JP5838521B2 - Image forming apparatus and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control program, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus that executes variable printing and a control program that performs control related to sample printing or trial printing in variable printing.

  With the recent trend toward paperless printing and a decrease in printing volume, the only printing volume that is increasing is variable printing. Specific examples of the variable print include direct mail and a catalog customized for each customer. In this variable print, the parts to be repeatedly used (fixed data or form data) are rasterized and then cached in the internal storage area, the parts not to be repeatedly used (variable data) are rasterized, and then combined with the cached parts to generate a page image. Processing efficiency is improved by suppressing the rasterization processing of the parts that are created and repeatedly used and the transfer of the same data.

  The variable print job is conventionally described in PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language), and the image forming apparatus processes the job by interpreting a special file format described in PPML. In the conventional method, a dedicated application is required, and the file format is generally unfamiliar, which has been a barrier to the spread of variable printing. Against this background, in order to promote the spread of variable prints, the PDF (Portable Document Format) / VT (Variable Transactional) specifications (ISO16612-2: 2010) of variable prints were released in July 2010. In PDF / VT, an Acrobat application which is a de facto standard can be used, and a familiar PDF file can be used.

  As a technique relating to the data structure of such a variable print, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228867 discloses a job management apparatus that manages content data including designation related to content used for variable data printing and a job based on the corresponding job ticket in units of records. And metadata extraction means for extracting metadata from the content data, and classifying the extracted metadata into control metadata for controlling job processing and display metadata used for displaying jobs. Metadata classifying means, and generating means for generating information for displaying the job in record units, using the metadata values classified into display metadata by the metadata classifying means. The structure which has is disclosed.

  In variable printing, since the same form data is used to repeatedly print a large amount of variable data in the database, trial printing (sample printing or trial printing) is performed to determine whether printing is good or bad. However, various sample print output methods have been proposed, such as outputting only one sample print of the same form data, or outputting a sample print only when external reference information is updated. Yes.

  As a technique related to the output of such sample print, for example, in Patent Document 2 below, a means for detecting a change that has occurred in the image forming apparatus due to the operator's work, and the contents of the change are set as preset sample print factors. Means for determining whether or not it corresponds; means for storing as a sample print factor if applicable; and means for executing a sample print when executing the first print job affected by the stored sample print factor An image forming apparatus having the above is disclosed.

JP 2010-218306 A JP 2009-216780 A

  Here, a variable print job based on PPML includes a job ticket, and various information related to variable print are held in the job ticket setting. In addition, a variable print job by PDF / VT holds a lot of information such as category classification and job setting as a database in a hierarchical structure in one PDF file.

  However, since information related to the output results of sample prints and test prints (good / bad judgment information and job setting information) is not stored in the data structure related to variable printing, the operator and the image forming apparatus to be output are changed. In such a case, it is necessary to perform sample printing or test printing again, or to perform sample printing or test printing many times in order to determine an optimum image forming apparatus. Therefore, resources and time are wasted in order to perform sample printing and trial printing, and there is a problem that a variable print job cannot be processed efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its main purpose is to perform sample printing and test printing even when the operator or the image forming apparatus to be output is changed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a control program that can save resources and time and can efficiently process a variable print job.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that executes variable printing based on a job that uses fixed data and variable data, and when the sample print or trial printing is performed, the sample print Alternatively, the information processing apparatus includes a control unit that stores information related to the output result of the trial printing in the data structure related to the variable print. The control unit includes information related to the image forming apparatus that outputs the variable print, job setting information, and information related to the printing paper. at least one on the basis of extracts similar job similar to the job, the in the data structure for variable printing based on the similarity job, the sample print or store information related to the output result of test printing, shall reflect the It is.

Further, the present invention is a control program that operates on a device that generates or stores a job that uses fixed data and variable data, or a device that executes variable printing based on the job, and the device is sampled. when carrying out the printing or test printing, the sample print or to get information about the output result of test printing, the acquired information, to function as a control unit for storing in the data structure for the variable printing, the control unit Extracts a similar job similar to the job on the basis of at least one of information on a device that outputs a variable print, job setting information, and information on printing paper, In addition, the sample print or test print Save the information on the output result is a shall be reflected.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the control program of the present invention, even if the operator or the image forming apparatus to be output is changed, resources and time for performing sample printing and test printing can be saved, and variable printing can be performed. Job can be processed efficiently.

  The reason is that the image forming apparatus or another apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via the communication network stores information about the output result of the sample print or the trial print in the data structure about the variable print, and for similar jobs. This is because the information regarding the output result is stored and reflected in the data structure regarding the variable print of the job.

  In this way, by saving and reflecting information related to the output results of sample prints and test prints in the data structure related to variable prints, it is possible to easily confirm the settings that will produce the optimal output results, so operators and output Even when the apparatus is changed, a variable print job can be processed under optimum conditions without performing sample printing or trial printing again.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the variable print system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the variable data before preserve | saving and reflecting the output result of a sample print. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation (output result storage and reflection processing) of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the screen regarding the output result of the sample print which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the variable data after preserve | saving and reflecting the output result of a sample print. It is an example of the output image of the sample print which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is an example of the coincidence information list which concerns on one Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, variable printing is performed repeatedly using the same form data while changing a large amount of data in the database. Therefore, trial printing (sample printing or trial printing) is performed to determine whether printing is good or bad. Printing). However, information related to the output results of sample prints and test prints (good / bad judgment information and job setting information) is not stored in the variable print job database. When deciding the device, it is necessary to perform sample prints and test prints many times, which wastes resources and time to perform sample prints and test prints, making variable print jobs more efficient. There was a problem that could not be processed.

  On the other hand, a variable print job by PPML includes a job ticket, and various information related to variable print is held in the setting of the job ticket, and a variable print job by PDF / VT is 1 In one PDF file, a lot of information such as category classification and job setting is stored as a database in a hierarchical structure.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, information related to output results of sample prints and test prints is stored in a data structure related to variable prints, and device settings, job settings, paper profile settings, etc. are the same or similar. Save and reflect information about the output result for the job. And by using the information about the output result that is saved and reflected, it is possible to confirm the setting that obtains the optimum output result for each job, even when the operator or the output device is changed, Resources and time are saved in order to perform sample printing and trial printing, and variable print jobs can be processed efficiently.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, an image forming apparatus and a control program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a variable print system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer terminal of this embodiment, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram. 5 and 9 are diagrams showing an example of variable data, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example of a screen related to the output result of the sample print of this embodiment, FIG. 10 is an example of an output image of the sample print, and FIG. 11 is an example of a match information list.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the variable print system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a client computer terminal 10 that transmits a variable print job, an image forming apparatus 20 that receives the job and executes the variable print, and an image forming apparatus. And a server terminal 30 that holds external reference data to which 20 refers, and these are LAN (Local Area Network) defined by standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Token Ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface). And a network 40 such as a WAN (Wide Area Network). Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail. In this embodiment, variable printing by PDF / VT will be described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to variable printing by PPML.

[Computer terminal]
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13, a communication I / F unit 14, a display 15, an input device 16, and the like.

  The CPU 11 controls each part. The memory 12 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, and temporarily stores various data read from the HDD 13 and the communication I / F unit 14. The stored data is processed by the CPU 11 and transferred to the HDD 13 and the communication I / F unit 14 as necessary. The HDD 13 stores a program for the CPU 11 to control each unit, information on processing functions of the device itself, image data, and the like, read by the CPU 11 as necessary, and executed on the memory 12. The communication I / F unit 14 establishes connections with the server terminal 30, the image forming apparatus 20, and other apparatuses, and executes data transmission / reception. The CPU 11, the memory 12, the HDD 13, and the communication I / F unit 14 constitute a control unit. The control unit creates a variable print job based on the PDF / VT specification, and sends the job to the image forming apparatus 20. It also functions as a printer driver for transmission.

  The display 15 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and the like, and displays various types of information. In addition, an operation screen for selecting settings of a job to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 is displayed.

  The input device 16 is a part for operating information displayed on the display 15 or inputting information, and is configured by a pointing device, a keyboard, and the like. Various devices such as a trackball, a trackpad, a tablet, and a stylus pen can also be used.

[Image forming apparatus]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a display / operation unit 22, a paper feeding unit 23, an image forming unit 24, a post-processing unit 25, and the like.

  The control unit 21 is a part that controls each component, and includes a CPU 21a, a memory 21b, an HDD 21c, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 21d, a communication I / F unit 21e, and the like connected via a bus.

  The CPU 21a performs control of each unit and image processing including RIP (software). The memory 21b is a ROM, a RAM, or the like, and temporarily stores various data read from the RIP 21d, the communication I / F unit 21e, and the HDD 21c. The stored image data is processed by the CPU 21a and transferred to the HDD 21c and the image forming unit 24 as necessary. The HDD 21c stores a program for the CPU 21a to control each unit and information related to the processing function of the own device, and is read by the CPU 21a as necessary and executed on the memory 21b. The RIP 21d is configured by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a software program processed by the CPU 21a, and creates a page image in variable printing. The communication I / F unit 21e establishes connections with the server terminal 30, the computer terminal 10, and other devices, and executes data transmission / reception.

  In addition, the control unit 21 stores information related to the output result of the sample print or the trial print (information related to the determination result whether the print result is good, information related to the job setting, etc.) in the data structure related to the variable print. The information related to the output result is stored and reflected in the data structure related to variable printing for similar jobs that are scheduled to be executed or are being executed, and it is necessary to change whether the sample print is necessary or not. It also functions as a variable print control unit that can determine whether or not. The variable print control unit may be configured as hardware, or may be configured as a control program that causes the control unit 21 to function as a variable print control unit.

  Whether or not the printing result is good may be determined based on an image formed by an image forming unit 24 described later (for example, using a result of measuring an image transferred from a photoconductor). The determination may be made on the basis of an image read by an external scanner device (or the scanning function if the device itself has a scanning function), or the user may determine whether the sample print or the trial print is visually observed. . Whether or not the job setting needs to be changed is determined by comparing a sample print job with another job that is scheduled to be executed or is being executed, and similar jobs (for example, device settings, job settings, and paper profiles). Whether the setting is the same or a similar job, and if it is a similar job, the setting of the similar job is changed according to the job for which the sample print was performed.

  The display / operation unit 22 is a touch screen or the like in which a touch panel made of a grid-like transparent electrode is arranged on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, and includes job information and a sample print or test print described later. The information related to the output results is displayed, and various operations such as control of the job input order and input of the output results can be performed. This operation function is not limited to the touch panel, and may be a WEB, an application, or the like as long as the operation function can be provided.

  The paper feeding unit 23 is a part that stores printing paper. In addition, it includes a portion that sends out the stored printing paper to the image forming unit 24.

  In the present specification, the image forming unit 24 is a general term for components necessary for forming an image in an image forming apparatus using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method. That is, it includes a photoreceptor, a transfer belt, a fixing device, various transport belts, and the like. The image forming unit 24 forms an image on printing paper from the image data read from the memory 21 b and sends it to the post-processing unit 25. At this time, an image is formed according to setting information such as monochrome / color type, resolution 600/1200/2400 dpi, and paper size.

  The post-processing unit 25 outputs the sheet conveyed from the image forming unit 24 after finishing processing desired by the user such as punching, stapling, and bookbinding according to an instruction from the control unit 21. Further, by providing a scan function and a colorimetric function as necessary, it is possible to perform image comparison, color difference measurement, and the like of printing paper.

[Server terminal]
The server terminal 30 includes a CPU, a memory, an HDD, a communication I / F unit, etc. (not shown).

  The CPU controls each unit. The memory is a ROM, a RAM, or the like, and temporarily stores various data read from the HDD and the communication I / F unit. The stored data is processed by the CPU and transferred to the HDD or communication I / F unit as necessary. The HDD stores a program for the CPU to control each unit, information on the processing function of the own device, external reference data used for variable printing, and the like, read by the CPU as necessary, and executed on the memory. Is done. The communication I / F unit establishes connections with the computer terminal 10, the image forming apparatus 20, and other apparatuses, and executes data transmission / reception. The CPU, memory, HDD, and communication I / F unit constitute a control unit.

  1 to 4 show an example of the variable print system of the present embodiment, and the configuration thereof can be changed as appropriate. For example, in FIG. 1, the variable print system includes a computer terminal 10, an image forming apparatus 20, and a server terminal 30, but data (such as fixed data) used by the computer terminal 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 for variable printing. Is stored, the server terminal 30 can be omitted.

  Next, the structure of variable print data (hereinafter referred to as variable data) used by the variable print system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the variable data of the PDF / VT specification includes a document hierarchy 51, a category 52, variable data 53, fixed data 54 and 55, metadata 56, a job ticket 57, and the like, which constitute a database. ing. Each will be described in detail below.

  Document hierarchy 51: A variable print job has all page information and various metadata 56 classified and defined in a hierarchical structure, and the document hierarchy 51 indicates its root.

  Category 52: A condition for classifying variable data and is a part of metadata. For example, classification by postal code, classification for each product, classification for each customer age, and the like can be flexibly defined. As a specific scenario, this month we will categorize by zip code to issue direct mail mainly in a specific area, and next month we will focus on promoting sales of a specific product by category. It is conceivable to classify them. In actual printing, job input for each category can be considered as a scenario.

  Variable data 53: One of the metadata, personal information such as customer name, address, postal code, age, annual income, etc. is generally defined and associated with which fixed data is used. In addition, configuration information such as which variable data is arranged at which location on each page is also included.

  Fixed data 54 and 55: One of the metadata and data that is reused in a plurality of jobs including variable data. Examples include logo data, product photos, form data such as barcode data, external reference URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for referring to data stored in the server terminal 30, and transparent toner (clear toner) for glossiness. There is a transparent toner foam for overcoating. It includes hint information such as whether or not to reuse, whether or not reuse extends over a plurality of pages, or whether or not to use in a plurality of jobs. This fixed data may be defined inside a category or defined outside a category used from all categories.

  Job ticket 57: One of metadata, and output settings (staple, 600 dpi, etc.) of each job can be defined.

  Metadata 56: Category 52, variable data 53, fixed data 54, 55, job ticket 57, etc. are defined using XML (Extensible Markup Language), JDF (Job Definition Format), etc., and have a hierarchical structure.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the control unit 21 (control program) of the image forming apparatus 20 when performing variable printing, sample printing, or trial printing using variable data having such a data structure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. explain.

  The control unit 21 waits until a variable print job is received from the network via the communication I / F unit 21e (S101). This job includes job information (also referred to as job ticket setting), print page information, and image data including, for example, four colors of CYMK. When a variable print job is received (Yes in S101), the control unit 21 temporarily stores the job in the memory 21b and repeats the following until all pages are completed (S102).

  First, the control unit 21 analyzes job information and print page information included in a job on the memory 21b, and performs image formation processing for each page data (S103). Then, an image created by image formation is printed on the sheet conveyed from the designated sheet feeding unit 23, and post-processing is performed by the post-processing unit 25 as necessary (S104).

  Next, based on the result of analyzing the job information and the print page information, the control unit 21 is a normal print page, or a test print page or a sample print page. Is determined (S105). Here, test printing is generally performed separately from a variable print job or before a variable print job is executed, by outputting a test page or a part of the job, and using the output result to form an image. This process is performed to adjust various parameters such as device adjustment (calibration, print range adjustment, front / back adjustment, etc.), job color setting, and resolution setting. Sample printing is generally performed by an image forming apparatus in order to eliminate differences in images during printing as much as possible during execution of a variable print job (especially when a large number of pages or a large number of copies are set). To compare the difference with the original image, or to periodically output a test page or a part of the job to an output tray different from the output tray where the job is output, so that the user can directly check the output image Depending on the result, printing is temporarily stopped, image forming apparatus adjustment, job color setting, and the like are performed.

  When the page being processed is a sample print or test print page (Yes in S105), the control unit 21 determines the output result of the sample print or test print (S106). As described above, as a method for determining the output result, when a print image is generated by the image forming unit 24, the image transferred from the photosensitive member is read and compared with an image based on the image data of the job, or an image forming apparatus In the case where the scan function is provided in the image processing apparatus 20, a method of reading an image formed product with the scan function and comparing it with an image based on the image data of the job can be considered. Also, as described in JP-A-10-145530, a method of holding an image printed on printing paper as electronic data using an external scanner and comparing the original image data with each dot Alternatively, as described in JP-A-2005-96249, there is a method of measuring the color density, colorimetric value, and position accuracy of an image.

  Then, the control unit 21 displays information on the output result of the sample print or the trial print on the screen of the display / operation unit 22 (S107). FIG. 8A is an example of a screen displayed on the display / operation unit 22. The information related to the output result can be broadly divided into two types: information related to settings at the time of printing execution and information related to determination results. Information relating to settings at the time of printing includes the type of image forming apparatus 20, the output history of the image forming apparatus 20, adjustment information of the image forming apparatus 20, setting of fixed data used in the job, setting of job resolution (600 dpi / 1200 dpi, High Quality), color settings (Color / Grayscale, gloss, color profile), paper profile settings (paper type, paper weight, paper color), and the like. The information related to the determination result includes a color density, a colorimetric value, a measurement value such as a position accuracy, a quality determination result determined based on the measurement value, and the like of a print page for sample printing or trial printing. Also, on this screen, the result of visually judging a print page for sample printing or trial printing can be entered in a comment field or the like, and the entered information is included in the information on the judgment result.

  Thereafter, when the user confirms the screen and presses the OK button, the control unit 21 stores information on the output result in the memory 21b or the HDD 21c (S108).

  The processing so far is repeated until all pages are completed, and when all pages are completed, the process exits the loop (S109). The display of the output result of the sample print or the trial print and the user input may be performed every time the sample print or the trial print is performed as in the above flow, or the user may display the display / operation unit 22. It may be performed when instructed by operation, or may be performed when the comparison result between the sample print or trial print image and the original data image exceeds a preset threshold value.

  Then, if the information related to the output result of the sample print or the test print is stored in the memory 21b or the HDD 21c (Yes in S110), the control unit 21 stores and reflects the information related to the output result of the sample print or the test print. Perform (S111).

  FIG. 7 shows details of processing for storing and reflecting information related to the output result of the sample print or trial print in S111.

  First, the control unit 21 stores information related to the output result of the sample print or the trial print stored in the memory 21b or the HDD 21c in a data structure (database) related to the variable print being executed (S201). For example, when a sample print or test print is performed in a job using variable data category A name 1 in FIG. 5, sample print or test print is performed on category A name 1 as shown in FIG. Information related to the output result (information in a frame shown by shading in the figure) is added as variable data.

  Next, the control unit 21 repeats the following processing for all jobs in the database (S202). First, device settings (type of image forming apparatus 20, output history, adjustment information, etc.), job settings (setting of fixed data used in the job, resolution settings, color settings, etc.), paper profile settings (paper type, paper weight, It is determined whether there is a job having the same or similar (hereinafter referred to as a similar job) (S203). If there is a similar job, that job is extracted (S204). Information about the information and the output result is added to the list (S205). Here, the variable data in FIG. 9 is taken as an example, and the case where the sample print is executed with the job of name 1 in category A and the sample print as shown in FIG. 10 is output will be specifically described.

  In the example of FIG. 9, since the name 5 of category B matches the name 1 of category A and the fixed data (A-1, A-2, A-3), the control unit 21 determines that there is a similar job. (Yes in S203), information related to the output result corresponding to the matching fixed data is extracted (S204). Here, since the fixed data of A-1, A-2, and A-3 match, “Eng = C6xxx (SN123456) / A-1: ΔE = 2.5 / A-2: ΔE = 5 / A-3: Information of “Glossiness = 80 degrees” is extracted. “Eng” is the type of the image forming apparatus 20, and “ΔE” is the color difference. In category Z, since name 1 of category A matches fixed data (A-1), information “Eng = C6xxx (SN123456) /A-1:ΔE=2.5 Is extracted. Then, information regarding the similar job and the extracted output result is added to the match information list (S205). FIG. 11 is an example of a match information list, in which the information of jobs that have undergone sample printing or trial printing is described in the original job column, and the device setting, job setting, and paper profile are the same in the similar job column. Information on similar similar jobs is described. In addition, information related to the output result corresponding to the matching fixed data is described in the information to be stored column, information related to the output result to be reflected in the job is described in the information to be reflected column, and image information is stored in the device information column. Information about the forming apparatus 20 is described.

  When the determination for all jobs in the database is completed (S206), the matching information list to which information is added in the above step is displayed on the display / operation unit 22 (S207). On the match information list display screen, it is possible to select a job to save and reflect information related to the output result and information about the output result to be saved and reflected. Information about the output result in the column of information to be saved in the name of category B is saved, but information about the output result in the column of information to be reflected is not reflected. Select etc. It should be noted that information regarding all output results may be stored and reflected in all similar jobs, and in that case, it is preferable to display to inform the user of the stored and reflected results.

  Next, when at least one piece of information related to the output result to be stored and reflected is selected (Yes in S208), the control unit 21 determines whether the information selected by the user or preset information (whether it is reflected in all similar jobs). Information on the output result is stored and reflected in the data structure on the variable print based on the similar job according to the acquired information (S210). In the example of FIG. 9, category 5 name 5 and category Z have the same fixed data as category A name 1, so it is determined that they are similar jobs, and information related to the output result stored in category A name 1 is category B. Are saved and reflected in the name 5 and category Z (see the shaded dashed frame in the figure). Then, the control unit 21 displays a notification screen informing that the information related to the output result is stored and reflected on the display / operation unit 22 (S211). FIG. 8B is an example of a notification screen. In this notification screen, the information related to the output result described in the column of information to be reflected among the information related to the output result stored in the name 1 of category A is category B. This is reflected in the name 5.

  Note that the timing for storing and reflecting the information related to the output result is not limited to the above flow, and when the next job is received after the match information list in FIG. 11 is stored on the HDD 21c, it is output with reference to the match information list. It is also possible to save and reflect information about the results and print them.

  When the user confirms the storage and reflection of the information related to the output result, the storage and reflection processing of the information related to the output result is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 21 (control program) of the image forming apparatus 20 performs information related to the output result (information related to the pass / fail judgment result and job setting) when sample printing or test printing is performed. Information) is stored in the data structure related to the variable print, and if there is a similar job, the information related to the output result is stored and reflected in the data structure related to the variable print of the similar job. Even if the image forming device is changed, there is no need to perform sample printing or test printing again, saving resources and time for sample printing and test printing, and processing variable print jobs efficiently. be able to.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control content can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the information related to the output result of the sample print or the trial printing is stored and reflected on the image forming apparatus 20 has been described. You may perform with terminal 30 grade.

  For example, when the above processing is executed by the computer terminal 10, the control program operating in the control unit of the computer terminal 10 acquires information related to the output result from the image forming apparatus 20, and stores the acquired information in the data structure related to variable printing. When a similar job is stored, the acquired information can be stored and reflected in a data structure related to a variable print based on the similar job.

  When the above processing is executed by the server terminal 30, the control program that operates in the control unit of the server terminal 30 acquires a job from the computer terminal 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 and information related to an output result from the image forming apparatus 20. And the acquired information can be stored in a data structure related to variable print, and the acquired information can be stored and reflected in a data structure related to variable print based on similar jobs.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the information related to the output result of the sample print or the trial print is stored and reflected in the similar job in the same variable data. However, the same applies when there is a similar job in other variable data. In addition, information regarding the output result can be stored and reflected in similar jobs in other variable data.

  In this embodiment, the case where variable data based on the PDF / VT specification is used has been described. However, when variable data based on other specifications such as PPML is used, information on the output result is similarly variable-printed. Can be stored and reflected in the data structure.

  The present invention can be used in an image forming apparatus that performs variable printing and a variable print system including the image forming apparatus.

10 Computer terminal 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Communication I / F part 15 Display 16 Input apparatus 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Control part 21a CPU
21b Memory 21c HDD
21d RIP
21e Communication I / F unit 22 Display / operation unit 23 Paper feed unit 24 Image forming unit 25 Post-processing unit 30 Server terminal 40 Network 51 Document hierarchy 52 Category 53 Variable data 54, 55 Fixed data 56 Metadata 57 Job ticket 58 Output result Information about

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that executes variable printing based on a job that uses fixed data and variable data,
When a sample print or test print is performed, a control unit is provided that stores information related to the output result of the sample print or test print in a data structure related to the variable print ,
The control unit extracts a similar job similar to the job based on at least one of information on an image forming apparatus that outputs a variable print, job setting information, and information on printing paper, and the variable based on the similar job. the data structure related to printing, storing information related to the output result of the sample print or test print, that reflects,
An image forming apparatus. Information regarding the output result of the sample print or test print includes determination information of the sample print or test print and setting information of the job .
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The determination information includes any one of a measurement value obtained by reading the sample print or test print image, a determination result of pass / fail determined based on the measurement value, and a determination result of pass / fail input by the user .
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 . The job is a hierarchical file including the variable data and / or the fixed data for each category,
The control unit adds , as variable data, information related to the output result of the sample print or trial printing in each of the variable data, in each of the categories, and at least one location outside the category .
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A control program that operates on a device that generates or stores a job that uses fixed data and variable data, or a device that executes variable printing based on the job,
  Said device,
  When performing a sample print or test print, obtain information on the output result of the sample print or test print, function the controller as a control unit that stores the acquired information in the data structure about the variable print,
  The control unit extracts a similar job similar to the job based on at least one of information on a device that outputs a variable print, job setting information, and information on printing paper, and relates to a variable print based on the similar job. Storing and reflecting information on the output result of the sample print or trial print in the data structure;
  A control program characterized by that. Information regarding the output result of the sample print or test print includes determination information of the sample print or test print and setting information of the job.
The control program according to claim 5 . The determination information includes any one of a measurement value obtained by reading the sample print or test print image, a determination result of pass / fail determined based on the measurement value, and a determination result of pass / fail input by the user .
The control program according to claim 6. The job is a hierarchical file including the variable data and / or the fixed data for each category,
The control unit adds , as variable data, information related to the output result of the sample print or trial printing in each of the variable data, in each of the categories, and at least one location outside the category .
A control program according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein:

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