JPH0566549A - Signboard output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To output a signboard datum with an image datum so as to enhance the efficiency of work for making a plate film, and to prevent the capacity of a storage device from increasing in that case. CONSTITUTION:The output feasible size of an output machine 1000 and a plate size are inputted, and the size of signboard data arranging area is calculated based on the sizes. The signboard datum is previously registered in a magnetic disk device, etc. The signboard datum is specified, read out and disposed in the signboard data arranging area. Meanwhile, the image datum is disposed in the effective area of the plate size according to layout datum. The image datum which has been already laid out and the signboard datum which has been already arranged are outputted to the output machine 1000 and the data are simultaneously outputted to the film in the case of making the plate film.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signboard output device, and more particularly to a signboard output device including a layout scanner capable of laying out and outputting signboard data together with image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a plate making process, an image such as a photograph is laid out using a layout scanner and a plate making film is made using an output machine. That is, in the layout scanner, the image data (gradation image data, binary image data) is input by the flatbed scanner, and the layout data for this image data is input by a magnetic disk or the like. Then, the layout is performed based on the layout data while displaying the input image data on the monitor. Normally, gradation image data such as photographs are laid out separately from binary image data such as characters and line drawings, but these gradation image data and binary image data are of the same size (plate-making) in the same area. Since it is composed of size data, superimposition processing is possible.

The conventional work for making a plate-making film will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. First, parameters such as coordinates of a layout frame, which is layout data, are input (S71), and then a gradation image such as a photograph is input. Data is created (S72), and binary image data such as characters and line drawings is created (S73). Further, the gradation image data and the binary image data are superimposed and output on the monitor (S74) to perform layout. That is, the image data is laid out and created in an effective area determined by the plate making size which is the finished size of the printed matter. On the other hand, the signboard data which is the data outside the effective area is created by a device other than the layout scanner (S75). In normal printing, a printing paper of the same size as the finished size is not used, but a margin portion generated for the finished size is provided and cut in a subsequent processing step. Various signboard data, which will be described later, are printed in this margin portion, that is, outside the effective area,
It facilitates work in post-processes and is used for inspection of print quality. The signboard data which is the data outside the effective area is, for example, a register mark (for confirming whether or not each color is in register when performing multicolor printing), an item column (enter the item name of the printed matter). Column), colored balls (indicating what color the printed matter is, and marked by the number of printing colors), page number (page number after binding), temporary page number (page number in signature unit) , Printing method display,
Printing history (For example, we made corrections according to customer instructions,
There are a so-called re-school display, a so-called perfect stencil display in which character data normally handled by CTS or the like is laid out in the layout scanner), a display indicating a double-page spread, and the like. This signboard data is printed on a film separately from the plate-making film and prepared as a signboard. A plate-making film containing the image data thus created is output by an output machine, and the film of the signboard is manually attached to the outside of the effective area of the plate-making film (S76). After merging the data outside the effective area with the data inside the effective area in this way, the final data (plate making film) is completed (S77). Then, printing is performed by printing the image of the plate-making film on a printing plate such as a PS plate.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional layout scanner, only the image data laid out (data within the effective area) is output to the plate-making film, and the sign-making film is effective for the plate-making film. It was necessary for an operator to manually attach the film outside the frame of the area (the edge of the plate-making film). In other words, this signboard is different for each item and type for which plate making is performed, and must be appropriately arranged so that all of them are placed outside the frame of the effective area. Therefore, an operator produces a signboard film separately from the platemaking film and attaches the signboard film to a vacant position outside the effective area of the platemaking film by a manual attaching operation. As a result, there is a problem that the work efficiency for completing the plate-making film is low.

Further, it is conceivable that the signboard data outside the effective area is recognized as image data in the same manner as the data within the effective area and the layout scanner performs the processing. Then, the layout scanner can process a large amount of data. It has to be stored and processed, the capacity of the storage device must be greatly increased, and the processing speed becomes slow.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a signboard output device in which the manual sticking work of the signboard is eliminated and the processing efficiency of the plate-making film is improved without increasing the capacity of the storage device.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an image data input means for inputting image data, a layout data input means for inputting layout data for this image data, and an area where an output device can output as image data. Output size input means for inputting the size of the plate, effective area designating means for designating the platemaking size of the platemaking data output by this output machine, signboard designating means for designating the signboard data to be output together with the image data, and the above-mentioned output possible A signboard arrangement area calculation means for calculating the size of the area where this signboard is arranged based on the size of the area and the plate making size, signboard data registration means for holding various signboard data, and the signboard specified by the signboard designating means Read the data from the signboard data registration means, and put this signboard data in the signboard placement area. Signboard data placement means for placing the image data, image layout means for laying out the image data input by the image data input means in the effective area based on the layout data, image data laid out by the image layout means, and A signboard output device comprising: output means for outputting the signboard data arranged by the signboard data arranging means to an output machine.

[0008]

In the signboard output device according to the present invention, image data and layout data are input. In addition, the size of the area that the output device can output as image data is input. Then, the plate making size of the plate making data output by this output machine is designated. Furthermore, necessary signboard data is specified. As a result, the size of the area in which the signboard data is arranged is calculated based on the size of the printable area and the plate-making size. Then, the designated signboard data is read and the signboard data is placed in the signboard placement area. On the other hand, based on the layout data and the plate making size, the image data is laid out in an effective area determined by the plate making size. The laid out image data and the signboard data are output to the output device. Therefore, in the output area of the output machine, the image data laid out in the effective area and the designated signboard data in the signboard arrangement area outside the effective area are respectively arranged.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the signboard output device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, this signboard output device is
The image data and the signboard data are output via an output machine, and as the output machine, for example, a CRT, laser imaging, a color scanner or the like can be applied. The signboard output device includes image data input means 100 for inputting image data, and layout data input means 2 for inputting layout data for this image data.
00 and output size input means 300 for inputting the size of the area that the output machine can output as image data.
And an effective area designating unit 400 for designating the platemaking size of the platemaking data output by the output machine, and a signboard designating unit 500 for designating the signboard data to be output together with the image data. Image data input means 100
For example, flatbed scanner, word processor,
CTS (Computer Type Setting System) or the like is used. Also, the layout data input means 20
0, output size input means 300, effective area designation means 4
00 and the signboard designating means 500, an input device such as a digitizer, a keyboard, a mouse, or a magnetic disk device can be used. Therefore, the image data is input from the flatbed scanner, stored in the magneto-optical disk device or the like, and further displayed as an image on the monitor based on the layout data or the like read from the magnetic disk device, for example.

Further, this signboard output device calculates the size of the area (signboard placement area) in which the signboard data is placed based on the size of the outputtable area of the output machine and the plate making size. And signboard data registration means 700 for holding various kinds of signboard data (dragonfly, item column, colored balls, etc.), and the signboard designating means 500.
The signboard data designated by the signboard data registration means 7
00, and a layout of the signboard data arranging means 800 for arranging the signboard data in the signboard arranging area, and an image layout for laying out the image data input by the image data inputting means 100 in the effective area based on the layout data. Means 900 and image data laid out by the image layout means 900,
Also, output means 1000 for outputting the signboard data arranged by the signboard data arranging means 800 to the output machine.
And have. The signboard data registration means 700 is
For example, it is configured by a storage device such as a magnetic disk device, and the signboard data input by a flatbed scanner or the like is registered in advance and held so as to be readable. Also, other means 600, 800, 900, 1000
Is composed of, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main part of this signboard output device. As shown in this figure, image data input from the flatbed scanner 40 for inputting a mount, for example, gradation image data such as photographs, binary image data such as characters and line drawings, is processed by the layout scanner unit 20 (configured by a CPU or the like). Are laid out based on the layout data input from the parameter input unit 10 and stored in the effective area image data storage unit 60. Then, the signboard data stored in the signboard data storage unit 50 and the image data stored in the effective area image data storage unit 60 are input to the layout scanner unit 20, and these signboard data (outside effective area data) and The image data (data within the effective area) is simultaneously output from the output unit 30. Normally, the output unit 30 outputs to a plate-making film, but of course, as described above, it is also possible to output to a monitor, a printing paper, or a printing plate.

As the signboard data, as shown in FIG. 3, there are, for example, a register mark 1, an item column 2, a colored ball 3, and a quality confirmation scale 4, which are not shown in the figure but may be printed. There are method indications, spreads, reprints, page numbers, temporary page numbers, etc. As described above, the signboard data is input by the flatbed scanner section 40 and registered in the signboard data storage section 50 (magnetic disk device or the like). In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the color ball 3 is read by the flatbed scanner 40 as large size image data 3A. However, the color ball data 3 is represented by, for example, a quadrangle of 1 cm × 2 cm, and is four in the case of four-color printing. Therefore, the unnecessary portion of the image data 3A is deleted by the cutout processing, and for example, 1 cm × 1
It is assumed that the color ball data 3 having a small size of 0 cm is registered. The signboard data may also be input as font data or vector data.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the effective area 11
Examples of the type of image data arranged inside are a photograph 12, a flat screen 13, a gradation 14, a character 15 (binary image data), and the like. These image data 12 to 15
Also, as described above, the predetermined processing is performed in advance and is stored in the effective area image data storage unit 60. Then, each image data 12
Arrangement positions, sizes, etc. of 15 to 15 in the effective area 11 are determined.

Therefore, according to the signboard output device having the above configuration, the image data is stored in the effective area image data storage unit 60, and the signboard data is also subjected to the predetermined processing and stored in the signboard data storage unit 50. It has been done. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the effective area 11
(For example, 303 mm × 420 mm) is input (S61), and then the size of all the outputtable areas 16 of the output device (for example, a film size of 500 mm × 500 mm) is input (S62). As a result, the size outside the effective area is calculated based on these size data (S63). For example, the size of the printable area (signboard placement area 17) outside the effective area is 197 mm, 80 m
m.

Here, what signboard (signboard data) to be output is selected (S64). For example, colored ball data 3
When outputting to the area 17 outside this effective area, the color ball data 3 is read from the signboard data storage unit 50 which is signboard data registration means. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the outputtable position is determined so that the color ball data 3 is not output to the effective area 11 and is stored in the signboard placement area 17 (S65). For example, the color ball data 3 is changed from the vertical arrangement to the horizontal arrangement, and the effective area 1 shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the data is output and arranged in the area 17 on the upper right of 1. Then, temporarily arrange this colored ball data 3 and
For example, when displaying on a monitor, there is no problem with the specified signboard data being output to any position outside the effective area in normal work, so confirmation work is not necessary, but this signboard (signboard data) is needed as necessary. It is confirmed whether or not the arrangement is appropriate (S66). If it is not appropriate, the above-mentioned signboard selection (S64) is repeated. By confirming on the monitor in this way, the signboard data is displayed in the signboard placement area 17
It can also be arranged at an appropriate position.

When the arrangement position is confirmed, it is decided to output to that position (S67), and the signboard (colored ball data 3) is output at that position in the output machine. Further, in this case, the image data is also laid out based on the layout data and is simultaneously output to a predetermined position in the effective area 11. For such signboard data, the priority order of arrangement can be set in advance. For example, it is determined that the registration mark 1 will be output at a fixed position in the outputable area 16.
After determining the output position of, the output position of the colored ball data 3 and the like is determined. In addition, the history of processing for the image data and the content of the processing are stored,
The signboard data is selected based on this history and content, read from the signboard data storage unit 50, placed in an empty position outside the effective area (signboard placement area 17) (empty position after placement of registration marks, etc.), and output. You can also For example, if the image data is the second time to go to school, it is displayed as reprint, and if it is the third or more time to go to school, the color is changed and displayed as reprint, or characters and images are displayed separately. If all the processing including the input of characters is processed in the layout scanner without handling it, it will be displayed as a complete stencil.

Regarding the signboard data thus registered, if the signboard placement area 17 is small, the signboard data is automatically reduced and output, or an error message indicating that the output is impossible is displayed. However, the data may not be output.

[0019]

According to the present invention, the work efficiency of the plate making operation can be improved without increasing the capacity of the storage device. For example, the signboard data can be easily changed or placed at an arbitrary position.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a signboard output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a signboard output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an arrangement of image data and signboard data in an output possible area of the signboard output device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining generation of colored ball data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a case of deciding an arrangement position of signboard data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the signboard output device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a work of creating plate-making data by a conventional layout scanner.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 image data input means 200 layout data input means 300 effective area designation means 400 output size input means 500 signboard designation means 600 signboard placement area calculation means 700 signboard data registration means 800 signboard data placement means 900 image layout means 1000 output means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Suzuki 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image data input means for inputting image data, a layout data input means for inputting layout data for this image data, and an output size input for inputting a size of an area that an output machine can output as image data. Means, an effective area designating means for designating the platemaking size of the platemaking data output by this output machine, a signboard designating means for designating signboard data to be output together with the image data, based on the size of the printable area and the platemaking size A signboard placement area calculation means for calculating the size of the area where the lever signs are placed, a signboard data registration means for holding various signboard data, and the signboard data specified by the signboard specifying means is read from the signboard data registration means. , This signboard data distribution to place this signboard data in the signboard placement area Means, an image layout means for laying out the image data input by the image data input means in the effective area based on the layout data, the image data laid out by the image layout means, and the signboard data arranging means An output device that outputs the signboard data arranged by the above to an output machine.