Information processing device and control method therefor, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem of making time from submitting a file till the completion of printing long because there are indication items in a preflight check performed to a first submitted file to perform a preflight check of the entire file obtained by correcting and re-inputting the first submitted file again in a conventional manner.SOLUTION: An information processing device performs a preflight check of a file including printing data, determines whether a submitted file is a resubmitted file, and sets an inspection range of the preflight check to the submitted file to a range corresponding to changed information in the case that it is determined to be a resubmitted file and that the resubmitted file is changed on the basis of an inspection result by the preflight check when it is precedingly submitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of personal computers and the development of technology, in commercial printing, digital submission using a PC (personal computer) is becoming widespread. In digital submission where electronic printing data is created and submitted, the PDF (Portable Document Format) is generally the data format used for submission.

[0003] Printing companies that print submitted PDF data as a printing job perform a preflight inspection, which is a check before outputting printing or printing plates. This is to prevent an increase in wasted paper and rework time that occurs when problems are detected after printing and printing job processing or correction is required.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a printing system that checks whether the input printing data satisfies the submission conditions at the time of order, and transfers the printing data to a printing company for printing when it conforms to the submission conditions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In a printing system, when printing an input file, there is a function called "preflight check" that checks the input file in advance to see if there are any printing defects. If a situation that causes problems in printing is discovered during this preflight check, the user is notified. As a result, the user corrects the pointed-out parts of the input file. In this way, the user corrects the input file and submits the file to the printing system again. At this time, the printing system performs a preflight check on the re-submitted file again. At that time, the printing system was performing a preflight check on the entire re-input file. For this reason, there has been a problem that the time from when the file is submitted until printing is completed becomes long.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the above-described prior art.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of shortening the time required until printing of a re-submitted file is started.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, An information processing apparatus, inspection means for performing a pre-check on a file including print data; determination means for determining whether an input file is a re-input file; control means for setting, when it is determined by the determination means that the file is a re-input file and the re-input file has been changed based on the inspection result by the inspection means at the time of the previous input, the inspection range by the inspection means for the re-input file to a range corresponding to the changed information.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, when the re-submitted file has been changed based on the previous pre-check, by performing a pre-check on the changed part, there is an effect that the time required until printing is started can be shortened.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The accompanying drawings are included in the specification, form a part thereof, show embodiments of the present invention, and are used to explain the principle of the present invention together with the description.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0014] [Embodiment 1] The system configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a printing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0016] In this system, a host computer 100, a print management system (information processing apparatus) 200, and an image forming apparatus 300 are connected via a LAN 108.

[0017] The host computer 100 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer). When the print management system 200 receives a print job from the host computer 100, it performs data processing for inputting print data according to the print job to the image forming apparatus 300 which is a printing machine. When the image forming apparatus 300 receives a print job from the print management system 200, it prints an image on a recording medium such as a sheet according to the print job. A post-processing apparatus 400 is connected to the image forming apparatus 300 and performs post-processing on the sheet printed and output by the image forming apparatus 300. Note that here, the LAN 108 may be wired or wireless.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware configurations of the host computer 100, the print management system 200, the image forming apparatus 300, and the post-processing apparatus 400 included in the printing system according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] The host computer 100 has a CPU 110 that controls the entire host computer 100. The CPU 110 performs various controls by expanding and executing a control program stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 114 in a memory 111. An operation unit (not shown) for operating the host computer 100 is connected via an operation unit I / F 112. The operation unit includes, for example, a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function and various hard keys, and functions as a reception unit for receiving user instructions. The host computer 100 is also connected to a LAN 108 via a network I / F (interface) 113 and can transmit information necessary for printing to a print management system 200. The host computer 100 also has an output I / F 115 for outputting information within the host computer 100. Here, a display (not shown) such as a video device is connected to the output I / F 115.

[0020] The print management system 200 has a CPU 210 that controls the entire system in the same manner as the host computer 100. The CPU 210 performs various controls such as print control by expanding and executing a control program stored in an HDD 214 in a memory 211. An operation unit (not shown) for operating the print management system 200 is connected via an operation unit I / F 212. This operation unit includes, for example, a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function and various hard keys, and functions as a reception unit for receiving user instructions. Further, the print management system 200 is connected to the LAN 108 via a network I / F 213 and transmits information necessary for printing to the host computer 100 and an image forming apparatus 300 via the LAN 108. The print management system 200 also has an output I / F 215 for outputting information within the print management system 200, and a display (not shown) such as a video device is connected to the output I / F 215.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 300 has a printer unit 351 connected via a device I / F 332, and prints an image on a recording medium such as a sheet based on print data. The CPU 320 is a central processing unit for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 300. The RAM 321 provides a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 320. It is also a memory for temporarily storing received PDL data, intermediate data generated within the image forming apparatus 300 for print processing, a work area which is a work area for rendering processing, and input image data. The ROM 322 is a boot ROM and stores a system boot program and the like. The storage device 323 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores system software for various processes and received PDL data and the like.

[0022] The operation unit I / F 326 is an interface unit for an operation unit 329 having a display screen capable of displaying various menus, print data information, etc., and outputs operation screen data to the operation unit 329. Further, the operation unit I / F 326 serves to transmit information input by the operator from the operation unit 329 to the CPU 320. The network I / F 324 is connected to the LAN 108 and performs input / output of information with an external device. The communication I / F 327 is connected to a post-processing device 400 and performs post-processing on the paper printed by the image forming apparatus 300. Each of the above units is arranged on a system bus 330. The image bus I / F 325 is an interface for connecting the system bus 330 and an image bus 331 for transferring image data at high speed, and is a bus bridge for converting data structures. The device I / F 332 described above is connected to the image bus 331.

[0023] The post-processing device 400 includes a CPU 411 that controls the entire post-processing device 400, conveys the paper printed by the image forming device 300 by a conveyance unit 412, and performs post-processing by a finishing processing unit 413. The post-processing includes, for example, aligning a plurality of sheets of paper, punching holes in the paper, stapling a plurality of sheets of paper, and folding the paper. The post-processing device 400 is connected to the image forming device 300 via a communication I / F 414 to exchange post-processing data and the like. A system bus 415 is connected to the above-described CPU 411, conveyance unit 412, finishing processing unit 413, and communication I / F 414.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining a series of processes when printing data is transmitted from the host computer 100 to the print management system 200 and printing processing is performed by the image forming device 300 in Embodiment 1.

[0025] In S301, the user creates a file for printing using various applications on the host computer 100 and submits it as print data to the print management system 200. In S302, the print management system 200 registers the submitted print data. Then, in S303, the print management system 200 returns to the host computer 100 as a response that the submitted data has been registered. Then, in S304, the print management system 200 performs a preflight check (pre-check) on the submitted print data.

[0026] As an example of the check items in the preflight check, there is a resolution check of image images such as graphs and figures used in the submitted print data. This is to prevent the image from being blurred during printing, to check the resolution of the inserted image image, and to determine whether it is not lower than the default resolution.

[0027] Another example of the check items is to check whether the characters used are blurred. This is to prevent the image from being blurred during printing, to check the font size information of the characters used, and to determine whether it is not smaller than the default font size.

[0028] The preflight check method described here is a known one. It can be executed independently within the print management system 200, or by using, for example, a preflight tool for PDF documents provided by Adobe. Then, in S305, the print management system 200 notifies the host computer 100 of the inspection results obtained by the preflight check.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the inspection results displayed on the host computer 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0030] Here, it is pointed out that the name of the submitted file is "Notice of Training", there are small characters on page 3, and the image on page 10 is lower than the predetermined resolution.

[0031] Based on this inspection result, in S306, the user uses the host computer 100 to correct the previously submitted print data. Then, in S307, the user resubmits the corrected print data.

[0032] As a result, in S308, the print management system 200 re-registers the submitted print data. Then, in S309, it returns to the host computer 100 as a response that the print data has been registered. Next, in S310, the print management system 200 performs a preflight check on the re-submitted print data. And in S311, it notifies the host computer 100 of the inspection results obtained by the preflight check. Incidentally, if there are no problems with the inspection results of the first preflight check, S307 to S311 are skipped.

[0033] In this way, when the user determines that there is no problem with the print data submitted to the print management system 200, at S312, the user issues an instruction to execute printing to the print management system 200 for printing. Thereby, when receiving the instruction to execute printing, the print management system 200 transmits the registered print data and print setting information to the image forming apparatus 300 at S313. And at S314, the print management system 200 transmits a response to the instruction to execute printing to the host computer 100.

[0034] When the image forming apparatus 300 that has received the print data and the print setting information in this way performs printing processing according to the print data at S315. Also at S316, it returns as a response to the print management system 200 that it is performing printing processing. When the printing processing is completed in the image forming apparatus 300 in this way at S317, the image forming apparatus 300 notifies the print management system 200 that the printing processing has ended. In this way, when receiving that the printing processing has ended, the print management system 200 notifies the host computer 100 at S318 that the printing of the user's print data has ended.

[0035] In addition, in the display example shown in FIG. 4 described above, the preflight check described above is performed, and the file name of the submitted print data, the page numbers pointed out in the preflight check, and the pointed out contents are displayed. Note that the above inspection results are just an example, and it is assumed that another display method may be used. For example, a method such as previewing the page with a problem may be used.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the preflight check (S310) at the time of re-submission executed by the print management system 200 according to Embodiment 1. Here, an example of the preflight check when a file holding a change history is submitted is shown. Also, as an example of the submitted file, it is a Word (registered trademark) file that automatically records the change history when creating a file, or a PDF file converted from a Word file. Note that the processing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 210 of the print management system 200 executing a program developed in the memory 211.

[0037] First, in S501, the CPU 210 determines whether a file for printing has been submitted from the host computer 100. If it is determined that a file has been submitted, the process proceeds to S502. Otherwise, S501 is executed. In S502, the CPU 210 registers the submitted file in the system. Next, the process proceeds to S503, where the CPU 210 determines whether a change history is recorded in the submitted file. If it is determined that the submitted file holds a change history, the process proceeds to S504. If it is determined that no change history is held, the process proceeds to S507. In S504, the CPU 210 acquires the information of the change history and saves it as differential information. This differential information includes not only the differences in the change history but also, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, differences found in the "submitted file name", "file revision information", "file save date and time", "indicated page number", etc. are also saved as differential information.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of differential information according to Embodiment 1.

[0039] Next, the process proceeds to S505, where the CPU 210 determines whether comparison processing can be performed to find the differences between the submitted file and the corresponding file submitted last time based on the differential information. As this determination method, for example, the submitted file name is confirmed from the acquired differential information to determine whether it is a file name already registered in the print management system 200. If so, it is determined that comparison processing is possible.

[0040] Alternatively, it is determined whether the acquired change history information is the same as the change history information registered in the print management system 200. For example, when the input is File A ⇒ File B ⇒ File A' (revised version of File A), since the change history information of File A and File A' matches, it is determined that comparison processing can be performed. For File A and File B, since both the input file name and the change history information are different, it is determined that differential processing cannot be performed. Similarly, for File B and File A', since both the input file name and the change history information are different, it is determined that differential processing cannot be performed. Also, when the input file is the first input file, it is determined that comparison processing cannot be performed.

[0041] When it is determined in S505 that comparison processing is possible, the process proceeds to S506; otherwise, it proceeds to S507. In S506, the CPU 210 sets the preflight check inspection range of the input file only to the pages of the file with differences and proceeds to S508. On the other hand, in S507, the CPU 210 sets the preflight check inspection range of the input file to all pages of the file and proceeds to S508.

[0042] In S508, the CPU 210 performs a preflight check according to the preflight check inspection range set in S506 or S507. Then it proceeds to S509, where the CPU 210 saves the difference information to update the difference information. Next, it proceeds to S510, where the CPU 210 determines whether there are any pointed-out matters based on the result of the preflight check executed in S508. If there are pointed-out matters, it proceeds to S511, where the CPU 210 notifies the host computer 100 of the pointed-out content of the preflight check and ends this process. Also, in S510, if there are no pointed-out matters in the preflight check, the CPU 210 ends the process as it is.

[0043] In addition, in Embodiment 1, the check unit during preflight check is set to the page unit. However, for example, the preflight check may be performed in object units. Alternatively, it may be determined by user instruction whether to perform the preflight check in page units or object units.

[0044] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, when the submitted file retains a change history, it is determined as a re-submitted file, and the pre-flight check inspection range of the re-input file can be changed according to the result of the previous pre-flight check. Thereby, for example, the inspection range can be switched to be set to the page pointed out by the result of the previous pre-flight check or to be set to all pages. Thereby, it becomes possible to shorten the time required for the pre-flight check of the re-input file.

[0045] In addition, in the above embodiment, it is determined whether the submitted file is a re-submitted file by determining whether it retains a change history, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information indicating whether the submitted file is a re-submitted file may be added.

[0046] <Embodiment 2> Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In the above-described Embodiment 1, the case where the submitted file retains a change history was described. In Embodiment 2, the case where the submitted file does not retain a change history will be described. The system configuration according to Embodiment 2 and the hardware configurations such as the host computer, the print management system, and the image forming apparatus constituting the system are the same as those in the previous Embodiment 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the pre-flight check at the time of re-submission executed by the print management system 200 according to Embodiment 2.

[0048] First, in S701, the CPU 210 determines whether a file to be printed has been submitted from the host computer 100. If it is determined that the file has been submitted, the process proceeds to S702; otherwise, S701 is executed. In S702, the CPU 210 saves the submitted file in the memory 211 and proceeds to S703. In S703, the CPU 210 determines whether the same file has already been registered. If it is determined here that the same file has already been registered, the process proceeds to S704; otherwise, the process proceeds to S707. In S704, the CPU 210 compares the difference information. Here, the difference information is, as described in the above-described Embodiment 1, for example, an information example as shown in FIG. 6. Then, the process proceeds to S705, and the CPU 210 determines whether the file has been updated based on the comparison of the difference information. If it is determined here that the file has been updated, the process proceeds to S706, and the CPU 210 updates the registered file with the submitted file, and sets the preflight check range of the registered file only to the pointed-out page, and proceeds to S709. On the other hand, if it is determined in S703 that the same file has not been registered, the process proceeds to S707, and the submitted file is registered and the process proceeds to S708. Also, if it is determined in S705 that the file has not been updated, the process proceeds to S708. In S708, the CPU 210 sets the preflight check range of the submitted file to all pages of the file and proceeds to S709. The processes of S709 to S712 are the same as the processes of S508 to S511 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0049] Note that, similar to Embodiment 1, in Embodiment 2, the check unit at the time of preflight check is described in terms of pages, but the preflight check may be performed in terms of objects. Also, the user may be able to select whether to perform the preflight check in terms of pages or objects.

[0050] As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when the submitted file does not hold a change history, the preflight check range of the resubmitted file can be set to the pointed-out page or all pages. Thereby, it becomes possible to shorten the time required for the preflight check of the resubmitted file.

[0051] In addition, in the above embodiment, it is determined whether the submitted file is a resubmitted file based on whether the file has been updated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information indicating whether the submitted file is a resubmitted file may be added.

[0052] (Other Embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0053] This specification and the drawings disclose the following information processing apparatus, its control method, and program.

[0054] [Item 1] An information processing apparatus, inspection means for performing a pre-check on a file including print data; determination means for determining whether the submitted file is a resubmitted file; control means for setting the inspection range by the inspection means for the resubmitted file to a range corresponding to the changed information when it is determined by the determination means that the file is a resubmitted file and the resubmitted file has been changed based on the inspection result by the inspection means at the time of the previous submission; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising.

[0055] [Item 2] It further has registration means for registering the submitted file. The information processing apparatus according to item 1, wherein the determination means determines whether the resubmitted file is a resubmitted file based on whether the submitted file is registered in the registration means.

[0056] [Item 3] The information processing apparatus according to item 1, wherein the control means determines that a change based on the inspection result by the inspection means has been made when the resubmitted file includes a change history.

[0057] [Item 4] The information processing apparatus according to item 2, wherein the control means determines whether a change based on the inspection result by the inspection means has been made based on the difference information between the resubmitted file and the file corresponding to the resubmitted file registered in the registration means.

[0058] [Item 5] It further has notification means for notifying the inspection result by the inspection means, The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the resubmitted file is changed based on the inspection result by the inspection means of the previously submitted file notified by the notification means.

[0059] [Item 6] The information processing apparatus according to item 4, wherein the difference information includes at least one difference among the name of the submitted file, the information of the revised version of the file, and the save date and time of the file.

[0060] [Item 7] The information processing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein when the determination means determines that the submitted file is not a resubmitted file, the control means sets the inspection range by the inspection means for the submitted file to all ranges of the submitted file.

[0061] [Item 8] When the control means cannot compare the re-submitted file with the previously submitted file, the control means sets the inspection range by the inspection means for the re-submitted file to all ranges of the re-submitted file. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 6.

[0062] [Item 9] The inspection range is set in page units of the file. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8.

[0063] [Item 10] The inspection range is set in object units of the file. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8.

[0064] [Item 11] The information processing apparatus further includes means for allowing a user to select whether to set the inspection range in page units of the file or in object units of the file. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 10.

[0065] [Item 12] A control method for controlling an information processing apparatus, An inspection step in which an inspection means of the information processing apparatus performs a pre-check on a file including print data, A determination step in which a determination means of the information processing apparatus determines whether an input file is a re-submitted file, A control step in which a control means of the information processing apparatus determines that the file is a re-submitted file in the determination step, and when the re-submitted file has been changed based on the inspection result of the inspection step when it was previously submitted, sets the inspection range of the inspection step for the re-submitted file to a range corresponding to the changed information. A control method characterized by including:

[0066] [Item 13] A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method according to Item 12.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to publicize the scope of the present invention, the following claims are appended.

Explanation of Signs

[0068] 100... host computer, 200... print management system, 300... image forming apparatus, 400... post-processing apparatus, 108... LAN, 110... CPU, 111... memory, 413... finishing processing unit, 414... communication I / F

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: inspection means for performing a pre-check on a file containing print data; determination means for determining whether an input file is a re-input file; control means for setting, when it is determined by the determination means that the file is a re-input file and the re-input file has been changed based on the inspection result by the inspection means at the time of the previous input, the inspection range by the inspection means for the re-input file to a range corresponding to the changed information; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above.

2. further comprising registration means for registering an input file; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination means determines whether the input file is a re-input file based on whether the input file is registered in the registration means.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means determines that a change has been made based on the inspection result by the inspection means when the re-input file includes a change history.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means determines whether a change has been made based on the inspection result by the inspection means based on the difference information between the re-input file and the file corresponding to the re-input file registered in the registration means.

5. further comprising notification means for notifying the inspection result by the inspection means; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the re-input file has been changed based on the inspection result by the inspection means of the file input previously, notified by the notification means.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the difference information includes at least one difference among the name of the input file, the information of the revised version of the file, and the save date and time of the file.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined by the determination means that the input file is not a re-input file, the control means sets the inspection range by the inspection means for the input file to all ranges of the input file.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the control means cannot compare the re-submitted file with the previously submitted file, the control means sets the inspection range by the inspection means for the re-submitted file to all ranges of the re-submitted file.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection range is set in page units of the file.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection range is set in object units of the file.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing a user to select whether to set the inspection range in page units of the file or in object units of the file.

12. A control method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: an inspection step in which an inspection means of the information processing apparatus performs a pre-check on a file including print data; a determination step in which a determination means of the information processing apparatus determines whether an input file is a re-submitted file; a control step in which a control means of the information processing apparatus, when it is determined in the determination step that the file is a re-submitted file and the re-submitted file has been changed based on the inspection result of the inspection step when it was previously submitted, sets the inspection range of the inspection step for the re-submitted file to a range corresponding to the changed information; characterized by comprising the above steps.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 12.

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