JP2008129880A - Printing system, information processor and control method thereof, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system having improved total throughput in bookbinding and printing an information processor and their control methods, and a computer program. <P>SOLUTION: As a print data used for bookbinding and printing a printing object, a printing system stores page data for covers with front cover data, spine data and back cover data arranged thereon. The printing system inputs spine breadth information which shows a spine breadth for the bookbinding with the spine. At least one layout of the front cover data, the spine data and the back cover data in the page data for covers stored is adjusted based on the spine breadth information. Printing is performed using the page data for adjusted covers. When a trial print mode is specified as a print mode, the page data obtained by combining scale pattern data with the page data for covers for printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing based on print data for bookbinding printing, an information processing apparatus that generates print data for bookbinding printing, a control method therefor, and a computer program.

  There is a flow in which document data for case binding is created using an application on the host computer, and printed matter is created by a printer capable of case binding that is connected to the host computer via a network.

  Here, in case binding, unlike general document data printing, there are items for which printing conditions and the like are not determined unless a printed matter is output once. For example, “back cover width” corresponds to this, and this “back cover width” varies depending on conditions such as the number of pages of a document and the thickness of each sheet. Therefore, it is very difficult to create a cover layout on an application on the host computer. Therefore, the user once performs “trial printing” of the document data for case binding, and measures the width of the spine cover of the obtained printed matter using a measuring instrument such as a caliper. Based on the measurement result, an application on the host computer uses the case binding document data to adjust the width of the spine cover, and then resends the edited document data to the printer.

Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining attributes such as a character size and an image magnification used for the spine according to the width of the spine.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-151734

  However, the conventional flow described above is inconvenient because it is necessary to prepare a measuring instrument such as a caliper in order to confirm the width of the spine cover from the printed material after “trial printing”. In addition, in order to edit the document data corresponding to the printed matter based on the measurement result, it is necessary to return from the printer to the installation location of the host computer and perform editing work on the host computer. It was inconvenient.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a computer program that can improve the total throughput related to bookbinding printing. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A printing apparatus that performs printing based on print data for bookbinding printing,
Storage means for storing cover page data in which front cover data, back cover data, and back cover data are laid out as print data for bookbinding printing to be printed;
Input means for inputting spine cover width information indicating the spine cover width of bookbinding printing with spine cover;
Adjusting means for adjusting at least one layout of the front cover data, the back cover data and the back cover data in the cover page data stored in the storage means based on the back cover width information;
Printing means for executing printing using the cover page data adjusted by the adjusting means,
When the trial printing mode is designated as the printing mode of the printing unit, the printing unit executes printing using page data obtained by combining scale pattern data with the cover page data.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An information processing apparatus that generates print data for bookbinding printing and outputs the print data to a printing apparatus,
Generation means for generating a plurality of types of the cover page data, the cover page data including the back cover data, the spine cover width corresponding to the spine cover data being different from each other;
Storage means for storing the plurality of types of cover page data generated by the generation means in a storage unit of the printing apparatus;
Input means for inputting spine cover width information indicating the spine cover width of bookbinding printing with spine cover;
Selecting means for selecting, from the storage unit, the cover page data corresponding to the spine width indicated by the spine width information input by the input means;
Executing means for executing printing by the printing apparatus using cover page data selected by the selection means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a computer program that can improve the total throughput related to bookbinding printing.

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

<Embodiment 1>
First, case binding will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a view for explaining case binding.

  Case binding refers to bookbinding in which the back of the text is glued and the text is wrapped with a cover.

  In FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of case binding, 101 indicates a text, which is the same as a normally created multi-page document. Reference numeral 102 denotes a cover used for case binding. 103 corresponds to the side surface (referred to as the back) of the text 101, and this portion is glued. Reference numeral 104 is a diagram in which the body 101 and the cover 102 are combined, and shows a final product of case binding.

  Next, a printing system for creating case binding will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes an external device (information processing apparatus) such as a host PC (personal computer). The host PC 201 creates case binding document data using a program such as an arbitrary application installed, and creates print data for printing a case binding print using a program such as a printer driver.

  Reference numerals 202 and 205 denote printers (printing apparatuses) that print case binding document data. As printing methods of the printers 202 and 205, various printing methods such as a laser beam method, an ink jet method, and a thermal transfer method can be used.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a case binding machine connected to the printer 202, which implements case binding using the case binding machine 203 for a case document (printed material) created by the printer 202. Reference numeral 204 denotes a case binding machine connected by a near line. In the nearline case binding machine 204, for example, a case document created by the printer 205 can be processed using the nearline case binding machine 204.

  In the first embodiment, a case will be described as an example in which case binding is performed using case binding document data generated by the host PC 201 in a form in which the printer 202 and the case binding machine 203 are connected inline.

  Next, the configuration of a bookbinding system including the printer 202 and the case binding machine 203 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the bookbinding system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a bookbinding system in which a case document is printed by the printer 202, conveyed to the case binding machine 203, and case binding is performed. Reference numeral 303 denotes an inserter capable of feeding a cover sheet. In this case, it can be used for feeding printing paper such as printed paper prepared in advance for the cover. Reference numeral 304 denotes a paper discharge tray for paper discharge when case binding is not performed. Reference numeral 305 denotes a paper discharge bin for discharging the case document processed by the case binding machine 203.

  Next, the main configuration of the printer 202 or 205 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A communication interface (I / F) 402 receives print data such as PDL data transmitted from the host PC 201. A data receiving unit 403 receives data via the communication interface 402. A PDL interpreter 404 analyzes print data (PDL data) received by the data receiving unit 403.

  Reference numeral 405 denotes an intermediate language data storage unit that stores intermediate language data generated by analysis of the PDL interpreter 404. This intermediate language data is data that can be interpreted by the renderer 406. Reference numeral 407 denotes an image data storage unit that stores the processing result (image data) of the renderer 406. Reference numeral 408 denotes a storage area such as a hard disk drive (HDD), which stores generated image data. A printer engine 410 prints an image on printing paper based on the generated image data.

  An operation panel 411 is an operation panel for performing various operations of the printer 202. The operation panel 411 includes, for example, a touch panel, and performs various operations of the printer 202 based on user operations on a UI (user interface) displayed on the touch panel.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, the printer 202/205 includes a CPU for controlling the entire printer, a RAM that functions as a work area for processing data and a data saving area, initial setting parameters, fonts, and the like. A ROM for storing the data is mounted. In addition, the printer 202/205 has various components mounted on a general-purpose printer.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the host PC 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the host PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the host PC 201, reference numeral 506 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire host PC 201. Reference numeral 507 denotes a RAM that functions as a work area for processing data and a data save area. Reference numeral 508 denotes a ROM that stores data such as initial setting parameters and fonts. Reference numeral 509 denotes a display that displays various types of information or displays a UI generated by an application or the like. Reference numeral 510 denotes an input unit composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. By using this input unit 510, the user realizes input of various information and UI operations.

  Reference numeral 502 denotes print data created by a program such as an application. A printer driver 503 creates PDL data from the print data 502. Here, PDL data refers to a page description language such as PS, PCL, LIPS. Reference numeral 504 denotes a hard disk for storing application programs such as the print data 502 and the printer driver 503. Reference numeral 505 denotes a communication interface (I / F) for transmitting and receiving data.

  First, a printing process of a conventional printing system will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a printing process of a conventional printing system.

  Here, a case where print processing is realized using the host PC 201 and the printer 202 will be described as an example.

  In step S <b> 602, the host PC 201 creates case binding document data using an arbitrary application, and creates print data (PDL data) using the printer driver 503. Here, the case binding document data includes text data corresponding to the text 101 and cover data corresponding to the cover 102. Strictly speaking, the cover data is composed of front cover part data, back cover part data, and back cover part data constituting the cover 102.

  Then, the host PC 201 outputs print data to which the attribute information indicating each data type corresponding to the text data, front cover part data, back cover part data, and back cover part data is added to the printer 202.

  In step S <b> 603, the host PC 201 outputs the print data created in step S <b> 602 to the printer 202, and the printer 202 executes trial printing.

  Here, trial printing means that, when printing of a plurality of copies is set, the printing is not performed all at once, but only one copy is performed in advance for trial printing. Then, the user confirms the result of the trial printing, and if it is a satisfactory printing result, it indicates a processing flow for continuing printing for the remaining parts. In particular, in case binding, the display data corresponding to the cover 102 cannot be created by an application in the host PC 201 unless the thickness of the body 101 in FIG. Need to be implemented.

  Details of the trial printing will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the trial printing.

  In step S <b> 702, the printer 202 generates page data for each page corresponding to the data to be printed on the printing paper, based on the print data (PDL data) received from the host PC 201.

  Details of generation of page data will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of generation of page data.

  In step S <b> 802, the printer 202 transmits the PDL data generated by the printer driver 503 of the host PC 201 by the data reception unit 403 via the communication interface 402.

  In step S803, the printer 202 analyzes the PDL data received in step S802 by the PDL interpreter 404, converts the PDL data into intermediate language data, and stores the intermediate language data in the intermediate language data storage unit 405. The intermediate language data here refers to drawing objects and background patterns such as “bitmap”, “run length”, “trapezoid”, “box”, “fast boundary-coded bitmap”, and raster memory. The generic name of the drawing logic when drawing is performed.

  In step S804, the printer 202 sequentially analyzes the intermediate language data generated in step S803, and determines whether the page data generated from the intermediate language data to be processed is the last page. If it is the last page (YES in step S804), the generation of page data is terminated. On the other hand, if it is not the last page (NO in step S804), in step S805, the printer 202 performs rendering processing on the intermediate language data to generate page data.

  Here, the rendering process uses the renderer 406 to analyze the type of object configuration (for example, characters, images, graphics, etc.) in the form of intermediate language data. Then, the intermediate language data generated in step S803 is converted into a bitmap and page data corresponding to the data to be printed on the printing paper is generated and stored in the designated storage area (image data storage unit 407). When the rendering process for the page is completed, the process returns to step S804 again.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  When the generation of page data is completed, the printer 202 stores the generated page data in the storage area 408 in step S703. As a result of this processing, the storage area 408 stores print data composed of page data of cover page data and body data. In addition, an attribute of whether the data is body data or cover data is added to the page data. Further, as described above, the front cover data is composed of the front cover part data, the back cover part data, and the back cover part data constituting the cover 102 (FIG. 1).

  In particular, the printer 202 centers the back cover data with respect to the page data from the front cover part data, the back cover part data, and the back cover part data, and based on the designated back cover width, The data and back cover data are laid out to generate cover data.

  In step S704, the printer 202 executes one-copy printing that prints only one copy based on the page data generated in step S702.

  Here, the details of one copy printing will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of one-copy printing.

  In step S902, the printer 202 initializes a variable (X) indicating the page number being processed to 1. However, X is an integer satisfying X ≧ 1.

  In step S903, the printer 202 determines whether or not the variable (X) indicating the page number being processed is equal to or less than the total number of pages (X_MAX). The total number of pages (X_MAX) is obtained from the processing result of step S804 in FIG. However, the total number of pages (X_MAX) is an integer satisfying X_MAX ≧ 1.

  If the page number (X) being processed exceeds the total number of pages (X_MAX) (NO in step S903), the process ends. On the other hand, if the page number (X) being processed is equal to or smaller than the total number of pages (X_MAX) (YES in step S903), the printer 202 reads page data from the storage area 408 in step S904.

  In step S905, the printer 202 converts the read page data into a video signal, transmits the video signal to the printer engine 410, and prints an image based on the page data on a print sheet. In step S906, the printer 202 increments the variable (X) indicating the page number being processed to the next page number (X = X + 1), and returns to step S903.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  The print result of the trial print generated in step S603 is confirmed by the user, and information indicating whether the print result is OK or NG is input to the host PC 201. Here, the user looks at the state of the final product 104 in FIG. 1, and the user confirms whether or not the final product 104 is assumed. In particular, the user pays attention to the relationship between the thickness of the body and the layout of the cover, and confirms whether the cover layout is a print result that matches the thickness of the body. If not, information indicating NG is input to the host PC 201 as NG. On the other hand, if it is compatible, information indicating OK is input to the host PC 201.

  Therefore, in step S604, the host PC 201 determines whether the content of the information input as the confirmation result of the trial printing is OK or NG based on the operation of the input unit 510 by the user. If information indicating OK is input, the process proceeds to step S608. On the other hand, when information indicating NG is input, the process proceeds to step S605.

  When information indicating NG is input as the confirmation result, the user measures the thickness (back cover width) of the text. In general, as a method for measuring the thickness of the text, it is often measured using a measuring instrument such as a caliper. Therefore, the user measures the spine cover width using this measuring instrument and determines the measured value. Then, by inputting the measured value of the back cover width (back cover width information) to the host PC 201, the layout of the cover can be determined in the host PC 201.

  Therefore, in step S605, the host PC 201 inputs a measured value of the spine cover width based on the operation of the input unit 510 by the user. In step S606, the host PC 201 executes print data editing processing based on the input spine cover width measurement value and the operation of the input unit 510 by the user.

  Here, an example of editing processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the editing process.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes a cover layout printed at the time of trial printing, which is created by the user without recognizing the exact width of the spine cover. When the user determines that the spine cover width needs to be widened from the measurement result (measured value) of the spine cover width for this layout 1001, the user inputs the size of the widening width to the host PC 201. Thus, the print data editing process (adjustment of the back cover width) is realized.

  Reference numeral 1002 denotes an editing result of the layout 1001 by the application on the host PC 201 based on the printing result of the trial printing. The width of the back cover is widened, and the layout of the cover page adjacent to the back cover is also shifted left and right. An example is shown.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S607, the host PC 201 regenerates PDL data from the print data edited in step S606, and regenerates page data from the PDL data. Details of the generation of the page data are as described above with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 608, the host PC 201 outputs the print data created in step S <b> 602 to the printer 202, and the printer 202 executes printing for the specified number of copies.

  Details of the designated number of copies printing will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the designated number of copies printing.

  In step S1102, the printer 202 sets a variable (N) indicating the number of copies to N = 1. However, N is an integer satisfying N ≧ 1.

  In step S1103, the printer 202 determines whether or not the variable (N) indicating the number of copies is equal to or less than the specified number of copies (N_MAX). This designated number of copies (N_MAX) is assumed to be transmitted from the printer driver 503 in the host PC 201. Alternatively, it is assumed that it is included in the print settings in the received print data. However, the designated number of copies (N_MAX) is an integer that satisfies N_MAX ≧ 1.

  If the number of copies (N) exceeds the specified number of copies (N_MAX) (NO in step S1103), the process ends. On the other hand, if the number of copies (N) is equal to or less than the specified number of copies (N_MAX) (YES in step S1103), in step S1104, the printer 202 executes one copy. The details of this one-copy printing process are as described above with reference to FIG.

  In step S1105, the printer 202 increments the number of copies (N) to the next number (N = N + 1), and returns to step S1103.

  The above is the printing process of the conventional printing system.

  Next, the printing process of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the printing process of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, a case where print processing is realized using the host PC 201 and the printer 202 will be described as an example.

  In step S <b> 1202, the host PC 201 creates case binding document data using an arbitrary application, and creates print data (PDL data) using the printer driver 503.

  In step S1203, the host PC 201 outputs the print data created in step S1202 to the printer 202, and the printer 202 executes trial printing. Note that the details of the trial printing are basically as described in step S603 in FIG. However, the first embodiment is characterized by a one-copy printing process in trial printing.

  Details of the one-copy printing process of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

  It is a flowchart which shows the detail of 1 copy printing process of Embodiment 1 of this invention of FIG.

  In step S1302, the printer 202 initializes a variable (X) indicating the page number being processed to 1. However, X is an integer satisfying X ≧ 1.

  In step S1303, the printer 202 determines whether the variable (X) indicating the page number being processed is equal to or less than the total number of pages (X_MAX). It is assumed that the total number of pages (X_MAX) can be obtained from the processing result of step S804 in FIG. However, the total number of pages (X_MAX) is an integer satisfying X_MAX ≧ 1.

  If the page number (X) being processed exceeds the total number of pages (X_MAX) (NO in step S1303), the process ends. On the other hand, if the page number (X) being processed is equal to or smaller than the total number of pages (X_MAX) (YES in step S1303), the printer 202 reads page data from the storage area 408 in step S1304.

  In step S1305, the printer 202 determines whether the page data being processed is cover data. If it is not cover data (NO in step S1305), the process proceeds to step S138. On the other hand, if it is cover data (YES in step S1305), the flow advances to step S1306. Here, the determination as to whether the data is cover data is made based on the attribute of whether the data is body data or cover data added to each page data. For example, this attribute is added when print data is generated by the printer driver 503 of the host PC 201.

  In step S1306, the printer 202 determines whether the printing is in the trial printing mode. Here, whether or not it is the trial print mode is determined based on a flag specified by the printer driver 503 of the host PC 201. Further, this flag is designated in the processing of step S1203 in FIG.

  As a result of the determination, if it is not the trial print mode (NO in step S1306), the process proceeds to step S1308. On the other hand, if it is the trial print mode (YES in step S1306), the process advances to step S1307.

  In step S1307, the printer 202 performs processing for adding scale data to the cover data at the time of trial printing and generating cover data with scale. By adding scale data to the cover data, this allows the user to measure the spine cover width without having to prepare a measuring instrument such as a caliper when measuring a measurement object such as the spine cover width.

  Next, the method for adding scale data in step S1307 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the scale data adding method in step S1307 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1401 denotes cover data, in which a cover part is laid out on the left side, a back cover part in the middle, and a back cover part on the right side. This cover data 1401 is data that has already been generated by the processing of FIG. 1402 is scale pattern data to which a scale is added. The scale pattern data 1402 is page data prepared in advance by the printer 202, and is stored in the storage area 408, for example.

  Reference numeral 1403 is an example of cover data with scales. Cover data with scales is created by synthesizing the cover data 1401 and scale pattern data 1402 as a form.

  That is, in step S1307, if the printer 202 determines that it is cover data and is in the trial print mode, the cover data to be processed and the scale pattern data are combined to generate cover data with scale.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S1308, the printer 202 converts the page data read in step S1304 or the cover data with scale created in step S1307 into a video signal, transmits the video signal to the printer engine 410, and prints an image based thereon on printing paper.

  In step S1309, the printer 202 increments the variable (X) indicating the page number being processed to the next page number (X = X + 1), and returns to step S1303.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S1204, the user confirms the printed matter output by the trial printing. Then, the host PC 201 determines whether the content of the information input as the confirmation result of the trial printing is OK or NG. If information indicating OK is input, the process proceeds to step S1209. On the other hand, if information indicating NG is input, the process proceeds to step S1205.

  Here, when information indicating NG is input as the confirmation result, the user measures the thickness of the body (back cover width) to change the spine cover width. In general, as a method for measuring the thickness of the text, it is often measured using a measuring instrument such as a caliper. However, in the case of the first embodiment, scaled cover data (FIG. 14) is generated in the trial printing. That is, since the scale data is added to the cover data, the user can measure the spine width without using a measuring instrument. Then, by inputting the measured value of the spine cover width to the printer 202, the printer 202 can determine the cover layout.

  In step S1205, the printer 202 inputs a measured value of the spine cover width based on the operation of the operation panel 411 by the user. Specifically, a measured value of the spine cover width is input via an editing screen 1501 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 1206, the printer 202 determines whether editing is possible by an operation on the printer 202 as a print data editing method. This determination as to whether editing is possible is performed based on the input spine cover width value. For example, if the spine cover width value is less than the set value, it is determined that editing is possible by an operation on the printer 202, while if the spine cover width value is greater than or equal to the set value, the printer It is determined that editing is not possible by an operation on 202.

  In the first exemplary embodiment, the printer 202 has a fine adjustment function for print data, and the print data can be edited within a fine adjustment range of a predetermined value (set value) (for example, about several mm). Editing can be performed via a UI provided on the operation panel 411 of the printer 202. In this case, the user can complete the editing process on the printer 202 without returning to the host PC 201, which is efficient.

  On the other hand, when the print data cannot be edited with the fine adjustment function of the printer 202, the printer 202 edits the operation panel 411 to that effect (impossible to edit) and the editing function of the host PC 201. The notification information that prompts the user is output.

  If the result of determination is that editing is not possible by operation on the printer 202 (NO in step S1206), in step S1207, the host PC 201 determines based on the input spine cover width measurement value and the operation of the input unit 510 by the user. The print data editing process is executed. Note that the example of the editing process is basically as described with reference to FIG. However, in the first embodiment, a cover with a scale can be obtained from the cover data with a scale, and the user can execute an editing process with reference to the scale.

  On the other hand, if editing is possible by operation on the printer 202 (YES in step S1206), the printer 202 executes print data editing processing based on the operation of the operation panel 411 by the user.

  Here, an example of a UI displayed on the operation panel 411 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI displayed on the operation panel of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The operation panel 411 provides a UI for performing various operations on the printer 202. In the first embodiment, a print job list stored in the storage area 408 is displayed from a panel menu provided by the UI, a print job (print data) to be processed is selected from the print job list, and the print is performed. Data can be processed.

  In particular, FIG. 15 shows an editing screen 1501 that is a UI for editing the selected print data. The user can edit the print data using the editing screen 1501.

  In the editing screen 1501, 1502 is a display area for displaying detailed items (for example, job name) of the job. Reference numeral 1503 denotes a setting change item control. In this example, items such as a cover sheet feeding stage, a body sheet feeding stage, a spine cover width fine adjustment, and a designated number of copies can be set.

  Reference numeral 1504 denotes a trial print selection button, and this button switches between an effective state (execution of trial printing) and an invalid state (non-execution of trial printing) each time it is operated. Reference numeral 1505 denotes a button for instructing start of printing.

  If the print start button 1505 is operated while the trial print selection button 1504 is valid, the printer 202 executes trial printing of the print data to be processed. On the other hand, when the print start button 1505 is operated in a state where the trial print selection button 1504 is invalid, the printer 202 specifies the number of copies of the print data to be processed based on the number of copies designated in the item of designated copies. Execute printing.

  Next, an editing operation using the setting change item control 1503 will be described.

  First, when the setting is changed in the cover sheet and text sheet feed stage items, the paper is fed from the designated paper feed stage. However, the data size and the paper feed size must match.

  Next, a case where the setting of the fine adjustment item of the spine cover width is changed will be described. When the spine cover width is set, the layout of the cover data is changed.

  An example of changing the cover data layout will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of changing the cover data layout according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The spine portion 1603 performs center placement (= no layout change) on the printing paper. The front cover portion 1601 and the back cover portion 1602 are shifted to the left and right, respectively. In the first embodiment, the spine cover width fine adjustment value is set to “+1.2 mm” in the fine adjustment item of the spine cover width. Therefore, in this case, as shown by 1604, the back cover 1601 is shifted to the left by “0.6 mm” and the back cover 1602 is shifted to the right by “0.6 mm” with reference to the back cover 1603. Is realized. As a result, the print data can be edited on the printer 202 without returning to the host PC 201.

  As described above, the printer 202 shifts the positions of the spine portion 1603, the front cover portion 1601, and the back cover portion 1602 on the basis of a predetermined reference (in this case, the spine portion 1603). The layout of the front cover portion 1601 and the back cover portion 1602 is adjusted.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S1209, it is determined whether or not to perform trial printing again as a result of the editing process in step S1207 or step S1208. This is because the user may want to execute trial printing again when the editing content (change amount) is large in the editing process in step S1207 or step S1208.

  Designation of the trial printing is designated by the UI (not shown) of the printer driver in the host PC 201 when going through step S1207, that is, when editing processing is executed on the host PC 201. On the other hand, when going through step S1208, that is, when editing processing is executed on the printer 202, the trial print selection button 1504 on the editing screen 1501 displayed on the operation panel 411 of the printer 202 is enabled. .

  As a result of the determination, when trial printing is executed (YES in step S1209), the process returns to step S1203.

  Here, when executing the trial printing via step S1207, the host PC 201 outputs the print data to the printer 202, and the printer 202 executes the trial printing. On the other hand, when executing trial printing via step S1208, when the print start button 1505 is operated with the trial print selection button 1504 on the editing screen 1501 being valid, the printer 202 selects print data to be processed. The data is read from the storage area 408, and trial printing is executed.

  On the other hand, when the trial printing is not executed (NO in step S1209), the designated number of copies is executed in step S1210.

  Here, when executing the designated number of copies printing via step S1207, the host PC 201 outputs the print data to be processed to the printer 202, and the printer 202 executes the designated number of copies printing.

  The details of the designated number of copies printing are basically as described with reference to FIG. However, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the designated number of copies (N_MAX) in step S1103 in FIG. 11 is transmitted from the printer driver 503 in the host PC 201. Alternatively, it is assumed that it is included in the print settings in the received print data. Further, it is assumed that the value is set by the setting change item control 1503 on the editing screen (FIG. 15) of the printer 202.

  On the other hand, when the designated number of copies are printed via step S1208, when the print start button 1505 is operated with the trial print selection button 1504 on the edit screen 1501 being valid, the printer 202 obtains print data to be processed. Reading from the storage area 408 and printing the designated number of copies will be executed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when performing trial printing at the time of case binding, a cover with a scale is printed, so that the user can easily perform without preparing a measuring instrument such as a caliper. In addition, the measurement value of the measurement object such as the back cover width of the cover can be visually confirmed. In addition, the back cover width in the print data to be processed can be adjusted in the printer, and the user has to go back to the host PC and execute the print data editing process for adjusting the back cover width. It is possible to save and simplify the work flow.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the front cover part data, the back cover part data, and the back cover part data constituting the cover data are transmitted from the host PC 201 to the printer 202 as separate print data. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the configuration in which the cover data in which the front cover part data, the back cover part data, and the back cover part data are laid out in one page data is transmitted as print data from the host PC 201 to the printer 202 is also described in the first embodiment. The configuration can be applied.

  In this case, in this cover data, attributes and position information in the cover data are set for each of the laid out front cover data, back cover data, and back cover data. Thus, the printer 202 can finely adjust the layout of the front cover part data, the back cover part data, and the back cover part data in the cover data by using these attributes and the position information in the cover data. is there.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment, the case where the back cover data is arranged in the center with respect to the page data and the cover cover data and the back cover data are laid out with reference to the center is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, depending on the characteristics of the case binding machine, there may be a case where bookbinding is performed by bringing either the front cover part or the back cover part to one side. Therefore, in that case, it is possible to change the reference to front cover part data or back cover part data, and to lay out the remaining data based on the reference.

<Embodiment 4>
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the printer 202 has a fine adjustment function of the spine cover width has been described. In the fourth embodiment, the cover data of a plurality of types of spine cover widths is managed by the printer 202 with a unit width that can be finely adjusted by the fine adjustment function of the printer 202, and the cover data of the spine width intended by the user is selected. A configuration for printing the cover will be described. As a result, a configuration that realizes processing equivalent to the adjustment of the spine cover width will be described.

  First, the printing process of the printing system according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the printing process of the printing system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, a case where print processing is realized using the host PC 201 and the printer 202 will be described as an example.

  In step S1702, the host PC 201 creates a plurality of types of case binding cover data using an arbitrary application. The cover data for case binding is composed of front cover data, back cover data and back cover data, and the back cover width of the back cover data is a constant width (for example, 0.1 mm). The data is shifted (FIG. 18).

  In step S1703, the host PC 201 uses the printer driver 503 to create print data (PDL data) based on the plurality of types of case binding cover data created in step S1702. Then, the host PC 201 transmits the print data to the printer 202, and the printer 202 stores the print data in the storage area 408.

  Details of the print data storage process of the printer 202 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the storage process of the printer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In step S1902, the printer 202 generates page data using print data (PDL data) received from the host PC 201. Here, the received print data is the case binding cover data created in step S1702. The details of the generation of the page data are as described with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 1903, the printer 202 adds an ID number to the generated page data (cover data) and stores the page data in the storage area 408. Here, the stored cover data can be confirmed via a UI provided on an operation panel 411 provided in the printer 202.

  Here, an example of a UI displayed on the operation panel 411 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI displayed on the operation panel of the printer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  By operating the panel menu of the operation panel 411, the user can display the stored document data confirmation screen 2001. The user can check the contents of the saved document data stored in the storage area 408 and perform various operations such as printing using the saved document data confirmation screen 2001.

  In the saved document data confirmation screen 2001, reference numeral 2002 denotes a tag indicating an item of a saved document (data once stored before printing the print data). Reference numeral 2003 denotes an ID number added to data stored as saved document data. Reference numeral 2004 denotes a document name stored as saved document data. This document name can be set by the host PC 201.

  The ID number 2003 and the corresponding saved document name 2004 constitute one saved document data record. In the figure, five stored document data records with ID numbers 0 to 5 are shown. In addition, in this record, saved document data (“ID = 0”, “cover = 0 mm”) to which hatching patterns are added indicates that it is selected as a processing target. In addition, the five stored document data displayed in FIG. 20 are part of the case binding body data and the plural types of case binding cover data stored in the storage area 408 by the processing in step S1703. .

  Reference numeral 2005 denotes a scroll bar for scrolling saved document data (ID number and corresponding saved document name) in units of records. Reference numeral 2006 denotes a trial print selection button, and this button switches between an effective state (execution of trial printing) and an invalid state (non-execution of trial printing) each time it is operated. Reference numeral 2007 denotes a print start button for instructing the start of printing when printing the selected stored document data.

  If the print start button 2007 is operated in a state where the saved document data is selected and the trial print selection button 2006 is valid, the printer 202 executes trial printing of the saved document data. On the other hand, when the stored document data is selected and the print start button 2007 is operated in a state where the trial print selection button 2006 is invalid, the printer 202 executes the specified number of copies of the stored document data.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S 1704, the host PC 201 creates case binding text data using an arbitrary application.

  In step S1705, the host PC 201 transmits the case binding text data created in step S1704 to the printer 202, and the printer 202 stores the text data in the storage area 408. Note that the details of the process of saving the text data in the storage area 408 are obtained by applying the case binding cover data to the case binding text data for the processing target described in FIG.

  In step S1706, the printer 202 executes trial printing.

  Details of the trial printing will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the trial printing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 2102, the printer 202 selects cover data (stored document data) as a trial print target based on the user's operation on the stored document data confirmation screen 2001, and performs trial printing of the selected cover data. Execute.

  Here, for example, on the saved document data confirmation screen 2001 (FIG. 20), the saved document data (cover data) with “ID = 0” is selected, and the print start button 2007 is valid while the trial print selection button 2006 is valid. Is operated. By this operation, the printer 202 executes trial printing of saved document data (cover data) with “ID = 0”. The processing content of this trial printing corresponds to the processing in step S1307 and step S1308 in FIG. That is, the printing result of the trial printing of the cover data is scaled cover data.

  In step 2103, the printer 202 detects the set of the inserter 303 of the print result (cover) of the trial print that is the processing result of step S <b> 2102. As a result, the printer 202 can feed the front cover during case binding from the inserter.

  In step 2104, the printer 202 executes one copy.

  Here, for example, on the saved document data confirmation screen 2001 (FIG. 20), the saved document data (text data) of “ID = 4” is selected, and the print start button 2007 is valid, and the print start button 2007 is valid. Is operated. By this operation, the printer 202 executes one copy of the stored document data (text data) with “ID = 4”. The details of this one-copy printing process are as described above with reference to FIG.

  The cover set in the inserter 303 in step 2103 is added to the print result of the one-copy printing process in step S2104.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S1707, the host PC 201 determines whether the content of the information input as the confirmation result of the trial printing is OK or NG. If information indicating OK is input, the process proceeds to step S1710. On the other hand, if information indicating NG is input, the process proceeds to step S1708. This step S1707 corresponds to step S1204 of FIG.

  In step S1708, the host PC 201 inputs a measured value of the spine cover width based on an input operation from the user. This step S1708 corresponds to step S1205 in FIG. 12 of the first embodiment.

  In step S1709, the host PC 201 selects the case binding cover data having the same width as the spine cover width input in step S1708 from the case binding cover data stored in step S1703. Thereafter, print data of the cover data for case binding is generated and output to the printer 202, and the printer 202 executes printing of a specified number of copies of the cover data. Thereafter, the cover data printed by the printer 202 is set in the inserter 303.

  Note that in step S1709, when the process goes through step S1708 and the input spine cover width value is “2 mm”, for example, the host PC 201 saves “ID = 2” in the saved document data confirmation screen 2001. Select document data (cover data). On the other hand, when not passing through step S1708, the stored document data (cover data) having the same ID (ID = 0) as the ID selected in step S1706 is selected.

  In step S <b> 1710, the host PC 201 outputs print data (text data) to be processed to the printer 202, and the printer 202 executes printing a specified number of copies of the text data.

  The details of the designated number of copies printing are basically as described with reference to FIG. However, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the designated number of copies (N_MAX) in step S1103 in FIG. 11 is transmitted from the printer driver 503 in the host PC 201. Alternatively, it is assumed that it is included in the print settings in the received print data. Further, it is assumed that the value is set by the setting change item control 1503 on the editing screen (FIG. 15) of the printer 202.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, cover data of a plurality of types of spine cover widths are managed by the printer 202 with a unit width that can be finely adjusted by the fine adjustment function of the printer 202, and the designated back surface is specified. Select cover data for the cover width and print the cover. Thereby, the same effect as Embodiment 1 can be acquired.

  In the fourth embodiment, the spine cover width is input to the host PC 201, and the host PC 201 selects the case binding cover data corresponding to the input spine cover width from the storage area 408 of the printer 202. The selected case binding cover data is used for printing, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the spine cover width is input to the printer 202, the case binding cover data corresponding to the input spine cover width is selected from the storage area 408 by the printer 202, and the selected case binding cover data is used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for performing printing.

<Embodiment 5>
In the fourth embodiment, a description has been given of a configuration in which a plurality of types of case binding cover data composed of front cover part data, back cover part data, and back cover part data are created on the host PC 201 and saved by the printer 202. It is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to create a plurality of types of back cover part data on the host PC 201 and store them in the printer 202.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the drawing) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, and an optical disk. Further, as a recording medium, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), etc. is there.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from a homepage of the connection destination to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Further, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure for demonstrating case binding. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing system of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the bookbinding system of Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of host PC of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process of the conventional printing system. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of trial printing. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the production | generation of page data. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of 1 copy printing. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of an edit process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of designation | designated copies printing. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of a one-copy printing process according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the addition method of the scale data of step S1307 of Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI displayed on the operation panel of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a change of the layout of the cover data of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process of the printing system of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the cover data for multiple types of case binding of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the preservation | save process of the printer of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of UI displayed on the operation panel of the printer of Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the trial printing of Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

201 Host PC
202, 205 Printer 203 Case binding machine 204 Nearline case binding machine

Claims (12)

A printing apparatus that performs printing based on print data for bookbinding printing,
Storage means for storing cover page data in which front cover data, back cover data, and back cover data are laid out as print data for bookbinding printing to be printed;
Input means for inputting spine cover width information indicating the spine cover width of bookbinding printing with spine cover;
Adjusting means for adjusting at least one layout of the front cover data, the back cover data and the back cover data in the cover page data stored in the storage means based on the back cover width information;
Printing means for executing printing using the cover page data adjusted by the adjusting means,
When the trial printing mode is designated as the printing mode of the printing means, the printing means executes printing using page data obtained by combining scale pattern data with the cover page data. apparatus. The storage means stores the scale pattern data,
The printing means executes a printing process based on the cover data and scale pattern data when the trial print mode is designated, and adds the cover data to the cover data when the trial print mode is not designated. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a printing process is executed based on the printing process. The adjusting means includes at least one of front cover data, back cover data, and back cover data laid out in the cover page data based on the back cover width information and a reference set in the cover page data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one position is shifted. Determination means for determining whether or not the spine cover width indicated by the spine cover width information input by the input means is greater than or equal to a set value;
As a result of the determination by the determination means, when the spine cover width is less than a set value, the adjustment means, based on the spine cover width information, the cover cover in the cover page data stored in the storage means The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one layout of the data, the back cover data, and the back cover data is adjusted. The output means for outputting notification information indicating that adjustment by the adjustment means is impossible when the spine cover width is equal to or larger than a set value as a result of the determination by the determination means. 5. The printing apparatus according to 4. Page data storage means for storing a plurality of types of cover page data having different back cover widths corresponding to the back cover data;
Selecting means for selecting, from the page data storage means, the cover page data corresponding to the spine cover width indicated by the spine cover width information input by the input means;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when cover page data is selected by the selection unit, the printing unit executes printing using the cover page data. Display means for displaying a list of the plurality of types of cover page data stored in the page data storage means;
A specifying means for specifying the cover page data to be processed from the list of cover page data displayed by the display means;
The printing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: instruction means for instructing execution of printing of the cover page data designated by the designation means. An information processing apparatus that generates print data for bookbinding printing and outputs the print data to a printing apparatus,
Generation means for generating a plurality of types of the cover page data, the cover page data including the back cover data, the spine cover width corresponding to the spine cover data being different from each other;
Storage means for storing the plurality of types of cover page data generated by the generation means in a storage unit of the printing apparatus;
Input means for inputting spine cover width information indicating the spine cover width of bookbinding printing with spine cover;
Selecting means for selecting, from the storage unit, the cover page data corresponding to the spine width indicated by the spine width information input by the input means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: execution means for executing printing by the printing apparatus using cover page data selected by the selection means. A control method for a printing apparatus that performs printing based on print data for bookbinding printing,
A storage step of storing, in a storage medium, cover page data in which front cover data, back cover data, and back cover data are laid out as print data for bookbinding printing to be printed;
An input step of inputting spine width information indicating the spine width of bookbinding printing with a spine;
An adjustment step of adjusting at least one layout of the front cover data, the back cover data, and the back cover data in the cover page data stored in the storage medium based on the back cover width information;
A printing step of performing printing using the cover page data adjusted in the adjustment step,
When the trial printing mode is designated as the printing mode of the printing process, the printing process executes printing using page data obtained by combining scale pattern data with the cover page data. Control method of the device. A method of controlling an information processing apparatus that generates print data for bookbinding printing and outputs the print data to a printing apparatus,
Generating a plurality of types of the cover page data, the cover page data including the back cover data, the spine cover width corresponding to the spine cover data is different from each other;
A storage step of storing the plurality of types of cover page data generated in the generation step in a storage unit of the printing apparatus;
An input step of inputting spine width information indicating the spine width of bookbinding printing with a spine;
A selection step of selecting, from the storage unit, the cover page data corresponding to the spine width indicated by the spine width information input in the input step;
A control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: an execution step of executing, by the printing apparatus, printing using cover page data selected in the selection step. A computer program for causing a computer to execute control of a printing apparatus that performs printing based on print data for bookbinding printing,
A storage step of storing, in a storage medium, cover page data in which front cover data, back cover data, and back cover data are laid out as print data for bookbinding printing to be printed;
An input step of inputting spine width information indicating the spine width of bookbinding printing with a spine;
An adjustment step of adjusting at least one layout of the front cover data, the back cover data, and the back cover data in the cover page data stored in the storage medium based on the back cover width information;
Characterized in that the computer executes a printing process and printing using the cover page data adjusted in the adjustment process,
When the trial printing mode is designated as the printing mode of the printing process, the printing process executes printing using page data obtained by combining scale pattern data with the cover page data. program. A computer program for causing a computer to execute control of an information processing apparatus that generates print data for bookbinding printing and outputs the print data to a printing apparatus,
Generating a plurality of types of the cover page data, the cover page data including the back cover data, the spine cover width corresponding to the spine cover data is different from each other;
A storage step of storing the plurality of types of cover page data generated in the generation step in a storage unit of the printing apparatus;
An input step of inputting spine width information indicating the spine width of bookbinding printing with a spine;
A selection step of selecting, from the storage unit, the cover page data corresponding to the spine width indicated by the spine width information input in the input step;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute a printing process using cover page data selected in the selection process, in the printing apparatus.

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