System and control program

Abstract

To assist users in easily generating print instructions.SOLUTION: When a user specifies any attribute value that an item defining an operation related to printing can take via an editing screen 22, a DFE 3 displays on the editing screen 22 a character string corresponding to a specified attribute value. The character string is to be recorded on a job ticket 6 for the user to instruct the DFE 3 to perform the operation corresponding to the attribute value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that includes an analysis means that analyzes a job ticket to be imported and determines whether the print settings of the job ticket are within the range of valid print functions provided by the printing device at the printing destination; a notification means that notifies information about print settings other than the valid print functions based on the analysis results; a receiving means that receives a method for dealing with print settings other than the valid print functions in response to the notification from the notification means; and an integration means that integrates the print settings other than the valid print functions received by the receiving means with the print settings of the valid print functions to generate integrated print settings.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a control program for setting processing setting information to be sent to an image formation output control device that controls the execution of multiple processes in accordance with processing setting information including information for setting processing content for executing image formation output based on command information received from a processing execution control device that controls the execution of the multiple processes, the control program including unique processing information indicating processing content unique to the image formation output control device, causing the image formation output control device to execute a unique processing information generation step for generating the processing setting information and a transmission control step for transmitting the processing setting information to the processing execution control device, and causing the processing execution control device to execute a unique processing information extraction step for extracting the unique processing information from the processing setting information, a display control step for displaying a setting screen for setting processing setting values ​​for the extracted unique processing information, and a processing setting value reflection step for reflecting the set processing setting values ​​in command information to be sent to the image formation output control device to execute the image formation output. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-215800 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-156171 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There are systems that allow a user to instruct a series of processes related to printing using a print instruction sheet (also called a job ticket).

[0006] Since the print instruction is created in a specified description language, the user writes attribute values ​​of print items corresponding to the content they want to print in the print instruction using the specified description language.

[0007] Conventionally, users generate print instructions by selecting attribute values ​​for print items and having the printing system output print instructions that reflect the selected attribute values. In this case, users must generate print instructions every time they select attribute values ​​for print items.

[0008] The present disclosure aims to provide a system and control program that assists users in generating print instructions more easily than when performing operations to generate print instructions that perform actions corresponding to the attribute values ​​of items specified by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The system according to the first aspect includes a processor, and when a user specifies one of the attribute values ​​that an item specifying a printing-related operation can take on a screen, the processor displays on the screen a character string corresponding to the specified attribute value, which character string is to be written in a printing instruction document by the user to instruct the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the attribute value.

[0010] A system according to a second aspect is the system according to the first aspect, wherein the processor displays, on the screen, the written character string that can be embedded directly into the print instruction.

[0011] In a third aspect of the system, in the second aspect, when the specified attribute value is represented by a combination of multiple types of attributes, the processor displays the description string on the screen for each attribute associated with the specified attribute value.

[0012] A system according to a fourth aspect is the system according to the first aspect, wherein the printing instructions are written in JDF format.

[0013] A system according to a fifth aspect is a system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the processor displays a selection object on the screen for the user to select whether or not to display the written string when any of the attribute values ​​is specified.

[0014] In a sixth aspect of the system, in the fifth aspect, the processor displays the written string on the screen for the attribute value that is specified for the first time, even if the selected object is selected to not display the written string.

[0015] The control program of the seventh aspect is a program for causing a processor to execute a process in which, when a user specifies one of the attribute values ​​that an item specifying a printing-related operation can take on a screen, the processor executes a process in which the processor displays on the screen a character string corresponding to the specified attribute value, the character string being written in a printing instruction document by the user to instruct the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the attribute value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the first and seventh aspects, it is possible to provide the effect of assisting the user to generate a printing instruction more easily than when performing a printing instruction generation operation that performs an action corresponding to the attribute value of an item specified by the user.

[0017] According to the second aspect, the time required to generate a printing instruction can be reduced by using the information displayed on the screen compared to when using a manual to look up the string to be written in the printing instruction.

[0018] According to the third aspect, even a user who is unfamiliar with generating print instructions can generate print instructions by himself / herself.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect, even a user who is unfamiliar with the description language of the JDF format can generate a print instruction by himself / herself.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect, there is an effect that the user can select whether or not to display the written character string.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to provide the user with information relating to the generation of useful printing instructions at the discretion of the system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a DFE. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a main part of an electrical system in a DFE. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a display process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a job template management screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen for a job template. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a displayed character string corresponding to an attribute value indicating that stapling is not performed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how a character string corresponding to an attribute value indicating that stapling is to be performed in one position at the top left is displayed. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a job ticket. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an edit screen when help display is turned off. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of written character strings corresponding to attribute values ​​expressed by a combination of multiple types of attributes; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, the disclosed embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components and processes are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant explanations will be omitted. The dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a printing system 1 that utilizes a workflow to perform printing based on a job 5 instructed by a user.

[0025] The printing system 1 includes, for example, a user terminal 2, a digital front end (DFE) 3, and a printing device 4.

[0026] A workflow is a process flow in which information used in each step of the printing process is digitized and made available to a computer. Printing system 1 uses the workflow to share information about each step and manage the status of each printing process.

[0027] A job 5 is an execution unit for printing in the printing system 1, and includes data for the printed matter to be printed (referred to as "print data") as well as attribute values ​​for various attributes (referred to as "print attributes") that specify the printing operations (referred to as "printing operations") required to obtain the printed matter in the state desired by the user.

[0028] That is, for each job 5 managed based on the workflow, the printing system 1 prints the print data included in the job 5 on a designated recording medium such as paper in accordance with the print attributes designated by the job 5.

[0029] The user terminal 2 generates a job 5 for a print job according to the user's instructions and sends the generated job 5 to the DFE 3. The job 5 is generated, for example, by workflow software pre-installed on the user terminal 2. The workflow software is software that corresponds to the workflow of the print job in the printing system 1. Because the workflow differs depending on the type, number, and performance of the devices that make up the printing system 1, the workflow software may also be created individually to suit the printing system 1 that is being used.

[0030] The attribute values ​​of the printing attributes in the printed material are notified to the DFE 3 by a printing instruction (referred to as a "job ticket 6"). The job ticket 6 is an instruction for causing the DFE 3 to execute the printing operations desired by the user in accordance with a workflow, and the job ticket 6 is written using a predetermined description language that can be interpreted by the DFE 3. The job ticket 6 is generated for each job 5 and is sent to the DFE 3 together with the print data, etc. as information that constitutes the job 5.

[0031] Therefore, the workflow software running on the user terminal 2 provides the user with a function for editing the job ticket 6. There are multiple types of description languages ​​for the job ticket 6, but this disclosure will explain an example in which a description language in the JDF (Job Definition Format) format, which is widely used as an industry standard format in the printing industry, is used. The description language for the job ticket 6 is not limited to the JDF format, and other description languages ​​may also be used.

[0032] The user uses the editing function of the job ticket 6 in the workflow software of the user terminal 2 to write a string (referred to as the "written string") representing the attribute value of the printing attribute corresponding to the printing operation desired by the user into the job ticket 6 so that the printing operation desired by the user is performed in the DFE 3.

[0033] The DFE 3 accepts a job 5 from the user terminal 2 and performs data processing on the print data included in the job 5 so that a printing operation corresponding to the attribute values ​​of the printing attributes described in the job ticket 6 is performed. Specifically, the DFE 3 interprets the contents of the job ticket 6 and generates control commands that realize the printing operation corresponding to the attribute values ​​of the printing attributes. The DFE 3 then transmits the print data to the printing device 4 and controls the printing device 4 using the generated control commands so that the printing operation instructed by the job ticket 6 is performed on the print data. Such a DFE 3 is an example of a "system" according to the present disclosure.

[0034] The printing device 4 prints the print data on a recording medium in accordance with the received control command, and generates a printed matter based on the job ticket 6. There are no restrictions on the printing method used by the printing device 4, and it may be, for example, offset printing or on-demand printing.

[0035] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the DFE 3. The DFE 3 includes functional units: a receiving unit 3A, a management unit 3B, a generation unit 3C, a display unit 3D, and a control unit 3E.

[0036] The receiving unit 3A receives a job 5 from a user terminal 2. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a job 5 is received from one user terminal 2, but the receiving unit 3A can receive jobs 5 from multiple user terminals 2.

[0037] The management unit 3B manages job templates, which are models of job tickets 6 that predefine printing operations to be executed for print data.

[0038] For example, when staples are used to fasten printed materials (referred to as "stapling"), if a job template specifying the position of staples on the printed materials is prepared in advance, the user can use the job template corresponding to stapling to generate a job ticket 6 that staples at the specified position, without having to generate a job ticket 6 by themselves each time. Management unit 3B manages job templates corresponding to these various printing operations.

[0039] Job templates are created by users and registered in DFE 3. If a job template is registered in DFE 3 and set to be shareable, the user can freely use it even if it was created by another user.

[0040] Furthermore, the management unit 3B provides the user with a job template editing function so that the job template can be edited even after it has been registered in the DFE 3.

[0041] The generation unit 3C uses a job template selected by the user from among the job templates registered in the DFE 3 to generate a job ticket 6 corresponding to the contents of the job template. The job ticket 6 generated by the generation unit 3C is written in JDF format. The generation unit 3C outputs a file of the generated job ticket 6, making the job ticket 6 available to the user.

[0042] The display unit 3D not only displays the job ticket 6 generated by the generation unit 3C on the display unit 13 (see Figure 3), but also displays on the display unit 13 the character string written on the job ticket 6 that represents the attribute value of the printing attribute corresponding to the printing operation desired by the user.

[0043] The character strings written in the job ticket 6 corresponding to the attribute values ​​of the print attributes are displayed on the display unit 13 during the process of generating or editing the job template, and the details will be explained later.

[0044] The control unit 3E controls the printing device 4 so that the printed material specified by the job ticket 6 is generated, and also performs the necessary control for the receiving unit 3A, management unit 3B, generation unit 3C, and display unit 3D to perform the processing described above.

[0045] Such a DFE 3 is configured using, for example, a computer 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of an electrical system in a DFE 3 configured using the computer 10.

[0046] The computer 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10A, which is an example of a processor that handles the processing of each functional unit of the DFE 3 shown in Fig. 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10B used as a temporary work area for the CPU 10A, a nonvolatile memory 10C, and an input / output interface (I / O) 10D. The CPU 10A, RAM 10B, nonvolatile memory 10C, and I / O 10D are all connected to each other via a bus 10E.

[0047] The nonvolatile memory 10C is an example of a storage device that maintains stored information even if the power supplied to the nonvolatile memory 10C is cut off, and is, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. Information that needs to be continuously stored even if the power supply to the DFE 3 is cut off, such as a job template, is stored in the nonvolatile memory 10C.

[0048] The nonvolatile memory 10C does not necessarily have to be built into the computer 10, but may be, for example, a portable storage device that can be attached to and detached from the computer 10.

[0049] On the other hand, for example, a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, and a printing device 4 are connected to the I / O 10D.

[0050] The communication unit 11 is connected to a communication line (not shown) and has a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device connected to the communication line. For example, the communication unit 11 is connected to a user terminal 2.

[0051] The input unit 12 is a device that receives user instructions and notifies the CPU 10A of the instructions, and includes, for example, a button, a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. The computer 10 in the present disclosure uses a mouse and a keyboard as the input unit 12.

[0052] Display unit 13 is an example of a display device that displays information processed by CPU 10A as an image, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like.

[0053] Based on instructions from CPU 10A, printing device 4 prints the instructed print data on the instructed recording medium in accordance with the instructed printing operation to generate a printed matter.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of display processing executed by the CPU 10A of the DFE 3 when the edit screen 22 for editing a job template is displayed on the display unit 13.

[0055] A control program that defines the display processing is stored in advance in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 10C of the DFE 3. The CPU 10A of the DFE 3 reads the control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 10C and executes the display processing.

[0056] Edit screen 22 is a screen that is displayed on display unit 13 when "Edit" is selected from menu 21 that is displayed by, for example, right-clicking the mouse on the display field of any job template on job template management screen 20 shown in Fig. 5, which is a screen that displays a list of job templates managed by DFE 3. The job template management screen 20 shown in Fig. 5 shows an example in which the mouse is right-clicked on the display field of a job template that specifies the staple printing operation, and "Edit" is selected from menu 21.

[0057] In the present disclosure, "selection" refers to the act of performing a confirmation operation on an object and indicating an intention to execute an operation associated with the object. In the case of an operation using a mouse, "selection" corresponds to the action of left-clicking on an object.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen 22 for a job template that defines a staple printing operation. Below, we will explain the display processing when the user gives instructions through the editing screen 22 by operating the mouse while the editing screen 22 shown in Fig. 6 is displayed on the display unit 13.

[0059] A display area 22A for items representing print attributes is included in the edit screen 22. Each item displayed in the display area 22A is an example of an item that defines an operation related to printing.

[0060] When an item is selected from display area 22A, which displays each item, the attribute values ​​associated with the selected item are displayed in display area 22B. To change the attribute values ​​associated with the selected item, the user selects expansion mark 22C displayed in display area 22B. When expansion mark 22C is selected, a list 22D displaying all the attribute values ​​that the selected item can take is displayed on editing screen 22. Therefore, the user can select the attribute value that they want to set for the selected item from list 22D and associate the selected attribute value with the selected item.

[0061] 6 shows an example of edit screen 22 in which an item for setting the staple position is selected in display area 22A, and the attribute value currently set as the staple position ("No" in the example of FIG. 6) is displayed in display area 22B. In this situation, the user selects expansion mark 22C, and all attribute values ​​that can be set as the staple position are displayed in list 22D.

[0062] On the other hand, the edit screen 22 displays, for example, a cancel button 22G, an OK button 22H, and a check box 22F.

[0063] When cancel button 22G on edit screen 22 is selected, a cancel instruction is sent to CPU 10A. When the cancel instruction is received, CPU 10A sets the original attribute value that was set as the stapling position as it is, even if the user selects an attribute value from list 22D that is different from the currently set attribute value, and closes edit screen 22.

[0064] On the other hand, when OK button 22H on edit screen 22 is pressed, a confirmation instruction is sent to CPU 10A. When the confirmation instruction is received, CPU 10A sets the attribute value selected by the user from list 22D as the stapling position and closes edit screen 22.

[0065] The check box 22F on the editing screen 22 is a selection object that the user uses to select whether or not to display the written string corresponding to the specified attribute value when the user specifies any of the attribute values ​​displayed in the list 22D.

[0066] The user instructs CPU 10A to display the description character string corresponding to the specified attribute value by checking check box 22F, or to not display the description character string corresponding to the specified attribute value by not checking check box 22F.

[0067] Hereinafter, checking the check box 22F will be referred to as "turning on the help display," and not checking the check box 22F will be referred to as "turning off the help display."

[0068] Furthermore, "designating" an attribute value means that the attribute value is in a state where it can be selected. For example, to select an attribute value from list 22D by operating a mouse, it is first necessary to move cursor 23 onto display row 22E that displays the attribute value to be selected. This action of moving cursor 23 onto display row 22E that displays an attribute value is referred to as "designating an attribute value." In other words, the mouse-over operation of hovering cursor 23 over display row 22E that displays an attribute value corresponds to an example of the action of designating an attribute value. Note that, for example, if a touch panel is used as input unit 12, the designation and selection of an attribute value may be distinguished by the length of time a finger is in contact with an area of ​​the touch panel corresponding to the display position of display row 22E.

[0069] In step S10 of the display processing in FIG. 4, CPU 10A determines whether or not the user has designated any attribute value from list 22D on edit screen 22. In step S10 of the display processing in FIG.

[0070] If it is determined in step S10 that any attribute value has been specified, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0071] In step S20, CPU 10A determines whether or not the help display is on, and if the help display is on, proceeds to step S30.

[0072] In step S30, CPU 10A displays the written character string corresponding to the specified attribute value on edit screen 22, and proceeds to step S40. In this case, CPU 10A displays the written character string in accordance with the JDF format so that the written character string can be embedded directly into job ticket 6.

[0073] 7 and 8 are diagrams showing examples of how a character string is displayed. Specifically, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of how a character string is displayed corresponding to an attribute value indicating that stapling is not to be performed. In the example shown in Fig. 7, when the attribute value "No" is specified by the user, the character string "StapleMode="None"," which indicates that stapling is not to be performed in the job ticket 6, is displayed on the pop-up screen 24.

[0074] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a character string corresponding to an attribute value specifying that stapling should be performed in one position at the top left. In the example shown in Fig. 8, when the attribute value "one position at the top left" is specified by the user, the character string "StapleMode="TopLeftCorner"" which instructs that stapling should be performed in one position at the top left in the job ticket 6 is displayed on the pop-up screen 24.

[0075] Therefore, the user can simply specify an attribute value and understand, without referring to a manual, what description should be made in the job ticket 6 in order to cause the printing device 4 to perform a printing operation corresponding to the specified attribute value. Furthermore, since the description character string displayed in the processing of step S30 can be copied, the user can generate the job ticket 6 without having to type the description character string on the keyboard by copying the displayed description character string and pasting it into the job ticket 6 being created.

[0076] The display of the written character string is not limited to the display format using the pop-up screen 24, and any display format may be used as long as the user can recognize the written character string. For example, the CPU 10A may display the specified written character string in a display area dedicated to the written character string provided on the editing screen 22.

[0077] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a job ticket 6 in which the written character string shown in Fig. 8 is written. In Fig. 9, the part "StapleMode="TopLeftCorner"" surrounded by a dotted line corresponds to the written character string displayed on the editing screen 22. Note that the parts of the job ticket 6 other than the written character string displayed on the editing screen 22 may be generated using a job template, for example, or may be written entirely by the user.

[0078] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S20 that the help display is off, the process proceeds to step S40 without executing the process of step S30. Therefore, when the help display is off, even if an attribute value is specified, the description character string corresponding to the specified attribute value is not displayed on the editing screen 22.

[0079] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the editing screen 22 when the help display is turned off. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the attribute value "one place in the upper left" is specified by the user, but the written character string corresponding to the attribute value "one place in the upper left" as shown in Fig. 8 is not displayed.

[0080] For example, if the user is familiar with editing job tickets 6, the user may already know the description string corresponding to the specified attribute value and may not need to see the description string. Therefore, by turning off the help display, the display of the description string corresponding to the specified attribute value can be stopped.

[0081] 4, CPU 10A determines whether or not the user has selected any attribute value from list 22D of edit screen 22. If it is determined that any attribute value has been selected, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0082] In step S50, CPU 10A displays the selected attribute value in display area 22B of edit screen 22, and stores the attribute value in RAM 10B in association with the item selected in display area 22A, and then proceeds to step S60.

[0083] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S40 that no attribute value has been selected from the list 22D of the editing screen 22, the process proceeds to step S60 without executing the process of step S50.

[0084] In step S60, CPU 10A determines whether or not the specification of the attribute value has ended by moving cursor 23 away from display line 22E that displays the attribute value being specified. If the specification of the attribute value has not ended, the process proceeds to step S40, where it continues to determine whether or not an attribute value has been selected. If the specification of the attribute value has ended, the process proceeds to step S70.

[0085] Since the specification of the attribute value has been completed, in step S70, CPU 10A stops the display of the written character string displayed by the processing of step S30, and proceeds to step S80. Note that if the help display is off, the processing of step S30 has not been executed and the written character string is not displayed, so there is no particular need to stop the display of the written character string.

[0086] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S10 that no attribute value is specified from the list 22D, the process also proceeds to step S80.

[0087] In step S80, CPU 10A determines whether or not a cancel instruction has been received, and if a cancel instruction has not been received, proceeds to step S90.

[0088] In step S90, CPU 10A determines whether a confirmation instruction has been received. If a confirmation instruction has not been received, the process proceeds to step S10, and the processes of steps S10 to S90 are repeatedly executed until a confirmation instruction or a cancel instruction is received. If a confirmation instruction has been received, the process proceeds to step S100.

[0089] In step S100, CPU 10A updates the job template by setting the attribute value stored in RAM 10B by the processing of step S50 as the attribute value of the item selected in display area 22A. Since editing of the job template has ended, CPU 10A closes edit screen 22 and ends the display processing shown in FIG.

[0090] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S80 that a cancel instruction has been received, the determination process of step S90 and the process of step S100 are not executed, and the edit screen 22 is closed and the display process shown in Fig. 4 is terminated. In other words, if a cancel instruction has been received, the job template is not updated.

[0091] The user can enter the character string displayed on the pop-up screen 24 directly into the job ticket 6 and send it together with the print data from the user terminal 2 to the DFE 3, thereby causing the DFE 3 to execute the print operation desired by the user.

[0092] In this way, according to the DFE3 of the present disclosure, when a user specifies any of the attribute values ​​that an item specifying a printing-related operation can take through the editing screen 22, a character string corresponding to the specified attribute value is displayed on the editing screen 22, and is to be written in the job ticket 6 by the user to instruct the CPU 10A to perform the operation corresponding to the attribute value.

[0093] Note that even if the help display is set to off, it may be better for CPU 10A to display the description string corresponding to the specified attribute value depending on the situation. For example, if the specified attribute value is an attribute value specified by the user for the first time, the user often does not know the description string corresponding to the specified attribute value. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable for CPU 10A to display the description string corresponding to the specified attribute value on editing screen 22 even if the help display is set to off.

[0094] This process is realized by the CPU 10A storing the history of attribute value designations made by users for each user in the nonvolatile memory 10C.

[0095] 7 and 8 show examples of displaying written character strings corresponding to attribute values ​​represented by one type of attribute, namely, the staple position. Therefore, in both cases, written character strings are displayed in which character strings representing the specified attribute values ​​are associated with one attribute, "StapleMode."

[0096] However, depending on the attribute value, the content may be expressed by a combination of multiple types of attributes.

[0097] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a written character string corresponding to an attribute value expressed by a combination of multiple types of attributes.

[0098] There are various types of paper on which print data is printed, such as plain paper, high-quality paper, recycled paper, etc. Even if the paper is of the same type, these various types may be treated as different types of paper depending on, for example, the basis weight or whether the paper surface is coated.

[0099] 11, for example, assume that the user specifies plain paper as the paper type on the edit screen 22. In this case, the DFE 3 determines that plain paper has no coating on the surface and has a basis weight of 64 g / m 2 or more, and 81g / m2 If the following paper is specified, plain paper is represented by a combination of three attributes: paper type, basis weight, and coating. Therefore, CPU 10A displays the following string: "PaperType="StationeryHigh",Weight="64-81g",Coating="Uncoated"".

[0100] "PaperType="StationeryHigh"" indicates that the paper type is plain paper, and "Weight="64-81g"" indicates that the basis weight is 64g / m 2 or more, and 81g / m 2 Also, "Coating="Uncoated"" indicates that the paper surface is not coated.

[0101] Furthermore, although the above describes an example in which a description character string corresponding to an attribute value specified by the user is displayed on job template editing screen 22, it may also be displayed on a job template generation screen (not shown) for newly generating a job template. That is, CPU 10A displays a description character string corresponding to an attribute value specified by the user on a screen that displays attribute values ​​of print attributes corresponding to a print operation.

[0102] In this way, when a specified attribute value is expressed by a combination of multiple types of attributes, CPU 10A displays the written character string for each attribute associated with the specified attribute value.

[0103] While one form of the printing system 1 has been described above using the embodiment, the disclosed form of the printing system 1 is merely an example, and the form of the printing system 1 is not limited to the scope described in the embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be made to the embodiment without departing from the gist of this disclosure, and forms incorporating such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the disclosure.

[0104] For example, the internal processing order in the display processing shown in FIG. 4 may be changed without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0105] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the display process is implemented by software. However, the same process as shown in the flowchart of the display process may be implemented by hardware. In this case, the processing speed can be increased compared to when the display process is implemented by software.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU 10A) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0107] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0108] Furthermore, although the "system" in this embodiment has been described as being configured by a single device as an example, it may be configured by a plurality of devices.

[0109] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control program is stored in the nonvolatile memory 10C. However, the storage destination of the control program is not limited to the nonvolatile memory 10C. The control program of the present disclosure may also be provided in a form recorded on a storage medium readable by the computer 10.

[0110] For example, the control program may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or a Blu-ray disc. The control program may also be provided in a form recorded on a portable semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. Non-volatile memory 10C, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray disc, USB, and memory card are examples of non-transitory storage media.

[0111] Furthermore, the DFE 3 may download a control program from an external device connected to a communication line via the communication unit 11 and store the downloaded control program in the nonvolatile memory 10C of the DFE 3. In this case, the CPU 10A of the DFE 3 reads the control program downloaded from the external device from the nonvolatile memory 10C and executes display processing.

[0112] The following are additional notes related to this embodiment.

[0113] (((1))) a processor; The processor: When a user specifies one of the attribute values ​​that can be taken by an item that specifies an operation related to printing through a screen, a character string corresponding to the specified attribute value, which is to be written in a print instruction by the user to instruct the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the attribute value, is displayed on the screen. system.

[0114] (((2))) The processor displays the written character string, which can be embedded in the print instruction as is, on the screen. The system described in (((1))).

[0115] (((3))) If the specified attribute value is represented by a combination of multiple types of attributes, The processor displays the description character string on the screen for each of the attributes associated with the specified attribute value. The system according to (((1))) or (((2))).

[0116] (((4))) The printing instructions are written in JDF format. The system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))).

[0117] (((5))) When any of the attribute values ​​is specified, the processor displays a selection object on the screen for the user to select whether or not to display the written character string. The system according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))).

[0118] (((6))) The processor displays the description string on the screen for the attribute value that is specified for the first time, even if the selected object is selected to not display the description string. The system described in (((5))).

[0119] (((7))) The processor When a user specifies any of the attribute values ​​that can be taken by an item that specifies an operation related to printing through a screen, the execution of a process of displaying on the screen a character string that corresponds to the specified attribute value and is to be written in a print instruction form for the user to instruct the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the attribute value. Control program.

[0120] According to (((1))) and (((7))), it is possible to assist the user in generating a printing instruction more easily than when the user performs a printing instruction generation operation that performs an action corresponding to the attribute value of an item specified by the user.

[0121] According to (((2))), the time required to generate a printing instruction can be reduced by using the information displayed on the screen compared to when using a manual to look up the character string to be written in the printing instruction.

[0122] According to (((3))), even a user who is unfamiliar with generating print instructions can generate print instructions by himself / herself.

[0123] According to (((4))), even a user who is unfamiliar with the JDF format description language can generate printing instructions by himself / herself.

[0124] According to (((5))), there is an effect that the user can select whether or not to display the written character string.

[0125] According to (((6))), it is possible to provide the user with information relating to the generation of useful printing instructions at the discretion of the system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1 Printing System 2. User terminal 3 DFE 3A Receiver 3B Management Department 3C generation part 3D display 3E Control Unit 4 Printing device 5 Jobs 6 Job Tickets 10. Computers 10A CPU 10B RAM 10C non-volatile memory 10D I / O 10E Bus 11 Communication unit 12 input units 13 Display unit 20 Job template management screen 21 Menu 22 Editing screen 22A, 22B display area 22C Deployment Mark 22D List 22E Display line 22F Checkbox 22G Cancel button 22H OK button 23 Cursor 24 Pop-up Screens

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: When a user specifies one of the attribute values ​​that can be taken by an item that specifies an operation related to printing through a screen, a character string corresponding to the specified attribute value, which is to be written in a print instruction by the user to instruct the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the attribute value, is displayed on the screen. system.

2. The processor displays the written character string, which can be embedded in the print instruction as is, on the screen. The system of claim 1 .

3. If the specified attribute value is represented by a combination of multiple types of attributes, The processor displays the description character string on the screen for each of the attributes associated with the specified attribute value. The system of claim 2 .

4. The printing instructions are written in JDF format. The system of claim 1 .

5. When any of the attribute values ​​is specified, the processor displays a selection object on the screen for the user to select whether or not to display the written character string. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The processor displays the description string on the screen for the attribute value that is specified for the first time, even if the selected object is selected to not display the description string. The system of claim 5.

7. The processor When a user specifies any of the attribute values ​​that can be taken by an item that specifies an operation related to printing through a screen, the process of displaying on the screen a character string that corresponds to the specified attribute value and is to be written in a print instruction form by the user to instruct the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the attribute value is performed. Control program.

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