Printers and printing systems

Abstract

To provide technology that improves printing when a printer acquires PDL data. [Solution] The printer 1 comprises a communication IF 14, a print engine 15, and a controller 10. The printer 1 can receive print jobs via the communication IF 14, which specify the sheet size and include PDL data, which is image data in PDL format. When the received print job indicates that it will not leave margins exceeding the minimum margin amount defined in the PDL format, the printer 1 causes the print engine 15 to print a first print image. The first print image is an image based on the PDL data included in the received print job, printed on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the received print job, and which does not leave margins exceeding the minimum margin amount.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical fields disclosed in the present specification relate to printers and printing systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to printing based on image data in a PDL (abbreviation for Page Description Language) format that conforms to a predetermined page description language standard.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, printers are known that receive PDL data, which is image data in a PDL format conforming to a predetermined page description language standard, and print images based on the PDL data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of a system that generates a raster image based on PDL data included in a print job and performs printing based on the generated raster image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Some predetermined page description language standards, such as PCL (abbreviation for Printer Command Language) and PS (abbreviation for PostScript), specify a minimum margin amount. A printer is configured to print an image having a margin equal to or larger than the specified minimum margin amount if the acquired image data is PDL data. For this reason, it is difficult to print images with no margins or margins smaller than the minimum margin amount, such as borderless printing, and there is room for improvement in printing based on PDL data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A printer designed to solve this problem comprises a communication interface, a print engine, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a print job via the communication interface that includes PDL data, which is image data in PDL format conforming to a predetermined page description language standard, and the received print job indicates that it will not leave margins exceeding the minimum margin amount defined in the predetermined page description language standard. In this case, the controller causes the print engine to print a first print image on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the received print job, which is an image based on the image data included in the received print job and does not leave margins exceeding the minimum margin amount.

[0006] The printer disclosed herein is capable of receiving print jobs that include PDL data, which is image data conforming to a predetermined page description language standard, as the image to be printed. The printer is also capable of receiving print jobs that indicate that the margins should not exceed the minimum margin amount specified in the predetermined page description language standard. When the printer receives such a print job, it prints a first print image on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the print job, without margins exceeding the minimum margin amount defined in the predetermined page description language standard. As a result, the printer can print an image with small margins even if the image data included in the received print job is PDL data.

[0007] A control method for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned printer, a computer program, a storage medium readable by a computer that stores the computer program, and a printing system including the above-mentioned printer are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed herein provides a technique that improves printing when a printer acquires PDL data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the driver processing procedure. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the minimum margin amount. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the printing process. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print management area. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a raster data area. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for engine management processing. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of printed material. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart showing the printing process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The first embodiment of the printer will be described in detail below, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 1 in this configuration includes a CPU 11 and a controller 10 which includes memory 12. The printer 1 also includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, and a print engine 15. The user IF 13 and communication IF 14 are electrically connected to the controller 10.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from memory 12 and based on user input. Note that the controller 10 in Figure 1 is a general term for the hardware and software used to control printer 1. Controller 10 does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in printer 1.

[0013] Various programs and various data are stored in the memory 12 of the printer 1 of the present embodiment. The various programs include an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21 and a print program 22. The print program 22 is a program that causes the printer 1 to perform operations for printing in cooperation with the OS 21. Details of the programs and data will be described later. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer included in the CPU 11 is also an example of a memory.

[0014] Note that the example of the memory is not limited to the ROM, RAM, HDD and the like built in the printer 1, and may be a storage medium that is readable and writable by the CPU 11. For example, an external memory such as a USB memory or an HDD connected to the printer 1 is an example of the memory. Further, a memory or an HDD provided in a device connected to the printer 1 via the communication IF 14 is also an example of the memory.

[0015] Further, the computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. The non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet or the like is a computer-readable signal medium, but is not included in non-transitory storage media.

[0016] The user IF 13 includes, for example, a touch panel. The touch panel includes hardware that displays a screen for notifying the user of information, and hardware that receives an operation from the user. The user IF 13 may include a combination of a display, hardware buttons, and the like.

[0017] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"). The communication standards of the communication IF 14 include Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, and the like. The printer 1 may be provided with a plurality of communication IFs 14 corresponding to a plurality of communication standards.

[0018] The print engine 15 includes a configuration for printing an image on a print medium such as a sheet. The printer 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the print engine 15 that prints an image by an electrophotographic method using toner. Note that the printer 1 of the present embodiment may be provided with the print engine 15 capable of executing color printing using multicolor coloring materials. The printer 1 may be provided with the print engine 15 that performs only monochrome printing using a monochrome coloring agent.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of the present embodiment is connected to a PC 3 via the communication IF 14. The PC 3 is an example of an information processing apparatus. An editing application program (hereinafter referred to as "editing application") 31 and a printer driver 32 are installed in the PC 3. A system including the printer driver 32 of the PC 3 and the printer 1 is an example of a printing system. The editing application 31 is a program capable of receiving creation and editing instructions for documents, images, and the like that are to be printed by the printer 1.

[0020] The printer driver 32 is a program capable of transmitting a print job to the printer 1. The printer driver 32 is a program capable of creating PDL data that is image data in a PDL format. PDL is an abbreviation for Page Description Language. The PDL format is a format conforming to a predetermined page description language standard. The PDL format is, for example, a PCL format or a PS format. PCL is an abbreviation for Printer Command Language. PS is an abbreviation for PostScript. The PCL format may be a PCLXL (also referred to as "PCL6 'Enhanced'") format.

[0021] Next, the printing procedure using printer 1 will be explained. Note that the following processes basically represent CPU processing in accordance with the instructions written in the program. That is, processes such as "judgment," "extraction," "selection," "calculation," "decision," "identification," "acquisition," "reception," and "control" in the following explanation represent CPU processing. CPU processing also includes hardware control using the OS API. In this specification, the description of the OS is omitted when explaining the operation of each program. That is, in the following explanation, a statement to the effect of "Program B controls hardware C" may also mean "Program B controls hardware C using the OS API." In addition, CPU processing in accordance with the instructions written in the program may be described using abbreviated language. For example, it may be written as "performed by the CPU." Also, CPU processing in accordance with the instructions written in the program may be described using abbreviated language such as "performed by Program A."

[0022] Furthermore, in this specification, terms such as "notification," "information," "notice," "reply," "response," and "answer" are used not only to mean the transmission of information to a person, but also to mean communication and exchange of information between devices or between components within a device. Note that the components within a device include software.

[0023] Furthermore, "acquisition" is used in a sense that does not necessarily require a request. That is, the process of the CPU receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "the CPU acquiring data." Also, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit sequence that can be read by a computer. Data with the same substantial meaning but different formats will be treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Also, "request" and "instruct" are concepts that indicate that information indicating a request or instruction is being output to the other party. Information indicating a request or instruction may also be simply referred to as "request" or "instruction."

[0024] Furthermore, the process by which the CPU determines whether information A indicates event B is sometimes conceptually described as "determining from information A whether it is event B or not." Similarly, the process by which the CPU determines whether information A indicates event B or event C is sometimes conceptually described as "determining from information A whether it is event B or event C."

[0025] Furthermore, in this specification, setting items may be simply referred to as "settings." Similarly, setting values ​​may also be simply referred to as "settings." Setting values ​​may also be referred to as "parameters." Additionally, storing setting values ​​in memory or elsewhere may be simply referred to as "settings." Furthermore, the operation for setting or the input for setting may also be simply referred to as "settings."

[0026] First, the procedure for driver processing performed on PC3 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 2. Driver processing is performed by the CPU of PC3 in response to the startup of the printer driver 32. The procedure for printing starts when the user selects the image to be printed on PC3 and chooses to print to printer 1. Since printer 1 has been selected as the device to perform printing on PC3, PC3 starts the printer driver 32 corresponding to printer 1.

[0027] When the printer driver 32 is started, PC3 displays a print settings screen on the user interface that can accept instructions for various print settings (S101). PC3 can accept various instructions from the user through the print settings screen, such as instructions to change print settings or instructions to decide on print settings and execute printing. In this embodiment, the printer driver 32 can accept various settings as print settings, such as sheet size, sheet type, print quality, image orientation, whether or not to print in color, and margin size.

[0028] The printer driver 32 can accept a print setting to enable or disable borderless printing. Borderless printing is a print setting that prints the image to the edge of the sheet without leaving margins on all four sides. When the printer driver 32 accepts the setting to enable borderless printing, it ignores the margin size setting. The default print setting for the printer driver 32 is to disable borderless printing.

[0029] PC3 determines whether or not it has received a command to execute a print job based on the user's actions (S102). If it determines that it has not received a command to execute a print job (S102:NO), that is, if it has received a command to change the settings, PC3 changes the display of the print settings screen to reflect the received settings based on the user's actions (S103). Then, PC3 accepts further user actions on the modified print settings screen.

[0030] If PC3 determines that it has received an instruction to print (S102: YES), it confirms the print settings (S111). Then, PC3 determines whether the confirmed print settings include "borderless printing on" (S112). "Borderless printing on" is information indicating the setting to perform borderless printing.

[0031] If PC3 determines that borderless printing is enabled (S112: YES), it adds borderless printing enabled information to the print job settings (S115). Borderless printing enabled information indicates that the print settings are for borderless printing. Furthermore, PC3 creates PDL data without margins based on the image data of the image to be printed (S116).

[0032] On the other hand, if PC3 determines that borderless printing is not enabled (S112: NO), PC3 creates PDL data that takes margins into account based on the image data of the image to be printed (S118). Specifically, PC3 creates PDL data with margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. The default print job settings do not include information on borderless printing. By not executing S115 when borderless printing is not enabled, the print job settings created in S118 will not include information on borderless printing. PC3 may also add information indicating borderless printing is off to the print job settings.

[0033] The PDL format standard specifies the minimum margin amount, which is the minimum width of the margins to be provided on all four sides of a sheet, depending on the sheet size and print resolution. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the top margin length 41, bottom margin length 42, left margin length 43, and right margin length 44 are specified for the sheet's outer dimensions 40. The minimum margin amount is the size of the margin range 45, which is the width indicated by the margin lengths 41 to 44 on all four sides, as shown by the hatching in Figure 3. Note that the top margin length 41 and the bottom margin length 42 may be the same width. Also, the left margin length 43 and the right margin length 44 may be the same width. Furthermore, the margin lengths 41 to 44 on all four sides may all be the same width. The minimum margin amount may differ depending on the type of PDL data.

[0034] In S118, the printer driver 32 creates PDL data with margins based on the print settings if the margins set in the confirmed print settings are equal to or greater than the minimum margin amount. Also, if the width of at least one direction of the margins set in the confirmed print settings is less than the minimum margin amount, the printer driver 32 adds margins equal to or greater than the minimum margin amount in S118. For example, the printer driver 32 creates PDL data in which the image is contained only within the defined drawing area 46, which is enclosed by a dashed line in Figure 3. The defined drawing area 46 is the area obtained by subtracting the minimum margin amount margin range 45 from the outer shape 40 of the sheet.

[0035] In S118, if the printer driver 32 contains an image within the minimum margin range 45, for example, it erases the image within the margin range 45 and creates PDL data with the minimum margin amount. Alternatively, the printer driver 32 may reduce the size of the image to create the margin instead of erasing it.

[0036] On the other hand, in S116, the printer driver 32 creates PDL data without erasing or reducing the image and without setting margins. In other words, in S116, the printer driver 32 creates PDL data ignoring the minimum margin amount specification of the PDL format standard. The PDL data created in S116 may include the image within the minimum margin range 45.

[0037] After S116 or S118, PC3 sends a print job containing the configuration information and the PDL data created in S116 or S118 to printer 1 (S121). A print job containing the PDL data created in S116 and with borderless printing enabled information in the configuration information is an example of a first print job. S121 when sending a first print job is an example of the first transmission process. A print job containing the PDL data created in S118 but without borderless printing enabled information in the configuration information is an example of a second print job. S121 when sending a second print job is an example of the second transmission process. After S121, PC3 terminates the driver processing.

[0038] Next, the procedure for the printing process performed by printer 1 in this configuration will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 4. This printing process is executed by the CPU 11 of printer 1 based on the printing program 22, triggered by the acquisition of a print job containing PDL data. The print job containing PDL data is sent from PC 3, for example, through the driver processing described above. Printer 1 receives the print job from PC 3 via the communication IF 14.

[0039] When a print job containing PDL data is acquired, the CPU 11 allocates a print management area in memory 12 (S201). For example, as shown in Figure 5, the print management area 50 is a storage area for writing print instruction information 51 and raster data 52. The CPU 11 allocates a print management area 50 for one page based on the sheet size specified in the print job. For example, if the sheet size is A4, the CPU 11 allocates a print management area 50 that can write raster data 52 for one page of A4 size. The print management area 50 is a storage area that will be read by the print engine 15 in a later step. Note that the print management area 50 may be a single continuous area or it may not be a single continuous area.

[0040] CPU 11 determines whether the print job settings include borderless printing information (S202). Borderless printing information is added to the settings in S115 of the driver processing shown in Figure 2. Borderless printing information indicates that the print job will not have margins exceeding the minimum margin amount. S202 is an example of determining whether the received print job will not have margins exceeding the minimum margin amount.

[0041] If the CPU 11 determines that borderless printing information is present (S202: YES), it rasterizes the PDL data of the print job to create raster data without margins (S211). Printer 1 determines that if the print job contains borderless printing information, it is a print job that indicates no margins greater than the minimum margin amount. If the CPU 11 determines that the print job indicates no margins greater than the minimum margin amount, it rasterizes the data, ignoring the minimum margin amount specification of the PDL format standard.

[0042] As a result, for example, as shown in Figure 6(A), raster data 52 that includes the image within the margin range 45 of the minimum margin amount shown in Figure 3 is written to the print management area 50 secured in S201. The raster data 52 written in S211 includes the image of the entire range corresponding to the sheet outline 40, not just within the specified image area 46 shown in Figure 3. S211 is an example of image processing including rasterization, and is an example of the first process. The raster data created in S211 is an example of the first raster data.

[0043] The CPU 11 determines whether or not it has created raster data for one page (S212). If the creation of raster data for one page is not finished (S212: NO), the CPU 11 executes S211 until the creation of one page is finished. Furthermore, the CPU 11 turns on the borderless setting included in the print instruction information 51 of the print management area 50 (S213).

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no borderless printing information (S202: NO), the CPU 11 creates raster data by rasterizing the PDL data of the print job while taking margins into consideration (S221). In other words, if the printer 1 does not include borderless printing information in the print job, it determines that the print job does not indicate that there will be no margins greater than the minimum margin amount. If the printer determines that the print job does not indicate that there will be no margins greater than the minimum margin amount, the CPU 11 creates raster data with margins.

[0045] As mentioned above, if the printer driver 32 does not include borderless printing in the print settings, it creates and sends PDL data in which the image is contained only within the specified image area 46 shown in Figure 3. Therefore, in S221, the CPU 11 can create raster data with margins by rasterizing the received PDL data. If the PDL data does not have margins greater than the minimum margin amount, the CPU 11 can delete or reduce the image to create raster data with margins greater than the minimum margin amount.

[0046] As a result, for example, as shown in Figure 6(B), raster data 52 with margins set to be at least the minimum margin range 45 shown in Figure 3 is written to the print management area 50 secured in S201. The raster data 52 written in S221 contains the image only within the range of the specified drawing area 46 shown in Figure 3. S221 is an example of image processing including rasterization and is an example of the first process. The raster data created in S221 is an example of the second raster data.

[0047] The CPU 11 determines whether or not it has created raster data for one page (S222). If the creation of raster data for one page is not complete (S222: NO), the CPU 11 executes S221 until the creation of one page is complete. Furthermore, the CPU 11 turns off the borderless setting included in the print instruction information 51 of the print management area 50 (S223).

[0048] Furthermore, the CPU 11 writes various settings, in addition to borderless printing settings, to the print instruction information 51 based on the print settings configured for the print job. For example, if A4 size is set as the sheet size, the CPU 11 sets the sheet size in the print instruction information 51 to A4. This allows the CPU 11 to instruct the print engine 15 to print on an A4-sized sheet.

[0049] After S213 or S223, the CPU 11 executes engine management processing (S231). Engine management processing is the process of causing the print engine 15 to print based on the raster data written to the print management area 50 for one page. Engine management processing is an example of the second process.

[0050] The procedure for engine management processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7. When a print management area 50 for one page is registered, the CPU 11 determines whether the borderless setting in the print instruction information 51 is turned on (S301). The borderless setting is set in S213 or S223 of the print process in Figure 4.

[0051] If the CPU determines that the borderless setting is on (S301: YES), the CPU 11 obtains information on the maximum drawing area as information for the print engine 15 (S311). The maximum drawing area is the largest drawing area that the print engine 15 can print, corresponding to the sheet size included in the print instruction information 51. The maximum drawing area is an example of a printable area. Based on the obtained information on the maximum drawing area, the CPU 11 instructs the print engine 15 to expand the drawing area so that printing is set to the maximum drawing area (S312).

[0052] Due to its structural limitations, the printing engine 15 may not be able to print to the edge of the sheet. The printing engine 15 has information about the maximum printable area, the maximum drawing area 48, as shown in Figure 8(A), for example. The CPU 11 can obtain information indicating the maximum drawing area 48 from the printing engine 15 or from the program or data that manages the printing engine 15.

[0053] The minimum margin amount for the PDL data is set with ample margin so that it is printable regardless of the performance of the printing engine 15. Therefore, the maximum drawing area 48 of the printer 1's printing engine 15 is larger than the specified drawing area 46, for example, as shown in Figure 8(A). The specified drawing area 46 is the area obtained by subtracting the margin range 45 corresponding to the minimum margin amount of the PDL data from the sheet size. In Figure 8(A), the margin range 45 is shown with diagonal lines. Also, if the printing engine 15 is capable of printing to the edge of the sheet, the maximum drawing area 48 is equal to the sheet outline 40. Note that the maximum drawing area 48 may differ for each sheet size, or it may be a fixed value for each printing engine 15.

[0054] If the CPU 11 determines that the borderless printing setting in the print instruction information 51 is not enabled (S301: NO), it instructs the print engine 15 to print in the normal drawing area (S315). The CPU 11 should also determine NO in S301 if the print instruction information 51 does not contain information about the borderless printing setting. The normal drawing area in printing based on PDL data is, for example, the specified drawing area 46. Since the print engine 15 is capable of printing in the normal drawing area, the CPU 11 does not need to check the drawing area information before S315.

[0055] After S312 or S315, the CPU 11 instructs the print engine 15 to perform printing (S321). The CPU 11 uses the various settings of the print instruction information 51 to perform printing based on the raster data written in the raster data 52 within the drawing area set in S312 or S315.

[0056] Printer 1, which has a printing engine 15 capable of printing to the edge of the sheet, can print images without margins if the borderless setting is turned on. Printer 1 can achieve so-called borderless printing even when printing based on PDL data, for example, as shown in Figure 6(A). The image shown in Figure 6(A) is an example of an image without margins exceeding the minimum margin amount, and is an example of a first printed image.

[0057] A printer 1 with a print engine 15 that cannot print to the edge of the sheet will print the image within the maximum drawing area 48 if the borderless setting is turned on. In this case, the printer 1 will print an image with margins smaller than the minimum margin amount, as shown in Figure 8(B), for example. In other words, even a printer 1 with a print engine 15 that cannot print to the edge of the sheet can print an image with margins smaller than the minimum margin amount. The image shown in Figure 8(B) is an example of an image without margins larger than the minimum margin amount, and is an example of a first printed image. Even a printer 1 that has difficulty with so-called borderless printing can achieve printing that approximates borderless printing by printing based on PDL data.

[0058] On the other hand, if the borderless setting is not turned on, printer 1 will print an image with margins greater than the minimum margin amount, as shown in Figure 6(B). Note that if a margin greater than the minimum margin amount is set in the print settings of the print job, printer 1 will print an image with margins greater than the minimum margin amount. The image shown in Figure 6(B) is an example of an image with margins greater than the minimum margin amount, and is an example of a second printed image.

[0059] After S321, CPU 11 terminates the engine management process and returns to the printing process. Note that the creation of raster data and writing to the print management area 50 during the printing process may be performed independently of the engine management process. In other words, CPU 11 may continue the printing process without waiting for the engine management process to finish and begin creating the raster data for the next page.

[0060] Returning to the explanation of the printing process in Figure 4, the CPU 11 determines whether the processing of all PDL data included in the acquired print job has been completed (S235). If it determines that there is PDL data that has not been processed (S235: NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to S201 and reserves the next print management area. Furthermore, the CPU 11 rasterizes the PDL data for the next page and has the print engine 15 print it.

[0061] If CPU 11 determines that it has finished processing all PDL data included in the acquired print job (S235:YES), it terminates the print process.

[0062] As explained in detail above, the first form of printer 1 can receive print jobs that include PDL data as the image to be printed and indicate that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should be left. When printer 1 receives a print job that indicates no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should be left, it prints an image on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the print job, without margins exceeding the minimum margin amount, as shown in Figure 6(A) or Figure 8(B). The minimum margin amount is the margin amount defined in the PDL format. As a result, printer 1 can print an image with small margins even if the image data included in the received print job is PDL data.

[0063] Next, the second embodiment of the printer will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The printer 1 and PC3 of the second embodiment have the same configuration as the first embodiment, but are capable of performing different processes than the first embodiment. The printer 1 of the second embodiment determines, based on the PDL data, whether or not it is a print job that indicates that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount will be provided. In this respect, the printer 1 of the second embodiment differs from the printer 1 of the first embodiment, which makes this determination based on the presence or absence of borderless printing information.

[0064] Even when using the second form of printer 1, the printer driver 32 can accept a user setting indicating borderless printing as a print setting. The printer driver 32 using the second form of printer 1 creates PDL data based on whether or not it has accepted a user setting indicating borderless printing, similar to the printer driver 32 using the first form of printer 1.

[0065] Specifically, if the print settings include borderless printing enabled, the printer driver 32 ignores the minimum margin amount specified in the PDL data. The printer driver 32 then creates PDL data without erasing or reducing the image, and without setting any margins. In this case, the PDL data created by the printer driver 32 may contain images within the minimum margin range 45.

[0066] On the other hand, if borderless printing is not enabled in the print settings, the printer driver 32 creates PDL data that takes margins into account based on the image data of the image to be printed. Specifically, the printer driver 32 creates PDL data with margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. In this case, if there is an image within the margin range 45 of the minimum margin amount, the printer driver 32 will erase or reduce the image.

[0067] The second form of printer 1 does not determine whether the print job settings include information indicating borderless printing is enabled. Therefore, even if the printer driver 32 accepts the setting for borderless printing to be enabled, it does not need to add information indicating borderless printing to the print job settings. The printer driver 32 using the second form of printer 1 only needs to execute the driver processing shown in Figure 2, excluding S115.

[0068] Furthermore, even with a printer driver 32 that uses the second form of printer 1, information indicating borderless printing is enabled may be added to the print job settings. Even with a printer driver 32 that uses the second form of printer 1, the same processing as the driver processing shown in Figure 2 may be performed.

[0069] The procedure for the printing process performed by the second form of printer 1 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9. This printing process is executed by the CPU 11 of printer 1 based on the printing program 22, triggered by the acquisition of a print job containing PDL data. In Figure 9, the same reference numerals are used for the same steps as in Figure 2 for the first form of printing process shown in Figure 2.

[0070] When the CPU 11 receives a print job containing PDL data, it allocates a print management area 50 in memory 12 (S201). Furthermore, the CPU 11 rasterizes the PDL data of the print job to create raster data without margins (S211). The CPU 11 rasterizes the PDL data as is, regardless of whether it contains margins or not, and writes the raster data to raster data 52. The CPU 11 rasterizes while ignoring the minimum margin amount specified in the PDL format standard.

[0071] The CPU 11 then determines whether or not it has created raster data for one page (S212). If the creation of raster data for one page is not complete (S212: NO), the CPU 11 executes S211 until the creation of one page is complete.

[0072] Once the creation of raster data for one page is complete (S212:YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is an image in the margin area (S405). The CPU 11 determines whether or not significant image-indicating drawing information has been detected in the area corresponding to the minimum margin amount specified in the PDL data. For example, the CPU 11 may determine that there is a significant image if there is a location in the margin area where a predetermined number or more dots of a predetermined density or higher are clustered together.

[0073] A print job containing PDL data with a significant image within the minimum margin area is an example of a print job that indicates no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount. A print job containing PDL data without a significant image within the minimum margin area is an example of a print job that does not indicate no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount. S405 is an example of determining whether a received print job indicates no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount.

[0074] If the CPU 11 determines that there is an image in the margin area (S405: YES), it turns on the borderless printing setting included in the print instruction information 51 of the print management area 50 (S213). As mentioned above, if the printer driver 32 includes borderless printing on in the print settings, it ignores the minimum margin amount specification and creates PDL data that includes an image in the margin area. When the printer 1 receives a print job that includes PDL data with an image in the margin area, it can determine that it is a print job with the borderless printing on print setting.

[0075] If the CPU determines that there is no image in the margin area (S405: NO), it deletes the raster data in the margin area (S411). Note that if there is no image in the margin area, the raster data deleted in S411 is white data. Furthermore, the CPU turns off the borderless setting included in the print instruction information 51 of the print management area 50 (S223).

[0076] After S213 or S223, the CPU 11 performs engine management processing (S231). The engine management processing is the same as in the first form and follows the procedure shown in Figure 7. In the engine management processing, the CPU 11 instructs the print engine 15 to print based on the borderless setting of the print instruction information 51. If the borderless setting is on, the CPU 11 instructs the print engine 15 to print in the maximum drawing area 48 (see Figure 8(A)). If the borderless setting is off, the CPU 11 instructs the print engine 15 to print in the normal drawing area, for example, the specified drawing area 46 (see Figure 8(A)).

[0077] After instructing the engine management process, CPU 11 determines whether the processing of all PDL data included in the acquired print job has been completed (S235). If it determines that there is still PDL data that has not been processed (S235: NO), CPU 11 proceeds to S201 and executes the processing of the next page. If it determines that all PDL data has been processed (S235: YES), CPU 11 terminates the print process.

[0078] As explained in detail above, even the second form of printer 1, when it receives a print job indicating that it will not leave margins exceeding the minimum margin amount, will print an image that does not leave margins exceeding the minimum margin amount. Therefore, the second form of printer 1, like the first form of printer 1, can print an image with small margins even if the image data included in the received print job is PDL data.

[0079] Furthermore, the second form of printer 1 determines whether or not to indicate that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should be provided, based on the PDL data included in the print job. Therefore, the printer driver 32 does not need to add borderless printing information, and can create a print job with a simple configuration. On the other hand, the first form of printer 1 makes its decision based on the borderless printing information set by the printer driver 32. Therefore, user requests are more easily reflected via the printer driver 32.

[0080] It should be noted that each embodiment is merely illustrative and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its essence. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a dedicated printer, but may be a multifunction printer, copier, fax machine, etc. Also, although the embodiment describes a printer 1 equipped with an electrophotographic printing engine 15, the printer 1 may be equipped with an inkjet printing engine.

[0081] Printer 1 can also print based on image data read from a USB memory connected to it, or image data downloaded from the internet. However, when printing based on image data that is not PDL data, Printer 1 performs the printing using a different procedure than the printing process shown in Figure 4.

[0082] Furthermore, for example, printer 1 may receive a print job that includes PDL data with borderless printing information added and margins provided. In that case, printer 1 may print the image with the margins removed by, for example, enlarging the image.

[0083] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in each form, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed, as long as no inconsistencies arise in the processing content. Alternatively, multiple processes can be executed in parallel.

[0084] Furthermore, the processing disclosed in each embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Also, the processing disclosed in each embodiment can be implemented in various forms, such as a recording medium or method that stores a program for executing the processing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 1. Printer 3 PC 14 Communication IF 15 Printing Engine

Claims

1. Communication interface, Printing engine and Controller and Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, When a print job is received via the communication interface, which includes PDL data, which is image data in PDL (Page Description Language) format conforming to a predetermined page description language standard, and the received print job indicates that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount defined in the predetermined page description language standard are provided, The print engine is instructed to print a first print image, which is an image based on the image data included in the received print job and which does not have margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount, on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the received print job. A printer configured in such a way.

2. A printer as described in claim 1, The aforementioned printing engine prints images using an electrophotographic method. A printer configured in such a way.

3. A printer as described in claim 1, The aforementioned specified page description language standard is either PCL (Printer Command Language) or PS (PostScript). A printer configured in such a way.

4. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned controller, When a print job is received via the communication interface, with a specified sheet size and containing the PDL data, Determine whether the received print job indicates that it will not leave margins greater than the minimum margin amount. If it is determined that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should be provided, the print engine shall print the first print image on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the received print job. If it is determined that the minimum margin amount is not to be provided, the print engine is instructed to print a second print image, which is an image based on the PDL data included in the received print job and which has margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount, onto a sheet of the sheet size specified in the received print job. A printer configured in such a way.

5. A printer as described in claim 4, The aforementioned controller, A first process involves performing image processing, including rasterization, based on the PDL data included in the received print job, and creating raster data which is the data after the image processing has been performed. A second process causes the print engine to perform printing based on the raster data created in the first process, according to a drawing area set according to a specified sheet size. It is possible to do this, If it is determined that no margins exceeding the aforementioned minimum margin amount will be provided, In the first process, first raster data, which is the raster data corresponding to the first printed image, is created. In the second process, the drawing area corresponding to the specified sheet size is expanded, and the print engine is instructed to print based on the first raster data created in the first process according to the expanded drawing area. If it is determined that the minimum margin amount mentioned above is not to be indicated, In the first process, a second raster data is created, which is the raster data corresponding to the second printed image. In the second process, the drawing area corresponding to the specified sheet size is not expanded, and the print engine is instructed to print based on the second raster data created in the first process, according to the drawing area corresponding to the specified sheet size. A printer configured in such a way.

6. A printer as described in claim 4, The aforementioned controller, When a print job is received via the communication interface, with a specified sheet size and containing the PDL data, If the received print job contains information indicating that it will not leave margins exceeding the minimum margin amount, then it is determined that the received print job will not leave margins exceeding the minimum margin amount. If the received print job does not contain the information indicating that margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should not be provided, then it is determined that the received print job does not indicate that margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should not be provided. A printer configured in such a way.

7. A printer as described in claim 4, The aforementioned controller, When a print job is received via the communication interface, with a specified sheet size and containing the PDL data, If the image based on the PDL data included in the received print job does not have margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount, then it is determined that the received print job does not have margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. If the image based on the PDL data included in the received print job is an image with margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount, then it is determined that the received print job does not indicate that margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount should not be provided. A printer configured in such a way.

8. A printer according to claim 7, The controller further, When a print job is received via the communication interface, with a specified sheet size and containing the PDL data, Based on the PDL data included in the received print job, image processing including rasterization is performed. In the rasterization process described above, if drawing information is detected in the area corresponding to the minimum margin amount, it is determined that the image based on the PDL data included in the received print job is not an image with margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. In the rasterization process described above, if no drawing information is detected in the area corresponding to the minimum margin amount, it is determined that the image based on the PDL data included in the received print job is an image with margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. A printer configured in such a way.

9. A printer as described in claim 4, The aforementioned controller, When a print job is received via the communication interface, with a specified sheet size and containing the PDL data, Determine whether the received print job indicates that it will not leave margins greater than the minimum margin amount. If it is determined that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should be provided, the print engine will print the image without margins as the first print image on the sheet of the specified sheet size. If it is determined that the minimum margin amount is not to be used, the second print image is to be printed on the sheet of the specified sheet size by the print engine. A printer configured in such a way.

10. A printer as described in claim 4, The aforementioned controller, When a print job is received via the communication interface, with a specified sheet size and containing the PDL data, Determine whether the received print job indicates that it will not leave margins greater than the minimum margin amount. If it is determined that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should be provided, the print engine will print an image with margins less than the minimum margin amount as the first print image on a sheet of the specified sheet size. If it is determined that the minimum margin amount is not to be used, the second print image is to be printed on the sheet of the specified sheet size by the print engine. A printer configured in such a way.

11. A printer according to claim 10, The aforementioned controller, When a print job is received via the communication interface, with a specified sheet size and containing the PDL data, Determine whether the received print job indicates that it will not leave margins greater than the minimum margin amount. If it is determined that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount should be provided, the print engine shall print, as the first print image, an image with margins less than the minimum margin amount and corresponding to the printable area of ​​the printer, on a sheet of the specified sheet size. If it is determined that the minimum margin amount is not to be used, the second print image is to be printed on the sheet of the specified sheet size by the print engine. A printer configured in such a way.

12. A printing system comprising a printer driver installed on an information processing device and a printer connected to the information processing device, The printer driver provides the information processing device with: It is possible to execute a first transmission process that sends a first print job to the printer, wherein the first print job is a print job that includes PDL data which is image data in PDL format according to a predetermined page description language standard, with a specified sheet size, and indicates that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount defined in the predetermined page description language standard are provided. The aforementioned printer is When the first print job is received from the information processing device, A first print image is printed on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the received first print job, which is an image based on the image data included in the received first print job, and which does not have margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. A printing system configured as follows.

13. A printing system according to claim 12, The printer driver provides the information processing device with: It is possible to execute a second transmission process that sends a second print job to the printer, wherein the second print job is a print job in which a sheet size is specified, includes the PDL data, and does not indicate that the margins will not exceed the minimum margin amount defined in the predetermined page description language standard, The aforementioned printer is When a print job is received from the information processing device, it is determined whether the first print job or the second print job has been received. If it is determined that the first print job has been received, The first print image is printed on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the received first print job. If it is determined that the second print job has been received, A second print image is printed on a sheet of the sheet size specified in the received second print job, which is an image based on the image data included in the received second print job, and which has margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. A printing system configured as follows.

14. A printing system according to claim 13, The printer driver provides the information processing device with: In the first transmission process, the first print job is transmitted, which includes information indicating that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount will be provided. In the second transmission process, the second print job is transmitted, which does not include the information indicating that no margins exceeding the minimum margin amount are provided. The aforementioned printer is If the received print job contains the information indicating that the margins should not exceed the minimum margin amount, it is determined that the first print job has been received. If the received print job does not contain the information indicating that the margins should not exceed the minimum margin amount, it is determined that the second print job has been received. A printing system configured as follows.

15. A printing system according to claim 13, The printer driver provides the information processing device with: In the first transmission process, the first print job is transmitted such that the image based on the PDL data is not an image with margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. In the second transmission process, the second print job is transmitted, in which the image based on the PDL data is an image with margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount. The aforementioned printer is If the image based on the PDL data included in the received print job does not have margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount, then it is determined that the first print job has been received. If the image based on the PDL data included in the received print job has margins greater than or equal to the minimum margin amount, it is determined that the second print job has been received. A printing system configured as follows.

16. A printing system according to claim 13, The aforementioned printer is If it is determined that the first print job has been received, On a sheet of the specified sheet size, print the first print image, which is an image without margins. If it is determined that the second print job has been received, The second print image is printed on a sheet of the specified sheet size. A printing system configured as follows.

17. A printing system according to claim 13, The aforementioned printer is If it is determined that the first print job has been received, On a sheet of the specified sheet size, an image is printed as the first print image, with margins less than the minimum margin amount. If it is determined that the second print job has been received, The second print image is printed on a sheet of the specified sheet size. A printing system configured as follows.

Images