JPH11232001A - Printer controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer controller with which a print job having a data format suitable for an image output terminal(IOT) scheduled to totally output plural pieces of data can be easily generated. SOLUTION: Concerning the printer controller with which print job data are synthesized from original document data according to the operation input of an operator, in this case, an original document browser 28 is displayed on a display and when the original document data contain page data including bit map data, an image expressing the paper sheet direction and scan direction of these page data is made into icon and displayed there so that the job synthesizing work of the operator can be facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printer control device, and more particularly to a process for composing one print job from a plurality of documents and a user interface technology at that time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of production printing such as bookbinding printing, a single print job is formed by using a plurality of original document data created in different file formats, paper sizes, and orientations, and is used as a printer. The technology (one-job multi-document) for printing and outputting using an IOT (Image Output Terminal) is becoming widespread. In a conventional general printing system having such a function, various original manuscript data transmitted from a plurality of clients on a network is once received by a printer control device, and the data is received by using a UI (user interface) on the terminal. Combined into one print job. Then, the print job compiled by the operator is transmitted to the IOT at a predetermined timing,
It is the target of print output in IOT. According to the one-job multi-document, the original data of the printing object can be shared and created by a plurality of clients connected via a network, and the publishing operation and the like can be made more efficient.

[0003]

However, according to the above technique, the original document data transmitted from each client generally has a different file format or the like. It is desirable to prepare them in advance in a device suitable for the IOT to be output.

That is, in an IOT that accepts and outputs a bitmap image, the paper width and feed direction that can be handled differ depending on the type and model. In addition, IO
Each T has a data input mode which is good at each. For this reason, in order to sufficiently exhibit the output performance of the IOT, it is preferable that the print job is uniformly converted to a predetermined data format in advance.

More specifically, a laser printer equipped with a photosensitive drum having an effective width of 300 mm is A4 (297 mm × 21 mm).
When printing on 0 mm) size paper, printing itself is possible regardless of whether the long side or the short side of the paper is fed first. However, since the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum is usually constant, the number of prints per unit time can be increased by feeding the paper with the long side of the paper at the top. For this reason, it is desirable that the data format of the print job be converted in advance by the printer control device into a format corresponding to the paper feeding direction. Specifically, when a print job is created with bitmap image data, it is desirable to create the data so as to have a scan direction that allows high-speed reading in the IOT.

Of course, some recent IOTs are equipped with a high-performance ESS (Electric Sub System),
Even if data that cannot be used as print job data in the original format is received by the IOT, the data can be sequentially converted into an appropriate data format by the ESS and printed out. However, when such data conversion processing is performed by the ESS, the print throughput is reduced or the FPOT (First Print Dependency) is reduced depending on the processing load.
Print Out Time (the time required to print out the first sheet after data input) may be delayed.

[0007] Further, in a printing shop or a printing system having a plurality of IOTs, the operation status of the IOT, variations in the print output form (for example, 70% reduced printing, double-sided printing, bookbinding, etc.), and the characteristics of each IOT are appropriately considered. It is necessary to determine a specific print job queuing. Therefore, in such a printing shop or printing system, it is more efficient to generate a print job in an appropriate format according to a situation at any time by a printer controller than to simply convert print job data into a format suitable for a certain IOT. And desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to collectively collect a plurality of data and easily generate a print job having a data format suitable for an IOT to be output. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer control device.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printer control apparatus for synthesizing print job data from original document data in accordance with an operation input by an operator. When including page data including map data,
An image representing the sheet direction and the scan direction of the page data is displayed on a display.

According to the present invention, since the image is displayed on the display of the printer control device, when the page data included in the original document data includes the bitmap data, the operator can set the bit direction together with the paper direction of the page. The scan direction in which the map data was created can be known. For this reason, the scanning direction and the paper direction of the bitmap data included in the original document data can be appropriately changed based on this information.
It is possible to easily create a print job suitable for the performance of the printer.

(2) One aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image includes a figure corresponding to a paper shape represented by the page data. In this way, the operator of the printer control device can determine the paper direction at a glance from the image displayed on the display, and quickly and accurately combine the original document data with the image indicating the scan direction. Data format and paper direction can be known. As a result, a print job suitable for the performance of the IOT can be created more easily.

(3) One aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image includes an image representing at least a part of a page represented by the page data. With this configuration, the operator of the printer control apparatus can grasp the output image of the page as well as the paper direction and the scan direction of the page data including the bitmap data. Here, the image related to the page represented by the page data can be easily generated by a known technique based on, for example, original document data. Thus, according to the present aspect, the operator can grasp the relationship between the output image and the like and the paper direction and the scan direction for the page data included in the original document, and can more efficiently perform printing suitable for the performance of the IOT. Jobs can be created. An example of the effect of this embodiment will be described in detail in the following embodiments.

(4) One aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the image is displayed on an icon for a graphic user interface (GUI). This allows the operator to easily compose the print job by utilizing the information grasped by the image using the existing GUI technology.

(5) The present invention provides a printer control apparatus for synthesizing print job data from original document data in accordance with an operation input by an operator, wherein an icon corresponding to each page data included in the original document data is displayed on the corresponding page. When the data includes bitmap data, together with an image representing the paper direction and the scanning direction of the page data, an icon display means for displaying on a display, and when the operator specifies the icon using a graphic user interface, And data conversion means for converting, at a given timing, page data corresponding to the designated icon into bitmap data having a given scanning direction.

According to the present invention, an icon corresponding to the page data included in the original document data is displayed on the display. At this time, if the page data includes bitmap data, an image representing the paper direction and scan direction of the page is displayed as at least a part of the icon. When the operator designates an icon using the GUI, page data corresponding to the designated icon is given at a given timing, for example, at a timing of pressing a button representing a character such as “conversion” or “execute”. Is converted into bitmap data having a scan direction, for example, a direction specified by the operator to separately conform to the performance of the IOT. In this way, the operator can use the GUI
Thus, it is possible to easily create a print job having a data format suitable for the performance of the IOT.

(6) Further, according to the present invention, in a printer control device for synthesizing print job data from original document data in accordance with an operation input by an operator, the present invention relates to a printer control device, comprising: And a data conversion unit for converting the page data into bitmap data having a given scan direction.

According to the present invention, of the page data included in the original document data, which is included in the print job data and is to be output in the IOT, the data is output at a predetermined timing in a predetermined scanning direction. Is converted to bitmap data having This allows the operator to more easily create a print job in a data format suitable for the IOT.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Printing system 1 shown in FIG.
0 includes a client 12, a print server (printer control device) 14, and a printer 16,
They are communicably connected to each other by a network 18. The printer 16 is an ESS (Electoric Sub)
System) 20 and an IOT 22.
The print job data transmitted from the print server 14 and input to the printer 16 via the network 18 is subjected to predetermined data conversion processing by the ESS 20, and then the raster data is transmitted to the IOT 22 as shown by an arrow C in the figure. Sent, where the final printed matter is output.

The client 12 is a terminal for generating original document data which is the original data of the final print, and has an image scanner 24 connected locally. The image scanner 24 is a device that scans an existing printed material or the like and generates bitmap image data to be included in the final printed material. The operator of the client 12 creates original document data using the image data generated here. be able to. It should be noted that the bitmap image data generated by the image scanner 24 includes data indicating a scanning start point position in addition to data for determining the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.
The original document data created by the client 12 is input to the print server 14 via the network 18 as shown by an arrow A in the figure. Although not particularly shown in the figure, the client 12 and the image scanner 2
A plurality of printers 4 are connected on the network 18, and original document data generated by them is similarly input to the print server 14 via the network 18.

The print server 14 includes a display device (not shown) and a pointing device (such as a mouse), and an original received by an operator of the print server 14 through a GUI using the display device and the pointing device. Print job data to be sent to the printer 16 can be synthesized based on the document data. An example in which the operator directly operates the print server 14 to synthesize print job data will be described below. However, the print job data is indirectly transmitted to the print server 14 from a terminal 26 or the like separately connected to the network 18. May be synthesized. Further, the printer 16 is not limited to the printer connected to the network 18, and may be, for example, a printer locally connected to the print server 14. The print job data generated by the print server 14 is transmitted to the printer 1 via the network 18 as shown by an arrow B in FIG.
6 is input.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the display on the print server 14. As shown in FIG. The original document browser 2 installed on the print server 14 is shown in FIG.
8 shows a window screen, in which data relating to the registration files 30a to 30c to be combined with the print job is displayed. For example, FIG. 5 shows that the registration file 30a has a file name of “Sample1.ps”, has a capacity of 213 KB, and includes page data for a total of six pages. Note that the information on the registration files 30a to 30c may include the name of the application that created those files. An original document browser 28 shown in FIG.
On the right side of the window screen, each registration file 30a-3
A page icon (hereinafter, referred to as “page icon”) corresponding to the page data included in 0c is displayed. For example, in the registration file 30b, three page icons are displayed corresponding to the three pages of page data included therein, indicating that they are bitmap image data generated in the vertical scanning direction. Have been. That is, in the original document browser 28 shown in the figure, page icons are displayed corresponding to the page data included in each of the registration files 30a to 30c. However, if the page data includes bitmap image data, the page icons are scanned. A vertical parallel line or a horizontal parallel line according to the direction is represented inside. For example, the first page data of the registration file 30a is page data that does not include bitmap image data, and the page icon is simply represented as a white rectangle. On the other hand, the third page data of the registration file 30a is configured to include bitmap image data generated by scanning in the horizontal direction, and a horizontal line in the horizontal direction is shown in the page icon. In each of the page icons showing the vertical or horizontal parallel lines, a cutout pattern is shown at any of the four corners, and where the starting point of the scan exists on each page is shown.

FIG. 3 shows a window screen of the print job browser displayed on the display of the print server 14 together with the original document browser 28. The window shown in the figure is divided into two areas on the left and right, and page icons corresponding to page data to be positioned on the left page of the final print are arranged and displayed on the left area. On the other hand, page icons corresponding to page data to be positioned on the right page of the final printed matter are arranged and displayed in the right area. Hereinafter, the area where each page icon is displayed is referred to as a page frame. The window of the print job browser 32 shown in FIG.
It is shown that the page data of the first page of “3.jpg” (registration file 30c) is used as the first page of the final printed matter. Each page icon shown in the window of the print job browser 32 shown in FIG. 3 is obtained by transcribing the page icon shown in the window of the original document browser 28 by using an mouse or the like. The user selects a desired one of the page icons displayed on the window of the original document browser 28 by operation or the like, and copies it onto any desired page frame of the print job browser 32, thereby making the print job browser The 32 window displays are updated as needed. In addition, each page frame displays the name, page, and size conversion information of a registered file containing the page data, together with a page icon representing the page data. Further, in the page frame, a numerical value indicating the page number of the final printed matter regarding the page frame is shown in parentheses ([]). For example, in the example shown in FIG.
This shows that the page data of the first page and the second page of “Sample2.tif” (registration file 30b) are reduced to A4 size by 2UP.

Further, in the window of the print job browser 32, when the operator finishes transferring the page icon in each page frame, page data in the page frame desired by the operator (hereinafter referred to as "reference page") is scanned. The direction can be changed, and the starting point of the scan can be changed. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an attribute change menu for changing the attribute of page data in each page frame. As shown in the figure, the attribute change menu 34 displays a guide display 36 for changing the scan direction and a guide display 38 for changing the scan start point position. The scan direction and the starting point of the scan can be designated for a desired reference page by using this. An execution button 40 is further provided in the attribute change menu 34 shown in the same figure. After designating the scanning direction and the starting point of the scanning in accordance with the guidance displays 36 and 38, by pressing the execution button 40, The contents can be reflected in the data format of the print job data.

Further, in the printing system 10 according to the present invention, when the respective page data constituting the final print is specified in the window of the print job browser 32 as described above, they are collectively raster-converted. Then, print job data consisting of only bitmap image data can be synthesized. That is, in the print server 14, an attribute change menu 34a as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and the operator can perform raster processing in a desired format on all pages of the print job according to the menu display. The attribute change menu 34a shown in the figure includes a guide display 36a for designating the scan direction, a guide display 38a for designating the starting point of the scan, and scanning of only the bitmap image data in which all pages are raster-converted or remain in the original file format. It includes a guidance display 40 for selecting whether to convert the direction and the starting point, a guidance display 42 for selecting whether or not to perform resolution conversion, and an execution button 40a. Here, the operator of the print server 14 specifies the desired scanning direction and the position of the starting point using the guide displays 36a and 38a, specifies full-surface raster conversion on the guide display 40, and converts the resolution on the guide display 42. If the user presses the execute button 40a, the page data relating to the page shown in the window of the print job browser 32 is subjected to raster processing collectively.

FIG. 6 shows the attribute change menu 3 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the print job browser 32 after the execution button 40a of FIG. In the window of the print job browser 32 shown in the figure, the page icons representing the respective pages constituting the final print are displayed in the respective page frames as before the execution button 40a is pressed. The scan direction and the scan start point position are all unified. In addition, the word "Ripped" is displayed in the page frame,
They are RIP (Raster
Image Processing) is generated. Further, the print job browser 32 shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the display by instructing the user to perform resolution conversion on the guidance display 42 of the above and then pressing the execution button 40a.
pi generates bitmap image data.

Hereinafter, the printing system 1 having the above-described functions will be described.
The configuration and operation of 0 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the print server 14. As shown in the figure, the print server 14 includes a data and command transmission / reception unit 44, a file management unit 46, a reception file storage unit 48, a registration file storage unit 50, a print job output queue unit 52,
And a page data storage unit 54.
The file management unit 46 includes a reception file management unit 56, a registered file management unit 58, and a print job file management unit 6
0.

The data and command transmission / reception unit 44 is an interface for receiving original document data from the client 12 via the network 18 and transmitting print job data to the printer 16. This data and the original document data received via the command transmitting / receiving unit 44 are stored in the received file storage unit 4.
8 once. At this time, management information on the original document data is stored in the received file management unit 56. A part of the original document data stored in the received file storage unit 48 designated by the operator through the GUI is copied to the registered file storage unit 50 as a registration file. Then, with respect to the registered file stored in the registered file storage unit 50, registered file management information is recorded in the registered file management unit 58.
Then, the window of the original document browser 28 described above is generated and displayed based on the registered file management information.

Further, the operator activates the print job browser 32 described above, and performs a drag-and-drop operation with a mouse or the like to convert the page data included in the file stored in the registration file storage unit into each page constituting the final print. , The print job file management information is stored in the print job file management unit 60 for the specified page data. The page data generated by the print server 14 after the raster processing is stored in the page data storage unit 54. When the configuration of the print job is designated by the operator in this way and the operator instructs print output by pressing a print execution button (not shown) or the like, the print job file management unit 60 stores the data stored in the page data storage unit 54 and the registered data. The print job data is generated using the contents of the registration file stored in the file storage unit, and is sent to the print job output queue unit 52. The print job output queue unit 52 sends the received print job data to the network 18 via the data and command transmitting / receiving unit 44, and the print job data is received by the ESS 20 of the printer 16 and subjected to predetermined data conversion processing and the like. After that, it is supplied to the IOT 22.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an outline of data processing in the printing system 10. In FIG. 3, when original document data is transmitted from the client 12, the printer server 14 receives a file (S1). The original document data thus received is stored in the received file storage unit 48 as a received file. At this time, the original document data is stored in the received file storage unit 48 in units of the received file. Next, the print server 14 selects and registers the received file (S2). This processing is performed by displaying received files in a list on a display (not shown), and by registering a desired file from the displayed files for use in synthesizing print job data. In this process, the file selected by the operator is stored in the registered file storage unit 50 as a registered file. The registration file storage unit 50 stores these registration files in file units. The files stored in the registration file storage unit 50 are displayed on the original document browser 28 with page data representing the page data contained therein and the data capacity for each file.
Using the UI, desired data can be selected from the data as page data constituting a print job. This selection operation is performed by a transfer operation of the operator to the print job browser 32 by a drag and drop operation or the like. If a print job is generated by this transfer operation (S4), page data representing a page to be included in the print job is transferred from the registration file storage unit 50 to the page data storage unit 54. The page-based data stored in the page data storage unit 54 is subjected to an attribute change process (S5) and a RIP process (S6), and the data format is changed as appropriate by an operator operation. Thereafter, when the operator performs an operation of instructing a print output by the printer 16 (S7), the data in units of pages stored in the page data storage unit 54 is collected as one print job data and stored in the print job output queue unit 52. Will be transferred. The print job data is sent to the data and command transmitting / receiving unit 4 at a predetermined timing.
4 to the printer 16 via the network 18.

Hereinafter, each processing of S1 to S7 shown in FIG. 8 will be described in more detail with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 9 shows the file reception (S) shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart explaining 1) in detail. As shown in the figure, when a file representing the original document transmitted from the client 12 is received by the data and command transmission / reception unit 44, the received file management information is recorded in the reception file management unit 56 in order to record the received file management information. The position (path, address, etc.) in the memory (not shown) is registered in the received file table (101). That is,
As shown in FIG. 10, the print server 14 manages the received file by using the received file table 62 and the received file management information 64. These are recorded in a memory (not shown) in the received file management unit 56. In the processing in S101 described above, when a file is received from the client 12, corresponding received file management information is generated. First, a position in the memory where the received file management information is to be recorded is stored in the received file table 62. Is stored. Next, the print server 14 records the position (path, address, etc.) where the received file body is stored in the received file management information 64 (S102).
The received file is stored at the position recorded in step (S10).
3). After that, the received file stored in the received file storage unit 48 is analyzed, the file name, the file capacity, and the reception date and time are acquired, and recorded as a part of the received file management information 64. At this time, if the received file contains a command for instructing printing or saving, the presence / absence of designation of job hold, the presence / absence of registration, the designation of processing time, the number of copies to be processed, etc. In the same manner, the information is recorded (S104). The above is the file reception processing of the print server 14.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a received file registration routine, and describes in detail the processing of S2 in FIG. 8 already described. As shown in the figure, in this received file registration routine, the operator first activates the original document browser 28. As a result, the window of the original document browser 28 shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display of the print server 14. Then, the operator designates a desired received file from a list (not shown) of the received files separately displayed by a mouse or the like (S201). In response to this designation, the print server 14 records the position (path or address) of the registered file management information in the registered file table (S202). That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the registered file management unit 58 manages the registered file by using the registered file table 66 and the registered file management information 68 recorded in a memory (not shown). The position on the memory for recording the management information related to the file specified in the above is recorded in the registered file table 66.

Further, in the print server 14, S202
The location (path, address, etc.) in the registered file storage unit 50 is recorded as a part of the registered file management information at the location on the memory recorded in step (S203). And S20
S2 at the position in the registration file storage unit 50 recorded in S3
01 is stored as a registration file (S204). Next, the print server 14 acquires a file name, a file capacity, a reception time, and the like from the registration file stored in the registration file storage unit 50, and stores one of the registration file management information 68 in a memory (not shown) of the registration file management unit 58. (S20)
5). The “size of management information” recorded in the registered file management information 68 is used together with the position of the registered file management information recorded in the registered file table 66 when the registered file management information 68 is read. Next, the print server 14 further analyzes the registration file stored in the registration file storage unit 50, and stores the remaining management information,
That is, application name and version information, number of pages, default document size, default document orientation, default paper type, presence / absence of bitmap image data for each page, document size,
The orientation of the document, the scanning direction of the image, the starting point of the scanning of the image, and the resolution of the image are acquired and recorded in the remaining part of the registered file management information 68 (S20).
6). The above is the processing of the received file registration routine in the print server 14. With the above processing, as shown by an arrow 70, the bitmap image data is included in the content of each page data included in the registration file, and if so, the scan direction of the image and the start point of the scan are recorded. Is done.

Next, an icon display routine for displaying a scan direction and a scan start point position on a page icon in the original document browser 28 and the print job browser 32 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the icon display routine, and this processing is for explaining the processing of S3 in FIG. 8 already described in further detail.

As shown in the figure, in this icon display routine, first, the registered file management information on the page icon to be displayed is accessed (S3).
01). Specifically, the print server 14 uses the position of the registered file management information recorded in the registered file table 66 and the size of the management information of the registered file management information 68 read based on the information, and performs the registered file management. Information is accessed. Thereafter, access is made to the registered file management information relating to the first page of the registered file (S302). That is, here, the information indicated by the arrow 70 in FIG. 12 is accessed. Then, the “original orientation” for the page is acquired from this information (S303). If the "document orientation" is landscape, that is, the page is horizontal, the page icon is displayed horizontally (S30).
4). On the other hand, if it is determined from the information indicated by the arrow 70 in FIG. 12 that the “document orientation” of the page is portrait, that is, portrait, the page icon is displayed in portrait (S305).

Further, the print server 14 reads the "original size" recorded in the registered file management information 68 together with the "original orientation" and displays it under the page icon (S306). Next, whether or not the page contains bitmap image data is determined based on the information indicated by the arrow 70 in FIG. 12, and if so, the page is further recorded according to the “scanning direction of the image” recorded. Then, it is determined whether the scanning direction is the horizontal direction (horizontal direction) or the vertical direction (vertical direction) (S308). If the scanning direction is horizontal, three horizontal parallel lines are equally spaced in the page icon already displayed in S304 or S305.
Draw a book (S309). Further, in the print server 14,
The background color of the page icon is displayed in red (S310). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S308 that the bitmap image data included in the page data for the page has been created in the vertical scanning direction, the three vertical page icons in the page icons already displayed in step S304 or S305. Parallel lines are drawn at equal intervals (S311), and green is displayed on the background of the page icon (S312). continue,
The print server 14 acquires the “starting point of the image” from the information indicated by the arrow 70 in FIG. 12, and draws a triangle, that is, a cutout pattern at one of the corners of the page icon that is currently being processed (S313). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the icon display has been completed for all the page data included in the registration file currently being processed (S314), and if completed, the icon display routine ends. If necessary, an icon is displayed for the next registered file. On the other hand, if it is determined that all the icons have not been displayed, the information about the next page recorded in the registration file management information 68 is accessed, and the “document orientation” and “image scanning direction” are accessed from there. , And “the start position of the image” are obtained, and S303 to S313
Is repeated in the same manner. The above is the icon display processing in the print server 14.

Next, a print job generation routine in the print server 14 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a print job generation routine in the print server 14, and describes the processing of S4 in FIG. 8 already described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 5, in this process, the operator first specifies a desired file from the registered files already registered in the received file registration routine from the original document browser 28. As a result, the print server 14 expands and displays the page icon of the page data included in the designated registration file in the window of the original document browser 28. Subsequently, the operator starts the print job browser 32 (S4
01). Then, the operator performs a drag-and-drop operation using the mouse or the like on the page icon displayed in the original document browser 28 to copy it into a desired page frame of the print job browser 32 (S4).
02). At this time, if the operator wants to make 2 UP for a page of the final print, the original document browser 28 is displayed so as to add another document page to the page frame which already contains one document page. Copy additional page icons. In the print job browser 32, a plurality of page frames may be designated by reverse display or the like, and by pressing a 2UP button (not shown) or the like with a mouse or the like, these may be handled as 2UP in the print job. . When a blank page is to be inserted into a print job, a blank insertion button (not shown) is separately displayed on the display, and when the button is pressed, a white page icon corresponding to the blank page is displayed in a page frame desired by the operator. What is necessary is to display it on the page frame to be performed.

Next, the operator transfers desired page icons among the page icons displayed on the original document browser 28 to each page frame of the print job browser 32, and designates page data for all pages of the final print. Then, the operator subsequently selects a save button (not shown) displayed on the display of the print server 14 (S403). In response to the pressing of this button, the print server 14 registers the registered file management information 68
The management information indicating the state of the original document in each page frame of the print job browser 32 is generated as page management information while referring to the contents of (S404). That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the print job file management unit 60 of the print server 14, the print job file table 72
And the print job file management information 74 and the page management information 76 are appropriately recorded to manage the data to be included in the print job data. The page management information 76 is generated for each page of the document. The page management information 76 includes a “blank flag” indicating whether the page is a blank page, the number of pages included in the page, that is, the “number of reference pages”,
“Scale”, “N-up designation”, and “page arrangement information” are included, and information on each reference page is also included. As shown by an arrow 78 in the figure, information on each reference page includes a “blank flag” indicating whether or not each reference page is a blank page, and R
“RIP completed flag” indicating whether the IP processing has already been completed, “registered file name”, “registered file position”, “registered file page number”, “image scanning direction”, “image "Start point position", "Image resolution", and "Image data position" are included.
Here, “the position of the image data” means the position of the image data in the page data storage unit 54. As described later, the image data is generated after the print server 14 performs the RIP process based on the original data. In the information indicated by the arrow 78, the "RIP completed flag" has no meaning when the flag is off. If the "blank flag" is turned on in the information shown by the arrow 78, the information after that has no meaning.

Next, the print server 14 manages job attributes common to the print job and management information on the entire job, that is, “managed file name”, “file capacity”, “number of pages”, “time information”, “time information”, status",
“Print output form”, “Paper size”, “Paper orientation”,
The “default paper type” and the “default resolution” are acquired based on the registered file management information 68, and are recorded as a part of the print job file management information 74 (S405). The position of the print job file management information 74 on the memory is recorded in the print job file table 72. The above is the print server 14
Is a print job generation process.

As described above, in the printing system 10, the attribute of each page constituting the print job can be changed from the original document data. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the page attribute change routine. This flowchart illustrates the processing of S5 in FIG. 8 already described in more detail.

In this process, the operator first specifies a document page on the print job browser 32 with a mouse or the like and selects an attribute change button (not shown). Thus, the print server 14 accesses the page management information 76 for the specified page (S502). Subsequently, the print server 14 displays an attribute change menu 34 shown in FIG. 4 on the display. At this time, predetermined information is obtained from the page management information 76 accessed in S502,
In step S501, the information of the scan direction and the scan start position of the page specified is acquired, and the guidance display 36,
38. For example, when the information indicated by the arrow 78 in FIG. 15 indicates that the scanning direction is horizontal, the guidance display 36 of the attribute change menu 34 is displayed.
In, the fact that the selection has been made is displayed on a button arranged beside the character “horizontal”. When the start point of the scan is the upper left in the information indicated by the arrow 78 in FIG. 15, the button displayed next to the character “upper left” is displayed on the guidance display 38 of the attribute change menu 34 to indicate that it has been selected. (S502).

Subsequently, the operator presses the buttons displayed on the guide displays 36 and 38 of the attribute change menu 34 with a mouse or the like, and selects the scan direction and the scan start position determined by the IOT 22 of the printer 16 with the mouse or the like. (S503). The contents of this setting are temporarily stored in a temporary memory (not shown) in the print server 14 (S504). Thereafter, if the X button shown on the upper right of the attribute change menu 34 is pressed, the processing of this page attribute change routine is terminated (S505). Until the execution button 40 of the attribute change menu 34 is pressed, S
The processing of 502 to S505 is continued (S506). Then, when the operator presses the execution button 40 in the attribute change menu 34, the print server 14 determines whether the setting has been changed in the guidance displays 36 and 38 of the attribute change menu 34 (S507). If the setting has not been changed, the page attribute change routine ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S507 that the setting has been changed, the registration file stored in the registration file storage unit 50 is converted and re-stored in accordance with the setting change temporarily stored in the temporary memory in step S504. (S508). Subsequently, the print server 14
Reflects the setting values temporarily stored in the temporary memory in S504 in the contents of the page management information 76 (S50).
9). The above is the page attribute changing process in the printing system 10.

Next, a print job RIP process in the printing system 10 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating this print job RIP processing routine. This process describes the process of S6 in FIG. 8 already described in more detail.

As shown in the figure, in this processing, the operator specifies a page frame or a document page (reference page) using a mouse or the like in the print job browser 32 and selects an attribute change button (S601). As a result, the print server 14 displays the attribute change menu 34a shown in FIG. 5 on the display.
Next, the operator selectively presses the buttons displayed on the guidance displays 40 and 42 in the attribute change menu 34a, thereby "converting to the entire raster", "keeping the original file format", and "converting the resolution". Alternatively, “No resolution conversion” is selected, and then the execute button 40a is pressed (S602). Next, in the print server 14, S6
The page management information 76 relating to the first page frame or original page specified in 01 is accessed (S603). At this time, if "convert to full raster" is designated in S602 (S604), it is determined whether "convert to resolution" has been designated in S602 (S605). If YES is determined in both steps S604 and S605, the print server RIPs the page specified in S601 with the “default resolution” indicated in the print job file management information 74.
The processing is performed (S606). If there are a plurality of references in the same page frame, they are combined into a single file (S607). Then, it is determined whether the RIP process has been completed for all designated page frames or original pages (S608), and the page management information 76 for the next page is accessed until the process is completed (S609).
The processing of S604 to S607 is repeated. Note that S604
If it is determined that "convert to full raster" is not specified, the processing of S605 to S607 is skipped. If it is determined in step S605 that “no resolution conversion” has been selected, step S606 is skipped and step S606 is performed.
The process proceeds to 607. The above is the RIP processing of the print job in the print server 14.

Next, the processing at the time of print output of the print server 14 will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the print instruction routine of the print server 14, and describes the process of S7 in FIG. 8 in detail.

As shown in the figure, in this processing, the operator first specifies a desired job from a print job list (not shown) displayed on the display of the print server 14 with a mouse or the like (S701). Next, the print server 14 accesses the print job file management information 74 for the job specified in S701 (S70).
2). Then, the position information corresponding to the page management information 76 therein is read, and the page management information 76 of the first page in the print job is accessed (S703). Then, it is determined from the first record (“blank flag”) of the page management information 76 whether or not the page is a blank page. If it is determined that the page is not a blank page, the arrow 78 for the first reference page is next determined. Are accessed (S705). Then, it is determined whether or not the reference page is a blank page based on the “blank flag” (S706).
It is determined whether the P process has already been performed (S70).
7). If it is determined that the RIP process has been completed,
Image data is acquired from the page data storage unit 54 based on the information indicated by the arrow 78 (S708). On the other hand, when it is determined that the RIP process has not been completed, the information of the position of the registration file and its page number is read from the information indicated by the arrow 78, and the registration file is read from the registration file storage unit 50. Then, the registration file is subjected to RIP processing to acquire image data (S7).
09). Next, the print server 14 determines whether or not this is the last reference page, and if it is not the last reference page, accesses the management information for the next reference page (S711). If it is determined in S710 that the processing has been completed up to the last reference page, it is next determined whether or not the processing is the last page to be printed (S712). If it is not the last page, access is made to the page management information 76 for the next page, and the processing from S704 to S711 is repeated. If it is determined in step S704 that the page to be processed is a blank page, the process proceeds to steps S705 to S705.
The process up to 710 is skipped, and if the page currently being processed is not the last page (S712), the process proceeds to the next page. If it is determined in step S706 that the reference page is a blank page, the process proceeds to steps S707 to S70.
9 skips the process and moves to the process of S710. When the image data of all the reference pages included in all the pages is obtained in this way, the print server 14 generates one print job file by connecting the image files and embedding them in the page description language. . Then, the print job file is transmitted to the print job output queue unit 52 (S714). The print job output queue unit 52 manages the received print job files as shown in FIG. That is,
As shown in the figure, in the print job output queue unit 52,
A print job queue table 80 and final print job file management information 82 are stored. The print job queue table stores the position of management information on the final print job file generated and output based on the flow shown in FIG. The final print job file management information 82 includes the “size of management information”, “managed file name”, “capacity of managed file”,
“Number of pages”, “time information”, “status”, and “position of job data” are included. The “position of job data” is the position (path, address, etc.) of the last print job file sent from the print job file management unit 60 and stored in the recording device in the print job output queue unit.
Is to be recorded. Then, the print job output queue unit 52 refers to the print job queue table 80 and the final print job file management information 82, and
The final print job data is transmitted to the printer 16 via the data and command transmitting / receiving unit 44 at a predetermined timing. The processing at the time of print output in the printing system 10 has been described above.

According to the printing system 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the operator operates the print server 1
4, the respective windows of the original document browser 28 and the print job browser 32 can be displayed, and page icons representing the pages to be printed can be displayed there. When bit map data is included in the corresponding page data, the page icon displays the scan direction and the scan start point position together. Therefore, the operator can quickly and reliably determine whether the page data corresponding to the page icons is in a format suitable for high-speed printing by the printer 16 by referring to the display of the page icons. Alternatively, when a plurality of printers are installed in a printing shop or the like, it is possible to easily determine which printer is suitable for outputting the page data. Further, since the scan direction and scan start point position of the original document transmitted from the client 12 can be read from the page icon, the print server 1
The operator No. 4 can easily instruct the operator of the client 12 to change the scanning direction, and the work efficiency can be further improved in the printing system 10 employing the one-job multi-document.

In the printing system 10 described above, as shown in FIG.
The red and green coloring and parallel line display 83a are applied to the page icons displayed on the display of No. 4 to indicate the scanning direction, and the identification area 83b is displayed at the corner of the page icon to indicate the starting point of the scanning. However, various modifications are possible. For example, FIG.
As shown in (b), a colored linear display area 83 different from other icon display areas along one side of the page icon
c, and an identification display area 83d indicating the scan start position may be provided at one end. Also, as shown in FIG. 20C, the scan start position and the scan direction of the page data may be represented by an animation display in which the high brightness display portion 83e is moved in the page icon according to the scan direction and the scan start point position. . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 20D, the scan direction and the scan start position can be displayed by adding a shadow display 83f to the page icon. Unlike the other page icons, the page icon in FIG. 3D is formed in a parallelogram, and is displayed such that the side in the direction coinciding with the main scanning is horizontal or vertical on the display. And the shade display 83f
Is attached around the opposite side of the scan start position.

In the case where the output image of each page is reduced and synthesized and displayed on the page icon, FIG.
It is desirable not to display information related to scanning on most of the page icons as shown in (d). In this case, the operator can accurately grasp the output image represented in the page icon and the information on scanning without being confused.

That is, in the above description, the page shape and direction (“A4 portrait” or “B4
4) and the scan direction and the starting point position, the output image of each page may be reduced and displayed on the corresponding page icon. For example, FIG.
When the output image diagram is displayed on the page icon as shown in (1), the operator of the print server 14 can immediately determine whether it is in the wrong direction or in the correct direction. If it is determined that the data is incorrect, the operator can perform data conversion processing for rotating the data in an appropriate direction using the rotation menu 84 shown in FIG. The rotation menu 84 shown in the figure includes a guidance display 86 including a button for designating whether to “fix the scanning attribute” or “link the scanning attribute”,
A guidance display 88 including a button for designating a rotation angle is included, and the operator can designate them with a mouse or the like. For example, FIG.
When the operator finds the page icon shown in the above, if the scan direction and the scan start point position are considered to have no problem particularly in relation to other pages, the guide display 8 is displayed.
6, the button arranged next to the character “fix scanning attribute” is pressed, and “1” is displayed on the guidance display 86.
The user presses the button arranged next to “80 degrees” and then presses the execution button 90. In this case, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 21A, the scan is the same as the page icon shown in FIG.
Data rotated by 80 degrees can be obtained.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining a rotation processing routine in the print server 14. As shown in the figure, in this process, the operator first designates a page frame or a document page in the print job browser 32, and displays the rotation menu 84 shown in FIG. 22 on the display (S801). Further, the operator specifies the scanning attribute and the rotation angle in accordance with the guidance displays 86 and 88, and presses the execution button 90 (S802). The print server 14 determines whether or not “fix the scanning attribute” is designated in the rotation menu 84 (S803). If “fix the scanning attribute” is selected, the process proceeds to S801. The image data is read from the page data storage unit 54 for the specified page, and a rotation process is performed in accordance with the content specified in the rotation menu 84. At this time, the scanning direction and the starting point position are kept the same as before the conversion (S8).
04). On the other hand, if it is determined in S803 that “interlocking rotation of the scanning attribute” is specified, the page is rotated by re-recording the page arrangement information of the page management information 76 (S805).

According to this modification, the operator can grasp the contents (reduced image) of the page and the scanning state (direction and starting point position) by looking at the page icon on the display. For this reason, especially when the direction of the page content is not appropriate, the data conversion process can be efficiently performed. In other words, if "scanning attribute linked rotation" is selected in the rotation menu 84 and the orientation of the image is optimized to result in a scan state in which the output at the printer 16 becomes high speed, the image data is read out and rotated. No conversion process is required. On the other hand, if, for example, 1) after optimizing the main scanning direction first, and 2) optimizing the image direction while viewing the reduced image, 2) if only image rotation processing is required, In some cases, the process 1) is required again. According to this modification, such waste can be eliminated and the job combining operation can be made more efficient.

Second Embodiment Next, a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The printing system according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
Is realized by the same configuration as the printing system 10 already shown in FIG.
A description of the entire configuration will be omitted.

In the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the job list shown in FIG. 24 is displayed on the display of the print server 14. This job list shows the files included in the print job output queue unit 52 in a list form. For each file, a file name 92a, a size 92b, the number of pages 92c, and a status 92d are displayed in a list form. A page icon 92e indicating the scan direction and scan start point position of each file is displayed. In the example of the job list 92 shown in FIG.
1.ps "," Sample3.jpg "," Sample5.tif "and" Sample2.tif "," Sample4.jpg "," Sa "
mple6.tif ”differs in the scan direction and the scan start point position. Printing system 10 according to the present embodiment
In this state, a special print instruction menu 94 shown in FIG. 25 is further displayed on the display of the print server 14 so that the operator can display the guidance displays 96 and 98 included therein.
, The printing process can be made more efficient. The guide display 96 of the print instruction menu 94 indicates whether the scan direction of data that can be printed at high speed for the currently set printer 16 is the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. In the example shown in FIG. Job list 92 shown in
"Sample2.tif" and "Sampl"
If e4.jpg ”and“ Sample6.tif ”are supplied to the printer 16, high-speed printing is possible.
When supplying the printer 16 with “mple1.ps”, “Sample3.jpg”, and “Sample5.tif”, the operator has to rotate them once in the ESS 20 and the print output is slightly delayed. Instruction menu 9
4 and the job list 92.

The print instruction menu 94 further includes a guide display 98, and the printer 16 prints a file created in the scan direction in which high-speed printing can be performed first, or directly displays the file as shown in the job list 92. In the order of supply to the printer 16. Here, when the operator wants to supply the printer 16 with the file having the high-speed printing direction of the printer 16 as the scan direction first and to print out those files first, select the upper button in the guide display 98. Then, the execute button 99 is pressed. Then, in the print server 14, FIG.
24 is displayed again, and all the files located at the even-numbered positions in FIG. 24 are moved to the upper side, and the files located at the odd-numbered positions are all sorted to the lower side. Then, the files included in the print job output queue section are supplied to the printer 16 in accordance with the order after the sorting, and the printout is performed.

At this time, the status 92d is changed to "waiti
The job “g” or “holding” is to be sorted, and the job “sending”, that is, the job that has begun to be supplied to the printer 16 is not a target.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the advantages of this processing. FIG. 19A is a diagram for explaining processing in the printer 16 when a print instruction is issued according to the job list 92 in FIG. On the other hand, FIG. 23B is a diagram for explaining processing in the printer 16 when a print instruction is issued according to the job list 92 shown in FIG. A rectangle in which characters i-1 to i-6 shown in the upper part of each drawing are shown represents a process of transmitting print data from the print server 14 to the printer 16. On the other hand, i-1 to i-6,
The band-like figures shown at the bottom of each figure, labeled r-1 to r-6 and o-1 to o-6, represent the processing contents in the printer 16. That is, i-N indicates the receiving process of the N-th file in the printer 16, and r-N indicates the rotation process of the ESS 20 in the N-th file. Also o-N
Represents a print output process in the IOT 22 for the N-th file. As shown in FIG. 3A, when a file having a horizontal scanning direction and a file having a vertical scanning direction are supplied to the printer 16 alternately, the two files are not processed until the time indicated by the dotted line indicated by the arrow X. Only the output processing of is completed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when a file including a bitmap image file created in the vertical scanning direction most suitable for output from the printer 16 is supplied to the printer 16 with priority. The print output of the three files is completed by the time indicated by the dotted line indicated by the arrow X shown in FIG.

For example, there is a case where the output of the printing process is desired to be advanced or conversely delayed depending on the operation status of the next process of the printing process such as the bookbinding process. Specifically, it is desirable to print as soon as possible in a situation where a space is likely to appear in the next process, and to deliver the printed matter to the next process as soon as possible. Therefore, by preferentially printing out a file created in an appropriate scanning direction according to the performance of the printer 16, it is possible to preferentially complete output of some pages of the print target.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining a priority change processing routine according to the present embodiment for displaying the screens shown in FIGS. In this process, first, the operator presses a button (not shown) on the display to display a print instruction menu 94 shown in FIG. 25 on the display (S901). Then, the print server 14 displays a scan direction that can be printed at a high speed for the printer 16 registered in the configuration file or the like in advance by the guide display 96 in the print instruction menu 94 (S902). Next, the operator designates whether or not to preferentially print a part of the printed matter according to the guidance display 98, and presses the execution button 99. In step S903, the printer server 14 determines whether to print a job in which the direction in which the printer 16 can perform high-speed printing matches the scan direction first (S904). If so, the directions match. The job is moved to a higher position in the job list 92 (S905). On the other hand, if printing in page order is selected in step S903, the process ends.

In the printing system according to the present embodiment, the job list 92 is displayed on the display, and the scan direction is displayed for each job, that is, each file. It is possible to adjust the speed of completion. In other words, for an experienced operator, which file can be printed quickly can be generally determined by comprehensively considering the number of pages, the file format, and the file size, but for an inexperienced operator, such determination is not possible. It's not easy. In such a case, the main scanning direction is the parameter that can most easily determine the time until printing is completed. In the printing system according to the present embodiment, the main scanning direction of each file can be displayed on the display, so that even an inexperienced operator can easily adjust the completion speed of the print job. .

The printing system 10 according to the present embodiment can be variously modified. For example, a button is provided in the guidance display 98 of the print instruction menu 94 for instructing that a file whose scanning direction does not match is to be printed first, and when this button is pressed, a scan capable of high-speed printing for the printer 16 is performed. A file generated by scanning in the direction opposite to the direction can be printed by the printer 16 first. This enables the operator to intentionally delay the print output by the printer 16.

In the above description, the order of supplying files to the printer 16 is changed according to the direction of the scanning direction. However, the order of supplying files to the printer 16 may be changed separately or in accordance with the scanning start position. They may be interchanged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a window display of an original document browser according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a window display of a print job browser according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of an attribute change menu.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an attribute change menu for RIP processing.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a window display of the print job browser after the RIP processing is completed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print server.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an outline of data processing in the printing system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a file reception routine.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing management data stored in a reception file management unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a registration routine of a received file.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing management data stored in a registration file management unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a routine for displaying a page icon.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a print job generation routine.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating management data recorded in a print job file management unit.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a page attribute change routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a RIP processing routine for a print job.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a print instruction processing routine.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating management data stored in a print job output queue unit.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a modification of a page icon.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a modification in which an output image is further combined and displayed on a page icon.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a rotation menu.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a rotation processing routine.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a job list displayed in the printing system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a print instruction menu.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a job list after a print order is changed.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating advantages of the printing system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the printing system according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 printing systems, 12 clients, 14 print servers, 16 printers, 18 networks, 2
0 ESS, 22 IOT, 24 Image Scanner,
26 terminal, 28 original document browser, 32 print job browser, 34 attribute change menu, 44 data and command transmission / reception section, 48 reception file storage section, 50 registration file storage section, 52 print job output queue section, 54 page data storage section, 56 received file management unit, 58 registered file management unit, 60 print job file management unit, 84 rotation menu, 92 job list, 94 print instruction menu.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printer control device for synthesizing print job data from original document data in accordance with an operation input by an operator, wherein when the original document data includes page data including bitmap data, the paper direction and scanning of the page data A printer control device for displaying an image indicating a direction on a display. 2. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the image includes a graphic corresponding to a paper shape represented by the page data. 3. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the image includes an image representing at least a part of a page represented by the page data. 4. The printer control device according to claim 1, wherein the image is displayed on an icon for a graphic user interface. 5. A printer control device for synthesizing print job data from original document data in accordance with an operation input by an operator, comprising: an icon corresponding to each page data included in the original document data; and the page data includes bitmap data. In the case, together with an image representing the sheet direction and the scan direction of the page data, an icon display means to be displayed on a display, and when the operator specifies the icon using a graphic user interface, at a given timing, A data conversion unit that converts page data corresponding to the designated icon into bitmap data having a given scan direction. 6. A printer control device for synthesizing print job data from original document data in accordance with an operation input by an operator, wherein at a given timing, page data in the original document data to be included in the print job data is given. And a data conversion means for converting the data into bitmap data having the scan direction.