JP2005258959A - Setup control unit, image formation support device, and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an influence of setup for image quality of a recorded image in the same print job by executing the setup in a image recording unit at suitable timing. <P>SOLUTION: A setup control section 630 comprises a job information obtaining section 632 obtaining job information inputted from a DFE unit 500, an output device information obtaining section 634 obtaining information (setup information) for scheduled time to carry out setup from an IOT core section 20, and a setup instructing section 636 instructing the setup to the IOT core section 20 so that the influence of setup for image quality of a recorded image is minimized on the basis of the obtained job information and setup information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a setup control apparatus, an image forming support apparatus, and an image forming system, and more particularly to a setup control apparatus that controls a setup operation of an image forming apparatus that performs setup to stably maintain image quality, and the setup. The present invention relates to an image forming support device and an image forming system having a configuration of a control device.

  In conventional printing (for example, offset printing), intermediate products such as paper printing (printing paper) such as photosetting, block printing, net negative, net positive, PS plate (printing plate) are generated, and these intermediate products are used as the original. Printing and bookbinding. In recent years, with the popularization of DTP (DeskTop Publishing / Prepress), “direct printing” or “on-demand printing” for directly printing from DTP data is known. In DTP, printing data obtained by processing a page layout on a computer is formed on photographic paper or a plate-making film, and a printing plate is created and printed based on the printing data. In addition, CTP (Computer To Plate) that directly forms a printing plate with electronic data without generating an intermediate product is also attracting attention. As an apparatus that can be used for such a printing process, an image forming apparatus having a printing function such as a printer or a copying machine is known. Image forming apparatuses in recent years have been improved in color with improved image quality. For example, a color printer using an electrophotographic process (xerography) can form high-quality and high-speed images. In this image forming apparatus, print data can be output without receiving print data and generating a printing plate or the like.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a conventional image forming system. As shown in FIG. 5A, the image forming system is composed of an image forming apparatus 11 and a DFE (Digital Front End Processor) apparatus that sends print data to the image forming apparatus 11 and gives a print instruction. ing. FIG. 5B shows a data flow.

  The DFE device has a drawing function and a printer controller (print control device) function. For example, the DFE device sequentially receives print data described in a page description language (PDL) from a client terminal, and receives the print data as a raster. The image data is converted into an image (RIP process; Raster image process), and the RIP-processed image data and print control information (job ticket) such as the number of printed sheets and paper size are sent to the image forming apparatus 11, and the print engine of the image forming apparatus 11 And the paper conveyance system is controlled to cause the image forming apparatus 11 to execute the printing process. That is, the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 11 is controlled by a printer controller by the DFE apparatus. The print data includes four colors (YMCK) of three basic colors for color printing, ie, yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M), and black (K). Sent to.

  The image forming apparatus 11 records an image on printing paper by using an electrophotographic process. An image output terminal (IOT) module 12 and a feed module (FM; Feeder Module) connected to the IOT module 12 are used. 5) A user interface device 18 for supporting the input of various data including an output module 17 and a touch panel. The IOT module 12 includes a toner supply unit 22 on which YMCK toner cartridges 24 are mounted, and an IOT core unit 20. The IOT core unit 20 has a so-called tandem configuration in which print engines (printing units) 30 having an optical scanning device, a photosensitive drum, and the like are arranged in a line for each color and in the belt rotation direction, and controls the print engine 30. An electric system control storage unit 39 for storing an electric circuit or the like is provided. In the IOT core unit 20, the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 43, and then the toner image is transferred to the printing paper (secondary transfer). Multiple transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 43. The image (toner image) transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 43 is transferred onto the printing paper conveyed from the feed module 15 at a predetermined timing, and the toner image is melted and fixed on the paper by a fixing device (Fuser) 70. Is done. Thereafter, the paper is discharged out of the apparatus via the paper discharge processing device 72. Further, during double-sided printing, a sheet of paper that has already been printed on one side is temporarily held on a paper discharge tray (stacker) 74, pulled out from the paper discharge tray 74, reversed through a reverse conveyance path 49, and again IOT core unit 20 Passed to.

  When this system is used, in order to realize a demand for high-performance and high-speed image formation processing (print processing) (for example, color printing of 100 sheets to 200 sheets / minute or more), the image forming apparatus supports In addition, the printer controller, which is a print control portion for the RIP processing and the output side image recording unit, needs to be high speed and high performance.

  However, the DFE device not only performs RIP processing on PDL data from the client terminal, but also rearranges pages according to the print job (rearrangement in ascending / descending order, determination of processing page order in duplex printing, position shift for finisher, etc. ), And additional processing such as data conversion (for example, gray balance and color misregistration calibration) in accordance with output-side processing characteristics such as a print engine and a fixing device. For this reason, a dedicated and independent apparatus configuration in which the DFE apparatus and the image forming apparatus 11 are connected with a dedicated communication protocol has been adopted.

  Also, in order to facilitate the development of high-performance and high-performance systems, an image forming support device (BEP device: Back End Processor) having a printer controller function that performs control depending on the output side is arranged. Is also possible. The BEP device receives the image data processed by the front-end processor independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording device, and sequentially sends the image data to the image recording device according to the processing characteristics on the output side. Control the print process. As a result, when processing or recovery processing adapted to an output form based on a request from a client is performed, it is possible to cope with the processing regardless of the front-end processor.

On the other hand, in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus, setup is performed at predetermined intervals in order to stabilize the image quality of an output image. In addition, the time required for setup is shortened. For example, even when printing output is performed on special paper such as OHP or cardboard, printing is performed by operating the photosensitive drum or intermediate belt at the same speed as normal printing output during setup. There has been proposed a printing control apparatus that can start output quickly (Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-140527 A

  However, if setup is performed at a predetermined interval, there is a problem that a print job may be interrupted in the middle. For example, in an apparatus that performs setup every 1800 sheets, even if the number of unoutputted sheets is only 20 sheets, setup is performed once when 1800 sheets are output. As described above, the setup is performed to stabilize the image quality of the output image. However, if the setup is performed during execution of one print job, the image quality (for example, color) of the output image changes before and after the setup. There is a problem of doing.

  On the other hand, to prevent setup from being executed during the execution of a print job, the execution of the setup is postponed and the setup is subsequently executed after the print job is executed, or the setup is executed before the next print job is executed. It is possible. However, when the print job to be executed is a multi-page and a large number of copies, there is a problem that the execution of the setup is postponed for a long period of time, and a problem occurs in the output image due to a decrease in image forming performance.

  Note that the print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1 improves the processing speed of the setup that is performed before the start of printing so that print output can be started quickly, and during the execution of a print job, It does not solve the problem when setup is performed.

  In addition, as described above, even when a BEP device is provided separately from the front-end processor, the same problem occurs if setup cannot be performed at an appropriate timing, which substantially increases system performance and functionality. There is a problem that it can not cope with the conversion.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow an image recording apparatus to perform setup at an appropriate timing so that the influence of the setup on the image quality of a recorded image within the same print job. Is to provide a setup control device, an image forming support device, and an image forming system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a setup control apparatus according to the present invention relates to a scheduled time when the setup is performed from an image recording apparatus that performs setup in order to maintain stable image quality and records an image on a recording medium. Based on the output device information acquisition unit for acquiring information, the job information acquisition unit for acquiring job information for determining the execution time of setup included in the print job, the job information and information on the scheduled time, A setup instruction unit that determines a setup execution time so as to minimize the influence of the setup on the image quality of a recorded image in the same print job, and instructs the image recording apparatus to perform the setup. Yes.

  The information on the scheduled time includes a scheduled time when the setup is performed and a limit time when the setup can be postponed. The job information is at least one selected from the group consisting of the number of output sheets, image density, object, screen, paper type, and sort unit.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, when the scheduled time comes during execution of the print job, the setup instruction unit determines whether or not the limit time comes during execution of the print job, and executes the print job. When the limit time does not come, the execution of the setup is instructed so that the setup is executed after the print job is executed. On the other hand, when the limit time comes during the execution of the print job, the execution of the setup is instructed so that the setup is executed before the execution of the print job.

  Further, the setup control unit detects a change point at which an image attribute (image density, object, screen, paper type, sort unit, etc.) included in the job information changes, and the setup is performed at the change point. In this way, the execution of the setup can be instructed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image in the same print job by causing the image recording apparatus to perform the setup at an appropriate timing.

  First, prior to describing embodiments of the present invention, aspects of the present invention will be described. Also, aspects including embodiments of various technical matters will be described together.

[Aspect]
<First aspect> relates to a setup control apparatus, and relates to a scheduled time at which the setup is performed from an image recording apparatus that performs setup and records an image on a recording medium in order to maintain stable image quality. Based on the output device information acquisition unit for acquiring the job information, the job information acquisition unit for acquiring job information for determining the execution time of the setup included in the print job, and the job information and the information on the scheduled time A setup instruction unit for determining a setup execution time so as to minimize the influence of the setup on the image quality of a recorded image in a print job and instructing the image recording apparatus to perform the setup. .

  In this aspect, the output device information acquisition unit acquires information related to the scheduled time when setup is performed from the image recording device. The job information acquisition unit acquires job information for determining the setup execution time included in the print job. Based on the job information thus obtained and the information on the scheduled time, the setup instruction unit determines the setup execution time so that the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image within the same print job is minimized, and the image recording is performed. Instruct the device to perform the setup.

  As described above, in this aspect, based on job information (for example, the number of output sheets) for determining the setup execution time included in the print job, and information on the scheduled time for setting up the image recording apparatus. Since the setup execution time is determined so that the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image is minimized within the same print job, the image recording apparatus can perform the setup at an appropriate timing, and within the same print job The influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image can be reduced.

  The second mode is a front-end processor having an image data generation device that processes a print job and generates image data of each page, and performs setup and records an image to maintain stable image quality. An image forming support device (back-end processor) installed between the image recording device and the image recording device for recording on the medium, and acquiring output device information for acquiring information on the scheduled time when the setup is performed from the image recording device Based on the job information acquisition unit for acquiring job information for determining the execution time of setup included in the print job, and the job information and the information on the scheduled time. The setup time is determined so that the influence of the setup on the image quality of the image is minimized. It is characterized by comprising a setup instruction unit for instructing the implementation of the set-up in the apparatus.

  In this aspect, since the image forming support apparatus installed between the front-end processor and the image recording apparatus has the configuration of the setup control apparatus described above, the timing appropriate for the image recording apparatus is set as in the setup control apparatus. By performing the setup in step S1, the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image in the same print job can be reduced.

  <Third Aspect> is an image recording apparatus that performs setup in order to maintain stable image quality and records an image on a recording medium, and image data that processes a print job and generates image data for each page A front-end processor having a generation device; and installed between the front-end processor and the image recording device; receives image data of each page from the front-end processor and sends the image data to the image recording device; An image forming support apparatus configured to control an apparatus, wherein the image forming support apparatus acquires information about a scheduled time when the setup is performed from the image recording apparatus. And job information for determining the setup execution time included in the print job. Based on the job information acquisition unit that performs the job information and the information on the scheduled time, the setup execution time is determined so as to minimize the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image in the same print job, and the image And a setup instruction unit for instructing the recording apparatus to perform setup.

  In this aspect, in the image forming system including the front-end processor, the image recording apparatus, and the image forming support apparatus, the image forming support apparatus includes the configuration of the setup control apparatus described above. By causing the image recording apparatus to perform setup at an appropriate timing, it is possible to reduce the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image within the same print job.

Embodiment
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Image forming system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image forming system includes a high-speed LAN (Local Area Network) based on a general-purpose communication protocol, and a client terminal for inputting electronic data (print data) described in, for example, a page description language (PDL) to the high-speed LAN. 400 and 402 are connected. The client terminals 400 and 402 are computers capable of executing various application programs under different operating systems (OS). A scanner device 410 that reads an image of a document and outputs the image data is also connected to the high-speed LAN. The high-speed LAN includes DFE devices 500, 502, 504, 506, and 508, BEP (Back End Processor) devices 600, 602, and 604 as image forming support devices according to the present invention, which will be described in detail later. A CTP device 702 that directly creates a printing plate with data is connected.

  Printing is performed in the press device 710 using the printing plate created by the CTP device 702. Further, a BEP device 600 is connected to the CTP device 702 in parallel (to a high-speed LAN). A high-speed printer 746 similar to the image forming apparatus 11 is connected to the BEP device 600.

  An output device 730, high-speed printers 740 and 742 having the same configuration, and a CTP device 700 are connected to the output side of the BEP device 604 connected to the high-speed LAN. The output device 730 and the high-speed printers 740 and 742 perform print output, and the CTP device 700 creates a printing plate. The DFE device 502 is connected to printer proofers 720 and 722 having the same configuration via the BEP device 602. The printer proofers 720 and 722 are for confirming output for printing, and may function as an example of an image forming apparatus.

  The DFE device 504 is connected to a high-speed printer 744, and the DFE device 504 and the high-speed printer 744 are responsible for a department in charge of on-demand printing processing. The DFE device 506 is connected to the output device 732, and the DFE device 508 is connected to the large output device 750. The configuration including the DFE device 506 and the output device 732 and the configuration including the DFE device 508 and the large output device 750 are the same as the configuration of the conventional image forming apparatus.

  The image forming system according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which CTP and an apparatus having a POD (print on demand) function can be mixed in the same system. This is because the BEP device according to the present embodiment has a function for variously processing the data after the print data from the client is converted into raster data (RIP processing).

[Configuration example]
In the image forming system having the above configuration, in order to simplify the description of the embodiment of the present invention, a representative example of a configuration in which a printing plate is created and printed and a configuration in which printing is performed without creating a printing plate are described as an embodiment. Will be described. That is, the configuration A in the case of forming an image using the client terminal 400, the DFE device 500, the CTP device 700, and the press device 710, the client terminal 400, the DFE device 500, the BEP device 600, and the high-speed printer 746 ( The configuration B in the case of forming an image using the apparatus of the image forming apparatus 11) will be described.

  The DFE apparatus 500 has a function of converting data from the client terminal 400 into raster data (RIP processing) and compressing the converted raster image. In this embodiment, the DFE apparatus 500 includes the image forming apparatus 11. Does not require a printer controller function to perform a dependent print control function. That is, the DFE device 500 may have a configuration mainly having only a function of RIP processing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. In other words, the configuration A in which an image instructed to be printed by the client terminal 400 is RIPed by the DFE device 500 and a printing plate is created by the CTP device 702 and then printed by the press device 710, and the RIP image is sent via the BEP device 600. The configuration B for printing by the high-speed printer 746 (image forming apparatus 11) will be described as an embodiment of the image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 2A shows an outline of a system configuration including the configuration A and the configuration B in the present embodiment, and FIG.

[Configuration A]
In the configuration A, printing is performed using a CTP device 702 that creates a printing plate, a DFE device 500 that outputs print data to the CTP device 702 and instructs printing plate creation, and a printing plate created by the CTP device 702. The press apparatus 710 constitutes a system.

  Since this configuration A is the same as the conventional printing process, detailed description is omitted, but the DFE apparatus 500 is configured by a front end processor (FEP) unit or a ROP (Raster OPeration) process by a front engine. A function of converting data from the client terminal 400 into raster data (RIP processing) and compressing the converted raster image is provided. The DFE apparatus 500 mainly executes only the RIP process in order to create a printing plate. A plate is created by the CTP device 702 from the raster data of the RIP-processed raster image (compressed). An image is pressed on a printing medium by a press device 710 using the printing plate created by the CTP device 702, and printing is performed.

  In the configuration A, the case where the CTP device 702 is connected to the high-speed LAN and the printing plate is created from the print data from the DFE device 500 has been described. However, the CTP device 702 is connected via the BEP device 600. Alternatively, the BEP device 604 and the CTP device 700 in FIG. 1 may be configured. In this case, as described in the configuration B below, the BEP apparatus 600 performs processing depending on the downstream apparatus such as the image forming apparatus 11 and outputs the data based on the print data from the DFE apparatus 500. When the CTP device 700 is adopted as the downstream device, the BEP device 600 performs processing depending on the CTP device 700 and outputs data.

[Configuration B]
Next, the configuration B includes an image forming apparatus 11, a DFE apparatus 500 that passes print data to the image forming apparatus 11 and gives a print instruction, and a BEP apparatus 600 provided between the image forming apparatus 11 and the DFE apparatus 500. Configure the system.

  The image forming apparatus 11 includes an IOT module (IOT main body) 2, a feed module (FM) 5, an output module 17, and a user interface device 18 such as a personal computer (PC). The feed module 15 may have a multistage configuration. Moreover, you may provide the connection module which connects between each module as needed. Further, a finisher (finisher) module may be connected to the subsequent stage of the output module 17. As the finisher module, for example, there are a stacker for stacking sheets and a stapler for binding one or more places, or a punching mechanism for punching holes.

  The DFE device 500 has a function of converting data from the client terminal 400 into raster data (RIP processing) and compressing the converted raster image, and mainly performs RIP processing. This data is processed by the BEP device 600 and output to the image forming apparatus 11.

  The BEP device 600 has a process control function depending on the image forming apparatus 11, but this control function may be instructed by the user interface device 18 or may be determined in advance. When instructing by the user interface device 18, the user interface device 18 has an input device such as a keyboard or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) function for receiving an instruction input while presenting an image to the user, and depends on the image forming apparatus 11. What is necessary is just to comprise so that a process may be instruct | indicated.

  The BEP device 600 enables efficient high-speed output by using the RIP processed data stored in the DFE device. That is, the BEP device 600 generates a command code based on the print control information received from the DFE device 500, and controls the processing timing of each unit in the image forming apparatus 11 according to the engine characteristics. Further, the BEP device 600 completes the spool processing so as to match the engine characteristics of the IOT module 12, the feed module 15, the output module 17, etc., and then passes the image data to the IOT module 12.

  For example, data including a raster base image subjected to RIP processing is sent from the DFE device 500 to the BEP device 600. As this data, in addition to compressed raster-based image file data such as TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format, the number of copies, double-sided / single-sided, color / monochrome, composite printing, presence / absence of sorting, presence / absence of stapler, etc. are printed. Control information and the like are included.

  Rotation, page allocation (N-UP) within one sheet, repeat processing, paper size adjustment, CMS (Color Management System) for correcting device differences, resolution conversion, contrast adjustment Processing related to RIP processing such as compression ratio designation (low / medium / high) is processed by the DFE device 500, and the control command is not notified to the BEP device 600 (non-notification).

  In addition, collation (booking), double-sided printing, stamping / punching / stapler finisher devices or paper tray alignment processing, discharge surface (up / down) alignment, calibration processing such as gray balance and color shift correction As for screen designation processing and the like (IOT-dependent processing) that is strongly related to the processing characteristics of the image forming apparatus 11, the BEP device 600 processes the control command through the DFE device 500.

  As described above, the DFE device side of this embodiment transfers one job (JOB) unilaterally to the BEP device side in the order of RIP processing without depending on the engine characteristics, and rearranges pages for printing on the BEP device side. To do.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual block diagram that focuses on the flow of data when the BEP device 600 is interposed between the DFE device 500 and the image forming device 11.

  The DFE device 500 receives print data (hereinafter referred to as PDL data) described in PDL from the client terminal 400, and temporarily stores the PDL data once, and reads and interprets the PDL data from the data storage unit 502. And RIP processing unit 510 that generates (rasterizes) image data (raster data) in units of pages, and a compression processing unit 530 that compresses the image data generated by RIP processing unit 510 according to a predetermined format. An interface unit 542 is provided following the compression processing unit 530. The RIP processing unit 510 develops PDL data to generate image data. Therefore, the RIP processing unit 510 incorporates a PDL interpretation unit and a decomposer functioning as an imager, a so-called RIP engine. In addition, when the PIP data is read, the RIP processing unit 510 notifies the image processing time calculation unit 632 described later to that effect. The compression processing unit 530 compresses the image data from the RIP 510 and immediately transfers the compressed image data to the BEP device 600.

  On the other hand, the BEP device 600 receives and holds compressed image data processed by the DFE device 500 regardless of the print job and the processing characteristics of the print engine 30 (for example, processed asynchronously with the processing speed of the print engine 30). The compressed image data is read from the image storage unit 602 and the compressed image data from the image storage unit 602, and the compressed image data on the DFE device 500 side is read out, corresponding to the compression processing of the compression processing unit 530 on the DFE device 500 side. A decompression processing unit 610 is provided that performs decompression processing and sends the decompressed image data to the IOT core unit 20 side. The decompression processing unit 610 has image editing functions such as image rotation, image position adjustment on paper, enlargement or reduction, and the like for image data read from the image storage unit 602 and decompressed. A data receiving unit 601 is provided in the previous stage of the image storage unit 602, and an output side interface unit 650 is provided in the subsequent stage of the decompression processing unit 610.

  Further, the BEP device 600 controls the setup of the IOT core unit 20 and the print control unit 620 that functions as a printer controller that controls each unit of the BEP device 600 and the IOT core unit 20 depending on the processing performance of the IOT core unit 20. And a setup control unit 630.

  The print control unit 620 interprets (decodes) the job ticket from the DFE device 500 or receives a user instruction via the GUI unit 80, and outputs an output form (in accordance with the processing characteristics of the print engine 30, the fixing device 70, or the finisher). An output form specifying unit 622 for specifying the image position in the page or the page discharge order and orientation), and each part such as the print engine 30, the fixing device 70 or the finisher so that the printed matter is output in the specified output form. And a control unit 624 for controlling. The output form specifying unit 622 has a function as an output form information acquiring unit that receives information regarding the output form desired by the client.

  The setup control unit 630 acquires the job information acquisition unit 632 that acquires the job information input from the DFE device 500, and the output device information acquisition that acquires information (setup information) about the scheduled time when the setup is performed from the IOT core unit 20. Based on the obtained job information and setup information, the unit 634 instructs the IOT core unit 20 to perform setup so that the setup is performed at an appropriate timing that minimizes the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image. An instruction unit 636.

  Therefore, in the DFE device 500, the image data rasterized (drawn and developed) from the page description language by the RIP processing unit 510 is transferred to the BEP device 600 side in the order of pages. The BEP device 600 temporarily stores the image data transferred from the DFE device 500 in the image storage unit 602 that functions as a buffer. The decompression processing unit 610 reads the compressed image data from the image storage unit 602 and decompresses it, assembles page data according to a print job designated from the client terminal or the DFE device 500 (rearrangement of page data), Prepare for transfer to the designated print engine. The BEP device 600 sends page data to the IOT core unit 20 in a predetermined order at a speed that maximizes engine productivity while exchanging control commands in synchronization with the processing speed of the print engine 30.

  In this way, the DFE device 500 side only needs to unilaterally transfer one job (JOB) to the BEP device 600 side in the order of RIP processing without depending on the engine characteristics. The BEP device 600 is in charge of processing depending on the print job and the print engine 30 such as rearranging pages for printing.

  In this configuration, processing related to the RIP processing is performed by the DFE device. However, when the RIP processing needs to be performed again, the image is not requested to the DFE device 500 for re-RIP processing (independent of the DFE device 500). The data stored in the storage unit 602 is reused. Thereby, the re-RIP process in the DFE apparatus 500 becomes unnecessary. In addition, the BEP device 600 having a performance adapted to the processing characteristics on the output side such as the print engine can be processed depending on the processing characteristics on the output side in the BEP device 600 connected to the print engine 30 or the like.

  For example, when outputting in the output format desired by the client, an example of requiring processing that depends on processing characteristics on the output side, and reprocessing related to RIP processing is a page within one sheet. There are layout (N-UP), repeat processing, paper size adjustment, CMS (Color Management System) for correcting device differences, resolution conversion, contrast adjustment, compression ratio designation (low / medium / high), and the like.

  In addition, as an example of the case where processing dependent on the processing characteristics of the image forming apparatus 11 (for example, the print engine) on the output side (depending on processing strongly related to the processing characteristics on the output side) is required, image rotation (Rotation) is required. , Collation, double-sided printing, stamping, punching, stapler, and other finisher devices or paper tray alignment processing (shift: image shift), discharge surface (up / down) alignment, gray balance and color There are calibration processing such as misalignment correction and screen designation processing.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a usage example of the system according to the present embodiment. 4A is an explanatory diagram of processing of the back-end processor in relation to the output form based on the client instruction, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of processing of the back-end processor when an abnormality occurs on the output side. It is.

  As shown in the first item of FIG. 4A, when the output form specifying unit 622 having the function of the output form information acquiring unit receives information indicating a double-sided output instruction as information regarding the output form desired by the client. The control unit 624 generates a single-sided image in sequence order depending on processing characteristics of the print engine 30 and the fixing device 70 on the output side, and outputs them to the print engine 30 side. The unit 610 is controlled. As a result, double-sided images are generated in the sequence order depending on the processing characteristics on the output side.

  For example, the BEP device 600 outputs the images to the print engine 30 in the order of the sequence on the belt on the print engine 30 side based on the duplex discharge instruction (client instruction) specified via the DFE device 500. More specifically, the DFE apparatus 500 includes the first sheet (P1T) → first sheet back (P1B) → second sheet table (P2T) → second sheet table (P2B) → third sheet table (P3T). RIP processing is performed in order such that the back of the third sheet (P3B) →... And the generated image data is sent to the BEP device 600 in order.

  On the other hand, in the BEP device 600, the first sheet table (P1T) → second sheet table (P2T) → third sheet table (P3T) → fourth sheet table (P4T) → fifth sheet table (P5T) → There may be a sequence such as the first back (P1B) → the sixth front (P6T) → the second back (P2B) → the seventh front (P7T) → the third back (P3B) →. This arrangement order varies depending on processing characteristics related to the printing speed of the apparatus.

  Also, as shown in the second item of FIG. 4A, the DFE device 500 performs the color components Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) in parallel for each page. RIP processing is performed, and YMCK image data is sent to the BEP device 600 for each page. In this case, when the print engine 30 is a four-cycle engine that processes in the order of Y → M → C → K, the BEP device 600 basically (at one-side printing), the first sheet Y (yellow) → 1st sheet M (magenta) → 1st sheet C (cyan) → 1st sheet K (black) → 2nd sheet Y → 2nd sheet M → 2nd sheet C → 2nd sheet K → ... Rearrange the target pages.

  When double-sided printing is incorporated, as shown in the third item of FIG. 4A, the DFE device 500 performs page-to-back order for each page, that is, the first sheet table (P1YMKT) → first sheet. Image data is sent to the BEP device 600 in the order of back (P1YMCKB) → second sheet front (P2YMCKT) → second sheet back (P2YMCKB) →. Correspondingly, the BEP device 600, for example, has a first sheet Y table (P1YT) → first sheet M table (P1MT) → first sheet C table (P1CT) → first sheet K table (P1KT) → two sheets. Table Y table (P2YT) → Second sheet M table (P2MT) → First sheet Y back (P1YB) → Second sheet C table (P2YT) → First sheet M back (P1MB) → Second sheet K table (P2KT) ) → ... and rearrange in order.

  In this way, without affecting the DFE device 500 side (without giving a load to the DFE device 500), depending on the processing characteristics on the output side (including the configuration form of the print engine), on the BEP device 600 side, Image formation can be controlled in the order of sequences adapted to the device.

  Further, as shown in the fourth item of FIG. 4A, the output form specifying unit 622 having the function of the output form information acquiring unit includes information indicating an instruction related to collation as information on the output form desired by the client. When accepted, the control unit 624 controls the expansion processing unit 610 in the BEP device 600 so as to perform collation processing according to the discharge surface depending on the processing characteristics of the output side (image recording unit). Accordingly, the printed material can be discharged in a direction desired by the client without depending on the output processing characteristics on the output side.

  For example, when either one of upward FU (FACE up) and downward FD (FACE down) can be selected as the discharge surface instruction, the result of the downward FD is in page order. Output from the first page. However, since the completion is in page order during upward FU, output (reordering of pages to be processed) is required from the last page of the job. Since the BEP device 600 of the present embodiment can read and process a desired page from the image storage unit 602, the BEP device 600 does not affect the DFE device 500 side (without giving a load to the DFE device 500). The pages can be rearranged and read from the image storage unit 602, decompressed, and output to the print engine 30.

  Further, as shown in the fifth item in FIG. 4A, the output form specifying unit 622 having the function of the output form information acquiring unit includes information indicating an instruction related to the closing position as information on the output form desired by the client. When accepted, the control unit 624 controls the expansion processing unit 610 in the back-end processor BEP 600 so as to adjust the closing position depending on the processing characteristics of the output side (image recording unit).

  Therefore, even when a finisher device (option) such as a stamp, a stapler, or a punch hole is attached, the DFE device 500 side is not affected (the load is not applied to the DFE device 500), and the place where they are pushed. Accordingly, the BEP device 600 can perform image editing processing such as image rotation (rotation) and position shift (shift), and send image data whose position has been adjusted to the print engine 30 side.

  Note that when the image positions on the paper are aligned, depending on the amount of movement, a part of the original image may protrude from the paper, or a portion that does not protrude but is not printed (so-called image missing) may occur. In such a case, the image size may be slightly reduced (size matching process), and the reduced image data may be sent to the print engine 30 side. Note that the reduction may be performed only in necessary vertical / horizontal directions resulting from the position shift (independent reduction).

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, when an output clogging phenomenon occurs in the print job processing process, the control unit 624 recovers from output clogging depending on the processing characteristics of the output side (image recording unit). Each functional part in the back-end processor is controlled so as to perform processing.

  For example, if the image cannot be ejected due to jamming of printing paper (paper jam), power off, or the like on the IOT module 12 or the output module 17 side, the BEP device 600 causes the image storage unit 602 to output a desired page (not yet output). Processing page) is read out and sent to the print engine 30 side. Thereby, the recovery process can be realized only on the BEP device 600 side without affecting the DFE device 500 side (without giving a load to the DFE device 500).

  When a proofer is configured by a BEP device, prior to direct printing by the high-speed and high-function image forming device 11, a color proof print is directly output from DTP data by, for example, a printer proofer 720. Proofing) system can be constructed. In this system, when the proof data is received as a print job, the BEP device outputs image data in a data format suitable for proofing (for example, low video rate) to the proofer, and instructs the color proof print output. When a print job is received, image data at a high video rate is output to a high-speed and high-performance machine, and a high-speed and high-function print instruction is output. In this case, it is desirable to install a CMS (Color Management System) that corrects subtle differences (device differences) in different color outputs between the high-speed and high-performance machine and the models connected to the proofer or cascade. .

  Next, the setup of the system of this embodiment will be described.

  The IOT core unit 20 (image forming apparatus 11) of this system performs setup for every predetermined number of output sheets (for example, every 1000 sheets) in order to maintain stable image quality. In this embodiment, an example in which setup is performed for each predetermined number of output sheets will be described. However, setup may be performed every predetermined time.

  Hereinafter, a processing routine for instructing the setup will be described with reference to FIG. This processing routine is executed by the setup instruction unit 636 of the setup control unit 630.

  In synchronization with the reading of the PDL data of the RIP processing unit 510 of the DFE device 500, a signal to that effect is input to the job information acquisition unit 632 of the BEP device 600. When the job information acquisition unit 632 receives the signal, the job information acquisition unit 632 reads job information necessary for determining the setup execution time from the data storage unit 502 and sequentially stores the job information. Such job information includes the number of output sheets, image density, object (photo image or character image), screen, paper type, sort unit, and the like.

  In addition, when the setup time approaches, the IOT core unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 11 notifies the BEP device 600 of information (setup information) regarding the scheduled time when the setup is performed. The notified setup information is sequentially stored in the output device information acquisition unit 634. In addition to the scheduled time when setup is performed, the setup information includes a limit time when setup can be postponed.

  For example, when 300 sheets have been output and the next setup is scheduled to be executed and it is possible to postpone the next setup until the 400 sheets have been output, the 300 sheets are output at the “scheduled time”. When 400 sheets are output, this is the “limit time”.

  If it is determined in step 100 that job information has been input to the job information acquisition unit 632, information relating to the number of output sheets is read from the job information acquisition unit 632 in step 102. On the other hand, in step 104, setup information is read from the output device information acquisition unit 634.

  Next, in step 106, it is determined from the information regarding the number of output sheets and the setup information whether the scheduled time is reached during the execution of the job. For example, when 300 sheets are output is the “scheduled time” and the total number of output sheets of the job is 200, the scheduled time does not come during the execution of the job. In this case, since it is not necessary to perform setup, if it is determined that the scheduled time does not arrive, in step 110, a job is output, that is, page data is transmitted from the BEP device 600 to the IOT core unit 20. The routine ends.

  If the scheduled time comes during execution of the job, it is determined in step 108 whether or not the limit time comes during execution of the print job. For example, when 300 sheets are output is the “scheduled time”, when 400 sheets are output is the “limit time”, and when the total number of output sheets of the job is 350 sheets, the limit time does not come during execution of the job. In this case, the setup can be postponed. Accordingly, when it is determined that the limit time has not come, in step 112, the IOT core unit 20 is instructed to execute setup after the job is executed, and the job is output, and the routine is terminated.

  If the limit time comes during the execution of the job, the execution of the setup cannot be postponed any further. Therefore, in step 114, it is determined whether or not the setup is executed before the execution of the job. For example, by performing the setup before the execution of the job, whether or not the setup need not be performed during the execution of the job becomes a criterion. If the setup is performed before the job is executed, in step 116, the IOT core unit 20 is instructed to execute the setup before the job is executed, the job is output, and the routine is terminated.

  If the setup is not performed before the job is executed, the setup must be performed in the middle of the job. Therefore, in step 118, job information other than the number of output sheets is read from the job information acquisition unit 632, and the image quality of the output image is read. The change point of the attribute of the image is detected as a break that minimizes the influence of the setup on the image.

  For example, on each page included in the job, the image attributes originally changed from the information representing the image attributes such as image density, object (photo image or text image), screen, paper type, sort unit, Even if the setup is performed in the middle of the job, a break that seems to be difficult to recognize the color change due to the setup is detected.

  Next, in step 120, the IOT core unit 20 is instructed to perform setup at the detected change point, and a job is output, and the routine is terminated.

  As described above, the setup is performed before or after execution of the job, so that the job is not interrupted and the image quality (for example, color) of the output image is prevented from changing in the same job. And continuous image formation is possible. In addition, since the execution of the setup is not postponed beyond the limit time, there is no problem with the output image due to a decrease in the image forming performance.

  Even when setup is performed in the middle of a job, setup is performed at the point where the attribute of the image changes, so the influence of the setup on the image quality of the output image within the same job can be minimized, and the color of the setup Changes are difficult to recognize.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and embodiments to which such changes or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above description, an embodiment in which a BEP device functioning as a printer controller includes a setup control unit has been described. However, the present invention is characterized by setup control, and has a conventional RIP processing function and a function as a printer controller. The present invention can also be applied to other DFE apparatuses.

  Further, the above embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims (claims), and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. Absent. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. Even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, as long as an effect is obtained, a configuration from which these some constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  In the compression / decompression process, image objects (line drawing character object LW (Line Work)) mainly represented by binary values such as line drawings and characters, and background portions, photograph portions, etc. are mainly represented by multiple gradations. An adaptive process can be performed according to the characteristics of an image object such as an image object (multi-tone image object CT (Continuous Tone)).

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of a DFE apparatus and a BEP apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the system utilization form in connection with the said embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a conventional image forming system. It is a flowchart which shows the process routine for instruct | indicating a setup.

Explanation of symbols

LAN ... high speed 11 ... image forming apparatus 400 ... client terminal 500 ... DFE apparatus 600 ... BEP apparatus 700 ... CTP apparatus 710 ... press apparatus 720 ... printer proofer 730 ... output machine 740 ... high speed printer 750 ... large output machine

Claims (8)

An output device information acquisition unit that acquires information about a scheduled time when the setup is performed from an image recording device that performs setup and records an image on a recording medium in order to maintain image quality stably;
A job information acquisition unit that acquires job information for determining when to perform setup included in a print job;
Based on the job information and the information on the scheduled time, the setup execution time is determined so as to minimize the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image within the same print job, and the setup is performed on the image recording apparatus. A setup instruction section for instructing;
Setup control device with.   The setup control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the scheduled time includes a scheduled time when the setup is performed and a limit time when the setup can be postponed.   The setup control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job information is at least one selected from the group consisting of the number of output sheets, image density, object, screen, paper type, and sort unit.   The setup instruction unit determines whether the limit time comes during execution of the print job when the scheduled time comes during execution of the print job, and determines whether the limit time comes during execution of the print job. 4. The setup control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the limit time does not come, the setup control device instructs execution of setup so that setup is performed after execution of the print job. 5.   The setup instruction unit instructs the implementation of the setup so that the setup is performed before the execution of the print job when the limit time comes during the execution of the print job. The setup control device according to claim 1.   6. The setup instruction unit according to claim 1, wherein the setup instruction unit detects a change point at which an attribute of an image included in the job information changes, and instructs the execution of the setup so that the setup is performed at the change point. The setup control device according to item. Front-end processor including an image data generation device that processes a print job and generates image data of each page, and an image recording device that performs setup and records an image on a recording medium in order to maintain stable image quality An image forming support device (back-end processor) installed between
An output device information acquisition unit for acquiring information on a scheduled time when the setup is performed from the image recording device;
A job information acquisition unit for acquiring job information for determining the execution time of setup included in the print job;
Based on the job information and the information on the scheduled time, the setup execution time is determined so as to minimize the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image within the same print job, and the setup is performed on the image recording apparatus. A setup instruction section for instructing;
An image forming support apparatus. A front-end processor having an image recording apparatus that performs setup to maintain stable image quality and records an image on a recording medium, and an image data generation apparatus that processes a print job and generates image data of each page And an image forming support apparatus that is installed between the front end processor and the image recording apparatus, receives image data of each page from the front end processor, and sends the image data to the image recording apparatus to control the image recording apparatus. And an image forming system comprising:
The image forming support device
An output device information acquisition unit for acquiring information on a scheduled time when the setup is performed from the image recording device;
A job information acquisition unit for acquiring job information for determining the execution time of setup included in the print job;
Based on the job information and the information on the scheduled time, the setup execution time is determined so as to minimize the influence of the setup on the image quality of the recorded image within the same print job, and the setup is performed on the image recording apparatus. A setup instruction section for instructing;
An image forming system.

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