JP4891866B2 - Printer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer apparatus.

  A printer having a plurality of paper feed trays and having a slip sheet insertion function has a function of inserting slip sheets at a specified page position, for example, at the beginning of each chapter, during manual printing by a print management application or the like. .

  However, the user must grasp the contents of all pages of the print data, determine which pages in the print data are to be inserted before or after, and clearly indicate them.

  For example, in the print preview screen display before print data creation, it is common to create a new slip sheet page at the slip sheet insertion position, or to explicitly specify the slip sheet insertion position with a page number. .

JP 2006-293877 A JP 2005-316875 A

  By the way, in a printing job that prints a large amount of data stored in a database, such as invoices or direct mail, in a fixed format, after printing, it is necessary to sort the printed matter by zip code printed in the destination column. There is a paper insertion request.

  However, the above-described conventional method can be performed only when the number of pages to be printed is small or when the slip sheet insertion position is determined in advance in order to always perform the same printing. When the number of printed pages is large, it is impossible to display all pages to be printed on the print preview screen, etc., and when the number of printed pages for each order is indefinite, the slip sheet insertion page number It becomes extremely difficult to grasp each one. For this reason, the interleaf insertion function is not used (cannot be used) and relies on manual assignment after printing is completed, which is extremely inefficient.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide means for easily inserting slip sheets for a printing job for printing a large amount of data stored in a database such as an invoice or direct mail in a fixed format. .

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention registers a comparison page image in advance in a printer apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays, and sets a specific area as a fixed keyword and a variable keyword for the registered page image. Set and compare for each print data page, the bitmap that is expanded at the same position as the fixed keyword area, and if it matches, the bitmap that is expanded at the same position as the variable keyword area is further compared. In the case of occurrence, a slip sheet is inserted immediately before the page, and the comparison page data registered is replaced with page data in which a mismatch has occurred, and the comparison with the subsequent page is performed.

  Further, a slip sheet is inserted when the variable keyword matches, and the registered comparison page data is not replaced.

  Further, only the fixed keyword is registered and compared to insert a slip when a specific keyword in a specific area appears.

  Further, only the comparison page data is registered and compared, whereby a slip sheet is inserted when a specific page appears.

  According to the present invention, in a printing job in which a large amount of data stored in a database such as an invoice or direct mail is printed in a fixed format, peculiar data that can be distinguished as database data for printing is inserted into a slip sheet. It is possible to easily insert a slip at a designated position by appropriately inserting between the desired data.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 shows a network connection configuration of a host system including a printer according to this embodiment and a database application for generating print data.

  In FIG. 1, a host system 100 means a general database system including a database application 101, database data 102 and form data 103 managed by the database application 101.

  When a user issues a print instruction to the host system 100 from the client PC 105 connected to the host system 100 via the network, the database application 101 in the host system 100 is registered in the host system 100 in advance. The form data 103 is extracted, and the data stored as the database data 102 is extracted in units of records. Then, the data in the record is developed at a predetermined position on the form data 103 to temporarily create an electronic document. The database application 101 transmits the created temporary electronic document to the printer driver 104.

  The printer driver 104 generates the received electronic document as print data including a code group that can be recognized by the printer 106, and transmits the print data to the printer 106. The printer 106 that has received the print data draws an image and performs print output in accordance with an instruction described in the received print data.

  Considering direct mail printing business and invoice printing business for printing from the database application 101 with the above flow, one address is one record, and the customer name, customer address, customer zip code, etc. are included in the record. The destination information data is always included.

  2 and 3 are examples of data in an invoice printing job registered in a general database, and FIG. 4 is an output example at the time of printing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, one destination is one record, and the record includes destination information data such as a customer name, customer address, and customer zip code.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a billing information database is created using the customer management number as a key. Based on this information, when printing an invoice, the destination information of each customer and the billing information related to that customer are combined, and each information is arranged and printed out according to a specific format defined as the form data 103.

  In general, the data to be printed has fixed data such as destination information and a variable-length data part in which the number of records to be printed changes according to each situation. Therefore, the number of printed pages is undefined. However, the destination information is always printed at the same position on the paper corresponding to the first page of each customer unit in the same form.

<Registering page data for comparison>
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer of the present invention.

  FIG. 6 shows an operation outline flow regarding the comparison page data registration processing.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic flow regarding comparison page data registration processing control in the printer.

  Prior to actual business printing from the database application 101, comparison page data is registered in the printer 106 in advance. The comparison data is obtained by transmitting print data for one page to the printer.

  Data to be registered as comparison page data can be transmitted by using a test printing function that a general database application has as its function. Alternatively, one page of dummy data may be created and printed. It is also possible to send a page containing the appropriate record destination in the database.

  In the comparison page data registration, the comparison page data registration mode is set for the printer 106 (S601), the comparison page data is transmitted from the host system to the printer (S602), and the comparison page data registration process of the printer is performed. (S603), and the comparison page data registration mode is canceled (S604).

  Here, the comparison page data registration mode setting (S601) is a procedure for causing the printer 106 to recognize that the data to be transmitted is not normal print data but comparison page data.

  By providing means for switching between the comparison page data reception mode and the normal print mode via the printer operation panel 501, an instruction is given to the printer.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a print mode switching setting screen.

  By giving a comparison data registration attribute to the print data by setting the printer driver, it is possible to replace the setting procedure on the operation panel.

  It is also possible to switch the reception mode via a network to which the printer is connected, for example, by using a Web server function provided by the printer or a setting changing unit using a dedicated application.

  Furthermore, the printer has a plurality of data reception network ports, one for normal printing and the other for comparison data registration, which can be realized by selecting a port when transmitting data to the printer.

  When receiving the data, the printer determines whether or not the comparison page data registration mode is set (S701). If the comparison page data registration mode is set, the received data is not subjected to normal print processing. In step S702, bitmap data equivalent to the bitmap data for printing is created as comparison page data. The created comparison page data is saved in a storage area for saving comparison page data (S703).

  Considering that a plurality of data is stored in the comparison page data storage area, an identifier such as an ID or a name is assigned to each data. The identifier is preferably given in advance to the data created by the printer driver, but it can also be dealt with by assigning numbers in the order of reception on the printer side.

  After transmitting the comparison page data to the printer, the user sets a comparison reference area in the comparison page data registered in the printer via the client PC (S603).

  Here, the printer has a dedicated application or a Web server for a Web browser in order to provide a function of displaying a digital image of the registered comparison page data on the screen of the client PC via the network.

  FIG. 9 shows a display example of registered page data for comparison by a dedicated application.

  FIG. 10 is an example of registered comparison page data displayed by the Web browser.

  In any case, considering the fact that a plurality of comparison page data are registered, a list of registered files is displayed, and a function of selecting any one file and displaying it as an electronic image in a bitmap is provided.

  Next, a keyword specifying function that allows the user to specify a comparison area will be described.

  FIG. 11 is an example of a selection screen for the comparison area.

  Two partial areas are selected for the displayed image of registered page data, and information about the selection range is registered in the printer. One is a fixed keyword 1101 and the other is a variable keyword 1102.

  The fixed keyword 1101 is a bitmap image serving as a keyword for determining a target page for which page data comparison is performed. The variable keyword 1102 is a bitmap image serving as a keyword for determining whether or not to execute the slip sheet insertion process.

  In selecting an area, in consideration of usability, it is desirable to perform the same procedure as that of quadrangular drawing in a general image editing application, specifically, drawing by selecting a start point and an end point using a mouse or the like. As shown in FIG. 11, the selected area is clearly indicated in the bitmap of the entire page by a rectangular frame.

  According to this region selection method, since the region is designated for the electronic image, the printer can accurately recognize the position of the selected region in the entire page. After determining the area, the information is stored as an attribute of the comparison page data.

<Selecting page data for comparison>
Before executing the actual printing job, the registered page data for comparison is selected. When comparison page data is not selected, comparison is not performed, in other words, printing is performed as usual without a slip sheet control process.

  The comparison page data is selected by selecting from the printer operation panel or by setting the printer using a dedicated application or a Web browser via the network. Furthermore, it can be added as attribute information of print data when the printer driver creates print data by setting the printer driver.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a selection screen on the printer operation panel.

<Select slip paper tray>
The printer 106 has a plurality of paper feed trays (503, 504, 505, 506). A tray in which a sheet to be used as a slip sheet is set is designated. Selection is made from the printer operation panel, or by setting the printer with a dedicated application or Web browser via the network. Further, it can be given as attribute information of the print data when the print data is created by the printer driver by setting the printer driver.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a slip sheet tray selection screen by the printer operation panel.

<Production printing business>
With this, the advance preparation for inserting the slip sheet is completed, and the processing in the actual printing job is executed.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic flow chart of the slip sheet insertion printing process in the printer, and FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of the printer control unit.

  The case where the user executes the actual printing job with the intention of inserting slip sheets will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the data receiving unit 1501 receives the print data from the client PC 105, the printer confirms whether there is a comparison page data instruction in the analysis control unit 1502 (S1401), and if specified, selects from the comparison data storage area 1503. The compared page data is expanded in the comparison data expansion area 1504 which is a dedicated memory (S1402).

  It is confirmed whether there is data waiting for the expansion processing of the input job, in other words, whether there is data to be printed (S1403), and if it does not exist, the job is ended.

  If it exists, the data development unit 1505 develops the data for one page in the page data development area 1506 (S1404), and checks whether there is a comparison page data instruction (S1405). If there is no comparison page data instruction, page printing is performed (S1412).

  When there is a comparison page data instruction, the printer compares the area designated as the fixed keyword in the data comparison processing unit 1507 between the comparison page data and the bitmap after the expansion of the page data of the input job. (S1406).

  If the comparison results match (S1407), the variable keyword areas of the comparison page data and the page data of the input job are also compared (S1408). If the comparison result is inconsistent (S1409), the slip sheet insertion processing is executed using the sheet in the sheet feed tray designated for slip sheet by the slip sheet processing control unit 1508 (S1410).

  After executing the slip sheet insertion process (S1410), the comparison page data replacement process (S1411) is performed. The page data bitmap expanded in the comparison data expansion area 1504 is deleted without changing the area designation attribute information, and a copy of the page data bitmap of the input job expanded in the page data expansion area 1506 is copied. And stored in the comparison data expansion area 1504. After the replacement, the print data processing unit 1509 executes page data print processing (S1412), and returns to input job expansion processing waiting data existence check processing (S1403) to perform processing for the next page. If the comparison page data and the input job page data are not matched in the comparison of the fixed keyword area (S1406) (S1407) and the comparison of the variable keyword area (S1408), the page is printed. Processing (S1412) is performed.

  As described above, it is possible to insert slip sheets at specific data switching points without having to preview the entire print page or specify a prior slip sheet insertion page in a printing job that prints a large amount in a fixed format. be able to.

  In the above example, as a comparison result of the variable keyword area, the case where a slip sheet is inserted when there is a mismatch is described. However, when the variable keyword matches, a slip sheet is inserted and the comparison page data replacement process (S1411) is executed. By not doing so, it is also possible to insert a slip when a specific keyword in a specific area appears in a job in actual work. It is also possible to eliminate the registration of variable keywords, register only fixed keywords, and compare them to insert a slip when a specific keyword in a specific area appears.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to eliminate the setting of fixed keywords and variable keywords, register only comparison page data, and compare them, thereby inserting slip sheets when a specific page appears.

  In this case, since the registration process of the fixed keyword and the variable keyword is unnecessary, the printer does not need the preview screen display function as shown in FIG.

It is a related figure of the system example containing a database. It is explanatory drawing of the example of an invoice database. It is explanatory drawing of the example of an invoice database. It is an invoice printing example. It is an example of a printer configuration. It is operation | movement outline flow explanatory drawing regarding the page data registration process for a comparison in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic flow explanatory diagram regarding comparison page data registration processing control in a printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7 is an example of a print mode switching setting screen in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of registration data display by a dedicated application in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of registration data display by a Web browser in the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of a comparison object area | region selection example in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of a comparison page data selection screen in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of a slip sheet tray selection screen in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a slip sheet insertion printing process schematic flow in the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a printer control unit in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  100: Host system 101: Database application 102: Database data 103: Form data 104: Printer driver 105: Client PC 106: Printer 501: Printer operation panel 502: Print control unit 503: Paper feed Tray 1, 504: paper feed tray 2, 505: paper feed tray 3, 506: paper feed tray 4, 507: paper discharge stacker, 1101: fixed keyword area, 1102: variable keyword area, 1501: data receiving unit, 1502: Analysis control unit, 1503: Comparison data storage area, 1504: Comparison data development area, 1505: Data development part, 1506: Page data development area, 1507: Data comparison processing part, 1508: Interleaf processing control part, 1509: Print data Processing part.

Claims (4)

  In a printer device having a plurality of paper feed trays, a comparison page image is registered in advance, a specific area is set as a fixed keyword and a variable keyword for the registered page image, and a fixed keyword is set for each print data page. Compares the bitmaps that are expanded at the same position as the area, and if they match, compares the bitmap that is expanded at the same position as the variable keyword area, and if a mismatch occurs, inserts a slip before the page. A printer apparatus having a function of inserting a comparison page data and comparing the registered page data for comparison with page data in which a mismatch has occurred and comparing it with a subsequent page.   2. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the variable keyword matches, a slip sheet is inserted and the registered comparison page data is not replaced.   2. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the fixed keyword is registered and compared, whereby a slip sheet is inserted when a specific keyword in a specific area appears.   2. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a slip sheet is inserted when a specific page appears by registering and comparing only the comparison page data.

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