JP2009110049A - Authoring apparatus, method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an authoring apparatus for generating layout data for interleaving paper. <P>SOLUTION: The authoring apparatus 10 is provided with; an interleaving paper property acquisition part 100 for acquiring the value of the property of interleaving paper to be output by a variable printer 12; and an interleaving paper layout data generation means 101. The interleaving paper layout data generation means 101 stores a tag corresponding to the property of the interleaving paper, layout definition data for outputting the interleaving paper, and a scheme in which the document structure of interleaving layout data described in markup language is written, embeds the value of the property of the interleaving paper acquired by the interleaving paper property setting means 100 in the tag corresponding to the property of the interleaving paper, and arranges the tag in which the value of the property of the interleaving paper is embedded according to the scheme, thereby generates interleaving layout data being layout definition data for outputting interleaving paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an authoring apparatus in which an authoring tool for DTP (Desktop publishing) is mounted, and more particularly to a technique for generating layout data for outputting slip sheets.

  In one-to-one marketing that approaches to meet the needs of each customer and support operations for customers, it is necessary to mail direct mail with different contents for each customer. Variable printer systems that can print different contents are used.

  In the variable printer system, layout data of printed matter such as direct mail is generated using an authoring device equipped with an authoring tool for DTP (Desktop publishing), and variable data different for each customer is incorporated in this layout data. Printed matter such as direct mail is output by a variable printer.

  Since variable printers have different formats that can be accepted by variable printers for each model (for example, manufacturer), a printing company having a plurality of variable printers of different models manages layout data for each variable printer. Since this is very inefficient, the present applicant has already disclosed a device capable of converting general-purpose layout data into an individual format for each variable printer in Patent Document 1.

  By using the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary for a printing company that handles a large amount of printed matter to create and manage layout data for each variable printer. For example, a single item includes a plurality of variable printers. Thus, it is possible to perform printing separately and to improve the work efficiency.

  However, the content disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into account slip sheets (also referred to as interleaf sheets) sandwiched between printed materials during printing, and is intended to confirm the number of printed materials and indicate separation of printed materials It was not possible to output the required slip sheet to a variable printer.

As an invention for outputting a slip sheet to a printer, Patent Document 2 has an N-up function and a double-sided print function for printing a plurality of pages on a single recording medium, and a slip sheet insertion function for inserting a slip sheet into a printed matter Although a print system is disclosed, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 is an invention for controlling a variable printer, and is not an invention related to an authoring device that generates layout data.
JP 2007-148845 A JP 2007-172216 A

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an authoring apparatus, method, and computer program capable of generating layout data for slip sheets output from a variable printer during printing.

  A first invention for solving the above-described problem relates to a slip sheet output by the variable printer in an authoring apparatus for generating layout definition data used for generating printer control data corresponding to the format of the variable printer. A user interface for setting a property, a slip sheet property acquisition means for acquiring the value of the property input to the user interface, a tag corresponding to the property of the slip sheet, and for outputting the slip sheet The layout definition data stores a scheme in which the document structure of the slip sheet layout data described in the markup language is written, and the slip sheet property setting means acquires the tag corresponding to the slip sheet property. The property value of the slip sheet is embedded, and the property of the slip sheet is embedded. Characterized in that it comprises a slip sheet layout data generation means for generating the slip sheet layout data embedded tag value of I by arranging in accordance with the scheme.

  According to the first aspect described above, the authoring device includes the slip sheet property acquisition unit, so that the property relating to the slip sheet can be set using the authoring device, and the authoring device further includes: By providing the slip sheet layout data generation means, the layout definition data of the slip sheet can be generated.

  Further, the second invention is the authoring device according to the first invention, wherein the slip sheet property acquisition means has the user interface for setting properties relating to a plurality of types of the slip sheets. Means for acquiring property values related to a plurality of types of slip sheets, wherein the slip sheet layout data generating means generates the slip sheet layout data for each of the slip sheet types.

  Furthermore, according to the second invention, it is possible to output a plurality of types of the slip sheets to the variable printer during printing.

  Furthermore, the third invention is the authoring apparatus for generating layout definition data used for generating printer control data corresponding to the format of the variable printer, wherein the layout definition data of the slip sheet output by the variable printer is used. A method for generating slip sheet layout data, wherein the authoring apparatus uses a user interface for setting properties related to the slip sheet to acquire a property value related to the slip sheet a ), The authoring apparatus embeds the value of the property of the slip sheet obtained in step a) in the tag corresponding to the property of the slip sheet, and marks the layout definition data for outputting the slip sheet Document structure of slip sheet layout data written in up language According scheme, by arranging a tag value of the slip sheet properties is embedded, step b to produce the slip sheet layout data), a method characterized in that the run in sequence.

  Further, a fourth invention is the method according to the third invention, wherein the step a) is a step in which the authoring apparatus acquires properties relating to a plurality of types of the slip sheets, and the step b). ) Is a step in which the authoring apparatus generates the slip sheet layout data for each type of slip sheet.

  Furthermore, a fifth invention is a computer program installed in an authoring device for generating layout definition data used for generating printer control data corresponding to a variable printer format, and is output by the variable printer. In order to output a slip sheet, a slip sheet property acquisition means for acquiring a value input to the user interface, a tag corresponding to the slip sheet property, and a user interface for setting a property related to the slip sheet In the layout definition data, the scheme describing the document structure of the slip sheet layout data described in the markup language is stored, and the slip sheet property setting means acquires the tag corresponding to the slip sheet property. The slip sheet property value is embedded, and the slip sheet The embedded value of tee tag as slip sheet layout data generation means for generating the interleaving paper layout data by arranging in accordance with the scheme, is a computer program for operating the authoring device.

  Furthermore, a sixth invention is the computer program according to the fifth invention, comprising the user interface for setting properties relating to a plurality of types of the slip sheets, and a plurality of types of the slip sheets. Computer program for causing the authoring apparatus to function as the slip sheet property acquisition means for acquiring the property value related to the slip sheet and the slip sheet layout data generation means for generating the slip sheet layout data for each type of slip sheet It is.

  According to the third and fourth inventions, as well as the fifth and sixth inventions, effects similar to those of the first and second inventions described above can be obtained.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to provide an authoring apparatus, a method, and a computer program that can generate layout data for slip sheets output from a variable printer during printing.

  The authoring apparatus and method according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a variable printer system 1 in which an authoring apparatus according to the present invention is arranged. The variable printer system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system similar to the system disclosed in Patent Document 1. .

  The variable printer system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a general-purpose computer that has an authoring device 10 that is a computer in which an authoring tool for publishing is installed, two variable printers 12 of different models, and outputs from the authoring device 10. The layout conversion device 11 has a function of converting layout definition data, which is layout data, into printer control data corresponding to the variable printer 12, and a database server 13 in which text data and image data are stored. .

  The layout design document to be input to the authoring apparatus 10 includes a lot number for printing, a list of variable data to be printed, and a layout diagram of printed matter.

  The authoring device 10 generates layout definition data described in a markup language using XML based on the layout design document, and the layout definition data is converted from the authoring device 10 before being printed by the variable printer 12. Transmitted to the device 11.

  The layout conversion apparatus 11 stores a conversion template for converting layout definition data into printer control data for each variable printer. When the layout definition data is received from the authoring apparatus 10, the layout conversion apparatus 11 stores the received layout definition data. When the variable printer is designated by the operator, the layout conversion device 11 selects a conversion template for the variable printer to be printed. If necessary, the layout conversion device 11 receives text data or image data from the data server 13. The printer control data corresponding to the designated variable printer 12 is generated from the layout definition data.

  When printing with the variable printer 12, the printer control data is transmitted from the layout conversion device 11 to the variable printer 12. The variable printer 12 interprets the received printer control data, and if necessary, the text data from the data server 13. Print image data.

  The authoring apparatus 10 disclosed in FIG. 1 acquires a property value of the slip sheet output by the variable printer 12 in addition to the function for realizing the function of the variable editing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. A slip sheet layout for generating layout definition data (hereinafter referred to as “slip sheet layout data”) for outputting slip sheets from the paper property acquisition unit 100 and the property values acquired by the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100. Data generation means 101 is provided.

  The slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 and the slip sheet layout data generation unit 101 provided in the authoring apparatus 10 are realized by a computer program that causes the authoring apparatus 10 to function as each unit.

  The slip sheet properties from which the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 acquires values include a property related to a slip sheet insertion position, a property related to slip sheet printing, and the like. The user has a graphical user interface (GUI) for setting the properties.

  FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating an example of the GUI of the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100. The GUI shown in FIG. 2 includes an option button a for setting the insertion position of the slip sheet as variable data, and an option button b for setting the print quantity at the insertion position of the slip sheet as components for setting the slip sheet property. An option button c for setting the end of printing at the insertion position of the slip sheet is provided.

  When variable data is set at the insertion position of the slip sheet on the GUI screen shown in FIG. 2, a list box a1 for selecting a key item from the variable data and whether or not printing is performed on the slip sheet. And a check box d for setting the item, and when the check box d is checked, the variable data to be printed on the slip sheet is selected from the variable data that is variable for each customer. List box d1, button d2 for adding variable data selected in list box d1 to edit box d3, variable data to be printed on slip sheet and edit box d3 for editing text, and line feed inserted in edit box Button d4 to be used becomes available.

  Further, in the GUI screen shown in FIG. 2, when the print quantity is set as the insertion position of the slip sheet, the edit box b1 for inputting the print quantity and the presence / absence of printing on the slip sheet of the number of the printed matter are set. When the check box e for checking is made available and the check box e is checked, a list box e1 for selecting variable data having a different number for each printed material becomes available.

  In addition, when the end of printing is set as the insertion position of the slip sheet on the GUI screen shown in FIG. 2, a check box f for setting whether or not to print on the slip sheet becomes available. When the box f is checked, the list box f1 for selecting variable data to be printed on the slip sheet, the button f2 for adding the variable data selected in the list box f1 to the edit box f3, and the slip sheet are printed. An edit box f3 for editing variable data and text, and a button f4 for inserting a line feed into the edit box f3 can be used.

  In addition, the GUI screen illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a list box h for setting the discharge state of the slip sheet and a button g that is clicked when the property setting for the slip sheet is completed. .

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an output example of a slip sheet when variable data is set as a slip sheet insertion position. When variable data is set as the insertion position of the slip sheet, the slip sheet is output when the store code which is the key item selected in the list box a1 is switched. Further, when the check box d is checked, the contents of the edit box d3 (here, the store code and store name as variable data) are printed on the slip sheet to be output.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an output example of the slip sheet when the print quantity is set as the slip sheet insertion position. When the printing quantity is set as the insertion position of the slip sheet, the slip sheet is output every time the number of sheets input in the edit box b1 is printed. Further, when the check box e is checked, the number of the printed matter specified by the item displayed in the list box e1 is printed on the slip sheet.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an output example of the slip sheet when the end of printing is set as the slip sheet insertion position. When the end of printing is set as the slip sheet insertion position, the slip sheet is output at the end of printing. Further, when the check box f is checked, the contents of the edit box f3 (here, the lot number and item name for printing) are printed on the slip sheet.

  The GUI illustrated in FIG. 2 can output only one type of slip sheet, but the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 of the authoring apparatus 10 can output a plurality of types of slip sheets. In order to output paper during printing, it may have a GUI capable of setting property values for a plurality of types of slip sheets.

  FIG. 6 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the GUI of the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100. In the GUI illustrated in FIG. 6, a property value is set for each of a plurality of types of slip sheets on a single GUI screen. Can be done.

  The GUI shown in FIG. 6 includes a list box i for setting the discharge state of the slip sheet and a list for setting the default slip sheet as components for setting common conditions for each slip sheet. Boxes i1 to 3 and a button t that is clicked when setting of the property of the slip sheet is completed.

  The GUI illustrated in FIG. 6 includes an edit box k for setting a slip sheet name to be given to the slip sheet as a component for setting the property of each slip sheet, and the set slip sheet name is displayed in the list box j. Is done.

  In the GUI list box j shown in FIG. 6, two slip sheet names of “store code delimiter” and “region code delimiter” are displayed. Therefore, the user of the authoring apparatus 10 has the slip sheet name “store The properties of the slip sheet having the “code separator” and the slip sheet having the slip sheet name “region code separator” are set.

  Further, the GUI shown in FIG. 6 is provided with list boxes k1 to k3 used when changing the slip sheet, and in addition, the GUI screen shown in FIG. 6 is used for slip sheets. List boxes l and l1 for setting a font, an edit box m for setting a print start position origin, and spin boxes m1 and m2 for setting a print position are provided.

  Further, the GUI shown in FIG. 6 has an option button r for setting variable data at the insertion position of the slip sheet as a component for setting the insertion position of the slip sheet, as well as the GUI shown in FIG. An option button s for setting the print quantity at the insertion position and an option button n for setting the end of printing as the insertion position of the slip sheet are provided.

  When variable data is set at the insertion position of the slip sheet, the list box r1 for selecting a key item becomes available, and when the print quantity is set at the insertion position of the slip sheet, the print quantity is input. Box s1 becomes available.

  In addition, the GUI screen of FIG. 6 includes a check box o for setting whether or not to insert a slip sheet as a component that can be used when variable data or the end of printing is set at the insert position of the slip sheet. When the check box o is checked, a list box o1 for selecting variable data to be printed on the slip sheet, a button o2 for adding variable data selected in the list box to the edit box o3, and slip sheet An edit box o3 for editing variable data and text to be printed on the button, and a button o4 for inserting a line feed into the edit box o3 can be used.

  When the print quantity is set at the insertion position of the slip sheet, a check box p for setting whether or not to print the number of the printed matter on the slip sheet becomes available, and when the check box p is checked. Then, the list box p1 for selecting variable data to be a number to be printed becomes available.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an output example when outputting a plurality of types of slip sheets. In the output example illustrated in FIG. 7, two types of slip sheets are output as slip sheets: a slip sheet for separating with a store code of variable data and a slip sheet for partitioning with a region code. Is set on the GUI screen shown in FIG.

  A slip for dividing by the store code of the variable data is output every time the store code is switched, and a slip for separating by the store code of the variable data is output every time the region code is switched. The contents are printed in the font set in the list boxes l and l1 according to the start position set in the edit box m and the spin boxes m1 and m2.

  When the button g in FIG. 2 or the button t in FIG. 6 is clicked, the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 acquires the value of the slip sheet property set by the GUI, and the acquired slip sheet property value. The data is transferred to the layout data generation unit 101.

  The slip sheet layout data generation unit 101 has a function of generating slip sheet layout data described in XML from the value of the slip sheet property passed from the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100. The slip sheet layout data generation unit 101 stores an XML tag corresponding to each of the slip sheet properties and a scheme for determining the document structure of the slip sheet layout data, and the slip sheet property received by the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100. A tag corresponding to the property is selected, property data is embedded in the tag, and the tag in which the property value is embedded is arranged according to the scheme to generate the slip sheet layout data.

  From here, the procedure by which the authoring apparatus 10 generates slip sheet layout data will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the authoring apparatus 10 generates slip sheet layout data. When the authoring apparatus 10 generates the slip sheet layout data, the property value related to the slip sheet is input to the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 (S1).

  In the present embodiment, the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 of the authoring apparatus 10 has a GUI, and the user of the authoring apparatus 10 inputs a property value related to the slip sheet using this GUI.

  FIG. 9 is an example of slip sheet properties input to the GUI. The GUI shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the GUI shown in FIG. 2, the slip sheet discharge direction is face down, variable data is selected as the insert position of the slip sheet, and the variable data as the key item is the store code. It is. Further, in FIG. 9, the printing on the slip sheet is checked, and the store code and the store name are selected from the variable data printed on the printed matter as the contents printed on the slip sheet.

  When the button g is clicked in the GUI of FIG. 9, the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 acquires data input to the GUI. FIG. 10 is an example of data acquired by the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 prepares a variable for each slip sheet property that can be set with the GUI illustrated in FIG. 9, and uses the data set with the GUI as the value of each variable. get. FIG. 10 exemplifies the variable of the property of the slip sheet that can be set by the GUI of FIG. 9, the value set on the GUI screen of FIG. 9, the meaning of the value of the variable, and the corresponding GUI component. .

  For example, the variable “Insert Position” illustrated in FIG. 10 is the insertion position of the slip sheet, and the contents of FIG. 9 are reflected. In FIG. 10, the value is “0” and the variable data is the insertion position of the slip sheet. Means that it is set.

  When the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100 acquires the property value related to the slip sheet, the acquired property value related to the slip sheet is transferred to the slip sheet layout data generation unit 101, and the slip sheet layout data generation unit 101 The slip value is embedded in the XML tag corresponding to the variable name of the property related to the property, and the tags are arranged with reference to the scheme for determining the structure of the slip sheet layout data, thereby generating slip sheet layout data (S2).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of slip sheet layout data. The slip sheet layout data shown in FIG. 11 is slip sheet layout data obtained from the contents of the GUI shown in FIG. 9, and the contents related to slip sheets are defined by the <Form> tag. In the <Page> tag, the content related to the insertion of the paper is defined for the content related to the slip sheet printing.

  When generating the slip sheet layout data obtained from the content of the GUI shown in FIG. 9, the slip sheet layout data generation unit 101 specifies the XML tag from the variable name passed from the slip sheet property acquisition unit 100, and The slip sheet layout data shown in FIG. 11 is generated by embedding the value of the variable in the specified tag and arranging the tag according to the scheme.

  When a plurality of types of slip sheet properties are set as in the GUI illustrated in FIG. 6, the slip sheet layout data generation unit 101 uses a plurality of slip sheet properties based on the respective slip sheet properties. Generate layout data.

  When the slip sheet layout data generation unit 101 of the authoring apparatus 10 generates slip sheet layout data, layout definition data including the generated slip sheet layout data is output and stored in, for example, the hard disk of the authoring apparatus 10 (S3). .

  The layout definition data generated by this procedure and including the slip sheet layout data is converted into printer control data by the layout conversion device, and is printed by the variable printer using the printer control data.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a series of operation procedures in the variable printer system 1 shown in FIG. When printing is started in the variable printer system 1, layout definition data, which is general-purpose layout data, is generated using the authoring device 10 (S10). The layout definition data includes print layout data related to the printed matter. The slip sheet layout data generated with the above-described contents is included.

  When the layout definition data generated by the authoring apparatus 10 is printed by the variable printer 12, the layout definition data is converted into printer control data corresponding to the variable printer 12 using the layout conversion apparatus 11 (S11). Since the layout definition data includes slip sheet layout data generated with the above-described contents in addition to the print layout data related to the printed matter, the printer control data includes print printer data for printing the printed matter, The slip sheet printer data for printing the slip sheet is included.

  When the variable printer 12 is started using the printer control data (S12), the variable printer 12 executes a loop process (L1) executed during printing. The variable printer 12 checks whether or not the insertion position described in the slip sheet printer data is established before executing printing (S13). If the insertion position of the slip sheet is not established, the data server 13 Text data and image data are acquired from the printer, and the printed matter is printed according to the print printer data (S14). If the insertion position of the slip sheet is established, the slip sheet is output according to the slip sheet print data included in the printer control data (S15).

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a variable printer system 1 in which an authoring apparatus according to the present invention is arranged. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI of a slip sheet property acquisition unit. The figure explaining the output example of a slip sheet when variable data is set as an insertion position of a slip sheet. The figure explaining the example of an output of a slip sheet when a printing quantity is set as an insertion position of a slip sheet. The figure explaining the example of an output of a slip sheet when the end of printing is set as a slip sheet insertion position. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI of a slip sheet property acquisition unit. The figure explaining the output example when outputting several types of slip sheets. The flowchart which showed the procedure in which an authoring apparatus produces | generates slip sheet layout data. An example of the properties of the slip sheet input to the GUI. An example of the data which a slip sheet property acquisition means acquires. The figure which showed an example of the slip sheet layout data. The flowchart which showed a series of operation | movement procedures in a variable printer system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Variable printer system 10 Authoring apparatus 100 Interleaf property acquisition means 101 Interleaf layout data generation means 11 Layout conversion apparatus 12 Variable printer 13 Data server

Claims (6)

  In the authoring apparatus for generating layout definition data used for generating printer control data corresponding to the format of the variable printer, the authoring apparatus has a user interface for setting properties relating to slip sheets output by the variable printer, and the user The slip sheet property acquisition means for acquiring the property value input to the interface, the tag corresponding to the slip sheet property, and the layout definition data for outputting the slip sheet are described in a markup language. A scheme in which the document structure of the slip sheet layout data is recorded, and the property value of the slip sheet acquired by the slip sheet property setting unit is embedded in a tag corresponding to the property of the slip sheet. A tag with paper property values embedded in the ski Authoring apparatus characterized in that it comprises a slip sheet layout data generation means for generating the interleaving paper layout data by arranging in accordance with.   The authoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slip sheet property acquisition unit includes the user interface for setting properties relating to a plurality of types of the slip sheets, and the plurality of types of slip sheets. The authoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slip sheet layout data generation unit generates the slip sheet layout data for each type of slip sheet.   In the authoring device that generates layout definition data used to generate printer control data corresponding to the format of the variable printer, generate slip sheet layout data that is the layout definition data of the slip sheet output from the variable printer. The authoring apparatus uses the user interface for setting the property related to the slip sheet to obtain the property value related to the slip sheet a), and the authoring device The slip sheet described in the markup language in the layout definition data for outputting the slip sheet by embedding the slip sheet property value acquired in step a) in the tag corresponding to the slip sheet property. According to the scheme describing the document structure of layout data, By arranging a tag value of a property of Kigoshi is embedded, step b), using slip sheet layout data generation method characterized by sequentially executed for generating the interleaving paper layout data.   4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step a) is a step in which the authoring apparatus acquires properties relating to a plurality of types of the slip sheets, and the step b) is performed by the authoring apparatus A slip sheet layout data generation method, comprising the step of generating the slip sheet layout data for each slip sheet type.   A computer program installed in an authoring device that generates layout definition data used to generate printer control data corresponding to a variable printer format, and sets properties related to slip sheets output by the variable printer A slip sheet property acquisition means for acquiring a value input to the user interface, a tag corresponding to the slip sheet property, and the layout definition data for outputting the slip sheet, Storing the scheme describing the document structure of the slip sheet layout data described in the up language, and the value of the property of the slip sheet acquired by the slip sheet property setting means in the tag corresponding to the property of the slip sheet And embed the property value of the slip sheet The tag as slip sheet layout data generation means for generating the interleaving paper layout data by arranging in accordance with the scheme, the computer program for operating the authoring device. The computer program according to claim 5, wherein the computer program has the user interface for setting properties relating to a plurality of types of slip sheets, and acquires property values relating to a plurality of types of slip sheets. A computer program for causing the authoring apparatus to function as a slip sheet property acquisition unit and the slip sheet layout data generation unit that generates the slip sheet layout data for each type of slip sheet.

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