Printing system, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a printing system that allows a user to adjust a size of image data while checking an exact size that is actually be printed by displaying a print image in actual size on a remote UI screen.SOLUTION: A printing system includes a printing device and an information processor equipped with a display device capable of displaying a remote UI, the printing device and the information processing device being connected to each other so that required information can be communicated with each other. The printing device includes: generation means that generates a display image to be displayed on the remote UI from input print data; calculation means that calculates a display size for displaying the generated display image on the remote UI in actual size; second generation means that generates screen information for displaying the generated display image at the calculated display size; and transmission means that transmits the generated display image to the information processor. The information processor includes screen display means that displays, on the basis of the transmitted screen information, a print image in actual size to be actually printed on the display device via the remote UI.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] When image data to be printed is displayed on a display device such as a PC monitor or a smartphone LCD screen, the pixel density of the display device (e.g., 400 ppi (pixels per inch)) and the print resolution (e.g., 600 ppi) usually differ. As a result, the display size of the image data displayed on the display device differs from the actual size of the printed matter printed by the printing device. This makes it difficult for users to check the actual print size before printing the image data, and when making fine size adjustments, they may have to try printing several times to adjust the size.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that takes into account the difference between the pixel density of the display device and the printing resolution of the printing device, and calculates the display resolution to display image data on the display device at the actual size at which it will be printed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-166763 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, as part of the activity of supporting one's favorite idols, characters, etc., known as "oshikatsu," it has become common to create one's own goods by cutting and pasting images of one's favorite idols, etc. printed on a printer. For example, one can create metal badges using images printed to fit a pre-made frame, or decorate a figure by printing on paper lines that the figure is likely to speak.

[0006] In such use cases, it is necessary to adjust the size of the image to be printed so that the image data to be printed fits into a specified frame size. One example of a method for adjusting the size of a print image is to use the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 to display the actual size to be printed on a display device when creating print data, allowing the user to adjust the print size while checking the actual size. However, even if the size of the image data is adjusted before printing, the size after printing may change due to image processing (e.g., margin addition processing) after inputting the image data into the printing device, so it is possible that the image may not be displayed at the correct size even using the method disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0007] Another example method is to create print data and then adjust the size by specifying the print magnification in a driver, etc. However, methods of inputting print data, mainly from smartphones, such as AirPrint and MopriaPrint, do not have a function to scale image data, so it is not possible to adjust only the size of image data once it has been created and print it from a smartphone.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a printing system, control method, and program that allows users to adjust the size of image data while checking the exact size that will actually be printed by displaying the print image in actual size on a remote UI screen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a printing system having a printing device and an information processing device equipped with a display device capable of displaying a remote UI, the printing device and the information processing device being connected to each other so that they can communicate required information, wherein the printing device comprises: a generation means for generating a display image to be displayed on the remote UI from input print data; a calculation means for calculating a display size for displaying the display image generated by the generation means on the remote UI at actual size; a second generation means for generating screen information for displaying the display image generated by the generation means at the display size calculated by the calculation means; and a transmission means for transmitting the display image generated by the second generation means to the information processing device, and the information processing device comprises: a screen display means for displaying a print image at actual size to be actually printed via the remote UI on the display device based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, an effect is obtained in that the print image is displayed in actual size on the remote UI screen of the printing device, allowing the size of image data to be adjusted while checking the exact size at which it will actually be printed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the printing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the printing device and the information processing device when displaying an image in actual size on the remote UI. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the printing device and the information processing device when displaying an image in actual size on the remote UI. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of resizing information. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a resizing process in the printing device. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation screen displayed on the printing device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on a remote UI of the information processing apparatus. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the printing device and the information processing device when display device information is newly registered in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of display device information. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on a remote UI of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments. Furthermore, the UI described below refers to a user interface, and a smartphone may also be referred to simply as a "smartphone."

[0013] In the first embodiment, an example of the operation when print data input to the printing device 120 is displayed in actual size on the remote UI, and an example of the operation until the user adjusts the print size via the remote UI and prints using the printing device 120, will be described below. In the second embodiment, an example of the operation when display device information 1300 such as pixel density 1303 used when displaying in actual size on the remote UI in the first embodiment is registered in the printing device 120.

[0014] First Embodiment As described above, in the first embodiment, an example of the operation when print data input to the printing device 120 is displayed in actual size on the remote UI, and the operation when the user adjusts the print size via the remote UI and the data is printed by the printing device 120 will be described.

[0015] (Figure 1: Printing system configuration diagram) 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to this embodiment. The printing system 100 includes an information processing device 110 and a printing device 120, which are connected via a network 130 so that required information can be communicated. Wireless communication may also be used to connect the information processing device 110 and the printing device 120 so that required information can be communicated.

[0016] (information processing device 110) The information processing device 110 is a device such as a general PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a cloud server. The information processing device 110 can issue a print instruction for print data to the printing device 120 via a network 130. The information processing device 110 can also display a remote UI of the printing device 120 on a display device 209 (see FIG. 2) via a web browser 306 (see FIG. 3).

[0017] (Printing device 120) The printing device 120 forms images, characters, etc. on a printing medium such as printing paper by pressing toner and ink onto the recording paper. When the printing device 120 receives a print instruction from the information processing device 110, it decodes the received print data, performs image processing on the image data in accordance with the print settings, and then prints it on the printing paper.

[0018] (Figure 2: Hardware configuration of information processing device) 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing device 110. The information processing device 110 includes a network I / F (Interface) 201, a CPU 202, a ROM 203, and a RAM 204. The information processing device 110 further includes a storage 205, an input device I / F 206, and a display device I / F 208. These components of the information processing device 110 are capable of transmitting and receiving required data to and from each other via a system bus 220.

[0019] (Network I / F 201: CPU 202: ROM 203) The network I / F 201 transmits and receives various data to and from the printing device 120 via a network 130 such as a wide area network (WAN) or a local area network (LAN). The CPU 202 is a controller for controlling the operation of the information processing device 110. The CPU 202 starts up an operating system (OS) using a startup program stored in a read only memory (ROM) 203. The CPU 202 controls the information processing device 110 by executing a controller program stored in a storage 205 on the OS. In other words, the CPU 202 can realize various functions of the information processing device 110 by executing the controller program.

[0020] (RAM 204: Storage 205: Input device I / F 206: Input device 207) The RAM 204 operates as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 202. The storage 205 is a non-volatile memory device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that can write and read data, and stores the controller program described above. The input device I / F 206 is an interface for connecting to the input device 207. The input device 207 is an input device such as a mouse or keyboard that allows the user to input operations and information to the information processing device 110.

[0021] (Display device I / F208: Display device 209) The display device I / F 208 is an interface for connecting to the display device 209. The display device 209 is realized by a liquid crystal display or the like, and is a display device that the information processing device 110 uses to notify the user of information on a screen. Note that the display device 209 may be incorporated into the information processing device 110, as in a smartphone or the like. The display device 209 may also function as the input device 207 through touch operations.

[0022] (FIG. 3: Software configuration diagram of the information processing device 110) 3 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the information processing device 110. The information processing device 110 includes, as software functions, a network control unit 301, a storage control unit 302, a print instruction unit 303, an input control unit 304, a display control unit 305, and a web browser 306. Each software function is realized when the CPU 202 executes a program loaded into the RAM 204.

[0023] (Network control unit 301; Storage control unit 302) The network control unit 301 has a control function for communicating with the network 130 via the network I / F 201 and sending and receiving various data to and from external devices. For example, the information processing device 110 communicates with the printing device 120 via the network 130 and controls the communication of screen information to be displayed on the remote UI. The storage control unit 302 has a function for controlling the storage 205 and reading and writing data.

[0024] (Print instruction unit 303: Input control unit 304: Display control unit 305: Web browser 306) The print instruction unit 303 has a function of sending a print instruction to the printing device 120 via the network I / F 201. The input control unit 304 has a function of controlling the input device 207 via the input device I / F 206 and receiving input data. The display control unit 305 has a function of controlling the display device 209 connected via the display device I / F 208 and controlling the information displayed on the display device 209. The web browser 306 is software that enables the information processing device 110 to connect to a web server, and has functions such as sending and receiving data mainly via HTTP communication and displaying web pages.

[0025] (Figure 4: Hardware configuration of the printing device) 4 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing device 120. The printing device 120 includes a network I / F 401, a CPU 402, an eMMc 403, a ROM 404, a RAM 405, a storage 406, a paper feed tray I / F 407, an operation unit 409, a display unit 410, an image processing HW 411, and a printer 412. These components are capable of transmitting and receiving required data to and from each other via a system bus 420.

[0026] (Network I / F 401: CPU 402: ROM 404) The network I / F 401 transmits and receives print data to and from external devices such as the information processing device 110 via a network 130 such as a WAN or LAN. The CPU 402 is a controller for overall control of the printing device 120. The CPU 402 starts the OS using a startup program stored in a ROM 404, which is non-volatile memory. The CPU 402 executes a controller program stored in a storage 406 on the OS to control the printing device 120.

[0027] (eMMc403:RAM405:Storage406) The eMMc (embedded multi media card) 403 is configured with a flash memory or the like, and stores a control program for the CPU 402. The RAM 405 operates as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 402. The storage 406 is a non-volatile memory that can write and read data, and stores the controller program described above.

[0028] (Paper feed stage I / F407: Paper feed stage 408: Operation unit 409: Display unit 410) The paper feed tray I / F 407 is an interface for connecting to a paper feed tray 408. The paper feed tray 408 is connected to the printing device 120 and feeds the required paper sheets one by one to the printing device 120 during printing. The operation unit 409 is made up of keys for the user to perform various operations and a screen that displays information within the device. The display unit 410 is a display device that displays information to the user on the screen and is realized by a liquid crystal display or the like. Note that the operation unit 409 and display unit 410 may be configured as an integrated unit, such as a touch panel.

[0029] (Image processing HW411: Printer 412) The image processing HW 411 is a hardware module that executes image processing such as print data decoding, margin addition, and enlargement / reduction within the printing device 120. The printer 412 is a device that places toner on recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 408, applies pressure with a heated fixing device, and fixes the toner to the recording paper, thereby printing.

[0030] (FIG. 5: Software configuration diagram of the printing device 120) 5 is a software configuration diagram of the printing device 120. The printing device 120 has, as software functions, a network control unit 501, a storage control unit 502, an operation control unit 503, a display control unit 504, an image processing control unit 505, a paper feed tray control unit 506, and a printer control unit 507. The printing device 120 also has, as software functions, a remote UI screen control unit 508 and a screen information generation unit 509. Each software function is realized when the CPU 402 executes a program loaded into the RAM 405.

[0031] (Network control unit 501: Storage control unit 502: Operation control unit 503: Display control unit 504) The network control unit 501 has a control function for communicating with the network 130 via the network I / F 401 and transmitting and receiving various data to and from external devices. The storage control unit 502 has a function for controlling the storage 406 and reading and writing data. The operation control unit 503 has a function for controlling the operation unit 409 and acquiring input information from the user. The display control unit 504 has a function for controlling the display unit 410, generating image data to be displayed on the display unit 410, and displaying the image data on the display unit 410.

[0032] (Image processing control unit 505: Paper feed stage control unit 506: Printer control unit 507) The image processing control unit 505 has a function of controlling the image processing HW 411 and performing image processing such as enlargement / reduction on print data received by the printing device 120 to generate a print image. The paper feed stage control unit 506 has a function of controlling the paper feed stage 408 via the paper feed stage I / F 407 to feed paper to the printer 412. The printer control unit 507 has a function of controlling the printer 412 and fixing the toner on the paper by applying pressure to the toner on the recording paper with a heated fixing unit, thereby printing.

[0033] (Remote UI screen control unit 508: screen information generation unit 509) A remote UI screen control unit 508 performs communication in accordance with HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), thereby providing screen information generated by a screen information generation unit 509 to the web browser 306, thereby controlling the screen of the web browser 306. The screen information generation unit 509 has a function of generating screen information to be displayed on the web browser 306, for example, in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) format.

[0034] (FIG. 6: Processing of the printing device 120 and the information processing device 110 when displaying actual size on the remote UI) FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the printing device 120 and the information processing device 110 when displaying an image in actual size on the remote UI.

[0035] (S600:S601:S602) First, the user launches an application (hereinafter referred to as the "resizing application 1001": see FIG. 10(a)) for displaying a print image in actual size on the remote UI (S600). In response to the user's operation in S600, the printing device 120 displays an application screen, for example, an application home screen 1010 of the resizing application 1001, on the display unit 410 (S601: see FIG. 10(b)). Next, the user transmits print data from a PC, smartphone, or the like to the printing device 120 (S602). The print data may be input by any method supported by the printing device 120.

[0036] (S603) When the printing device 120 receives the print data in response to the user's operation in S602, the printing device 120 does not print the print data, but instead stores the print data in the storage 406 or the like (S603). The job ID 801 of the print job for the stored print data is displayed in the job ID list 1011 (see FIG. 10(b)) on the application home screen 1010. The stored print data is printed when a print instruction specifying the job ID 801 (S709) is received from the remote UI.

[0037] (S604:S605) Next, the user selects the print data that the user wants to display on the remote UI (S604). Next, the user selects the display device 209 that will display the remote UI from the display device information 1300 (see FIG. 13) registered in the printing device 120 (S605). If the display device information 1300 is not registered in the printing device 120 in S605, the user registers the display device information 1300 of the display device 209 in the printing device 120 using the procedure described in the second embodiment.

[0038] (S606: Remote UI display image generation) In response to the selection operation in S605, the printing device 120 generates a display image to be displayed on the remote UI from the input print data (S606). The display image is generated in a format such as JPEG or PNG by image processing the image data included in the print data by the image processing HW 411. The display image is generated by the same image processing as that used for actual printing by the printing device 120, and therefore the image data takes into account size changes due to image processing such as adding margins.

[0039] (S607: Calculating display size for actual size display) The printing device 120 then calculates the display size for displaying the display image generated in S606 at actual size on the remote UI (S607). The display size (unit: pix) for displaying at actual size on the remote UI can be calculated as follows: That is, the display size can be calculated by multiplying the image size (unit: pix) of the display image generated in S606 by the ratio of the pixel density 1303 (unit: ppi) (see FIG. 13) of the display device 209 selected in S605 to the print resolution (unit: ppi).

[0040] For example, if the pixel density 1303 of the display device 209 is "400 ppi" (Smartphone 1 in FIG. 13), the print resolution is "600 ppi," and the image size of the display image to be printed is "600 x 1200 pix," the display size can be calculated as follows: That is, the image size of the display image can be multiplied by "400 / 600 = 2 / 3" to calculate "400 x 800 pix." Note that, because the pixel density 1303 of the display device 209 differs for each device, the user registers it in the printing device 120 using the procedure described in the second embodiment.

[0041] (S608: Image information generation) Thereafter, the printing device 120 generates screen information to be displayed on the remote UI (S608). The screen information is generated by the screen information generation unit 509. The screen information generation unit 509 generates screen information to be sent to the information processing device 110, in order to display the generated display image at the calculated display size. In other words, the screen information generation process in S608 is a process for displaying the display image generated by the web browser 306 in S606 at the display size calculated in S607.

[0042] (FIG. 7: Processing of the printing device 120 and the information processing device 110 when displaying actual size on the remote UI) FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the printing device 120 and the information processing device 110 when a print image is displayed in actual size on the remote UI.

[0043] (S700) First, the user accesses the actual size display screen 1100 of the remote UI (see FIG. 11) (S700). The actual size display screen 1100 of the remote UI can be accessed, for example, by reading a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) displayed on the remote UI guidance screen 1030. Alternatively, the actual size display screen 1100 of the remote UI can be accessed by entering a uniform resource locator (URL) for accessing the actual size display screen 1100 of the remote UI in the web browser 306.

[0044] (S701;S702:S703;Remote UI screen display) When a user accesses the actual size display screen 1100 using the web browser 306, the web browser 306 requests screen information from the printing device 120 (S701). Upon receiving the request for screen information, the printing device 120 transmits the screen information generated in S608 to the web browser 306 (S702). The web browser 306 then interprets the screen information received from the printing device 120 and displays a remote UI screen as a web page on the display device 209 (S703). Through steps S700 to S703, the printing device 120 displays a print image at the actual size that will actually be printed on the display device 209 via the remote UI.

[0045] (S704:S705) Next, the user adjusts the size of the display image (S704). Specifically, the user can adjust the size of the display image displayed in the display image area 1101 by pressing the reduce button 1102 or the enlarge button 1103 on the actual size display screen 1100 (see FIG. 11) and changing the resize magnification 802. Note that the size of the display image area 1101 may be adjusted by touch operations on the smartphone screen, such as pinching out or in. Upon receiving the user's operation in S704, the web browser 306 changes the size of the display image displayed in the display image area 1101 and updates the remote UI screen (S705).

[0046] (S706:S707(Generating resize information 800)) Next, after adjusting the size of the display image on the remote UI in S704, the user issues a print instruction (S706). The print instruction can be executed, for example, by pressing the print button 1104 on the actual size display screen 1100. Upon receiving the instruction to print in S706, the web browser 306 generates resize information 800 (see FIG. 8) (S707). The resize information 800 is information that includes a resize magnification 802 of the display image adjusted in S704, etc. The resize information 800 will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0047] (S708: Send resize information: S709: Send print instruction: S710: Execute resize processing) Thereafter, the web browser 306 sends resize information 800 to the printing device 120 (S708), followed by a print instruction (S709). Note that the order of sending S708 and S709 may be reversed or may be simultaneous. Upon receiving the print instruction, the printing device 120 executes a resize process on the image data in the print data of the job in accordance with the resize ratio 802 included in the resize information 800 (S710). Note that the flow of the resize process will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

[0048] (S711: Print execution) The printing device 120 then prints the resized image data (S711). The image is printed after being resized based on the resize factor 802. This ensures that the print image is printed at the same size as the display size displayed on the Remote UI screen when the size adjustment of the display image is complete. By following the processes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user can adjust the print size of the print data input to the printing device 120 while checking the actual print size displayed on the Remote UI in actual size.

[0049] (Fig. 8: Explanation of resize information 800) 8 is an explanatory diagram of resize information 800. The resize information 800 includes a job ID 801, a resize ratio 802, a poster print flag 803, and a trimming reference position 804.

[0050] (Job ID 801: Resize ratio 802) The job ID 801 is identification information of the print job held by the printing device 120 in S603, and is used to determine which print job the resize information 800 corresponds to. The resize ratio 802 is magnification information used when enlarging or reducing the image data in the resize process of S710.

[0051] (Poster printing flag 803: Trimming reference position 804) The poster printing flag 803 is information for selecting whether to perform poster printing when enlarging print data through size adjustment. Poster printing is a function that, when enlarging an image to 100% or more, divides the image into multiple sheets of paper and prints it instead of trimming the excess area. The printing device 120 notifies the printer 120 whether to "perform" or "not perform" poster printing in the resizing process of S710 using the poster printing flag 803 in the resizing information 800. If the poster printing flag 803 is "TRUE," poster printing is performed; if it is "False," poster printing is not performed. The trimming reference position 804 is information that indicates the reference position for trimming when poster printing is not performed. For example, "top left," "center," etc. can be selected as the reference position, and this is used in the resizing process of S710.

[0052] (FIG. 9: Flowchart showing resizing process of printing device 120) 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the resizing process (S710) of the printing device 120. In the printing device 120, the image processing control unit 505 controls the image processing HW 411 in accordance with the resizing information 800 to execute the resizing process (S710).

[0053] (Step S900: Step S901) First, in step S900, the printing device 120 determines whether the resizing ratio 802 is 100(%) or less. If it is determined in step S900 that the resizing ratio 802 is 100(%) or less (Yes), the printing device 120 proceeds to step S901, where it performs only the reduction process of the print image according to the resizing ratio 802. In this case, poster printing and trimming processes are not necessary.

[0054] (Step S902) If it is determined in step S900 that the resize magnification 802 is greater than 100(%) (No), the process proceeds to step S902, where the printing device 120 enlarges the print image in accordance with the resize magnification 802.

[0055] (Step S903: Step S904) After step S902, in step S903, it is determined whether or not to perform poster printing based on the poster printing flag. If the poster printing flag is "TRUE" (Yes), the process proceeds to step S904, whereas if it is "False" (No), the process proceeds to step S905. In step S904, the printing device 120 changes print settings such as the number of printing sheets and the imposition layout on each sheet in order to perform poster printing.

[0056] (Step S905) In step S905, the printing device 120 performs a trimming process on the print image. For example, the area of ​​the print image after enlargement that exceeds the print paper size is trimmed using the trimming reference position 804 as a reference. As described above, if the print data is enlarged and exceeds the paper size, you can choose whether to trim and print on a single sheet of print media, or to print on multiple sheets of print media using poster printing.

[0057] (Fig. 10: An illustration of the operation screen displayed on the printing device) 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation screen displayed on the printing device 120. Each of the operation screens 1000, 1010, 1020, and 1030 is displayed on the display unit 410 of the printing device 120 by the printing device 120 controlling the display control unit 504.

[0058] (Figure 10(a): Home screen 1000) 10(a) shows a home screen 1000 of the printing device 120. The home screen 1000 includes icons for executing application functions in addition to icons for executing basic functions such as copy, scan, and fax. When the user selects the icon of the resizing application 1001 displayed on the home screen 1000, the resizing application 1001 is started (S600), and the home screen 1000 transitions to an application home screen 1010 of the resizing application 1001 (FIG. 10(b)).

[0059] (Figure 10(b): App home screen 1010) 10B shows an application home screen 1010 of the resizing application 1001. The application home screen 1010 of the resizing application 1001 displays a job ID list 1011 of the print data held in S603, and an OK button 1012. One job to be displayed in actual size on the remote UI is selected from the job ID list 1011 (S604), and the print job is selected by pressing the OK button 1012, and the screen transitions to a display device selection screen 1020 of the resizing application 1001.

[0060] (FIG. 10(c): Display Device Selection Screen 1020) 10(c) shows a display device selection screen 1020 of the resizing application 1001. The display device selection screen 1020 of the resizing application 1001 displays a display device information list 1021, a register button 1022, a details button 1023, a delete button 1024, and an enter button 1025. The user selects the display device 209 that will display the remote UI from the information registered in the display device information list 1021 (S605), and presses the enter button 1025 to select the display device information 1300. The screen then transitions to a remote UI guidance screen 1030 of the resizing application 1001.

[0061] (Register button 1022: Details button 1023: Delete button 1024) Pressing the register button 1022 allows the user to register display device information 1300 such as pixel density 1303. The process of registering the display device information 1300 will be described in the second embodiment. Pressing the details button 1023 causes the printing device 120 to display a list of detailed information about the display device information 1300, including the display device ID 1301, device name 1302, and pixel density 1303 (see FIG. 13). Pressing the delete button 1024 allows the user to delete the display device information 1300 selected from the display device information list 1021. Note that in FIG. 10(c), the display device information list 1021 does not display the "display device ID" shown in FIG. 13 from the display device information 1300.

[0062] (Figure 10(d): Remote UI guidance screen 1030) 10(d) shows a remote UI guidance screen 1030 of the resizing application 1001. The remote UI guidance screen 1030 displays a QR code (registered trademark) 1031 with an embedded URL for accessing the remote UI screen. The user can display the remote UI screen on the display device 209 by reading the QR code 1031 with the information processing device 110, such as a smartphone. Note that the URL information may be displayed as two-dimensional information other than the QR code, a text representation of the URL, or the like.

[0063] (FIG. 11: An explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on the remote UI of the information processing device 110) 11 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on the remote UI of the information processing device 110. Each operation screen 1100, 1110, and 1120 of the remote UI is displayed on the display device 209 via the web browser 306 based on screen control by the remote UI screen control unit 508.

[0064] (Fig. 11(a): Actual size display screen 1100) 11(a) shows an actual size display screen 1100 of the resizing application 101 in the Remote UI. The user can access the actual size display screen 1100 by reading the QR code 1031 displayed on the Remote UI guidance screen 1030 (S700). The user can adjust the size of the print image to fit the specified size or frame while checking the actual print size on the actual size display screen 1100 of the Remote UI.

[0065] (Display image area 1101: Reduce button 1102: Enlarge button 1103: Print button 1104: Settings button 1105) The actual size display screen 1100 displays a display image area 1101, a reduce button 1102, an enlarge button 1103, a print button 1104, and a settings button 1105. The display image area 1101 displays the display image (remote UI display image) created in S606 at the actual size at which it will actually be printed by the printing device 120. The size of the display image displayed in the display image area 1101 can be adjusted by pressing the reduce button 1102 or the enlarge button 1103 (S704). When the print button 1104 is pressed, resize information and a print instruction are sent from the web browser 306 to the printing device 120 (S708, S709), and printing is performed after the resizing process. When the settings button 1105 is pressed, the screen transitions to a settings screen 1110, where the printing settings can be changed.

[0066] (Figure 11(b): Setting screen 1110) 11B shows a setting screen 1110 of the resize application 1001 in the remote UI. The setting screen 1110 displays a print setting area 1111, a preview button 1112, a confirm button 1113, and a back button 1114.

[0067] (Print setting area 1111: Decision button 1113:) In the print setting area 1111, it is possible to set whether to perform poster printing and the reference position for trimming as part of the resizing process when the resize ratio exceeds 100(%). After making such settings, the print settings are confirmed by pressing the confirm button 1113, and the screen transitions to the actual size display screen 1100.

[0068] (Preview button 1112: Back button 1114) Furthermore, pressing the preview button 1112 transitions to a preview screen 1120, where the print preview of the resized print data can be confirmed. Specifically, when the preview button 1112 is pressed, the web browser 306 transmits the resize information 800 and an instruction to create a preview image to the printing device 120. Upon receiving the instruction to create a preview image, the printing device 120 generates screen information for the preview screen 1120, including a print preview image 1121, and transmits this information to the web browser 306. Furthermore, pressing the back button 1114 transitions to the actual size display screen 1100.

[0069] (Fig. 11(c): Preview screen 1120) 11C shows a preview screen 1120 of the resize application 1001 in the remote UI. The preview screen 1120 displays a print preview image 1121, a print button 1122, and a back button 1123.

[0070] (Print preview image 1121: Print button 1122: Back button 11123) A print preview image 1121 is the print image after resizing, allowing the user to check whether the image is cut off on the printing paper. When the print button 1122 is pressed, resize information and a print instruction are sent from the remote UI to the printing device 120 (S708, S709), and printing is performed after the resizing process. When the back button 1123 is pressed, the screen transitions to the setting screen 1110.

[0071] <Second embodiment: FIG. 12: Sequence diagram explaining the processing of the printing device 120 and the information processing device 110 when newly registering display device information 1300> In the second embodiment, an operation will be described when display device information 1300 is registered in the printing device 120. Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the printing device 120 and the information processing device 110 when display device information 1300 is registered.

[0072] (S1200:S1201) First, the user starts registering the display device information 1300 on the printing device 120 (S1200). When the printing device 120 receives a user operation in S1200, it generates screen information for displaying the correction image display screen 1400 (S1201). That is, the screen information in S1201 is generated by a process in which the web browser 306 displays a correction image, such as a square, with a fixed number of pixels (for example, 200 x 200 (pix)).

[0073] (S1202;S1203:S1204;S1205) Next, the user accesses the correction image display screen 1400 of the remote UI (S1202). Upon receiving the operation of S1202, the web browser 306 requests screen information from the printing device 120 (S1203). Thereafter, the printing device 120 transmits the screen information generated in S1201 to the web browser 306 (S1204), and the web browser 306 displays the correction image display screen 1400 (see FIG. 14) on the remote UI screen (S1205).

[0074] (S1206) Next, the user adjusts the size of the correction image displayed on the screen of the display device 209 (S1206). Specifically, the size is adjusted so that one side of the correction image displayed in the correction image area 1401 of the correction image display screen 1400 is a preset size (for example, 5 cm) specified in advance. Note that the shape of the correction image and the preset size to be adjusted may be any shape and length, and in S1209, the pixel density is calculated appropriately depending on the shape and length. Alternatively, a method may be used in which a screen serving as a reference for the length to be adjusted (for example, 5 cm) is displayed on the display unit 410 of the printing device 120, and the user adjusts the size of the correction image displayed on the remote UI screen of the display device 209 to match the reference displayed on the display unit 410.

[0075] (S1207:S1208:S1209) When the operation in S1206 is received, the web browser 306 for The image size is changed and the Remote UI screen is updated (S1207). for The size of the image is determined (S1208). Upon receiving the operation in S1208, the web browser 306 calculates the pixel density 1303 of the display device 209 (S1209). For example, if a square correction image displayed on the display device 209 at "200 x 200 pix" is reduced in display size (unit: pix) to 50 (%) so that each side is 5 (cm), the calculation can be performed as follows. In other words, the pixel density 1303 of the display device 209 can be calculated as "200 x 0.5 pix / (5 / 2.54) inch = 50.8 ppi."

[0076] (S1210:S1211:S1212) Thereafter, the web browser 306 generates display device information 1300 that summarizes the pixel density 1303 calculated in S1209 (S1210), and transmits the display device information 1300 to the printing device 120 (S1211). Then, upon receiving the display device information 1300 from the web browser 306, the printing device 120 registers the display device information 1300 in a storage area such as the storage 406 (S1212).

[0077] The registration process of display device information 1300 from S1200 to S1212 is intended for a case where the pixel density 1303 of the display device 209 is unknown and the user directly measures and calculates the length of the correction image displayed on the display device 209. Alternatively, if the pixel density 1303 of the display device 209 is known, the user may directly input the value of pixel density 1303 and register it as display device information 1300.

[0078] (FIG. 13: Explanatory diagram of display device information 1300) 13 is an explanatory diagram of display device information 1300. The display device information 1300 includes a display device ID 1301, a device name 1302, and a pixel density 1303. The display device ID 1310 is identification information for uniquely identifying the display device 209, and is set to be a unique value in the printing device 120. Alternatively, information such as the serial number or MAC address of the display device 209 may be used as the display device ID 1301.

[0079] The device name 1302 consists of character string information or the like for the user to identify the display device 209, and is input by the user when registering the display device information 1300. The pixel density 1303 is the pixel density 1303 (unit: ppi) on the screen of the display device 209, and the value of the pixel density 1303 calculated in S1209 is stored.

[0080] In FIG. 13, examples of a display device ID 1301, a device name 1302, and a pixel density 1303, such as "001:smartphone1:400", "002:smartphone2:460", and "003:PC1:100", are registered.

[0081] (FIG. 14: An explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on the remote UI of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment) 14 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displayed on the remote UI of the information processing apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment. Operation screens 1400 and 1410 of the remote UI are displayed on the display device 209 via the web browser 306 based on screen control by the remote UI screen control unit 508.

[0082] 14(a) shows a correction image display screen 1400 of the resizing application 1001 in the remote UI. The user can access the correction image display screen 1400 by reading the QR code 1031 displayed on the remote UI guidance screen 1030 (S1202). The correction image display screen 1400 displays a correction image area 1401, a reduce button 1402, an enlarge button 1403, and an enter button 1404.

[0083] (Image area for correction 1401: Shrink button 1402: Enlarge button 1403: Confirm button 1404) A correction image, such as a square, is displayed in a predetermined number of pixels in the correction image area 1401. The user can adjust the size of the correction image displayed in the correction image area 1401 by pressing a reduce button 1402 or a enlarge button 1403 (S1206). Furthermore, pressing a confirm button 1404 causes the screen to transition to a display device information registration screen 1410 shown in Fig. 14(b).

[0084] The user can correct the Remote UI. for The pixel density 1303 of the display device 209 can be measured by adjusting the size of the correction image displayed in the correction image area 1401 on the image display screen 1400 to a predetermined length. The user measures the length of one side of the correction image with a ruler or the like, and determines the difference between the length displayed on the remote UI of the display device 209 as a "correction value," which is then saved in the information processing device 110. As a result, when subsequently displaying on the display device 209, the correction value can be used to display an image corresponding to the print image size on the actual size display screen 1100 (FIG. 111(a)). Furthermore, the device name and the correction value are stored in association with each other in the display device information 1300 shown in FIG. 13.

[0085] (Display device information registration screen 1410: device name input area 1411: registration button 1412: back button 1413) The display device information registration screen 1410 displays a device name input area 1411, a register button 1412, and a back button 1413. The device name input area 1411 is an input form for inputting the device name 1302 of the display device information 1300. The user can input a device name in the device name input area 1411 and input the device name 1302 of the display device 209 to be registered. By pressing the register button 1412, the size of the correction image is determined (S1208), and the printing device 120 registers the display device information 1300 (S1212). Furthermore, by pressing the back button 1413, the screen transitions to the correction image display screen 1400.

[0086] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the printing device 120 processes input print data and displays the print image at the actual size to be printed on the display device 209 via the remote UI. This allows the user to easily and accurately adjust the size of the print image via the remote UI.

[0087] <Modification> When displaying the preview screen, depending on the print data, it is expected that only the margins will be displayed if the actual size is displayed on the display device 209. Therefore, in such cases, the display area can be adjusted so that the area other than the margins is displayed on the screen of the display device 209. In other words, the print image can be moved as a whole so that the actual size print image fits within the display image area 1101 of the remote UI.

[0088] 10(c) may be configured to display the display device ID indicated by reference numeral 1310 in FIG. 13. The display device may be a tablet terminal or the like having a communication function in addition to a PC or a smartphone. In general, any device may be used as long as it is an electronic device that has a display device (display unit) and is capable of communicating required information.

[0089] In addition, the correction image displayed by default in Fig. 14(a) and the screen of the reduced or enlarged portion thereof can be displayed in a distinguishable manner. For example, the color of the default correction image and the reduced or enlarged portion can be displayed in different colors, or the pattern of the default correction image and the reduced or enlarged portion can be displayed in different patterns. This allows the user to grasp the size of the reduced or enlarged portion at a glance.

[0090] Furthermore, the printing device 120 can associate print data that is preferred by the user and has already been determined to be of an appropriate size by the remote UI with the user and store it in the storage 406, etc. In this case, the user can be configured to select and read print data associated with the user at any time. In this case, the user may select any of the print data displayed in thumbnails, etc., on the remote UI accessed by the user, and print it.

[0091] <Additional Note> The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configurations (systems), methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) A printing system having a printing device and an information processing device equipped with a display device capable of displaying a remote UI, the printing device and the information processing device being connected to each other so that required information can be communicated with each other, The printing device a generating unit that generates a display image to be displayed on the remote UI from input print data; a calculation unit that calculates a display size for displaying the display image generated by the generation unit on the remote UI in actual size; second generation means for generating screen information for displaying the display image generated by the generation means at the display size calculated by the calculation means; a transmitting means for transmitting the display image generated by the second generating means to the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a screen display unit that displays, on the display device, a print image of actual size to be actually printed via the remote UI based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission unit. (Configuration 2) The information processing device includes: The printing system according to configuration 1, further comprising a size adjustment unit that adjusts the size of the print image displayed on the remote UI in response to a user's operation to enlarge or reduce the print image. (Configuration 3) The information processing device includes: 3. The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising a third generating unit that generates resizing information including a resizing magnification in response to receiving a print execution instruction from a user. (Configuration 4) The information processing device includes: a transmitting unit that transmits the resize information generated by the third generating unit and a print instruction to the printing device, The printing device The printing system according to configuration 3 further comprises an execution unit that executes a resizing process of a print image based on resizing information received from the information processing device, and a printing process of the print image that has been subjected to the resizing process. (Configuration 5) The information processing device includes: The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising a density calculation unit that calculates a pixel density of the display device based on the size of the correction image changed and determined by a user operation via the remote UI. (Configuration 6) The printing device is Further, a storage unit for storing the input print data is provided, 3. The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein printing is executed in response to a print job ID of print data stored in the storage unit being instructed to be printed via the remote UI. (Configuration 7) The printing device is The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising a selection unit that selects a display device that displays a remote UI from among a plurality of display devices registered in the printing device in response to a selection instruction from a user. (Configuration 8) The resizing process is The printing system according to configuration 4, wherein enlargement processing or reduction processing of the print image is performed in accordance with the resizing magnification. (Configuration 9) The printing device is A determination means for determining whether the resize magnification is 100(%) or less; The printing system according to configuration 8 further comprises a print execution means that, when the determination means determines that the resizing magnification is 100(%) or less, executes a reduction process of the print image according to the resizing magnification, and, when the determination means determines that the resizing magnification is greater than 100(%), executes an enlargement process of the print image according to the resizing magnification. (Configuration 10) The printing device is 10. The printing system according to configuration 9, further comprising a second determination unit that determines whether or not to execute poster printing after executing the enlargement process. (Configuration 11) The printing device is 11. The printing system according to configuration 10, further comprising a change unit that changes print settings to execute poster printing when the second decision unit decides that poster printing should be executed. (Configuration 12) The printing device is The printing system according to configuration 10, further comprising a trimming means for performing a trimming process on the print image based on a trimming reference position when the second determination means determines that poster printing should not be performed. (Configuration 13) The printing system according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the information processing device is an electronic device equipped with a display device, such as a PC or a smartphone. (Method) A control method for a printing system having a printing device and an information processing device equipped with a display device capable of displaying a remote UI, the printing device and the information processing device being connected to each other so that required information can be communicated, The printing device a generating step of generating a display image to be displayed on the remote UI from input print data; a calculation step of calculating a display size for displaying the display image generated in the generation step on the remote UI in actual size; a second generation step of generating screen information for displaying the display image generated in the generation step at the display size calculated in the calculation step; a transmitting step of transmitting the display image generated by the second generating step to the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a screen display step of displaying on the display device a print image of actual size to be actually printed via the remote UI based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission step. (Program) A program that causes a computer to execute the method described in Method 14.

[0092] Although the 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. For example, the present invention can 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 recording medium, and having a computer processor in 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 110 Information processing equipment 120 Printing device 130 Network 201 Network I / F 202 CPU 203 ROM 204 RAM 205 Storage 207 Input Device 209 Display device 402 CPU 403 eMMc 404 ROM 405 RAM 406 Storage 408 Paper feed stage 409 Operation section 411 Image Processing HW 412 printer 420 System Bus

Claims

1. A printing system having a printing device and an information processing device equipped with a display device capable of displaying a remote UI, the printing device and the information processing device being connected to each other so as to be able to communicate required information with each other, The printing device a generating means for generating a display image to be displayed on the remote UI from input print data; a calculation unit for calculating a display size for displaying the display image generated by the generation unit on the remote UI in actual size; a second generating means for generating screen information for displaying the display image generated by the generating means at the display size calculated by the calculating means; a transmitting means for transmitting the display image generated by the second generating means to the information processing device, The information processing device includes: A printing system characterized by comprising a screen display means for displaying on the display device a print image of actual size to be actually printed via the remote UI based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission means.

2. The information processing device includes:

2. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a size adjustment unit that adjusts the size of the print image displayed on the remote UI in response to a user's operation to enlarge or reduce the print image.

3. The information processing device includes:

3. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a third generating unit that generates resize information including a resize ratio in response to a print execution instruction received from a user.

4. The information processing device includes: a transmitting unit configured to transmit the resize information generated by the third generating unit and a print instruction to the printing device; The printing device 4. The printing system according to claim 3, further comprising an execution unit that executes a resizing process of the print image based on the resizing information received from the information processing device, and a printing process of the print image that has been subjected to the resizing process.

5. The information processing device includes:

3. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a density calculation unit that calculates the pixel density of the display device based on the size of the correction image changed and determined by user operation via the remote UI.

6. The printing device Further, a storage unit for storing the input print data is provided, 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein printing is executed in response to a print job ID of the print data stored in the storage unit being instructed to be printed via the remote UI.

7. The printing device 3. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects a display device for displaying a remote UI from among a plurality of display devices registered in the printing device in response to a selection instruction from a user.

8. The resizing process includes:

5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the printing image is enlarged or reduced in size depending on the resize ratio.

9. The printing device a determination means for determining whether the resize magnification is 100(%) or less; The printing system according to claim 8, further comprising a print execution means for executing a reduction process of the print image in accordance with the resize magnification when the determination means determines that the resize magnification is 100(%) or less, and for executing an enlargement process of the print image in accordance with the resize magnification when the determination means determines that the resize magnification is greater than 100(%).

10. The printing device 10. The printing system according to claim 9, further comprising a second determination unit that determines whether or not to execute poster printing after the enlargement process is executed.

11. The printing device 11. The printing system according to claim 10, further comprising a change unit that changes print settings to execute poster printing when the second decision unit decides that poster printing should be executed.

12. The printing device 11. The printing system according to claim 10, further comprising a trimming unit that, when the second determination unit determines that poster printing is not to be performed, performs a trimming process on the print image based on a trimming reference position.

13. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is an electronic device equipped with a display device, such as a PC or a smartphone.

14. A control method for a printing system having a printing device and an information processing device equipped with a display device capable of displaying a remote UI, the printing device and the information processing device being connected to each other so as to be able to communicate required information, The printing device a generating step of generating a display image to be displayed on the remote UI from input print data; a calculation step of calculating a display size for displaying the display image generated in the generation step on the remote UI in actual size; a second generation step of generating screen information for displaying the display image generated in the generation step at the display size calculated in the calculation step; a transmitting step of transmitting the display image generated by the second generating step to the information processing device, The information processing device includes: A control method for a printing system, comprising: a screen display step of displaying on the display device a print image of actual size to be actually printed via the remote UI based on the screen information transmitted by the transmission step.

15. A program causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 14.

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