JPH09204279A - Method for generating proof output of job and method for generating hard copy output of job - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide optimum image quality in the generation of plural printing sets by generating the plural proof outputs of a job before generating the plural printing sets. SOLUTION: This method is provided with a step (a) for indicating one of change outputs (job outputs) for which the change output corresponds to a first value in the job ticket value of a first set, the step (b) for referring to the value of the job ticket value of the first set and generating the first proof output of a part of the job, the step (c) for programming a printing system so as to automatically change the first value to a second value after the step (b) and generating the job ticket value of a second set, the step (d) for automatically changing the first value to the second value after the step (b) and obtaining the job ticket value of the second set and the step (e) for referring to the value of the job ticket value of the second set and generating the second proof output of the part of the job.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the technology of printing systems capable of printing multiple print sets from pre-stored electronic jobs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of generating a multiple page proof set of an electronic job prior to generating multiple print sets to facilitate the generation of multiple print sets.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION To proof a job, it is desirable to determine the effect of multiple image processing operations on an image portion. Electronic printing systems capable of such proofing are disclosed in the following patents.

US Pat. No. 4,941,057 discloses an image processing structure that allows many image processing techniques to be tested at one time on a single sample sheet or proof page. A sample segment of the image for testing is selected,
The sample output is continuously repeated for the number of image processing techniques tested. The proof page is printed on the printer and the output of the proof page is indicative of system operation using the desired image processing technology.

US Pat. No. 4,979,031 discloses a digital copy machine including a mosaic monitor mode in which image data corresponding to a partial area of an original is stored in memory. Next, the image data is repeatedly read from the memory, a plurality of images of partial areas subjected to different color adjustments are formed on the recording medium, and a mosaic monitor image is formed.

All the relevant parts of the above patent are incorporated by reference,
It is part of the description of the invention.

[0006]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention US Pat. No. 4,94
The structures of 1,057 and 4,979,031 of US Pat. No. 4,164,842 are advantageous in that they have the effect of changing the control characteristics without iteratively reprogramming the proof job. It seems to offer a more versatile style of proof than construction. However, the structures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,941,057 and 4,979,031 evaluate image and / or finish quality because they only exhibit the effect of modifying properties on a partial page. Seems not optimal for. In particular, processing and outputting partial page portions is suitable for certain image processing operations such as contrast operations.

On the other hand, the effects of other types of image processing and / or finishing operations on a job cannot be fully evaluated without proofing all pages of the job. For example, without proofing various page outputs, it is difficult to fully appreciate the impact of scaling changes on a given page. U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,
Compared to the 057 and 4,979,031 compact proofing systems, it is relatively costly to proof an entire page to assess image and / or finish quality, eg in print shop settings. Thus, in situations where the risk of getting poor image / finish quality is unacceptable, proofing the entire page in this way is less expensive. It is desirable to provide a method of selectively proofing jobs having a series of sets, each set containing at least one page, and the effect of changing a single control characteristic or output characteristic can be seen throughout the set.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for generating multiple print sets from a job having multiple pages for use in a printing system. A print set is generated using a printing machine, the printing system including a user interface having a screen display to program a job ticket having a plurality of job output features. Each of the plurality of job output features is associated with a programmed value in the first set of job ticket values. This method can generate multiple proof outputs of the job before generating multiple print sets, facilitating obtaining optimum image quality in generating multiple print sets. The method includes a) indicating one of the job output features as a modified output feature, the one modified output feature corresponding to a first value in the first set of job ticket values, and b) a first value. Generating a first proof output of a portion of the job by referencing a value of the set of job ticket values, the first proof output being the first
Including at least one complete page on which the image is placed and the appearance of the image of the at least one complete page that varies as a function of the first page value, c) after the step b, the first value being the second value To print the second set of job ticket values to automatically change the first value to the second value after performing step b). To obtain a second set of job ticket values, and e) generating a second proof output for that portion of the job with reference to the values of the second set of job ticket values. The output is characterized in that it comprises at least one complete page in which the second image is arranged and the appearance of the second image which varies as a function of the second value.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of generating multiple print sets from a job having multiple pages for use in a printing system. A print set is generated using a printing machine, the printing system including a user interface having a screen display to program a job ticket having a plurality of job output features. Each of the plurality of job output features is associated with a programmed value in the first set of job ticket values. This method can generate hardcopy output from the job prior to generating multiple print sets, facilitating obtaining optimal stock quality in generating multiple print sets. This method
a) including the step of indicating one of the job output features as a modified output feature, the one modified output corresponding to a first value in the first set of job ticket values, the first value being a first part of the job. 1st used to generate one hardcopy output
Showing stock features, and b) generating a first hardcopy output of a portion of the job by referencing a value of the first set of job ticket values, the first hardcopy output being indicated by the first value. C) including at least one complete hardcopy page generated according to the stock feature, c) a second value after the first step b)
Programming the printing system to automatically change to a value to create a second set of job ticket values, the second value being used to generate a second hardcopy output of a portion of the job. 2 stock features,
d) including the step of automatically changing the first value to the second value after performing the step b to obtain the second set of job ticket values, and e) referencing the value of the second set of job ticket values Generating a second hardcopy output for that portion of the job, the second hardcopy output including at least one complete hardcopy page generated according to the stock feature indicated by the second value, f) outputting the first hardcopy output and the second hardcopy output at an output device, and comparing the first hardcopy output with the second hardcopy output.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for generating multiple print sets from a job having multiple pages for use in a printing system. A print set is generated using a printing machine, the printing system including a user interface having a screen display to program a job ticket having a plurality of job output features. Each of the plurality of job output features is associated with a programmed value in the first set of job ticket values. This method can produce a finished hardcopy output that represents a portion of the job prior to producing multiple print sets, facilitating optimal finish quality in multiple print set production. To do. The method includes a) presenting one of the job output features as a modified output feature, the one modified output feature corresponding to a first value in the first set of job ticket values, the first value being The first representing that part of the job
Shows a first finishing operation performed on the hardcopy output, b) including producing a first hardcopy according to a subset of the first set of job ticket values, and c) according to a finishing operation indicated by the first value. Including a step of finishing the first hardcopy output, and d) automatically changing the first value to a second value after performing the step c to obtain a second set of job ticket values. E) including producing a second hardcopy output according to a subset of the second set of job ticket values, and f) finishing the second hardcopy according to a finishing operation indicated by the second value. Is characterized by.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the description below. In reading the following description together with the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference will now be made to the drawings, in which like reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example of an image printing system 2 for processing print jobs in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown. For illustration purposes, the printing system 2 is divided into an image input section 4, a controller section 7, and a printer section 8. In the example shown, the image input section 4 has both remote and on-site image inputs so that the image printing system 2 can provide network, scanning, and printing services. A stand-alone printing system with on-site image input (ie scanner), controller and printer, remote input, controller,
And other system combinations such as network printing systems with printers, etc. may also be considered.

Although a particular printing system is shown and described, the present invention may be used with other types of printing systems. For example, the printer section 8 may use different printer types such as inkjet, ionography, thermal, photographic, and also electronic display systems such as CRTs, LCDs, LEDs and other image scanning / processing / processing. Recording system,
It may be combined with other signal transmission / reception / recording systems and the like.

In case of off-site (non-local) image input,
Image input section 4 is Ethernet [EtherNe
t (R)] connection, etc., to provide a network (NET) 5 with suitable communication channels such that image signals in the form of image signals or pixels are input to the system 2 and processed from one or more remote sources. You can Page description language of input image formation data (PD
If L) is different from the PDL used by the system 2, then suitable conversion means (not shown) are provided. Other remote sources of image data such as streaming tapes, floppy disks, video cameras, etc. may also be considered.

For on-site image input, the image input section 4 includes a document scanner section having a universal document handler (UDH) 35 that automatically and continuously arranges and positions multiple document sets for scanning. Have six. Scanner section 6
Comprises one or more linear photosensitive arrays 24 that reciprocate a scanning operation under the platen 20 to focus on linear segments of the platen 20 to scan a document thereon. Array 24, which may use charge-coupled device (CCD) technology or the like, provides image element signals or pixels that represent the scanned image, which processor 25
Is input and processed.

The processor 25 communicates with the controller section 7 and also includes a scanner system control 25a and an automatic gain control printed wiring board (AGCPWB).
25b and a processor 25c. AGCPWB2
5b converts the analog image signals output by array 24 into facsimile signals in digital form, and processor 25c stores and handles the images in the form and order required by controller section 7 to perform the programmed job. The digital image signal so that it can be processed. After processing, the image signal is output to the controller section 7. The image signal obtained from the network 5 is similarly input to the processor 25c.

Processor 25c also provides enhancements and changes to the image signal such as filtering, thresholding, screening, cropping, scaling, etc. After any changes and adjustments in the job program that affect these image processing parameters, the document must be rescanned to be modified as specified.

The printer section 8 includes a laser output printer (ROS) 87, a print module 95, a paper feed unit 107, a finisher 120, and a laser type printer having a printer system control 128. The ROS 87 has a two-beam laser having a beam that is modulated according to the content of the image signal input by the acousto-optic modulator, and a moving photoreceptor (for example, a photoreceptor) of the print module 95 by a rotating polygon.
Providing two imaging beams that are scanned across. Thus, each scan exposes two image lines on the photoreceptor to form an electrostatic latent image represented by the image signal input to the modulator.

The electrostatic latent image is developed and transferred to the print medium supplied by the paper feed unit 107. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the print medium may be any of the well-known supports that are capable of receiving an image;
It may include one selected from supports including vellum, glossy covered stock, film and the like. The print media can include any of a wide variety of sheet sizes, types, and colors, for which multiple media supply trays 110, 112, 114 (FIG. 1) are provided. The transferred image is permanently fixed or fixed, and the obtained printed matter is output to either the output tray 118 (FIG. 1) or the finisher 120. Finisher 12
0 is a binding machine for binding printed materials or binding them by stapling, a thermal binder for binding printed materials with an adhesive,
And / or a finishing selection unit for making cuts, perforations, saddle stitching, folding, decorations, and the like.

The printer system control 128 (FIG. 2), according to the job program parameters received from the system control 54 of the controller section 7 and from the signals internally obtained from the sensor,
It automatically and accurately controls all of the printer's functions and operations, as well as processing within the printer section 8. Printer system control signals are obtained and distributed via multiple printed wiring boards (PWBs) in a multiprocessor architecture characterized by multiple microprocessor controller cores, sequentially interconnected, and more input / output processing circuitry. PWB
Will be sequentially linked to. The controller section 7 is divided into an image input control 50, a user interface (UI) 52, a system control 54, a main memory 56, an image operation section 58, and an image output control 60 for the sake of explanation. Units 50, 5
4, 56, 58, 60 form a system commonly referred to as an "electronic subsystem (ESS)."

The scan image data input from the scanner section 6 to the controller section 7 is compressed by the compressor (COMP.) / Processor 51 of the image input control 50 and placed in the image file.
Image files representing different print jobs are temporarily stored in the system memory 61 (see FIG. 3) that holds the data and holds the transfer to the main memory 56 that holds the use.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the UI 52 includes an interactive touch screen 62, a keyboard 64,
And a combined operator controller comprising a mouse 66 /
Includes CRT display. The UI 52 provides an interface between the operator and the printing system 2, which allows the operator to program print jobs and other commands, as well as system operating information, visual document facsimile displays, programming information and icons, diagnostic information, and pictorial views. It is possible to obtain (pictorial drawings) and the like. Items displayed on the touch screen 62, such as files or icons, are indicated by touching the items displayed on the screen 62 with a finger or using a mouse 66 to point to a selected item with a cursor 67 (see FIG. 6). It is started by

The main memory 56 (FIG. 2) contains a plurality of hard disks 90-1, 90-2, which store machine operating system software, machine operating data, and scanned image data currently being processed.
90-3. When the compressed image data in main memory 56 requires further processing, or the data is U
This data is accessed in main memory 56 when it is requested to be displayed on the I52 touch screen 62 or when the data is needed by the printer section 8. If further processing beyond that provided by the processor 25 is required, this data is transferred to the image manipulation section 58, where the matching,
Additional processing steps such as preparation (document editing), decompression, rotation, etc. are performed. Following processing, the data may be returned to main memory 56, sent to UI 52 for display on touch screen 62, or sent to image output control 60.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3-5, the image data output to the image output control 60 is decompressed and prepared for printing by the image generation processor 86 consisting of PWBs 70-7, 70-8. Following this, P
Data is scanned into the scan line buffer (SLB) 1 by the dispatch processors 88 and 89 on the WB 70-9.
It is output to the printer section 8 via 39 (FIG. 2). The image data sent to printer section 8 for printing is typically purged from memory 56 to make room for new image data.

The control section 7 includes a plurality of printed wiring boards (PWB) 70 (FIGS. 3 to 5) and PW.
B70 is connected to each other and to the system memory 61 by a pair of memory buses 72 and 74. The memory controller 76 connects the system memory 61 to the buses 72 and 74. The PWB 70 includes a system processor PWB 70-1 having a plurality of system processors 78; and a low speed input / output (I / O) processor P having a UI communication controller 80 for transferring data to and from the UI 52.
WB 70-2; disk 90 of main memory 56-
1, 90-2, 90-3 or disks 90-1, 90
-2, 90-3, PWB having disk drive controller / processor 82 for transmitting data respectively
70-3, 70-4, 70-5 (the image compressor / processor 51 for compressing image data is a PWB 70-3
Above); PWB 70-6 with image manipulation processor of image manipulation section 58; printer section 8;
PWB 70-7, 70-8 having an image generation processor 86 for processing image data for printing by
A dispatch processor PWB 70-9 having dispatch processors 88, 89 for controlling data transmission to the printer section 8 and data transmission from the section 8; and a boot control arbitration scheduler PWB 70-10. .

Referring to FIG. 6, the job is programmed in a job program mode in which a job ticket 150 and a job scorecard 152 for programming the job are displayed on the touch screen 62. Job ticket 150 displays the various job selections available for programming, while job scorecard 152 displays the basic instructions for the system to print the job. Various job ticket types are provided by being accessed by the job type and ticket icon 157.

The job ticket 150 has three programming levels, called "Job Level", "Basic" and "Special", each of which is available in various levels. It has a set of icons for accessing the programming selection of. Each programming level has a scorecard 152 associated with it,
When a particular job level or a particular icon is activated, the appropriate scorecard is displayed on the touch screen 62.

As mentioned above, print jobs are scanned from a number of sources: jobs scanned using scanner 6 for printing; scans stored for later printing, and stored.
Jobs subsequently edited or added; remote scanned,
For example, it can be obtained from a job submitted to the system via the network 5 (FIG. 2); a job generated at a remote location and then submitted to the system for printing;

7 to 13 show techniques of a selective proofing process in which a plurality of proof sets are output based on an electronic job and at least a part of the electronic job is proofed. With particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 12, the system user accesses the screen display 62 (FIGS. 1 and 6) at step 200 to initiate the proofing process. First, the user has the first menu (see FIG. 7).
Step 201 and step 202) or a second menu (step 204 of FIG. 12) is provided. As partially shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first menu relates to processing that can be performed on the electronic image present in memory (FIG. 2), menu 2 is finisher (finishing). Device) that can be performed on multiple hardcopy pages. As described in more detail below, a stock feature (eg, stock type) is considered a finishing feature. See US Pat. No. 5,170,340, supra, for details regarding the structure and function of the finisher. Since the effect of the finishing parameters is not visible on the screen display, it is logical that the image proofing is done separately from the finishing proof.

First, assuming that menu 1 is selected (step 206), menu 1 ((A) of FIG. 9) is displayed on the screen display. Alternatively, in some examples, menu 1 selections may be provided by the dialog of FIG. As will be appreciated, the image processing features or characteristics displayed in menu 1 of FIG. 9A represent only some of the image processing characteristics provided for selection by the system user. For example, in addition to the features shown in Menu 1 as an example,
Image shift / rotation, cut and paste area (eg cropping
(cropping) range) and multiple image fitting (N
Image processing features such as up capability) are provided and are contemplated for use in this selective proofing process. For more information on cut and paste operations, see US Pat. No. 5,079,723 to Herceg et al., And for more information on multiple image fitting, US Pat. 191, 429 can be referred to.
In addition, the relevant portions of these patents are incorporated and made a part of the description of the text.

When the cursor 67 is used to indicate one of the selections in Menu 1 (FIG. 9A), step 208 displays the Output Features (OC) submenu. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the techniques of the preferred embodiments can be used to proof input and output features such as halftone control during image capture.
Referring to FIG. 10, an output feature submenu for reduction / enlargement is shown. Using the dialog of FIG. 6 and an output feature submenu such as that shown in FIG. 10, step 2.
The printing system 2 can be programmed to print multiple sets of one or more pages, where each page changes as a function of one of the output characteristics shown at 10 (step 210). In the preferred embodiment, the proof set of submenu selections is first generated in electronic form so that they can be displayed, printed, or transmitted to another printing system either by network or facsimile transmission. You can In the illustrated example of FIG. 7, the user is given the opportunity to display or print the generated output (steps 212, 214, and 216).

Following step 214 or step 216, a programmed set of electronic outputs is generated.
In one example, this generation is done by programming the set quantity to correspond to the setting number or range indicated in step 210. In the example of FIG. 10, this range includes three settings, namely 65%, 74%, and 78%, so the programmed amount is equal to three. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the three settings are
It is identified by selecting with the cursor 67 the appropriate one of the pre-provided sets. Further, the page number for each set is preferably set by the dialog of FIG. Regarding the procedure of the example in FIG.
The number of pages in each set is typically less than the number programmed into the actual printing of the output set for the customer. This is because the effect of a single output feature setting on image quality can often be seen on a single output page.

In the example of FIG. 10, the first output feature (eg 78% reduction) using pre-programmed page quality.
Electronically generating a first set having a second output feature (eg 74
%) Is electronically generated, and the generation routine is performed using well-known software programming techniques. In another example, the output features include a cut and paste area or the number of image copies placed on a single page.

If the user wishes to print the set (step 214), Ludlow et al., US Pat. No. 5,412,483 (see relevant portion of this patent, incorporated herein by reference). ), The electronically generated set is printed. On the other hand, if the user wishes to display the set (step 216), the appropriate image data is obtained from the memory and the graphical user interface (FIG. 1) of FIG. GUI) 62 is displayed. It will be appreciated that in either step 214 or step 216 each output page of the set may be reduced and displayed or printed on a single page. This is because partial page portions are shown on a single output page, in the above-referenced US Pat. Nos. 4,941,057 and 4,979,0
It differs from the output of No. 31. Referring to FIG. 11, a display configuration for a proof page is shown showing the effect of changing the shrink percentage display across multiple sets.

In response to either step 214 or 216, the user indicates via step 220 whether the selection range of step 210 is appropriate. If appropriate, the system determines whether the user wishes to store the result of the current proof in an icon for future use in processing another job. If the user so desires, the icon is generated using conventional icon generation techniques (step 224) and thus stored for its intended future use. If the range is inadequate, the process returns to step 206 (FIG. 7) to provide the user with an opportunity to select another range of output feature settings. Otherwise, step 226
In (FIG. 8), the user reprograms the job so that it is used in the corresponding job ticket by selecting one of the samples stored in memory as a result of generating multiple sets. To do. More specifically, each set generated by the process of FIGS. 7 and 8 is associated with a set of job characteristic values that control the output of the job. Preferably, the selection in step 226 stores job characteristic values associated with the selected sample and discards job characteristic values associated with other generated jobs.

Referring to step 228 of FIG. 8, when the user finishes the proofing process, the printing system returns to other work, and when the proofing process is not finished, the user wants to access menu 1 or menu 2. You will be asked whether or not. For ease of explanation, assume that the user wants to perform another image quality related proof operation for the current job. In this situation, the user is asked if the next output feature should be applied to the set that reflects the previous proofing operation, or to discard the previous result.

If the proofing operations are to be performed cumulatively, the job characteristic values stored as a result of the selection in step 226 (FIG. 8) will be available for use in the processing of either step 214 or step 216. It is retained (step 234). Due to the cumulative proofing process,
It should be appreciated that the user can select an image with certain desired characteristics and then see the effect of another output feature on the previously selected output feature. For example, the user can obtain the image with the highest contrast and see the effect of scaling on the selected image.
Step 2 if proofing is not cumulative
36 (FIG. 7) provides a set of default or system characteristic values.

If the user wishes to access the second menu (menu 2 in FIG. 9B), menu 2 is displayed in step 204. As with Menu 1, the dialog of Figure 6 provides for the selection of Menu 2 as described above. After displaying menu 2 a subroutine similar to that defined by steps 232, 234, 236 is followed by steps 240, 2
42, 244. Menu 2 is "Finis
While showing options for "hing" (eg bookbinding and stitching) and "Media", the preferred menu 2 is, for example, fold marking,
Intended for a more specific form. Selecting a finishing output feature (step 246) causes an output feature submenu of the type shown in FIG. 13 to be displayed (step 248). The output feature submenu for stock is preferably based on the stock related dialogue found in Hube US Pat. No. 5,229,814, the relevant portions of which are incorporated by reference. .

With respect to selecting a range of finishing capabilities (step 250 in FIG. 12) in the interaction of the example of FIG. 13, more than one finishing operation is selected, such as stapling and bookbinding. It should be appreciated that in some examples two separate finishing operations may represent two different methods of stapling a set. Further, the range of capabilities may represent slight shifts in stitch position across multiple sets. Along with the range selection, it is preferable to select the set size through the dialog of FIG. 6, which provides a sample of the finished product. For example, if a substantial booklet is bound, it is not advisable to use a relatively small number of pages to assess the impact of the modified finishing features in multiple sets according to the job specifications.

Considering the possible operations selected in step 250, a plurality of sets are produced, each set having been finished according to one of the selected capabilities (step 252). Printing is required to simplify the finishing process when processing the operations of the second menu. Similarly, printing is required when assessing the impact of change stock. If the sample corresponding to the selected range of capacities is found to be incorrect (step 254), the process returns to step 246 for further selection. If the sample is suitable,
The user programs a job with finishing operations for the selected sample or capacity (step 25).
6) Get the opportunity to choose another proof operation (FIG. 7).

While the above technique has been shown in an electronic printing environment, it is used in a "light lens" based printing machine with a suitable user interface and operating system, such as the Xerox 5090 printing system. Those skilled in the art will understand that the same applies to. In one example, the technique involves identifying multiple settings, such as shrink / enlarge settings, and using an automatic document handler to automatically process a document sheet for each setting. That is, when the user selects a setting using the user interface to initiate system operation, the sheet is processed according to the first setting to produce a first copy having output characteristics that reflect the first setting, and the sheet is A second copy is produced that is processed according to the two settings and has output characteristics that reflect the second settings.
The same applies to the other settings that follow.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many features of the proofing process described above. First, proofing facilitates cost effectiveness in producing larger print jobs when printing of jobs with many larger sets with substandard image, stock or finish quality is unacceptable. This situation typically occurs in print shop settings where the job supplier must eliminate the situation where the output quality is inferior to the customer specified output quality.

Second, for some types of image processing operations, whole page-based proofs are preferred over partial page-based proofs. In particular, when viewing a given image processing operation, such as scaling, cropping an image, or making multiple copies of an image on the same page, seeing the results of the image processing operation on the entire page rather than a partial page. Turned out to be desirable.

Third, one or more output features can be overlaid on one or more other output features by a cumulative proof of the type described above. This is especially useful if the system user wants to see the effect of multiple output features on a single image.

Fourth, finishing / stock proofs of the type defined by the present invention cannot be obtained either by looking at partial images or simply printing a proof copy of the job. Provides a unique foam proof. While the prior art structure allows multiple sets to be printed in response to programming multiple job tickets, the proof structure of the present invention automatically generates one or more stock / finish related values as each proof set is generated. Multiple sets of proofs can be made by making changes.

Fifth, the technique of the present invention simplifies the workflow by reducing the proof program to a single application for future use. In some embodiments, the applications are conveniently accessed by icons provided by the printing system's user interface.

Finally, the techniques described above are adaptable to a variety of uses other than proofing. In particular, for example, this technique allows for changes in printing within a given set. That is, 1
One set can be printed to have prints with a wide range of output characteristics. In one approach, a set can be printed with multiple media and / or multiple highlight colors.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic printing system suitable for carrying out the proofing method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main elements of the printing system shown in FIG.

3 is a schematic block diagram showing main parts of a control section of the printing system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing main parts of a control section of the printing system shown in FIG. 1.

5 is a schematic block diagram showing main parts of a control section of the printing system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

6 shows a programming ticket and a job scorecard displayed on a user interface (UI) touch screen of the printing system shown in FIG. 1, the job ticket and the job scorecard being associated with the job to be printed. .

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process of proofing a job by changing image processing-related features across multiple sets, each set including one or more pages of the job.

FIG. 8 illustrates a process for proofing a job by changing image processing-related features across multiple sets, each set containing one or more pages of the job.

9A is a front view of a screen display on which a menu of image processing-related features is displayed, FIG.
(B) is a front view of a screen display on which a menu of finishing / stock-related features is displayed.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a screen display on which a submenu for setting a range of output feature values used for scaling multiple sets is displayed.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a screen display in which multiple pages with differently scaled images from multiple sets are displayed.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a process of proofing a job by changing finishing / stock-related features across multiple sets, each set containing one or more pages of the job.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a screen display with a submenu displayed for setting a range of output feature values used in finishing multiple sets.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 image printing system 4 image input section 6 document scanner section 7 controller section 8 printer section 25 processor 50 image input control 52 user interface 56 main memory 60 image output control 62 screen display (touch screen)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printing system for generating a plurality of print sets from a job containing a document having a plurality of pages, wherein a plurality of proof outputs of the job are generated before the plurality of print sets are generated to generate the plurality of print sets. A method that facilitates obtaining optimal image quality in the generation of
The print set is generated using a printing machine, the printing system including a user interface having a screen display for programming a job ticket having a plurality of job output features, each of the plurality of job output features being Associated with programmed values in a set of job ticket values, the method comprising the steps of: a) indicating one of the job output features as a modified output feature, the modified output feature of the first set Corresponding to a first value in the job ticket values of b), and b) generating a first proof output of a portion of the job by referencing the values of the first set of job ticket values, the first proof output comprising: , At least one complete page in which the first image is placed, and a small number that varies as a function of the first page value. And at least one complete page image appearance, and c) programming the printing system to automatically change the first value to the second value after the step b, and the second set of job ticket values. And d) automatically changing the first value to a second value after performing the step b to obtain a second set of job ticket values, and e) a second set of job ticket values. Generating a second proof output of the portion of the job with reference to the value of the job ticket value, the second proof output including at least one complete page having a second image disposed therein; And a second image appearance that varies as a function of binary value. 2. A printing system for generating a plurality of print sets from a job having a plurality of pages, wherein a hardcopy output is generated from the job before generating the plurality of print sets to generate the plurality of print sets. A method for facilitating obtaining optimum stock quality in a printing machine, wherein the printing set is generated using a printing machine, and the printing system displays a screen display for programming a job ticket having a plurality of job output characteristics. Including a user interface, each of the plurality of job output features being associated with a programmed value in a first set of job ticket values, the method comprising: a) changing one of the job output features as a modified output feature. The one modified output feature in the first set of job ticket values. Corresponding to the first value, the first value indicating the first stock feature used to generate the first hardcopy output of a portion of the job, and b) referencing the value of the job ticket value of the first set of the job Generating a portion of a first hardcopy output, the first hardcopy output being the first hardcopy output.
Including at least one complete hardcopy page generated according to the stock feature indicated by the value, and c) programming the printing system to automatically change the first value to the second value after step b) above. Including the step of creating two sets of job ticket values, the second value indicating a second stock feature used to generate a second hardcopy output of a portion of the job, and d) a second stock feature after performing step b. Automatically changing one value to a second value to obtain a second set of job ticket values, and e) referring to the value of the second set of job ticket values, the second hard part of the portion of the job. Producing a copy output, the second hardcopy output being generated according to a stock feature indicated by a second value, the at least one complete hardcopy. And f) outputting at the output device a first hardcopy output and a second hardcopy output and comparing the first hardcopy output against the second hardcopy output. How to generate hardcopy output from a job. 3. A printing system for producing a plurality of print sets from an electronic job having a plurality of pages, wherein a hardcopy output subjected to finishing processing for representing a part of the electronic job before producing the plurality of print sets. Wherein the print set is generated using a printing machine, the printing system including a user interface having a screen display for programming a job ticket having a plurality of job output features. Each job output feature is associated with a programmed value in the first set of job ticket values, and the method comprises the steps of: a) indicating one of the job output features as the modified output feature. The output feature corresponds to the first value in the first set of job ticket values, and the first value is the electronic job. B) producing a first hardcopy according to a subset of the first set of job ticket values, c) first Finishing the first hardcopy output according to the finishing operation indicated by the value, d) automatically changing the first value to the second value after performing the step c, and the second set of jobs Including a step of obtaining a ticket value; e) including a step of generating a second hardcopy output according to a subset of the second set of job ticket values; and f) finishing the second hardcopy according to a finishing operation indicated by the second value. Producing a finished hardcopy output characterized by including the steps of: Method.