JP4803065B2 - PRINT CONTROL SYSTEM, PRINT CONTROL METHOD, PRINT CONTROL PROGRAM, PRINT SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a print control system for converting print job definition data into printing device setting data,
The present invention relates to a printing control method, a printing control program, and a printing system.

In general, a page description language (PDL: Page Description Language)
ge), when printing the print data, the information about the print job is handled as print job definition data (JDF), and the print job definition data is converted into the print device setting data for setting the print device. A method for printing after receiving a setting request is known.
In other words, the print job definition data includes print job specification data and print job setting data. The print job specification data is also referred to as print specification information, and is information describing the specifications of a desired print as a final product by print processing. Say. Therefore, it is necessary to convert this print job definition data into printing device setting data as setting data for the printing device. In this case, the printing apparatus can be set by means such as a control code (PJL (Printer Job Language), etc.) or a page description language (PDL (Page Description Language) (typically, Post Script, etc.). It has become.

As an invention having such conversion means for printing apparatus setting data, the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 is based on data expressed in a format other than PDL that can be processed by the PDL processing means of the print control apparatus. The client apparatus can set the internal state of the processing means, and the client apparatus transmits a job in which DPA data indicating new print settings is added to the existing PDL data to the print server. The controller of the print server
A data is extracted and input to the DPA converter. The DPA converter converts the DPA data into PDL data and inputs it to the PDL interpreter. The PDL interpreter interprets the data and sets its internal state. When the PDL interpreter completes the interpretation of the data, the controller inputs the PDL data to the PDL interpreter. As a result, PDL data is DP
It is a device that is processed based on the setting of A data.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-124272

However, like the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 described above, the conventional print control apparatus has only a mechanism in which rasterization processing is sequentially executed after the print job definition data is changed to the printing apparatus setting data. As a result, if a long time is required for the processing time for converting the printer setting data, further processing time such as subsequent rasterization is required, so that the time required from the print instruction to the print output becomes longer. There was a problem.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and shortens the total time required from a print instruction to print output by performing pre-rendering by utilizing the processing time of conversion of printing apparatus setting data. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing control system, a printing control method, a printing control program, and a printing system.

[Mode 1] In order to achieve the above object, a print control system according to mode 1 includes:
Print job specification data or print job setting data included in the print job definition data
A setting data conversion unit for converting into printing device setting data necessary for setting the printing device;
In the setting data conversion unit, after converting the print job definition data into the printing apparatus setting data, a standard setting database storing standard printing apparatus setting data for comparison with the printing apparatus setting data;
In parallel with the conversion process by the setting data conversion unit, a pre-rendering unit that executes a rendering process based on the standard printing apparatus setting data;
It is provided with.

According to this configuration, the setting data conversion unit converts the print job specification data or the print job setting data included in the print job definition data into the printing device setting data necessary for setting the printing device, and the print job When converting the definition data into the printing device setting data, the standard rendering device setting data stored in the standard setting database is referred to, and the pre-rendering unit performs the conversion processing by the setting data conversion unit in parallel with the conversion data. Since the rendering process is executed based on the standard printing device setting data, pre-rendering can be performed by using the processing time for converting the printing device setting data. The effect that time can be shortened is acquired.
Note that “pre-rendering” means that the rendering process is performed in advance using the standard printing apparatus setting data in the data conversion process before the normal rendering process is performed (the same applies in the following description). ).

[Mode 2] The invention of mode 2 relates to the print control system of mode 1,
A standard setting determination unit that determines whether a conversion result by the setting data conversion unit conforms to the standard printing apparatus setting data is further provided.
According to this configuration, the conversion result by the setting data conversion unit is obtained by the standard setting determination unit.
Since it is determined whether or not it conforms to the standard printing apparatus setting data, the policy of using the result of the pre-rendering process or the new rendering process is determined quickly, and the subsequent processes can be performed smoothly. The effect is obtained.

[Mode 3] The invention of mode 3 relates to a print control system of mode 2,
When the standard setting determination unit determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion unit conforms to the standard setting, the content data rendered by the pre-rendering unit and the converted printing apparatus setting data are A control unit for sending to the printing apparatus is further provided.
According to this configuration, when the standard setting determination unit determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion unit conforms to the standard setting, the control unit and the content data rendered by the pre-rendering unit Since the printing apparatus setting data is sent to the printing apparatus, the entire processing time can be shortened.

[Form 4] The invention of form 4 relates to the print control system of form 3,
The control unit, when the standard setting determination unit determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion unit does not conform to the standard setting, the print converted by the setting data conversion unit by the pre-rendering processing unit Rendering processing is executed based on the device setting data, and content data obtained by the rendering processing and converted printing device setting data are sent to the printing device.

According to this configuration, when the standard setting determining unit determines that the conversion result by the setting data converting unit does not conform to the standard setting, the pre-rendering processing unit performs the setting data converting unit. Rendering processing is executed based on the printing device setting data converted by the above, and the content data obtained by this rendering processing and the converted printing device setting data are sent to the printing device. Even when there is no such effect, an effect that the rendering process can be performed by a normal method is obtained.

[Embodiment 5] The invention of embodiment 5 relates to the print control system of any one of embodiments 1 to 4,
The image processing apparatus may further include a rendered data storage unit that stores a rendering processing result by the pre-rendering unit.
According to this configuration, since the rendering processing result can be stored using the rendered data storage unit, the stored rendering image can be reused and the content data can be sent to the printing apparatus as it is. The effect that processing time can be shortened is obtained.

[Mode 6] The invention of mode 6 relates to the printing control system of mode 5,
When the rendering processing result in the pre-rendering unit is different from the printing device setting data selected by the user, the pre-rendering processing result stored in the rendered data storage unit is reused. It is characterized by.
According to this configuration, even when the rendering processing result in the pre-rendering unit and the content of the printing device setting data selected by the user are different, the pre-rendering processing result stored in the rendered data storage unit By reusing, it is possible to save the trouble of rendering again and to shorten the overall processing time.

[Mode 7] The invention of mode 7 relates to the print control system of mode 6,
When reusing the pre-rendering processing result, a resolution suitable for the finished size of the input print job definition data is secured in order to enable enlargement or reduction.
According to this configuration, when reusing the pre-rendering processing result, a resolution that matches the finished size of the input print job definition data is secured, so the pre-rendering processing result is enlarged or reduced. Even in the case of reuse, an effect that the reduced result becomes an appropriate image can be obtained.
For example, when the pre-rendering processing result is enlarged and reused, the final resolution is assumed to be lower than the original resolution. Therefore, if the original resolution is set higher, an appropriate resolution can be obtained. The effect of being finished is obtained.

[Embodiment 8] The invention of embodiment 8 relates to the print control system of any one of embodiments 1 to 7,
The setting data conversion unit performs conversion using either or both of a conversion process for executing deterministic conversion and a conversion process for executing inference conversion based on a predetermined conversion rule.
According to this configuration, the setting data conversion unit performs a conversion process for performing deterministic conversion, or
Since conversion is performed using either or both of the conversion processes for performing inference conversion, various conversion results can be obtained, and the effect that user-desired printing device setting data can be obtained can be obtained. .
In addition, the conversion process for executing the inference conversion uses the stored conversion rule and applies the inference rule when the input completely matches the condition of the inference rule. The effect that the setting data can be generated is obtained.

Further, the conversion method for performing deterministic conversion executes rule-based conversion, the printing device setting data is described in the conditional clause, and the printing device setting data is described in the consequent clause / processing clause. The rule is applied only when all the conditions of the rule theory are true, and the consequent /
Since the printing device setting data for the processing section is generated, it is possible to generate printing device setting data with a higher degree of matching.

[Mode 9] The print control method of mode 9 is
Print job specification data or print job setting data included in the print job definition data
A setting data conversion step for converting into printing device setting data necessary for setting the printing device;
In the setting data conversion step, after converting the print job definition data into the printing device setting data, a standard setting database storing standard printing device setting data for comparison with the printing device setting data;
A pre-rendering step for executing a rendering process based on the standard printing apparatus setting data in parallel with the conversion process by the setting data conversion step;
According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the first aspect.

[Mode 10] The invention of mode 10 relates to the printing control method of mode 9,
It further includes a standard setting determination step for determining whether or not the conversion result obtained by the setting data conversion step conforms to the standard printing apparatus setting data.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the second mode can be obtained.
[Mode 11] The invention of mode 11 relates to a printing control method of mode 10,
When it is determined by the standard setting determination step that the conversion result by the setting data conversion step conforms to the standard setting, the content data rendered by the pre-rendering step and the converted printer setting data are The method further includes a control step of sending to the printing apparatus.

According to this configuration, the same effect as in the third aspect is obtained.
[Mode 12] The invention of mode 12 relates to the printing control method of mode 11,
When the control step determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion step does not conform to the standard setting by the standard setting determination step, the print converted by the setting data conversion step by the pre-rendering processing step Rendering processing is executed based on the device setting data, and content data obtained by the rendering processing and converted printing device setting data are sent to the printing device.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the fourth aspect can be obtained.

[Mode 13] The invention of mode 13 relates to the printing control method of any one of modes 9 to 12,
The image processing apparatus may further include a rendered data storage step for storing a rendering process result obtained by the pre-rendering step.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the fifth aspect can be obtained.
[Form 14] The invention of form 14 relates to the printing control method of form 13,
When the rendering processing result in the pre-rendering step is different from the content of the printing apparatus setting data selected by the user, the pre-rendering processing result stored in the rendered data storage step is reused. It is characterized by.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the sixth aspect is obtained.

[Mode 15] The invention of mode 15 relates to a printing control method of mode 14,
When reusing the pre-rendering processing result, a resolution suitable for the finished size of the input print job definition data is secured in order to enable enlargement or reduction.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the seventh aspect can be obtained.

[Mode 16] The invention of mode 16 relates to the printing control method of any one of modes 9 to 15,
In the setting data conversion step, conversion is performed using either or both of a conversion process for executing deterministic conversion and a conversion process for executing inference conversion based on a predetermined conversion rule.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the eighth aspect can be obtained.

[Mode 17] The print control program of mode 17 is
Print job specification data or print job setting data included in the print job definition data
A setting data conversion step for converting into printing device setting data necessary for setting the printing device;
In the setting data conversion step, after converting the print job definition data into the printing device setting data, a standard setting database storing standard printing device setting data for comparison with the printing device setting data;
And a pre-rendering step of executing a rendering process based on the standard printing apparatus setting data in parallel with the conversion process of the setting data conversion step.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained.

[Form 18] The invention of form 18 relates to a print control program of form 17,
It further includes a standard setting determination step for determining whether or not the conversion result obtained by the setting data conversion step conforms to the standard printing apparatus setting data.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the second mode can be obtained.

[Embodiment 19] The invention of embodiment 19 relates to a print control program of embodiment 18,
When it is determined by the standard setting determination step that the conversion result by the setting data conversion step conforms to the standard setting, the content data rendered by the pre-rendering step and the converted printer setting data are The method further includes a control step of sending to the printing apparatus.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the third aspect is obtained.

[Mode 20] The invention of mode 20 relates to a print control program of mode 19,
When the control step determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion step does not conform to the standard setting by the standard setting determination step, the print converted by the setting data conversion step by the pre-rendering processing step Rendering processing is executed based on the device setting data, and content data obtained by the rendering processing and converted printing device setting data are sent to the printing device.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the fourth aspect can be obtained.

[Mode 21] The invention of mode 21 relates to the print control program of any one of modes 17 to 20,
The image processing apparatus may further include a rendered data storage step for storing a rendering process result obtained by the pre-rendering step.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the fifth aspect can be obtained.

[Form 22] The invention of form 22 relates to a print control program of form 21,
When the rendering processing result in the pre-rendering step is different from the content of the printing apparatus setting data selected by the user, the pre-rendering processing result stored in the rendered data storage step is reused. It is characterized by.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the sixth aspect is obtained.

[Form 23] The invention of form 23 relates to a print control program of form 22,
When reusing the pre-rendering processing result, a resolution suitable for the finished size of the input print job definition data is secured in order to enable enlargement or reduction.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the seventh aspect can be obtained.

[Mode 24] The invention of mode 24 relates to the print control program of any one of modes 17 to 23,
In the setting data conversion step, conversion is performed using either or both of a conversion process for executing deterministic conversion and a conversion process for executing inference conversion based on a predetermined conversion rule.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the eighth aspect can be obtained.

[Mode 25] In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to mode 25 includes:
Print job specification data or print job setting data included in the print job definition data
A setting data conversion unit for converting into printer setting data necessary for printing;
In the setting data conversion unit, after converting the print job definition data into the printing apparatus setting data, a standard setting database storing standard printing apparatus setting data for comparison with the printing apparatus setting data;
In parallel with the conversion process by the setting data conversion unit, a pre-rendering unit that executes a rendering process based on the standard printing apparatus setting data;
A printing unit that actually performs printing based on the printing apparatus setting data;
It is provided with.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained.

[Mode 26] The invention of mode 26 relates to a printing system of mode 25,
A standard setting determination unit that determines whether a conversion result by the setting data conversion unit conforms to the standard printing apparatus setting data is further provided.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the second mode can be obtained.
[Form 27] The invention of form 27 relates to the printing system of form 26,
When the standard setting determination unit determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion unit conforms to the standard setting, the content data rendered by the pre-rendering unit and the converted printing apparatus setting data are A control unit for sending to the printing unit is further provided.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the third aspect is obtained.

[Embodiment 28] The invention of embodiment 28 relates to the printing system of embodiment 27,
The control unit, when the standard setting determination unit determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion unit does not conform to the standard setting, the print converted by the setting data conversion unit by the pre-rendering processing unit Rendering processing is executed based on the device setting data, and content data obtained by the rendering processing and converted printing device setting data are sent to the printing unit.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the fourth aspect can be obtained.

[Embodiment 29] The invention of embodiment 29 relates to the printing system of any one of embodiments 25 to 28, and
The image processing apparatus may further include a rendered data storage unit that stores a rendering processing result by the pre-rendering unit.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the fifth aspect can be obtained.

[Embodiment 30] The invention of embodiment 30 relates to the printing system of embodiment 29,
When the rendering processing result in the pre-rendering unit is different from the printing device setting data selected by the user, the pre-rendering processing result stored in the rendered data storage unit is reused. It is characterized by.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the sixth aspect is obtained.

[Mode 31] The invention of mode 31 relates to a printing system of mode 30,
When reusing the pre-rendering processing result, a resolution suitable for the finished size of the input print job definition data is secured in order to enable enlargement or reduction.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the seventh aspect can be obtained.

[Mode 32] The invention of mode 32 relates to the printing system of any one of modes 25 to 31,
The setting data conversion unit performs conversion using either or both of a conversion process for executing deterministic conversion and a conversion process for executing inference conversion based on a predetermined conversion rule.
According to this configuration, the same effect as in the eighth aspect can be obtained.

A print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, each processing unit is connected so as to be communicable. Even if each processing unit is an independent device, each processing unit may be distributed and arranged in a plurality of devices. Alternatively, all the processing units may be included in a single device.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The print control apparatus 1 includes a print job definition data separation unit 11, a setting data conversion unit 12, standard setting databases 13a and 13b, a control unit 14, a rendering unit 15, and a rendered data storage unit 16. , Connected to the printing device 20, but the printing device 2
0 may be directly connected, or may be connected via a network or the like, and further, a result created by the print control apparatus 1 at a distance is sent to the printing apparatus 20 via an external recording medium or the like. It may be communicated.

Next, the function of each part will be described.
The print job definition data separation unit 11 receives print data input from an external device (such as a user) and separates the print job definition data from the received print data. At this time, the print data includes content data and print job definition data, but the boundary between them is not clear, and an operation of extracting is necessary.

The setting data conversion unit 12 converts the print job definition data separated by the print job definition data separation unit 11 into printing device setting data for the printing device. This conversion may be a deterministic conversion or an inference conversion. Deterministic transformation is if-then
Rule-based conversion is executed, the condition of the print job definition data is described in the conditional clause (if statement), and all or part of the printing device setting data is included in the consequent clause / processing clause (then statement). The rule is applied only when all the conditions in the condition clauses of the rule are described, and the printing device setting data of the consequent clause / processing clause is generated. Inference conversion refers to print job definition data as input, printing device setting data as output, and stored conversion rules (corresponding to output corresponding to input, expressed by if-then rules, neural networks, etc. When the input completely matches the condition of the inference rule, the inference rule is applied to generate printing apparatus setting data.

The standard setting databases 13a and 13b are stored in the setting data conversion unit 12 or the rendering unit 1
5 is a standard setting database that stores standard printing device setting data for comparison with the printing device setting data.
The rendering unit 15 does not wait for the conversion in the setting data conversion unit 12, and based on the standard setting of the printing apparatus setting data, the standard printing stored in the standard setting database 13b for the content data included in the printing data. A rendering process or a pre-rendering process is performed based on the device setting data.

The rendered data storage unit 16 stores the print job setting data after the rendering unit 15 performs the rendering process or the pre-rendering process.
The control unit 14 includes a print job definition data 11, a setting data conversion unit 12, and a rendering 15
The print job setting data finally set is output to the printing apparatus 20.

With the above configuration, the setting data conversion unit 12 converts the print job specification data or the print job setting data included in the print job definition data into the printing device setting data necessary for setting the printing device. If the setting data is the same as the standard printing device setting data stored in the standard setting database 13a, the pre-rendering unit 15
In parallel with the conversion process by the setting data conversion unit 12, based on the standard printing device setting data,
Since the rendering process is executed, the pre-rendering can be performed by utilizing the processing time of the printing apparatus setting data conversion, and thereby the overall required time from the print instruction to the print output can be shortened.

The input data is composed of content data and print job definition data. The content data includes print data output by application software, a page description language (PDF), and PostScr.
data (trademark of Adobe Systems Inc., USA). In addition, the print job definition data is DPA (Document Printing).
It is data related to printing, which is described by Application or JDF (Job Definition Format).
In the present embodiment, an embodiment in which print data including print job definition data and content data is input in the print control apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the computer system.
Here, the print control apparatus 1 includes a print job definition data separation unit 11, a setting data conversion unit 12, standard setting DBs (databases) 13a and 13b, a control unit 14, a rendering unit 15, and rendered data. The storage unit 16 and a computer system for realizing the software on software are provided, and the hardware configuration is as shown in FIG.
CPU (Central Process) which is a central processing unit responsible for various controls and arithmetic processing
ssing unit) 60 and R constituting the main storage device (Main Storage)
A PCI (Peripher) between an AM (Random Access Memory) 62 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 64 which is a read-only storage device.
ral Component Interconnect (BUS) and ISA (Industo)
An external storage device (Secondary Architecture) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is connected to the bus 68 via an input / output interface (I / F) 66.
(Storage) 70, an output device 72 such as a printing means, CRT, or LCD monitor, an input device 74 such as an operation panel, a mouse, a keyboard, or a scanner, and a network L for communicating with a print instruction device (not shown) or the like. Is.

When the power is turned on, a system program such as BIOS stored in the ROM 64 or the like is stored in various dedicated computer programs stored in the ROM 64 in advance or a CD.
-Various dedicated computer programs installed in the storage device 70 via a storage medium such as a ROM, DVD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), or the like via the communication network L such as the Internet are similarly loaded into the RAM 62. Each function of each means as described above can be realized on software by the CPU 60 performing predetermined control and arithmetic processing using various resources in accordance with instructions described in the program loaded in the RAM 62. .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the print control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, after the print data is input to the print control apparatus 1 in step S101, the data separation unit 11 extracts and acquires print job definition data from the print data in step S102. In this case, for example, MIME (Multiple I
(Internet Mail Extensions: Internet e-mail protocol) If encoded data, MIME decoding is separated. When the print job definition data and the content data are input as separate data, the type of data is recognized and extracted by detecting a characteristic part of each data block.

In step S103, the rendering unit 15 instructs the content data to start pre-rendering processing based on the standard settings stored in the standard setting database 13b. The rendering result is stored in a database.
In step S104, the setting data conversion unit 12 converts the acquired print job definition data into printing apparatus setting data. At that time, the print job definition data is converted into parameters for executing printing, and an evaluation value for the original specification is calculated in the conversion process to create a plurality of conversion candidates.

In step S105, the standard setting database 13a is referenced to determine whether or not the converted printing apparatus setting data is the same as that of the standard setting. If it is different from the standard setting, the process proceeds to step S106. The rendering unit 15 instructs rendering processing based on the converted printing apparatus setting data.
In step S105, if the setting is the same as the standard setting, the process proceeds to step S107 to confirm the end of the rendering process. If not finished, wait for the end and use the result of the rendering process.

In step S108, the control unit 14 sends the printing apparatus setting data and the content data to the printing apparatus 20. Then, the process in the print control apparatus 1 is finished, but when printing is included, actual printing is executed in the printing apparatus 20 in step S109.
The rendering unit 15 that has received the instruction to start the pre-rendering process in step S103 performs the pre-rendering process on the content data in step S110 based on the standard settings stored in the standard setting database 13b. In step S112, the rendered data is stored in the rendered data storage unit, and the process ends. Accordingly, the conversion process by the setting data conversion unit in step S104 is executed in parallel with the pre-rendering process.

Further, in step S <b> 106, the rendering unit 15 that has received the rendering processing instruction based on the converted printing apparatus setting data in step S <b> 111,
A rendering process based on the converted printing apparatus setting data is executed, and step S112 is performed.
In FIG. 4, the rendered data is stored in the rendered data storage unit, and the process ends. When reusing the pre-rendering result, the rendering image is enlarged / reduced and then saved.

Note that the pre-rendering execution contents are preferably executed in synchronization with execution of print job definition data with default settings and print job definition data conversion processing. For example,
If the paper size and imposition process are different, enlarge /
Reuse data by reducing the size. In this case, it is desirable to set the resolution at the time of pre-rendering high beforehand. That is, it is preferable to set the resolution to match the finished size of the input print job definition data. For example, in the standard setting of the printing apparatus setting data, even if the printing paper size is A5, if the finished size of the input print job definition data is A4, pre-rendering at A4 size will re- There is an advantage that a necessary resolution can be secured at the time of use.

As described above, when reusing the pre-rendering processing result, if the resolution matching the finished size of the input print job definition data is secured, the pre-rendering processing result is enlarged or reduced for reuse. Even in this case, the reduced result is an appropriate image.
As described above, the time required for setting the print job definition data and the user confirmation after converting the printing device setting data is the time for the user to interactively process the user interface or the like, and this time is the print control. The device is waiting. Therefore, by performing pre-rendering using this time, the total time from the print instruction to the print output can be shortened.

Note that rendering is to image information about an object or figure given as numerical data by calculation, and generally refers to drawing three-dimensional graphics, but in a broad sense, data Visualization in general is called rendering. For example, HTML (H
It is sometimes called rendering that a Web browser performs screen display by interpreting data (yper Text Markup Language) data. In the rendering of 3D graphics, the position of the viewpoint, the number and position of the light source, the type, the shape of the object, the coordinates of the vertex,
Create an image with hidden surface removal and shading applied in consideration of the material.
In this embodiment, each processing unit is connected so as to be communicable. Even if each processing unit is an independent device, each processing unit may be distributed and arranged in a plurality of devices. Alternatively, all the processing units may be included in a single device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of input print data. (A) is content data, (
b) shows print job definition data.
As shown in FIG. 4A, as an example of the content data included in the input print data, there is content data with the contents “壱”, “弐 弐”, “reference page”, “four pages”. Content data refers to document data associated with print job definition data, and refers to electronic document data to be subjected to print processing based on print specifications. The association method is
The document data may be directly embedded in the print job definition data, or it is arranged at a location different from the print job definition data, and the URL (Unifo) is included in the print job definition data.
(rm Resource Locator) and the location of document data such as a file path may be described. Moreover, not only all pages of document data but only specific pages may be associated.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, as an example of print job definition data included in the input print data, “finished size: A4”, “paper orientation: portrait”, “bind booklet folded, left”
, There is print job definition data “content page size: A4”. In the present embodiment, the print job definition data refers to information that describes the specifications of a desired printed material as a final product by a printing process. Specifically, for example, the above-described finished size (finished paper size), print medium type (plain paper, copy paper, etc.), folding method and cutting method, binding position, binding method, number of copies, duplex printing method, and Information on the ink to be used is included. The print job specification data only needs to describe the specifications of the final product. However, the print device cannot be operated only with this print job definition data, and in order to operate the print device from the print job specification data in some form. It is necessary to convert to specifications, that is, printer setting data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of printing apparatus setting data and an output image.
As described above, in order to execute printing, it is necessary to convert print job definition data into printing device setting data for a printing device. Specifically, the paper size, imposition method, and detailed coordinate information for imposition are used when allocating and printing multiple pages on one side of the paper so that the final paper size is obtained after imposition, folding, and cutting. , Information on folding method and cutting position is included. For example, when the finish appearance is designated as “finishing A4 size content data in half to A4”, “imposing two pages on each side of A3 paper and printing them out” Means. In addition, printing apparatus setting data and included setting information include information that overlaps with print job definition data.

In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the printing apparatus setting data includes “paper size: A3”, “paper orientation: landscape”, “double-sided printing: ON”, “enlargement / reduction: OFF”, “assignment page”. Number: 4 "," Page layout (page, sheet, face, x, y): (1, 1, 1, 595, 0)
Data of (2, 1, 2, 0, 0) (3, 1, 2, 595, 0) (4, 1, 1, 0, 0) "is described.

FIG. 5B is an image diagram when the content data shown in FIG. 4A is converted and output in accordance with the printing apparatus setting data shown in FIG. The figure at the base (upper stage) of the arrow in the figure is the same figure as that in FIG. 4 (a), and is arranged as shown in the figure at the tip (lower stage) of the figure after conversion. On the left and right of the lower stage, the left side indicates the first surface (face 1), and the right side indicates the second surface (face 2). In the printing apparatus setting data shown in FIG. 5A, the page number, the number of sheets, the surface number, the x coordinate, and the y coordinate are increased as the elements of the page layout.
eet, face, x, y), from page 1 to page 4, (1, 1, 1, 595, 0)
, (2, 1, 2, 0, 0), (3, 1, 2, 595, 0), (4, 1, 1, 0, 0). Accordingly, taking the face, (x, y) coordinates, the content data is as shown in the lower part of FIG. That is, before the conversion (upper row), the pages arranged in the order of “page」 ”,“ page 」”, “reference page”, and “page four” are displayed in the first order after the conversion (lower row). “Page 4” is arranged on the left side of the surface, “Page” on the right side, “Page” on the left side of the second surface, and “Reference page” on the right side.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a list of printing apparatus setting data candidates.
As shown in the figure, item numbers 1, 2, and 3 include difference information, notes, paper size, paper orientation, double-sided printing, enlargement / reduction, number of allocated pages, page layout (page, sh
eet, face, x, y). For item number 1, the difference information “as specified”, the caution “none”, the paper size “A3”, the paper orientation “landscape”, and the duplex printing “ON”
”, Enlargement / reduction“ OFF ”, number of allocated pages“ 4 ”, page layout“ (1, 1, 1,595
, 0) (2, 1, 2, 0, 0) (3, 1, 2, 595, 0) (4, 1, 1, 0, 0) ". Size ”, precautions“ note the binding ”,
Paper size “A4”, paper orientation “landscape”, duplex printing “ON”, enlargement / reduction “OFF”, number of assigned pages “2”, page layout “...”, and item number 3 includes difference information “ “Enlargement / reduction”, precautions “finished size is reduced”, paper size “A4”, paper orientation “landscape”, duplex printing “ON”, enlargement / reduction “50%”, number of allocated pages “4”, page layout "..." is listed. These item numbers 1, 2, and 3 are candidates for the printing device setting data that is actually used. “Match” is listed as a number indicating the evaluation.
“3” and item number 2 are “2” and item number 3 are “2”. Accordingly, the printing apparatus setting data of item number 1 having a high degree of coincidence is selected, and the selected printing apparatus setting data is compared with the standard printing apparatus setting data described above, and if it is the same, it is pre-rendered. .

As described above, according to the present invention, the pre-rendering unit 15 performs the setting data conversion unit 1.
Since the rendering process is executed based on the standard printing apparatus setting data in parallel with the conversion process 2, it is possible to reduce the total time required from the print instruction to the print output.
In the above embodiment, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROM is executed when executing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the program showing these procedures is also described. The program may be incorporated into a RAM and executed from a storage medium on which is recorded. Alternatively, the program may be acquired from a network.

Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible without deviating from the meaning of this invention.

For example, you may have the structure which confirms with respect to a user with respect to the result of the printing apparatus setting data converted in the setting data conversion part 12. FIG.
Further, a plurality of standard settings of the printing apparatus setting data may be prepared for each type of input print job definition data, for example, for each finished size.
Further, the standard setting of the printing apparatus setting data may be a usage form in which frequently used settings are stored and used in advance.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows a hardware configuration. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the print control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the input print data. (A) shows content data, and (b) shows print job definition data. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of printing apparatus setting data and an output image. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating printing device setting data candidates.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print control system, 11 ... Print job definition data separation part, 12 ... Setting data conversion part,
13a, 13b ... standard setting database, 14 ... control unit, 15 ... rendering unit, 16 ...
Rendered data storage unit, 20 ... printing device

Claims (11)

Print job specification data or print job setting data included in the print job definition data
A setting data conversion unit for converting into printing device setting data necessary for setting the printing device;
In the setting data conversion unit, after converting the print job definition data into the printing apparatus setting data, a standard setting database storing standard printing apparatus setting data for comparison with the printing apparatus setting data;
In parallel with the conversion process by the setting data conversion unit, a pre-rendering unit that executes a rendering process based on the standard printing apparatus setting data;
A printing control system comprising: The print control system according to claim 1, further comprising a standard setting determination unit that determines whether a conversion result by the setting data conversion unit conforms to the standard printing apparatus setting data. When the standard setting determination unit determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion unit conforms to the standard setting, the content data rendered by the pre-rendering unit and the converted printing apparatus setting data are The printing control system according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that sends the printing apparatus. The control unit, when the standard setting determination unit determines that the conversion result by the setting data conversion unit does not conform to the standard setting, the print converted by the setting data conversion unit by the pre-rendering processing unit 4. The print control according to claim 3, wherein a rendering process is executed based on the apparatus setting data, and content data obtained by the rendering process and converted printing apparatus setting data are sent to the printing apparatus. system. The print control system according to claim 1, further comprising a rendered data storage unit that stores a rendering processing result by the pre-rendering unit. When the rendering processing result in the pre-rendering unit is different from the printing device setting data selected by the user, the pre-rendering processing result stored in the rendered data storage unit is reused. The print control system according to claim 5. 7. When reusing the pre-rendering processing result, a resolution suitable for the finished size of the input print job definition data is secured to enable enlargement or reduction. The printing control system described. The setting data conversion unit performs conversion using one or both of a conversion process for performing deterministic conversion and a conversion process for performing inference conversion based on a predetermined conversion rule. Item 8. The print control system according to any one of Items 1 to 7. Print job specification data or print job setting data included in the print job definition data
A setting data conversion step for converting into printing device setting data necessary for setting the printing device;
In the setting data conversion step, after the print job definition data is converted into the printing device setting data, a storage step of storing standard printing device setting data for comparison with the printing device setting data in a standard setting database;
A pre-rendering step for executing a rendering process based on the standard printing apparatus setting data in parallel with the conversion process by the setting data conversion step;
A printing control method comprising: Print job specification data or print job setting data included in the print job definition data
A setting data conversion step for converting into printing device setting data necessary for setting the printing device;
In the setting data conversion step, after the print job definition data is converted into the printing device setting data, a storage step of storing standard printing device setting data for comparison with the printing device setting data in a standard setting database; and A print control program for causing a computer to execute a process realized as a pre-rendering step for executing a rendering process based on the standard printing apparatus setting data in parallel with the conversion process in the setting data conversion step. Print job specification data or print job setting data included in the print job definition data
A setting data conversion unit for converting into printer setting data necessary for printing;
In the setting data conversion unit, after converting the print job definition data into the printing apparatus setting data, a standard setting database storing standard printing apparatus setting data for comparison with the printing apparatus setting data;
In parallel with the conversion process by the setting data conversion unit, a pre-rendering unit that executes a rendering process based on the standard printing apparatus setting data;
A printing unit that actually performs printing based on the printing apparatus setting data;
A printing system comprising:

Images