WO2008008780A2 - Système et procédé pour normalisation automatique de fichiers d'impression - Google Patents

Système et procédé pour normalisation automatique de fichiers d'impression Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008008780A2
WO2008008780A2 PCT/US2007/073155 US2007073155W WO2008008780A2 WO 2008008780 A2 WO2008008780 A2 WO 2008008780A2 US 2007073155 W US2007073155 W US 2007073155W WO 2008008780 A2 WO2008008780 A2 WO 2008008780A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
file
print
determining whether
correct
module
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/073155
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2008008780A3 (fr
Inventor
Daniel P. Herrera
Kelly J. Mckiernan
Original Assignee
Expresscopy Acquisition Corp.
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Expresscopy Acquisition Corp. filed Critical Expresscopy Acquisition Corp.
Publication of WO2008008780A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008008780A2/fr
Publication of WO2008008780A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008008780A3/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/46—Colour picture communication systems
    • H04N1/56—Processing of colour picture signals
    • H04N1/60—Colour correction or control
    • H04N1/603—Colour correction or control controlled by characteristics of the picture signal generator or the picture reproducer
    • H04N1/6052—Matching two or more picture signal generators or two or more picture reproducers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G06F3/1204—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G06F3/1208—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in improved quality of the output result, e.g. print layout, colours, workflows, print preview
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1244—Job translation or job parsing, e.g. page banding
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1253—Configuration of print job parameters, e.g. using UI at the client
    • G06F3/1256—User feedback, e.g. print preview, test print, proofing, pre-flight checks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and system for preflighting digital files for a printing press, and particularly to a method and system for normalization of print files.
  • Digital technology enables one to print documents directly from electronic files to paper or other print media. Digital printing allows the form and content of each consecutive print to differ. As such, digital printing technology can be utilized for personalization and customization of printed material.
  • the process of preflighting a print job helps to reduce the likelihood of failure of rasterization or output by examining the files that are to be printed.
  • the preflight process may be used to verify, for example, that linked files are accessible to the application; that fonts are accessible to the system, not corrupt and/or in a compatible format; that image files are not corrupt, in a compatible format, and/or of the correct color format; that required color profiles are included; and that document size, margins, bleeds, marks and page information fit within the constraints of the output device such as a digital printing press.
  • the preflight process may also be used to remove data that should not be printed during production of the finished piece and to store or compress files into an archive format.
  • the preflight process may be a time consuming and costly practice as many of the aforementioned tasks are manually identified, verified, and/or accomplished.
  • the present invention describes a method for preflighting a file, comprising: retrieving a file; normalizing the file to create a normalized file; sending the normalized file to a press software engine; converting the normalized file to a native file format; and sending the normalized file in the native file format to a printing press.
  • Normalizing the file may comprise processing the file through one or more modules selected from the group consisting of: a color module to ensure a correct color scheme and/or to ensure a correct amount of color, a sharpness module to ensure that an image on a print piece is in focus, a measurement module to measure the size of the file, the size of a bounding box, and/or the geometry of the bounding box, a determination module to determine whether the bounding box is large enough to house one or more print pieces, the number of print pieces, the orientation of the print piece and/or the print piece to be printed, and a format module to adjust or correct the formatting of an image.
  • modules selected from the group consisting of: a color module to ensure a correct color scheme and/or to ensure a correct amount of color, a sharpness module to ensure that an image on a print piece is in focus, a measurement module to measure the size of the file, the size of a bounding box, and/or the geometry of the bounding box, a determination module to determine whether the bounding box is large enough
  • the method may further comprise processing the file through a format conversion module to convert a received file format into a file format wherein the specifications may be manipulated.
  • processing the file through the color module may comprise determining whether the file is in a correct color scheme; converting a file to the correct color scheme if the file is not in the correct color scheme; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • processing the file through the color module may comprise determining whether the file has a correct amount of color; adjusting the amount of color if a color adjustment is necessary; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • processing the file though the sharpness module may comprise determining whether the sharpness of the image requires an adjustment; adjusting the sharpness of the image if the sharpness requires an adjustment; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • processing the file through the measurement module may comprise measuring the size of the file; measuring the size of a bounding box; measuring the geometry of the bounding box; and sending information regarding size of the file, the size of the bounding box and/or the geometry of the bounding box to the determination module.
  • processing the fife through the determination module may comprise determining whether the bounding box is large enough to house one or more print pieces; determining the number of print pieces; determining the orientation of the print piece; determining the print piece to be printed by the printing press determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • processing the file through the format module my comprise determining whether a print piece is in a correct size for a print medium and/or a desired print product; determining whether the print price is in a correct orientation; determining whether a full bleed is selected; determining whether any part of the print piece will print on a reserved area; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the method may further comprise scaling the print piece to a correct size. In another particular embodiment, the method may further comprise changing the orientation of the print piece to a correct orientation. In another particular embodiment, the method may further comprise scaling the print piece to a size larger than a print area to achieve a full bleed. In yet another particular embodiment, the method may further comprise modifying the print piece to not print on a reserved space.
  • the present invention also provides for a system for preflighting a file, comprising: one or more computers adapted for retrieving a file, normalizing the file to create a normalized file, sending the normalized file to a press software engine, converting the normalized file to a native file format, and sending the normalized file in the native file format to a printing press; and a press software engine for converting the normaiized file to a native file format.
  • the one or more computers adapted for normalizing the file in the system may comprise: one or more modules selected from the group consisting of: a color module adapted for ensuring a correct color scheme and/or for ensuring a correct amount of color, a sharpness module adapted for ensuring that an image on a print piece is in focus, a measurement module adapted for measuring the size of the file, the size of a bounding box, and/or the geometry of the bounding box, a determination module adapted for determining whether the bounding box is large enough to house one or more print pieces, the number of print pieces, the orientation of the print piece and/or the print piece to be printed, and a format module adapted for adjusting or correcting the formatting of an image.
  • a color module adapted for ensuring a correct color scheme and/or for ensuring a correct amount of color
  • a sharpness module adapted for ensuring that an image on a print piece is in focus
  • a measurement module adapted for measuring the size of the file, the size of a bounding box
  • the one or more computers adapted for normalizing the file may further comprise a format conversion module adapted for converting a received file format into a file format wherein the specifications may be manipulated.
  • the color module may be further adapted for: determining whether the file is in a correct color scheme; converting a file to the correct color scheme if the file is not in the correct color scheme; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the color module may be further adapted for: determining whether the file has a correct amount of color; adjusting the amount of color if a color adjustment is necessary; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the sharpness module may be further adapted for: determining whether the sharpness of the image requires an adjustment; adjusting the sharpness of the image if the sharpness requires an adjustment; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the measurement module may be further adapted for: measuring the size of the file; measuring the size of a bounding box; measuring the geometry of the bounding box; and sending information regarding size of the file, the size of the bounding box and/or the geometry of the bounding box to the determination module.
  • the determination module may be further adapted for: determining whether the bounding box is large enough to house one or more print pieces; determining the number of print pieces; determining the orientation of the print piece; determining the print piece to be printed by the printing press; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the format module may be further adapted for: determining whether a print piece is in a correct size for a print medium and/or a desired print product; determining whether the print price is in a correct orientation; determining whether a full bleed is selected; determining whether any part of the print piece will print on a reserved area; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the format module may be further adapted for scaling the print piece to a correct size. In another particular embodiment, the format module may be further adapted for changing the orientation of the print piece to a correct orientation. In another particular embodiment, the format module may be further adapted for scaling the print piece to a size larger than a print area to achieve a full bleed. In another particular embodiment, the format module may be further adapted for modifying the print piece to not print on a reserved space.
  • the one or more computers of the system are in electronic communication with one or more elements, the one or more elements selected from the group consisting of a printing press, a raster image processor, and a local area network.
  • the present invention additionally provides for a computer readable medium having computer executable components for retrieving a file; normalizing the file to create a normalized file; sending the normalized file to a press software engine; converting the normalized file to a native file format; and sending the normalized file in the native file format a to a printing press.
  • the computer executable components for normalizing the file may comprise: one or more computer executable components selected from the group consisting of: a component for ensuring a correct color scheme and/or for ensuring a correct amount of color, a component for ensuring that an image on a print piece is in focus, a component for measuring the size of the file, the size of a bounding box, and/or the geometry of the bounding box, a component for determining whether the bounding box is large enough to house one or more print pieces, the number of print pieces, the orientation of the print piece and/or the print piece to be printed, and a component for adjusting or correcting the formatting of an image.
  • the computer readable medium may further comprise a component for converting a received file format into a file format wherein the specifications may be manipulated.
  • the computer executable component for ensuring the correct color scheme may comprise one or more components for: determining whether the file is in a correct color scheme; converting the file to the correct color scheme if the file is not in the correct color scheme; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the computer executable component for ensuring the correct amount of color may comprise one or more components for: determining whether the file has a correct amount of color; adjusting the amount of color if a color adjustment is necessary; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the component for adjusting or correcting the formatting of an image may comprise one or more components for: determining whether a print piece is in a correct size for a print medium and/or a desired print product; determining whether the print price is in a correct orientation; determining whether a full bleed is selected; determining whether any part of the print piece wiii print on a reserved area; determining whether a further normalization is required; and sending the file for further normalization or to a press software engine.
  • the computer readable medium may further comprise a component for scaling the print piece to a correct size.
  • the computer readable medium may further comprise a component for changing the orientation of the print piece to a correct orientation.
  • the computer readable medium may further comprise a component for scaling the print piece to a size larger than a print area to achieve a full bleed.
  • the computer readable medium may further comprise a component for modifying the print piece to not print on a reserved space.
  • Figure 1 depicts a flow diagram of a printing process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 depicts a preflight system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3A depicts a flow diagram of a routine for normalizing a color scheme in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3B depicts a flow diagram of a routine for normalizing color used in a file in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 depicts a flow diagram of a routine for normalizing the sharpness of an image in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 depicts a flow diagram of a routine that a measurement module and a determination module may use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 depicts a flow diagram of a routine that a format module may use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 depicts a flow diagram of a routine that a file format conversion module may use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 8A depicts a file with four print pieces (i.e., 4-up) that has not been normalized and figure 8B depicts a print piece that has been normalized by a preflight system and is press ready in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 9 depicts a postcard showing a reserved space in which a print piece will not be printed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Also shown is an example of the bleed margins and the trim margins.
  • Figure 10 depicts a block diagram of a preflight system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Preflighting and preflight refer to the process of confirming that the digital files required for the printing press are all present, valid, correctly formatted, and of the desired type.
  • “File” as used herein refers to a digital representation of any combination of image and/or vector data to describe one or more print pieces.
  • “Print piece” as used herein refers to the desired print product (e.g., postcard, business card, flyer, etc.) that appears one or more times within a file.
  • Finished piece refers a print piece that has been processed (i.e., normalized, printed, coated, and cut) into the desired print product (e.g., postcard, business card, flyer, etc.).
  • Frull bleed refers to having the ink or toner run fully to the edge of the finished piece and not stop short of it. This may be accomplished by printing beyond the printing margins of the desired print product (e.g., postcard, business card, flyer, etc.). Thus, when the print medium is trimmed at the margins after printing, the ink or toner runs fully to the edge and does not stop short of it.
  • desired print product e.g., postcard, business card, flyer, etc.
  • Rasterization refers to the task of transforming an image described in a variety of input formats to a format suitable for output on a printer or press.
  • the present invention provides a method and a system for automated preflighting of digital files to ensure that the files are press ready.
  • the system and method may run on one or more computers and/or servers.
  • the automated preflighting system of the present invention reduces the degree of human intervention needed in order to ensure that a digital file is ready to be sent to the press. This may beneficially result in reducing the time and cost for performing a print job.
  • a file submitted by a customer is retrieved by the prefiight system for normalization.
  • Files submitted by the customer are often in a RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color scheme; however, a printing press often utilizes CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) toner or ink.
  • the prefiight system comprises a color module.
  • the color module may convert a RGB color scheme into a CMYK color scheme such that the print piece is press ready.
  • the color module may be used to convert a CMYK color scheme to a RGB color scheme.
  • the color module may comprise, access and/or utilize software to allow it to determine and/or adjust the color of the file; for example, PDF preprocessing software such as Enfocus PitStop®.
  • the color module may adjust the amount of color used by the press or the color intensities such that the correct amount of each color is used for the print piece.
  • the color module may adjust the amount of color used by the press such that the finished piece is in a color palate that satisfies the customer's preference.
  • the prefiight system may comprise a measurement module.
  • the measurement module may measure a variety of things, including but not limited to the size of the page (e.g., BV 2 " x 11", 1 1" x 17", etc.), and the size and geometry of the bounding box around the image and/or vector data within the file submitted by the customer.
  • the measurement module may comprise, access and/or utilize software to allow it to accomplish the desired measurement of the file.
  • the prefiight system may comprise a determination module.
  • the determination module may determine a variety of things, including but not limited to whether the bounding box is large enough to house one or more print pieces, the number of print pieces, the orientation of the print piece(s) and the print piece(s) that will be printed by a printing press.
  • the determination module may comprise, access and/or utilize software to allow it to accomplish the desired determinations of the file.
  • the prefiight system may comprise a format module.
  • the format module may format a variety of things, including but not limited to the size of the print piece (e.g., to ensure that it is in the correct size for the print product and/or print medium, to ensure that the finished piece will have a full bleed, to ensure that the print piece will not print on a reserved area, etc.), the orientation of the print piece, and the configuration of the print piece (e.g., move individual elements of the print piece to ensure that the print piece will not print on a reserved area, place an overlay on the print piece in the reserved area, etc.).
  • a reserved area examples include, but are not limited to an area reserved for postal information (e.g., area for an addressee, a bar code, a stamp, etc.).
  • the format module may also access, utilize and/or comprise software to accomplish the formatting objectives; for example, software designed to provide visual guidance to an operator regarding a reserved area (e.g., PDF overlay software such as StampPDF® by Appligent).
  • the normalized file may be sent to a software engine that stores the normalized file as a reusable object.
  • the reusable object may be called out one or more times by the printing press at a later time for printing.
  • the software engine interprets and/or converts a file or a normalized file into a native file format that may be read by the press.
  • the native file may be in a proprietary or nonproprietary language that is used by the press.
  • An example of a press software engine is the Xeikon® X-800, which may be used in conjunction with the Xeikon® press or printing system.
  • Other nonlimiting examples of digital printing systems that can be used in accordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention include the Kodak Nexpress, HP Indigo Digital Press and Xerox IGen3.
  • Figure 1 depicts one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a file 101 submitted by a customer is retrieved by the preflight system 102 to perform the normalization 103 to prepare a press ready file.
  • the normalized file 104 is sent to the press software engine 105.
  • the press software engine 105 interprets the file and converts the file into a native file format 106 that can be read by the printing press 107.
  • the press software engine 105 also stores the normalized file 104 in native file format 106 as a reusable object that can be called out at a later time for printing purposes, in an alternative embodiment, the normalized file 104 is sent directly to the printing press.
  • FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the preflight system of the present invention.
  • the preflight system 102 may comprise one or more of the foilowing components: file format conversion module 201, color module 202, sharpness module 203, measurement module 204, determination module 205, and format module 206. These modules may interact with one another sequentially or simultaneously in any order.
  • FIG. 3A depicts a flow diagram of a routine for normalizing a color scheme in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a file 301 is sent to or accessed by the color module 202 and in step 302, it is determined whether the file is in the correct color scheme for the printing press.
  • step 302 determines if the file is in a CMYK color scheme. If the answer is no, step 303 converts the file's color scheme into CMYK color scheme.
  • step 302 determines if the file is in a RGB color scheme. If the answer is no, step 303 converts the file's color scheme into RGB color scheme.
  • Step 304 determines whether additional normalization is required for the file. If the answer is yes, step 305 sends the file to another normalization module for further processing.
  • the normalization module may be any module that the preflight system is configured to perform, including but not limited to color adjustments, sharpness adjustments, size adjustments, and orientation adjustments. Once further processing is completed, the file is sent to the press software engine. If the answer to step 304 is no, step 306 sends the color normalized file to the press software engine.
  • Figure 3B depicts a flow diagram of a routine for normalizing image colors in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • a file 307 is sent to or accessed by the color module 202 and in step 308 it is determined whether the amount of each color needs to be adjusted for the printing press. If the answer is yes, step 309 adjusts the amount of each color that is used to print the print piece. If the answer is no, then the process proceeds to step 310.
  • Step 310 determines whether additional normalization is required for the file. If the answer is yes, step 311 sends the file to another normalization module for further processing. Once further processing is completed, the file is sent to the press software engine. If the answer to step 310 is no, step 312 sends the color normalized file to the press software engine.
  • FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a routine for normalizing the sharpness of an image in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a file 401 is sent to or accessed by the sharpness module 203 and in step 402 it is determined whether the sharpness of a print piece within the file needs to be adjusted (e.g., whether an image on a print piece is in focus). If the answer is yes, step 403 adjusts the sharpness of the image. If the answer is no, the process proceeds to step 404. Step 404 determines whether additional normalizations are required. If the answer is yes, the file is sent to another normalization module for further processing. Once further processing is completed, the file is sent to the press software engine. If the answer to step 404 is no, step 406 sends the sharpness normalized file to the press software engine.
  • Figure 5 depicts a process using a measurement module 204 and a determination module 205 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a file 501 may be sent to or accessed by the measurement module 204.
  • Step 502 measures the size of the page; for example, whether the page is 8Vz" x 11", 11" x 17", etc.
  • Step 503 measures the size of the bounding box around the image data and/or vector data within the file.
  • Step 504 measures the geometry of the bounding box.
  • the measurement module 204 may be used in conjunction with the determination module 205.
  • Step 505 determines whether the bounding box is large enough to house one or more print pieces.
  • Step 506 determines the number of print pieces within the file (e.g., 1-up, 2-up, 3-up, 4-up, etc).
  • Step 507 determines the orientation of the print piece(s) within the file (e.g., landscape, portrait).
  • Step 508 determines the print piece(s) to be printed by the printing press.
  • a default selection of a print piece may be programmed; for example, in a 2-up situation, the left print piece is selected; in a 3-up situation, the bottom print piece is selected; in a 4-up situation, the lower left print piece is selected.
  • the default selection may be programmed to be a selection of any print piece and is not limited to the ones noted herein. In another embodiment, more than one print piece may be selected.
  • the desired finished piece is two sided
  • two different print pieces may be selected and one print piece will be printed on one side and another print piece will be printed on the reverse side of the print medium.
  • a single print piece may be selected to print on both sides.
  • the selection of the print piece(s) may be a dynamic process wherein additional data submitted from the customer is utilized to select the print piece(s); for example, the customer may have submitted a file with 4 print pieces (i.e., 4-up) and selects the upper, left print piece for printing.
  • Step 509 determines whether further normalizations are required; if the answer is yes, then step 510 sends the file to another a normalization module for further processing; once further processing is completed, step 511 sends the file to the press software engine. If the answer to step 509 is no, step 511 sends the file to the press software engine.
  • the aforementioned steps 502 through 508 may be performed in any order. In various embodiments, all of steps 502 through 508 are not necessarily performed as one or more steps may be omitted.
  • measurement module 204 may identify the coordinates of a starting point and measure the bounding box of the image.
  • the coordinates of the starting point may be identified by using a tool that locates a first data point on the file and a second data point on the file.
  • the tool may measure from the first data point to the second data point to measure the bounding box.
  • the second data point may be a furthest data point from the first data point.
  • a tool may start at the lower left corner of the page, which may arbitrarily be identified as (0,0) on the x-y plane.
  • the tool may move across the x-axis and/or up the y-axis until a first data point is identified and then continue until the data point furthest from the first data point is identified.
  • the bounding may be a rectangular shape encompassing the extent of printable data in a file.
  • the measurement module 204 may comprise, access and/or utilize software programs to assist in identifying data points, measuring files and measuring bounding boxes; for example, a PDF manipulation software such as ghostscript may be used to measure the size of the printable data in a file and an image measurement and/or image format conversion software such as ImageMagick® may be used to measure the total size of the original file.
  • Figure 6 depicts a format module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the format module 206 may be utilized to adjust or correct the formatting of the image such that it can be in a press ready format.
  • the size of the print piece may be scaled or adjusted to allow the print piece to fit onto the margins of the desired print product. In embodiments wherein a full bleed (i.e., the color reaches to the edge of the finished piece) is desired, the size of the print piece may be scaled such that it is slightly larger than the print margins. This ensures that once the desired print product is cut, the color reaches the edge of the finished piece.
  • the file 601 may be placed through one or more steps. In one particular embodiment, the steps may proceed as follows.
  • Step 602 determines whether the size of the print piece is in the correct size for the print medium and/or the desired print product; if the answer is no, step 606 modifies the file such that the print piece is scaled to increase or decease in size and the process proceeds to step 603; if the answer is yes, the process proceeds to step 603.
  • Step 603 determines whether the print piece is in the correct orientation for the print medium; if the answer is no, step 607 modifies the file to change the orientation of the print piece and the process proceeds to step 604. Changing the orientation of the print piece may be done by rotating the print piece; for example, by 90°, 180°, 270° or any other appropriate degree of rotation. If the answer to step 603 is yes, the process proceeds to step 604.
  • Step 604 determines whether a full bleed is selected; if the answer is yes, step 608 modifies the file to scale the print piece such that the print piece is slightly larger than the print area and the process proceeds to step 605. Alternatively, if the size of the print piece is already in a size in which a full bleed will be accomplished, the process proceeds to step 605. If the answer to step 604 is no, the process proceeds to step 605. Step 605 determines whether any part of the print piece will print on a reserved area ⁇ e.g., postal reserved area for addressee, bar codes, stamp area, etc.); if the answer is yes, step 609 modifies the file such that the print piece will not print on the reserved space and the process proceeds to step 610.
  • a reserved area e.g., postal reserved area for addressee, bar codes, stamp area, etc.
  • step 609 modifies the file such that an overlay (i.e., blank space) is placed over the print piece in the reserved area and the process proceeds to step 610.
  • the blank space may be, for example, white space or any other suitable color space such that the reserved area may be used for information for which it is reserved (e.g., postal information).
  • step 610 determines whether further normalization is necessary. If the answer is yes, then step 611 sends the file to another normalization module and after further processing, step 612 sends the file to the press software engine. If the answer to step 610 is no, step 612 sends the file to the press software engine.
  • Figure 7 depicts a flow diagram of a routine for normalizing the specifications for the desired print product in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a file 701 is sent to or accessed by the file format conversion module 201 and in step 702, it is determined whether the specifications (e.g., size of the print piece) for the desired print product described by the file comply with the specifications for the desired print product for the printing press. If the specifications do not comply, the format conversion module 201, in step 703, converts the file format from the received format to a format wherein the specifications may be manipulated; for example, from a PDF file to a JPEG file.
  • the format conversion module 201 may access, utilize and/or comprise software programs that are designed to convert a file format into another file format.
  • the format conversion module 201 converts the file format back into a format that is compatible with the printing press; for example, from a JPEG file to a PDF file.
  • Step 705 determines whether additional normalization is required for the file. If the answer is yes, step 706 sends the file to another normalization module for further processing.
  • the normalization module may be any module that the preflight system is configured to perform, including but not limited to color adjustments, sharpness adjustments, size adjustments, and orientation adjustments.
  • the format module 206 may also be used to determine which print piece is printed on which side of the print medium.
  • the format module 206 may access, utilize and/or comprise software programs that are designed to format the file and software programs that are designed to provide visual guidance to an operator regarding a reserved area; for example, a PDF overlay software such as StampPDF® by Appligent.
  • the normalized file 104 may be sent to a press software engine 105 that stores the normalized file 104 as a reusable object.
  • the reusable object may be called out by the press one or more times at a later time for printing.
  • the various modules of the preflight system may have an additional step for human intervention prior to further processing, prior to sending the file to the press software engine and/or prior to sending the file to the printing press.
  • the human intervention step may also be a default step, wherein the file is sent for human intervention if the file cannot be processed through a module.
  • the file may be sent for human intervention as a checkpoint prior to sending the file to another module.
  • the file after processing the file through all the selected modules, the file may be sent for human intervention as a last checkpoint prior to sending the file to the press software engine or prior to sending the file to the printing press.
  • the present invention also describes a system for preflighting a file.
  • the system comprises one or more computers adapted for performing the methods of the present invention, and a press software engine. Further, the one or more computers are in electronic communication with one or more elements, the one or more elements selected from the group consisting of a printing press, a raster image processor, and a local area network.
  • FIG 10 is a block diagram of the components of the exemplary system 800.
  • the system 800 may include a programmable central processing unit (CPU) 810 which may be implemented by any known technology, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), or the like.
  • the CPU 810 may be integrated into an electrical circuit, such as a conventional circuit board, that supplies power to the CPU 810.
  • the CPU 810 may include internal memory or memory 820 may be coupled thereto.
  • the memory 820 may be coupled to the CPU 810 by an internal bus 864.
  • the memory 820 may comprise random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM).
  • RAM random access memory
  • ROM read-only memory
  • the memory 820 contains instructions and data that control the operation of the CPU 810.
  • the memory 820 may also include a basic input/output system (BIOS), which contains the basic routines that help transfer information between elements within the system 800.
  • BIOS basic input/output system
  • the present invention is not limited by the specific hardware component(s) used to implement the CPU 810 or memory 820 components of the system 800.
  • the memory 820 may include external or removable memory devices such as floppy disk drives and optical storage devices (e.g., CD-ROM, R/W CD-ROM, DVD, and the like).
  • the system 800 may also include one or more I/O interfaces (not shown) such as a serial interface (e.g., RS-232, RS-432, and the like), an IEEE-488 interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a parallel interface, and the like, for the communication with removable memory devices such as flash memory drives, external floppy disk drives, and the like.
  • the system 800 may also include a user interface 840 such as a standard computer monitor.
  • the user interface 840 may permit the user to enter control commands into the system 800.
  • the user interface 840 may include a standard keyboard, mouse, track ball, buttons, touch sensitive screen, wireless user input device and the like.
  • the user interface 840 may be coupled to the CPU 810 by an internal bus 868.
  • the system 800 may also include an antenna or other signal receiving device (not shown) such as an optical sensor for receiving a command signal such as a radio frequency (RF) or optical signal from a wireless user interface device such as a remote control.
  • the system 800 may also include software components for interpreting the command signal and executing control commands included in the command signal. These software components may be stored in memory 820.
  • the various components of the system 800 may be coupled together by the internal buses 864 and 868.
  • Each of the internal buses 864 and 868 may be constructed using a data bus, control bus, power bus, I/O bus, and the like.
  • the system 800 may include instructions 900 executable by the CPU 810 for preflighting the files. These instructions may include computer readable software components or modules stored in the memory 820.
  • the instructions 900 may include one or more of the following modules: a file format conversion module 910 to convert a received file format into a file format wherein the specifications may be manipulated; a color module 920 to ensure a correct color scheme and/or to ensure a correct amount of color; a sharpness module 930 to ensure that an image on a print piece is n focus; a measurement module 940 to measure the size of the file, the size of a bounding box, and/or the geometry of the bounding box; a determination module 950 to determine whether the bounding box is large enough to house one or more print pieces, the number of print pieces, the orientation of the print piece and/or the print piece to be printed; and a format module 960 to adjust or correct the formatting of an image.
  • a file format conversion module 910 to convert a received file format into a file format wherein
  • the instructions in the one or more modules direct the CPU 810 to use the user interface 840 to communicate whether there are necessary actions regarding the file.
  • the CPU 810 may use the user interface 840 to communicate that the file is ready for the printing press.
  • any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
  • any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
  • the present invention also describes a computer readable medium having computer executable components to conduct the methods of the present invention as described herein.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé et un système pour contrôler la disponibilité de fichiers numériques pour une presse d'impression. Le procédé et le système permettent la normalisation automatique des fichiers d'impression, les fichiers étant vérifiés et traités pour s'assurer, par exemple, de l'exactitude de la couleur, du format, des écoulements, de la taille et des marges.
PCT/US2007/073155 2006-07-13 2007-07-10 Système et procédé pour normalisation automatique de fichiers d'impression WO2008008780A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US80731606P 2006-07-13 2006-07-13
US60/807,316 2006-07-13

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WO2008008780A3 WO2008008780A3 (fr) 2008-11-27

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6069707A (en) * 1996-09-20 2000-05-30 Pekelman; Gil System for reproducing a physical color image
US6522425B2 (en) * 1997-02-04 2003-02-18 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Method of predicting and processing image fine structures
US6931683B1 (en) * 2004-03-10 2005-08-23 Robynne R. Elkin Advanced infant reflux wedge for infant

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6069707A (en) * 1996-09-20 2000-05-30 Pekelman; Gil System for reproducing a physical color image
US6522425B2 (en) * 1997-02-04 2003-02-18 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Method of predicting and processing image fine structures
US6931683B1 (en) * 2004-03-10 2005-08-23 Robynne R. Elkin Advanced infant reflux wedge for infant

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