JP4433963B2 - Print data generation apparatus and print data generation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print data generation apparatus and a print data generation method, and more particularly, to a print data generation apparatus and a print data generation method for instructing execution of image printing based on image data having a part of contents different for each printed matter.

  Conventionally, so-called variable printing has been performed in which an image is added for each printed matter or a part of the image is replaced to output a printed matter having a partially different content. In variable printing, print data is composed of one piece of print master data and variable data to be combined with a print master data combination portion in order to change the contents for each printed matter.

In this variable printing, when printing a plurality of print objects including a fixed portion that is common to a plurality of printed materials and a variable portion that can be different for each printed material, rasterized data and variable portions of the fixed portion are printed. A print control apparatus that performs variable printing by combining with rasterized data is known (Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-301248 A

  However, in the print control apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when a process such as editing is to be performed on a specific part whose contents are specified over a plurality of printed materials, the specific part to be edited must be changed to a variable part. Therefore, there is a problem that it is necessary to create a lot of variable data as the variable portion increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and print data that can edit a specific portion in which the content of print master data is specified without increasing the number of variable data to be created. It is an object to provide a generation device and a print data generation method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the print data generating apparatus according to the first invention is characterized in that a specific portion whose contents are specified in advance by at least one of font data and image data, and a combining portion capable of combining variable data A plurality of compositing instruction data including the variable data and composite position data indicating a composite position of the variable data; and storing the master data for printing with the font data. The format change data for changing the format without changing the content of the font to be displayed, the font change instruction data composed of the data indicating the change position of the format, and the content of the image represented by the image data are displayed without change Image change instruction data comprising display state change data for changing the state and data indicating the change position of the display state. A second storage means for storing at least one corresponding to each of the synthesis instruction data, a synthesis process of the variable data based on each of the synthesis instruction data, and the synthesis instruction data Generating means for generating a plurality of print data by performing the changing process of the specific part based on at least one of the font change instruction data and the image change instruction data corresponding to each of them.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the master data for printing, the variable data and the variable data having the specific part whose contents are specified in advance by at least one of the font data and the image data, and the combining part capable of combining the variable data A plurality of compositing instruction data consisting of compositing position data indicating the compositing position of the data is stored, and format changing data for changing the format without changing the content of the font represented by the font data and the changing position of the format are indicated. At least one of font change instruction data consisting of data, display state change data for changing the display state without changing the content of the image represented by the image data, and image change instruction data consisting of data indicating the change position of the display state Are stored in correspondence with each of the synthesis instruction data.

  Then, the generating means combines the variable data based on each of the compositing instruction data into the compositing part, and the specific part based on at least one of the font change instruction data and the image change instruction data corresponding to each of the compositing instruction data A plurality of print data are generated by performing the change process.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the printing master can be created without increasing the number of compositing instruction data by changing the specific portion based on at least one of the font changing instruction data and the image changing instruction data corresponding to the compositing instruction data. A specific part in which the data content is specified can be edited.

  In the print data generating apparatus according to the second invention, a plurality of compositing instruction data is stored in the first storage means, and at least one of the font change instruction data and the image change instruction data is stored in the second storage means. Based on an instruction from the operator, at least one of font change instruction data and image change instruction data is associated with each of the compositing instruction data, and a plurality of print data is generated as in the first invention.

  According to the second invention, if at least one of the font change instruction data and the image change instruction data is associated with the compositing instruction data, the specific portion in which the content of the printing master data is specified can be edited. Therefore, the burden of creating font change instruction data and image change instruction data can be reduced, and work efficiency can be improved.

  Data described in a page description language can be used as the printing master data according to each invention described above. If the master data for printing is written in a page description language, the format of the font data can be easily changed.

  The format change by the format change data includes symbol addition processing to the font part represented by the font data, and the display status change by the display status change data changes the color of the image represented by the image data. A color changing process to be changed can be included.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print data generation method comprising: printing master data including a specific portion whose content is specified in advance by at least one of font data and image data, and a combining portion capable of combining variable data. Storing a plurality of compositing instruction data composed of the variable data and composite position data indicating a composite position of the variable data, and changing the format without changing the contents of the font represented by the font data. Font change instruction data composed of format change data and data indicating the change position of the format, display state change data for changing the display state without changing the contents of the image represented by the image data, and change of the display state At least one of the image change instruction data including the data indicating the position is associated with each of the composition instruction data. And storing the variable data based on each of the synthesis instruction data into the synthesis portion, and based on at least one of font change instruction data and image change instruction data corresponding to each of the synthesis instruction data Further, it is characterized in that a plurality of print data is generated by performing the change process of the specific part.

  As described above, according to the print data generation device and the print data generation method of the present invention, the change process of the specific part based on at least one of the font change instruction data and the image change instruction data corresponding to the combination instruction data. It is possible to edit a specific part in which the content of master data for printing is specified without increasing the number of compositing instruction data to be created, and to print a plurality of prints suitable for each customer. The effect that it can be obtained.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of client PCs 14 that transmit data for printing are instructed to the print system 10, and various processes such as image processing are performed based on the data for printing, and execution of the printing process is instructed. A print controller 12 that performs printing processing and a print engine 22 that prints an image corresponding to data input by executing printing processing on a recording sheet are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the print controller 12 and the client PC 14 is provided with a network interface (network I / F) 16, and each of the network I / Fs 16 is connected to a communication line (network) 18. ing.

  As a result, the print system 10 can transmit and receive various data between the print controller 12 and the client PC 14 and between the print controller 12 and the print engine 22. In the printing system 10, any conventionally known communication protocol or network protocol is applied.

  The print controller 12 is provided with a bidirectional interface (bidirectional I / F) 20 connected to the print engine 22. A plurality of print engines 22 may be connected to the print controller 12, but in the present embodiment, one print engine 22 is shown.

  The print controller 12 is provided with an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display (all of which are not shown). The information can be input.

  The print controller 12 controls the operation of the print controller 12 itself, and also includes a print control unit 24 that instructs the operation of the print engine 22 and RIP processing that creates raster data from image data and drawing commands together with various image processing. An image processing unit 26 for performing the above is provided. The print controller 12 executes a processing setting unit 28 for performing various processing settings and the like, various programs, image processing, and printing processing based on processing instructions such as print settings in a print job input from the client PC. An HDD 30 is provided that can temporarily store print job data and the like input from the client PC 14 as well as various data for the purpose. Further, the process setting unit 28 stores data for printing input from the client PC 14 in the HDD 30.

  On the other hand, the client PC 14 is provided with various applications 32 for image processing and document creation. The client PC 14 includes an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device, and a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “device”). (Referred to as “monitor”).

  The client PC 14 uses the application 32 to display an image on the monitor and perform image processing such as image creation, processing, and editing, document creation, and detailed setting of print processing using a keyboard and a pointing device. Is called.

  The client PC 14 is provided with a printer driver 38 and an HDD 40. The HDD 40 stores various files and a file for printing created by the application 32.

  The file includes a plurality of print master data including a specific portion whose contents are specified in advance and a combining portion capable of combining the data, variable data, and combining position data indicating a combining position of the variable data. Display of variable list composed of composition instruction data, format change data that changes the format without changing the content of the font of the specific part, and font change instruction data consisting of data indicating the change position of the format or the image of the specific part The display state change data for changing the state and the variable sublist made up of a plurality of change instruction data, which are image change instruction data made up of data indicating the change position of the display state, are stored separately.

  The master data for printing is data described in a page description language (for example, postscript). As shown in FIG. 3, the variable sublist change instruction data is associated with the variable list synthesis instruction data. The change instruction data is composed of a font definition command, a format command, a drawing command in the page description language format, and coordinates and a character string for specifying a position where these commands are added. Further, the combination instruction data includes information (in FIG. 3, the identification number of the combined portion) for specifying the combined portion of the printing master data that is the combining position, and variable data to be combined with the combined portion (in FIG. 3, the variable data File name).

  In addition, the client PC 14 transmits print job data including an execution instruction for instructing execution of a printing operation to the print controller 12. Further, the client PC 14 uses the printer driver 38 to set instructions (hereinafter referred to as “print settings”) for various processing functions provided in the print controller 12.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, the client PC 14 uses the application 32 to create, edit, and process data such as page layouts and documents, and the created print master data is stored in the HDD 40.

  Then, the client PC 14 transmits the printing master data created by the application 32 using the printer driver 38 to the print controller 12 in advance.

  Next, the client PC 14 creates a plurality of composition instruction data and a plurality of change instruction data associated with the composition instruction data by using the application 32 to generate a variable list and a subvariable list. Then, print job data including an execution instruction for instructing execution of the printing operation is generated. Then, the printer driver 38 is used to transmit the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data to the print controller 12.

  Next, a print processing routine executed by the print control unit 24, the image processing unit 26, and the process setting unit 28 of the print controller 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data from the client PC 14 have been received. Step 100 is repeated until the determination is affirmed. If the determination is affirmative, in step 104, whether or not the change instruction data associated with the first combination instruction data included in the variable list is in the variable sublist. Determine whether. If this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 112. If the determination is positive, in step 106, all change instruction data associated with the first combination instruction data are read from the variable sublist.

  In the next step 108, the change position indicated by the change instruction data is specified from the print master data. For example, if the change position is specified as coordinates, the change position is specified by the coordinates, and if the change position is specified by a character string, it is selected from the print master data described in the page description language. The change position is specified by searching the character string.

  In step 110, the font is changed or the image display state is changed based on the change instruction data at the specified change position. For example, in the case of font change, at least one of the page definition language format font definition command, format command, and drawing command included in the change instruction data is added, or the command written at the change position is changed. Change to various commands included in the data. In the case of changing the image display state, the image display state is changed by executing image processing on the image at the specified change position. When all the change instruction data targeted for the font change and the image display state change are processed, the process proceeds to the next step 112.

  In step 112, rasterization processing is executed on the changed printing master data to generate raster data, and based on the first combining instruction data, combining is performed with the combining portion for which combining is instructed. The variable data included in the instruction data is combined with the rasterized master data for printing to generate rasterized data for printing. In step 114, the rasterized data is transmitted to the print engine 22, and a printing process is executed based on the rasterized data, so that a printed matter as shown in FIG.

  In the next step 116, it is determined whether or not there is the second combination instruction data in the variable list. If the determination is negative, the print processing routine is terminated. Returning to 104, the processing of steps 104 to 114 is similarly executed for the second compositing instruction data, and when the above processing is repeated for all the compositing instruction data, the print processing routine is ended.

  As described above, according to the print controller according to the first embodiment, the compositing instruction data generated by the change processing of the specific portion of the printing master data based on the change instruction data corresponding to the compositing instruction data. The specific portion of the master data for printing can be edited without increasing the number of prints, and prints suitable for each customer can be printed for a plurality of customers. Further, by setting the printing master data to data described in the page description language, it is possible to easily change the format of font data and add symbols.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The HDD 30 of the print controller 12 according to the second embodiment associates the file name of the master data for printing as shown in FIG. 5, the list name of the variable sub list, and the contents of the execution process for the list name. It differs from the first embodiment in that a list-related database is stored. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. First, master data for printing from the client PC 14 is stored in advance in the HDD of the print controller 12, and a variable list and a subvariable list as shown in FIG. The variable sublist is given a list name, and the change instruction data is composed only of data indicating the change position. Then, the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data are transmitted from the client PC 14 to the print controller 12.

  Then, the print controller 12 executes a print processing routine shown in FIG.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data from the client PC 14 are received, and in step 104, they are associated with the first combination instruction data included in the variable list. It is determined whether the changed instruction data is in the variable sublist. In step 106, all change instruction data associated with the first composition instruction data are read from the variable sublist.

  In the next step 130, the sub-list related database stored in the HDD 30 is read, and whether or not the file name of the received printing master data and the list name of the variable sub-list are related in the sub-list related database. judge. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 112, but if the determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 132, based on the change instruction data read in step 106 and the contents of the execution processing of the sublist related database. The change position is specified from the specific portion of the print master data.

  In step 134, based on the read change instruction data and the contents of the execution process of the sublist related database, the font change process and the image display state change process are performed on the change position specified in step 132. Execute. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a command for drawing a circle and data in which a place to add the command is given as an argument are stored in the execution processing column of the sublist-related database. As shown in FIG. 6, in the case where date data as a change position given as an argument in the execution process column of the sublist-related database is stored as change instruction data, the date specified in the print master data Add a command to draw a circle on the part.

  In the next step 112, raster data is generated based on the changed printing master data, and the variable data included in the first combining instruction data is combined with the rasterized printing master data. Rasterized data for printing is generated, and in step 114, a printing process is executed based on the rasterized data to output a printed matter as shown in FIG.

  In the next step 116, it is determined whether or not there is second synthesis instruction data in the variable list. When the above process is repeated for all the compositing instruction data, the print processing routine is terminated.

  As described above, according to the print controller according to the second embodiment, the compositing instruction data generated by the change processing of the specific portion of the printing master data based on the change instruction data corresponding to the compositing instruction data. It is possible to edit a specific portion of the master data for printing without increasing the number. Further, since the change instruction data is stored in advance and the association with the combination instruction data is performed by the variable sublist, a specific part of the printing master data can be edited, so that the burden of creating the change instruction data is reduced. Work efficiency can be improved.

  In the above description, the case where there is one variable sublist has been described as an example, but a plurality of variable sublists may be provided. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of variable sublists are provided by associating the change instruction data of the upper variable sublist with the change instruction data of the lower variable sublist.

  Further, a change process registration list in which the contents of the change process as shown in FIG. 9 and an ID for identifying the change process are registered is stored in the HDD of the print controller, and a desired change process is performed using the change instruction data. The ID may be designated. Thereby, the burden of creating change instruction data can be further reduced, and the work efficiency can be further improved.

  Next, a case where a product catalog is printed will be described as an example with respect to a third embodiment of the present invention. The above-described change process registration list is stored in the HDD 30 of the print controller 12 according to the third embodiment, and each change process column stores data representing a process of changing a specific part of a product to a specific color. Is stored. For example, in the case of a car catalog, the car body part of the car is formed in a specific color, but the car body part of the car is changed to a specified color by a change process. In addition, the change position specified by the registered change process may extend over a plurality of pages. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. In addition, about the process same as the process mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, master data for catalog printing from the client PC 14 and a change processing registration list are stored in advance in the HDD 30 of the print controller 12. Then, a variable list is created by the client PC 14, and then a list of product colors is displayed on the monitor of the client PC 14 by the application 32, and the user selects one color from the list. Then, the subvariable list is generated based on the selected color by the application 32 of the client PC 14. The variable sublist change instruction data stores an ID for identifying a change process registered in the change process registration list. Then, the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data are transmitted from the client PC 14 to the print controller 12.

  Then, the print controller 12 executes a print processing routine shown in FIG.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data from the client PC 14 are received, and in step 104, they are associated with the first combination instruction data included in the variable list. It is determined whether the changed instruction data is in the variable sublist. In step 106, all change instruction data associated with the first composition instruction data are read from the variable sublist.

  In the next step 150, the change processing registration list corresponding to the file name of the received catalog printing master data stored in the HDD 30 is read, and the change instruction data and the change processing registration list read in step 106 are read. Based on this, the content of the change process is specified.

  In step 152, the change position is specified from the catalog printing master data. In step 154, the change position specified in step 152 is designated based on the change processing content specified in step 150. The image processing to change to the selected color is executed.

  In step 112, raster data is generated based on the changed catalog printing master data, and the variable data included in the first combining instruction data is combined with the rasterized catalog printing master data, Rasterized data for printing is generated, and in step 114, the print engine 22 is caused to execute print processing based on the rasterized data.

  In the next step 116, it is determined whether or not there is the second combination instruction data in the variable list. If the determination is negative, the print processing routine is terminated. Returning to 104, the above-described processing is similarly executed for the second combination instruction data, and when the above-described processing is repeated for all the combination instruction data, the print processing routine is ended.

  As described above, according to the print controller according to the third embodiment, by specifying the color of the product with the change instruction data and changing the color of the product part of the product catalog, There is no need to prepare as many stocks as the number of colors, and the user can easily obtain a product catalog of the desired color.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the HDD 30 of the print controller 12 according to the fourth embodiment, photographic image data is stored in advance, and the print engine 22 has a scan function, and the scan data is transmitted to the print controller 12. .

  The variable sublist change instruction data created by the client PC 14 changes the image position (coordinate on the page number or scan data) as the change position for changing the image display state and the image display state. The file name of the photographic image data to be inserted is composed. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. The same processes as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  First, printing master data and photographic image data from the client PC 14 are stored in advance in the HDD 30 of the print controller 12, and a document to be scanned by the user is set in the print engine 22. Also, a variable list is created by the client PC 14, and then the application 32 of the client PC 14 is used to input the file name of the photo image data to be inserted into the scan data and information for specifying the position to insert the photo image data. A subvariable list is created. Then, the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data are transmitted from the client PC 14 to the print controller 12.

  Next, the print controller 12 executes a print processing routine shown in FIG.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data from the client PC 14 are received. If the determination is affirmative, in step 160, the document set on the print engine 22 is checked. The scan processing is executed by the print engine 22. In step 162, the print controller 12 reads scan data from the print engine 22.

  In the next step 104, it is determined whether or not the change instruction data associated with the first combination instruction data included in the variable list is in the variable sublist, and in step 106, the first combination instruction data is determined. All change instruction data associated with the instruction data are read from the variable sublist.

  In the next step 164, the photographic image data designated by the change instruction data read in step 106 is read from the HDD 30, and in step 166, the change position designated by the change instruction data is specified from the scan data. Then, the photographic image data is inserted into the specified change position to generate insertion scan data.

  In step 168, a preview image is displayed on the monitor of the client PC 14 based on the insertion scan data. Here, the user can perform editing such as correcting the position of the inserted photographic image data or changing the order of the originals based on the insertion scan data while viewing the preview image.

  In the next step 170, it is determined whether or not there is a print instruction from the client PC. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 112, where raster data is generated based on the insertion scan data, and the compositing instruction is given to the compositing part for which compositing is instructed based on the first compositing instruction data The variable data included in the data is combined with the rasterized insertion scan data to generate rasterized data for printing. In step 114, the print engine 22 is caused to execute a printing process based on the rasterized data.

  In the next step 116, it is determined whether or not there is the second combination instruction data in the variable list. When the above process is repeated for all the combination instruction data, the print processing routine is terminated. .

  As described above, according to the print controller according to the fourth embodiment, when a photographic image is included in a document to be scanned, the photographic image data is inserted into the photographic image portion of the scan data, thereby Quality degradation of the output image due to scanning can be prevented.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, the variable sublist change instruction data created by the client PC 14 changes the file name of the photo image data to be inserted to change the image display state and the image display state. The fourth embodiment is composed of a page number as a position and an insertion position of the photo image data (for example, top alignment, right alignment, left alignment, center, etc.) and the size and orientation of the photo image data to be inserted. And different. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described. The same processes as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Master data for printing and photographic image data from the client PC 14 are stored in advance in the HDD 30 of the print controller 12. First, a document to be scanned by the user is set in the print engine 22. Then, a variable list is created by the client PC 14, and then using the application 32 of the client PC 14, the file name of the photo image data to be inserted into the scan data, the information for specifying the position to insert the photo image data, and the photo to be inserted A subvariable list is generated by inputting the size and orientation of image data, and the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data are transmitted from the client PC 14 to the print controller 12.

  Then, the print controller 12 executes a print processing routine shown in FIG.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the variable list, variable sublist, and print job data from the client PC 14 are received. In step 160, the scan processing of the original set in the print engine 22 is performed. In step 162, the print controller 12 reads scan data from the print engine 22.

  In the next step 104, it is determined whether or not the change instruction data associated with the first combination instruction data included in the variable list is in the variable sublist, and in step 106, the first combination instruction data is determined. Read all the change instruction data associated with the instruction data.

  In the next step 164, the photographic image data specified by the change instruction data read in step 106 is read from the HDD 30, and in step 180, the scan data corresponding to the page number specified in the change instruction data is selected. The photographic image area is detected by the image recognition process, and in step 182 photographic image data is inserted into the detected photographic area to generate insertion scan data. When this photographic image data is inserted, the read photographic image data is subjected to image processing based on the size and orientation of the photographic image data instructed by the change instruction data, and is also instructed by the change instruction data. Based on the position, photographic image data is inserted into the detected photographic area.

  In step 168, based on the insertion scan data, a preview image is displayed on the monitor of the client PC 14, and the user is allowed to edit the insertion scan data.

  In the next step 170, it is determined whether or not there is a print instruction from the client PC 14. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 112, where raster data is generated based on the insertion scan data, The variable data included in the eye combination instruction data is combined with the rasterized insertion scan data to generate rasterized data for printing. In step 114, the print engine 22 executes a printing process based on the rasterized data. .

  In the next step 116, it is determined whether or not there is the second combination instruction data in the variable list. When the above process is repeated for all the combination instruction data, the print processing routine is terminated. .

  As described above, according to the print controller according to the fifth embodiment, when a photographic image is included in a document to be scanned, by inserting the photographic image data into the photographic image portion of the scan data, It is possible to prevent quality degradation of the output image due to scanning of the document.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the page to be printed is changed for each printed matter, the print page can be selected on the preview screen. If there are many pages to be displayed on the preview screen, the pages to be displayed on the preview screen can be designated in advance.

  Here, the page selection preview image display processing routine executed by the print controller 12 will be described with reference to FIG. First, at step 190, the preview page selection dialog shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the monitor of the client PC. In the preview page selection dialog, the page to be displayed on the preview screen can be searched by specifying the feature of the page content and the warning generated in the page. In the page feature specification, the feature of the page content can be specified by the keyword, the presence or absence of a graph and a table, the image type, and the paper size in the page. In the warning page designation, a hairline warning, an RGB warning, and an overprint warning can be designated.

  In the next step 192, it is determined whether there is a page designation in the preview page selection dialog. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 196. If the determination is affirmative, in step 194, the preview page selection is performed. The page search process is executed based on the conditions specified in the dialog.

  In step 196, the preview target page is initialized to the first page. In step 198, it is determined whether the first page is a preview display target. If the determination in step 192 is negative, this determination is affirmed, but if a page search process is executed in step 194, the first page is not included in the search results. The determination in step 198 is denied and the process proceeds to step 208. However, if the first page is included in the search result, the determination in step 198 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 200 to preview the first page. Display the screen.

  In the next step 202, it is determined whether or not the first page is selected as a print page by the user's operation. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 208. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 204. Then, in order to notify the user that the first page has been selected as the print page, the preview screen of the first page is shaded with a light color. In step 206, the first page is added to the output page designation field of the print dialog displayed on the monitor of the client PC.

  In the next step 208, it is determined whether or not there is a second page. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 212. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 198, and similarly for the second page. Steps 198 to 206 are executed, and the above-mentioned steps 198 to 206 are executed repeatedly for all pages.

  In step 212, it is determined whether or not there has been a print instruction from the client PC 14, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 214 to cause the print engine 22 to execute print processing, and the page selection preview image display processing routine is executed. finish.

  According to the page selection preview image display processing routine described above, when a print page is selected, it is possible to improve the operability when checking the page to be printed on the preview screen and designating the page. In addition, by specifying and searching for the characteristics of the page to be printed, the number of pages to be displayed in the preview image can be reduced, and the effort to search for the page to be printed can be reduced.

  The print controller that performs various processes such as image processing based on the variable list, the variable sublist, and the print job data to instruct execution of the print process and the print engine that executes the print process are separate devices. However, the print controller and the print engine may be realized by a single device.

It is the schematic which shows the network structure which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a client PC and a print controller according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is an image figure of the variable list and variable sublist which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing routine of the print controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an image figure of the sublist related database which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure of the variable list and variable sublist which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing routine of a print controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is an image figure which shows the other structure of the variable sublist which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the other structure and variable process registration list of the variable sub list which concern on embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing routine of a print controller according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing routine of a print controller according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the printing processing routine of the print controller which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a page selection preview image display processing routine of the print controller according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an image figure of the preview page selection dialog concerning an embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Print System 12 Print Controller 14 Client PC
22 Print Engine 24 Print Control Unit 26 Image Processing Unit 28 Processing Setting Unit

Claims (5)

First storage means storing master data for printing having a specific portion whose content is specified in advance by at least one of font data and image data, and a combining portion capable of combining variable data;
Format change data for storing a plurality of compositing instruction data composed of the variable data and composite position data indicating a composite position of the variable data, and changing the format without changing the content of the font represented by the font data And font change instruction data including data indicating the change position of the format, display state change data for changing the display state without changing the contents of the image represented by the image data, and the change position of the display state Second storage means for storing at least one of image change instruction data composed of data in association with each of the combination instruction data;
A process of combining the variable data based on each of the combination instruction data into the combination portion, and the specific portion based on at least one of font change instruction data and image change instruction data corresponding to each of the combination instruction data Generating means for performing a change process to generate a plurality of print data;
A print data generation apparatus including: First storage means storing master data for printing having a specific portion whose content is specified in advance by at least one of font data and image data, and a combining portion capable of combining variable data;
A plurality of compositing instruction data composed of the variable data and composite position data indicating a composite position of the variable data, format change data for changing the format without changing the content of the font represented by the font data, and the format Font change instruction data consisting of data indicating the change position of the image, display state change data for changing the display state without changing the content of the image represented by the image data, and data indicating the change position of the display state Second storage means for storing at least one of the image change instruction data;
Corresponding means for associating at least one of the font change instruction data and the image change instruction data with each of the synthesis instruction data based on an instruction from an operator;
A process of combining the variable data based on each of the combination instruction data into the combination portion, and the specific portion based on at least one of font change instruction data and image change instruction data corresponding to each of the combination instruction data Generating means for performing a change process to generate a plurality of print data;
A print data generation apparatus including:   The print data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print master data is data described in a page description language.   The format change by the format change data includes a symbol addition process to the font portion represented by the font data, and the display status change by the display status change data changes the color of the image represented by the image data. The print data generation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a color change process to be changed. Storing print master data including a specific portion whose content is specified in advance by at least one of font data and image data, and a combining portion capable of combining variable data;
Format change data for storing a plurality of compositing instruction data composed of the variable data and composite position data indicating a composite position of the variable data, and changing the format without changing the content of the font represented by the font data And font change instruction data including data indicating the change position of the format, display state change data for changing the display state without changing the contents of the image represented by the image data, and the change position of the display state Storing at least one of image change instruction data composed of data in association with each of the synthesis instruction data;
A process of combining the variable data based on each of the combination instruction data into the combination portion, and the specific portion based on at least one of font change instruction data and image change instruction data corresponding to each of the combination instruction data A print data generation method, wherein a change process is performed to generate a plurality of print data.

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