JP6528663B2 - Printing system, imposition printing control program, and imposition printing control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, an imposition printing control program, and an imposition printing control method, and in particular, a printing system for cutting imposed sheets and sorting them to create a final printed matter, and imposition printing operated in the printing system The present invention relates to a control program and an imposition printing control method in the printing system.

  Image forming apparatuses such as MFPs (Multi-Functional Peripherals) in recent years are often provided with an imposition function for allocating a plurality of pages to one sheet of paper, and a sheet printed using the imposition function is cut using a cutting machine After cutting, the final printed matter is completed by superposing (sorting) in consideration of the page order. With this imposition function, it is also possible to imposition a plurality of print jobs (called "gaming"), and if the cutting position is the same, a plurality of print jobs are printed together and cut together. Can efficiently produce the final printed matter.

  As a technique relating to sorting of printed products of a plurality of print jobs, for example, in the main image recording unit on a conveyance path along which sheets are conveyed one by one as a technology relating to sorting of printed products of a plurality of print jobs. An image forming apparatus for recording a predetermined image on a recording surface existing on one side or both sides of a sheet, wherein the predetermined image is formed on an edge of the sheet excluding the recording surface on the conveyance path. There is disclosed an image forming apparatus further comprising a fore edge image recording unit for recording a different marking image from the above in a manner that the contents of the marking image are made to differ by a predetermined paper group unit.

JP, 2009-248507, A

  In ganning, a method of imposing the same page of a plurality of print jobs on each sheet (referred to as a skew insertion) and a method of imposing a plurality of pages of the same print job on each sheet (normal side) There are two ways to When the number of pages of a plurality of print jobs is the same or similar, by adopting cut-and-seal imposition, since the cut sheet bundle becomes the final printed product as it is, sorting after cutting can be facilitated. In the case where the number of pages of the print job is largely different, if the paper sheet is subjected to the cut and stack imposition, the pages including the margin increase, and the use efficiency of the paper becomes worse.

  Therefore, when the number of pages of a plurality of print jobs is largely different, normal imposition is often performed, but in normal imposition, it is necessary to overlap the cut sheet bundle, and the stacking order is incorrect at the time of superposition. There is a problem that it is easy. Further, also in the case of the fork imposition, if it is necessary to cut the printed sheet into a plurality of divided sheets due to the limitation of the maximum number of cutting sheets of the cutting machine, it is necessary to stack the cut sheet bundle, There is a problem that it is easy to mistake the loading order when aligning.

  To address this problem, it is conceivable to print a mark that can specify a print job on the cutting surface, not on the printing surface, using the technology of Patent Document 1. However, in this method, the mark must be printed on the cutting surface, and the same mark is printed on both of the cut paper bundles, and therefore, when sorting and loading, the front and back sides are reversed, or loading is performed. There is a risk of mistaking the order.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the main object of the present invention is to easily sort a bundle of sheets after cutting in the case of performing gimaging for imposing a plurality of print jobs. A printing system, an imposition printing control program, and an imposition printing control method.

  One aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that generates print image data to be printed by an engine based on a print job, and a plurality of print jobs that can be imposed collectively can be selected from among the acquired print jobs. A determination unit that determines an imposition method based on the plurality of print jobs, specifies a page image of the print job, a cutting line that clearly indicates a cutting position by the cutting machine, and an imposition position of the page image And an imposition unit that generates print image data on which an identification mark to be enabled is arranged and outputs the print image data to the engine, and the imposition unit is configured to generate horizontal and vertical directions according to the determined imposition method. Placing at least one of the identification marks on the cutting line of each of

  One aspect of the present invention is an imposition print control program that operates in an image processing apparatus that generates print image data to be printed by an engine based on a print job, and in the print job acquired by the image processing apparatus. Firstly extracting a plurality of print jobs that can be imposed at once and determining an imposition method based on the plurality of print jobs, a page image of the print job and a cutting position by the cutting machine A second process of generating print image data in which a cutting line to be specified and an identification mark for specifying the imposition position of the page image are arranged, and a third process of outputting the print image data to the engine In the second process, at least one identification mark is arranged on each of the cutting lines in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction according to the determined imposition method. And wherein the door.

  One aspect of the present invention is an imposition print control method in a printing system including an image processing apparatus that generates print image data to be printed by an engine based on a print job, and the image processing apparatus acquires the acquired print job From among the plurality of print jobs that can be imposed at one time, and a first process for determining an imposition method based on the plurality of print jobs, and a page image of the print job and a cutting machine A second process for generating print image data in which a cutting line for specifying a cutting position and an identification mark for specifying the imposition position of the page image are arranged; and a third process for outputting the print image data to the engine And in the second process, according to the determined imposition method, at least one of the identification marks on the cutting line in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Characterized by disposing the click.

  According to the printing system, the imposition printing control program, and the imposition printing control method of the present invention, it is possible to easily sort the sheet bundle after cutting when performing gimaging for imposing a plurality of print jobs.

  The reason is that the controller (image processing apparatus) that receives the print job and generates print image data to be printed by the image forming apparatus (engine) based on the print job is a batch process from among the received print jobs. A plurality of print jobs that can be attached (gaming) are extracted, and a determination unit that determines an imposition method based on a plurality of print jobs (the number of pages), and a page image of the print job and a cutting position by a cutting machine And an imposition unit for generating print image data in which printed markings on which a cutting line and an identification mark for specifying the imposition position of the page image are arranged are generated and output to an engine, the imposition unit according to the determined imposition method This is because at least one identification mark is placed on the cutting line in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

It is a figure explaining normal imposition and crookedness imposition. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client terminal which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram showing composition of a controller concerning one example of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the controller which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the identification mark on the paper in the fork imposition concerning one example of the present invention. It is a perspective view explaining the discernment mark of the final printed matter in the fork imposition concerning one example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the variation of the cutting line and the identification mark on the paper in the forgery imposition based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the variation of the identification mark on the sheet | seat in the forgery imposition based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the identification mark on the paper in the normal imposition concerning one example of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the identification mark of the sheet bundle in the normal imposition according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view explaining the identification mark of the last printed matter in the normal imposition concerning one example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the variation of the identification mark on the paper in the normal imposition based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the variation of the identification mark on the paper in the normal imposition based on one Example of this invention. It is a perspective view explaining the identification mark of the last printed matter in the normal imposition concerning one example of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the variation of the identification mark on the paper in the normal imposition based on one Example of this invention.

  As described in the background art, there is a method called imposing and printing a plurality of print jobs, which includes normal imposition in which a plurality of pages of the same print job are imposed on each sheet of paper. There is a paper feed imposition for imposing the same page of a plurality of print jobs on each sheet. FIG. 1A shows an example of normal imposition of 4 in 1. When the first print job (print job A) is composed of 12 pages, 1 of print job A on the first sheet, Four pages of the same print job for each sheet, such as pages 4, 5, 10, 2nd sheet 2, 5, 8, 11 pages, 3rd sheet 3, 6, 9 and 12 Minutes are placed. FIG. 1 (b) shows an example of a 4 in 1 fork imposition, and the print job is performed on the first page and the second sheet of the four print jobs (print jobs A to D) on the first sheet. As in the second page of A to D, the same page of four print jobs is arranged on each sheet.

  In the above-described normal imposition, it is necessary to stack the cut sheet bundle, and there is a problem that the stacking order is likely to be wrong at the time of stacking. In addition, also in the case of the fork imposition, when it is necessary to cut the printed sheet by dividing it into a plurality of sheets due to the limitation of the maximum number of cutting sheets of the cutting machine, it is necessary to overlap the cut sheet bundle. There is a problem that it is easy to mistake the loading order. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to print a mark that can identify the print job on the cutting side, not on the printing side, but this method requires a dedicated printer to print on the end face, and both cuttings have been made. Since the same mark is printed on the sheet bundle, there is a possibility that the front and back sides may be reversed or the stacking order may be incorrect when sorting and stacking.

  As described above, since the electrophotographic printer can not print on the end face of the sheet, it is necessary to print a mark on the cutting line when trying to recognize the print job on the end face. In addition, if it is necessary to divide the sheet into multiple parts due to the performance of the cutting machine, the shift and discharge position may be changed according to the performance of the maximum number of cutting sheets of the cutting machine at the time of printing. is necessary.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, in ganning in which a plurality of print jobs are imposed, the type (usually imposition or fork imposition) is switched depending on the type (number of pages) of print jobs to be ganned. Marks (identification marks to be described later) for making it easier to recognize the loading order (to make it possible to specify the imposition position) are arranged on the cutting line according to the type of ganning.

  In addition, in the case of the identification mark of only one side, since the positions of the identification mark are the same in a plurality of print jobs, the identification mark is disposed on each of the cutting line in the horizontal direction and the cutting line in the vertical direction. By making the form (position, shape, number, color, etc.) of the identification marks different from each other, it is possible to easily give an instruction of sorting and stacking after cutting.

  A printing system, an imposition printing control program, and an imposition printing control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Do. 2 to 4 are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the printing system of this embodiment, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are block diagrams showing the configurations of the client terminal, the controller, and the image forming apparatus, respectively. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller of this embodiment, and FIGS. 9 to 19 are schematic diagrams for explaining the imposition printing control method of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the printing system of this embodiment, the client terminal 10, the controller 20, and the image forming apparatus 30 which can be connected by the communication network 40 are arranged on the intranet. Although Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like can be used as the standard of the communication network 40, data transfer from the controller 20 to the image forming apparatus 30 can also use IEEE 1394, Parallel or the like besides Ethernet (registered trademark). is there.

  Although the printing system is configured by one or more client terminals 10, the controller 20, and the image forming apparatus 30 in FIG. 2, when the client terminal 10 can gamble a plurality of print jobs, it is illustrated in FIG. Controller 20 can be omitted. In addition, in the case where a print job stored in advance is ganned to issue a print instruction, as shown in FIG. 4, the client terminal 10 can be omitted. Hereinafter, each apparatus will be described in detail based on the configuration of FIG.

[Client terminal]
The client terminal 10 is a computer device such as a personal computer, creates a print job, and transmits the print job to the controller 20. As shown in FIG. 5A, the client terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a network I / F unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11 a and a memory such as a read only memory (ROM) 11 b and a random access memory (RAM) 11 c. The CPU 11 a controls the control program stored in the ROM 11 b or the storage unit 12. The operation of the entire client terminal 10 is controlled by developing it in the RAM 11 c and executing it. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 11 (CPU 11a) executes an OS (Operating System) 16, a document creation application 17, a printer driver 18, and the like.

  The OS 16 is Windows (registered trademark), Macintosh (registered trademark), Android, or the like, and enables the document creation application 17 and the printer driver 18 to operate on the client terminal 10.

  The document creation application 17 is software that performs text creation, spreadsheet, image processing and the like, reads out the printer driver 18 when printing is instructed, and transfers document data created by the document creation application 17 to the printer driver 18.

  The printer driver 18 is a page such as a print job (PJL (Printer Job Language), PS (PostScript), PCL (Printer Control Language), etc.) of a language in which the image forming apparatus 30 can interpret the document data created by the document creation application 17. It is converted to Page Description Language (PDL) data described in a description language or PDF (Portable Document Format) data. In this print job, the image forming conditions and the post-processing conditions set on the print setting screen of the printer driver 18 are described in a print ticket or the like and added.

  The storage unit 12 is configured by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. A program for the CPU 11a to control each unit, information on processing functions of the own device, and document data created by the document creation application 17 , And stores print jobs and the like created by the printer driver 18.

  The network I / F unit 13 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, connects the client terminal 10 to the communication network 40, and transmits a print job to the controller 20.

  The display unit 14 is configured of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, or the like, and displays an original creation screen of the document creation application 17 and a print setting screen of the printer driver 18.

  The operation unit 15 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and enables operations such as creation of a document by the document creation application 17 and setting of printing conditions and post-processing conditions by the printer driver 18.

[controller]
The controller 20 is an image processing apparatus that generates print image data to be printed by the image forming apparatus 30 based on the print job acquired from the client terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 6A, the controller 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 23, a network I / F unit 24, a printer I / F unit 25, and the like. .

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU 21a and memories such as the ROM 21b and the RAM 21c. The CPU 21a controls the entire operation of the controller 20 by expanding a control program stored in the ROM 21b and the storage unit 22 into the RAM 21c and executing it. Do. The control unit 21 also functions as a determination unit 26, an imposition unit 27, and the like as shown in FIG. 6 (b).

  The determination unit 26 analyzes the print job acquired from the client terminal 10, and among the acquired print jobs, a plurality of print jobs capable of gantaging (print jobs capable of batch imposition, ie, within a sheet) Print jobs which can be arranged equally and which have the same cutting position on each sheet are extracted. In addition, the determination unit 26 determines the ganning method (for example, fork insertion or normal imposition) based on the number of pages of each print job. Specifically, when the number of pages of a plurality of print jobs is the same or the difference between the number of pages is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the fork insertion is selected, and the difference in the number of pages of the plurality of print jobs has a predetermined threshold If it exceeds, the normal imposition is selected.

  The imposition unit 27 imposes the plurality of print jobs extracted by the determination unit 26 according to the ganning method determined by the determination unit 26, and generates print image data in which a plurality of page images, cutting lines and identification marks are arranged. And outputs the generated print image data to the image forming apparatus 30. The imposition unit 27 includes an image placement unit 27a, a cutting line addition unit 27b, an identification mark addition unit 27c, and the like.

  When the normal imposition is selected as the ganning method, the image placement unit 27 a imposes a plurality of pages of each print job on each sheet, as shown in FIG. 1A, and a plurality of page images Generates a printed image in which is placed. At this time, page images adjacent in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are arranged upside down with respect to each other. That is, for each page image to be arranged on each sheet, the vertical orientation of the page image is adjusted so that at least one identification mark is arranged at the same position. In addition, when the forgery imposition is selected as the gapping method, the image placement unit 27a imposes the same page of a plurality of print jobs on each sheet, as shown in FIG. Generate a print image in which a page image is arranged.

  The cutting line adding unit 27b includes a cutting line (a cross mark indicating a cutting position, a T-shaped mark, an L-shaped mark, etc.) for clearly indicating a cutting position by a cutting machine (not shown) in a printed image to be printed on each sheet. Add).

  The identification mark adding unit 27 c adds an identification mark that makes it possible to identify the sheet bundle after cutting (to make it possible to specify the imposition position of the page image) to the print image to be printed on each sheet. For example, when normal imposition is selected as the ganning method, a cut line between page images adjacent in one of the horizontal and vertical directions (that is, the image placement units 27a are placed upside down with each other) Add the same type of identification mark, and on the cutting line between the page images adjacent in the other direction of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, add identification marks of different forms according to the combination of page images (Includes no identification mark). In addition, when the fork insertion is selected as the ganning method, it is determined whether the output division is necessary (whether the number of printings of a plurality of print jobs exceeds the maximum number of cutting sheets of the cutting machine) and the output division is necessary. A adds an identification mark having a different form according to the combination of page images (including no identification mark) on a cutting line between page images adjacent in each of the horizontal and vertical directions.

  The determination unit 26 and the imposition unit 27 may be configured as hardware, or may be configured as an imposition printing control program that causes the control unit 21 to function as the determination unit 26 and the imposition unit 27. The control program may be executed by the CPU 21a.

  The storage unit 22 is configured of an HDD, an SSD, etc. A program for the CPU 21a to control each unit, a print job, image data of each page generated from the print job, a plurality of page images, cutting lines and identification marks It stores the arranged print image data and the like.

  The RIP unit 23 is configured by an image processing ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like, and develops each page of the print job acquired from the client terminal 10 into a bit map to generate raster data, and generates raster data as necessary. Screening and image processing to generate image data of each page.

  The network I / F unit 24 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, connects the controller 20 to the communication network 40, and receives a print job and the like from the client terminal 10. The printer I / F unit 25 is a dedicated interface for connecting to the image forming apparatus 30, and transmits print image data and the like to the image forming apparatus 30.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 30 is a printer, an MFP, or the like, and as shown in FIG. 7, includes a control unit 31, a controller I / F unit 32, a panel operation unit 33, a printing unit (engine) 34 and the like.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU 31a and memories such as a ROM 31b and a RAM 31c. The CPU 31a controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 30 by expanding a control program stored in the ROM 31b into the RAM 31c and executing it.

  The controller I / F unit 32 is a dedicated interface for connecting to the controller 20, and receives print image data and the like from the controller 20.

  The panel operation unit 33 is a touch panel or the like in which a touch sensor consisting of transparent electrodes in a lattice form is formed on a display unit such as an LCD, and displays various screens related to printing and enables various operations related to printing.

  The print unit 34 is an engine that executes print processing based on print image data. Specifically, light corresponding to the image is irradiated from the exposure device to the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device to form an electrostatic latent image, and the charged toner is attached and developed by the developing device. The image is primarily transferred to a transfer belt, secondarily transferred from the transfer belt to a sheet, and a fixing device performs processing for fixing a toner image on the sheet.

  FIGS. 2 to 7 show an example of the printing system of this embodiment, and if the printing process is possible based on print image data generated by gating a plurality of print jobs, the configuration and control of each device are It can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, although in the above description, the control unit 21 of the controller 20 operating as an image processing apparatus that generates print image data is configured to function as the determination unit 26 and the imposition unit 27, the client terminal 10 operates as an image processing apparatus In this case, the control unit 11 of the client terminal 10 may function as a determination unit and an imposition unit (allowing the CPU 11a to execute an imposition print control program), or the image forming apparatus 30 operates as an image processing apparatus. In this case, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 may be configured to function as a determination unit and an imposition unit (make the CPU 31a execute an imposition printing control program).

  Next, the imposition printing control method in the controller 20 of the present embodiment will be described. The CPU 21a executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 by expanding the imposition printing control program stored in the ROM 21b or the storage unit 22 in the RAM 21c and executing the program.

  First, when a plurality of print jobs are input from one or a plurality of client terminals 10, the control unit 21 (determination unit 26) of the controller 20 extracts a plurality of print jobs which can be ganned from them (S101) ). Specifically, print jobs are extracted which can be equally divided within a sheet, and the cutting position is the same for each sheet.

  When a plurality of print jobs capable of ganning are extracted (Yes in S102), the control unit 21 (determination unit 26) determines the ganning method based on the number of pages of each print job (S103). Specifically, when the number of pages of a plurality of print jobs is the same or the difference between the number of pages is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the fork insertion is selected, and the difference in the number of pages of the plurality of print jobs has a predetermined threshold If it exceeds, the normal imposition is selected.

  When the forgery imposition is selected as the ganning method (Yes in S104), the RIP unit 23 rasterizes each page of each print job to generate a page image, and the control unit 21 (imposition unit 27) Implement fork imposition and draw a cutting line (S105). Specifically, when 4 print jobs are to be inserted by 4 in 1, the nth page of the first print job is arranged at the upper left of the n (n is a positive number of 1 or more) sheet and the upper right The nth page of the second print job is arranged in the second print job, the nth page of the third print job is arranged in the lower left, and the nth page of the fourth print job is arranged in the lower right. Then, a cutting line (a cross mark, a T-shaped mark, or an L-shaped mark) may be drawn to equally divide the left and right and upper and lower sides of the sheet into two. That is, a cutting line is added to a print image in which page images of four print jobs are arranged.

  After that, the control unit 21 (imposition unit 27) determines whether output division is necessary (S106). For example, if the number of sheets on which page images of a plurality of print jobs are printed exceeds the maximum number of cut sheets of the cutting machine, it is determined that output division is necessary. If it is determined that output division is necessary, the control unit 21 (imposition unit 27) draws an identification mark on the cutting line (adds it to the print image) (S107), and the page image of the print job and the cutting line The print image data including the identification mark is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 to instruct printing (S110). If the output division is not necessary (can be cut at one time by a cutting machine), the final printed matter is produced in the state of being cut by a cutting machine (it is not necessary to sort the output divided print after cutting). There is no need to do this, and print image data consisting of a page image of a print job and a cutting line is sent to the image forming apparatus 30 to instruct printing (S110).

  On the other hand, when normal imposition is selected as the ganning method (No in S104), the RIP unit 23 rasterizes each page of each print job to generate a page image, and the control unit 21 (imposition unit 27) Normally, imposition is performed, a cutting line is drawn, and the page image of the adjacent same print job is reversed (S108). Specifically, when a print job consisting of 4n pages (n is a positive number of 1 or more) is normally imposed in 4in1, 1 to n pages of the print job are arranged on the upper left of the 1st to nth sheets, The n + 1 to 2n pages of the print job are arranged upside down on the upper right, the 2n + 1 to 3n pages of the print job are arranged on the lower left, and the 3n + 1 to 4n pages of the print job are arranged upside down on the lower right. Alternatively, arrange the 1 to n pages of the print job on the upper left of the 1st to nth sheets, arrange the n + 1 to 2 n pages of the print job on the upper right, and turn the 2 n + 1 to 3 n pages of the print job upside down on the lower left Arrange, and in the lower right, arrange the 3n + 1 to 4n pages of the print job upside down. Then, a cutting line (a cross mark, a T-shaped mark, or an L-shaped mark) may be drawn to equally divide the left and right and upper and lower sides of the sheet into two. That is, a cutting line is added to a print image in which four page images of each print job are arranged.

  Thereafter, the control unit 21 (imposition unit 27) draws an identification mark on the cutting line (adds it to the print image) (S109), and prints the print image data including the page image of the print job, the cutting line and the identification mark It transmits to the forming apparatus 30 and instructs printing (S110).

  When receiving the print image data from the controller 20, the image forming apparatus 30 implements imposition printing based on the print image data. Then, the user sets a printed sheet on the cutting machine, cuts the sheet along the cutting line, and if an identification mark is added, sorts the sheet bundle with reference to the identification mark. , The final printed matter is completed.

  Hereinafter, the imposition printing control of the present embodiment will be specifically described by being divided into the raking imposition and the normal imposition.

[Forgery imposition]
FIG. 9 shows an example in which four print jobs (print jobs A to D) are subjected to the 4 in 1 insertion. The page images of the print jobs A to D are disposed on the upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right of the sheet 50, respectively, and divide the sheet 50 into four equal vertical and horizontal cutting lines 51 (here, broken lines) The cutting line of) is printed. Furthermore, the identification mark 52 is printed on the cutting line 51. Here, two rectangular identification marks 52 are printed between the page image of print job A (“A” in the figure) and the page image of print job B (“B” in the figure), and the print job is printed. One rectangular identification mark 52 is printed between the C page image ("C" in the figure) and the page image of the print job D ("D" in the figure). Also, two rectangular identification marks 52 are printed between the page image of print job A and the page image of print job C, and one between the page image of print job B and the page image of print job D. A rectangular identification mark 52 is printed.

  FIG. 10 shows a state in which a plurality of sheets 50 on which page images, cutting lines 51 and identification marks 52 are printed as shown in FIG. 9 are cut along the cutting lines 51. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the sheet bundle 53 of the print job A, two identification marks 52 can be visually recognized at the right end surface, and two identification marks 52 can be visually recognized at the lower end surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, in the sheet bundle 53 of the print job B, two identification marks 52 can be visually recognized in the left end face, and one identification mark 52 can be visually recognized in the lower end face. . Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, in the sheet bundle 53 of the print job C, two identification marks 52 can be visually recognized at the upper end surface, and one identification mark 52 can be visually recognized at the right end surface. . Further, as shown in FIG. 10D, in the sheet bundle 53 of the print job D, one identification mark 52 can be visually recognized on the upper end surface, and one identification mark 52 can be visually recognized on the left end surface. .

  As described above, since the identification marks 52 of different configurations can be visually recognized by the sheet bundle 53 of each print job, the sheet bundle 53 of each print job can be identified, and the output division is performed. Also, the stack of sheets 53 of the same print job can be loaded. The identification mark 52 may be left on the final printed matter, but may be cut in four directions after cutting along the cutting line 51. In this case, since the identification mark 52 can be finally removed, the quality of the final print can be prevented from being affected.

  In FIG. 9, a broken straight line is described as the cutting line 51. However, the cutting line 51 may be in any form as long as the cutting position can be confirmed by a cutting machine. For example, as shown in FIG. The trimming marks 51a such as T-shaped marks and L-shaped marks may be combined.

  Further, in FIG. 9, the number of identification marks 52 arranged between each print job in the left and right direction and the up and down direction is one or two. However, the identification mark 52 is arranged between each print job in the left and right direction and the up and down direction. The configuration of the identification mark 52 may be different. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, the number of identification marks 52 disposed between print jobs may be zero or one. Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the length, width, and shape (here, the length) are changed without changing the number of identification marks 52 arranged between print jobs in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. You may

  Further, in FIG. 9, the center of the identification mark 52 is disposed so as to overlap the cutting line 51 (that is, the identification mark 52 is laterally symmetrical or vertically symmetrical on the cutting line 51). As shown in FIG. 5, the identification mark 52 may be asymmetric on the cutting line 51 in the lateral or vertical direction. In this case, by checking the shape (here, the width) of the identification mark 52 on the sheet 50 on the top surface of the sheet bundle 53, it can be determined which sheet bundle 53 of which print job.

  9 and 11, although the 4 in 1 weft imposition has been described, the 6 in 1 weft imposition as shown in FIG. 12 (a) and the 9 in 1 weir as shown in FIG. 12 (b) Even in the case of imposition, the sheet bundle 53 of each print job can be identified if the configuration of the identification mark 52 arranged between the print jobs in the left and right direction and the up and down direction is different, and the output is divided Even in this case, the stack of sheets 53 of the same print job can be stacked. In the case of 2 in 1, there is one time between each print job, and the configuration of the identification mark 52 can not be changed, but for impositions other than 2 in 1 (4 in 1, 6 in 1, 9 in 1, 12 in 1, etc.) The imposition printing control of this embodiment can be applied similarly.

[Normal Imposition]
FIG. 13 shows an example in the case where two print jobs (print jobs A and B) are normally imposed at 4 in 1. The page images of the print job A or B are disposed at the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of each sheet 50, and the upper right and lower right page images are arranged upside down. In addition, two vertical and horizontal cutting lines 51 (in this case, broken lines 51 and L-shaped cutting marks 51a) for dividing the sheet 50 into four equal parts are printed, and identification marks on the cutting lines 51 are further provided. 52 is printed. Here, one rectangular identification mark 52 is printed between the upper left page image and the upper right page image and between the lower left page image and the lower right page image, and the upper right page image is printed. A rectangular identification mark 52 is printed between the and the lower right page image.

  FIG. 14 shows a state in which a plurality of sheets 50 on which page images, cutting lines 51 and identification marks 52 are printed as shown in FIG. 13 are cut along the cutting lines 51. As shown in FIG. 14A, in the upper left sheet bundle 53, one identification mark 52 can be visually recognized at the right end face. Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, in the sheet bundle 53 at the upper right, one identification mark 52 can be visually recognized at the right end face and the upper end face. Further, as shown in FIG. 14C, in the sheet bundle 53 at the lower left, one identification mark 52 can be visually recognized at the right end face. Further, as shown in FIG. 14D, in the sheet bundle 53 at the lower right, one identification mark 52 can be visually recognized at the right end face and the lower end face.

  FIG. 15 shows a state in which the four sheet bundles 53 of FIG. 14 are superimposed. As described above, since the identification mark 52 is disposed at the same position (here, the right end face of the page image) in each sheet bundle 53, the sheet bundle 53 is superimposed on the identification mark 52 as a reference. The final printed matter can be easily created.

  In FIG. 13, the identification mark 52 of the same form is arranged at the same position for both print jobs A and B, but the form (for example, width, length, shape) of the identification mark 52 according to the print job to be imposed. The print job can be specified based on the identification mark 52 by changing the color, color, etc.).

  Further, when the identification mark 52 is printed as shown in FIG. 13, since the identification mark 52 having the same shape is disposed at the same position (here, the right end face), the sheet bundle 53 at the upper left and the sheet bundle 53 at the lower left When only the mark 52 is used, the stack of sheets 53 may be loaded upside down or the loading order may be incorrect. In such a case, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the form of the identification mark 52 (for example, between the upper left page image and the upper right page image, and between the lower left page image and the lower right page image) By changing the number, length, width, shape, color, etc. (here, the number), it is possible to specify which sheet bundle 53 is used.

  Further, in order to make it possible to determine the loading order more intuitively, it is also possible to add, to the identification mark 52, information enabling identification of the loading order. In the case where page images are arranged in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, a cutting line 51 is placed on the identification mark 52 arranged between the upper left page image and the upper right page image. Of the lower left page image and the lower right page image are added to the identification mark 52 placed between the upper right page image and the lower right page image. Three lines crossing the cutting line 51 can be added to the identification mark 52 placed between them. In this case, in the sheet bundle 53 disposed at the top, one line can be visually recognized at the right end surface, and in the sheet bundle 53 disposed second, the one line at the right end surface and the two lines at the upper end surface In the third sheet bundle 53, three lines can be visually recognized at the right end face and two lines can be visually recognized at the lower end face, and in the fourth sheet bundle 53, three lines can be visually recognized at the right end face Therefore, the loading order can be easily determined by the number.

  Further, in FIG. 13, by arranging the upper right page image and the lower right page image upside down, the identification mark 52 is arranged on the same side (the right end surface in FIG. 13) of each page image. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the lower left page image and the lower right page image are arranged upside down, and between the upper left page image and the lower left page image and the upper right page image The identification mark 52 of the same form may be arranged between the lower right page image and the lower right page image. In this case, since the identification mark 52 is disposed on the lower end face of each page image, the final printed matter can be easily created by overlapping the sheet bundle 53 on the basis of the identification mark 52.

  Further, as in the case of the fork imposition, also in the normal imposition, the cutting line 51 may be in any form as long as the cutting position can be confirmed by the cutting machine, for example, a cutting mark such as cross mark, T character mark, L character mark It is good also as composition which combined 51a. In addition, the identification mark 52 may be disposed on the cutting line 51 so as to be asymmetric left and right or up and down. Moreover, although FIG. 13, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 described normal imposition of 4 in 1, imposition of this embodiment is applied to imposition (4 in 1, 6 in 1, 9 in 1, 12 in 1, etc.) other than 2 in 1 Print control can be applied as well.

  As described above, in ganning in which a plurality of print jobs are imposed, the type (normally imposition or skewed imposition) is switched according to the type (the number of pages) of the print job to be ganned, and the type of ganning is selected. Accordingly, by arranging the identification mark 52 for making it easy to recognize the loading order (specify the imposition position) on the cutting line, sorting after cutting can be easily performed. In addition, the identification mark 52 is disposed on each of the horizontal cutting line and the vertical cutting line, and the form (quantity, length, width, shape, color, etc.) of the identification mark 52 is changed according to the position. , It is easy to sort after cutting.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration and control can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, although the identification mark 52 has a rectangular shape in the above embodiment, the shape of the identification mark 52 is arbitrary, and any polygon (for example, triangle) or a special shape (for example, a star or circle) And so on.

  The present invention relates to a printing system for cutting imposed sheets and sorting them to produce the final printed matter, an imposition printing control program operating in the printing system, a recording medium recording the imposition printing control program, and the printing system Can be used for the imposition printing control method in

10 client terminal 11 control unit 11a CPU
11b ROM
11c RAM
12 storage unit 13 network I / F unit 14 display unit 15 operation unit 16 OS
17 Document Creation Application 18 Printer Driver 20 Controller 21 Controller 21a CPU
21b ROM
21c RAM
22 storage unit 23 RIP unit 24 network I / F unit 25 printer I / F unit 26 determination unit 27 imposition unit 27 a image placement unit 27 b cutting line addition unit 27 c identification mark addition unit 30 image forming apparatus 31 control unit 31 a CPU
31b ROM
31c RAM
32 controller I / F unit 33 panel operation unit 34 printing unit 40 communication network 50 sheet 51 cutting line 51a cutting mark 52 identification mark 53 sheet bundle

Claims (24)

An image processing apparatus that generates print image data to be printed by an engine based on a print job, the image processing apparatus comprising:
A determination unit that extracts a plurality of print jobs that can be imposed at once from among the acquired print jobs, and determines an imposition method based on the plurality of print jobs;
An imposition for generating print image data in which a page image of the print job, a cutting line specifying a cutting position by a cutting machine, and an identification mark enabling identification of an imposition position of the page image are generated and output to the engine With the department,
The imposition unit arranges at least one identification mark on the cutting line in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction according to the determined imposition method.
An image processing apparatus characterized by The determination unit performs a first imposition method in which the same page of the plurality of print jobs is imposed on the same sheet based on the number of pages of each print job, or each print job of the respective print job Select a second imposition method for imposing multiple pages,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, When the first imposition method is selected, the imposition unit is configured in accordance with a combination of page images on the cutting line between page images adjacent in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Add different identification marks,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The imposition unit determines whether the number of printed sheets of the plurality of print jobs exceeds the maximum number of cut sheets of the cutting machine, and adds the identification mark when the number of printed sheets exceeds the maximum number of cut sheets.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the imposition unit, when the second imposition method is selected, the page images adjacent to each other in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are arranged upside down with each other, and the pages are arranged upside down with each other. The identification mark of the same form is added on the cutting line between the images, and on the cutting line between the page images adjacent in the other direction of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction according to the combination of the page images Add the identification mark of different form,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The imposition unit adds, to the identification mark arranged on the cutting line in at least one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, information that makes it possible to identify the stacking order of the sheet bundle after cutting.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The form of the identification mark is at least one selected from among quantity, length, width, shape, and color.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The imposition unit places the identification mark on the cutting line at an asymmetric position with respect to the cutting line.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: An imposition print control program that operates on an image processing apparatus that generates print image data to be printed by an engine based on a print job.
In the image processing apparatus,
A first process of extracting a plurality of print jobs that can be imposed at once from the acquired print jobs, and determining an imposition method based on the plurality of print jobs.
A second process of generating print image data in which a page image of the print job, a cutting line specifying a cutting position by a cutting machine, and an identification mark enabling identification of an imposition position of the page image are arranged;
Executing a third process of outputting the print image data to the engine;
In the second process, at least one of the identification marks is arranged on the cutting line in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction according to the determined imposition method.
An imposition printing control program characterized in that. In the first process, a first imposition method of imposing the same page of the plurality of print jobs on the same sheet based on the number of pages of each print job, or each print job on each sheet Select a second imposition method for imposing multiple pages of
An imposition printing control program according to claim 9, characterized in that. In the second process, when the first imposition method is selected, a form different for each combination of page images is displayed on the cutting line between page images adjacent in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Add the identification mark,
The imposition printing control program according to claim 10, characterized in that: In the second process, it is determined whether the number of printed sheets of the plurality of print jobs exceeds the maximum number of cut sheets of the cutting machine, and when the number of printed sheets exceeds the maximum number of cut sheets, the identification mark is added.
The imposition printing control program according to claim 11, characterized in that: In the second process, when the second imposition method is selected, the page images adjacent in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are arranged upside down with each other, and the pages are arranged upside down with each other The identification mark of the same form is added on the cutting line between the images, and on the cutting line between the page images adjacent in the other horizontal and vertical directions, for each combination of page images. Add different forms of the identification mark,
The imposition printing control program according to claim 10, characterized in that: In the second process, information for making it possible to identify the stacking order of the sheet bundle after cutting is added to the identification mark arranged on the cutting line in at least one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.
An imposition printing control program according to claim 13, characterized in that. The form of the identification mark is at least one selected from among quantity, length, width, shape, and color.
The imposition printing control program according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that: In the second process, the identification mark on the cutting line is arranged at an asymmetric position with respect to the cutting line.
An imposition printing control program according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that. An imposition print control method in a printing system including an image processing apparatus that generates print image data to be printed by an engine based on a print job.
The image processing apparatus is
A first process of extracting a plurality of print jobs that can be imposed at once from the acquired print jobs, and determining an imposition method based on the plurality of print jobs;
A second process of generating print image data in which a page image of the print job, a cutting line specifying a cutting position by a cutting machine, and an identification mark enabling specification of an imposition position of the page image are arranged;
Executing a third process of outputting the print image data to the engine;
In the second process, at least one of the identification marks is arranged on the cutting line in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction according to the determined imposition method.
An imposition printing control method characterized in that. In the first process, a first imposition method of imposing the same page of the plurality of print jobs on the same sheet based on the number of pages of each print job, or each print job on each sheet Select a second imposition method for imposing multiple pages of
The imposition printing control method according to claim 17, characterized in that: In the second process, when the first imposition method is selected, a form different for each combination of page images is displayed on the cutting line between page images adjacent in each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Add the identification mark,
An imposition printing control method according to claim 18, characterized in that. In the second process, it is determined whether the number of printed sheets of the plurality of print jobs exceeds the maximum number of cut sheets of the cutting machine, and when the number of printed sheets exceeds the maximum number of cut sheets, the identification mark is added.
The imposition printing control method according to claim 19, characterized in that: In the second process, when the second imposition method is selected, the page images adjacent in one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction are arranged upside down with each other, and the pages are arranged upside down with each other The identification mark of the same form is added on the cutting line between the images, and on the cutting line between the page images adjacent in the other horizontal and vertical directions, for each combination of page images. Add different forms of the identification mark,
An imposition printing control method according to claim 18, characterized in that. In the second process, information for making it possible to identify the stacking order of the sheet bundle after cutting is added to the identification mark arranged on the cutting line in at least one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.
An imposition printing control method according to claim 21, characterized in that. The form of the identification mark is at least one selected from among quantity, length, width, shape, and color.
The imposition printing control method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that: In the second process, the identification mark on the cutting line is arranged at an asymmetric position with respect to the cutting line.
An imposition printing control method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that:

Images