JP5317708B2 - Printing apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To compare the outputs of the same image with each other and to check correct change of color. <P>SOLUTION: A printing apparatus performs variable data print and it is determined whether or not a reusable object equal to a reusable object reusable in all of a plurality of page data included in the page data to be printed is stored in a storage region of a storage device. When it is determined that the reusable object equal to the reusable object is not stored in the storage region of the storage device, the reusable object is stored in the storage region of the storage device. A control means is provided to perform control to perform proof printing of the page data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a control method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a proof print (proof print) function, which is one of functions of a printer or the like, is used for checking color variation of a printing apparatus. This proof print function is a function that duplicates a page being printed and outputs it to a tray (mainly a sample tray) other than the tray that is discharging paper, and the user can check the print color at that time. In particular, in the color variation check, the printing apparatus performs proof printing at regular intervals for a job that prints a large amount of the same image data. Then, the user compares the output results. This proof print is generally executed in accordance with an instruction (button depression) from the operation panel by the user. In order to reduce the burden on the user, there has also been proposed a technique for automatically executing proof printing for each designated period without any user operation (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-197779

  However, when the above-described conventional proof print is applied to print data having different images for each page such as variable data print, there is a possibility that appropriate proof print cannot be executed. This is because, in the case of variable printing, the same image is not necessarily proof-printed for each designated period, and thus it is not possible to check the color variation using the same image.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to enable output comparison between the same images and to enable a correct color variation check.

Therefore, the present invention is a printing apparatus that executes print processing based on print data, and is the same as a reusable object that can be reused in common with a plurality of page data included in page data to be printed. A determination unit that determines whether or not the reusable object is stored in the storage area of the storage device, and the determination unit causes the same reusable object as the reusable object to be stored in the storage area of the storage device. If it is determined not to be stored, the reusable object as well as stored in the storage area of the storage device, have a, and control means for controlling to perform proof printing of the page data, wherein the control means When an event notification indicating that color matching has been executed is received from the printer means, the reuse stored in the storage area of the storage device To remove a function object.

  In addition, the present invention is a printing apparatus including a first paper discharge unit and a second paper discharge unit, and prints obtained by normal printing performed based on print data are printed on the first paper discharge unit. Proof printing is performed on a page including a reusable object common to a plurality of pages and normal printing means that outputs to the second paper discharge unit, and outputs a printed matter obtained by the proof printing to the second paper discharge unit And the page data after the proof printing is executed and before the color matching is executed, the proof printing is not executed on the page data including the reusable object, and the proof In the page data after the printing means is performed and after the color matching is executed, the page data including the reusable object is displayed before the page data. And having a control means for controlling the proof printing unit as proof-printing is applied, the.

  According to the present invention, output comparison can be performed between the same images, and correct color variation check can be performed.

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

[System configuration of printing system 1000]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of the printing system 1000.
A printing system 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a printing apparatus 100, a stacker 101, and a finisher 102 as components. Here, the stacker 101 and the finisher 102 are collectively referred to as a sheet processing apparatus 200. The printing apparatus 100 has the same configuration as that of a normal printing apparatus except that variable data printing can be executed. Hereinafter, the printing apparatus 100 is also referred to as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral).
The sheet processing apparatus 200 is an apparatus that can accept a job sheet printed by the printing apparatus 100 directly through the sheet conveyance path.

[Internal configuration of printing system 1000 (mainly software configuration)]
Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration (mainly software configuration) of the printing system 1000. In the present embodiment, among the units shown in FIG. 2 included in the printing system 1000, all units other than the sheet processing apparatus 200 are included in the printing apparatus 100.
The printing apparatus 100 includes a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk 209 (hereinafter also referred to as HDD) capable of storing a plurality of job data to be processed. In addition, the printing apparatus 100 includes a copy function for printing job data received from the scanner unit 201 included in the printing apparatus 100 by the printer unit 203 via the HDD 209. In addition, the printing apparatus 100 includes a printing function that prints job data received from an external apparatus via the external I / F 202 corresponding to an example of a communication unit, using the printer unit 203 via the HDD 209. The printing apparatus 100 is an MFP type printing apparatus (also referred to as an image forming apparatus) having such a plurality of functions.

In other words, the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may be a printing apparatus capable of color printing or a printing apparatus capable of monochrome printing, and may have any configuration as long as various controls described in the present embodiment can be executed.
The printing apparatus 100 includes a scanner unit 201 that reads a document image and performs image processing on the read image data. The printing apparatus 100 includes an external I / F 202 that transmits and receives image data and the like with a facsimile, a network connection device, and an external dedicated device. The printing apparatus 100 also includes an HDD 209 that can store image data of a plurality of jobs to be printed received from either the scanner unit 201 or the external I / F 202. In addition, the printing apparatus 100 includes a printer unit 203 that executes print processing of data of a job to be printed stored in the HDD 209 on a print medium. The printing apparatus 100 also includes an operation unit 204 having a display unit that corresponds to an example of a user interface unit included in the printing system 1000.

  A controller unit (also referred to as a control unit or CPU) 205 corresponding to an example of a control unit included in the printing system 1000 comprehensively controls processes and operations of various units included in the printing system 1000. The ROM 207 stores various control programs required in the present embodiment, including programs related to execution of various processes in the flowcharts described later. The ROM 207 also stores a display control program for displaying various UI screens on the display unit of the operation unit 204 including a user interface screen (hereinafter referred to as a UI screen). The control unit 205 reads out and executes the program in the ROM 207 to cause the printing apparatus to execute various operations described in the present embodiment. A program or the like for interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from an external device via the external I / F 202 and executing raster data (bitmap image data) is stored in the ROM 207. Yes.

A ROM 207 is a read-only memory, and stores various programs such as a boot sequence and font information, and the above-described programs. A RAM 208 is a readable / writable memory, and stores image data, various programs, and setting information transmitted from the scanner unit 201 and the external I / F 202 via the memory controller.
An HDD (hard disk) 209 is a large-capacity storage device that stores the image data compressed by the compression / decompression unit 210. The printing apparatus 100 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of data such as print data of a job to be processed in the HDD 209. A control unit 205 controls the printer unit 203 to print job data input via various input units such as the scanner unit 201 and the external I / F 202 via the HDD 209. In addition, the control unit 205 performs control so that transmission to an external apparatus via the external I / F 202 is possible. In this way, the control unit 205 controls to execute various output processes of the job target data stored in the HDD 209. The compression / decompression unit 210 compresses / decompresses image data stored in the RAM 208 and the HDD 209 by various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG.
With the above configuration, the control unit 205 as an example of a control unit included in the printing system 1000 also controls the operation of the sheet processing apparatus 200. The mechanical configuration of the printing system 1000 including this description will be described with reference to FIG.

[Internal Configuration of Printing Apparatus 100]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100. Of reference numerals 301 to 322, 301 corresponds to the mechanical configuration of the scanner unit 201 of FIG. 302 to 322 correspond to the mechanical configuration of the printer unit 203 in FIG. In the present embodiment, the configuration of a 1D type color MFP will be described. Note that a 4D type color MFP and a monochrome MFP are also examples of the printing apparatus of the present embodiment, but a description thereof is omitted here.
An automatic document feeder (ADF) 301 in FIG. 3 separates a bundle of documents set on the stacking surface of the document tray from the first page document in order of pages, and scans the document by the scanner 302. Transport onto the glass plate. A scanner 302 reads an image of a document conveyed on a platen glass and converts it into image data by a CCD. A rotary polygon mirror (polygon mirror or the like) 303 makes incident light, such as laser light, modulated according to the image data, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 304 as reflected scanning light through a reflection mirror. The latent image formed by the laser beam on the photosensitive drum 304 is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet material attached on the transfer drum 305. The printing apparatus 100 sequentially executes this series of image forming processes for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, thereby forming a full-color image. After the four image forming processes, the sheet material on the transfer drum 305 on which a full-color image has been formed is separated by the separation claw 306 and conveyed to the fixing device 308 by the pre-fixing conveying device 307.

The fixing device 308 is configured by a combination of a roller and a belt, and includes a heat source such as a halogen heater, and melts and fixes the toner on the sheet material on which the toner image is transferred by heat and pressure. The paper discharge flapper 309 is configured to be swingable about a swing shaft, and defines the sheet material conveyance direction. When the paper discharge flapper 309 is swinging in the clockwise direction in the figure, the sheet material is conveyed straight and is discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller 310. On the other hand, when forming images on both sides of the sheet material, the paper discharge flapper 309 swings counterclockwise in the figure, and the sheet material is changed in the downward direction and sent to the duplex conveying unit. The double-sided conveyance unit includes a reverse flapper 311, a reverse roller 312, a reverse guide 313, and a double-sided tray 314.
The reverse flapper 311 is configured to be swingable about a swing shaft, and defines the sheet material conveyance direction. When processing a double-sided print job, the control unit 205 swings the reverse flapper 311 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Then, control is performed so as to feed the reversing guide 313. Then, the control unit 205 temporarily stops the reverse roller 312 in a state where the rear end of the sheet material is held between the reverse rollers 312, and the reverse flapper 311 continuously swings in the clockwise direction in the drawing. Further, the control unit 205 rotates the reverse roller 312 in the reverse direction. As a result, the control unit 205 controls to guide the sheet to the double-sided tray 314 in a state in which the sheet is switched back and conveyed and the trailing end and leading end of the sheet are switched.

The sheet material is once stacked on the double-sided tray 314, and then the sheet material is fed again to the registration roller 316 by the refeed roller 315. At this time, the sheet material is fed with the surface opposite to the transfer process on the first surface facing the photosensitive drum. Then, the control unit 205 forms an image on the second surface on the second surface of the sheet in the same manner as described above. Then, images are formed on both sides of the sheet material, and the control unit 205 discharges the sheet from the inside of the printing apparatus main body to the outside through the paper discharge roller 310 through a fixing process. The control unit 205 executes the above-described series of double-sided printing sequences so that the printing apparatus 100 executes double-sided printing on each of the first and second sides of the sheet of job data to be printed on both sides. to enable.
The paper feeding / conveying section stores paper feeding cassettes 317 and 318 (for example, each of which can store 500 sheets) and a paper deck 319 (for example, 5000 sheets) that store sheets required for the printing process. A manual feed tray 320 and the like. Further, as a unit for feeding the sheets stored in these paper feeding units, there are a paper feeding roller 321 and a registration roller 316. The sheet feeding cassettes 317 and 318 and the paper deck 319 are configured so that various sheet sizes and sheets of various materials can be distinguished and set for each sheet feeding unit.

The manual feed tray 320 is also configured to be able to set various print media including special sheets such as OHP sheets. The paper feed cassettes 317 and 318, the paper deck 319, and the manual feed tray 320 are each provided with a paper feed roller 321 so that sheets can be continuously fed in units of one sheet. For example, the sheet material stacked by the pickup roller is sequentially fed out, and the feeding is prevented by the separation roller provided facing the paper feed roller 321, and the sheet material is fed one by one to the conveyance guide. Here, a driving force for rotating the separation roller in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction is input via a torque limiter (not shown). When only one sheet material enters the nip formed between the sheet feeding roller and the sheet material roller, the sheet material is driven to rotate in the transport direction.
On the other hand, when double feed occurs, the double-fed sheet material is returned by rotating in the direction opposite to the conveying direction, and only the uppermost sheet is sent out. The fed sheet material is guided between the conveyance guides and conveyed to the registration rollers 316 by a plurality of conveyance rollers. At this time, the registration roller 316 is stopped, the leading edge of the sheet material hits the nip portion formed by the registration roller 316 pair, the sheet material forms a loop, and skew is corrected. Thereafter, the registration roller 316 starts rotating and conveys the sheet material in accordance with the timing of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 304 in the image forming unit. The sheet material fed by the registration roller 316 is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 305 by the suction roller 322. The sheet material discharged from the fixing device 308 is introduced into the sheet conveyance path inside the sheet processing apparatus 200 via the paper discharge roller 310.
The control unit 205 processes a job to be printed through the above printing process.

Based on the print execution request received from the user via the UI unit, the control unit 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute print processing of the print data of the job stored in the HDD 209 from the data generation source using the method described above. .
For example, the data generation source of a job that has received a print execution request from the operation unit 204 means the scanner unit 201. The data source of the job that has received the print execution request from the host computer is the host computer.
Further, the control unit 205 stores the print data of the job to be processed in the HDD 209 in order from the first page, reads out the print data of the job from the HDD 209 in order from the first page, and prints the print data image on the sheet. To form. The control unit 205 performs such first page processing. Further, the control unit 205 causes the sheets printed in order from the first page to be supplied to the sheet conveyance path inside the sheet processing apparatus 200 with the image surface facing downward. Therefore, immediately before the sheet is introduced into the sheet processing apparatus 200 by the paper discharge roller 310, a switchback operation for reversing the front and back of the sheet from the fixing device 308 is executed using the units 309, 312 and the like. . The control unit 205 also executes paper handling control for coping with such first page processing.

[Configuration of Operation Unit 204]
An operation unit 204 corresponding to an example of a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a UI unit) in the printing system 1000 included in the printing apparatus 100 of the printing system 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit 204.
The operation unit 204 includes a key input unit 402 that can accept user operations using hard keys, and a touch panel unit 401 as an example of a display unit that can accept user operations using soft keys (display keys).
As shown in FIG. 5, the key input unit 402 includes an operation unit power switch 501. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the key input unit 402. In response to a user operation of the operation unit power switch 501, the control unit 205 controls to selectively switch between the standby mode (normal operation state) and the sleep mode. The control unit 205 controls to accept a user operation of the operation unit power switch 501 while a main power switch (not shown) that supplies power to the entire system is in an ON state.

  The start key 503 is a key for enabling the user to accept an instruction to start the type of job processing instructed by the user, such as a copy operation or a transmission operation of a job to be processed. A stop key 502 is a key for enabling the user to accept an instruction to cause the printing apparatus 100 to interrupt the processing of the accepted job. A numeric keypad 506 is a key for making it possible for a user to execute various numerical settings. A clear key 507 is a key for canceling various parameters such as numeric values set by the user via the numeric keypad 506. A reset key 504 is a key for accepting an instruction from the user to invalidate all the various settings set for the job to be processed by the user and return the setting value to the default state. A user mode key 505 is a key for shifting to a system setting screen for each user.

Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a touch panel unit (hereinafter also referred to as a display unit) 401 corresponding to an example of a user interface unit provided by the printing system 1000. The touch panel unit 401 includes a touch panel display including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a transparent electrode attached thereon. The unit 401 has a function of accepting various settings from the operator and a function of presenting information to the operator. For example, when it is detected that a portion corresponding to a display key in the effective display state on the LCD is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 responds to a key operation on the touch panel unit 401 according to a display control program stored in advance in the ROM 207. Control the displayed operation screen. FIG. 6 is an example of an initial screen that the control unit 205 displays on the touch panel unit 401 when the printing apparatus is in the standby mode (there is no job to be processed by the printing apparatus).
When the user presses the copy tab 601 on the touch panel unit 401 illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display a copy function operation screen provided in the printing apparatus 100. When the transmission tab 602 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display an operation screen for a data transmission (Send) function such as fax or E-mail transmission included in the printing apparatus 100. When the user presses the box tab 603, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display a box function operation screen provided in the printing apparatus 100.

  The box function is a function that uses a plurality of data storage boxes (hereinafter referred to as boxes) that can be distinguished and used for each user virtually provided in advance in the HDD 209. With this function, for example, the control unit 205 controls the user so that the user can select a desired box from the plurality of boxes via the user interface unit and can accept a desired operation from the user. For example, the control unit 205 responds to an instruction from the user input via the operation unit 204, and prints the document data of the job received from the scanner unit 201 of the printing apparatus 100 for the box selected by the user. The HDD 209 is controlled so that it can be stored. In addition, the control unit 205 also displays the text data of the job from the external device received via the external I / F 202 according to the user instruction of the external device specified via the user interface unit of the external device. And make it memorable. In addition, the control unit 205 causes the user to print the job data stored in the box in a desired output form, for example, by the printer unit 203 in accordance with a user instruction from the operation unit 204, or the user's desired external device. The external I / F 202 is controlled so as to be able to transmit to.

In order to enable the user to execute various box operations in this way, the control unit 205 controls the touch panel unit 401 to display a box function operation screen in response to the user pressing the box tab 603. Further, when the extended tab 604 of the touch panel unit 401 in FIG. 6 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display a screen for setting extended functions such as scanner settings. In addition, when the system monitor key 617 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display a display screen for notifying the user of the state or status of the MFP.
A color selection setting key 605 is a display key for enabling the user to select in advance whether color copy, black-and-white copy, or automatic selection. A magnification setting key 608 is a key for causing the touch panel unit 401 to display a setting screen that allows a user to execute magnification settings such as normal magnification, enlargement, and reduction.

  When the double-sided key 614 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 displays a screen that allows the user to set whether to execute single-sided printing or double-sided printing in the print processing of the job to be printed. To display. Further, in response to the user pressing the paper selection key 615, the control unit 205 displays a screen that allows the user to set a paper feed unit, a sheet size, and a sheet type (media type) required for print processing of a job to be printed. Be displayed on the unit 401. In response to the user pressing the key 612, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display a screen for enabling the user to select an image processing mode suitable for a document image such as a character mode or a photo mode. Further, the user can operate the density setting key 611 to adjust the density of the output image of the job to be printed.

In addition, the control unit 205 causes the status display field 606 of the touch panel unit 401 to allow the user to check the operation state of an event currently occurring in the printing apparatus 100 such as a standby state, warming up, printing, jamming, or an error. Display for the purpose. In addition, the control unit 205 causes the display field 607 to display information for allowing the user to confirm the print magnification of the job to be processed. In addition, the control unit 205 causes the display field 616 to display information for allowing the user to confirm the sheet size and paper feed mode of the job to be processed. The control unit 205 also displays information for allowing the user to confirm the number of copies of the job to be processed, and information for allowing the user to confirm what page is being printed during the printing operation. To display. As described above, the control unit 205 causes the touch panel unit 401 to display various information to be notified to the user.
Further, when the interrupt key 613 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 stops the printing of the job being printed by the printing apparatus 100 so that the user's job can be printed. In addition, when the application mode key 618 is pressed, the control unit 205 displays a screen for setting various image processing and layout such as page continuous shooting, cover / interleaf setting, reduced layout, and image movement on the touch panel unit 401. Display.

[Internal configuration of stacker 101]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the stacker 101 to be controlled by the control unit 205.
The inside of the stacker 101 is roughly divided into three as a sheet conveyance path from the printing apparatus 100. As an example of this, as shown in FIG. 7, one is a straight path 701. One is an escape path 702. One is a stack path 703. As described above, three sheet conveyance paths are provided inside the stacker 101.
A straight path 701 provided in the stacker 101 is a sheet conveyance path for delivering a sheet of a job that does not require a sheet stacking process by a stacking unit included in the stacker 101 to a subsequent apparatus. In other words, it is a unit for transporting a sheet of a job for which sheet processing by the sheet processing apparatus 200 itself is not requested from an upstream apparatus to a downstream apparatus.

The escape path 702 provided in the stacker 101 is used when it is desired to output without stacking. For example, when performing an output confirmation operation (proof print) or the like, the printed material is conveyed to the escape path 702 so that the printed material can be removed from the escape tray 705 in order to simplify the removal from the stack tray 704.
Note that a plurality of sheet detection sensors required for detecting the sheet conveyance status and jam are provided in the sheet conveyance path inside the stacker 101.
A CPU (not shown) of the stacker 101 electrically connects the sheet detection information from each of these sensors to a signal line for performing data communication with the control unit 205 (the sheet processing apparatus 200 and the control unit 205 shown in FIG. The control unit 205 is notified of the signal line) to be connected. Based on information from the stacker 101, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyance status and jam inside the stacker 101. If other sheet processing apparatuses are cascade-connected between the sheet processing apparatus 200 and the printing apparatus 100 as a system configuration of the printing system 1000, the sensor information of the stacker 101 is notified to the control unit 205. It is the composition to do. Thus, it has a configuration unique to the inline finisher.

Furthermore, a stack path 703 provided in the stacker 101 is a sheet conveyance path for causing the stacker 101 to execute a stacking process for a sheet of a job requiring a sheet stacking process by a stacking unit included in the stacker 101.
The stack tray 704 in FIG. 7 is a stacking unit that is placed on an extendable stay 706 or the like. A shock absorber or the like is attached to the coupling portion with the stack tray 704. The control unit 205 uses the stack tray 704 to control the stacker 101 to execute stacking processing of printed sheets of a job to be processed. Below the extendable stay 706 is a carriage 707. When a handle (not shown) is attached, the stack output placed thereon can be carried to an offline finisher (not shown) as a carriage 707.

When the front door of the stacker 101 is closed, the extendable stay rises to an upper position where the stack output is easily stacked, and the stack tray 704 is opened when the front door is opened by the operator (or an instruction to open it). Is a mechanism to descend.
In addition, stacking methods include stacking and shifting, and the stacking is literally always placed at the same position. Shift stacking is a method in which the output is shifted in the back direction by a predetermined number of copies, a job unit, etc., and the output is divided so that the output is easily handled.
As described above, the stacker 101 that is permitted to be used as the inline type sheet processing apparatus 200 in the printing system 1000 can execute a plurality of types of stacking methods when executing stacking processing of sheets from the printer unit 203. It is configured. The control unit 205 executes control of such various operations on the apparatus.

[Internal configuration of finisher 102]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the finisher 102 to be controlled by the control unit 205.
In the finisher 102, various units are provided for selectively performing a staple discharge process, a staple process, a punch process, a folding process, and the like for a sheet from the printing apparatus 100. However, the finisher 102 does not include a through path that functions as a sheet conveyance function to the subsequent apparatus.
Note that a plurality of sheet detection sensors required for detecting the sheet conveyance status and jam are provided in the sheet conveyance path inside the finisher 102.

A CPU (not shown) of the finisher 102 electrically connects the sheet detection information from each of these sensors to a signal line for performing data communication with the control unit 205 (the sheet processing apparatus 200 and the control unit 205 shown in FIG. The control unit 205 is notified of the signal line) to be connected. Based on the information from the finisher 102, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyance status and jam inside the finisher 102. When another sheet processing apparatus 200 is cascade-connected between the finisher 102 and the printing apparatus 100 as a system configuration of the printing system 1000, the control unit 205 is notified of sensor information of the finisher 102. It has a configuration. Thus, it has a configuration unique to the inline finisher.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an upper tray 801, a lower tray 802, and a booklet tray 803 are provided, and the control unit 205 uses them according to the type of job and the number of recording sheets to be discharged. Control to switch units.

In addition, there are a Z-folding portion 804 for folding the paper into a Z-shape and a puncher portion 805 for punching two (or three) holes for files, and each process is performed according to the type of job. For example, when Z-folding processing is set as a setting related to recording paper processing, the control unit 205 causes the Z-folding unit 804 to execute folding processing on the recording paper of the job. Next, the control unit 205 controls the paper to pass through the apparatus and be discharged onto the discharge trays such as the upper tray 801 and the lower tray 802. Also, for example, when the user sets punching processing via the operation unit 204 as a setting relating to recording paper processing for a job to be output, the control unit 205 performs punching processing by the puncher unit 805 for the recording paper of the job. Is executed. Next, the control unit 205 controls the paper to pass through the apparatus and be discharged onto the discharge trays such as the upper tray 801 and the lower tray 802.
Further, the saddle stitcher unit 806 binds the central portion of the recording paper at two places, and then folds the recording paper by biting the central portion of the recording paper with a roller to create a booklet like a brochure. Perform the bookbinding process.

The recording paper bound by the saddle stitcher unit 806 is discharged to the booklet tray 803. Whether or not a recording paper processing operation such as bookbinding processing by the saddle stitcher unit 806 can be executed is also based on the recording paper processing setting set by the user for the job to be output.
The inserter 807 is for sending the recording paper set on the insert tray 808 to one of the discharge trays such as the upper tray 801 and the lower tray 802 without passing through the printer unit 203. As a result, the recording paper set in the inserter 807 can be inserted (interleaved) between the recording paper (recording paper printed by the printer unit) fed to the saddle stitch binding unit. The insert tray 808 of the inserter 807 is set face-up by the user, and is fed in order from the uppermost recording sheet by a pickup roller. Therefore, the recording paper from the inserter 807 is discharged in a face-down state by being conveyed to the tray upper stage 801 or the tray lower stage 802 as it is. When sending to the saddle stitcher 806, the face is aligned by sending it back to the puncher side and then switching it back.

Whether or not a recording paper processing operation such as recording paper insertion processing by the inserter 807 can be executed is also based on the recording paper processing setting set by the user for the job to be output.
In the present embodiment, as an example, a cutting unit (trimmer 809) is also provided in the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus. This description will be made as follows.
The output that has become a booklet (saddle-stitched booklet) in the saddle stitch bookbinding section enters this trimmer 809. At that time, the output of the booklet is first fed by a predetermined length by the roller, cut by a predetermined length by the cutter unit 810, and dispersed among a plurality of pages in the booklet. The edges that were left will be neatly aligned. Then, it is stored in the booklet hold unit 811. Whether or not a recording paper processing operation such as cutting processing by the trimmer 809 can be executed is also based on the recording paper processing setting set by the user for the job to be output.
As described above, the finisher 102 includes a saddle stitch bookbinding unit that executes a saddle stitch bookbinding process on a sheet of a job to be processed that is requested by the user to execute a saddle stitch bookbinding process together with a print execution request via the operation unit 204. It has.

[Calibration by printer unit 203]
The printing characteristics of the printing apparatus 100 may change depending on environmental conditions such as the temperature and humidity of the environment in which it is used. In addition to these environmental conditions, the color characteristics of the printed result may change as a result of use for a certain period. In the case of an electrophotographic printing apparatus, the photosensitive characteristics of the photosensitive drum change depending on the environmental conditions and aging due to use, and as a result appear in a printed image or the like. In order to correct the printing characteristics, color correction called calibration is performed in the printer unit 203.

[Normal printing and proof printing]
Next, an example of operations of normal printing (normal printing) and proof printing in the printing system 1000 will be described.
For example, when the control unit 205 receives a print job from an external device via the external I / F 202, the control unit 205 interprets PDL data included in the job and generates image data and job attributes. Next, the control unit 205 sends the generated image data to the printer unit 203 according to the job attribute, and causes the image data to be printed on paper (sheet). Thereafter, the control unit 205 sends the sheet on which the image data is printed to the sheet processing apparatus 200 and discharges the sheet to either the finisher 102 or the stacker 101 according to the job attribute.

The control unit 205 can perform a proof print operation based on an instruction from the operation unit 204 during execution of these normal prints (particularly, printing of a plurality of pages). More specifically, the operation unit 204 displays a proof print selection screen 901 as shown in FIG. 9 when a user selects a job being executed from the touch panel unit 401. When the execution button 902 is pressed by the user, the operation unit 204 notifies the control unit 205 to that effect. Thereafter, the control unit 205 instructs the printer unit 203 and the sheet processing apparatus 200 to execute proof printing. Upon receiving the command, the printer unit 203 prints one extra piece of image data for image formation immediately thereafter. Next, the duplicated image data is transferred to the sheet processing apparatus 200, but the control unit 205 outputs a paper discharge destination (second discharge destination) different from the paper discharge destination (first paper discharge unit) specified by the job attribute. Output to the paper discharge section).
For example, if the tray lower stage 802 of the finisher 102 is designated by the job attribute, a sheet on which normal image data is printed is discharged there. However, the sheet on which the image data copied by execution of the proof print is printed is discharged to the escape tray 705 of the stacker 101. Thereby, it is possible to avoid mixing the normal printing result and the printing result of the proof print, and the user can immediately execute the color check.

[Operation of variable data printing]
Next, an example of variable data print operation will be described.
Normally, variable data printing is performed by combining data that can be reused in common on a plurality of pages called reusable objects and data that is different for each page called variable data by an image processing means and printing. It is common. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of output of variable data print. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a sheet on which image data is printed, reference numeral 1002 denotes a reusable object, and reference numeral 1003 denotes variable data.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of variable data print. The data structure of variable data print includes an area 1101 for storing a reusable object and an area 1104 for storing a record of variable data. The reusable object does not necessarily include an entity, and may be stored in the HDD 209 or the like and a link to it may be used.

<First embodiment>
In the present embodiment, in order to realize correct color variation check even in such variable data printing, a process in which calibration is generated in the printer unit 203 and proof printing is executed on a page where the reusable object 1002 is used is performed. Will be described.
FIG. 12 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of the operation of proof printing. Reference numerals 1601 to 1613 denote results of printing a variable data job by the printing system 1000. As shown in FIG. 12, 1601, 1603, 1606, 1607, 1609, and 1611 are pages including reusable objects. In other words, since the same image exists in the page, it is a suitable page for performing color variation using the same image. However, proof printing all pages including these reusable objects is likely to waste paper because the number of prints is too large for the purpose of color variation check.
Therefore, it is desirable to proof print the pages 1601 and 1603 in which the reusable object is used for the first time and the pages 1609 and 1611 in which the reusable object is used for the first time after the calibration that is likely to cause the color variation. As a result, the user can obtain proof prints 1602, 1604, 1610, and 1612, and can check the color immediately after the start of printing and the color after calibration in the reusable object portion.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating the proof print process.
Upon receiving a variable data print job from an external device via the external I / F 202, the control unit 205 starts a print processing operation (S1200). The control unit 205 determines whether there is a calibration execution notification from the printer unit 203 immediately before generating an image for one page (S1201). Here, the calibration execution notification is an event notification that is notified to the control unit 205 after calibration, which is an example of color matching that is automatically performed by the printer unit 203 to prevent variation in color output characteristics, is executed. .
When there is no calibration execution notification, the control unit 205 generates an image for one page (S1202). Here, when generating an image for one page, the control unit 205 also generates information about whether or not a reusable object is used as an image attribute. Next, the control unit 205 determines whether or not a reusable object is included in the page data based on the image attribute (S1203). If a reusable object is included, the control unit 205 accesses a used reusable object holding area (storage area) 1304 in the HDD 209 or the RAM 208 shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 205 compares (determines) whether or not the same reusable object (the same usable object) is held (saved) (S1204). The comparison method may be the entity of a reusable object or an identifier that can uniquely identify a reusable object. If the same reusable object is not held in the holding area, the control unit 205 newly stores the reusable object used for page generation in the holding area 1304 (S1205). Here, the reusable object stored in the holding area 1304 may be an entity or an identifier that can uniquely identify the reusable object.

Next, the control unit 205 sends the generated page data to the printer unit 203 to instruct printing (S1206), and then generates the same page data again and controls the printer unit 203 to perform proof printing (S1207). . Thereafter, the control unit 205 returns to the next page generation process.
On the other hand, if the reusable object is not included in the generated page data, the control unit 205 only prints the page data (S1209) and does not perform proof printing. Even when a reusable object is included, if the same reusable object exists in the holding area 1304, the control unit 205 only prints the page data (S1209) and does not perform proof printing.
When a calibration execution notification is received from the printer unit 203, the control unit 205 deletes all reusable objects held in the holding area 1304 (S1210) and then performs page generation processing (S1202).
By executing this processing, proof printing is executed for pages 1601 and 1603 as shown in FIG. 12, for example. On the other hand, proof printing is not executed for page 1606 including the same reusable object as page 1601 and page 1607 including the same reusable object as page 1603.
When calibration is executed, proof printing is executed for 1609 including the same reusable object as page 1601 and page 1611 including the same reusable object as page 1603.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to execute proof printing on the page where the reusable object is used first and the page where the reusable object is used after the calibration in the printer unit 203 has occurred.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 15 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of the operation of proof printing. Reference numerals 1701 to 1709 denote the results of printing a variable data job by the printing system 1000. As shown in FIG. 15, reusable objects are included for all pages, but 1703, 1706, and 1709 include reusable objects that are designated as proofs. Here, the reusable object designated as proof is a reusable object designated by the user, such as an object such as a car photograph, in which the color of the output result is particularly important. In other words, it is a reusable object suitable for performing color variation.
However, proof printing all the pages including the proof-designated reusable object may cause the number of prints to be too large for the purpose of the color variation check. Therefore, it is desirable to proof print the page 1703 including the first proofable reusable object after the start of printing and the page 1709 including the first proofable reusable object after the proof instruction from the user. As a result, the user can obtain proof prints 1710 and 1711, and can check the color variation at the reusable object portion designated as proof.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating the proof print process.
The control unit 205 accepts a variable data print job and starts a print processing operation (S1400). Next, the control unit 205 determines whether there is a proof print instruction from the operation unit 204 immediately before generating an image for one page (S1401). Here, the proof print instruction is generated when a button displayed on the operation unit 204 is pressed by the user, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a proof print processing selection screen in variable data printing. When the user presses an OK button 1502 on the screen 1501, a proof print instruction is issued from the operation unit 204 to the control unit 205. When a cancel button 1503 is pressed, the screen 1501 is closed without issuing a proof print instruction. This screen is displayed only when the job being executed is variable data printing.
If there is a proof print instruction here, the control unit 205 deletes all the reusable objects held in the holding area 1304 (S1410). This makes it possible to execute proof printing when a page including a reusable object designated as proof is printed.

Next, or when there is no proof instruction, the control unit 205 generates page data for one page (S1402).
Next, the control unit 205 checks whether or not the reusable object designated in advance is included in the page data used for the image generation (S1403). Here, with the reusable object designated as proof, the importance attribute attached to the reusable object may be a certain value or more, or a newly added dedicated attribute may be used. These attributes are set in the variable data print data by a dedicated application used by the user.

If a proof-designated reusable object is included, the control unit 205 accesses the holding area 1304 and checks whether the same reusable object is held (S1404). If not held, the control unit 205 newly stores the reusable object used for page generation in the holding area 1304 (S1405). Here, the reusable object stored in the holding area 1304 may be an entity or an identifier that can uniquely identify the reusable object.
Next, the control unit 205 sends the generated page data to the printer unit 203 to instruct printing (S1406), and then controls the printer unit 203 to generate the same page data again and perform proof printing (S1407). Thereafter, the control unit 205 returns to the next page generation process.
On the other hand, when the generated reusable object is not included in the generated page data, the control unit 205 only prints the page data (S1409) and does not perform proof printing. Even if the designated reusable object is included, if the same reusable object exists in the holding area 1304, the control unit 205 only prints the page data (S1409), and proof printing is performed. Not performed.

  According to the present embodiment, proof printing is performed on a page where a proofable reusable object is first used and a page where a proofable reusable object is used after a proof printing execution instruction from the operation unit 204. can do.

<Other embodiments>
The object of the present invention is achieved by the following. That is, a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus. Then, the central processing means (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium recording the program code constitutes the present invention.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the central processing means of the system or apparatus, an operating system (OS) or the like operating on the system or apparatus performs actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Do some or all. The case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

  Further, it is assumed that the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the system or apparatus or a function expansion unit connected thereto. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion card or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. It is.

  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

  As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, since proof printing is performed on a page in which a reusable object is used during variable data printing, output comparison can be performed between the same images, and a correct color variation check can be performed. It becomes possible. Furthermore, since the proof print is automatically output, the work efficiency for the user is improved.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a printing system 1000. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration (mainly a software configuration) of a printing system 1000. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit 204. 4 is a diagram showing details of a key input unit 402. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a touch panel unit 401 corresponding to an example of a user interface unit provided by the printing system 1000. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a stacker 101 that is a control target of a control unit 205. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a finisher 102 to be controlled by a control unit 205. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the proof print selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the output of variable data printing. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of variable data printing. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of an operation of proof printing. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows a proof print process. It is a figure which shows an example of a memory area. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the operation of proof printing. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows a proof print process. It is a figure which shows an example of the proof print process selection screen in variable data printing.

100 Printing apparatus 101 Stacker 102 Finisher 1000 Printing system

Claims (11)

A printing apparatus that executes print processing based on print data,
Determining whether or not a reusable object that is the same as a reusable object that can be reused in common in a plurality of page data is stored in the storage area of the storage device, included in the page data to be printed Means,
When the determination unit determines that the same reusable object as the reusable object is not stored in the storage area of the storage device, the reusable object is stored in the storage area of the storage device. And control means for controlling to perform proof printing of the page data;
I have a,
When the control unit receives an event notification indicating that color matching has been performed from the printer unit, the control unit deletes the reusable object stored in the storage area of the storage device. The determination means stores a reusable object that is included in the page data to be printed and that is specified in advance and that is the same reusable object that can be reused in common for a plurality of page data in the storage device. Determine whether it is stored in the region,
When the determination unit determines that the same reusable object as the reusable object is not stored in the storage area of the storage device, the control unit stores the reusable object in the storage device. while saving the region, the printing apparatus according to 請 Motomeko 1 that controls to perform proof printing of the page data. The control unit controls the printed matter obtained by normal printing executed based on the print data to a delivery destination different from a delivery destination of the printed matter obtained by the proof printing. The printing apparatus according to 2. A printing apparatus comprising a first paper discharge unit and a second paper discharge unit,
Normal printing means for outputting a printed matter obtained by normal printing executed based on print data to the first paper discharge unit;
Proof printing means for executing proof printing on a page including a reusable object common to a plurality of pages and outputting a printed matter obtained by the proof printing to the second paper discharge unit;
In the page data after the proof printing is performed and before the color matching is performed, the proof printing is not performed on the page data including the reusable object, and the proof printing is performed. Control means for controlling the proof printing means so that the proof printing is applied to the page data including the reusable object in the page data after the color matching is performed. When,
A printing apparatus. A control method executed by a printing apparatus that executes print processing based on print data,
Determining whether or not a reusable object that is the same as a reusable object that can be reused in common in a plurality of page data is stored in the storage area of the storage device, included in the page data to be printed Steps,
When the determination step determines that the same reusable object as the reusable object is not stored in the storage area of the storage device, the reusable object is stored in the storage area of the storage device. And a control step for controlling the proof printing of the page data;
Including
In the control step, when an event notification indicating that color matching has been executed is received from the printer step, a control method for deleting a reusable object stored in a storage area of the storage device. In the determination step, a reusable object that is included in the page data to be printed and that is specified in advance and that is the same reusable object that can be reused in common for a plurality of page data is stored in the storage device. Determine whether it is stored in the region,
In the control step, when it is determined by the determination step that the same reusable object as the reusable object is not stored in the storage area of the storage device, the reusable object is stored in the storage device. The control method according to claim 5, wherein the page data is controlled to be proof printed while being stored in an area. 6. The control step of controlling so that a printed matter obtained by normal printing executed based on the print data is discharged to a discharge destination different from a discharge destination of a printed matter obtained by the proof printing. 6. The control method according to 6 . A control method in a printing apparatus comprising a first paper discharge unit and a second paper discharge unit,
The printing apparatus includes:
Normal printing means for outputting a printed matter obtained by normal printing executed based on print data to the first paper discharge unit;
Proof printing means for executing proof printing on a page including a reusable object common to a plurality of pages and outputting a printed matter obtained by the proof printing to the second paper discharge unit;
Have
The printing device is
In the page data after the proof printing is performed and before the color matching is performed, the proof printing is not performed on the page data including the reusable object, and the proof printing is performed. Control for controlling the proof printing means so that the proof printing is applied to the page data including the reusable object in the page data after the color matching is performed. A control method including steps . A computer that executes print processing based on print data,
Determining whether or not a reusable object that is the same as a reusable object that can be reused in common in a plurality of page data is stored in the storage area of the storage device, included in the page data to be printed Means,
When the determination unit determines that the same reusable object as the reusable object is not stored in the storage area of the storage device, the reusable object is stored in the storage area of the storage device. And control means for controlling to perform proof printing of the page data;
To function,
A program for deleting a reusable object stored in a storage area of the storage device when the control unit receives an event notification indicating that color matching has been executed from a printer unit. A computer including a first paper discharge unit and a second paper discharge unit;
Normal printing means for outputting a printed matter obtained by normal printing executed based on print data to the first paper discharge unit;
Proof printing means for executing proof printing on a page including a reusable object common to a plurality of pages and outputting a printed matter obtained by the proof printing to the second paper discharge unit;
In the page data after the proof printing is executed and before the color matching is executed, the proof printing is not executed on the page data including the reusable object, and the proof printing means The proof printing means is controlled so that the proof printing is applied to the page data including the reusable object in the page data after being performed and after the color matching is performed. A program that functions as a control means. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 9 or 10.

Images