JP2006005481A - Misregistration correction apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a misregistration correction apparatus and method for predicting a direction wherein a greater misregistration appears on a document and producing a greater trapping area in its direction at all times so as to carry out optimum trap processing. <P>SOLUTION: The misregistration correction method includes: a step S503 of confirming whether or not an aspect ratio of a trap width is set; a step S505 of capturing information of a printer when the aspect ratio is set; a step S506 of discriminating in which of longitudinal and lateral directions paper feed processing is applied to paper; a step S507 of selecting a lateral direction (short side direction of paper) for a direction wherein a greater trap width is produced when the discrimination indicates carrying of the paper in the short side direction; a step S508 of capturing page setting information in an output state; a step S509 of discriminating whether or not the processing direction on the recording paper in the output state is changed from the direction in a document generating state; a step S510 of reversing the direction wherein the greater trap width is taken when the setting indicates settings of a direction change; and steps S511 to 513 of carrying out the similar processing as to page assignment information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a misregistration correction apparatus and method, a misregistration correction program, and a storage medium storing a misregistration correction program.

  A trapping process (hereinafter called trapping) that corrects misregistration during printing using multiple plates (hereinafter called trapping) covers an area where misregistration is expected to occur with a band of a predetermined width called a trap area (expanding one plate) This is a process that makes the misregistration inconspicuous. This misregistration occurs while the printing paper moves in the drum, and the misregistration greatly occurs in the direction in which the paper moves in the drum. Therefore, in order to perform the optimum trapping process, a direction in which a large misregistration is expected and a ratio for increasing the width of the trapping area in that direction is set. Therefore, currently, a technique for generating an optimal trapping area by setting a ratio for generating a thick trapping area in the vertical or horizontal direction of a document is used.

  However, when the trapping process is performed on the application, the direction in which the misregistration occurs changes depending on the output device to which the output is output. Therefore, the trapping process has to be performed after the output device is determined. Also, depending on page settings (enlargement / reduction settings, conversion of paper orientation, etc.) at the time of output, pasting of multiple pages (Nin1), etc., the direction in which misregistration occurs greatly with respect to a document is the same even if the same output machine. There is a problem of changing. Further, in the case of a trap module mounted on SoftRIP operating on a network in which a plurality of output devices are prepared, the above problem is more important. The direction in which misregistration occurs in advance and the direction of increasing the trap width is determined. The optimal trapping process to set is difficult.

  The purpose of the present invention is to confirm the paper processing direction in the output machine, determine the direction in which misregistration is likely to occur with respect to the paper, and set the page at the time of output, paste multiple pages, etc. By considering together with the setting items, the misregistration is greater for the document by determining whether the misregistration may occur in the vertical or horizontal direction for the document. A misregistration correction apparatus and method, misregistration correction program, and misregistration program that can automatically determine the exit direction, always generate a larger trapping area in a direction where misregistration is expected to occur, and perform optimum trap processing. To provide a storage medium storing a deviation correction program.

  In order to achieve the above object, a misregistration correction apparatus according to the present invention sets a ratio between a vertical trap width and a horizontal trap width of a document, and records the document with a trap width according to the ratio. In a misregistration correction apparatus that outputs to a sheet and corrects misregistration, a determination unit that determines whether the ratio is set to a value different from 1, and a ratio that is set to a value different from 1 Based on the device information of the output device that outputs the document and the print setting information of the document, a larger trap width is set in accordance with the ratio in the direction in which the document misregistration is expected to occur on the recording paper. Setting means.

  A misregistration correction method according to the present invention sets a ratio between a vertical trap width and a horizontal trap width of a document, and outputs the document to a recording sheet with a trap width according to the ratio to correct misregistration. In the misregistration correction method, the determination step of determining whether the ratio is set to a value different from 1, and the output device that outputs the document when the ratio is set to a value different from 1. A setting step of setting a larger trap width in accordance with the ratio in a direction in which a large misregistration of the document is expected to occur on the recording sheet based on the apparatus information and the print setting information of the document.

The misregistration correction program according to the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether the ratio of the vertical trap width and the horizontal trap width of a document is set to a value different from 1, and the ratio is A direction in which a large amount of misregistration of the document occurs on the recording paper based on device information of the output device that outputs the document and print setting information of the document when the value is set to a value different from 1. Further, it functions as a setting means for setting a larger trap width in accordance with the ratio, and outputs the document to the recording paper with a trap width in accordance with the ratio to correct misregistration.
The storage medium according to the present invention stores the above-described misregistration correction program.

  According to the present invention, the misregistration is set by setting a larger trap width according to the set ratio in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction where a large misregistration of the document is expected to occur on the recording paper. Correction can be performed.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a computer apparatus which is the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, that is, a central processing unit, which performs control and arithmetic processing of the entire apparatus. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM, that is, a random access memory, which is an area in which each program and data is loaded and executed for each process. Reference numeral 3 denotes a ROM, that is, a read-only memory, which is a storage area for system control programs and font data. Reference numeral 4 denotes a KBC, that is, a keyboard control unit, which receives data by key input from the keyboard 5 (KB) and transmits it to the CPU 1.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a PRTC, that is, a printer control unit, for controlling the printer device 7 (PRT). The printer device 7 is a laser beam printer, an ink jet printer, or the like. Reference numeral 8 denotes a CRTC, that is, a display control unit, which performs display control on the display device 9 (CRT). Reference numeral 10 denotes a DKC, that is, a disk control unit, which controls data transmission and the like.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes an external storage device, which includes an FDD (Floppy Disk Drive Device) 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive Device) 13, a CD (CDROM Drive Device) 14, or the like. Programs and data are stored in these external storage devices 11 and referred to as necessary at the time of execution or loaded into the RAM 2. The system bus 15 should serve as a data transfer path between the above-described components.

  Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which a printer device and a computer device are connected in a stand-alone manner, a configuration in which a network interface is further provided and a plurality of printer devices are connected to the computer device via a network can also be implemented.

  The computer apparatus for implementing the present invention operates when the CPU 1 executes a basic I / O (input / output) program, an OS (operating system), and a misregistration correction program described below.

  The basic I / O program is stored in the ROM 3 and the OS is written in the HDD 13. When the apparatus is turned on, the OS is read from the HDD 13 to the RAM 2 by the IPL (Initial Program Loading) function in the basic I / O program, and the operation of the OS is started.

  In this embodiment, the misregistration correction control program and related data are recorded in the FD or CDROM as shown in FIG. The misregistration correction control program and related data recorded in the FD or CD-ROM are stored in the computer through the FDD 12 or the CD-ROM drive 14 when these storage media are set in a computer as shown in FIG. Can be installed on the HDD 11. In this case, when the FD or the CD-ROM is set in the FD 12 or the CD-ROM drive 14, the misregistration correction control program and related data shown in FIG. 2 are transferred to the FD or the CD under the control of the OS and the basic I / O program. It is read from the CD-ROM and installed in the HDD 11 to be operable.

  FIG. 4 shows a memory map in a state where the misregistration correction control program is installed in the HDD 11 and can be executed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the trapping process which is the misregistration correction in the present embodiment. Trapping is a technique for correcting misregistration, and is not limited to a vector object, but targets all objects that make up a document, such as images and fonts. However, in this embodiment, in order to understand the explanation, a case where a vector object is trapped will be described as an example. In the following, a trapping process in a printing system in which a plurality of output machines (printer apparatuses) exist on the same network will be described.

  In step S501, a print command for a specific document is generated. In step S502, various settings relating to misregistration correction are performed using the user interface. Here, it is set by the ratio of the vertical direction to the horizontal direction whether to take a large trap width in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction with respect to the document, or to set the same trap width in any direction. If the ratio is 1, the same trap width is set in both the vertical and horizontal directions. If the ratio is set to a value other than 1, the direction in which the trap width is increased can be set. This setting may be performed before the printing command described in step S501 is generated.

  In step S503, based on this ratio, it is confirmed whether or not the trap width aspect ratio is set in the setting in step S502. If not set (if the ratio is 1), the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, trap processing for generating a trap area is performed with the same trap width set in step S502 in both vertical and horizontal directions. If it is confirmed in step S503 that the aspect ratio has been set (the ratio is a value different from 1), the process proceeds to step S505, and the printer apparatus information is captured. Even if this data acquisition is performed by a method of obtaining data directly from the output device used for printing via the network each time, the data of each output device on the same network is tabulated in advance, and this table is stored in this table. You may carry out by the method obtained by accessing. The data captured at this time is information about the paper feeding direction of the output machine used for printing, that is, the recording paper conveyance direction. In other words, information on whether to process (print) the output paper in the vertical direction (long side direction of the paper) or in the horizontal direction (short side direction of the paper) is captured.

  It is considered that the misregistration is largely caused by the direction of the sheet processed by the output device due to mechanical factors. That is, when the paper is processed in the vertical direction (long-side direction), a large plate shift appears in the vertical direction, and when the paper is processed in the horizontal direction (short-side direction), the plate shift is large in the horizontal direction. Expected to appear. In the present embodiment, the case where paper is processed in the vertical direction will be described as default processing.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S506, and it is determined based on the fetched apparatus information whether the output device feeds the paper in the vertical or horizontal direction. If it is determined that the paper is conveyed in the horizontal direction (the short side direction of the paper), the process proceeds to step S507. In step S507, unlike the default, it is considered that a larger amount of misregistration occurs in the horizontal direction (the short side direction of the paper) (at least a misregistration at a level that requires correction). Therefore, the trap width is set according to the ratio. The direction in which a large amount is generated is switched to the horizontal direction (the short side direction of the paper), and the process proceeds to step S508. In this process, the trap width ratio is reversed. This determination is schematically shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S506 that the processing direction of the output device is the vertical direction (the long side direction of the paper), the process advances to step S508 while maintaining the default setting for generating a large trap width in the vertical direction.

  In step S508, page setting information at the time of output is fetched. Next, the process proceeds to step S509, and it is determined from the data captured in step S508 whether or not the processing direction on the recording paper at the time of output changes from the direction at the time of document creation for the document. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the document includes a document 70 created in the long side direction of the paper and a document 71 created in the short side direction. These documents may be set to be output as they are created as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, or may be set to be output after the direction is converted. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7C, for example, the document 70 created in the vertical direction (long direction) of the paper is output to the horizontal paper 72, or for example, as shown in FIG. 7D. As described above, the output processing direction of the document changes depending on the enlargement / reduction setting or the conversion of the paper direction, such that the document 71 created in the horizontal direction (short side direction) of the paper is output to the vertical paper 73. Determine whether or not.

  The direction in which the trap width is increased with respect to the paper is determined when the output machine is determined as described above. However, the actual trap width processing is performed on the document data. That is, when the output machine is an output machine that processes a document in the vertical direction (long side direction of the paper), in the default process, when the document is shown in FIG. In the case where the document is shown in FIG. 7B, the trap width is set so as to increase in the horizontal direction with respect to the document 71.

  However, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, when the documents 70 and 71 are converted and printed in a direction different from the default setting for the paper, the direction in which the trap width should be increased with respect to the document 70. Is expected to change. In FIG. 7A, the setting that increases the trap width in the vertical and vertical directions with respect to the document 70 must be changed so that the trap width is increased in the horizontal direction of the document 70 (FIG. 7). 7 (c)). In the case of FIG. 7B, the setting that increases the trap width in the horizontal and horizontal directions with respect to the document 71 does not have to be changed so that the trap width is increased in the vertical and vertical directions of the document 71. (FIG. 7 (d)). Therefore, if it is determined in step S509 that the document orientation with respect to the sheet is changed as shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the process proceeds to step S510, and the direction in which the trap width is increased with respect to the document is set vertically. Change from direction to side or from side to side. If it is determined in step S509 that the direction of the document with respect to the paper does not change, the process proceeds to step S511.

  In step S511, page allocation information at the time of output is fetched. As shown in FIG. 8, the page allocation information is a process generally called Nin1, which is a process of evenly pasting a plurality of pages on one page. Also in this case, depending on the number of pages to be pasted, the direction of the document with respect to the paper may change as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, and the direction in which the trap width should be increased as in steps S509 and 510. Need to be changed.

  In step S512, it is determined whether the direction of the document with respect to the paper changes depending on the number of pages to be pasted. If it is determined that the direction is changed, the process proceeds to step S513, and the direction in which the trap width is increased with respect to the document is changed. If it is determined in step S512 that the direction of the document relative to the paper does not change, the process proceeds to step S514. In step S514, trap processing is performed so that the trap width becomes larger according to the ratio set in step S502 in the direction of increasing the trap width that has been optimized and determined by the above processing.

  As described above, the adjustment of the trap width for optimal trapping (takes a large trap width in the direction in which plate misalignment greatly occurs) depends on the type of output machine and page setting (enlargement / reduction setting or paper direction conversion). Etc.) Even if processing such as pasting (Nin1) of a plurality of pages is performed, the processing can be performed in an optimum direction without mistaken in the direction of increasing the trap width.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) but also to an apparatus composed of a single device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine). May be.

  In addition, a program code of software for realizing the functions of the embodiment is provided in an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices so as to operate the various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. What is implemented by operating the various devices in accordance with a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus supplied is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Further, in this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, a storage storing the program code The medium constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) in which the program code is running on the computer, or other application software, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the embodiment.

  Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU provided in the function expansion board or function storage unit based on an instruction of the program code However, it is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the computer apparatus which is the best form for implementing this invention. FIG. 5 is a memory map diagram when a misregistration correction control program and related data according to the present invention are recorded on an FD or a CD-ROM. It is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between FD or CD-ROM and the external storage device of a computer apparatus. FIG. 3 is a memory map diagram when the misregistration correction control program and related data of FIG. 2 are recorded in an external storage device of a computer device. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the paper processing direction of the output device in the process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the direction of the document with respect to the page by the page setting in the process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining sticking (Nin1) of a several page. It is explanatory drawing explaining the document direction with respect to the page by pasting (Nin1) of multiple pages in the process which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
2 RAM (Random Access Memory)
3 ROM (read only memory)
4 Keyboard control unit (KBC)
5 Keyboard (KB)
6 Printer control unit (PRTC)
7 Printer device (PRT)
8 Display controller (CRTC)
9 Display device (CRT)
10 Disk controller (DKC)
11 External storage device 12 Floppy disk drive device (FDD)
13 Hard disk drive (HDD)
14 CDROM drive 15 System bus

Claims (17)

In a misregistration correction apparatus that sets a ratio between a vertical trap width and a lateral trap width of a document, outputs the document to a recording sheet with a trap width according to the ratio, and corrects misregistration.
Determination means for determining whether the ratio is set to a value different from 1;
When the ratio is set to a value different from 1, it is predicted that a large misregistration of the document will occur on the recording paper based on device information of the output device that outputs the document and print setting information of the document. A misregistration correction apparatus comprising: setting means for setting a larger trap width in accordance with the ratio. In the misregistration correction apparatus according to claim 1,
The setting means includes
Means for acquiring, as the device information, a conveyance direction as to whether the output device conveys a recording sheet in a short side direction or a long side direction;
A predicting unit that predicts that the acquired transport direction is a direction in which the plate misalignment greatly occurs;
Means for obtaining the print setting information;
Optimizing to optimize the direction in which the misregistration is predicted to occur by maintaining the direction predicted by the prediction unit according to the acquired print setting information or changing the direction to a direction perpendicular to the predicted direction. And a misregistration correction apparatus. In the misregistration correction apparatus according to claim 2,
The print setting information is paper setting information relating to an output direction of whether the document is output in a vertical direction that is a direction at the time of creation on the recording paper or in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction at the time of creation.
Based on the paper setting information, the optimization unit sets the ratio to the same value when the vertical direction of the document is the same as the conveyance direction of the recording paper, and the vertical direction is different from the conveyance direction. In some cases, the misregistration correction apparatus converts the ratio into an opposite value. In the misregistration correction apparatus according to claim 2,
The print setting information is allocation information regarding the number of documents and a direction on the recording paper when outputting a plurality of documents on one recording paper,
When the vertical direction of the document is the same as the conveyance direction of the recording paper, the optimization unit sets the ratio as it is based on the allocation information, and the vertical direction is different from the conveyance direction. A misregistration correction apparatus, wherein the ratio is converted into a reverse value. In the misregistration correction apparatus according to claim 2,
The print setting information includes paper setting information relating to an output direction of whether the document is output on the recording paper in a vertical direction, which is a direction at the time of creation, or in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction at the time of creation. Allocation information regarding the number of documents and the direction on the recording paper when a plurality of documents are output on a single recording paper;
Based on the paper setting information, the optimization means sets the ratio as it is when the vertical direction of the document is the same as the conveyance direction of the recording paper, and the vertical direction is different from the conveyance direction. In this case, the ratio is converted into an opposite value, and when the vertical direction of the document is the same as the transport direction of the recording paper based on the allocation information, the ratio is left as it is, When the vertical direction is different from the transport direction, the ratio is converted to an opposite value. In a misregistration correction method for correcting a misregistration by setting a ratio between a vertical trap width and a horizontal trap width of a document and outputting the document to a recording sheet with a trap width according to the ratio.
A determination step of determining whether the ratio is set to a value different from 1;
When the ratio is set to a value different from 1, it is predicted that a large misregistration of the document will occur on the recording paper based on device information of the output device that outputs the document and print setting information of the document. And a setting step of setting a larger trap width in accordance with the ratio. In the misregistration correction method according to claim 6,
The setting step includes
A first step of acquiring, as the device information, a transport direction in which the output device transports a recording sheet in a short side direction or a long side direction;
A second step of predicting that the acquired transport direction is a direction in which the plate misalignment greatly occurs;
A third step of acquiring the print setting information;
The direction predicted in the second step is optimized or maintained in accordance with the acquired print setting information or changed to a direction perpendicular to the predicted direction, thereby optimizing the direction in which the misregistration is expected to occur. A misregistration correction method comprising: a fourth step. In the misregistration correction method according to claim 7,
The print setting information is paper setting information relating to an output direction of whether the document is output in a vertical direction that is a direction at the time of creation on the recording paper or in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction at the time of creation.
In the fourth step, based on the paper setting information, when the vertical direction of the document is the same as the conveyance direction of the recording paper, the ratio is left as it is, and the vertical direction is different from the conveyance direction. In some cases, the misregistration correction method includes converting the ratio into an inverse value. In the misregistration correction method according to claim 7,
The print setting information is allocation information regarding the number of documents and a direction on the recording paper when outputting a plurality of documents on one recording paper,
In the fourth step, based on the allocation information, when the vertical direction of the document is the same as the conveyance direction of the recording paper, the ratio is left as it is, and the vertical direction is different from the conveyance direction. Includes a method of converting the ratio into an inverse value. In the misregistration correction method according to claim 7,
The print setting information includes paper setting information relating to an output direction of whether the document is output on the recording paper in a vertical direction, which is a direction at the time of creation, or in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction at the time of creation. Allocation information regarding the number of documents and the direction on the recording paper when a plurality of documents are output on a single recording paper;
In the fourth step, based on the paper setting information, when the vertical direction of the document is the same as the conveyance direction of the recording paper, the ratio is left as it is, and the vertical direction is different from the conveyance direction. In the case, the ratio is converted into an opposite value, and when the vertical direction of the document is the same as the transport direction of the recording paper based on the allocation information, the ratio is left as it is, A misregistration correction method comprising: converting the ratio into an opposite value when the vertical direction is different from the transport direction. A first step of capturing information of an output device at the output destination;
A second step of determining the direction in which misregistration occurs from the information of the output device;
A third step of capturing print setting information at the time of printing;
A fourth step of determining a direction in which misregistration occurs from print setting information; and an image processing method, wherein a trap is controlled according to the second and fourth steps.   Furthermore, the step of performing various settings relating to the trap, and from the set items, whether to take a large trap width in either the vertical or horizontal direction with respect to the document, or to set the same trap width in any direction, 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of determining which one is selected.   Depending on the selected item, whether it takes a large trap width in the vertical or horizontal direction for the document or the same trap width in any direction, either vertical or horizontal is determined. If it is set to take a large trap width, it judges the direction in which plate misalignment will occur greatly, and if it is set to trap in the same trap width in any direction, specify it as it is 13. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein trap processing is performed with a specified trap width.   The output device information determined as the output destination is information indicating whether the output device processes the paper in the vertical direction (long side direction of the paper) or the horizontal direction (short side direction of the paper). The image processing method according to claim 11.   When processing (printing) the paper in the vertical direction (long-side direction of the paper), it is determined that plate displacement occurs in the vertical direction with respect to the paper, and the paper is processed in the horizontal direction (short-side direction of the paper) ( 15. The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein when printing is performed, it is determined that misregistration occurs in a lateral direction with respect to the paper.   12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the print setting information at the time of printing is page setting such as enlargement / reduction setting or paper direction conversion and pasting of a plurality of pages among various settings at the time of printing. . A program for executing the image processing method according to claim 11.

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