JP2004145543A - Recording system and correction parameter control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording system and a correction parameter control method therefor, allowing various kinds of correction to an output result even under the same recording environment by user's decision. <P>SOLUTION: A correction parameter storage part 33 and a parameter development area 34 are provided in a recording device 3. After developing a default correction parameter stored in the correction parameter storage part 33 onto the parameter development area 34 before recording operation, a correction parameter selected by the user is developed onto the parameter development area 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording system and a correction parameter control method thereof, and more particularly, to a recording system and a correction parameter control method thereof that enable a user to perform various corrections of an output result even under the same recording environment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a recording system in which a printer as a recording device is connected to a computer (including a computer connected to a network), and recording data such as characters and images on the computer side is recorded on a recording medium such as paper. I have. In such a printing system, correction parameters to be used for printing are determined when the printer is started or prior to the printing operation.
[0003]
For example, when the recording apparatus is a thermal transfer printer, the correction parameters stored in the nonvolatile memory of the thermal transfer printer are developed in the parameter development area formed in the volatile memory during the initialization operation when the thermal transfer printer is started ( By doing so, the default correction parameters used for the recording operation are set.
[0004]
As another example, a plurality of correction parameters selected based on the type of recording medium (paper), the type of ink, and the recording speed are stored in a hard disk of a computer in advance, and the selected correction parameters are stored in one of the device drivers. A configuration has been proposed in which a printer driver is used to record data in a temporary storage device (actually, a RAM) of the recording device (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this configuration, the content of the paper (the type of paper and ink) is set by detecting the type of paper or ink by a sensor provided in the recording device and transmitting the detection data to the computer. .
[0005]
The correction parameter is a printer-specific parameter whose color, density, and the like of the output result change depending on the type of the medium.
[0006]
When the user changes output results such as hue, contrast, density, and the like, it is common practice to change the output result by a function of an application.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-348335
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, since the correction parameters in the conventional recording system are established by setting the recording medium, recording mode, and the like from the printer driver, under the same recording environment where the type of recording medium, the type of ink, and the recording speed are constant. However, there is a problem in that the correction parameter is basically one and output results such as hue, contrast, and density cannot be changed.
[0009]
That is, the correction parameters are not perfect for all recording targets, and there are countless optimal correction parameters due to various factors. For example, even under the same recording environment, there may be correction parameters for obtaining an optimum output result depending on whether the recording data is “mainly a picture” or “mainly a character”. Moreover, it is most certain that the user himself / herself determines the optimum output result.
[0010]
Therefore, there is a need for a recording system and a correction parameter control method capable of performing various corrections of an output result at the discretion of a user even under the same recording environment.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording system capable of performing various corrections of an output result at the discretion of a user even under the same recording environment, and a correction parameter control method thereof. And
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A feature of a recording system according to the present invention to achieve the above-described object is a recording system including a computer and a recording device that is connected to the computer and performs recording on a recording medium based on recording data transmitted from the computer. The recording apparatus has a correction parameter storage unit that can store default correction parameters, and a parameter expansion area that can expand the default correction parameters stored in the correction parameter storage unit prior to the recording operation. The point is that the default correction parameters expanded in the expansion area can be overwritten and changed to the correction parameters selected by the user. By adopting such a configuration, recording using the correction parameters selected by the user can be performed for each recording operation, so that various corrections of the output result can be performed by the user even under the same recording environment. It can be easily done by judgment.
[0013]
In the recording system according to the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of correction parameters selectable by a user be provided in the device driver. Furthermore, it is preferable that the correction parameter overwritten and changed in the parameter development area is formed so as to be able to be overwritten and stored in the correction parameter storage unit. Further, it is preferable that the correction parameter storage section is formed in a non-volatile memory, and the parameter development area is formed in a volatile memory.
[0014]
A feature of the correction parameter control method of the recording system according to the present invention is that the correction parameter control method of the recording system includes a computer and a recording device connected to the computer and performing recording on a recording medium based on recording data transmitted from the computer. The method is characterized in that, before a recording operation, a default correction parameter stored in a correction parameter storage section is developed in a parameter development area, and then a correction parameter selected by a user is developed in the parameter development area. By adopting such a configuration, recording using the correction parameters selected by the user can be performed for each recording operation, so that various corrections of the output result can be performed by the user even under the same recording environment. It can be easily done by judgment.
[0015]
In the correction parameter control method of the recording system according to the present invention, a plurality of correction parameters selectable by the user are provided in the device driver, and the correction parameters selected by the user from these correction parameters are developed in the parameter development area. Is preferred. Further, it is preferable that the correction parameters overwritten and changed in the parameter development area be overwritten and stored in the correction parameter storage unit. Further, it is preferable that the correction parameter storage section is formed in a non-volatile memory, and the parameter development area is formed in a volatile memory.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a recording system according to the present invention.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, a recording system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a computer 2, a printer 3 as a recording device, and an interface 4 capable of bidirectional communication for connecting the computer 2 and the printer 3. ing.
[0019]
The computer 2 has a CPU 21, a printer driver storage 22 and a print data storage 23 operated by the CPU 21. A printer driver, which is one of the device drivers, is stored (stored in the printer driver storage unit 22). The printer driver according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of correction parameters that can be selected by the user, in addition to programs related to actual print data processing, settings of a print medium, a print mode, and the like. The other recording data storage unit 23 stores recording data processed by the application.
[0020]
The printer 3 includes a CPU 31, a control program storage unit 32 operated by the CPU 31, a correction parameter storage unit 33, a parameter development area 34 for developing correction parameters used for a printing operation, and a printer engine 35. .
[0021]
The control program storage unit 32 stores various programs necessary for the recording operation, for example, a program related to control of the correction parameter. More specifically, prior to the recording operation, in the present embodiment, the correction is performed during the initialization operation. After the default correction parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 33 are expanded in the parameter expansion area 34, the correction parameters transmitted from the computer 2 via the interface 4 and selected by the user are expanded in the parameter expansion area 34 (download). , Etc.) are stored. The control program storage unit 32 stores other programs necessary for the recording operation, such as a program for communicating with the computer 2, a program for controlling the operation of the printer engine 35, and a program for performing an initialization operation when the power is turned on. And data are also stored.
[0022]
The correction parameter storage unit 33 is formed in a nonvolatile memory, for example, a ROM, and stores in advance default correction parameters for each recording pattern such as a recording medium, a recording mode, and a recording color. Note that a configuration in which other data is stored in the nonvolatile memory may be adopted.
[0023]
The parameter development area 34 is formed in a volatile memory, for example, a RAM, so that default correction parameters used for recording are developed before the recording operation.
[0024]
Other configurations are the same as those of a conventionally known recording system, and illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.
[0025]
The other components of the computer 2 and the other components including the printer engine 35 of the printer 3 are conventionally known, and detailed description and illustration thereof are omitted.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 together with the operation of the correction parameter control method of the recording system of the present invention.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart on the computer side in the correction parameter control method of the recording system according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart on the printer side in the correction parameter control method of the recording system according to the present invention.
[0028]
First, the operation of the computer 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the correction parameter control operation of the recording system 1 on the computer 2 side is started, first, in step SC01, recording data to be recorded is selected by an application by a user's operation.
[0030]
Next, in step SC02, the printer driver stored in the printer driver storage unit 22 is started by the CPU 21 of the computer 2, and a recording medium, a recording mode, and the like are set.
[0031]
Next, in step SC03, the user manually selects a correction parameter to be provided to the printing operation from a plurality of user-selectable correction parameters provided in the printer driver stored in the printer driver storage unit 22, The selected correction parameters are transmitted to the printer 3 via the interface 4. At this time, the user adds a save command (write designation) for writing and saving the correction parameters in the printer 2 as necessary. Note that the correction parameter may not be selected according to the user's judgment.
[0032]
Next, in step SC04, the print data to be printed in step SC01 is spooled from the print data storage unit 23, and thereafter, the spooled print data is transmitted to the printer 3 via the interface 4, and the process ends.
[0033]
Next, the operation of the printer 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, the correction parameter control operation of the recording system 1 on the printer 3 side is started by activating the printer 2. In step SP01, based on the control program stored in the control program storage unit 32 operated by the CPU 31, the initialization operation of the printer 2 is performed, and the correction parameters stored in the correction parameter storage unit 33 are stored in the parameter development area 34. Expand to Thus, the default correction parameters can be developed in the parameter development area 34 prior to the recording operation.
[0035]
Next, in step SP02, it is determined whether or not the correction parameter selected by the user has been received from the computer 2, and if the determination in step SP02 has received the correction parameter (YES), the process proceeds to the next step SP03. Then, the correction parameters received from the computer 2 are developed in the parameter development area 34. Thus, some or all of the default correction parameters developed in the parameter development area 34 can be overwritten and changed by the correction parameters received from the computer 2.
[0036]
Next, in step SP04, it is determined whether or not the correction parameter received from the computer 2 is specified to be written in the printer 2. If the determination in step SP04 is that writing is specified (YES), the process proceeds to the next step SP05. Then, in step SP05, the correction parameters received from the computer 2 and expanded in the parameter expansion area 34 are overwritten and stored in the correction parameter storage unit 33. As a result, the correction parameters received from the computer 2 and expanded in the parameter expansion area 34 can be overwritten and stored (stored) in the correction parameter storage unit 33. This correction parameter becomes a default correction parameter when the printer 2 is started next time. As described above, by overwriting and storing the correction parameters selected by the user in the correction parameter storage unit 33, the correction parameters can be stored without increasing the storage capacity of the correction parameter storage unit 33. The operation of storing the correction parameters may be performed by a push button or a command that issues an instruction for activating a program for executing the storage operation stored in the control program storage unit 32.
[0037]
When the determination in step SP02 does not receive the correction parameter (NO), when the determination in step SP04 is no designation of writing (NO), and when the step SP05 is completed, the process proceeds to the next step SP06. It proceeds to determine whether or not the recording data to be used for recording has been received from the computer 2. If the recording data has been received (YES), in the next step SP <b> 07, the correction in which the recording data has been developed in the parameter development area After correcting based on the parameters, the data is developed, the printer engine 35 is driven to execute the printing operation on the printing medium, and the process proceeds to the next step SP08.
[0038]
Next, in step SP08, it is determined whether or not the recording operation on the recording medium has been completed. If the recording has been completed (YES), the driving of the printer engine 35 is stopped, and the process ends as a standby state.
[0039]
If the determination in step SP06 does not receive the recording data (NO), and if the determination in step SP08 does not end the recording operation (NO), the process returns to step ST02 and returns to the determination in steps SP06 and SP07. Until both become YES, the operation from step SP02 onward is repeated.
[0040]
As described above, according to the recording system 1 and the correction parameter control method of the present embodiment, the default correction parameters are developed in the parameter development area 34 before the recording operation, and then the correction parameters selected by the user are stored in the parameter development area. 34, the user can select an optimum correction parameter according to the recording image, and can perform recording using the correction parameter selected by the user for each recording operation. As a result, even under the same recording environment, various corrections of the output result can be easily made by the user's judgment. That is, the user has the right to manage the correction parameters, and the correction parameters stored in the correction parameter storage unit 33 or the parameter development area 34 can be easily read and edited. Therefore, one printer 3 may be used as a printer 3 suitable for outputting characters, a printer 3 suitable for outputting pictures and illustrations, a printer 3 suitable for outputting photographic images, a printer 3 suitable for outputting full-color images, and the like. The user can use them properly.
[0041]
Further, according to the recording system 1 of the present embodiment and the correction parameter control method thereof, it is possible to replace some or all of the default correction parameters developed in the parameter development area 34 with the correction parameters selected by the user and develop them. Therefore, when the printer 3 is connected to a plurality of computers 2 via a network, the correction parameters developed in the parameter development area 34 can be used even if the computer 2 changes.
[0042]
Further, according to the recording system 1 and the correction parameter control method of the present embodiment, since the correction parameters selected by the user are provided in the printer driver, the correction of the correction parameters selected by the user is performed by updating the printer driver. Control of addition and change can be easily performed. By connecting the computer to the Internet, the user can easily and easily obtain a new printer driver.
[0043]
Furthermore, according to the recording system 1 and the correction parameter control method of the present embodiment, the correction parameter selected by the user who has overwritten the parameter expansion area 34 can be overwritten and stored in the correction parameter storage unit 33. The correction parameters can be obtained from the printer 3. As a result, the correction parameters stored in the printer 3 can be easily checked by reading them into the computer 2 or by self-recording them. Thereby, fine adjustment of the correction parameter can be easily performed.
[0044]
Further, according to the recording system 1 and the correction parameter control method of the present embodiment, the correction parameter storage unit 33 is formed in the non-volatile memory, and the parameter development area 34 is formed in the volatile memory. The user can easily perform a recording operation using the correction parameters selected by the user and edit and save the correction parameters of the printer 3.
[0045]
Note that the present invention can be used for controlling correction parameters in various output devices connected to the computer 2.
[0046]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified as needed.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the recording system and the correction parameter control method thereof according to the present invention, even in the same recording environment, various corrections of the output result can be easily performed at the discretion of the user. It works.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a recording system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart on a computer side in a correction parameter control method of the recording system according to the present invention. FIG. Flowchart on Printer Side in Correction Parameter Control Method
1 recording system 2 computer 3 printer 21 CPU
22 Printer driver storage unit 23 Recording data storage unit 31 CPU
32 control program storage unit 33 correction parameter storage unit 34 parameter development area 35 printer engine

Claims (8)

A recording system having a computer and a recording device connected to the computer and performing recording on a recording medium based on recording data transmitted from the computer,
The recording apparatus has a correction parameter storage unit that can store a default correction parameter, and a parameter expansion area that can expand the default correction parameter stored in the correction parameter storage unit prior to the recording operation,
A recording system wherein a default correction parameter developed in the parameter development area can be overwritten and changed to a correction parameter selected by a user. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of correction parameters selectable by the user are provided in a device driver. 3. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the correction parameter overwritten in the parameter development area is formed so as to be overwritten and stored in the correction parameter storage unit. 4. 4. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the correction parameter storage unit is formed in a non-volatile memory, and the parameter development area is formed in a volatile memory. 5. . A correction parameter control method for a recording system including a computer and a recording device connected to the computer and performing recording on a recording medium based on recording data transmitted from the computer,
A correction of a recording system, wherein a default correction parameter stored in a correction parameter storage unit is expanded in a parameter expansion area before a recording operation, and then a correction parameter selected by a user is expanded in the parameter expansion area. Parameter control method. 6. The recording system according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of correction parameters that can be selected by the user are provided in a device driver, and correction parameters selected by the user from these correction parameters are developed in a parameter development area. Correction parameter control method. 7. The correction parameter control method for a recording system according to claim 5, wherein the correction parameter overwritten in the parameter development area is overwritten and stored in a correction parameter storage unit. 8. The correction parameter control of a recording system according to claim 5, wherein the correction parameter storage section is formed in a non-volatile memory, and the parameter development area is formed in a volatile memory. Method.

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