JP5218011B2 - Print control program, print control method, and print control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control program, a print control method, and a print control apparatus. The present invention particularly relates to a print control program, a print control method, and a print control apparatus for printing a PDF file.

  When a document premised on printing is published on a web page, it is often provided as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file. A PDF file may have several hundred pages of data, for example. When printing such a PDF file having a large data size, there is a problem that the time (FPOT: First Printout Time) from when the printer receives a print job until the first page of the printed matter is printed out is long.

  This problem is caused by the fact that in the PDF file, the arrangement order of a plurality of objects for defining the contents of the page is different from the arrangement order of the pages. For example, since print data described in PDL such as PostScript (registered trademark) has data to be printed arranged in page order in the file, image data for printing is generated immediately from the top of the print data. However, in the PDF file, the arrangement order of the objects is different from the arrangement order of the pages. Therefore, image data is generated only after all objects included in the PDF file are confirmed. Therefore, the larger the number of objects included in the PDF file, the longer the FPOT becomes.

  As a technique for printing a PDF file having a large data size, a printing system as shown in Patent Document 1 below is known. The printing system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 linearizes a PDF file in a client PC, and then first sends a hint table indicating the position of the object in the file to the printer. Thereafter, in response to a request from the printer Thus, the predetermined data of the linearized PDF file is provided from the client PC to the printer. According to the technique using such a linearized PDF file, there is a possibility that FPOT is shortened. However, this technology divides and transmits linearized PDF file data from the client PC to the printer, and shortens the FPOT when the printer receives the linearized PDF file all at once. I can't do it.

On the other hand, variable printing is known as a printing technique for mass printing. Variable printing refers to printing in which the output contents of each sheet can be partially replaced as necessary. As a technique related to variable printing, a printing system as shown in Patent Document 2 below is known from the viewpoint of shortening FPOT. In the printing system disclosed in Patent Document 2, field data is divided into a plurality of data blocks in a server, and print data is generated in a client PC for each divided data block unit. Patent Document 2 does not particularly disclose a data file format, but this technique also divides data from a client PC to a printer and transmits the divided data.
JP 2004-178097 A JP 2005-50044 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a large data size in which position information indicating the position of the object in the file is added to the head part including an object for defining a part or all of the content of a specific page. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control program, a print control method, and a print control apparatus capable of shortening the FPOT when document files are collectively received on the printer side.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) Used for printing from a document file that includes an object for defining a part or all of the contents of a specific page and that includes position information indicating the position of the object in the document file at the top. A print control program for generating image data in units of pages, and analyzing a print job including the document file to determine whether the total number of printed pages of the document file is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference page number. If it is determined in step (a) that the determination is that the total number of printed pages is equal to or greater than the number of reference pages in step (a), the objects to be used on the printed pages for the number of reference pages are specified By extracting the object specified in the procedure (b) and the procedure (b) from the document file with reference to the position information. The image data is generated on the basis of the procedure (c) for generating print data for image formation corresponding to the print pages for the number of reference pages and the print data generated in the procedure (c). Step (d) and generating the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages by extracting the object used in the remaining print pages excluding the print pages for the reference page number from the document file the procedure for (e), on the basis of the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages generated in the steps (e), the a procedure for generating image data (f), the procedure (a) ~ A printing control program which causes a computer to execute in the order of the procedure (f) .

  (2) The procedure (b) includes a procedure (b1) for counting the number of the objects used on the print pages for the number of reference pages, and the number of the objects counted in the procedure (b1). When the predetermined number is reached, a procedure (b2) for setting a page number smaller than the reference page number as a new reference page number and printing for the new reference page number set in the procedure (b2) A procedure (b3) for specifying the object used on the page, and the object specified in the procedure (b3) in the procedure (c) is referred to the position information in the document file. The print control program according to (1), wherein the print control program is extracted from

( 3 ) The procedure (g) for receiving a print job including a document file, and the document file included in the print job received in the procedure (g), wherein the position information is added to the head portion. A step (h) of determining whether or not the file is a document file, and causing the computer to further execute the step (h), wherein the position information of the document file included in the print job is added to the head portion in the step (h). In the step (a), it is determined whether or not the total number of printed pages of the document file is greater than or equal to the reference page number. The print control program according to 1) or ( 2 ).

( 4 ) The above objects (1) to ( 3 ) are characterized in that the object includes a reuse object that is used a plurality of times in the document file and a non-reuse object that is used only once. The print control program according to any one of the above.

( 5 ) The document file including an object for defining a part or all of the content of the specific page and having position information indicating the position of the object in the document file added to the head portion is linearized. The print control program according to any one of (1) to ( 4 ), wherein the print control program is a PDF (Portable Document Format) file.

( 6 ) A computer-readable recording medium on which the print control program according to any one of (1) to ( 5 ) is recorded.

( 7 ) Used for printing from the document file, which includes an object for defining a part or all of the content of a specific page, and position information indicating the position of the object in the document file is added to the head part. A print control method for generating image data in units of pages, wherein a print job including the document file is analyzed to determine whether the total number of printed pages of the document file is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference page number. When determining in step (a) and in step (a) that the total number of printed pages is greater than or equal to the reference page number, the objects used in the printed pages for the reference page number are specified. Step (b) and extracting the object identified in step (b) from the document file with reference to the position information (C) generating print data for image formation corresponding to the print pages for the reference page number, and the image data based on the print data generated in the step (c). Generating the object corresponding to the remaining print pages by extracting from the document file the objects used in the remaining print pages excluding the print pages for the number of reference pages. and step (e) for generating data, based on the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages generated in step (e), the steps, and step (f) for generating the image data ( A printing control method comprising: a) to step (f) in this order .

( 8 ) The step (b) includes a step (b1) of counting the number of the objects used in the print pages for the number of reference pages, and the number of the objects counted in the step (b1). When the predetermined number is reached, a step (b2) for setting a page number smaller than the reference page number as a new reference page number, and printing for the new reference page number set in the step (b2). Identifying the object used on the page (b3), and in the step (c), the object identified in the step (b3) refers to the position information and is the document file. The printing control method according to ( 7 ), wherein the printing control method is extracted from the above.

( 9 ) The step (g) of receiving a print job including a document file, and the document file included in the print job received in the step (g), wherein the position information is added to the head portion. A step (h) for determining whether or not the file is a document file, and the document file included in the print job in the step (h) has the position information added to a head portion thereof. If it is determined that the document file, in step (a), the total number of printed pages of the document file is characterized in that whether or not at least the number of the reference page is determined (7) or The printing control method according to ( 8 ).

(1 0 ) The above objects ( 7 ) to ( 9 ), wherein the objects include a reuse object that is used a plurality of times in the document file and a non-reuse object that is used only once. The printing control method according to any one of the above.

(1 1 ) The document file including an object for defining a part or all of the content of the specific page and having position information indicating the position of the object in the document file added to the head portion is linear. The print control method according to any one of ( 7 ) to (1 0 ), wherein the print control method is a risen PDF (Portable Document Format) file.

(1 2 ) Printing is performed from the document file that includes an object for defining a part or all of the content of a specific page and has position information indicating the position of the object in the document file added to the head part. A print control apparatus that generates image data for each page to be used, and analyzes a print job including the document file to determine whether the total number of printed pages of the document file is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference page number. A determination unit that determines the number of print pages when the determination unit determines that the total number of printed pages is equal to or greater than the reference page number; , By extracting the object specified by the specifying unit from the document file with reference to the position information, A print data generation unit that generates print data for image formation corresponding to the print page; and an image data generation unit that generates the image data based on the print data generated by the print data generation unit. Yes, and the print data generating unit generates the print data for image forming corresponding to the print page for the number of the reference page, the reference number of pages generated by the image data generating unit is the print data generating unit After generating the image data based on the print data corresponding to the print pages for minutes, the print data generation unit displays the objects used in the remaining print pages excluding the print pages for the reference page number. By extracting from the document file, the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages is generated, and the image data generating unit is A print control apparatus that generates the image data based on the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages generated by the print data generation unit .

  According to the present invention, when it is determined that the total number of printed pages of the document file is equal to or greater than the reference page number, objects used on the print pages for the reference page number are extracted from the document file, Print data corresponding to the print page is generated. Therefore, print data is generated in a shorter time than when all objects included in the document file are extracted and print data corresponding to the total print page is generated, and the start of subsequent image data generation processing is accelerated. That is, the FPOT can be shortened when document files having a large data size are collectively received on the printer side.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system of this embodiment includes an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 100 and a PC (personal computer) 200 as a network terminal, which can communicate with each other via a network 300. It is connected to the.

  The network 300 includes a LAN in which computers and network devices are connected according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI, and a WAN in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line. The type and number of devices connected to the network 300 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. Further, the MFP 100 and the PC 200 may be directly connected (locally connected) between devices without going through the network 300.

  2 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the MFP shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP shown in FIG.

  2 and 3, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation panel unit 103, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 104, an image reading unit 105, a paper feeding unit 106, and image formation. Unit 107, communication interface 108, and paper discharge unit 109, which are connected to each other via a bus 110 for exchanging signals.

  The control unit 101 is a CPU, and controls the above-described units and performs various arithmetic processes according to a program. The storage unit 102 includes a ROM that stores various programs and various data in advance, a RAM that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area, a hard disk that stores various programs and various data including an operating system, and the like.

  The operation panel unit 103 includes a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, and the like, and is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions.

  The ADF 104 sequentially conveys one or more set originals one by one to a predetermined reading position of the image reading unit 105, and sequentially discharges the originals after image reading.

  The image reading unit 105 irradiates the original set at a predetermined reading position or the original conveyed to the predetermined reading position by the ADF 104 with a light source such as a fluorescent lamp, and reflects the reflected light with an imaging device such as a CCD image sensor. Photoelectric conversion is performed to generate image data from the electrical signal.

  The paper feeding units 106a to 106c store paper as a recording material used for printing. A paper feeding unit 106 (a general term for 106a to 106c) sends out the stored paper to the image forming unit 107 one by one.

  The image forming unit 107 prints an image based on various data on a sheet using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing processes.

  The communication interface 108 is an interface for communicating with an external device, a network interface according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI, a serial interface such as USB and IEEE1394, a parallel interface such as SCSI and IEEE1284, and BLUETOOTH. (Registered trademark), IEEE802.11, HomeRF, IrDA and other wireless communication interfaces, a telephone line interface for connecting to a telephone line, and the like can be used.

  The paper discharge unit 109 discharges the paper conveyed from the image forming unit 107 after finishing processing desired by the user in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 101. The finishing process includes a stapling process for binding a bundle of sheets with staples, a punching process for punching filing holes at the end of the sheet, a bookbinding process for bundling sheets to form a book, a folding process for folding a sheet, and For example, a trimmer process for cutting the edge of the paper. Note that the paper discharge unit 109 may simply discharge the paper without the finishing function.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PC shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the PC 200 of this embodiment includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, an input device 203, a display 204, and a communication interface 205, which are connected via a bus 206 for exchanging signals. Are connected to each other. Note that, among the above-described units of the PC 200, descriptions of portions having functions similar to those of the above-described units of the MFP 100 are omitted to avoid duplication of description.

  The storage unit 202 is installed with an application for linearizing a PDF file and a printer driver for generating variable print data.

  The input device 203 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for performing various inputs. The display 204 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information.

  MFP 100 and PC 200 may include components other than the above-described components, or some of the above-described components may not be included.

  In the printing system of the present embodiment configured as described above, variable printing is executed by the MFP 100 in accordance with the variable print data transmitted from the PC 200. The operation of the printing system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, variable print data used for variable printing and an image generated based on the variable print data will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of variable print data transmitted from the PC illustrated in FIG. 1 to the MFP. In the present embodiment, a case where a PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language) format is used as variable print data is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the variable print data 400 according to the present embodiment includes object definition data 410 and layout information definition data 420.

  The object definition data 410 defines an object for defining a part or all of a specific page. The object definition data 410 is linearized PDF file format data, and is hereinafter referred to as a PDF file 410 for convenience of explanation. The PDF file 410 is composed of a plurality of pages, and each of the pages 411 to 415 defines one object 510, 521 to 524 for defining a part of the content of a specific page. An object 500 (a generic name of 510, 521 to 524) includes a reuse object 510 that is used a plurality of times in variable printing, a non-reuse object (hereinafter referred to as a variable object) 521 to 524 that is used only once, including. A hint table (not shown) indicating the position of the object 500 in the PDF file 410 is added to the header portion of the PDF file 410.

  For example, in FIG. 5, a reuse object 510 is defined on the first page 411 of the PDF file 410, and variable objects 521 to 524 are defined on the second to fifth pages 412 to 415.

  The layout information definition data 420 defines an object used on each page and a position of the object on the page. In the layout information definition data 420, a reusable object 510 is defined in the data area 421 between the <REUSABLE_OBJECT> tag and the </ REUSEABLE_OBJECT> tag, and between the <PAGE> tag and the </ PAGE> tag. The data area 422 defines the contents of each print page.

  For example, in FIG. 5, the data area 421 between the <REUSABLE_OBJECT> tag and the </ REUSABLE_OBJECT> tag includes <EXTERNAL_DATA_ARRAY Src = “Beer_Port200.pdf” Index = “1” /> tag 423. It is defined that the object 510 of the first page 411 is used as a reuse object. Also, the name “XMASTER_1 — 17638320” is defined in the reusable object 510 by the <OCCURRENCE Name = “XMASTER_1 — 17638320” Weight = “100”> tag 424.

  In the data area 422 between the <PAGE> tag and the </ PAGE> tag, for example, <EXTERNAL_DATA_ARRAY Src = “Beer_Port200.pdf” Index = “2” /> tag 425, the second page 412 of the PDF file 410 Object 521 is defined for use on the first page of the printed material, and <OCCURRENCE_REF Ref = “XMASTER_1_1_17638320” /> tag 426 defines that the reuse object 510 is defined for use on the first page of the printed material. Yes.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image generated based on the variable print data shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows images of the first and second pages generated based on the variable print data.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the images 601 and 602 generated based on the variable print data, a plurality of images 610 based on the reuse object 510 are used. Then, the images 621 to 624 based on the variable object are arranged so as to overlap the image 610 based on the reuse object 510.

  Specifically, in FIG. 6, each of the images 601 and 602 on each page uses the image 610 based on the reuse object 510 described as “Draft beer (medium) free ticket” three times each. Variables of “valid only for XX branch” 621a to 621f, “store No. ◯” 622a to 622f, “No. XXXXX” 623a to 623f, and “expiration date 200 ** end of month XX” 624a to 624f Images 621 to 624 based on the object are arranged at predetermined positions.

  Hereinafter, the variable printing process by the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining print processing in the MFP shown in FIG. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is stored as a program in the storage unit 102 of the MFP 100 and executed by the control unit 101.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the printing process of this embodiment, first, it is determined whether or not a print job has been received (step S101). Specifically, it is determined whether or not a print job transmitted from the PC 200 has been received. The print job includes a PDF file 410 and object definition data 420.

  If it is determined that a print job has not been received (step S101: NO), the process waits until a print job is received. On the other hand, when it is determined that the print job has been received (step S101: YES), it is determined whether or not the PDF file included in the print job has been linearized (step S102).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in the header portion of the linearized PDF file. As shown in FIG. 8, linearized information “/ Linearized” 416 is included in the header portion of the linearized PDF file 410. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the PDF file is linearized by determining whether or not “/ Linearized” 416 is included in the data area of 1 kilobyte from the top of the PDF file.

  When it is determined that the PDF file included in the print job is not linearized (step S102: NO), the standard PDF file printing process is executed (step S104). Details of the standard printing process shown in step S104 will be described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the PDF file is linearized (step S102: YES), it is determined whether or not the total number of printed pages of the printed material is equal to or more than 10 pages (step S103). Here, the number of printed pages of the printed material means the total number of pages of one printed material printed out based on the variable print data 400.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the latter half of the layout information definition data. As described above, in the layout information definition data 420, the information between the <PAGE> tag and the </ PAGE> tag defines the contents of each print page. Therefore, the total number of printed pages of the printed matter can be obtained by counting a set of <PAGE> tags and </ PAGE> tags in the layout information definition data 420. Then, it is determined whether or not the total number of printed pages of the printed material is 10 or more.

  If it is determined that the total number of printed pages of the printed material is less than 10 (step S103: NO), a standard PDF file printing process is executed (step S104). On the other hand, when it is determined that the total number of printed pages of the printed material is 10 or more (step S103: YES), a divided printing process for dividing and printing the PDF file is executed (step S105). Details of the divided printing process shown in step S105 will be described later.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, first, it is determined whether or not the PDF file included in the print job is linearized. When it is determined that the PDF file is linearized, it is determined whether the total number of printed pages of the printed material is 10 pages or more. When it is determined that the total number of printed pages of the printed material is 10 pages or more, the PDF file division printing process is executed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the divided printing process shown in step S105 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the divided printing process of the present embodiment, first, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining print pages to be printed out is 10 or more (step S201). In the present embodiment, the remaining number of printed pages is calculated from the difference between the total number of printed pages and the number of printed pages. Then, it is determined whether or not the remaining number of printed pages is 10 pages or more.

  When it is determined that the number of remaining print pages is 10 pages or more (step S201: YES), the page range of the PDF file including the objects used in the continuous 10 print pages is calculated (step S202). . In this embodiment, in order to print out 10 continuous print pages, for example, the page range of the PDF file 410 including the objects used in the print pages of the first to tenth pages of the printed matter is calculated.

  Specifically, in the layout information definition data 420, by referring to the description of the <EXTERNAL_DATA_ARRAY˜ /> tag described between 10 consecutive <PAGE> tags and </ PAGE> tags, The page range of the PDF file 410 including the objects used in the 10 printed pages is calculated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of remaining print pages is less than 10 (step S201: NO), the page range of the PDF file including the objects used in the remaining print pages is calculated (step S203). For example, when the print output of up to 190 pages of the printed material of all 198 pages is completed, the page range of the PDF file 410 including the objects used on the remaining 8 pages of print pages is calculated.

  Next, the data in the page range of the PDF file is converted into print data described in PostScript (registered trademark) (step S204). In the present embodiment, the page range data of the PDF file calculated in the process shown in step S202 or S203 is converted into data described in PostScript (registered trademark). As a result, print data describing the print contents of 10 print pages or the remaining print pages is generated.

  Referring to FIG. 8 again, a hint table indicating the position of the object in the file is added to the header portion of the linearized PDF file 410. For example, the first object 417 is defined at the 16th byte from the top of the PDF file 410, and the second object 418 is defined at the 3642th byte from the top. That is, unlike a general PDF file that is not linearized, the linearized PDF file 410 can directly access objects in the file by referring to the hint table. Therefore, in the linearized PDF file, necessary objects are extracted in a shorter time than a general PDF file, and print data is generated. Note that the process of converting data in a predetermined page range of the PDF file into print data described in PostScript (registered trademark) is executed using an open source conversion program such as Xpdf, for example.

  As described above, according to the processing shown in steps S201 to S204, the object used in the print page is extracted from the PDF file, and print data for image formation is generated. In the present embodiment, unlike the standard PDF file printing process in which all the objects included in the PDF file 410 are extracted to generate print data, the objects used in the 10 pages of print pages or the remaining print pages Since the print data is generated based only on the print data, the print data is generated in a short time.

  Next, the PS data is RIP processed (step S205). In the present embodiment, the print data generated by the process shown in step S204 is RIP processed to generate bitmap format data. More specifically, a bitmap-format object used for 10 pages of print pages or the remaining print pages is generated.

  Next, a bitmap format object is placed on the frame memory (step S206). In the present embodiment, according to the contents of the layout information definition data 420, the bitmap format object generated by the process shown in step S205 is arranged on the frame memory.

  FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an object image in a bitmap format generated by the RIP process, and FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an object image arranged on the frame memory.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the bitmap format page image 700 generated by the RIP process, the bitmap format object images 710 and 720 are defined by rectangular areas. Object images 710 and 720 defined by the rectangular area are sequentially arranged on the frame memory 800.

  For example, the <CLIP_RECT Rectangle = “0 601.067 595.5 843.04” /> tag of the layout information definition data 420 shown in FIG. 5 includes the object image 710 on the first page of the page image 700 after the RIP processing. The lower left coordinate of the rectangular area is (0, 601.067), and the upper right coordinate is (595.5, 843.04). Then, from the description of the <MARK Position = “2.25-14.25”> tag, the lower left coordinate of the object image 710 on the frame memory 800 is (0 + 2.25, 601.067-14.25) = ( 2.25, 586.817). Similarly, the <CLIP_RECT Rectangle = “28.346 799.370 118.33 81.370” /> tag allows the lower left coordinates of the rectangular area of the object image 720 after RIP processing to be (28.346, 799.370). It is described that the upper right coordinate is (118.33, 815.370). Then, from the description of the <MARK Position = “17.008-183.748”> tag, the lower left coordinates of the object image 720 of the variable object are (28.346 + 17.008, 799.370-183.748) = (45 354, 615.622). The object images 710 and 720 are sequentially arranged on the frame memory 800 according to the coordinates calculated in this way.

  Next, it is determined whether or not one page of image data has been completed (step S207). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not one page of bitmap format object images generated in the process shown in step S205 has been generated and arranged on the frame memory 800. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the object image placement processing defined by the information between the </ MARK> tag and the </ MARK> tag has been executed up to the </ PAGE> tag. It is determined whether image data for a page is completed.

  When it is determined that the image data for one page has not been completed (step S207: NO), the processing from step S205 onward is repeated until the image data for one page is completed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image data for one page has been completed (step S207: YES), the image data for one page is transferred to the engine (step S208). Specifically, the frame memory 800 for one page is transferred to the image forming unit 107 as an engine.

  As described above, according to the processes shown in steps S205 to S208, a plurality of bitmap format objects are generated from print data described in PostScript (registered trademark), and a plurality of bitmap format objects are generated from the plurality of bitmap format objects. Image data is completed. The completed image data for one page is transferred to the engine without waiting for completion of the next image data.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the transfer of the image data for the print output page to the engine has been completed (step S209). Specifically, it is determined whether or not 10 print pages or the remaining print pages have been printed out. That is, it is determined whether or not the processing based on the print data generated by the processing shown in step S204 is completed.

  When it is determined that the transfer of the image data for the print output page to the engine has not been completed (step S209: NO), the processing from step S205 is repeated until the transfer of the image data for the print output page is completed. It is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the transfer of the image data for the print output page is completed (step S209: YES), it is determined whether the print output of all print pages of the printed matter is completed (step S210). Specifically, it is determined whether or not printing of all print pages has been completed by determining whether or not a </ JOB> tag exists after the </ PAGE> tag.

  When it is determined that the print output of all the print pages has not been completed (step S210: NO), the processes in and after step S201 are repeated until the print output of all the print pages is completed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the print output of all the print pages has been completed (step S210: YES), the process ends.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, print data in units of 10 pages is generated when a printed matter having a print page number of 10 pages or more is printed out. Then, page unit image data is sequentially generated based on the 10 page unit print data, and transferred to the engine without waiting for completion of the next image data. As described above, in the present embodiment, the print data is divided and generated, so the time from when the print job is received until the first 10 pages of print data is generated is shortened. Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the print job is received, the time until the image data of the first page generated based on the print data is transferred to the engine is shortened.

  In other words, according to the present embodiment, when MFP 100 receives a linearized PDF file having a large data size in a batch, FPOT is shortened. Further, by shortening the FPOT, the time required to complete the printing of all print pages is also shortened.

  Next, the standard printing process shown in step S104 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the standard printing process shown in step S104 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the standard print processing of this embodiment, the data of all pages of the PDF file included in the print job is converted into print data described in PostScript (registered trademark) (step S301). Then, the print data is subjected to RIP processing (step S302), and the bitmap format object is arranged on the frame memory (step S303).

  Next, it is determined whether or not image data for one page is completed (step S304). When it is determined that the image data for one page has not been completed (step S304: NO), the processing from step S302 is repeated until the image data for one page is completed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image data for one page has been completed (step S304: YES), the image data for one page is transferred to the engine (step S305).

  Then, it is determined whether or not printing of all print pages has been completed (step S306). When it is determined that the print output of all the print pages is not completed (step S306: NO), the processes after step S302 are repeated until the print output of all the print pages is completed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the print output of all the print pages has been completed (step S306: YES), the process ends.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, all the objects included in the PDF file are extracted at once and print data is generated. Then, image data is generated from the generated print data and transferred to the engine. Note that when the total number of printed pages of the print job is less than 10, even if it is a linearized PDF file, it is difficult to obtain the effect of shortening the FPOT by the divided print processing of the PDF file. Processing is executed. However, the reference number of pages for determining whether or not to perform a divided print process on a PDF file is not limited to 10 pages, and is set as appropriate by the user.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the total number of printed pages of the printed material is 10 or more, and when it is determined that the total number of printed pages of the printed material is 10 or more, the unit is 10 pages. Print data has been generated. However, the number of pages for generating print data may be changed according to the number of objects.

  Specifically, in the process shown in step S202 of FIG. 10, when calculating the page range of a PDF file that includes objects used on 10 printed pages, the number of objects included in the PDF file is counted. The

  Here, if the number of objects to be counted reaches a predetermined number before the page range of the PDF file including the objects used on the printed pages for 10 pages is calculated, the reference page number is changed to 5 pages. Is done. Then, the page range of the PDF file including the objects used in the print pages for 5 pages is calculated, and print data for 5 pages is generated. According to such a configuration, the time for generating print data can be further shortened, and the FPOT can be further shortened.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an MFP is exemplified as an image forming apparatus including a print control apparatus and a printing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a copying machine, and can also be applied to a print control apparatus separated from a printing apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking as an example the case where variable printing is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to variable printing, and can be applied to printing processing of linearized PDF files.

  The means and method for performing various processes in the print control apparatus according to the present embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk and a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is normally transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the apparatus as one function of the print control apparatus.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC shown by FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of variable print data transmitted from the PC illustrated in FIG. 1 to the MFP. It is a figure which shows the image produced | generated based on the variable print data shown by FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining print processing in the MFP shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the data of the header part of the linearized PDF file. It is a figure which shows the latter half part of layout information definition data. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the division | segmentation printing process shown by step S105 of FIG. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an object image in a bitmap format generated by the RIP process, and FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an object image arranged on the frame memory. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the standard printing process shown by step S104 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP,
101, 201 control unit,
102, 202 storage unit,
103 Operation panel section,
105 image reading unit,
106 paper feed unit,
107 Image forming unit,
108, 205 communication interface,
109 discharge section,
110,206 bus,
200 PC,
203 input device,
204 display,
300 network,
400 variable print data,
410 object definition data,
420 layout information definition data,
500 objects,
510 reusable objects,
521, 522, 523, 524 variable objects,
601 and 602 images,
700 page image in bitmap format,
800 frame memory.

Claims (12)

A page that is used for printing from a document file that includes an object for defining part or all of the contents of a specific page and that has position information indicating the position of the object in the document file added to the beginning. A print control program for generating unit image data,
Analyzing a print job including the document file and determining whether the total number of printed pages of the document file is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference page number;
If it is determined in the step (a) that the total number of printed pages is equal to or greater than the reference page number, the step (b) for specifying the objects used in the print pages for the reference page number;
By extracting the object identified in the step (b) from the document file with reference to the position information, print data for image formation corresponding to the print pages for the reference page number is generated. Step (c);
A procedure (d) for generating the image data based on the print data generated in the procedure (c);
(E) generating the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages by extracting the objects used in the remaining print pages excluding the print pages for the reference page number from the document file; ,
The procedure (f) for generating the image data based on the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages generated in the procedure (e) is performed in the order of the procedure (a) to the procedure (f). A print control program which is executed by a computer. The procedure (b)
A step (b1) of counting the number of the objects used in the print page for the reference page number;
When the number of objects counted in the procedure (b1) reaches a predetermined number, a procedure (b2) for setting a page number smaller than the reference page number as a new reference page number;
A step (b3) for identifying the object used in the print pages for the number of new reference pages set in the step (b2).
The print control program according to claim 1, wherein in the step (c), the object specified in the step (b3) is extracted from the document file with reference to the position information. Receiving a print job including a document file (g);
A step (h) for determining whether or not the document file included in the print job received in the step (g) is the document file with the position information added to the head portion; Causing the computer to execute,
If it is determined in step (h) that the document file included in the print job is the document file with the position information added to the head portion, in step (a), the document file print control program according to claim 1 or 2 total number of print pages is characterized in that whether or not at least the number of the reference page is determined. The object is a reusable object used multiple times in the document file according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that it comprises a non-reusable objects to be used only once, the Print control program. The document file including an object for defining a part or all of the content of the specific page and having position information indicating the position of the object in the document file added to the head portion is a linearized PDF. (Portable Document Format) printing control program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a file. A computer-readable recording medium on which the print control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is recorded. A page that is used for printing from a document file that includes an object for defining part or all of the contents of a specific page and that has position information indicating the position of the object in the document file added to the beginning. A printing control method for generating unit image data,
Analyzing the print job including the document file and determining whether or not the total number of printed pages of the document file is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference page number; and
If it is determined in step (a) that the total number of printed pages is greater than or equal to the reference page number, the step (b) of identifying the objects used in the printed pages for the reference page number;
By extracting the object specified in the step (b) from the document file with reference to the position information, print data for image formation corresponding to the print pages corresponding to the reference page number is generated. Step (c);
(D) generating the image data based on the print data generated in the step (c);
Generating the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages by extracting the objects used in the remaining print pages excluding the print pages for the reference page number from the document file; ,
Step (f) for generating the image data based on the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages generated in the step (e), in the order of the steps (a) to (f). A printing control method comprising: The step (b)
A step (b1) of counting the number of the objects used on the print page for the reference page number;
When the number of objects counted in the step (b1) reaches a predetermined number, a step (b2) of setting a page number smaller than the reference page number as a new reference page number;
(B3) specifying the object used in the print pages for the new reference page number set in the step (b2),
8. The print control method according to claim 7 , wherein in step (c), the object specified in step (b3) is extracted from the document file with reference to the position information. Receiving a print job including a document file (g);
And (h) determining whether the document file included in the print job received in the step (g) is the document file with the position information added to the head portion. Have
When it is determined in step (h) that the document file included in the print job is the document file with the position information added to the head portion, in step (a), the document file 9. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein it is determined whether or not the total number of print pages is equal to or greater than the reference page number. The object is a reusable object used multiple times in the document file according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that it comprises a non-reusable objects to be used only once, the Print control method. The document file including an object for defining a part or all of the content of the specific page and having position information indicating the position of the object in the document file added to the head portion is a linearized PDF. (Portable Document Format) printing control method according to any one of claims 7-1 0, which is a file. A page that is used for printing from a document file that includes an object for defining part or all of the contents of a specific page and that has position information indicating the position of the object in the document file added to the beginning. A printing control device that generates image data of a unit,
A determination unit that analyzes a print job including the document file and determines whether the total number of printed pages of the document file is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference page number;
When the determination unit determines that the total number of printed pages is equal to or greater than the reference page number, a specifying unit that specifies the object used on the print pages for the reference page number;
Print data for generating print data for image formation corresponding to the number of print pages corresponding to the number of reference pages by extracting the object specified by the specifying unit from the document file with reference to the position information A generator,
On the basis of the printing the print data generated by the data generating unit, have a, an image data generation unit that generates the image data,
The print data generation unit generates print data for image formation corresponding to the print pages for the reference page number, and the image data generation unit generates the print data for the reference page number generated by the print data generation unit. After generating the image data based on the print data corresponding to the print page, the print data generation unit sets the object used in the remaining print pages excluding the print pages for the reference page number as the document file. To generate the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages, and the image data generation unit is based on the print data corresponding to the remaining print pages generated by the print data generation unit. A print control apparatus for generating the image data .