JPH10337925A - Method for displaying folding pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display the output image, as required, on the display of a disc top publishing unit at the time of outputting the layout of an actual page data including characters and images to a folding pattern in order to lessen the load on the hardware during imposition. SOLUTION: An imposition data where the information concerning to the page is laid out in a folding pattern 71 is stored while being separated from the actual image data 72 of each page and the actual image data 72 is laid out on each page E, F, G in the folding pattern 71 depending on a display command. The folding pattern 71 inserted with an actual image is displayed on a display.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a folding pattern display method suitable for application to so-called DTP (desktop publishing), for example, which incorporates an image including characters into an electronic page by computer processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when making a so-called page material such as a book which is a printed material having a large number of pages and a uniform appearance using DTP, first, one large sheet of paper (called folding) is used. A folding pattern of how many pages should be allocated is determined. Next, the number (total number) of the determined folding patterns is determined based on the total number of pages of the book or the like. The number of fold patterns is the total number of pages of the book / for example, n when the number of an individual page (also called a page number) is assigned to one page,...,. ｝ Can be easily obtained by dividing by the number of pages included in one folding pattern.

Next, among the determined folding patterns, the collection data is incorporated into each of a plurality of pages in the first folding pattern (referred to as individual pages). The collection data is so-called heavy data having a large data capacity because of including images. The data of the individual page in which the plate data is incorporated is also referred to as individual page data or simply page data.

Next, component data (also referred to as component information data) such as a register mark, a signature, a signature, a creation date, and a name of a creator are added to a first fold pattern in which a predetermined number of individual page data are incorporated. To complete the first imposition pattern data. In this specification, the imposition pattern data refers to data in which a predetermined number of individual page data and component data are incorporated into the fold pattern data. If the book is colored,
The first fold pattern incorporates a predetermined number of individual page data of four editions of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), and CMY as component information therefor.
In K, so-called color ball data representing a specific color plate, for example, a character “C” surrounded by a rectangle or the like is included.

[0005] Similarly, from the second fold pattern to the final fold pattern, individual page data (plate collection data) and component information data are incorporated, and the second imposition pattern data relating to the second page is obtained. To the final imposition pattern data related to the n-th page.

[0006] By the above processing, the main data (printed data) composed of the first imposition pattern data to the final imposition pattern data is completed and stored in a storage means such as a hard disk. In this specification, the term “book” does not mean only a so-called book, but may be used for folding pamphlets and the like.
It means all printed materials that include the folding process.

By the way, after the main data is completed, there is a demand for correcting the component information data (component data) in order to correct the shape or the like of a component existing in an arbitrary folding pattern in the determined folding pattern. There is.

However, in the structure of the book data composed of a plurality of imposition pattern data of the related art,
As described above, the data structure is an integrated data in which the individual page data and the component data are incorporated into the fold pattern data, in other words, the data structure is an inseparable data structure. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to specify the position (storage area on the storage means) where the component information data to be corrected is stored in the book data, and after all, for example, the creation date, the name of the creator, It takes a considerable amount of time to perform a component correction process, such as changing the contents of a spine, the shape of a spine, or the shape of a colored ball.

As described above, in the prior art relating to the method of arranging components in a fold pattern, it takes an extremely long time to execute a process of correcting component information because of the large inseparable data capacity. There was a problem.

A technique for solving this problem is proposed by the inventor of this application in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-145478.

According to this technique, the folding pattern data including a plurality of pages, the data of the components arranged in the folding pattern, and the number of the individual page allocated to each page of the folding pattern are defined. Imposition data to be separately stored and managed, and the folding pattern data includes the component position data and the component name data, so that the content of the component data arranged in the folding pattern can be corrected. This can be performed by correcting only the component data. In other words, the correction of the component content data (the content of the component data) can be performed independently of the correction of the folding pattern data.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in connection with such a technique, and makes it possible to easily confirm a folding pattern in which an actual image is inserted on display means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding pattern display method.

Further, the present invention provides a fold pattern display method which makes it possible to easily confirm on a display means a fold pattern in which an image of a placement component and an actual image are inserted in a page. With the goal.

[0014]

According to the present invention, after a folding pattern is determined, imposition data created by allocating information about a page to the determined folding pattern and actual image data of each of the pages are determined. , Each of which is separately stored and referred to the imposition data according to the display instruction,
The actual image data is allocated to each page in the fold pattern, and a fold pattern in which an actual image is inserted in each page is displayed on a display unit.

According to the present invention, the imposition data to which information about the page is allocated and the actual image data of each page are separately stored, so that the actual image data allocated to each page can be corrected. Easy and
In response to a display instruction, referring to the imposition data, allocating the actual image data to each page in the fold pattern, and displaying a fold pattern in which an actual image is inserted in each page on a display unit. Since the image is displayed, the folding pattern in which the actual image is inserted can be easily confirmed on the display unit.

Further, according to the present invention, after a folding pattern is determined, imposition data created by allocating information relating to a layout component and information relating to a page to the determined folding pattern, and an actual shape of the layout component are described. The specified component content data and the actual image data of each page are separately stored, and the component content data is allocated in the folding pattern by referring to the imposition data according to a display instruction. And allocating the actual image data to each page in the fold pattern, inserting the image of the placement component, and displaying the fold pattern in which the actual image is inserted in each page on the display unit. And

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily display the image of the component arranged in the folding pattern and the actual image in the page in the folding pattern on the display means.

[0018]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a DTP system 11 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The DTP system 11 shown in FIG. 1 has a workstation (W / S) 12 which also functions as a server or for editing. Of course, a so-called computer processing, for example, a personal computer can be used instead of the workstation.

The workstation 12 has an image output device, such as a PS for galley printing (proof printing), which is relatively low in image quality but can be easily and inexpensively printed at a low cost.
(PostScript) Printer 13 is connected.

The workstation 12 is connected to a monochrome scanner 14 and a color scanner 15 functioning as an image input device, and a film printer 16 functioning as an image output device.

The monochrome scanner 14 scans a document carrying a line image by raster scanning, and supplies line image data as a monochrome image to the workstation 12. Therefore, the monochrome scanner 14 also functions as a so-called mount input device.

The color scanner 15 scans a document carrying a color image by raster scanning and supplies the workstation 12 with image data separated into C, M, Y, and K colors.

The workstation 12 creates data for individual page data carrying line drawings and images based on line drawing data and image data supplied from the monochrome scanner 14 and the color scanner 15 and the like, so-called plate collection data. It has a function of creating so-called imposition data by determining a folding pattern and laying out pages.

The workstation 12 performs a predetermined layout process on the created imposition data based on an output instruction, converts the imposition data into a page description language, for example, a PostScript (PS) language, and converts the data into a film printer. 16 and / or PS printer 13.

Further, the workstation 12 performs predetermined allocation processing on the created imposition data based on a display instruction, that is, a so-called preview (preview) instruction,
The image is transferred to the display memory 77, and the image can be drawn on the display 35.

The film printer 16 has, for example, an image setter and a film processor, and outputs a high-quality print film. Usually, a printing plate is prepared from this printing film, and the prepared printing plate is mounted on a rotary press and ink is applied. Then, the ink applied to the printing plate is transferred to the main paper (printing paper) to complete the printed matter.

A plurality of workstations 17 for editing are connected to the workstation 12 using a communication interface such as Ethernet. Data can be exchanged between the workstations 12 and 17, and the data can be used mutually. For example, the workstation 12 can function as a server and the workstation 17 can function as a client for use.

FIG. 2 shows a general configuration of the workstation 12. The workstation 12 has a CPU (central processing unit) 21 functioning as a control unit, a processing unit, a determination unit, and the like. Each of the CPUs 21 is a storage unit, and a ROM (read-only) storing a system program and the like. A memory (memory) 22, a RAM (random access memory) 23 used for work and the like, and an HD (hard disk) 24 which stores application programs and various data such as imposition data and image data and also functions as a data disk are connected. Have been. It should be noted that where the HD 24 is used as a data disk, the HD 24 is also referred to as a data disk 24.

Further, the CPU 21 has a data input means and a pointing device (pointing device), respectively.
A mouse 31, a keyboard 32, a tablet 33, and the like, which function as a computer, are connected. Further, a display 35 of about 20 inches having a monitor function as an image display device is connected to the CPU 21.

Further, the CPU 21 is connected to the PS printer 13, the monochrome scanner 14, the color scanner 15 and the film printer 1 via the interface 36.
6 are connected.

FIG. 3 shows the imposition data creating section 5 as a whole.
0 shows a schematic configuration. The imposition data creating unit 50 includes the CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RA shown in FIG.
Workstation 12 including M23 and HD24, etc.
Are configured as blocks of functions achieved by

The imposition data creating unit 50 creates imposition data, corrects component content data, performs preview display processing,
It has a data manager 52 that performs various processes such as a conversion process to a PS file, a file merge process, and a database management process.

The data supplied from the monochrome scanner 14, the color scanner 15, and the workstation 17 is supplied to the data manager 52 after being converted in format as required through the input interface 36a.

The data manager 52 includes, as a program module functioning as an application program, a plate collection module for creating a part shape, pasting an image on an individual page, performing a trimming process, and the like (a function for functioning as a so-called plate collection application). 61), an image processing module 62 that performs image noise removal processing, image edge enhancement processing, and the like, and determines layout positions of plate data (individual page data) to fold patterns and the like to create imposition data. (To function as a so-called imposition application) 63 and a data management module 64 for managing data including image data and managing output jobs.

The data manager 52 stores fold pattern data (also referred to as a fold pattern) 71 stored in the data disk 24 and image data in a page (also referred to as page data, plate collection data, or individual page data).
Storage (storing) of data in the component data 72 and the component data 73;
Manage reading.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data disk 24 as the storage means includes a fold pattern data 71 composed of a plurality of pages, page data 72 arranged in the fold pattern, and a fold pattern. The component data 73 to be arranged and the imposition data 74 (the contents of which will be described later) are separately stored as separate files.

Since they are separately stored, the data manager 52 is arranged in the fold pattern data 71, the data 72 of the individual pages arranged in the fold pattern, the imposition data 74 and the fold pattern. The component data 73 can be individually read directly and individually modified (changed, updated).

The fold pattern data 71 is basically composed of component arrangement position data 71b for determining the component arrangement position in the fold pattern, component name data 71a for defining the name of the component, and arrangement in the pattern. It has page position / orientation data 71c representing the position and orientation of each page to be processed.

In the component data 73, component name data 73a defining the name of the component and component content data 73b defining the shape of the component are separately stored.

In this embodiment, the page data 7
2 (data including at least one of character data, image data such as a photograph, and graphic data), and component content data 73b forming the component data 73 are stored in advance in the image processing module 62. The data disk 24 is created using the plate collection module 61, and is created as page data 72 and component content data 73b, respectively.
Is stored in

The display 35 is connected to the data manager 52 through a display memory 77. The display memory 77 has a memory capacity of the number of horizontal pixels × the number of vertical pixels × the number of bits per pixel corresponding to the size of the screen of the display 35, and functions as a so-called Pixmap. An image corresponding to the data stored in the display memory 77 is displayed on the display 35.

The data manager 52 stores the fold pattern data 71, page data 72,
The part data 73 and the imposition data 74 are merged to create data for the display memory 77, and the display memory 77 is created.
To supply. The data manager 52 merges the data 71 to 74 in the data disk 24 to create so-called imposition pattern data, and creates a PS file, which is a page description language, from the created imposition pattern data. The created PS file is supplied to the PS printer 13, the film printer 16, or another workstation 17 through the output interface 36b.

Next, the operation of the above-described examples of FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described in more detail with reference to the work flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the control entity of this work flowchart is the data manager 52, and various processes are determined in an interactive manner with the operator using the display 35.

First, the data manager 52 activates the imposition module 63 based on the operation of the mouse 31 or the like by the operator, and displays a so-called dialog for creating a new printed matter on the screen of the display 35.

Then, on this dialog, the operator inputs the total number of pages (number n from the individual page number 1 page to the individual final page number n page) when the printed matter is considered to be a book, and the size of the individual page. (A4 size, B5 size, etc.), the name of a book, etc., the data manager 52 determines these, and stores these input data in a predetermined work memory portion such as the data disk 24 or the RAM 23. Store (Step S
1).

Next, based on the total number of pages and the size of the individual page, the data manager 52
The size of a large sheet, that is, the size (size) of the fold is determined, and the fold pattern is determined (step S2).

FIG. 5 schematically shows the data structure of a folding pattern (folding pattern data) 71 determined as an example. In this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 5, the fold pattern data 71 includes component name data 71a, component placement position data 71b which is coordinate data where the component is placed, and individual page layout data. And the page position / orientation data 71c indicating the orientation.

In practice, the fold pattern 71 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the screen of the display 35 as it is, and the operator can confirm the fold pattern on the screen. The insertion position and the like can be determined and confirmed.

In FIG. 5, for example, reference numerals A (71a, 71
The square frame shown in b) has color ball representing a specific color plate using the component name data 71a and the component placement position data 71b as indexes, and management information data such as a date and a person in charge name. The position to be inserted above is shown. As described above, the fold pattern data 71 has a simple data configuration in which the component information (arranged component information) is displayed only in a rectangular frame.

Actual graphic shapes and character shapes such as color balls, dates, names of persons in charge, and the like are separately stored as component data 73 in advance. As shown in FIG. 3, the component data 73 includes component name data 73a as an index and component content data 73 representing the actual figure shape, character shape, and the like.
b is included.

Further, in FIG. 5, reference characters B (71a, 71b)
The square frame indicated by indicates the position where a specific stencil having the component name data 71a and the component placement position data 71b as addresses is inserted. Also in this case, the component information has a shape on the folding pattern data 71 in which only a simple rectangular frame is represented. The actual shape of the backing knives, that is, characters such as a product name and a company name are stored as part data 73 in the same manner as the management information data.
3a and the component content data 73b representing the actual shape are stored.

Note that the code C (71a, 71b) and the code D
The registration marks and square registration marks indicated by (71a, 71b) are the part name data 71a and the part arrangement position data 7
It shows the actual shape of the register mark read from the component content data 73b in the component data 73 using 1b as an index. Parts that are used for general purposes, such as register marks and back markers, are stored in the data disk 24 in advance in the part data 73.
This is data stored as a system in relation to the imposition module 63.

On the other hand, the frames indicated by the reference numerals A and B are created by the operator or the user using the workstations 12 and 17 using the plate collection module 61 and are unique to the operator or the user. 2 shows the arrangement position of the management information data and the signature data. However, an operator or the like can also create a registration mark or a back marker different from that stored in the system as necessary and store it as the component data 73.
Of course, even management information data and signature data that are considered to be highly versatile can be stored in the system in advance.

Further, the fold pattern data 71 includes
The position (coordinates) of the page and the page data (including characters, images, and graphics) to be finally arranged on the individual page 72
(For example, upward or downward as shown in the figure) is stored. The orientation of an individual page is required at the time of printing so that the orientation of characters, graphics, images, etc., after actually being printed within the individual page, can be seen as the correct orientation when bound. Direction information. On the printing press, as described above, printing is performed in units of the folding pattern 71.

As described above, the fold pattern data 71 in this embodiment is data that defines only the position and the name of the layout component such as the position and orientation of the page, management information, etc., and is captured by the monochrome scanner 14 or the like. Since it does not include actual shape data (content data) created or created on the workstation 11, it is a so-called light data having a relatively small data capacity.

The fold pattern data 71 shown in FIG. 5 shows the contents of a right-open fold that has a total of 16 pages, front and back, with three turns. The fold pattern data 7 obtained by dividing the total number of pages by these 16 pages
Create 1. As described above, when an instruction to display the fold pattern data 71 on the screen on the display 35 is given, an image similar to the image shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the operator performs a page allocation process (step S3). In the page allocation process, the information 75 on the page to be allocated includes the first page,..., The Nth page, the N + 1th page,.
And the document name x attached to this number information
x information, and information 7 about these pages to be allocated
5 is determined to which page position in the first fold pattern 71A, the second fold pattern 71B, and the third fold pattern 71C in the pattern information 76. In the example of FIG. 6, the Nth page is allocated to the lower right page of the second fold pattern 71B, and the (N + 1) th page is allocated to the second page from the lower right of the second fold pattern 71B. ing.

In this page allocation process, the document name x
Since only x and the page number Nth page or the like are determined, the processing is for handling light data having a very small data capacity.

By the processing of steps S1 to S3,
The imposition data 74 schematically showing the image in FIG. 6 is completed. By the time the imposition data 74 is created,
Since the page data 72 including the actual image information and the component content data 73b representing the shape of the component are not taken into the folding pattern 71 as data, the data volume to be handled is very small (the data is light). Therefore, the load on the hardware during the imposition operation is reduced, and the operation up to creation of the imposition data 74 can be performed in a short time.

Here, when it is desired to modify the contents of the page data 72 or the component contents data 73b, which are so-called heavy data, which are allocated to the fold pattern data 71 and have a relatively large data capacity, the page data 72 or the component Only the data to be corrected is read from the content data 73b, and the plate collection module 61 and the image processing module 62 are read out.
For example, the data may be updated by modifying the data into a shape desired by the operator.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment,
The correction of the page data 72 and the component content data 73b can be executed without correcting the folding pattern data 71 and the imposition data 74. Of course, it is possible to easily respond to a change request of the page data 72 such as the orderer of the book data.

Next, when there is actually a data output instruction and / or a preview instruction (step S
4), as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG.
2 performs data merge processing (step S
5). That is, in the data merging process in step S5, the imposition data 74 (as shown in FIG.
6 are included. ) And fold pattern data 71, page data 7 representing an actual image, a part shape, and the like.
2. The component content data 73b is read, and the component name data 71a, component placement position data 71b, and page position orientation data 71c are referred to, and the read actual position is read out at a predetermined position in the folding pattern data 71. The page data 72 representing the image, the part shape, etc., and the part content data 73b are allocated, and the fold pattern data 71 and the page data 7
The imposition pattern data described in the section of the related art in which the component data 2 and the component data 73 are integrated is created.

In this case, in FIG. 7, “Text 1997.xxx..C (with a circle)” which is an arrangement component as management information read from the component content data 73b
Is assigned to the frame position indicated by the symbol A, and is a part arranged as a signature.
Is assigned to the frame position indicated by the symbol B.
Also, the page data 72 representing characters and images is represented by a code E,
F and G are allocated to the positions of the individual pages.

Then, the imposition pattern data that has been allocated and integrated is obtained according to the instruction content of step S4.
In the case of a preview instruction, the image is developed and drawn on a display memory 77 as a so-called Pixmap, and supplied from the display memory 77 to the display 35 as a display unit. In this case, on the display 35, an image of the imposition pattern to which the images of the actual page data 72 and the component data 73 are allocated, that is, an output image can be confirmed.

If the instruction content in step S4 is an output instruction, the integrated imposition pattern data is
The data is converted into a file and supplied to the external PS printer 13, the film printer 16 and the like via the interface 36b. These PS printer 13 and film printer 1
6, the actual page data 72 and the component data 7
The image of the imposition pattern to which the image No. 3 is allocated can be confirmed.

That is, on the display 35, FIG.
In the fold pattern data 71, more precisely, “T” is included in the image of the fold pattern represented by the fold pattern data.
ext 1997. x. x. . . C (circled) "," Glossary Dictionary First Fold ", etc., and the imposition pattern to which the actual image of the page data 72 is pasted can be easily observed, and the PS printer 13 or the film printer In step 16, a proof print or a film for plate making can be prepared as the output.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, only when an output instruction or a preview instruction is issued, actual data (page data 72, component content data 73
b) is assigned to the fold pattern 71 to create imposition pattern data for the first time. The folding pattern data 71 and the imposition data 74 refer to the page data 72 and the component content data 73b by using the page layout position data 71b, the component name data 71a, the page position orientation data 71c, and the like as indexes. ing.

Therefore, by modifying the page data 72 and the component content data 73b, the modification is reflected at the time of output and / or preview without modifying the fold pattern data 71 and the imposition data 70. The effect that can be done is achieved.

It should be noted that the processing based on the output instruction and the preview instruction is not performed when the imposition data after the completion of the page layout processing in step S3 is completed, but in step S3.
It is also possible to execute the process in the middle of the page layout process. In the middle of the page layout process, for example, when the preview instruction is executed, the image in the folding pattern at that time is executed. It is possible to confirm the allocation state of the (placement part image and image in the page). That is, at any time, the progress of the page layout work, in other words,
The degree of creation of imposition data can be checked at a glance. In this case, the processing based on the preview instruction can be performed in the middle of the folding pattern determination processing in step S2.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, the imposition data in which information about a page is allocated to a fold pattern and the actual image data of each page are separately stored and then displayed. Accordingly, actual image data is allocated to each page in the fold pattern, and the fold pattern in which the actual image is inserted is displayed on the display means.

Therefore, the folding pattern in which the actual image has been inserted can be easily confirmed on the display means.
Therefore, on the display means, it is possible to easily confirm a page to which image data is already allocated and a page to which image data is not allocated.

Further, by having the information on the arranged parts and the part contents data defining the actual shape of the arranged parts, the image of the parts arranged in the folded pattern can be obtained together with the actual image in the folded pattern. Can also be displayed on the display means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a DTP system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram including a general functional configuration of a workstation in the example of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining processing performed by a workstation in the example of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a work flowchart for explaining the operation of the example in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram used to describe the configuration of a folding pattern;

FIG. 6 is a diagram used to describe the configuration of imposition data;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a process of allocating page data including actual image data to a pattern;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... DTP system 12, 17 ... Workstation 21 ... CPU 24 ... Data disk, HD 35 ... Display 52 ... Data manager 61 ... Plate collection module 62 ... Image processing module 63 ... Imposition module 64 ... Data management module 71 ... Folding Pattern data 72 ... Page data (plate collection data) 73 ... Parts data 74 ... Imposition data

Claims (2)

[Claims] After determining a folding pattern, imposition data created by allocating information about a page to the determined folding pattern and actual image data of each of the pages are separately stored and displayed. In accordance with the instruction, the actual image data is allocated to each page in the fold pattern with reference to the imposition data, and the fold pattern in which the actual image is inserted in each page is displayed on the display means. And a folding pattern display method. 2. After deciding a fold pattern, imposition data created by allocating information on a layout component and information on a page to the determined fold pattern, and component contents defining the actual shape and the like of the layout component The data and the actual image data of each page are separately stored, and in accordance with a display instruction, referring to the imposition data, allocating component content data in the fold pattern, and Allocating the actual image data to each page in the pattern, inserting the image of the placement component, and displaying on the display means a fold pattern in which the actual image is inserted on each page. Pattern display method.