JP4479289B2 - Printing control apparatus and method, data expansion apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus and method , and a data development apparatus . In particular, a printing plate for printing an image represented by first printing image data on a recording medium by a printing machine is created based on the first printing image data. A printing control apparatus and a printing control method for controlling a printing system including a first printing apparatus that performs printing, and a second printing apparatus that directly prints an image represented by the second print image data on a recording medium based on the second print image data , And a data development apparatus connected to the printing system .

  In printing at home and office, a relatively small number of many kinds of printed materials are often printed, and the size of the printed materials is limited (for example, A3 or lower), so that the electrophotographic process (xerography) is used as a printing apparatus. A color printer using is suitable. On the other hand, in the printing industry, for the purpose of printing a small number of kinds of printed matter in large quantities, conventionally, in most cases, a block was generated based on print data, and printing was performed using the generated block. Due to changes in the printing process due to the popularization of DTP (DeskTop Publishing / Prepress), the so-called “digital revolution of printing” has led to the adoption of “direct printing” or “on-demand printing” in which printing is performed directly from DTP data. ing. In direct printing (on-demand printing), pre-pressing without producing intermediate products such as paper printing (printing paper) such as photo-setting in traditional printing (for example, offset printing), block printing, net negative, net positive, PS plate, etc. By completely digitizing the process, a plate is directly created from print data (DTP data) by a plate making device (CTP: Computer To Plate), and printing is performed by setting the created plate on a printing press. .

  In addition, the above-described color printer and plate making apparatus can directly perform printing (preparation of a printing plate) from print data. Printing using a color printer and printing using a plate making apparatus (and a printing machine) are not possible. Since they have different characteristics, printers and plate making devices are provided as printing devices, and these printing devices and terminals, printing data rasterization (conversion to print image data in bitmap format), etc. A device that performs printing (RIP: Raster Image Processor) or the like is connected via a communication line, and when a user gives an instruction to execute printing via the terminal, which of the printer and the plate making device is used to perform printing Construction of a printing system that allows selection of individual print jobs as a unit is also under consideration.

In relation to the above, Patent Document 1 determines the image transfer speed ratio of each copying machine from the image transfer speeds of a plurality of copying machines, and determines the image data input from the host computer and stored in the frame memory. Disclosed is a technology that absorbs the difference in image data transfer speed by reading to the FIFO at the image transfer speed ratio and transferring it to the copying machine, improves the reading efficiency of the image data, and realizes simultaneous recording by a plurality of copying machines. Has been.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-81722

  Generally, the printing (plate making) speed of the plate making apparatus is about 16 sheets per hour (4 pages per hour for making each of the C, M, Y, and K printing plates per page). When printing is started, the plate making apparatus is often operated continuously for a long time depending on the number of pages of the printed matter. The RIP for the plate making apparatus that generates print image data and outputs it to the plate making apparatus is connected to the plate making apparatus on a one-to-one basis, and the print image data is sent to the plate making apparatus at a speed synchronized with the printing speed in the plate making apparatus. Since the transfer is performed, if the plate making apparatus is operated at a high operation rate, the RIP is also restricted by the processing for the plate making apparatus for a long time. For this reason, when a customer who already has a plate making apparatus or a RIP for the plate making apparatus tries to construct the above-described printing system by adding a printer, the RIP for the plate making apparatus already owned is a printer. In spite of the configuration capable of generating print image data used for printing, an expensive RIP and fonts installed in the RIP for generating print image data used for printing with a printer are also used together with the printer. In most cases, it is necessary to purchase a new one, and there is a problem that the financial burden on the customer is large.

  In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to apply the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above. However, this technique subdivides processing for individual copying machines, and subdivides processing for individual copying machines into images. When this technology is applied, the RIP performs processing for generating print image data to be output to the plate making apparatus and print image data to be output to the printer. The process of generating is subdivided and executed alternately. Since the process of generating print image data requires a large amount of system resources such as a large-capacity memory, if this process is subdivided and executed alternately, it takes time to switch the process and increases overhead. This is not practical because the processing efficiency of the RIP is greatly lowered and the configuration of the RIP itself needs to be significantly changed.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described facts. A printing plate for printing an image represented by first print image data on a recording medium by a printing machine is created based on the first print image data. In a printing system configured to include one printing apparatus and a second printing apparatus that directly prints an image represented by the second print image data on a recording medium based on the second print image data, the first printing apparatus It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control device, a print control method , and a data development device that can complete printing by the second printing device in a short time even during a period in which printing is being performed .

Print control apparatus according to the invention of claim 1, wherein in order to achieve the above object, the first print image the printing plates for printing on the recording medium in the printing press images first which data representing the print image data A printing system comprising: a first printing device that is created based on the first printing device; and a second printing device that directly prints an image represented by the second printing image data on a recording medium based on the second printing image data A print control apparatus for controlling print data, wherein the print data described in a page description language is expanded to the first or second print image data, and the print image data expanded by the expansion means is temporarily stored And storing the second print image data expanded by the expansion unit without storing the storage unit in the storage unit, and transferring the first print image data expanded by the expansion unit. And control means for transferring the print image data is once allowed to accumulate in the storage means, and a data expansion apparatus having, a storage unit, the first or second print image data transferred from the data developing apparatus Are temporarily stored in the storage means, and are output from the storage means and output to the corresponding printing apparatus at a speed synchronized with the processing speed of the corresponding printing apparatus in the order of storage in the storage means. The control means has the second print image data to be transferred to the output device existing in the data development device, or the data development device plans to generate the second print image data. During this period, the transfer of the first print image data stored in the storage means to the output device is stopped, and the transfer of the second print image data to the output device is favored. It is characterized in that cause.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting a free capacity of the storage means, wherein the control means is the one print image to be transferred to the output device. If there is data and the free space detected by the detecting means is smaller than the capacity of the one print image data to be transferred, the one print image is monitored while monitoring the change in the free space. The data is divided and transferred according to the size that can be stored by the storage means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting a free capacity of the storage means, wherein the control means is configured to transfer the second print to be transferred to the output device. There is no image data in the data expansion device, there is no plan to generate the second print image data in the data expansion device, and the free space detected by the detection means is stored in the storage means. The first print image data stored in the storage means is transferred to the output device at a time when the capacity of the first print image data exceeds the capacity.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control method for creating a printing plate for printing an image represented by the first print image data on a recording medium by a printing machine based on the first print image data. Print control for controlling a printing system including a first printing device and a second printing device that directly prints an image represented by the second print image data on a recording medium based on the second print image data A developing method for expanding print data described in a page description language into the first or second print image data, and a storage unit for temporarily storing the print image data expanded by the expanding unit And the second print image data developed by the development means is transferred without being stored in the storage means, and the first print image developed by the development means A data development device for temporarily storing the data in the storage means and then transferring the data, and storage means, and temporarily storing the first or second print image data transferred from the data development device in the storage means After that, an output device that reads from the storage means and outputs to the corresponding printing device at a speed synchronized with the processing speed of the corresponding printing device is provided in the order of storage in the storage means, and is transferred to the output device While the second print image data to be present is present in the data development device or the second print image data is scheduled to be generated by the data development device, it is stored in the storage means. The transfer of the first print image data to the output device is stopped, and the transfer of the second print image data to the output device is prioritized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data expansion device that creates a printing plate for printing an image represented by the first print image data on a recording medium by a printing machine based on the first print image data. A first printing apparatus; a second printing apparatus that directly prints an image represented by the second print image data on a recording medium based on the second print image data; After the second print image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit, the second print image data is read from the storage unit in the order of storage in the storage unit at a speed synchronized with the processing speed of the corresponding printing apparatus, and is output to the corresponding printing apparatus. A data expansion device connected to a printing system including an output device, wherein the expansion device expands print data described in a page description language into the first or second print image data; Above A storage unit for temporarily storing the print image data developed by the opening unit; and the second print image data developed by the development unit is transferred to the output device without being stored in the storage unit, and Control means for temporarily storing the first print image data developed by the development means in the storage means and then transferring the first print image data to the output device, and the control means should be transferred to the output device While the second print image data exists in the data expansion device or the second print image data is scheduled to be generated by the data expansion device, the second print image data is stored in the storage means. Transfer of one print image data to the output device is stopped, and transfer of the second print image data to the output device is prioritized.

As described above, the present invention provides a first printing apparatus that creates a printing plate for printing an image represented by first print image data on a recording medium by a printing machine based on the first print image data, And a second printing apparatus that directly prints an image represented by the second print image data on a recording medium based on the print image data of the second print image data, and develops from the print data described in the page description language The second print image data developed by the means is transferred to the output device without being stored in the storage means, and the first print image data developed by the development means is temporarily stored in the storage means from the print data. While there is the second print image data to be transferred later and to be transferred to the output device, or while the second print image data is scheduled to be generated, it is stored in the storage means. Since the transfer of the second print image data to the output device is prioritized by stopping the transfer of the first print image data to the output device, the image represented by the first print image data is displayed on the printing machine. A first printing apparatus that creates a printing plate for printing on a recording medium based on the first print image data, and an image represented by the second print image data based on the second print image data is directly printed on the recording medium. In the printing system configured to include the second printing apparatus, the printing by the second printing apparatus can be completed in a short time even during the period when the printing is performed by the first printing apparatus. It has the effect.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a printing system 10 according to the present embodiment. As a printing apparatus, the printing system 10 forms a full-color toner image by an electrophotographic process based on the input print image data, and transfers it to a predetermined recording sheet, whereby a color image represented by the input print image data is displayed. A printer 12 that functions as a printing device that directly prints on recording paper, and a printing plate for printing an image represented by the input print image data on the recording paper by a printing machine (press device) 14 is input to the print image data. A plate making apparatus (CTP: Computer To Plate) 16 is provided. In the present embodiment, the printing system 10 corresponds to the printing system according to the present invention, the plate making device 16 corresponds to the first printing device according to the present invention, and the printer 12 corresponds to the second printing device according to the present invention. .

  The printer 12 and the plate making apparatus 16 are connected to a BEP (BackEnd Processor) 20 via communication lines 18A and 18B. The BEP 20 includes a large number of client terminals 22 (only a single client terminal 22 is shown in FIG. 1), RIP (Raster Image Processor) 24 and server computer 25 are connected to each other via a communication line 26 (for example, a high-speed wired LAN (Local Area Network) using a general-purpose communication protocol with a communication speed of about 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second)). Has been. Note that the printing system 10 can be connected to a scanner device that reads an image of a document and outputs image data, and a printer proofer for confirming print output.

  As the plate making apparatus 16, for example, a sheet-shaped printing plate is wound around and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical rotating drum, and the rotating drum is rotated and modulated according to the input print data of the specific color component. A printing plate (printing plate) with a specific color component is developed by recording a printing image on the printing plate by irradiating a printing plate rotating integrally with a rotating drum with a light beam, and then developing the printing plate on which the printing image is recorded. The structure which manufactures can be employ | adopted. In this case, a printing plate corresponding to each color component can be obtained by repeating the above process for each color component of C, M, Y, and K. The printing plates of the respective color components produced by the plate making device 16 are set in the printing machine 14 and used for printing.

  In the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment, the user can instruct the printing apparatus to print online from the client terminal 22, and the printing apparatus 10 can perform printing using the printer 12 among the printing apparatuses. 16 can be arbitrarily selected to perform printing (whether a printing plate is produced by the plate making apparatus 16 and the produced printing plate is set in a printing machine to perform printing). Printing using the printer 12 does not require creation of a printing plate and setting the created printing plate in a printing machine, and printing can be completed in a short time after the printing is instructed (the printing speed is (About 60 sheets / minute) is limited to the size of printable recording paper (usually A3 size or less), and is used when printing a relatively small amount of a large number of types of printed materials having a predetermined size or less. On the other hand, in printing using the plate making apparatus 16, it takes a relatively long time to produce a printing plate by the plate making apparatus 16 (for example, several minutes per printing plate), and time and effort to set the produced printing plate in a printing machine. However, once the setting of the printing plate on the printing press is completed, printing can be performed at high speed (for example, several hundred sheets / minute), and the size limit of the printed material is loose. This is used when printing a small amount of printed matter.

  The client terminal 22 comprises a personal computer (PC), and an arbitrary OS (Operating System) and arbitrary application software are installed. In the present embodiment, the user creates a document to be printed by operating the client terminal 22 and using any application software. This document may be a character document, an image such as a photograph or a chart, or a document in which characters and images are mixed. When the creation of the document to be printed is completed, the user performs an operation for instructing printing of the document to be printed. In this operation, parameters that define the processing conditions of the print job to be executed, such as the printing apparatus that performs printing, the number of copies, the size of the printed matter, and the paper quality, are also specified. When the above operation is performed by the user, print data describing a document to be printed in a page description language (PDL) is transmitted from the client terminal 22 to the RIP 24, and processing of a print job set by the user is performed. Based on the conditions, print control information (also called a job ticket) in a predetermined format (for example, JDF: Job Definition Format) in which the processing conditions are set as parameters is generated, and the generated print control information is transmitted from the client terminal 22 to the server. -Sent to computer 25.

  By the way, the print control information according to the present embodiment includes information relating to printed matter production from planning / production to delivery (for example, production specifications of printed matter, processing procedures in each process such as production / printing / post-processing, individual print jobs, The print control information received by the server computer 25 can be referred to and updated by the client terminal 22, the RIP 24, and the BEP 20 of the print system 10 in a comprehensive manner. Stored in the server computer 25. The print control information is browsed via the client terminal 22 by a person other than the user (for example, the person in charge of the company's sales department) who has instructed execution of printing, for example, and necessary. When the information is additionally set, the setting of the print control information for instructing the processing procedure in each process is completed so that a printed matter that matches the user's instruction is manufactured.

  Next, the RIP 24 will be described. The RIP 24 corresponds to the data expansion device according to the present invention. The RIP 24 according to the present embodiment is not provided with a printer controller function for controlling printing in the printer 12 (or the plate making apparatus 16) unlike the conventional RIP, and is the print data to be printed by the printer 12 and the plate making apparatus 16. This is different from the conventional RIP in that each print data to be printed is processed.

  That is, the RIP 24 is constituted by a computer such as a personal computer (PC), and as shown in FIG. 2, a data storage unit comprising a data storage unit 30, a RIP processing unit 32, a compression processing unit 34, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). 36, a memory 38, an interface (I / F) unit 40, and a transfer control unit 42. The data storage unit 30 sequentially stores print data (print data described in PDL and expressing colors in R, G, and B) received by the RIP 24 from the client terminal 22. The RIP processing unit 32 incorporates a PDL interpretation unit and a decomposer functioning as an imager, a so-called RIP engine. The RIP processing unit 32 takes out the print data from the data storage unit 30, interprets it, and performs color conversion of R, G, B → C, M, Y, K and raster image data (print image data in bitmap format). RIP (Raster Image Process) processing for generating print data that can be used for printing on the printing apparatus.

  The printer print image data used for printing by the printer 12 and the plate making apparatus print image data used for printing (preparation of a printing plate) by the plate making apparatus 16 have different formats (for example, by the printer 12). The print image data used for printing is a data that expresses gradation with 8 bits each of C, M, Y, K per dot with a resolution of 600 dpi, whereas the print image used for printing with the plate making apparatus 16 The data is a resolution of 2400 dpi or 4800 dpi and 1 bit each of C, M, Y, K per dot (representing gradation by a plurality of dots), and the RIP processing unit 32 is stored in the server computer 25 The printing apparatus that performs printing is referred to by referring to the printing control information corresponding to the printing data extracted from the data storage unit 30 among the printing control information being recorded, and is described in PDL From printing data and performs RIP processing that generates print image data of a format conforming to the recognized printing device.

  Further, the RIP processing unit 32 refers to the parameters set in the print control information corresponding to the print data extracted from the data storage unit 30, and is executed during printing according to the processing conditions of the print job corresponding to the extracted print data. A process to be performed is determined, and a process related to the RIP process among the determined processes is simultaneously performed. As processing related to RIP processing, for example, if the designated printing apparatus is a printer 12, for example, rotation (Rotation), page allocation (N-UP) within one sheet, repeat processing, paper Size adjustment, CMS (Color Management System) processing for correcting device differences, resolution conversion, contrast adjustment, compression rate designation (low / medium / high), and the like, and the designated printing apparatus is the plate making apparatus 16. If so, imposition or screen processing for allocating images for a plurality of pages on a large-size printing surface corresponding to a large-size recording sheet can be mentioned.

  When the above processing is performed, the RIP processing unit 32 removes parameters related to the executed processing from among various parameters set in the print control information stored in the server computer 25. Update the print control information. As a result, the print control information stored in the server computer 25 includes parameters related to the process to be executed by the BEP 20 (for example, the designated printing device is the printer 12) as a parameter for specifying the process to be executed at the time of printing. If there are, only the parameters for specifying the number of copies, duplex / single side, color / black and white, composite printing, presence / absence of sorting, presence / absence of stapler, etc. remain.

  Note that the print data that has been subjected to the various processes described above in the RIP processing unit 32 is reprinted using the same print data. The data storage unit 30 stores the data for a certain period or a period designated for each print job.

  The compression processing unit 34 compresses the print image data generated by the RIP processing unit 32 by applying different compression methods depending on whether the print image data is printer print image data or plate making apparatus print image data. As a result, a compressed image file is generated, and the generated compressed image file is shaped into print file data in a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format. The header of the print file data in the TIFF format is added with tags by the compression processing unit 34 as information for identifying a printing apparatus that performs printing and information indicating the compression method applied to the print image data. The print image data to be compressed is separated into data corresponding to the line drawing portion of the image represented by the print image data and data corresponding to the background portion of the image, and the data of the separated line drawing portion and the data of the background portion are separated. Are compressed by different compression methods (for example, lossless compression (lossless compression) is applied to line drawing data and lossy compression is applied to background data). May be configured.

  The transfer control unit 42 determines whether the print file data generated by the compression processing unit 34 is data generated from print image data for printer or print image data for plate making apparatus, and print for plate making apparatus The plate making apparatus print file data generated from the image data is stored and stored in the data storage unit 36, and the printer print file data generated from the printer print image data is stored in the memory 38. Control. The data storage unit 36 corresponds to storage means according to the present invention. The I / F unit 40 is connected to the data storage unit 36 and the memory 38, and the transfer control unit 42 is connected to a print control unit 62 (described later) of the BEP 20. The I / F unit 40 reads the plate making apparatus print file data stored in the data storage unit 36 and the printer print file data stored in the memory 38, and transmits them to the BEP 20 via the communication line 26. (For example, file transfer by FTO (Fast Transfer Protocol) or the like), the transfer control unit 42 performs I / F based on the free capacity of the image storage unit 52 (described later) acquired by communicating with the print control unit 62. The unit 40 controls which print file data is read out and transferred to the BEP 20.

  The printing image data for the plate making apparatus and the printing file data for the plate making apparatus correspond to the first printing image data according to the present invention, and the printing image data for the printer and the printing file data for the printer correspond to the second printing image data according to the present invention. It corresponds to print image data.

  Next, the BEP 20 will be described. The BEP 20 corresponds to the output device according to the present invention. The BEP 20 is also composed of a computer such as a PC and functions as a print control apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the BEP 20 includes a data receiving unit 50, an image storage unit 52, an expansion processing unit 54, an image processing unit 56, I / F units 58 and 60, and a print control unit 62. The image storage unit 52 corresponds to the storage unit according to the present invention. The data receiving unit 50 receives the print file data transmitted from the RIP 24, the image storage unit 52 sequentially stores the print file data received by the data receiving unit 50, and the expansion processing unit 54 stores the print file data in the image storage unit 52. The print file data is read out from the image storage unit 52 in order, and the compressed image file is taken out from the read print file data and decompressed. On the other hand, when the decompression processing unit 54 reads specific print file data from the image storage unit 52, the print control unit 62 print control information corresponding to the specific print file data (print stored in the server computer 25). Control information), the operation of each unit of the BEP 20 is controlled in accordance with the print job processing conditions defined by the parameters set in the print control information.

  That is, the decompression processing unit 54 is connected to the printer 12 through the image processing unit 56 and the I / F unit 58 and is connected to the plate making apparatus 16 through the I / F unit 60, and the print control unit 62. Determines whether the designated printing device is the printer 12 or the plate making device 16 based on the print control information, and sends the print image data obtained through the decompression processing by the decompression processing unit 54 to the image processing unit 56 or the I / F unit 60. Let them enter. When the designated printing device is the plate making device 16 (when the inputted print image data is print image data for the plate making device), the print image data output from the expansion processing unit 54 is the I / F unit. 60. The BEP 20 and the plate making apparatus 16 are in a relatively “sparse” relationship in which communication is performed using a general-purpose communication protocol via the communication line 18B. The print image data input to the I / F unit 60 is the plate making apparatus. As the print image data for use, it is sequentially transferred to the plate making apparatus 16 at a speed synchronized with the processing speed of the plate making apparatus 16 via the communication line 18B by a general-purpose communication protocol, and is printed by the plate making apparatus 16 (creation of a printing plate). Used for.

  On the other hand, when the designated printing apparatus is the printer 12 (when the input print image data is print image data for the printer), the print image data output from the expansion processing unit 54 is the image processing unit 56. Is input. The image processing unit 56 has a function of performing various processes such as rotation, image position adjustment, enlargement or reduction on the input print image data, and the print control unit 62 includes print control information. Sorting pages in ascending / descending order according to the discharge conditions specified by the set parameters and the structure and characteristics of the printer 12 that performs printing, determining the processing page order during duplex printing, and a multi-dimensional lookup table Page relocation (location of staplers and punch holes) corresponding to calibration processing such as color conversion, gray balance correction, and color misregistration correction using (DLUT), screen designation processing, and finishing processing executed by the finisher module of the printer 12 Secure), collation (collation), discharge surface (upper and lower) alignment, etc., depending on the structure and characteristics of the printer 12 To perform various processes contents are different in the image processing unit 56.

  The BEP 20 and the printer 12 are in a relatively “close” relationship in which communication is performed by a dedicated communication protocol (a communication protocol depending on the print engine of the printer 12) via the communication line 18A. The print image data subjected to the above process is transferred to the printer 12 at a speed synchronized with the processing speed of the printer 12 via the I / F unit 58 and the communication line 18A. At the time of transferring the print image data, the print control unit 62 sends various control commands at a timing synchronized with the processing speed of the printer 12, thereby controlling the operation of each unit of the printer 12. Is executed. In addition, the print control unit 62 automatically performs recovery processing at the time of a paper jam in which processing contents differ depending on the structure and characteristics of the printer 12. Thus, the print control unit 62 also functions as a printer controller that controls the operation of the printer 12.

  Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, data transfer processing that is always executed by the transfer control unit 42 of the RIP 24 while the power of the RIP 24 is turned on will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The data transfer process shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the control by the control means according to the present invention, and the transfer control unit 42 that executes this data transfer process corresponds to the control means according to the present invention.

  In step 100, the data storage unit 36 is inquired of the capacity F of the plate making device print file data (plate making device print file data to be transferred) stored and stored in the data storage unit 36, so that the accumulated data capacity F To get. In the next step 102, it is determined whether or not the RIP processing unit 32 has completed the RIP processing for certain print data. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 112, and it is determined whether or not the I / F unit 40 is executing a transfer process for transferring the print file data to the BEP 20. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 114, where it is determined whether the print file data for the printer is stored in the memory 38. If this determination is also negative, it is determined in step 116 whether or not the accumulated data capacity F is larger than 0 (whether or not the plate making apparatus print file data is accumulated and stored in the data accumulation unit 36). If this determination is also denied, the process returns to step 102. Therefore, while the print file data to be transferred is not stored in the data storage unit 36 and the memory 38, and new print file data is not generated, Steps 102, 112, 114, and 116 are repeated.

  The RIP processing unit 32 completes RIP processing for certain print data, and the compression processing unit 34 performs processing such as compression on the print image data generated by the RIP processing, thereby generating new print file data. Then, the determination at step 102 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 104, where it is determined whether or not the newly generated print file data is plate-making apparatus print file data. If the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 108, where the accumulated data capacity F is calculated by substituting the accumulated data capacity F with the capacity of the print file data for the plate making apparatus generated this time into the accumulated data capacity F. Update. In step 110, the print file data for the plate making apparatus generated this time is stored in the data storage unit 36 as the print file data for the plate making apparatus to be transferred, and then the process returns to step 120.

  As described above, when the plate making apparatus data to be transferred is accumulated and stored in the data accumulation unit 36, the print file data is not transferred by the I / F unit 40, and the printer to be transferred to the memory 38 is transferred. If the print file data for printing is not stored (if the determination in step 114 is negative), the determination in step 116 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 118, where the RIP processing unit 32 generates the print image data for printer. The RIP processing unit 32 is inquired whether the processing is being executed, and based on the response received from the RIP processing unit 32 in response to the inquiry, it is determined whether the RIP processing for generating the print image data for the printer is being executed. To do. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step 102 without performing any processing. As a result, not only when the printer print file data to be transferred is stored in the memory 38 but also when the printer print file data is scheduled to be newly generated, it is stored and stored in the data storage unit 36. The transfer of the print file data for the plate making apparatus to be transferred to the BEP 20 is stopped.

  If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 120, in which the print control unit 62 of the BEP 20 is inquired about the free space B of the image storage unit 52, and an answer to the inquiry is received from the print control unit 62. The free capacity B of the storage unit 52 is acquired. In the next step 122, it is determined whether or not the free capacity B of the image storage unit 52 is equal to or greater than the data storage capacity F. If this determination is negative, the process returns to step 102 without performing any processing. If the determination at step 122 is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 124, where all the print file data for the plate making apparatus to be transferred stored in the data storage unit 36 is transferred to the BEP 20 at a time (burst transfer). In step 126, the accumulated data capacity F is set to 0 and the process returns to step 102.

  Therefore, as long as printing using the printer 12 as a printing apparatus is not instructed and the RIP processing unit 32 does not perform the RIP process for generating the print image data for the printer, the print file for the plate making apparatus to be transferred is used. Data is transferred from the RIP 24 to the BEP 20. Then, the printing file data for the plate making apparatus transferred to the BEP 20 is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 52 of the BEP 20 and then read out, and restored through the expansion process by the expansion processing unit 54 of the BEP 20. By sequentially outputting the data to the plate making device 16, printing (plate making) processing by the plate making device 16 is performed.

  On the other hand, when printing using the printer 12 as a printing apparatus is instructed, the RIP processing unit 32 performs RIP processing for generating printer print image data, and the print image data is input to the compression processing unit 34. Thus, when the printer print file data is newly generated, the determination in step 104 is denied and the process proceeds to step 106, and the RIP processing / compression processing unit 34 performs compression processing in the RIP processing unit 32. The printer print file data thus generated is temporarily stored in the memory 38 as printer print file data to be transferred, and the process returns to step 102.

  In this case, if the print file data is not transferred in the I / F unit 40 or the print file data transfer process performed in the I / F unit 40 is completed, the determination in step 112 is negative. At the same time, if the determination in step 114 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step 128, the print control unit 62 of the BEP 20 is inquired about the free space B of the image storage unit 52, and an answer to the inquiry is received from the print control unit 62. Thus, the free space B of the image storage unit 52 is acquired. In step 130, the printer print file data having a capacity equal to or less than the free capacity B is read from the memory 38 and transferred to the BEP 20, and then the process returns to step 102. More specifically, the transfer of the printer print file data in step 130 is performed when the free space B of the image storage unit 52 is greater than or equal to the capacity of the printer print file data to be transferred stored in the memory 38. All the print file data for the printer to be transferred stored in the memory 38 is read from the memory 38 and transferred to the BEP 20, and the print for the printer to be transferred in which the free space B of the image storage unit 52 is stored in the memory 38 is read. If it is smaller than the capacity of the file data, out of the print file data for the printer to be transferred stored in the memory 38, only the data for the capacity that can be stored in the image storage unit 52 is read from the memory 38. This is done by transferring to BEP20.

  While the print file data is being transferred, the determination in step 112 is affirmed. However, even when only a part of the printer print file data stored in the memory 38 is transferred as described above, the memory 38 is also transferred. As long as the print file data for the printer to be transferred remains, the determination of step 114 is affirmed every time the transfer process is completed (the determination of step 112 is denied), and the data storage unit 36 receives the transfer target data. Regardless of whether or not the print file data for the plate making apparatus is accumulated and stored, the printer print file data having a capacity equal to or less than the free capacity B of the image storage unit 52 is transferred to the memory BEP 20. Therefore, the printer print file data generated by the RIP 24 is transferred to the BEP 20 with higher priority than the plate making apparatus print file data.

  The printer print file data transferred to the BEP 20 is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 52 of the BEP 20. In the BEP 20, the print file data stored in the image storage unit 52 is read in the order in which it is stored in the image storage unit 52, and the compressed image file is subjected to processing such as expansion processing and output to the corresponding printing apparatus. When it is time to read out the printer print file data stored in the unit 52, the printer print file data is read out from the image storage unit 52, the printer print image data is restored, and the print image data to the printer 12 is restored. By performing processing such as output, the printer 12 performs printing processing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the BEP 20 is provided between the RIP 24 and the plate making apparatus 16 and the printer 12, and output of print image data to the plate making apparatus 16 and the printer 12 is performed by the BEP 20 and from the RIP 24. Since the transferred print file data is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 52 of the BEP 20, the transfer of the print image data from the RIP 24 to the BEP 20 is independent of the processing speed of the plate making apparatus 16 and the printer 12 and the execution timing of the printing process. Compared with the case where the RIP 24 directly transfers the print image data to the plate making apparatus 16, the processing efficiency in the RIP 24 is improved, and the RIP 24 generates the print image data for the plate making apparatus and the print image data for the printer. Can be performed respectively. The BEP 20 outputs print image data for the plate making apparatus to the plate making apparatus 16 at a speed synchronized with the processing speed of the plate making apparatus 16 and outputs the print image data for printer to the printer 12 at a speed synchronized with the processing speed of the printer 12. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the configuration of the plate making apparatus 16 or the printer 12.

Further, in the present embodiment, the print file data for the printer is transferred to the BEP 20 without being stored in the data storage unit 36 (only temporarily stored in the memory 38), and the print file data for the plate making apparatus is transferred to the image data. Is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 36 and then transferred to the BEP 20, so even if the plate making apparatus 16 is operating at a high operating rate and the BEP 20 is restricted by the processing for the plate making apparatus 16, the RIP 24 When the print image data is generated, the print image data for the printer is preferentially transferred to the BEP 20, so that the BEP 20 outputs a large amount of the print image data for the plate making apparatus in the middle of the output of the print image data for the printer. The output will be interrupted by the BEP 20, and the printer 12 will also perform the printing process. It can be. Therefore, each of the plate making apparatus 16 and the printer 12 performs the printing process, and the printing apparatus 16 and the printer perform the printing process without newly providing a printer RIP or changing the configuration of the RIP 24 significantly. Can be made. The above items correspond to the inventions of claims 1, 4, and 5 , respectively.

In the present embodiment, when the printer print file data to be transferred is stored in the memory 38, and when the RIP processing for generating the printer print image data is executed by the RIP processing unit 32, the data Since the transfer of the print file data for the plate making apparatus to be transferred stored in the storage unit 36 to the BEP 20 is stopped and the transfer of the printer print file data to the BEP 20 is prioritized, the printer print file to be transferred Only when the data is stored in the memory 38, the transfer of the print file data for the printer to be transferred is more reliably given priority than the case of stopping the transfer of the print file data for the plate making apparatus to be transferred. Can do. The above items also correspond to the inventions according to claims 1, 4, and 5 .

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the free capacity B of the image storage unit 52 is acquired, the printer print file data to be transferred is stored in the memory 38, and the free capacity B is the capacity of the printer print file data to be transferred. If it is smaller, the print file data for the printer is divided and transferred for each size that can be stored in the image storage unit 52 while monitoring the change in the free capacity B. Compared with the case where the transfer of the printer print file data is started after waiting for the capacity to be exceeded, the printer print file data transfer can be started earlier, and the storage capacity of the memory 38 is increased accordingly. Can be small. The above items correspond to the invention described in claim 2 .

Further, in the present embodiment, the RIP process of acquiring the free capacity B of the image storage unit 52, the printer print file data to be transferred is not stored in the memory 38, and generating the printer print file data by the RIP 24 is performed. If the free capacity B is not larger than the capacity F of the print file data for the plate making apparatus to be transferred that is stored and stored in the data storage unit 36, the transfer target stored in the data storage unit 36 is stored. Since the plate-making apparatus print file data is collectively transferred to the BEP 20, even when the RIP 24 continuously generates the printing image data for the plate-making apparatus, the free space B always remains close to 0. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably give priority to the transfer of the print file data for the printer to be transferred. The above items correspond to the invention described in claim 3 .

  In the above description, an example in which the printer 12 and the plate making device 16 are each provided in the printing system 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and either one or both of the printer 12 and the plate making device 16 are provided. A plurality of units may be provided.

  In the above description, the printer 12 that performs printing using an electrophotographic process has been described as an example of the second printing apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a thermal type printer. Various printers that directly print an image on plain paper or thermal paper by the thermal transfer method, ink jet method, or other methods can be applied.

  Further, in the above description, an example has been described in which data is sent to the BEP 20 after being compressed by the RIP 24, and image data is sent to the printer 12 or the plate making apparatus 16 after being decompressed by the BEP 20. / Extension is not essential and can be omitted.

1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of RIP and BEP. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the data transfer process performed in the transfer control part of RIP.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printing System 12 Printer 16 Plate Making Device 20 BEP
32 RIP processing unit 34 Compression processing unit 36 Data storage unit 38 Memory 40 I / F unit 42 Transfer control unit 52 Image storage unit

Claims (5)

A first printing apparatus for creating a printing plate for printing an image represented by the first print image data on a recording medium by a printing machine based on the first print image data; A second printing apparatus that directly prints an image represented by the second print image data on a recording medium; and a printing control apparatus that controls a printing system configured to include:
Expansion means for expanding print data described in a page description language into the first or second print image data, storage means for temporarily storing the print image data expanded by the expansion means, and the expansion means The second print image data expanded by the transfer means is transferred without being stored in the storage means, and the first print image data expanded by the expansion means is temporarily stored in the storage means and then transferred. A data expansion device having control means;
A storage means, the first or the second print image data transferred from the data developing apparatus after temporarily stored in the storage means, the storage order of the said storage means, the processing speed of the corresponding printing apparatus An output device that reads from the storage means at a synchronized speed and outputs to the corresponding printing device;
Equipped with a,
The control means determines whether the second print image data to be transferred to the output device is present in the data development device or while the second print image data is scheduled to be generated by the data development device. Stops transfer of the first print image data stored in the storage means to the output device, and prioritizes transfer of the second print image data to the output device. Print control device. And further comprising detection means for detecting the free capacity of the storage means,
The control means has the one print image data to be transferred to the output device, and the free space detected by the detection means is smaller than the capacity of the one print image data to be transferred 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one print image data is divided and transferred according to a size that can be stored by the storage unit while monitoring a change in the free space . And further comprising detection means for detecting the free capacity of the storage means,
The control means does not have the second print image data to be transferred to the output device in the data development device, and there is no plan to generate the second print image data in the data development device. And when the free space detected by the detecting means is equal to or greater than the capacity of the first print image data stored in the storage means, the first print image data stored in the storage means The print control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the print control apparatus is transferred to the output apparatus at a time . A first printing apparatus for creating a printing plate for printing an image represented by the first print image data on a recording medium by a printing machine based on the first print image data; A printing control method for controlling a printing system configured to include a second printing apparatus that directly prints an image represented by second printing image data on a recording medium,
Expanding means for expanding print data described in a page description language into the first or second print image data, and storage means for temporarily storing the print image data expanded by the expanding means The second print image data developed by the development means is transferred without being stored in the storage means, and the first print image data developed by the development means is temporarily stored in the storage means. A data expansion device to be transferred after
A storage unit that temporarily stores the first or second print image data transferred from the data development device in the storage unit, and then sets the processing speed of the corresponding printing device in the storage order of the storage unit; An output device that reads from the storage means at a synchronized speed and outputs to the corresponding printing device;
And providing
While the second print image data to be transferred to the output device exists in the data development device, or the second print image data is scheduled to be generated by the data development device, the storage means The transfer of the first print image data stored in the output device to the output device is stopped, and the transfer of the second print image data to the output device is prioritized.
And a printing control method. A first printing apparatus for creating a printing plate for printing an image represented by the first print image data on a recording medium by a printing machine based on the first print image data;
A second printing apparatus for directly printing an image represented by the second print image data on a recording medium based on the second print image data;
And having the storage means, and temporarily storing the transferred first or second print image data in the storage means, and then in the storage order in the storage means at a speed synchronized with the processing speed of the corresponding printing apparatus An output device that reads from the storage means and outputs to the corresponding printing device;
A data expansion device connected to a printing system configured to include:
Expansion means for expanding print data described in a page description language into the first or second print image data;
Storage means for temporarily storing print image data expanded by the expansion means;
The second print image data expanded by the expansion means is transferred to the output device without being stored in the storage means, and the first print image data expanded by the expansion means is stored in the storage means. Control means for once storing and then transferring to the output device;
Have
The control means determines whether the second print image data to be transferred to the output device is present in the data development device or while the second print image data is scheduled to be generated by the data development device. Stops transfer of the first print image data stored in the storage means to the output device, and prioritizes transfer of the second print image data to the output device. Data expansion device.

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