JPH11170728A - Printing output control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the work burden on the printing and binding works. SOLUTION: A job is input (step S1) and the number of papers required for printing is computed by a server (step S2), and the limit value of a bookbinder output from a specification information table is read in (step S3), and then the limit value is compared with the number of papers, and whether the divided processing is carried out or not is judged automatically (step S4). In the case the number of papers is larger than the limit value, a printer is so controlled as to carry out the divided output (step S8 or S9). Also in the case of bookbinding printed matter beyond the limit value, the work of dividing the printed matter is not required to be carried out by a worker by the arrangement to reduce the work burden.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print output control apparatus for controlling a print bookbinding system including a printing apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus for binding printed matter output by the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a printing system in which a control device, a printing device, and a bookbinding device are connected to each other online. In such a system, image data is sent from a control device to a printing device, where the image data is output as a printed material, and the printed material is automatically input to a bookbinding device via a stacker or the like, thereby automatically printing. To bookbinding.

[0003]

In a bookbinding apparatus, there is a limit value, which is the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be fixed by a stapler or the like, or the number of sheets that can be folded, and the number of sheets that can be output from the printing apparatus is larger than that. The printed material cannot be put into the bookbinding device at one time.

However, in practice, there are many cases where printed matter having a number of sheets exceeding such a limit value is input to the bookbinding apparatus, in which case an error alert is issued by the bookbinding apparatus, thereby causing the operator to receive an error. The error is avoided by dividing the printed material that was about to be input into the number of sheets less than the limit value and re-inputting it, or by manually binding the printed material, so that the operator always has the printing system. Must be monitored, and when handling a large amount of printed matter, the amount of work of the worker has become enormous.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a print output control device capable of reducing the work load in printing and bookbinding work.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising: a printing apparatus;
A print output control device that controls a print bookbinding system including a bookbinding device that binds the printed matter output by the bookbinding device.The amount of printed matter to be bound is output by a bookbinding device. When the amount is larger than the limit value of the amount, the print bookbinding system is controlled so that the printed matter is divided into the amount equal to or less than the limit value and input to the bookbinding apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print output control apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control is performed by dividing the image data to be printed into pieces having an amount equal to or less than a limit value. It is characterized by being sent to a device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print output control apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein when there are a plurality of types of limit values, the plurality of types of limit values are set. The print bookbinding system is controlled on the basis of the smallest one among them.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<1. System Configuration in Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device arrangement of a digital printing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the device arrangement of the digital printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown, the digital printing system 1
Is the client 10 ..., the scanner input client 2
0, a scanner 25, a server 30 (corresponding to a “print output control device”), and print bookbinding machines PB1 and PB2 (corresponding to a “print bookbinding system”) are electrically connected to each other via a network.

The client 10 is a computer including a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, and the like. An operator generates and processes image data, registers and operates a print output job described later, and receives input information and bookbinding output described later. The user can perform various settings such as settings, and work such as monitoring the progress of printing.

The scanner input client 20 is a computer having the same structure as that of the above-mentioned client 10 and electrically connected to a scanner 25 for taking in an image. It is the same as the client 10.

The server 30 is a computer having a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, and the like inside. The client 10,..., The scanner input client 20, and the bookbinding machines PB1, PB2 (and the printing machines 40, 50 constituting them) , Bookbinding machines 45, 55, stackers)
It is possible to communicate with. The server 30 has, in addition to the same functions as the client 10, functions such as raster development of image data, electronic collation, spread margin adjustment, data storage and transfer, and control of a stacker and the like in a printing and binding machine described later. Have.

The printing bookbinding machine PB1 integrally includes a printing machine 40 for printing and outputting image data and a bookbinding machine 45 for binding printed matter output by the printing machine 40. The printed matter output by the printing machine 40 is internally stored. The printer, the stacker, and the bookbinding machine are electrically connected to each other and can communicate with each other through a stacker (not shown) provided in the printer. In addition, printing bookbinding machine P
B2 has substantially the same structure as the printing bookbinding machine PB1, and includes a printing machine 50 and a bookbinding machine 55 integrally. Further, the printing machines 40 and 50 include a CPU and a memory which also functions as a storage unit for storing image data transmitted from the server 30. Further, the bookbinding machines 45 and 55 have a bookbinding output sensing function.
It is possible to sense the end of the bookbinding work for the input printed material and send a signal to the printing press and the server.

With the above configuration, the digital printing system 1 performs the following printing and bookbinding processing.

<2. Processing Procedure in Embodiment> FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a printed matter output process according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the printed matter output processing will be described based on this flowchart.

First, an operator sets input information and bookbinding output settings in the client 10 or the scanner input client 20, and submits a job (FIG. 2: step S1).

Here, the input information includes "job name" which is the name of a job for designating which image data is to be printed and bound, and "job page number" which is the number of pages of printed matter output by the job. And "page size" which is the size of each page.

The bookbinding output setting is performed by a dialog. The output paper size specifies the size of paper to be output, the output number specifies the number of copies to be output, and the number of output copies. A “printing form” for specifying whether to perform single-sided printing and binding, a “bookbinding form” for specifying saddle stitching, flat stitching, folding, cutting, and cutting amount;
This setting includes information such as “output destination bookbinding machine” that designates output by either the bookbinding machine 5 or the bookbinding machine 55, and “bookbinding output form” that designates which of copy output or sequential output to be described in detail later.

In the following, as a specific example, "Job J" is set as the job name as the input information, "200 pages" is set as the number of job pages, and "A4" is set as the page size. "A3", "5 copies" for the number of output copies, "Double-sided printing, binding" in the print format, "Folding and cutting 2 mm" in the bookbinding format, and "Bookbinding machine 55, copy output" in the bookbinding output format. The case where it is set will be described.

Next, based on the information set for the number of job pages, the page size, the output paper size, and the printing mode, the server 30 calculates the required number of printouts, that is, the required number of papers (FIG. 2: Steps). S2).

In the above specific example, in the case of job J, since four pages can be printed on both sides of one A3 sheet, the number of printouts is fifty.

Next, the server 30 reads the limit value targeted for the output binding machine from the specification information table (FIG. 2: step S3).

That is, various kinds of specification information of each of the bookbinding machines 45 and 55 are stored in the hard disk in the server 30 in advance, and among them, the output destination binding machine specified in the bookbinding output mode (the bookbinding machine in the above specific example). 55) is read and stored in the memory in the server 30.

Table 1 shows an example of the specification information table.

[0027]

[Table 1]

This specification information table includes information on each binding machine 4.
Information on the limit values (upper limit of the number of sheets that can be processed) for each of the setting items in the bookbinding mode in the bookbinding modes 5 and 55 is recorded. The bookbinding machine 45 has 40 sheets, and the bookbinding machine 55 has 20 sheets.
Sheets), the upper limit number of saddle stitches (4 in the example of Table 1
0 sheets, the bookbinding machine 55 has 20 sheets, the upper limit of the number of folding sheets (in the example of Table 1, 17 sheets of the bookbinding machine 45, and 8 sheets of the bookbinding machine 55), and the cutting upper limit number of sheets (in the example of Table 1, (For example, 40 sheets, and the bookbinding machine 55 has 20 sheets). The items of the limit values in the specification information table are not limited to these, and include, for example, the number of punched holes (38 sheets for the bookbinding machine 45 and 18 sheets for the bookbinding machine 55).

In the above example, the bookbinding machine 55 is designated as the output destination binding machine, and "folding" and "cutting" are designated as the bookbinding mode.
0 is the upper limit number of folding sheets and the upper limit number of cutting sheets of the bookbinding machine 55, and the information of 8 sheets and 20 sheets, respectively, is read and stored in the memory.

Next, the server 30 automatically determines whether or not to perform the division processing (FIG. 2: step S4).

Each bookbinding machine has the limit values of various bookbinding processes shown in the specification information table as described above due to the limit of its performance, and it is not possible to accept the number of prints exceeding the limit value. It has become. for that reason,
Normally, when the limit value is exceeded, all the images are not printed and bound at once, but are divided into a number of sheets equal to or less than the limit value and printed and bound (including partial binding) and divided output is performed. Then, in this embodiment, the server 30 automatically determines whether to perform the divided output. Specifically, among the limit values corresponding to the items specified in the bookbinding mode in the bookbinding output setting in the specification information table,
A comparison is made between the minimum value and the number of print output sheets calculated in step S2. If the limit value is larger, there is no need for divided output, so the flow advances to step S5. Conversely, if the limit value is smaller, divided output is performed. Is required, the process proceeds to step S6.

In the above specific example, since folding and cutting are performed by the bookbinding machine 55, the minimum limit value of the maximum folding sheet number of eight sheets and the maximum cutting sheet number of twenty sheets is the maximum folding sheet number of eight sheets. Since the number of output sheets is 50, divided output is required.

If the limit value is larger in the determination in step S4, the batch output is performed as usual without performing the divided output (FIG. 2: step S5). That is, the server 30 collectively transmits all image data to be output to the printing machine 40 or 50 of the printing bookbinding machine PB1 or PB2 including the designated output binding machine, and the printing bookbinding machine PB1 or PB2.
The printing machine 40 or 50 in B2 receives the image data and prints it at a time, and inputs it as it is to the bookbinding machine 45 or 55 in the printing bookbinding machine PB1 or PB2. The bookbinding machine 45 or 55 that has received it binds it at once and outputs it.

When the limit value is smaller in the determination in step S4, that is, when the division process is performed, the server 30 sets the number of sheets to be input at one time to the bookbinding machine 45 or 55 designated as the output binding machine, That is, the number of sheets to be printed and output from the printing press 40 or 50 at a time and the number of divisions into which the entire image is divided and output are calculated (FIG. 2: step S6).

In the above example, since the number of output sheets is 50 and the upper limit of the number of folding sheets is 8, it is necessary to divide the sheet into seven and output the number of sheets in each division to eight or less. Specifically, the first division has eight pages with four pages per page, that is, one page to 32 pages. Similarly, the second division to the sixth division has eight pages, each having 32 pages, that is, 33 pages to
64 pages: 161 pages to 192 pages, the seventh
The division is performed on the remaining two pages, that is, 193 pages to 200 pages.

Next, the server 30 discriminates the set output form, and proceeds to step S8 when the number of copies is designated, and proceeds to step S9 when the output is designated sequentially (FIG. 2). : Step S7).

When the output of the number of copies is designated, the image of each division is repeatedly printed for the required number of copies, and each time it is input to the bookbinding machine 45 or 55 for bookbinding, and the number of copies is repeated for the total number of divisions. Output is performed (FIG. 2: step S8).

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure for outputting copies. Hereinafter, the copy output will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, parameters i and j represent a division number and a copy number, respectively, and the signs of the division number N and the output number M are used as their maximum values.

First, the server 30 initializes a parameter i in the memory to 1 (FIG. 3: step S80).

Next, the printing and binding machine PB1 or PB2 initializes the parameter j to 1 (FIG. 3: step S8).
1).

Next, the server 30 transmits the i-th divided image data of the j-th copy to the printing machine 40 or 50 (FIG. 3: step S82).

Next, the printing machine 40 or 50 prints the i-th division of the j-th copy (FIG. 3: step S83). When the printing of the division is completed, the printing machine 40 or 5
0 Stop printing.

Next, the bookbinding machine 45 or 55 performs bookbinding of the j-th copy of the i-th divided print (FIG. 3: step S8).
4). Note that bookbinding here means binding and cutting the divided printed matter.

Next, the bookbinding machine 45 or 55 is
Send an end signal to 0 or 50 (FIG. 3: Step S
85).

Next, the printing and binding machine PB1 or PB2 increments the parameter j (FIG. 3: step S).
86).

Next, the printing and binding machine PB1 or PB2 compares the parameter j with the number of output copies M to determine whether or not the output of all the i-th divisions has been completed. Returns to step S82 and repeats the processing up to step S87. Conversely, if the processing has been completed (if parameter j is larger than output copy number M), the process proceeds to step S88 (FIG. 3: step S87). .

Hereinafter, the case where the processing has been completed will be described.

The bookbinding machine 45 or 55 sends an end signal to the server 30 (FIG. 3: step S88).

Next, the server 30 increments the parameter i (FIG. 3: step S89).

Next, the server 30 compares the parameter i with the number of divisions N to determine whether or not the output of all the divisions has been completed.
Returns to step S81 and repeats the processing up to step S89. Conversely, if the processing has been completed (if parameter i is larger than the number of divisions N), the output of this number of copies is completed (FIG. 3: Step S90).

In the above example, the output of the number of copies is as follows. That is, first, the first division sequentially includes five copies, printing,
It is bound and output. Similarly, hereafter, the printed matter of each division is output in order of five copies each, and is repeated for each of the second division to the seventh division, so that all the divisions are output in a state where they are all bound.

On the other hand, if the output is sequentially designated, the image of each copy number is repeatedly printed in the order of the division number, and each time the image is input to the bookbinding machine 45 or 55, and the image is repeated for the number of copies. Output (Figure 2: Step S
9).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the sequential output. Hereinafter, the sequential output will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, the parameters i and j, the number of divisions N and the number of output copies M are the same as those in FIG.

First, the server 30 initializes parameters i and j in the memory to 1 (FIG. 4: step S9).
1).

Next, the server 30 transmits the i-th divided image data of the j-th copy to the printing machine 40 or 50 (FIG. 4: step S92).

Next, the printing machine 40 or 50 prints the i-th division of the j-th copy (FIG. 4: step S93). When the printing of the division is completed, the printing machine 40 or 5
0 Stop printing.

Next, the bookbinding machine 45 or 55 binds the j-th copy of the i-th divided printed matter (FIG. 4: step S9).
4). Note that bookbinding here also means binding and cutting the divided printed matter.

Next, the bookbinding machine 45 or 55 transmits an end signal to the server 30 (FIG. 4: step S95).

Next, the parameter i is incremented (FIG .: step S96).

Next, the server 30 compares the parameter i with the number of divisions N to determine whether or not the output of all divisions of the j-th copy has been completed. If not, the process returns to step S92 and repeats the process up to step S96. Conversely, if the process is completed (the parameter i is larger than the number of divisions N), the process proceeds to step S98 (FIG. 4: step S97).

Next, the server 30 increments the parameter j and initializes the parameter i to "1" (FIG. 4: step S98).

Next, the server 30 compares the parameter j with the number of output copies M to determine whether or not the output of all divisions has been completed. If the output has not been completed (the parameter j is equal to or less than the output copy number M) If so, the process returns to step S92 and repeats the process up to step S98. Conversely, if the process has been completed (if parameter j is larger than the number of output copies M), the sequential output process is completed (FIG. 4: step S99).

In the above example, the sequential output is as follows. That is, first, the first to seventh divisions of the first copy are sequentially printed, bound, and output. Similarly,
The printed matter of each copy is divided into seven and output in order, and is repeated for each of the second to fifth copies, so that all the divided copies are output in a state where they are all bound.

In this embodiment, the server 30 automatically calculates the number of divisions and outputs image data of each division number divided into the number of divisions by the printing and binding machine in both the number of copies output and the sequential output. By sending the data to PB1 or PB2, split output by the bookbinding machine 45 or 55 is realized.

Lastly, the operator binds the output divisions and binds them for each number of copies, performs final binding (FIG. 2: step S10), and ends the print output processing.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the amount of printed matter to be bound and output is determined by the binding machine 4.
When the number of prints that can be processed at one time is larger than the limit value, the server 30 divides the prints into the amount equal to or less than the limit value and inputs the divided prints to the bookbinding machines 45 and 55.
Controls the print binding machines PB1 and PB2, so that the worker does not need to perform such work of separating printed materials.
Work load in printing and bookbinding work can be reduced.

Further, the printing and binding machine PB by the server 30
Since the control of PB2 and PB2 is performed by dividing the image data to be printed into pieces having an amount equal to or less than the limit value and sending them to the printing presses 40 and 50, the server previously sends all the image data to the printing presses 40 and 50. The storage capacity of the memories of the printing presses 40 and 50 can be smaller than that in the case of performing the divided output by sending the divided output control signal to the bookbinding machines 45 and 55 in advance.

Further, when there are a plurality of limit values of the bookbinding machines 45 and 55, the printing bookbinding machines PB1 and PB2 are controlled on the basis of the smallest one. The same effect can be exhibited.

<3. Modified Example> In this embodiment, the control of the printing bookbinding machines PB1 and PB2 by the server 30 divides image data to be printed into data having an amount equal to or less than a limit value and sends the data to the printing machines 40 and 50. The present invention is not limited to this, and the server sends all image data to the printing press in advance and performs split output by sending a split output control signal to the bookbinding machine, or controls output of the printing press. Instead, the stacker in the printing bookbinding machine may be controlled to adjust the number of sheets to be fed into the bookbinding apparatus.

In this embodiment, as shown in the specific example, except for the division of the maximum division number (seventh division in the specific example), the output of the same number as the limit value is output. Although only a small number of sheets are used, the present invention is not limited to this, and other division methods such as outputting the number of sheets of each division so as to be equal may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, printing and bookbinding of one type of printed matter are performed by one printing bookbinding machine PB1 or PB1.
2, but the present invention is not limited to this.
In the case of separately outputting the printed bookbinding of the types of printed materials, the printed bookbinding machines PB1 and PB2 may be separately output for each division, and may be sorted and output by a plurality of printers, for example, the operator may combine them at the end.

[0072]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the amount of printed matter to be bound is larger than the limit value of the amount of printed matter that can be processed at one time by the bookbinding apparatus, Since the print output control device controls the print bookbinding system so as to divide the printed matter into an amount equal to or less than the limit value and input the same to the bookbinding apparatus, the operator does not need to perform such work of separating the printed matter, so that printing and Work load in bookbinding can be reduced.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the control of the print bookbinding system by the print output control device is such that the image data to be printed is divided into data of a size equal to or less than the limit value and sent to the printing device. Therefore, the storage capacity of the storage unit such as the memory of the printing apparatus can be smaller than that in the case where all the image data is sent to the printing apparatus in advance and the divided output is performed by sending the divided output control signal.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of types of limit values, the print bookbinding system is controlled on the basis of the minimum value. The same effect as the first or second aspect can be exhibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device arrangement of a digital printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printed matter output process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a copy output processing procedure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a sequential output processing procedure;

[Explanation of symbols]

 30 server (print output control device) 40,50 printing machine 45,55 bookbinding machine N division number PB1, PB2 printing binding machine (printing binding system)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A print output control apparatus for controlling a print bookbinding system including a printing apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus for binding printed matter output by the printing apparatus, wherein the amount of printed matter to be bound and output is: When the number of prints that can be processed at one time by the bookbinding apparatus is larger than the limit value, the print bookbinding system is controlled to divide the prints into the amount equal to or less than the limit value and to input the prints into the bookbinding apparatus. Print output control device. 2. The print output control device according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed by dividing the image data to be printed into data having an amount equal to or less than the limit value and sending the image data to the printing device. A print output control device. 3. The print output control device according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of types of limit values, the print bookbinding is performed based on a minimum one of the plurality of types of limit values. A print output control device for controlling a system.