JP2013210861A - Image forming system, image forming apparatus, control method of the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem in which in RIP processing of a VDP job consisting of a plurality of records, the VDP job registered in a BOX cannot be controlled and managed in a record unit because of loss of a configuration and attribute information of the records.SOLUTION: In RIP processing of a VDP job, a configuration and attribute information of records are analyzed, and an analysis result is stored in document data as record information. In displaying a BOX job, a list of the records is displayed to allow control and management of the BOX job in a record unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to a job control technique for data including a plurality of records in one job.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus is provided with a BOX function for freely registering a document scanned by a user or a document printed in PDL in a device. Since the document registered in the BOX is in a form suitable for the processing of the image forming apparatus, it can be printed at a higher speed than when printing from the client PC. By using the BOX function, the user can correct an image, change print settings, and the like without repeatedly making a round trip between the client PC and the image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, the demand for variable printing that prints data that meets the needs of each customer has been increasing. Variable printing (VDP) prints registered customer data in units of records for one job. A record is a series of processing units of VDP. For example, when printing is performed for each customer, one record is composed of print data for one customer. In variable printing, one job may include many records. For example, one job may include several thousand to several tens of thousands of records. In the VDP job, a VDP object is associated with each record, and is combined with a background master object and printed. Such a VDP is managed in units of jobs even if a plurality of records are included, and this is called a VDP job.

  Recently, as electrophotographic printing apparatuses and ink jet printing apparatuses increase in speed and increase in image quality, the print on demand (hereinafter referred to as POD) is described as opposed to the conventional printing industry. ) Is emerging. POD is characterized by being suitable for variable printing as compared to conventional printing processing such as offset printing because printing processing can be performed without creating a block.

  As a technique for controlling a VDP job in POD, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for displaying a status in units of records regarding a print job related to variable printing output to an image forming apparatus or the like. Also, the same document discloses a technique for performing control management in units of records, such as changing the print order in units of records, pausing, and canceling, in a variable print job composed of a plurality of records. .

JP 2009-53860 A

  However, in the conventional technique, when a VDP job is registered in the BOX, there is a problem that the record configuration and attribute information are lost during RIP processing, and printing cannot be specified in units of records. Therefore, when the user wants to print a specific record included in the document registered in the BOX, the user has to specify and print a range of pages corresponding to the record. In a VDP job, many records may be included in one job, and this operation is a user's workload.

  An object of the present invention is to enable control management in units of records in the control of the BOX function of a VDP job composed of a plurality of records.

Analyzing means (S201) for analyzing a job composed of a plurality of records;
Construction means (S205) for constructing a record structure (1103) using the analysis result of the analysis means;
RIP means (S206) for converting the job into a printable page image (1113);
Storage means (S104) capable of storing a plurality of page images;
Document management means (3109) for managing a plurality of image data stored in the storage means as a document;
Association means (1204) for associating the record structure with the page image;
Have
An image forming system, wherein the record structure and the page image are associated and stored in the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, control management in units of records can be performed in the control of VDP jobs registered in the BOX. As a result, when a user wants to print a specific record included in a document registered in the BOX, it is possible to specify a print range with a simple operation and print it, thereby greatly reducing the user's work load. it can.

1 illustrates a configuration of an image forming system according to a first exemplary embodiment. 1 illustrates a configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment. 2 is a configuration of a controller unit of the image forming apparatus 10 in Embodiment 1. 2 illustrates a configuration of an operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment. 2 illustrates a configuration of an operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment. 3 illustrates various programs and data of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is an example of the record data in the record database in Example 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between jobs, records, and pages in the first embodiment. 3 is an example of PDF / VT data in the first embodiment. 4 is an example of PPML data in the first embodiment. 2 is a configuration of document data in the first embodiment. 3 is a configuration of document data record information in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a BOX saving function in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a PDL analysis / RIP function in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a record generation function in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a BOX job detail display function according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a preview display function according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a reverse record printing function according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is an example of a BOX job list screen displayed on the operation unit 210 in the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a record list screen displayed on the operation unit 210 in the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a record list screen displayed on the operation unit 210 in the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a preview screen displayed on the operation unit 210 in the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a print record selection screen displayed on the operation unit 210 in the first embodiment.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
<Configuration of image forming system>
First, an image forming system to which each embodiment described below can be applied will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10, a print server 20, a file server 30, and a client PC 40. The image forming apparatus 10, the print server 20, the file server 30, and the client PC 40 are communicably connected via a network 50 such as a LAN or a WAN.

The image forming apparatus 10 has various functions such as scanning, printing, and copying.
The print server 20 manages the input print job and the image forming apparatus 10 connected via the network 50. The print server 20 can monitor the status of all print jobs with the image forming apparatus 10 connected thereto, and performs control such as print job suspension, setting change, print restart, job duplication, transfer, and deletion. be able to.

  The file server 30 stores a database related to variable data used for variable printing, for example, a customer database including customer data such as a destination, an address, and a name. The client PC 40 has functions for editing application files and supporting printing. Further, the client PC 40 has a function of assisting in monitoring and controlling the image forming apparatus 10 and the print job managed in the print server 20. The operator can check the job status and the like using the client PC 40.

<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 10>
The configuration of an MFP that is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The MFP includes a scanner unit, a laser exposure unit, a photosensitive drum, an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a paper feed / conveyance unit, and a printer control unit (not shown) that controls these units.

  The scanner unit is a step of creating image data by optically reading a document image by illuminating a document placed on a document table and converting the image into an electrical signal.

  The laser exposure unit causes a light beam such as a laser beam modulated according to the image data to enter a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at an equal angular velocity, and irradiates the photosensitive drum as reflected scanning light.

  The image forming unit rotates the photosensitive drum, charges it with a charger, develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by the laser exposure unit with toner, and transfers the toner image to a sheet. At this time, an image is formed by executing a series of electrophotographic processes in which minute toner remaining on the photosensitive drum without being transferred is collected. At that time, each developing unit (developing station) having magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) toners is wound around a predetermined position of the transfer belt and rotated four times. ), And the above-described electrophotographic process is sequentially repeated. After four rotations, the sheet onto which the four color full-color toner images have been transferred leaves the transfer drum and is conveyed to the fixing unit.

  The fixing unit 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 on which the toner image is transferred by the image forming unit by heat and pressure.

  The sheet feeding / conveying unit has one or more sheet storages represented by sheet cassettes and paper decks, and selects one of a plurality of sheets stored in the sheet storage in response to an instruction from the printer control unit. Sheets are separated and conveyed to the image forming unit and fixing unit. The sheet is wound around the transfer drum of the image forming unit, and after four rotations, is conveyed to the fixing unit. During the four rotations, the above-described toner images of each color of YMCK are transferred to the sheet. Further, when forming an image on both sides of the sheet, control is performed so that the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit passes through a conveyance path for conveying the sheet to the image forming unit again.

  The printer control unit communicates with the MFP control unit that controls the entire MFP, executes control in accordance with the instruction, and also checks the status of each of the scanner, laser exposure, image forming, fixing, and paper feed / carrying units. While managing, give instructions to keep the whole in harmony and operate smoothly.

<Configuration of Controller Unit of Image Forming Apparatus 10>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit (controller) of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The control unit 200 is connected to a scanner 201 that is an image input device and a printer engine 202 that is an image output device, and performs control for reading image data and printing output. Further, the control unit 200 is connected to the network 50 or the public line 204 to perform control for inputting / outputting image information and device information via the network 50.

  A CPU 205 is a central processing unit for controlling the entire MFP. A RAM 206 is a system work memory for the CPU 205 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing input image data. A ROM 207 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 208 is a hard disk drive, and stores system software for various processes, input image data, and the like. The operation unit I / F 209 is an interface unit for the operation unit 210 having a display screen capable of displaying image data and the like, and outputs operation screen data to the operation unit 210. In addition, the operation unit I / F 209 serves to transmit information input by the operator from the operation unit 210 to the CPU 205. The network interface 211 is realized by a LAN card, for example, and is connected to the network 50 to input / output information to / from an external device. Furthermore, the modem 212 is connected to the public line 204 and inputs / outputs information to / from an external device. The above units are arranged on the system bus 213.

  The image bus I / F 214 is an interface for connecting the system bus 213 and an image bus 215 that transfers image data at high speed, and is a bus bridge that converts a data structure. On the image bus 215, a raster image processor 216, a device I / F 217, a scanner image processing unit 218, a printer image processing unit 219, an image editing image processing unit 220, and a color management module 230 are connected.

  A RIP 216 is a raster image processor, and develops a page description language (PDL) code and vector data described later into an image. A device I / F unit 217 connects the scanner 201 and printer engine 202 to the control 200 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  The scanner image processing unit 218 performs various processes such as correction, processing, and editing on the image data input from the scanner 201. The printer image processing unit 219 performs processing such as correction and resolution conversion according to the printer engine on the image data to be printed out. The image editing image processing 220 performs various types of image processing such as image data rotation and image data compression / decompression processing. The CMM 230 is a dedicated hardware module that performs color conversion processing (also referred to as color space conversion processing) on image data based on a profile and calibration data. A profile is information such as a function for converting color image data expressed in a device-dependent color space into a device-independent color space (eg, Lab). The calibration data is data for correcting the color reproduction characteristics of the scanner unit 201 and the printer engine 202 in the color multifunction machine 3.

<Configuration of Operation Unit 210 of Image Forming Apparatus 10>
The configuration of the operation unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the operation unit 210 includes a key input unit 402 that can accept a user operation using a hard key, and a touch panel unit 401 as an example of a display unit that can accept a user operation using a soft key (display key). .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the key input unit 402 includes an operation unit power switch 501. In response to a user operation of the switch 501, the CPU 205 controls to selectively switch between the standby mode and the sleep mode. However, the standby mode is a normal operation state, and the sleep mode is a state in which power consumption is reduced by stopping the program in an interrupt waiting state in preparation for network printing or facsimile. The CPU 205 controls to accept a user operation of the switch 501 while a main power switch (not shown) that supplies power to the entire system is in an ON state. A start key 503 is a key for enabling the user to accept an instruction to start the type of job processing instructed by the user, such as a copy operation or a transmission operation of a job to be processed. A stop key 502 is a key for enabling the user to accept an instruction to interrupt the processing of the accepted job to the printing apparatus. A numeric keypad 506 is a key for making it possible for a user to execute various numerical settings. A clear key 507 is a key for canceling various parameters such as numeric values set by the user via the key 506. A reset key 504 is a key for invalidating all the settings set for the job to be processed by the user and receiving an instruction from the user to return the setting value to the default state. A user mode key 505 is a key for shifting to a system setting screen for each user.

<Various programs and data of image forming apparatus 10>
The CPU 205 of this embodiment executes control as exemplified below.

  FIG. 6 illustrates various programs stored in the ROM 207 in FIG. 3 and read and executed by the controller unit 205, and data used by the programs. As illustrated, the ROM 207 stores programs for realizing various functions that can be provided by the image forming apparatus 10.

  The boot loader 3101 is a program executed immediately after the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on, and is a program for executing various startup sequences necessary for starting the system. The operating system 3102 is intended to provide an execution environment for various programs that implement the functions of the image forming apparatus 10. The operating system 3102 mainly manages the resources of the memory of the image forming apparatus 10 and the basic functions of the various apparatuses shown in FIG. Functions such as simple input / output control. However, the memory of the image forming apparatus 10 includes, for example, the ROM 207, the RAM 208, and the hard disk 209 in FIG.

  The data transmission / reception program 3103 is a control program for performing a transmission / reception process performed when a data input / output request is generated via the external I / F 202 in FIG. Specifically, a control program that includes a protocol stack such as TCP / IP and performs communication of various data exchanged with an external device or the like connected via the network 50 in the image forming system shown in FIG. It is. The communication processing performed here is in charge of processing specialized for communication processing such as the transmission / reception level of data packets input / output between the image forming apparatus 10 and the network 50, HTTP server, etc. The analysis processing related to is not included. The data analysis process is executed by the controller unit 205, which will be described later, based on the description content of another program.

  The device management function program 3104 is a program for performing integrated management of connection states, statuses, capabilities, and the like of various devices that are managed by the image forming apparatus 10 and realize functions as a multifunction peripheral. However, the various devices include, for example, a detachable device or a non-detachable device such as the printer unit 203, the scanner unit 201, and the sheet processing apparatus 200. The device management function program 3104 is executed when the controller unit 205 is notified to the controller unit 205 when the system is started up or when a state change of the connected device occurs.

  The copy function program 3105 is a program for executing a copy function executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 210 when a user instructs execution of a copy function via the operation unit 210.

  The scan function program 3106 is a program for executing a scan function executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the operation unit 210 when a user instructs execution of a scan function via the operation unit 210.

  A PDL print function program 3107 is a program for executing a PDL print function executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the external I / F 204 when PDL print job data is received via the external I / F 202.

  The JDF print function program 3108 is a program that executes a JDF print function executed by the controller unit 205 in response to an instruction from the external I / F 204 when job data including JDF is received via the external I / F 202. The controller unit 205 sequentially instructs the device resources in the printing system 1000 to operate in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the program, so that the JDF print process is finally executed. To control. However, the device resources for executing the JDF print function include, for example, the sheet processing apparatus 200, the printer unit 203, the hard disk 200, the compression / decompression unit 210, the RAM 208, and the like.

  The BOX function program 3109 is a program for executing a BOX function executed by the controller unit 205 according to an instruction from the operation unit 210 when the user of the image forming apparatus 10 instructs execution of the BOX function via the operation unit 210. It is.

  The UI control program 3110 displays the operations of the touch panel unit 401 and the key input unit 402 of the operation unit illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 in a state where the activation process of the printing system is completed and the function provision as a multifunction device is possible. This is a control program.

  The other control program 3111 is a program for realizing a function that does not correspond to any of the above-described programs, and includes various operations. However, as long as the effects of the present embodiment are described. Since the details are not important, the description is omitted.

<Record data in the record database>
FIG. 7 is a diagram exemplarily showing a part of the data in the record database stored in the file server 30.

  Reference numerals 701 to 706 denote record data or data fields in the database. 701 stores a name, 702 stores sex, 703 stores age, and 704 stores an address. 705 stores a cover, and 706 stores the number of body pages.

<Relationship between jobs, records, and pages>
FIG. 8 is a diagram hierarchically showing the relationship between jobs, records, and pages in the image forming apparatus 10. A VDP (variable data) job 801 has a plurality of records 802. Record information that is the basis of this record 802 is stored in the file server 30. Each record 802 includes one or more pages 803. Here, the number of pages included in each record 802 does not necessarily need to be the same number of pages, and may differ depending on the print contents instructed in each record 802.

<Data to be Processed by Image Forming Apparatus 10>
Data to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 includes PDL data including a drawing command and a job ticket including print settings. Examples of PDL to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 include PDF / VT, PPML, and PostScript (PS). An example of a job ticket to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 is JDF.

  FIG. 9 is an excerpt of an example of PDF / VT data that is a type of PDL data to be processed by the PDL print function program 3107 shown in FIG. As shown in the example of FIG. 9, PDF / VT can store a plurality of records, and can also store attribute information representing the characteristics of the records such as name and sex in the data. A detailed description of the PDF / VT specification is omitted.

  Similarly, FIG. 10 is an excerpt of an example of PPML data that is a kind of PDL data to be processed by the PDL print function program 3107 shown in FIG. As in the example of FIG. 10, PPML can store a plurality of records, and can also store attribute information representing record characteristics such as name and sex in the data. A detailed description of the PDF / VT specification is omitted.

  Needless to say, the PDL data to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the forms shown in FIGS. For example, a plurality of PDLs may be stored in one job, and each PDL may represent one record. Moreover, the form in which record information such as a job ticket is stored outside the PDL may be used.

<Document data structure>
FIG. 11 shows an example of a document data structure stored in the HDD 208 by the BOX function program 3108.

  The document includes a header area 1101, a page reference table area 1102, a record information area 1103, a page area 1104, and a trailer area 1105. The header area 1101 stores document management information. The page reference table area 1102 describes the storage location of each page area. The record information area 1103 stores record information in the document. In the record information, in addition to the record structure, attribute information indicating the characteristics of the record and the storage location of the page area corresponding to the page included in each record are described. Details of the record information will be described later with reference to FIG. The page area 1104 further includes a page header area 1111, a print setting area 1112, and a page image area 1113. In the page header area 1111, a record information link 1121 describing a storage location of record information including the page is stored. The print setting information area 1112 stores print setting information such as page size and orientation. The page image area 1113 stores a page image which is an instruction for drawing development. In this embodiment, the page image format is raster data, but it may be DL data for rendering processing by the renderer, resolution-independent vector data, or the like. The trailer area stores the storage location and update information of each object in the document.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of record information described in the record information area. In this embodiment, the record information is constituted by a tree structure (hierarchical structure) of record nodes 1202 and 1203 with the root node 1201 as a root. Each record node stores record identification information 1211 that uniquely identifies a record, page range information 1212 that constitutes the record, key information 1213 that characterizes the record, and metadata information 1214 that indicates other record attributes. The metadata information 1214 can hold a plurality of combinations of arbitrary keys and values indicating the characteristics of the record. The hierarchy of each record node is expressed as a first hierarchy, a second hierarchy,... According to its depth. The record node 1211 is a record node in the first hierarchy, and the record node 1212 is a record node in the second hierarchy. In this figure, the record node having the deepest hierarchy is the second hierarchy, but this does not limit the depth of the hierarchy that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 10. A record node 1203 describes a storage location of a page area 1104 corresponding to a page included in each record. The storage location of the record node 1203 is held by the record information link 1121 of the page area, and the record node 1203 and the page area 1104 are configured to be mutually referable. This reference relationship is called a mutual link 1204.

  In this embodiment, all of the record nodes 1203 having the mutual link 1204 are the record nodes of the second hierarchy, but are not necessarily the record nodes of the same hierarchy. In this embodiment, the record information has a tree structure, but the subject of the present invention is not limited to this.

<BOX saving process>
Next, the BOX storing process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the BOX storage function.

  In step S <b> 101, the CPU 205 receives data sent via the network 50 via the network I / F 211 and stores it in the HDD 208.

  In step S102, the CPU 205 analyzes the job ticket and reads the print setting.

  In step S103, the CPU 206 analyzes / RIPs the PDL data to generate document data. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 104, the CPU 205 stores the document data in the HDD 208. When the processing of this step is completed, the processing of the BOX saving function is terminated.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the PDL analysis / RIP function in S103.

  In step S <b> 201, the CPU 205 analyzes the PDL data stored in the HDD 208.

  In step S202, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the analyzed PDL data is a VDP job. In this embodiment, in this embodiment, when the PDL type of the PDL data is any one of PDF / VT, PPML, and PostScript, and the PDL data includes a plurality of records, it is determined that the PDL data is a VDP job. . This determination may be performed by other methods. If the analyzed PDL data is not a VDP job, the process proceeds to step S203. If the analyzed PDL data is a VDP job, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S203, normal PDL analysis / RIP processing is performed. Details of the normal PDL analysis / RIP processing are not important as long as the effects of the present embodiment are described, and thus the description thereof is omitted. When the process of step S203 is completed, the process of the PDL analysis / RIP function is terminated.

  In step S204, the CPU 205 generates document data shown in FIG.

  In step S205, the CPU 205 reads record attribute information included in the PDL, and generates record information shown in FIG. Record information is stored in a record information area 1103 of document data. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG. At this stage, since there is no page area of document data, the mutual link 1204 between the record node 1203 and the page area 1104 in FIG. 12 is not generated.

  In step S <b> 206, the CPU 205 generates a page image using the RIP 216. The page image is stored in a page image area 1113 of document data. In this step, according to the print setting read in step S102, for example, when a print range designation or so-called NUP designation is performed, a page image is generated according to the instruction. Here, a page in PDL data is called a logical page, and a page after RIP is called a physical page. In this embodiment, processing is performed so that logical pages corresponding to different records are not laid out in one physical page. That is, when so-called NUP is specified and a page of a different record is laid out on one physical page, a blank page is inserted and page change or paper change is performed. With this processing, it is possible to limit the number of record nodes 1203 corresponding to one page area 1104 to one at maximum.

  In step 207, the CPU 205 generates a mutual link 1204 between the record node 1203 and the page area 1102. This process is performed by describing the storage location of the page area in the record node 1203 and describing the storage location of the record node 1203 in the record information link 1121 of the page region 1104. In this embodiment, when the logical page and the physical page do not match due to the print range designation, NUP designation, etc., the page area 1104 of the physical page including the logical page corresponding to the record node 1203 is used. The mutual link 1204 is generated.

  In step S208, the CPU 205 removes information on records that do not have a corresponding page. This process is performed by removing the record link and the record node having no child record node from the tree structure of the record information. With this processing, it is possible to configure such that there is at least one page corresponding to all records.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the record information generation function in S205.

  In step S301, the CPU 205 generates a root node.

  In step S302, the CPU 205 determines from the result of the PDL analysis in step S201 whether there is a child record of the record corresponding to the processing record node. If it is determined that a child record exists, the process proceeds to step S303. If it is determined that no child record exists, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S303, the CPU 205 generates a child record node. In the subsequent processing, the generated record node is set as a new processing record node.

  In step S304, the CPU 205 stores record identification information 1211 that uniquely identifies the record in the record node. The record identification information 1211 may be anything as long as it can uniquely identify the record, but in the example shown in FIG. 12, records such as 1-1, 1-2, 2-1 and 2-2 The record identification information 1211 is a serial number assigned to each layer.

  In step S305, the CPU 205 stores the page range information 1212 in the record node. The page range information 1212 is information indicating the page range of the record. As described above, in this embodiment, the logical page and the physical page may not match due to the print range designation or NUP designation, but the page range information 1212 stores the page range of the record in the physical page. .

  In step S306, the CPU 205 stores the metadata information 1214 in the record node. The metadata information is composed of a combination of an arbitrary key and value indicating the characteristics of the record. In this embodiment, metadata information is generated by extracting from PDL data. For example, in the case of VDF (registered trademark) / VT data shown in FIG. 9, each setting value in the / DPM dictionary is converted into a key and an attribute. In the case of the PPML data shown in FIG. 10, each setting value in the <METADATA> node is converted into a key and an attribute. However, the processing of this step is not necessarily limited to the above processing, and any processing that generates an arbitrary attribute indicating the characteristics of the record and associates it with the record may be used.

  In step S307, the CPU 205 stores key information 1213 in the record node. The key information is information for specifying a metadata key representing the record information. In this embodiment, the key of metadata that first appears in the record is used as key information, but it may be determined by other methods. The key information is used to determine the name of a record to be displayed on the operation unit 210 by a BOX job detail display function described later. When the process of step S307 ends, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S308, the CPU 205 determines from the result of the PDL analysis in step S201 whether there is a record next to the record corresponding to the processing record node. If it is determined that the next record exists, the process proceeds to step S309. If it is determined that no child record exists, the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S309, the CPU 205 generates the next record node. In the subsequent processing, the generated record node is set as a new processing record node. When the process of step S309 ends, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S310, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the process record node is a root node. If it is determined that the process record node is not the root node, the process proceeds to step S311. If it is determined that the process record node is the root node, the record information for all the records has been generated, so the process ends.

  In step S311, the CPU 205 changes the process record node to the parent record node. When the process of step S311 ends, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In this embodiment, the record configuration and attribute information are extracted from the PDL, but the subject of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-53860, attribute information of a record configuration may be detected from PDL layout information. Further, for example, the record configuration and the record attribute information may be detected from the information stored in the job ticket.

  Through the above processing, data received from the network 50 is converted into document data and stored in the HDD 208. The record data converted from PDL is stored in the document data, and thereafter, various processes in units of records can be executed. The document data stored in the HDD 208 is hereinafter referred to as a BOX job.

<BOX job details display processing>
Next, the BOX job detail display process in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The BOX job detail display function is executed when the user selects an arbitrary BOX job from the job list on the screen illustrated in FIG. 19 displayed on the operation unit 210 and presses the “detailed information” button. It is a function.

  In step S <b> 401, the CPU 205 detects a BOX job selected by the user using the operation unit 210 via the operation unit I / F 209.

  In step S402, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the selected BOX job is a VDP job. In this embodiment, in this embodiment, when record information is stored in the record information area 1103 of the document data corresponding to the selected BOX job, it is determined that the BOX job is a VDP job. If the BOX job is not a VDP job, the process proceeds to step S403. If the BOX job is a VDP job, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S403, normal detail display processing is performed. The details of the normal detail display process are not important as long as the effects of the present embodiment are described, and thus the description thereof is omitted. When the process of step S403 is completed, the BOX job detail display process is terminated.

  In step S404, the CPU 205 analyzes the record information stored in the record information area 1103.

  In step S405, the CPU 205 displays a list of record names and page numbers in the first hierarchy on the operation unit 210. An example of this screen is shown in FIG. In this example, the key value of the metadata information 1214 specified by the key information 1213 is displayed as the record name. In the present embodiment, for the user's operability, only the first layer records are displayed as a list, but the present invention is not limited to this form.

  In step S <b> 406, the CPU 205 waits for a user input to the operation unit 210. When input is performed on the operation unit 210, the process of this step is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S407.

  In step S407, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the input is a record selection instruction. If it is determined that the input is a record selection instruction, the process proceeds to step S408. If it is determined that the input is not a record selection instruction, the process proceeds to step S411.

  In step S408, the CPU 205 sets the instructed record as a new selection record.

  In step S409, the CPU 205 determines whether there is a child record in the selected record. If it is determined that a child record exists in the selected record, the process proceeds to step S410. If it is determined that no child record exists in the selected record, the process proceeds to step S406 and waits for the next input.

  In step S410, the CPU 205 expands and displays a list of child records of the selected record. An example of this screen is shown in FIG. In this example, a record of Yamada Taro is selected by the user, and Cover and Body of the child records are displayed in a list.

  In step S411, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the input is a preview instruction. If it is determined that the input is a preview instruction, the process proceeds to step S412. If it is determined that the input is not a preview instruction, the process proceeds to step S413.

  In step S412, the CPU 205 performs a preview display process. Details of the processing in this step will be described later with reference to FIG. When the process in this step is completed, the process proceeds to step S406, and the next input is waited.

  In step S413, the CPU 205 determines whether the input is a print instruction. If it is determined that the input is a print instruction, the process proceeds to step S414. If it is determined that the input is not a print instruction, the process proceeds to step S415.

  In step S414, the CPU 205 uses the printer engine 202 to print a page included in the selected record. This processing is performed by sequentially executing print processing on the page area 1104 referred to by the selected record node and its descendant record nodes. With this processing, the user can specify and print any record included in the BOX job. When the processing of this step is completed, the processing of the BOX job detail display function is terminated.

  In step S415, the CPU 205 executes other processing that does not correspond to the functions described so far. Other processing includes processing such as record movement, duplication, and deletion, and completion of BOX job detail processing. The details of the other processes are not important as long as the effects of the present embodiment are described, and thus the description thereof is omitted. When the processing of this step is completed, the processing of the BOX job detail display function is terminated.

  Through the above processing, it is possible to display an image such as a preview or print by designating an arbitrary record of the VDP job stored in the BOX.

<Reverse record printing process>
Next, the reverse record printing process in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the preview display function.

  In step S <b> 501, the CPU 205 determines whether the user has selected a record with the operation unit 210. This determination is performed by determining whether or not the selection record selected in step S408 exists. If it is determined that the user has not selected a record using the operation unit 210, the process proceeds to step S502. When it is determined that the user has selected a record with the operation unit 210, the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S502, the CPU 205 displays a preview on the operation unit 210 with the first page of the job as the selected page. An example of this screen is shown in FIG. When the process of this step is completed, the process proceeds to step S504.

  In step S503, the CPU 205 displays a preview on the operation unit 210 using the first page of the selected record as a preview page. An example of this screen is FIG. 22 as in step S502. When the process of this step is completed, the process proceeds to step S504.

  In step S <b> 504, the CPU 205 waits for a user input to the operation unit 210. When input is performed on the operation unit 210, the process of this step is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S505.

  In step S505, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the input is a preview page change instruction. If it is determined that the input is a preview page change instruction, the process advances to step S506. If it is determined that the input is not a record selection instruction, the process proceeds to step S507.

  In step S506, the CPU 205 displays a preview of the designated page on the operation unit 210 as a new preview page. An example of this screen is shown in FIG. 22 as in steps S502 and S503. When the process in this step is completed, the process proceeds to step S504, and the next input is waited.

  In step S507, the CPU 205 determines whether the input is a reverse record print instruction. Whether or not it is a reverse record print instruction is determined when the “Reverse record print” button is pressed in FIG. 22 at the time of input in step S504. If it is determined that the input is a reverse record print instruction, the process advances to step S508. If it is determined that the input is not a reverse record print instruction, the process advances to step S509.

  In step S508, the CPU 205 performs a reverse record printing process using the preview page as the selected page. Details of the processing in this step will be described later with reference to FIG. When the process of this step is finished, the preview display function process is finished.

  In step S509, the CPU 205 executes other processes that do not correspond to the functions described so far. Other processing includes termination of preview display and the like. Details are not important as long as the effects of the present embodiment are described, and thus the description thereof is omitted. When the process of this step is finished, the preview display function process is finished.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the reverse record printing function.

  In step S601, the CPU 205 identifies all records including the selected page. This process is performed by specifying the corresponding record node 1203 from the record information link 1121 of the page area 1104 corresponding to the selected page, and sequentially specifying its parent node.

  In step S602, the CPU 205 sets a record node in the first hierarchy among the identified record nodes as a selected record.

  In step S603, the CPU 205 determines whether the print target record is uniquely specified. This determination is performed by determining that the print target record is uniquely specified when the number of records specified in step S601 is one. If it is determined that the print target record is uniquely specified, the process advances to step S609 to print the specified record. When it is determined that the print target record is not uniquely specified, the print target record is determined in the processing after step S604.

  In step S604, the CPU 205 displays a list of records including the selected page. This process is performed by displaying a list of the records identified in step S601. An example of this screen is shown in FIG. In this example, records Yamada Taro and Cover including the first page which is the selected page are hierarchically displayed in a list.

  In step S <b> 605, the CPU 205 waits for a user input to the operation unit 210. When input is performed on the operation unit 210, the process of this step is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S606.

  In step S606, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the input is a selection record change instruction. If it is determined that the input is a selection record change instruction, the process proceeds to step S607. If it is determined that the input is not a selection record change instruction, the process advances to step S608.

  In step S607, the CPU 205 sets the designated record as the selected record. At this time, the selection record displayed on the operation unit 210 is changed. When the processing in this step is completed, the process proceeds to step S605, and the next user input is awaited.

  In step S608, the CPU 205 determines whether the input is a print instruction. If it is determined that the input is a print instruction, the process advances to step S609. If it is determined that the input is not a print instruction, the process advances to step S610.

  In step S609, the CPU 205 uses the printer engine 202 to print a page included in the selected record. This process is performed by sequentially executing a printing process on the page area 1104 linked to the selected record node and its descendant record nodes. By this process, it is possible to specify and output a record including the selected page with a simple operation. When the process of this step is completed, the process of the reverse record printing function is ended.

  In step S610, the CPU 205 executes other processes that do not correspond to the functions described so far. Other processing includes termination of the reverse record printing function. Details are not important as long as the effects of the present embodiment are described, and thus the description thereof is omitted. When the process of this step is completed, the process of the reverse record printing function is ended.

  In this embodiment, the user selects a record to be printed when the number of records corresponding to the selected page is two or more. However, the object of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. is not. For example, the first level record may be automatically printed out, or the unique print target record corresponding to the selected page may be stored in the page header area 1111 of the document data. Good.

  With the above processing, it is possible to print by specifying a record to be printed from a specific page of the VDP job with a simple operation.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the control of the VDP job registered in the BOX, it is possible to perform control management in units of records. As a result, when a user wants to print a specific record included in a document registered in the BOX, it is possible to specify a print range with a simple operation and print it, thereby greatly reducing the user's work load. it can.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, in the control of the VDP job registered in the BOX, it is possible to perform processing by specifying a target record from a specific page of the VDP job with a simple operation. As a result, when the user wants to print a record including a specific page of a document registered in the BOX, the print range can be specified and printed by a simple operation, greatly reducing the user's work load. Can do.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, in the control of the VDP job registered in the BOX, it is possible to perform processing by specifying the target record from the preview page with a simple operation. As a result, when the user wants to print a record including the page being displayed in the preview, the print range can be specified and printed by a simple operation, and the user's work load can be greatly reduced.

[Other Examples]
Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment such as a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium. Specifically, for example, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of one device.

10 Image forming apparatus 205 CPU
210 Operation unit 1103 Record information area 1104 Page area 1202 1203 Record node 1204 Mutual link

Claims (14)

Analyzing means (S201) for analyzing a job composed of a plurality of records;
Construction means (S205) for constructing a record structure (1103) using the analysis result of the analysis means;
RIP means (S206) for converting the job into a printable page image (1113);
Storage means (S104) capable of storing a plurality of page images;
Document management means (3109) for managing a plurality of image data stored in the storage means as a document;
Association means (1204) for associating the record structure with the page image;
Have
An image forming system, wherein the record structure and the page image are associated and stored in the storage unit. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:
Display means (S405, S410) for displaying a list of document records stored in the storage means based on the record structure;
Input means (S407, S411, S413) for inputting an operation instruction to the records in the list displayed by the display means;
Have
When an operation instruction is input by the input unit, an image forming system is configured to execute processing for each record based on the operation instruction. The image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising:
Printing means (S414) for printing out the page image;
Have
When the operation instruction is a print instruction (YES in S413), the image forming system prints out the page image group associated with the record instructed to be printed by the printing unit. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the record structure has a hierarchical structure having a plurality of hierarchies. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising:
The image forming system characterized in that the list displayed by the display means is a hierarchical list (S410). The image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising:
Extraction means (S307) for extracting a characteristic character string representing the characteristics of the record;
Have
The image forming system, wherein the characteristic character string is displayed in the list displayed by the display means (S405, S410). The image forming system according to claim 6,
The extraction unit uses the attribute information first appearing in the record as a feature character string (S307). The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:
Arrangement means (S206) for arranging a plurality of logical pages in one page image;
Have
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement means arranges so that records to which logical pages in one page image belong are the same. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:
A range RIP means (S206) for RIPing only a specific page range of a job by the RIP means;
Have
The image forming system is characterized in that the constructing means constructs a record structure including only records including pages in the range RIP range (S208). 10. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising:
Reverse lookup means (S601) for selecting a record associated with a specific page of the document stored in the storage means;
Reverse lookup instruction input means (S605) for designating the specific page and inputting an operation instruction for a record related to the specific page;
Have
When an operation instruction is input by the reverse lookup instruction input means (YES in S608), processing is executed on the record selected by the reverse lookup means based on the operation instruction (S609). Forming system. The image forming system according to claim 10,
If the operation instruction of the reverse instruction input means is a reverse print instruction (YES in S608), the print means prints out a page image group associated with the record related to the specific page (S609). An image forming system. The image forming system according to claim 11, further comprising:
When there are a plurality of records associated with the specific page (NO in S603), related record display means (S604) for displaying a list of the records;
Selection means (S606) for selecting a record in the list displayed by the related record display means;
Have
A page image group associated with the related record selected by the selection unit is printed out by the printing unit (S609). The image forming system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising:
Preview means (S502, S503, S506) for previewing the page image;
Preview reverse lookup instruction input means (S507) for performing a reverse lookup operation instruction with the page displayed by the preview means as the previous specific page;
Have
When an operation instruction is input by the preview reverse lookup instruction input means (YES in S507), processing is performed on the record selected by the reverse lookup means based on the operation instruction (S508). Image forming system. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The image forming system, wherein the job includes at least one of PDF / VT, PPML, and PostScript as PDL.