Printing system, print control device, print control method, and print control program

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of operation when contents are updated.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A printing system includes an image forming apparatus and a print control device. The print control device has: a changed part identification unit that identifies, from input first content data, pages, details of which are changed from second content data being printed by the image forming apparatus; and a print control unit that causes the image forming apparatus to print the pages, the details of which are changed for the number of printed copies of the second content data, and the first content data for the remaining number of copies in the number of copies to be printed set to the second content data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a print control device, a print control method, and a print control program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in any printing environment, including offices, printing factories, and individuals, various contents such as documents and catalogs are output (printed) as printed matter. When a user prints such a document, if there is a change in the document during the process, the user must stop printing and reprint the document, which is very time-consuming, especially when printing a large volume. For this reason, efforts have been made in the past to reduce this trouble.One example is a technique that realizes a differential printing function by storing the PDL object data generated by a printer driver when "differential printing" is specified for a document to be updated, and sending only pages with different data content to the printer when printing the updated document (for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In the conventional technology described above, for example, if the content (document) is updated while multiple copies are being printed, the printing is interrupted, a replacement page is printed for the already printed copy, and then the printing of the remaining copies of the updated content is resumed. Therefore, in the conventional technology described above, if the content is updated during printing, the user must suspend and resume printing, and the cumbersome work procedures due to the above-mentioned background are not eliminated.

[0004] The disclosed technology has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to make the work more efficient when content is updated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The disclosed technology is a printing system including an image forming device and a print control device, wherein the print control device has a change identification unit that identifies, from input first content data, pages whose contents have been changed from second content data being printed by the image forming device, and a print control unit that causes the image forming device to print the pages whose contents have been changed for the number of copies of the second content data that have already been printed, and the first content data for the number of remaining copies relative to the number of copies to be printed set for the second content data. Effect of the Invention

[0006] This makes work more efficient when content is updated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of the printing system. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3B] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a management server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a management server. [Figure 6] 13 is a first flowchart illustrating a process of a management server. [Figure 7] 13 is a second flowchart illustrating the processing of the management server. [Figure 8] 13 is a third flowchart illustrating the processing of the management server. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a separator. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display for making an interrupt request; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a printing system.

[0009] The printing system 100 of this embodiment includes a client personal computer (client PC) 101, a digital front end (DFE) 102, an image forming apparatus 103, and a management server 104.

[0010] The client PC 101 creates a print job that the user wants to print, and transmits the print job to the DFE 102 or the management server 104. The client PC 101 also includes a display unit that is a liquid crystal display, and input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard.

[0011] Here, a print job is a set of electronic files related to a print request that client PC 101 sends to DFE 102 or management server 104. For example, a print job includes content data (electronic data) to be printed, and print setting information (hereinafter referred to as printing conditions) that indicates the printing conditions of the content data.

[0012] Furthermore, the print job may include print data obtained by converting content data into a PDL (Page Description Language) format printable by the image forming apparatus 103 according to printing conditions.

[0013] The content data may be document data or image data. The printing conditions include various information related to printing the content data, such as the number of copies, paper size, color printing, double-sided printing, or stapling.

[0014] The DFE 102 receives a print job from the client PC 101 or the management server 104 , creates drawing data using a RIP (Raster Image Processor) engine based on the received print job, and transmits the drawing data to the image forming apparatus 103 .

[0015] The image forming apparatus 103 performs an image forming operation based on the drawing data received from the DFE 102. In other words, the image forming apparatus 103 executes a print job. The image forming apparatus 103 is an image forming apparatus mainly for commercial printing. The image forming apparatus 103 may be an electrophotographic apparatus, an inkjet machine (liquid ejection apparatus), an offset machine, a multifunction machine, or the like. Commercial printing refers to a business field in which a printing company, a printing shop, or the like receives an order and payment from a client, prints and provides a printed matter as a commodity. Examples of printed matter as a commodity include advertisements, direct mail, posters, booklets, books, and the like.

[0016] The management server 104 is an example of a print control device, and manages print jobs received from the client PC 101. Furthermore, the management server 104 transmits print jobs to the DFE in response to a request from the DFE.

[0017] 1, the management server 104 is one information processing device, but is not limited to this, and may be realized by a plurality of information processing devices.

[0018] Also, the printing system 100 does not necessarily have to include the client PC 101. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image forming device 103 may be a general multifunction peripheral, in which case the printing system 100 only needs to include the client PC 101 equipped with the functions of the management server 104 and the image forming device 103.

[0019] Next, an outline of the operation of the printing system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the operation of the printing system.

[0020] 2 shows a case where the number of copies to be printed is set to multiple in the printing conditions, and the content data is updated by the user while the content data is being printed by the image forming apparatus 103. In this case, the printing system 100 executes the following steps 1 to 4.

[0021] Step 1: Detecting updates to content data included in a print job being executed, and identifying pages that have been changed as a result of the updates.

[0022] Step 2: The printing of the content data by the image forming apparatus 103 is interrupted.

[0023] Step 3: Obtain the number of copies already printed, and print replacement copies to replace the changed pages of the already printed copies, as well as separators at the front and back of the copies. At this time, the replacement copies are printed in the same number as the already printed copies.

[0024] Step 4: Of the number of copies to be printed set in the printing conditions, the number of remaining copies that have not been printed is obtained, and the updated content data is printed for that number of remaining copies.

[0025] The following describes in more detail the operation of the printing system 100. Fig. 2 shows a case where the management server 104 receives a print job from the client PC 101, the print job including the content data 21 and a print condition in which the number of copies to be printed is set to 5.

[0026] Here, it is assumed that when printing of the content data 21 has been completed up to three copies, the content data 21 is updated to content data 21n by the user of the client PC 101. In other words, the content data 21n in Fig. 2 is content data in which page 21a included in the content data 21 has been changed to page 21b.

[0027] At this time, in the printing system 100, as step 1, the management server 104 detects that the content data 21 included in the print job being executed has been updated to the content data 21n, and identifies the page where the change has been made in the content data 21. In the following description of this embodiment, a change to the content of the content data included in the print job or to the printing conditions is expressed as an update of the print job. Here, the content data 21n is an example of first content data, and the content data 21 is an example of second content data.

[0028] Next, in step 2, the printing system 100 causes the management server 104 to suspend printing of the content data 21 in the image forming apparatus 103 .

[0029] Next, in step 3, the printing system 100 uses the management server 104 to obtain the number of printed copies, "3 copies", from the image forming device 103. The management server 104 also causes the image forming device 103 to print three copies, which is the number of printed copies, of the printed material corresponding to page 21b as a replacement printed material 21A to replace the printed material corresponding to page 21a. At this time, the management server 104 causes the image forming device 103 to print a separator 22 and a separator 23 immediately before printing the replacement printed material 21A and immediately after printing the replacement printed material 21A. Here, the separator 22 is an example of a first separator, and the separator 23 is an example of a second separator.

[0030] Therefore, in step 3, the printed matter printed by the image forming apparatus 103 is the separator 22, replacement printed matter 21A for the number of copies already printed, and the separator .

[0031] The separator 22 is a printed matter indicating that the next printed matter is a replacement printed matter for the printed matter already printed of the content data 21. The separator 22 may have information printed thereon indicating that the next printed matter is a replacement printed matter.

[0032] The separator 23 is a printed matter indicating that the next printed matter is a printed matter on which the updated content data 21n is printed. The separator 23 may have information printed thereon indicating that the next printed matter is a printed matter on which the updated content data is printed.

[0033] Next, in step 4, the printing system 100 obtains the remaining number of unprinted copies, "2 copies," from the management server 104. Then, the management server 104 causes the image forming apparatus 103 to print two copies of the updated content data 21n.

[0034] In this embodiment, when content data being printed is updated, the following operations are automatically performed: printing is interrupted, a replacement printed sheet is printed, and the remaining number of copies of the updated content data are printed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user does not need to interrupt or resume printing, and the time required for user operations can be reduced. Also, in this embodiment, since the user does not need to operate the image forming device 103, the time during which printing by the image forming device 103 is interrupted can be reduced.

[0035] Therefore, when this embodiment is applied to commercial printing, it is useful because it can reduce the time during which printing by a commercial printing machine in a printing factory is interrupted.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment, when steps 1 to 4 are performed, the finisher of the image forming device 103 is left in a state in which printed matter (3 copies) on which content data 21 is printed, a separator 22, a replacement printed matter 21A, a separator 23, and printed matter (2 copies) on which content data 21n is printed are stacked.

[0037] Here, the replacement printed matter 21A is manually replaced with printed matter corresponding to the page 21a among the printed matters on which the content data 21 is printed.

[0038] At this time, in this embodiment, separators 22, 23 are sandwiched in front of and behind printed matter 21A, making it easy to identify printed matter 21A from among the printed matters stacked in the finisher and easy to remove printed matter 21A, facilitating the task of replacing printed matters.

[0039] Therefore, when this embodiment is applied to commercial printing, it is useful in that it can simplify the work of preparing the printed matter as a product to be provided to the print orderer after printing by a commercial printing press is completed at the printing factory.

[0040] In this way, according to this embodiment, the procedure for work when content is updated can be simplified, and work can be made more efficient.

[0041] The hardware configurations of the image forming apparatus 103 and the management server 104 included in the printing system 100 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4. FIG.

[0042] Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 103. Fig. 3A shows a hardware configuration in the case where the image forming apparatus 103 is an inkjet machine (liquid ejection apparatus) 103A.

[0043] 3, the liquid ejection device 103A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 304, an external device connection I / F 308, a network I / F 309, and a bus line 310. The liquid ejection device 103A also includes a paper transport unit 311, a sub-scanning driver 312, a main-scanning driver 313, a carriage 320, and an operation panel 330. The carriage 320 further includes a liquid ejection head 321 and a liquid ejection head driver 322.

[0044] Among these, the CPU 301 controls the operation of the entire liquid ejection apparatus 103A. The ROM 302 stores programs and the like used to drive the CPU 301, such as an IPL. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The NVRAM 304 stores various data, such as programs, and holds the various data even while the power supply to the liquid ejection apparatus 103A is cut off. The external device connection I / F 308 is connected to a PC (Personal Computer) via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like, and communicates control signals and data to be printed with the PC. The network I / F 309 is an interface for data communication using a communication network such as the Internet. The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 301.

[0045] The paper transport unit 311 is, for example, a roller and a motor that drives the roller, and transports print paper in the sub-scanning direction along a transport path in the liquid ejection device 103A. The sub-scanning driver 312 controls the movement of the paper transport unit 311 in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning driver 313 controls the movement of the carriage 320 in the main scanning direction.

[0046] The liquid ejection head 321 of the carriage 320 has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid such as ink, and is mounted on the carriage 320 so that its ejection surface (nozzle surface) faces the print paper. The liquid ejection head 321 ejects liquid onto the print paper that is intermittently transported in the sub-scanning direction while moving in the main scanning direction, thereby ejecting liquid onto a predetermined position on the print paper to form an image. The liquid ejection head driver 322 is a driver for controlling the driving of the liquid ejection head 321.

[0047] The operation panel 330 displays current settings, a selection screen, etc., and is configured with a touch panel that receives input from an operator, an alarm lamp, etc.

[0048] The liquid ejection head driver 322 may be configured not to be mounted on the carriage 320, but to be connected to a bus line outside the carriage 320. Furthermore, the main scanning driver 313, the sub-scanning driver 312, and the liquid ejection head driver 322 may each be a function realized by an instruction of the CPU 301 according to a program.

[0049] 3B is a diagram showing another example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 103. In FIG. 3B, the hardware configuration is shown when the image forming apparatus 103 is an electrophotographic apparatus 103B.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3B, the electrophotographic apparatus 103B 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.

[0051] Of these, the controller 910 has a CPU 901 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909 which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0052] Among these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the electrophotographic device 103B. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0053] The MEM-P 902 is composed of a ROM 902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for implementing the various functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b which is used for developing the programs and data, and as a drawing memory during memory printing, etc. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD in the form of an installable or executable file.

[0054] The SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 to a PCI device and a peripheral device. The ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and plays the role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, the PCI bus 922, the HDD controller 908, and the MEM-C907. The ASIC906 is composed of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. The ASIC906 may be connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface or an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394 (IEEE1394) interface.

[0055] The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as a print image buffer and a code buffer. The HD909 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD909 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD909 under the control of the CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P902 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0056] Further, the short-range communication circuit 920 includes an antenna 920a. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth.

[0057] Further, the engine control unit 930 is configured by a printer unit 932. It may also have a scanner unit 931. The operation panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values ​​and a selection screen, etc., and receives input from an operator, and an operation panel 940b including a numeric keypad that receives setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. The controller 910 controls the entire electrophotographic apparatus 103B, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The printer unit 932 or the scanner unit 931 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0058] In addition, the electrophotographic device 103B may switch between various functions such as settings, color adjustment, and print and maintenance schedule management in addition to the printer function, using an application switching key on the operation panel 940. The document box function, copy function, facsimile function, etc. may be selected by switching in sequence. The network I / F 950 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The short-distance communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922.

[0059] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a management server. The management server 104 of this embodiment is constructed by a computer, and includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0060] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire management server 104. The ROM 502 stores programs such as IPL used to drive the CPU 501. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls reading or writing of various data from the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character, or an image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The data bus 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 4.

[0061] Moreover, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that this is not limited to DVD-RW, and may be DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0062] The hardware configurations of the client PC 101 and the DFE 102 in this embodiment may be similar to that of the management server 104, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] Next, functions of the management server 104 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the management server.

[0064] The management server 104 of this embodiment includes an input receiving unit 111, a job management unit 112, an update determination unit 113, a print control unit 114, a change location identification unit 115, a number of copies acquisition unit 116, a setting determination unit 117, and a print job generation unit 118. Each of these units is realized by a CPU 501 of the management server 104 reading and executing a program stored in a HD 504 or the like.

[0065] The management server 104 also includes a data storage unit 120. The data storage unit 120 may be realized by, for example, the HD 504.

[0066] The input receiving unit 111 of this embodiment receives various inputs to the management server 104. Specifically, the input receiving unit 111 receives a print job transmitted from the client PC 101.

[0067] The job management unit 112 causes the print job accepted by the input acceptance unit 111 to be held in the data holding unit 120. In addition, the job management unit 112 transmits the print job held in the data holding unit 120 to the DFE 102, and causes the image forming device 103 to print the content data according to the printing conditions.

[0068] The update determination unit 113 determines whether the print job accepted by the input acceptance unit 111 is an updated version of the print job stored in the data holding unit 120 .

[0069] The print control unit 114 controls the stopping and restarting of printing by the image forming apparatus 103. The print control unit 114 also determines whether or not to print a replacement printed matter or a separator. Furthermore, the print control unit 114 calculates an index value that serves as an index for determining whether or not to print a replacement printed matter. The index value will be described in detail later.

[0070] The changed part identifying unit 115 identifies the changed (updated) part when the print job accepted by the input accepting unit 111 is an updated print job stored in the data holding unit 120. In this embodiment, the content data included in the print job may be changed, or the printing conditions may be changed.

[0071] The number of copies acquisition unit 116 acquires the number of copies of the printed matter that have already been printed and the number of copies that have not yet been printed from the number of copies set in the printing conditions. In the following description, the number of copies of the printed matter that have already been printed is referred to as the number of printed copies, and the number of copies that have not yet been printed is referred to as the number of remaining copies.

[0072] The setting determination unit 117 determines whether or not an index value is set, which is used as an index for determining whether or not to print a printed material to replace an already printed material.

[0073] A print job generating unit 118 generates a print job for causing the image forming apparatus 103 to print replacement printed materials and separators.

[0074] The data holding unit 120 stores print jobs accepted by the input accepting unit 111. In the example of Fig. 5, a print job 130 is stored in the data holding unit 120. The print job 130 includes content data 131 and printing conditions 132.

[0075] It should be noted that the print job stored in the data storage unit 120 may be deleted after it has been executed, or may be stored for a certain period of time after it has been executed and then deleted.

[0076] Next, the processing of the management server 104 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a first flowchart illustrating the processing of the management server.

[0077] The management server 104 of this embodiment receives an input of a print job through the input receiving unit 111 (step S601).

[0078] Next, the management server 104 determines whether the print job accepted in step S601 is an updated version of the print job (the print job being printed) being executed by the image forming apparatus 103 through the update determination unit 113 (step S602). Details of steps S601 and S602 will be described later.

[0079] In step S602, if the print job accepted in step S601 is not an updated version of the print job being printed, printing continues as is.

[0080] In step S602, if the print job accepted in step S601 is an update of the print job being printed, the management server 104 causes the print control unit 114 to stop printing by the image forming apparatus 103 (step S603).

[0081] Next, the management server 104, by using the changed part identifying unit 115, determines the changed part between the print job before the update and the print job after the update (step S604). The details of the process of step S604 will be described later.

[0082] Next, the management server 104, through the copy number obtaining unit 116, obtains the number of printed copies, which is the number of copies already printed by the print job before the update (step S605).

[0083] Next, the management server 104, through the print control unit 114, determines whether the number of printed copies is equal to or greater than a predetermined value set for the number of printed copies (step S606).

[0084] The predetermined value in this embodiment is a value that is referenced when determining whether or not to discard all printed materials printed in the print job before the update and print all of the number of copies set in the printing conditions in the print job after the update. The predetermined value in this embodiment may be set in advance and stored in the print control unit 114.

[0085] The predetermined value in this embodiment may be, for example, a value indicating a predetermined ratio to the number of copies to be printed set in the printing conditions. The predetermined value in this embodiment may be, for example, "a value that is 90% of the number of copies to be printed set in the printing conditions" and may be stored in the print control unit 114.

[0086] In step S606, if the number of printed copies is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the management server 104 causes the print job generating unit 118 to generate a print job for printing a separator that prompts the user to discard the printed matter (step S607). Specifically, the print job generating unit 118 generates the print job so that information instructing the user to discard the printed matter is printed on the separator.

[0087] Next, the management server 104 generates a print job for printing the number of copies set in the printing conditions using the updated print job accepted in step S601 (step S608), and proceeds to step S613, which will be described later.

[0088] In this embodiment, by setting a specified value in this manner, if printing of the majority of the number of copies set in the printing conditions has been completed before the print job is updated, the work of replacing the changed parts can be omitted, and printing can be done again using the updated print job.

[0089] In step S606, if the number of printed copies is less than the specified value, the management server 104 determines, via the setting determination unit 117, whether or not a threshold has been set by the user for the index value that is referenced when determining whether or not to perform a replacement operation (step S609).

[0090] The index value in this embodiment is a value that indicates the degree of load of the replacement work performed on the printed material obtained by executing the print job before the update.

[0091] The index value in this embodiment may be a value obtained from the ratio of the number of printed copies to the number of copies set in the printing conditions, and the ratio of the number of pages of the printed copy to be replaced to the number of pages of the printed copy when one copy of the content data is printed.

[0092] In the following explanation, the ratio of the number of printed copies to the number of copies set in the printing conditions is referred to as the first ratio, and the ratio of the number of replacement sheets to the number of sheets of printed material when one copy of the pre-update content data is printed is referred to as the second ratio.

[0093] The number of sheets of paper used in printing one copy of content data corresponds to the number of pages contained in the content data, and the number of sheets of paper to be replaced corresponds to the number of pages whose content will be changed by updating the content data.

[0094] Specifically, the index value in this embodiment may be calculated as a value obtained by multiplying the first ratio by the second ratio.

[0095] In this embodiment, by calculating the index value in this manner, the index value will be a value indicating that the burden of the replacement work is heavy if, for example, the number of printed copies is small but the number of sheets of paper to be replaced in one copy is large, and will be a value indicating that the burden of the replacement work is not that heavy if, for example, the number of printed copies is large but the number of sheets of paper to be replaced in one copy is small.

[0096] If it is determined in step S609 that a threshold value for the index value has not been set, the management server 104 proceeds to step S611, which will be described later.

[0097] If a threshold value for the index value has been set in step S609, the management server 104 calculates the index value using the print control unit 114, and determines whether the index value is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S610).

[0098] The index value is calculated based on the number of copies to be printed included in the printing conditions, the number of copies printed, the number of pages of content data included in the print job being printed, and the number of pages of content data included in the print job being printed whose contents will be changed due to the update.

[0099] Furthermore, the threshold value in this embodiment may be held by the setting determination unit 117. In the following description, the number of pages whose contents are changed by updating among the content data included in the print job being printed is referred to as the number of changed pages.

[0100] In step S610, if the index value is greater than the threshold, the management server 104 proceeds to step S607. If the index value is greater than the threshold, it means that the replacement work is a heavy burden on the user, and it is considered more efficient to reprint with the updated print job rather than performing the replacement work.

[0101] In step S610, if the index value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the management server 104 causes the print job generation unit 118 to generate a print job for printing replacement printed materials for the number of copies already printed, and a print job for printing separators immediately before and after printing the replacement printed materials (step S611).

[0102] A case where the index value is equal to or less than the threshold value means that the replacement work does not require much effort and it is considered more efficient to replace the changed parts rather than reprinting with the updated print job.

[0103] Next, the management server 104 causes the print job generating unit 118 to generate a print job for printing the remaining number of copies of the content data included in the updated print job (step S612).

[0104] Next, the management server 104 causes the print control unit 114 to output the print job generated by the print job generating unit 118 to the DFE 102 (step S613).

[0105] In this way, according to this embodiment, if a print job is updated during printing, a replacement printout and a printout of the updated print job can be automatically printed in succession.

[0106] In the example of FIG. 6, the index value is referred to to determine whether or not to perform the replacement work, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, for example, a threshold value may be set for the number of printed copies and the number of changed pages. In this case, for example, when the number of printed copies and the number of changed pages are equal to or greater than the threshold value set for each, reprinting may be performed without performing the replacement work. Also, for example, when the number of changed pages is equal to or greater than the threshold value, reprinting may be performed regardless of the number of printed copies. These settings may be made at the user's discretion.

[0107] Next, the processing of the job management section 112 and the update determination section 113 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a second flowchart for describing the processing of the management server. Fig. 7 shows details of steps S601 and S602 of Fig. 6. More specifically, in the management server 104 of this embodiment, when the input reception section 111 receives a print job input from the client PC 101 (step S701), the job management section 112 assigns a serial number for identifying the print job to the received print job, and stores it in the data holding section 120 (step S702). This is the processing of step S601 in Fig. 6.

[0108] Next, the management server 104 determines, via the update determination unit 113, whether the file name of the print job accepted in step S701 is the same as or similar to the file name of the print job 130 stored in the data storage unit 120 (step S703).

[0109] Note that the update determination unit 113 of this embodiment may determine that two file names are similar when a predetermined number or more of characters included in the two file names match.

[0110] In step S703, if the file name of the print job accepted in step S701 is the same as or similar to the file name of print job 130 stored in data storage unit 120, update determination unit 113 identifies the print job accepted in step S701 as the updated print job of print job 130 (step S704), and proceeds to step S603 in Figure 6.

[0111] 6. In step S703, if the corresponding print job is not held in the data holding unit 120, the update determination unit 113 determines that the input print job is a new print job and ends the process. The processes of steps S703 and S704 in FIG. 7 correspond to the process of step S602 in FIG. 6.

[0112] Next, the process of the changed part identifying unit 115 of the management server 104 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a third flowchart illustrating the process of the management server. Fig. 8 shows details of the process of step S604 in Fig. 6.

[0113] In the management server 104 of this embodiment, the changed part identifying unit 115 detects the difference between the updated print job identified in step S704 of FIG. 7 and the print job before the update (step S801).

[0114] The difference here is the difference in the content data included in the print job. Therefore, the change part identification unit 115 detects the difference of the page whose contents have been changed in the content data included in the updated print job from the content data included in the print job before the update. Note that the print job before the update may be a print job waiting to be printed.

[0115] Next, the changed part identifying unit 115 stores the page in which a difference from the content data included in the print job before the update has been detected as a changed page (step S802).

[0116] In this embodiment, by holding the pages whose contents have been changed by the update in the print job before the update, the number of changed pages can be obtained.

[0117] Next, the separator of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the separator.

[0118] The separator 90 shown in FIG. 9 may be, for example, an example of the separator 22 that is printed immediately before the replacement printed matter 21A.

[0119] The separator 90 may include a thumbnail image 91 of the changed page. This allows the user to visually grasp the page to be replaced in the printed matter that has already been printed during the replacement work.

[0120] The separator 90 may also include information 92 indicating a replacement page that indicates a page in the printed material that is to be replaced with the replacement printed material 21A, and the number of pages to be replaced.

[0121] For example, consider a case where one copy of printed material based on a print job before updating has 100 pages, and pages 20 to 30 of the 100 pages are to be replaced.

[0122] In this case, the separator 90 may be printed with the replacement pages "20-30" and the page number "11."

[0123] In this way, when there are multiple pages of replacement printed material, a separator may be printed each time a copy of the replacement printed material is printed. For example, when there are 10 copies printed, 10 copies of the replacement printed material are also printed. In this case, in this embodiment, by printing a separator each time a copy of the replacement printed material is printed, it becomes easier to take out the replacement printed material one by one.

[0124] In this embodiment, instead of printing separators, the printed matter may be discharged alternately vertically and horizontally.

[0125] Specifically, for example, management server 104 may cause image forming apparatus 103 to discharge a printed material so that the long side (vertical direction) of the printed material printed based on the print job before the update intersects with the short side (horizontal direction) of the replacement printed material. Management server 104 may also cause image forming apparatus 103 to discharge a printed material so that the short side (horizontal direction) of the replacement printed material intersects with the long side (vertical direction) of the printed material printed based on the updated print job.

[0126] In this way, when performing the replacement work, the replacement printed material can be removed from the finisher.

[0127] Furthermore, in the printing system 100 of this embodiment, printing can be stopped during execution of the print job before the update in the image forming apparatus 103, and another print job can be executed until the updated print job is input. In the following description, interrupting execution of a print job and executing another print job in this manner is referred to as interrupt printing. Interrupt printing in this embodiment occurs when an interrupt request is received through an operation by a user of the printing system 100.

[0128] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for making an interrupt request. A screen 110 shown in Fig. 10 is displayed on the display 506 of the management server 104, for example, when a user performs an operation for interrupt printing.

[0129] The screen 110 includes a display area 110a and operation buttons 110b and 110c. A list of print jobs stored in the data storage unit 120 may be displayed in the display area 110a.

[0130] The operation button 110b may be an operation button for stopping printing of the image forming apparatus 103. The operation button 110c may be an operation button for executing a print job selected from the list of print jobs displayed in the display area 110a.

[0131] In this embodiment, printing based on a print job being printed by the image forming apparatus 103 can be manually stopped in this manner. Therefore, for example, when it is determined that a print job being printed is to be updated, printing by the image forming apparatus 103 can be stopped, and another print job can be executed until the print job is updated.

[0132] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the time during which printing by the image forming apparatus 103 is interrupted can be shortened.

[0133] Each function of the above-described embodiment can be realized by one or more processing circuits. In this specification, the term "processing circuit" includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0134] Additionally, the devices described in each embodiment are merely representative of one of multiple computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0135] In one embodiment, the management server 104 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster, configured to communicate with each other over any type of communications link, including a network, shared memory, etc., to perform the processes disclosed herein. Similarly, the management server 104 may include multiple computing devices configured to communicate with each other.

[0136] Furthermore, the management server 104 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps in various combinations. For example, the processes performed by a given unit can be executed by the management server 104. Similarly, the functions of a given unit can be executed by the management server 104. Also, in the management server 104, each element may be integrated into one server device or may be divided into multiple devices.

[0137] The management server 104 may be any device equipped with a communication function. For example, the management server 104 may be an output device such as a PJ (Projector), digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, an imaging device, a sound collection device, a medical device, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, or a desktop PC.

[0138] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> A printing system including an image forming apparatus and a print control apparatus, The print control device includes: a change part specifying unit that specifies, from among the input first content data, pages whose contents have been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming apparatus; A printing system having a print control unit that causes the image forming device to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of remaining copies of the first content data relative to the number of copies set to be printed for the second content data. <2> The print control unit, for the image forming apparatus, printing a first separator immediately before printing the page with the updated content, and printing a second separator immediately after printing of the page with the updated content is completed; The first separator comprises: a separator indicating that the next printed material is a replacement printed material for the printed material on which the second content data is printed, The second separator comprises: A separator indicating that the next printed matter is a printed matter on which the first content data is printed. <1> The printing system described herein. <3> determining whether the number of printed copies of the second content data is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio with respect to the number of printed copies set for the second content data; When the number of printed copies is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio, causing the image forming apparatus to print a separator for prompting the user to discard a printed matter on which the second content data is printed, and the first content data for the number of copies to be printed; <1> or <2> The printing system described herein. <4> The print control unit According to an index value indicating the degree of load of the replacement work for the page whose content has been changed, determining whether to cause the image forming device to print the page whose content has been changed; <1> ~ <3> 13. The printing system according to claim 12 . <5> The print control unit when the index value is equal to or greater than a threshold value, causing the image forming apparatus to print the first content data for the number of copies; when the threshold value is less than the index value, causing the image forming apparatus to print the pages of the second content data whose contents have been changed for the number of printed copies and the first content data for the number of remaining copies; <4> The printing system described herein. <6> The index value is calculated from a ratio of the number of printed copies of the second content data to the number of copies set in the printing conditions for the second content data, and a ratio of the number of pages whose contents have been changed to the number of pages of the printed matter when one copy of the second content data is printed; <4> or <5> The printing system described herein. <7> A print control device that controls printing by an image forming device, a change part specifying unit that specifies, from among the input first content data, pages whose contents have been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming apparatus; A print control device having a print control unit that causes the image forming device to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of remaining copies of the first content data relative to the number of copies set to be printed for the second content data. <8> A printing control method for a printing system including an image forming apparatus and a printing control apparatus, The printing system comprises: Identifying a page whose content has been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming device from among the input first content data; A printing control method that causes the image forming device to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of copies of the first content data remaining relative to the number of copies set to be printed for the second content data. <9> A printing control method for controlling printing by an image forming apparatus, comprising: Identifying a page whose content has been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming device from among the input first content data; A printing control method that causes the image forming device to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of copies of the first content data remaining relative to the number of copies set to be printed for the second content data. <10> A print control device for controlling printing by an image forming device, Identifying a page whose content has been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming device from among the input first content data; A printing control program that executes a process to cause the image forming device to print pages whose contents have been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of copies of the first content data remaining relative to the number of copies to be printed set for the second content data.

[0139] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These points can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 100 Printing System 101 Client PC 102 DFE 103 Image forming device 104 Management Server 111 Input reception section 112 Job Management Department 113 Update determination section 114 Printing control unit 115 Change Part Identification 116 Number of copies acquired 117 Setting judgment section 118 Print Job Creation Unit 120 Data storage unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0141] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-330658 A

Claims

1. A printing system including an image forming apparatus and a print control apparatus, The print control device includes: a change part specifying unit that specifies, from among the input first content data, pages whose contents have been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming apparatus; A printing system having a print control unit that causes the image forming device to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of remaining copies of the first content data relative to the number of copies set to be printed for the second content data.

2. The print control unit, for the image forming apparatus, printing a first separator immediately before printing the page with the updated content, and printing a second separator immediately after printing of the page with the updated content is completed; The first separator comprises: a separator indicating that the next printed material is a replacement printed material for the printed material on which the second content data is printed, The second separator comprises:

2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein a separator indicates that the next printed matter is a printed matter on which the first content data is printed.

3. determining whether the number of printed copies of the second content data is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio with respect to the number of printed copies set for the second content data; When the number of printed copies is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio, 2. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: causing the image forming apparatus to print a separator for prompting the user to discard a printed matter on which the second content data is printed, and the first content data for the number of copies to be printed.

4. The print control unit According to an index value indicating the degree of load of the replacement work for the page whose content has been changed, The printing system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a determination as to whether or not to cause the image forming device to print the page whose contents have been changed.

5. The print control unit when the index value is equal to or greater than a threshold value, causing the image forming apparatus to print the first content data for the number of copies; 5. A printing system as described in claim 4, wherein when the threshold value is less than the index value, the image forming device is caused to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data and the number of remaining copies of the first content data.

6. The index value is 6. A printing system as described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the change is calculated from a ratio of the number of printed copies of the second content data to the number of copies set in the printing conditions for the second content data, and a ratio of the number of pages whose content has been changed to the number of pages of the printed material when one copy of the second content data is printed.

7. A print control device that controls printing by an image forming device, a change part specifying unit that specifies, from among the input first content data, pages whose contents have been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming apparatus; A print control device having a print control unit that causes the image forming device to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of remaining copies of the first content data relative to the number of copies set to be printed for the second content data.

8. A printing control method for a printing system including an image forming apparatus and a printing control apparatus, The printing system comprises: Identifying a page whose content has been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming device from among the input first content data; A printing control method that causes the image forming device to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of copies of the first content data remaining relative to the number of copies set to be printed for the second content data.

9. A printing control method for controlling printing by an image forming apparatus, comprising: Identifying a page whose content has been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming device from among the input first content data; A printing control method that causes the image forming device to print pages whose content has been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of copies of the first content data remaining relative to the number of copies set to be printed for the second content data.

10. A print control device for controlling printing by an image forming device, Identifying a page whose content has been changed from the second content data being printed by the image forming device from among the input first content data; A printing control program that executes a process to cause the image forming device to print pages whose contents have been changed for the number of copies already printed of the second content data, and the number of copies of the first content data remaining relative to the number of copies to be printed set for the second content data.

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