JP2000022938A - Method and device for correcting raster data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to edit raster data. SOLUTION: A print drive 41 arranged between a raster image processor 34 and an output device 46 in a flow of preprinting operation receives 1st and 2nd raster data, processed by the raster image processor, corresponding to the 1st and 2nd image data. The print driver 41 corrects the 1st raster data by using the 2nd raster data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pre-print image setting system. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for digitally modifying raster data proposed as image data processed by a raster image processing apparatus.

[0002]

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Printing presses use plates to print ink on paper and other media. One method of making a plate has been to expose the object to be printed to a photosensitive film. Developing the film creates an image of the material imaged on the film on a photosensitive plate. This operation often "burns" the plate.
ng) ". After processing, the plate can be used to print the object on media.

In a black-and-white printing job, there is usually only one printing plate used to print black ink. Color jobs typically use three colors: cyan, magenta, and yellow inks. This is cyan,
This is because other colors can be created by combining magenta and yellow. A plate is made for each color ink. In addition to cyan, magenta, and yellow, black is also often used. In this case, an extra plate is required to print black ink. Often one or more colors are printed separately. This is the "spot color (spot c
color). This color also has its own version.

[0004] An electronic print pre-processing system (prepr)
Ess systems have used image setting devices that receive raster data to create an image on a photosensitive film. The film is then used to make a plate. The image setting device exposes the photosensitive film pixel by pixel, for example, by scanning a laser down across a piece of film. An electronic circuit controls and exposes the laser and interrupts the exposure in a precise and reproducible manner for each pixel of the raster data.
More recently, plate setting devices have also been used to create plates directly from raster data without using film. Image setting devices, plate setting devices, and other output devices for printing are commonly referred to as print engines.

[0005] The print engine is typically a Quark Express ^™ and Adobe coupled between the print engine and a “front-end” computer.
A dedicated raster image processor (RI) running image processing application software such as PageMaker ^™
P). Typical front-end computers run on operating systems such as Windows NT ^™ , MacOS ^™, and UNIX ^™ . In a typical setup, the Macintosh ^™ front end is connected to a RIP coupled to an image setup device. The RIP interprets the graph information sent by the front-end computer and converts this graph information into raster data that can be imaged by a print engine. The raster data created by the RIP is set to match the required parameters of both the image setting device and the media. The parameters of the image setting device include the resolution at the time of image creation, the processing speed, and the special printing capability. Media parameters include media length, width and thickness, and the chemical composition of the photosensitive layer.

[0006] Typically, the imaging software is provided by A, Mountain View, California, USA.
Posts provided by dobe Systems
Output is performed in a page description language (PDL) format such as script ^™ and PDF ^™ . The page description language describes an image by describing an object included in a page. The page description language allows pages to be described in a manner that can be properly interpreted to create images at various sizes and resolutions. PDL code is generally
Data size is smaller than raster data obtained as a result of interpreting the PDL code. Therefore, the use of a page description language can speed up file transfer. Also, since the page description language has no machine dependency, PD
Any print engine or other device that understands L can create an image therefrom.

When the RIP receives the PDL image data,
The operation performed by the RIP, which uses fonts to place text and performs color processing to create raster data for each color, typically results in a bitmap of one or more raster data. .
Raster data created by RIP is binary. That is, each pixel is on or off. The raster data for each color of the color image is called color separation data.

Each color separation data is transferred from the RIP to an output device via a high-speed interface. This interface has historically been an interface for parallel data transfer and has a data transfer rate sufficient to operate the output device at the desired operating speed. Conventionally, typically, the processing speed of a RIP that processes data to create a bitmap image file for transfer to an output device has been slower than the image creation speed of the output device. R
If the processing speed of the IP is slow, the output device is often idle while the RIP is waiting to create the next bitmap image file. Because print engines are generally expensive to invest in equipment, it is desirable to use them all the time. Therefore, keeping the print engine busy is the goal of modern electronic print pre-processing systems.

RIP multiplexer (MUX), for example
For example, A in Wilmington, Mass., USA
MULTIST provided by gfa Corporation
AR ^(R) To mark one or more RIPs
Acts as a data buffer to and from the printing engine
This allows the electronic pre-processing industry to process data
The throughput is improved and the costs are saved accordingly.
Cost savings and improved efficiencies have been
Using the first RIP while transferring the image to the output device
Process the image by RIP or process it by RIP
At the appropriate time after transfer to the output device.
Either save the raster data processed by IP
It has been realized in that way. This multiplexer is
More complete use of force devices, so the data throughput
Increase.

Typically, for conventional electronic print pre-processing systems, a specially configured output device had to be connected to the RIP before jobs could be performed. For example, if a particular output device connected to the RIP does not meet the job requirements, then a print job that uses a particular type of image setting device for the output device, or a particular medium for the output device. Print jobs such as inputting type or size are processed by RIP
Could not be data. In order to continue processing and output the image file, the user must physically change the output device connected to the RIP so that improper output device settings cause delays or more often. Some kind of operation is required.
Conventional electronic image setting systems are not only device dependent, but also media dependent, and cannot sequentially execute rasterized print jobs on different media or output devices. Was. Therefore, selection of an output device and a print medium has been a major obstacle to productivity.

The processing speed of the RIP has been improved, and the processing speed of the pre-print processing of a single page print job has been reduced.
IP is no longer a bottleneck. But RI
As the processing speed of P has increased, the demand for output devices has increased. The use of current large format image and plate setting devices has made it possible to produce multi-page plate size images, hereinafter referred to as flats, in film or plates. .
It contains 4, 8 or more pages in each image. These output devices have also been powered by dedicated RIPs or MUXs. Because of the complexity of multi-page flats, RIP is often a bottleneck in making these multi-page print format films and plates. The PDL code that must be interpreted to image a multi-page flat is extremely complex. The processing time of RIP for complex images is several times that of creating images.

[0012] The processing time by RIP has a strong impact on the work flow when complex images need to be changed. This is because changing even a part of one flat page of a multi-page generally requires reprocessing the entire image by RIP. RIP for complex images
The slow speed bottleneck affects the workflow both when processing flats first by RIP and then when processing modified images.

If one wishes to make changes to the RIP processed image, one alternative to reprocessing the entire image is to make a plate by physically changing the film output by the image setting device. is there. To make this change, a portion of the image to be changed is physically cut from the film and a correction film is inserted in its place as needed. This is difficult to achieve without artificially modifying the image. More importantly, this alternative is a direct-to-plate, ie, making a plate from a computer (computer-to-p).
late) technology is not possible.

Another technique for modifying an image once processed by RIP is the double burn method.
ing). The usual method of double printing an image on one plate is to make two films and make a plate from both images. In other words, the photosensitive plate is exposed to two films, but the resulting plate contains images from both films. This method is particularly useful when parts of the image have several possible different forms. As an example of such a composite image, there is an image in which a graphic portion and text are included, and the same graphic is provided with text in a different format. Reprocessing complex graphic parts every time the text part changes is a waste of time. One way to reduce the processing time by RIP is to draw a figure on one sheet of film, leave a blank part of this image where a specific type of text is inserted, and leave the text on a second film. This is a method that does not require writing separately and drawing the figure portion again. The first time, using a film containing only graphic parts, and the second time, using a film containing only text parts, the plate is printed twice, and a plate containing both the graphic parts and a text part of a certain form is printed. to make. When making a plate, a film is not used in the direct plate making method, so the double printing method cannot be used in the direct plate making method.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a print drive electronically coupled between one or more raster image processing devices and one or more dedicated devices.
live). The print drive receives, stores, and sends out raster data of the image processed by the RIP. In one embodiment, the print drive uses a digital dual printing device to rasterize two separate images.
Combine the data. In another embodiment, the print drive masks a portion of the raster data by defining the area to be masked using the masked raster data. In yet another embodiment, the print drive uses the masked raster data to perform the first
The first raster data is modified by masking the first raster data and then combining the first raster data with the masked first raster data. In each case, the raster data obtained from the two separate images is combined using a digital image synthesizer, ie a double printing device, or a mask, or using these two.

In general, the present invention relates to a method for performing imaging. The method includes receiving first raster data of a first image processed by a first RIP and second raster data of a second image processed by a second RIP. In. In practice, the first and second raster data may be processed in the same RIP, or may be processed in different RIPs as needed. The first and second raster data are combined to create combined raster data representing the combined image.

In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, from a second raster image processing device, second raster data of a second image representing a modification of the first image, and modifying the first image. Receiving raster data of a second image mask representing the second mask. The method also includes the step of digitally masking the first raster data using the raster data of the mask to produce masked first raster data. Finally, the method includes the step of combining the masked first raster data and the second raster data to produce modified raster data representing the synthesized image.

In one embodiment, the first RIP and the second RIP are the same RIP. In other embodiments, the first and second images are each color images or greyscale images. In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing the raster data to a dedicated device, for example, a plate setting device for producing a composite image on a printing plate; An image setting device for creating a composite image on paper or other print media; a storage device for storing raster data in a file or buffer; or any other known device capable of receiving raster data Sending to the device or application program. In another embodiment,
RIP is a page description language interpreter.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises creating a first image file coded in a page description language, sending the image file to a first RIP, and then by the first RIP. Interpreting the image file to generate first raster data, and then sending the first raster data to an output device. The method also creates a second image file coded in a second page description language and sends the image file to a second RIP, which in turn creates second raster data. And sending the second raster data to an output device. In another embodiment, the method also includes receiving the first image file by the first image server, storing the first image file on the first image server, and storing the first image file in the first image server. Sending to the first RIP by the image server.
The method also includes receiving a second image file by the second image server, storing the second image file on the second image server, and storing the second image file by the second image server. Sending to the RIP.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a print drive system that includes a print drive. A print drive configured to process raster data of the first image processed by the first RIP;
And a print drive input for receiving raster data of a second image processed by the RIP. A digital double printing device is electrically coupled to the print drive input. Digital double printing system is the first
The second raster data and the second raster data are electrically combined to create combined raster data of the combined image.

In one embodiment, the print drive receives the second raster data and masks the second image raster data processed by the second raster image processor. The print drive also includes a digital mask device in electrical communication with the print drive input. The digital masking device masks the first raster data with the raster data of the mask to produce masked first raster data. The digital dual printing device combines the masked first and second raster data to produce modified raster data of the combined image.

In another embodiment, the print drive
The system includes a graphic imaging system in electrical communication with a print drive input. The graphics imaging system includes a general purpose computer having imaging software for creating PDL encoded first and second image files. The graphics imaging system also includes a RIP in electrical communication with the general purpose computer. The RIP includes a receiving unit of the raster image processing device that receives the first image file and the second image file. The RIP also includes an interpreter in electrical communication with a receiver of the raster image processing device for interpreting the first image file and the second image file. This interpreter is the first raster
Generate data and second raster data. The RIP is also in electrical communication with the interpreter;
An output of the raster image processing device for sending the first raster data and the second raster data is included.

In another embodiment, the graphic imaging system includes a general purpose computer and an image server in electrical communication with the raster image processor. The image server includes a receiving portion of the image server that receives the first image file and the second image file from a general-purpose computer. The image server also includes an image server data store in electrical communication with the image server receiver. The data storage of the image server stores the first image file and the second image file. The image server also includes an image server transmitter in electrical communication with the image server data store. The transmitting unit of the image server sends the first image file and the second image file to the RIP.

In another aspect, generally, an aspect of the invention resides in an imaging system. The imaging system includes an image generator for creating a first image and a second image.
The imaging system also includes a raster image processor in electrical communication with the image generator. The raster image processing apparatus processes a first image to produce first raster data, and processes a second image to produce a second raster image.
Create data. The imaging system also includes a print drive in electrical communication with the raster image processor.
The print drive combines the first raster data and the second raster data to create combined raster data of the composite image. In another embodiment, the imaging system also includes a dedicated device in electrical communication with the print drive. In another embodiment, the print drive uses the raster data of the mask to generate a first raster image.
Masking the data and combining the masked first and second raster data to produce modified raster data of the composite image. In another embodiment, the print drive masks the first raster data with the mask raster data. The print drive includes a masked first raster data and a second raster data.
Combine with the data to create modified raster data of the composite image.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for creating a correction to an original image. The method includes creating a modified image having a modified layer that corrects the original image and a mask layer that masks an area of the original image.
This method requires precise positioning between the layers. The method also includes processing the modified image to produce modified raster data and mask raster data. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of creating the original image, positioning the original image, and processing the original image to create the original raster data before creating the modified image. I have. In another embodiment, the method uses the raster data to be masked with the original raster data.
Masking the data and substantially erasing the modified areas to create masked first raster data. The method also includes combining the masked raster data with the modified raster data to produce modified raster data of the composite image. In another embodiment, the method includes sending the modified raster data to a dedicated device. The dedicated device may be any known device or application program that receives raster data, such as a plate setting device that creates an image on a printing plate, an image setting device that creates an image on photosensitive paper, film, or other media. A printer that prints on paper or other media; or a storage device that stores raster data in a file or buffer. In another embodiment, the mask layer includes a mask that is substantially 100% full.

The above and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings and claims.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a print pre-processing system 32 includes one or more computers called a front end 40. The front end 40 is connected to a computer network. The front end 40 is used to set the environment of the system and to create, edit or perform other operations on image data. At the front end 40, both color and black and white images are produced for processing by the pre-print process 32 and for the reproduction of the final image by the printing press 56 using the printing form 58. The front end 40 is Windows NT ^™ , MacOS ^™ or UNIX
A typical off-the-shelf computer running on an operating system such as ^TM . The front end 40 is an image processing application software, for example, a commercially available Quark
Express ^™ and Adobe PageMake
^rTM , or other similar software.
The front end 40 is also an imposition software that lays out several pages in one image, for example Impos
You can have trip ^™ or any other assembly software. The imposition software allocates one or more pages in one image and presents multiple pages in a single image. Since many pages are printed at the same time, creating many pages on a single plate increases productivity. Both image processing application software and imposition software generate images coded in a page description language. The front end 40 can provide images to one or more raster image processing devices 42 via the network 35. The front end 40 may also be connected via the network 35 to one or more image servers 42 or test presses (pr
image 44 can be provided with an image.

The network 35 can be any of a variety of types of commercially available computer networks, but must have sufficient capacity to handle the traffic generated by the print pre-processing system. In one embodiment, the network has a 100baseT standard hub, with Fast Ethernet (Fast Ethernet) where the networked component terminals and the hub are properly connected.
(Ethernet) network.

In one embodiment, the image server 42
Receives image data from the front end 40 and stores it. The image server 42 can queue jobs to send directly to the available RIPs 34. The image server 42 will also later execute RIP3
4 allows the image from the front end 40 to be stored for processing. The image server 42
Even when the RIP 34 is busy, enabling the front end user to output jobs can help improve the efficiency of the workflow. By queuing jobs for the RIP 34 at the server 42, the RIP 34 can be kept continuously busy.

The RIP 34 can be a software RIP running on a computer system, and the computer can be one of the front ends 40, or another computer system. RIP is a software RIP such as Agfa Viper ^™ and A
gfa Taipan ^™ software RIP, or a hardware RIP, such as AgfaStar ^™ hardware RIP, which is manufactured by Agfa of Wilmington, Mass., USA.
Available from Corporation.
Each RIP 34 has software and / or hardware RIP modules for performing RIP functions such as screening, capturing, allocating image data, combining pages and images, separating colors, and performing color processing.

Each of the RIPs 34 is a network interface module 135 capable of two-way communication.
(See FIG. 3) through which the front end 40
Alternatively, a PDL file is received from the image server 42. Thus, each RIP 34 is on a network and can be accessed on the network 35 by any front end 40 or any image server 42. Network interface module 135 may also act as an output interface for communicating RIP 34 over network 35. In another embodiment, each RIP 34
A separate hardwired input and output connection is used between the printer and the associated print drive 41.

Print drive 41 includes a plurality of software modules running on a standard computer platform configured to streamline print drive functions. The print drive hardware also has a fast network interface and output device 46.
A number of interface boards or interfaces including hardware connections to the The print drive 41 is a raster drive from RIP34.
The data can be received and stored by an operator programmed command or sent immediately to the output device 46. The print driver 41 can be connected to the RIP 34 via the network 35 or have an individual connection to the RIP. The print drive 41 can be connected directly to the output device 46 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, or can be connected to the output device 45 via a network 35 or other connection. Output devices 46 include image setting devices, plate setting devices, printers, plotters, and other devices that receive and / or send raster data.

The output device 46 can be an image setting device that creates an image on a photosensitive film 60 or paper 61. A plate 58 is used on a printing press 56 to print one color separation of the image. For black and white images, only one color is needed, namely black. For color images, generally at least three colors are used, namely cyan, magenta, and yellow, often the fourth.
Black is used as the color of. One or more "spot colors", which are also considered extra colors, can also be used. The image setting device images the raster data for each color separated on the film. The plates are then often used to print high quality printing materials on a printing press. An example of an image setting device is Cell
ctset Avantra ( ^R ), Selectse
t ( ^R ) 7000 and Accuset ( ^R ) Plus
Image setting devices, all of which are Agfa Corpo, Wilmington, Mass., USA
commercially available from Ration.

The output device 46 can be a direct plate making device such as a plate setting device for directly forming an image on the plate 59 without using the film 60, or a plate making device using a computer. By using the plate setting device 64, the step of making the plate 58 using the film 60 is omitted, the work flow is improved, and the cost of making the film is saved. Agfa Ga is an example of the plate setting device.
lileo ^™ platesetter and Agfa Pol
There is aris 100 ^TM digital version setting system,
These are Wilmingto, Mass., USA
n from Agfa Corporation.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flow diagram of the operation through the system of FIG. The images are designed using image processing application software such as PageMaker ^™ . As an example, assume that the image contains both text and graphs, and the front end 40 assembles this image. That is, a number of pages are appropriately arranged on one flat. The front end 40 can create a queue for images to be processed by sending jobs to the image server 42. Alternatively, the front end 40 can output the job directly to the RIP 34. Using the image server 42,
The system operator can be made to use the front end 40 and the RIP 34 more constantly. This is because the front end 40 and the RIP 34 do not have to wait for each other. The image shows the front end 40
Or sent by the image server 42 to the RIP 34. The image is then processed at RIP. RIP34
Outputs raster data to the print drive 41, which stores the raster data until an image is output to the output device 46.

It should be noted that many different modified settings can be made to a print pre-processing system similar to that shown in FIG. 1 to implement the principles of the present invention. For example, the system includes one or more front-end computers 40, one or more servers 42, one or more RIPs 34,
One or more test printing presses 44, one or more printing drives 41, and one or more printing devices 46 could be included in combination. Thereafter, any number of printing presses 56 can be coupled to the print pre-processing system. Although included in the flow chart of FIG. 1 to fully illustrate the image generation process for the printing process, the press 56 is not actually part of the print pre-processing system of the present invention. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the output device 46 is required as a print engine, but the output device may be any device or application software that receives raster data, such as a hard disk for storing data. Can be. The print engine output device 46 can transfer the image to a known medium, such as paper, film or plate. In most cases, the RIP 34, the print drive 41 and the output device 46 are located locally,
6, the film 0.1 and the server 42 are coherently arranged, but the various components of the print pre-processing system of the present invention generally depend on factors such as signal loss limitations through the cable. It can be located locally or at a remote location. Further, the image data used throughout the print pre-processing system of the present invention can be stored on any component that is generally accessible over the network, ie, front end 40, server 42 or printing device 34.

Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment of the print drive 41, at least one CPU coupled to a multiplexed system such as a PCI or EISA bus 82.
84 are included. Other bus settings are also appropriate. In one embodiment, the CPU is an Intel Pent
ium ^™ processor. Many other commercially available processors are also suitable. The print drive 41 also has a ROM 8
6, a RAM 88 and a first Ethernet board 51. Sufficient RAM to support the operating system and process raster data sent and received by print drive 41
88 is required. The SCSI adapter board 53 includes a bus 82 and at least one SCSI storage device 5.
2, for example, connected to a hard disk. The print drive 41 includes a compression / decompression board 90 for compressing and decompressing files, and an engine interface or output board 92 for direct connection to the output device 46. The network interface module or printing device interface terminal 135 is a hardware interface between the print drive 41 and the network 35.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the print driver 41 is a Microsoft Windows window.
s You are using the NT ^™ operating system. The print drive software 98 operates in conjunction with the operating system 94 and serves as an interface for the hardware components of the system. Print drive software is Windows
It runs as a set of Windows NT ^™ services that are set up, started, and stopped by the NT ^™ service manager. The user interface software 99 instructs the operation of the print drive 41 using the software 98 of the print driving unit. .

For example, the user interface software 99 allows the user to make local settings and configure the print drive 41 for the output device 46 to which it is connected. User interface software 99 is also used to control the workflow and characteristics of the processing of the raster data. The user interface software 99 runs on the print drive 41 and on a workstation such as the front end 40, or other computer system coupled locally or remotely to the network 35. You can run. A remote user of the user interface software 99 can access the user interface software 9 running locally on the print drive 41.
The same control characteristics as the 9 users can be accessed.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 5 and 6, the print drive software 98 includes the output control system 10.
Contains 2. Power control system 102 includes a power control interface subsystem or power activation system 112. The output control interface subsystem 112 communicates with the output device driver 114 and sends the raster data to the output device 46. The output control system 102 can restart the driver of the output device if an error occurs.

The print drive software 98 also includes a print drive service system 104.
Print drive service system 104 includes a media control subsystem 114. The media control subsystem 114 provides an interface to a media list 116 that contains information about each type of media that the print driver 41 can use. Output device 4 mounted
6 is used by the RIP 34 via this subsystem 114. The initial mapping of the media type is made when the output device 46 is installed, and can be changed at any time by the user interface software.

The print drive software 98 includes a configuration subsystem 118. Setting subsystem 11
8 operates together with the user interface software to set the print drive software 98. In one embodiment, the configuration parameter 120 is N
Stored in the SOFTWARE section of T's registry, the configuration subsystem 118 provides an interface to this data. The warning subsection 121 provides a warning when an error occurs. Warning for print drive 41
Alternatively, it can be performed by issuing an alarm sound in a computer connected to the print drive 41 via the user interface software 99.

Job control system 106 receives, stores, and initializes the output of raster data. The job control service 122 has a job list 1 that is a list of all the raster data included in the system 32.
Access to data and features attached to the 24. Since the raster data is composed of image and color separation data, the job list 124 holds the position information and status of all the raster data related to a certain job. All files of a job are stored in the data storage area of the print drive 41 or the system 32.
Has been written to another accessible storage device, such as a storage device in the front end 40 or server 42. In one embodiment, each color separation is stored in its own job file in TIFF format. These files are accessed by the job control service 122. Job control service 1
The file operations supported by 22 include adding new jobs, deleting job files, replacing job files, and "imageable" color separation data.
Or, an operation to create as “imaging impossible” is included.

The job control service 122 also provides a job
Includes a picker. The job picker determines what jobs on the job list to select for output to the currently connected print engine 46. The job picker scans the job list for all jobs that can then be output. The determination of which job to output depends on how the job picker is set up. For example, with respect to media, the job picker may send a RIP 34
Use the media type and size indicated by
Use the media type indicated in RIP34, but do not use images for media of any size (as long as it is large enough for the image), or ignore the media type and size specified in RIP34 Can be set to The job picker can also be set to save media. This is called media optimization. The job picker can be set to always optimize using the spindle when not using media size. That is, the selection of the medium is performed so as to use the minimum possible medium for one image. Alternatively, the job picker may be configured to use ganging on the loaded media, ie, jobs on the same media may be immediately imaged one after another, reducing waste between image media. Can be. Ganging gives images priority over the use of media already loaded on the device.
The job picker can also be set to not save media or to use media optimization defined by a particular print job. Further jobs
The picker can be set so that several jobs before the next job in the list are imaged on the same media. If this limit is exceeded, a command to change media is sent to output device 46 so that the next job in list 124 can be performed.

Job inspection log subsystem 126 accesses job inspection log 128. Job inspection log 1
28 is used to record business job related events that occur in any part of the print drive system 32. Job inspection log 128 even after job is deleted
Is left. The retention time of the job inspection log file is configurable.

The job file is a file access file.
Stored and accessed using subsystem 130. In one embodiment, the raster data for the job is stored in TIFF format, and the raster data for each color separation is stored in a separate file in the job data storage 132. All information about one job is stored in the job list 124 or the job file 13.
2 is stored. Typical job list information is information about the entire job, such as priority, media type, and processing options. Typical job file information includes when and where to print a job, how many copies to print, how many images to print per sheet,
Etc. is included. Job list and job
The file information is used by the job control service 122 to schedule the job for imaging.

The import / export subsystem 134 provides a mechanism for importing or exporting files from or to another file system coupled to the network 35.
This mechanism allows the files in the job list 124 to be archived. The file can be copied to any local or network disk device. By importing the raster data and creating a directory to copy the job files via the job control service 122, a new job can be created by the import. The job control service 122 adds the copied file to the job list 124.

The print drive software 98 can also include features such as a test printing system 108, the latter of which converts a raster data file for imaging on the test printing press 44. Device control 140 is included. The temporary test print file is stored in the temporary storage area 142.

The preview system 110 accesses jobs in the job list 124 for a user to preview on a computer monitor. The job is accessed via the job control service 122. The raster data can be compressed using the compression board 90. The resolution is also reduced to match the resolution of the computer monitor, which is much lower than the resolution of the print engine 46. The preview image is generated from the multiple color separation data and sent at screen resolution for previewing the customer's application program.

The print drive 41 receives the raster data from the RIP 34 and outputs the raster data to the output device 4.
6, which provides advantages in work flow and efficiency. Further, the print drive 41 can process raster data in a way that was not previously possible. In particular, after the image has been processed by the raster image processor 34, the print drive may combine color separation data from the same or different images. This makes the raster data RIP3
After being processed by 4, the user can modify the raster data. The print drive 41 includes operations such as digital image compositing, for example, digital double printing, which combines two images on one plate. The print drive 41 also performs a masking operation to mask a portion of one image as part of the digital image synthesizer. This operation is electronically equivalent to the operation of erasing a part of the image on the film. The digital shielding device and digital double printing device are accessible via the job control service 122, the latter being accessible to the user via the user interface software 99. Both digital shielding and digital double-printing devices allow for photometric interpretation, ie, negative or positive polarity of the image. This information is contained in the job list.

Referring to FIG. 7, the print drive 41 stores two files of raster data, ie, the first raster data 15 that has been separately RIPped from separate images.
The combination of the zero and second raster data 152 facilitates a digital double printing operation. The raster data obtained from the two images is obtained by combining the raster data obtained from one image with the raster data obtained from the other image and the first raster data as shown in the figure.
The data 150 and the second raster data 152 are combined by overlapping such that their relative positions are maintained, producing combined raster data 154 representing the composite image. This is extremely useful because the image modification occurs after the original PDL image data has been processed by the raster image processor and converted to raster image data. If the RIP 34 is directly connected to the output device of the image setting device, that is, if no print drive is included in the work flow of the preliminary printing system, it is not possible to manipulate the image data after processing by the RIP 34. Not practical. By operating the print drive 41 in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the raster image processing
1 can be handled after processing.

Referring to FIG. 8, the print drive 41 uses the second raster data 162 to generate the first raster data.
It operates to mask the data 160. The first raster data 160 may include text and graphic data. The second raster data 162 includes a mask 163, which is substantially an area of the image that is 100% full. Area 163 of the mask defines the area to be masked in the composite image. The first raster
If the data was masked with the second raster data 162, the resulting raster data 164 includes the masked portion 163 of the second raster data. The masked area 16 of the obtained raster data 164
5 is the area 16 of the mask of the second raster data 162
It is in the same position as 3. If the RIP 34 is directly connected to the image setting device, that is, if the print drive 41 is not included in the work flow, it is impossible to handle data after processing by the RIP 34. The print drive 41 of the present invention allows data to be handled after processing by a raster image processing device.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first raster data 170 (including the desired correction area 171) is corrected in the area 171. For example, assume that there is an error in the section of the original image corresponding to the section 171 of the first raster data 170, or that the original section corresponding to the section 171 is to be changed. The mask raster data 172 and the second raster data 176 are used in combination with a digital mask device and a digital double printing device, respectively, to modify the first raster data 170. First, the area 171 of the first raster data 170 defined by the mask area 173 is masked using the mask raster data 172. The result is first masked raster data 174, which is a copy of first raster data 170 having a masked section 175 corresponding in location to area 173 of the mask. The second raster data 176 is raster data in which the original image is corrected only in the correction area 177. That is, the time during which the second raster data 176 is processed in the RIP 34 is only a fraction of the time required to process the first raster data 170. Next, the second raster data is combined with the first raster data 174 masked by the digital double printing method, and the modified area 177 of the second raster data 176 is masked to the first raster data. 174 so as to coincide with the mask area 173. In this way, the second raster data 1
76 modified areas 177 and the first raster masked
The data 174 is combined to obtain modified raster data 178 including the modified area 179.

One embodiment of the digital double printing operation illustrated in FIG. Two images to be double-printed (for example, the first raster in FIG. 7)
The photometric interpretation of the data 150 and the second raster data 152) is determined at block 204. If the background of the image is black, the image is negative, and if the background of the image is white, the image is positive. If the image is positive, a logical OR operation of block 206 is performed on the first raster data 150 and the second raster data 152 at the pixel level. If the image is negative, the first raster data 150 and the second raster data 152
The logical AN of block 208 at the pixel level
Perform D operation. In each case, the combined operation results in the combined raster data 154 by the logical operation. The digital double printing operation ends at block 210.

During the course of the digital duplication operation, the files to be mixed are opened and new temporary files are created. If this operation fails for any reason, an error message is issued and the temporary file is deleted. The job has no errors. If the files are successfully mixed, the original file is replaced by a temporary file.

The operation of the preferred embodiment of the digital mask is shown in FIG. The process begins at block 212 where the mask is inverted at block 214 to 0 if the pixel is 1 and 1 if the pixel is 0. The digital mask then determines the photometric interpretation of the image at block 216. If the image is positive, at block 218 the first raster data 160 and mask 163
Is performed at the pixel level on the second raster data 162 (see FIG. 8) containing If the image is negative, the first raster
A logical OR operation is performed on the data 160 and the second raster data 162 at a pixel level. In each case, the logical operation results in raster data 164 having areas 165 masked. The process ends at block 222.

While the digital mask operation is in progress, the files involved in this operation are opened and a new temporary file is created. If this operation fails for any reason,
An error message is issued and the temporary file is deleted. The job has no errors. If the mask operation is successful, the original file is replaced by a temporary file.

The digital double printing apparatus shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
The print drive 41 can modify the image after it has been processed by the raster image processing device 34 by combining the digital mask device with the digital mask device. This type of operation has already been shown in FIG. The mask device is used to delete a section of the image of each color separation data to be corrected. A double printing device is used to combine the correction data and the masked image.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an embodiment for modifying raster data in the digital image combiner of the print drive 34 by combining digital double printing and digital mask operations. First raster data 170 representing the original image to be modified (see FIG. 9)
Are created in block 230 using page creation software that places graphics and text on each page. Next, at block 232, the pages are placed in a flat using either page creation software or imposition software that impositions multiple pages within an image. The assembled image is then processed at RIP 34 at block 234 to produce one or more raster data color separations per image.
This raster data is output from the RIP 34 to the printing device and stored there.

The second raster data (corrected image) is
Created in block 236 with properties 177 that modify the first raster data 170 (original image).
The modified image is created at the same time as the original image, or after the original image is printed on a test press, paper or plate. The modified image may be a copy of the original image including the modified portion, or may be an insert into the original image as illustrated in connection with FIG. The modified image includes a modification to the original image, and includes a mask layer, for example, raster data 172 serving as a mask. In this embodiment, the mask layer is a spot color layer created with page creation software. The mask layer includes a mask that is substantially 100% full or a mask area 173 corresponding to the area 171 of the first raster data of the first image to be corrected. The mask layer has a special name "mask" to be identified by the print drive 34
Is given. Other methods for identifying the mask layer can be used, but this identification is within the constraints of the operating procedures of the pre-print processing environment and the front end 40
, Which must be available at the print drive 34 in a later workflow.

The second raster data 176 is imposed at block 238 so as to be properly placed on the page. In general, the second raster data 176 is assembled in the same manner as the first raster data 170. In this way, the pages are arranged such that the correction area 177 of the second raster data 176 is located at the same position as the desired correction area 171 of the first raster data 170. If the original image contains several pages, the modified image is located where the page to be modified is located. There is no need to include other pages that do not contain the modifications. By including only the page to be corrected, the processing time of the RIP for correcting the image is significantly reduced, and the correction is performed at the correct position of the image.

The modified image is then processed by the RIP at block 240 to produce color separated raster data.
The raster data for each color separation is output from the RIP 34 to the print drive 41, where the RAM 88 or R
Stored in OM86. First raster data 170
And the second raster data 176 are mixed as described above at block 242 by digital double printing and masking operations on the print drive 41 to produce modified raster data 178. The digital masking device masks the desired correction area 171 and the digital double printing device masks the first masked region.
Raster data 174 of the second raster data 1
76 to produce modified raster data.
The modified raster data 178 is the job list 1
24 and replaces the first raster data 170 and is used at block 244 for output.

Referring to FIG. 13, the repair process is described in further detail. The process begins at block 128, where the photometric interpretation of the image to be combined is determined at block 250. If the image is positive, the mask operation is logically AND
An operation is used, and a logical OR operation is used for the double printing operation. A digital mask operation and a double printing operation are performed on each color separation data. Block 252
Invert the mask at and 262 to keep the area outside the mask. The inverted mask raster data is then combined with each color separation data at blocks 254 and 264 to produce masked first raster data 174. At blocks 256 and 266, the mask is combined with the modified raster data (ie, the data that the user wishes to combine with or modify for the original image) to create second raster data. For this purpose, the raster data of the non-inverted mask is used, and the portion of the second image used to modify the original image is defined by the mask. This step is unnecessary if the front-end user only makes corrections in the second image and there is no other extra data. By masking the raster data of the second image, the processing of the front-end operator is less complex. This is because front-end operators do not have to consider artificial artifacts that occur during imaging outside the mask area. Finally, in blocks 258 and 268, the first raster data 170 is converted to the second raster data 17
6 to generate modified raster data 178. The above steps are repeated for each color separation data of the original image.

It should be noted that the above independent processing steps can be performed in a different order. For example, block 2
The operation of ANDing the mask with the modified raster data at 56 may be performed prior to inverting the mask of block 252. In one embodiment, the correction operation is optimized and multiple operations are performed simultaneously on the raster data associated with the first and second images. This method is faster than performing double printing after the mask operation.

The digital double printing apparatus and the digital mask apparatus are actually mounted as hardware components of the print drive 41 (FIG. 3). For example, R
Various information such as the first raster data 150 and the second raster data 15 are stored in the AM 88 or the ROM 86.
2. Combined raster data 154, first raster data 160, second raster data 162, mask 163, resulting raster data 164, masked area 165, first raster data 170 , Mask raster data 172, mask area 173, masked first raster data 174, masked section 175, second raster data 176, modified area 177, modified raster data 178 and modified The saved area 179 is stored, and the operation is mainly performed in the CPU 84. In particular, various method steps are performed by activating the computer capabilities of the print drive 41. Therefore, using any general purpose or special purpose computer system,
Digital double printing and masking operations can be performed on the data.

FIGS. 14-18 show a preferred user interface for the digital double printing operation. FIG.
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 15, in this embodiment of the digital double printing apparatus, the two images are combined after the images have been processed by the RIP. In this example, two images, one text (FIG. 14) and one graphic (FIG. 15), are combined. Each image has four pages in a flat. The text is in French. The operator of the system uses the digital double burn function of the print drive 34 to blend the French text with the black separated raster data of the processed graphic image. This example job will be called “jerry-3.preps”. The user accesses the job list 124 using the user interface software.
In the job list 124, the user selects the raster data to be mixed and drags the raster data to be mixed onto the raster data to be combined therewith. Add Separation Dialogue
A box will appear and the user will see "Doubleburn"
Option and click "OK".

Referring to FIG. 16, AddSepara
The graphic user interface of the dialog box is job journaly-3. It shows that the "black" raster data from page 1 of the preps is mixed with the "black French" raster data from page 1 of the same job. Note that both the black raster data and the black French raster data have the same job identification number (JobID), meaning that both sets of raster data are for the same job. I want to be.

Referring to FIG. 17, in another embodiment of the graphical user interface, the operator of the system mixes page 2 of the job with page 1 of the same job. The AddSeparation dialog box is JobID 501, JobName "je
ry-3. preps "indicates that the black raster data from page 2 of the same job is mixed with the black raster data of page 1 of the same job.

Referring to FIG. 18, in yet another embodiment of the graphical user interface, the data to mix and the basic data are in separate jobs. The user opens the job list and examines the details of each job. The user then selects the raster data to be mixed and drags the raster data to be mixed onto the raster data to be combined therewith. AddS
The separation dialog box appears and the user selects "Doubleburn". In this embodiment, the black raster data from page 501 of Job 501 is mixed with the black raster data of Job 533. Both jobs have the same job name, but different job numbers.

FIGS. 19-27 show graphical user interfaces for modifying raster data. FIG.
Referring to, after processing the image by RIP34,
Modify the image using the Modify function. A new image file, "repair page", is created from the original image. Only the pages that have been modified are reprocessed by the RIP. Then, for this flat,
The data is mixed with the original raster data. In this example, the desired modification is to change the word "Discover" to "Uncover". Change the original application program, in this example Quark Ex
press ^™ . Referring to FIG. 20, "D
The word "iscover" has been changed to the word "Uncover".

Referring to FIG. 21, a new color plate is added to the page to be corrected. The name of this color plate is "m
22. Referring to FIG. 22, a color plate named “Mask” is a non-processed spot color “mas”.
It includes a rectangular shape that is 100% filled with k ". The degree of filling can be less than 100%, but the effect obtained will be less than if the entire image were modified. See, this rectangle is set without using the narrow width of the text and is displayed in front of the page.

Next, the corrected image is stored for assembly by the assembly program. The user assembles the page using the same template and setting information as the original job, and places the page at an appropriate position in the assembling. All other positions in the imposition are filled with blank pages. In this assembling program, the color of the mask is set so as to be printed separately or to be overprinted. Next, the corrected flat is processed by the RIP 34. Only the color plate processed by RIP 34 is the plate to be masked and replaced. Eg black text (no shade behind it)
If only the black plate and mask are to be corrected,
There is no need to process with IP34. Any version processed by RIP 34 can be replaced.

Referring to FIG. 24, the user can
Select a correction job from the list 124. In this example, the correction job is “jerry2fix.preps”, and the original job is “jerry2.preps”. After selecting the correction job from the job list 124, the user drags the correction job onto the original job.

Referring to FIG. 25, a drag dialog box appears as a result of dragging one job over another job in the job list 124. As shown in this figure, the dialog box is
It has the title "QuickFix", which means a fix. The action of the fix is confirmed by selecting the "QuickFix" button. The user drags the first job over the first job and separates it Move from one job to another, move
Select the (Move) button. Once a fix is selected,
The print drive software verifies that the raster data for the mask with the title "mask" is present in the correction job and checks which colors are included in the correction. The mask is then applied to each corresponding color of the original job and the correction data is mixed. All actions are logged.

Referring to FIG. 26, the correction can be performed separately from the operation of mixing the corrected raster data with the mask operation. For example, each job in the job list 124 is opened, and the mask operation is started by dragging the job of the raster data of the mask onto the raster data to be masked. "AddSepara
The "tion" dialog box appears. The mask raster data is the source raster data,
The cyan raster data is the target data. "Knockout" to start the mask operation is selected.

Referring to FIG. 27, when the corrected raster data is ready, the user opens the job information of the job list 124 for the corrected raster data and the raster data to be corrected. In this example, the data to be modified is just masked cyan raster data. The modified raster data is the source and the masked raster data is the target. AddSepar
ation dialog box from the "Double"
burn ". The cyan raster data is replaced by the modified raster data, which is a combination of the modified raster data and the masked raster data. In this manner, the user can modify the separated data. it can.

The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and represent only a limited number of the particular possible embodiments to which the principles of the present invention may be applied. Numerous and various other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art according to the principles of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The main features and embodiments of the present invention are as follows.

1. The first raster data (150, 1
60) and the second raster data (152, 16).
2) receiving the first raster data (150, 160) of the first image processed by the at least one raster image processing device 34, and receiving at least one raster image processing device; Receiving the first raster data of the second image processed at 34 and combining the first raster data (150, 160) and the second raster data (152, 162) digitally A method comprising creating combined raster data (154, 164) representing an image.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of digitally combining is double printing or masking.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second images is a color or grayscale layer.

4. Combined raster data (15
4, 164), a plate setting device for sending the composite image to a printing plate (58); an image setting device for sending the composite image to one medium (61); a printer for printing the composite image; Target device (46), which is one of storage devices for storing the generated raster data (154, 164).
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the raster image processing device (34) includes a page description language interpreter.

6. The second raster data (152, 1
62) The method of claim 1, wherein the method has substantially the same resolution as the first raster data (150, 160).

7. The first raster data (150, 1
Prior to receiving the first image file, the first image file encoded in the page description language is created, and the first image file is received by at least one raster image processing device (34). 34) decrypts the first image file to create first raster data (150, 160), and the first raster data is processed by at least one raster image processing device (34).
Sending the second raster data (152, 1).
62), a second image file coded in a page description language is created, the second image file is received by at least one raster image processing device (34), and the at least one raster image processing device (34) is received. 34) decrypting the second image file to create second raster data (152, 162), and the second raster data
2. The method of claim 1 including sending the raster data (152, 162) of the first.

8. After creating the first image file,
A first image file is received by a first image server, the first image file is stored on the first image server, and the first image file is copied by the first image server to the at least one raster image processing device. 34), and after creating the second image file,
A second image server receives a second image file, stores the second image file on the second image server, and stores the second image file by the second image server in the at least one raster image processing device. 34. The method of claim 7 including the step of sending to (34).

9. A print drive (41) for controlling operation in a pre-print processing system (32) having at least one raster image processing device (34), wherein a first image of a first image from the at least one raster image processing device (34) is obtained. A print drive input terminal (135) for receiving raster data (150, 160) and raster data (152, 162) for the second image;
Raster data (150, 160) and second raster data (152, 162) are digitally combined to form a combined raster data (1
54, 164) having a digital image combining device.

10. 10. A print drive (41) according to claim 9, wherein said digital image combining device is either a double printing device or a mask device.

11. The print drive (41) of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second images is a color or grayscale layer.

12. The combined raster data (154, 16) is electrically coupled to the digital image coupling device.
4) a plate setting device that sends the composite image to a printing plate (58); an image setting device that sends the composite image to one medium (61); a printer that prints the composite image; or the combined device 10. The print drive (41) according to claim 9, having a print drive output terminal (135) capable of sending out raster data (154, 164).

13. The print drive (41) of claim 9, wherein the raster image processing device (34) includes a page description language interpreter.

14. The second raster data (152,
162) is the first raster data (150, 160)
10. A print drive (41) according to claim 9 having substantially the same resolution as.

15. The print preprocessing system (32) in electrical communication with the print drive input terminal (135) further includes imaging software for creating the first image file and the second image file encoded in a page description language. Receiving a first image file and a second image file at at least one raster image processing device (34) having a general-purpose computer (40) in electrical communication with the general-purpose computer (40); , And these are respectively referred to as first raster data (150, 160).
10. The print drive (41) of claim 9, wherein the print drive (41) converts the data into second raster data (152, 162).

16. The preliminary printing system (32) further comprises a general purpose computer (40) and an image server (42) in electrical communication with at least one raster image processing device (34), the image server (42) being a general purpose computer. An image server receiving unit that receives the first image file and the second image file from the computer (40), and electrically communicates with the image server receiving unit to store the first image file and the second image file Image server storage device, and an image server transmission unit that is in electrical communication with the image server storage device and sends the first image file and the second image file to the at least one raster image processing device (34). 16. The print drive (41) according to claim 15, comprising:

17. An image capture device for capturing a first image and a second image, in electrical communication with the image capture device, processing the first image to create first raster data (150, 160). At least one raster image processing device (34) for processing a second image to produce second raster data (152, 162), and in electrical communication with the at least one raster image processing device (34) Then, the first raster data (150, 16
0) and the second raster data (152, 162) are digitally combined to produce combined raster data (154, 156) representing a composite image.
An image generation system for performing a digital double printing or masking operation having 1).

18. A plate setting device that sends the composite image to a printing plate; an image setting device that sends the composite image to one medium;
A printer for printing the composite image; or a storage device for storing the combined raster data, the printer having a target device (46) in electrical communication with the print drive (41). Item 10. The image generation system according to Item 9.

19. Receiving raster data (170) of a first image processed by at least one raster image processor (34) and modifying the first image processed by at least one raster image processor (34). Raster of a second image mask that receives raster data (176) of the second image representing the correction mask for the first image and that has been processed by at least one raster image processor (34). Receiving the data (172), digitally masking the first raster data (170) with the mask raster data (172), and masking the first raster data;
Data (174), and masked first raster data (174) and second raster data (17).
6) in digital form to obtain modified raster data (174) representing a composite image.

20. Each of the first image and the second image is a color or grayscale image.
The method described in the section.

21. A plate setting device that sends the composite image to a printing plate (59); an image setting device that sends the composite image to one medium (61); a printer that prints the composite image; 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of sending the modified raster data (178) to a target device (46) selected from the group consisting of archival storage.

22. A first raster data of a first image and a second raster of a second image from at least one raster image processor in a print drive for controlling operation in the preliminary printing system; A print drive input (135) for receiving data and mask raster data, electrically coupled to the print drive input and digitally masking the first raster data with the mask raster data for masking; A digital mask device for producing first raster data, and a print drive input terminal and a digital mask device, electrically coupled to the masked first raster data and the second raster data. Digital double-printing device for producing modified raster data representing composite images Print drive with (41).

23. A printing drive output terminal in electrical communication with the digital dual printing device, wherein the printing drive output terminal is a plate setting device for sending the composite image to a printing plate; an image for sending the composite image to one medium A setting device; a printer for printing the composite image; or a function for sending the modified raster data to a target device selected from the group consisting of a storage device for storing the modified raster data. 23. The print drive according to claim 22, wherein

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an image processing system before printing according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a specific example of a flowchart of a work flow of one job of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of software of a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of functional elements of software of the print drive of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of functional elements of software of the print drive of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows an example of combining raster data by a digital double printing method in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an example of masking raster data by digital mask operation in the print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of modifying raster data using both digital double printing and digital mask operations in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of one embodiment of performing digital double printing in the print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the operation of one embodiment of performing a digital mask operation in the print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for processing image data to be corrected in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of a “Merge Masters” step of FIG. 12;

14 is an example of a user interface for performing digital double printing of raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is an example of a user interface for performing digital double printing of raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

16 is an example of a user interface for performing digital double printing of raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

17 is an example of a user interface for performing digital double printing of raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an example of a user interface for performing digital double printing of raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

20 illustrates an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 shows an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in the print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

25 illustrates an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 26 is an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is an example of a user interface for correcting raster data in a print drive of the pre-print image processing system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 34 raster image processing device 41 print drive 135 print drive input terminal 150 first raster data 152 second raster data 160 first raster data 162 second raster data 170 first raster data 176 2 raster data

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Alan Pincas, U.S.A.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image creating method for combining first raster data and second raster data, comprising: a first raster image of a first image processed by at least one raster image processing device; Receiving first raster data of a second image processed by at least one raster image processing device; and digitally combining the first raster data and the second raster data. Creating combined raster data representing the composite image. 2. A print drive for controlling operation in a print pre-processing system having at least one raster image processing device, wherein the first raster data and the second raster data of the first image from the at least one raster image processing device. A print drive input for receiving raster data of the image; and a combiner electrically coupled to the print drive input for digitally combining the first raster data and the second raster data to represent a composite image. A print drive having a digital image combining device for producing raster data. 3. An image capture device for capturing a first image and a second image, wherein the image capture device is in electrical communication with the image capture device and processes the first image to produce first raster data. At least one raster image processing device for processing a second image to produce second raster data, and in electrical communication with the at least one raster image processing device, wherein the first raster data and the An image generation system for performing a digital double printing or masking operation, comprising a print drive for digitally combining the two raster data to produce a combined raster data representing a composite image. 4. A method for receiving raster data of a first image processed by at least one raster image processing device, wherein the second data represents a modification to the first image processed by the at least one raster image processing device. Receiving raster data of a mask of a second image processed by at least one raster image processing device, the raster data representing a mask of a modification to the first image; Digitally masking the data with the raster data of the mask to create masked first raster data, and digitally combining the masked first raster data and second raster data. An image creation method comprising obtaining modified raster data representing a composite image. 5. A print drive for controlling operation in a preliminary printing system, comprising: first raster data of a first image and second raster data of a second image and a mask from at least one raster image processing device. Print drive input terminal for receiving the raster data of the first raster data, the first raster data being electrically coupled to the print drive input terminal, the first raster data being masked by digitally masking the first raster data with the mask raster data And a correction electrically coupled to the print drive input and the digital mask device for combining the masked first and second raster data to represent a composite image. Characterized by having a digital double printing device for creating raster data That printing drive.