JP2018018188A - Folding line instruction device, folding line instruction program, and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adopt a folding line designation method and a folding line instruction method in which a user can easily image a folding line and suppress confusion of a folding direction between a designated folding line and a folding line formed in a sheet in comparison with a folding line designation method which follows a designation method of a folding manner in a paper folding machine, and a folding line instruction method which follows a paper folding instruction method to the paper folding machine.SOLUTION: A folding line instruction device comprises: a first designation method which designates one of a plurality of fixed forms and designates a first face direction of a sheet on the basis of a folding direction; and a second designation method which designates a position of a folding line and a folding direction per folding line and designates the first face direction of the sheet ejected from a printing machine main body. In a case of the first designation method, a folding line formation that a folding direction is reverse is designated to a folding line machine. In a case of the second designation method, a folding line formation that a folding direction is the same as designation or reverse is designated to a folding line machine according to the first face direction of the sheet ejected from the printing machine main body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

  The present invention relates to a folding line instruction apparatus, a folding line instruction program, and a printing system.

  A post-processing machine that performs post-processing on paper printed by a printing machine is known. Conventionally, a paper folding machine that folds a paper into a predetermined shape is known as a post-processing machine. In recent years, a folding machine that forms a folding line as a pre-folding stage instead of folding a sheet has appeared as a kind of post-processing machine. In the case of a paper folding machine that folds the paper, only a limited number of folding methods, such as bi-folding, tri-folding, and Z-folding, can be supported, whereas in the case of a folding machine, it depends on the structure. However, basically, a free number of folding lines can be formed at free positions on the paper.

  Here, Patent Document 1 includes both a folding machine and a paper folding machine, and executes a creasing process by the folding machine when a folding method that cannot be folded by the paper folding machine is specified. Has been proposed.

  Further, Patent Document 2 proposes to display a preview of the result after the post-processing before performing the post-processing so that the user can specify the post-processing while recognizing the folded image. Yes.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-092208 JP 2010-128712 A

  As described above, there are folding machines that have a higher degree of freedom in the position and number of folding lines than the folding pattern of paper in a paper folding machine. For this reason, in forming a folding line by the folding machine, there is a problem of how to designate the position of the folding line and the folding direction (mountain fold and valley fold) on the paper.

  The formation of the folding line on the sheet is intended to be folded by the user or the like on the sheet on which the folding line is formed. Therefore, it is conceivable to adopt a conventional designation method for folding a sheet with a paper folding machine when forming a folding line with a folding machine. However, the folding method that can be folded by the paper folding machine has names such as two-fold, three-fold, and Z-fold, and the folding method can be specified by name. In the case of a muscle machine, the name of the folding method does not correspond to various folding lines.

  Also, in the bookbinding industry, which folds printed matter and binds booklets, etc., once a folding line consisting of a mountain fold and a valley fold is reversed, it is folded in the original direction as a paper fold. Has been done. For this reason, it is also a problem how to reflect the designated folding line on the folding line formed by the folding machine.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is directed to a folding line designation method that extends to all patterns capable of forming a folding line by following the folding method designation method in the paper folding machine, and paper to the paper folding machine. Compared to the case of using the folding line instruction method for the folding machine that follows the folding instruction method as it is, it is easier for the user to image the folding line, and the specified folding line and the folding line formed on the paper It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding line designation apparatus, a folding line designation program, and a printing system that employ a folding line designation method and a folding line designation method that suppress confusion regarding the folding direction between them.

Claim 1
One fixed form is designated from a plurality of fixed forms in which the position of the folding line with respect to the paper and the folding direction including the mountain fold and the valley fold with respect to the crease are predetermined, and the designated one fixed form The first designation method for designating the orientation of the first surface of the paper when the direction of the fold according to the reference is designated, the position of the crease with respect to the paper and the direction of the crease are designated for each crease, and printing is performed on the paper. And a second designation method for designating the orientation of the first side of the paper discharged from the printer main body that discharges the first side of the paper in the direction according to the instruction. A crease designating part that designates the crease according to the selected designation method by selecting one of the designation methods, and
And a post-processing device that forms a folding line in a designated direction at a designated position of the printing machine main body and a sheet ejected from the printing machine main body when designated by the first designation method. A folding device in which the relationship between the direction of folding according to one specified standard format and the direction of the first surface of the sheet is opposite to the relationship specified by the first specifying method by the printing apparatus. Instructing the position of the folding line and the direction of folding of the folding line so that the line is formed,
When receiving the designation by the second designation method, the first side of the sheet is discharged so that the sheet having the first side directed in the direction as designated by the second designation method is discharged from the printer body. In addition to instructing the orientation, a crease in the direction as specified or in the direction opposite to the specification according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of ejection is provided at the position specified by the second specification method. A folding line instructing device having a folding line instructing unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the direction of folding of the folding line as formed by a machine.

Claim 2
A three-dimensional image having a shape that is folded in a designated fixed format in response to designation by the first designation method, and further, a three-dimensional image in which the first surface of the paper is directed in a designated direction is displayed on a display screen. A crease line display unit for displaying on the display screen a flat image showing the position and direction of the crease line on the planar paper image upon receiving the designation by the second designation method; The fold line indicating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

Claim 3
The second designation method further includes a switching prohibition designation for prohibiting switching of the folding direction of the crease formed by the post-processing machine in accordance with the orientation of the first surface of the paper discharged from the printing machine main body. Is a specification method capable of performing
The folding line instructing unit receives the designation by the second designation method, and when the switching prohibition designation is made in the designation by the second designation method, the first surface is designated as designated by the second designation method. Instructing that the paper oriented in the direction of the paper is ejected from the printing machine main body, and setting a crease in the orientation as specified or in the direction opposite to the designation according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of ejection. Instead of being formed by the post-processing machine, a crease line in the specified direction is formed by the post-processing machine at the position specified by the second specification method regardless of the orientation of the first surface of the paper when discharged. 3. The folding line indicating device according to claim 1, wherein the folding line indicating apparatus is configured to instruct a position of a folding line formed by the post-processing machine and a folding direction of the folding line.

Claim 4
The printer main body of the paper discharged from the printer main body which designates the position of the folding line and the direction of folding with respect to the paper and prints on the paper and discharges the first surface of the paper in the direction according to the instruction. A crease designating part for designating the orientation of the first surface when discharging from,
In response to the designation by the folding line designating unit, the direction of the first side of the paper is instructed so that the paper with the first side facing the designated direction is discharged from the main body of the printing machine, and the printing machine main body According to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of discharge by the post-processing machine that forms the folding line in the designated direction at the designated position of the paper discharged from the paper, at the position specified by the folding line designation unit In addition, a folding line instructing unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing device and the folding direction of the folding line so that a folding line in the direction as specified or opposite to the specified direction is formed. It is a fold line indicating device characterized by having.

Claim 5
The crease designation unit further includes a switch prohibition designation for prohibiting switching of the direction of folding of the crease formed by the post-processing machine according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper discharged from the printing press main body. A fold line designation portion that can be performed,
The folding line instructing unit instructs that the sheet having the first surface directed in the designated direction is discharged from the printing machine body when the switching prohibition is designated in the designation by the folding line designating unit. At the same time, instead of having the post-processing machine form a folding line in the direction opposite to the designated direction according to the orientation of the first side of the paper at the time of ejection, or on the first side of the paper at the time of ejection, The position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the direction of folding of the folding line are instructed so that the folding line of the specified direction is formed by the post-processing machine regardless of the orientation. A fold line indicating device according to claim 4.

Claim 6
Executed in a device having a calculation unit for executing a program,
One fixed form is designated from a plurality of fixed forms in which the position of the folding line with respect to the paper and the folding direction including the mountain fold and the valley fold with respect to the crease are predetermined, and the designated one fixed form The first designation method for designating the orientation of the first surface of the paper when the direction of the fold according to the reference is designated, the position of the crease with respect to the paper and the direction of the crease are designated for each crease, and printing is performed on the paper. And a second designation method for designating the orientation of the first side of the paper discharged from the printer main body that discharges the first side of the paper in the direction according to the instruction. A crease designating part that designates the crease according to the selected designation method by selecting one of the designation methods, and
And a post-processing device that forms a folding line in a designated direction at a designated position of the printing machine main body and a sheet ejected from the printing machine main body when designated by the first designation method. A folding device in which the relationship between the direction of folding according to one specified standard format and the direction of the first surface of the sheet is opposite to the relationship specified by the first specifying method by the printing apparatus. Instructing the position of the folding line and the direction of folding of the folding line so that the line is formed,
When receiving the designation by the second designation method, the first side of the sheet is discharged so that the sheet having the first side directed in the direction as designated by the second designation method is discharged from the printer body. In addition to instructing the orientation, a crease in the direction as specified or in the direction opposite to the specification according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of ejection is provided at the position specified by the second specification method. The folding machine is operated as a folding line instructing device having a folding line indicating unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the direction of folding of the folding line. It is a muscle instruction program.

Claim 7
Executed in a device having a calculation unit for executing a program,
The printer main body of the paper discharged from the printer main body which designates the position of the folding line and the direction of folding with respect to the paper and prints on the paper and discharges the first surface of the paper in the direction according to the instruction. A crease designating part for designating the orientation of the first surface when discharging from,
In response to the designation by the folding line designating unit, the direction of the first side of the paper is instructed so that the paper with the first side facing the designated direction is discharged from the main body of the printing machine, and the printing machine main body The specified orientation according to the orientation of the first side of the paper when it is ejected to the designated position by the post-processing machine that forms the folding line in the designated orientation at the designated position of the paper ejected from the paper Alternatively, as a folding line instructing device having a folding line instructing unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the folding direction of the folding line so that a folding line in the direction opposite to the designation is formed. A folding line instruction program characterized by being operated.

Claim 8
A printer body that prints on a sheet of paper and discharges the first side of the sheet in a direction according to an instruction, and a mountain fold and a valley fold at a designated position of the sheet discharged from the printer body A printing apparatus comprising a post-processing machine that forms a crease in the direction indicated from the inside, and
One fixed form is designated from a plurality of fixed forms in which the position of the folding line with respect to the paper and the folding direction with respect to the folded line are determined in advance, and the folding direction according to the designated one fixed form is used as a reference. A first designation method for designating the orientation of the first surface of the paper, and the position and direction of the crease with respect to the paper are designated for each crease, and the paper at the time of ejection from the printer main body is designated. A crease designation unit for designating a crease according to a designation method selected by selecting either one of the second designation methods for designating the orientation of the first surface;
When the designation by the first designation method is received, the relationship between the direction of folding and the direction of the first surface of the sheet according to one designated format is designated by the printing apparatus. Instructing the position of the folding line and the direction of folding of the folding line so that the folding line is formed in the opposite direction to the relationship specified by the method,
When receiving the designation by the second designation method, the first side of the sheet is discharged so that the sheet having the first side directed in the direction as designated by the second designation method is discharged from the printer body. In addition to instructing the orientation, a crease in the direction as specified or in the direction opposite to the specification according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of ejection is provided at the position specified by the second specification method. And a folding line instructing device having a folding line indicating unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the direction of folding of the folding line. System.

Claim 9
A printer body that prints on a sheet of paper and discharges the first side of the sheet in a direction according to an instruction, and a mountain fold and a valley fold at a designated position of the sheet discharged from the printer body A printing apparatus comprising a post-processing machine that forms a crease in the direction indicated from the inside, and
A folding line designating unit for designating the position and folding direction of the folding line relative to the paper, and for designating the orientation of the first surface of the paper when ejected from the printer body;
In response to the designation by the folding line designating unit, the direction of the first side of the paper is instructed so that the paper with the first side facing the designated direction is discharged from the main body of the printing machine, and the printing machine main body The specified orientation according to the orientation of the first side of the paper when it is ejected to the designated position by the post-processing machine that forms the folding line in the designated orientation at the designated position of the paper ejected from the paper Alternatively, a folding line indicating device having a folding line indicating unit that indicates the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing device and the folding direction of the folding line so that a folding line in the direction opposite to the designation is formed. A printing system is provided.

  In the case of the first designation method described above, the user imagines a finished product after folding. For this reason, it is desirable to form a crease in the direction opposite to the folding direction of the finished product at the crease formation stage. On the other hand, in the second designation method, the position and the folding direction of the folding line are designated for each folding line. In the second designation method, the direction when the paper is discharged from the printer body is designated. If the position of the crease and the direction of the crease are formed on the paper as designated, printing is performed. The orientation of the first side of the paper relative to the folding direction of the crease on the paper when the orientation of the paper at the time of ejection from the main body is changed, unless the folding direction of the crease specified for each one is changed. Is reversed. Therefore, it is desirable to adjust the folding direction of the crease according to the orientation of the paper when ejected from the printer body so that this is not reversed.

  Further, the present invention is also realized as a technical idea having an aspect unrelated to the presence or absence of the first designation method.

  As described above, according to the folding line instructing apparatus according to claims 1 and 4, the folding line instruction program according to claims 6 and 7, and the printing system according to claims 8 and 9, in the paper folding machine. Folding method that follows the folding method designation method that extends to all patterns that can form folding lines and the folding method that instructs the paper folding machine Compared to the case where the streak indication method is adopted, the user can easily visualize the crease and the crease designation method and the crease indication method that suppresses confusion between the designated crease and the crease formed on the paper. To do.

  Further, according to the crease line indicating device of the second aspect, by displaying an image corresponding to each of the first designation method and the second designation method, a unified display can be performed on either the stereoscopic image or the planar image. Compared with the case where it performs, it becomes a display which is easy to image for every designation | designated system.

  Here, in the case of the second designation method, the user who imagines the position of the folding line and the direction of folding at the folding line stage, keeping in mind the direction of the first surface of the paper discharged from the printing machine main body. Exists. When the crease is designated by the second designation method, the user who images in this way expects that the crease in the designated direction is faithfully formed on the sheet. According to the folding line instructing device of claims 3 and 5, compared with a case in which switching of the folding direction of the folding line according to the direction of the sheet at the time of discharge from the printing press main body cannot be prohibited, a wider range of users. A user-friendly device is realized.

It is the schematic diagram which showed an example of the printing system. It is a block diagram which shows the process performed with client PC. It is the figure which showed an example of the stereo image displayed on the display screen of client PC. It is the figure which showed an example of the plane image displayed on the display screen of client PC. It is the figure which showed the job management screen displayed on the display screen of client PC. It is the figure which showed the job property screen displayed on the display screen of client PC. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a “paper folding” pull-down menu shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a paper folding pull-down menu when setting a paper folding by a paper folding machine after setting a folding line by a folding machine. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a job property screen when “crease” that is one of items as a small classification is selected. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a job property screen including a crease designation screen displayed when “crease” is selected. It is the figure which showed the pull-down menu of "the type of fold" FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a job property screen when “custom” is selected as “fold type”. The relationship (A) between the orientation of the first side of the paper and the folding direction of the crease when “back side discharge” is designated, and the first side of the paper when “front side ejection” is designated. It is the schematic diagram which showed the relationship (B) of the direction of fold and the direction of folding of a crease. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a folding line (A) when setting a folding line in “custom” illustrated in FIG. 12 and setting information (B) of a folding line incorporated in a job. It is the figure which showed the flowchart which implement | achieves the process as 1st Embodiment demonstrated so far. It is the figure which showed the job property screen including the folding line designation | designated screen by "custom" in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation when “No” is designated in “Automatic reversal at folding” shown in FIG. 16. It is the figure which showed the flowchart which implement | achieves the process as 2nd Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printing system.

  The printing system 100 includes a plurality of client computers (hereinafter abbreviated as “client PCs”) 10, a server 20, and a printing apparatus 30. The plurality of client PCs 10, the server 20, and the printing apparatus 30 are set to be communicable with each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 40.

  The printing apparatus 30 includes a printing machine body 31 and a post-processing machine 32. The printer main body 31 prints an image corresponding to the received image data on a sheet. The printing machine body 31 discharges the first side (printing side) of the paper in a direction (upward or downward) according to the instruction. When printing on both sides of the paper, the printing surface with the lower page number is the first side. The post-processing machine 32 includes a folding machine 321 and a paper folding machine 322. The folding machine 321 forms a folding line on the paper printed by the printing machine main body 31 and discharged from the printing machine main body 31. The paper folding machine 322 folds the paper printed by the printing machine body 31 and discharged from the printing machine body 31. The paper folding machine 322 has not only a function of folding paper, but also a function of stapling and punching. The paper folding machine 322 can perform several simple types of paper folding, such as bi-folding, tri-folding, and Z-folding. In the printing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment, the formation of the folding line by the folding machine 321 and the paper folding by the paper folding machine 322 can be used in combination, but the paper folding that can be used together with the formation of the folding line is performed. In this embodiment, it is limited to only two folds. On the other hand, the folding machine 321 according to the present embodiment has a maximum of 5 folding lines by arbitrarily mixing a mountain folding line and a valley folding line at an arbitrary position of 1 mm unit on the sheet. Can be formed. Since the paper folding machine 322 supports only a part of the paper folding patterns, the paper on which the folding line is formed by the folding machine 321 is basically discharged through the paper folding machine 322. . The discharged paper with the crease formed is in a direction opposite to the folding direction of the crease formed on the paper, for example, by the user's hand, that is, the fold of the mountain fold is a valley fold, Valley folds are folded into mountain folds.

  Each client PC 10 creates image data for printing on paper. In printing with the printing apparatus 30, not only image data is created, but various settings relating to printing and post-processing are made. Here, a set of data including various settings for printing and post-processing in the printing apparatus 30 in addition to the image data is referred to as a “job”. When the creation of the job is completed, each client PC 10 transmits the job for printing and post-processing.

  The server 20 temporarily stores the job transmitted from each client PC 10 and sequentially transmits it to the printing apparatus 30. The function of the server 20 may be built in the printing apparatus 30.

  Each client PC 10 executes a folding line instruction program as an embodiment of the folding line instruction program of the present invention. Each client PC 10 operates as an embodiment of the folding line instruction apparatus of the present invention by executing the folding line instruction program.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating processing executed by the client PC 10. Here, an apparatus that executes this processing is referred to as a folding line instruction apparatus 200 in accordance with the present invention.

  The folding line instruction apparatus 200 includes a folding line designation unit 210, a folding line display unit 220, and a print instruction unit 230. The crease designation unit 210 and the crease display unit 220 correspond to examples of the crease designation unit and the crease display unit, respectively, according to the present invention. The print instruction unit 230 includes an example of a folding line instruction unit according to the present invention.

  A specific example will be described later, and here, the functions of the units 210 to 230 in the folding line instruction apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be generally described.

  In the crease designation unit 210, either one of the first designation method and the second designation method is selected by the user, and the crease is designated by the selected designation method. Here, the first designation method designates one fixed form from among a plurality of fixed forms in which the position of each crease with respect to the paper and the folding direction (mountain fold or valley fold) with respect to each crease are predetermined. This is the designation method. Further, in the first designation method, the orientation of the first surface of the paper is also designated when the folding direction according to one designated fixed form is used as a reference. On the other hand, the second designation method is a designation method for designating the position and the direction of folding for each folding line. In the second designation method, the orientation of the first surface of the paper ejected from the printing machine main body 31 is also designated.

  In the crease display unit 220, an image corresponding to the first designation method and the second designation method is displayed on the display screen of the client PC 10. Here, when the first designation method is selected, it is a three-dimensional image representing a shape folded according to the fixed form designated by the first designation method, and the first side of the paper is designated. A three-dimensional image directed in the directed direction is displayed. On the other hand, when the second designation method is selected, a planar image showing the position of each folding line and the folding direction for each folding line is displayed on a planar paper image.

  Further, the print instruction unit 230 transmits the completed job to the printing apparatus 30 via the server 20 in response to a user operation. The completed job includes instructions regarding the crease. Therefore, when the print instruction unit 23 transmits a job, it also transmits an instruction regarding a folding line. The instruction regarding the folding line in the present embodiment is as follows. That is, when the above three-dimensional image is displayed on the display screen of the client PC 10 in response to the designation by the first designation method, the direction of the first surface of the paper and the one designated by the first designation method are displayed. A folding line is formed in which the relationship between the folding direction according to the fixed form is opposite to the relationship between the direction of the first surface of the paper on the stereoscopic image and the folding direction on the stereoscopic image. In this way, the position of the folding line and the direction of folding of the folding line are instructed. On the other hand, when the above-described plane image is displayed on the display screen of the client PC 10 in response to the designation by the second designation method, the crease position corresponds to the crease position indicated in the plane image. As for the folding direction of the folding line, the folding direction of the folding line shown in the plane image is determined according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper discharged from the printing machine main body 31. The fold line is instructed so as to form a fold line that coincides with the direction or the opposite direction.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stereoscopic image displayed on the display screen of the client PC. In FIG. 3, a “folded” “inner print” sheet is three-dimensionally shown. This “bi-folding” is one of a plurality of fixed forms whose folding method is predetermined. When the above first designation method is selected and one of the fixed forms and either “inside printing” or “outside printing” are designated, the display screen of the client PC 10 is as illustrated in FIG. A stereoscopic image is displayed.

  In the client PC 10, a stereoscopic image pattern is stored for each of a plurality of fixed forms, and a specified fixed form and a specified "inner print" or "outer print" are selected from these patterns. The pattern (stereoscopic image) corresponding to “is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a planar image displayed on the display screen of the client PC.

  When the second designation method is selected and the crease line is designated, a planar image as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen of the client PC. This flat image is an image in which the position of each crease and the direction of fold of each crease are shown on a sheet spread on a plane showing only one side on the display screen. Here, the distance from the base point (mm) and the difference between the mountain fold (here, the alternate long and short dash line) and the valley fold (here, the dotted line) are up to 5 in the present embodiment for each fold line. It is specified. In the example shown in FIG. 4, three folding lines 1, 2, 3 are designated.

  Next, the folding line designation method according to the first designation method and the second designation method in the present embodiment will be specifically described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a job management screen displayed on the display screen of the client PC.

  In the client PC 10, an image for printing in the printing apparatus 30 is created and registered as a job. The job management screen shown in FIG. 5 is a screen showing a list of jobs registered in the client PC 10. In the example shown here, it is indicated that two jobs, a job with job ID = 001 and job name ABC, and a job with job ID = 002 and job name DEF are registered.

  Here, the user selects one job (for example, a job with job ID = 001) for which various settings are to be made this time from among the jobs displayed on the job management screen, and the job The property screen of is opened.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing a job property screen displayed on the display screen of the client PC.

  Various items such as “simple setting”, “favorite”,..., “Image quality”, “output”, “current setting” are arranged on the upper side of the job property screen. The user selects each item and sets the details of the item as necessary. The contents set here are incorporated into the currently selected job. This embodiment is characterized by post-processing, and “output” including post-processing settings is selected. Then, an item as a middle category regarding “output” is displayed on the left side of the same job property screen. Here, “basic”, “discharge”, “finishing”, “size-mixed original”, and “print position / magnification” are shown as the items of middle classification. “Basic” is an item for setting the paper size, the number of prints per page, and the like, and “Eject” is an item for specifying a paper discharge tray (not shown). Here, “finishing” (post-processing) is selected. Then, “stapling / punch / paper folding”, “folding”,..., Which are items as sub-categories relating to “finishing”, are displayed. Here, “stapling / punch / paper folding” is an item related to the paper folding machine 322. The feature of the present embodiment is not related to the paper folding machine 322 but to the folding machine 321. Here, for reference, items related to the paper folding machine 322 will be briefly described. When “stapling / punch / paper folding” is selected from the items arranged as the small category, a setting screen for “stapling”, “punch”, and “paper folding” is displayed. “Staple” is for setting a staple and “punch” is for setting a punch hole. “Paper folding” is for setting paper folding.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the “paper folding” pull-down menu shown in FIG.

  Here, names of a plurality of folding methods that can be folded by the paper folding machine 322, such as bi-fold, Z-fold, and tri-fold, are arranged. In addition, in this pull-down menu, depending on the folding method, the relationship between the folding direction and the direction of the first surface (printing surface) of the paper is specified together with the folding method. For example, “folding in two (printing on the inside)” means that the sheet is folded in half with the first surface on the inside.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a paper folding pull-down menu when setting is made for paper folding by the paper folding machine after setting the folding line by the folding machine.

  When the crease line is set, the paper folding can be set only for “two-fold”.

  Return to the job properties screen and continue the explanation.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a job property screen when “crease”, which is one of the items as the small classification, is selected.

  FIG. 9 shows a pull-down menu for the fold line in an expanded state.

  Here, for “crease”, either “no crease” or “crease” is selected. Here, it is assumed that “crease” is selected.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a job property screen including a crease designation screen displayed when “crease crease” is selected.

  When “crease” is selected as “crease”, a “fold type” and “direction” designation screen appears.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a pull-down menu of “fold type”.

  Here, the names of folding methods such as bi-folding, inner tri-folding, and outer tri-folding, which are the same as the folding method appearing in the pull-down menu relating to paper folding shown in FIG. 7, are arranged. However, unlike the case of paper folding, only the folding method is shown here. Whether the first surface (printing surface) of the sheet is set to the inner side or the outer side of the folding direction of the folding line is set by “direction” shown in FIG. The pull-down menu shown in FIG. 11 includes an item “custom”. The item other than “custom” is a name of how to fold the fixed form.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10, when “folding” is designated as the “fold type” and “inside printing” is designated as the “direction”, on the display screen of the client PC 10, FIG. The shown stereoscopic image is displayed.

  When a folding method other than “Fold Fold” is selected from the standard style consisting of items other than “Custom”, the stereoscopic image displayed on the display screen becomes a stereoscopic image corresponding to the selected folding method. When the “direction” is changed to “outside printing”, a three-dimensional image corresponding to the selected “fold type” and “outside printing” is obtained.

  The crease designation method when an item other than “custom” is selected in the “fold type” shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to an example of the first designation method according to the present invention.

  Next, a case where “custom” is selected as the “fold type” will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a job property screen when “custom” is selected as the “fold type”.

  Here, the “number of creases” is set. In this embodiment, an arbitrary value of 1 to 5 is set as the “number”. When this “number” is set, a setting screen for “how to fold” and “distance from the base point” for each of the creases of that number is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 12, since “2” is set as the “number of creases”, No. 1 and No. A setting screen of “how to fold” and “distance from the base point” is displayed for the two creases 2. In the example shown here, no. For the first crease line, “mountain fold” is designated as the “folding method” and “123.45 (mm)” is set as the “distance from the base point”. No. For the second crease, “valley fold” is designated as the “folding method”, and “154.32 (mm)” is set as the “distance from the base point”.

  On the “custom” crease designation screen, “discharge surface” is designated. In the “discharge surface”, “front surface discharge” in which the first surface (front surface) of the paper is discharged upward from the printing press main body 31 or the second surface of the paper is directed upward. “Back side discharge” to be discharged is specified.

  The surface of the paper appearing on the planar image shown in FIG. 4 is an upward surface when the paper is discharged. Therefore, the designation of “discharge surface” in FIG. 12 is whether the surface of the paper appearing on the planar image shown in FIG. 4 is the first surface (front surface) or the second surface (back surface). It is synonymous with the designation of.

  The crease designation method shown in FIG. 12 when “custom” is selected corresponds to an example of the second designation method according to the present invention.

  Information on the folding line designated in this way is incorporated into the job selected on the job management screen shown in FIG. Then, a job is transmitted when the print instruction unit 230 shown in FIG. 2 instructs printing, and information regarding the folding line incorporated in the job is transmitted together with the transmission of this job.

  Here, when the folding line is designated by the first designation method, the folding direction of the folding line associated with the job is opposite to the paper folding direction displayed on the stereoscopic image illustrated in FIG. It is. This is because the stereoscopic image illustrated in FIG. 3 is an image representing an image of a finished product after paper folding performed by a user or the like after the folding line is formed, and the folding image at the folding line stage. This is because the direction is opposite to the direction of folding the paper as a finished product.

  Therefore, when a job in which a folding line is designated by the first designation method is transmitted, the folding machine 321 has a folding line having a folding direction opposite to the paper folding on the stereoscopic image illustrated in FIG. It is formed.

  On the other hand, when the crease line is designated by the second designation method shown in FIG. 12, the fold direction associated with the job regarding the fold line folding direction (mountain fold or valley fold) is “discharge surface”. "" Differs depending on whether it is a "front" or "back". Specifically, in the present embodiment, when the “discharge surface” is “front surface”, the folding direction associated with the job is the folding direction designated by the second designation method. It is the reverse information. On the other hand, when the “discharge surface” is the “back surface”, the orientation information as specified by the second specification method is associated with the job. Therefore, when the folding line is designated by the second designation method, the folding machine 321 sets the “discharge surface” at the position on the paper corresponding to the position of the folding line shown on the planar image shown in FIG. Depending on whether the "" is specified as "front surface" or "back surface", the crease in the direction opposite to the fold direction of the crease shown on the flat image or the flat image A crease having a direction corresponding to the folding direction of the crease shown above is formed.

  FIG. 13 shows the relationship (A) between the orientation of the first side of the paper and the folding direction of the crease when “back side ejection” is designated in the “ejection side” pull-down menu shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship (B) between the orientation of the first surface of the sheet and the folding direction of the crease when “front surface discharge” is designated. Here, for the sake of easy understanding, the folding line is shown in a shape folded like a paper fold.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, in the case of “back side discharge”, the first side (printing side) P1 of the paper P faces downward. On the other hand, in the case of “front surface discharge”, as shown in FIG. 13B, the first surface (printing surface) P1 of the paper P faces upward. Here, it is assumed that the folding direction of the folding line is the same in both “back surface discharge” and “front surface discharge”. In that case, when considering the first side (printing surface) of the paper as a reference, the “back side discharge” paper is turned over and the first side (printing side) faces up, and the “front side discharge” Compared with the paper, the folding direction of the crease is reversed between the “back surface discharge” paper and the “front surface discharge” paper. For this reason, in the present embodiment, when the “discharge surface” is the “back surface”, a crease in the direction as specified in the planar image is formed as shown in FIG. In the case of the “front surface”, a crease line is formed in the direction opposite to the direction specified by the planar image as shown in FIG. In this way, when the paper of FIG. 13A is turned upside down, the folding direction of the crease when the first surface P1 of the paper P is used as a reference is “back side discharge” of FIG. 13A. This is the same as “front surface discharge” in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the folding line (A) when setting the folding line in “custom” shown in FIG. 12 and the setting information (B) of the folding line incorporated in the job.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, when setting the folding line, the distance from the base point of each folding line and the distinction between mountain folding / valley folding are designated with the left edge of the paper as the base point.

  However, the actual sheet conveyance direction is the direction of the arrow X shown in FIG. That is, the right end of the sheet is conveyed at the leading end. In the folding machine 321, the sheets are formed in order from the folding line on the front end side in the traveling direction (right side in FIG. 14B) as the paper advances. For this reason, at the time of setting, as shown in FIG. 14A, the position of each crease with the left end as the base point is replaced with each position with the right end of the paper as the base point at the stage of incorporating the crease information into the job. Incorporated above. Thereby, the printing apparatus 30 can receive information that is convenient for the operation of forming the crease.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a flowchart for realizing the processing as the first embodiment described so far.

  In the client PC 10 shown in FIG. 1, a folding line instruction program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 15 is executed. By executing the folding line instruction program, the client PC 10 performs the folding line instruction program according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Operates as a device.

  Here, first, information on the folding line designated as described above is acquired (step S101), and designation by a fixed form (designation by the first designation method) or designation by "custom" (second It is determined whether the designation method is designated (step S102). Then, in the case of designation by the standard format (designation by the first designation method), a stereoscopic image corresponding to the designation as illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed (step S103), and the folding direction of the folding line is further displayed. Is reversed and registered in the job (step S104). On the other hand, in the case of designation by “custom” (designation by the second designation method), a planar image as illustrated in FIG. 4 is displayed, and “discharge surface” is “front surface”. Or “back side” is determined (step S106). When the “discharge surface” is “front surface”, the position of the specified crease is as specified, but the folding direction is reversed and incorporated into the job (step S104). ). However, regardless of whether the “discharge surface” is the “front surface” or the “back surface”, as described with reference to FIG. Embedded in the job. When a print instruction is issued (step S107), the job is transmitted (step S108), and a crease according to the crease information incorporated in the job is formed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, only differences from the first embodiment described so far will be described.

  In the above-described first embodiment, the relationship between the orientation of the first surface of the paper and the direction of folding does not change even if the orientation of the paper at the time of ejection from the printing machine main body 31 is changed. The folding direction is reversed according to the direction. However, in the case of the second designation method, there is a user who imagines the position of the folding line and the folding direction at the folding line, keeping in mind the direction of the first surface of the paper discharged from the printing machine main body. To do. When the crease line is designated by the second designation method, the user who images in this way, the crease line in the designated direction is determined regardless of the orientation of the first surface of the paper discharged from the printing machine main body. It is expected to be faithfully formed on the paper. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the folding direction when the “discharge surface” is switched can be prohibited. In the second embodiment, in order to realize this prohibition measure, in the case of designation by “custom” (designation by the second designation method), in addition to the designation of “discharge surface” shown in FIG. Furthermore, “automatic fold reversal” is designated. That is, in this second embodiment, by specifying “No” in “Automatic fold reversal”, the folding direction of the crease displayed along with the paper on the display screen regardless of the orientation of the designated paper is set. A crease with a matching orientation is formed. On the other hand, when “automatic fold reversal” is designated as “on”, the folding of the crease displayed along with the paper on the display screen is made according to the designated paper orientation, as in the first embodiment. A crease having a direction corresponding to the direction of the crease is formed, or a crease having a direction opposite to the folding direction of the crease displayed on the display screen together with the sheet is formed.

  The features of the second embodiment will be described with specific examples.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a job property screen including a “custom” folding line designation screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 12 in the first embodiment described above.

  In the “custom” crease designation screen shown in FIG. 16, the “discharge surface” designation item shown in FIG. 12 exists, and “crease automatic reversal” that did not exist in FIG. Item exists. In this “fold line automatic reversal”, whether or not to automatically reverse the folding direction of the crease is specified. This designation by “automatic fold reversal” corresponds to an example of “switch prohibition designation” according to the present invention.

  When “Yes” is designated in this “automatic crease inversion”, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation when “no” is designated in “automatic reversal at crease” shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17A shows the first surface (printing surface) of the sheet and the crease line when “no” is specified for “automatic fold reversal” and “back surface discharge” is specified for “discharge surface”. The relationship with the direction of folding is shown. FIG. 17A is the same as FIG.

  FIG. 17B shows the folding of the first side (printing side) of the paper when “No” is specified for “Automatic fold reversal” and “Front side discharge” is specified for “Ejecting side”. The relationship with the direction of the folding of the line is shown. In FIG. 17B, unlike FIG. 13B, the folding direction of the crease is the same even though the orientation of the first surface P1 of the paper P is changed. In this way, by specifying “no” in “automatic crease inversion”, a crease line in the direction as instructed by the user is formed regardless of the orientation of the first surface of the paper. As a result, a convenient designation method is realized for the user who designates the direction of the crease with the orientation of the first surface of the paper in mind.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for realizing the processing as the second embodiment.

  In the client PC 10 shown in FIG. 1, when the folding line instruction program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 18 is executed, the client PC 10 performs folding of the folding line instruction program according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Operates as a muscle pointing device.

  In the flowchart of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 18, step S201 is added to the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Here, whether or not “automatic crease inversion” (see FIG. 16) is set to “Yes” (step S201), and “discharge surface” is “front surface” or “back surface” (step S106). ) Is determined.

  When “Automatic fold reversal” is set to “Yes” and “Eject surface” is specified as “Front surface”, the crease with the fold direction reversed Is incorporated into the job (step S104). On the other hand, if “automatic fold reversal” is set to “do not” or “discharge surface” is specified to be “back surface”, the fold direction is not reversed and the user is not reversed. Information that forms a crease in the direction as specified by is incorporated into the job.

  Here, the example in which the present invention is applied to the printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not provided with the paper folding machine 322, and a post-processing machine including only the folding machine 321 is used. It can be applied to the case where it is provided.

  In addition, here, as the folding machine, a folding machine that can form a folding line in both the folding direction of the mountain fold and the valley fold in one pass of the paper has been described as an example. For example, by providing a folding machine having only the function of mountain folding, and by providing a mechanism for turning the paper that has passed through the folding machine once and passing the folding machine once more, It is good also as a structure which implement | achieves both the folding lines of folding.

10 Client PC
20 Server 30 Printer 31 Printer Main Body 32 Post-Processing Machine 321 Folding Machine 322 Paper Folding Machine 40 LAN (Local Area Network)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printing system 200 Crease line instruction | indication apparatus 210 Crease line designation | designated part 220 Crease line display part 230 Print instruction | indication part

Claims (9)

One fixed form is designated from a plurality of fixed forms in which the position of the folding line with respect to the paper and the folding direction including the mountain fold and the valley fold with respect to the crease are predetermined, and the designated one fixed form The first designation method for designating the orientation of the first surface of the paper when the direction of the fold according to the reference is designated, the position of the crease with respect to the paper and the direction of the crease are designated for each crease, and printing is performed on the paper. And a second designation method for designating the orientation of the first side of the paper discharged from the printer main body that discharges the first side of the paper in the direction according to the instruction. A crease designating part that designates the crease according to the selected designation method by selecting one of the designation methods, and
And a post-processing device that forms a folding line in a designated direction at a designated position of the printing machine main body and a sheet ejected from the printing machine main body when designated by the first designation method. A folding device in which the relationship between the direction of folding according to one specified standard format and the direction of the first surface of the sheet is opposite to the relationship specified by the first specifying method by the printing apparatus. Instructing the position of the folding line and the direction of folding of the folding line so that the line is formed,
When receiving the designation by the second designation method, the first side of the sheet is discharged so that the sheet having the first side directed in the direction as designated by the second designation method is discharged from the printer body. In addition to instructing the orientation, a crease in the direction as specified or in the direction opposite to the specification according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of ejection is provided at the position specified by the second specification method. A folding line instructing device comprising: a folding line instructing unit for instructing a position of a folding line formed by the post-processing machine and a direction of folding of the folding line as formed by a machine.   A three-dimensional image having a shape that is folded in a designated fixed format in response to designation by the first designation method, and further, a three-dimensional image in which the first surface of the paper is directed in a designated direction is displayed on a display screen. A crease line display unit for displaying on the display screen a flat image showing the position and direction of the crease line on the planar paper image upon receiving the designation by the second designation method; The fold line indicating device according to claim 1, further comprising: The second designation method further includes a switching prohibition designation for prohibiting switching of the folding direction of the crease formed by the post-processing machine in accordance with the orientation of the first surface of the paper discharged from the printing machine main body. Is a specification method capable of performing
The folding line instructing unit receives the designation by the second designation method, and when the switching prohibition designation is made in the designation by the second designation method, the first surface is designated as designated by the second designation method. Instructing that the paper oriented in the direction of the paper is ejected from the printing machine main body, and setting a crease in the orientation as specified or in the direction opposite to the designation according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of ejection. Instead of being formed by the post-processing machine, a crease line in the specified direction is formed by the post-processing machine at the position specified by the second specification method regardless of the orientation of the first surface of the paper when discharged. 3. The folding line indicating device according to claim 1, wherein the folding line indicating apparatus is configured to indicate a position of a folding line formed by the post-processing machine and a folding direction of the folding line. The printer main body of the paper discharged from the printer main body which designates the position of the folding line and the direction of folding with respect to the paper and prints on the paper and discharges the first surface of the paper in the direction according to the instruction. A crease designating part for designating the orientation of the first surface when discharging from,
In response to the designation by the folding line designating unit, the direction of the first side of the paper is instructed so that the paper with the first side facing the designated direction is discharged from the main body of the printing machine, and the printing machine main body According to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of discharge by the post-processing machine that forms the folding line in the designated direction at the designated position of the paper discharged from the paper, at the position specified by the folding line designation unit In addition, a folding line instructing unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing device and the folding direction of the folding line so that a folding line in the direction as specified or opposite to the specified direction is formed. A fold line indicating device comprising: The crease designation unit further includes a switch prohibition designation for prohibiting switching of the direction of folding of the crease formed by the post-processing machine according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper discharged from the printing press main body. A fold line designation portion that can be performed,
The folding line instructing unit instructs that the sheet having the first surface directed in the designated direction is discharged from the printing machine body when the switching prohibition is designated in the designation by the folding line designating unit. At the same time, instead of having the post-processing machine form a folding line in the direction opposite to the designated direction according to the orientation of the first side of the paper at the time of ejection, or on the first side of the paper at the time of ejection, The position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the direction of folding of the folding line are instructed so that the folding line of the specified direction is formed by the post-processing machine regardless of the orientation. The folding line instruction | indication apparatus of Claim 4. Executed in a device having a calculation unit for executing a program,
One fixed form is designated from a plurality of fixed forms in which the position of the folding line with respect to the paper and the folding direction including the mountain fold and the valley fold with respect to the crease are predetermined, and the designated one fixed form The first designation method for designating the orientation of the first surface of the paper when the direction of the fold according to the reference is designated, the position of the crease with respect to the paper and the direction of the crease are designated for each crease, and printing is performed on the paper. And a second designation method for designating the orientation of the first side of the paper discharged from the printer main body that discharges the first side of the paper in the direction according to the instruction. A crease designating part that designates the crease according to the selected designation method by selecting one of the designation methods, and
And a post-processing device that forms a folding line in a designated direction at a designated position of the printing machine main body and a sheet ejected from the printing machine main body when designated by the first designation method. A folding device in which the relationship between the direction of folding according to one specified standard format and the direction of the first surface of the sheet is opposite to the relationship specified by the first specifying method by the printing apparatus. Instructing the position of the folding line and the direction of folding of the folding line so that the line is formed,
When receiving the designation by the second designation method, the first side of the sheet is discharged so that the sheet having the first side directed in the direction as designated by the second designation method is discharged from the printer body. In addition to instructing the orientation, a crease in the direction as specified or in the direction opposite to the specification according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of ejection is provided at the position specified by the second specification method. The folding machine is operated as a folding line instructing device having a folding line indicating unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the direction of folding of the folding line. Muscle instruction program. Executed in a device having a calculation unit for executing a program,
The printer main body of the paper discharged from the printer main body which designates the position of the folding line and the direction of folding with respect to the paper and prints on the paper and discharges the first surface of the paper in the direction according to the instruction. A crease designating part for designating the orientation of the first surface when discharging from,
In response to the designation by the folding line designating unit, the direction of the first side of the paper is instructed so that the paper with the first side facing the designated direction is discharged from the main body of the printing machine, and the printing machine main body The specified orientation according to the orientation of the first side of the paper when it is ejected to the designated position by the post-processing machine that forms the folding line in the designated orientation at the designated position of the paper ejected from the paper Alternatively, as a folding line instructing device having a folding line instructing unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the folding direction of the folding line so that a folding line in the direction opposite to the designation is formed. A folding line instruction program characterized by being operated. A printer body that prints on a sheet of paper and discharges the first side of the sheet in a direction according to an instruction, and a mountain fold and a valley fold at a designated position of the sheet discharged from the printer body A printing apparatus comprising a post-processing machine that forms a crease in the direction indicated from the inside, and
One fixed form is designated from a plurality of fixed forms in which the position of the folding line with respect to the paper and the folding direction with respect to the folded line are determined in advance, and the folding direction according to the designated one fixed form is used as a reference. A first designation method for designating the orientation of the first surface of the paper, and the position and direction of the crease with respect to the paper are designated for each crease, and the paper at the time of ejection from the printer main body is designated. A crease designation unit for designating a crease according to a designation method selected by selecting either one of the second designation methods for designating the orientation of the first surface;
When the designation by the first designation method is received, the relationship between the direction of folding and the direction of the first surface of the sheet according to one designated format is designated by the printing apparatus. Instructing the position of the folding line and the direction of folding of the folding line so that the folding line is formed in the opposite direction to the relationship specified by the method,
When receiving the designation by the second designation method, the first side of the sheet is discharged so that the sheet having the first side directed in the direction as designated by the second designation method is discharged from the printer body. In addition to instructing the orientation, a crease in the direction as specified or in the direction opposite to the specification according to the orientation of the first surface of the paper at the time of ejection is provided at the position specified by the second specification method. And a folding line instructing device having a folding line indicating unit for instructing the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing machine and the direction of folding of the folding line. system. A printer body that prints on a sheet of paper and discharges the first side of the sheet in a direction according to an instruction, and a mountain fold and a valley fold at a designated position of the sheet discharged from the printer body A printing apparatus comprising a post-processing machine that forms a crease in the direction indicated from the inside, and
A folding line designating unit for designating the position and folding direction of the folding line relative to the paper, and for designating the orientation of the first surface of the paper when ejected from the printer body;
In response to the designation by the folding line designating unit, the direction of the first side of the paper is instructed so that the paper with the first side facing the designated direction is discharged from the main body of the printing machine, and the printing machine main body The specified orientation according to the orientation of the first side of the paper when it is ejected to the designated position by the post-processing machine that forms the folding line in the designated orientation at the designated position of the paper ejected from the paper Alternatively, a folding line indicating device having a folding line indicating unit that indicates the position of the folding line formed by the post-processing device and the folding direction of the folding line so that a folding line in the direction opposite to the designation is formed. A printing system characterized by comprising.

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