JP2015172928A - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus that can convert a print job into an appropriate print result.SOLUTION: There is provided an information processing apparatus 32 that creates drawing data by using a print job including print data and setting information, the information processing apparatus including: conversion means 56 for converting the setting information into setting information for the apparatus to be dealt with the information processing apparatus with a plurality of methods; evaluation value determination means 62 for determining an evaluation value of the setting information for the apparatus for each of the methods in a predetermined range of the print job, on the basis of a comparison result between the setting information and the setting information for the apparatus; and drawing data creation means 59 for creating the drawing data in the range by using the print data and the setting information for the apparatus converted by the method having the evaluation value higher than that of the others.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that creates drawing data using a print job including print data and setting information.

  So-called production printing for printing and binding a large amount of business-use documents is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system capable of notifying a user whether or not post-processing is available in consideration of the entire printing system.

  In production printing, a printing process is often handled as a workflow, but in the printing workflow, the printing workflow is being opened. With the opening, it becomes possible for each company's software (workflow application to be described below) and printing devices to describe settings of print jobs in the main printing process using a common description method. A standard format called JDF (Job Definition Format) is known as a format for describing the entire process of a print workflow.

  The print workflow process includes various processes such as document and content creation, print method designation, printing, and post-processing. Each of these processes is performed by various workflow applications and printing devices, but JDF enables cooperation between printing devices and management of printing processes regardless of differences in the manufacturers of workflow applications and printing devices.

  However, each workflow application or printing device may extend JDF. In this case, the JDF created by each company's workflow application may include a description unique to the workflow application. In this case, it is known that a situation occurs in which the workflow application or the printing device in the lower process cannot analyze and process the JDF.

  Therefore, the workflow application or printing device in the lower process analyzes the JDF and determines the manufacturer of the workflow application that created the JDF. If the manufacturer of the workflow application that created the JDF is determined, even if JDF is expanded, the JDF format of each manufacturer is taken into consideration, and the workflow application and printing device in the lower process are converted into setting information that can be handled by themselves. Can do.

  However, when the JDF is created by an unknown workflow application, the workflow application manufacturer that created the JDF may not be able to determine the workflow application in the lower process or the printing device. In this case, there is a problem that the workflow application and the printing device in the lower process cannot render the print job.

  On the other hand, it is often possible to print even if the manufacturer of the workflow application that created the JDF cannot be determined. Further, there are cases where the user wants to print even if there is a slight difference from the intended finish. However, if JDF created by an unknown workflow application is converted into setting information as created by an arbitrary workflow application, there is a problem that the difference from the finish intended by the user becomes large.

  In addition, it cannot be said that there is no mistake in the judgment of the manufacturer of the workflow application that created the JDF, but in this case as well, it is preferable to print with the finish intended by the user as much as possible.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an information processing apparatus that can convert a print job into an appropriate print result.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention is an information processing apparatus that creates drawing data using a print job that includes print data and setting information, and for the apparatus that handles the setting information in a plurality of ways. An evaluation value of the apparatus setting information within a predetermined print job range is determined for each method based on a conversion means for converting into setting information and a comparison result between the setting information and the apparatus setting information. Evaluation value determining means; and drawing data creating means for creating drawing data in the range using the apparatus setting information and print data converted by the method having the evaluation value higher than the others. It is characterized by.

  An information processing apparatus that can convert a print job into an appropriate print result can be provided.

FIG. 10 is an example of a diagram illustrating an operation when a print job created by a known workflow application is input. It is an example of the figure explaining selection of an appropriate RIP engine. It is an example of the figure explaining evaluation according to page. It is an example of the figure explaining selection of the RIP engine by the printing system of this embodiment. 1 is an example of an overall configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is an example of the hardware block diagram of DFE. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional block diagram of DFE. It is an example of the figure explaining a part of description of JDF. It is a figure which shows an example of a conversion table. FIG. 10 is an example of a diagram illustrating creation of “job attributes within DFE”. It is a figure which shows an example of the "job attribute in DFE". It is a figure which shows an example of "RIP Parameter List." It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion evaluation value calculation table. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion evaluation value calculation table. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion evaluation value calculation table. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion evaluation value calculation table. It is a figure which shows a response | compatibility with "value in JDF" and "value of DFE job attribute after conversion" for every item of "job attribute in DFE" about a certain JDF. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of evaluation values assigned to “value in JDF” and “value of converted DFE job attribute” in FIG. 17. It is a figure which shows an example of an attribute value which changes for every page contained in JDF which the application of D company created. It is an example of the figure which illustrates calculation of the evaluation value of a page unit typically. It is a figure which shows an example of the job attribute in DFE employ | adopted for every page. It is a figure which shows an example of the evaluation value setting screen displayed on a display. It is a figure which shows an example of the job cancellation display etc. which are displayed on a display. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection mode setting screen etc. which are displayed on a display. It is an example of the sequence diagram which shows the procedure in which the user sets the evaluation value calculation table. It is an example of the sequence diagram which shows the procedure in which the user sets the unit which calculates an evaluation value. It is an example of a sequence diagram showing an operation procedure of the printing system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Schematic operation of printing system of this embodiment]
First, a schematic operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an example of a diagram illustrating an operation when a print job (JDF + PDL) created by a known workflow application is input. The DFE (Digital Front End) 32 has, as RIP engines 59, an A company RIP engine, a B company RIP engine, and a C company RIP engine.

  Each RIP engine is suitable for rendering (rendering) a print job created for the RIP engine. For this reason, it is assumed that the print job created by the workflow application of company A is rendered by the RIP engine of company A, and the print job created by the workflow application of company B is rendered by the RIP engine of company B. It is assumed that a print job created by a workflow application of company C is rendered by a company C RIP engine. Note that the workflow application and RIP engine 59 of XX company are not limited to those actually created by XX company, but include the case where it is created for "XX company".

  The DFE 32 determines which RIP engine 59 is assumed to be a print job created by the workflow application of Company A, Company B, or Company C even if JDF is expanded. , And can be converted into “job attributes within DFE” that are optimal for the RIP engine 59. “Job attributes within DFE” is obtained by converting JDF into a format that can be handled by DFE 32. Since the “job attributes within DFE” are created for each RIP engine in this way, even if a print job is created by a workflow application of each company, it can be printed with a finish intended by the user.

  However, when a print job created by an unknown workflow application is input, the DFE 32 may not be able to render with a finish intended by the user. In this case (when the RIP engine 59 corresponding to the workflow application that created the print job is not provided), it is considered to estimate and render the most appropriate RIP engine 59.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a diagram illustrating selection of an appropriate RIP engine. Assume that a print job is input from a workflow application of company D, which is unknown to DFE. The JDF of Company D has a setting in which the number of copies is 2, the first page is rotated 90 degrees, the second page is rotated 45 degrees, and the third page is rotated 135 degrees. The DFE calculates an evaluation value in order to determine which RIP engine 59 renders the JDF of company D. The evaluation value will be described later.

  For example, Company A's RIP engine does not support rotation of 45 degrees or 135 degrees, so it cannot be rendered according to Company J's JDF, and the second page and third page evaluation values are negative, and the total evaluation value Is “−10”. Since the B company RIP engine does not support 135 degree rotation, it cannot be rendered according to the DDF's JDF, and the third page evaluation value is negative, and the total evaluation value is “−5”. . Since the RIP engine of Company C does not support 45 degree rotation, it cannot be rendered in accordance with Company JDF of Company D, and the second page evaluation value is negative, and the total evaluation value is “−5”. .

  Since the total of the evaluation values is the highest for the B company RIP engine or the C company RIP engine, the DFE estimates that the B company RIP engine or the C company RIP engine is suitable. However, as shown in FIG. 3, neither the B company RIP engine nor the C company RIP engine can be said to be the finish intended by the user.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a diagram illustrating the evaluation for each page. In the B company RIP engine, the rotation angle of the third page is 135 degrees → 180 degrees, and in the C company RIP engine, the rotation angle of the second page is 45 degrees → 90 degrees. Therefore, even if either the A company RIP engine or the B company RIP engine is selected, it cannot be said that the finish intended by the user depends on the page.

  Therefore, when the DFE of this embodiment does not have the RIP engine 59 corresponding to the workflow application that created the print job, the DIP engine 59 that is most suitable for each page is estimated and the RIP engine is switched for each page.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a diagram illustrating selection of the RIP engine by the printing system 200 according to the present embodiment. A print job created by the workflow application of company D is input to the DFE 32. If it cannot be determined by which workflow application the print job is created, the JDF analysis unit 56 creates “job attributes within DFE” for all RIP engines.

  Then, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 of the DFE 32 calculates an evaluation value for each page from the conversion result from the JDF to “job attribute in DFE”, and the RIP engine 59 most suitable for rendering the print job for each page presume.

  As a result, the B company RIP engine is selected for the second page, and the C company RIP engine is selected for the third page. Therefore, both the second and third pages of the DFE can be rendered with the finish intended by the user. . The first page has the same evaluation value in any RIP engine 59, but it is assumed that printing is performed by, for example, the A company RIP engine.

  Accordingly, even when the print job does not have the RIP engine 59 that is assumed to be used for rendering, the DFE 32 of the present embodiment creates RIP that creates raster data closest to the finish intended by the user for each page. Raster data can be created by selecting the engine 59.

[Configuration example]
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an overall configuration diagram of the printing system 200 according to the present embodiment. The printing system 200 according to the present embodiment includes one or more end user environments 1 and a POD (Print On Demand) printing system environment 2 connected via a network 3 such as a LAN or the Internet.

  A client PC 11 is arranged in the end user environment 1. The client PC 11 is equipped with a workflow application (hereinafter simply referred to as an application) 12 for POD printing work, and can generate a print job in response to a user operation.

  The application 12 may execute an aggregate printing function (Number Up imposition function) for pasting a plurality of logical page images on a sheet surface, and an image editing function for adding a header, footer, page number, and the like. it can. Further, the application 12 can designate instructions such as punching (punching) and stapling (stapling) for bookbinding. These instructions and settings are described in JDF. JDF is sometimes called a job ticket, work instruction, print instruction, or the like.

  The POD printing system environment 2 includes a process management unit 20, a digital printing unit 30, and a post press unit 40 connected via a network 3. The process management unit 20 instructs the processes of the digital printing unit 30 and the post press unit 40 in the POD printing system environment 2 to centrally manage the workflow of the POD printing system environment 2.

  The process management unit 20 receives a print job (JDF and PDL) from the end user environment 1 and stores the print job. The JDF is an example of setting information for claims. PDL is an example of print data in the claims. PDL is a language for instructing the drawing contents of a page image (rasterized image), but here, it means data described in PDL. PDL includes PDF (Portable Document Format), PostScript, PCL, RPDL, and the like.

  Further, the process management unit 20 assembles work in each process as a workflow based on a print job from the end user environment 1, efficiently schedules the work of the digital printing unit 30, the post press unit 40, and each worker, When an error occurs during automatic operation, the operator can be notified as necessary. Generally, the process management unit 20 is configured to include one or more PC servers 21.

  The process management unit 20 transmits a print job to the digital printing unit 30 to perform printing. Further, the printed material is conveyed to the post press unit 40, and the post press unit 40 performs bookbinding or the like according to an instruction from the process management unit 20. Note that the print job may be transmitted directly from the digital printing unit 30 to the post press unit 40.

  The digital printing unit 30 is configured to include various printers (printer devices such as a printer for production, a high-speed color inkjet printer, and a color / monochrome MFP) 31. A DFE 32 is disposed in the digital printing unit 30. The DFE 32 is also called a print processing apparatus, and controls printing by the printer 31. The DFE 32 may be separate from the printer 31 as illustrated, or may be integrated with the printer 31. When the DFE 32 obtains a print job from the process management unit 20, the DFE 32 uses the JDF and PDL to generate raster data (an example of the drawing data in the claims) for forming a toner image or an image using ink. It is generated and transmitted to the printer 31.

  The digital printing unit 30 has various printers 31. The digital printing unit 30 is a printer directly connected to a finisher (post-processing device) for post-processing (post-processing) such as paper folding, saddle stitching, case binding, punching, etc., on the printed recording paper. 31 may be included.

  The post-press unit 40 performs post-processing such as a paper folding machine, saddle stitch binding machine, case binding machine, cutting machine, sealing machine, and bookbinding machine in accordance with the work instruction of the printed matter (post-press job) received from the process management unit 20. Configured to include devices. Further, the post-press unit 40 performs finishing processing such as paper folding, saddle stitching, case binding, cutting, enclosing, and packing on the printed matter output from the digital printing unit 30. The post press unit 40 includes post-processing devices for performing post-processing (post-processing) after digital printing, such as a stapler 401 and a punch punching machine 402.

  The end user of the end user environment 1 uses the application 12 for POD printing work from the client PC 11 to perform image editing, imposition, text insertion, post-processing instruction, etc. A print job is transmitted to the management unit 20.

  The PC server 21 of the process management unit 20 instructs printing to the digital printing unit 30 and instructs post-processing to the postpress unit 40 in accordance with JDF.

[Hardware configuration]
In this embodiment, the process management unit 20 receives a print job created by the end user environment 1, and the process management unit 20 transmits the print job to the DFE 32. The function of the DFE 32 of this embodiment is not necessarily performed by the DFE 32 if a device on the network performs. However, in this embodiment, the DFE 32 calculates an evaluation value for each page, and an optimum RIP engine 59 is set for each page. It will be described as a selection.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the DFE 32. The DFE 32 is realized by a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 6, for example. That is, the DFE 32 has a function as an information processing apparatus (computer). The DFE 32 includes a CPU 321, a RAM 322, an auxiliary storage device 323, a communication device 324, an input device 325, a display control unit 326, and a recording medium I / F 327 that are mutually connected via a bus 329.

  The CPU 321 controls the entire DFE 32 by executing a program using the RAM 322 as a work memory. The auxiliary storage device 323 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The auxiliary storage device 323 stores a program 328 having a function of converting a print job.

  The communication device 324 is a modem, a LAN card or the like, and is connected to the network 3 to communicate with the end user environment 1, the process management unit 20, or the post press unit 40. In addition, it communicates with the printer 31. The input device 325 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The input device 325 is a device that receives user operations, and is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The display control unit 326 is connected to the display 330 and displays a screen on the display 330 according to an instruction from the CPU 321. The display 330 may be a touch panel.

  The recording medium I / F 327 is detachable from a portable recording medium, and writes data to the recording medium 331 or reads data from the recording medium 331 according to an instruction from the CPU 321. The recording medium 331 electrically records information like an optical, electrical, or magnetic recording medium such as a CD-ROM, optical disk, USB memory, SD card (registered trademark), or a flash memory. Various types of semiconductor memories can be used.

  The program 328 is distributed in a state stored in the recording medium 331, or is distributed by being downloaded from a server (not shown) via the network 3.

  The hardware configuration diagram of the client PC 11 of the end user environment 1 and the PC server 21 of the process management unit 20 can also be realized with the same configuration as that of FIG.

[DFE functions]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block diagram of the DFE. The DFE 32 performs job control, RIP (Raster Image Processor) control, and printer control in the print workflow. As described above, the DFE 32 operates as a server that provides the main functions of printing to the end user environment 1 and the process management unit 20. Note that job control refers to a series of control of print job procedures such as print job reception, JDF analysis, raster data creation, and printing by the printer 31. The RIP control refers to control in which a “RIP Parameter List” is created and raster data is created by the RIP engine 59 after creating the “job attribute in DFE” described below. “RIP” is an abbreviation for “Raster Image Processor”, and refers to creating dedicated IC and raster data for creating raster data. Printer control refers to control that causes the printer 31 to transmit raster data and a part of “job attributes within DFE” (“Finishing information” described later) to perform printing.

  The DFE 32 includes a job reception unit 51, a system control unit 52, a UI control unit 54, a job control unit 55, a JDF analysis unit 56, a RIP unit 57, a RIP control unit 58, a RIP engine 59, and a printer control unit 61. ing. These are realized by the CPU 321 executing the program 328 and cooperating with various kinds of hardware including FIG. The DFE 32 also includes a job data storage unit 53 and an image storage unit 60 that are built in the auxiliary storage device 323, the RAM 322, the recording medium 331, and the like.

  The job receiving unit 51 receives a print job from the application 12 or the like via the network 3. As the log, for example, a unique job number, reception date / time, end date / time, status, and the like are recorded in association with the print job. In addition to being input from the application 12, the print job may be input from a USB memory or the like. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that JDF is included in the print job. However, when JDF is not included, the job receiving unit 51 creates a dummy JDF to enable rendering.

  The system control unit 52 stores the received print job in the job data storage unit 53 or outputs it to the job control unit 55. For example, if the DFE 32 is set in advance to store a print job in the job data storage unit 53, the system control unit 52 stores the print job in the job data storage unit 53. For example, when the JDF describes whether or not to store in the job data storage unit 53, the description is followed.

  Further, the system control unit 52 outputs the JDF from the job data storage unit 53 to the UI control unit 54 when the user performs an operation to display the contents of the print job stored in the job data storage unit 53 on the display 330, for example. . When the user changes the JDF, the UI control unit 54 receives the change contents, and the system control unit 52 stores the changed JDF in the job data storage unit 53 again.

  When the system control unit 52 receives an instruction to execute a print job from the user, the end user environment 1 or the process management unit 20, the system control unit 52 sends the print job stored in the job data storage unit 53 to the job control unit 55. Output. For example, when the print time is set in the JDF, the print job stored in the job data storage unit 53 is output to the job control unit 55 when the print time is reached.

  The job data storage unit 53 is a storage area for storing a print job as described above, and is provided in the auxiliary storage device 323 or the recording medium 331 of the DFE 32. Further, it may be provided in a storage device (not shown) on the network.

  The UI control unit 54 interprets the JDF and displays the contents of the print job on the display 330. Further, raster data created by the RIP engine 59 can be displayed on the display 330.

  The UI control unit 54 has an evaluation value calculation table setting unit 64. The evaluation value calculation table setting unit 64 receives the setting of the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 by the user. The conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 will be described later. Note that the user can directly set the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 via the network 3 in addition to setting the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 by operating the DFE 32. Therefore, the evaluation value calculation table setting unit 64 may not be included in the UI control unit 54 as long as the DFE 32 has the evaluation value calculation table setting unit 64.

  The UI control unit 54 has a RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67. The RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 is an example of a “range setting receiving unit” in the claims. The RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 receives a setting for whether the user switches the RIP engine 59 in units of pages or in units of print jobs. In addition to page units and print job units, settings for whether to switch the RIP engine 59 in units of chapters may be accepted. In addition, a setting as to whether or not to switch the RIP engine 59 on a cover and other than the cover may be accepted. A page, a print job, a chapter, and a cover other than a cover and a cover are examples of the “scope” in the claims.

  The job control unit 55 causes the RIP control unit 58 to create raster data and causes the printer control unit 61 to perform printing. Specifically, first, the JDF of the print job is transmitted to the JDF analysis unit 56 and a JDF conversion request is output to the JDF analysis unit 56.

  The JDF analysis unit 56 according to the present embodiment may determine that the application that created the print job has the RIP engine 59 that is assumed to be rendered, or may determine that the application does not have the RIP engine 59. First, a case where it is determined that it has will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that RIP engines 59 of A company, B company, and C company are provided.

  The JDF analysis unit 56 acquires a JDF and a JDF conversion request from the job control unit 55. The JDF analysis unit 56 analyzes the description of the JDF and determines the manufacturer of the application 12 that created the JDF. Determining the manufacturer of the application that created the JDF has almost the same meaning as determining the RIP engine 59 that is supposed to render the print job.

  If the application that created the print job has the RIP engine 59 that is assumed to be rendered, the JDF analysis unit 56 uses the conversion table 65 prepared for the application manufacturer to convert the DDF to the DFE 32. Is converted to “job attributes within DFE”. That is, if the DFE 32 is created by the company C, the JDF created by the application of the company A or B as well as the company C can be used as the “job attribute in DFE” that can be handled by the company DFE 32. Convert. “Job attributes within DFE” is an example of apparatus setting information in the claims.

  When determining that the application that created the print job does not have the RIP engine 59 that is assumed to be rendered, the JDF analysis unit 56 converts the conversion table 65 for the A company, the conversion table 65 for the B company, Each of the conversion tables 65 for company C creates a “job attribute within DFE”.

  Even when it is determined that the application 12 that created the print job has the RIP engine 59 that is assumed to be rendered, the JDF analysis unit 56 uses the conversion table 65 for the A company and the B company. The “DFE job attribute” may be created in each of the conversion table 65 for C and the conversion table 65 for Company C. This makes it possible to select the most appropriate RIP engine 59 even when the JDF analysis unit 56 makes an erroneous determination by the manufacturer of the application.

  The JDF analysis unit 56 creates “post-conversion information” to be described later for each conversion table 65 when the “job attributes within DFE” are created. Since the conversion table 65 is prepared for each RIP engine, “before / after conversion information” is created for each of the A company RIP engine, the B company RIP engine, and the C company RIP engine.

  Then, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 compares the JDF setting value included in the “before and after conversion information” with the setting value of “job attribute within DFE”, and refers to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 based on the comparison result. The evaluation value is calculated for each method (each conversion table or each RIP engine). The larger the evaluation value, the smaller the difference between before and after conversion by the conversion table 65 (the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 is created so that the evaluation value increases as the difference decreases).

  The conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 is held for each RIP engine. This is because the conversion table 65 for creating the “job attributes within DFE” is created for each RIP engine. As will be described later, in the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66, the JDF item is associated with the “job attribute in DFE” item. Even if the JDF items differ depending on the application (RIP engine), the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 is prepared for each RIP engine, so that an accurate evaluation value can be calculated for each RIP engine.

  The DFE job attribute selection unit 63 selects the “DFE job attribute” having the largest evaluation value for each page and outputs it to the job control unit 55 (the page unit switching is set by the RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67). If so). That is, the RIP engine is selected for each page. If the largest evaluation value is less than the threshold value, rendering may be stopped and the UI control unit 54 may display a job cancellation display on the display 330.

  The JDF analysis unit 56 sets “RIP control mode” to “job attribute within DFE” when creating “job attribute within DFE”. The “RIP control mode” will be described below. The “RIP control mode” includes “Page Mode” and “Sheet Mode”. Whether each company's print job is created in “Page Mode” or “Sheet Mode” is investigated in advance. Therefore, if the manufacturer of the application 12 that created the JDF is determined, the “RIP control mode” can also be determined. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the DFE 32 handles the setting of the aggregate print of print jobs in “Page Mode” (Page Mode is the default).

  The job control unit 55 that has acquired the “job attributes within DFE” as described above converts the “job attributes within DFE” and the PDL into “RIP Parameter List”, and sends the “RIP Parameter List” to the RIP control unit 58. To output the print job. The “RIP Parameter List” is a set of information necessary for the RIP engine 59 to perform RIP processing. The job control unit 55 determines the RIP processing instruction to the RIP engine 59 from the information of the “RIP Parameter List”. This instruction is called a RIP command.

The “RIP Parameter List” includes “RIP control mode”. The RIP control unit 58 controls the RIP engine 59 in accordance with the “RIP control mode”. Therefore, the sequence is determined by the “RIP control mode”.
“Page Mode”: RIP processing is instructed for each page to create raster data consolidated into one sheet. “Sheet Mode”: Each part of one page in which multiple pages are already aggregated (each page part before aggregation) The RIP unit 57 has a RIP control unit 58 and a RIP engine 59 to create raster data. The RIP control unit 58 analyzes the information of “RIP Parameter List” and determines a RIP engine 59 to be used from a plurality of RIP engines 59. The determination of the RIP engine may be based on one or more items of the “RIP Parameter List” or based on the RIP engine identification information specified in the “RIP Parameter List”. For example, based on the description “xmlns: A =“ www.aaa.com/schema/aaa ”” or “xmlns: B =“ www.bbb.com/schema/bbb ”” in the “RIP Parameter List”, the RIP engine 59 is to decide. For example, if the job control unit 55 clearly indicates the RIP engine identification information in the “RIP Parameter List”, the RIP engine indicated by the RIP engine identification information is selected. The RIP control unit 58 refers to the “RIP Parameter List” and transmits a RIP command to the selected RIP engine 59.

  Further, the RIP control unit 58 refers to the “RIP Parameter List”, and outputs the RIP command to the RIP engine 59 according to “Sheet Mode” when the “RIP control mode” is “Sheet Mode”. Thereby, the difference between print jobs can be absorbed.

  The RIP engine 59 is a rendering engine, and creates raster data by performing rasterization according to the RIP command. The RIP engine 59 is an example of the “drawing data creation means” in the claims.

  The image storage unit 60 is a storage unit that stores created raster data. The image storage unit 60 is mounted on the auxiliary storage device 323, for example. Alternatively, it may be mounted on a storage device on the network.

  The printer control unit 61 is connected to the printer 31, and performs printing by reading raster data stored in the image storage unit 60 and transmitting the raster data to the printer 31. Also, finishing processing is performed based on “Finishing information” acquired from the job control unit 55.

  The printer control unit 61 can acquire information of the printer 31 by communicating with the printer 31 using various communication standards. For example, CIP4, which defines a print workflow standard, defines a standard called DevCaps that transmits / receives device specification information to / from the printer 31 as a JDF standard. Also known is a method of collecting information about the printer 31 using a communication protocol called SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and a database called MIB (Management Information Base). The printer control unit 61 uses these to acquire various types of information stored in the printer 31. For example, it is possible to obtain the configuration of the printer 31 (the presence or absence of ADF, the presence or absence of a duplex printing unit, the tray configuration, the presence or absence of a manual feed tray, the presence or absence of various finishers, etc.). In addition, the status of the printer 31 (printing, scanning, FAX reception, sleep, etc.) can be acquired. In addition, the remaining amount of paper in each tray can be acquired.

[Determination of JDF and the manufacturer of the application that created JDF]
JDF is described in XML (Extensible Markup Language). XML is a standard for structured text in which a tag is structured to structure a document.

FIG. 8 is an example of a diagram for explaining a part of the description of JDF. Assume that the JDF in FIG. 8A is created by the application 12 of company C. In JDF, instruction contents for a print job are described.
“JDF xmlns =“ http://www.CIP4.org/JDFSchema_1_1 ”” indicates that this is a CIP4-compliant JDF ticket.
“Xmlns: C =“ www.ccc.com/schema/ccc ”” indicates a JDF tag definition uniquely extended by each printer / vendor not conforming to CIP4. In this example, all tags starting with “C:” in the JDF are extended tags.
“ResourcePool” defines a set of attributes for realizing printing.
“LayoutPreparationParams” is one of the attributes defined in “ResourcePool” and defines imposition-related attributes.
“ResourceLinkPool” defines a set of references to commonly used attributes in “ResourcePool” for a specific range within a job, such as between pages.
“ComponentLink” is one of the definitions of references in “ResourceLinkPool”, and specifies the attribute reference and information related to the output.
“Amount” specifies the number of copies.
“Rotate” specifies the rotation angle of the image.

  FIG. 8B shows an example of the extension of company A, and FIG. 8C shows an example of the extension of company B. “Xmlns: A =“ www.aaa.com/schema/aaa ”” in FIG. 8B means that all tags starting with “A:” in the JDF become extension tags of company A. “Xmlns: B =“ www.bbb.com/schema/bbb ”” in FIG. 8C means that all tags starting with “B:” in the JDF become expansion tags for the B company.

  Therefore, the JDF analysis unit 56 can determine the manufacturer of the application 12 that created the JDF by referring to these descriptions in the JDF. The JDF can be converted into “job attributes within DFE” that can be handled by the CFE DFE 32 using a conversion table 65 described later according to the manufacturer of the application 12.

[Create job attributes in DFE]
Creation of “job attributes within DFE” will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is an example of a conversion table, and FIG. 10 is an example of a diagram illustrating creation of “job attributes within DFE”. The JDF analysis unit 56 converts the JDF into “job attributes within DFE” using the conversion table 65 of the manufacturer of the application 12 that created the JDF (the RIP engine that is supposed to process the print job). If the manufacturer of the application 12 that created the JDF cannot be determined, the JDF is converted into “job attributes within DFE” using all the conversion tables 65. Therefore, “job attributes within DFE” for all RIP engines are created.

  FIG. 9A shows an example of a conversion table for company C. The conversion table 65 of company C associates the attribute value of the attribute name “Amount” with the item value of the item name “number of copies” and sets the attribute value of the attribute name “Rotate” to the item value of the item name “rotate”. To correspond to.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the conversion method refers to the conversion table 65 that associates the attribute in the JDF tag with the item “job attribute in DFE”, and sets the JDF attribute value to the item value of “job attribute in DFE”. It is something to arrange as.

  The JDF analysis unit 56 holds not only the conversion table 65 of company C but also the conversion table 65 of company A and the conversion table 65 of company B in advance. FIG. 9B shows a conversion table 65 for company A, and FIG. 9C shows a conversion table for company B. The JDF analysis unit 56 detects the description specifying the extension tag from the JDF as described above, determines the manufacturer of the application 12, and uses the conversion table 65 corresponding to each manufacturer.

  In the case of JDF of Company A and Company B, conversion can be performed in the same manner. The conversion table of company A associates the attribute value of the attribute name “A: Amount” with the item value of the item name “number of copies”, and sets the attribute value of the attribute name “A: Rotate” to the item name “rotation”. It corresponds to the item value of. The conversion table 65 of company B associates the attribute value of the attribute name “B: DeliveryAmount” with the item value of the item name “number of copies” and sets the attribute value of the attribute name “B: Rotate” to the item “rotation”. Corresponds to the name field value. In the conversion table 65 of company B, rotation is valid only when the attribute value of the attribute name “B: AlternateRotation” is “false”. Therefore, if it is determined that the JDF is from Company A or Company B, the “job attribute in DFE” can be created in the same manner as Company J's JDF.

  If the JDF analysis unit 56 determines that the print job format in the aggregate printing is created by the application 12 of a company different from the company (C company), the item “RIP control mode” of “Job attribute in DFE” Set “Sheet Mode” to. If the application 12 is an in-house manufactured application or the application 12 of the same company as the company (C company) in the print job format in aggregate printing, “Page Mode” is set in the item “RIP control mode”. Thereby, the RIP control unit 58 can control the RIP command output to the RIP engine 59 in accordance with the “RIP control mode”.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of “job attributes within DFE”. The “job attributes within DFE” are broadly divided into “Job information” relating to job execution, “Edit information” relating to raster data, and “Finishing information” relating to finishing processing.
The job information has an item “number of copies” that specifies the number of copies.
The item “Orientation Information” in the Edit information specifies the printing direction.
The item “printing surface information” in the Edit information specifies the printing surface.
-The item "Rotation" in the Edit information specifies the page rotation angle.
-The item "Enlarge / Reduce" in Edit information specifies enlargement / reduction and scaling.
-The item “image position: offset” in the Edit information specifies an offset of the image.
The item “image position: position adjustment information” in the Edit information specifies image position adjustment.
-The item "layout information: custom in-position arrangement" in the Edit information specifies the arrangement of the custom surface.
The item “layout information: number of pages” of the Edit information designates the number of pages of one sheet.
The item “layout information: imposition information” in the Edit information specifies information related to the surface layout.
The item “layout information: page order information” in the Edit information specifies information related to the order of pages to be printed.
The item “layout information: creep position adjustment” of the Edit information specifies information related to the adjustment of the creep position.
-The item "margin information" in Edit information specifies information about margins such as fit box and gutter.
The item “Crop mark information: center crop mark information” in the Edit information specifies information about the center crop mark.
The item “Crop Mark Information: Corner Crop Mark Information” in the Edit information specifies information regarding the corner crop mark information.
The item “Collate information” of the Finishing information specifies information on whether to print in units of pages or in units of documents when a plurality of copies of a document are printed.
The item “staple / bind information” of the finishing information designates information related to stapling / binding.
-The item "punch information" in the Finishing information specifies information related to punching.
-The item "folding information" of the Finishing information specifies information about folding.
-The item "Trim" in the Finishing information specifies information related to trim.
-The item "output tray information" of the Finishing information specifies information about the output tray.
-The item "input tray" in the Finishing information specifies information related to the input tray.
-The item "cover / sheet information" of the Finishing information specifies information about the cover / sheet.

  Further, as shown in the figure, “RIP control mode” is set in “job attribute within DFE”. In “RIP control mode”, “Page Mode” or “Sheet Mode” is set. In the case of a dummy JDF, “Page Mode” is set to “RIP control mode”.

[RIP Parameter List]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of “RIP Parameter List”.
• Input / output data type information specifies the type of input and output data. (For input and output data, not only PDL but also text files and image data such as JPEG are designated.
-The input / output data read / write position designation method information designates the method for designating the input / output data offset (read / write position). For example, from the specified position, from the current position, from the tail, etc. can be specified.
-The input / output data read / write position information specifies the current processing position of input and output data.
The execution mode information for reading and writing input / output data is information for specifying the execution mode. For example, READ, WRITE, READ_WRITE, etc. are specified.
-Unit information (dimension) specifies the unit to be used in the “RIP Parameter List”. For example, “mm”, “inch”, “pel”, “point”, and the like are designated.
-Input / output data compression method information specifies the compression method for input and output data. For example, “UNCOMPRESSED”, “PACKBITS”, etc. are specified.
“RIP control mode” designates a control mode in aggregate printing. For example, “Page Mode” or “Sheet Mode” is designated.

The input / output image information section includes “information relating to an output image”, “information relating to an input image”, and “information relating to image handling”.
-The image format type specifies the format of the output image format. For example, raster or the like is designated.
-The image format / dimension specifies the dimension of the output image format.
・ Image format / resolution specifies the resolution of the output image format.
-The position of the image specifies the position of the output image.
-Color separation information specifies color separation (color separation). For example, “k”, “cmyk”, “separation” and the like are designated.
The color plane fit policy information specifies the color plane development method.
The plane shift information specifies the color plane shift amount.
-The number of color bits of the image format specifies the number of color bits of the output image format.
The image orientation information specifies the page orientation of the output image.
-The image forming position information specifies the position information of the crop area.
-Image formation size information specifies size information of the crop area.
-The image formation method information specifies the clip policy.
-Color ICC information specifies information related to the color ICC profile.
-Font substitution information specifies information about font substitution.
-The image formation origin point specifies the image formation origin. For example, “center”, “upper right”, etc. are designated.
-Flat K black information specifies information about flat K black.
Rendering information specifies information related to render links (rasterization).
The image format type specifies the format type of the input image. For example, raster or the like is designated.
-The image format / dimension specifies the dimension of the input image format.
-The image format / resolution specifies the resolution of the input image format.
-The position of the image specifies the position of the input image.
-Input data specifies input data.
・ Page range information specifies page numbers.
-Color ICC information specifies information related to the color ICC profile.
-Scaling offset information specifies the offset of the scaling algorithm. For example, a horizontal offset, a vertical offset, etc. are designated.
Object / area information specifies the width and height of the object area.
-Halftone information specifies halftone offset. For example, a horizontal direction offset and a vertical direction offset are designated.
• Scaling algorithm information specifies the scaling method.

Information related to PDL specifies a data area, size information, and a data arrangement method.
The data area specifies area information in which PDL is stored. Font information, information on the number of pages, and the like are included in the PDL existing in this data area.
-The size information specifies the size of the PDL.
-The data arrangement method specifies the data arrangement method. For example, little endian or big endian is specified.

[Conversion evaluation value calculation table]
13 to 16 are diagrams illustrating an example of the conversion evaluation value calculation table. The conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 is set in advance by the user for each conversion table of the A company, the B company, and the C company (for each RIP engine) through the evaluation value calculation table setting unit 64. FIG. 13 shows a conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 for company A, for example. In the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66, “value in JDF”, “value of job attribute in DFE after conversion”, and “evaluation value” are associated with each item shown in FIG.

  As described above, the “job attribute value in DFE” of FIGS. 13 to 16 is obtained by creating the “job attribute in DFE”. The “value in JDF” is a description (attribute value) in JDF converted to “job attribute in DFE”. This conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 gives an “evaluation value” for each item according to which “value in JDF job attribute value after conversion” is converted to “value in JDF”.

  For example, in the item “number of copies”, when a value that is “0 to 32768” in JDF is converted to “0 to 32768” in “job attribute in DFE”, an evaluation value of “0” is given. When "32768-" is converted to "32768", an evaluation value of "-5" is given. As is clear from this evaluation value, the smaller the difference between the JDF attribute value and the “job attribute in DFE” value, the higher the “evaluation value”.

  Similarly, in the item “direction information”, a value that was “Portrait” in JDF is converted to “Portrait” in “Job attribute in DFE”, or a value that was “Landscape” in JDF is “Job attribute in DFE”. "Is converted to" Landscape ", an evaluation value of" 0 "is given. When JDF “direction type 1” is converted to “Portrait”, or JDF “direction type 2” is converted to “Landscape”, an evaluation value “−1” is given. When JDF “direction type 3” is converted to “Portrait”, an evaluation value of “−5” is given.

  In addition, in the item “Collate information” of “Finishing information”, a value that is “None” in JDF is converted to “None” in “Job attribute in DFE”, or a value that is “Sheet” in JDF is “ If it is converted to “Sheet” in “Job attribute in DFE”, or if the value that was “SheetSetAndJob” in JDF is converted to “SheetSetAndJob” in “Job attribute in DFE”, an evaluation value of “0” is given It is done. JDF "Collate Type 1" is converted to "None", JDF "Collate Type 2" is converted to "Sheet", or JDF is "Collate Type 3" Is converted to "SheetSetAndJob", an evaluation value of "-2" is given. When JDF “Collate Type 4” is converted to “None”, or JDF “Collate Type 5” is converted to “None”, an evaluation value of “-5” is obtained. Given.

[Calculation of evaluation value]
The calculation of the evaluation value for each print job and the calculation of the evaluation value for each page will be described.

Calculation of Evaluation Value for Print Job Unit FIGS. 17 and 18 are examples of a diagram for explaining the calculation of the evaluation value for each print job in detail. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a correspondence between “value in JDF” and “value of converted DFE job attribute” for each item of “job attribute in DFE” for a certain JDF. FIG. 17 shows the information before and after conversion. “Value in JDF” is an example of a first setting value in the scope of claims, and “Value of DFE job attribute after conversion” is an example of a second setting value in the scope of claims.

  “Number of copies”, “Orientation information”, “Rotation”, “Enlargement / reduction”, “Image position-offset”, “Image position-position adjustment information”, “Layout information-Custom in-position arrangement”, “Layout information- "Number of pages", "Layout information-Imposition information", "Layout information-Page order information", "Layout information-Creep position adjustment x", "Margin information", "Crop mark information-Center crop mark information" , "Crop Mark Information-Corner Crop Mark Information", "Collate Information", "Staple / Bind Information", "Punch Information", "Fold Information", "Trim Information", "Output Tray Information", "Input “Tray information” and “Cover / sheet information” have the same “value in JDF” and “value of DFE job attribute after conversion”. is there.

  Except for these, “print surface information” and “layout information-creep position adjustment y” are different in “value in JDF” and “value of DFE job attribute after conversion”.

  The JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 refers to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66. If “value in JDF” and “value of DFE job attribute after conversion” are the same, the evaluation is “0”. Give value. If the “value in JDF” and the “value of DFE job attribute after conversion” are different, the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 is referred to, and the “value in JDF” and “DFE job attribute after conversion” are referred to. The evaluation value associated with the set of “value” is read, and the evaluation value is assigned to the item.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of evaluation values assigned to “value in JDF” and “value of DFE job attribute after conversion” in FIG. The evaluation value is “0” except for “printing surface information” and “layout information-creep position adjustment y”.

  On the other hand, since “value in JDF” is “front side” and “value of DFE job attribute after conversion” is “front”, “print surface information” is “−1” according to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66. The evaluation value is given. In addition, since “value in JDF” is “y” and “value of DFE job attribute after conversion” is “CYa”, “layout information-creep position adjustment y” is determined by the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 as “ -2 ”is given.

  As described above, the evaluation value provides an index of how accurately the JDF is converted into the “job attribute within DFE”. The in-DFE job attribute selection unit 63 sums up the evaluation values of all items, and selects the “in-DFE job attribute” having the largest total value. Therefore, “job attribute in DFE” that is estimated to have the smallest difference between “value in JDF” and “value of converted DFE job attribute” is output to the job control unit 55.

Calculation of evaluation value in page unit Next, calculation of evaluation value in page unit will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of different attribute values for each page included in the JDF created by the application 12 of company D. As shown in FIG. 19, different attribute values may be set for each page in the JDF.

  “Xmlns: D =” www.ddd.com/schema/ddd ”” indicates that this JDF is created by the application 12 of company D (unknown JDF for DFE). “D: Amount =“ 2 ”” indicates that the number of copies is two, “D: Rotate−Page1 =“ 90 ”” indicates that the first page is rotated 90 degrees, “D: Rotate−Page2 = “45” ”means that the second page is rotated 45 degrees, and“ D: Rotate−Page3 = “135” ”means that the third page is rotated 135 degrees.

  When the RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 is set to switch the RIP engine 59 in units of pages, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 detects an attribute designating a page and calculates an evaluation value in units of pages. . The attribute designating a page detects a description predetermined as a page designating description such as “Page + n” (n is a natural number).

  FIG. 20 is an example of a diagram schematically illustrating calculation of evaluation values in units of pages. Since the number of copies is the same for all pages, the evaluation values are also equal. Also, different conversion evaluation value calculation tables 66 are prepared for Company A, Company B, and Company C. In FIG. 20, a part of the evaluation value of the attribute of rotation is extracted from the conversion evaluation value calculation tables 66 of the A company, the B company, and the C company.

When the attribute that the 90-degree rotation of the JDF of the first page D company is converted into the “job attribute in DFE” by the conversion table 65 for the A company, according to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 for the A company, the evaluation value Is 0 (zero).
When the attribute of 90-degree rotation of JDF of company D is converted to “job attribute in DFE” by the conversion table 65 for company B, the evaluation value is 0 (according to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company B). Zero).
When the attribute of 90-degree rotation of JDF of company D is converted to “job attribute in DFE” by conversion table 65 for company C, the evaluation value is 0 (according to conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company C). Zero).

When the attribute that the 45-degree JDF of the D company on page 2 is rotated to the “job attribute in DFE” by the conversion table 65 for the A company, according to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 for the A company, the evaluation value Is -5.
When the attribute of 45-degree rotation of JDF of company D is converted to “job attribute in DFE” by conversion table 65 for company B, according to conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company B, the evaluation value is 0 ( Zero).
When the attribute of 45-degree rotation of JDF of company D is converted to “job attribute in DFE” by the conversion table 65 for company C, the evaluation value is −5 according to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company C. It is.

When the attribute that the 135-degree JDF rotation of the third page D company is converted to “job attribute in DFE” by the conversion table 65 for the A company, according to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 for the A company, the evaluation value Is -5.
When the attribute of 135 degrees rotation of JDF of company D is converted to “job attribute in DFE” by the conversion table 65 for company B, the evaluation value is −5 according to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company B. It is.
When the attribute of 135-degree rotation of JDF of company D is converted to “job attribute in DFE” by conversion table 65 for company C, the evaluation value is 0 (according to conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company C). Zero).

  As shown in FIG. 21, the job attribute selection unit 63 within DFE employs a RIP engine 59 having the highest evaluation value for each page. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of “job attributes within DFE” employed for each page. According to this evaluation value, since the evaluation values of the RIP engines 59 of the respective companies are the same on the first page, the in-DFE job attribute selection unit 63 employs an arbitrary RIP engine. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that, for example, a company A RIP engine is adopted.

  Since the evaluation value of the B company RIP engine is the highest on the second page, the job attribute selection unit 63 within DFE employs the “job attribute within DFE” for the B company RIP engine.

  Since the evaluation value of the C company RIP engine is the highest on the third page, the job attribute selection unit 63 within DFE employs the “job attribute within DFE” for the C company RIP engine.

  The in-DFE job attribute selection unit 63 selects “job attribute in DFE” for each page and outputs it to the job control unit 55. The job control unit 55 switches “DFE job attributes” to be used on a page basis, and creates a “RIP Parameter List” from the “DFE job attributes” and the PDL. Even if the evaluation value is calculated in units of pages, the “job attributes within DFE” used for conversion of the “RIP Parameter List” is not necessarily switched in units of pages, and the RIP engine 59 is not necessarily switched.

  20 and 21, the evaluation value for each page has been described using “rotation” as an example. However, when there are attributes having different attribute values for each page, the evaluation value is calculated for each attribute for each page. . For example, evaluation values for “direction information”, “enlargement / reduction”, “image position”, “layout information (consolidated printing)”, “margin information”, “crop mark information”, and the like can be different for each page.

[Setting of conversion evaluation value calculation table]
The conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 can be set by the user. The user sets an evaluation value for each item in consideration of the importance of the item. In general, when the “value in the JDF” and the “value of the converted DFE job attribute” are different from each other, it is determined that the importance of the item is higher as the item has significantly different raster data.

  In addition, it is determined that items related to aspects (number of copies, printing orientation, color, font, etc.) that the user attaches importance to in the raster data are high in importance. For example, if there is a problem if the “number of copies” is different, if the “value in JDF” and the “value of the converted DFE job attribute” are different, the evaluation value of “number of copies” is set to a large negative value, If there are few obstacles, set the evaluation value for “number of copies” to “0” or a value close to this. Also, if there is a problem if the printing direction of the raster data is different, if the “value in JDF” and the “value of the converted DFE job attribute” are different, the evaluation value of “orientation information” is set to a large negative value. If there are few obstacles, set the evaluation value of “direction information” to “0” or a value close to this. Thus, the user can set an appropriate evaluation value according to the purpose of printing.

  A standard evaluation value is set as an initial value in the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 in advance. Thereby, the user does not need to set evaluation values for all items, and the operability can be improved.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation value setting screen displayed on the display 330. The evaluation value setting screen has a table selection field 501, item name fields 502 and 503, a table display field 504, and a registration button 505. The table selection field 501 accepts selection of which RIP engine 59 (manufacturer of the application 12) to set the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 to be set. In the item name columns 502 and 503, the item name of “job attribute in DFE” is displayed, and selection of an item by the user is accepted. In the table display field 504, the current evaluation value of the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 is displayed.

  When the user presses the registration button 505, the evaluation value calculation table setting unit 64 receives the changed conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 and outputs it to the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62. As a result, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 can hold the updated conversion evaluation value calculation table 66.

  Note that the evaluation value does not maximize “0”, but may be set to a value greater than zero as the difference between “value in JDF” and “value of DFE job attribute after conversion” is smaller. . In this case, the “job attribute in DFE” having the largest sum of evaluation values as positive values is selected. Further, a smaller absolute value may be set as the evaluation value as the difference between the “value in JDF” and the “value of the converted DFE job attribute” is smaller. In this case, the “job attribute within DFE” having the smallest total evaluation value as a positive value is selected.

  Alternatively, the user may set the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 by accessing the DFE 32 from any PC. In this case, the DFE 32 transmits an evaluation value setting screen described in HTML or JavaScript (registered trademark) as a server to the PC. The user operates the PC to set an evaluation value, and transmits an evaluation value setting screen to the DFE 32.

[Job cancellation display]
In some cases, the total of the evaluation values calculated from the three “job attributes within DFE” is so small that it is considered that they are not suitable for printing (the absolute value becomes a large negative value). Since negative evaluation values may be totaled for each job, it is likely that it is determined that the evaluation value for each job is not suitable for printing.

  In this case, since it is considered that printing should not be performed, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 cancels the job to the UI control unit 54 when the maximum value is less than the threshold value among the total evaluation values of the three “job attributes in DFE”. Request to display.

  FIG. 23A is a diagram illustrating an example of a job cancellation display displayed on the display 330 (which is an example of a display unit of claims). In FIG. 23A, “JDF conversion has not reached the specified level and job processing is stopped.” Is displayed. Thus, the user can grasp that the print job is not output.

  In addition, when a print job is transmitted from the client PC 11, it is preferable that the DFE 32 transmits a job cancellation display to the client PC 11 in addition to being displayed on the display 330 (without being displayed on the display 330). Thereby, the user operating the remote client PC 11 can grasp that the print job is not output. The DFE 32 may store, for example, the IP address of the client PC 11 when a print job is received, and transmit a job cancellation display to the IP address.

  FIG. 23B is a diagram showing an example of a job cancellation display when the evaluation value is calculated for each page. In FIG. 23B, the page number (pages 4 and 11) and the maximum evaluation value are displayed together with the message “The processing of the following pages will be canceled because the JDF conversion has not reached the specified level.” ing.

  In addition, the user can forcibly process the page. For example, when these pages are processed with the “job attribute within DFE” having the highest evaluation value, the “forced processing” check box 507 is checked. As a result, the user can also process a page whose evaluation value is less than the threshold value. Further, when forcibly processing, it is possible to designate an arbitrary RIP engine 59. The user can forcibly process these pages with the designated RIP engine 59.

[Setting of selection mode by RIP engine selection mode setting section]
The user can set whether to calculate the evaluation value in units of pages or in units of print jobs (whether the RIP engine 59 is switched in units of pages or in units of print jobs).

  FIG. 24A is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection mode setting screen displayed on the display 330. On the selection mode setting screen, a message “switch RIP engine in units of pages” is displayed in association with the check box 511. When the user checks the check box 511, the RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 receives the setting and outputs it to the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62. Thereby, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 calculates the evaluation value for each page. When the check box 511 is not checked, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 calculates an evaluation value for each print job.

  In this way, the user calculates the evaluation value for each print job and uses the same RIP engine 59 for each print job, or calculates the evaluation value for each page and makes it possible to switch the RIP engine 59 for each page. You can choose. For example, in a print job in which color is important, it may be preferable to process the entire print job with the same RIP engine 59, and the user sets to calculate an evaluation value for each print job. On the other hand, when the overall color is not so important, and the user wants to select an RIP engine 59 that is optimal for the attributes set in the JDF for each page, the user sets the evaluation value for each page. .

  Also, as shown in FIG. 24 (b), a setting as to whether or not to switch the RIP engine 59 in units of chapters may be accepted, or a setting as to whether or not to switch the RIP engines 59 other than the cover and the cover may be accepted.

  In FIG. 24B, messages “switch RIP engines in units of pages”, “switch RIP engines in units of chapters”, and “switch RIP engines other than the cover and the cover” are displayed together with the radio buttons 512. When the user marks the radio button 512, the RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 receives the setting and outputs it to the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62. As a result, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 calculates evaluation values in page units, chapter units, or other than the cover and the cover. When the radio button 512 is not marked, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 calculates an evaluation value for each print job.

  When the evaluation value is calculated for each chapter, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 determines a chapter break from the JDF description that specifies the page number. For example, in the case of chapter 1, the page number is designated as “1-1, 1-2, 1-3,...”, And in the case of chapter 2, “2-1, 2-2, 2-3, When a page number is designated like “...”, a page range having the same P of the page number “PQ” (P and Q are natural numbers) is one chapter. Therefore, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 can calculate the evaluation value in chapter units by calculating the evaluation value in the page range where P is the same.

  When the evaluation values are calculated for the cover and other than the cover, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 determines the cover from the JDF description that specifies the paper type. In many books and booklets, the cover is printed on a cardboard that is different from the paper type other than the cover. The JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 determines that the cover is a cover when a preset paper type is designated as the paper type, and calculates the evaluation value so that the cover and the cover other than the cover are separated. Thus, the evaluation value can be calculated.

  FIG. 24C is an example of a selection mode setting screen in which the selection mode is individually set for a plurality of print jobs displayed in a list. In this selection mode setting screen, “RIP engine switching unit” is displayed for “job name”. For example, when a plurality of print jobs are stored in the job data storage unit 53 and the user wants to select each print job and set the switching unit of the RIP engine 59, such setting is effective.

  A switch button 513 is prepared for each print job, and each time the switch button 513 is pressed, the job unit and the page unit are switched. The RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 receives the setting and stores it in association with, for example, a print job. Thereby, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 can calculate the evaluation value in units of pages or print jobs associated with the print job.

[Operation procedure]
FIG. 25 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for the user to set the evaluation value calculation table. The user operates the DFE 32 to display the evaluation value setting screen on the UI control unit 54.
S1: The UI control unit 54 reads the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company A from the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62.
S2: The UI control unit 54 reads the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company B from the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62.
S3: The UI control unit 54 reads the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company C from the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62.
S4: The user selects the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 for Company A to Company C, and sets the evaluation value in the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66. The evaluation value calculation table setting unit 64 receives the setting of the evaluation value.
S5: For example, when the user presses the registration button 505, the evaluation value calculation table setting unit 64 outputs the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company A to the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62.
S6: The UI control unit 54 outputs the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company B to the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62.
S7: The UI control unit 54 outputs the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 of company C to the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62.

  With the above processing, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 holds the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 for Company A to Company C set by the user.

FIG. 26 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for setting a unit by which a user calculates an evaluation value. The user operates the DFE 32 to display the selection mode setting screen on the UI control unit 54.
S1: The RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 requests the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 for the current selection mode (in which calculation unit the evaluation value is calculated).
S2: The RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 acquires the current selection mode from the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62. The RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 displays a check in a check box 511 on the selection mode setting screen corresponding to the current setting.
S3: The user sets the selection mode by checking 511, for example, a check box of “switch RIP engine in units of pages”.
S4: The RIP engine selection mode setting unit 67 receives a user setting and outputs a selection mode (a setting for calculating an evaluation value in units of pages) to the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62. Thereby, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 can calculate the evaluation value in units of pages, and the DFE 32 can switch the RIP engine in units of pages.

FIG. 27 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the printing system 200.
S1: The application 12 sends a print job (JDF + PDL) to the DFE 32.
S2: The job receiving unit 51 outputs the print job (JDF + PDL) to the system control unit 52.
S3: The system control unit 52 outputs the print job to the job control unit 55. When the DFE 32 is set to store the print job in the job data storage unit 53, the system control unit 52 stores the print job in the job data storage unit 53.
S4: The job control unit 55 outputs a JDF and a JDF conversion request to the JDF analysis unit 56.

S5: If the application 12 that created the JDF cannot be identified, the JDF analysis unit 56 creates “job attributes within DFE” in all the conversion tables 65 prepared for each RIP engine. As described above, even when the application 12 that created the JDF can be identified, the “job attributes within DFE” may be created in all the conversion tables 65. The JDF analysis unit 56 first converts JDF into “job attributes within DFE” using the conversion table 65 that converts JDF created by the application 12 of company A into “job attributes within DFE”. At this time, pre- and post-conversion information A is created.
S6: The JDF analysis unit 56 requests the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 to calculate the evaluation value together with the pre-conversion information A.
S7: The JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 refers to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 using the pre-conversion information A and calculates, for example, the evaluation value A in page units.
S8: The JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 outputs the evaluation value A to the JDF analysis unit 56.
S9: The JDF analysis unit 56 converts the JDF into “job attributes within DFE” using the conversion table 65 that converts the JDF created by the application 12 of company B into “job attributes within DFE”. At this time, pre- and post-conversion information B is created.
S10: The JDF analysis unit 56 requests the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 to calculate the evaluation value together with the pre-conversion information B.
S11: The JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 refers to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 using the pre- and post-conversion information B, and calculates, for example, an evaluation value B for each page.
S12: The JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 outputs the evaluation value B to the JDF analysis unit 56.
S13: The JDF analysis unit 56 converts JDF into “job attributes within DFE” using the conversion table 65 that converts JDF created by the application 12 of company C into “job attributes within DFE”. At this time, pre- and post-conversion information C is created.
S14: The JDF analysis unit 56 requests the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 to calculate the evaluation value together with the pre-conversion information C.
S15: The JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 refers to the conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 using the pre- and post-conversion information C, and calculates, for example, an evaluation value C for each page.
S16: The JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 outputs the evaluation value C to the JDF analysis unit 56.
S17: The job attribute selection unit 63 within DFE selects “job attribute within DFE”. That is, the highest evaluation value A to C is selected for each page. If the evaluation values are the same, a predetermined “job attribute within DFE” for RIP engine A, for example, is selected. Thereby, for example, “job attribute in DFE” is selected for each page.
Page 1: “Job Attributes in DFE” for Company A RIP Engine
Page 2: “Job Attributes in DFE” for Company B RIP Engine
Page 3: “Job Attributes in DFE” for Company C RIP Engine
If the highest evaluation value is less than the threshold value for a certain page, the UI control unit 54 may be requested to display page cancellation.

Further, the calculation of the evaluation value A, the calculation of the evaluation value B, and the calculation of the evaluation value C do not have to be performed in the order shown, and may be performed in parallel in time.
S18: The JDF analysis unit 56 outputs the “job attributes within DFE” selected by the job attribute selection unit 63 within DFE to the job control unit 55. That is, the “job attribute within DFE” is output in units of pages.
S19: The job control unit 55 creates a “RIP Parameter List” using “Job Attributes in DFE” and PDL for each page.

The following processing differs depending on whether the “RIP control mode” is “Page Mode” or “Sheet Mode”. First, the case of “Page Mode” will be described.
S20-1: The job control unit 55 outputs “RIP Parameter List” to the RIP control unit 58.
S21-1: The RIP control unit 58 initializes the RIP engine 59.
S22-1: The job control unit 55 makes a RIP execution request to the RIP control unit 58.
S23-1: The RIP control unit 58 outputs a RIP command instead of the job control unit 55. When the “RIP control mode” is “Page Mode”, the RIP control unit 58 outputs a RIP command in a sequence suitable for “Page Mode”.
S24-1: The RIP engine 59 performs rasterization.
S25-1: The RIP engine 59 stores raster data in the image storage unit 60.

Next, the case of “Sheet Mode” will be described.
S20-2: The job control unit 55 outputs “RIP Parameter List” to the RIP control unit 58.
S21-2: The RIP control unit 58 initializes the RIP engine 59.
S22-2: The job control unit 55 makes a RIP execution request to the RIP control unit 58.
S23-2: When the “RIP control mode” is “Sheet Mode”, the RIP control unit 58 outputs a RIP command in a sequence suitable for “Sheet Mode”.
S24-2: The RIP engine 59 performs rasterization.
S25-2: The RIP engine 59 stores raster data in the image storage unit 60.

Therefore, the operation of the job control unit 55 is not different between “Page Mode” and “Sheet Mode” (always operates according to “Page Mode”), and the RIP control unit 58 determines the difference between “Page Mode” and “Sheet Mode”. The determination based on the “RIP control mode” can absorb the difference between “Page Mode” and “Sheet Mode”.
S26: The job control unit 55 outputs “Finishing information” to the printer control unit 61 together with the print execution request. This timing may be before or after the creation of raster data.
S27: Upon acquiring the print execution request, the printer control unit 61 confirms the raster data in the image storage unit 60 and performs printing.

  As described above, the DFE according to the present embodiment creates raster data closest to the finish intended by the user for each page even when the RIP engine 59 that is assumed to be used for rendering is not included. RIP engine 59 can be selected to create raster data.

[Preferred modification]
The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. And substitutions can be added.

  For example, although the DFE 32 has all the functions in FIG. 7, these functions may be arranged in separate devices that can communicate via a network. For example, each company's RIP engine 59 and JDF analysis unit 56 need only exist on a network accessible by the DFE 32.

  The same applies to the image storage unit 60 and the job data storage unit 53 as long as they exist on a network accessible by the DFE 32.

  Further, the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 may exist outside the DFE 32. In this case, the DFE 32 transmits the pre- and post-conversion information to the external JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 and acquires the evaluation value from the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62. The conversion evaluation value calculation table 66 is set to the JDF conversion evaluation value calculation unit 62 outside the DFE 32.

1 End user environment 2 POD printing system environment 11 Client PC
12 Application 20 Process Management Department 30 Digital Printing Department 31 Printer 32 DFE
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 51 Job receiving part 52 System control part 53 Job data storage part 54 UI control part 55 Job control part 56 JDF analysis part 57 RIP part 58 RIP control part 59 RIP engine 60 Image storage part 61 Printer control part 62 JDF conversion evaluation value calculation part 63 DFE job attribute selection unit 64 Evaluation value calculation table setting unit

JP 2012-238188 A

Claims (14)

An information processing apparatus that creates drawing data using a print job including print data and setting information,
Conversion means for converting the setting information into apparatus setting information handled by the information processing apparatus by a plurality of methods;
Evaluation value determining means for determining, for each method, an evaluation value of the apparatus setting information in a predetermined print job range based on a comparison result between the setting information and the apparatus setting information;
Drawing data creating means for creating drawing data of the range using the apparatus setting information and print data converted by the method having a higher evaluation value than others;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A plurality of the drawing data creation means;
The conversion means converts the setting information into the apparatus setting information by the method using a conversion table prepared for each drawing data creation means,
The evaluation value determining means determines the evaluation value of the range for each drawing data creating means,
The apparatus setting information of the range converted from the setting information by the drawing data creation means having the higher evaluation value of the range than the others using the conversion table prepared for the drawing data creation means And print data are used to create drawing data in the range,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The conversion means detects a description for determining the drawing data creation means described in the setting information, selects the conversion table, and uses the selected conversion table to set the apparatus setting from the setting information To convert information,
If the description for determining the drawing data creation means cannot be detected, the conversion means converts all the setting information into a plurality of the apparatus setting information using all the conversion tables,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the evaluation value determining unit determines an evaluation value of the apparatus setting information in the range for each drawing data creating unit. The evaluation value determining means has range setting receiving means for receiving the setting of the range of the print job for determining the evaluation value;
The evaluation value determining means determines the evaluation value for each range of the print job accepted by the range setting accepting means and for each drawing data creating means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the range is one page of a print job, the entire print job, a chapter, or any one other than a cover and a cover. The range setting accepting unit accepts a setting for determining the evaluation value in units of pages or in units of print jobs individually for print jobs displayed in a list.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. The converting means converts a first set value for each item of the setting information into a second set value of the device setting information item,
The evaluation value determining means gives a higher numerical value for each item of the device setting information as the first setting value of the setting information is closer to the second setting value of the device setting information, The total of the numerical values of each item is determined as the evaluation value of the drawing data creating means.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6. When the evaluation value determining means determines the evaluation value with the page as the range,
Detecting a description that specifies a page in the setting information, and determining the sum of the numerical values of each item in the page as the evaluation value of the specified page in the drawing data creating means,
The drawing data creation means having the higher evaluation value of the page than the others, the page of the page converted from the setting information using the conversion table prepared for the drawing data creation means for each page. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the drawing data of the page is created using the apparatus setting information and the print data. In association with the first set value and the second set value, an evaluation value calculation table in which the higher the numerical value is given as the first set value and the second set value are closer is provided. ,
The evaluation value determining means refers to the evaluation value calculation table, gives the numerical value for each item of the apparatus setting information, and calculates the sum of the numerical values of the items in the range as the evaluation of the drawing data creating means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information processing apparatus determines the value. Evaluation value calculation table setting receiving means for receiving the setting of the numerical value for each item of the evaluation value calculation table;
The evaluation value determining means refers to the evaluation value calculation table received by the evaluation value calculation table setting receiving means, and determines an evaluation value of the drawing data creating means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9. When the highest evaluation value among the evaluation values of the range calculated by a plurality of the methods is less than a threshold, information indicating that the drawing data of the range is not created is displayed on the display unit.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.   Setting accepting means for accepting a setting for forcibly creating drawing data of the range when the highest evaluation value of the evaluation values of the range calculated by a plurality of methods is less than a threshold value; The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that: An information processing method for creating drawing data using a print job including print data and setting information,
A step of converting the setting information into apparatus setting information handled by the information processing apparatus by a plurality of methods;
An evaluation value determining unit determining, for each method, an evaluation value of the apparatus setting information in a predetermined print job range based on a comparison result between the setting information and the apparatus setting information;
Drawing data creating means creating the drawing data of the range using the apparatus setting information and the print data converted by the method having the evaluation value higher than others;
An information processing method characterized by comprising: In an information processing apparatus that creates drawing data using a print job including print data and setting information,
A conversion step of converting the setting information into apparatus setting information handled by the information processing apparatus by a plurality of methods;
An evaluation value determining step for determining, for each method, an evaluation value of the apparatus setting information in a predetermined print job range based on a comparison result between the setting information and the apparatus setting information;
A drawing data creation step for creating drawing data in the range using the apparatus setting information and print data converted by the method having a higher evaluation value than the others,
A program characterized by having executed.

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