JPH11102362A - Composition system using computer network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To totally manage individual source material files so that operators can be put in partial charge. SOLUTION: Independent computers are connected by a network and a server where source material files are stored is provided. When the order of one item is received, chapter constitution of this item is inputted and then folders which are distributed to layers (1) to (4) are generated on the server. A received photograph is scanned and stored as an image file in the location of the layer (5) in a specific folder. A computer for image processing reads an image file HPIC001 out of the server, performs an editing process for color tone variation and cutting, and supplies an indication for saving the edited file in the server; and then the file before the editing has its name changed into a file name HPIC001* and is moved to the location of the layer (6) in a saving folder, and the file after the editing is stored in the location of the layer (5).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plate collecting system using a computer, and more particularly to a system for collecting a plate by connecting a plurality of independent computers via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to the development of computer-related technology, the technique of DTP (Desk Top Publising) has rapidly spread in recent years, and plate collection processing has been mainly performed using a computer. A general plate collection process includes an input process of inputting a material such as an image as digital data, an editing process of editing the material, a page editing process of allocating the edited material to form a page, and the like. For this reason, a printing company or the like generally connects independent computers via a network, and causes a plurality of operators to perform various tasks.

In this type of plate making system, generally, a general-purpose workstation or a general-purpose personal computer is used as an individual computer. Each computer activates necessary application software and takes charge of it. Work will proceed. The material data to be edited is handled in file units called material files and exchanged via a network. In this manner, the plate collecting process for the ordered item proceeds by the cooperation of the plurality of operators. Material files shared by multiple computers are usually stored on a dedicated server, and each computer receives the necessary material files from the server at the start of editing work, and sends the edited material files to the server at the end of editing work. Operation to be stored in

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional plate collection system, the plate collection processing is advanced by the division of labor of a plurality of operators, but the systematic management of individual material files cannot be performed. There was a problem.
When collecting plates for a single item, usually a large number of photos and manuscripts are submitted and stored on the server as independent material files. Will be commonly used by computers here and there. At this time, usually, a predetermined rule is determined and operated based on agreement between the operators regarding which material file should be stored in which volume of the server on which volume. However, in practice, due to incomplete compliance with the rules, accidents such as the location of the files become unknown, and at present, efficient operation is not achieved.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a plate collection system using a computer network capable of comprehensively managing individual material files so that the plate collection process can be advanced by the division of labor of a plurality of operators. Aim.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for performing a plate collection process by connecting a plurality of independent computers via a network, wherein a file input unit for inputting data to be a material to be allocated on a printed matter as a material file. A file storage unit for storing the input material file, a file editing unit for editing the material file stored in the file storage unit, and a page editing process using the material file stored in the file storage unit. A page editing unit to perform, a page output unit that outputs a page created by the page editing process, a hierarchical structure setting unit that sets a hierarchical structure of a material file based on an operator's instruction given for each ordered item, Stores information indicating the hierarchical structure and stores the material files input by the file input unit based on the hierarchical structure in the file storage unit. A file management department that leads to the location,
Is provided.

(2) The second aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned first aspect.
In the plate collection system using the computer network according to the aspect, when a hierarchical structure is set by the hierarchical structure setting unit, a folder according to the hierarchical structure is created in the file storage unit.

(3) The third aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned second aspect.
In the plate collection system using the computer network according to the aspect, the identification name of the ordered item, the identification name of each job included in this item, and the identification name of the page included in each job are set in the hierarchical structure setting unit. In this case, a folder having each set identification name as a folder name can be created.

(4) The fourth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned first aspect.
In the plate collection system using the computer network according to the third aspect, when the file editing unit gives an instruction to store the edited material file again in the file storage unit, the file management unit In addition to performing the process of changing the file name of the source file before editing stored in the file, the process of storing the source file after editing given by the file editing unit with the file name of the source file before editing before the change It is something to do.

(5) The fifth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned second aspect.
In the plate collection system using the computer network according to the aspect, the material file whose file name has been changed is moved and stored in a predetermined save folder.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a plate collection system using a computer network according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a file input unit 10, a file editing unit 20, a page editing unit 30,
Page output unit 40, file storage unit 50, file management unit 6
0, a hierarchical structure setting unit 70. Each of these units is actually composed of an independent computer. Specifically, a general-purpose workstation or a general-purpose personal computer is used. Necessary application software is installed in each computer, and a predetermined operation can be performed using each computer by activating the application software. Each computer is connected to the network 100, and can proceed with the plate collection process by the cooperation of a plurality of operators.

The file input unit 10 is a computer having a function of inputting, as a material file, data to be a material to be allocated on a printed matter, and includes an image input device such as an input scanner device. The submitted photograph or film is read as an image file by this scanner device. Also, text data submitted on a medium such as a floppy disk is read as a text file by the file input unit 10. Here, such image files and text files are collectively referred to as material files. The material file input by the file input unit 10 is stored in the file storage unit 50.

The file editing unit 20 includes a file storage unit 5
This is a computer having a function of editing the material file stored in the file 0. For example, if the material file is an image file, the computer can perform cutout processing, color tone change processing, thinning processing, and the like. In the system of this embodiment, by installing application software for so-called photo retouching on a plurality of general-purpose personal computers,
The file editing unit 20 is configured so that a plurality of operators can perform editing processing on a plurality of material files in parallel. The operator of the computer that constitutes the file editing unit 20 reads the material file to be edited from the file storage unit 50, performs a predetermined editing process on the material file, and returns the edited material file to the file storage unit again. The operation of storing the data in the storage 50 is performed.

The page editing unit 30 is a computer having a function of performing a page editing process using a material file stored in the file storage unit 50. In the system of this embodiment, the so-called DTP application software is installed in each of a plurality of general-purpose personal computers.
And editing operations on a plurality of pages can be performed in parallel by a plurality of operators. The operator of the computer configuring the page editing unit 30 reads out the material file to be allocated to the page to be edited from the file storage unit 50 and performs a predetermined allocation operation. The layout file generated as a result of the layout operation using the page editing unit 30 is a file including data indicating a layout mode for each page, and is stored in the file storage unit 50 like the material file. Become.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a page created by the page editing unit 30. In the illustrated example, images 1 to
3 and the text 4 are allocated at predetermined positions in a predetermined manner. Here, the images 1 to 3 are obtained by performing the allocation process using the image file after the predetermined editing process stored in the file storage unit 50, and the text 4 is stored in the file storage unit 50. This is obtained by performing an allocation process using the text file stored in the file 50 or the text file newly input in the page editing unit 30. When such an allocation process is performed,
A file including the data indicating the allocation mode is created as a layout file and stored in the file storage unit 50.

The page output unit 40 is a computer having a function of outputting the page created by the page editing unit 30, and includes a film output device, a color printer, and the like. For example, when outputting a page as shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined layout file and a material file stored in the file storage unit 50 are read, and a raster image created based on the data in these files is converted into a film. It has a function of outputting using an output device or a color printer. If an output is made on a film from a film output device, a film original can be obtained, and if an output is made on a paper surface from a color printer, a sample for calibration can be obtained.

As described above, the file storage unit 50 is a file server that stores the material file input from the file input unit 10 and the layout file created by the page editing unit 30. In this embodiment, the file server constituting the file storage unit 50 includes a plurality of hard disk devices, and a plurality of volumes are set in each hard disk device. On the other hand, the file management unit 60 is a computer having a function of managing each file stored in the file storage unit 50. As described later, the file management unit 60 includes:
Information indicating the hierarchical structure set by the hierarchical structure setting unit 70 is stored, and file management based on this hierarchical structure is performed.

The hierarchical structure setting section 70 is a computer having a function of setting a hierarchical structure of a material file based on an operator's instruction given for each ordered item. Actually, it is configured by installing application software developed for setting a hierarchical structure on a general-purpose personal computer. In the case of a general ordered item, the plate collection process of one item is handled by dividing into a plurality of jobs. For example, in the case of a book having a chapter structure, an individual chapter is often handled as one job, and in a catalog or the like, one job is handled for each product genre. Many. Each job contains one or several pages,
One or more materials are allocated to each page. After all, in the case of general printed matter,
It is possible to define a hierarchical structure of job (chapter / genre, etc.)-Page-each material. The hierarchical structure setting unit 70
Processing for setting such a hierarchical structure is performed.

For example, FIG. 3 shows an example of a chapter structure and a page structure of a book "Introduction to Patents". In the case of this example, the above-described hierarchical structure of the item-job (chapter) -page-each material can be defined. The hierarchical structure setting unit 70 according to the present embodiment has a function of setting an identification name of an item ordered, an identification name of each job included in the item, and an identification name of a page included in each job.

In the case of the example shown in FIG.
First, the operator inputs, for example, the title of a book such as "Introduction to Patents" as text data as the identification name of the item, and then, as the identification name of each job, for example, "Chapter 1" and "Chapter 2". , And "Chapter 3". The page identification names include, for example, "PAGE1", "PAGE2", "P
AGE3 "may be input. Of course, any identifier may be used as long as it functions as a code indicating an item, a job, and a page. Further, the page identification name and the like can be automatically generated without waiting for an input from the operator. For example, if the operator is made to input the total number of pages belonging to each job, it is possible to automatically generate page identification names in a predetermined format. Of course, when inputting each identifier, it is necessary to make the hierarchical structure clear. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the identifier of the item “Introduction to Patent” is located at the highest level on the first level, and “1st
Chapters, "Chapter 2" and "Chapter 3" are identified by job identifiers, and "PAGE 1", "PAGE 2",
It is necessary to clarify that the identification name of the page "PAGE3" is located.

The information indicating the hierarchical structure set by the hierarchical structure setting section 70 is stored in the file management section 60 as a database. In the system according to the present embodiment, the file management unit 60 has a function of creating a folder in the file storage unit 50 with each set identification name as a folder name based on information indicating such a hierarchical structure. Have. That is, in the hierarchical structure setting unit 70, FIG.
When the hierarchical structure is set as shown in FIG. 4, the file management unit 60 performs a process of creating a folder group as shown in FIG. These folders are
It has four hierarchical structures. That is, a folder having an identifier of an item “Introduction to Patent” is created in the hierarchy, and a folder having an identifier of a job such as “Chapter 1”, “Chapter 2”,. In the hierarchy, folders having the page identification names of “PAGE 1”, “PAGE 2”,... Are created.

Further, in this embodiment, "H"
Folders “R” and “LR” are created. Here, the folder “HR” is a folder for storing high-resolution image data, and the folder “LR” is a folder for storing low-resolution image data. The high-resolution image data input by the file input unit 10 is stored as a material file at a hierarchical position in the folder “HR”, and the low-resolution image data is stored in the folder “LR”. It is stored as a material file at the position of the middle hierarchy. In addition,
When it is necessary to store text data, for example, a folder “TEXT” may be created at a hierarchical position, and stored as a material file at the hierarchical position in this folder. In the illustrated example, a folder “*” is created at the position of the hierarchy.
This folder is a save folder described later.

In the end, when an order for an item “introduction to patent” is received, an input for defining a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. Stores information indicating the structure,
Processing for creating an empty folder having a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 4 in the file storage unit 50 is performed. Thereby, the storage location of each material file input by the file input unit 10 is determined. Therefore, the operator of the file input unit 10 can store the individual material files input using the input scanner device or the like in a predetermined storage location. For example, if it is a high-resolution image file used for the first page, "Introduction to Patent"-
What is necessary is just to store it in the folder shown by the path | pass of "Chapter 1"-"PAGE1"-"HR". As described above, the work of storing in a predetermined folder in the file storage unit 50 is as follows.
Although the operation may be performed by the operator himself, in the present embodiment, the file management unit 60 has a function of performing the storing operation. That is, when the operator of the file input unit 10 gives the file management unit 60 an instruction to specify the specific path and store the material file, the file management unit 60 stores the material file in the file storage unit. The operation of storing the data in a predetermined folder in the storage unit 50 will be executed.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a number of material files input by the file input unit 10 are stored in the file storage unit 50. Here, the material file "HPIC ..." shown in the hierarchy is a high-resolution image file, and the material file "LPIC ..." is a low-resolution image file. The file “DOC1” shown in the hierarchy is a layout file for “PAGE1” created in the page editing unit 30. In the illustrated example, the material file “HPIC
001 ”,“ HPIC002 ”,“ HPIC003 ”
Are high-resolution image files to be allocated to the first page, and include material files “LPIC001” and “LPIC00”.
It is obvious that “2” and “LPIC003” are low-resolution image files to be allocated to the first page. Therefore, even when the plate collection process is advanced by the division of labor of a plurality of operators, the locations of the individual files are clear, so that the overall management can be performed.

Subsequently, "*" created at the position of the hierarchy
The function of the backup folder will be described. As described above, the file editing unit 20 includes the file storage unit 50.
The material files read from are subjected to editing operations such as a cutting process, a color tone changing process, and a thinning process, and the edited material files are stored in the file storage unit 50 again. As described above, when storing the edited material file, there are a method of overwriting and saving the original material file before editing and a method of newly saving as a file separate from the original material file before editing. If the former method is adopted, the file name of the material file does not change before and after editing, and there is an advantage that it can be managed centrally with the same file name, but the file content before editing is updated Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the state before the editing cannot be returned.

On the other hand, when the latter method is adopted, the file before editing and the file after editing are both stored under different file names, so that the state before editing can be returned to at any time. On the other hand, there is a disadvantage in that centralized management using the same file name cannot be performed. Therefore, in the case of this system, each method has advantages and disadvantages. Considering that cooperative work by a large number of operators is performed, it is preferable that individual material files be centrally managed with the same file name. However, when editing such as color tone change processing is performed on an image file, a request for returning to the stage before editing is often issued in the proofreading stage.

The save folder "*" created at the position of the hierarchy is for providing a method which is a compromise between the above two methods. According to this compromise method, the latter is actually the latter. While adopting the method, the operator can be provided with operability as if the former method is employed. That is, the file editing unit 20
When an instruction to store the edited material file in the file storage unit 50 is given, the file management unit 60 changes the file name of the unedited material file stored in the file storage unit 50 and stores the file name in the save folder “ * ”, And a process of storing the edited material file transferred from the file editing unit 20 with the file name of the unedited material file before the change.

This processing will be described with reference to a specific example shown in FIG. For example, the operator of the file editing unit 20 may select a high-resolution image file “HP
It is assumed that an instruction is given to read out “IC001” and “HPIC002” from the file storage unit 50, edit each of them with a change in color tone, and store the edited image file in the file storage unit 50 again. In this case, the file management unit 60 replaces the file names of the unedited image files “HPIC001” and “HPIC002” stored in the file storage unit 50 with new file names “HPIC001 *” and “HPIC002”, respectively.
* ”, And the original file whose file name has been changed is moved to a save folder“ * ”existing in the same hierarchy. Further, the file management unit 60 adds the original file names “HPIC001” and “HPP” to the edited image file transferred from the file editing unit 20.
A process of assigning “IC002” and storing in the hierarchy is performed.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the hierarchical structure after such processing has been performed. The image files “HPIC001” and “HPIC002” stored in the hierarchical structure are both files edited by the file editing unit 20, and the image files “HPIC0” stored in the hierarchical structure
“01 *” and “HPIC002 *” are files before editing.

By adopting such a method, the file before editing can be stored as it is. Therefore, if a request to return to the stage before editing is issued, a predetermined file is saved from the save folder “*”. , It is possible to immediately respond to this request. On the other hand, from the operator's point of view, as far as observing the hierarchical file,
It seems that only the edited file always exists (usually, it is not necessary to be aware of the existence of the save folder “*”), and the centralized management of the file name becomes possible. In addition,
If an operation system that can set the “invisible” attribute for each folder is used, the “invisible” attribute setting for the save folder “*” can be used for the operator. It is also possible to completely hide the existence of the backup folder.

In the above-described example, a simple method of adding "*" to the end of the file name before editing is used as a new file name of the file to be saved, so the editing operation is performed twice or more times. Is performed, only the file in the previous state can be saved in the backup folder,
For example, if a serial number such as “* 1”, “* 2”, “* 3”,... Is given at the end, files in each state in all editing stages performed in the past are saved in a backup folder. It is also possible to keep it inside.

Although the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but can be implemented in various other modes. In particular, the block configuration shown in FIG. 1 shows a configuration focusing on the functional aspects of the components according to the present invention, and the actual hardware configuration is not limited to this block configuration. For example, the file storage unit 50 and the file management unit 60 can be configured by the same dual-purpose computer, or the file input unit 10 and the file management unit 60
Can be configured by the same dual-purpose computer. In addition, a combined computer can be used in any combination. Further, the hierarchical structure shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is an example shown for convenience of description, and any hierarchical structure may be actually set. Of course, the file names stored in the save folder are not limited to those having “*” added to the end as in the above-described example, and any file name may be used.

[0032]

As described above, according to the plate collecting system using the computer network according to the present invention, since the centralized file management based on the hierarchical structure is performed, the plate collecting process by the division of labor of a plurality of operators is performed. It becomes possible to perform comprehensive management of suitable individual material files.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a plate collection system using a computer network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a page created by a page editing unit 30 in the system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a chapter configuration and a page configuration of a book to be subjected to plate collection processing by the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a file storage unit 5 in the system shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a folder created in a folder 0;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which many material files are stored in each folder shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which some files have been saved in the save folder shown in FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... File input part 20 ... File edit part 30 ... Page edit part 40 ... Page output part 50 ... File storage part 60 ... File management part 70 ... Hierarchical structure setting part 100 ... Network * ... Save folder

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ichiro Ozeki 1-1-1, Ichigaya-Kagacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. No. 1 Inside Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mari Ando 1-1-1, Ichigaya Kagamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (72) Inside Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. No.1-1, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A system for performing a plate collection process by connecting a plurality of independent computers via a network, comprising: a file input unit for inputting data to be a material to be allocated on a printed material as a material file; A file storage unit for storing a file, a file editing unit for editing a material file stored in the file storage unit, and a page editing process for performing a page editing process using the material file stored in the file storage unit A page output unit that outputs a page created by the page editing process; a layer structure setting unit that sets a layer structure of a material file based on an operator's instruction given for each ordered item; Stores information indicating the structure, and stores the material file input by the file input unit in the file storage unit. Collecting impression system using a computer network, characterized in that it comprises a file management unit for guiding the storage location based on a hierarchical structure. 2. The plate collection system according to claim 1, wherein when a hierarchical structure is set by a hierarchical structure setting unit,
A plate collection system using a computer network, wherein a folder according to the hierarchical structure is created in a file storage unit. 3. The plate collecting system according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchical structure setting unit includes an identification name of the ordered item, an identification name of each job included in the item, and an identification name of a page included in each job. A collection system using a computer network, having a function of setting a folder name and creating a folder having each set identification name as a folder name. 4. The plate collection system according to claim 1, wherein when the file editing unit gives an instruction to store the edited material file in the file storage unit again, the file management unit Performing a process of changing the file name of the unedited material file stored in the file storage unit, and renaming the unedited material file given by the file editing unit to the unedited file name of the unedited material file. A plate collection system using a computer network, characterized by performing processing for storing in a computer. 5. The plate-collecting system according to claim 4, wherein the material file whose file name has been changed is moved and stored in a predetermined save folder. .