Program, information processing apparatus, display control method, and download method

Abstract

To efficiently perform proofing work of variable print data.SOLUTION: A program for causing a computer to execute a control method is provided. The control method to be executed extracts, as a display object, a variable page to which variable data is applied, from print data including the variable page and causes a display unit to display the page extracted as the display object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing device, a display control method, and a download method, and more particularly to a program, an information processing device, a display control method, and a download method for displaying preview data in proofing work for print data including variable data. [Background technology]

[0002] In commercial printing, the client sends the submitted data to the printing company. The printing company's operator edits the print data based on the submitted data. The printing company operator then asks the client to check the edited results for any errors. The client checks the print data based on the request and notifies the printing company of the results using a dedicated proofing application, performing the proofing process.

[0003] Variable printing is also being used, which replaces text at specified locations in the data. In variable printing, print data containing objects that do not contain variable data (hereinafter referred to as master objects) and objects that contain variable data (hereinafter referred to as variable objects) is created for each record of variable data. In the proofing process for variable printing, a preview of the print data equivalent to the number of records is displayed on the UI of a proofing application, and the client proof-reads each piece one by one. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-66987 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When proofing for variable data printing, it is necessary to check the print data for each record. The master object is common to all print data, but when the print data is displayed, the master object is also displayed on the UI of the proof application for each record. The worker must also proof the master object. Because printing problems often occur with variable objects that contain variable data, a display method that displays all print data for each record can delay the identification of problematic records.

[0006] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a problematic part in the results of a preflight check is estimated and reported as being related to a master object or a variable object. However, this does not solve the problem of displaying the problem on the UI in a proof application.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional boats, and has as its object to display print data for proofing purposes in a manner that allows proofing to be carried out efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute a control method, the program comprising: The control method includes an extraction step of extracting variable pages as display targets from print data including variable pages to which variable data is applied; a display control step of displaying the page extracted as a display target by the extraction step on a display means. A program characterized by the above is provided.

[0009] According to another aspect, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute a control method, the program comprising: The control method includes an ordering step of assigning priority to variable pages to which variable data is applied, the variable pages being included in the print data; a downloading step of downloading the prioritized variable pages in accordance with the priorities. A program characterized by the above is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, in a display for proofing, print data can be displayed so that proofing can be performed efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of a server computer. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a variable document. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of variable data. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of variable print data. [Figure 7] 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of identifying master and variable objects. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application UI that performs split display according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flow diagram showing an example of creating an alert table. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a table in which a predetermined number of characters is stored. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a warning table that stores a field having a number of characters greater than a predetermined number. [Figure 12] 10 is a flow diagram showing an example of sorting an alert table in order of priority. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application UI that displays in order of priority. [Figure 14]10 is a flow diagram showing an example of displaying in order of priority. [Figure 15] 10 is a flow chart showing an example of determining priority for a given field. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application UI that displays fields in order of priority. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of highlighting a field that should be confirmed. [Figure 18] 10 is a flow diagram showing an example of downloading in order of priority. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0013] Each step in the flowchart is indicated by a reference number beginning with S.

[0014] First Embodiment [system configuration diagram] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall system configuration of each embodiment. The system configuration of this embodiment includes an orderer computer 100, a display 101 connected thereto, a printer computer 102, a display 103 connected thereto, a server computer 104, and a cloud storage 105. The orderer computer 100, the printer computer 102, the server computer 104, and the cloud storage 105 are connected to one another via a communications network, for example, the Internet 106. Note that the computers may also be referred to as information processing devices.

[0015] The orderer's computer 100 can display data stored in cloud storage 105 connected via the Internet 106 on a display 101 via a program stored in a server computer 104. The printing company's computer 102 can also display data stored in cloud storage 105 connected via the Internet 106 on a display 103 via a program stored in the server computer 104.

[0016] The variable manuscript 107 and variable data 108 are data created by the client computer 100 and shared with the printer's computer 102 via the Internet 106. The data may be shared by email, or may be stored in cloud storage 105 connected via the Internet 106. The variable print data 109 is created or edited by a proofreading application 301 (described below) stored in the server computer 104 using the variable manuscript 107 and variable data 108. The proofreading application 301 is an application program that can be used by accessing the server computer 104 from the printer's computer 102 connected via the Internet 106. The created or further edited variable print data is stored in the cloud storage 105.

[0017] [Hardware configuration diagram] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the system of the present invention. In Fig. 2, the orderer computer 100, the display 101 connected thereto, the printing company computer 102, the display 103 connected thereto, and the server computer 104, all of which are explained in Fig. 1, are explained.

[0018] In FIG. 2, the orderer computer 100 is mainly configured to have the following elements:

[0019] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 200 is a central processing unit that performs processing according to a specified program. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 201 is a non-volatile storage that can store data and programs used in the processing of each embodiment described below. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 is a volatile storage that temporarily stores programs and data. The external storage device 207 is a non-volatile storage that stores programs and data. The CPU 200 reads programs and image data saved (or stored) in memory or storage such as the ROM 201 or the external storage device 207, loads them into the RAM 202, executes the programs, and performs arithmetic processing. The input device control unit 205 is an I / F that acquires information operated by a user and transmits control information to each processing unit. The input device 206 is a HID (Human Interface Device) such as a keyboard or mouse. The user can perform input operations via the input device 206. The display device control unit 203 is a device that transmits drawing data saved in the ROM 201, RAM 202, external storage device 207, etc. to the display 101. The display device 208 controls the display of data received from the display device control 203. The network I / F 204 controls the transmission and reception of data between the printing company computer 102, the server computer 104, and the cloud storage 105 via the Internet 106.

[0020] In FIG. 2, the printer computer 102 is mainly composed of the following elements: The CPU 210 performs the same processing as the CPU 200 . The ROM 211 performs the same processing as the ROM 201 . The RAM 212 performs the same processing as the RAM 202 . The display device control unit 213 performs the same control as the display device control unit 203 . Display device 218 is a device equivalent to display device 208 . The external storage device 217 is a device equivalent to the external storage device 207 . The input device control unit 215 performs the same control as the input device control unit 205 . The input device 216 is the same as the input device 206 . The network I / F 214 controls the transmission and reception of data between the orderer computer 100 , the server computer 104 , and the cloud storage 105 via the Internet 206 .

[0021] In FIG. 2, the server computer 104 is mainly configured to have the following elements: The CPU 220 performs the same processing as the CPU 200 and the CPU 210 . The ROM 221 performs the same processing as the ROM 201 and the ROM 211. The RAM 222 performs the same processing as the RAM 202 and RAM 212 . The external storage device 223 is a device equivalent to the external storage device 207 and the external storage device 217 . The network I / F 224 controls the transmission and reception of data between the orderer computer 100, the printing company computer 102, and the cloud storage 105 via the Internet 206.

[0022] [Application Configuration] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the server computer 104. The server computer 104 has a proof application 300 and a proofreading application 301 as its functional configuration.

[0023] The proofreading application 301 uses the variable manuscript 107 and the variable data 108 to create variable print data 109 in accordance with instructions from the printing company computer 102 connected via the Internet 106. The created variable print data 109 is then saved in the cloud storage 105. The variable print data 109 is created by applying (for example, writing) the corresponding field values ​​of each record of the variable data 108 to the variable fields of the variable manuscript 107.

[0024] The proof application 300 can connect to the orderer computer 100 connected via the Internet 106 and access the variable manuscript 107 and variable data 108. The proof application 300 can also display the variable print data 109 stored in the cloud storage 105 on the display 101 connected to the orderer computer 100. The proof application 300 is also an application program that can be used by accessing the server computer 104 from the orderer computer 100 or the like connected via the Internet 106. In this way, the proof application 300 also functions as a display control unit that provides and displays a display screen, for example, a user interface, on another information processing device such as the orderer computer 100. Note that the function of this display control unit may be separate from the proof application 300 and may be realized, for example, by a web server (not shown).

[0025] [Variable manuscript] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a variable document 107. In FIG. 4, the variable document 107 is a commercial material consisting of four pages. The variable document 107 is composed of a master object page 400 (page.01), a master object page 402 (page.03), a variable object page 401 (page.02), and a variable object page 403 (page.04). A master object page is a page in which the content and layout of each page are fixed and does not include variable fields. On the other hand, a variable object page is a page in which the content of a field (variable field) located at a predetermined position within the page is flexibly changed by inserting variable data associated with that field. As with a master object page, the content and layout outside the variable field are fixed. In the following description, a master object page may be referred to as a master object, and a variable object page may be referred to as a variable object. A master object page may also be referred to as a fixed page, and a variable object page may also be referred to as a variable page.

[0026] The variable object 401 of page.02 is made up of fields (variable fields) in which variables (variable values) are set: a name field 404 and an address field 405. Each field is linked to a corresponding field of the variable data 500 in Figure 5(A) described below.

[0027] The variable object 403 of page.04 is made up of a field called a belonging field 406 in which a variable (variable value) is set, and is linked to each field (belonging field) of the variable data 501 in FIG. 5(B) described later.

[0028] The variable object may have one or more fields. The variable document 107 may be in, for example, a portable document format (PDF) or other file formats.

[0029] [Variable data] The variable data 108 is made up of, for example, one or more records, and each record further includes one or more fields. Figures 5(A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of variable data 108. The variable data 500 is made up of four records, and each record includes variable data for each field of the variable object 401 on page.02 of the variable manuscript 107 described above. The variable data 501 is made up of four records, and each record includes variable data for each field of the variable object 403 on page.04 of the variable manuscript 107 described above.

[0030] In this way, each field of the variable data 108 contains a unique value (variable data) for each record. In the example of Fig. 5(A), a name and address are recorded for each record. In the example of Fig. 5(B), an affiliation is recorded for each record.

[0031] [Variable print data] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the variable print data 109. The variable print data 109 is data created by a proofreading application 301 on the printing company computer 102 using the variable manuscript 107 and variable data 108. The proofreading application 301, for example, duplicates the variable manuscript for each record of the variable data. Then, the field values ​​included in the record are duplicated in the variable fields of the variable objects included in the duplicated variable manuscript according to the association with the variable fields, thereby creating variable print data corresponding to each record.

[0032] In FIG. 6, out of a product consisting of four pages, the first and third pages are master objects, and the second and fourth pages are variable objects, and an example is shown in which the number of pages is created equal to the number of records in the variable data 108.

[0033] Master objects 600, 604, and 608 in Figure 6 correspond to the master object 400 on page.01 of the variable manuscript 107. Master objects 602, 606, and 610 in Figure 6 correspond to the master object 402 on page.03 of the variable manuscript 107. Variable objects 601, 605, and 609 in Figure 6 correspond to the variable object 401 on page.02 of the variable manuscript 107. The name field 404 and the address field 405 are substituted with characters from the name field and address field of the variable data 500, respectively. Variable objects 603, 607, and 611 in Figure 6 correspond to the variable object 403 on page.04 of the variable manuscript 107. The affiliation field 406 is substituted with characters from the affiliation field of the variable data 501.

[0034] <Proof application processing> In addition to the above figures, the processing by the proof application 300 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0035] The proof application 300 performs the process shown in FIG. 7 when the customer computer 100 connects to the server computer 104 via the Internet 106 using a web browser and accesses a specified destination. In this case, the customer computer 100 specifies the variable print data to be processed to the proof application 300. This specification may be identification information for the variable print data entered by an operator on the customer computer 100. The proof application 300 may be running and waiting for access from the customer computer 100, or it may be launched in response to a request from the customer computer 100. In response to access from the customer computer 100, the proof application 300 displays the specified variable print data on a screen such as a web browser on the customer computer 100. The customer's operator views the displayed variable print data and proof-reads the variable print data, i.e., confirms the product for product acceptance. Note that some printed materials do not include variable pages, and these may also be referred to as print data.

[0036] The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is implemented by the CPU 220 of the server computer 104 loading the proof application 300 stored in the ROM 221 into the RAM 222 and executing it.

[0037] In S700, the CPU 220 first reads the variable print data to be processed from the cloud storage 105. The variable print data may be written in PDF or the like. The order of pages included in the variable print data may be the pages of the variable document repeated in the order of the records for the number of records of the applied variable data.

[0038] In S701, the CPU 220 analyzes whether the first page of the variable print data 107 read in S700 is a master object or a variable object. In S702, if the analysis result in S701 or S706 shows that the current page does not contain variable data, i.e., is a master object, the process proceeds to S703, and if it does contain variable data, i.e., is a variable object, the process proceeds to S704.

[0039] In S703, the CPU 220 temporarily stores in the RAM 222 the results of the analyzed page, i.e., the fact that the analyzed page is a master object (fixed page). For example, the corresponding page number can be added to the list of master objects. In S704, the results of the analyzed page, i.e., the fact that the analyzed page is a variable object (variable page), is temporarily stored in the RAM 222. This can also be called processing to extract variable objects, i.e., variable pages. For example, the corresponding page number can be added to the list of variable objects. In S705, it is determined whether the current page is the last page of the variable print data 107, and if it is not the last page, the process proceeds to S706. If it is the last page, the process proceeds to S707. In S706, the CPU 220 focuses on the page next to the current page in the variable manuscript 107 read in in S700, and analyzes whether the page of interest is a master object or a variable object.

[0040] On the other hand, if the analyzed page is the last page of the variable print data, in S707 the CPU 220 determines whether a master object has been selected as the display object. This selection is made by the user on the user interface (proof screen) shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later. However, because the proof screen is displayed by the processing in FIG. 7, S707 may be executed before the operator selects the display object. Therefore, if a display object has not been selected, a default display object may be determined in advance, such as all objects, or the last selected display object may be stored and used. This also applies to the determination in step S709.

[0041] If the CPU 220 determines in S707 that a master object has been selected as the display object, the process proceeds to S708. In S708, the CPU 220 combines the master object included in the variable print data with the user interface screen shown in FIG. 8 and transmits it to the orderer computer 100 for display. As a result, the master object held in S703 is displayed in the preview display area 800. The master object, i.e., the first page of the fixed pages, may be displayed first. If the master object has not been selected as the display object, the process proceeds to S709. In S709, the CPU 220 determines whether a variable object has been selected as the display object. If a variable object has been selected, the process proceeds to S710. In S710, the user interface screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the orderer computer 100, and the variable object held in S704 is displayed in the preview display area 800. The variable object, i.e., the first page of the variable pages, may be displayed first. If a variable object has not been selected as the display object, the process proceeds to S711. In S711, the CPU 220 displays all pages in the preview display area 800 displayed on the orderer computer 100, and ends the flowchart of Fig. 7. The first page displayed may be the top page of the variable print data.

[0042] In steps S708, S710, and S711, a specific page of the pages to be displayed, for example the first page, is displayed first, and then the CPU 220 displays the pages in order in response to page forward or backward operations on the user interface screen of Fig. 8. When the proof application 300 receives a notification from the orderer computer 100 indicating that a page forward or backward operation has been performed on the user interface screen 850 of Fig. 8, it may change the page to be displayed in response to that operation.

[0043] 8 is reselected and the selected display object is changed, this is notified from the orderer computer 100 to the proof application 300 of the server computer 104. In response to this notification, the CPU 220 of the server computer 104 may execute the proof application 300 from S707 and re-display the changed display object.

[0044] <User interface screen> Next, we will explain the user interface (also called the proof screen) displayed on the orderer computer 100. Fig. 8 shows an example of a user interface 850 displayed on the orderer computer 100. This user interface 850 is provided by the proof application 300 of the server computer 104 and is displayed on the orderer computer 100.

[0045] In FIG. 8, a preview display area 800 is a display area for displaying one preview image out of the variable print data 109.

[0046] Buttons 801, 802, and 803 are exclusive buttons (also called objects or controls) from which only one can be selected. The display object displayed in the preview display area 800 is switched depending on which button the user selects from among the "Common" (fixed page) button 801, "Variable" (variable page) button 803, and "ALL" (all pages) button 803. The "Common" button 801 is a button for selecting a master object, i.e., a fixed page that does not include a variable field, as the display object. If this button is pressed, it is determined in step S707 that a master object has been selected. The "Variable" button 802 is a button for selecting a variable object, i.e., a variable page that includes a variable field, as the display object. If this button is pressed, it is determined in step S709 that a variable object has been selected. The "ALL" button 803 is a button for selecting both a master object and a variable object. If this button is pressed, it is determined in step S709 that a variable object has not been selected. 7, the screen in Fig. 8 is displayed in S708, S710, and S711, and the selection of the display target is performed before that in S707 and S709. Therefore, any one of buttons 801, 802, and 803 may be set as the default value when pressed, or the last button pressed may be stored. When storing the last button pressed, for example, the orderer computer 100 may store it in a cookie, or the server computer 104 may store it by linking it to the orderer computer 100.

[0047] Display switch buttons 804 and 805 are buttons for switching the data (page) displayed in the preview display area 800. When the display switch button 804 is pressed (or clicked or tapped), the previous data (page) of the data to be displayed is displayed, and when the display switch button 805 is pressed, the next data of the data to be displayed is displayed. In this way, the display switch buttons 804 and 805 are used to perform page forward and backward operations. Note that if there is no page previous to or next to the displayed page, the display switch button 804 or 805 on the side where there is no page to be displayed may be hidden.

[0048] When the "Common" button 801 is selected, in S708 of Fig. 7, for example, one of the two pages of master object 600 and master object 602 in record 01 of the variable print data 109 in Fig. 6 is displayed in the preview display area 800. The master object 600 and master object 602 are the master object pages held in step S703 of Fig. 7. The displayed page can be switched by pressing display switch buttons 804 and 805.

[0049] When the "Variable" button 802 is selected, in S710, for example, one of the variable object pages 601, 603, 605, 607, 609, and 611 is extracted from each record of the variable print data 109 in Fig. 6 and displayed in the preview display area 800. Pages 601, 603, 605, 607, 609, and 611 are pages of variable objects held in step S704 in Fig. 7. The displayed page can be switched by pressing display switch buttons 804 and 805.

[0050] When the "ALL" button 803 is selected, for example, one page out of all pages of the variable print data 109 in Fig. 6 is displayed in S711 in Fig. 7. The displayed page can be switched by pressing either of the display switching buttons 804 and 805.

[0051] In this way, the type of page selected by the operator on the ordering side can be displayed for proofing. The selectable types include variable pages, which can be selectively displayed.

[0052] The operator on the ordering party's side checks the page of print data displayed on the user interface 850 in Fig. 8, and then notifies the printing company whether or not any corrections are required and, if so, what the corrections are. In response to this notification, the printing company produces the printed matter if no corrections are required and ships it to the ordering party. If corrections are required, the printing company corrects the requested corrections and re-uploads the variable manuscript (print data) to the server computer 104. In response, the ordering party accesses the proof application 300 on the server computer 104 and executes the procedure in Fig. 7 again. This process can be repeated until no corrections remain.

[0053] <Effects of the First Embodiment> In this embodiment, the type of object to be displayed can be switched depending on the selection from a "Common" button 801, a "Variable" button 802, and an "ALL" button 803. That is, based on the selected button, it is switched between whether only master objects, only variable objects, or all objects of the variable print data 109 are displayed in the display area 800. By being able to selectively switch the display objects in this way, it is possible to selectively display the type of object that is desired to be the subject of the proofing work. This allows for efficient proofing, improving work efficiency and productivity.

[0054] [Embodiment 2] 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are a flowchart and diagrams showing an example of processing in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the number of characters is obtained from the variable data 108, and records with a number of characters greater than a predetermined number are extracted and prioritized, and the extracted records are displayed in the preview display area 800 in order of priority. Note that Figures 1 to 6 are also applied to this embodiment in the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0055] <Proof Application> FIG. 13 shows an example of a user interface 1350 displayed on the client computer 100 by the proof application 300 of this embodiment. The difference between FIG. 13 and FIG. 8 is that the user interface 1350 in FIG. 13 is provided with a specific field check box 1300. When the "Variable" button 802 is pressed and the specific field check box is checked while a variable object is selected as a display target, the variable objects in the variable print data are prioritized and ordered. In other words, the check box 1300 is a control (also called a widget or component) for assigning priorities to variable pages. This ordering is performed according to the procedures shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, and variable objects (variable pages) containing variable fields are assigned priorities based on the variable fields contained therein. The preview display area 800 of the user interface 1350 then displays variable objects (i.e., variable pages) in order of priority. Displaying in order of priority may mean, for example, that the page displayed first is the page with the highest priority, and pages with lower priorities are displayed as the page is turned.

[0056] Figure 14 is an example of a flowchart showing the processing procedure by the proof application 300 of this embodiment, and replaces Figure 7 of embodiment 1. In this embodiment, when a variable object is selected as a display target, warning fields are identified from among the variable fields included in the variable object, and the variable object (variable page) is displayed in order of priority according to the number of warning fields. In Figure 14, steps given the same reference numbers as in Figure 7 perform the same processing as in Figure 7, so their description will be omitted and only different steps will be described.

[0057] 14, if the CPU 220 determines in S709 that a variable object has been selected as a display target, the process proceeds to S1440. In S1410, the CPU 220 determines whether the check box 1300 in FIG. 13 is checked. If the check box is checked, the process proceeds to S1411. If the check box is not checked, the process proceeds to S710. In S1411, the CPU 220 counts the number of warning fields for each record of the variable data. To do this, the CPU 220 executes the flowchart in FIG. 9, which will be described later. In S1412, the CPU 220 determines the priority order of the variable objects according to the number of warning fields. To do this, the CPU 220 executes the flowchart in FIG. 12, which will be described later. In S1413, the CPU 220 displays the variable objects prioritized in S1412 in the preview display area 800 of the orderer computer 100 according to the priority order. For this purpose, a warning table is created according to the flowchart in FIG. 12, and only the pages included in the warning table are displayed in the preview display area 800.

[0058] 13, when buttons 801, 802, and 803 (described later) are reselected on the user interface screen 850, and the selected display object is changed, this is notified from the orderer computer 100 to the proof application 300 of the server computer 104. In response to this notification, the CPU 220 of the server computer 104 may execute the proof application 300 from S707 and re-display the changed display object. Furthermore, in FIG. 14, when the checked state of the check box 1300 is changed, the CPU 220 of the server computer 104 may also execute the proof application 300 from S707 and re-display the changed display object.

[0059] Fig. 9 shows the details of S1411. In the process of Fig. 9, the number of characters in each field is obtained for each record from the variable data 108, and those having a number of characters greater than a predetermined number are identified.

[0060] 9, in S900, the CPU 220 reads the variable data 108 and temporarily stores it in the RAM 222. In S901, the CPU 220 obtains the number of fields from the data obtained in S900 and temporarily stores it in the RAM 222. In S902, the CPU 220 obtains the number of records from the data obtained in S900 and temporarily stores it in the RAM 222. In S903, the CPU 220 obtains the number of characters that serves as the threshold for each field, which was previously set in the threshold table 1000 of FIG. 10 when setting the variable for each field in the proofreading application 301, and temporarily stores it in the RAM 222. FIG. 10 is an example of the threshold table 1000 that defines the predetermined threshold for each field obtained in S903. A value is set in the threshold table 1000 for each field.

[0061] In S904, the CPU 220 obtains the number of characters for the field of interest included in the record of interest from the variable data stored in S900, and temporarily stores the number of characters in the RAM 222. The record of interest may initially be the first record of the variable data, and the field of interest may be the first variable field that appears in the record of interest.

[0062] In S905, the CPU 220 compares the threshold value of the target field among the number of characters, which is the predetermined threshold value acquired in S903, with the number of characters of the target field included in the target record acquired in S904. If the number of characters acquired in S904 is greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to S906. If the number of characters acquired in S904 is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to S907.

[0063] In S906, the CPU 220 adds the data acquired in S900, the number of characters acquired in S904, and the comparison result in S905 to the warning table 1100 of FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is an example of the warning table 1100. As shown in FIG. 11, the warning table includes record identification information (e.g., a number), the values ​​of the variable fields included in the record, the number of characters in each variable field 1101, and the comparison result 1102 of each variable field with the corresponding threshold. These are stored for each record. In S906, if the field whose number of characters is equal to or exceeds the threshold is the first field in the target record, a new record column is added to the warning table 1100. The number of the target record, the number of characters in the target field, and information indicating that the number of characters is equal to or exceeds the threshold are then recorded. If the field whose number of characters is equal to or exceeds the threshold is not the first field in the target record, a record column for the corresponding record has already been created in the warning table 1100. Therefore, the number of characters in the target field and information indicating that the number of characters is equal to or exceeds the threshold may be recorded in the record column. In this example, the fact that the number of characters exceeds the threshold is indicated by the character string "Warning," but this is not limited to this. In this way, in step S906, the field whose number of characters exceeds the threshold and the record containing that field are identified and recorded in the warning table.

[0064] In S907, the CPU 220 determines whether the number of characters in all fields included in the record of interest has been acquired (focused). If there is a field for which the number of characters has not been acquired, the CPU 220 proceeds to S904, setting a new field as the field of interest. If all fields included in the record of interest have been focused and processing has been completed, the CPU 220 proceeds to S908.

[0065] In S908, the CPU 220 determines whether all records included in the variable data read in S900 have been considered. If there are any records that have not been considered, the new record is designated as the record of interest, its first field is designated as the field of interest, and the process proceeds to S904. If all records have been considered and processing is complete, the flowchart in FIG. 9 ends.

[0066] Fig. 12 shows the details of S1412. Fig. 12 is a flowchart of an example of determining the priority of variable objects from the warning table 1100 created in the procedure of Fig. 9. In the example of Fig. 12, priorities are assigned in descending order according to the number of variable fields included in the variable object whose length of variable data applied to each field exceeds a threshold.

[0067] In S1200, the CPU 220 reads the warning table 1100 created in FIG. 9 and temporarily stores it in the RAM 222. In S1201, the CPU 220 references the comparison result 1102 in the warning table 1100 acquired in S1200, acquires the number of warning fields whose value is "warning" for each record, associates it with the record's identification information, and temporarily stores it in the RAM 222. A warning field is a field whose number of characters is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold. In S1202, the CPU 220 sorts the records in the warning table acquired in S1200 in descending order of the number of fields acquired in S1201, and temporarily stores the records in the RAM 222. In other words, the warning table is sorted by the number of warning fields. In S1203, the CPU 220 checks whether any of the records sorted in S1202 have the same number of warning fields acquired in S1201. If there are not any records with the same number of warning fields, the process proceeds to S1204, where the order of the sorted records in the warning table is determined as the priority order of the records. That is, a record is prioritized based on the number of warning fields it contains.

[0068] If it is determined in S1203 that there are records with the same number of warning fields, the process proceeds to S1205. In S1205, the CPU 220, for a group of records with the same number of warning fields, calculates the total number of characters 1101 in the warning fields for each record from the warning table 1100 and temporarily stores this in RAM 222. In S1206, the CPU 220 compares the total number of characters in the warning fields of each record calculated in S1205. If the totals are not the same, the process proceeds to S1208, where the CPU 220 determines the priority order, with the record with the greater total number of characters in the warning fields being given the higher priority. In other words, for records with the same number of warning fields, the priority order is determined by the total number of characters in the warning fields.

[0069] If the calculated total numbers of characters are the same, the process proceeds to S1207. In S1207, the CPU 220 obtains the record numbers from the warning table 1100 obtained in S1200 for records that have the same number of warning fields and the same total number of characters in the warning fields. In S1209, the CPU 220 compares the record numbers obtained in S1207. In S1210, the CPU 220 determines the priority order, with the record with the smaller record number being given higher priority. In S1211, the CPU 220 determines the priority order, with the record with the larger record number being given lower priority. In S1212, the warning table 1100 read in S1200 is rearranged in the priority order determined in S1203 to S1211, and the flowchart in FIG. 12 ends. Since record numbers are unique for one piece of variable data, the priority order is uniquely determined by the procedure in FIG. 12.

[0070] If the variable objects are included in the variable print data in the order of their record numbers, it is possible to identify the variable object to which that record is applied from the record number. Therefore, in S1413, the variable object (variable page) corresponding to the record number in the warning table is identified, and the priority of the record applied to that variable object is assigned. In S1413, the page, i.e., the variable object, is displayed according to that priority.

[0071] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> In this embodiment, variable fields with a character count greater than a predetermined number are extracted, and records, and therefore variable objects, can be prioritized based on that number. Variable objects can then be displayed in the preview display area 800 in that order of priority. This allows proofing to be performed on variable pages that include variable fields with a character count greater than a threshold, i.e., pages that are likely to have a layout that is disrupted. Furthermore, proofing can be performed on pages that are likely to have a layout that is disrupted. This reduces the time required for proofing, improving work efficiency and productivity.

[0072] [Embodiment 3] 15 and 16 are a diagram and a flowchart showing an example of preview display in the order of priority of selected fields. In this embodiment, FIG. 15 is executed in S1412 of FIG. 14, instead of FIG. 12 of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, it is determined in S1410 of FIG. 14 whether a selection field, which will be described later in FIG. 16, has been selected. If a selection field has been selected, the process proceeds to S1411, and if not, the process proceeds to S710. In this respect, too, this embodiment differs from the second embodiment. Furthermore, FIG. 16 replaces FIG. 13 of the second embodiment. The other configurations and processing procedures are the same as those of the second embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] 15, the CPU 220 obtains the number of characters in the field selected in FIG. 16, which will be described later, for each record in the warning table read in S1200, and temporarily stores this in RAM 222. In S1501, the CPU 220 sorts the records obtained in S1500 in descending order of the number of characters, and temporarily stores this in RAM 222. In S1502, the CPU 220 checks whether any records sorted in S1501 have the same number of characters in the selected field. If there are no records with the same number of characters, the process proceeds to S1208, where the CPU 220 determines the priority of the variable objects to which the records are applied, in descending order of priority, in descending order of the number of characters in the selected field or the length of the character string.

[0074] If there are records with the same number of characters in the selected fields, the process proceeds to S1207. In S1207, the CPU 220 determines the priority order, with the record with the smaller record number being given the higher priority. The steps from S1207 to S1211 are the same as those in FIG. 12.

[0075] In S1503, the records of the warning table 1100 read in S1200 are rearranged in the order of priority determined by the selected field, and the flowchart of FIG. 15 ends.

[0076] FIG. 16 shows an example of a user interface screen that replaces FIG. 13 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 16, buttons 1600, 1601, 1602, and 1603 in a user interface 1650 are exclusive buttons, with only one of them being selectable. Depending on which button (i.e., field) the user selects from buttons 1600, 1601, and 1603, the selected field is identified in S1501 of FIG. 15, and its number of characters is acquired. Then, based on the number of characters, the priority of records (warning records) containing warning fields is determined. Furthermore, variable objects of the variable print data 109 are displayed in the preview display area 800 in the order of priority. If no particular field is designated, simply select button 1604. In this case, it is assumed that no field is designated, and variable objects are displayed in order, as in the first embodiment. If it is acceptable to leave none of buttons 1601 to 1603 selected, button 1604 may be omitted. In this case, if none of the buttons 1601 to 1603 is selected, it is determined in S1410 that no selection field has been specified.

[0077] In this embodiment, when buttons 1600, 1601, 1603, and 1604 are reselected, the new selection is sent from the orderer computer 100 to the proof application 300 of the server computer 104, and execution begins with S707 in Fig. 14. As a result, when the selected field is changed, the priority is reassigned according to the new selected field, and the order of the variable objects displayed in the preview display area 800 is determined according to the new priority.

[0078] <Effects of the Third Embodiment> There are cases where you want to check fields first rather than the entire record. In this case, in this embodiment, the priority is calculated for each field and displayed in that order, which reduces the chance of overlooking records that may cause layout problems.

[0079] [Embodiment 4] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of highlighting records (variable objects) including a warning field as the comparison result 1102 of the warning table 1100 in this embodiment.

[0080] The user interface 1750 has the same appearance as the user interface 850 of the first embodiment. However, when a variable object of the variable print data 109 is displayed in the preview display area 800, if a warning field is included in the warning variable object, the warning field is highlighted on the UI like the warning object 1700. This highlighting may be performed in S710 and S711 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 14, or in S1413 of Fig. 14.

[0081] <Effects of the Fourth Embodiment> In this embodiment, if there is a warning field for a variable object displayed in the preview display area, it is highlighted. This makes it possible to highlight on the UI which fields are likely to cause layout problems. This makes it easier to see which fields in particular need to be checked, allowing for more efficient proofing work.

[0082] [Embodiment 5] In this embodiment, a download control method will be described in which a server computer 104 downloads variable print data read from a cloud storage 105 to an orderer computer 100 via the Internet 106. This allows the variable print data 109 to be displayed on a display 101 connected to the orderer computer 100.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the proof application 300 of the server computer 104 executes a warning table creation process for the variable data used to create the specified variable print data in response to access from the orderer computer 100. The warning data creation process is as shown in FIG. 9. Then, the priority determination process shown in FIG. 12 is executed. This determines the priority order for the variable objects included in the specified variable print data. Then, according to the priority order, the variable objects are downloaded to the orderer computer 100, and objects (i.e., pages) that are not assigned a priority are also downloaded.

[0084] Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of downloading the variable print data specified in the order of priority determined in the flowchart of Fig. 12. The processing in Fig. 18 is processing of the proof application 300 in this embodiment, and is executed by the CPU 220 of the server computer 104.

[0085] In S1800, the CPU 220 reads the warning table 1100, which has been sorted in order of priority in Fig. 12. In S1801, the specified variable print data 109 in the cloud storage 105, i.e., information (print data information) of the variable print data corresponding to the created warning table, is acquired. The print data information only needs to include information for identifying the object (page) included in the specified variable print data from the record number of the variable data. In addition, in S1801, attention is focused on the first record in the warning table.

[0086] In S1802, the CPU 220 acquires the file path of the record number of the current priority (i.e., the record of interest in the warning table) from the record number of the print data information acquired in S1801. Here, the file path may be information indicating the variable object (page) corresponding to the record number of the record of interest. In S1803, the CPU 220 acquires the data specified by the file path acquired in S1802, i.e., the variable object, from the cloud storage 105 and downloads it to the external storage device 207 of the orderer computer 100 via the Internet 106. In S1805, the CPU 220 determines whether the number of variable objects downloaded has been equal to the number of records in the warning table 1100 read in S1800. If not, the process proceeds to S1802, where the CPU 220 sets the record next to the record of interest as the new record of interest and executes from S1802. If successful, the process proceeds to S1806.

[0087] In S1806, the CPU 220 obtains data (pages) of records not listed in the warning table 1100 from the cloud storage 105 and downloads them to the external storage device 207 of the orderer computer 100 via the Internet 106. In S1807, it is determined whether variable objects (variable pages) corresponding to all record data listed in the variable data 108 have been downloaded. If not, the process proceeds to S1806, where unprocessed pages are downloaded. If not, the flowchart in FIG. 18 ends. Note that in S1806-S1807, not only variable objects but also master objects may be downloaded. In this case, the master objects may be downloaded after the download of the variable objects is complete. Furthermore, the master objects may be downloaded one at a time (one page at a time).

[0088] Meanwhile, the client computer 100 that has downloaded the variable print data can reproduce the variable print data as an image and display it on the display 101. At this time, even if the download of the entire specified variable print data has not been completed, the downloaded page is displayed. This screen may be, for example, as shown in Figure 8. However, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to be able to select what is displayed. This allows variable objects with high priority that were downloaded first to be displayed first and checked preferentially. Variable objects with high priority correspond to pages where the variable data contained therein may deviate from the expected format, for example. Therefore, pages that are more likely to contain problems can be checked preferentially.

[0089] <Effects of the fifth embodiment> In this embodiment, pages of print data are downloaded in order of priority based on the variable data. This allows proofing to begin before all data has been downloaded, while other data is downloaded in the background, making proofing more efficient.

[0090] Summary of embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method, The control method includes an extraction step of extracting variable pages as display targets from print data including variable pages to which variable data is applied; a display control step of displaying the page extracted as a display target by the extraction step on a display means. A program characterized by: (Item 2) The program according to item 1, The control method further comprises an ordering step of prioritizing the variable pages; In the display control step, when the page extracted as the display target is the variable page, the variable page is displayed in order according to the priority order. A program characterized by: (Item 3) The program according to item 2, In the ordering step, the priorities are assigned in order of the number of variable fields included in the variable page, in which the length of the variable data applied to the variable field exceeds a threshold. A program characterized by: (Item 4) The program according to item 2 or 3, the display control step provides a user interface to be displayed by the display means, the user interface including a component for instructing to assign the priority to the variable pages; The ordering step prioritizes the variable pages in response to an instruction on the user interface. A program characterized by: (Item 5) Item 4. The program according to item 4, In the display control step, a warning object is attached to a variable field included in the variable page in which the length of the applied variable data exceeds a threshold, and the warning object is displayed on the user interface. A program characterized by: (Item 6) The program according to item 2, In the ordering step, the priority is assigned in the order of lengths of variable data applied to the designated variable fields among the variable fields included in the variable page. A program characterized by: (Item 7) Item 6. The program according to item 6, the display control step provides a user interface to be displayed by the display means, the user interface including a component for specifying the variable field; The ordering step prioritizes the variable pages in response to an instruction on the user interface. A program characterized by: (Item 8) The program according to any one of items 1 to 7, In the extracting step, the variable page included in the print data is extracted in response to an instruction specifying the variable page as the display target. A program characterized by: (Item 9) Item 8. The program according to item 8, In the display control step, a user interface is provided to be displayed by the display means, and the user interface includes a component for specifying the display target. A program characterized by: (Item 10) Item 10. The program according to any one of items 1 to 9, In the display control step, the pages extracted as the display target are displayed one by one, and the pages are switched in response to an instruction for a previous page and a next page. A program characterized by: (Item 11) 11. The program according to any one of items 1 to 10, The control method further includes a creating step of applying the variable data to a variable document to create the print data; The print data created in the creating step is stored in a storage means. A program characterized by: (Item 12) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method, The control method includes an ordering step of assigning priority to variable pages to which variable data is applied, the variable pages being included in the print data; a downloading step of downloading the prioritized variable pages in accordance with the priorities. A program characterized by:

[0091] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 100 Orderer computer, 102 Printer computer, 104 Server computer, 105 Cloud storage

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method, The control method includes an extraction step of extracting variable pages as display targets from print data including variable pages to which variable data is applied; a display control step of displaying the page extracted as a display target by the extraction step on a display means. A program characterized by:

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, The control method further comprises an ordering step of prioritizing the variable pages; In the display control step, when the page extracted as the display target is the variable page, the variable page is displayed in order according to the priority order. A program characterized by:

3. 3. The program according to claim 2, In the ordering step, the priorities are assigned in order of the number of variable fields included in the variable page, in which the length of the variable data applied to the variable field exceeds a threshold. A program characterized by:

4. 3. The program according to claim 2, the display control step provides a user interface to be displayed by the display means, the user interface including a component for instructing to assign the priority to the variable pages; The ordering step prioritizes the variable pages in response to an instruction on the user interface. A program characterized by:

5. 5. The program according to claim 4, In the display control step, a warning object is attached to a variable field included in the variable page in which the length of the applied variable data exceeds a threshold, and the warning object is displayed on the user interface. A program characterized by:

6. 3. The program according to claim 2, In the ordering step, the priority is assigned in the order of lengths of variable data applied to the designated variable fields among the variable fields included in the variable page. A program characterized by:

7. 7. The program according to claim 6, the display control step provides a user interface to be displayed by the display means, the user interface including a component for specifying the variable field; The ordering step prioritizes the variable pages in response to an instruction on the user interface. A program characterized by:

8. 8. The program according to claim 1, In the extracting step, the variable page included in the print data is extracted in response to an instruction specifying the variable page as the display target. A program characterized by:

9. 9. The program according to claim 8, In the display control step, a user interface is provided to be displayed by the display means, and the user interface includes a component for specifying the display target. A program characterized by:

10. 2. The program according to claim 1, In the display control step, the pages extracted as the display target are displayed one by one, and the pages are switched in response to an instruction for a previous page or a next page. A program characterized by:

11. 2. The program according to claim 1, The control method further includes a creating step of applying the variable data to a variable document to create the print data; The print data created in the creating step is stored in a storage means. A program characterized by:

12. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method, The control method includes an ordering step of assigning priority to variable pages to which variable data is applied, the variable pages being included in the print data; a downloading step of downloading the prioritized variable pages in accordance with the priorities. A program characterized by:

13. An information processing device, an extraction means for extracting variable pages from print data including variable pages to which variable data is applied as display targets; a display control means for displaying the page extracted by the extraction means as a display target by a display means; 1. An information processing device comprising:

14. An information processing device, an ordering means for prioritizing variable pages to which variable data is applied, which are included in the print data; download means for downloading the prioritized variable pages in accordance with the priorities; 1. An information processing device comprising:

15. A display control method executed by an information processing device having an extraction means and a display control means, an extraction step in which the extraction means extracts variable pages as display targets from print data including variable pages to which variable data is applied; a display control step in which the display control means displays the page extracted as the display target by the extraction step on a display means. A display control method comprising:

16. A downloading method executed by an information processing device having an ordering means and a downloading means, an ordering step in which the ordering means assigns priorities to variable pages to which variable data is applied, the variable pages being included in the print data; a download step in which the download means downloads the prioritized variable pages in accordance with the priorities. A download control method comprising:

Images