Print data generation device and program
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RISO KAGAKU CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-03
AI Technical Summary
【0008】 本発明の印刷データ生成装置によれば、原稿データの周縁部に印字される印字データであって、仕分け単位毎に異なる複数の印字データを生成し、その各印字データを原稿データに付加して印刷データを生成するようにしたので、この印刷データを用いて印刷処理を行うことによって、合紙を用いることなく仕分け可能な印刷物を印刷することができる。
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a print data generation device and a program for generating print data for printing sorted printed matter.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, program printing has been proposed for printing a predetermined number of printed matter for each of a plurality of pre-registered groups.
[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a printer driver has been proposed that inserts a combined sheet as a separator each time a plurality of print quantities are printed, and prints a cover image and print quantity information on the combined sheet.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] However, since the combined sheet becomes unnecessary after sorting, paper waste occurs. Further, in Patent Document 1, since data for the cover image is generated and printed for the combined sheet, productivity decreases.
[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a print data generation device and a program capable of printing sorted printed matter without using a combined sheet.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] The print data generation device of the present invention comprises a sorting print setting reception unit that receives settings for sorting and printing according to a plurality of sorting units, and a print data generation unit that, when the sorting print setting is received, generates a plurality of different print data for each sorting unit, which are to be printed on the periphery of the original data to be printed, and adds each of these print data to the original data to generate print data. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the print data generation device of the present invention, the device generates multiple different print data for each sorting unit, which are printed on the periphery of the original data, and adds each of these print data to the original data to generate print data. By performing a printing process using this print data, it is possible to print sortable printed materials without using interleaving sheets. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] Block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a printing apparatus using one embodiment of the print data generation apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the program print settings screen. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of printed material with sorting labels. [Figure 4] Flowchart illustrating the process of the printing device shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] Hereinafter, a printing apparatus using one embodiment of the print data generation apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment.
[0011] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment performs printing on a printing medium such as paper, and in particular performs programmed printing that sorts and prints according to multiple sorting units.
[0012] In the program printing of this embodiment, the number of copies to be printed and the number of sets of printed materials for each sorting unit are set, and sorting and printing are performed according to these settings. In the sorting and printing of this embodiment, different print data is added to the original document data to be printed for each sorting unit, and sorting is performed using the print data for each sorting unit. The setting method for program printing and sorting and printing will be described in detail later.
[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the printing device 1 includes a document data receiving unit 10, a program print instruction receiving unit 11, a print data generation unit 12, a printing unit 13, an operation receiving unit 14, and a control unit 15.
[0014] The document data receiving unit 10 receives the document data to be printed. This document data can include, for example, document data output from a computer's printer driver, document data scanned by a scanner, and document data stored in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The document data received by the document data receiving unit 10 undergoes predetermined processing in the print data generation unit 12 before being input as print data to the print unit 13. The print unit 13 then performs the printing process based on the input print data.
[0015] The program print instruction receiving unit 11 receives program print settings and sorting print settings. In this embodiment, the program print instruction receiving unit 11 corresponds to the sorting print setting receiving unit of the present invention.
[0016] Specifically, the program print instruction receiving unit 11 causes the operation receiving unit 14, which will be described later, to display the program print settings screen shown in Figure 2. The program print settings screen shown in Figure 2 displays the setting list field R1, the number of copies setting field R2, and the "sorted printing" button B.
[0017] The setting list field R1 displays a list of program printing group names. In the example shown in Figure 2, three group names, "Senior," "Middle," and "Junior," are displayed in the list. "Not set" indicates that the program printing content has not yet been set. In this embodiment, units such as "Senior," "Middle," and "Junior" correspond to the groups of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2 shows the state where the group "Senior" is selected in the settings list field R1, and the group name "Senior" is displayed at the top of the print quantity setting field R2. The print quantity setting field R2 then displays the contents of the program print for "Senior". In the example shown in Figure 2, the classes "Momo-gumi", "Nashi-gumi", "Kuri-gumi", and "Kaki-gumi", which are all "Senior" classes, are set. The number of print copies and sets are entered for each class. In this embodiment, each class corresponds to the sorting unit of the present invention. When the "Edit" button shown in Figure 2 is selected, it becomes possible to add and delete "classes", and to change the number of print copies and sets for each class.
[0019] When the program print for the group "Senior" shown in Figure 2 is executed, the number of copies multiplied by the number of sets of printed materials will be printed for each of the four groups. Then, if sorting printing is to be performed for each group of printed materials, the "Sorting Printing" button B shown in Figure 2 is selected. Sorting printing is a method of printing by sorting by group. Specifically, in sorting printing in this embodiment, different print data is generated for each group, this print data is added to the periphery of the original data to generate print data, and the printing process is performed using this print data.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a printed matter when sorting printing is performed for the program printing settings of the "older" group shown in FIG. 2, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, different print data is printed for each group in the header portion of the original data (print medium). In the example shown in FIG. 3, for the printed matter of the "peach group", "older peach group" which combines the group name and the group name is printed, and for the printed matter of the "none group", "older none group" which combines the group name and the group name is printed. Although not shown in FIG. 3, for the printed matter of the "chestnut group" and the printed matter of the "persimmon group", "older chestnut group" and "older persimmon group" which combine the group name and the group name are printed in the same manner as above. That is, in the present embodiment, print data including the distribution destination of the printed matter is generated and printed in the header.
[0021] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, "older peach group", "older none group", "older chestnut group" and "older persimmon group" are printed at different positions in the header, respectively. The different positions in the header are, for example, different positions in the length direction of the header as shown in FIG. 3.
[0022] Furthermore, "older peach group", "older none group", "older chestnut group" and "older persimmon group" are printed with different colors assigned respectively.
[0023] However, not limited to the above example, for example, "older peach group", "older none group", "older chestnut group" and "older persimmon group" may be printed at the same position in the header with different colors, or "older peach group", "older none group", "older chestnut group" and "older persimmon group" may be printed at different positions in the header, but all the colors may be the same color.
[0024] When the "Sorting Print" button B shown in Figure 2 is selected, a screen will appear in which you can specify the printing position and color for "Senior Peach Class," "Senior Pear Class," "Senior Chestnut Class," and "Senior Persimmon Class." Based on the position and color specified on that screen, "Senior Peach Class," "Senior Pear Class," "Senior Chestnut Class," and "Senior Persimmon Class" will be printed. The printing position is not limited to the header; it can also be the footer, or the peripheral area of the original data other than the header and footer.
[0025] Note that if the number of sets in the print quantity setting field R2 shown in Figure 2 is set to 1, the sorting printout described above will not be performed.
[0026] The print data generation unit 12 generates print data that enables the sorting and printing described above. Specifically, the print data generation unit 12 adds the print data for "Senior Peach Class," "Senior Pear Class," "Senior Chestnut Class," or "Senior Persimmon Class" to the header of the original data received by the original data reception unit 10, thereby generating four types of print data.
[0027] The print data generation unit 12 then performs predetermined processing for printing on the four types of print data and outputs them to the print unit 13.
[0028] The printing unit 13 includes a paper feed tray on which multiple printing media are loaded, a transport mechanism for transporting the printing media, a printing engine for printing on the printing media, and a paper discharge mechanism for discharging the printed materials. The paper discharge mechanism does not perform so-called offset paper discharge or sorting. The printing method of the printing engine can be any method, such as inkjet printing, laser printing, or stencil printing.
[0029] The printing unit 13 of this embodiment then performs printing based on the print data output from the print data generation unit 12, the number of copies and sets set on the program print settings screen shown in Figure 2, and the color of the print data set on the sorting print screen.
[0030] The operation reception unit 14 displays the program print setting screen and sorting print setting screen shown in Figure 2 and accepts the setting inputs described above. The operation reception unit 14 has, for example, a touch panel with an LCD panel. In this embodiment, the program print setting screen and sorting print setting screen are displayed in the operation reception unit 14 provided in the printing device 1, but this is not limited to this, and the program print setting screen and sorting print setting screen may be displayed by the printer driver in a computer that has output the document data to the printing device 1.
[0031] The control unit 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), semiconductor memory, a hard disk, and various electrical circuits, and controls the entire printing apparatus 1. The semiconductor memory or hard disk of the control unit 15 stores a printing control program, which includes one embodiment of the printing data generation program of the present invention. The control unit 15 executes the functions of each of the above-mentioned parts by executing the printing control program using the CPU and operating the electrical circuits.
[0032] Next, the processing of the printing apparatus 1 in this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 4.
[0033] First, program printing is selected in the operation reception unit 14, and the program printing settings screen shown in Figure 2 is displayed (S10).
[0034] Next, when sorting and printing is to be performed, the "Sorting Printing" button B is selected, and the sorting and printing settings screen is displayed (S12).
[0035] Then, after the sorting print settings are entered on the sorting print settings screen, the "OK" button on the program print settings screen shown in Figure 2 is selected, and then the print command is issued (S14).
[0036] Then, if the number of sets in the print quantity setting field R2 of the program print settings screen is 2 or more (S16, YES), the print data generation unit 12 adds different print data for each set to the original data and generates print data.
[0037] Then, the printing unit 13 performs programmed printing based on the settings in the programmed printing settings screen and the settings in the sorting printing settings screen (S18). If the number of "sets" in the number of copies setting field R2 on the programmed printing settings screen is 1 (S16, NO), programmed printing without sorting printing is performed (S20).
[0038] According to the printing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, multiple different print data are generated for each set, and each of these print data is added to the original data to generate print data. By performing the printing process using this print data, it is possible to print sortable printed materials without using interleaving sheets.
[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since multiple print data for each set are placed at different positions within the header of the original data, the print data for each set can be used as an index during sorting, and the division of printed materials into sets can be immediately grasped.
[0040] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, different colors are assigned to multiple print data for each set, which also allows for immediate identification of the boundaries between sets of printed materials.
[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the distribution destination information for each printed material is included in the multiple print data for each set, the distribution destination of the printed material can be recognized both during and after distribution.
[0042] Furthermore, with the conventional method of inserting interleaving sheets, the sheets are removed when the printed materials are distributed, making it impossible to determine who each printed material is intended for based on the sorted materials alone. For example, in a household with multiple children, it becomes impossible to tell which child received a printed material that does not clearly indicate their "group." Also, if a printed material is dropped or left unattended at school, it becomes impossible to determine where it belongs. According to the above embodiment, the recipient information of the printed material is printed on it, thus solving these problems.
[0043] Furthermore, in the sorting printing of the printing device 1 of the above embodiment, the combination of group name and set name is printed in the header, but the invention is not limited to this, and the group name and set name may be printed in separate, distant positions on the periphery of the original data. For example, the group name may be printed in the header and the set name in the footer.
[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, we described an example of setting group names and class names assuming that the printing device 1 is used in a nursery school. However, if the printing device 1 is used in a school, for example, the group name may be the grade (e.g., 1st year, 2nd year) and the class name may be the class name (e.g., Class 1, Class 2).
[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a string of characters consisting of a group name and a set name is printed, but the printing is not limited to such strings. For example, different marks or stamps may be printed for each set. The marks or stamps may be pre-set in the printing device 1, and the user may select the desired mark or stamp.
[0046] Furthermore, when printing data on the header of the original data as in the embodiment described above, there is a limit to the print width in the length direction of the header. Therefore, if there are many sets, and the print data corresponding to each set is printed at different positions, it may not fit within the print width in the length direction of the header.
[0047] Therefore, the print data generation unit 12 may determine whether all sets of print data fit within the print width in the length direction of the header, and if they do not fit, it may print the print data corresponding to each set separately in the header and footer.
[0048] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components can be modified and implemented in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the embodiments described above. For example, all the components shown in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. It goes without saying that various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0049] The following further notes are disclosed regarding the present invention. (Note)
[0050] In the print data generation apparatus of the present invention, multiple print data sets, each different for each sorting unit, can be arranged at different positions on the periphery of the original data.
[0051] Furthermore, in the print data generation device of the present invention, multiple print data sets, each different for each sorting unit, can be placed at different positions in the header or footer of the original data.
[0052] Furthermore, the print data generation device of the present invention can assign different colors to multiple print data sets that differ for each sorting unit.
[0053] Furthermore, in the print data generation device of the present invention, the print data may include information on the distribution destinations of the printed material on which the print data is printed.
[0054] The print data generation program of the present invention causes a computer to perform the following steps: receiving a setting for sorted printing, which sorts and prints according to a plurality of sorting units; generating a plurality of different print data for each sorting unit, which are to be printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed, when the sorted printing setting is received; and adding each print data to the original document data to generate print data. [Explanation of symbols]
[0055] 1 Printing device 10 Manuscript Data Reception Department 11. Program Printing Instruction Reception Section 12 Print Data Generation Unit 13 Printing Department 14 Operation Reception Section 15 Control Unit B button R1 Settings List R2 Print count setting field
Claims
1. In program printing in which multiple sets are set for each of multiple groups, a sorting print setting receiving unit receives settings for sorting prints that sort and print according to sorting units for each combination of the group and the set, A print data generation device comprising: a print data generation unit that, when the sorting print setting is accepted, generates a plurality of different print data for each sorting unit, which are print data to be printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed, and which include information combining the group name and the set name, and adds each of these print data to the original document data to generate print data.
2. A sorting print setting receiving unit that receives settings for sorting and printing according to multiple sorting units, The system includes a print data generation unit that, when the sorting print setting is accepted, generates multiple print data sets, each different for each sorting unit, which are to be printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed, and adds each of these print data sets to the original document data to generate print data. A print data generation device in which multiple print data, each different for each sorting unit, are arranged at different positions on the periphery of the original data.
3. A sorting print setting receiving unit that receives settings for sorting and printing according to multiple sorting units, The system includes a print data generation unit that, when the sorting print setting is accepted, generates multiple print data sets, each different for each sorting unit, which are to be printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed, and adds each of these print data sets to the original document data to generate print data. A print data generation device in which multiple print data, each different for each sorting unit, are placed at different positions in the header or footer of the original data.
4. A sorting print setting receiving unit that receives settings for sorting and printing according to multiple sorting units, The system includes a print data generation unit that, when the sorting print setting is accepted, generates multiple print data sets, each different for each sorting unit, which are to be printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed, and adds each of these print data sets to the original document data to generate print data. A print data generation device that assigns different colors to multiple print data sets, each different for each sorting unit.
5. In a program printing in which multiple sets are set for each of multiple groups, the step of receiving a setting for sorting printing which sorts and prints according to sorting units for each combination of the group and the set, When the sorting print setting is accepted, the step of generating multiple different print data for each sorting unit, which include information combining the group name and the set name, and which are printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed. A print data generation program that causes a computer to perform the steps of adding each print data to the original document data to generate print data.
6. A step of receiving a setting for sorting and printing, which sorts and prints according to multiple sorting units, When the sorting print setting is accepted, the step of generating multiple print data, each different for each sorting unit, which are print data to be printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed, A print data generation program that causes a computer to perform the steps of adding each print data to the original document data to generate print data, A print data generation program in which multiple print data, each different for each sorting unit, are placed at different positions on the periphery of the original data.
7. A step of receiving a setting for sorting and printing, which sorts and prints according to multiple sorting units, When the sorting print setting is accepted, the step of generating multiple print data, each different for each sorting unit, which are print data to be printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed, A print data generation program that causes a computer to perform the steps of adding each print data to the original document data to generate print data, A print data generation program in which multiple print data, each different for each sorting unit, are placed at different positions in the header or footer of the original document data.
8. A step of receiving a setting for sorting and printing, which sorts and prints according to multiple sorting units, When the sorting print setting is accepted, the step of generating multiple print data, each different for each sorting unit, which are print data to be printed on the periphery of the original document data to be printed, A print data generation program that causes a computer to perform the steps of adding each print data to the original document data to generate print data, A print data generation program that assigns different colors to multiple print data sets, each with a different sorting unit.