JP5158016B2 - Composite image creation method and job analysis program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a composite image creation method and a job analysis program, and more particularly to a composite image creation method for composing a representative image specified from a job after rasterization and a job analysis program for creating a composite image.

  Printing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as image forming apparatuses) such as printers and digital multifunction peripherals have become widespread. When printing using this image forming apparatus, first, document data is created using an application installed in a client computer terminal connected to a network, and software (printer driver) for controlling the image forming apparatus is installed. The document data is converted into a job in a page description language (PDL) format and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus analyzes the job, generates raster format data (hereinafter referred to as raster data), and then executes printing based on the raster data.

  In some cases, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) controller that performs processing for generating raster data (this processing is referred to as rasterization) is connected to a network. In this case, the RIP controller receives a page description language format job from the client computer terminal, analyzes the job, generates raster data, and transmits the raster data to the image forming apparatus. Execute printing.

  In such a print flow, since rasterization takes time, raster data is stored in a storage unit of a processing device such as an image forming apparatus or a RIP controller, and when a job number is instructed from a client, the storage unit stores the raster number. A technique is used in which raster data corresponding to a job number is read and printed.

  At that time, if the job number can be used to grasp the job content, the job number may be used to indicate printing. However, if the job number cannot be grasped, the raster data stored in the storage unit of the processing apparatus is 1 You must check each one to understand the contents of the job.

  Here, in one job, it is possible to set the paper size and type, the color mode, the presence / absence of finishing, and the like for each page, and it is also possible to combine a plurality of jobs. In this case, the job configuration becomes complicated, and the number of pages and the amount of data for one job become enormous. Therefore, in order to grasp the contents of a job, it is necessary to check a huge number of raster data one by one. Don't be.

  For such a problem, a method of displaying raster data of a predetermined page in a job and confirming the contents of the job is effective. Regarding page preview, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, Shows a selectable option for a specific page, and discloses a technique for changing a preview in accordance with the change.

JP 2001-195393 A

  The method of Patent Document 1 changes the preview for a specific page in a job, but the specific page is not necessarily a characteristic page in the entire job, and is a characteristic page. Otherwise, even if the user sees the preview screen, the whole image of the job cannot be grasped visually and intuitively.

  In addition, when the job configuration is complicated and the number of pages of one job is large, there are often multiple characteristic pages, and the overall image of the job can be visually and intuitively viewed even when the preview screen of one page is viewed. Difficult to grasp.

  Further, when raster data of a plurality of pages is individually transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the display device when there are a plurality of characteristic pages, the load on the communication network increases, and the raster data of each page is individually transmitted by the display device. If displayed, the processing load also increases.

  In this way, in a situation where the job configuration is complicated and the number of pages and the amount of data of one job are enormous, how to identify the page representing the job characteristics and what form the image of the identified page is It is an important issue to show in

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to provide a composite image creation method and a job analysis program capable of efficiently performing job identification and job configuration / content verification. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a composite image creation method in an apparatus for processing a job, wherein the apparatus receives a first step of accepting designation of a job, and a post-rasterization corresponding to the designated job. Evaluation is performed for each page based on the second step of reading the job from the storage unit, the third step of acquiring information indicating the change in attribute of each page included in the read job, and the information indicating the change in attribute. A fourth step of calculating a value, a fifth step of specifying a plurality of pages having a relatively large evaluation value, and a sixth step of synthesizing the reduced images of the plurality of pages to create one composite image; It is intended to at least perform the information indicating the change in the attribute, target page, relative to the previous page of the target page, paper size, paper type, Ca Modo, and is intended to include information indicating that any of the finishing process has changed.

In addition, the present invention is a job analysis program that operates on an apparatus that processes a job. The computer reads a specified rasterized job from a storage unit, and changes the attributes of each page included in the read job. A process for obtaining information indicating, a process for calculating an evaluation value for each page based on information indicating a change in the attribute, a process for specifying a plurality of pages having a relatively large evaluation value, and the plurality of pages The information indicating the change in the attribute is that the target page has a sheet size, a paper size, a page before the target page, It includes information indicating that any of the paper type, color mode, and finishing process has changed .

  According to the composite image creation method and the job analysis program of the present invention, it is possible to easily grasp the entire job visually and intuitively even for a complex job having hundreds or thousands of pages. it can.

  The reason is that the rasterized job corresponding to the designated job number is read from the storage unit, and attribute information such as print instruction information and TAG bits is used to indicate information indicating the attributes of each page (the first page and chapter are separated). Information indicating whether it is a page, image ratio, etc.) and information indicating changes in attributes (information indicating that the paper size, paper type, color mode, finishing process has changed between pages, etc.) By referring to the table, the evaluation value for each page (value indicating the degree of job characteristics) is calculated, and a plurality of pages with relatively large evaluation values (pages for the specified quantity) are used as characteristic pages. This is because a composite image is created by specifying and synthesizing thumbnail images of those pages.

  As a result, the problem is that the entire job cannot be seen unless the page is sent and confirmed, and the problem that the memory usage becomes large in a device that displays a preview of all pages of the job. It is possible to solve the problem that it takes time to grasp.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the processing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the synthesized image production method in the processing apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the synthetic | combination image creation procedure in the processing apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the job based on one Example of this invention. It is a table which shows the attribute and specific gravity of each page referred in the case of representative image extraction which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (analysis result display screen) displayed on the utility which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the screen (analysis result display screen) displayed on the utility which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the screen (analysis result display screen) displayed on the utility which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the screen (analysis result display screen) displayed on the utility which concerns on one Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, a rasterized job is stored in a processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus or a RIP controller, and when a job number is designated, the rasterized job corresponding to the job number is read and printed. There is a way. In this case, since the job contents may not be grasped by the job number, a specific page is displayed as a preview to confirm the job.

  However, the specific page is not necessarily a characteristic page of the job, and if it is not a characteristic page, the entire job cannot be grasped even if preview display is performed. In addition, when there are a plurality of characteristic pages, it is difficult to visually and intuitively grasp the entire image of the job even if the preview screen of one page is viewed. Furthermore, if raster data of a plurality of characteristic pages are individually transmitted, the load on the communication network increases, and if each page is displayed individually, the processing load also increases.

  Here, there are various pages that make up the job, and the first page of the job and the pages that divide chapters are considered to be portions where the contents change in the job. In one job, settings such as paper size, paper type, color mode, and finishing process can be made for each page. A page on which these settings change is a part in which the content changes in the job. it is conceivable that. Also, a page whose page image ratio changes is considered to be a part where the content changes in the job.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the attribute of each page and the change of the attribute are acquired using the print instruction information that can be acquired from the job before rasterization and the attribute data such as the TAG bit that can be acquired from the job after rasterization. By referring to a predetermined table, the attribute and the change of the attribute are weighted, an evaluation value indicating the degree of representing the job characteristic is calculated, and a plurality of pages having relatively large evaluation values are represented by the job characteristic A composite image is created by specifying the pages and combining the thumbnail images of those pages. As a result, even for a job with a large number of pages and a large amount of data, it is possible to visually and intuitively grasp the entire job simply by confirming the composite image.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a composite image creation method and a job analysis program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the processing system of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the composite image creation method of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of the composite image creation method of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a job, and FIG. 5 is a table showing setting items and specific gravity of each page referred to when representative images are extracted. 6 to 9 are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of screens displayed on the display unit.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the processing system of this embodiment includes a utility 11 for requesting job analysis, and a processing device 10 such as a RIP controller or an image forming apparatus for analyzing the job. They are connected via a communication network such as a local area network (WAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

  The utility 11 is an apparatus that instructs the processing apparatus 10 to analyze a job and receives an analysis result (job analysis data) from the processing apparatus 10, and is, for example, a dedicated utility or printer driver that operates on a client computer terminal or the like. . Although not shown, the client computer terminal includes at least an operation unit for instructing job analysis, a display unit for displaying a representative image of job analysis data, and a communication I / O for exchanging data with the processing apparatus 10. An F unit, a storage unit that stores data and programs, a control unit that controls these, and the like are provided.

  The processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100, a memory 101 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 102, a communication I / F unit 103, and the like. These are configured and are connected via a bus.

  The memory 101 includes a program storage unit 104 that stores a job analysis program that functions as a job analysis unit, and a data storage unit 105 that stores job analysis data. And CPU100 functions as a control part which controls operation | movement of the whole processing apparatus 10 in cooperation with ROM and RAM. In this embodiment, in particular, the CPU 100 loads and executes a job analysis program from the program storage unit 104, and transfers job analysis data processed by the job analysis program to the utility 11 via the communication I / F unit 103. I do.

  The HDD 102 controls a program controlled by the CPU 100, a rasterized job (raster data for each page, reduced image data obtained by reducing the data size of raster data for each page (hereinafter referred to as thumbnail image data), and Printing instruction information acquired before rasterization and attribute data such as TAG bits acquired after rasterization) are stored and read by the CPU 100 as necessary.

  The job analysis unit analyzes the rasterized job read from the HDD 102, acquires information indicating the attribute and attribute change of each page, and refers to a table stored in the HDD 102 or the RAM to change the attribute or attribute. By weighting information indicating changes, a value (referred to as an evaluation value) that serves as an index representing job characteristics is calculated, and a plurality of pages having relatively large evaluation values are identified as pages representing job characteristics. Then, data (synthesized image data) obtained by synthesizing the thumbnail images of the specified pages is stored in the memory 101 as job analysis data.

  The communication I / F unit 103 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, establishes a connection with the utility 11 and the like, and transmits and receives data.

  In FIG. 1, the job analysis unit is configured as software (job analysis program), but the job analysis unit may be configured as hardware in the processing apparatus 10.

  In FIG. 1, a composition image is created using a rasterized job stored in the HDD 102. However, the rasterized job is transmitted to another device (for example, a server) connected to the network. A configuration may be used in which a rasterized job is saved and read out from the job to create a composite image.

  In FIG. 1, the processing device 10 creates a composite image according to an instruction from the utility 11 and transmits the composite image to the utility 11. However, the processing device 10 includes an operation unit and a display unit. It is also possible to specify a representative image in accordance with the instruction and display a combined image obtained by combining the specified representative images on the display unit of the processing device 10.

  Moreover, FIG. 1 is an example of the processing system of a present Example, The structure of the processing apparatus 10 can be changed suitably. For example, when the image forming apparatus is the processing apparatus 10, a printing unit or the like may be added to the processing apparatus 10.

  Next, the operation of the processing apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. 2 and the flowchart of FIG.

  The utility 11 transmits the job number and the number of representative images as necessary to the processing apparatus 10 via the network, and instructs the processing apparatus 10 to analyze the job ((1) in FIG. 2).

  The control unit of the processing apparatus 10 acquires the job number and the number of representative images as necessary via the communication I / F unit 103 (step S101 in FIG. 3), and sends it to the job analysis unit (job analysis program). Then, the acquired job number, the number of representative images, etc. are passed ((2) in FIG. 2).

  The job analysis unit searches for a rasterized job in the HDD 102 using the passed job number (step S102), and determines whether there is a rasterized job corresponding to the job number (step S103). If there is no corresponding rasterized job, it is processed as an error (step S104), and if there is a corresponding rasterized job, the job data (raster data and attribute data for each page) is read (FIG. 2). (3), step S105).

  Next, the job analysis unit analyzes the read rasterized job ((4) in FIG. 2).

  Specifically, the job analysis unit sequentially reads each page of the rasterized job and determines whether the read page is the first page with reference to the attribute data (step S106). If it is the first page, an evaluation value for the page is set with reference to a pre-stored specific gravity table. Here, the evaluation value is set to the maximum value.

  On the other hand, if it is not the first page, the job analysis unit refers to the attribute data and acquires information indicating the attribute of the page (step S108). The information indicating the attribute includes, for example, chapter division, paper size, paper type, printing mode such as double-sided / single-sided, color mode such as color / monochrome, finishing processing (staple punch, folding, Nin1, rotation, blank paper) Insertion), image ratio, character size, etc., and one or more information selected from these can be used. In addition, chapter division, paper size, paper type, duplex / single side, color / monochrome, finishing processing, character size, etc. can be obtained from the print instruction information described in the job before rasterization. It can be acquired from the TAG bit included in the job after rasterization.

  Next, the job analysis unit compares the attribute information of the current page and the previous page (step S109). Then, by referring to the specific gravity table stored in advance, the attribute information of the current page (information indicating whether the page is a chaptered page, the image ratio, the character size), and the information indicating the change in the attribute between pages (paper size, The evaluation value is calculated according to a predetermined rule using the paper type, double-sided / single-sided, color / monochrome, information indicating whether the finishing process has changed) and the specific gravity corresponding thereto (step S110).

  Next, the job analysis unit registers the evaluation value of the current page in the job analysis data storage unit ((5) in FIG. 2, step S111), and temporarily stores information indicating the attribute of the current page in the memory 101. (Step S112).

  Next, the job analysis unit determines whether or not the current page is the last page (step S113). If it is not the last page, the process returns to step S106 to repeat the same processing for the next page.

  On the other hand, if it is the last page, the job analysis unit compares the evaluation values of all the pages stored in the job analysis data storage unit, and specifies the page with the highest evaluation value for the number of representative images (step S114). Then, the thumbnail image of the specified page is acquired from the HDD 102, a plurality of thumbnail images are combined to create one combined image (step S115), and the generated combined image is associated with the job and stored in the job analysis data storage unit. At the same time, it is transferred to the utility 11 via the communication I / F unit 103 ((6) in FIG. 2, step S116).

  Thereafter, the utility 11 receives the composite image data and displays the composite image as an image representing the job characteristics ((7) in FIG. 2).

  In step S115, a composite image is created by combining only thumbnail images. In order to make it easier to understand which job is a composite image, the job number acquired in step S101 is added to the composite image. May be. Further, in order to make it easy to understand how many representative images are combined with the composite image, the number of representative images acquired in step S101 may be added to the composite image, and the thumbnail image of each page may include the page. The page number may be added. The arrangement method of the thumbnail images is arbitrary, and the thumbnail images may be arranged in a horizontal or vertical line, or may be arranged in two dimensions. When arranging two-dimensionally, the composite image can be printed on paper by adjusting the arrangement and reduction ratio so that a plurality of thumbnail images can fit within the standard paper size, which is convenient.

  In the above flow, the thumbnail image data obtained by reducing the raster data of each page is stored in the HDD 102 in advance. However, the thumbnail image data is created from the raster data when the job analysis is instructed. Also good.

  In the above flow, a composition image is created when job analysis is instructed. However, the processing apparatus 10 creates a composition image every time a job is processed, and associates the job with the composition image in the memory 101. Alternatively, the image may be stored in the HDD 102 and a composite image corresponding to the designated job may be read from the memory 101 or the HDD 102 when job analysis is instructed.

  The above is a flow of a method for extracting a representative image. Hereinafter, a specific job will be described as an example.

  It is assumed that the job from which the representative image is extracted has a configuration as shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that the page size of the page p1 is A4. Further, it is assumed that the pages p2 to pk have a paper size of A4 and an image ratio of 30%. Further, it is assumed that the page of pl is a paper size of A4, an image ratio of 40%, and a chapter division page (first page of chapter). Also, it is assumed that the page size of pm is A3 and the image ratio is 70%. Also, assume that pages pn to po have a paper size of A4, an image ratio of 0%, and staples are set.

  Further, it is assumed that the specific gravity corresponding to the attribute of each page is set as shown in FIG. For example, since the first page is generally considered to show a large feature of the job, the specific gravity corresponding to the first page is set to the maximum value (100 in this case). Further, since the change of chapter is considered to show a relatively large characteristic of the job, the specific gravity corresponding to the chapter division page is set to a larger value (here, 20). Further, since the page whose paper size, paper type, color setting, and finishing process change is also considered to show the characteristics of the job, the specific gravity corresponding to these is also set to a predetermined value.

  For a job having such a configuration, the job analysis unit reads the first page (p1), acquires attribute information of the page, and the specific gravity corresponding to the first page is 100 from FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the evaluation value is set to 100.

  Next, the job analysis unit sequentially reads pages p2 to pk, acquires attribute information of each page, and determines a difference in attribute information from the previous page. Here, pages p2 to pk are not the first page or chapter division page, and the paper size and color settings are the same as p1 page and have not changed and no finishing has been set, so the image ratio (30%) and The evaluation value is 0.3 calculated by multiplying the corresponding specific gravity (1).

  Next, the job analysis unit reads the pl page, acquires attribute information of the page, and determines a difference in attribute information from the previous page. Here, since the pl page is a chapter division page, a value obtained by multiplying the specific gravity (20) corresponding to the chapter division page by the image ratio (40%) and the specific gravity (1) corresponding thereto is added. 4 is the evaluation value.

  Next, the job analysis unit reads the pm page, acquires attribute information of the page, and determines a difference in attribute information from the previous page. Here, since the paper size is changed from A4 to A3, a value obtained by multiplying the specific gravity (10) corresponding to the paper size by the image ratio (70%) and the corresponding specific gravity (1) is added. Let 10.7 be the evaluation value.

  Next, the job analysis unit reads the pn page, acquires attribute information of the page, and determines a difference in attribute information from the previous page. Here, since finishing (staple) is set, the value obtained by multiplying the specific gravity (6) corresponding to the finishing (staple) by the image ratio (0%) and the specific gravity (1) corresponding thereto is added. The evaluation value is 6.0.

  Next, the job analysis unit sequentially reads the -po pages, acquires attribute information of each page, and determines a difference in attribute information from the previous page. Here, finishing (staple) is set, but since it is the same setting as the previous page, the specific gravity (6) corresponding to finishing (staple) is not added, and the image ratio (0%) and its specific gravity ( The evaluation value is 0 obtained by multiplying 1).

  A summary of the evaluation values calculated for all pages by the above method is the upper right diagram of FIG. 4, and when these are rearranged in descending order of the evaluation values, as shown in the lower right diagram of FIG. 4, pl, pl, pm , Pn,... Then, the job analysis unit specifies pages for the designated number of representative images in order from the top. For example, when the specified quantity is 1, p1 is specified as the representative image, and when the specified quantity is 2, p1 and pl are specified as the representative images.

  Then, the thumbnail image data of the specified page is read from the HDD 102, and composite image data obtained by combining the thumbnail images of those pages is transferred to the utility 11.

  The utility 11 displays the received representative image data on the screen. FIG. 6 is an example of the analysis result display screen. The analysis result display screen includes, for example, a column for specifying a job number of a job, a column for setting a specified number of composite images for the specified job number, and a processing device. 10 is composed of a field for displaying the data of the composite image received from 10.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a composite image in which only thumbnail images are combined, but FIG. 7 shows a case where a job number and the number of representative images are added in the composite image creation processing in step S115 of FIG. As described above, the composite image to which the job number and the number of representative images are added is displayed. When the page number is added, as shown in FIG. 8, a composite image in which the page number of the page is added to the thumbnail image of each page is displayed.

  6 to 8 show an example in which the thumbnail images are arranged in a horizontal row. However, when the job analysis unit creates a composite image by arranging the thumbnail images in a vertical row, the composite image display field is vertically long. Can be displayed. When the job analysis unit creates a composite image by two-dimensionally arranging thumbnail images, the composite image display field can be displayed in accordance with the paper size as shown in FIG.

  Then, the user confirms the displayed composite image and determines whether the job is a desired job. In the case of a desired job, when the print button is pressed, printing is instructed to the processing device 10, and the processing device 10 reads a rasterized job corresponding to the job number from the HDD 102 and executes printing.

  As described above, when the job number and the number of representative images are transmitted from the utility 11 as necessary, the job analysis unit of the processing apparatus 10 calculates an evaluation value based on information indicating an attribute of each page and a change in the attribute. Then, based on the evaluation value, a plurality of pages that are considered to represent the characteristics of the job are specified, a composite image obtained by combining the thumbnail images of these pages is created and transferred to the utility 11, and the utility 11 receives the received composite Control to display image data. Thereby, even if the job has a huge number of pages and data size, the entire job can be easily grasped visually and intuitively.

  In the above embodiment, the information indicating whether the page is the first page or chaptered page, the image ratio, and the character size are listed as information indicating the page attribute, and the paper size, The information indicating whether the paper type, printing mode, color mode, and finishing process have been listed is listed. However, the information indicating the attribute and the change in the attribute is not limited to the above, and any one or a plurality serving as an index indicating the characteristics of the job Can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus or the RIP controller is used as the processing apparatus 10. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any apparatus that can use a rasterized job is used. On the other hand, the same can be applied.

  The present invention can be used for a processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus or a RIP controller that stores and processes rasterized jobs, and a job analysis program that operates on the processing apparatus.

10 processor 11 utility 100 CPU
101 Memory 102 HDD
103 Communication I / F Unit 104 Job Analysis Unit 105 Job Analysis Data Storage Unit

Claims (8)

A method for creating a composite image in an apparatus for processing a job,
The device is
A first step for accepting a job designation;
A second step of reading out a rasterized job corresponding to the designated job from the storage unit;
A third step of acquiring information indicating a change in attribute of each page included in the read job;
A fourth step of calculating an evaluation value for each page based on the information indicating the change in the attribute;
A fifth step of identifying a plurality of pages having a relatively large evaluation value;
Performing at least a sixth step of combining the reduced images of the plurality of pages to create one composite image ;
The information indicating the change in the attribute includes information indicating that the target page has changed any of the paper size, the paper type, the color mode, and the finishing process with respect to the previous page of the target page. ,
A composite image creation method characterized by the above. The device is
And executing a seventh step of storing or displaying the composite image in association with the designated job.
The composite image creation method according to claim 1. In the first step, the number of representative images is specified,
In the fifth step, pages for the quantity are specified in descending order of the evaluation value.
The composite image creation method according to claim 1 or 2, In the fourth step, the evaluation value is calculated by weighting information indicating the change of the attribute with reference to a table stored in advance.
The composite image creation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A job analysis program that runs on a device that processes jobs,
On the computer,
Processing to read out the specified rasterized job from the storage unit,
Processing to acquire information indicating changes in attributes of each page included in the read job;
Processing for calculating an evaluation value for each page based on the information indicating the change in the attribute;
A process of identifying a plurality of pages having a relatively large evaluation value;
A process of creating a single composite image by combining the reduced images of the plurality of pages,
The information indicating the change in the attribute includes information indicating that the target page has changed any of the paper size, the paper type, the color mode, and the finishing process with respect to the previous page of the target page. ,
A job analysis program characterized by that. A process for storing or displaying the composite image in association with the designated job ;
The job analysis program according to claim 5 . When the quantity of the representative image is designated, pages for the quantity are extracted in descending order of the evaluation value .
The job analysis program according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the above. When calculating the evaluation value, the information indicating the change in the attribute is weighted with reference to a previously stored table .
The job analysis program according to any one of claims 5 to 7,

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