JP2003114787A - Image data output system, control device for image output device, control method for image output device, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data output system in which centralized control of operation information is possible for each control device in all or part of control devices in it. SOLUTION: Plural control devices 3A-3C control one or more image output devices 5A-5C to output images in this image data output system. Each of the control devices 3A-3C comprises a storage means to store operation information inside it and/or in the image output devices 5A-5C connected to it, a setting means to set discrimination information specific to each control device, a display means to display the operation information, and a communication means to input/output information in the storage means with another control device 3B or 3C set by the setting means. The plural control devices 3A share part or all of the operation information of itself and the others.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data output system, an image data output device, an image data output method and an information recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, Desk Top Public
Due to the widespread use of things such as "shing", image editing and page imposition of images input from a scanner have become common, and full digital editing has become common.

In such a process, for the purpose of further improving the efficiency, an image setter output for directly outputting the page-edited image data to the film or a CTP (Computer to Plat) for directly recording the image on a printing plate.
e) Output, and further CTC (Computert) for recording an image directly on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing machine.
o Cylinder) is performed. In this case, it is not possible to perform film output or printing plate output only for confirmation of calibration, and to perform print calibration and other calibration materials.
There is a problem that waste of films and printing plates and unnecessary work increase. Therefore, particularly in the process of creating and editing a full digital image by such a CPU, the DDCP (Di
rect Digital Color Proof,
Or DCP (Digital Color Pro)
There is a need for a system for direct color image output called of))).

Such a DDCP is a final printing operation in which digital image data processed on a computer is recorded on a plate-making film by an image setter or the like or a printing plate is directly produced by a CTP (computer to plate). Before recording, or directly recording an image on the printing plate wound on the cylinder of the printing machine with CTC,
A color proof that reproduces an output target indicated by a digital image processed on a computer is created, and the pattern, color tone, text characters, etc. are confirmed.

Image setter, CTP, DD described above
Since a high-quality image data output device such as a CP system is extremely expensive, there is a demand for efficient operation so that a system having a plurality of image data output devices is always operating. .

[0006]

By the way, in the DCP producing apparatus as described above, 2000-4000 d
It is common to perform a high resolution output of pi, but it is common that the high resolution results in a long DCP creation time, and in order to improve the efficiency of DCP creation, a DCP creation device and / or its control device. Is often added.

In this case, in the conventional case, since each of the added control devices operates independently, it is not possible to know the operation information of the other control devices on any control device, and it is possible to use different floors. In order to know the operating state of each control device operating in the room or room and the DCP creating device that is the image output device, it is necessary for an attendant to go to the place and check it.
This caused inefficiency in the CP creation process.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, in which all or a part of the operation information of each other is mutually shared between the control devices, and all or a part of the control devices individually operate. An image data output system capable of centrally managing operation information of a control device, a control device for an image output device, a control method for an image output device, and an information recording medium are provided.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 is
Controls one or more image output devices with multiple control devices,
In an image data output system for outputting an image from an image output device connected to a control device, each control device stores storage information for operating information in the device itself and / or in the image output device connected to the device itself. , Input / output of information in the storage means between setting means for setting identification information unique to each control device, display means for displaying operation information, and other control devices set by the setting means. It is characterized in that it has all or part of communication means for performing, and a plurality of control devices share some or all of their own and other operation information with each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image data output system according to the first aspect, all of the individual control devices have display means for displaying the operation information of the self and others, and all the control devices are controlled. It is characterized in that the same or equivalent contents are displayed on the device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image data output system according to the first aspect, only a part of the plurality of control devices has some or all of its own and other operation information. It is characterized by doing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image data output system according to the third aspect, some of the plurality of control devices have some or all of their own operation information and other operation information. However, it has a display means and displays the operation information of the plurality of control devices.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image data output system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control device having a part or all of the operation information of itself and the other is the storage means, Change operation information in conjunction with setting means and communication means,
It is characterized in that it has operating information changing means for deleting, and changes and deletions of operating information made by an arbitrary control device are reflected in other control devices.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image data output system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control device that has a part or all of the operation information of the self and the other is further controlled. Disclosing means for disclosing operating information to a terminal other than the control device while being connected to a terminal other than the device,
A change designation receiving means for receiving a change designation of operation information from a terminal other than the control device, wherein the terminal other than the control device refers to the operation information held by the control device, and the control device. And a change designation transmission means for transmitting a change designation of the operation information included in the control information, and it is possible to refer to, and / or change or delete the operation information included in a plurality of control devices from a terminal other than the control device. It is what

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image data output system according to the sixth aspect, only a preregistered specific user can change or delete the operating information of the control device from a terminal other than the control device. It is characterized by being possible.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image data output system according to the sixth aspect, a character string registered in advance is input to change or delete operation information of the control device from a terminal other than the control device. It is characterized by what is possible.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image data output system according to any of the first to eighth aspects, the image output device connected to the control device is a digital color proof making device. It is a feature.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a control device for an image output device, which controls one or more image output devices with a plurality of control devices and outputs an image from an image output device connected to the control device, The control device stores the operation information in the device itself and / or in the image output device connected to the device, the setting device that sets the identification information unique to each control device, and the display of the operation information. A communication means for inputting / outputting information in the storage means between the display means for performing the operation and the other control device set by the setting means, a disclosure means for disclosing the operation information, and a change designation for the operation information. All or a part of a receiving unit for receiving the operation information, a changing unit for changing the operation information, a halftone dot processing unit for halftoning, and an output device control unit for controlling the image output device. All of the control devices Some are characterized in that they are mutually shared some or all of the operation information of oneself and others.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a method of controlling an image output device in which one or more image output devices are controlled by the plurality of control devices, all or some of the plurality of control devices are controlled. , And a step of communicating operation information with its own update interval information and a step of mutually storing and sharing operation information from other control devices between the control devices.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus control method according to the eleventh aspect, all or some of the plurality of control apparatuses display their own and other operation information and update the display according to the update interval. Is further included.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data output system for controlling one or more image output devices by a plurality of control devices, and an information recording medium used for the control device of the image output device. Record programs that perform operation information with update intervals of the device itself to other control devices, receive operation information from other control devices, save, update, and display operation information of other devices It is characterized by having done.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

(First Embodiment) In the image data output system of the first embodiment, a plurality of control devices share all or part of their own operation information and other operation information, and control all or part of them. The device realizes the centralized management of the operation information of each control device.

An outline of the overall configuration of the image data output system of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

The image data output system according to the present embodiment includes, for example, three upstream terminal devices (computer devices) connected to a network 10 composed of a LAN or the like.
1A, 1B, 1C and, for example, three control devices (computer devices) 3A, which are also connected to the network 10,
3B and 3C, and three image output devices 5 such as DCP creation devices connected to the control devices 3A, 3B and 3C, respectively.
A, 5B, 5C and RI connected to the network 10 and sending raster image data to the control devices 3A, 3B, 3C.
P (raster image processor) 7 is included.

The control device 3A operates as a computer device, and is a means A which is operation information storage means for acquiring and storing operation information in the device itself and in the image output device 5A connected to the device, and the control device 3A. Means B which is unique information setting means for setting unique identification information (IP address on the network, computer terminal name, etc.) for each device;
Between the other control devices 3B and 3C set by the means B,
It is provided with a means C which is an operation information communication means for inputting / outputting information in the means A, a means D which is an operation information display means for displaying operation information, and an HTML server function for disclosing the operation information through the network 10. Means E, which is means for disclosing operating information, and HT for receiving a change designation of operating information
A means F which is a change designation receiving means having an ML server function, a means I which is an operation information changing means for changing operation information, a halftone dot processing means 11 for halftoning image data, and an image. The output device control means 12 for controlling the output device 5A is included.

In the first embodiment, the other control devices 3B and 3C have the same structure as the control device 3A. Further, the respective control devices 3A, 3B, 3C are connected to the image output devices 5A, 5B, 5C by using respective dedicated interfaces.

The upstream terminal device 1A functions as a client computer and also has a means G, which is an operation information reference means having a WEB browser function, and a WEB.
And a means H which is a change designation transmission means having a browser function.

In the first embodiment, three control devices 3A, 3B, 3C and three image output devices 5A, 5B, 5 are used.
The operation information in C includes the following.

(1) Output queue information Image output priority, image data data name, screen size information, output queue issuing terminal name, customer information, registration time, etc.

(2) Status information of output queue Waiting for halftone dot processing / Processing / End / Error, printer transfer waiting / transferring / in image output devices 5A, 5B, 5C
These are end / error, customer information, registration time, etc.

(3) Status information of the printing section This is the standby status of the printing section in the image output devices 5A, 5B and 5C, processing material shortage, drawing error, etc.

(4) Processing history information control devices 3A, 3B, 3C, image output devices 5A, 5B,
5C processing time, required time / process progress / error information, and the like.

(5) RIP7 processing information (waiting for processing, error, etc.).

Next, the configuration and schematic operation of the image output apparatus 5A will be described with reference to FIGS.

The image output device 5A has an exposure section 33 for exposing an image on the photosensitive material, and a processing section 34 for developing the exposed photosensitive material.

The exposure unit 33 has a top panel 35 and a front panel 36 that can be opened and closed on the outside, and maintenance is performed by opening these panels.

The roll setting section 37 is a section for loading a magazine accommodating a roll of + photosensitive material roll, and is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body. The magazine is loaded by opening and closing the paper feed cover 39. Embodiment 1
The roll setting section 37 is a part for loading a magazine accommodating a roll of the photosensitive material, but may be one capable of directly setting the roll of the photosensitive material.

The magazine set in the roll setting section 37 is a magazine containing rolls wound with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material facing outward. When the roll setting unit 37 can directly set the roll of the photosensitive material, it is preferable to set the roll wound with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive material outside.

Further, the touch panel 42 is provided on the outer surface of the apparatus main body.
An operation unit including the liquid crystal panel 41 and the liquid crystal panel 41 is provided. The touch panel 42 is provided so as to overlap the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 41. The touch panel 42 and the liquid crystal panel 41 are provided on the front side of the roll setting unit 37. LCD panel 4
Reference numeral 1 denotes a display unit for displaying various information such as input instruction information for requesting an input from an operator and device state information indicating the state of the device under the control of a control unit 100 described later.

The touch panel 42 is an input means for the operator to input various kinds of information, and is input from the touch panel 42 according to the input instruction screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 41.

The liquid crystal panel 41 is not limited to the liquid crystal panel, but may be, for example, a display means such as an LED or an input means such as an input key. In addition to the touch panel 42, a keyboard, a mouse,
It may be an operation stick, a pointer, or the like. Then, when the operator inputs from the touch panel 42, information corresponding to the input is stored in the RAM 102 described later. The development processing unit 34 is externally
It has an openable top panel 43 and a replenishment panel 44, and normal maintenance is performed by opening the top panel 43, and replenishment of the processing liquid is performed by opening the replenishment panel 44. The paper discharge unit 45 is for stocking the photosensitive material which has been developed.

Next, the control system of the image output device 5A will be described with reference to FIG. The image output device 5A has a control unit 100 that performs overall control. Control unit 100
Has a CPU 101, a RAM 102, and a ROM 103, and is connected to sensors 106 constituting a detection system and an actuator group 107 constituting a drive system through I / O ports 104 and 105, although the details are omitted. The actuator group 107 is configured to be controlled based on the information from the class 106.

Regarding the operation section, the liquid crystal panel 41
Is controlled by the driver D20 so that the operating state of the image output device 5A can be displayed.

Further, the command given by the operation of the touch panel 42 is sent to the A / D converter 120 as digital information and is sent to the CP.
It is sent to U101.

Further, the image output apparatus 5A comprises an operation information detection section 111 for detecting the operation information of its own apparatus and an operation information transmission section 112 for sending the detected operation information to the control apparatus 3A.

The image output device 5A receives the halftone dot image data (bitmap data) of the raster image format of each color (Y, M, C, BK) sent from the output control device 3A and receives the image data I / F. The unit 201 is provided. The image data I / F unit 201 uses each color (Y, M, C,
BK) raster image format halftone image data is converted into an exposure format for each 10 scanning lines of each color (for each channel of each color 10), and the data buffer 2
Accumulate in 04.

The conversion of the image data format is performed as follows.
When scanning 10 scanning lines for each color at the same time, the image data of the bitmap data of the raster image format is rearranged and read in parallel for 10 lines.

Then, after one digital halftone image data is stored in the data buffer 204, simultaneous exposure for all colors is performed as follows.

The pixel clock generation unit 203 uses the PLL 202
The pixel clock is generated in synchronization with the predetermined timing output of Then, the digital halftone image data is sent from the data buffer 204 to the LUT unit 205 by the pixel clock generated by the pixel clock generation unit 203.

The LUT unit 205 has printing reference colors, that is, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and BK.
LUT (look-up table) data that defines the correspondence between (black) and the light composition of the light source that exposes those reference colors to the photosensitive material, that is, B (blue), R (red), and IR (infrared) intensity composition. I remember. Then, the transmitted Y, M, C, K digital halftone image data of the exposure format is converted into B, R, IR exposure intensity data.

At this time, Y, M, C, and
The BK halftone image data is converted into a combination of B, R, and IR (infrared) laser intensities. Further, the CPU 101 of the control unit 100 emits from the optical unit based on the information of the tip position of the photosensitive material from the sensors 106 and the count of the pulse signal from the rotary encoder (not shown) for detecting the drum position. It is determined whether or not the image recording area of the photosensitive material exists at the irradiation position of the laser light.

Based on this judgment, the control unit 100 drives the LUT unit 205 to drive the laser light sources 320, 321, and 322 of the laser diode while the image recording area of the photosensitive material is present at the laser light irradiation position. The exposure intensity data input to the drivers D320, D321, and D322 are converted to an exposure intensity data value equal to or higher than the exposure intensity data value sufficient to cause the laser diode to emit light.
It controls so that the data is set.

As a result, the laser light sources 320 and 32 are provided while the image recording area of the photosensitive material is present at the laser light irradiation position.
The laser diodes 1 and 322 always emit light and have good responsiveness. In this way, a halftone image is output on the photosensitive material held on the drum.

The configurations and operations of the other image output devices 5B and 5C are similar to those of the image output device 5A.

Next, the flow of processing of the image data output system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4, mainly regarding setting of unique identification information and display of operation information.

As shown in FIG. 4, the means B (unique identification information setting means) in each of the control devices 3A, 3B, and 3C sets the unique identification information of its own device, and the means C (operating information communication means) Network 1 based on the unique identification information
Communicate with each other via 0.

The image output devices 5A, 5B and 5C connected to the control device 3A, 3B and 3C, which are acquired through the operation information of the device itself and the output device control means 12.
Is sent to the means D (operation information display means) of the device itself, and the operation information is communicated by the means C among the control devices 3A, 3B and 3C.

The means C in each of the control devices 3A, 3B and 3C also sends the operation information from other devices to the means D.

In this way, the control devices 3A, 3B,
By means D in 3C, the unique identification information and operation information of the own device and other devices are displayed in a list as shared information.

As shown in FIG. 4, the unique identification information set by the means B in each of the control devices 3A, 3B, and 3C described above includes host names (for example, Term1, Term2, and Term3), each IP
The address, other device (other host) information, shared information update period (second unit), and the like.

FIG. 5 shows a display example in the case where the own device of the unique identification information and the operation information in the means D of the control device 3A (Term1) and the control device 3B is prioritized. The upper column of FIG. 5 shows a display example of the means D of the control device 3A, and the lower column of FIG. 5 shows a display example of the means D of the control device 3B.

Display items in this case include a job name (image data name), a user name, a terminal name, a registration time, a halftone dot generation status, an end time, a data transfer status, and an end time.

FIG. 6 shows a display example of the unique identification information and the operation information in the means D of the control device 3A (Term1) and the control device 3B. The upper column of FIG. 6 is the control device 3
A detailed display example of only the own device by the means D of A, and a lower column of FIG. 6 shows a detailed display example of only the own device by the means D of the control device 3B.

In this case, the display items include the job name (image data name) of the device itself, the user name, the terminal name, the registration time, the halftone dot generation status, the end time, the data transfer status, and other devices ( The number of jobs of the control device 3B or the control device 3A) and the name of the job being processed by another device are added.

FIG. 7 shows a display example of the display of the unique identification information and the operation information in the means D of the control device 3A (Term1) and the control device 3B, the item order for each display item, and the change display of the item contents. Incidentally, the upper column of FIG.
7, the lower column of FIG. 7 shows a display example by means D of the control device 3B and in case of change display of item order and item contents for each display item.

The change regarding the display items is performed, for example, by the upstream terminal device 1A and the means D of the control device 3B by the means H.
Change designation (user name etc.) of the unique identification information and change designation (registration time etc.) of the operation information changed by the means I of the control device 3B are displayed on the means H and a mouse operation not shown is displayed. The change is displayed on the means D by.

Next, the flow of processing for storing operation information, communication and display update in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, the means F (operation information receiving means) of the control device 3A is another device (control device 3B or control device 3C).
When the operation information is transmitted from (step S1), it is stored in the means A (step S2).

Then, the transmission of the operation information is monitored (step S3), and it is further determined whether or not the shared information update interval is exceeded (step S4). If the shared information update interval is exceeded, the operation of the own device is further performed. Whether or not there is a change in the information is monitored (step S5), and if there is a change in the operation information, the operation information of the own device is stored in the means A (step S6).
If there is no change in the operation information, the process returns to step S1.

The operation information stored in the means A of the own device is
It is transmitted to the other devices (control devices 3B and 3C) by the means C (step S7). In this way, the display update of the operation information is performed on the means D (step S8).

Thereafter, for example, when there is a termination instruction from the upstream terminal device 1A (step S9), a series of processing is terminated.

Another example of the flow of operation information in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The timer is monitored (S11), it is determined whether the shared information update interval is exceeded (S12), and if it is exceeded, it is confirmed whether the operating information of the own device has changed (S1).
3) If there is a change, record it in the storage means (S1
4) Check if there is an operation information request from another device (S1
5) If there is a request, the own device operation information is transmitted to the other device (S16), the presence or absence of the change of the operation information is confirmed to the other device (S17), and if there is a change (S18), the other device is operated. Information is recorded in the storage means (S19), all other devices are confirmed (S20), and if confirmation is completed, the display on the operation information display means is updated (S21), and whether there is an end instruction from the outside. It is confirmed whether or not (S22), and if there is, the process ends.

As described above, mutual use of information becomes possible by using the flows of FIGS. 8 and 9.

Such processing is performed by the control devices 3A, 3B,
3C, respectively, so that each controller 3
A, 3B, and 3C share their own operation information, and mutually control other control devices 3A, 3B, 3C, and image output device 5A.
The operation information of 5B and 5C can be grasped.

In the first embodiment, the upstream terminal device 1
Since A includes means G (operation information reference means) and means H (change designation transmission means), the upstream terminal device 1A refers to, changes, or deletes operation information in each of the control devices 3A, 3B, and 3C. be able to.

In this case, the operation information can be changed or deleted by setting the identification ID of the specific user registered in advance so that only the specific user can perform it, or the character string (password) registered in advance. Of course, it is also possible to configure so that it can be performed by setting and inputting the character string.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the control device is the same as that of the first embodiment having one server function, and the control device 1A It is characterized by including a total of five control devices 1D to 1H having only a part of the configuration of the device 1A. The control device 1D is a unit A which is an operation information storage unit that acquires and stores the operation information of the control devices 1F, 1G and 1H connected to the control device 1F and the control device 1D, and identification information unique to each control device ( An operation for inputting / outputting information in the means A between the means B which is a unique information setting means for setting an IP address, a computer terminal name, etc. on the network) and another control device set by the means B It has a means C which is an information communication means and a halftone dot processing means 11 which performs halftone dot processing on image data. Control device 1E
Also has the same configuration as the control device 1D.

The control device 1F is unique to each control device and the device A which is the operation information storage device for acquiring and storing the operation information of the control devices 1A, 1D and 1E connected to the control device 1F. Input / output of information in the means A between means B, which is unique information setting means for setting identification information (IP address on the network, computer terminal name, etc.), and other control devices set by the means B It includes a means C which is an operation information communication means for performing the above, and an output machine control means 12 for controlling the image output device 3A. Controller 1G, 1H
Also has the same configuration as the control device 1F. The control devices 1F, 1G, 1H are respectively connected to the image output devices 5A, 5B,
5C respectively.

Controllers 1A, 1D, 1E and controller 1
The connection between F, 1G, and 1H can be a network connection such as a LAN or a cable connection using a selector.

In the second embodiment, the control device 1A
Is provided with a total of five control devices 1D to 1H having only a part of the above configuration. In particular, these control devices 1D to 1H are included.
Is characterized by not having the means D and the means I.

That is, in the second embodiment, only the control device 1A can display the operation information of the self device and all the other control devices 1D to 1H, change and delete the operation information, and only the control device 1A. It realizes centralized management of operation information.

In each of the first and second embodiments described above,
In the image data output system that functions as a color proof creation system, the operation program processed in each device, the described process, the entire data (for example, raster data, halftone image data, etc.) or each part is controlled by the control device 3A or the like. It may be configured to be recorded on a readable information recording medium.

Further, it also includes a program in which the above-mentioned operation program is incorporated into an electronic mail software which can be operated by a general personal computer or a portable terminal, or an information recording medium in which the incorporated electronic mail software is recorded.

As the information recording medium, for example, RO
Semiconductor memory such as M, RAM, flash memory and the like, integrated circuits, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, magnetic recording media and the like may be used, and further, CD-ROM, hard disk, CD-R, CD-RW, FD, DVDRAM, DV.
It may be recorded on a DROM, MO, ZIP, a magnetic card, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, an IC card, or the like and configured and used. Furthermore, as an example of the information recording medium,
A wireless or infrared transmission channel between a computer and another device, a computer-readable card such as a PCMCIA card, a network connection to another computer or device on a network, and email transmission and information recorded on websites and elsewhere Internet and intranet including.

This information recording medium is used in the above-mentioned first embodiment,
The function equivalent to that of each of the above-described embodiments can be realized by using the system or computer other than the system according to 2 and reading the program code stored in this information recording medium and executing it. , The same effect can be obtained. Specifically, the information recording medium includes a process of transmitting operating information with an update interval that the control device itself has to another control device, a process of receiving operating information from another control device, and the operation information of its own and others. It is a record of a program for performing storage, update, and display processing. Further, the information recording medium includes a program that performs a process of receiving the unique identification information, the change and deletion information sent from the upstream terminal device 1A and the like, and a display process.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described number of upstream terminal devices, control devices and network configurations, and the number of image output devices, and various modifications are possible.

[0089]

According to the present invention, the same or equivalent contents (operation information) can be externally displayed on all or some of the control devices, and any control can be performed even if a plurality of control devices exist. The operation information of all control devices can be grasped on the device.

Further, changes in the priority order of output queues and changes in operating information such as deletions made on any control device can be reflected in all other control devices, and different floors or rooms Since the operation on the control device installed in is unnecessary, the efficiency of the DCP creation process can be realized.

Further, since it is possible to refer to or change the operation information from the upstream terminal device to any control device that has grasped the operation information of all the control devices, work is performed on the upstream terminal device. The operator can execute all the DCP creation control from his own device, and the efficiency can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image data output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an image output device of the image data output system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the image output device of the image data output system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of processing of unique identification information and operation information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a screen explanatory view showing a display example of unique identification information and operation information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a screen explanatory view showing another display example of the unique identification information and the operation information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a screen explanatory view showing a display example of unique identification information, operation information and display item change according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of storing, transmitting, and updating display of operation information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of storage, transmission, and display update of operation information different from that of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of a plurality of control devices in the image data output system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1A, 1B, 1C upstream terminal device 3A, 3B, 3C control device 5A, 5B, 5C image output device 7 RIP 10 network 11 Halftone dot processing means 12 Output machine control means A means (operation information storage means) B means (unique information setting means) C means (operating information communication means) D means (operation information display means) E means (operation information disclosure means) F means (change designation receiving means) G means (operation information reference means) H means (change designation transmission means) I means (operation information change means)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tatsuro Yamamuro             2-26 Shimomiyahi-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Konica Stock             In the company (72) Inventor Takeshi Sugita             2-26 Shimomiyahi-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Konica Stock             In the company F term (reference) 5B021 AA01 BB04 BB10 EE02 NN19

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. In an image data output system in which one or more image output devices are controlled by a plurality of control devices, and an image is output from an image output device connected to the control device, each control device has its own device. And / or storage means for storing operation information in the image output device connected to the device, setting means for setting identification information unique to each control device, display means for displaying operation information, and setting means It has all or part of the communication means for inputting / outputting information in the storage means to / from other control devices set in step 1. An image data output system characterized in that some or all of them are shared with each other. 2. All of the individual control devices have display means for displaying the operation information of themselves and others, and display the same or equivalent contents on all the control devices. The image data output system according to item 1. 3. The image data output system according to claim 1, wherein only a part of the plurality of control devices has some or all of the operation information of itself and others. . 4. A part of the plurality of control devices, which has a part or all of the operation information of itself and others, has a display means, and a plurality of the control devices of the plurality of control devices are provided. The image data output system according to claim 3, wherein the operation information is displayed. 5. A control device, which has a part or all of its own and other operating information, includes operating information changing means for changing and deleting operating information in cooperation with the storage means, setting means, and communication means. The image data output system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the change and deletion of the operation information carried out by an arbitrary control device are reflected on another control device. . 6. A disclosure in which a control device having part or all of its own and other operation information is further connected to a terminal other than the control device, and the operation information to the terminal other than the control device is disclosed. And a change designation receiving means for receiving a change designation of operation information from a terminal other than the control device, wherein the terminal other than the control device refers to the operation information held by the control device, It has a change designation transmitting means for transmitting a change designation of the operation information of the control device, and can refer to and / or change or delete the operation information of the plurality of control devices from a terminal other than the control device. The image data output system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein 7. The image data output system according to claim 6, wherein only a preregistered specific user can change or delete the operating information of the control device from a terminal other than the control device. . 8. The image data according to claim 6, wherein operation information of the control device can be changed or deleted from a terminal other than the control device by inputting a character string registered in advance. Output system. 9. The image data output system according to claim 1, wherein the image output device connected to the control device is a digital color proof creating device. 10. A control device for an image output device, wherein a plurality of control devices controls one or more image output devices, and an image is output from an image output device connected to the control device. Storage means for storing operation information in the apparatus and / or in the image output apparatus connected to the self apparatus, setting means for setting identification information unique to each control apparatus, and display means for displaying operation information, A communication means for inputting / outputting information in the storage means to / from another control device set by the setting means, a disclosing means for disclosing operating information, and a receiving means for receiving a change designation of operating information. And changing means for changing the operation information, halftone dot processing means for halftoning, and output device control means for controlling the image output device. All or part of the control device A control device for an image output device, wherein a part or all of operation information is shared with each other. 11. A method for controlling an image output device, wherein a plurality of control devices controls one or more image output devices, wherein all or some of the plurality of control devices have their own update intervals. A method of controlling an image output device, comprising: a step of communicating operating information with information; and a step of mutually storing and sharing operating information from other control devices between the control devices. 12. All or a part of the plurality of control devices,
The method of controlling an image output apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying the operation information of itself and updating the display according to the update interval. 13. An image data output system for controlling one or more image output devices by a plurality of control devices, an information recording medium used in the control device of the image output device, and an update interval included in the control device itself. It is characterized in that a program for performing a process of transmitting the operational information with the attached information to another control device, a process of receiving the operational information from the other control device, a process of storing, updating and displaying the operational information of its own is recorded. Information recording medium.