JP2016162242A - Image formation output control device, image processing system and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily integrate the respective print results output to a plurality of different devices with the correct content and in the correct order on the basis of each of divided pieces of job data.SOLUTION: An image formation output control device which controls execution of image formation output onto a recording medium on the basis of a plurality of pieces of partial output object image information obtained by dividing output object image information being information on an image of an image formation output object, acquires division information indicating the content of division, presents division constitution information indicating the division constitution of the plurality of pieces of partial output object image information and each output destination of image formation output based on the plurality of pieces of partial output object image information on the basis of the division information, and controls execution of image formation output onto the recording medium of portion position grasping information being information for grasping the position of a portion subjected to image formation output on the basis of partial output object image information in the whole area subjected to image formation output based on the output object image information on the basis of the division information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming output control device and an image processing system.

  A method of defining and controlling all processes related to the generation of a printed material is used by an information format called JDF (Job Definition Format). According to this method, it is possible to collectively control different types of printers such as an offset printer and a digital printer. Such a system is called an HWF (Hybrid Work Flow) system, and a server that controls such a system is called an HWF server.

  In such an HWF system, when the output is executed by each of the offset printer and the digital printer based on the same print data, the same result may be obtained with no difference in font, color, layout, etc. Desired. Therefore, an offset printer and a digital printer share a RIP (Raster Image Processor) engine that generates raster data, which is data that is finally referred to in print output, based on the print data.

  Such a RIP engine is mounted on the HWF server described above. In the case of output by an offset printer, raster data generation processing (hereinafter referred to as “RIP processing”) is performed by the RIP engine on the HWF server, and then a CTP ( Data is transferred to Computer To Plate).

  Therefore, even when a digital printer is used, it is possible to execute print output by transferring raster data RIP processed by the RIP engine mounted on the HWF server to the digital printer. On the other hand, in the case of a digital printer, a configuration called DFE (Digital Front End) generally receives print data, performs RIP processing, and causes the printer engine to execute print output.

  That is, when a digital printer is used in the HWF system, a method is adopted in which the DFE receives data from the HWF server, and the printer engine of the digital printer is controlled by the DFE to execute print output. Accordingly, as described above, the RFE engine shared with the offset printer is mounted on the DFE.

  In such an HWF system, information for executing print output (hereinafter referred to as “job data”) is based on the operation of the operator of the HWF server and the contents of the job data and the characteristics of the printer. There is a case where it is divided for each printing part such as a unit. Each divided job data is executed as individual data, and each print result is output to different output destinations such as an offset printer and a digital printer.

  For the purpose of managing each job data whose print results are output to different output destinations, a method for tracking each print result based on each job data on the HWF server side has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

  If the print results of the divided job data are output to different output destinations, it is difficult for the operator on the printer side to know which printer has been output in what order. It is difficult to integrate with the correct content and order. Also, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the printer-side operator cannot manage the divided job data.

  Further, such a problem is not only the output destination of each divided job data is an offset printer and a digital printer, but also a plurality of different output destinations such as a plurality of different digital printers as in the above-described HWF system. Even devices can occur as well.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to easily integrate print results output to a plurality of different devices in accordance with each of divided job data with correct contents and order. And

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an aspect of the present invention provides image formation output on a recording medium based on a plurality of pieces of partial output target image information obtained by dividing output target image information that is image information of an image formation output target. An image formation output control apparatus that controls execution, a division information acquisition unit that acquires division information indicating the content of the division, and division of the plurality of partial output target image information based on the acquired division information A divided configuration information presentation unit for presenting a divided configuration information indicating an output destination of each of image formation outputs based on the configuration and the plurality of partial output target image information, and based on the output target image information based on the split information On the recording medium of partial position grasping information, which is information for grasping the position of the part to be imaged and outputted based on the partial output target image information in the whole part to be imaged and outputted Characterized in that it comprises a position information output controlling section that controls the execution of image formation output.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily integrate print results output to a plurality of different devices according to each of divided job data with correct contents and order.

It is a figure which shows the operation | use form of the system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the JDF information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the HWF server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the workflow information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of DFE which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the conversion table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the RIP parameter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the RIP engine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the RIP engine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the whole operation | movement of the system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the information of the division | segmentation request | requirement which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process in DFE which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the RIP process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the JDF information contained in the division | segmentation job which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which illustrates the process regarding the RIP parameter generation by the job control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the RIP parameter produced | generated by the process by the job control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the RIP parameter produced | generated by the process by the job control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the printing output result by the digital engine based on the RIP parameter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the detail of the structure information paper which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the information of another division demand concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the printing output result processed by the digital engine according to the division job which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the detail of the structure information paper which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the RIP parameter in which the mark image information which concerns on embodiment of this invention is contained. It is a figure which illustrates the printing output result by the digital engine based on the RIP parameter in which the mark image information which concerns on embodiment of this invention is contained. It is a figure which illustrates the details of the paper on which page position grasping information concerning an embodiment of the present invention was printed. It is a figure which illustrates another print output result by the digital engine based on the RIP parameter in which the mark image information which concerns on embodiment of this invention is contained. It is a figure which illustrates the detail of another paper with which page position grasping information concerning an embodiment of the present invention was printed. It is a figure which illustrates the JDF information containing the information which shows the presentation method of the page position which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the JDF information containing the information which shows the presentation method of the page position which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an image processing system capable of controlling both printers via the same server in a system in which an offset printer and a digital printer are mixed will be described. Such a system is called an HWF (Hybrid Work Flow) system.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation mode of the HWF system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the system according to this embodiment includes a digital printer 1, an offset printer 2, a post-processing device 3, HWF servers 4a and 4b (hereinafter collectively referred to as “HWF server 4”), a client terminal 5a, 5b (hereinafter collectively referred to as “client terminal 5”) is connected via a network.

  The digital printer 1 is a printer that performs image formation output without using a plate, such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method, and includes a DFE 100 and a digital engine 150. The DFE 100 functions as an image formation output control device that is a control unit for causing the digital engine 150 to execute print output. The digital engine 150 functions as an image forming apparatus. Therefore, the DFE 100 includes a RIP (Raster Image Processor) engine for generating raster data that is image data to be referred to when the digital engine 150 executes print output. Raster data is drawing information.

  The offset printer 2 is a printer that performs image formation output using a plate, and includes a CTP (Computer To Plate) 200 and an offset engine 250. The CTP 200 is a device that generates a plate based on raster data. When the plate is generated by the CTP 200, the offset engine 250 can perform offset printing.

  The post-processing device 3 is a device that performs post-processing such as punching, stapling, and bookbinding on the paper printed out by the digital printer 1 and the offset printer 2. The HWF server 4 is a server on which HWF software for managing everything from input (input) of job data including image data to be printed out to printout and post-processing is installed. The HWF server 4 manages the various processes described above based on information generated in an information format called JDF (Job Definition Format) (hereinafter referred to as “JDF information”). That is, the HWF server 4 functions as a process execution control device.

  When performing print output by offset printing using the offset printer 2, the HWF server 4 generates raster data using an RIP engine mounted therein and transmits the raster data to the CTP 200. Therefore, the RWF engine is mounted on the HWF server 4.

  On the other hand, when printing output is performed by the digital printer 1, data is transmitted to the DFE 100. Since the DFE 100 is equipped with the RIP engine as described above, the HWF server 4 can cause the digital printer 1 to execute print output by transmitting print data before RIP processing to the DFE 100.

  Here, print output based on the same print data may be executed in each of the digital printer 1 and the offset printer 2. In such a case, if the print output results of the two are different, the user receiving the output product will feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is preferable that the print output results of the digital printer 1 and the offset printer 2 are the same.

  In the case of print output by different devices, it mainly occurs by RIP processing. Therefore, by using the RIP engine in which the processing is shared by the digital printer 1 and the offset printer 2, the difference between the output results of both can be minimized.

  In other words, the RIP engine installed in the HWF server 4 in the present embodiment is a RIP engine that supports both the digital printer 1 and the offset printer 2 and has a process that can be shared. The DFE 100 is equipped with a RIP engine that is common to the RIP engine mounted on the HWF server 4.

  With such a configuration, a common RIP engine is mounted on the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100. Therefore, when printing output is executed by the digital printer 1, the RIP processing by the HWF server 4 and the RIP processing by the DFE 100 can be combined.

  The client terminal 5 is an information processing terminal for an operator who uses the system to operate the HWF server 4 and is realized by a general PC (Personal Computer) or the like. The operator operates the client terminal 5 to display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for operating the HWF server 4, and inputs data, sets the above-described JDF information, and the like.

  Next, the hardware configuration of information processing apparatuses such as the DFE 100, the HWF server 4, and the client terminal 5 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a configuration similar to that of a general server, a PC (Personal Computer), or the like. That is, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. Connected through. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60 and an operation unit 70 are connected to the I / F 50.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 80 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the information processing apparatus. The operation unit 70 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for a user to input information to the information processing apparatus. Since the HWF server 4 is operated as a server, user interfaces such as the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 can be omitted.

  In such a hardware configuration, the software control unit is configured by the CPU 10 performing calculations according to a program stored in the ROM 30 or a program loaded into the RAM 20 from a storage medium such as the HDD 40 or an optical disk (not shown). A functional block that realizes the functions of the DFE 100, the HWF server 4, and the client terminal 5 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the above-described JDF information will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of JDF information. As shown in FIG. 3, the JDF information includes “job information” regarding job execution, “edit information” regarding raster data, and “finishing information” regarding post-processing. It also includes information on “RIP status”, “RIP device designation”, and “device designation”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the “job information” includes information such as “number of copies”, “number of pages”, and “RIP control mode”. “Number of copies” is information for designating the number of copies of the printed matter to be output. “Number of pages” is information for designating the number of pages of a printed material. “RIP control mode” indicates a control mode of RIP processing, and “page mode”, “sheet mode”, and the like are designated.

  “Edit information” includes “orientation information”, “printing surface information”, “rotation”, “enlargement / reduction”, “image position”, “layout information”, “margin information”, and “crop mark information”. . “Orientation information” is information for designating the printing orientation, such as “vertical” or “horizontal”. “Print surface information” is information for designating a print surface such as “double-sided” or “single-sided”.

  “Rotation” is information for designating the rotation angle of the image to be output. “Enlargement / reduction” is information for designating a scaling factor of an image to be output. “Offset” of “Image position” is information for specifying an offset of an image to be output. “Position adjustment information” is information for specifying a position adjustment value of an image to be output.

  “Custom imposition arrangement” of “layout information” is information specifying the arrangement of the custom surface. “Number of pages” is information for designating the number of pages per sheet. For example, when two pages are collected on one sheet, “2 in 1” is designated. “Page order information” is information specifying information related to the order of pages to be printed. “Creep position adjustment” is information for specifying a value related to the adjustment of the creep position.

  “Margin information” is information for designating values related to margins such as fit boxes and gutters. “Center crop mark information” of “Crop mark information” is information for specifying a value related to the center crop mark. “Corner crop mark information” is information for designating a value related to a corner crop mark.

  “Finishing information” includes “Collate information”, “staple / bind information”, “punch information”, “folding information”, “trim”, “output tray information”, “input tray information”, “cover sheet information” including. “Collate information” is information for designating whether printing is performed in units of pages or in units of documents when a plurality of copies of a document are printed.

  “Staple / bind information” is information for specifying processing related to stapling / binding. “Punch information” is information for designating processing relating to punching. “Folding information” is information for specifying processing related to folding. “Trim” is information for specifying processing related to trimming.

  “Output tray information” is information for designating an output tray. “Input tray” is information for designating an input tray. “Cover / sheet information” is information for designating processing relating to a cover / sheet.

  “RIP status” is execution state information indicating whether or not each RIP internal process, which is each process included in the RIP process, has been executed. In FIG. 3, RIP internal processing items such as “Preflight”, “Normalize”, “Font”, “Layout”, “Mark”, “CMM”, “Trapping”, “Calibration”, “Screening” Is described. Then, the status of the processing state for each item is described. In FIG. 3, “NotYet” indicating unprocessed is set, and is updated to “Done” when each process is executed.

  “RIP device designation” is information for designating whether each RIP internal process is executed on the HWF server 4 side or the DFE 100 side. For each item of RIP internal processing similar to “RIP status”, either “HWF server” or “DFE” is set. When “DFE” is set, information specifying any of a plurality of RIP engines installed in the DFE 100 is included, such as “DFE (Engine A)”.

  “Device designation” is information for designating a device that executes a print job. In the example of FIG. 3, “digital printer” is designated. That is, the JDF information is processing setting information including information for setting processing contents for executing image forming output. The JDF information includes various information in addition to the information shown in FIG. Such information will be described in detail in the following description.

  The JDF information shown in FIG. 3 is generated when the operator displays the GUI of the HWF server 4 via the client terminal 5 and sets various items in the GUI. The RIP engine mounted on the HWF server 4 or the DFE 100 performs RIP processing based on such JDF information. Further, the post-processing device 3 performs post-processing based on such JDF information.

  Next, the functional configuration of the HWF server 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the HWF server 4 includes an HWF controller 400 and a network I / F 401. The network I / F 401 is an interface for the HWF server 4 to exchange information with other devices via the network.

  The HWF controller 400 manages acquisition of data to be printed, creation of a print job, management of a workflow, distribution of a job to the digital printer 1 and the offset printer 2, and the like. A process in which job data to be printed is input to the HWF server 4 and acquired by the HWF controller 400 is a submission process in the present system. The HWF controller 400 is configured by installing dedicated software in the information processing apparatus. This software is HWF software.

  In the HWF controller 400, the system control unit 410 controls the entire HWF controller 400. Therefore, the system control unit 410, when realizing each function of the HWF controller 400 described above, gives an instruction to each unit of the HWF controller 400 to execute processing. The data receiving unit 411 receives print job data from another system, or receives job data submitted by an operator's operation.

  A UI (User Interface) control unit 412 controls an operation by an operator via the client terminal 5. A GUI for operating the HWF server 4 is displayed on the client terminal 5, and the UI control unit 412 acquires operation information for the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5 via the network.

  The UI control unit 412 notifies the system control unit 410 of operation information acquired via the network in this way. The display of the GUI on the client terminal 5 is realized by software installed in the client terminal 5 in advance or information provided from the UI control unit 412 to the client terminal 5 via the network.

  The operator selects job data to be submitted by manipulating the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5. Thereby, the client terminal 5 transmits job data to the HWF server 4, and the data receiving unit 411 acquires the job data. The system control unit 410 registers the job data acquired by the data reception unit 411 in the job data storage unit 414.

  When job data is transmitted from the client terminal 5 to the HWF server 4, job data is generated at the client terminal 5 based on the document data or image data selected at the client terminal 5 and then transmitted to the HWF server 4. . The job data is, for example, data in PDL (Page Description Language) format such as PDF (Portable Document Format) and PostScript.

  In addition, the print target data may be transmitted from the client terminal 5 to the HWF server 4 in the data format dedicated to the application or the general image data format. In that case, the system control unit 410 causes the job control unit 413 to generate job data based on the acquired data. The job control unit 413 generates job data based on data to be printed by the function of the RIP engine 420.

  Note that the print target data registered in the job data storage unit 414 is PDL information as described above. This PDL information is not only primary data generated based on the print target data, but also halfway. There may be intermediate data that has been processed. These pieces of information are used as output target image information. Examples of the case where the intermediate data is stored in the job data storage unit 414 include the case where the job data is registered in the HWF server 4 in the intermediate data state in addition to the state in the middle of the processing already started in the HWF server 4. There can be. Hereinafter, when “PDL information” is set, it indicates primary data that has not been subjected to RIP processing, and when “intermediate data” is set, data in the middle of processing in which RIP processing has been executed halfway is indicated. Show.

  Further, as described above, the JDF information described with reference to FIG. 3 is set and generated by an operator's operation on the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5. The JDF information generated in this way is received as job data by the data receiving unit 411 together with the PDL information. The system control unit 410 registers the JDF information and PDL information acquired in this way in the job data storage unit 414 in association with each other.

  In the present embodiment, the case where JDF information is used as attribute information indicating the contents of a job has been described as an example. However, this is only an example, and other formats such as PPF (Print Production Format) information may be used.

  Further, the system control unit 410 can divide the received job data for each print region such as a page unit based on an operator's operation on the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5. Each of the job data divided in this way is registered in the job data storage unit 414 as divided individual job data.

  For each job for which division is specified, when an output destination device is selected by an operator's operation on the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5, the selection result is associated with the job data in the job data storage unit 414. Saved. As an output destination selection mode, for example, there may be a selection mode such as the digital printer 1 for the cover portion and the offset printer 2 for the body.

  The device information management unit 416 manages information by acquiring information on other devices included in the system, such as the digital printer 1, the offset printer 2, and the post-processing device 3, and storing them in the device information storage unit 417. The other device information includes a network address assigned when the device is connected to the network and device function information. The device function information includes, for example, a printing speed, usable post-processing functions, an operation state, and the like.

  The device information communication unit 415 periodically acquires information on other devices included in the system via the network I / F 401. As a result, the device information management unit 416 periodically updates the information of other devices stored in the device information storage unit 417, so that even if the information of other devices changes dynamically, the device information storage unit The information stored in 417 is kept accurate.

  The workflow control unit 418 determines the execution order of each process when processing job data registered in the job data storage unit 414 on the system, and stores the information in the workflow information storage unit 419. Each process defined in the workflow has its execution order determined in advance, and in order to maintain the order, the process is controlled to proceed to the next process when the previous process is completed.

  In other words, what is stored in the workflow information storage unit 419 is workflow information obtained by combining the respective processes that can be executed in the HWF system in the designated order. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of workflow information. On the other hand, parameters when each process is executed are specified in the JDF information as described above. In the workflow information storage unit 419, workflow information set based on an operator's operation on the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5 is registered in advance.

  The execution instruction for the job data registered in the HWF server 4 is notified to the system control unit 410 via the UI control unit 412 based on the operator's operation on the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5. As a result, the system control unit 410 selects the output destination device described above.

  As described above, in the aspect of selecting an output destination device on the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5, the system control unit 410 selects an output destination device according to the designated content. In addition, a mode in which selection is automatically performed based on a comparison between job contents and device characteristics is also possible.

  When an output destination device is automatically selected based on a comparison between job contents and device characteristics, the system control unit 410 acquires information on available devices from the device information management unit 416. When the output destination device is determined in this way, the system control unit 410 adds information indicating the determined output destination device to the JDF information.

  After determining the output destination device, the system control unit 410 instructs the workflow control unit 418 to execute a job. At this time, the workflow information registered in advance in the workflow information storage unit 419 based on the operator's operation may be used, or new workflow information may be generated based on the contents set according to the operator's operation. .

  When the workflow control unit 418 receives an execution instruction from the system control unit 410, the workflow control unit 418 instructs the job control unit 413 to execute each process in accordance with the specified execution order according to the specified workflow information or newly generated workflow information. That is, the workflow control unit 418 functions as a process execution control unit.

  Upon receiving the execution instruction, the job control unit 413 inputs the above-described PDL information and JDF information to the RIP engine 420 to execute the RIP process. The JDF information includes information indicating which of the plurality of RIP internal processes performed by the RIP engine is executed by the HWF server 4 or the DFE 100.

  The job control unit 413 refers to the RIP process distribution information in the information included in the JDF information, and if the process instructed by the workflow control unit 418 is a process to be executed in the HWF server 4, the RIP engine 420 Causes the specified process to be executed. The RIP engine 420 executes RIP processing based on parameters specified in the JDF information in accordance with instructions from the job control unit 413.

  The RIP engine 420 that has executed the RIP process in this manner updates the RIP status of the RIP process that has executed the process. As a result, the status of the RIP internal process executed by the HWF server 4 among the plurality of RIP internal processes is changed to “Done”. The RIP engine 420 functions as a control-side drawing information generation unit.

  The RIP execution result data generated by executing the RIP process is any of PDL information, intermediate data, and raster data. Although these differ in the contents of the RIP internal processing, intermediate data is generated based on data that was initially PDL information as the processing proceeds, and finally raster data is generated. The RIP execution result data is stored in the job data storage unit 414 in association with the job being executed.

  When one RIP internal process is completed, the RIP engine 420 notifies the job control unit 413 of the completion, and the job control unit 413 notifies the workflow control unit 418. Thereby, the workflow control unit 418 starts control of the next process according to the workflow information.

  When the content of the job received from the workflow control unit 418 is a request for another system, the job control unit 413 inputs job data in a form corresponding to the other system to the job transmission / reception unit 421, and Send it. In the case of transmission of job data to the offset printer 2, the print target data is converted into raster data and then transmitted as job data.

  On the other hand, when transmitting job data to the digital printer 1, the job control unit 413 designates the same RIP engine corresponding to the RIP engine 420 among the plurality of RIP engines included in the DFE 100 and sends it to the job transmission / reception unit 421. Enter job data. As a result, the job transmitting / receiving unit 421 transmits the job data to the DFE 100 by designating the same RIP engine corresponding to the RIP engine 420.

  The job transmission / reception unit 421 transmits job data obtained by packaging PDL information or intermediate data and JDF information to the DFE 100. As a transmission mode of job data, PDL information or intermediate data may be external resource data, and a URL indicating a storage location of PDL information or intermediate data may be described in JDF information. In this case, the URL that receives the JDF information accesses the URL, and acquires PDL information or intermediate data.

  Next, a functional configuration of the DFE 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The DFE 100 receives job data from the HWF server 4 and performs control of the received job, execution control of RIP processing, and control of the digital engine 150. The HWF server 4 causes the digital engine 150 to execute print output by transmitting job data to the DFE 100. That is, the DFE 100 functions as a server for providing a digital print function to the HWF server 4.

  The job control function provided by the DFE 100 is a control function for a series of operations such as job data reception, JDF information analysis, raster data creation, and print output by the digital engine 150. The RIP process execution control is control for causing the RIP engine to execute the RIP process based on information generated by analyzing the JDF information.

  The information generated by the analysis of the JDF information is information obtained by extracting information used for the RIP processing from the JDF information described in FIG. 3 and converting the information into a format decipherable by the DFE 100. It is called “attribute”. By executing RIP processing with reference to the job attributes in DFE, intermediate data and raster data are created.

  The control function of the digital engine 150 is a function that causes the digital engine 150 to transmit raster data and part of the above-described job attributes in the DFE to execute print output. These functions are realized by the blocks shown in FIG. Each block shown in FIG. 6 is realized by the CPU 10 performing arithmetic processing according to a program loaded in the RAM 20 or a program stored in the ROM 30 and operating other hardware as described in FIG.

  The DFE 100 has a plurality of RIP engines mounted therein. This is installed corresponding to the RIP engine of another device that may transmit a job to the DFE 100 in the HWF system. In the present embodiment, since a plurality of different RIP engines are included in the plurality of HWF servers 4a and 4b, a plurality of RIP engines are mounted on the DFE 100 corresponding to the respective RIP engines.

  The job receiving unit 111 includes a plurality of individual job receiving units 112 therein. The individual job receiving unit 112 receives job data from the HWF server 4 via the network I / F 101. The plurality of individual job reception units 112 correspond to a plurality of RIP engines installed in the DFE 100, respectively. The individual job receiving unit 112 functions as an individual receiving unit.

  As described above, when transmitting job data from the HWF server 4 to the DFE 100, a corresponding RIP engine is designated and transmitted. Therefore, in the job receiving unit 111, the individual job receiving unit 112 corresponding to the designated RIP engine receives job data.

  The job data can be input to the DFE 100 from the HWF server 4 via a network, or via a portable storage medium such as a USB memory. In this embodiment, a case where JDF information is included in job data will be described as an example. However, when JDF is not included, the job receiving unit 111 creates a dummy JDF and assigns JDF information to the job data. .

  The individual job receiving unit 112 functions as a virtual printer in which job contents are set in advance, in addition to the case where the individual job receiving unit 112 is provided corresponding to each RIP engine described above. That is, the RIP engine installed in the DFE 100 and the individual job receiving unit 112 in which the job content is set are provided, and the job is executed with the preset content by designating one of the individual job receiving units 112. It becomes possible.

  One of the possible settings in the individual job receiving unit 112 according to the present embodiment is “pass-through mode”. This “pass-through mode” does not perform JDF information analysis processing by the JDF analysis unit 117, which is a JDF information analysis function provided separately from the RIP engine in the DFE 100, and executes JDF information analysis in the RIP engine. Mode.

  With such a function, it is possible to use JDF information in a format that is not supported by the JDF analysis unit 117, or to use a RIP engine that is difficult to provide a JDF analysis function outside the RIP engine in the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100. It becomes. In the present embodiment, the above-described “pass-through mode” is used when the RIP engine 420 mounted on the HWF server 4 and the RIP engine 120 mounted on the DFE 100 share processing. The same RIP engine 120 corresponding to the RIP engine 420 is used as the output side drawing information generation unit.

  When the RIP process is distributed to the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100, it is preferable that the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100 are not considered as much as possible and are executed as a series of processes. Therefore, when data that has been processed halfway in the HWF server 4 is input to the DFE 100, the same JDF analysis processing as when unprocessed job data is input is omitted, and processing is continued as processing in the HWF server 4. Preferably it is performed.

  In the present embodiment, since the same RIP engine corresponding to the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100 is mounted, it is possible to suitably realize such control of RIP processing. In such a case, since it is preferable that the data processed by one RIP engine is directly transferred to the other RIP engine, such control is preferably realized by the “pass-through mode” described above. I can do it.

  The system control unit 113 stores the job data received by the individual job reception unit 112 in the job data storage unit 114 or passes it to the job control unit 116. When the DFE 100 is set to store job data, the system control unit 113 stores the job data in the job data storage unit 114. If the JDF information describes whether or not to store in the job data storage unit 114, the system control unit 113 follows the description.

  The case where job data is stored in the job data storage unit 114 is, for example, a case where the print content is previewed in the DFE 100. In this case, the system control unit 113 obtains print target data included in the job data, that is, PDL information and intermediate data from the job data storage unit 114, generates preview data, and transfers the preview data to the UI control unit 115. Accordingly, the UI control unit 115 causes the display 102 to display a preview of the print content.

  When generating preview data, the system control unit 113 passes the data to be printed to the job control unit 116 and requests generation of preview data. The job control unit 116 passes the data to be printed to the RIP unit 118 to generate preview data, and passes the generated preview data to the system control unit 113.

  Also, when the operator changes the JDF information in the DFE 100, the job data is stored in the job data storage unit 114. In this case, the system control unit 113 acquires JDF information from the job data storage unit 114 and passes it to the UI control unit 115. As a result, the JDF information of the job data is displayed on the display 102, and the operator can change it by operation.

  When the operator changes the JDF information by operating the DFE 100, the UI control unit 115 receives the change content and notifies the system control unit 113 of the change. The system control unit 113 updates the received change contents to reflect the target JDF information, and stores the updated JDF information in the job data storage unit 114.

  When the system control unit 113 receives a job execution instruction, the system control unit 113 transfers the job data stored in the job data storage unit 114 to the job control unit 116. The job execution instruction is input from the HWF server 4 via the network or input by an operator operation on the DFE 100. For example, when the job execution time is set in the JDF information, the system control unit 113 delivers the job data stored in the job data storage unit 114 to the job control unit 116 when the set time comes.

  The job data storage unit 114 is a storage area for storing job data as described above, and is realized by the HDD 40 described with reference to FIG. In addition, a storage device connected to the DFE 100 via a USB interface or the like, or a storage device connected via a network may be used.

  The UI control unit 115 receives information displayed on the display 102 and an operator's operation on the DFE 100 as described above. In the above-described JDF information editing operation, the UI control unit 115 interprets the JDF information and displays the contents of the print job on the display 102.

  The job control unit 116 performs control related to job execution based on a job execution instruction from the system control unit 113. Specifically, the control performed by the job control unit 116 includes JDF analysis processing by the JDF analysis unit 117, RIP processing by the RIP unit 118, and control processing of the digital engine 150 by the printer control unit 122.

  Upon receiving a job execution instruction from the system control unit 113, the job control unit 116 inputs JDF information included in the job data to the JDF analysis unit 117 and makes a JDF conversion request. The JDF conversion request is a request for processing for converting JDF information described in the format of the JDF information generation source into a format recognizable by the RIP unit 118. That is, the JDF analysis unit 117 functions as a processing setting information conversion unit.

  On the other hand, when “pass-through mode” is specified as described above, the job control unit 116 inputs the JDF information included in the job data acquired from the system control unit 113 to the RIP unit 118 as it is. The designation of “pass-through mode” is described in the JDF information by the individual job receiving unit 112, for example.

  The JDF analysis unit 117 converts the JDF information described in the generation source format into a format that can be recognized by the RIP unit 118 as described above. The JDF analysis unit 117 holds a conversion table therein, and in accordance with the conversion table, the RIP unit 118 extracts necessary information from the information included in the JDF information and converts the description format. As a result, the above-described job attributes within DFE are generated.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conversion table held by the JDF analysis unit 117 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the conversion table according to the present embodiment is information in which a description format in JDF information and a description format in job attributes in DFE are associated with each other. For example, the “number of copies” information described in FIG. 3 is described as “A · Amount” in the actual JDF information, and is converted into a description of “number of copies” when generating the job attribute in DFE.

  The job attributes in the DFE are generated by the processing of the JDF analysis unit 117 using the conversion table as shown in FIG. The information described in the job attributes within DFE is, for example, “job information”, “edit information”, “finishing information”, etc. shown in FIG.

  Also, the JDF analysis unit 117 sets “RIP control mode” in the job attributes within DFE when generating the job attributes within DFE. In “RIP control mode”, “page mode”, “sheet mode”, and the like are set. The JDF analysis unit 117 assigns the “RIP control mode” according to the type of the individual job reception unit 112 that has received the job data, the contents of the job, the HWF software that constitutes the HWF server 4 that is the job data transmission source, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the setting of aggregate printing in a print job is handled in “page mode”. Details of the “RIP control mode” will be described later.

  The job control unit 116 generates “RIP parameters” based on the job attributes in the DFE generated by the JDF analysis unit 117, and passes RIP parameters to the RIP control unit 119 of the RIP unit 118 to perform RIP processing. Let it run. As a result, the RIP unit 118 executes RIP processing based on the RIP parameters.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of RIP parameters according to the present embodiment. The RIP parameters according to the present embodiment include “input / output data type”, “data read information”, and “RIP control mode” as the initial information. “Input / output data type” designates the type of input / output data such as “JDF”, “PDL”, and the like. The designation format includes a text format, an extension of image data, intermediate data, and the like in addition to “JDF”, “PDL”, and the like.

  The “data read information” is information on how to specify the read position and write position of input / output data and the specified position. “RIP control mode” is information of “page mode” and “sheet mode”. In addition, the information at the beginning includes unit information used in the RIP parameter and data compression method information.

  “Input / output image information” includes “output image information”, “input image information”, and “image handling information”. “Information about output image” includes information such as format, resolution, size, color separation, color shift, and page orientation of output image data. The “information about the input image” includes information such as the format, resolution, page range, and color setting of the input image data. “Information relating to image handling” includes information such as an offset of an enlargement / reduction algorithm, an object area, and an offset of a halftone.

  “PDL related information” is information related to PDL information targeted by the RIP parameter, and includes information on “data area”, “size information”, and “data arrangement method”. Note that the PDL information referred to here is data to be printed in a job, and includes intermediate data. “Data area” designates area information in which PDL information is stored. “Size information” specifies the data size of the PDL information. “Data arrangement method” designates a data arrangement method in the memory of PDL information such as “little endian” and “big endian”.

  On the other hand, in the “pass-through mode”, the job control unit 116 generates RIP parameters based on JDF information and PDL information or intermediate data. In this case, information for referring to the corresponding JDF information item is set in each item constituting the RIP parameter.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the RIP parameters include “RIP control mode”. The RIP control unit 119 controls the RIP engine 120 according to the “RIP control mode”. Therefore, the sequence is determined according to the “RIP control mode”. As described above, “page mode” and “sheet mode” are set in the “RIP control mode”.

  The “page mode” is a process for generating raster data by executing RIP processing for each of a plurality of pre-combination pages collected on one sheet. “Sheet mode” is a process of generating Raster data collected on one sheet by executing RIP processing for each of a plurality of pages collected on one sheet.

  In the case of “pass-through mode”, “pass-through mode” is designated in “RIP control mode”. However, this is an example, and “pass-through mode” may be described in an item other than “RIP control mode”.

  Further, the job control unit 116 sets “RIP engine identification information” in the RIP parameter. “RIP engine identification information” is information for identifying a plurality of RIP engines 120 included in the RIP unit 118. In the present embodiment, the same RIP engine corresponding to the RIP engine 420 mounted on the HWF server 4 is used in the DFE 100.

  Therefore, the JDF information includes information specifying the individual job receiving unit 112 as described above, and job data is received by the individual job receiving unit 112 specified as such. The individual job receiving unit 112 corresponds to one of the RIP engines 120, and adds identification information of the corresponding RIP engine 120 to the received JDF information. The job control unit 116 adds the above-described “RIP engine identification information” to the RIP parameter based on the identification information of the RIP engine 120 added to the JDF information in this way.

  In the RIP unit 118, the RIP control unit 119 controls a plurality of RIP engines 120, and executes RIP internal processing based on the input RIP parameters to generate raster data. The function of the RIP engine 120 will be described in detail later.

  The image storage unit 121 is a storage unit that stores raster data generated by the RIP engine 120. The image storage unit 121 is realized by the HDD 40 described with reference to FIG. In addition, a storage device connected to the DFE 100 via a USB interface or the like, or a storage device connected via a network may be used.

  The printer control unit 122 is connected to the digital engine 150 and reads out raster data stored in the image storage unit 121 and transmits the raster data to the digital engine 150 to execute print output. The printer control unit 122 performs finishing control by obtaining finishing information included in the job attributes within DFE from the job control unit 116.

  The printer control unit 122 can acquire information of the digital engine 150 itself by exchanging information with the digital engine 150. For example, in the case of the CIP4 standard, a standard called DevCaps for transmitting / receiving device specification information to / from a printer is defined as a standard for JDF information. Also known is a method for collecting printer information using a communication protocol called SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and a database called MIB (Management Information Base).

  The device information management unit 123 manages device information that is information on the DFE 100 itself and the digital engine 150. The device information includes information on the RIP engine 120 included in the RIP unit 118 and information on the individual job reception unit 112 configured in the job reception unit 111. The information of the individual job receiving unit 112 includes the above-described “pass-through mode” information.

  The device information communication unit 124 exchanges device information with the HWF server 4 via the network I / F 101 in accordance with specifications such as MIB and JMF (Job Messaging Format). Thereby, the device information communication unit 415 of the HWF server 4 acquires device information from the DFE 100. As a result, in the GUI displayed on the client terminal 5, information on the RIP engine 120 included in the DFE 100 and information on the individual job reception unit 112 are reflected.

  When the digital engine 150 is controlled by the printer control unit 122 in the DFE 100 and the print output is completed, the system control unit 113 recognizes this via the job control unit 116. Then, the system control unit 113 notifies the HWF server 4 of a print job completion notification via the job reception unit 111. As a result, the job transmission / reception unit 421 of the HWF server 4 receives a job completion notification.

  In the HWF server 4, the job transmission / reception unit 421 transfers a job completion notification to the job control unit 413, and the job control unit 413 notifies the workflow control unit 418 of job completion. Transmission of job data from the HWF server 4 to the DFE 100 is originally executed by the workflow control unit 418 according to the workflow information.

  When the workflow control unit 418 recognizes the completion of the job by the DFE 100, the workflow control unit 418 controls the execution of the next process according to the workflow information. As processing set next to the print output by the DFE 100, for example, post-processing by the post-processing device 3 is available.

  Next, the functional configuration of the RIP engine according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the RIP engine 120 when JDF analysis processing is performed by the JDF analysis unit 117. As described above, the RIP engine 120 is a software module that generates Raster data by executing RIP internal processing based on the RIP parameters described in FIG. As the RIP engine, for example, APPE that is a PDF printing engine provided by Adobe Systems is used as a base.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the RIP engine 120 includes a control unit 201 and other parts. Portions other than the control unit 201 are expansion units that can be expanded by vendors. The control unit 201 executes RIP processing by using various functions included as an extension unit.

  The input unit 202 receives an initialization request or an RIP processing execution request, and notifies the control unit 201 of the request. When the initialization request is made, the above-described RIP parameters are also input to the control unit 201. Upon receiving the initialization request, the control unit 201 inputs the simultaneously received RIP parameters to the RIP parameter analysis unit 203. Then, the RIP parameter analysis result is acquired by the function of the RIP parameter analysis unit 203, and the order in which the respective extension units included in the RIP engine 120 are operated in the RIP process is determined. In addition, the format of data generated as a result of these processes determines any of a raster image, preview image, PDF, intermediate data, and the like.

  In addition, when the control unit 201 receives an RIP process execution request from the input unit 202, the control unit 201 operates each unit of the extension unit according to the processing order determined when the initialization request is received. The preflight processing unit 204 checks the validity of the contents of the input PDL data. When an invalid PDL attribute is found, the control unit 201 is notified. Upon receiving this notification, the control unit 201 notifies the external modules such as the RIP control unit 119 and the job control unit 116 via the output unit 213.

  The attribute information confirmed by the preflight processing is information that may cause a situation in which processing by other modules included in the RIP engine 120 becomes impossible, such as whether or not a non-corresponding font is specified. It is.

  The normalization processing unit 205 converts the input PDL data into PDF when it is PostScript instead of PDF. The mark processing unit 206 develops the graphic information of the designated mark and superimposes it on the designated position in the image to be printed.

  The font processing unit 207 takes out the font data, converts the font into an embedded PDL font, and performs outline processing. A CMM (Color Management Module) processing unit 209 converts the color space of an input image into CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blackK) based on a color conversion table described in an ICC (International Color Consortium) profile. The ICC profile is color ICC information and device ICC information.

  The trapping processing unit 210 performs a trapping process. The trapping process is to expand each color area so that the gap is filled in order to prevent gaps from occurring in the boundary part when there is a positional deviation between adjacent color areas that touch the boundary. It is processing to do.

  The calibration processing unit 211 adjusts the variation in the color balance due to the temporal variation of the output device and individual differences in order to increase the accuracy of color conversion by the CMM processing unit 209. Note that the processing by the calibration processing unit 211 may be executed outside the RIP engine 120.

  The screening processing unit 212 performs a halftone dot generation process in consideration of the final output. Note that the processing by the screening processing unit 212 may be executed outside the RIP engine 120 in the same manner as the processing by the calibration processing unit 211. The output unit 213 transmits the RIP result to the outside. The RIP result is one of a raster image, preview image, PDF, and intermediate data determined at the time of initialization.

  Next, the functional configuration of the RIP engine 120 when not accompanied by JDF analysis processing by the JDF analysis unit 117 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the case where the JDF analysis processing by the JDF analysis unit 117 is not accompanied is a case where RIP internal processing is distributed between the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100. Therefore, the RIP engine 420 mounted on the HWF server 4 has the same configuration as the RIP engine 120 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the functional configuration of the RIP engine 120 without JDF analysis processing by the JDF analysis unit 117 is almost the same as the configuration described in FIG. 9. Only the parts different from FIG. 9 will be described below. The part other than the control unit 201 is an extension unit as in FIG.

  When receiving the initialization request from the input unit 202, the control unit 201 in the example of FIG. 10 acquires JDF information together with the initialization request. Then, the control unit 201 analyzes the JDF information and the PDL information by using the function of the job attribute analysis unit 214, and similarly to the case of FIG. 9, the processing order of each extension unit and the format of the data generated as a result of the processing To decide.

  In particular, in the case of the RIP engine 120 installed in the DFE 100, the data format of the processing result is often raster data for input to the printer control unit 122. On the other hand, in the case of the RIP engine 420 mounted on the HWF server 4, the data format of the processing result differs depending on the distribution mode of processing between the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100. Therefore, the control unit 201 in the RIP engine 420 determines the data format of processing results such as PDL information and intermediate data based on the analysis result by the job attribute analysis unit 214.

  Further, the control unit 201 analyzes the RIP status information included in the JDF information by using the function of the RIP status analysis unit 215, and confirms whether or not there is already executed RIP internal processing. If there is an already executed RIP internal processing unit, the corresponding extension unit is excluded from the processing target.

  Note that the RIP status analysis unit 215 can analyze the PDL information and execute the same processing as well as analyzing the RIP status included in the JDF information. In the case of PDL information, attribute information such as parameters disappears for already executed RIP internal processes, so it is possible to determine an unexecuted RIP internal process based on the remaining attribute information.

  The layout processing unit 217 performs imposition processing. The RIP status management unit 216 rewrites the RIP status corresponding to the RIP internal processing executed by each expansion unit to “Done” according to the control of the control unit 201. The output unit 213 transmits the RIP result to the outside of the engine. The RIP result is data in a data format determined at the time of initialization.

  Further, as described above, depending on the “RIP device designation” information included in the JDF information, a plurality of RIPs mounted in the DFE 100 such as “DFE (Engine A)” and “DFE (Engine B)” may be used. The engine 120 may be used properly. Since the control unit 201 cannot entrust processing to an extension unit of another RIP engine, it is processed by the job control unit 116.

  As described above, the job control unit 116 adds “RIP engine identification information” to the RIP parameter. At this time, a different RIP parameter is generated for each RIP internal process in which a different RIP engine is designated. In the case of the example in FIG. 3, the RIP parameters for “Engine A” for which execution of “font” and “layout” is designated, the RIP parameters for “Engine B” for which execution of “Mark” is designated, and RIP parameters for “Engine A” for which execution of subsequent processing is designated are generated.

  Then, the job control unit 116 requests the RIP unit 118 to perform RIP processing in order for each generated RIP parameter in accordance with the processing order within the RIP. As a result, “Engine A” and “Engine B” are selectively used to execute RIP internal processing.

  At this time, as a method for executing only the designated process in each engine, information on “RIP status” can be referred to. That is, only the designated process can be executed by setting the status of only the process item to be executed to “NotYet” and setting the other process to “Done”.

  Next, the operation of the system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the HWF system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example in which print output is executed by the digital printer 1. As shown in FIG. 11, in the HWF server 4, the device information communication unit 415 acquires device information from the DFE 100 and the CTP 200 via the network, and the device information management unit 416 registers information in the device information storage unit 417 ( S1101). The process of S1101 is periodically executed.

  On the other hand, the client terminal 5 transmits a job registration request to the HWF server 4 when a job data registration operation is performed by an operator's operation on the system GUI (S1102). In the HWF server 4, the UI control unit 412 acquires a job registration request. Accordingly, the data receiving unit 411 acquires job data in accordance with the control of the system control unit 410 (S1103).

  When the job data is acquired by the data receiving unit 411, the system control unit 410 controls the job control unit 413 to convert the format of the acquired job data into the PDL format (S1104). The job data converted in this way is registered in the job data storage unit 414. In the GUI in which a job registration operation is performed in S1102, in addition to an interface for specifying data to be registered by a file path or the like, an input unit for specifying each item of information included in the JDF described in FIG. Is displayed.

  Further, through the processing of S1101, the HWF server 4 acquires information on the type of the RIP engine installed in the DFE 100. Therefore, in the GUI of the client terminal 5, in the input field for designating “RIP device designation” information shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to select which RIP engine is to be executed when the DFE is executed. It becomes possible.

  Further, when a job data division operation is performed by an operator's operation on the system GUI, the client terminal 5 transmits a job division request to the HWF server 4 (S1105). FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of information included in the job division request transmitted in S1105. As shown in FIG. 12, in addition to information indicating the job to be divided, information specifying the content of division is transmitted in the job division request. The information indicating the contents of the division is information in which the name of the device that executes the print output and the name of the divided portion that executes the print output are specified in units of pages.

  In the HWF server 4 that has received the job division request, the system control unit 410 divides the job in units of pages according to the division contents and generates separate jobs for the division target job specified in the information shown in FIG. (S1106). At this time, the device designated for each division range is used as “device designation” information shown in FIG. 3 in the JDF information. Jobs divided and generated in this way are stored in the job data storage unit 414 as individual jobs.

  Further, when a workflow generation operation is performed by an operator's operation on the system GUI, the client terminal 5 transmits a workflow generation request to the HWF server 4 (S1107). In the workflow generation request, information specifying the contents of the workflow as shown in FIG. 5 and information specifying a job to be processed according to the workflow are transmitted.

  In the HWF server 4 that has received the workflow generation request, the system control unit 410 inputs the information received together with the request to the workflow control unit 418. As a result, the workflow control unit 418 generates new workflow information based on the received information, stores the new workflow information in the workflow information storage unit 419, and associates the workflow with the job specified in the request (S1108). The association between the workflow and the job is executed by adding an identifier for identifying the workflow to the JDF information, for example.

  After such processing, when a job execution operation is performed by an operator's operation on the system GUI at the client terminal 5, the client terminal 5 transmits a job execution request to the HWF server 4. Note that the operations of S1102 to S1109 may be executed according to different operations, or a job registration request, a job division request, a workflow generation request, and a job execution request may be performed by a single operation.

  In the HWF server 4 that has received the job execution request, the system control unit 410 acquires the specified job data from the job data storage unit 414 based on the information for specifying the job data received together with the request (S1110). . In addition, the system control unit acquires the latest information on the device specified in the acquired job data from the device information management unit 416, and sets the device information for the job (S1111).

  Thereafter, the system control unit 410 delivers the job data to the workflow control unit 418 and starts execution of the workflow (S1112). The workflow control unit 418 acquires workflow information associated with the acquired job data from the workflow information storage unit 419, and executes processing according to the workflow information.

  In the workflow process, first, an in-server process to be executed by the RIP engine 420 mounted on the HWF server 4 is executed (S1113). In step S <b> 1113, the job control unit 413 causes the RIP engine 420 to execute processing as described above under the control of the workflow control unit 418.

  Thereafter, when the workflow process reaches the process in the DFE 100, the job control unit 413 controls the job transmission / reception unit 421 to transmit job data to the DFE 100 according to the control of the workflow control unit 418 (S1114). In step S <b> 1114, the job control unit 413 specifies the individual job reception unit 112 corresponding to the information specified in the JDF information from the plurality of individual job reception units 112.

  When any one of the plurality of individual job receiving units 112 is specified when transmitting job data to the DFE 100, the appropriate individual job receiving unit 112 in the DFE 100 receives the job data. When job data is input to the DFE 100, as described above, RIP processing and output processing by the digital engine 150 are executed in the DFE 100 (S1115).

  In the DFE 100, when the designated processing is completed, the job receiving unit 111 notifies the HWF server 4 of completion (S1116). Upon receiving the completion notification from the DFE 100 via the job transmission / reception unit 421, the job control unit 413 notifies the workflow control unit 418 of completion. As a result, the workflow control unit 418 makes a post-processing request to the post-processing device 3 to execute the post-processing specified in the workflow after the control by the DFE 100 (S1117).

  In step S <b> 1117, the job control unit 413 controls the job transmission / reception unit 421 according to the control of the workflow control unit 418 and makes a post-processing request to the post-processing device 3. By such processing, the operation of the system according to the present embodiment is completed.

  Next, the intra-DFE processing in S1115 of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, first, the individual job receiving unit 112 designated when transmitting job data from the HWF server 4 receives the job data (S1301). When the individual job receiving unit 112 receives the job data, the individual job receiving unit 112 updates the JDF information so that the individual setting set for itself is reflected in the job data (S1302).

  The above-mentioned “pass-through mode” setting is also reflected in S1302. The job data reflecting the individual settings is input to the system control unit 113. The system control unit 113 stores the input job data in the job data storage unit 114 according to the setting, and performs a preview process or the like via the UI control unit 115 according to the operation of the operator.

  The system control unit 113 inputs job data to the job control unit 116 at the job execution timing in the DFE 100 such as an operator's operation or reaching the set execution time. The job control unit 116 refers to the input job data and confirms whether or not it is in the pass-through mode (S1303). As a result, when the mode is not the pass-through mode (S1303 / NO), the job control unit 116 inputs job data to the JDF analysis unit 117 and generates job attributes within DFE (S1304).

  As a result of the confirmation in S1303, when it is in the pass-through mode (S1304 / YES), or when the JDF conversion is completed and the job attribute within DFE is generated, the job control unit 116 generates the RIP parameter (S1305). If it is not the pass-through mode, the RIP parameters as described in FIG. 8 are generated in S1305. On the other hand, in the pass-through mode, RIP parameters including information other than “input / output image information” among the information shown in FIG. 8 are generated, and JDF information is referred to for other portions.

  When the job control unit 116 generates the RIP parameter, the job control unit 116 inputs necessary information to the RIP unit 118 to execute the RIP process (S1306). Thereby, raster data is created by the RIP engine 120.

  In step S1305, as described above, RIP parameters are generated for each RIP engine based on the “RIP device designation” information shown in FIG. In step S1306, RIP processing is executed in order for each generated RIP parameter to generate raster data.

  When raster data is generated and acquired from the RIP unit 118, the job control unit 116 inputs the raster data to the printer control unit 122 and causes the digital engine 150 to execute print output (S1307). By such processing, the processing within DFE is completed.

  Next, the RIP process in S1306 of FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, first, the control unit 201 executes an initialization process based on an initialization request to the input unit 202 (S1401). In S1401, in the case of the example of FIG. 9, the RIP parameter analysis unit 203 receives and analyzes the RIP parameter, and as described above, an extension unit that executes processing among the respective extension units included in the RIP engine 120, Determine the order. In addition, the format of data generated as a result of processing is determined.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 10, the job attribute analysis unit 214 receives and analyzes JDF information and PDL information, and determines an extension unit for executing processing and the order thereof. In addition, the format of data generated as a result of processing is determined. Subsequently, in the example of FIG. 10, the control unit 201 causes the RIP status analysis unit 215 to perform status analysis.

  In status analysis, the RIP status analysis unit 215 refers to the “RIP status” shown in FIG. 3 and selects one item of RIP internal processing (S1402). If the status is “Done” (S1403 / YES), the corresponding extension unit is excluded from the execution target extension units determined in S1401 (S1404). On the other hand, if “NotYet” (S1403 / NO), no particular processing is performed.

  The RIP status analysis unit 215 repeats the processing until the processing from S1402 is completed for all the RIP internal processing items (S1405 / NO). After the RIP status analysis unit 215 completes the processing from S1402 for all the RIP internal processing items (S1405 / YES), when the input unit 202 acquires the RIP processing execution request (S1406 / YES), the control unit 201 Causes each extension unit to execute processing in order (S1407).

  In S1407, processing is requested only for the extension units determined in the processing of S1401 and not excluded by the processing of S1404. Further, processing is requested according to the processing order determined in S1401. When the processing is executed by the extension unit in this way and raster data is generated, the output unit 213 outputs a processing result (S1408). By such processing, the processing by the RIP unit 118 is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the case of the processing of S1402 to S1405, that is, the case where the status analysis processing is executed only in the case of the example of FIG. 10, that is, the case of the RIP engine 120 corresponding to the pass-through mode is taken as an example. Yes. This is based on the fact that the status analysis process is required when the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100 share the RIP process as described above.

  In such a case, using the same RIP engine installed in the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100, the RIP process is executed as a series of processes without being aware of the boundary between the two. Accordingly, it is preferable that the data processed by the RIP engine 420 in the HWF server 4 is directly input to the RIP engine 120 in the DFE 100, and a pass-through mode that does not pass through the JDF analysis unit 117 provided outside the RIP engine is suitable.

  However, this is merely an example, and even when the mode is not the pass-through mode, if the RIP process is shared between the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100, it is necessary to perform status analysis. That is, when RIP processing is shared between the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100, it is necessary to exclude RIP processing already executed in the HWF server 4 on the DFE 100 side.

  Therefore, even if the RIP engine 120 does not support the pass-through mode, the RIP status analysis unit 215 may be provided in order to share the RIP processing between the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100. In other words, even if the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100 share the RIP processing, it is necessary to perform the status analysis by the RIP status analysis unit 215 after performing the JDF analysis by the JDF analysis unit 117 on the DFE 100 side. RIP internal processing may be determined.

  As described above, when job data is divided and individual jobs are generated by the operation of the operator on the HWF server 4 side, sheets or the like that are image-formed and output by either an offset printer or a digital printer according to each job Are output. As a result, the paper on which the image is formed as a printing result is output to a different printer. For this reason, it is difficult for an operator on the printer side to grasp to which printer the sheets formed and output in accordance with individual jobs are output in which order, and it is difficult to correctly integrate the output sheets.

  One of the gist according to the present embodiment is that papers that are image-formed and output to a plurality of different printers according to individual jobs (hereinafter referred to as “divided jobs”) generated by dividing job data are correctly integrated. There is to do. In the following, a process for facilitating the correct integration of sheets that have undergone image formation output to a plurality of different printers will be described. As the recording medium, in addition to the paper described above, a sheet-like material such as a film or plastic can be used as long as it is an object for image formation output. However, in the present embodiment, paper is used. An example of the recording medium will be described.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 11, in the HWF server 4 that has received the job division request, the system control unit 410 executes jobs for each division target job specified in the information shown in FIG. Split and generate split jobs. At this time, the system control unit 410 generates JDF information included in each divided job. That is, the division job is information that instructs execution of image formation output on a recording medium based on a plurality of pieces of partial output target image information obtained by dividing output target image information that is information on an image formation output target image.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating JDF information included in a divided job. The JDF information shown in FIG. 15 is included in the divided job in which the first page (P1) is designated among the divided contents shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the JDF information includes “printing part information” and “job configuration information” in addition to the information described with reference to FIG. “Printed part information” indicates the name of a divided part where print output is executed in accordance with an individual job including this JDF information. As shown in FIG. 12, since the name of the first page is “cover”, the “printed part information” is “cover”.

  “Job configuration information” indicates the configuration of the divided job, and includes information such as “job ID” and “divided jobs” for the number of divisions, as shown in FIG. The “division job” includes “division job number”, “printing part name”, “page range”, and “output destination”. “Job ID” is identification information for identifying the division target job specified in the information shown in FIG. “Divided job number” is a number for identifying a divided job. For example, the smaller the number of pages indicated by “page range”, the smaller the number.

  “Print part name” indicates the name of the divided part printed out according to the divided job, “Page range” is the page range of the divided part printed out according to the divided job, and “Output destination” is the divided job The device (printer) name that executes print output according to For example, in the information shown in FIG. 12, since the job data whose “job ID” is “J001” is divided into three jobs, the “job configuration information” includes information on three “divided jobs”. In addition, a device name that executes print output according to the divided job is used as “device designation” information.

  The system control unit 410 generates JDF information including “printing part information” and “job configuration information” shown in FIG. 15 for each divided job. In other words, the system control unit 410 functions as a division information generation unit that generates division information indicating the content of division such as “printing part information” and “job configuration information”. Then, the job control unit 116 of the DFE 100 acquires the divided job transmitted from the HWF server 4. That is, the job control unit 116 functions as a division information acquisition unit that acquires division information of JDF information included in a division job. Further, the job control unit 116 functions as an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information (job ID) for identifying job data, which is information for instructing execution of image formation output based on output target image information.

  Next, processing related to RIP parameter generation when the job control unit 116 of the DFE 100 acquires a divided job transmitted from the HWF server 4 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to RIP parameter generation by the job control unit 116. The “digital designation” included in the JDF information of the divided job acquired by the job control unit 116 of the DFE 100 is “digital printer”.

  As illustrated in FIG. 16, the job control unit 116 refers to the job attributes in the DFE generated by the JDF analysis unit 117 and determines whether or not “printing part information” is included in the JDF information (S1601). ).

  When JDF information does not include “printed part information” (S1501 / NO), the job control unit 116 ends the process shown in FIG. 16 and processes when normal job data that is not divided is acquired. I do. On the other hand, when the “printing part information” is included in the JDF information (S1501 / YES), the job control unit 116 acquires information indicated by the “printing part information” (S1602).

  The job control unit 116 that has acquired the information indicated by “printed part information” acquires the divided job number of the acquired divided job (S1603). Specifically, the job control unit 116 matches the information indicated by the “printing part information” acquired in the process of S1602 among the information indicated by the “printing part name” of the “division job” included in the JDF information. The value indicated by “division job number” of “division job” is acquired.

  The job control unit 116 that has acquired the divided job number determines whether or not the acquired divided job number is the smallest among the divided job numbers of the “divided job” whose “output destination” is “digital printer” ( S1604). If the acquired divided job number is the smallest among the digital printers (S1604 / YES), the job control unit 116 adds information based on the “job configuration information” included in the JDF information to the RIP parameter (S1605). Details of the information added to the RIP parameter will be described later.

  The job control unit 116 to which “job configuration information” has been added adds page insertion information to the RIP parameter based on the information included in the JDF information (S1606). The page insertion information indicates page information to be inserted in order to grasp the position of the paper image formed and output according to the divided job in the entire paper image formed and output according to the job data to be divided. On the other hand, when the acquired divided job number is not the smallest among the digital printers (S1604 / NO), the job control unit 116 adds page insertion information without adding job configuration information to the RIP parameter (S1606).

  17 and 18 are diagrams exemplifying RIP parameters generated by the process shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating RIP parameters to which job configuration information and page insertion information are added, and FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating RIP parameters to which page insertion information is added.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the job configuration information included in the RIP parameter includes “job ID”, “printing part name”, “page range”, and “output destination” of “job configuration information” included in the JDF information. Information is included in page range order. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the page insertion information included in the RIP parameter includes “job ID” included in the JDF information, “printed part name” and “page range” information of the acquired divided job. It is included.

  When the job configuration information is included in the RIP parameter, the sheet on which the job configuration information is printed is output at the head of the sheet on which the image of the page specified in the divided job is printed. In addition, when the page insertion information is included in the RIP parameter, the page insertion is performed at the head of the sheet on which the image of the page specified in the divided job is printed after the sheet on which the job configuration information is printed is output. The paper on which the information is printed is output.

  For example, in the divided job in which the first page (P1) shown in FIG. 12 is designated, since the digital printer is designated as the output destination and the divided job is the smallest, the RIP parameter generated for this divided job is This is the configuration shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the divided jobs in which P2 to P50 shown in FIG. 12 are designated, since the offset printer is designated as the output destination, the job control unit 116 of the DFE 100 does not acquire the divided jobs. In addition, in the divided job in which P51 shown in FIG. 12 is designated, the digital printer is designated as the output destination, but since the divided job number is not the smallest, the RIP parameter generated for this divided job is The configuration shown in FIG.

  The job control unit 116 causes the RIP control unit 119 to execute the RIP process by passing the RIP parameters shown in FIG. 17 or 18. Then, the job control unit 116 inputs raster data acquired from the RIP unit 118 to the printer control unit 122 and causes the digital engine 150 to execute print output.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a print output result by the digital engine 150 based on the RIP parameters illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. In FIG. 19, it is assumed that the sheets printed by the digital engine 150 are output in order from the left in accordance with the divided jobs in the information shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, a sheet on which job configuration information is printed (hereinafter referred to as “configuration information sheet”) is output as the first page. The configuration information sheet is printed out based on the RIP parameters including the job configuration information shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating details of the configuration information sheet. On the configuration information sheet, information for ascertaining which job data is divided and how is printed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 20, a title “job (J001) configuration list” including a job ID is printed on the configuration information sheet. In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, on the configuration information sheet, P1 is output as a cover by a digital printer, P2 to P50 are output by an offset printer as text, and P51 is output by a digital printer as a back cover. Information that can be grasped is printed.

  That is, the configuration information sheet is inserted at the top of the sheet on which the first part output to the digital printer is printed out of the entire part printed out according to the job data. By referring to the configuration information sheet that is first printed out by the operator on the printer side, it is possible to easily grasp where the sheet composed of what page is output.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, next to the configuration information sheet, a sheet for grasping the page position of the sheet printed and output in accordance with the divided job designated by P1 (hereinafter referred to as “page position grasping sheet”). ) Is output. The page position determination sheet is printed out based on the RIP parameter including the page insertion information shown in FIGS.

  The page position grasping sheet is printed with information for grasping which part of which job data is printed on the sheet printed on the next page. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the page position grasping sheet is printed with information that can grasp that the sheet on which the first page cover of the job data “J001” is printed is output next. .

  As shown in FIG. 19, next to the page position grasping sheet output second, a sheet (hereinafter referred to as “P1 sheet”) on which an image of P1 is printed in accordance with a divided job in which P1 is designated is output. Is done. Next to the P1 sheet, a page position grasp sheet printed out according to the divided job in which P51 is designated is output, and then the P51 sheet is output.

  That is, the paper hatched in FIG. 19 is a paper (hereinafter referred to as “inserted paper”) that is inserted to facilitate the correct integration of the papers output to different printers according to the divided jobs. In the case shown in FIG. 19, the paper is hatched with diagonal lines for clarity of explanation, but this does not mean that the actual paper has such a printing mode. The same applies to the following similar drawings and description.

  In other words, the job configuration information includes a division configuration information indicating a division configuration of a plurality of partial output target image information that is an image formation output target in each division job, and an output destination of each image formation output based on the plurality of partial output target image information. It is. The job control unit 116 functions as a divided configuration information presenting unit that presents such divided configuration information.

  Further, the page insertion information is partial position grasping information which is information for grasping the position of the part to be imaged and output based on the partial output target image information in the whole part to be imaged and outputted based on the output target image information. It is. Further, the job control unit 116 functions as a position information output control unit that controls execution of image formation output of such partial position grasping information on a recording medium.

  The operator on the printer side collects the paper that has been output to the paper output tray of the printer with reference to the inserted paper, and then integrates the paper from which the inserted paper has been removed. The final printed matter can be obtained.

  In some cases, a plurality of job data is input to the HWF server 4 and printing is continuously performed according to the plurality of job data. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating information included in a job division request for job data different from FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, for example, the job ID of the job data to be divided is “J002”, which is divided into five divided jobs.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a print output result processed by the digital engine 150 in accordance with the divided job in the information shown in FIG. In FIG. 22, it is assumed that the sheets printed by the digital engine 150 are output in order from the left of the upper stage according to the divided job, and are output in order from the left of the lower stage after the upper right end of the upper stage.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the configuration information sheet is printed as the first page. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating details of the configuration information sheet. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the title “job (J002) configuration list” including the job ID is printed on the configuration information sheet as in the case shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the configuration information sheet is printed with information that allows P1 to P13 to be output by an offset printer in one common catalog and P14 to P15 being output by a digital printer in a questionnaire. ing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, a page position grasping sheet is inserted at the head of the page range output according to the divided job in which the digital printer is designated as the output destination. That is, the paper hatched in FIG. 22 is the insertion paper.

  In this way, even when sheets printed in accordance with the divided jobs of each of the plurality of job data are mixed in the paper discharge tray of the printer, by referring to the inserted sheet including the job ID, another job data can be obtained. Therefore, it becomes easy to distinguish from the printed paper. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator on the printer side from erroneously collecting the paper printed out according to the other job data.

  As described above, the HWF system according to the present embodiment makes it easy to grasp how the job data is divided and output to which printer, and which print portion is the output paper. Insert paper with information printed on it. This makes it easier for an operator on the printer side to know which job data is output to which printer and in what order. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily integrate print results output to a plurality of different devices based on each divided job data with correct contents and order.

  In the above embodiment, the page position grasping sheet, which is a sheet different from the sheet on which the image of each page is printed, is used for grasping the page position of the sheet printed out according to the divided job. The case where it is inserted into has been described as an example. In addition, information for grasping the page position (hereinafter referred to as “page position grasping information”) may be output on the sheet on which the page image is printed.

  In this case, for example, the job control unit 116 adds the mark image information to the RIP parameter so that the page position grasping information is printed outside the margin of the paper printed out as the mark image. The margin of the paper is a predetermined portion other than the printing area of the paper, which is removed when cutting with a trimmer and is not included in the final printed matter.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of RIP parameters including mark image information. As shown in FIG. 24, the mark image information includes “job ID” included in the JDF information, “printed part name” and “page range” information of the acquired divided job, as in the page insertion information. ing.

  The job control unit 116 causes the RIP control unit 119 to execute the RIP process by passing the RIP parameters shown in FIG. When the mark processing unit 206 performs mark processing according to the mark image information included in the RIP parameter, the page position grasping information is printed outside the paper on which the image of the first page among the pages specified in the divided job is printed. The

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a print output result by the digital engine 150 based on the RIP parameter including the mark image information. In FIG. 25, it is assumed that the sheets printed by the digital engine 150 are output in order from the left according to the divided job in the information shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 25, as in the case shown in FIG. 19, the configuration information sheet is output as the first page. Also, as shown in FIG. 25, next to the configuration information sheet, the margin of the sheet (hereinafter referred to as “P1 sheet”) printed and output according to the divided job in which P1 is designated (hatched with hatched lines in FIG. 25). The page position grasping information is printed on the printed part). Also, as shown in FIG. 25, after the P1 sheet, the page position grasping information is printed outside the sheet of the sheet printed according to the divided job in which P51 is designated.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram exemplifying details of the P1 sheet on which the page position grasp information is printed outside the margin. The key marks shown in bold lines in FIG. 26 are called dragonflies, and when creating printed matter, the position for cutting to the finished size and the registration of multi-colored printing, the top and bottom of the plate, the center of the left and right, the four corners, etc. It is a mark attached. In the case shown in FIG. 26, the border with the margin is shown by a dotted line for clarity of explanation, but this does not mean that the actual paper is in such a printing mode. The same applies to the following similar drawings and description.

  As shown in FIG. 26A, information that can be recognized as a “J001” divided job and a “cover” having a page range of “P1” is printed outside the P1 sheet. When the margin is cut by the trimmer, the printed portion of the page position grasping information is removed as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating another print output result by the digital engine 150 based on the RIP parameter including the mark image information. In FIG. 27, the sheets printed by the digital engine 150 are output in order from the left of the upper stage according to the division job in the information shown in FIG. 21, and are output in order from the left of the lower stage after the upper right end of the upper stage. It is assumed that

  As shown in FIG. 27, as in the case shown in FIG. 22, the configuration information sheet is printed as the first page. Also, as shown in FIG. 27, after the configuration information sheet, the first page of the sheet printed according to the divided job designated P14 to P15, that is, the sheet printed with the image of P14 (hereinafter referred to as “P14 The page position grasping information is printed outside the column “paper”.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating details of the P14 paper on which the page position grasp information is printed outside the margin. As shown in FIG. 28, information that can be recognized as a “questionnaire” with a page range of “P14 to P15” is printed outside the area of the P14 sheet.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 27, the page position grasping information is printed outside the paper on which the image of the first page (P16 and P45 in FIG. 27) of each page range output according to each divided job is printed. Is done. Note that the page position grasping information may be printed out of the margin in the same manner on the paper printed out by the offset printer 2.

  In this way, by printing the page position grasp information outside the paper margin, the number of sheets to be output can be reduced compared to the case of inserting the page position grasp paper, or when the printed paper is collected, It is possible to reduce the trouble of removing the page position determination sheet. On the other hand, when the margin of the sheet is not set and the page position grasping information cannot be printed outside the margin, the page position can be grasped by inserting the page position grasping sheet. In addition, when the page position grasping paper is inserted, the page position grasping information is not printed on the paper that is the final printed matter. There is little checking burden such as whether page position grasp information remains in the printed matter.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the case has been described as an example in which the job control unit 116 is set in advance to insert a page position grasping sheet or print the page position grasping information outside the sheet. In addition, it may be specified in the JDF information. FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 are diagrams illustrating JDF information including information indicating a page position presentation method.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 and 20, the JDF information includes “presentation method” information indicating a presentation method for grasping the page position. For example, when inserting a page position grasping sheet, as shown in FIG. 29, “page insertion” is designated as “presentation method”, and when page position grasping information is printed outside the sheet, as shown in FIG. , “Mark image” is designated in “Presentation method”. Further, when the “presentation method” is “mark image”, the information includes “presentation position” information for designating the position where the mark image is printed. For example, “upper center” is designated as the “presentation position”.

  The “presentation method” and “presentation position” settings included in the JDF information may be changed by the operator on the HWF server 4 side via the GUI of the client terminal 5 or may be changed according to the print output setting. You may make it do. For example, in the print output setting, when the setting outside the sheet is not set, “page insertion” is set in “presentation method”. The “presentation method” and “presentation position” settings may be changed by an operator on the printer side.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the information of “printing part information” is included in the JDF information has been described as an example. However, this is only an example, and any information can be used as long as it can grasp which divided job in the job configuration information, and may be “page range”, “number of first pages” in this divided job, or “ It may be a “division job number”.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where job configuration information is included in JDF information in all divided jobs has been described as an example. In addition, among the divided jobs, the job configuration information may be included only in the JDF information in the divided job of the youngest page range printed by the digital engine 150. In this case, the JDF information of other divided jobs may include only information necessary for printing on the page position grasping sheet or the margin of the sheet. In this case, in the processing shown in FIG. 16, the job control unit 116 adds the job configuration information to the RIP parameter only when the job configuration information is included in the JDF information.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the job configuration information is printed out on paper has been described as an example. In addition, the UI control unit 115 may display the job configuration information on the display 102 as a display unit under the control of the job control unit 116. In this case, the operator on the printer side grasps the job configuration information without collecting the configuration information sheet discharged to the discharge tray of the printer by checking the job configuration information displayed on the display 102. can do. Further, since it is not necessary to output the configuration information sheet, the number of output sheets is reduced.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the generation of image data to be printed on the page position grasping sheet and the mark processing of the page position grasping information are performed in the RIP engine 120 has been described as an example. In addition, the RIP control unit 119 may perform these processes.

  In the above embodiment, the HWF system in which the RIP engine shared by both the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100 is installed in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. However, in this embodiment, such a configuration of the HWF system is not essential, and any configuration in which RIP processing is performed by the RIP engine mounted on the DFE 100 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the output destination of each divided job data is an offset printer or a digital printer in the HWF system shown in FIG. 1 has been described as an example. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such a configuration, and can be similarly applied to any system in which an output destination includes a plurality of different devices such as a plurality of different digital printers. For example, when the color setting differs depending on the page in the printing process included in the job data, or the resolution of the image differs for each page, the job data may be divided so that a digital printer corresponding to these characteristics is used. is there. In some cases, job data may be divided in order to distribute the printing processing load in the digital printer.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration information sheet is output as the first page of job data output by the digital printer. On the other hand, in the case of a system having a plurality of digital printers, it is difficult for an operator on the printer side to understand which digital printer the configuration information sheet is output, so the configuration information sheet is output as the first page in all the digital printers. You may do it. With such a configuration, the operator can easily refer to the configuration information sheet, and it is possible to quickly grasp in which order the sheets are output to which printer.

  Further, when the above embodiment is realized in the above-described HWF system, the RIP processing for printing out according to the divided job may be distributed between the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100. As described above, as the RIP internal processing proceeds, intermediate data is generated from the PDL information, and finally raster data is generated. Since raster data is larger in size than PDL information and intermediate data, if raster data is generated in the HWF server 4, the load of transmission processing when sending data to the DFE 100 is larger than that in the case of PDL information and intermediate data. There is a case.

  Therefore, when the RIP process is distributed between the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100, the HWF server 4 is executed until the process has a data size that can be transmitted with an allowable load in consideration of the data size transmitted to the DFE 100, for example. Distributed settings may be made. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to distribute the load for RIP processing between the HWF server 4 and the DFE 100.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital printer 2 Offset printer 3a, 3b Post-processing apparatus 4, 4a, 4b HWF server 5, 5a, 5b Client terminal 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 I / F
60 LCD
70 Operation unit 80 Bus 100 DFE
101 Network I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Display 111 Job receiving part 112 Individual job receiving part 113 System control part 114 Job data storage part 115 UI control part 116 Job control part 117 JDF analysis part 118 RIP part 119 RIP control part 120 RIP engine 121 Image storage part 122 Printer control part 123 Device information management unit 124 Device information communication unit 150 Digital engine 200 CTP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Control part 202 Input part 203 RIP parameter analysis part 204 Preflight processing part 205 Normalization processing part 206 Mark processing part 207 Font processing part 209 CMM processing part 210 Trapping processing part 211 Calibration processing part 212 Screening processing part 213 Output part 214 Job attribute Analysis unit 215 RIP status analysis unit 216 RIP status management unit 217 Layout processing unit 400 HWF controller 401 Network I / F
410 System control unit 411 Data reception unit 412 UI control unit 413 Job control unit 414 Job data storage unit 415 Device information communication unit 416 Device information management unit 417 Device information storage unit 418 Workflow control unit 419 Workflow information storage unit 420 RIP engine 421 Job Transceiver

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-164581

The present invention relates to an image formation output control device , an image processing system , and an image processing program .

Claims (7)

An image formation output control apparatus that controls execution of image formation output on a recording medium based on a plurality of partial output target image information obtained by dividing output target image information that is image formation output target image information,
A division information acquisition unit for acquiring division information indicating the content of the division;
Based on the obtained division information, the division configuration presenting the division configuration of the plurality of partial output target image information and the division configuration information indicating the respective output destinations of the image formation output based on the plurality of partial output target image information An information presentation unit;
Based on the division information, a partial position that is information for grasping a position of a portion that is image-formed and output based on the partial output target image information in an entire portion that is image-formed and output based on the output target image information A position information output control unit that controls execution of image formation output of grasp information on a recording medium. The position information output controller is
Controlling execution of the image formation output so that the partial position grasping information is imaged and output on a recording medium different from the recording medium on which the image formation output is performed based on the partial output target image information;
The output of the recording medium is controlled so that the recording medium on which the partial position grasping information is formed and output is inserted at the head of the recording medium on which the image is formed and output based on the partial output target image information. The image forming output control apparatus according to claim 1. The position information output control unit performs image formation output so that the partial position grasping information is image-formed and output to a predetermined area of the first recording medium of the recording medium that is image-formed and output based on the partial output target image information. The image forming output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the image is controlled. The division configuration information presentation unit
Controlling execution of image formation output so that the divided configuration information is image-formed and output on a recording medium different from the recording medium that has been image-formed and output based on the partial output target image information;
The recording medium on which the divided configuration information is image-formed and output is inserted into the head of the recording medium on which the first part of the whole image-formed output based on the output target image information is output. The image forming output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output of the recording medium is controlled. The image formation output control device according to claim 1, wherein the division configuration information presentation unit displays the division configuration information on a display unit. An identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying information that instructs execution of image formation output based on the output target image information;
The division configuration information presentation unit presents the acquired identification information and the division configuration information,
The image according to claim 1, wherein the position information output control unit controls execution of image formation output of the identification information and the partial position grasp information on a recording medium. Formation output control device. An image processing system including a process execution control device that controls execution of processing for image formation output and an image formation output control device that controls execution of image formation output,
The process execution control device includes:
A division information generation unit that generates division information indicating the content of the division for a plurality of pieces of partial output target image information obtained by dividing output target image information that is image formation output target image information. ,
A division information acquisition unit that acquires the generated division information;
Based on the obtained division information, the division configuration presenting the division configuration of the plurality of partial output target image information and the division configuration information indicating the respective output destinations of the image formation output based on the plurality of partial output target image information An information presentation unit;
Based on the division information, a partial position that is information for grasping a position of a portion that is image-formed and output based on the partial output target image information in an entire portion that is image-formed and output based on the output target image information An image processing system comprising: a position information output control unit that controls execution of image formation output on a recording medium of grasp information.