JP4380363B2 - Image formation support device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming support apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming support apparatus that outputs data to an image forming apparatus having a so-called printing function for forming an image on a recording medium, such as a color copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer.

  In conventional printing (for example, offset printing), intermediate products such as paper printing (printing paper) such as photosetting, block printing, net negative, net positive, PS plate (printing plate) are generated, and these intermediate products are used as the original. Printing and bookbinding. In recent years, with the spread of DTP (DeskTop Publishing / Prepress), “direct printing” or “on-demand printing” for directly printing from DTP data is known. In DTP, printing data obtained by processing a page layout on a computer is formed on photographic paper or a plate-making film, and a printing plate is created and printed based on the printing data. In addition, CTP (Computer To Plate) that directly forms a printing plate with electronic data without generating an intermediate product is also attracting attention. As an apparatus that can be used for such a printing process, an image forming apparatus having a printing function such as a printer or a copying machine is known. Image forming apparatuses in recent years have been improved in color with improved image quality. For example, a color printer using an electrophotographic process (xerography) can form high-quality and high-speed images. In this image forming apparatus, print data can be output without receiving print data and generating a printing plate or the like.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a conventional image forming system. As shown in FIG. 5A, the image forming system is composed of an image forming apparatus 11 and a DFE (Digital Front End Processor) apparatus that sends print data to the image forming apparatus 11 and gives a print instruction. ing. FIG. 5B shows a data flow.

  The DFE device has a drawing function and a printer controller (print control device) function. For example, the DFE device sequentially receives print data described in a page description language (PDL) from a client terminal, and the print data is rasterized. The image data is converted into an image (RIP processing; RIP processing), and the RIP processed image data and print control information (job ticket) such as the number of printed sheets and paper size are sent to the image forming apparatus 11, and the print engine of the image forming apparatus 11 And the paper conveyance system is controlled to cause the image forming apparatus 11 to execute the printing process. That is, the printing operation of the image forming apparatus 11 is controlled by a printer controller by the DFE apparatus. The print data includes four colors (YMCK) of three basic colors for color printing, ie, yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M), and black (K). Sent to.

  The image forming apparatus 11 records an image on printing paper using an electrophotographic process. The image output terminal (IOT) module 12 and a feed module (FM; Feeder Module) connected to the IOT module 12 are used. 5) A user interface device 18 for supporting the input of various data including an output module 17 and a touch panel. The IOT module 12 includes a toner supply unit 22 on which YMCK toner cartridges 24 are mounted, and an IOT core unit 20. The IOT core unit 20 has a so-called tandem configuration in which print engines (printing units) 30 having an optical scanning device, a photosensitive drum, and the like are arranged in a line for each color and in the belt rotation direction, and controls the print engine 30. An electric system control storage unit 39 for storing an electric circuit or the like is provided. In the IOT core unit 20, the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 43, and then the toner image is transferred to the printing paper (secondary transfer). Multiple transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 43. The image (toner image) transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 43 is transferred onto the printing paper conveyed from the feed module 15 at a predetermined timing, and the toner image is melted and fixed onto the paper by a fixing device (Fuser) 70. Is done. Thereafter, the paper is discharged out of the apparatus via the paper discharge processing device 72. Further, during double-sided printing, a sheet of paper that has already been printed on one side is temporarily held on a paper discharge tray (stacker) 74, pulled out from the paper discharge tray 74, reversed through a reverse conveyance path 49, and again IOT core unit 20 Passed to.

  By the way, the printing order of each page and the discharge mechanism of the printed paper differ depending on the image forming apparatus. For example, printing from the first page in ascending order, printing from the last page in descending order, and printing surface face up. There are various types such as the one to be discharged and the one to be turned over so that the printing surface faces downward. In addition, when performing double-sided printing, there is also a method in which the next paper is printed using the time during which the paper is reversed after single-sided printing. In such a case, for example, the print order is not the page order, such as the second page, the first page, the fourth page, the third page, etc., and the print order is specially adapted to the device. Need to be scheduled.

  For example, in the case of a mechanism in which the paper P is discharged with the printing surface facing upward as in the apparatus shown in FIG. 6A, normal output is performed by performing double-sided printing, that is, the paper P is output without being inverted inside the apparatus. In this case, the lower surface of the paper P is an odd page (the number in the figure indicates the page number, the position of the number indicates the printing surface of the page), and the upper surface of the paper P is an even page, and the page order is correct. However, in the case of a mechanism in which the paper P is folded and discharged so that the printing surface faces downward as in the apparatus shown in FIG. The bottom surface of the paper becomes even pages and the top surface of the paper P becomes odd pages, and the page order becomes incorrect.

In order to solve such problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a host computer in a system in which a host computer as a DFE apparatus and a printer as an image forming apparatus are connected as in the conventional image forming system described above. A technique for rearranging the page order based on transfer page order data acquired from a printer and outputting the data to a printer is disclosed.
JP-A-9-190302

  However, in the above-described prior art, for example, when printing from a plurality of different types of image forming apparatuses by the same print job, the DFE apparatus needs to perform processing such as page rearrangement individually according to the type of image forming apparatus There is. For example, when the page contents change due to adjustment of gutter (margin or margin for stapling) and insertion of a blank page, it is necessary to perform RIP processing again in the DFE device. As described above, the conventional image forming system has a problem that the processing of the DFE apparatus becomes complicated, the processing load increases, and it is not possible to flexibly cope with the high function and high speed of the system.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image forming support apparatus that can reduce the processing burden of the DFE apparatus and can flexibly cope with higher functions and higher speeds of the system. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming support apparatus according to claim 1 , based on print data received from an external terminal, raster data of each page and an image corresponding to the raster data on a predetermined recording medium. A front end processor that is generated independently of processing characteristics of an image recording apparatus to be recorded and outputs in order of page numbers, and an image forming support apparatus installed between the image recording apparatus, wherein the image is processed by the front end processor. An image storage unit that receives and holds raster data of each page that is processed independently of the processing characteristics of the recording apparatus and is output in the order of page numbers via the network, and an output mode that receives information about an output mode desired by the client and information Shutoku unit reads the raster data from the image storage unit, the output mode information Shutoku section The output form the client indicated by the information about the obtained was the output form is desired as the raster data is output from the image recording apparatus, a print control unit that controls the output order of the raster data for the image recording apparatus , Provided.

The image forming support device (back-end processor) is installed between the front-end processor and the image recording device. The front-end processor has a raster data generation function, but does not have a printer controller function that performs control depending on the output side, and outputs raster data of each page to the image forming support apparatus in the order of page numbers. That is, the front-end processor sends the generated raster data to the image support apparatus without depending on the output side.

When the image forming support apparatus receives the raster data sent from the front end processor in the order of page numbers, it temporarily stores it in the image storage unit.

The print control unit reads the raster data from the image storage unit, and outputs the raster data from the image recording apparatus in the output format desired by the client indicated by the output mode information acquired by the output mode information acquisition unit. Controls the output order of raster data to the recording apparatus. That is, since the paper discharge mechanism differs depending on the image recording apparatus, the print control unit rearranges the raster data based on the information on the output form, and outputs it to the image recording apparatus.

  As a result, the front-end processor does not need to perform processing such as page order rearrangement depending on the image recording apparatus, and the processing load can be greatly reduced. In addition, since the image forming support apparatus takes charge of the processing depending on the image recording apparatus regarding the output form, it is possible to flexibly cope with the higher function and higher speed of the system.

In the above description, “processing independently of the image recording unit” is not limited to being completely independent of the image recording unit or the back-end processor that controls the image recording unit, and is subject to strong constraints from now on. This means that it is almost independent without being received and has a certain degree of freedom (substantially irrespective of the processing speed of the image recording unit, etc.) to generate raster data .

  As described in claim 2, the output form may include at least one of double-sided printing, discharge surface orientation, discharge page order, and output destination.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image recording apparatus can output the recording medium in an inverted manner, and the print control means is based on the information on the output form acquired by the output form information acquisition unit. Further, a signal that instructs inversion or a signal that indicates non-inversion can be output to the image recording apparatus. Furthermore, the front end processor according to claim 4 is an image recording apparatus that records raster data of each page based on print data received from an external terminal and an image corresponding to the raster data on a predetermined recording medium. The raster data processing means that is generated independently of the processing characteristics, and the raster data generated by the raster data processing means that is generated independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording device in the order of page numbers via the network. Raster data output means for outputting to an image forming support device for controlling the output order of the raster data so that the raster data is output from the image recording device in a desired output form. Furthermore, the image forming system according to claim 5 (1) records raster data of each page and an image corresponding to the raster data on a predetermined recording medium based on print data received from an external terminal. (2) raster data processing means that is generated independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording apparatus; and (2) the raster data generated by the raster data processing means that is generated independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording apparatus via a network. And raster data output means for outputting to the image forming support device for controlling the output order of the raster data so that the raster data is output from the image recording device in the output form desired by the client in the order of page numbers. The raster data of each page based on the print data received from the front end processor and the external terminal. An image installed between the front-end processor that generates an image corresponding to data on a predetermined recording medium independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording apparatus and outputs the image in order of page numbers, and the image recording apparatus In the formation support apparatus, (1) an image that is processed by the front-end processor independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording apparatus and receives and holds raster data of each page output in the order of page numbers via a network. A storage unit; (2) an output form information acquisition unit that receives information relating to an output form desired by a client; and (3) the output obtained by the output form information acquisition unit by reading the raster data from the image storage unit. The raster data is output from the image recording apparatus in an output form desired by the client indicated by information on the form. An image forming support apparatus including a print control unit that controls an output order of the raster data to the image recording apparatus, and records an image indicated by the raster data on a predetermined recording medium. And an image recording apparatus that controls an output order of the raster data so that the raster data is output in an output form desired by a client by the image forming support apparatus. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the DFE apparatus, and to have an excellent effect that it is possible to flexibly cope with higher functions and higher speeds of the system.

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

[Image forming system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image forming system includes a high-speed LAN (Local Area Network) using a general-purpose communication protocol, and a client terminal for inputting, for example, electronic data (print data) described in a page description language (PDL) to the high-speed LAN. 400 and 402 are connected. The client terminals 400 and 402 are computers capable of executing various application programs under different operating systems (OS). A scanner device 410 that reads an image of a document and outputs the image data is also connected to the high-speed LAN. The high-speed LAN includes DFE devices 500, 502, 504, 506, and 508, BEP (Back End Processor) devices 600, 602, and 604 as image forming support devices according to the present invention, which will be described in detail later. A CTP device 702 that directly creates a printing plate with data is connected.

  Printing is performed in the press device 710 using the printing plate created by the CTP device 702. Further, a BEP device 600 is connected to the CTP device 702 in parallel (to a high-speed LAN). A high-speed printer 746 similar to the image forming apparatus 11 is connected to the BEP device 600.

  An output device 730, high-speed printers 740 and 742 having the same configuration, and a CTP device 700 are connected to the output side of the BEP device 604 connected to the high-speed LAN. The output device 730 and the high-speed printers 740 and 742 perform print output, and the CTP device 700 creates a printing plate. The DFE device 502 is connected to printer proofers 720 and 722 having the same configuration via the BEP device 602. The printer proofers 720 and 722 are for confirming output for printing, and may function as an image forming apparatus.

  The DFE device 504 is connected to a high-speed printer 744, and the DFE device 504 and the high-speed printer 744 are responsible for a department in charge of on-demand printing processing. The DFE device 506 is connected to the output device 732, and the DFE device 508 is connected to the large output device 750. The configuration including the DFE device 506 and the output device 732 and the configuration including the DFE device 508 and the large output device 750 are the same as the configuration of the conventional image forming apparatus.

  The image forming system according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which CTP and an apparatus having a POD (print on demand) function can be mixed in the same system. This is because the BEP device according to the present embodiment has a function for variously processing the data after the print data from the client is converted into raster data (RIP processing).

[Configuration example]
In the image forming system having the above configuration, in order to simplify the description of the embodiment of the present invention, a representative example of a configuration in which a printing plate is created and printed and a configuration in which printing is performed without creating a printing plate are described as an embodiment. Will be described. That is, the configuration A in the case of forming an image using the client terminal 400, the DFE device 500, the CTP device 700, and the press device 710, the client terminal 400, the DFE device 500, the BEP device 600, and the high-speed printer 746 ( The configuration B in the case of forming an image using the apparatus of the image forming apparatus 11) will be described.

  The DFE apparatus 500 has a function of converting data from the client terminal 400 into raster data (RIP processing) and compressing the converted raster image. In this embodiment, the DFE apparatus 500 includes the image forming apparatus 11. Does not require a printer controller function to perform a dependent print control function. That is, the DFE device 500 may have a configuration mainly having only a function of RIP processing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. In other words, the configuration A in which an image instructed to be printed by the client terminal 400 is RIPed by the DFE device 500 and a printing plate is created by the CTP device 702 and then printed by the press device 710, and the RIP image is sent via the BEP device 600. The configuration B for printing by the high-speed printer 746 (image forming apparatus 11) will be described as an embodiment of the image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 2A shows an outline of a system configuration including the configuration A and the configuration B in the present embodiment, and FIG.

[Configuration A]
In the configuration A, printing is performed using a CTP device 702 that creates a printing plate, a DFE device 500 that outputs print data to the CTP device 702 and instructs printing plate creation, and a printing plate created by the CTP device 702. The press apparatus 710 constitutes a system.

  Since the configuration A is the same as the conventional print processing, detailed description thereof is omitted. However, the DFE apparatus 500 is configured by a front end processor (FEP) unit or ROP (Raster Operation) processing by a front engine. A function of converting data from the client terminal 400 into raster data (RIP processing) and compressing the converted raster image is provided. The DFE apparatus 500 mainly executes only the RIP process in order to create a printing plate. A plate is created by the CTP device 702 from the raster data of the RIP-processed raster image (compressed). An image is pressed on a printing medium by a press device 710 using the printing plate created by the CTP device 702, and printing is performed.

  In the configuration A, the case where the CTP device 702 is connected to the high-speed LAN and the printing plate is created from the print data from the DFE device 500 has been described. However, the CTP device 702 is connected via the BEP device 600. Alternatively, the BEP device 604 and the CTP device 700 in FIG. 1 may be configured. In this case, as described in the configuration B below, the BEP apparatus 600 performs processing depending on the downstream apparatus such as the image forming apparatus 11 and outputs the data based on the print data from the DFE apparatus 500. When the CTP device 700 is adopted as the downstream device, the BEP device 600 performs processing depending on the CTP device 700 and outputs data.

[Configuration B]
Next, the configuration B includes an image forming apparatus 11, a DFE apparatus 500 that passes print data to the image forming apparatus 11 and gives a print instruction, and a BEP apparatus 600 provided between the image forming apparatus 11 and the DFE apparatus 500. Configure the system.

  The image forming apparatus 11 includes an IOT module (IOT main body) 12, a feed module (FM) 5, an output module 17, and a user interface device 18 such as a personal computer (PC). The feed module 15 may have a multistage configuration. Moreover, you may provide the connection module which connects between each module as needed. In addition, a finisher module may be connected to the subsequent stage of the output module 17. As the finisher module, for example, there are a stacker for stacking sheets and a stapler for binding one or more places, or a punching mechanism for punching holes.

  The DFE device 500 has a function of converting data from the client terminal 400 into raster data (RIP processing) and compressing the converted raster image, and mainly performs RIP processing. This data is processed by the BEP device 600 and output to the image forming apparatus 11.

  The BEP device 600 has a process control function depending on the image forming apparatus 11, but this control function may be instructed by the user interface device 18 or may be determined in advance. When instructing by the user interface device 18, the user interface device 18 has an input device such as a keyboard or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) function that accepts an instruction input while presenting an image to the user, and depends on the image forming device 11. What is necessary is just to comprise so that a process may be instruct | indicated.

  The BEP device 600 enables efficient high-speed output by using the RIP processed data stored in the DFE device. That is, the BEP device 600 generates a command code based on the print control information received from the DFE device 500, and controls the processing timing of each unit in the image forming apparatus 11 according to the engine characteristics. In addition, the BEP device 600 completes the spool processing so as to match the engine characteristics of the IOT module 12, the feed module 15, the output module 17, etc., and then passes the image data to the IOT module 12.

  For example, data including a raster base image subjected to RIP processing is sent from the DFE device 500 to the BEP device 600. As this data, in addition to compressed raster-based image file data such as the TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format, the number of copies, double-sided / single-sided, color / monochrome, composite printing, sort presence, presence / absence of stapler, etc. are printed. Control information and the like are included.

  Rotation, page allocation (N-UP) within one sheet, repeat processing, paper size adjustment, CMS (Color Management System) for correcting device differences, resolution conversion, contrast adjustment Processing related to RIP processing such as compression ratio designation (low / medium / high) is processed by the DFE device 500, and the control command is not notified to the BEP device 600 (non-notification).

  In addition, collation (booking), double-sided printing, stamping / punching / stapler finisher devices or paper tray alignment processing, discharge surface (up / down) alignment, calibration processing such as gray balance and color shift correction As for screen designation processing and the like (IOT-dependent processing) that is strongly related to the processing characteristics of the image forming apparatus 11, the BEP device 600 processes the control command through the DFE device 500.

  As described above, the DFE device side of this embodiment transfers one job (JOB) unilaterally to the BEP device side in the order of RIP processing without depending on the engine characteristics, and rearranges pages for printing on the BEP device side. To do.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual block diagram that focuses on the flow of data when the BEP device 600 is interposed between the DFE device 500 and the image forming device 11.

  The DFE device 500 receives print data (hereinafter referred to as PDL data) described in PDL from the client terminal 400, and temporarily stores the PDL data once, and reads and interprets the PDL data from the data storage unit 503. And RIP processing unit 510 that generates (rasterizes) image data (raster data) in units of pages, and a compression processing unit 530 that compresses the image data generated by RIP processing unit 510 according to a predetermined format. An interface unit 542 is provided following the compression processing unit 530. The RIP processing unit 510 develops PDL data to generate image data. Therefore, the RIP processing unit 510 incorporates a PDL interpretation unit and a decomposer functioning as an imager, a so-called RIP engine. The compression processing unit 530 compresses the image data from the RIP 510 and immediately transfers the compressed image data to the BEP device 600.

  On the other hand, the BEP device 600 receives and holds compressed image data processed by the DFE device 500 regardless of the print job and the processing characteristics of the print engine 30 (for example, processed asynchronously with the processing speed of the print engine 30). The compressed image data on the DFE device 500 side is read by reading the compressed image data from the image storage unit 603 and the image storage unit 603, and corresponds to the compression processing of the compression processing unit 530 on the DFE device 500 side. A decompression processing unit 610 is provided that performs decompression processing and sends the decompressed image data to the IOT core unit 20 side. The decompression processing unit 610 has image editing functions such as image rotation, image position adjustment on paper, enlargement or reduction, and the like for image data read from the image storage unit 603 and decompressed. A data receiving unit 601 is provided in the previous stage of the image storage unit 603, and an output side interface unit 650 is provided in the subsequent stage of the decompression processing unit 610.

  The BEP device 600 also includes a print control unit 620 that functions as a printer controller that controls each unit of the BEP device 600 and the IOT core unit 20 depending on the processing performance of the IOT core unit 20. The print control unit 620 interprets (decodes) the job ticket from the DFE device 500 or receives a user instruction via the GUI unit 80, and outputs an output form (in accordance with the processing characteristics of the print engine 30, the fixing device 70, or the finisher). An output form specifying unit 622 for specifying the image position in the page or the page discharge order and orientation), and each part such as the print engine 30, the fixing device 70 or the finisher so that the printed matter is output in the specified output form. And a control unit 624 for controlling. The output form specifying unit 622 has a function as an output form information acquiring unit that receives information related to an output form desired by the client.

  Therefore, in the DFE device 500, the image data rasterized (drawn and developed) from the page description language by the RIP processing unit 510 is transferred to the BEP device 600 side in the order of pages. The BEP device 600 temporarily stores the image data transferred from the DFE device 500 in the image storage unit 603 that functions as a buffer. The decompression processing unit 610 reads the compressed image data from the image storage unit 603 and decompresses it, assembles page data according to a print job designated from the client terminal or the DFE device 500 (rearrangement of page data), Prepare for transfer to the designated print engine. The BEP device 600 sends page data to the IOT core unit 20 in a predetermined order at a speed that maximizes engine productivity while exchanging control commands in synchronization with the processing speed of the print engine 30.

  In this way, the DFE device 500 side only needs to unilaterally transfer one job (JOB) to the BEP device 600 side in the order of RIP processing without depending on the engine characteristics. The BEP device 600 is in charge of processing depending on the print job and the print engine 30 such as rearranging pages for printing.

  In this configuration, processing related to the RIP processing is performed by the DFE device. However, when the RIP processing needs to be performed again, the image is not requested to the DFE device 500 for re-RIP processing (independent of the DFE device 500). Data stored in the storage unit 603 is reused. Thereby, the re-RIP process in the DFE apparatus 500 becomes unnecessary. In addition, the BEP device 600 having a performance adapted to the processing characteristics on the output side such as the print engine can be processed depending on the processing characteristics on the output side in the BEP device 600 connected to the print engine 30 or the like.

  For example, when outputting in the output format desired by the client, an example of requiring processing that depends on processing characteristics on the output side, and reprocessing related to RIP processing is a page within one sheet. There are allocation (N-UP), repeat processing, paper size adjustment, CMS (Color Management System) for correcting device differences, resolution conversion, contrast adjustment, compression rate designation (low / medium / high), and the like.

  In addition, as an example of the case where processing dependent on processing characteristics of the image forming apparatus 11 (for example, a print engine) on the output side (dependent processing strongly related to the processing characteristics on the output side) is required, image rotation (Rotation) is required. , Collation, double-sided printing, stamping, punching, stapler, and other finisher devices or paper tray alignment processing (shift; image shift), discharge surface (up / down) alignment, gray balance and color There are calibration processing such as misalignment correction and screen designation processing.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a usage example of the system according to the present embodiment. 4A is an explanatory diagram of processing of the back-end processor in relation to the output form based on the client instruction, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of processing of the back-end processor when an abnormality occurs on the output side. It is.

  As shown in the first item of FIG. 4A, when the output form specifying unit 622 having the function of the output form information acquiring unit receives information indicating a double-sided output instruction as information regarding the output form desired by the client. The control unit 624 generates a single-sided image in sequence order depending on processing characteristics of the print engine 30 and the fixing device 70 on the output side, and outputs them to the print engine 30 side. The unit 610 is controlled. As a result, double-sided images are generated in the sequence order depending on the processing characteristics on the output side.

  For example, the BEP device 600 outputs the images to the print engine 30 in the order of the sequence on the belt on the print engine 30 side based on the duplex discharge instruction (client instruction) specified via the DFE device 500. More specifically, the DFE apparatus 500 includes the first sheet (P1T) → first sheet back (P1B) → second sheet table (P2T) → second sheet table (P2B) → third sheet table (P3T). RIP processing is performed in order such that the back of the third sheet (P3B) →... And the generated image data is sent to the BEP device 600 in order.

  On the other hand, in the BEP device 600, the first sheet table (P1T) → second sheet table (P2T) → third sheet table (P3T) → fourth sheet table (P4T) → fifth sheet table (P5T) → There may be a sequence such as the first back (P1B) → the sixth front (P6T) → the second back (P2B) → the seventh front (P7T) → the third back (P3B) →. This arrangement order varies depending on processing characteristics related to the printing speed of the apparatus.

  Also, as shown in the second item of FIG. 4A, the DFE device 500 performs the color components Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) in parallel for each page. RIP processing is performed, and YMCK image data is sent to the BEP device 600 for each page. In this case, when the print engine 30 is a four-cycle engine that processes in the order of Y → M → C → K, the BEP device 600 basically (at one-side printing), the first sheet Y (yellow) → 1st sheet M (magenta) → 1st sheet C (cyan) → 1st sheet K (black) → 2nd sheet Y → 2nd sheet M → 2nd sheet C → 2nd sheet K → ... Rearrange the target pages.

  When double-sided printing is incorporated, as shown in the third item of FIG. 4A, the DFE device 500 performs page-to-back order for each page, that is, the first sheet table (P1YMKT) → first sheet. Image data is sent to the BEP device 600 in the order of back (P1YMCKB) → second sheet front (P2YMCKT) → second sheet back (P2YMCKB) →. Correspondingly, the BEP device 600, for example, has a first sheet Y table (P1YT) → first sheet M table (P1MT) → first sheet C table (P1CT) → first sheet K table (P1KT) → two sheets. Table Y table (P2YT) → Second sheet M table (P2MT) → First sheet Y back (P1YB) → Second sheet C table (P2YT) → First sheet M back (P1MB) → Second sheet K table (P2KT) ) → ... and rearrange in order.

  In this way, without affecting the DFE device 500 side (without giving a load to the DFE device 500), depending on the processing characteristics on the output side (including the configuration form of the print engine), on the BEP device 600 side, Image formation can be controlled in the order of sequences adapted to the device.

  Further, as shown in the fourth item of FIG. 4A, the output form specifying unit 622 having the function of the output form information acquiring unit includes information indicating an instruction related to collation as information on the output form desired by the client. When accepted, the control unit 624 controls the expansion processing unit 610 in the BEP device 600 so as to perform collation processing according to the discharge surface depending on the processing characteristics of the output side (image recording unit). Accordingly, the printed material can be discharged in a direction desired by the client without depending on the output processing characteristics on the output side.

  For example, if the user can select either an upward FU (FACE up) or a downward FD (FACE down) as the discharge surface instruction, the result is in the order of pages in the downward FD. Output from the first page. However, since the completion is in page order during upward FU, output (reordering of pages to be processed) is required from the last page of the job. Since the BEP device 600 of the present embodiment can read and process a desired page from the image storage unit 603, the BEP device 600 does not affect the DFE device 500 side (without giving a load to the DFE device 500). The pages can be rearranged and read from the image storage unit 603, decompressed, and output to the print engine 30.

  Further, as shown in the fifth item in FIG. 4A, the output form specifying unit 622 having the function of the output form information acquiring unit includes information indicating an instruction related to the closing position as information on the output form desired by the client. When accepted, the control unit 624 controls the expansion processing unit 610 in the back-end processor BEP 600 so as to adjust the closing position depending on the processing characteristics of the output side (image recording unit).

  Therefore, even when a finisher device (option) such as a stamp, a stapler, or a punch hole is attached, the DFE device 500 side is not affected (the load is not applied to the DFE device 500), and the place where they are pushed. Accordingly, the BEP device 600 can perform image editing processing such as image rotation (rotation) and position shift (shift), and send image data whose position has been adjusted to the print engine 30 side.

  Note that when the image positions on the paper are aligned, depending on the amount of movement, a part of the original image may protrude from the paper, or a portion that does not protrude but is not printed (so-called image missing) may occur. In such a case, the image size may be slightly reduced (size matching process), and the reduced image data may be sent to the print engine 30 side. Note that the reduction may be performed only in necessary vertical / horizontal directions resulting from the position shift (independent reduction).

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, when an output clogging phenomenon occurs in the print job processing process, the control unit 624 recovers from output clogging depending on the processing characteristics of the output side (image recording unit). Each functional part in the back-end processor is controlled so as to perform processing.

  For example, if the image cannot be ejected due to jamming of printing paper (paper jam), power off, or the like on the IOT module 12 or the output module 17 side, the BEP device 600 causes the image storage unit 603 to output a desired page (not yet output) Processing page) is read out and sent to the print engine 30 side. Thereby, the recovery process can be realized only on the BEP device 600 side without affecting the DFE device 500 side (without giving a load to the DFE device 500).

  When the proofer is configured by the BEP device, a color proof print is directly output from the DTP data by the printer proofer 720 prior to direct printing by the high-speed and high-function image forming device 11, for example, a digital direct color. Proofing) system can be constructed. In this system, when the proof data is received as a print job, the BEP device outputs image data in a data format suitable for proofing (for example, low video rate) to the proofer, and instructs the color proof print output. When a print job is received, image data at a high video rate is output to a high-speed and high-performance machine, and a high-speed and high-function print instruction is output. In this case, it is desirable to install a color management system (CMS) that corrects subtle differences (device differences) in different color outputs between the high-speed and high-function machine and the models connected to the proofer or cascade. .

  Next, a specific example of changing the page order by the BEP device 600 in the case where the output form can be designated as on / off of double-sided printing, the orientation of the printing surface (front side) of the discharged paper, the page order, and the output destination will be described. . In the present embodiment, a case where a total of four pages of image data is output from the BEP device 600 to the IOT 12 will be described. Further, it is assumed that a discharge tray as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B can be selected as an output destination, and the output destination “A” is a discharge tray as shown in FIG. "" Indicates a discharge tray as shown in FIG. 6B.

  7 to 10 show output forms (double-sided printing on / off, print surface orientation of discharged paper, page order, output destination) set on the DFE device 500 or the client terminal 400, paper reverse designation, and output. As a result, the correspondence of the output order of the image data output from the BEP device 600 to the IOT 12 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the double-sided printing is turned off, the front surface (printing surface) of the discharged paper is downward, the page order is ascending, and the output destination “A” is designated as the output form, the BEP device 600 A signal instructing reversal is output to the IOT 12 so that the paper is reversed and ejected so that the front side faces downward (inverted ejection), and the page order (ascending order) transmitted from the DFE device 500 is output. The image data is sequentially output from the first page. As a result, the output result is discharged to the discharge tray so that the surface faces downward in order from the first page.

  Also, as an output form, when double-sided printing is turned off, the surface of the ejected paper is face down, the page order is descending, and the output destination “A” is specified, the BEP device 600 causes the paper to be faced face down. A signal instructing the inversion is output to the IOT 12 so that it is inverted and discharged, and image data is sequentially output from the fourth page in the reverse order (descending order) to the page order transmitted from the DFE device 500. Output. As a result, the output results are discharged to the discharge tray so that the surface faces downward in order from the fourth page.

  In addition, when the double-sided printing is turned off as the output form, the surface of the ejected paper is facing upward, the page order is ascending order, and the output destination “A” is specified, the BEP device 600 ejects the paper with the surface facing upward. In addition, a signal instructing non-inversion is output to the IOT 12 so that image data is sequentially output from the first page according to the page order transmitted from the DFE device 500. As a result, the output result is discharged to the discharge tray so that the surface faces upward in order from the first page.

  Further, when the duplex form is turned off, the front side of the discharged paper is upward, the page order is descending, and the output destination “A” is designated as the output form, the BEP device 600 discharges the paper with the front side facing up. As described above, a signal instructing non-inversion is output to the IOT 12 and image data is sequentially output from the fourth page in the reverse order of the page order transmitted from the DFE device 500. As a result, the output result is discharged to the discharge tray so that the surface faces upward in order from the fourth page.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the output mode is duplex printing turned off, the front surface (printing surface) of the discharged paper faces downward, the page order is ascending order, and the output destination “B” is designated, the BEP device 600 outputs a signal indicating non-inversion to the IOT 12 so that the sheet is discharged with the front side facing down (straight discharge), and in accordance with the page order (ascending order) transmitted from the DFE device 500. Image data is sequentially output from the first page. As a result, the output result is discharged to the discharge tray so that the surface faces downward in order from the first page.

  Further, when the duplex form is turned off as the output form, the surface of the ejected paper is face down, the page order is descending, and the output destination “B” is designated, the BEP device 600 ejects the paper with the surface facing down. As described above, a signal instructing non-inversion is output to the IOT 12 and image data is sequentially output from the fourth page in the reverse order of the page order transmitted from the DFE device 500. As a result, the output results are discharged to the discharge tray so that the surface faces downward in order from the fourth page.

  In addition, when the duplex form is turned off as the output form, the surface of the ejected paper faces upward, the page order is ascending order, and the output destination “B” is designated, the BEP device 600 causes the paper to face up. A signal instructing inversion is output to the IOT 12 so as to be reversed and discharged (inverted discharge), and image data is sequentially output from the first page according to the page order transmitted from the DFE device 500. . As a result, the output result is discharged to the discharge tray so that the surface faces upward in order from the first page.

  Also, as an output form, when double-sided printing is turned off, the surface of the ejected paper is facing upward, the page order is descending, and the output destination “B” is designated, the BEP device 600 causes the paper to face up. A signal instructing the inversion is output to the IOT 12 so that the image is inverted and discharged, and image data is sequentially output from the fourth page in the reverse order to the page order transmitted from the DFE device 500. As a result, the output result is discharged to the discharge tray so that the surface faces upward in order from the fourth page.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, when double-sided printing is turned on, the surface of the paper to be ejected is facing down, the page order is ascending, and the output destination “A” is designated as the output form, Do not invert the IOT 12 so that the surface of the printed paper, that is, the surface on which odd pages are printed faces downward, and the paper is discharged so that the page order is ascending (straight discharge). In order to output the instruction signal and print efficiently, the first page, the third page, the second page, and the fourth page are printed in order so that the front side is printed first and then the back side is printed. Output data. Thus, as an output result, the double-sided printed paper is discharged to the discharge tray so that the odd-numbered pages face down and the page order is ascending.

  Further, when the duplex printing is turned on as the output form, the surface of the ejected paper faces downward, the page order is descending, and the output destination “A” is designated, the BEP device 600 displays the surface of the duplex printed paper, that is, Outputs a non-inverted signal to the IOT 12 so that the sheet is ejected so that the surface on which the odd-numbered pages are printed faces downward and the page order is descending, and printing is performed efficiently. For this purpose, first, the image data is output in the order of the third page, the first page, the fourth page, and the second page so that the entire front side is printed and then the back side is printed. Thus, as an output result, the double-sided printed paper is discharged to the discharge tray so that the odd-numbered pages face down and the page order is in descending order.

  In addition, when the double-sided printing is turned on, the surface of the discharged paper is facing upward, the page order is ascending, and the output destination “A” is designated as the output form, the BEP device 600 displays the surface of the double-sided printed paper, Outputs a non-inverted signal to the IOT 12 so that the paper is ejected so that the surface on which the odd-numbered pages are printed faces upward and the page order is ascending. For this purpose, first, image data is output in the order of the second page, the fourth page, the first page, and the third page so that the entire back side is printed and then the front side is printed. Thus, as an output result, the paper printed on both sides is discharged to the discharge tray so that the odd pages face upward and the page order is ascending.

  Also, as an output form, when double-sided printing is turned on, the surface of the ejected paper is facing upward, the page order is descending, and the output destination “A” is designated, the BEP device 600 is the surface of the double-sided printed paper, that is, Outputs a non-inverted signal to the IOT 12 so that the sheet is ejected so that the surface on which the odd-numbered pages are printed faces upward and the page order is descending, and printing is performed efficiently. For this purpose, first, the image data is output in the order of the fourth page, the second page, the third page, and the first page so that the entire back side is printed and then the front side is printed. Thus, as an output result, the paper printed on both sides is discharged to the discharge tray so that the odd pages face up and the page order is descending.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, when double-sided printing is turned on as the output form, the surface of the discharged paper faces downward, the page order is ascending, and the output destination “B” is designated, the BEP device 600 A signal for instructing non-inversion to the IOT 12 so that the paper is discharged so that the surface of the printed paper, that is, the surface on which the odd pages are printed faces downward and the page order is ascending. In addition to outputting, in order to print efficiently, the image data is output in the order of the second page, the fourth page, the first page, and the third page so that the front side is printed first and then the front side is printed. . Thus, as an output result, the double-sided printed paper is discharged to the discharge tray so that the odd-numbered pages face down and the page order is ascending.

  Further, when the duplex printing is turned on as the output form, the surface of the ejected paper is facing down, the page order is descending, and the output destination “B” is designated, the BEP device 600 displays the surface of the duplex printed paper, Outputs a non-inverted signal to the IOT 12 so that the sheet is ejected so that the surface on which the odd-numbered pages are printed faces downward and the page order is descending, and printing is performed efficiently. For this purpose, first, the image data is output in the order of the fourth page, the second page, the third page, and the first page so that the entire back side is printed and then the front side is printed. Thus, as an output result, the double-sided printed paper is discharged to the discharge tray so that the odd-numbered pages face down and the page order is in descending order.

  Further, when the double-sided printing is turned on as the output form, the surface of the ejected paper faces upward, the page order is ascending order, and the output destination “B” is designated, the BEP device 600 displays the surface of the double-sided printed paper, Outputs a non-inverted signal to the IOT 12 so that the paper is ejected so that the surface on which the odd-numbered pages are printed faces upward and the page order is ascending. For this purpose, first, the image data is output in the order of the first page, the third page, the second page, and the fourth page so that the entire front side is printed and then the back side is printed. Thus, as an output result, the paper printed on both sides is discharged to the discharge tray so that the odd pages face upward and the page order is ascending.

  Further, when the duplex form is turned on as the output form, the surface of the paper to be discharged is facing upward, the page order is descending, and the output destination “B” is designated, the BEP device 600 displays the surface of the paper printed on both sides, that is, Outputs a non-inverted signal to the IOT 12 so that the sheet is ejected so that the surface on which the odd-numbered pages are printed faces upward and the page order is descending, and printing is performed efficiently. For this purpose, first, the image data is output in the order of the third page, the first page, the fourth page, and the second page so that the entire front side is printed and then the back side is printed. Thus, as an output result, the paper printed on both sides is discharged to the discharge tray so that the odd pages face up and the page order is descending.

  As described above, the BEP device 600 instructs the IOT 12 to invert or not invert the sheet according to the setting, and outputs the image data in the output order so that printing is performed in the output format set by the user. The order is changed and output to the IOT 12. Therefore, in the DFE device 500, it is only necessary to output image data to the BEP device 600 sequentially from the first page without being conscious of the output form set by the user, and the processing load can be greatly reduced. it can.

  In addition, since the BEP device 600 takes charge of all the processing depending on the processing characteristics of the image forming apparatus, it is possible to flexibly cope with higher functions and higher speeds of the system.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention, and embodiments to which such changes or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Further, the above embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims (claims), and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention. Absent. The embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. Even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, as long as an effect is obtained, a configuration from which these some constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  In the compression / decompression process, image objects (line drawing character object LW (Line Work)) represented mainly by binary such as line drawings and characters, and background portions, photograph portions, etc. are mainly represented by multi-gradations. The processing can be adapted according to the characteristics of an image object such as an image object (multi-tone image object CT (Continuous Tone)).

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of a DFE apparatus and a BEP apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the system utilization form in connection with the said embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a conventional image forming system. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing surface of a discharge tray and each page. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the output form set by the user, paper inversion, an output result, and the output order of image data. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the output form set by the user, paper inversion, an output result, and the output order of image data. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the output form set by the user, paper inversion, an output result, and the output order of image data. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the output form set by the user, paper inversion, an output result, and the output order of image data.

Explanation of symbols

LAN ... high speed 11 ... image forming apparatus 400 ... client terminal 500 ... DFE apparatus 600 ... BEP apparatus 700 ... CTP apparatus 710 ... press apparatus 720 ... printer proofer 730 ... output machine 740 ... high speed printer 750 ... large output machine

Claims (5)

Based on print data received from an external terminal, raster data for each page is generated independently of the processing characteristics of an image recording apparatus that records an image corresponding to the raster data on a predetermined recording medium, and output in the order of page numbers. a front end processor for, in the image forming supporting device is installed between the image recording device,
An image storage unit which receives and holds raster data of each page via the network, which is processed independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording apparatus by the front-end processor and output in the order of page numbers;
An output form information acquisition unit for receiving information on the output form desired by the client;
The raster data is read from the image storage unit, and the raster data is output from the image recording device in an output form desired by the client indicated by the information on the output form acquired by the output form information acquisition unit. A print control unit for controlling the output order of the raster data to the image recording apparatus;
An image forming support apparatus comprising:   The image forming support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output form includes at least one of double-sided printing, discharge surface orientation, discharge page order, and output destination. The image recording apparatus can output the recording medium in reverse, and the print control unit instructs a signal indicating inversion or non-inversion based on information on the output form acquired by the output form information acquisition unit. The image forming support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a signal to be output is output to the image recording apparatus. Raster data processing means for generating raster data of each page based on print data received from an external terminal, independently of the processing characteristics of an image recording apparatus for recording an image corresponding to the raster data on a predetermined recording medium; ,
  The raster data generated by the raster data processing means, independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording apparatus, is output from the image recording apparatus in an output form desired by the client in the order of page numbers via the network. Raster data output means for outputting to an image forming support device for controlling the output order of the raster data to be output;
  A front-end processor characterized by comprising: (1) Raster data generated on the basis of print data received from an external terminal, raster data of each page independent of processing characteristics of an image recording apparatus that records an image corresponding to the raster data on a predetermined recording medium And (2) the raster data generated by the raster data processing means independent of the processing characteristics of the image recording apparatus in the output format desired by the client in the order of page numbers via the network. A raster data output means for outputting to an image forming support device for controlling the output order of the raster data so that data is output from the image recording device;
Based on print data received from an external terminal, raster data for each page is generated independently of the processing characteristics of an image recording apparatus that records an image corresponding to the raster data on a predetermined recording medium, and output in the order of page numbers. In the image forming support apparatus installed between the front-end processor and the image recording apparatus, (1) the front-end processor performs processing independently of the processing characteristics of the image recording apparatus and the page number An image storage unit that receives and holds raster data of each page sequentially output via a network, (2) an output form information acquisition unit that receives information about an output form desired by the client, and (3) the image storage unit The raster data is read from the information, and the output form information acquisition unit acquires information about the output form. An image forming support apparatus comprising: a print control unit that controls an output order of the raster data to the image recording apparatus so that the raster data is output from the image recording apparatus in an output form desired by the client; ,
  The raster data output order is controlled so that the image indicated by the raster data is recorded on a predetermined recording medium, and the raster data is output in the output form desired by the client by the image forming support device. The image recording device to be
  An image forming system.

Images