Printing system, printing control device, and control method and program for the printing control device

Abstract

To suppress burdens to search for variable data to be printed by a user who gives a printing instruction from variable data registered in a data distribution server in a printing system described in the present invention.SOLUTION: A printing system described in the present invention is configured of a server apparatus and a printing control apparatus, and includes: registration means for registering image data, a plurality of pieces of data to be combined with the image data, and categories corresponding to the plurality of pieces of data, respectively, in the server apparatus; selection means for selecting one or more categories from the categories corresponding to the plurality of pieces of data registered in the server apparatus; display control means for displaying the plurality of pieces of data registered by the registration means based on the one or more categories selected by the selection means; and printing means for printing data by combining data selected by a user from among the plurality of pieces of displayed data with the image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing control device, a control method for the printing control device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In stores and the like, it is common to use posters such as POPs as a method for explaining products and notifying prices. When expanding a large number of stores, instead of creating POP data for product explanations at each store, the headquarters that manages the stores may create POP data for product explanations. In this case, the POP data created at the headquarters is distributed to each store using a system that distributes the POP data to each store. In such a POP distribution system for product explanations, the headquarters periodically uploads the product explanation POP data to a data distribution server to update the POP data. Each store accesses the data distribution server from an information device such as a PC installed in the store to obtain the product explanation POP data required for each store. Then, using a printer installed in each store, it is printed on paper, and the completed product explanation POP is installed in the store.

[0003] Also, the POP data for product explanations is composed of background image data that is commonly used regardless of the product, called frame data, and data that varies for each product, such as product names and prices, called variable data.

[0004] It is known that information devices such as PCs and printing devices installed in each store obtain both the frame data and the variable data synthesized with the frame data from the data distribution server, synthesize them, and output them (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is conceivable that information processing devices such as PCs and printing devices installed in each store would select the data to print from the variable data registered on the data distribution server and then print it. However, if there is a large amount of variable data registered on the data distribution server, the store users would have to search through the many variable data entries to find the data they need to print and then issue a print command.

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of the printing system described in this application is to reduce the effort required for a user to search for the variable data to be printed from the variable data registered on the data distribution server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The printing system described in this application is a printing system comprising a server device and a print control device, wherein the server device registers image data, a plurality of data to be combined with the image data, and a registration means corresponding to each of the plurality of data. Having , The print control device is A selection means for selecting one or more classifications from the classifications registered in the server device, A receiving means for receiving the image data registered in the server device, the plurality of data, and the classification of each data, The aforementioned The receiving means has been received. The system is characterized by having a display control means that displays the plurality of data based on one or more classifications selected by the selection means, and a printing means that synthesizes the data selected by the user from the displayed plurality of data into the image data and prints it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, the printing system described in this application can reduce the effort required for a user to search for the variable data to be printed from the variable data registered on the data distribution server. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing system described in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the image data structure to be printed in the printing system described in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of category data in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the data server 100 in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 101 in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the overall sequence in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a settings screen operated by the user in this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the process performed by the printing apparatus 101 in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This embodiment shows an example of a print execution instruction screen displayed on the display unit of the printing device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the overall sequence of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the processes performed by the printing apparatus in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0012] As an example of printing printed materials, we will explain a system in which the data constituting the printed material is registered in a data server, and the printing device retrieves the data from the data server, renders the print image data, and prints the material.

[0013] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system.

[0014] In this embodiment, the case of printing a product POP describing information of a product used in a supermarket or the like as a printed matter will be described as an example.

[0015] The information processing device 101 is an information processing device such as a computer used when registering POP data to be printed in the data server 100. The information processing device 101 may be any terminal such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, or a smartphone.

[0016] The data server 100 is a server system that manages product description POP data distributed by the information processing device 101. In this embodiment, the user creates product description POP data using the information processing device 101 and registers the POP data for product description in the data server 100. In this embodiment, the POP data is composed of frame data indicating a background image of the POP and variable data synthesized with the frame data. The configuration of the POP data will be described later using FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, the data server 100 is illustrated as a server system composed of one server device, but it may be composed of a plurality of server devices.

[0017] The printing device 102 is a printing control device that prints product description POP data registered in the data server 100. The printing device 102 checks whether there is POP data to be printed in the data server 100, and if there is POP data to be printed, it acquires data from the data server 100. Then, a print image is synthesized and formed based on the data received by the printing device to generate image data, and printing based on the generated image data is executed.

[0018] The data server 100 and the printing device 102 are connected via a network, and it is assumed that the data server 100 is installed in a headquarters facility such as a chain store. On the other hand, the printing device 102 is installed in each store, and it is assumed that the store will retrieve and print the necessary documents. The information processing device 103 is an information processing device installed in the store. The information processing device 103 may be any information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet, mobile phone, or smartphone. The information processing device 103 is used to register category information to be printed by the printing device 102. Alternatively, the category information may be registered on the printing device 102 without using the information processing device 103.

[0019] Figure 2 shows an example of the image data structure printed in the printing system described in this embodiment. The POP data 200 consists of plan data, variable data, and frame data. Hereafter, in this specification, when POP data is mentioned, it refers to data including variable data, plan data, and frame data.

[0020] The project data table 201 is a table that manages project data consisting of information about the period during which POP data 200 will be displayed and information about the frame data used in that project. The project data consists of "Project ID," "Project Name," "Period," and "Frame Data ID." The Project ID is a unique number assigned to each row of the distributed project data table 201, and is information used to link the project data registered in the project data table 201 with the variable data registered in the variable data table 202. The Project Name is the name of the distributed project. The Project Name is set by the user who registers the POP data to the data server 100. The Period indicates the period during which the POP data will be displayed. The Frame Data ID is a number used to identify the frame data used in that project.

[0021] Variable data table 202 is a table that manages the variable data to be incorporated into frame data. The variable data consists of "Product ID," "Product Name," "Category ID," "Price," "Project ID," and "Print Status." The Product ID is a unique number assigned to each row of the distributed variable data table 202. The Product ID is automatically assigned by data server 100. The Product Name is the name of the distributed product and is set by the user. The Category ID is a number used to link the product with the category data shown in Figure 3 and is set by the user. The Price is a numerical value indicating the price of the distributed product and is set by the user. The Project ID is a number used to link the product with the project data. The Print Status indicates whether the POP containing the product information has been printed or not. Note that the Product Name and Price are text data incorporated into the frame data.

[0022] Frame data table 203 consists of frame data and frame names that represent the overall design of the printed image. "Frame data ID" is identification information used to identify the frame data. "Frame name" is a name registered by the user to identify the frame data. "Frame data" contains the file path and file name of the image data used as the background.

[0023] The frame data table 203 is a table that manages frame data, which is background image data onto which variable data is combined. The frame data also includes layout information indicating where to place the "product name" and "price" information included in the variable data. The printing device 102 refers to the project ID recorded in each record of the variable data table 202 and identifies the frame data corresponding to that project ID. Then, by combining the product name and price recorded in each record with the frame data, POP image data 205 is generated. The printing device 102 prints the POP based on this POP image data 205.

[0024] Here, we will explain the category data in this embodiment using Figure 3. The category data table 300 is a table for managing category information registered by the user in the data server 100. The category data consists of a "category ID" and a "category name," and is registered in the data server 100 from the information processing device 101 that distributes POP data. The category ID is a unique number assigned to each row in the category data table 300. The category name is the name of the registered category and is set by the user. In this example, we show an example of a list of categories registered in the data server 100. The category data in this embodiment is data for categorizing each product that is registered as variable data.

[0025] Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of data server 100.

[0026] The data server 100 has a storage device 403 that stores a project data table 201 that holds information on the publication period, a variable data table 202 that holds product data, and a frame data table 203 that is the overall design image of the print image. The storage device 403 is a storage device such as an HDD or SRAM.

[0027] The CPU 401 is the system control unit and a module that controls the entire device. The DRAM 402 is for storing program control variables and the like. The communication unit 404 is a module for communication over the network. Requests to send POP data 200 from the printing devices 102 installed in each store are received via the communication unit 404. Upon receiving a request to send POP data 200, the CPU 401 performs calculations on the planning data, variable data, and frame data held in the storage device 403 according to the request. Based on the results of the calculations, the CPU 401 sends the necessary POP data 200 to the printing devices 102 installed in each store via the communication unit 404. Variables and the like during the calculations are stored in the DRAM 402. Each processing unit is connected via the data bus 405.

[0028] Figure 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 102 in this embodiment. In the printing device 102, the CPU 501 is the system control unit and controls the entire device. In this embodiment, the CPU 501 also performs display control, such as generating the screen displayed on the operation unit 507. The eMMC 503 is composed of flash memory and is used to store the CPU's control program. Note that the hardware for storing the CPU's control program is not limited to the eMMC 503. The DRAM 505 is used to store program control variables, etc., and is a volatile memory that can temporarily store image data processed by the CPU 501. The storage device 506 is a storage device such as an HDD and is a non-volatile memory that stores data such as image data. Data that constitutes the printed material is stored here. The operation unit 507 is a user interface unit composed of a display unit that displays information within the device and a reception unit that receives user operations. The printing unit 502 is a device that prints image data onto recording paper. The printing unit 502 places toner on the recording paper and fixes the toner to the recording paper by applying pressure with a heated fuser. The image processing unit 504 performs image data synthesis and rendering for use in image printing, and performs encoding and decoding of the binary image data. The communication unit 508 is the interface unit between the device and the external communication network. Each processing unit is connected via the data bus 509.

[0029] The overall sequence of the printing system in this embodiment will be explained using Figure 6.

[0030] First, the information processing device 101 on the headquarters side registers category information to the data server 100 (S600). Executing S600 registers the category data in the category data table shown in Figure 3. The category name is an arbitrary string set by the user operating the information processing device 101. The category ID is a number automatically assigned by the data server 100.

[0031] Next, the information processing device 103 on the store side accesses the printing device 102 via the network and logs in by entering the user ID and password registered in the printing device 102 (S601). The user uses a web browser installed on the information processing device 103 to access the web server of the printing device 102 and logs in to the printing device 102.

[0032] After logging in, the printer 102 registers the address of the data server 100 that distributes POP data 200 according to user instructions (S602). If the login to the printer 102 is successful, the login information registration screen 700 shown in Figure 7 is displayed on the display unit of the information processing device 103. The login information registration screen 700 consists of an area 701 for entering the URL to access the data server, an area 702 for entering the store ID, an area 703 for entering the password, and a registration button 704 for registering the settings. The user enters the URL of the data server 100 where the planning data, variable data, and frame data are stored into area 701.

[0033] Furthermore, the printer 102 registers the store ID and password login information required to access the data server from the login information registration screen 700 in Figure 7 (S603). The user enters the ID of the store where the printer 102 is installed in area 702. This store ID is the same as the login ID required to retrieve data from the data server 100. The user then enters the login password in area 703 and presses the registration button 704. As a result, the printer 102 registers the setting information in the storage device 506. In this embodiment, steps S602 to S603 were described as being set by accessing the printer 102 from the information processing device 103. However, the data server URL, store ID, and password may be set from the operation panel of the printer 102 without using the information processing device 103.

[0034] Based on the information registered in the printing device 102 in S602 and S603, the printing device 102 accesses the data server 100 and logs in to the data server 100 (S604). The printing device 102 sends the store ID set in area 702, the password set in area 703, and a login request to the URL set in area 701. The data server 100 performs authentication processing using the received store ID and password, and if authentication is successful, logs the printing device 102 into the data server. In this embodiment, the state in which the printing device 102 is logged into the data server 100 means that the printing device 102 can acquire the planning data, variable data, and frame data registered in the data server 100.

[0035] Subsequently, the printing device 102 sends a request to the data server 100 to retrieve a list of categories registered in the data server 100 (S605).

[0036] The data server 100 sends a list of registered categories to the printing device 102 that sent the acquisition request (S606). The list of categories sent here is the information in the category data table 300 in Figure 3. Based on the acquired list of categories, the printing device 102 displays the category information registration screen 705 on the operation unit 507. The category information registration screen 705 consists of the category information 706 acquired in S606, a checkbox 707 for selecting one or more category information to be printed by the printing device 102, and a registration button 708 for registering the selected category information. The category information registration screen 705 is a screen for setting which product variable data the printing device 102 will prioritize displaying. For example, if the store where the printing device 102 is set up handles beverages but not confectionery, beverages will be registered as a category, and confectionery will not be registered as a category. In this way, it is possible to prevent information about confectionery that is not handled from being displayed with priority over information about beverages on the screen for selecting products to print.

[0037] When a user selects one or more checkboxes 707 corresponding to the categories they wish to register and presses the register button 708, the printer 102 registers the selected category information in the storage device 506 (S607).

[0038] Next, in order to update the printed product description POP data, the information processing device 101 registers the POP data 200 with the data server (S608). Here, the information processing device 101 registers the planning data, variable data, and frame data with the data server 100. At this time, the data server 100 may notify each store that the POP data 200 has been registered, by sending a notification to the printing device 102 installed in each store. In this case, the printing device 102 that receives the notification accesses the data server 100 and retrieves the registered POP data. Alternatively, the data server 100 may not send a notification, and the printing device 102 may periodically access the data server to check whether new POP data has been registered. In this embodiment, it is explained that the printing device 102 accesses the data server 100 at a predetermined timing, queries whether new POP data has been registered, and retrieves the POP data if new POP data has been registered. The predetermined timing may be, for example, a time set in advance by the user, a predetermined time elapsed since the last retrieval, or when the user selects a predetermined button on the operation panel of the printing device 102.

[0039] The printing device 102 installed in each store accesses the data server 100 and requests to acquire the POP data 200 distributed in S608 (S609).

[0040] The data server sends POP data 200 to the printer 102 in response to the request in S609 (S610).

[0041] The printing device 102 sorts the POP data received in S610 using the category information registered in S607. In this sorting process, variable data that matches the category information registered in S607 is placed at the top of the list (S611). In this way, products in pre-registered categories are displayed higher than other products, reducing the effort required for the user to find the variable data of the product they want to print.

[0042] After sorting the variable data, the printing device 102 displays the plan data and variable data on the operation unit 507 and accepts the user's selection (S612).

[0043] The printing device 102 combines the variable data selected by the user with the frame data corresponding to the variable data, and performs printing based on the combined image data (S613).

[0044] In this embodiment, the processes performed by the printing apparatus will be explained with reference to Figure 8.

[0045] The process described in Figure 8 is initiated when the POP printing application button 901 is pressed on the home screen 900 shown in Figure 9, which is displayed on the operation panel 507 of the printer 102. The home screen is a screen on which objects for activating the functions provided by the printer 102 are placed. The processes written in each block of Figure 8 are implemented by the CPU 501 of the printer 102 executing a program.

[0046] The CPU 501 displays screen 902 on the control unit to notify it that it is connecting to the data server (S801). On the home screen 900, in addition to buttons for functions performed on the printer 102, an application button 901 for launching the application for POP printing is displayed. When the application button 901 for POP printing is selected, the flowchart shown in Figure 8 is started. Screen 902, which explains that it is connecting to the data server, is displayed on the control unit 507 while it is accessing the data server using the information set on the login information registration screen 700 in Figure 7.

[0047] Following S801, CPU 501 accesses data server 100 using the address, store ID, and password registered in storage device 506 (S802). CPU 501 sends the store ID, password, and authentication request to data server 100. CPU 501 receives a response from data server 100. Data server 100 performs authentication processing using the received store ID and password and sends the result to printing device 102.

[0048] The CPU 501 determines whether the printing device 102 was able to connect to the data server (S803). The CPU 501 determines whether the connection to the data server 100 was successful based on the content of the response from the data server. If the CPU 501 receives a notification from the data server 100 indicating that the login was successful, it determines that it was able to connect to the data server 100. On the other hand, if the CPU 501 receives a notification indicating an error from the data server 100, or if it does not receive a response from the data server 100 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it determines that it was not able to connect to the data server.

[0049] If no response is received within a specified time from the start of access to the data server, or if authentication fails, the CPU 501 displays a screen 903 on the control panel notifying the user that it could not connect to the data server 100, then transitions to the home screen and terminates the process (S804).

[0050] If authentication is performed within a specified time from the start of access to the data server, CPU 501 retrieves the plan data, variable data, and frame data distributed from data server 100 (S805). In S805, CPU 501 retrieves all the plan data, variable data, and frame data that data server 100 has distributed to the store with the logged-in store ID.

[0051] CPU 501 determines whether the category search has been completed for all acquired variable data (S806). The category search is the process described in S807 to S812.

[0052] Once processing is complete for all variable data, CPU 501 transitions the process to S813.

[0053] If processing is not complete for all variable data, CPU 501 references the one variable data that has not been processed and obtains category information (S807).

[0054] The CPU 501 determines whether the category information acquired in S807 matches the category information registered in the storage device 506 (S808). This is a process to determine whether the variable data referenced in S807 is data from a category previously registered in the printing device 102.

[0055] If the category information of the referenced variable data differs from the category information registered in the printing device 102, the CPU 501 returns to processing S806 and references the next variable data. The category information registered in the storage device 506 refers to the category information registered on the category information registration screen 705 in Figure 7.

[0056] If the category information of the referenced variable data is the same as the category information registered in the printing device 102, the CPU 501 retrieves the project name from the project data corresponding to that variable data (S809). Here, the CPU 501 refers to the project ID contained in the variable data and retrieves the project name corresponding to the project ID contained in the variable data from the retrieved project data.

[0057] Next, CPU 501 retrieves the project name stored in DRAM 505 (S810).

[0058] The CPU 501 then determines whether the project name of the project data is already stored in the DRAM (S811). If the project name is already stored in the DRAM, the next variable data processing is performed.

[0059] If the project name in the project data is not stored in DRAM in S811, CPU 501 stores the project name in DRAM (S812).

[0060] The processing in S807 to S812 will be explained using the category data table 300 in Figure 3 and the variable data table 202 in Figure 2 as examples. The category registered in the printing device 102 will be assumed to be "beverages". For each row in the variable data table 202, the "category ID" is compared with the category ID registered in the printing device.

[0061] The variable data in the first row is "Cabbage" as the product name, and its category ID is 3. Since this does not match the category ID registered in the printer, the process moves on to the next row.

[0062] The variable data in the next row is "Tomato" for the product name and "3" for the category ID. Since this data also does not match the category ID registered in the printer, we proceed to processing the next row.

[0063] The variable data in the next row is "Orange Juice" for the product name and "1" for the category ID. Since the category ID matches, we refer to the project data from the project ID to obtain the project name. Because the project ID is 1, we know that the project name corresponding to project ID 1 in the project data is "End of Month Fair". Next, we check if the information for this project name is already stored in DRAM. Since "End of Month Fair" is not yet stored, we store the string "End of Month Fair" in DRAM.

[0064] The variable data in the next row is that the product name is carbonated water and the category ID is 1. Since the category ID matches, we refer to the project data from the project ID to obtain the project name. Since the project ID is 1, we know that the project name corresponding to project ID 1 in the project data is "End of Month Fair". Next, we check if the information for this project name is already stored in DRAM. Since the string "End of Month Fair" is already stored in DRAM, we proceed to processing the next row without any further processing.

[0065] These processes are repeated for all acquired variable data, and the project name is stored in DRAM.

[0066] When the CPU 501 has finished searching for category information for all variable data, it generates and displays a screen 904 that displays a list of project names using the project names stored in DRAM (S813). The screen 904 that displays the list of project names will be explained with reference to Figure 9. This screen is an example of a screen that searches the project data and variable data obtained from the data server using category information previously registered in the storage device 506, and displays project names that contain variable data that matches the registered category information. The screen 904 that displays the list of project names consists of a list of project names, a checkbox 905 for selecting the print target, a button 906 to return to the home screen 900, and a screen transition button 907 to transition to a screen that displays products associated with the selected project.

[0067] The CPU 501 accepts user input on the screen 904 (S814). In S814, the CPU 501 switches control according to the button selected by the user. If the button 906 to return to the home screen is selected, the CPU 501 displays the home screen 900 on the control unit 507 and terminates processing. If the user has selected the checkbox 905 and the screen transition button 907 is selected, the process in S815 is performed. Note that if the checkbox 905 is not selected, the screen transition button 907 is grayed out and cannot be selected.

[0068] The CPU 501 sorts the variable data associated with the selected project data so that the variable data matching the category information registered in the storage device 506 is placed at the top of the list (S815).

[0069] Subsequently, the CPU 501 displays only the data with a print status of "not yet printed" for the sorted variable data on the print selection screen 908 (S816). The print selection screen 908 consists of checkboxes 911 for selecting each variable data, buttons 912 for editing prices, etc., and a print button 913 for printing the variable data selected by the checkboxes 911. In addition, "Not Printed" tabs 909 and "Printed" tabs 910 are displayed on the screen. As can be seen on screen 908, products with a project ID of "1" and a category ID of "1" are placed at the top of the list. In this way, information on products that are likely to be printed at the location where the printing device 102 is installed can be displayed with priority over information on other products. When displaying S816, if there is no unprinted variable data, the CPU 501 displays a message on the control panel indicating that there is no unprinted variable data.

[0070] The CPU 501 switches control according to the button selected by the user (S817). If the Unprinted tab 909 is pressed, the CPU 501 executes the process described in S816. If unprinted variable data is already displayed, the display continues. If the Printed tab 910 is pressed, the CPU 501 displays only the data whose print status is "printed" on the operation unit 507 from the variable data sorted in S815 (S818). After the process in S818, the CPU 501 returns to S817. In S818 as well, if there is no printed variable data, the CPU 501 displays a message on the operation unit indicating that there is no printed variable data.

[0071] If the button 912 for editing the price is pressed, the CPU 501 displays a screen 914 for changing the price of the corresponding variable data on the operation unit 507 (S819). The screen 914 for changing the price of the variable data consists of an area 915 for displaying the product name of the target variable data, an area 916 for displaying the currently entered price, and a numeric keypad 917 for editing the price. If the user sets the price using the numeric keypad 917 displayed on the operation unit 507 (S820) and presses the confirm button, the CPU 501 changes the price of the corresponding variable data with the set price (S821). After that, the CPU 501 transitions the process to S817.

[0072] When the user selects the variable data to be printed in S817 and presses the print button 913, the CPU 501 performs the printing process for the selected variable data (S822).

[0073] The CPU 501 references frame data based on each variable data and the planning data associated with the variable data. The image processing unit 504 reads the position information for the product name and price of the variable data from the layout information contained in the frame data and composites the variable data to the position read from the frame data (S823). After that, the CPU 501 prints the print image composited in S823 (S824) and updates the print status of the corresponding variable data to "printed" (S825). If the information processing device 101 on the headquarters side is monitoring the print status of the variable data registered in the data server 100, the CPU 501 may notify the data server 100 of the variable data with the updated print status after (S825).

[0074] With this, the operation of the printing device 102 is completed.

[0075] Screen 918 is an example of a screen that appears when you select checkbox 911 on screen 908 (the screen for selecting print items) and press the print button 913, and then display the screen for selecting print items again. In screen 918, the "Not Printed" tab 909 is selected, and in this case, the variable data that has already been printed, "Orange Juice," "Sparkling Water," and "Natural Water," is not displayed on screen 908 (the screen for selecting print items). Furthermore, if you press the "Printed" tab 910 from this state, you will be taken to screen 919 (the screen for selecting print items), and the variable data that has already been printed will be displayed on this screen.

[0076] In Figure 8, it was explained that when the POPPrint button 901 is selected on the home screen, the printer 102 accesses the data server 100 and obtains the POP data to be registered. Alternatively, the POP data may be obtained based on a notification sent to the printer 102 when the POP data is registered in the data server 100, or the POP data may be obtained from the data server at a time and timing set in advance by the user. In that case, the processes S801 to S805 in Figure 8 may be omitted.

[0077] As described above, in the first embodiment, category information was registered in the printing device, and the data of products corresponding to the registered category information was displayed at the top of the list. This makes it easier for the user to select products from pre-registered categories.

[0078] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, all POP data 200 acquired from the data server 100 was acquired regardless of category information, and the POP data was sorted and displayed on the printing device 102. In the second embodiment, only POP data 200 that match the category information is acquired from the data server 100, and only POP data 200 that match the pre-registered category information is displayed on the operation unit 507, with the aim of making it easier to use. By adopting the second embodiment, the amount of POP data acquired from the data server at one time can be reduced, and the time required for communication between the data server and the printing device can be reduced.

[0079] Figure 10 shows the overall sequence in the second embodiment. Note that steps S600 to S608 in Figure 10 are the same as in Figure 6, so the same reference numerals are used and their explanation is omitted.

[0080] The process from S1000 onwards is different in the second embodiment. The printing device 102 sends the category information registered in S607 to the data server 100 and an acquisition request to obtain only the data that matches the registered category for the variable data (S1000). In S1000, the printing device 102 notifies the data server 100 of flag information indicating an acquisition request for POP data that matches the registered category.

[0081] The data server 100 transmits the distributed POP data 200 to the printer 102 based on the category information and flag information received in S1000 (S1001). In S1001, the data server 100 selects products of the category specified in the acquisition request received from the printer 102 from the registered POP data 200. Then, the data server 100 transmits the POP data of the selected products to the printer 102. The printer 102 displays the screen 920 in Figure 9 based on the received POP data (S1002). Now, let's explain the screen 920 in Figure 9. The screen 920 consists of the "Not Printed" tab 909, the "Printed" tab 910, the "Other" tab 921, the checkbox 911, the "Edit" button 912, and the "Print" button 913. The checkbox 911, the "Edit" button 912, and the "Print" button 913 are buttons for processing the same as in Embodiment 1, so their explanation is omitted. The "Unprinted" tab 909 is an object for displaying a list of POP data that matches a category registered in the printer 102 but has not been printed by the printer 102. In this embodiment, "not printed by the printer 102" means that printing based on the POP data has not been performed on the printer registered with the store ID and password account registered in the printer 102. The "Printed" tab 910 is an object for displaying a list of POP data that matches a category registered in the printer 102 and has been printed by the printer 102. The "Printed" tab 910 is used, for example, when reprinting a POP based on already printed POP data. The "Other" tab 921 is an object for displaying POP data of categories other than those registered in the printer 102. The "Other" tab 921 is used when printing an approval POP for a category different from the product in a previously registered category. When the "Print" button 913 is selected, the printer 102 executes the POP data printing process described in S613.

[0082] Here, we will explain what happens when the "Other" tab 921 is selected on screen 920.

[0083] If the "Other" tab 921 is selected on screen 920, the printer 102 notifies the data server 100 of the registered category information and flag information indicating a request to acquire POP data that does not match the registered category (S1003). Upon receiving the category information and flag information sent by the printer 102 in S1003, the data server 100 selects POP data from the registered POP data that does not match the received category information. The data server 100 then sends the POP data 200 that does not match the category information received in S1003 to the printer 102 (S1004). The printer 102 displays the received POP data on the control panel (S1005). Screen 922 in Figure 9 shows an example of the screen displayed by the printer 102 in S1005. Here, "cabbage" and "tomato," which are classified under the category "vegetables" but do not match the registered category information, are displayed in a list. In this way, it is possible to print POP data even if it is from a category other than those previously registered. When the user selects POP data and chooses "Print," the printer 102 starts printing. This process is the same as the process described in S613 of Figure 6 in the first embodiment, so its explanation is omitted.

[0084] The operation of the printing device 102 in the second embodiment will be explained in more detail using the flowchart in Figure 11. Note that parts that perform the same processing as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 8, and their explanation is omitted. Each block in the flowchart shown in Figure 11 is executed by the CPU 501 of the printing device 102.

[0085] Sections S801-S804, S806-S814, and S819-S825 are the same as those in Figure 8, so their explanation is omitted.

[0086] CPU 501 notifies data server 100 of category information stored in storage device 506 of printer 102 and flag information indicating a request to acquire variable data matching the registered category (S1100). CPU 401 of data server 100 refers to the "Category ID" column of the variable data and extracts records that match the category ID notified by printer 102. Furthermore, data server 100 refers to the "Project ID" column of the extracted records to extract the corresponding project data, and refers to the "Frame Data ID" of the extracted project data to identify the corresponding frame data. CPU 401 of data server 100 sends the extracted variable data, project data, and frame data to printer 102.

[0087] CPU 501 acquires the variable data, planning data, and frame data transmitted by data server 100 (S1101).

[0088] On screen 904, when the user selects a plan and then selects "Next" 907, the CPU 501 executes the process described in S1102. Based on the printed flag of the received variable data, the CPU 501 selects the unprinted variable data and displays it as a list on the operation unit (S1102). In the second embodiment, the data server determines whether or not it matches the category information registered in the printer 102. Therefore, unlike in the first embodiment, the process of selecting variable data corresponding to a category registered in the printer 102 from the received variable data is not performed. In S1102, a list of unprinted variable data is displayed on the operation unit of the printer 102, as shown on screen 920. If there is no unprinted variable data in S1102, the CPU 501 displays a message on the operation unit indicating that there is no unprinted data.

[0089] The CPU 501 receives user input and executes processing corresponding to the received user input (S1103). In S1103, the processing when an instruction to select data and print is received, and when "Edit" is selected, is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0090] If the "Not Printed" tab is selected, the CPU 501 returns to S1102. If the "Printed" tab is selected, the CPU 501 refers to the printed flag of the variable data obtained in S1101, selects the printed variable data, and displays it on the control panel (S1104). In S1104, the screen shown in screen 922 is displayed on the control panel of the printer 102. If there is no printed variable data in S1104, the CPU 501 displays a message on the control panel indicating that there is no printed data.

[0091] In S1103, if the "Other" tab is selected, the CPU 501 retrieves POP data from the data server that does not match the category information registered in the printer 102 (S1106). The CPU 501 sends the category information registered in the data server 100 and flag information indicating a request to retrieve POP data that does not match the category information. The data server 100 refers to the category ID of the registered variable data and selects variable data with a category ID different from the notified category ID. The data server 100 sends the planning data corresponding to the selected variable data and the frame data corresponding to the planning data to the printer 102.

[0092] The CPU 501 refers to the variable data contained in the received POP data and displays a product list on the control panel based on the variable data of a category different from the registered category (S1107). If no variable data that does not match the category information registered in S1106 is obtained, the CPU 501 displays a message on the control panel indicating that there is no corresponding variable data.

[0093] The above describes the processing performed by the printing device 102 in the second embodiment. By doing so, the amount of POP data to be acquired at once when receiving POP data from the data server can be reduced, and the time required to display the product list can be shortened. In addition, by displaying information on "printed" products and "unprinted" products separately, it is possible for users to easily find which products have not been printed. Furthermore, by selecting the "Other" tab, POPs can be printed for products other than those in categories that have been registered in advance.

[0094] <Other Embodiments> In the first and second embodiments, the processing described above was performed by executing the POPPrint application installed on the printing device 102. Alternatively, the POPPrint application may be installed on an information processing device 103 that can communicate with the printing device 102, and the processing described above may be performed on the information processing device 103. In that case, in the first embodiment, the information processing device 103 executes the processing described in S801 to S823 in Figure 8. The information processing device 103 then transmits the synthesized image data to the printing device 102, and the printing device 102 executes the processing described in S254. The information processing device 103 performs the processing described in S825 when the transmission of the synthesized image data is complete or when it receives notification of printing completion from the printing device 102. In the second embodiment, the processing in S824 is also executed by the printing device 102, but the other processing is executed by the information processing device 103.

[0095] The present invention can also be realized by performing the following process: supplying software (programs) that realize the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and having the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of that system or device read and execute the program code. In this case, the computer program and the storage medium storing the computer program constitute the present invention.

Claims

1. A printing system comprising a server device and a print control device, The server device has registration means for registering image data, a plurality of data to be combined with the image data, and a classification corresponding to each of the plurality of data, The print control device is A selection means for selecting one or more classifications from the classifications registered in the server device, A receiving means for receiving the image data registered in the server device, the plurality of data, and the classification of each data, A display control means that displays the plurality of data received by the receiving means based on one or more classifications selected by the selection means, A printing system characterized by having a printing means for combining data selected by the user from the displayed plurality of data with the image data and printing it.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means rearranges and displays the registered plurality of data based on one or more selected classifications.

3. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of data associated with one or more selected classifications from the registered plurality of data.

4. The printing system according to claim 3, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of data belonging to a classification different from the one or more classifications selected from the registered plurality of data.

5. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printing control device further comprises image processing means for combining the selected data with the image data.

6. The print control device is An acquisition means for acquiring the image data and the plurality of data from the server device, The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a modification means for modifying the data acquired by the acquisition means.

7. The aforementioned image data includes information about the position where the data is combined. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the printing means performs printing based on image data obtained by combining the data with the image data based on the position information contained in the image data.

8. A print control device that communicates with a server device where image data, multiple data combined with the image data, and the classification of each of the data are registered, A selection means for selecting one or more classifications from the classifications registered in the server device, A receiving means for receiving the image data registered in the server device, the plurality of data, and the classification of each data, A display control means that displays the plurality of data received by the receiving means based on the selected classification, A print control device characterized by having a printing means for combining data selected by the user from the displayed data with the image data and printing it.

9. The print control device according to claim 8, characterized in that the display control means rearranges and displays the plurality of data based on the classification.

10. The print control device according to claim 9, characterized in that the display control means arranges and displays the data of the selected classification among the plurality of data so that it is ranked higher than the other data.

11. The print control device according to claim 8, wherein the display control means displays a list of data of the selected classification from among the plurality of data.

12. The print control device according to claim 11, characterized in that the display control means displays a list of data from the plurality of data that is different from the selected classification.

13. The print control device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the plurality of data are text data to be combined with the image data.

14. A control method for a print control device that communicates with a server device where image data, a plurality of data combined with the image data, and the classification of each of the data are registered, A selection step of selecting one or more classifications from the classifications registered in the server device, A receiving step that receives the image data registered in the server device, the plurality of data, and the classification of each data, A display control step that displays the plurality of data received in the receiving step based on the classification selected in the selection step, A control method for a print control device, characterized by comprising a printing step of combining data selected by a user from the displayed data with the image data and printing it.

15. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the print control device described in claim 14.

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