JP2020192698A - Data processor, printer, and data processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a data processor (printing processing apparatus), a printer, and a data processing program, with which the burden is reduced in setting printing conditions of layer printing.SOLUTION: A data processor 100 to be used when carrying out layer printing for laminating two or more printed layers on a medium includes: a data conversion part 127 which converts print image data to another format; a grouping processing part 117 which, when receiving a grouping request of a printing job of plural layers, groups the printing job of the layers instructed by the request, and automatically sets printing conditions required for the layer printing, with regard to at least one printing job subjected to grouping; and a job control command generation part 125 which, when receiving a printing request for a grouped printing job, generates and outputs a job control command for each of the grouped printing jobs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention can be used in combination with a data processing device (for example, a data processing device used when performing layer printing on media with an inkjet printer or the like) and a printing device (for example, the above-mentioned data processing device). , A printing device capable of performing layer printing on media), and a data processing program and the like.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes an inkjet printer capable of so-called "layer printing (sometimes referred to as layer printing)" in which two or more ink layers are laminated.

By layer printing, for example, it is possible to provide a white ink layer as a base layer under the process color ink layer. In this case, since the white ink layer, which is the base layer, blocks the incident light transmitted through the process color ink layer, it is clear even when the light blocking effect of the medium (printing medium, recording medium) is low, for example. It is possible to form a color image with various color tones.

Further, in Patent Document 2, when the color ink layer is laminated on the base layer of the white ink, the pattern data of the white ink layer which is the base layer is automatically generated based on the pattern data of the color ink layer. A technology that reduces the burden on the user by eliminating the need to create the data of the base layer independently is disclosed.

JP-A-2018-89941 JP-A-2010-208339

When performing layer printing, it is necessary to set printing conditions individually for each layer. For example, in recent years, a highly convenient service for layer printing an image captured by a mobile terminal with a camera function has been provided, but the workers of the store that implements the service are familiar with layer printing. If this is not the case, it is possible that the print settings for each layer may be forgotten, or the settings may be incorrect. In addition, it is necessary to set printing conditions for each layer, which increases the burden on the user.

In Patent Document 2 above, the trouble of individually creating the pattern data of the underlying white ink layer is omitted, but the printing conditions of each layer of the white ink layer and the color ink layer must be set individually. Is the same as before.

One object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device (printing processing device), a printing device, and a data processing program that can reduce the burden of setting printing conditions for layer printing.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the embodiments and best embodiments illustrated below, as well as the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, in order to easily understand the outline of the present invention, embodiments according to the present invention will be illustrated.

One aspect of the present invention is a data processing device used when performing layer printing in which two or more printing layers are laminated on a medium, and includes a data conversion unit that converts printed image data into another format, and a plurality of data conversion units. When a request for grouping print jobs for layers is received, the print jobs for the layers specified by the request are grouped, and the print conditions required for the layer print are automatically set for at least one of the grouped print jobs. It has a grouping processing unit for printing, and a job control command generation unit that generates and outputs a job control command for each grouped print job when a print request for the grouped print job is received. ..

According to this aspect, when performing layer printing, the user only needs to perform grouping processing of print jobs of a plurality of layers, for example. In other words, upon receiving the grouping request, the data processing apparatus groups the print jobs of each layer and automatically sets the print conditions for at least one of the grouped print jobs. Therefore, it is not necessary to set conditions for each layer, and the burden associated with setting conditions for the user is reduced. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the print settings of each layer are forgotten or incorrect settings are made.

One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the embodiments according to the invention exemplified may be further modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

FIG. 1A shows a connection between a data processing device using a RIP program (RIP software) that is used for layer printing and has a job management function, and a printing device with a layer printing function (here, an inkjet printer is assumed). FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system for performing layer printing on media, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of displaying a job list using a GUI. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of an inkjet printer capable of layer printing, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a main configuration example for printing, and FIG. 2C is a diagram. , Is a diagram showing an example of a crop mark printed on a medium. FIG. 3 (A) is a diagram showing an example of printing conditions (setting items) to be set for each of the two print jobs when performing two-layer printing, and FIGS. 3 (B) and 3 (C) are shown. , Is a diagram for explaining the work contents of grouping, printing, and job storage in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration (functional block configuration) of a data processing device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a job control command generated by the data processing apparatus for performing layer printing. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure when layer printing is performed. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a main processing procedure of the data processing apparatus.

The best embodiments described below have been used to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art should note that the present invention is not unreasonably limited by the embodiments described below.

1 (A) and 1 (A) are a data processing device using a RIP program (RIP software) which is used for layer printing and has a job management function, and a printing device having a layer printing function (here, an inkjet printer). 1 (B) is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system that prints layers on media by connecting to (assuming), and FIG. 1 (B) is a diagram showing an example of displaying a job list using a GUI.

As an example, the system used for layer printing in FIG. 1A includes two folders 42 and 44, a host computer 10 connected to the folders 42 and 44, a liquid crystal display connected to the host computer 10, and the like. A printing device (here, an inkjet printer) capable of performing layer printing by being connected to a display unit 20, a keyboard 32 and a mouse 34 as an operation unit (input unit), and a host computer 10 via a communication line L1. ) 50 and.

The host computer 10 operates according to the loaded software (data processing program for layer printing: for example, RIP software), so that the data processing device for layer printing (indicated with reference numeral 100) Functions as. The RIP software can be broadly referred to as a data processing program.

The data processing device (print processing device) 100 is, for example, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit (in a broad sense, data conversion for converting printed image data into another format) that converts a vector image into a bitmap image (raster image). Part: Reference numeral 127) of FIG.

The data processing device 100 may be referred to as a RIP device, a RIP server, or the like (details will be described later).

The data processing device 100 can handle, for example, a plurality of print data (including digital data in EPS format, digital data in raster format, and digital data in native format). The user of the print processing apparatus 10 inputs one or more digital data in EPS format into the two folders 42 and 44, and uses the operation unit 32 (keyboard and mouse) to digitalize the EPS format in folder units. Printing conditions and the like can be set for each of the data.

The display unit 20 may display a screen for inputting information such as the model of the device to be used. The user can also display various job lists on the display unit 20 and assign priorities to proceed with the process.

Further, as the communication line (communication means) L1, a wired communication means such as LAN, BUS, or USB can be used, but the type is not limited. The communication means may be a wireless communication means. In addition, short-range wireless communication (optical communication) using infrared rays or the like can also be used.

Next, refer to FIG. 1 (B). As shown in FIG. 1B, the print jobs for the EPS format digital data in which the print conditions are set, which are stored in the folders A and B, are displayed as a print job list for each folder 20. Is displayed in. In the example of FIG. 1 (B), as jobs 1 and 2, Press 1. eps (created on April 30, 2019), Press2. eps (creation date is 2019/04/30) is displayed.

For example, the user inputs one or more digital data in EPS format into the two folders 42 and 44 shown in FIG. 1 (A), and uses the keyboard 32 and the mouse 32 as operation units in folder units. Then, printing conditions can be set for each of the EPS format digital data. The setting of printing conditions (including grouping processing) will be described later.

The term "print job" is ambiguous, but in principle, it may be interpreted in a broad sense as a unit of work (print processing) to be processed by a computer, a processing unit, and individual processing. It is also possible to interpret it individually in a narrow sense.

Next, refer to FIG. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of an inkjet printer capable of layer printing, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a main configuration example for printing, and FIG. 2C is a diagram. , Is a diagram showing an example of a crop mark printed on a medium.

The inkjet printer 50 capable of layer printing is an ink-type large-sized printer capable of generating the media 200 as a printed matter, for example, a large-sized signboard, a poster, or the like by applying ink on the media 200. Here, the media 200 is, for example, a flat plate-shaped or roll-shaped medium, and the material of the media may be paper such as plain paper, or resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyester. It may be a metal such as an aluminum material or an iron material, and may be composed of various other materials.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the inkjet printer 50 outputs printing ink and can typically move on the guide rail in the main scanning direction (horizontal or horizontal). It has a print head 58, an ink cartridge 54 for storing ink supplied to the print head 58, and an operation panel 52 as an operation unit that can be operated by a user. The operation panel 52 is provided with operation buttons such as a power button and a setting button, an operation switch, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the ink cartridge 54 stores color ink for forming a color image in the media 200, for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). It has ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, 54K, and 54W for storing black (K) and white (W) inks. Inks of each color of CMYK can be used for color image formation. The white (W) ink can be used, for example, to form a base layer in the case of layer printing (printing in which two or more printing layers are overlapped).

An ink cartridge for silver ink (metallic ink) may be provided in place of or in addition to the ink cartridge 54W.

Further, the ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y and 54K for color ink may further include, for example, an ink cartridge for light cyan (not shown) and an ink cartridge for, for example, light magenta (not shown). In other words, the color ink is not limited to the common four-color cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, for example, six-color ink, seven-color ink, three-color ink, and the like. It may be composed of inks having a number of colors other than four colors.

The white ink typically contains a pigment that is titanium oxide, and the pigment is typically an ink dispersed in a solvent with a dispersant, and is a UV ink further containing a UV curing agent. May be good. In addition to titanium oxide, the white ink pigment may be composed of other white pigments such as zinc oxide, zinc sulfide, antimony oxide, and zirconium oxide. For example, by printing white ink on the medium 200 on the base of a color image (color ink), a printed matter having better quality or color reproduction can be obtained.

The silver ink (metallic ink) is an ink that typically contains a pigment that is an aluminum powder, and the pigment is typically dispersed in a solvent with a dispersant, and UV that further contains a UV curing agent. It may be ink. The pigment of the silver ink is not limited to the aluminum powder, and may be composed of other silver pigments or metallic pigments. For example, by printing a combination of color ink and silver ink on the medium 200, a printed matter having a more metallic color can be obtained.

In the example of FIG. 2B, the printhead 58 has printheads 58C, 58M, 58Y, 58K and 58W corresponding to the ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, 54K and 54W, respectively. Further, an ink tube 56 is provided between the ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, 54K and 54W and the print heads 58C, 58M, 58Y, 58K and 58W, and the print head 58 has a desired ink or color. Can be output.

In the example of FIG. 2B, the inkjet printer 50 further includes a processing unit 62, a storage unit 64, and a communication unit 66, and controls print heads 58 (58C, 58M, 58Y, 58K, and 58W) based on print data. can do. The processing unit 62, the storage unit 64, and the communication unit 66 are composed of, for example, a microcomputer or a microcontroller, and may include, for example, a CPU (or MPU or MCU), a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, and the like. For example, the ROM stores a program that causes the CPU to execute a predetermined operation, and the RAM can form a work area of the CPU. The processing unit 62, the storage unit 64, and the communication unit 66 may be composed of an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like.

Although not shown, the inkjet printer 50 conveys the media 200 in the sub-scanning direction (the direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (front-back direction), which may be referred to as the media conveying direction) (the media conveying mechanism). For example, it includes a transport roller and a drive system including a motor for driving the roller). By rotating the roller forward, the media 200 can be sent out to the front (positive sub-scanning direction) of the main body of the inkjet printer 50, and by rotating the roller in the reverse direction, the media 200 is pulled back to a predetermined reference position. be able to.

For example, in the case of two-layer printing, when the printing of the first layer image as the base layer is completed, the media 200 is pulled back to the printing start position of the first layer image, and then the second layer image is printed. Print. If the media 200 is not pulled back after the printing of the image of the first layer is completed, the images of the first layer and the image of the second layer cannot be superimposed, and the layer printing cannot be performed.

Therefore, as a printing condition of the image of the first layer, it is necessary to always set that the media is pulled back after the printing is completed. On the other hand, regarding the printing of the second layer image, it is not necessary to set the condition for pulling back the media 200 after the printing is completed. Conventionally, such print settings have been manually set individually for each layer (each layer), but in the present embodiment, these settings are automated in order to reduce the burden of setting print conditions by the user. (Details will be described later).

When performing the above two-layer printing, the image patterns of the first layer and the second layer are basically the same, but the size of the image of the first layer is 2 in consideration of the misalignment at the time of printing. It is preferable to set the size of the layer image slightly larger (for example, about 0.5 mm). The setting of the margin of the first layer image can also be included in the setting of the printing conditions.

Further, the inkjet printer 50 may be configured by a printer with a cutting head further provided with a cutting head.

In layer printing, it is possible to realize more accurate image superposition by using the crop mark used for position correction in cutting processing and the like. An example of a crop mark formed on the media 200 is shown in FIG. 2 (C).

In the example of FIG. 2C, a rectangular print image area (which may be a printable area: indicated by a broken line in the figure) 74 set on the media 200 is circular at the four corners (outside the four corners). Cropmarks G1a to G1d and a rectangular crop mark M are formed (printed). The circular crop marks G1a to G1d are used, for example, to detect the position of the printed image area and correct the position of the print head accordingly. Further, the rectangular crop mark M is used, for example, to detect a rotation deviation of the media 200 and to incline and print a printed image so as to correct the rotation deviation.

When performing the above two-layer printing, it is necessary to add a condition of printing a crop mark as a printing condition of the first layer image, and a crop mark as a printing condition of the second layer image. It is necessary to add a printing condition that position correction etc. is performed using. In the embodiment of the present invention, such additional printing conditions can be set automatically, for example (details will be described later).

Further, it is possible to set a natural drying time of a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) after printing the image of each layer. In this case, it is necessary to add a condition that a natural drying time is provided as a printing condition for each layer, and to specify the time required for natural drying at any time. According to the present embodiment, these settings can also be made automatically, for example. It is also possible to automatically set the printing conditions even when drying by UV irradiation.

Next, refer to FIG. FIG. 3 (A) is a diagram showing an example of printing conditions (setting items) to be set for each of the two print jobs when performing two-layer printing, and FIGS. 3 (B) and 3 (C) are shown. , Is a diagram for explaining the work contents of grouping, printing, and job storage in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the example of FIG. 3A, layer printing (in other words, overlapping or superimposing) of laminating (in other words, superimposing or superimposing) the image La2 of the second layer (upper layer) having the same shape on the image La1 of the first layer (lower layer) ( Overprinting) shall be carried out.

The print job related to the printing of the first layer (first print job: referred to as job 1) has a print mode of "print only white (in other words, print with a special color ink other than CMYK: special color print)". In addition, as attached information (attribute information), it is necessary to add a crop mark and pull back the media after printing.

Further, the use of the crop mark in the printing process has not been conventionally performed (conventionally, the crop mark has been used only for the cutting process), and in the example of FIG. 3A, the crop mark has been conventionally used in the printing process. As a means for realizing superimposition of images with high accuracy, print position correction using crop marks (correction for media rotation can be included) is newly adopted. According to the study of the present inventor, the cause of the misalignment of printing is due to mechanical factors, shrinkage or deformation of the media, etc. when the media (paper, film, etc.) is pulled back by the printing apparatus 50. Therefore, the media cannot be completely restored to a reference position (predetermined position) such as the origin position. Therefore, it has been clarified by the study of the present inventor that it is preferable to perform position correction using the crop mark when printing with higher accuracy.

Further, the print job related to the printing of the second layer (second print job: referred to as job 2) has a print mode of CMYK printing (in other words, color printing), and crop marks are used as attached information (attribute information). It is necessary to set to perform position correction by.

According to the conventional method, it is necessary for the user to manually set the conditions for each of the jobs 1 and 2. For example, on the job setting screen of the display device, it is necessary to perform a setting process of selecting (checking, etc.) an item corresponding to the condition.

At this time, for example, the user is required to pull back the print media for the job 1 and to set it reliably while being aware that the job 2 is unnecessary, which is a burden on the user. When using the crop mark, the condition (printing condition or print item) that the crop mark is printed is set in the job 1, and the print position is corrected by the crop mark in the job 2 after the printing is completed. It is necessary to set the condition (printing condition or print item) to be performed, and if both conditions are not set reliably, the position correction cannot be performed, which is also a burden on the user.

As described above, it may be necessary to further set the natural drying time and the type of drying (natural drying, UV drying type setting, etc.). As the number of print conditions (setting items) to be input increases, the user is constantly forced to be tense in order to input accurately, and the setting burden increases.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of print jobs are grouped, the grouped jobs are associated and managed, and the print conditions (setting items) to be set for each job are set on the RIP software side. Perform processing such as setting automatically with. The following will be described in order.

See FIG. 3 (B). In step B-1, jobs 1 and 2 are generated and displayed on the job list screen (see FIG. 1 (B)). In step B-2, the user left-clicks, for example, the mouse 34 (see FIG. 1 (A)) to give the names Jobs 1 and 2 (“Press1.eps” and “Press2.eps, respectively”). The dates saved in the folder are both "April 30, 2019").

In step B-3, the user performs a process (grouping) for grouping jobs 1 and 2. For example, when the user right-clicks the mouse 34 and selects "grouping process" from the pull-down menu or the like displayed on the display unit 20 (see FIG. 1A), jobs 1 and 2 are grouped. Be related to each other.

Here, this grouping causes a factor to generate a layer printing instruction (layer printing request) in which job 1 is regarded as printing of a lower layer image and job 2 is regarded as printing of an upper layer image (however, it is not limited to this). However, it is free to give meaning to this grouping to generate other demands, and various applications are possible).

When the grouping process is executed by the user, the data processing device 100 using the RIP software refers to, for example, a layer attribute information file (reference numeral 124 in FIG. 4: described later), as shown in FIG. 3 (A). , The print conditions required for jobs 1 and 2 are searched (searched), and the print conditions are automatically assigned to each job. As a result, the same effect as if the user manually checked the necessary setting items of jobs 1 and 2 can be automatically obtained. Therefore, the burden on the user is reduced.

As a result of this grouping, for example, "G" is written at the beginning of each name of jobs 1 and 2 on the display screen of the display unit 20, and it can be seen at a glance that jobs 1 and 2 are grouped. Will be.

In step B-4, for example, when the cursor is placed on each job, the automatically set conditions (setting items) are displayed in a pop-up menu format, for example. As a result, the user can appropriately confirm whether or not the condition settings are incorrect.

In step B-5, for example, the print button is clicked. The data processing device 100 by the RIP software executes the RIP processing (rasterization) on the printed image data, and then includes or associates the image data after the RIP processing with the job control commands (job control commands) for the jobs 1 and 2. (Sometimes referred to simply as a print job) is generated and transmitted to the printing device (inverter printer) 50. As a result, jobs 1 and 2 are sequentially executed on the printing apparatus 50 side, and layer printing under desired conditions is performed. Since it is only necessary to press the print button after the grouping process, the print process can be simplified.

In step B-6, the grouped jobs (group jobs) can be saved. For example, after entering a name in the name assignment field G3, the group job is saved by clicking the save button G2 with a name. By saving the group job, the saved group job can be recalled and reused later, and it is not necessary to set the item of each job, which further improves the convenience.

In addition, when saving a group job, the data processing device 100 may automatically set a "conditional name: for example, Gr1 layer (white, CMYK, with crop)" so that the setting conditions can be understood. it can.

This saves the user the trouble of entering the name to be used for saving, and since the set conditions can be seen at a glance, even when the group job is reused later, it can be used incorrectly. The effect of prevention is enhanced.

Next, refer to FIG. 3 (C). In the example of FIG. 3C, when the user right-clicks the mouse 34 to perform grouping processing, the data processing device 100 automatically satisfies only the printing condition of "pulling back the media after printing", which is an essential item. (Procedure B-3-1).

In step B-3-2, a screen for collectively setting (selecting) optional setting items (printing conditions that can be freely selected by the user) for jobs 1 and 2 is displayed on the display unit 20, and the user can select them. Items can be selected as appropriate. In the illustrated example, "white" is selected as the print color of job 1, and "print of crop mark" is selected. Further, for job 2, "with position correction by crop mark" is selected.

Conventionally, the item settings of job 1 and job 2 must be set separately, but in this embodiment, the conditions can be set collectively on one screen for jobs 1 and 2, which is a burden on the user. It can be mitigated.

Next, refer to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration (functional block configuration) of a data processing device. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the above drawings.

The data processing device 100 receives and processes the data interface 102 used for inputting the original image data to be printed and the input information (various requests, control data, etc.) from the operation units 32 and 34 (OS, etc.). Data storage unit 106 (management unit that implements access control, etc.) included in the spooler (a mechanism for temporarily storing data for sequentially processing print processing requests) 104 (a type of auxiliary software that supplements functions) 104 Communication processing between the control unit 108 (including 107), the data conversion unit (RIP unit: for example, having a function of performing rasterization processing) 127, the GUI (graphical user interface) 130, and the inkjet printer 50 which is a printing device. It has a communication management unit (TCP / IP) 140 that manages the data.

The control unit 108 has a job management unit (job manager) 109 that manages print jobs. The job management unit (job manager) 109 has a function as an input / output interface of a job information reception unit 111 that accepts a job, a grouping request determination unit 113 that determines the presence or absence of a grouping request, and a memory unit 119. It has a job information setting unit 115 that accesses the memory unit 119 and sets (writes) job information to a predetermined address, a grouping processing unit 117, a memory unit 119, and a job control command generation unit 125.

The memory unit 119 stores (stores, stores), for example, a job queue 121, a definition file (for example, a data file in which job definition information, queue setting information, etc. are recorded) 123, and a layer attribute information file 124. ing.

The data processing device 100 is used when performing layer printing (overlapping printing) in which two or more printing layers (a concept including a toner layer as well as an ink layer) are laminated on the media 200. As shown above, when a data conversion unit (RIP unit: having a function of performing rasterization processing, for example) 127 for converting print image data into another format and a request for grouping print jobs of a plurality of layers are received, the request indicates. The print jobs of the layers to be printed are grouped, and the process of automatically setting the print conditions required for layer printing for at least one of the grouped print jobs is performed (see step B-3 of FIG. 3B). When a print request is received from the grouping processing unit 117 and the grouped print jobs, a process of generating and outputting a job control command for realizing each grouped print job ((FIG. 3B). It has a job control command generation unit 125 for executing the procedure B-5 of the above.

Further, the grouping processing unit 117 prints each of at least two grouped print jobs via the GUI (graphical user interface) 130 when there are print conditions that can be arbitrarily set by the user. It is possible to carry out a process of displaying a comprehensive print condition setting screen in which job print conditions can be set collectively (see steps B-3-1 and B-3-2 in FIG. 3C). .. Since arbitrary print conditions can be set collectively on one screen over a plurality of jobs, the burden on the user can be reduced in this respect as well.

Further, when the grouping processing unit 117 is formed by laminating the upper print layer on the lower print layer, the grouping processing unit 117 pulls the media back to a predetermined position in the print job for the lower print layer when the printing is completed. It is said that the print condition of 1 is automatically set, or in addition to the first print condition, the crop mark that serves as a mark when at least one of the correction of the print position and the correction of the rotation of the media is performed is printed. The second condition is also automatically set, or in addition to the first condition, the second printing condition and the drying condition when the drying process is performed after printing (for example, the drying time when the natural drying is performed) are specified. ) Is automatically set for at least one of the third print conditions, the first print condition is not set for the print job for the upper layer print layer, and the second condition is set for the print job for the lower layer print layer. When set, the fourth condition of reading the printed crop mark and making a predetermined correction is automatically set, and when it is necessary to set the third print condition, the third print condition is also set. A process of automatically setting (see, for example, FIG. 3A for an example of condition setting) may be performed.

Further, as described above, the memory unit 119 inside the control unit 108 stores (stores) the layer attribute information file 124 in which the print conditions that can be set for each layer when performing layer printing are described. There is. For example, a combination of jobs that can be grouped at the time of layer printing is assumed in advance, items (printing conditions) that need to be set are examined for each job of each postponement, and a file is created as attached information. is there.

When the grouping processing unit 117 receives a grouping request for printing jobs of a plurality of layers, the grouping processing unit 117 determines that the printing jobs of the plurality of layers are jobs for layer printing (thus, it is necessary to separately instruct layer printing). No), the layer attribute information file 124 is searched, and the essential print conditions found by the search are automatically assigned to the print job of each layer (steps B-1 and 3 (C) of FIG. 3 (B)). Procedure B-3-1) may be carried out.

Further, when the grouping processing unit 117 receives the job saving request, the grouping processing unit 117 saves the job contents of each layer including the automatically set print information as one group job via the job information setting unit 115 (FIG. 3). (See step B-6 of (B)) may be carried out. At this time, as described above, it is also possible to automatically generate the names of the grouped jobs (group jobs) to be saved (preferably, automatically generate the names so that the setting conditions can be understood). By registering a group job, it is possible to quickly perform layer printing simply by reading (calling) this group job later, which also saves the user's trouble.

Further, the inkjet printer 50 as a printing device is used in combination with the data processing device 100, receives a job control command from the data processing device 100, decodes it, and prints layers on the media 200. It is a printing device that can be implemented. A new layer printing system is constructed by combining the data processing device 100 and the printing device 50.

Further, the data processing device 100 operates a computer (for example, the host computer 10 in FIG. 1) by RIP software (or software having a job grouping function and a layer printing function similar to or similar to the computer). It can be constructed by generating functional blocks. This makes it possible to easily construct the data processing device 100 with a simple configuration.

Next, refer to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a job control command for performing layer printing, which is generated by a data processing device (specifically, a job control command generation unit 125).

As shown in the figure, the job control command (print job) for job 1 includes printing a crop mark, a command for pulling the media back to the print start position after printing is completed, print data, and a print end command. And are included. The print data may be transmitted separately from the control command (job) (however, they are associated with each other).

The job control command (print job) for the job 2 includes a command for instructing to read the crop mark and correct the printing position, print data, and a print end command.

Next, refer to FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure when layer printing is performed. First, the user submits a plurality of jobs (procedure 1), and the control unit 108 returns a response to the jobs. Next, the user issues a request for grouping a plurality of jobs (step 2).

The control unit 108 performs a grouping process (procedure 3), and then assigns a control command (for example, a command for instructing the pullback of the media and the addition of the crop mark) to the job of the first layer (procedure 4). Subsequently, a control command (for example, a command for reading the crop mark and performing position correction) is given to the job in the second layer (procedure 5), and when the process is completed, a response is returned to the user.

When the user instructs to start printing the grouped jobs (procedure 6), the control unit 108 sends the first layer print job (job control command) to the printing device 50 (procedure 7). The printing apparatus 50 performs each process of printing the crop mark (procedure 8), printing the image portion (procedure 9), and pulling back the media (procedure 10). The control unit 108 returns a response to the control unit 108 after the processing is completed.

Next, the control unit 108 transmits the second layer print job (job control command) to the printing device 50 (procedure 11). The printing device 50 reads the crop mark (procedure 12), corrects the data of the image portion (for example, corrects the position of the image portion in the coordinate system corresponding to the media 200, and corrects the corrected image. The print timing is controlled based on the data: step 13), and then the image portion is printed (step 14). After the processing is completed, the control unit 108 returns a response to the control unit 108, and in response to this, the control unit 108 returns a response to the user.

Next, refer to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a main processing procedure of the data processing apparatus.

When the control unit 108 (specifically, the job management unit 109) of the data processing device 100 receives the job information (step S1), it determines whether or not there is a grouping request (step S2). In the case of Y, information indicating that a grouping request has been made is set, for example, as job definition information in the definition file (step S3). If it is N in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4, and normal job management is performed.

In step S5, job grouping processing is performed. For example, change the definition file, etc. due to grouping (including automatic setting of attached information for each job included in the group), and change the job list display. Then, the process shifts to job management in consideration of the group (step S6).

In step S7, it is determined whether or not there is a print request. In the case of N, the process returns to, for example, step S1. In the case of Y, the process proceeds to step S8, and conversion of the print data format (rasterization: RIP processing) is performed.

In step S9, a job control command (for example, a print control command and print data after RIP processing) is automatically generated. Subsequently, the transmission process of the generated job control command (print job) is executed (step S10).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when setting the printing conditions for layer printing.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the layer printing of two layers of printing is described as an example, but the layer printing of three or more layers (for example, white is printed on the base, the color ink layer is printed on the upper layer, and the top layer is printed. The present invention is also applicable to cases such as printing a top coat layer). It can also be applied to a printing system in which a data processing device and a printing device (printer) are connected and constructed via the Internet or the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art will be able to easily modify the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments to the extent included in the claims. ..

42, 44 ... Folder, 10 ... Computer (host computer), 20 ... Display unit (LCD display device, etc.), 32 ... Keyboard (operation unit or input unit), 34 ... Mouse ( Operation unit or input unit), 50 ... printing device (inkprint printer, etc.), 100 ... data processing device (printing processing device, RIP device), 105 ... spooler, 106 ... data storage unit, 107 ... Management unit, 108 ... Control unit (control unit that comprehensively controls data processing), 109 ... Job management department (job manager), 111 ... Job information reception unit, 113 ... Grouping request judgment unit, 115 ... Job information setting unit, 117 ... Grouping processing unit, 119 ... Memory unit, 121 ... Job queue, 123 ... Definition file (Job configuration definition file, Job environment definition file, etc.), 124 ... Layer attribute information file (layer attachment information file), 125 ... Job control command, 127 ... Data conversion unit (RIP unit, rasterization unit), 130 ... GUI , 140 ... Communication management unit, L1 ... Communication line (including wireless communication, infrared communication, etc.).

Claims (7)

A data processing device used for layer printing in which two or more printing layers are laminated on media.
A data conversion unit that converts printed image data to other formats,
When a grouping request for printing jobs of multiple layers is received, the printing jobs of the layers specified by the request are grouped, and the printing conditions required for the layer printing are automatically set for at least one of the grouped printing jobs. Grouping processing unit to be set and
Upon receiving a print request for the grouped print jobs, a job control command generator that generates and outputs a job control command for each grouped print job, and a job control command generator.
Data processing device with. The grouping processing unit
If there are print conditions that can be set by the user for each of at least two grouped print jobs, the print conditions for each print job can be set collectively via the GUI (graphical user interface). The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, which displays a comprehensive print condition setting screen. The grouping processing unit
When the upper print layer is laminated on the lower print layer, the print job for the lower print layer may be performed.
When printing is completed, the first printing condition of pulling the media back to a predetermined position is automatically set.
Or
In addition to the first printing condition, a second condition of printing a crop mark as a mark when at least one of the correction of the print position and the correction of the rotation of the medium is performed is automatically set.
Or
In addition to the first condition, at least one of the second printing condition and the drying condition when the drying process is performed after printing is automatically set.
For the print job for the upper print layer,
The first printing condition is not set,
When the second condition is set in the print job of the lower print layer, the fourth condition of reading the printed crop mark and performing a predetermined correction is automatically set, and the third print is performed. When it is necessary to set the conditions, the third print condition is also automatically set.
The data processing device according to claim 1. It has a layer attribute information file that describes the print conditions that can be set for each layer when performing layer printing.
The grouping processing unit
When a request for grouping a print job of a plurality of layers is received, it is determined that the print job of the plurality of layers is a job for layer printing, and the job is determined.
The data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which searches the layer attribute information file and automatically assigns essential print conditions found by the search to a print job of each layer. The grouping processing unit
The data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which receives a job save request and saves the job contents of each layer including automatically set print information as one group job. A printing apparatus that is used in combination with the data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and performs layer printing on media in response to the job control command from the data processing apparatus. A data processing program that causes a computer to function as the data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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