JP6300447B2 - Drawing apparatus, drawing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print job processing technique in which a processing policy is set.

  In recent years, POD (Print On Demand) using a digital printing machine has become popular instead of offset printing using a conventional offset printing machine. Usually, a printing system that realizes POD is realized by printing software that generates a print job indicating the contents of a printing process and a printing apparatus that performs printing processing of the print job.

  The printing apparatus prints the print image data included in the print job according to the instruction of the print job ticket included in the print job. At this time, the rasterization process may fail and an error may occur. As a countermeasure, Patent Document 1 sets priorities based on user instructions for a plurality of alternative processes that can be executed when the printing apparatus cannot execute a print process according to the print job ticket setting. Disclosed is a printing apparatus that executes alternative processing according to ranking.

JP2012-99050

  There is a printing apparatus that can set a processing policy for a print job ticket included in a print job and controls execution of the print job in accordance with the print job processing policy. For example, the printing apparatus detects the occurrence of a drawing error in the drawing processing unit, and controls the continuation or suspension of the execution of the print job in accordance with the processing policy.

  Consider a case in which the drawing processing unit of such a printing apparatus has a function of executing an alternative process when a specific print process cannot be executed. For example, a printing apparatus that has a processing policy of stopping a printing apparatus upon detecting the occurrence of a drawing error in a drawing processing unit, and that executes a print job in which an alternative process is executed instead of a set specific printing process think of. In such a case, the drawing processing unit does not generate a drawing error in order to execute the substitution process, and as a result, the processing policy is observed and the printing apparatus does not stop.

  However, since a substitute process is performed instead of the specific print process, the print result of the printed matter may be different from the one intended by the user. In other words, since the printing control based on the processing policy and the printing control based on the alternative processing operate independently, a printed matter different from the processing policy intended by the user may be output.

  An object of the present invention is to control execution of alternative processing in accordance with a print job processing policy in view of this situation.

Drawing apparatus of the present invention, the drawing picture object, receiving means for receiving a print job including alternative process and an error in the drawing process of the drawing object is executed instead of drawing processing of the drawing object in the event of When a drawing unit that executes the drawing process of the drawing object or the substitution process and a processing policy is further set for the received print job, the drawing unit executes the substitution process based on the processing policy. have a, and control means for controlling, when said processing policy that is set in the print job, a processing policy error processing of the print job stops the processing of the print job in the event of the The control means determines an essential drawing object in the print job, and determines the determined essential drawing object. By deleting the bets alternative process, wherein the drawing means when an error occurs in the drawing process of the requisite drawing object is controlled so as not to perform the alternative processing of the requisite drawing object.

  By controlling the execution of the drawing object substitution process based on the processing policy of the print job, the drawing object drawing process can be performed in consideration of the processing policy.

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system. It is a module block diagram of printing software. It is a module block diagram of a printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a print job. It is a block diagram of a print job ticket. 6 is a flowchart illustrating error processing based on a print job processing policy. It is a block diagram of the image data for printing. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a print job in a conventional printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the 1st Example which solves a subject. It is an example of an object database. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the 2nd Example which solves a subject. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the 3rd Example which solves a subject. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus applicable to the document management system of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The printing system that implements the proposal is based on the processing policy of the print job ticket included in the print job generated by the printing software, and the alternative processing (rendering processing of the image data for printing in the RIP processing of the printing apparatus). Controls the execution of (alternative processing).

(First embodiment)
The configuration of the printing system of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  The printing system includes a printing software 101, a printing device 102 for processing a print job created by the printing software, a storage device 103 for storing data such as a printing job, and an object database 104. These are connected by a network and communicate with each other.

  In the printing system, a printing operator operates printing software to generate a printing job including printing image data and a printing job ticket, and transmits the printing job to a printing apparatus via a network. The printing apparatus that has received the print job prints image data for printing according to the setting of the internal print job ticket, and creates a printed matter.

  A module configuration of the printing software 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 201 controls each module in the print software 101, which will be described later, and determines the operation of the entire print software 101. The display unit 202 displays an internal operation state and result to the operator of the printing software 101 based on the control of the control unit 201. A UI operation from the print operator is received and transmitted to the control unit 201. The image generation unit 203 generates image data for printing 701 using image data input via the display unit 202 or the communication unit 205. The image data for printing is a vector image typified by Postscript, PDF (Portable Document Format), or the like. In accordance with the control unit, the job ticket generation unit 204 generates a print job ticket 501 that instructs each printing process based on the data input in the display unit 202. In the printing process, processes necessary for realizing a printed matter defined in the print job 401 are described.

  The communication unit 205 performs communication processing with other communication devices connected to the network according to the control of the control unit 201. The communication unit 205 transmits the print job ticket 501 and the print image data 701 to an external device connected to the network, or communicates with the external device to grasp the progress status.

  The module configuration of the printing apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 301 controls each module in the printing apparatus 102, which will be described later, and determines the operation of the entire apparatus. The display unit 302 displays the internal operation state and result to the operator of the printing apparatus 102 based on the control of the control unit 301. Also, a UI operation from the operator is received and transmitted to the control unit 301. The communication unit 303 performs communication processing with other communication devices connected to the network according to the control of the control unit 301. The communication unit 303 receives a print job ticket 501 and print image data 701 generated by the print software 101 connected to the network, and notifies the external apparatus of the status of the printing apparatus 102. The job ticket processing unit 304 expands the print job ticket 501 received by the communication unit 303 under the control of the control unit 301 and performs analysis processing.

  The image processing unit 305 develops, analyzes, and edits the print image data 701 received by the communication unit 303 under the control of the control unit 301. A RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing unit 306 performs rasterization processing for converting the vector image of the printing image data 701 processed by the image processing unit from a raster image into a raster image according to the control of the control unit 301. The print image data 701 can hold program code 707 for controlling the processing of the RIP processing unit 306 in addition to an object (drawing object) such as an image representing a print image. When the RIP processing unit 306 detects that the print image data 701 includes the program code 707, the RIP processing unit 306 first executes the program code, and continues the subsequent processing according to the result. The printing unit 307 prints the raster image of the printing image data processed by the RIP processing unit 306 as specified by the print format specified by the print job in accordance with the control of the control unit 301.

  The structure of the print job 401 created by the print software 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The print job 401 includes a print job ticket 402 and one or more print image data 403. The print image data 403 is generated by the print software 101 and handled as a part of the print job 401. However, the print image data 403 is not necessarily physically stored in the same storage device as the print job ticket 402, and may be referred to from the print job ticket. .

  The structure of the print job ticket 402 will be described with reference to FIG. The print job ticket 501 includes print job information 502, print attributes 503, and print image data information 504 therein. The print job information 502 is general information of a print job such as a creator, a creation date and time, and an ID. The print attribute 503 is information for instructing a process to be executed in each step of the printing process based on an instruction for finishing a printed material, that is, a parameter used in each function of the printing apparatus.

  The print image data information 504 is address information on the network that indicates a reference to the print image data information 504 that is an image to be printed on a medium in the printing process. The print software 101 can also specify the processing policy 505 in association with each print attribute 503 in the print job ticket 501. The designated processing policy 505 is referred to in the job ticket processing unit 304 of the printing apparatus 102 in the process of reading the print attribute 503 of the print job ticket 501.

  The processing policy 505 instructs processing to be performed by the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus 102 fails to read the printing attribute 503 of the print job ticket 402 and a printing attribute processing error occurs. In the printing system, a processing policy is designated in advance in the print job ticket, and the printing apparatus follows the processing policy when a printing attribute processing error occurs, so that the quality of the printed matter is kept constant. As a state where a printing attribute processing error occurs, it is conceivable that the capability of the printing apparatus 102 does not support the printing attribute 503, or that the state of the printing apparatus 102 causes a problem in processing the printing attribute 503. . For example, if the paper or ink designated by the print attribute 503 does not exist in the printing apparatus 102, the designated process cannot be executed, and a printing attribute processing error occurs in the printing apparatus.

  The processing policy 505 includes “cancel print job”, “call operator”, and “automatic error avoidance”. The selection criterion of the processing policy 505 depends on the quality criterion according to the intended use of the printed matter. For office documents that are viewed at offices, etc., printing with different character fonts and slight variations in color may be negligible for the purpose of information transmission. In a printing system generally used in commercial printing, the quality standard of a printed material required by a customer who orders the printed material is very high. Therefore, when a printing attribute processing error of a printing attribute related to the quality of the printed matter such as the drawing quality of the image in the printed matter or the finished quality of the bookbinding occurs, it is required to reprint immediately after correcting it.

  As a part of the processing of the print job 401 in the printing apparatus 102, processing of the printing apparatus when a printing attribute processing error occurs for the printing attribute 503 for which the processing policy 505 is set will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the control unit 301 of the printing apparatus 102 detects a print attribute processing error occurrence in step 601, in step 602, the control unit 301 determines whether the processing policy 505 is set for the print attribute in which the error has occurred.

  When the processing policy 505 is “automatic error avoidance”, the control unit 301 changes the printing attribute in which the printing attribute processing error has occurred in step 603 to a default value that can be processed by the printing unit 307, and then performs the printing process in step 604. I do. For example, when a print job that specifies double-sided printing is sent to a printing device that does not have a double-sided printing function, the printing attribute that designates the printing surface is rewritten to single-sided printing, and the printing device uses single-sided printing. It is possible to process. Similarly, when the processing policy 505 is not defined, the control unit performs processing for automatically avoiding a printing attribute processing error by changing the processing specified by the printing attribute.

  If the processing policy 505 is “calling print operator” in step 602, the control unit 301 interrupts the processing of the print job in step 605. Thereafter, the control unit 301 displays an operator call on the display unit 302 in step 606. When the print operator is in a remote place where the display unit 302 cannot be referred to, the communication unit 303 communicates with the print operator to notify the operator call.

  When the control unit 301 detects in step 607 that the print operator has resumed the print job via the display unit 302 or the communication unit 303, the control unit 301 resumes the print processing. As restart processing, it is conceivable to update the content of the print job with the print software 101 and then re-send it to the printing apparatus, or to issue a print instruction on the display unit 302. In step 607, the control unit 301 continues the operator call until the printing operator resumes processing, and does not perform subsequent printing processing.

  If the processing policy 505 is to cancel the print job in step 602, the control unit 301 immediately ends the print job processing in step 608. Thereafter, in step 609, the control unit 301 causes the display unit 302 to display that the printing process has been completed without being completed. In addition, the communication unit 303 communicates with the print software 101 to notify the cancellation.

  The configuration of the print image data 403 of the print job 401 will be described with reference to FIG. The print image data 701 includes an object 702 expressing one or more print contents, an influence degree 703 associated with the object, an alternative process 704, a resource 705, and a program code 707.

  The object 702 is an object indicating print contents, but may be a standard image format such as bitmap or JPEG or a character string indicating text in addition to vector data expressed by coordinates and lines. Data necessary when the RIP processing unit 0306 rasterizes these objects 702 is arranged in the image data for printing so that it can be referred to from each object as a resource 705, or an external storage area that can be referred to. For example, it is placed in the storage device 103. Some objects 702 have an impact 703 defined.

  The influence degree 703 is a value indicating a degree considered to be important for satisfying the use of the printing image data, and is set when data is created. For example, when the image data for printing is intended for printing, an object for designating the layout and color is very important, and thus a high value is set for the degree of influence 703. When the object specifies not only a still image but also a moving image, in general, an object that specifies a moving image is data that can be ignored in printing, and the degree of influence 703 is low.

  Among the objects 702, an alternative process 704 is defined in order to automatically avoid the error and continue the process when a rasterization process error occurs when the RIP processing unit 306 rasterizes the object 702. There is. Rasterization processing errors include that the RIP processing unit 306 does not support the object 702, data file corruption, data grammatical errors, lack of print resources such as various profiles and fonts that are referred to in rasterization processing, and the like. Conceivable. By defining the substitute process 704 for the object, it is possible to generate a raster image that can be processed by the printing unit 307 by executing the substitute process in the RIP processing unit 306 when a rasterization process error occurs.

  As an example of the alternative process 704, there is a process in which the RIP processing unit 306 cannot refer to the font data specified by the character string object during the rasterizing process, and instead refers to a standard font in the printing apparatus. As a result of the execution of such an alternative process, there may occur a difference in font from the assumption at the time of creating a print job, a shift in drawing position, or the like. As yet another example, when the definition of the color space of the object is different between the printing software and the printing apparatus, the color of the printing result may change. If the use of the substitute image of the image object is set as the substitute process, printing using the substitute image will print the substitute image compared with the print result of the image object before the substitute process. The resolution may be different.

  Even if a rasterization process error occurs, the RIP processing unit 306 continues the rasterization process by the alternative process without notifying the error of the relatively minor error and the alternative process defined. If the alternative processing is undefined, it depends on whether the error content is fatal to continue processing. As a means for determining whether or not the RIP processing unit 306 can continue the processing in a state where a minor rasterization processing error occurs in the rasterization processing, the total value of the degree of influence 703 of all the objects in which the error has occurred is obtained. It is possible to compare. If the RIP processing unit 306 determines that the process cannot be continued, the rasterizing process is immediately interrupted. The program code 707 of the printing image data 701 is a program code that is read and executed at the time of data expansion in the image processing unit 305 that processes the printing image data.

  In order to process such a print job, a printing process in a printing system to which the present invention is not applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step 801, the printing apparatus 102 receives the print job 401 generated by the print software 101 through the communication unit 303.

  In step 802, the control unit 301 refers to the print job ticket 402 included in the received print job and acquires the print attribute 503.

  Based on the designation of the print attribute, the control unit 301 causes the RIP processing unit 306 to rasterize the print image data 403 for the print job in step 803.

  If no rasterization process error occurs in the rasterization process in step 803, the process proceeds to step 809, the control unit causes the printing unit 307 to print a raster image, and the process ends.

  If a rasterization processing error has occurred, the RIP processing unit 306 that has detected the error proceeds to step 806.

  The RIP processing unit 306 determines whether an alternative process 704 is specified for the object 702 included in the print image data 403. If the RIP processing unit determines that the alternative process is designated, the alternative process is applied in step 807 and the process proceeds to step 809.

  If the RIP processing unit 306 determines in step 806 that an alternative process is not defined, it notifies the control unit 301 of an error in step 808. The control unit 301 displays a rasterization processing error on the display unit 302. In addition, the communication unit is caused to transmit rasterization processing error information to the printing software.

<Processing of printing device>
Processing of the printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The flow is executed by executing the program and the CPU.

  In step 901, the printing apparatus 102 receives the print job 401 generated by the printing software 101. In step 902, the control unit 301 causes the job ticket processing unit 304 to acquire the print attribute 503 of the print job ticket 501 included in the print job. In step 903, the control unit 301 causes the job ticket processing unit to determine the processing policy 505 for each printing attribute. That is, as will be described later, the control unit 301 controls the execution of the drawing object substitution process by the RIP processing unit 306 (drawing unit) based on the processing policy set in the print job.

  If the processing policy 505 is not set in the print job ticket or “automatic error avoidance” is set, the control unit in step 904, the print image data object referenced by the print job ticket in the RIP processing unit 306 is displayed. Is rasterized. That is, in step 904, the RIP processing unit 306 executes a drawing process of the drawing object.

  In step 905, the RIP processing unit 306 determines whether an error occurs in the rasterizing process. If an error occurs during the rasterizing process, the RIP processing unit 306 determines whether or not a substitute process is set for the object in which the error has occurred in step 906. When the alternative process is not set, the RIP processing unit 306 determines whether the object in which the rasterization process error has occurred is important for the printed matter.

  Specifically, the RIP processing unit 306 obtains the total value of the influence levels of all objects in which rasterization processing errors have occurred up to that point. Even if a rasterization processing error occurs, since the impact is low if the error is in the processing of an object that does not affect the printed matter, the total impact value does not exceed the threshold value, and the rasterization processing error is sent from the RIP processing unit to the control unit. Do not notify.

  When the total value of the influence levels exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the RIP processing unit 306 proceeds to step 910, immediately stops the rasterizing process, and notifies the control unit 301 of the rasterizing process error. Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 301 causes the display unit 302 to display a message notifying the rasterization processing error. At the same time, the control unit 301 notifies the print operator or the print software 101 of an error from the communication unit 303.

  If the total influence value does not exceed the predetermined threshold value, the control unit 301 determines in step 909 whether rasterization processing has been completed for all objects of the print image data.

  If the RIP processing unit 306 determines in step 906 that the alternative process is set, the alternative process is applied to the object in step 907. That is, in step 907, the RIP processing unit 306 executes a drawing process alternative process set for the drawing object.

  After the application, the RIP processing unit 306 determines in step 909 whether the rasterization process has been completed for all objects of the print image data. If processing of all objects has not been completed, the process proceeds to step 904, where the RIP processing unit 306 performs rasterization processing on unprocessed objects.

  If all objects have been processed, the control unit 301 causes the printing unit 307 to execute printing processing in step 925.

  On the other hand, when the processing policy of the print job ticket is “cancel print job” or “calling print operator” in step 903, the control unit 301 performs step 911, and the RIP processing unit 306 performs substitution processing from outside the RIP processing unit. Determine whether execution control is possible. That is, when the processing policy set for the print job is a processing policy for stopping the print job processing when a print job processing error occurs, there is a drawing object substitution process for the drawing means. In this case, it is determined whether or not the setting of whether or not to execute the substitute process can be changed.

  For example, as alternative processing execution control means, there are a switch displayed on a UI executable from the outside, an application program interface, and the like. If the alternative process execution control of the RIP processing unit can be performed by these means, the control unit 301 instructs the RIP processing unit not to execute the alternative process in step 912. Thereafter, the control unit 301 causes the RIP processing unit 306 to execute rasterization processing in step 918. That is, in step 918, the RIP processing unit 306 executes a drawing process of the drawing object.

  If it is determined in step 911 that the RIP processing unit cannot perform execution control of the substitute process from the outside, the control unit 301 causes the RIP processing unit 306 to refer to the object database 104 in step 914. At the same time, in step 914, the RIP processing unit 306 determines whether or not the object is an essential object for the printing process and whether or not a substitute process is set for the object.

  If the object is an essential object and alternative processing is set, in step 915, the RIP processing unit 306 causes the image processing unit 305 to delete the alternative processing from the object via the control unit 301. That is, here, control is performed to delete the alternative processing of the drawing processing set for the drawing object.

  In step 916, the RIP processing unit 306 sets the influence degree defined in the object database for the influence degree of the essential object. Thereby, the influence degree of the object related to the quality of the printed matter is sufficiently increased. That is, if a rasterization process error occurs in the rasterization process of this object, the substitution process is never performed, and the occurrence of the error is reliably detected by the control unit because the influence is high. In other words, when the drawing object drawing process error occurs, control is performed to set an influence degree, which is information for generating a print job processing error, in the drawing object.

  In step 917, the control unit 301 determines whether all the objects are essential objects and whether alternative processing is set.

  When all the objects have been processed, the control unit 301 causes the RIP processing unit 306 to execute rasterization processing in step 918. If there is an unprocessed object, the process advances to step 914 to perform object determination processing.

  The configuration of the object database 104 that holds the degree of influence in the printing process for each object of the print image data will be described with reference to FIG. In the object database 1001, an essential object definition 1003 and an influence degree 1004 are defined for each object 1002. An object whose mandatory object definition is TRUE indicates that it affects the result in the printing process. The FALSE object has no influence on the printing process and can be ignored. In the printing process, TRUE is set in the essential object definition for an object that greatly affects the result, and a high influence level is set. On the other hand, an extremely low influence value is set for an object that hardly affects the printing process.

  In step 918, the RIP processing unit 306 performs rasterization processing of each object.

  In step 919, the RIP processing unit 306 determines whether a rasterization processing error occurs in the rasterization processing.

  If a rasterization processing error occurs, the RIP processing unit 306 determines in step 920 whether an alternative process is set for the object in which the error occurs.

  If alternative processing is set, the RIP processing unit executes the specified alternative processing in step 921. That is, in step 921, the RIP processing unit 306 executes a drawing process substitution process set for the drawing object.

  If alternative processing is not set in step 920, the RIP processing unit 306 determines in step 922 whether the object in which the rasterization processing error has occurred is important for the printed matter.

  Specifically, the RIP processing unit 306 obtains the total value of the influence levels of all the objects in which the rasterization processing error has occurred up to that time, similarly to the processing shown in Step 908. Note that if the process has passed through step S912, the RIP processing unit 306 is controlled to proceed to step 924 regardless of the presence or absence of the total degree of influence. In other words, the processing in steps 912 to 922 is a control process in which, when a drawing process error is generated by prohibiting the drawing unit from executing a substitute process, a print job processing error is generated.

  When the total influence value exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the RIP processing unit 306 proceeds to step 924, immediately interrupts the rasterizing process, and notifies the control unit 301 of a rasterizing process error. Upon receiving the notification, the control unit 301 causes the display unit 302 to display a message notifying the rasterization processing error. At the same time, the control unit 301 notifies the print operator or the print software 101 of an error from the communication unit 303.

  If the total influence value does not exceed the predetermined threshold value, the control unit 301 determines in step 923 whether rasterization processing has been completed for all objects in the print image data. When the control unit determines that the rasterization processing of all objects has been completed, the control unit causes the printing unit 307 to execute the raster image printing process generated in step 925.

  In this way, the control unit of the printing apparatus controls the execution of the substitute processing of the object in the print image data in the RIP processing unit based on the value set in the processing policy of the print job ticket of the print job. The control unit instructs the RIP processing unit not to execute substitution processing when an error occurs. The control unit also deletes the substitution process from the print image data in order to detect the occurrence of an error in the RIP processing unit. In addition, the degree of influence of the object important for the printing process is increased so that the error of the object is not processed as a minor error. Thus, it is specified that an error is always notified to the outside of the RIP processing unit when an error occurs in the RIP processing unit.

(Second embodiment)
Hereinafter, differences between the first embodiment and the different embodiments that solve the problem will be mainly described. In the first embodiment, when an error occurs in the RIP processing unit by deleting the alternative processing associated with the object and increasing the degree of influence, the RIP processing unit notifies the control unit of the error. In the second embodiment, control is performed so that the RIP processing unit does not execute substitution processing by embedding program code in the printing image data. As a result, even if the printing apparatus does not have a predetermined threshold value for determining the degree of influence, it is possible to control the execution of the object substitution process in the RIP processing unit.

  Processing for solving the problem will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 1101, the control unit 301 of the printing apparatus 102 receives a print job.

  The control unit 301 acquires a print attribute from the print job ticket of the print job received in step 1102.

  In step 1103, the control unit 301 determines the processing policy for the print job ticket, as in step 903.

  If the processing policy is “cancel print job” or “call operator”, the control unit 301 determines in step 1104 whether or not the RIP processing unit 306 can control execution of an alternative process from the outside.

  If the RIP processing unit 306 can control the execution of the substitution process, the control unit 301 instructs the RIP processing unit 306 not to perform the substitution process in step 1105.

  Thereafter, in step 1106, the control unit 301 causes the RIP processing unit 306 to execute rasterization processing.

  On the other hand, if the RIP processing unit 306 is not able to control the execution of the alternative process, in step 1110, the control unit determines whether the RIP processing unit can process the influence level of the object in the same manner as the process indicated in step 908.

  If the RIP processing unit 306 supports processing, in step 1111, as in the processing shown in steps 914 to 917, if the substitution processing is set as an essential attribute, the image processing unit 305 determines whether substitution processing is performed from that attribute. Is deleted. Further, the image processing unit 305 sets a predetermined threshold for the influence degree of the essential attribute.

  If not supported in step 1110, the control unit 301 causes the image processing unit 305 to perform processing for describing a program code that prohibits substitution processing of print image data in the rasterization processing in the RIP processing unit 306 in step 1112. Therefore, the image processing unit acquires the processing policy in which the print job ticket is set via the job ticket processing unit. When the acquired processing policy is an operator call or cancellation, the image processing unit 305 sets a program code in the print image data so that the alternative processing is prohibited in the rasterization processing in the RIP processing unit 306. In other words, here, control for associating a program code for prohibiting execution of a drawing object substitution process with a drawing object is performed.

  Thereafter, in step 1106, the control unit 301 causes the RIP processing unit 306 to perform rasterization processing of the print image data. At this time, the RIP processing unit 306 reads and executes the program code of the printing image data. When a rasterization process error occurs in the rasterization process in the RIP processing unit 306, if a substitution process is set for the print attribute, the RIP processing unit 306 performs the substitution process. However, when the program code performs control to prohibit substitution processing, the RIP processing unit 306 does not perform substitution processing even if a rasterization processing error occurs during object processing. At this time, even if the RIP processing unit 306 performs a substituting process normally and does not process it as a rasterization processing error, the substituting process is not executed, and all errors occurring during the processing are notified to the control unit 301. .

  The control unit 301 that has detected the occurrence of an error in step 1107 proceeds to step 1109 and causes the display unit 302 to display error information. Also, the communication unit 303 transmits rasterization processing error information to the printing software. When the program code for prohibiting substitution processing is not set in the print image data, the RIP processing unit 306 executes predetermined substitution processing.

  After the rasterizing process is executed, the printing process is executed in the printing unit 307 in step 1108.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, differences between the first embodiment and the different embodiments will be mainly described.

  In the first embodiment, an object deeply related to the printing process is set as an essential object, and an alternative process associated with the object is deleted to increase the influence. As a different embodiment, a process for causing the RIP processing unit 306 to execute the substitute process without deleting the substitute process when the substitute process does not adversely affect the printed matter even if it is an essential object will be described.

  The control unit 301 of the printing apparatus 102 compares the setting of the substitute process 704 of the object 702 included in the print image data 701 with the capability, resource, and status of the printing apparatus 102 to the image processing unit 305 to determine whether or not execution is possible. To decide.

  For example, a character font is designated by print image data when a print job is created. At this time, the printing software 101 expects that the font exists as a resource in the printing apparatus or that at least the printing apparatus 102 can refer to it when processing a print job.

  On the other hand, the printing software 101 may include a bitmap font as a print job resource 705 as an alternative process in preparation for a case where reference cannot be made. If there is no enlargement / reduction at the time of printing in the printing apparatus 102 and the print resolution matches the resolution of the bitmap font, there is no problem in print quality even if it is substituted during the printing process.

  In this way, if the substitution process is performed on an object having a large degree of influence and the quality is not affected, the substitution process is not deleted from the object. Even if substitution processing is executed at the same time, there is no influence on quality, so the influence is set to zero. By lowering the degree of influence, an error occurs during processing in the printing apparatus and substitution processing is performed. However, it is regarded as not a serious error, and subsequent processing can be continued. If it is necessary to enlarge or reduce the bitmap, the font shape may be lost during drawing, which may affect the quality of the printed material, so this alternative processing is deleted from the object.

  Processing for determining application of substitution processing of an object included in image data for printing according to the status of the printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step 1201, the control unit 301 causes the image processing unit 305 to refer to the object database 104 to determine whether each object is an essential object for print processing and whether an alternative processing is set for the object. If the object is an essential object and alternative processing is set, the control unit 301 and the image processing unit 305 determine whether the alternative processing is valid in the printing apparatus in step 1202 and subsequent steps.

  In step 1202, the control unit 301 causes the image processing unit 305 to determine whether a font bitmap is set as an alternative process. When alternative drawing of a font using a bitmap is set as an alternative process, the control unit 301 causes the image processing unit 305 to determine whether enlargement or reduction of an object including font data occurs during printing.

  If enlargement or reduction occurs, the printed font image may be destroyed. Therefore, in order to delete this alternative process from the object, the process proceeds to step 1206, and the image processing unit 305 deletes the alternative process.

  If there is no bitmap as font substitution processing, or if neither enlargement nor reduction is executed, the control unit 301 makes the following determination in step 1203.

  In step 1203, the control unit 301 determines whether image data is set as an alternative process in step 1203. When object drawing by image data is set as an alternative process, the control unit 301 causes the image processing unit 305 to determine whether a difference in resolution between the image and the object occurs during printing.

  If a difference occurs, the image at the time of printing becomes invalid, so that the alternative process is deleted from the object, the process proceeds to step 1206, and the image processing unit 305 deletes the alternative process.

  If there is no image data as an alternative process for drawing an object or the resolutions match, the control unit 301 makes the following determination in step 1204.

  In step 1204, the control unit 301 determines whether a color space is set as an alternative process in the image processing unit 305.

  When a color space is designated as the alternative process, the control unit 301 causes the image processing unit 305 to determine whether to use the color space for the alternative process.

  When the image processing unit 305 determines that the alternative color space cannot be used, the control unit 301 proceeds to step 1206 to delete the alternative process from the object, and causes the image processing unit 305 to delete the alternative process.

  If the color space is not set as the substitute processing of the object, or the image processing unit 305 determines that the alternative color space can be used, the control unit 301 proceeds to step 1205.

  In step 1205, the control unit 301 determines that the object substitution process does not affect the printing process, and sets 0 as the influence degree of the image processing unit 305 object.

  If the image processing unit 305 determines that the alternative color space cannot be used, the process proceeds to step 1206 to delete the alternative process from the object, and the image processing unit 305 deletes the alternative process.

  When the control unit 301 causes the image processing unit 305 to delete the substitute process in step 1206, the control unit 301 causes the object influence degree to be set to the same value as the threshold value in step 1207. As a result, if a rasterization processing error occurs during processing of an object in the subsequent rasterization processing in the RIP processing unit, the RIP processing unit notifies the rasterization processing error.

  The processing in steps 1201 to 1204 is processing for determining the degree of influence on the drawing result of the drawing object by the substitute processing.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the document management system of the present invention.

  In FIG. 13, the CPU 1302 controls the entire information processing apparatus 1301 via the main bus 1307 and controls the input device 1311 connected to the outside of the information processing apparatus 1301 via the input I / F (interface) 1305. To do. The input device 1311 is, for example, an image scanner, a storage device, another information processing device connected via a network line, a facsimile connected via a telephone line, or the like. An output device 1312 connected to the outside of the information processing device 1301 (for example, a printer, a monitor, another information processing device connected via a network line, a facsimile connected via a telephone line, etc.) is output I. Control via / F1306. In addition, the CPU 1302 inputs an image, performs image processing, color conversion processing, and image according to an instruction input from an input unit (for example, a keyboard 1313, a pointing device 1314, or a pen 1315) via a KBDI / F (keyboard interface) 1308. A series of processing such as output control is executed. Further, a display unit 1310 that displays image data input from the input device 1311 and image data created using the keyboard 1313, pointing device 1314, and pen 1315 is controlled via a video I / F (interface 1309).

  The ROM 1303 stores various control programs that execute various controls of the CPU 1302. In the RAM 1304, the CPU 1302 loads and executes the OS and other control programs including a control program for realizing the present invention. It also functions as various work areas and temporary save areas used for executing the control program. In addition, a VRAM (not shown) that temporarily holds image data input from the input device 1311 and image data created using the keyboard 1313, the pointing device 1314, and the pen 1315 is configured.

  Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even if it is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). You may apply.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12 described above.

Claims (5)

Receiving means for receiving a print job including a drawing object and an alternative process executed instead of the drawing process of the drawing object when an error occurs in the drawing process of the drawing object;
Drawing means for executing drawing processing of the drawing object or the alternative processing;
When a processing policy is further set for the received print job, based on the processing policy, control means for controlling execution of the alternative processing by the drawing means;
I have a,
When the processing policy set for the print job is a processing policy for stopping the processing of the print job when an error occurs in the processing of the print job, the control unit is configured to display the required drawing in the print job. By determining the object and deleting the determined process of substituting the required drawing object, the drawing unit performs the process of substituting the required rendering object when an error occurs in the process of rendering the required rendering object. A drawing apparatus that is controlled so as not to be executed . The processing policy set for the print job is a processing policy for stopping the processing of the print job when an error in processing of the print job occurs, and the drawing unit based on an instruction from the control unit When the execution process of the substitute process cannot be performed by the control unit, the control unit determines the essential drawing object in the print job and deletes the determined substitute process of the required drawing object . drawing device according to claim 1, wherein the drawing means when an error occurs in the drawing process of drawing object and controls not to execute the replacement process of the requisite drawing object. When the processing policy set for the print job is a processing policy for automatically avoiding the error when a print job processing error occurs, or when the processing policy is not set for the print job, It said control means, drawing device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said drawing means when an error occurs in the drawing process of drawing object and controls to execute the replacement process. A receiving step for receiving a print job including a drawing object and an alternative process executed in place of the drawing process of the drawing object when an error occurs in the drawing process of the drawing object;
A drawing step in which the drawing means of the apparatus executes the drawing process of the drawing object or the alternative process;
When a processing policy is further set for the received print job, the control unit of the apparatus controls the execution of the substitution process by the drawing process based on the processing policy;
I have a,
When the processing policy set for the print job is a processing policy for stopping the processing of the print job when an error occurs in the processing of the print job, the control process includes the essential drawing in the print job. By determining the object and deleting the determined process of substituting the required drawing object, the process of substituting the essential drawing object is performed in the rendering process when an error occurs in the process of rendering the required rendering object. A drawing method characterized by controlling so as not to be executed . The program for functioning a computer as each means of the drawing apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 .

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