Printing system, terminal device, storage medium, computer device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a printing system, a terminal device, a storage medium, and a computer device, and aims to provide a printing system capable of adding a two-dimensional code image to printing without changing the layout of an image of visual printing. The printing system has an image forming device capable of performing visual printing and non-visual printing, and a terminal device (10) having a description section (38) for adding a print instruction for a two-dimensional code image formed by non-visual printing of a two-dimensional code print target image to print data generated based on the print target image, and a transmission section (36) for transmitting the print data to the image forming device, and the image forming device having a printing section for performing visual printing of the print target image based on the print data transmitted from the terminal device, and performing non-visual printing of the two-dimensional code image in accordance with the print instruction added.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to printing systems, terminal devices, storage media, and computer devices. Background Technology

[0002] The technique of converting a specific string contained in the print data into a two-dimensional code and then printing it together with the print data has been disclosed in JP Patent Application Publication No. 2007-26353 (Patent Document 1), and is a well-known technical solution.

[0003] In the aforementioned prior art, in order to print the converted 2D code at the position corresponding to the insertion position information, the insertion position information (the specific string being located at one of the following positions: directly above, directly below, left, right, or diagonally below the right) needs to be added to the manuscript printing data. Therefore, the problem with the prior art is that the image printed on the printing paper according to the manuscript printing data before adding the 2D code has different layouts than the image printed according to the manuscript printing data after adding the 2D code. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a printing system that can incorporate two-dimensional coded images into printing without altering the layout of the visually printable image.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a printing system comprising an image forming apparatus capable of performing visual and non-visual printing, and a terminal device. The terminal device is characterized by having a drawing unit for adding printing instructions for a two-dimensional encoded image formed from a two-dimensional encoded printing object image to printing data generated based on the printing object image; and a sending unit for sending the printing data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has a printing unit for performing visual printing of the printing object image according to the printing data sent by the terminal device, and performing non-visual printing of the two-dimensional encoded image according to the added printing instructions.

[0006] The advantage of this invention is that it allows the addition of two-dimensional coded images to the print without altering the layout of the visually printable image. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing system described in this embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the computer hardware structure involved in this embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the MFP hardware structure involved in this implementation method.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the engine structure of the MFP.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the engine structure of the MFP.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the program installed on the client terminal in this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a functional structure block diagram of the client terminal involved in this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a timing diagram of the processing of the client terminal involved in this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the printing settings screen involved in this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the two-dimensional encoding process for printing object images.

[0017] Figure 11 It is a flowchart of the process of adding the printing instructions for printing two-dimensional coded images using IR toner to the printing data.

[0018] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the visual printing result of two-dimensional encoding.

[0019] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the non-visual printing result of two-dimensional encoding. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of the printing system according to this embodiment. Figure 1 In the printing system 1, the client terminal 10 and the image forming apparatus 12 are connected via a wired or wireless network 14, enabling data communication. Here, the client terminal 10 is an example of a terminal device.

[0022] The client terminal 10 sends print data to the image forming apparatus 12, enabling the image forming apparatus 12 to perform visual and non-visual printing. The client terminal 10 can be a projector, an IWB (Interactive White Board), a digital signage output device, a HUD (Head-Up Display) device, industrial machinery, a camera device, a sound collection device, a medical device, a networked home appliance, a connected car, a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable terminal, etc.

[0023] Client terminal 10 accepts a print operation specified by the user based on the print object data. According to the print operation from the user, client terminal 10 generates print data based on the print object data and sends this print data to image forming apparatus 12, causing image forming apparatus 12 to perform both visual and non-visual printing. Client terminal 10 performs two-dimensional encoding processing on the print object image, and by adding a print instruction to the print data to cause image forming apparatus 12 to perform both visual printing of the print object image and non-visual printing of the two-dimensional encoded image, it enables image forming apparatus 12 to perform both visual printing of the print object image and non-visual printing of the two-dimensional encoded image.

[0024] Image forming apparatus 12 is an electronic device such as a printer or MFP capable of both visual and non-visual printing of print data. Image forming apparatus 12 uses colorless, transparent infrared ink or toner, which is invisible under natural light but readable by an infrared reader, to non-visually print two-dimensional codes on paper. The technology of printing with infrared ink or toner readable by an infrared reader, as described in JP Patent Application Publication No. 2019-117352, is well known. Image forming apparatus 12 can also use, for example, ultraviolet ink or toner that is colorless, transparent, and invisible under natural light but readable by an ultraviolet reader, to non-visually print two-dimensional codes on paper.

[0025] For example, an infrared reader, when illuminated with infrared light, can read images printed with infrared ink or toner. An ultraviolet reader, when illuminated with ultraviolet light, can read images printed with ultraviolet ink or toner. For instance, a reader can read two-dimensional codes printed from paper by the image forming apparatus 12 using infrared or ultraviolet ink or toner. For example, the camera of a smartphone, tablet, or other device can sometimes be used as an infrared or ultraviolet reader.

[0026] Figure 1 The configuration of the printing system 1 shown is an example. In addition, for example, the client terminal 10 and the image forming apparatus 12 can send and receive printing data via a print server or cloud service.

[0027] <Hardware Components>

[0028] "computer"

[0029] Figure 1 The client terminal 10 shown is, for example, Figure 2 The computer 500 is implemented using the hardware configuration shown. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration of a computer involved in this embodiment.

[0030] Computer 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, HD 504, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, display 506, peripheral connection I / F (Interface) 508, network I / F 509, data bus 510, keyboard 511, pointing device 512, DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and media I / F 516.

[0031] The CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the computer 500 according to the program. The ROM 502 stores the program used to drive the CPU 501, such as the IPL. The RAM 503 is used as the working area of ​​the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores the program and other data. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading and writing of various data in the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501.

[0032] The display 506 shows various information such as the cursor, menus, windows, text, or images. The peripheral connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. Examples of such peripherals include USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, readers, and the image forming device 12. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the network 14. The data bus 510 is used for electrically connecting the address bus and data bus of various components such as the CPU 501.

[0033] Keyboard 511 is an input device with multiple keys for inputting text, numbers, various instructions, etc. Pointing device 512 is an input device for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting processing objects, moving the cursor, etc. DVD-RW drive 514 controls the reading and writing of various data in a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Besides DVD-RW, it can also be DVD-R, etc. Media I / F 516 controls the reading and writing of data in a recording medium 515 such as flash memory.

[0034] MFP

[0035] Figure 1 The image forming apparatus 12 shown is, for example, having Figure 3 The hardware configuration shown is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) 900. Figure 3 This is an example hardware structure block diagram of the MFP in this embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3 The MFP900 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950. The controller 910 includes a CPU 901 (as the main part of the computer), a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a northbridge (NB) 903, a southbridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907 (as storage unit), an HDD controller 908, and an HDD 909 (as storage unit). The NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0037] CPU901 is the control unit that controls the entire MFP900. NB903 is a bridge used to connect CPU901, MEM-P902, SB904, and AGP bus 921. NB903 also includes a memory controller that controls the read and write operations of MEM-P902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) host, and an AGP target.

[0038] The MEM-P902 has a ROM902a and a RAM902b. The ROM902a is a memory used to store the programs and data that implement the various functions of the controller 910, while the RAM902b is a memory used for expanding the programs and data and storing the drawings used during printing. The programs stored in the RAM902b can be provided in an installable or executable format on computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROM, CD-R, and DVD.

[0039] SB904 is a bridge connecting NB903, PCI devices, and peripheral devices. ASIC906 is an IC (integrated circuit) with hardware elements for image processing. Its purpose is image processing, and it functions as a bridge connecting AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD908, and MEM-C907 respectively.

[0040] The ASIC906 features a PCI target and an AGP host, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C907, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) for image rotation and other functions via hardware logic, and a PCI unit for data transfer between the scanning unit 931 and the printing unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface and an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface can also be connected to the ASIC906.

[0041] The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as an image buffer and encoding buffer for copying. The HD909 is a register used to store image data, font data used during printing, and storage formats. The HD909 is controlled by the CPU901, which manages the reading and writing of data within it. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards designed to accelerate graphics processing. It allows direct high-throughput access to the MEM-P902, thereby increasing the speed of the graphics accelerator card.

[0042] The near-field communication circuit 920 includes a near-field communication circuit 920a. The near-field communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit for NFC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0043] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 includes a scanning unit 931 and a printing unit 932. The operation panel 940 has a panel display unit 940a for displaying current settings and selection screens and accepting input from the operator, and an operation panel 940b for accepting settings of image formation-related conditions such as density settings and a start button for accepting copy start indication.

[0044] The controller 910 performs overall control of the MFP900, such as controlling drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The scanning unit 931 or the printing unit 932 includes image processing sections such as error diffusion or gamma transformation.

[0045] The MFP900 allows users to switch between and select the document frame, copy, print, and fax functions sequentially using the application switch key on the control panel (940). When the document frame function is selected, the MFP900 enters document frame mode; when the copy function is selected, it enters copy mode; when the print function is selected, it enters print mode; and when the fax function is selected, it enters fax mode.

[0046] Network I / F950 is an interface used for data communication via network 14. The near-field communication circuit 920 and Network I / F950 are electrically connected to ASIC906 via PCI bus 922.

[0047] This section describes an example of the engine configuration of the MFP900 when using infrared ink or toner (hereinafter referred to as IR toner). Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an MFP engine configuration.

[0048] For example, Figure 4 This is an example of using non-visual IR toners as spot colors, in addition to the four visible toners (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black). Figure 4 In the engine configuration example, two-dimensional coded images are printed using spot colors, and images other than two-dimensional coded images are printed using four colors of visual toner.

[0049] For non-IR color printing, the image is printed using four-color visual toners. For non-IR black and white printing, the image is printed using a K-color visual toner. For IR color printing, images other than the two-dimensional coded image are printed using four-color visual toners. For IR black and white printing, images other than the two-dimensional coded image are printed using a K-color visual toner.

[0050] For example Figure 5 This is an example of using an IR toner as a K toner, in addition to the three visual toners (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow). Figure 5In the engine configuration example, the 2D coded image is printed using the K color of the IR toner, while images other than the 2D coded image are printed using three visual toners. For example, the K color of the images other than the 2D coded image is represented by mixing the three visual toners after converting the color information of the images other than the 2D coded image into C, M, and Y colors.

[0051] In non-IR color printing, the color information of the printed image is converted into C, M, and Y colors, including the K color of the image contained in the printed object data, and then printed using three visible color toners. In IR color printing, however, two-dimensional coded images are printed using the K color of the IR toner, while images other than the two-dimensional coded images, including the K color, are printed using three visible color toners.

[0052] Thus, in Figure 4 In the example, while keeping the color information of the printed image unchanged, the 2D encoded image of the printed image, after 2D encoding processing, is used as a spot color to generate the printing data. Figure 5 In the example, after the color information of the printed image is transformed into C, M and Y colors, the two-dimensional encoded image of the printed image after two-dimensional encoding is used as the K color to generate the printing data.

[0053] <Functional Composition>

[0054] For example, client terminal 10 is installed with Figure 6 The program shown. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the program installed on the client terminal involved in this embodiment. Figure 6 This shows an example of programs installed on client terminal 10, namely OS (operating system) 20, printer driver 22, and application 24.

[0055] The hardware on client terminal 10 is controlled by OS 20. Printer driver 22 and application 24 operate with the aid of OS 20. When printing using application 24 such as word processing and spreadsheet calculation, the user sets up the print settings via OS 20 using printer driver 22. Application data generated by application 24 is sent to printer driver 22 via OS 20.

[0056] The printer driver 22 converts the aforementioned application data into data that the image forming apparatus 12 can interpret, or adds post-processing print instructions corresponding to the print settings to generate print data. The print data generated by the printer driver 22 is sent from the OS 20 to the image forming apparatus 12 via the hardware and network 14 of the client terminal 10.

[0057] Client terminal 10 executes Figure 6 The program implements, for example Figure 7The functional components are shown. Figure 7 This is a functional structure block diagram of a client terminal according to this embodiment. Figure 7 The functional components have been appropriately omitted from the description of this embodiment, and some components that are not needed have been omitted.

[0058] Figure 7 The client terminal 10 shown includes an application unit 30, a UI unit 32, a print settings storage unit 34, a sending unit 36, a drawing unit 38, and a page parsing unit 40. The sending unit 36 ​​is, for example, a spool program.

[0059] Application unit 30 performs functions through the operation of application 24. Application unit 30 accepts user operations and generates application data. When performing printing, application unit 30 calls UI unit 32 to accept user print settings.

[0060] The UI unit 32 is a function implemented by executing the printer driver 22. The UI unit 32 provides a user interface (UI) for accepting print settings from the user by displaying a screen on the monitor 506. The UI for accepting print settings will be described later. The UI unit 32 saves the accepted print settings from the user in the print setting storage unit 34. The print setting storage unit 34 saves the print settings.

[0061] The application unit 30 sends the generated application data as print object data to the drawing unit 38. The print object data includes an image of the print object. The drawing unit 38 performs this function by executing the printer driver 22. The drawing unit 38 receives the print object data from the application unit 30. The drawing unit 38 reads the print settings from the print settings storage unit 34.

[0062] The drawing unit 38 converts the data of the print object into print data in a format that the image forming apparatus 12 can interpret, according to the print settings. The page parsing unit 40 is a function implemented by executing the printer driver 22. The page parsing unit 40 parses the received print object data page by page, for example, and sends the parsing results back to the drawing unit 38.

[0063] When the "Setting to perform two-dimensional encoding processing on the document and print with IR toner" is set in the print settings (described later), the drawing unit 38 adds a print instruction to the page of print data to print a two-dimensional encoded image with IR toner. The two-dimensional encoded image printed with IR toner according to the added print instruction is the image of the printable object after two-dimensional encoding processing. Hereinafter, the two-dimensional encoded image of the printable object after two-dimensional encoding processing will be simply referred to as a two-dimensional encoded image.

[0064] In this way, the drawing unit 38 can add a print instruction for printing a two-dimensional encoded image using IR toner to the print data formed by converting the print object image, and then send it to the sending unit 36. However, if the "setting to perform two-dimensional encoding processing on the document and print with IR toner" (described later) is not set in the print settings, the drawing unit 38 sends the print data formed from the print object image to the sending unit 36. The sending unit 36 ​​performs spooling processing on the print data sent from the drawing unit 38 and sequentially sends it to the image forming apparatus 12.

[0065] The aforementioned functions are achieved through the collaboration of the hardware and software of computer 500. The software also includes hardware from one or more computers 500 and software that works in concert with each other.

[0066] <Processing>

[0067] The client terminal 10 of the printing system 1 in this embodiment follows, for example... Figure 8 Perform the steps shown in the instructions. Figure 8 This is a processing timing diagram of a client terminal involved in this embodiment.

[0068] After receiving the user's print command, the process proceeds to step S10. To accept the print settings from the user, the application unit 30 calls the UI unit 32 and displays the following: Figure 9 The print settings screen shown is 1000. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an example of a printing setting screen involved in this embodiment.

[0069] Users can use the function of printing two-dimensional encoded images with IR toner (hereinafter referred to as the two-dimensional encoded non-visual printing function) by checking checkbox 1002 in the item "Process file 2 with two-dimensional encoding and print with IR toner".

[0070] After the UI unit 32 receives the print settings from the user, in step S12, it saves the print settings received from the user in the print settings storage unit 34. The UI unit 32 then notifies the application unit 30 that it has received the user's print settings.

[0071] In step S14, the application unit 30 sends the generated application data as print object data to the drawing unit 38. In step S16, the drawing unit 38 reads the print settings from the print setting storage unit 34. In step S18, the drawing unit 38 sends the print object data to the page parsing unit 40 as needed, requests page parsing, and then obtains the parsing result.

[0072] In step S20, the drawing unit 38 refers to the item "perform two-dimensional encoding processing on the document and print with IR toner" included in the print settings read in step S16, and determines whether there is a setting that utilizes the two-dimensional encoding non-visual printing function. If there is a setting that utilizes the two-dimensional encoding non-visual printing function, the drawing unit 38 converts the image to be printed into print data in a format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 12 according to the print settings, and adds a print instruction to print the two-dimensional encoded image with IR toner to the print data. If there is no setting that utilizes the two-dimensional encoding non-visual printing function, the drawing unit 38 converts the image to be printed into print data in a format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 12 according to the print settings.

[0073] In step S22, the drawing unit 38 sends the print data to the sending unit 36. In step S24, the sending unit 36 ​​performs spooling processing on the print data received from the drawing unit 38, and then sends it sequentially to the image forming apparatus 12.

[0074] Depiction section 38 according to, for example Figure 10 The steps shown are used to perform two-dimensional encoding on the image of the printed object. Figure 10 This is an example flowchart of two-dimensional encoding processing of a printed object image.

[0075] In step S30, the drawing unit 38 performs two-dimensional encoding processing on each page of the printable object image to generate a two-dimensional encoded image. For example, the drawing unit 38 compresses the printable object image page by page to generate a two-dimensional encoded image that embeds the compressed data. Therefore, the size of the two-dimensional encoded image generated by the drawing unit 38 can be changed according to the amount of embedded compressed data.

[0076] In step S32, the drawing unit 38 saves the two-dimensional encoded image generated in step S30 according to the page of the printable image. For example, the drawing unit 38 saves the two-dimensional encoded image in RAM 503 or HD 504, etc., corresponding to the page of the printable image.

[0077] In step S34, the drawing unit 38 determines whether there is a next page of the printable object image (a page of the printable object image that has not been 2D encoded). If there is a next page of the printable object image, the drawing unit 38 proceeds to step S36, increments the 2D encoded object page to the next page, and then returns to the processing in step S30. If there is no next page of the printable object image, the drawing unit 38 ends. Figure 10 The processing of flowcharts.

[0078] Depiction section 38 according to, for example Figure 11 The steps shown will be performed through Figure 10The printing instructions, which are generated and saved after the process is completed, and used to print two-dimensional coded images with IR toner, are added to the printing data converted from the image of the object to be printed.

[0079] Figure 11 This is an example flowchart of adding printing instructions for printing two-dimensional coded images using IR toner to the processing of print data.

[0080] In step S40, the drawing unit 38 initializes the coordinates of the printed two-dimensional code (hereinafter referred to as the print coordinates). The print coordinates only need to be preset to the top left corner, center, etc. The print coordinates can be specified on the system or by the user on the printer driver 22.

[0081] In step S42, the drawing unit 38 specifies the printing coordinates, which will be obtained by... Figure 10 After the process is completed, the printing instructions for printing two-dimensional coded images using IR toner are generated and saved for each page, and the printing data of the printing object image for each page is added.

[0082] In step S44, the drawing unit 38 determines whether there is a next page of printable object image (a page of printable object image for which a print instruction for printing a 2D coded image using IR toner has not been added). If there is a next page of printable object image, the drawing unit 38 proceeds to step S46, increments the 2D coded object page count to the next page, and returns to the processing in step S40. If there is no next page of printable object image, the drawing unit 38 ends. Figure 11 The process of handling [the data].

[0083] pass Figure 11 The flowchart is processed, and the drawing unit 38 adds printing instructions to the printing data, and prints a two-dimensional encoded image (non-visual printing) using IR toner.

[0084] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the printing result after visual printing two-dimensional encoding. Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the printing result after non-visual printing two-dimensional encoding.

[0085] Figure 12 In the diagram, (A) is a schematic diagram of an image 1100 of the object to be printed. In this embodiment, for example, regarding... Figure 12 The image 1100 of the printed object (A) undergoes two-dimensional encoding processing. The scope of the two-dimensional encoding can be the entire image 1100 of the printed object or a portion thereof.

[0086] Figure 12 (B) is a schematic diagram of images 1102a and 1102b with two-dimensional encoding, images 1104a and 1104b. Figure 12Example (B) shows two-dimensional encoded images 1104a and 1104b printed on the same printed object image. Because the two-dimensional encoded images need to be arranged away from the printed object image, therefore... Figure 12 (B) Lieutenant General Figure 12 The printable object image 1100 of (A) is divided into two printable object images 1102a and 1102b. Printable object image 1102a contains a two-dimensional encoded image 1104a of image 1102a. Printable object image 1102b contains a two-dimensional encoded image 1104b of image 1102b.

[0087] exist Figure 12 In the example shown in (B), due to the arrangement of two-dimensional codes 1104a and 1104b, the layout of the printed images 1102a and 1102b is similar to... Figure 12 The layout of image 1100 in (A) is different.

[0088] Figure 12 (C) is a schematic diagram of image 1106 with two-dimensional encoding of image 1108. To maintain the integrity of the image without altering its format... Figure 12 When printing a two-dimensional coded image 1108 in the case of the layout of image 1100 of (A), for example, Figure 12 As shown in (C), the two-dimensional coded image 1108 needs to be placed on the back of the printable object image 1106 for printing.

[0089] exist Figure 12 In the example shown in (C), in order not to change the layout of the image 1106 that needs to be printed, a two-dimensional coded image 1108 must be printed on the back of the image 1106 of the printed object.

[0090] Therefore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 13 As shown in (B), do not change Figure 13 The layout of image 1100 of (A) is such that a non-visual two-dimensional encoded image 1112 is arranged on the same surface as the printable object image 1110 for printing. Figure 13 (B) is a schematic diagram of an example of a printed result of a two-dimensional coded image 1112 printed invisibly using IR toner. Figure 13 (B) is an example of setting up a non-visual printing function using two-dimensional encoding. Figure 13 (A) is an example of a printing result where a two-dimensional coded image 1112 of the printable object image 1100 is printed non-visually on the same surface as the printable object image 1100. Here, Figure 13 In (B) for ease of explanation, the two-dimensional coded image 1112 is visualized, but the two-dimensional coded image 1112 is not visible under natural light.

[0091] The printing system 1 in this embodiment can... Figure 13 The two-dimensional coded image 1112 is superimposed on the printable object image 1100 of (A) for non-visual printing. Therefore, the printing system 1 of this embodiment, as Figure 13 As shown in (B), a two-dimensional coded image 1112 is added to the same surface as the printed object image 1110 without changing the layout of the visually printed printed object image 1110.

[0092] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed above, and various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the patent claims. Furthermore, the printing system 1 described in this embodiment is merely an example, and various system configurations are possible depending on the intended use and purpose.

[0093] The functions of the embodiments described above can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. "Processing circuit" in this specification includes processors programmed to perform functions via software, such as circuit-mounted processors, and devices designed to perform the functions described above, such as ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), and existing circuit modules.

[0094] The apparatus described in the embodiments represents only one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed above.

[0095] In some embodiments, printing system 1 includes, for example, a cluster of servers containing multiple computing devices. These computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link (including network 14, shared memory, etc.) to enable the processing disclosed herein.

[0096] Furthermore, units such as client terminal 10 and image forming apparatus 12 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps in various combinations. For example, the processing performed by a designated unit can be performed by other units. Similarly, the function of a designated unit can be performed by other units. The elements of client terminal 10 and image forming apparatus 12 can be concentrated in one device or distributed in multiple devices.

[0097] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0098] 1. Printing System

[0099] 10. Client Terminal

[0100] 12 Image forming apparatus

[0101] 14 Network

[0102] 20 OS

[0103] 22 Printer Driver

[0104] 24 Applications

[0105] 30 Applications Department

[0106] 32 UI Department

[0107] 34 Print settings saving section

[0108] 36. Sending Department

[0109] 38. Description Section

[0110] 40 pages of analysis section

[0111] 506 monitor

[0112] 1000 Print Setup Screen

[0113] 1110 Print object image

[0114] 1112 Two-dimensional coded image

Claims

1. A printing system comprising an image forming apparatus capable of performing visual and non-visual printing, and a terminal device, characterized in that, The terminal device has The drawing unit is used to perform two-dimensional encoding processing on each page of the printable object image to generate a two-dimensional encoded image, and to add the printing instruction to print the two-dimensional encoded image on the printable object image in a non-visual manner, and to print data generated based on the printable object image. as well as The sending unit is used to send the printed data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has a printing unit for performing visual printing of the image to be printed according to the printing data sent by the terminal device, and performing non-visual printing of the two-dimensional coded image according to the added printing instructions.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has a user interface unit for providing a user interface to the user, which allows the user to accept the function of selecting whether to use non-visual printing of the two-dimensional encoded image formed by two-dimensionally encoding the image of the printed object. When the user interface unit accepts the selection to use the function from the user, the drawing unit adds the printing instruction for non-visual printing of the two-dimensional coded image to the printing data generated based on the printing object image; when the user interface unit does not accept the selection to use the function from the user, it does not add the printing instruction for non-visual printing of the two-dimensional coded image to the printing data generated based on the printing object image.

3. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The drawing unit will, without changing the layout of the printable object image based on the print data, add the print data generated based on the printable object image to the print instruction for non-visually printing the two-dimensional coded image on the same surface of the printable object image.

4. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains the program that enables the terminal device to have the following functions. The drawing unit is used to perform two-dimensional encoding processing on each page of the printable object image to generate a two-dimensional encoded image, and to add the printing instruction to print the two-dimensional encoded image on the printable object image in a non-visual manner, and to print data generated based on the printable object image. as well as The sending unit is used to send the printed data to the image forming apparatus.

5. A computer device comprising a memory for storing a program and a processor, characterized in that, The program, executed by the processor, has the following functions. The drawing unit is used to perform two-dimensional encoding processing on each page of the printable object image to generate a two-dimensional encoded image, and to add the printing instruction to print the two-dimensional encoded image on the printable object image in a non-visual manner, and to print data generated based on the printable object image. as well as The sending unit is used to send the printed data to the image forming apparatus.

6. A terminal device, characterized in that, have The drawing unit is used to perform two-dimensional encoding processing on each page of the printable object image to generate a two-dimensional encoded image, and to add the printing instruction to print the two-dimensional encoded image on the printable object image in a non-visual manner, and to print data generated based on the printable object image. as well as The sending unit is used to send the printed data to the image forming apparatus.

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