JP2012030449A - Image forming apparatus, processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a defect when fraudulent information is included in a job ticket.SOLUTION: The problem is solved by specifying a combination of information on setting information allowed to be processed in an image processing apparatus based on nonpermission information including combined information of the setting information included in the job ticket of job data and the setting information that is not permitted to be processed in the image processing information, and a prescribed information including the setting information that can be processed in the image processing apparatus, and sending the job ticket where the combined information that applies to the nonpermission information out of the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data is changed to a specific combined information to a sender of the job data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a processing method, and a program for handling a job ticket.

The on-demand printing market using digital printing machines is expanding instead of offset printing machines that have been widely used in commercial printing. In view of such a situation, office machine manufacturers and the like are currently studying the direction of entering a new field called the POD (Print On Demand) market. In particular, recently, a printing apparatus and a printing system that are sufficiently satisfied not only in the office environment but also in a POD environment in which use cases and needs different from the office environment can be assumed are being studied.
For example, unlike offset printing machines often used in commercial printing, small lot profitability is achieved by taking advantage of the ability to generate only the required number of high-quality, high-quality output without creating a plate. An enjoyable printing system is provided.

Further, the advantage of being able to generate an output product without having to create a plate is not limited to that. For example, the following system is provided by on-demand printing by a digital printing machine. That is, in recent years, JDF (Job Definition Format) support is progressing as a printing apparatus for the POD market. JDF is a job ticket format defined by CIP4 (Cooperation for the Ingegration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress).
JDF is a common digital format for the entire printing process expected in systems for the POD market. JDF uses XML, which is the basic format of the Web, for its format. Utilizing this characteristic, there is an expectation of a merit in terms of management related to the entire printing process, such as confirming the operation status of each device such as production management, a printing machine, and a bookbinding machine on a website. In addition, JDF format instructions (JDF job) include instructions related to a series of work processes in which a plurality of devices cooperate with each other, such as a submission process and a delivery process related to a printed product as a final product. (Ticket) can be described. In this system, it is possible to manage a series of workflows composed of a plurality of processes using a plurality of devices with a single instruction using this characteristic. As a result, there are expectations for merit in terms of cooperation between a plurality of devices related to the overall printing process and automation of various devices.
In addition, since JDF is substantially an industry standard format, for example, the following merits can be enjoyed by supporting JDF. In other words, it is easy to connect other JDF-compatible printing-related devices of other companies to construct a cooperative system. For this reason, as a printing system for the POD market, JDF-compatible printing apparatuses that can make maximum use of the merits of JDF are becoming widespread.

JP 2008-242761 A

  However, the following problems are assumed. For example, a JDF job ticket is expressed in XML format. Therefore, the JDF job ticket can be created relatively easily. This is because the XML itself is a text-based versatile and widely used format, and is superior in editability compared to a job ticket using binary data. There are also many tools and program creation support modules that can be used for XML editing. This is also an advantage when many printing-related equipment vendors adopt JDF.

However, it is not easy to create a JDF job ticket based on information described in the JDF job ticket so that a device that has received the JDF job ticket operates according to the instruction. This is because in order to control the behavior of the device based on the information described in the JDF job ticket, detailed information on the device specification, capability, configuration, etc. is indispensable. That is, even if the JDF job ticket itself can be easily created, it is not easy to configure the contents of the JDF job ticket so that the device operates correctly based on the described information.
Therefore, a person who creates a JDF job ticket so that the device that has received the JDF job ticket can execute it correctly has various conditions such as the device configuration (including attached accessories), capability, and function exclusive specifications. Need to be familiar. However, it is not easy for anyone other than the device developer to create a correct JDF job ticket after familiarizing such complicated conditions. This is because complicated information includes complicated conditions in expressing constraints on the execution environment, setting information in an exclusive relationship, and the like.

For this reason, the content described in the JDF job ticket is not provided to the partner system developer at a sufficient level to provide the restriction information sufficient to correctly operate the target device. Situations in which it is necessary to construct the network may frequently occur.
However, a device that has received a print job using a JDF job ticket is responsible for maintaining the system and maintaining the form of the output product even if the JDF job ticket includes invalid setting information. In other words, it is necessary to prevent a case where the device is damaged by executing illegal setting information, and to suppress generation of an illegal output product meaningless to the user as much as possible. For this purpose, the validity of the setting information included in the JDF job ticket (a state in which illegal setting information is not included and consistency is guaranteed) is required.

As described above, the following are widely implemented as an example of measures that can be generally taken with respect to a problem that an illegal setting may be included in the received JDF job ticket. As a first example, on the setting screen of the application that performs the output setting, the setting button of the function that cannot be executed is disabled to disable selection, thereby preventing the generation of a combination of setting values including the exclusion condition. is there. The second example is to continue the job or cancel the job after rounding the setting value at the time of execution even if the output setting includes an illegal condition It is.
The first example is a process in the application before the transmission of the JDF job ticket, whereas the second example is a process on the device side performed after the device receives the JDF job ticket.

In the first example, in order to guarantee consistency in the output setting stage, detailed information on internal restrictions and specifications specific to the device is required. However, as described above, it is extremely difficult for anyone other than the device developer to know such detailed information and for the device developer itself to provide such information to other companies.
However, when both systems work closely together to develop a system, it is possible for other companies to know such information. However, a request to build a linkage system according to a common format is contrary to the effect that a vendor who wants to develop a linkage system on the premise of maintaining an implicitly sparse relationship requires JDF. Therefore, in the first example, it is realistic only in a limited situation where an environment in which the internal situation can be known is established, such as creating an application to be linked by the device vendor, but in other cases it is realistic. Is hard to say.

In the second example, it is easy to continue the job by rounding the setting value included in the JDF job ticket, or cancel the job under a specific condition. However, performing the rounding process means that the job is executed with an output setting different from the setting originally intended by the user. For example, in an office environment rather than a POD system environment, it is rare to create a complex output product by combining detailed output settings. For this reason, even when the system is constructed based on the operation specifications such that the rounding process is performed and output anyway, the user's convenience is unlikely to be impaired.
On the other hand, there is a high demand for users of POD systems to create complex output products by combining detailed output settings. Therefore, the rounding process described above is often disadvantageous because an output product having a form different from the original output product is generated. In addition, any output that is generated by processing the setting values in a rounded state, that is, an output that is not intended by the user, is generated in accordance with the original user's intention. It also has the disadvantage that it is difficult to understand whether to change the settings.

Due to this situation, despite the fact that a standard format called JDF is defined, there is a situation in which a system construction that takes advantage of the merit is not sufficiently performed. In other words, the devices that make up the workflow provide only basic functions to other companies' systems, each system is responsible for a single function, and the generation of output (deliverables) on the premise of human intervention is still on-site. Occupies the mainstream.
Here, as in a digital multi-function peripheral, various finishers are attached in-line, and it has the ability to generate a complex output product without human intervention as long as appropriate output settings are made. Nevertheless, since an effective mechanism for realizing this is not provided, the benefits of JDF cannot be fully enjoyed in the field of building cooperative systems with other companies.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to solve a problem that occurs when incorrect setting information is included in a job ticket.

  In view of this, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes setting information included in a job ticket of job data, non-permission information including information on a combination of setting information that is not permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus, and the image Included in the job ticket of the job data, a specifying means for specifying information of a combination of setting information permitted to be processed in the image processing apparatus from definition information including setting information that can be processed in the processing apparatus Transmission information that transmits the job ticket in which the combination information corresponding to the non-permission information is changed to the combination information specified by the specification means to the transmission source of the job data. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the information processing apparatus transmits a job data provided with a job ticket including setting information to the image processing apparatus, and is transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the job data. Of the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data, the information of the combination of setting information that is not permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus is changed to the information of the combination of setting information that is permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus Display means for displaying difference information on a difference between the ticket or setting information included in the job ticket of the job data and the setting information included in the changed job ticket, on a display unit; .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to solve a problem that occurs when incorrect setting information is included in a job ticket.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a computer. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of an operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of various programs and the data used. It is a figure which shows an example of various programs. It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in a setting specification storage area. It is a figure which shows an example of the attribute information managed by an attribute database. It is a figure which shows an example of the prohibition rule information managed by a prohibition rule database. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a JDF job ticket. It is a figure which shows an example of an analysis result. It is a figure which shows an example of a prohibition condition extraction result. It is a figure which shows an example of a fraud factor extraction result. It is a figure which shows an example of a Cartesian product set. It is a figure which shows an example of an expression equivalent to a Cartesian product set. It is a figure which shows an example of a set. It is a figure which shows an example of a set. It is a figure which shows an example of a JDF job ticket. It is a figure which shows an example of a JDF job ticket. It is a figure which shows an example of a JDF job ticket. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of JDF job data. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a main process. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a MIME data separation process. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a prohibition condition check process. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a prohibition avoidance condition production | generation process. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a MIME data generation process. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a job data control process. It is a figure which shows an example of a JDF job ticket. It is a figure which shows an example of a JDF job ticket. It is a figure which shows an example of a JDF job ticket.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. In this system, a digital printing machine for the POD market and a computer 101 are connected to each other via a network 100. The digital printing machine includes the image forming apparatus 102 and the like, and a plurality of apparatuses having different roles are connected to each other so that complicated sheet processing and the like are possible.

The image forming apparatus 102 is an example of an image processing apparatus, and is an apparatus that forms an image of developed image data on a medium using toner. For example, in the image forming apparatus 102, a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror or the like) provided in the image forming apparatus 102 makes light rays such as laser light modulated according to the image image data incident, and is reflected through a reflection mirror. The photosensitive drum is irradiated as scanning light. In the image forming apparatus 102, the latent image formed by the laser beam on the photosensitive drum is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet material attached on the transfer drum. A series of image forming processes is sequentially performed on yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners to form a full-color image. In addition to these four colors, a toner that is called a special color, a transparent toner, or the like may be transferred. The image forming apparatus 102 employs a configuration capable of transferring transparent toner. Further, the sheet material on the transfer drum on which the full color image is formed is conveyed to a fixing device. The fixing device is configured by a combination of a roller and a belt, and includes a heat source such as a halogen heater, and melts and fixes the toner on the sheet material on which the toner image is transferred by heat and pressure.
The image forming apparatus 102 includes a scanner 224, an operation unit 204, and the like. The operation unit 204 provides various interfaces when the user performs various settings and operations of the image forming apparatus 102. Since the operation unit 204 is disposed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 102, details thereof are shown in FIG. 4.

The digital printing machine is configured so that various devices can be mounted in addition to the image forming apparatus 102. The large-capacity paper feeding devices 221, 222, and 223 are paper feeding devices configured to be removable from the image forming apparatus 102. A plurality of paper feeding devices can be attached to the image forming apparatus 102. In addition, since a plurality of large-capacity paper feeders can be mounted, it is possible to improve convenience during execution of a larger-capacity print process.
The large-capacity stackers 225 and 226 are devices for stocking printed media output in large quantities. In a digital printing machine having the large-capacity paper feeders 221, 222, and 223, the generated output product also has a large capacity, and thus a large-capacity stacker may be necessary. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which two large-capacity stackers are connected is shown. The saddle stitch bookbinding machine 227 performs various processes for selectively executing a staple process, a cutting process, a punch process, a folding process, a shift sheet discharge process, and the like for a medium (sheet) from the image forming apparatus 102. Has a unit.

This digital printing machine has the image forming apparatus 102 as a basic part, and can be roughly divided into three parts. The large capacity sheet feeders 221, 222, and 223 are referred to as sheet feeder apparatuses. The paper feed system is one of the parts, and continuously supplies the media loaded therein to the image forming apparatus 102 at appropriate timing. The paper feeding system also detects the remaining amount of media loaded therein. There are also paper feed stages 231 and 232 inside the image forming apparatus 102, and the paper feed stages 231 and 232 can execute functionally equivalent to the paper feed system apparatus. For convenience of explanation, these paper feed stages of the image forming apparatus 102 itself are also referred to as paper feed system devices. On the other hand, the large-capacity stackers 225 and 226 and the saddle stitch binding machine 227 are referred to as sheet processing apparatuses. The sheet processing apparatus is one of the parts, and performs various processing processes on the media on which the printing process has been completed, and performs processing such as stacking. Hereinafter, the sheet feeding apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus are collectively referred to as a sheet processing apparatus 200.
The computer 101 is an information processing apparatus or the like, and is a general-purpose computer connected to a digital printing machine via the network 100. The computer 101 can execute various application programs, and can transmit a print job (such as JDF job data described later) to the digital printing machine.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 102. The image forming apparatus 102 has a copy function for printing job data received from the scanner unit 201 by the printer unit 203 via the HDD 209. In addition, the image forming apparatus 102 has a print function for printing job data received from an external device via the external I / F unit 202 which is an example of a communication unit by the printer unit 203 via the HDD 209. Note that the image forming apparatus 102 may be a printing apparatus having one function or a printing apparatus having a plurality of functions. Further, the image forming apparatus 102 may be a printing apparatus capable of color printing or a printing apparatus capable of monochrome printing.

The scanner unit 201 reads a document image and performs image processing on the read image data. The external I / F unit 202 transmits and receives job data including image data and the like with a facsimile, a network connection device, and an external device. The HDD 209 stores job data to be printed received from the scanner unit 201, the external I / F unit 202, and the like.
The printer unit 203 executes print processing of print target job data stored in the HDD 209 on the print medium. The operation unit 204 is an example of a user interface and includes a display unit (see FIG. 4). The controller unit 205 is an example of a control unit (CPU or the like), and comprehensively controls processing and operations of various units included in the image forming apparatus 102.

  The ROM 207 is a read-only memory and stores various control programs such as a program for executing various processes in a flowchart described later. For example, the ROM 207 also stores a program for displaying various user interface screens (UI screens) on the display unit of the operation unit 204. Further, for example, the ROM 207 interprets PDL (page description language) code data received from an external device via the external I / F unit 202 and executes an operation of developing the raster image data (bitmap image data). A program is also stored. Further, for example, the ROM 207 also stores a program for interpreting and processing JDF job data received from an external device via the external I / F unit 202. In addition, for example, the ROM 207 stores various programs such as a boot sequence and font information programs and the above-described programs in advance. Details of various programs stored in the ROM 207 will be described with reference to FIG.

A RAM 208 is a memory that can read and write data, and stores image data transmitted from the scanner unit 201 and the external I / F unit 202 via the controller unit 205, various programs, and the like. In the present exemplary embodiment, the controller unit 205 reads out the program stored in the ROM 207 to the RAM 208 and executes the program, thereby realizing the functions of the image forming apparatus 102 and processing according to a flowchart described later.
The HDD 209 is an example of a large-capacity storage device that stores the image data compressed by the compression / decompression unit 210. The HDD 209 is configured to hold a plurality of data such as job data to be processed. Note that the controller unit 205 controls job data input via various input units such as the scanner unit 201 and the external I / F unit 202 to be printable by the printer unit 203 via the HDD 209. . In addition, the controller unit 205 also controls to be able to transmit to an external device via the external I / F unit 202. As described above, the controller unit 205 controls to execute various output processes of the job data to be processed stored in the HDD 209. In addition, image data, related data, and the like to be combined at the time of image rationalization are also stored in the HDD 209.

The compression / decompression unit 210 compresses / decompresses image data and the like stored in the RAM 208 and HDD 209 by various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG.
The controller unit 205 also controls the operation of each sheet processing apparatus 200. Note that the image forming apparatus 102 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and any configuration capable of realizing various controls shown in the present embodiment can be appropriately employed. For example, although the controller unit 205 is the main body of various controls, a part or all of the various controls may be executed by an external controller or the like that is separate from the digital printing machine.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the computer 101. The CPU 301 executes programs such as an OS, a general application, and a bookbinding application stored in the program ROM of the ROM 303 or loaded from the HDD 311 to the RAM 302. The RAM 302 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 301. A keyboard controller (KBC) 305 is an example of an input device, and controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 309 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 306 controls display on the CRT display 310. A disk controller (DKC) 307 controls access to an HDD 311 or a flexible disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various application programs, font data, user files, JDF job tickets (JDF files), and the like. The NC 312 is connected to the network 100 and executes communication control processing with other devices connected to the network 100. Note that the CPU 301 performs processing according to the procedure of a program stored in the ROM 303 or the like, thereby realizing functions in the computer 101 and processing according to a flowchart described later.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation unit 204. The operation unit 204 includes a key input unit 402 that can accept user operations using hard keys, and a touch panel unit 401 as an example of a display unit (display unit) that can accept user operations using soft keys (display keys).
The screen displayed on the touch panel unit 401 is an example of various display screens that the controller unit 205 performs via the touch panel unit 401. The setting items displayed on the touch panel unit 401 or the setting items that can be operated from the setting items are appropriately changed according to user operations, device states, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of various programs stored in the ROM 207 of the image forming apparatus 102, read out and executed by the controller unit 205, and data used by the controller unit 205. The ROM 207 stores a program for realizing the functions of the image forming apparatus 102.
The boot loader 501 is a program that is executed immediately after the image forming apparatus 102 is powered on. The boot loader 501 includes a program for executing various startup sequences necessary for starting the system. The operating system 502 is a program for providing an execution environment for various programs that realize the functions of the image forming apparatus 102. By executing the program of the operating system 502, functions such as resource management of the memory (that is, ROM 207, RAM 208, HDD 209, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 102 and basic input / output control of various apparatuses are mainly provided. The

  The data transmission / reception program 503 is a program for performing transmission / reception processing that is performed when a data input / output request is generated via the external I / F unit 202. More specifically, the data transmission / reception program 503 includes a protocol stack such as TCP / IP and is a program for performing communication processing of various data exchanged with an external device or the like connected via the network 100. It is. The communication processing performed here is processing specialized for communication processing such as a transmission / reception level of a data packet input / output between the image forming apparatus 102 and the external I / F unit 202 or an HTTP server. Analysis processing related to the contents of data is not included. The analysis processing is executed based on another program by the controller unit 205 described later.

The JDF function program 504 is a program for realizing a JDF print function executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the external I / F unit 202 when JDF job data is received via the external I / F unit 202. It is. In the JDF print function realized by the controller unit 205, the controller unit 205 sequentially instructs the operation of each device in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the JDF function program 504. Each device includes a sheet processing apparatus 200, a printer unit 203, a RAM 208, an HDD 209, a compression / decompression unit 210, and the like. That is, the JDF print processing is executed by sequentially instructing the operation of each device in an appropriate order.
Also, JDF job data analysis processing received via the external I / F unit 202, JDF job data performed based on the results of the analysis processing, determination processing whether or not illegal setting information is included, A program for performing setting change processing for eliminating setting information is also included. Details of the operation based on the JDF function program 504 will be described later.

  A copy function program 505 is a program for realizing a copy function that is executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 204 when a user of the digital printing machine instructs execution of a copy function via the operation unit 204. is there. In the copy function realized by the controller unit 205, the controller unit 205 sequentially instructs the operation of each device in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the copy function program 505 for the resources in the digital printing machine. Is done. Each device includes a sheet processing apparatus 200, a scanner unit 201, a printer unit 203, a RAM 208, an HDD 209, a compression / decompression unit 210, and the like. That is, the copy process is executed by sequentially instructing the operation of each device in an appropriate order.

  A scan function program 506 is a program for realizing a scan function that is executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 204 when a user of the digital printing machine instructs execution of a scan function via the operation unit 204. It is. The controller unit 205 controls modules such as the scanner unit 201, the RAM 208, the HDD 209, and the compression / decompression unit 210 based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the scan function program 506 for resources in the digital printing press. That is, the scan process is executed by sequentially instructing the operation of each device in an appropriate order.

  The PDL print function program 507 realizes a PDL print function executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the external I / F unit 202 when PDL job data is received via the external I / F unit 202. It is a program. In the PDL print function realized by the controller unit 205, the controller unit 205 sequentially instructs the operation of each device in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the PDL print function program 507. Each device includes a sheet processing apparatus 200, a printer unit 203, a RAM 208, an HDD 209, a compression / decompression unit 210, and the like. That is, the PDL print process is executed by sequentially instructing the operation of each device in an appropriate order.

The BOX function program 508 is a program for realizing a BOX function executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 204 when a user of the digital printing machine instructs execution of the BOX function via the operation unit 204. It is. In the BOX function, the BOX processing is executed by sequentially instructing the operation of each device in an appropriate order by the controller unit 205 based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the BOX function program 508. . Each device includes a sheet processing apparatus 200, a scanner unit 201, a printer unit 203, a RAM 208, an HDD 209, a compression / decompression unit 210, and the like.
A UI function program 509 is a program for controlling the touch panel unit 401 and the key input unit 402 of the operation unit 204. According to the UI function program 509, the contents input from the operation unit 204 by the user of the printing digital printing machine are identified, and an appropriate screen transition and processing for the controller unit 205 are instructed.

The other program 511 is a program for realizing a function that does not correspond to any of the above-described programs.
The setting specification storage area 512 is an area (for example, a database) that manages setting information included in JDF job data received via the external I / F unit 202 in the processing related to the JDF function program 504. The main information managed in the database is a value range that can be taken by the attribute, information on a combination of invalid setting information (attribute and attribute value information), and the like. Details of the setting specification storage area 512 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of various programs stored in the HDD 311 of the computer 101 and read and executed by the CPU 301. Since the boot loader 601 and the operating system 602 are the same as the boot loader 501 and the operating system 502 of the image forming apparatus 102, description thereof is omitted.
The device driver 603 is a program for controlling various hardware connected to the computer 101. For example, the device driver 603 includes a program for controlling the KBC 305, the CRTC 306, the DKC 307, and the like.

  The JDF application program 604 is a program that runs on the computer 101 and is intended to provide various functions and services to users of digital printing machines. When the JDF application program 604 is executed by the CPU 301, the JDF application is activated, and a function of creating and editing JDF job data is realized. Further, the JDF application converts various setting values (internal information) set in the setting items from a setting screen (not shown) into JDF job data. Further, the JDF application converts the setting information included in the JDF job data into internal information necessary for controlling the setting items on the corresponding setting screen. Further, the JDF application selects a JDF job ticket stored in the HDD 311 and creates JDF job data.

The network control program 605 is a program executed when JDF job data created by a JDF application is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 102 connected via the network 100. According to the network control program 605, a function of transmitting JDF job data, a function of acquiring progress information of print processing of JDF job data executed by the digital printer after transmission, and the like are realized.
The viewer control program 606 is a program for displaying text information held in the JDF job ticket stored in the HDD 311 on the CRT display 310. When the viewer control program 606 is executed by the CPU 301, the user can directly confirm the contents of the setting information described in the JDF job ticket.
The other program 607 is a program for realizing a function that does not correspond to any of the above-described programs.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the setting specification storage area 512. The setting specification storage area 512 includes an area for storing the attribute database 701 and the prohibition rule database 702. The attribute database 701 is an area for storing specifications that can be included in the JDF job ticket and specification information (attribute information) regarding a value range that the attribute can take. The prohibition rule database 702 is a combination of the attributes stored in the attribute database 701 and the value ranges that the attributes can take (prohibition not permitted) and attribute values (prohibition rules). This is an area for storing the information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the regulation information managed by the attribute database 701. The attribute database 701 includes three fields: an attribute ID field 801, an attribute name field 802, and a value range field 803. The attribute ID field 801 is a field for storing information managed by the attribute database 701, that is, ID information allocated to uniquely identify the attribute.
An attribute name field 802 is a field for storing information representing an attribute name (attribute type). In JDF, since the tree structure is expressed by XML, the positions of the provided attributes on the tree are not necessarily the same. For this reason, the attribute name field 802 shown in the figure is configured so that an XML tree (XPath) can be stored at the same time. However, whether or not to store XML tree information in the same field can be changed as appropriate. That is, the attribute described in the JDF job ticket to be analyzed can be identified.

A value field 803 is a field for storing a value that can be taken by the attribute indicated by the attribute name field 802. A value range field 803 indicates the following attributes and possible value ranges of the attributes.
As values that can be taken by the attribute (Media / MediaType), Plain representing plain paper, Super PasteBoard representing thick paper, IndexPaper representing tab paper, and Thin representing thin paper are shown. As a range of values that can be taken by the attribute (StitchingParams / NoOp), false indicating that the binding process is performed and true indicating that the binding process is not performed are shown. As a range of values that can be taken by the attribute (HoleMakingParams / NoOp), false indicating that the punching process is performed and true indicating that the punching process is not performed are shown. As a range that the attribute (Sides) can take, OneSidedFront that represents single-sided printing, TwoSidedFlipX that represents a reverse image in double-sided printing, and TwoSidedFlipY that represents a normal image in double-sided printing are shown. The attribute database 701 manages the attributes other than those described above and the value ranges that the attributes can take, but the contents thereof are omitted.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of prohibition rule information (prohibition rule information) managed in the prohibition rule database 702. The rule ID field 901 is a field for storing information of an ID allocated for uniquely identifying prohibition rule information that is an example of non-permission information managed in the prohibition rule database 702. The attribute 1 field 902 and the field 904 that stores the attribute value of the attribute 1, the attribute 2 field 903, and the field 905 that stores the attribute value of the attribute 2 are attributes that cannot be combined with each other, and Stores combination information.
In FIG. 9, six prohibition rule information is shown as an example of such a combination. The first prohibition rule information indicates that a combination in which the attribute value of the Media / MediaType attribute is SuperPasteBoard and the attribute value of the StitchingParams / NoOp attribute is false is prohibited. In other words, if the JDF job ticket includes information on combinations of attributes and attribute values indicated in the prohibition rule information, the JDF job ticket includes information on illegal combinations of attributes and attribute values. To be judged.

  The second prohibition rule information indicates that a combination in which the attribute value of the Media / MediaType attribute is SuperPasteBoard and the attribute value of the Sides attribute is TwoSidedFlipX is prohibited. The third prohibition rule information indicates that a combination in which the attribute value of the Media / MediaType attribute is SuperPasteBoard and the attribute value of the Sides attribute is TwoSidedFlipY is prohibited. The fourth prohibition rule information indicates that a combination in which the attribute value of the Media / MediaType attribute is SuperPasteBoard and the attribute value of the HoleMakingParams / NoOp attribute is false is prohibited.

  The fifth prohibition rule information indicates that combinations in which the attribute value of the Media / MediaType attribute is IndexPaper and the attribute value of the Sides attribute is TwoSidedFlipX are prohibited. The sixth prohibition rule information indicates that a combination in which the attribute value of the Media / MediaType attribute is IndexPaper and the attribute value of the Sides attribute is TwoSidedFlipY is prohibited. The prohibition rule database 702 stores a plurality of other prohibition rule information, but the contents thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a JDF job ticket (JDF job ticket 10) provided in JDF job data received via the external I / F unit 202. Since the number of setting items is enormous, a part of the JDF job ticket 10 is shown. For example, the content 1001 described in the JDF job ticket 10 includes a Sides attribute, and the attribute value is TwoSidedFlipX. The content 1002 includes a Media / MediaType attribute, and the attribute value is SuperPasteBoard. The content 1003 includes a StitchingParams / NoOp attribute, and the attribute value is “false”.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the result (analysis result 11) when the JDF job ticket 10 is analyzed by the controller unit 205 executing the JDF function program 504. The analysis result 11 includes a plurality of fields including an attribute ID field 1101, an attribute name field 1102, and a range field 1103.
The attribute ID field 1101 is a field for holding the same content as the attribute ID field 801 of the attribute database 701. The attribute name field 1102 stores an attribute ID field 1101, that is, an attribute name corresponding to the attribute ID field 801. Therefore, the attribute ID field 1101 and the attribute name field 1102 have the same correspondence as the attribute ID field 801 and the attribute name field 802.

  A value field 1103 is a field for storing an attribute value described in the JDF job ticket. For example, when the JDF job ticket 10 is analyzed, the attribute value SuperPasteBoard of the attribute Media / MediaType is stored in the range field 1103. Similarly, the value field 1103 stores the attribute value false of the attribute StitchingParams / NoOp, and stores the attribute value TwoSidedFlipX of the Sides attribute.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the result of extracting the one that matches the prohibition rule database 702 from the analysis results 11 obtained for the JDF job ticket 10 by executing the JDF function program 504 (the prohibition condition extraction result 12). FIG. The extraction process is performed by the controller unit 205 executing the JDF function program 504.
In the present embodiment, the analysis result 11 that matches the prohibition rule information in the prohibition rule database 702 is a row in which the rule ID field 901 corresponds to 1 and 2. In other words, the prohibition condition extraction result 12 indicates that the JDF job ticket 10 includes two prohibition rule information (forbidden conditions).

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result of extracting a combination of an attribute included in the prohibition condition extraction result 12 and its attribute value (incorrect factor extraction result 13). The extraction process is performed by the controller unit 205 executing the JDF function program 504.
The fraud factor extraction result 13 includes an attribute ID field 1301, an attribute name field 1302, and an attribute value field 1303. For the analyzed JDF job ticket 10, attributes (attribute names) and attribute values that are factors (causes) for making an illegal combination are listed.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the combinations corresponding to the attribute ID field 1301 and the attribute name field 1302 shown in the fraud factor extraction result 13 in which all combinations that can take all the range of the attribute are obtained (direct product set). FIG.
Here, in the table shown in FIG. 13 (incorrect factor extraction result 13), the value of the attribute ID field 1301 corresponding to the i-th row of the table is defined as x (i). Then, a set including all value ranges as elements in the value range of the attribute whose value in the attribute ID field 1301 is x (i), that is, the value of the corresponding value range field 803 in FIG. If defined as i), the element ei of the set is obtained by equation (1).

ei∈Ax (i) (1)

  Further, when the Cartesian product set of the range sets Ax (i) in all the attributes included in the table shown in FIG. 13 is obtained, all combinations of the attribute range can be enumerated, and the maximum value of i is set to imax. Then, the Cartesian product set is obtained by Expression (2). FIG. 14 shows a Cartesian product set 14 obtained based on the fraud factor extraction result 13 and the number of elements is 24.

Π (i = 1 to imax) = Ax (1) × Ax (2) ×... × Ax (imax)
= {(E1, e2,..., Eimax) | e1εAx (1) ｘe2εAx (2) ∧ ... ∧eimaxεAx (imax)} (2)

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an expression equivalent to the Cartesian product set 14. An asterisk (*) indicates that an arbitrary value is allowed as the value range of the corresponding attribute.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example (set 16) of elements obtained by excluding elements of the extracted prohibition rule information from the Cartesian product set. In other words, it is a set obtained by excluding elements (combinations) including prohibition conditions actually included in the JDF job ticket 10 from the Cartesian product set 14. The number of elements in the set obtained at this time is 20.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example (set 17) of a set obtained by excluding elements including the prohibition condition illustrated in FIG. 9 from the set illustrated in FIG. The number of elements in the set obtained at this time is 15. The set operations shown in FIGS. 13 to 17 are performed by the controller unit 205 executing the JDF function program 504.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a JDF job ticket obtained by substituting the corresponding attribute value for the JDF job ticket 10 that is the source of the analysis processing by the attribute and attribute value included in each element of the set 17 (JDF job ticket). It is a figure which shows 18).
The JDF job ticket 18 is obtained by replacing the corresponding attribute value of the JDF job ticket 10 with the first element shown in FIG. 17, that is, the following attributes and attribute values.
Media / MediaType = Plain
StitchingParams = true
Sides = OneSidedFront
The JDF job ticket 18 is a JDF job ticket from which combinations including prohibited conditions are excluded. It excludes combinations that include the prohibited conditions included from all attribute value combinations related to the prohibited conditions included in the JDF job ticket 10, and further includes combinations that include other prohibited conditions. It is because it was obtained by excluding.

FIG. 19 is obtained by replacing the corresponding attribute value of the JDF job ticket 10 with the second element shown in FIG. 17, that is, the following attributes and attribute values.
Media / MediaType = Plain
StitchingParams = true
Sides = TwoSidedFlipX

FIG. 20 is obtained by replacing the corresponding attribute value of the JDF job ticket 10 with the third element shown in FIG. 17, that is, the following attributes and attribute values.
Media / MediaType = Plain
StitchingParams = true
Sides = TwoSidedFlipY
Similarly, for the remaining 12 elements shown in FIG. 17, a JDF job ticket is obtained in which the attribute values of the corresponding portions of the JDF job ticket 10 are replaced. The explanation of the JDF job ticket corresponding to these 12 elements is as follows. Omitted. However, in the following embodiments, description will be made assuming that a JDF job ticket corresponding to the remaining elements has been obtained.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of JDF job data received via the external I / F unit 202. The JDF job data includes four parts. The JDF job ticket part 2103 includes a job ticket in JDF format. The data part 2104 includes image data to be printed.
The communication command part 2102 includes information in which various parameters used in the case of having a function of distributing various statuses when executing a job are in a file format. The digital printing machine in the present embodiment has various workflow linkage functions for use in the POD market. When a request for acquisition of status information is made from a device or computer that is a node of a more upstream workflow, the communication command part 2102 includes a distribution command for the status information.

The MIME header part 2101 includes header information generated when the information of a plurality of parts described above is combined and converted into the MIME format so that it can be transmitted as a single data. When JDF job data is transmitted from the computer 101 to the image forming apparatus 102, JDF job data (MIME data) encoded in the MIME format described above is transmitted.
The process of separating the JDF job ticket part 2103 from the MIME-format JDF job data is performed by the controller unit 205 executing the JDF function program 504.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart relating to processing (main processing) performed by the controller unit 205 executing the JDF function program 504. This process is started when JDF job data is received via the external I / F unit 202. Hereinafter, the main body of each process will be described as the controller unit 205.
First, the controller unit 205 performs processing for separating the received MIME-format JDF job data (S2201). In this process, the controller unit 205 divides the JDF job data for each part included therein and stores it in the HDD 209 (see FIG. 23).

  Subsequently, the controller unit 205 analyzes the JDF job ticket part (JDF unit) among the parts separated in S2201 (S2202). In the analysis process of the JDF job ticket part, the controller unit 205 parses the XML data and extracts print-related setting information included therein, that is, an attribute and an attribute value. This is equivalent to an analysis result 11 obtained by XML analysis of the JDF job ticket 10. The analysis result 11 may be stored in the RAM 208 or the HDD 209. In the present embodiment, the method for holding temporary data generated as a result of processing and the holding location are not limited.

Subsequently, the controller unit 205 extracts a combination of attributes and attribute values that are prohibited conditions included in the analysis result of the JDF job ticket (S2203). More specifically, a combination corresponding to the prohibition rule information stored in the prohibition rule database 702 is extracted from the analysis result 11 of the JDF job ticket 10 and information as shown in the prohibition condition extraction result 12 is extracted. (See FIG. 24). The prohibition condition extraction result may be stored in the RAM 208 or may be stored in the HDD 209.
Subsequently, the controller unit 205 determines whether the prohibited condition extraction result includes a prohibited attribute and a combination of attribute values (S2204). At this time, if it is determined that the received JDF job ticket does not contain the prohibited attribute and attribute value, the controller unit 205 executes print processing based on the analysis result of the JDF job ticket (S2205), Subsequently, the process of S2208 is performed. On the other hand, when determining that the received JDF job ticket includes the prohibited attribute and the attribute value, the controller unit 205 performs the process of S2206.

In step S2206, the controller unit 205 generates an attribute and attribute value combination for avoiding a combination of an attribute corresponding to the prohibition condition and the attribute value included in the result (prohibition condition extraction result) extracted in step S2203. I do. More specifically, the controller unit 205 extracts the attribute and attribute value causing the prohibition condition from the prohibition condition extraction result 12, and performs the set operation processing described with reference to FIGS. See Figure 25.)
Subsequently, the controller unit 205 creates a JDF job ticket obtained by replacing the corresponding attribute value of the JDF job ticket analyzed in S2202 based on the new attribute and combination of attribute values not including the combination of prohibition conditions derived in S2206. Generate (S2207). Subsequently, the controller unit 205 performs the process of S2208. If there are a plurality of new attribute and attribute value combinations that do not include the combination of prohibition conditions generated in S2206, the controller unit 205 generates as many JDF job tickets as the number of combinations.

In step S <b> 2208, the controller unit 205 prepares to return the execution result of the processing related to the received JDF job data to the transmission source of the JDF job data. That is, the controller unit 205 creates reply data. The reply data includes the execution result of the requested command (JDF job data or the like), but the details are omitted.
Subsequently, the controller unit 205 encodes the reply data created in S2208 in the MIME format (S2209). If it is determined in S2204 that the JDF job data includes a combination of an attribute corresponding to the prohibition condition and an attribute value, the controller unit 205 also includes the JDF job ticket generated in S2207 in the MIME package (FIG. 26). checking.). Subsequently, the controller unit 205 returns reply data or the like encoded in MIME format to the transmission source of the JDF job data, and ends the process.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart relating to the MIME data separation process.
First, the controller unit 205 analyzes the MIME header part (S2310). In this processing, for example, the controller unit 205 analyzes the contents included in the MIME header part 2101 shown in FIG. Subsequently, the controller unit 205 analyzes the communication command part (S2302). In this processing, for example, the controller unit 205 analyzes the contents included in the communication command part 2102 shown in FIG. Subsequently, the controller unit 205 stores the content of the JDF job ticket part included in the JDF job data (MIME data) in the HDD 209 (S2303). Note that the analysis of the JDF job ticket part is performed in S2202. Subsequently, the controller unit 205 stores the content of the data part, which is the last part included in the MIME data, in the HDD 209 (S2304). The data part is, for example, the data part 2104 shown in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart relating to the prohibition condition check process. In the prohibition condition check process, the controller unit 205 derives the prohibition condition extraction result 12 using the information of the prohibition rule database 702, the analysis result 11, and the like, for example.
First, the controller unit 205 sets an object to be processed, that is, initially sets a rule ID, which is the first entry in the prohibition rule database 702, to 1 (S2401). This is an initialization process for sequentially processing all entries in the prohibition rule database 702 in subsequent processes. The entry of the prohibition rule database 702 that is the current processing target is referred to as a current processing rule.

  Subsequently, the controller unit 205 searches whether the attributes corresponding to the attribute 1 and attribute 2 of the current processing rule are included in the JDF job ticket analysis result 11 (S2402). Here, if the controller unit 205 determines that it is included, the controller unit 205 also searches for an attribute value in the JDF job ticket. Subsequently, the controller unit 205 determines the result of the process in S2402 (S2403). At this time, if the controller unit 205 determines that attributes corresponding to the attribute 1 and attribute 2 of the current processing rule are included in the analysis result 11 of the JDF job ticket, the controller unit 205 performs the process of S2404. On the other hand, if it is determined that the attributes corresponding to the attribute 1 and attribute 2 of the current processing rule are not included in the analysis result 11, the controller unit 205 performs the process of S2405.

In step S2404, the controller unit 205 adds the corresponding entry in the prohibition rule database 702 corresponding to the search result in step S2402, that is, the prohibition rule information corresponding to the current processing rule ID, to the prohibition condition extraction result, and performs the processing in step S2405. For example, the controller unit 205 copies the current processing rule to another table. The prohibition condition extraction result may be stored on the RAM 208 or may be stored on the HDD 209.
In step S2405, the controller unit 205 determines whether or not the search processing in the prohibition rule database 702 described above has been completed for all rule IDs. At this time, if it is determined that the processing has been completed for all rule IDs, the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing has not been completed for all rule IDs, the processing of S2406 is performed.
In step S2406, the controller unit 205 sets the current rule ID as the next rule ID, and performs the processing in step S2402.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart according to the prohibition avoidance condition generation process.
First, a fraud factor extraction result is derived from the prohibition condition extraction result extracted in the prohibition condition check process (S2501). In this process, the controller unit 205 first eliminates the identification of the attribute 1 and attribute 2 of the prohibition condition extraction result, and converts the format into a table composed of combinations of attributes and attribute values. Next, when the controller unit 205 determines that a combination of redundant attributes and attribute values exists in the converted table, the controller unit 205 excludes them. Then, the controller unit 205 refers to the attribute database 701 and adds the value of the corresponding attribute ID for each attribute line. Through the above processing, for example, the fraud factor extraction result 13 can be derived from the prohibition condition extraction result 12.

  Subsequently, the controller unit 205 refers to the attribute database 701 for each attribute included in the fraud factor extraction result derived in S2501, and obtains a set of value ranges that each attribute can take (S2502). Subsequently, the controller unit 205 obtains a direct product of a set of range corresponding to each attribute obtained in S2502 (S2503). This process is a process for obtaining the Cartesian product set described with reference to FIG. Subsequently, the controller unit 205 excludes elements including combinations of prohibition condition extraction results from the Cartesian product set obtained in S2503 (S2504). At that time, an attribute not included in the rule ID is processed as an arbitrary value. As a result of this processing, for example, a set 16 shown in FIG. 16 is obtained from the Cartesian product set 14 shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the controller unit 205 further excludes elements including combinations of prohibition conditions from the set of processing results in S2504 based on the contents of the prohibition rule database 702 (S2505). As a result of this processing, for example, a set 17 shown in FIG. 17 is obtained from the set 16 shown in FIG. This set obtained as a result of S2505 is a combination of an attribute and an attribute value that avoids a combination of prohibition conditions included in the JDF job ticket.
Note that the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, a configuration in which the controller unit 205 does not perform the process of S2504 may be employed.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart relating to the MIME data generation process.
First, the controller unit 205 generates information on the MIME header part (S2601). Subsequently, the reply data is encoded as a MIME data part (S2602). The reply data includes the execution result of the input JDF job data. Note that the format of the execution result is omitted.
In step S2603, the controller unit 205 determines whether it is necessary to transmit a JDF job ticket using the determination result in step S2204. That is, the controller unit 205 determines whether to include a JDF job ticket in the MIME data. At this time, when it is determined that the attribute corresponding to the prohibition condition and the combination of the attribute value are included in the JDF job data, the controller unit 205 subsequently performs the process of S2604. On the other hand, if it is determined that the attribute corresponding to the prohibition condition and the combination of the attribute value are not included in the JDF job data, the controller unit 205 ends the MIME data generation process.
In S2604, the MIME data is encoded by including the JDF job ticket from which the combination corresponding to the prohibition condition is removed.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing (job data control processing) when the computer 101 issues JDF job data to the image forming apparatus 102. This process is performed by the J301 application program 604 being executed by the CPU 301. In the following description, the subject of each process will be described as the CPU 301.
First, the CPU 301 generates MIME data (JDF job data) (S2701). Subsequently, the JDF job data created in S 2701 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 102. Subsequently, the CPU 301 receives the execution result of the JDF job data (S2703). When it takes time to process a job in the image forming apparatus 102, there is a possibility that an interval may occur from the completion of transmission in S2702 to the reply in S2703 (response to JDF job data), and wait processing during that time is also included in S2703. Shall.

  Subsequently, the CPU 301 executes an analysis process of the reply received in S2703, that is, MIME data (S2704). The MIME data processed here is generated by the MIME data generation process. In S 2704, the CPU 301 stores each part constituting the MIME data in the HDD 311. Subsequently, the CPU 301 analyzes the contents of the reply data among the MIME data parts stored in the HDD 311 and determines the execution result of the JDF job data (S2705). The reply data is encoded data included in the MIME part in S2602. At this time, if the CPU 301 determines that the result of the transmitted JDF job data is an error (the JDF job data print process has not been performed), the CPU 301 performs the process of S2706. On the other hand, if the CPU 301 determines that the result of the transmitted JDF job data is not an error, the CPU 301 ends the process.

  In step S2706, the CPU 301 determines whether a JDF job ticket is included in the received MIME data. At this time, if it is determined that the JDF job ticket is included in the MIME data, the CPU 301 acquires the JDF job ticket from the MIME data and stores it in the HDD 311. When a plurality of JDF job tickets are included in the MIME data, the CPU 301 stores these JDF job tickets in the HDD 311. On the other hand, when determining that the JDF job ticket is not included in the MIME data, the CPU 301 ends the process.

  In the present embodiment, when the computer 101 recognizes that the JDF job data printing process has failed as a result of the determination in S2705, the viewer control program 606 is executed to check the contents of the JDF job ticket stored in the HDD 311. It is possible. Note that the viewer control program 606 may be executed based on a user operation after the user of the computer 101 grasps that the print processing of JDF job data has failed. That is, the user selects a desired JDF job ticket stored in the HDD 311 and inputs the JDF job ticket again, so that the print processing using JDF job data that does not include any combination of prohibition conditions is ensured. Will be able to run. Appropriate configurations can be adopted for the operation method of the viewer (a method of selecting a JDF job ticket after confirming the contents of the JDF job ticket by the viewer, a method of re-inputting the JDF job ticket, etc.).

As described above, even when the user inputs JDF job data including illegal setting information to the device, the user does not need much effort to avoid the contradiction. In other words, first, even when JDF job data containing inappropriate setting information is input, the output setting is rounded up on the device side, thereby suppressing the generation of unintended useless output. Is possible. Second, it is possible to reduce the creation time and labor required to create a valid JDF job ticket that does not include illegal setting information.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to greatly improve the ease of constructing a cooperative system required for a digital printing machine compatible with the POD market, and at the same time assure the generation of an intended output product.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, when a combination of prohibition conditions is included in the JDF job data transmitted from the computer 101, the printing process is not executed. Instead, the JDF job ticket excluding the combination of prohibition conditions is the reply data. It was a reply with. In the first embodiment, the user who confirms the reply data returned and recognizes that the print processing of the JDF job data has failed is returned to the JDF job ticket stored in the HDD 311 together with the reply data. The contents of were confirmed with a viewer.
However, the first embodiment refers to how the user determines what attribute value has been changed by the image forming apparatus 102 when checking the contents of the JDF job ticket using the viewer. Not done. Here, the user must confirm the difference between the JDF job data at the time of transmission, for example, the JDF job ticket 10, and the returned JDF job ticket, for example, the JDF job tickets 18, 19, 20. A plurality of pieces of information are described in the JDF job ticket.

In view of this, in the second embodiment, when a JDF job ticket changed by the image forming apparatus 102 is confirmed by a viewer, there is provided a means that makes it possible to more easily discriminate the changed part.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a JDF job ticket (JDF job ticket 28) from which combinations of prohibition conditions are excluded. The content is equivalent to the JDF job ticket 18. The difference from the JDF job ticket 18 is that an element called AuditPool 2801 (an example of difference information) is added to the JDF job ticket 28.
The AuditPool 2801 is not an element related to the output setting, but is an element provided for storing information that should be used for human confirmation such as editing information and history information added to the JDF job ticket. It is. In the AuditPool 2801, information on the detected prohibition conditions, information on combinations of the prohibited prohibitions, and the like are described as character information.
29 shows a JDF job ticket 29 to which an AuditPool 2901 corresponding to the JDF job ticket 19 is added, and FIG. 30 shows a JDF job ticket 30 to which an AuditPool 3001 corresponding to the JDF job ticket 20 is added.
Here, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the JDF job ticket including the AuditPool changed by the image forming apparatus 102 is displayed on the viewer is shown, but the configuration is not limited to this configuration, and an appropriate configuration can be adopted. For example, instead of the JDF job ticket including the modified AuditPool, only the AuditPool information may be displayed on the viewer. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits these to the computer 101 without including the AuditPool in the changed JDF job ticket, and the computer 101 may display both the JDF job ticket and the AuditPool information in the viewer. Good.
According to the second embodiment, when the user confirms the contents of the JDF job ticket in the viewer, it is easy to make changes made to the returned JDF job ticket by confirming the contents such as AuditPool 2801. It becomes possible to confirm.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  According to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to solve a problem that occurs when incorrect setting information is included in a job ticket.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

Claims (11)

Including non-permission information configured to include setting information included in the job ticket of the job data, setting information that is not permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus, and setting information that can be processed by the image processing apparatus. Identifying means for identifying information of a combination of setting information that is permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus from the regulation information configured by:
Of the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data, the job ticket in which the combination information corresponding to the non-permission information is changed to the combination information specified by the specifying unit is transmitted to the job data transmission source. Sending means to
An image processing apparatus comprising: Each setting information is attribute and attribute value information,
The specifying means includes the definition information including attribute and attribute value information that can be processed by the image processing apparatus, and attribute information included in a job ticket of the job data. Using the attribute information that constitutes the information of the corresponding combination, the information on the combination of the attribute information and the attribute value information that can be taken in the attribute is obtained, and corresponds to the non-permission information from the obtained combination information 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information on a combination of attribute and attribute value information permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus is specified, excluding combination information including combination information to be processed. . And a generating unit configured to generate difference information related to a difference between the attribute and attribute value information included in the job ticket of the job data and the attribute and attribute value information included in the job ticket transmitted by the transmitting unit. ,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits the difference information generated by the generation unit to a transmission source of the job data.   The difference information generated by the generation unit includes at least one information of combination information corresponding to the non-permission information and combination information specified by the specifying unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a display unit configured to display the difference information generated by the generation unit on a display unit. Transmission means for transmitting job data provided with a job ticket including setting information to the image processing apparatus;
Of the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the job data, information on a combination of setting information that is not permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus is received by the image processing apparatus. Difference information relating to a difference between the setting information included in the job ticket changed to the combination information of the setting information permitted to be processed or the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data and the changed job ticket. Display means for displaying on the display unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A selection means for selecting the job ticket displayed by the display means according to an operation of the input device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the transmission unit transmits job data including the selected job ticket to the image processing apparatus when a job ticket is selected by the selection unit. A method of processing job data in an image processing apparatus,
Including setting information included in a job ticket of job data, non-permission information including information on a combination of setting information that is not permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus, and setting information that can be processed by the image processing apparatus. A specifying step for specifying information of a combination of setting information permitted to be processed by the image processing device,
Among the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data, the job ticket in which the combination information corresponding to the non-permission information is changed to the combination information specified in the specific process is transmitted to the transmission source of the job data A transmission process to
A method of processing job data. A transmission step of transmitting job data provided with a job ticket including setting information to the image processing apparatus;
Of the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the job data, information on a combination of setting information that is not permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus is received by the image processing apparatus. Difference information relating to a difference between the setting information included in the job ticket changed to the combination information of the setting information permitted to be processed or the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data and the changed job ticket. A display process to be displayed on the display unit;
A method of processing job data. The image processing device
Including setting information included in a job ticket of job data, non-permission information including information on a combination of setting information that is not permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus, and setting information that can be processed by the image processing apparatus. A specifying means for specifying information of a combination of setting information permitted to be processed by the image processing device from the regulation information configured by:
Of the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data, the job ticket in which the combination information corresponding to the non-permission information is changed to the combination information specified by the specifying unit is transmitted to the job data transmission source. Sending means to
Program to make it work. Computer
Transmission means for transmitting job data provided with a job ticket including setting information to the image processing apparatus;
Of the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data transmitted from the image processing apparatus in response to the job data, information on a combination of setting information that is not permitted to be processed by the image processing apparatus is received by the image processing apparatus. Difference information relating to a difference between the setting information included in the job ticket changed to the combination information of the setting information permitted to be processed or the setting information included in the job ticket of the job data and the changed job ticket. Display means for displaying on the display unit;
Program to make it work.

Images