JP6442992B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing system including a client terminal, a printer controller, and a printing apparatus has been provided in a production print area. In this printing system workflow, a printer controller stores a plurality of jobs as print jobs received from a client terminal, and when a job ticket or page is edited (for example, assignment setting), trial printing is performed by the printing apparatus. Done. Then, after the user confirms the print result, the main print is performed.

  Here, an outline of processing of the printer controller will be described. The printer controller receives input data and output settings for each job from the client terminal. The input data is, for example, a PDL (Page Description Language) file such as Postscript (registered trademark) or PDF (Portable Document Format). Next, the printer controller performs rasterization processing (for example, RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing) on the input data based on the received output setting, and converts the input data into intermediate data. Then, the printing apparatus performs print output based on the intermediate data received from the printer controller.

  In the above processing, input data, intermediate data, and output settings are stored for each job in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) in the printer controller. Here, a job management method in a conventional printer controller will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the data structure of a print job stored in a conventional printer controller.
The printer controller stores the print job received from the client terminal in the HDD as, for example, jobs A to E. As shown in jobs B and E, input data, output settings, and intermediate data are stored in association with each other in a tree-like data structure for each job.

  When printing output is performed again using the same output settings as those previously performed by the printing apparatus, the printer controller reads intermediate data stored in the HDD, sends it to the printing apparatus, and performs RIP processing again. (Re-RIP processing) is omitted. However, when output settings such as image quality, image size, and layout are changed, the printer controller performs re-RIP processing of input data based on the changed output settings to generate new intermediate data. Then, the printer controller overwrites the original intermediate data with the new intermediate data, sends the overwritten intermediate data to the printing apparatus, and causes the printing apparatus to print out.

  Conventionally, when printing for office use, when the client terminal causes the printing apparatus to perform print output again, only the number of copies and finishing settings are often changed, and settings with image changes are not performed, and re-RIP processing is performed. Was not necessary. Even if re-RIP processing is required, the contents of the input data (documents, etc.) are simple for office use, so that a long time is not spent on the re-RIP processing. However, in the production print area that has become widespread in recent years, the content of input data has become complicated, and the proportion of time required for RIP processing in the entire print output time has increased. For this reason, a method for reducing the print output time has been sought.

Here, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose methods for managing intermediate data when output settings are changed.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of efficiently performing RIP processing at the time of re-output by storing intermediate data after RIP processing before color correction and applying color correction later according to color correction settings. It is disclosed.
Patent Document 2 discloses a method of transmitting intermediate data to a printing apparatus based on two types of output settings at a time and selecting an image (intermediate data) to be output as necessary.

JP 2012-103994 A JP 2001-80143 A

  As described above, when the output setting is changed, the printer controller transmits the intermediate data generated by the changed output setting to the printing apparatus, and causes the printing apparatus to perform printing output. Then, in order for the printer controller to cause the printing apparatus to perform print output based on the output setting before the change, it is necessary to restore the output setting.

Here, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not support setting changes other than color correction and cannot hold a plurality of output settings in an input job, after changing the settings once, the original settings are restored. When returning, it was necessary to manually return the setting, and the operation was complicated.
In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not consider changing the output setting after a job is transmitted once.

  Then, if re-RIP processing is necessary by returning the output setting, the printer controller performs re-RIP processing based on the output setting before the change. However, since re-RIP processing takes time, it is desirable to avoid re-RIP processing. Therefore, there is a method in which a job input from a client terminal is copied to the printer controller as another job, and a plurality of intermediate data after RIP processing is stored.

  However, a normal printer controller spools many jobs in addition to the job to be output, and it becomes difficult to understand the relationship between the stored intermediate data and the original job of the intermediate data. For this reason, it may take time for the user to search for a target job, or the intermediate data may be output from an unintended job by mistake.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. Even when output settings included in a job for which re-output is selected are changed and new intermediate data is generated, the new intermediate data is selected. The purpose is to make it easier.

The present invention generates intermediate data used by a printing apparatus to print out from input data included in a job based on output settings included in the job.
Next, the output setting and the intermediate data are associated with the input data, and the input data, the output setting, and the intermediate data are stored in the data storage unit. Here, the intermediate data for the input data generated by the changed output setting different from the output setting stored in the data storage unit is stored in the data storage unit in association with the input data in the job together with the changed output setting. To do. Furthermore, the output setting after change associated with the intermediate data generated by the output setting after change is overwritten with the output setting before change associated with the input data and stored in the data storage unit.
Then, read from the data storage unit, one of the intermediate data generated by the pre-change of the output intermediate data generated by the setting or the changed output setting, the output setting after change is read from the data storage unit And output.
Further, the present invention generates intermediate data used by the printing apparatus for printing out from input data included in the job based on the output setting included in the job.
Next, the output setting and the intermediate data are associated with the input data, and the input data, the output setting, and the intermediate data are stored in the data storage unit. Here, when there is no need to generate intermediate data from the input data with the changed output settings different from the output settings stored in the data storage unit, it is associated with the intermediate data generated with the output settings before the change. Then, the output setting after the change together with the output setting before the change is associated with the input data in the job and stored in the data storage unit.
Then, the intermediate data generated by the output setting before the change read out from the data storage unit is output together with the output setting before or after the change read out from the data storage unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly select and output the intermediate data generated by the changed output setting and stored in association with the input data included in the job for which re-output is selected. .

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the client terminal which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printer controller according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is an internal block diagram which shows each function of the printing system which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a basic processing flow from when the printer controller according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention receives a job from a client terminal until the printing apparatus performs print output. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the re-output process which the conventional printer controller performs. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of re-output processing performed by the printer controller according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the data structure of the job preserve | saved at the data preservation | save part which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 8A shows an example of the first data structure of the job, and FIG. 8B shows an example of the second data structure of the job. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the method of managing data by the 1st data structure shown to FIG. 8A. FIG. 9A shows an example of the basic structure of data management, FIG. 9B shows an example of a change in output setting that requires re-RIP processing, and FIG. 9C shows output setting that does not require re-RIP processing. An example in which changes are made is shown. An example of a conventional user interface for changing output settings for a conventional printer controller is shown. An example of a user interface for changing an output setting when re-outputting with the intermediate data after RIP processing is shown for the conventional printer controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in which the data correlation part which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention changes whether the output setting of input data is changed into the output setting after a change, and is preserve | saved. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the 1st data structure of the job by which the output setting linked | related with the input data which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention was changed. The data correlation part which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention shows the flow of the process which determines whether the output setting after a change and the intermediate data after a change are newly preserve | saved in a data preservation | save part, or it overwrites. It is a flowchart. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the data structure of the job preserve | saved at the conventional printer controller.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same function or configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a printing system.
The printing system 1 includes a client terminal 2, a printer controller 3, and a printing device 4. The client terminal 2 and the printer controller 3 are connected by a communication line 5. The printer controller 3 and the printing device 4 are connected via a predetermined communication medium.

  The client terminal 2 transmits output settings and input data included in a job instructed to be printed by a user input operation to the printer controller 3 via the communication line 5.

The printer controller 3 is used as an example of an information processing apparatus that causes the printing apparatus 4 to print out an image. The printer controller 3 executes rasterization processing (hereinafter referred to as RIP processing) on input data received from the client terminal 2 via the communication line 5, generates intermediate data, and then sends the intermediate data to the printing apparatus 4. Send. Further, when the output setting in the job in which the intermediate data has been generated once is changed by the RIP process, the printer controller 3 performs the re-RIP process as necessary to generate new intermediate data and print it. It is also possible to cause the device 4 to perform print output using new intermediate data.
In FIG. 1, the printer controller 3 is separate from the printing apparatus 4, but may be configured to be built in the printing apparatus 4.

  The printing apparatus 4 performs processing (hereinafter, “print output”) for forming an image on a sheet based on the intermediate data input from the printer controller 3 in accordance with the output setting included in the job for which print output is instructed.

FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration example of the client terminal 2.
The client terminal 2 includes a control unit 20, an image output unit 25, and an input operation unit 26. The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, an HDD 23, and a communication I / F 24.

The CPU 21 controls each unit in the control unit 20, and for example, generates input data or sets output based on a user's print instruction.
The memory 22 temporarily records data necessary for each process.
The HDD 23 records programs, input data, and the like necessary for the CPU 21 to generate input data and make output settings.
The communication I / F 24 performs data transmission / reception processing with the printer controller 3 via the communication line 5.

An image output unit 25 and an input operation unit 26 are connected to the CPU 21.
The image output unit 25 includes a display monitor and the like, and displays an output setting screen (see FIG. 11 described later) and the like.
The input operation unit 26 is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. While viewing the screen displayed on the image output unit 25, the user can operate the input operation unit 26 to give a print instruction and output setting to the printer controller 3.

FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration example of the printer controller 3.
The printer controller 3 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, an HDD 33, and a communication I / F 34.

The CPU 31 performs image processing such as RIP processing and control of the printing apparatus 4.
The memory 32 temporarily records data necessary for each process.
The HDD 33 records programs and the like for the CPU 31 to perform RIP processing and control the printing apparatus 4. In addition, input data, output settings, and intermediate data are recorded for each job. The functions of each unit shown in FIG. 4 to be described later are realized by the CPU 31 executing a program read from the HDD 33.
The communication I / F 34 performs data transmission / reception processing with the client terminal 2 via the communication line 5.

  FIG. 4 shows the function of each device of the printing system 1.

The client terminal 2 includes an output setting unit 2a, a print instruction unit 2b, and a data display unit 2c.
When the output setting unit 2a receives the output setting input by the user using the input operation unit 26, the output setting unit 2a outputs the output setting to the print instruction unit 2b.
When the print instruction unit 2b receives a print instruction input by the user using the input operation unit 26, the print instruction unit 2b transmits the input data and the output setting input from the output setting unit 2a to the printer controller 3 as one job. When the user changes only the output setting, the print instruction unit 2b transmits only the changed output setting to the printer controller 3.
The output setting unit 2a and the print instruction unit 2b are functions of the input operation unit 26 and the CPU 21 in FIG.

The data display unit 2c displays an image of a tree-like data structure (see FIG. 8 to be described later) that visualizes the association of input data, output settings, and intermediate data stored in the data storage unit 3d of the printer controller 3. be able to. By checking the tree-like data structure for each job, the user can easily search for intermediate data and output settings in the job.
In addition, the data display unit 2c can display output settings associated with input data included in the job from the data storage unit 3d. The user can easily instruct the printer controller 3 to perform the print output based on the changed output setting only by changing a part of the displayed output setting.
The data display unit 2c is a function of the image output unit 25 in FIG.

  The printer controller 3 includes a processing determination unit 3a, an intermediate data generation unit 3b, a data association unit 3c, a data storage unit 3d, an intermediate data output unit 3e, and a display output unit 3f.

  The processing determination unit 3a determines processing to be performed by the intermediate data generation unit 3b, the data association unit 3c, and the intermediate data output unit 3e according to the input data and output settings included in the job received from the client terminal 2. When the process determination unit 3a receives a job for the first time, the data association unit 3c causes the data storage unit 3d to associate and store input data and output settings.

  Then, the processing determination unit 3a instructs the intermediate data output unit 3e when the printing apparatus 4 instructs to print again based on the input data of any job stored in the data storage unit 3d. The following processing is performed. Specifically, when the process determination unit 3a causes the printing apparatus 4 to print out with the same output setting as the previously received output setting, the intermediate data already stored in the data storage unit 3d with respect to the intermediate data output unit 3e. Is read out. If the process determining unit 3a determines that the input data needs a new RIP process, the process determining unit 3a causes the intermediate data generating unit 3b to perform the RIP process on the input data read from the data storage unit 3d, and the intermediate data Is generated.

  If the process determining unit 3a determines that the RIP process is not required for the input data, only the changed output setting is stored in the intermediate data that has been generated, that is, the data storing unit 3d. The data is stored in the data storage unit 3d in association with the intermediate data. Then, the process determination unit 3a instructs the intermediate data output unit 3e to output, and causes the intermediate data output unit 3e to read the intermediate data and output settings from the data storage unit 3d.

  When the RIP processing instruction is issued by the process determination unit 3a, the intermediate data generation unit 3b uses the intermediate data used for the printing apparatus 4 to print out the input data included in the job based on the output setting included in the job. Is generated.

  The data association unit 3c associates the output setting and the intermediate data with the input data, and stores the input data, the output setting, and the intermediate data in the data storage unit 3d. In addition, the data association unit 3c displays the intermediate data for the input data generated by the intermediate data generation unit 3b according to the changed output setting different from the output setting stored in the data storage unit 3d together with the changed output setting in the job. Is stored in the data storage unit 3d in association with the input data.

  The data storage unit 3d stores the input data, the intermediate data, and the output setting for each job by associating the output setting and the intermediate data with the input data. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 to be described later, output settings are associated with the input data and the intermediate data, respectively.

  The intermediate data output unit 3e is either the intermediate data generated by the output setting before the change or the intermediate data generated by the output setting after the change, which is read from the data storage unit 3d according to the output instruction of the processing determination unit 3a. Are output to the printing apparatus 4 together with the output setting before change or the output setting after change read from the data storage unit 3d.

  The display output unit 3f outputs to the data display unit 2c of the client terminal 2 an image having a tree-like data structure that visualizes the association between the input data, the output setting, and the intermediate data stored in the data storage unit 3d. Further, the display output unit 3f reads the output setting associated with the input data from the data storage unit 3d and outputs it to the data display unit 2c.

  The process determination unit 3a, the intermediate data generation unit 3b, the data association unit 3c, the intermediate data output unit 3e, and the display output unit 3f are functions of the CPU 31 in FIG. The data storage unit 3d corresponds to the HDD 33 in FIG.

The printing apparatus 4 includes a print output unit 4a.
The print output unit 4a performs print output based on the intermediate data and output settings input from the printer controller 3.

<Basic processing flow>
FIG. 5 shows a basic processing flow from when the printer controller 3 receives a job from the client terminal 2 until the printing apparatus 4 performs print output.

  First, when the process determination unit 3a of the printer controller 3 receives a job from the client terminal 2 (S1), it sends the job to the data association unit 3c. Then, the data association unit 3c associates the output setting with the input data included in the job, and stores the input data and the output setting in the data storage unit 3d (S2).

  Thereafter, the process determination unit 3a causes the intermediate data generation unit 3b to read input data and output settings from the data storage unit 3d. The intermediate data generation unit 3b performs RIP processing based on the input data and output settings read from the data storage unit 3d to generate intermediate data (S3), and sends this intermediate data to the data association unit 3c.

  The data association unit 3c stores the intermediate data in the data storage unit 3d in association with the input data and output settings already stored in the data storage unit 3d (S4). Then, the intermediate data output unit 3e transmits the intermediate data read from the data storage unit 3d and the output setting to the printing apparatus 4. The printing apparatus 4 performs print output based on the intermediate data and output settings received from the printer controller 3 (S5).

  Next, the flow of re-output processing performed by the conventional printer controller and the flow of re-output processing performed by the printer controller 3 according to this embodiment will be described in order.

<Flow of conventional re-output processing>
FIG. 6 shows a flow of re-output processing performed by a conventional printer controller.
When the conventional printer controller detects that the re-output of the job is selected by the user (S11), it determines whether or not the output setting included in the selected job has been changed (S12). When it is determined that the output setting has not been changed, the conventional printer controller outputs the output setting and intermediate data stored in the HDD in the conventional printer controller to the printing apparatus. Then, the printing apparatus performs print output (S17).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the output setting has been changed, the conventional printer controller stores the changed output setting in the HDD (S13). Next, the conventional printer controller determines whether re-RIP processing is necessary based on the changed output setting (S14). In general, the re-RIP process is required when the image quality is changed or the relationship between the paper and the image (for example, layout printing) is changed due to the image quality setting or the print setting. On the other hand, the re-RIP process is not necessary when the number of output copies is changed and the intermediate data image can be used.

  If the conventional printer controller determines in step S14 that the re-RIP process is unnecessary, the conventional printer controller outputs the output settings and intermediate data stored in the HDD to the printing apparatus. Then, the printing apparatus performs print output (S17).

  On the other hand, if the conventional printer controller determines that re-RIP processing is necessary in step S14 due to, for example, a change in color, it performs re-RIP processing to generate intermediate data (S15), and newly created intermediate data Is overwritten on the generated intermediate data (S16). Then, the conventional printer controller outputs the output setting and intermediate data overwritten and saved in the HDD to the printing apparatus. Then, the printing apparatus performs print output (S17).

  As described above, in the conventional re-output process, when the re-RIP process is performed, new intermediate data is overwritten and stored on the intermediate data stored in the HDD. For this reason, when performing print output to the printing apparatus using the previous output setting, re-RIP processing is required again.

<Flow of re-output processing according to this embodiment>
FIG. 7 shows the flow of the re-output process performed by the printer controller 3 according to this embodiment.

  First, when the process determining unit 3a detects that the job re-output is selected by the user (S21), the process determining unit 3a searches the data storage unit 3d for an output setting included in the same job as the selected job.

  Next, the process determination unit 3a reads the output setting stored in association with the same job as the job for which re-output is selected from the data storage unit 3d. Then, the process determination unit 3a determines whether or not the changed output setting has been changed from the output setting stored in the data storage unit 3d (S22). If the process determination unit 3a determines that the output setting has not been changed, the process determination unit 3a instructs the intermediate data output unit 3e to read the intermediate data from the data storage unit 3d. Then, the intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the intermediate data read from the data storage unit 3d to the printing device 4, and printing is performed in the printing device 4 (S27).

  In step S22, when the process determination unit 3a determines that the output setting of the job for which re-output is selected is changed from the existing output setting, the re-RIP process of the input data and the output setting is performed based on the changed output setting. Is determined (S23).

  If the process determining unit 3a determines that the re-RIP process is not necessary, the process determining unit 3a instructs the data associating unit 3c to store the changed output setting in the data storing unit 3d. The data association unit 3c newly stores the changed output setting in the data storage unit 3d in association with the generated intermediate data stored in the data storage unit 3d (S24). Thereafter, the process determination unit 3a instructs the intermediate data output unit 3e to read the intermediate data from the data storage unit 3d. The intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the intermediate data read from the data storage unit 3d and the changed output setting to the printing device 4, and the printing device 4 performs print output (S27).

  If the process determining unit 3a determines that the re-RIP process is necessary in step S23, the process determining unit 3a instructs the intermediate data generating unit 3b to execute the re-RIP process. The intermediate data generation unit 3b performs re-RIP processing based on the input data of the job corresponding to the job for which re-output is selected, read from the data storage unit 3d, and the changed output setting input from the processing determination unit 3a. To generate new intermediate data (S25). Then, the intermediate data generation unit 3b outputs the generated new intermediate data to the data association unit 3c.

  The data association unit 3c associates the new intermediate data generated by performing the re-RIP process and the changed output setting with the input data separately from the intermediate data stored in the data storage unit 3d and the output setting before the change. The data is newly stored in the data storage unit 3d (S26). Thereafter, the process determination unit 3a instructs the intermediate data output unit 3e to read new intermediate data and the changed output setting from the data storage unit 3d. The intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the new intermediate data read from the data storage unit 3d and the changed output setting to the printing apparatus 4, and the printing apparatus 4 performs print output (S27).

<Example of data structure>
FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure of a job stored in the data storage unit 3d. FIG. 8A shows an example of the first data structure of the job, and FIG. 8B shows an example of the second data structure of the job.

  In the first data structure shown in FIG. 8A, the input data (1) and the intermediate data (1) to (3) are associated under the job B hierarchy. The output setting (1) is associated with the input data (1), and the output settings (1) to (3) are associated with the intermediate data (1) to (3), respectively. The output setting (1) associated with the input data (1) and the output setting (1) associated with the intermediate data (1) have the same contents.

  In addition to the first data structure shown in FIG. 8A, a second data structure shown in FIG. 8B is also used. In this second data structure, job B includes input data (1) and intermediate data (2) to (4). Intermediate data (1) and output setting (1) are associated with input data (1), and output settings (2) to (4) are associated with intermediate data (2) to (4), respectively.

<Operation example of data association unit 3c>
FIG. 9 shows an example of a method for managing data using the first data structure shown in FIG. 8A. 9A shows a basic operation example of the data association unit 3c, FIG. 9B shows an operation example of the data association unit 3c when the output setting change requiring the re-RIP process is performed, and FIG. The operation example of the data correlation part 3c when the output setting change which does not require re-RIP processing is performed is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when job B is input to the printer controller 3 for the first time, the processing determination unit 3a performs RIP processing based on the input data (1) and the output setting (1) on the intermediate data generation unit 3b. Make it. Then, the intermediate data generation unit 3b generates intermediate data (1) and sends this intermediate data (1) to the data association unit 3c. At this time, the data stored as job B in the data storage unit 3d by the data association unit 3c is input data (1), intermediate data (1), and output setting (1). Then, the data association unit 3c associates the output setting (1) with the input data (1) and the intermediate data (1) under the job B hierarchy and stores them in the data storage unit 3d. The input data (1) and the intermediate data (1) are in the same hierarchy.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, if the output setting (2) obtained by changing the output setting (1) is input to the printer controller 3 and re-RIP processing is necessary, the process determination unit 3a re-enters the intermediate data generation unit 3b. RIP processing is performed. Then, the intermediate data generation unit 3b generates intermediate data (2) and sends this intermediate data (2) to the data association unit 3c. At this time, the data stored as the job B in the data storage unit 3d by the data association unit 3c includes the intermediate data (2), the output setting in addition to the input data (1), the intermediate data (1), and the output setting (1). (2) The data association unit 3c stores the intermediate data (2) in the same hierarchy as the intermediate data (1), and stores the output setting (2) associated with the intermediate data (2) in the data storage unit 3d.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, if the changed output setting (2) is input to the printer controller 3 and the re-RIP process is not required, the processing determination unit 3a sends only the output setting (2) to the data association unit 3c. send. At this time, data stored as job B in the data storage unit 3d by the data association unit 3c is output setting (2) in addition to input data (1), intermediate data (1), and output setting (1). Then, the data association unit 3c associates the output setting (1) before the change with the output setting (1) before the change in association with the intermediate data (1) generated by the output setting (1) before the change. Save to 3d.

  Next, an example of a user interface displayed on the client terminal 2 by the conventional printer controller and the printer controller 3 according to the present embodiment will be described in order.

<Example of user interface for output setting>
FIG. 10 shows an example of a conventional user interface for changing output settings for a conventional printer controller.

  In the conventional output setting, the color setting and the basic setting can be changed by the user interface shown in FIG. These settings can be changed even after RIP processing has already been performed and intermediate data has been generated. For this reason, when the setting is changed, the re-RIP process is performed according to the changed output setting, and it takes time until the printing apparatus 4 performs the printing output.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a user interface for changing the output setting when the intermediate data after the RIP process is re-outputted to the printer controller 3 according to the present embodiment.

  The contents of the output setting according to the present embodiment can be changed by the user interface shown in FIG. In this user interface, the output setting read out from the data storage unit 3d by the display output unit 3f of the printer controller 3 is output to the data display unit 2c.

In this user interface, there are setting items (for example, color setting and image size setting) that require re-RIP processing when the generated intermediate data stored in the data storage unit 3d is diverted and re-output. It is grayed out and cannot be changed. For this reason, the user can change only basic setting items that do not require re-RIP processing.
In order to change the grayed out items, a user interface capable of changing these items is prepared separately, and the necessary printout can be performed by using this user interface.

  According to the printer controller 3 according to the first embodiment described above, when the output setting is changed, the output setting after the change is stored in association with the input data and the output setting before the change for each job. Stored in section 3d. If the re-RIP process is necessary due to the changed output setting, the intermediate data generated by the re-RIP process is stored in the data storage unit 3d in association with the input data. For this reason, when performing print output with the output setting before the change, it is possible to read out the output setting and the intermediate data before the change from the data storage unit 3d and cause the printing apparatus 4 to perform the print output promptly. .

  The data storage unit 3d stores one input data, a plurality of output settings, and a plurality of intermediate data in association with one job. Therefore, even if a large number of jobs are stored in the data storage unit 3d and the output setting is changed a plurality of times, it is easy to search for intermediate data included in the target job.

  Even if the changed output setting is input to the printer controller 3, if the re-RIP process is unnecessary, the intermediate data generation unit 3b does not perform the re-RIP process, and the data association unit 3c only performs the changed output setting. Is stored in the data storage unit 3d. Since unnecessary RIP processing is not performed in this way, processing time associated with job re-output can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an example of processing performed by the printing system 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.
The data association unit 3c according to the present embodiment directly associates the changed output setting associated with the intermediate data generated by the changed output setting with the input data generated by the output setting before the change. The output setting before the change is overwritten and stored in the data storage unit 3d. Details of the processing will be described below.

FIG. 12 shows a flow of processing in which the data associating unit 3c selects whether to change the output setting of the input data to the changed output setting and save it.
The process from step S31 to S36 in FIG. 12 is the same as the process from step S21 to S26 in FIG.
FIG. 13 shows an example of a first data structure of a job in which the output setting associated with the input data is changed.

  In the first print output, the data association unit 3c associates the intermediate data (1) and the output setting (1) with the input data (1) of job B and stores them in the data storage unit 3d. Then, in the second print output, the data association unit 3c stores the output setting (2) after the change newly stored in the data storage unit 3d in association with the input data (1). Whether to reflect in (1) is determined (S37). The determination in step S37 is instructed, for example, by a user who has confirmed a screen displayed on the image output unit 25 of the client terminal 2 or the image output unit (not shown) of the printer controller 3.

  When it is determined that the output setting (2) after the change is reflected in the output setting (1) before the change, the data association unit 3c changes the output setting (1) of the input data (1) to the output setting (2 after the change). To the data storage unit 3d (S38). Here, the output setting (1) (see FIG. 8A) immediately below the input data (1) is changed to the output setting (2).

  Thereafter, the intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the intermediate data (1) read from the data storage unit 3d and the changed output setting (2) associated with the intermediate data (1) to the printing apparatus 4, and the printing apparatus 4 performs print output (S39).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S37 that the changed output setting (2) is not reflected in the output setting (1) before the change, the data association unit 3c changes the output setting (1) of the input data (1). do not do. Thereafter, the intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the intermediate data (1) read from the data storage unit 3d and the changed output setting (2) associated with the intermediate data (2) to the printing apparatus 4, and the printing apparatus 4 performs print output (S39).

  The data association unit 3c of the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment described above uses the changed output setting (2) as the output setting (1) immediately below the input data (1) of the same job B. Can be reflected. When the user selects to re-output the job, the output setting (2) is changed by displaying the output setting (2) immediately below the input data (1) on the image output unit 25. The output setting can be transmitted to the printer controller 3.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a processing example of the printing system 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
Whether the data association unit 3c according to the present embodiment newly saves the output setting and the intermediate data in the data storage unit 3d when the output setting is changed or the intermediate data is generated by the changed output setting. Select whether to save overwriting. Details of the processing will be described below.

<Flow of save selection process>
FIG. 14 shows a flow of processing in which the data association unit 3c determines whether to save the changed output setting and the changed intermediate data in the data storage unit 3d or to overwrite them.
The process from step S41 to S43 in FIG. 14 is the same as the process from step S21 to S23 in FIG.

  If the process determination unit 3a determines in step S43 that the re-RIP process is not required, the data association unit 3c determines whether or not to save the changed output setting in the data storage unit 3d (S44). If the data association unit 3c determines that the changed output setting is to be newly saved, the data association unit 3c newly associates the changed output setting with the generated intermediate data saved in the data saving unit 3d and stores the changed output setting in the data saving unit 3d. Save (S45). Thereafter, the intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the intermediate data read from the data storage unit 3d and the changed output setting overwritten and stored in the data storage unit 3d to the printing device 4, and the printing output by the printing device 4 is performed. (S51).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that the changed output setting is not newly saved, the data association unit 3c overwrites and saves the changed output setting over the output setting before the change in the data storage unit 3d (S46). Thereafter, the intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the intermediate data read from the data storage unit 3d and the changed output setting overwritten and stored in the data storage unit 3d to the printing apparatus 4. Then, the printing apparatus 4 performs print output (S51).

  If it is determined in step S43 that re-RIP processing is necessary, the data association unit 3c performs re-RIP processing to generate new intermediate data (S47). Then, the data association unit 3c determines whether or not new intermediate data is newly stored in the data storage unit 3d separately from the generated intermediate data (S48).

  If it is determined in step S48 that the new intermediate data is to be newly stored, the data association unit 3c newly stores the new intermediate data and the changed output setting separately from the generated intermediate data and the output setting. (S49). Thereafter, the intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the newly stored new intermediate data read from the data storage unit 3d and the changed output setting to the printing device 4, and the printing output by the printing device 4 is performed (S51). .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S48 that the new intermediate data is not newly stored, the data association unit 3c overwrites the generated intermediate data and the output setting with the new intermediate data and the changed output setting. (S50). Thereafter, the intermediate data output unit 3e outputs the overwritten and saved new intermediate data read from the data storage unit 3d and the changed output setting to the printing apparatus 4, and the printing output by the printing apparatus 4 is performed (S51). .

  Note that the user may manually set the determination of the new saving or overwriting of the output setting after the change in step S44 and the determination of the new saving or overwriting of the intermediate data after the re-RIP process in step S48. Further, the data association unit 3c may automatically determine the preset number of stored intermediate data or the remaining capacity of the data storage unit 3d as a threshold value.

  The data association unit 3c of the printing system 1 according to the third embodiment described above selects whether to save the output setting after the change and the new intermediate data in the data storage unit 3d as new or overwritten. To do. Then, when the output setting or intermediate data before the change is unnecessary, the data association unit 3c overwrites and saves the changed output setting or intermediate data in the data storage unit 3d. For this reason, when the output setting after the change and the data amount of the new intermediate data are large with respect to the recording capacity of the data storage unit 3d, it is easy to select new storage as overwrite storage.

[Modification]
The printer controller 3 may be provided with an image output unit configured as a touch panel display and an input operation unit. Then, the user may change the output setting by operating the input operation unit while viewing the output setting screen displayed on the image output unit.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other application examples and modifications can be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims.
For example, the above-described embodiments are detailed and specific descriptions of the configuration of the apparatus and the system in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Absent. Further, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of one embodiment. Moreover, it is also possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each embodiment.
Further, the control lines and information lines indicate what is considered necessary for the explanation, and not all the control lines and information lines on the product are necessarily shown. Actually, it may be considered that almost all the components are connected to each other.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 2 ... Client terminal, 2a ... Output setting part, 2b ... Print instruction part, 2c ... Data display part, 3 ... Printer controller, 3a ... Process determination part, 3b ... Intermediate data generation part, 3c ... Data association , 3d ... data storage unit, 3e ... intermediate data output unit, 3f ... display output unit, 4 ... printing device, 4a ... print output unit, 5 ... communication line

Claims (9)

Based on output settings included in the job, an intermediate data generation unit that generates intermediate data used by the printing apparatus to print out the input data included in the job;
A data storage unit that associates the output setting and the intermediate data with the input data, and stores the input data, the output setting, and the intermediate data;
The intermediate data for the input data generated by the intermediate data generation unit by the changed output setting different from the output setting stored in the data storage unit, together with the changed output setting, the input data in the job In the data storage unit, and overwrite the changed output setting associated with the intermediate data generated by the changed output setting over the changed output setting associated with the input data. And a data association unit to be stored in the data storage unit ,
Read from the data storage unit, the intermediate data generated by the pre-change output settings, or any of the intermediate data generated by the output setting after the change, the variable read from the data storage unit And an intermediate data output unit that outputs the output together with the subsequent output setting. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processing determination unit that determines processing to be performed by the intermediate data generation unit, the data association unit, and the intermediate data output unit according to input data and output settings. The said data storage unit, the input data, the intermediate data and the output setting is saved for each job, information according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output setting is associated with each of said input data and said intermediate data Processing equipment. And a display output unit that outputs an image that visualizes the association between the input data, the output setting, and the intermediate data stored in the data storage unit.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Based on output settings included in the job, an intermediate data generation unit that generates intermediate data used by the printing apparatus to print out the input data included in the job;
A data storage unit that associates the output setting and the intermediate data with the input data, and stores the input data, the output setting, and the intermediate data;
The intermediate data generated by the output setting before the change when the process of generating the intermediate data from the input data by the changed output setting different from the output setting stored in the data storage unit is unnecessary A data association unit for associating the output setting after the change together with the input data in the job and storing it in the data storage unit together with the output setting before the change,
An intermediate data output unit that outputs the intermediate data read from the data storage unit and generated by the output setting before the change together with the output setting before or after the change read from the data storage unit;
Information processing device. Generating intermediate data used by the printing apparatus to print out from input data included in the job based on output settings included in the job;
Associating the output setting and the intermediate data with the input data, storing the input data, the output setting and the intermediate data in a data storage unit, and after the change different from the output setting stored in the data storage unit The intermediate data for the input data generated by the output setting is stored in the data storage unit in association with the input data in the job together with the changed output setting, and generated by the changed output setting. Saving the output setting after the change associated with the intermediate data to the data storage unit by overwriting the output setting before the change associated with the input data ;
Read from the data storage unit, the intermediate data generated by the pre-change output settings, or any of the intermediate data generated by the output setting after the change, the variable read from the data storage unit And a step of outputting together with the subsequent output setting. Generating intermediate data used by the printing apparatus to print out from input data included in the job based on output settings included in the job;
Associating the output setting and the intermediate data with the input data, storing the input data, the output setting and the intermediate data in a data storage unit, and after the change different from the output setting stored in the data storage unit When the process for generating the intermediate data from the input data according to the output setting is not necessary, the output after the change is associated with the intermediate data generated by the output setting before the change and the output setting before the change. Storing the setting in the data storage unit in association with the input data in the job;
Outputting the intermediate data generated by the output setting before the change read from the data storage unit together with the output setting before or after the change read from the data storage unit.
Information processing method. A step of generating intermediate data used by the printing apparatus to print out from input data included in the job, based on output settings included in the job;
Associating the output setting and the intermediate data with the input data, storing the input data, the output setting and the intermediate data in a data storage unit, and after the change different from the output setting stored in the data storage unit The intermediate data for the input data generated by the output setting is stored in the data storage unit in association with the input data in the job together with the changed output setting, and generated by the changed output setting. A procedure for overwriting the output setting after the change associated with the intermediate data with the output setting before the change associated with the input data and storing it in the data storage unit ;
Read from the data storage unit, the intermediate data generated by the pre-change output settings, or any of the intermediate data generated by the output setting after the change, the variable read from the data storage unit A program that causes a computer to execute the output procedure with the output settings after the update. A step of generating intermediate data used by the printing apparatus to print out from input data included in the job, based on output settings included in the job;
Associating the output setting and the intermediate data with the input data, storing the input data, the output setting and the intermediate data in a data storage unit, and after the change different from the output setting stored in the data storage unit When the process for generating the intermediate data from the input data according to the output setting is not necessary, the output after the change is associated with the intermediate data generated by the output setting before the change and the output setting before the change. A procedure for storing the setting in the data storage unit in association with the input data in the job;
The procedure of outputting the intermediate data generated by the output setting before the change read from the data storage unit together with the output setting before or after the change read from the data storage unit,
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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