium on which print data is printed, which can be set in the printing device, and print function information for a print function that can be executed by the printing device, A second acquisition means obtains the maximum length of the printing medium that can be used for printing in the printing device, based on the printing function information obtained by the first acquisition means, If the maximum length obtained by the second acquisition means is greater than or equal to the paper size threshold obtained by the first acquisition means, an additional means adds information indicating a pixel count limiting function that sets an upper limit on the number of pixels in the print data to the print function information, A third acquisition means for acquiring the number of pixels corresponding to the size of the print medium, An information processing apparatus comprising: a generation means that, when the number of pixels acquired by the third acquisition means is equal to or greater than a preset pixel count threshold, uses the print data as primary data, reduces the resolution of the primary data, and generates secondary data smaller in volume than the primary data.

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