JP2008134872A - Print control system, print control device, print control method, print control program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a print error due to conversion processing by enabling a user to confirm whether a print result can be obtained as desired and to select an undesired point when an undesirable result is generated, prior to print processing. <P>SOLUTION: This print control system inputting print data containing a print job definition data which is information on a print job, and content data which is electronic document data to be printed and controlling a printer, comprises a data separating section 11 separating the input print data into the print job definition data and content data; a printer setting data conversion section 13 converting the print job definition data into a plurality of printer setting data as candidates of data used in setting the printer; a conversion candidate selecting section 14 presenting the plurality of printer setting data converted by the printer setting data conversion section 13 so that the user can confirm and select them; and a control section 11 controlling output to each processing section and the printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a print control system, a print control apparatus, a print control method, a print control program, and a recording medium that handle print job definition data that is information related to a print job.

In general, when printing print data in a page description language (PDL) such as PostScript (trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc., USA), information about the print job is displayed as print job definition data (DPA).
(Document Printing Application), JDF (Job
(Definition Format) or the like, and a method of controlling printing is known.

The print job definition data consists of print job specification data and print job setting data.
The print job specification data is also referred to as print specification information, and refers to information in which the specification of a desired print product is described as a final product by print processing. The print job setting data is also referred to as print setting information, and refers to detailed setting information of the printing apparatus used for the printing process. The setting information included in the print setting information includes information that overlaps with the print specification information.

However, the print job definition data is setting information intended to finish the printed matter, for example, in the case of paper size, the finished paper size is the paper size of the final printed matter after the subsequent process (folding and cutting). It does not necessarily match the paper feed paper size at the time.
Therefore, it is necessary to convert print job specification data and print job setting data included in the print job definition data into printing apparatus setting data necessary for printing.

As a print control apparatus that handles the above-described print job definition data, the invention described in Patent Document 1
The internal state of the PDL processing means of the print control device can be set according to data expressed in a format other than PDL that can be processed by the PDL (Page Description Language) processing means of the print control device. A job in which DPA data indicating new print settings is added to the PDL data is transmitted to the print server. The controller of the print server extracts DPA data from the job and inputs it to the DPA converter. The DPA converter converts the DPA data into PDL data and inputs it to the PDL interpreter. The PDL interpreter interprets the data and sets its internal state. PD
When the L interpreter completes the interpretation of the data, the controller inputs the PDL data to the PDL interpreter. As a result, the PDL data is processed based on the setting of the DPA data.

Patent Document 2 describes a new preview device that can easily and accurately grasp an actual printing result. Based on the print data and print setting information, this apparatus generates and creates an image image composed of an image of a print medium corresponding to an actual printed matter and an image related to print contents formed on the print medium. Image images are dynamically displayed in a predetermined moving image pattern, which allows you to easily and accurately grasp the actual print results simply by looking at the preview. If a print setting error occurs, it is easy and accurate. It is a device that can be grasped. Since this device presents the contents of the print job definition data as a video,
This is an apparatus capable of presenting the result of the print output based on the set print job definition data in an easy-to-understand manner using moving image information.
JP-A-10-124272 JP 2006-192580 A

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the necessity of conversion, conversion examples, and the like are known from a plurality of documents. However, at this time, the optimal (reasonable) conversion is not uniquely determined and is desired by the user. There is a problem that the conversion is not performed.
Further, although a method using a specification evaluation value calculation unit or a device evaluation value calculation unit has been proposed, there is a case where conversion to printing apparatus setting data that realizes a finish according to the specification may not be possible with this method. In such a case, conversion to the printing device setting data closest to the specification is required based on the predetermined evaluation value. However, in general, the printing result with the printing device setting data close to the specification is also used. The results will not always be what you want. Therefore, each time,
There is a problem that user confirmation is required.

Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, when a plurality of printing device setting data candidates are handled by the conversion process of the print job definition data, a difference between the original setting and the converted value is compared as a new problem. There is a problem that is necessary.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and confirms / selects whether or not a user can obtain a desired printing result before printing processing, and whether or not to change a desired printing result. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing control system, a printing control apparatus, a printing control method, a printing control program, and a recording medium that can be made possible and eliminate printing errors due to conversion processing.

[Mode 1] In order to achieve the above object, a print control system according to mode 1 includes:
A print control system that inputs print data including print job definition data that is information related to a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed, and controls a printing apparatus.
A data separator that separates the input print data into print job definition data and content data;
A printing device setting data conversion unit that converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device;
A conversion candidate selection unit that presents a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the printing device setting data conversion unit so that a user can check and select the data;
A control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the data separation unit, the printing device setting data conversion unit, and the conversion candidate selection unit and the output to the printing device;
It is provided with.

According to this configuration, the printing device setting data conversion unit converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device, and the conversion candidate selection unit prints the printing job definition data. Since a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the device setting data conversion unit is presented so that the user can check and select the data, the user can check whether a desired print result can be obtained before the printing process. Thus, it is possible to confirm or select a change point when it is not as desired, and it is possible to reduce printing errors due to the conversion process.
Note that “print job definition data” generally refers to information relating to a print job, such as “print job specification data” and “print job setting data”.

“Print job specification data” is referred to as “print specification information” and refers to information that describes the specifications of a desired printed material as a final product by printing processing. Specifically, the information includes information regarding the finished paper size, the type of printing medium, the folding method and the cutting method, the binding position, the binding method, the duplex printing method, the document data and pages to be printed, and the ink to be used. The print specification information only needs to describe the specifications of the final product, and print setting information is not described. In other words, the printing apparatus cannot be automatically operated with only the print specification information, and it is necessary to convert the print specification information into print setting information that satisfies the specification in some form.

“Print job setting data” is referred to as “print setting information”, which is detailed setting information of a printing apparatus in print processing. Specifically, for example, when imposing (allocating and printing a plurality of pages on one side of a sheet so as to obtain a finished sheet size after folding and cutting), the size of the sheet to be used, the imposition method, Detailed coordinate information in imposition, information on folding method and cutting position are included. Some of the setting information included in the print setting information overlaps with the print specification information.

“Content data” refers to document data associated with print specification information.
This refers to electronic document data that is subject to print processing based on print specifications. As an association method, a document may be directly embedded in the print specification information, or a URL (
(Uniform Resource Locator) or only the location of document data such as a file path may be described. A plurality of documents may be associated with the print specification information. Further, not only all pages of document data but also specific pages may be associated.

[Mode 2] The invention of mode 2 relates to the print control system of mode 1,
The printing apparatus setting data conversion unit selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to an original specification from the plurality of printing apparatus setting data.
According to this configuration, the printing device setting data conversion unit selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to the original specification from the plurality of printing device setting data, so that the conversion candidate selection unit selects a plurality of alternative candidates. Since the printing apparatus setting data including it is presented as a candidate to be selected by the user and the user can select one of the alternative candidates, the user can check whether a desired print result can be obtained before the printing process, and Thus, there is an effect that a change point when it is not as desired can be easily confirmed / selected by an alternative candidate.

[Mode 3] The invention of mode 3 relates to a print control system of mode 2,
When selecting the plurality of alternative candidates, the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit calculates a predetermined evaluation value for the original specifications of the plurality of printing apparatus setting data, and sets the original specification based on the predetermined evaluation value. It is characterized in that the closest one is selected as an alternative candidate.
According to this configuration, an alternative candidate can be selected by calculating a predetermined evaluation value for the original specifications of a plurality of printing device setting data, so that an effect that an objective alternative candidate can be presented is obtained.

[Form 4] The invention of form 4 relates to the print control system of form 3,
The conversion candidate selection unit presents difference information for comparing printing device setting data related to the plurality of alternative candidates and printing device setting data converted based on the original specification.
According to this configuration, since the difference information for comparing the printing device setting data related to a plurality of alternative candidates and the printing device setting data converted based on the original specification is presented, when handling a plurality of alternative candidates By comparing the difference between the original setting and the converted value, an effect that a desired printing result can be obtained with certainty can be obtained.

[Embodiment 5] The invention of embodiment 5 relates to the print control system of embodiment 4,
The difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image.
According to this configuration, the difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image, and a change point indicating which part is changed with respect to the original specification by the character information is presented. Therefore, it becomes easy to understand the difference and can be understood at a glance by an image diagram or a moving image, so that the user can select an alternative candidate without confusion.

[Mode 6] The invention of mode 6 relates to the printing control system of mode 4 or 5,
The difference information can further present accompanying information other than the difference information.
According to this configuration, it is possible to present additional information other than the difference information, so that it can be used as a reference for determination when selecting, and can be easily dealt with in the case of a mistake in pointing out a change. can get.

[Mode 7] The invention of mode 7 relates to the print control system of mode 6,
The accompanying information includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and caution points.
According to this configuration, since it includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and caution points, it is possible to obtain information that the user cannot know at the present time, and to make a decision when selecting It can be used as a reference and can be easily dealt with in the case of mistakes in pointing out changes.

[Mode 8] The print control apparatus according to mode 8
A print control apparatus that inputs print data including print job definition data that is information relating to a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed, and controls the printing apparatus.
A data separator that separates the input print data into print job definition data and content data;
A printing device setting data conversion unit that converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device;
A conversion candidate selection unit that presents a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the printing device setting data conversion unit so that a user can check and select the data;
A control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the data separation unit, the printing device setting data conversion unit, and the conversion candidate selection unit and the output to the printing device;
It is provided with.

According to this configuration, the printing device setting data conversion unit converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device, and the conversion candidate selection unit prints the printing job definition data. Since a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the device setting data conversion unit is presented so that the user can check and select the data, the user can check whether a desired print result can be obtained before the printing process. Thus, it is possible to confirm or select a change point when it is not as desired, and it is possible to reduce printing errors due to the conversion process.

[Embodiment 9] The invention of embodiment 9 relates to the printing control apparatus of embodiment 8,
The printing apparatus setting data conversion unit selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to an original specification from the plurality of printing apparatus setting data.
According to this configuration, the printing device setting data conversion unit selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to the original specification from the plurality of printing device setting data, so that the conversion candidate selection unit selects a plurality of alternative candidates. Since the printing apparatus setting data including it is presented as a candidate to be selected by the user and the user can select one of the alternative candidates, the user can check whether a desired print result can be obtained before the printing process, and Thus, there is an effect that a change point when it is not as desired can be easily confirmed / selected by an alternative candidate.

[Mode 10] The invention of mode 10 relates to the printing control apparatus of mode 9,
When selecting the plurality of alternative candidates, the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit calculates a predetermined evaluation value for the original specifications of the plurality of printing apparatus setting data, and sets the original specification based on the predetermined evaluation value. It is characterized in that the closest one is selected as an alternative candidate.
According to this configuration, an alternative candidate can be selected by calculating a predetermined evaluation value for the original specifications of a plurality of printing device setting data, so that an effect that an objective alternative candidate can be presented is obtained.

[Mode 11] The invention of mode 11 relates to the printing control apparatus of mode 10,
The conversion candidate selection unit presents difference information for comparing printing device setting data related to the plurality of alternative candidates and printing device setting data converted based on the original specification.
According to this configuration, since the difference information for comparing the printing device setting data related to a plurality of alternative candidates and the printing device setting data converted based on the original specification is presented, when handling a plurality of alternative candidates By comparing the difference between the original setting and the converted value, an effect that a desired printing result can be obtained with certainty can be obtained.

[Mode 12] The invention of mode 12 relates to the printing control apparatus of mode 11,
The difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image.
According to this configuration, the difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image, and a change point indicating which part is changed with respect to the original specification by the character information is presented. Therefore, it becomes easy to understand the difference and can be understood at a glance by an image diagram or a moving image, so that the user can select an alternative candidate without confusion.

[Mode 13] The invention of mode 13 relates to the printing control apparatus of mode 11 or 12,
The difference information can further present accompanying information other than the difference information.
According to this configuration, it is possible to present additional information other than the difference information, so that it can be used as a reference for determination when selecting, and can be easily dealt with in the case of a mistake in pointing out a change. can get.

[Form 14] The invention of form 14 relates to the print control apparatus of form 13,
The accompanying information includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and caution points.
According to this configuration, since it includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and caution points, it is possible to obtain information that the user cannot know at the present time, and to make a decision when selecting It can be used as a reference and can be easily dealt with in the case of mistakes in pointing out changes.

[Mode 15] A print control method according to mode 15 is:
A print control method for controlling a printing apparatus by inputting print data including print job definition data that is information about a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed,
A data separation step for separating the input print data into print job definition data and content data;
A printing device setting data conversion step for converting the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device;
A conversion candidate selection step for presenting a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the printing device setting data conversion step so that a user can check and select the data;
A control step for controlling the operation of each part of the data separation step, the printing device setting data conversion step, and the conversion candidate selection step and the output to the printing device;
It is characterized by including.

According to this configuration, the print device setting data conversion step converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device, and the conversion candidate selection step prints the print job definition data. Since a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the device setting data conversion step are presented so that the user can check and select the data, the user can check whether a desired printing result can be obtained before the printing process. Thus, it is possible to confirm or select a change point when it is not as desired, and it is possible to reduce printing errors due to the conversion process.

[Mode 16] The invention of mode 16 relates to the printing control method of mode 15,
In the printing apparatus setting data conversion step, a plurality of alternative candidates are selected as candidates close to the original specification from the plurality of printing apparatus setting data.
According to this configuration, since the printing device setting data conversion step selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to the original specification from the plurality of printing device setting data, the conversion candidate selection step selects a plurality of alternative candidates. Presenting the printing device setting data including it as a candidate to be selected by the user,
Since the user can select one of the alternative candidates, the user can easily confirm whether the desired print result can be obtained before the printing process, and the change point when the desired result is not as desired. / The effect that it can be selected is obtained.

[Mode 17] The invention of mode 17 relates to the printing control method of mode 16,
In the printing device setting data conversion step, when selecting the plurality of alternative candidates, a predetermined evaluation value for the original specification of the plurality of printing device setting data is calculated, and the original specification is based on the predetermined evaluation value. It is characterized in that the closest one is selected as an alternative candidate.
According to this configuration, an alternative candidate can be selected by calculating a predetermined evaluation value for the original specifications of a plurality of printing device setting data, so that an effect that an objective alternative candidate can be presented is obtained.

[Form 18] The invention of form 18 relates to a printing control method of form 17,
The conversion candidate selection step presents difference information for comparing the printing device setting data related to the plurality of alternative candidates and the printing device setting data converted based on the original specification.
According to this configuration, since the difference information for comparing the printing device setting data related to a plurality of alternative candidates and the printing device setting data converted based on the original specification is presented, when handling a plurality of alternative candidates By comparing the difference between the original setting and the converted value, an effect that a desired printing result can be obtained with certainty can be obtained.

[Embodiment 19] The invention of embodiment 19 relates to a printing control method of embodiment 18,
The difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image.
According to this configuration, the difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image, and a change point indicating which part is changed with respect to the original specification by the character information is presented. Therefore, it becomes easy to understand the difference and can be understood at a glance by an image diagram or a moving image, so that the user can select an alternative candidate without confusion.

[Mode 20] The invention of mode 20 relates to the printing control method of mode 18 or 19, and
The difference information can further present accompanying information other than the difference information.
According to this configuration, it is possible to present additional information other than the difference information, so that it can be used as a reference for determination when selecting, and can be easily dealt with in the case of a mistake in pointing out a change. can get.

[Mode 21] The invention of mode 21 relates to the printing control method of mode 20,
The accompanying information includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and caution points.
According to this configuration, since it includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and caution points, it is possible to obtain information that the user cannot know at the present time, and to make a decision when selecting It can be used as a reference and can be easily dealt with in the case of mistakes in pointing out changes.

[Mode 22] The print control program of mode 22 is
A print control program that inputs print data including print job definition data that is information about a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed, and controls the printing apparatus.
Data separation means for separating the input print data into print job definition data and content data;
A printing device setting data converting unit that converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device;
Conversion candidate selection means for presenting a plurality of printing apparatus setting data converted by the printing apparatus setting data conversion means so that a user can confirm and select the data, and the data separation means, the printing apparatus setting data conversion means, and It is a program for causing a computer to execute processing realized as control means for controlling the operation of each part of the conversion candidate selection means and the output to the printing apparatus.

According to this configuration, the printing device setting data conversion unit converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device,
Since the conversion candidate selection means presents a plurality of printing apparatus setting data converted by the printing apparatus setting data conversion means so that the user can confirm and select the data, the user can obtain a desired print result before the printing process. Can be confirmed or selected in the case where it is not as desired, and printing errors due to the conversion process can be reduced.

[Form 23] The invention of form 23 relates to a print control program of form 22,
The printing apparatus setting data converting means selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to the original specification from the plurality of printing apparatus setting data.
According to this configuration, the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to the original specification from the plurality of printing apparatus setting data, so that the conversion candidate selection unit selects the plurality of alternative candidates. Since the printing apparatus setting data including it is presented as a candidate to be selected by the user and the user can select one of the alternative candidates, the user can check whether a desired print result can be obtained before the printing process, and Thus, there is an effect that a change point when it is not as desired can be easily confirmed / selected by an alternative candidate.

[Mode 24] The invention of mode 24 relates to a print control program of mode 23,
When selecting the plurality of alternative candidates, the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit calculates a predetermined evaluation value for the original specifications of the plurality of printing apparatus setting data, and uses the original evaluation values based on the predetermined evaluation values. It is characterized in that the closest one is selected as an alternative candidate.
According to this configuration, an alternative candidate can be selected by calculating a predetermined evaluation value for the original specifications of a plurality of printing device setting data, so that an effect that an objective alternative candidate can be presented is obtained.

[Mode 25] The invention of mode 25 relates to a print control program of mode 24.
The conversion candidate selection unit presents difference information for comparing printing device setting data related to the plurality of alternative candidates and printing device setting data converted based on the original specification.
According to this configuration, since the difference information for comparing the printing device setting data related to a plurality of alternative candidates and the printing device setting data converted based on the original specification is presented, when handling a plurality of alternative candidates By comparing the difference between the original setting and the converted value, an effect that a desired printing result can be obtained with certainty can be obtained.

[Mode 26] The invention of mode 26 relates to a print control program of mode 25.
The difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image.
According to this configuration, the difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image, and a change point indicating which part is changed with respect to the original specification by the character information is presented. Therefore, it becomes easy to understand the difference and can be understood at a glance by an image diagram or a moving image, so that the user can select an alternative candidate without confusion.

[Form 27] The invention of form 27 relates to a print control program of form 25 or 26,
The difference information can further present accompanying information other than the difference information.
According to this configuration, it is possible to present additional information other than the difference information, so that it can be used as a reference for determination when selecting, and can be easily dealt with in the case of a mistake in pointing out a change. can get.

[Embodiment 28] The invention of embodiment 28 relates to a print control program of embodiment 27,
The accompanying information includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and caution points.
According to this configuration, since it includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and caution points, it is possible to obtain information that the user cannot know at the present time, and to make a decision when selecting It can be used as a reference and can be easily dealt with in the case of mistakes in pointing out changes.

[Mode 29] A recording medium according to mode 29 is a recording medium in which the print control program according to any one of modes 22 to 28 is recorded.
According to this configuration, the print device setting data conversion step converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device, and the conversion candidate selection step prints the print job definition data. Since a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the device setting data conversion step are presented so that the user can check and select the data, the user can check whether a desired printing result can be obtained before the printing process. Thus, it is possible to confirm or select a change point when it is not as desired, and it is possible to reduce printing errors due to the conversion process.

A print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Constitution]
First, the configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The input print data is composed of content data and print job definition data. The print job definition data includes print job specification data and print job setting data, and includes DPA (Document Printing Application), JDF
(Job Definition Format) or the like. The print job specification data is also referred to as print specification information, and is information that describes the specification of a desired printed material as a final product by printing processing. The print setting information refers to detailed setting information of the printing apparatus used for the printing process. Content data is document data associated with print specification data, and refers to electronic document data to be subjected to print processing based on print processing. Print data output by an application or page description language (PDF (PDF) Portable Do
data Format), PostScript, etc.).

In the present embodiment, an example in which print data including print job definition data and content data is input will be described.
The print control system 1 includes a control unit 11, a data separation unit 12, a printing device setting data conversion unit 13, a conversion candidate selection unit 14, and a printing device 15.

Next, the function of each part will be described.
First, print data including print job definition data and content data is input to the data separation unit 12 of the print control system 1.
The data separation unit 12 separates and extracts content data and print job definition data from the input print data. For example, MIME (Multipurpose Inte
rnet mail Extensions) MIME encoded data
Decode separation. On the other hand, when the print job definition data and the content data are input as separate data, the type of data is recognized by detecting a characteristic portion of each data block, and is extracted separately.

The printing apparatus setting data conversion unit 13 converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing apparatus setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing apparatus. Specifically, the print job definition data is converted into data (parameters) for executing printing, evaluation values for the original specification are calculated in the conversion process, and a plurality of conversion candidates are generated. The plurality of converted printing apparatus setting data candidates are transferred to the conversion candidate selection unit 14 through the control unit 11.

The conversion candidate selection unit 14 presents a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the printing device setting data conversion unit 13 so that the user can check and select the data. That is, the conversion candidate is presented by a user confirmation dialog or the like so that the user can select the conversion candidate. And
After the user selects a conversion candidate, it is sent to the control unit 11. If there is no conversion candidate to be selected, a dialog is configured so that the printing process can be canceled.

The control unit 11 controls the operations of the data separation unit 12, the printing device setting data conversion unit 13, and the conversion candidate selection unit 14, and sends the converted printing device setting data and content data to the printing device 15. Send out and execute printing. At the same time, the control unit 11 can also make settings for the printing device 15 according to the printing device setting data. This setting includes selection of a paper tray, setting of double-sided printing, selection of a color to be used, and the like. If the printing process is canceled, the printing process is stopped.

The printing device 15 performs a printing process based on the conversion candidate selected by the user and sent from the control unit 11.
In the present invention, in particular, a print device setting data conversion unit that converts print job use data and print job setting data included in the print job definition data into printing device setting data necessary for printing, and a plurality of converted prints By having two configurations with the conversion candidate selection unit 14 for confirming the user of the device setting data candidate, the user can confirm whether or not a desired print result can be obtained at the time of the printing process, and a change point in the case of not being desired. / It becomes possible to select,
Printing errors due to the conversion process can be eliminated.

In addition, the plurality of converted printing apparatus setting data candidates may be alternative candidates such as first, second, third,... Instead of conversion that realizes use as input. In that case, the user can select the desired printing method again without confusion by presenting in an easy-to-understand manner what part of the alternative candidate is to be changed (compromised) with respect to the original specification. be able to.
Note that the conversion candidate selection unit 14 can compare the original specification with the output specification after conversion (
(Including moving images) and a method of presenting information on the converted cautions. Further, in addition to the converted printing apparatus data, a work content (for example, work in a cutting process or a finisher) required in the post-processing step may be changed (compromise) and presented.

Note that with regard to accompanying information (notes, difference information, and post-process information) other than the converted printing device setting data, the information is included in the conversion candidate result from the printing device setting data conversion unit 13. . However, regarding the internal processing in the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit 13,
The accompanying information is output as an output specification, not the main part of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, these processing units are communicably connected, and each processing unit is an independent device, each processing unit is separated into a plurality of devices, or All the processing units may be included in a single apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the computer system.
Here, the print control system 1 includes a computer system for realizing various controls for printing and a data separation unit 12, a printing apparatus setting data conversion unit 13, a conversion candidate selection unit 14, and the like on software. The hardware configuration is as shown in FIG.
CPU (Central Process) which is a central processing unit responsible for various controls and arithmetic processing
ssing unit) 60 and R constituting the main storage device (Main Storage)
A PCI (Peripher) between an AM (Random Access Memory) 62 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 64 which is a read-only storage device.
ral Component Interconnect (BUS) and ISA (Industo)
An external storage device (Secondary Architecture) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is connected to the bus 68 via an input / output interface (I / F) 66.
(Storage) 70, an output device 72 such as a printing means, CRT, or LCD monitor, an input device 74 such as an operation panel, a mouse, a keyboard, or a scanner, and a network L for communicating with a print instruction device (not shown) or the like. Is.

When the power is turned on, a system program such as BIOS stored in the ROM 64 or the like is stored in various dedicated computer programs stored in the ROM 64 in advance or a CD.
-Various dedicated computer programs installed in the storage device 70 via a storage medium such as a ROM, DVD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), or the like via the communication network L such as the Internet are similarly loaded into the RAM 62. Each function of each means as described above can be realized on software by the CPU 60 performing predetermined control and arithmetic processing using various resources in accordance with instructions described in the program loaded in the RAM 62. .

[Flow of print processing]
Next, the overall flow of the printing process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the printing process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, in step S21, print data including print job definition data and content data is input. In step S22, the input print data is separated by the data separation unit 12 to obtain print job definition data. . Next, in step S23,
The acquired print job definition data is converted into printing device setting data by the printing device setting data conversion unit 13. Next, in step S24, a plurality of converted printing device setting data are prepared, and the conversion candidate selection unit 14 selects and displays a plurality of printing device setting data so that the user can select from them. After the user performs selection and execution, in step S26, the control unit 11 sends the printing apparatus setting data and content data to the printing apparatus 15, and in step S27, the printing apparatus 15 performs print processing. Is executed and exited. Also,
If the user cancels without selecting and executing in step S24, the control unit 11 performs print cancel processing in step S25.

That is, the steps of the print control method of the present invention include a step of inputting print data including print job definition data that is information about a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed. A data separation step for separating the input print data into print job definition data and content data; and print job definition data as a data candidate used when setting the printing device to a plurality of printing device setting data. A printing device setting data conversion step to be converted, a conversion candidate selection step for presenting a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the printing device setting data conversion step so that a user can check and select the data, and the data separation step, Operation of each part of the printer setting data conversion step and conversion candidate selection step And characterized in that it comprises a control step of controlling the output to the printing apparatus.

As described above, since the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit 13 selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to the original specification from the plurality of printing apparatus setting data, the conversion candidate selection unit 14 selects a plurality of alternative candidates. Is displayed as a candidate to be selected by the user, and the user can select one of the alternative candidates, so that the user can obtain a desired print result before the printing process, In addition, a change point when it is not as desired can be easily confirmed / selected by an alternative candidate.

[Explanation about conversion example]
Next, a print data conversion example will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data, where (a) shows content data and (b) shows print job definition data. FIG. 5 shows the printer setting data after conversion, and FIG. 6 shows the content data before and after conversion.

First, the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit 13 converts the print job definition data into parameters for executing printing. This is because, when the print job definition data specifying the finish appearance is specified to finish A4 size content data into A4 by folding in half, in order to realize this specification, each side of the A3 sheet This means that conversion is performed so that two pages are imprinted and printed.

The content data in FIG. 4A is content data before conversion, and is arranged in order from the left toward the page as “page IV, page IV, reference page, page 4”. Also, the content of the print job definition data in FIG. 4B includes data of finished size: A4, paper orientation: portrait, bookbinding: folded in half / left, content page size: A4. Then, the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit 13 converts the print job definition data into printing apparatus setting data. As the printing apparatus setting data, the page number, the number of sheets, the surface number, the x-coordinate, and the y-coordinate are raised as the elements of the page layout.
x, y). In FIG. 5, paper size: A3, paper orientation: landscape, duplex printing: ON, enlargement / reduction: OFF, number of allocated pages: 4, page layout (page, sheet,
face, x, y), (1, 1.1, 595, 0), (2, 1.2, 0, 0), (3, 1
. 2, 505.0) (4, 1.1, 0.0). In the printing apparatus setting data of this example, in particular, the page layout data format will be described.
It describes how each page of content data is printed on paper. For example, the first data, (1, 1.1, 595, 0), describes the position where one page of content data is to be placed. From the beginning, “1 page of content data”, “1 Contents such as “first sheet”, “front surface (face = 1)”, and “origin coordinates (595, 0)” are shown. That is, the printing apparatus setting data is a designation for laying out four pages on both sides of an A3 horizontal size without scaling, and the first page is the (x, y) coordinates (595, 0) of the first side.
), The second page is arranged at the (x, y) coordinate (0, 0) of the second surface, and the third page is arranged at the (x, y) coordinate (595, 0) of the second surface. The fourth page is the (x, y) coordinate (
0,0).

As described above, when the content data shown in FIG. 4A is converted based on the printing apparatus setting data shown in FIG. 5, they are arranged in the order shown in the converted content data shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the left side of the lower stage shows the first surface (face 1), and the right side shows the second surface (face 2). In the same figure, from the top page 1 to page 4, (1, 1, 1, 595, 0
), (2, 1, 2, 0, 0), (3, 1, 2, 595, 0), (4, 1, 1, 0, 0), face, (x, y) As a result of taking the coordinates, the content data is as shown in FIG. In other words, before conversion, the “page”, “page”, “reference page”,
What was arranged as “four pages”, after conversion, “four pages” on the left side of the first side, “pages” on the right side, “pages” on the left side of the second side, “reference pages” on the right side And is arranged.

[Explanation of evaluation value]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a mechanism for calculating an evaluation value at the time of conversion will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating list information of printing apparatus setting data candidates.
The printing apparatus setting data conversion unit 13 converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing apparatus setting data. When selecting an alternative candidate to be presented to the user from the plurality of printing apparatus setting data, the printing apparatus As shown in FIG. 7, items corresponding to the setting data items are paper size, paper orientation, double-sided printing, enlargement / reduction, number of allocated pages, page layout, and the like. Therefore, for example, when the contents of the corresponding items of the printing apparatus setting data candidate 1 are combined with all the contents that can be taken for each item of the printing apparatus setting data, the paper size is set for each setting content combination. If the contents match, the paper orientation matches, double-sided printing matches, enlargement / reduction matches, the number of allocated pages matches, page layout Are equal to each other, “1” is added to each, and a device evaluation value of each setting content combination is calculated. In the example in the figure, for the setting content combination in the second row, the paper orientation, double-sided printing, and enlargement / reduction contents match, so the apparatus evaluation value is 1 + 1 + 1.
= 3. For the setting content combination in the third row, the paper size, paper orientation, and double-sided printing content match, so that the apparatus evaluation value is also 1 + 1 + 1 = 3. In this way, device evaluation values are calculated for printing device setting data candidates 1, 2, and 3.

Although the evaluation value has been described above, in order to select an alternative candidate for the printing apparatus setting data, the alternative candidate is not limited to this evaluation value, and can be selected based on various factors.
In addition, when generating a plurality of converted printing device setting data candidates, in addition to the information representing the consistency between the setting information for each printing device setting data item and the original specification of the print job definition data, the following Assume that additional information is generated.

-Character information and image information (difference information) regarding differences from the original specifications of the print job definition data
・ Text information and image information (attention points) related to the attention points resulting from the difference
Here, the difference information with respect to the original specification of the print job definition data is a list of items that cannot be completely converted and corresponding explanation images when calculating the evaluation value in the conversion process.
In addition, the caution points due to the difference are enumerations of caution points due to changes to items that cannot be completely matched, and enumerated corresponding explanation images.

Next, a notice point display method will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in S81, when the items “paper size, paper orientation, double-sided printing, enlargement / reduction, number of allocated pages, page layout” are set as the printing apparatus setting data, these are displayed in the directions of the arrows in the figure. When each item is changed, it has a flag that can be discriminated. By this discrimination flag, it is set to “ON” when it is changed, and is set to “OFF” when it is not changed.
In the figure, only the item “paper size” is shown, but this change flag “ON”, “OFF
”Is created for each item of“ paper size, paper orientation, double-sided printing, enlargement / reduction, number of allocated pages, page layout ”.

Next, in step S82, the change flag is confirmed for each item, and the character data of the changed item is output as “difference information”. Specifically, the difference information for each item is “as specified” if there is no change, “paper size” if the paper size is changed,
When the enlargement / reduction is changed, “enlargement / reduction” is output.
Next, in step S83, the difference information and the caution point information database are referred to, and in step S84, caution point information corresponding to the difference information is extracted and output. It is assumed that caution points are stored in the caution point database in combination with difference information and each item.

As described above, as the item numbers 1, 2, and 3, the paper size “A3, A4,
A4, paper orientation, landscape, landscape, landscape, duplex printing, “ON, ON, ON”, enlargement / reduction, “
When OFF, OFF, 50%, number of allocated pages, “4, 2, 4”, the difference information is “same as specification, paper size, enlargement / reduction” in order, and “ Attention, finished size is reduced. "

[Explanation of the printing device setting data candidate selection method]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a method for the user to select a desired printing device setting data candidate from a plurality of printing device setting data candidates will be described.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for presenting list information of a plurality of converted printing apparatus setting data candidates.
The flow of presenting a plurality of printing device setting data candidates generated by the printing device setting data conversion unit 13 to the user will be described with reference to this figure.
First, the basic configuration may be a mechanism in which a list is simply displayed and selected by the user.

In the list display, all the converted printing device setting data candidate list information may be displayed, information indicating numerically the consistency with the original specification of the print job definition data, and the print job definition data Only character information that is different from the original specification may be used.
The list information shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 7, and the item number 1, item number 2, and item number 3 are listed in the vertical direction in order, and the setting information for each printer setting data item in the horizontal direction. When,
Information representing numerically the consistency with the original specification of the print job definition data, character information regarding the difference between the original specification of the print job definition data, image information regarding the difference, and character information of cautions resulting from the difference And image information of caution points. Finally, a page layout (page, sheet, face, x, y) is presented.

In this example, as item number 1, the degree of match is “3”, the difference information (character information) is “as specified”, the difference information (image information) is folded into A4, and the notice information (character information) )
“No”, No notice as image (image information), Paper size “A3”, Paper orientation “Landscape”, Duplex printing “ON”, Enlargement / reduction “OFF”, Number of allocated pages “4”, Page layout “(1,1,1,595,0), (2,1,2,0,0), (3,1,2,595,0)
), (4, 1, 1, 0, 0) ". As item number 2, the degree of match is" 2 ", the difference information (character information) is" paper size ", and the difference information (image information) Is the separated two pieces of A4 image information, “Caution for binding” as the caution point (character information), two A4 sheets, paper size “A4”, Orientation “Landscape”, Duplex printing “ON”, Enlargement /
The reduction “OFF” and the number of assigned pages “2” are displayed, and as the item number 3, the matching degree is “2”.
”, The difference information (text information) is“ enlarged / reduced ”, and the difference information (image information) is folded.
As the notice information (character information), “finished size is reduced”, as the notice information (image information), paper folded and set to A5, paper size “A4”, paper orientation “landscape” Double-sided printing “ON”, enlargement / reduction “50%”, and number of assigned pages “4” are displayed.

In this way, the conversion candidate selection unit 14 presents an image diagram (including moving images) that can compare the original specification and the output specification after conversion, and image information related to the attention point after conversion. A mechanism to do this is conceivable. The site with the original specification of the print job definition data mentioned here enumerates items that cannot be completely converted in accordance with the evaluation value calculation in the conversion process. Further, the caution points resulting from the difference are enumerations of caution points caused by changing items that cannot be completely matched. The user confirms the contents of the list display, selects a desired printing device setting data candidate, and executes the printing process with the execution button.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the printing apparatus setting data candidate selection screen.
As described above, the conversion candidate selection unit 14 displays a list of a plurality of printing apparatus setting data,
In addition to being able to present to the user, each printing device setting data can be individually presented so that it can be selected when desired printing device setting data is displayed.

For example, as shown in the figure, on the monitor screen, the print job definition data, the difference information of the printing device setting data candidates, and the notice information all include character information and image information. As data candidates, other candidates can be presented by marks <> so that they can be presented sequentially. The image information is visually displayed so that the contents of the print job definition data can be grasped instantly and clearly by imitating an actual printed matter, and the binding method and finished state can be discriminated. Then, the user sequentially refers to the candidates based on the difference information and the caution points, and when the desired candidate is presented, press the “print execution” button provided at the bottom to select the candidate. It is configured to be able to. In this candidate screen, image data is stored in advance in a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM or HDD, is read according to a user's button operation, is loaded into a main memory, etc., and becomes ready for use. Yes. When the user presses “print execution” using an instruction input device such as a keyboard or a mouse as a selection button, the signal is input via an input / output interface (not shown) that receives a signal from the input device. Displayed by the control unit 11 issuing a command to display target image information. If there is no desired candidate, “cancel” can be pressed to return to the initial state.

As described above, in the converted plurality of printing apparatus setting data candidates, the original specification can be used even in the case of the alternative candidates of the first, second, third,. By presenting in an easy-to-understand manner what part of the alternative candidate is to be changed (compromised), the user can select the desired printing method again without confusion.

As described above, according to the printing control system according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the printing control system that converts the printing job definition data into the printing apparatus setting data, the user can obtain a desired printing result before the printing process. To see if you can get
Confirmation / selection is possible, and printing errors due to the conversion process can be eliminated.
In the above embodiment, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROM is executed when executing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program showing these procedures is also described. The program may be incorporated into a RAM and executed from a storage medium on which is recorded. Alternatively, the program may be acquired from a network.

Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible without deviating from the meaning of this invention. For example, as described first, the print control apparatus 1 of the present invention may be configured integrally with the printing apparatus 2.
In addition, although description has been made on setting the paper size, paper orientation, double-sided printing, enlargement / reduction, number of allocated pages, and the like as items of the printing apparatus setting data, the present invention is not limited to this, but the position of the binding hole, etc. Various items such as the presence or absence of decoration can be set.

Further, the above-described printing device setting data candidate selection screen is configured to post character information and image information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as moving image information, a moving image for opening and closing a page, a moving image for binding Also, it is possible to post moving picture information indicating an imposition method when converting an image diagram in the print job definition data into an image diagram in the printing apparatus setting data.

The print control system may be realized as a single device, terminal, or other device, or may be realized as a network system in which a plurality of devices, terminals, or other devices are communicably connected. Good. In the latter case, each component may belong to any of a plurality of devices as long as each component is communicably connected.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a computer system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of print processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of print data, where FIG. 5A illustrates content data, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating printing apparatus setting data after conversion. It is a figure which shows the content data before and behind conversion. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating list information of printing apparatus setting data candidates. It is a figure explaining the display method of a caution point. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for presenting list information of a plurality of printing apparatus setting data candidates. 6 is a diagram illustrating a printing device setting data candidate selection screen. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print control system, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Data separation part, 13 ... Setting data conversion part, 14 ... Conversion candidate selection part, 15 ... Printing apparatus

Claims (11)

A print control system that inputs print data including print job definition data that is information related to a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed, and controls a printing apparatus.
A data separator that separates the input print data into print job definition data and content data;
A printing device setting data conversion unit that converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device;
A conversion candidate selection unit that presents a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the printing device setting data conversion unit so that a user can check and select the data;
A control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the data separation unit, the printing device setting data conversion unit, and the conversion candidate selection unit and the output to the printing device;
A printing control system comprising: The print control system according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit selects a plurality of alternative candidates as candidates close to an original specification from the plurality of printing apparatus setting data. When selecting the plurality of alternative candidates, the printing apparatus setting data conversion unit calculates a predetermined evaluation value for the original specifications of the plurality of printing apparatus setting data, and sets the original specification based on the predetermined evaluation value. The print control system according to claim 2, wherein a close one is selected as an alternative candidate. The conversion candidate selection unit presents difference information for comparing printing device setting data related to the plurality of alternative candidates and printing device setting data converted based on the original specification. Item 4. The print control system according to Item 3. The print control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the difference information can be presented by any combination of character information, an image diagram, and a moving image. 6. The print control system according to claim 4, wherein the difference information can further present accompanying information other than the difference information. The print control system according to claim 6, wherein the accompanying information includes post-process information indicating additional work contents required in the post-process and a cautionary point. A print control apparatus that inputs print data including print job definition data that is information relating to a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed, and controls the printing apparatus.
A data separator that separates the input print data into print job definition data and content data;
A printing device setting data conversion unit that converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device;
A conversion candidate selection unit that presents a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the printing device setting data conversion unit so that a user can check and select the data;
A control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the data separation unit, the printing device setting data conversion unit, and the conversion candidate selection unit and the output to the printing device;
A printing control apparatus comprising: A print control method for controlling a printing apparatus by inputting print data including print job definition data that is information about a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed,
A data separation step for separating the input print data into print job definition data and content data;
A printing device setting data conversion step for converting the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device;
A conversion candidate selection step for presenting a plurality of printing device setting data converted by the printing device setting data conversion step so that a user can check and select the data;
A control step for controlling the operation of each part of the data separation step, the printing device setting data conversion step, and the conversion candidate selection step and the output to the printing device;
A printing control method comprising: A print control program that inputs print data including print job definition data that is information about a print job and content data that is electronic document data to be printed, and controls the printing apparatus,
Data separation means for separating the input print data into print job definition data and content data;
A printing device setting data converting unit that converts the print job definition data into a plurality of printing device setting data as data candidates used when setting the printing device;
Conversion candidate selection means for presenting a plurality of printing apparatus setting data converted by the printing apparatus setting data conversion means so that a user can check and select the data, and the data separation means, the printing apparatus setting data conversion means, and A print control program for causing a computer to execute processing realized as control means for controlling the operation of each part of the conversion candidate selection means and the output to the printing apparatus.   A recording medium on which the printing control program according to claim 10 is recorded.

Images