JPH1051619A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To unnecessitate manual operation in operation for allocating processing to one paper even at the time of setting the processing of correcting colors and changing the resolution of a printer at the time of arranging plural pieces of image data in one paper with respect to each image data to arrange by automating the allocating processing. SOLUTION: An image data allocating means 12 executes allocating calculation based on allocation information designated by an operator and a printing processing means 13 controls each means. Image data is stored in a storing means 2, and data is read by the instruction of the means 13 to be transferred to a printer 20. After data is transferred, a printer control means 9 starts printing and the printer 20 executes printing operation. The paper is fed at first and ejected to complete printing after printing all the assigned pieces of image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly, to a printing system for printing a plurality of images side by side on one sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in, for example, "Printing Guidebook for Creators, Digital Edition, 63 Pages, Genkosha (1993)", a conventional printing system creates character information created by a word processor or the like, or created on a computer. Or image information input by a scanner or the like
In general, the result is edited by an image layout system such as Top Publishing, and the result is subjected to separation output for plate making or printed by a normal color printer or page printer. Also, on pages 114 to 125 of the same book, it is shown that a method of directly performing printing from computer data processed by the DTP system or the like before plate making to obtain a proof print (proof) is also common. .

Image information input by a scanner and image information processed and created on a computer are often color information, and the colors are checked on a display device such as a color display, and when they are actually printed. In many cases, the same data has different shades when output to This is largely because display devices and scanners use light to express colors, while printing devices use a different expression method and color material such as ink on paper. Also, if the paper or ink used in the printing device is different,
Even with the same image information, the same color reproduction is not always possible.

[0004] Proof printing (proof) is to perform printing equivalent to printing in place of plate making and to confirm the performance. Therefore, in the case of color image information, printing is performed as close as possible to the color reproduction of printing after plate making. For this purpose, image information is corrected, and proof printing is performed so that the print result is the same as the result of actual plate making. In order to obtain this correction information, based on the master printing that actually made the plate and printed it with the desired hue, printing was performed while gradually changing the correction amount with a proof printing device so that it would be the same as this color reproduction To make up.

[0005] The above-mentioned correction information is used as a difference in print tint, for example, correction information most suitable for landscape photos, correction information most suitable for portrait photos, correction information suitable for photos in sunny sunlight, indoor Know-how, such as the correction information suitable for the photo at the time, which is considered better depending on the situation of the image information, is accumulated.How to check which correction information can be used to print new image information in a better state There is no other way than actually printing with the correction information.

In such a case, the image information may be printed many times with correction information having slightly different correction amounts. However, in order to compare and examine the printing results with various correction amounts, a relatively small print amount is used. In the case of data, there are cases where several pieces of image information are arranged on one sheet to save paper, or in the case of large image information, a part of the information is cut out and printed in the same manner.

[0007] Every time these are printed once, the position of the print data on the paper at the time of printing is noted, and then the paper that has just been printed is set again in the printing apparatus, and the print data is printed. An operator or the like manually performs the operation of setting the position so that the image is printed on the printer and changing the correction information for each of them to perform printing.

A method of laying out a plurality of images on one sheet of paper involves projecting a screen corresponding to a printed matter on a display device such as a computer or a workstation, and laying out images such as various patterns and characters on the screen. The method is also well known. One example of such a printing system is described in JP-A-3-105681.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process from layout to output. Referring to FIG. 9, an image frame imitating printing paper is displayed on the display device (step S1), and a plurality of images are laid out in the image frame (steps S2 to S).
4). The layout result is output to the printer (step S5).

[0009]

In the conventional printing system described above, when a plurality of image data are printed side by side on one sheet, the respective image information is superimposed on one sheet while changing the correction information. Since the operation of printing must be performed manually by an operator, it is very troublesome, and there is a problem that the position may be deviated for designation or an incorrect designation may occur.

In the method proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-105681, it is not possible to individually set correction information for correcting the hue of laid-out image information for each of the laid-out image information. There is a point.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing method in which, when a plurality of pieces of image information are allocated to one sheet, each correction information can be set individually without burdening the operator. An object of the present invention is to provide an intended printing system.

[0012]

A printing system according to the present invention includes a display device capable of displaying characters and figures, a device for transferring image data to a printing device in response to a command from an input device, a printing start of the printing device, and various other functions. Means for controlling the operation;
Means for setting the status of the printing device and various parameters,
Image data allocating means for allocating image data on a sheet based on an allocation instruction designated by the input device, wherein the image data allocating means assigns the layout format input from the input device to one sheet of paper. Or, assign multiple parameters and set the parameters for printing each image data to 1
It can be set individually for one or more image data.

[0013] The printing system of the present invention may include, as parameters, the color at the time of printing and the resolution at the time of printing.

According to the printing system of the present invention, when printing is performed from a higher-level apparatus, a printing mechanism feeds paper to a printable state, controls only printing on already fed paper, and performs printing. The control of only discharging the paper mounted on the mechanism may be individually controlled.

[0015]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a printing device 20 is connected to the printing control unit 1, and the printing control unit 1 sends out image information as printing data to the printing device 20, and the printing device 20 receives the printing data received from the printing control unit 1. Prints the data on paper and outputs it.

The print control unit 1 has a large-capacity readable / writable storage device 2 represented by a magnetic disk or an optical disk.
A display device 3 such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display; an input device 4 such as a keyboard or a mouse that can be operated by an operator; an instruction from the operator from the input device 4; Interface means 11 for displaying image data and various information, image data allocating means 12 for allocating image data based on information obtained from the user interface means 11, and data reading means 5 for reading image information and correction information from the storage device 2.
A print processing unit 13 for controlling the entire print processing; and an image data transfer unit 6 for transferring image information to the printing apparatus 20.
Correction data transfer means 7 for transferring the correction information to the printing apparatus 20, and correction data setting means 8 for instructing the printing apparatus 20 to which image information the correction information is to be applied.
A printing device control unit 9 for controlling the printing device 20 based on information from each unit, a printing device setting unit 10 for sending setting information for printing to the printing device 20, and an electrical interface with the printing device 20 And an input / output unit 14 which takes

The storage device 2 stores image information and correction information to be printed, and may also store software for controlling the operation of the print control unit 1 and software for other systems. Since the data size becomes large, not only one device but also a plurality of devices may be connected.

The user interface means 11 mainly acquires the situation in which the operator operates the input device 4 and displays the situation on the display device 3 as it is, or the setting information set by the operator can be handled by the internal means. Convert.
The operator knows almost the state of the printing system from the contents displayed on the display device 3 by the user interface means 11.

The print processing means 13 causes the correction data setting means 8, the printing apparatus control means 9, and the printing apparatus setting means 10 to operate in a series of procedures based on an instruction set by the operator at the user interface means 11. When information on a change in the state of the printing apparatus 20 is obtained from the printing apparatus control means 9, processing for sending the information to the user interface means 11 is performed to inform the operator of the information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the content displayed on the display device 3 by the user interface means 11. In FIG. 2, the operator is requested to select which of the image information stored in the storage device 2 is to be printed. The operator uses the input device 4 such as a keyboard or a mouse to select which image information to print based on this information. Here, by placing an arrow on the name of the image information and pressing a mouse button, it is possible to recognize that the user interface means 11 indicates the image information of "flower blowing snow. BMP".

In the user interface means 11, 1
Information on how to assign image information to the sheets is also requested from the operator, and the obtained information is processed by the image data assigning means 12. The image data allocating means 12 determines the position of each image information on the sheet based on the data of the layout style obtained from the user interface means 11,
It is passed to the print processing means 13. The print processing unit 13 operates each unit according to a series of print processing procedures and controls the entire print.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 20. The printing apparatus 20 includes a storage unit 21, an input / output unit 22, a control unit 23, and a printing mechanism unit 24. The control unit 23 receives print data sent from a host device and temporarily stores the print data in the storage unit 21. In general, the storage unit 21 mainly includes a large-capacity magnetic disk or the like. Storage unit 2
1 stores a plurality of print data within a range not exceeding the storage capacity of the storage unit 21. Similarly, correction data for performing color adjustment and gradation processing of print data is also sent from the host device and then temporarily stored in the storage unit 21, which is also stored in the storage unit 21.
A plurality of correction data is stored within a range not exceeding the capacity of the correction data.
The higher-level device can confirm what name is currently stored for the stored print data and correction data, and when printing, the higher-level device determines which print data is to be printed with which correction data and in which position. Can be specified. After a print instruction is issued from the higher-level device, the controller 23 reads out the correction data designated by the higher-level device from the storage unit 21 and loads the correction data in the control unit 23 at a location where correction processing is to be performed. And
While the designated print data is being read from the storage unit 21 as needed, the print mechanism unit 2 receives the editing process in the control unit 23 and
4 and the printing operation is performed. In addition, the printing apparatus 20 controls the paper feed by the print mechanism unit 24 to make it printable when printing from the upper apparatus, the control to print only the paper already fed, and the print mechanism. 2
The control of only discharging the sheet mounted on the sheet 4 can be individually controlled.

Next, the operation will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, image information to be printed is stored in the storage device 2, and the operator outputs which image information, how to arrange the image information on one sheet of paper, and which correction to which image information. Settings such as whether to use information are made (step 31).

FIG. 5 shows an example of this setting method. FIG. 5 is normally displayed on the display device 3 by the user interface means 11. The names of image information are input to 51, 53 and 55, and the names of correction information used when printing the image information are input to 52, 54 and 56, respectively. 57 is used to input the size of a sheet to be used, conditions for arranging image information on the sheet, and intervals of the image information when arranging. Normally, 51 to 56 are not displayed in the initial state, but only the frame is displayed. The operator inputs, using the input device 4, which image information is to be printed with which correction information in the frame. Go.

When the input is completed, the user interface means 11 sends the information input in step 31 to the image data allocating means 12, and performs the allocating process (step 3).
2). The image data allocating means 12 performs calculation using the size of the paper, the size of the image information, the allocation interval, and the like, obtains the allocation information, and determines whether or not they can be actually allocated. Then, allocation is performed as instructed by the operator as much as possible, and the allocated result is displayed on the display device 3 from the user interface means 11. The operator judges the quality by referring to the result (steps 33 and 3).
4). If the assignment is not as expected by the operator, the assignment mode is input again in step 31. If the result is good, the image data allocating unit 12 sends the allocation information to the print processing unit 13.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the allocation information. The allocation information includes a name 61 of the image information and a name 6 of the correction information used when printing the image information.
2. The position 63 when the image information is printed on paper.
64, a print resolution and other information 65. In the positions 63 and 64 when printing on paper, the actual numerical values of the coordinate data representing the positions are entered, but in FIG.
This is indicated by a symbol such as 1. Information necessary for printing one image is a portion indicated by 66, which is repeatedly generated by the number of pieces of image information to be printed on one sheet. When the print processing means 13 prints 66 image information,
Next, the portion 67 is used, the next image information is printed, and so on, until all the image information is printed.

When the print processing means 13 receives the allocation information, it causes the printing apparatus control means 9 to perform a paper feeding operation to the printing apparatus 20 (step 35). The print processing means 13 reads the corresponding image information from the storage device 2 by the data reading means 5 from the information for printing one image of the allocation information shown in FIG. 6 (step 36). Here, "GAZ
The image information “OU01” is read, and is transferred as print data to the printing device 20 by the image data transfer means 6 (step 37). The printing device 20 temporarily stores the print data sent from the image data transfer unit 6 in the storage unit 21 of the printing device 20. Similarly, the print processing unit 13 reads the correction information by the data reading unit 5 based on the allocation information (step 38), and transfers the correction information to the printing device 20 by the correction data transfer unit 7. Here, "HI-COLOR01"
Is transferred (step 39).

The print processing means 13 calculates the
The print data, correction data, print position, resolution, and the like to be printed are set by the correction data setting unit 8 and the printing device setting unit 10, and printing is started by the printing device control unit 9 (step 40). When printing is started, the printing device control means 9 monitors the state of the printing device 20 and checks whether printing is actually performed. When printing is completed, the print processing unit 13 checks the allocation information (step 41). If there is still image information to be printed, the process returns to step 36 or step 38 to read the image information or correction information. Repeat the above operation,
When all the print instructions specified by the layout information are completed in step 31, the print processing unit 13 causes the printing device control unit 9 to discharge the paper to the printing device 20 (step 4).
2), printing ends.

In step 41, if the previously printed image information matches the image information to be printed next, or if the previously transferred image information has been transferred to the printing device 20 and has not yet been erased, it is read from the storage device 2 again, and Printing device 2
It is not necessary to transfer to 0, and the previously transferred image information can be used. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating this operation in more detail. After the printing is completed, the allocation information is checked to confirm whether all the allocated image information has been printed (step 71). If all printing has been performed, the process proceeds to a process of discharging the paper (step 72). Otherwise, the print processing unit 13 checks whether the image information to be printed next is the same as the image information printed last time (step 73). If the image information was printed last time, it should have been stored in the storage unit 21 of the printing device 20. Therefore, the image information to be printed next is not read from the storage device 2, and the process proceeds to the process of reading the correction information (step 74). ). next,
The printing control unit 13 controls the printing device 2 by the printing device control unit 9.
The information of the print data stored in the storage unit 21 of “0” is extracted, and it is confirmed from the allocation information whether image information to be printed next is stored (step 75). If the image information has been transferred to the printing apparatus 20 before and is still stored, the reading of the next printing image information is not performed, and the process proceeds to the correction information reading processing. If the image information does not meet these conditions, the image information is not yet transferred to the printing apparatus 20, and therefore, the image information is read (step 76).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the result of printing in this embodiment. In this example, GAZOU01 to GAZOU0
4, four types of image information, HI-COLOR01,
HI-COLOR02, LO-COLOR01, LO-
Four types of correction information of COLOR02 are used,
The fact that each image was printed using the set correction information is indicated by changing the density. For example, 81 is GAZO
It indicates that U01 was printed with the correction information of HI-COLOR01, and 82 indicates that GAZOU02 was HI-COLOR01.
Indicates that printing was performed using COLOR02. The same applies to 83 to 92. Since the setting as shown in FIG. 5 is performed, the images are all aligned on the left side, and the vertical intervals of each image information are also printed at the designated value. In the present embodiment, the case where each correction data is individually specified for the image data to be allocated to one sheet has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. Can be specified with a different resolution.

[0033]

As described above, the present invention is provided with a print data allocating means for calculating the layout position of each image data to be laid out. Correction and individual designation can be performed for each image data to be laid out on a sheet, and there is an effect that the layout can be reliably performed as an automatic process that hardly involves an operator's work.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of contents displayed on a display device 3 by a user interface unit 11;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing apparatus 20.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for setting image information and correction information.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining allocation information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the previously transferred image information can be used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a result of printing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 print control unit 2 storage device 3 display device 4 input device 5 data reading means 6 image data transfer means 7 correction data transfer means 8 correction data setting means 9 printing device control means 10 printing device setting means 11 user interface means 12 image data allocation Means 13 Print processing means 14 Input / output unit 20 Printing device 21 Storage unit 22 Input / output unit 23 Control unit 24 Printing mechanism unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display device capable of displaying characters and graphics, means for transferring image data to a printing device by a command from an input device, means for controlling printing activation and various operations of the printing device, and a state of the printing device And means for setting various parameters, and image data allocating means for allocating image data on paper based on an allocation instruction specified by the input device. A printing system, wherein one or a plurality of sheets are assigned to one sheet by an assigning means, and parameters for printing each image data can be individually set for one or a plurality of image data. 2. A readable / writable storage device, a display device capable of displaying characters and graphics, an input device capable of inputting a signal by an operator's operation, a user interface means for interfacing information with the operator, and the storage device. Data reading means for reading various data from the device;
An image data transfer unit that receives image data from the data reading unit and transfers the image data to a printing device; a print processing unit that controls the entire printing operation; a printing device control unit that controls printing activation and various operations of the printing device; In a printing system including a printing device setting unit for setting a state of a printing device and various parameters, a sheet is provided between the user interface unit and the print processing unit based on an assignment instruction specified by the user interface unit. Image data allocating means for allocating image data is provided above, and one or a plurality of layouts input by the user interface means are allocated to one sheet by the image data allocating means. Can be individually set for one or a plurality of image data. Printing system. 3. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the parameters include a color tone at the time of printing and a resolution at the time of printing.
Alternatively, the printing system according to claim 2. 4. A control for feeding a sheet by a printing mechanism unit to make a printable state at the time of printing from a higher-level device, a control for performing printing only on a sheet that has already been fed, and a control unit mounted on the printing mechanism unit. 4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the control of only discharging the paper sheet that is set can be individually controlled.