JP2010122822A - Printing system, printing apparatus, terminal, and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, terminals and a printing method wherein the processing performance of the printing apparatus can be enhanced and the operation efficiency of printing operation can be improved. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system 1 includes: the printing apparatus 2 provided with a printing part 21 for executing printing operation based on printing data, a controller unit 23 for generating a restriction value of the number of printing sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets whenever necessary and controlling the printing operation of the printing part 21 within a range of the restriction value, and a first communication part 24 for receiving printing data and transmitting the restriction value; terminals 3A-3D each of which is provided with a printing data generation unit 31 for generating the printing data, a printer driver unit 32 for transmitting the printing data when the printing data is included with the restriction value range, or suspending the transmission of the printing data when the printing data is out of the restriction value range and a second communication part 33 for transmitting the printing data and receiving the restriction value; and a communication means 4 for transmitting/receiving the printing data and the restriction value between the first communication part 24 and the second communication part 33. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing apparatus, a terminal, and a printing method. In particular, the present invention relates to a printing system in which a printing apparatus is connected to a plurality of terminals using communication means, a printing apparatus and a terminal that construct the printing system, and a printing method in the printing system.

  In an office, a printing system is constructed by connecting a plurality of personal computers (printing terminals) and a printer (printing apparatus) using a local area network (LAN). The printing apparatus can be shared by a plurality of users, a plurality of groups, or both, and the printing apparatus can be used effectively.

  In such a printing system, it is desired to limit the usage amount of consumables such as printing paper, ink, and toner, and to reduce the system maintenance cost as much as possible. In particular, the price of ink and toner used for color printing is about 3-5 times higher than the price of ink and toner used for monochrome printing, and unlimited use of color printing increases system maintenance costs.

  Generally, for example, the number of printed pages per day, the number of printed pages per week, the number of printed pages per month, etc. for each user, each group or the whole is limited, and an increase in system maintenance costs is suppressed. Management of the number of prints for each user is performed by a job management unit in the controller of the printing apparatus.

  That is, first, print data created in a personal computer used by a plurality of users or a plurality of groups is transmitted to the job management of the printing apparatus via the network. The job management unit determines whether or not the transmitted print data can be printed. If it is determined that the print data can be printed, the print data is managed as a job. Printing is performed in the printing apparatus based on the print data managed as the job. On the other hand, when the job management unit determines that the print data exceeds the limit value (limited print number) of the number of prints and cannot be printed, the print data is deleted.

Note that this type of printing system is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below.
JP 2004-102356 A

  However, in the above-described printing system and printing method, the following points have not been considered. That is, print data from a plurality of users or a plurality of groups is randomly transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus compares the print data with the limit value of the number of prints for each user or each group every time the print data is received. Judgment must be made and the process of printing or deleting must be performed. When the reception timing of print data overlaps among a plurality of users or a plurality of groups, a huge capacity is required for the process of printing or deleting. For this reason, an enormous capacity is spent on the processing of the job management unit, and the operation efficiency of the printing operation based on the print data is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, a terminal, and a printing method capable of increasing the processing capability of the printing apparatus and improving the operation efficiency of the printing operation.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first feature according to an embodiment of the present invention is that, in a printing system, a printing unit that executes a printing operation based on print data, and printing in which the number of printed sheets is subtracted from the number of printable sheets A printing apparatus comprising: a controller unit that generates a limit value for the number of sheets as needed, and controls a printing operation of the printing unit within a range of the limit value; and a first communication unit that receives print data and transmits the limit value And a storage device that stores the print data, and if the print data stored in the storage device is within the limit value range, the print data is transmitted. If the print data is outside the limit value range, the print data is transmitted. Print data and limit value between the first communication unit and the second communication unit, a terminal having a printer driver unit that does not exist, a second communication unit that transmits print data and receives a limit value of And a communication means for receiving.

  The second feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is that, in the printing system, a printing unit that executes a printing operation based on print data having print sheet number data and color data, and a color obtained by subtracting the printed sheet number from the printable sheet number A first limit value for the number of printed sheets is generated as needed, and a second limit value for the number of printed monochrome sheets corresponding to the first limit value is generated, and the first limit value or the second limit value is within the range. A printing apparatus including a controller unit that controls a printing operation of the printing unit, a first communication unit that receives the print data and transmits the first limit value or the second limit value, and stores the print data Of the print data if the stored print data is within the range of the first limit value, or is outside the range of the first limit value and within the range of the second limit value. Send the first limit value A printer driver unit that does not transmit print data if it is out of the range and outside the range of the second limit value, and second communication that transmits the print data and receives the first limit value and the second limit value And a communication means for transmitting and receiving print data and limit values between the first communication unit and the second communication unit.

  In the printing system according to the first feature, the printer driver unit of the terminal generates encrypted print data obtained by encrypting the print data, the second communication unit transmits the encrypted print data, and the first print unit of the printing apparatus The communication unit receives the encrypted print data, and the controller unit decrypts the encrypted print data into the print data if within the limit value range, and based on the decrypted print data if within the limit value range. It is preferable that the printing unit execute a printing operation, and if it is outside the range of the limit value, the insufficient printing number is borrowed based on the decrypted print data and the printing unit executes the printing operation.

  A third feature of the embodiment of the present invention is that, in the printing apparatus, a printing unit that executes a printing operation based on print data and a limit value for the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets are generated as needed. A controller unit that controls the printing operation of the printing unit within the range of the limit value, and a first communication unit that receives the print data and transmits the limit value.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus, a printing unit that executes a printing operation based on print data having print number data and color data, and a color obtained by subtracting the printed number from the printable number A first limit value for the number of printed sheets is generated as needed, and a second limit value for the number of printed monochrome sheets corresponding to the first limit value is generated, and the first limit value or the second limit value is within the range. A controller unit that controls the printing operation of the printing unit, and a first communication unit that receives the print data and transmits the first limit value or the second limit value.

  In the printing apparatus according to the third feature, the first communication unit receives the encrypted print data obtained by encrypting the print data, and the controller unit converts the encrypted print data into the print data within a limit value range. If it is within the limit value range, the printing unit performs a printing operation based on the decrypted print data. If it is outside the limit value range, the insufficient number of prints is calculated based on the decrypted print data. It is preferable that the borrowed printing unit execute the printing operation.

  A fifth feature of the embodiment of the present invention is that, in the terminal, the storage device that stores the print data generated by the print data generation unit, and the print data stored in the storage device are transmitted. A second communication unit that receives a limit value for the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the printable number of sheets, and transmits the print data if the print data is within the limit value. A printer driver unit that does not transmit print data if it is out of the range.

  A sixth feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is that, in a terminal, a storage device that stores print data including print number data and color data, and the print data stored in the storage device are transmitted. The first limit value of the number of color prints obtained by subtracting the number of printed pages from the printable number of sheets and the second limit value of the number of monochrome prints corresponding to the first limit value generated in the printing apparatus are generated as needed. If the received second communication unit and the print data are within the range of the first limit value, or if the print data is outside the range of the first limit value and within the range of the second limit value, the print data A printer driver unit that performs transmission and does not transmit print data if it is out of the range of the first limit value and out of the range of the second limit value.

  In the terminal according to the fifth aspect, it is preferable that the printer driver unit generates encrypted print data obtained by encrypting the print data, and the second communication unit transmits the encrypted print data.

  The seventh feature of the embodiment of the present invention is that, in the printing method, the step of storing the print data in the terminal and the limit value of the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets in the printing apparatus are generated as needed. A step of transmitting to the terminal; a step of transmitting the print data to the printing device if the print data is within the limit value range; and a step of not transmitting the print data if the print data is outside the limit value range; And executing a printing operation based on the print data transmitted from the terminal and received.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method, a step of storing print data having print number data and color data in the terminal, and a color obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets in the printing apparatus. A step of generating a first limit value of the number of prints as needed and transmitting it to the terminal; a step of generating a second limit value of the monochrome print number corresponding to the first limit value in the printing apparatus; Is within the range of the first limit value, or is outside the range of the first limit value and within the range of the second limit value, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the first limit value The printing data is not transmitted to the printing apparatus if it is out of the range and the range of the second limit value, and the printing apparatus performs a printing operation based on the printing data transmitted from the terminal and received by the printing apparatus.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method, the terminal stores print data and generates encrypted print data obtained by encrypting the print data, and the number of printable sheets in the printing apparatus. A limit value for the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the terminal and transmitting it to the terminal as needed, and if the encrypted print data is within the limit value range at the terminal, the encrypted print data is transmitted to the printing device, If the print data is not within the limit value, the encrypted print data is not transmitted, the encrypted print data transmitted from the terminal received by the printing device is decrypted into the print data, and the print device decrypts the encrypted print data. If the print data is within the limit value range, the print operation is executed based on the decrypted print data, and the decrypted print data is limited in the printing apparatus. It borrows the number of printed sheets shortfall if outside the range of, and a step of performing a printing operation based on the decrypted print data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, a terminal, and a printing method capable of increasing the processing capability of the printing apparatus and improving the operation efficiency of the printing operation.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic and different from actual ones.

  Further, the following embodiments exemplify apparatuses and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention is to arrange the components and the like as follows. Not specific. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

(First embodiment)
In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the present invention is applied to a printing system, a printing apparatus, a terminal, and a printing method constructed in an office using, for example, a LAN will be described.

[Configuration of printing system]
As shown in FIG. 2, a printing system (print work system) 1 according to the first embodiment connects a printing apparatus 2, terminals 3A-3D, and a printing apparatus 2 and terminals 3A-3D. The communication means 4 is constructed.

  The printing apparatus 2 is a stencil printing apparatus suitable for mass printing in the first embodiment. Further, the printing apparatus 2 is not necessarily limited to the stencil system, and may be a printing apparatus that employs another system such as a laser system or an inkjet system. The printing apparatus 2 is not limited to simply printing print data transmitted from the terminals 3A to 3D, and may be a composite printing apparatus having a scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the printing apparatus 2 may be either a color printing apparatus or a monochrome printing apparatus.

  The terminals 3A-3D have at least a function of generating print data and transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus 2. In the first embodiment, the terminals 3A and 3B are desktop personal computers, and the terminals 3C and 3D are notebook personal computers. The terminals 3A to 3D are not limited to personal computer models, and are not limited to the number of connected terminals 3A to 3D. For example, at least one of the terminals 3A to 3D may be replaced with a personal digital assistant (PDA). One, two, three, or five or more terminals may be connected to the communication means 4.

  The communication means 4 includes, for example, the printing apparatus 2 and the terminal in an office, in a home, between a plurality of offices, between homes, between an office and a home, between an office and a destination, between a home and a destination, etc. 3A-3D is a data transfer path connecting between 3A and 3D. The communication means 4 includes a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, the Internet, a telephone line, an optical cable, USB (universal serial bus), at least one data transfer path such as IEEE1394 based on the SCSI (small computer system interface) standard, Data transfer technology is included.

[Configuration of printing device]
As shown in FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 2 that constructs the above-described printing system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a printing unit 21 that performs a printing operation based on print data, and the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets. A controller unit 23 that generates a limit value for the number of subtracted prints as needed, controls the printing operation of the printing unit 21 within the range of the limit value, and a first communication unit 24 that receives print data and transmits the limit value Is provided. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment includes a plate making unit 22, an operation unit 25, a storage device 261, a portable memory slot 262, a paper supply / discharge unit 27, and a paper supply / discharge plate unit 28. And a reading device 29.

  The operation unit 25 has, for example, a touch panel display device, and the operation unit 25 can input basic operations of the printing apparatus 2 and can display an operation state and an operation state. For example, an operator of the printing apparatus 2, for example, an administrator, a user, a maintenance worker, or the like of the printing system 1 performs a printing operation, a scanner operation, a facsimile operation, or a user registration operation related to the printing system 1 (accessing the printing apparatus 2 and printing A registration operation for operation) can be performed from the operation unit 25.

  The plate making unit 22 performs plate making processing on the stencil sheet based on the print data (image data). The print data includes print data received by the first communication unit 24 through the communication unit 4, print data acquired by the reading device (scanner unit) 29, print data stored in the storage device 261, and portable memory For example, print data acquired from the portable memory through the slot 262. The printing unit 21 performs printing on the printing paper using the stencil sheet made by the plate making unit 22.

  The paper supply / discharge unit 27 supplies the printing paper to the printing unit 21 and discharges the printed printing paper from the printing unit 21. The supply / discharge plate unit 28 supplies the stencil sheet generated by the plate making unit 22 to the printing unit 21 and discharges the printed stencil sheet from the printing unit 21.

  The storage device 261 stores data such as a program necessary for controlling the printing apparatus 2, print data, and the like. For example, a hard disk is used as the storage device 261. The storage device 261 may be a RAM (random access memory) or ROM (read only memory: for example, an electrically erasable ROM is preferable) that temporarily stores data such as programs, print data, and the like. These RAMs and ROMs may be combined with a hard disk. A portable memory (not shown) is mounted in the portable memory slot 262. In this portable memory, for example, print data (for example, photo data) photographed and stored using a digital camera or the like is stored. The portable memory is, for example, a USB flash memory or a memory card.

  The controller unit 23 manages a job manager (user management unit) 231, a plate making unit 22, and a printing unit 21 for managing information such as an administrator and a user who use the printing apparatus 2 and managing the printing apparatus 2. And a plate-making / printing control unit 232 that performs operation control such as the above. The first communication unit 24 is connected to the communication unit 4, and is connected to the terminals 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D through the communication unit 4. In the first communication unit 24, print data transmitted from any of the terminals 3A to 3D is received through the communication unit 4, and the limit value generated in the job management unit 231 is transmitted to the terminals 3A to 3D through the communication unit 4. Send to either.

[Terminal configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the terminals 3A-3D that construct the above-described printing system 1 according to the first embodiment are generated by a print data generation unit 31 that generates print data and the print data generation unit 31. If the print data stored in the storage device 34 is within the limit value range, the print data is transmitted. For example, a printer driver unit 32 that does not transmit print data and a second communication unit 33 that transmits print data and receives a limit value are provided. Further, the terminals 3A to 3D include a storage media drive 35, a portable memory slot 36, a display device 37, and an input device 38.

  The print data generation unit 31 performs an operation system (OS) unit 311 having software for performing basic operations of the terminals 3A to 3D, a sentence creation process, an image creation process, a communication process, and the like, and print data such as documents and images. And a management application unit 312 having software for generating. The print data is mainly generated by the print data generation unit 31 having the management application unit 312.

  The printer driver unit 32 displays a print operation screen, a print setting screen, a maintenance setting screen, and the like related to the printing apparatus 2, receives print settings from the user, and notifies the user of setting information and print status related to printing. Further, the printer driver unit 32 outputs the print data set by the user as described above to the printing apparatus 2 through the second communication unit 33 and the communication unit 4.

  In the terminals 3A to 3D according to the first embodiment, the limit value generated by the printing apparatus 2 and updated as needed is received by the printer driver unit 32 through the second communication unit 33. Here, it is preferable that the reception timing of the limit value is immediately before print data is transmitted from any of the terminals 3A to 3D to the printing apparatus 2. The limit value may be periodically sent from the printing apparatus 2 to each of the terminals 3A to 3D using the communication unit 4. If the print data is within the limit value range, the printer driver unit 32 transmits the print data to the printing apparatus 2 through the second communication unit 33 and the communication unit 4. If the print data is outside the limit value range, the printer driver unit 32 does not transmit the print data to the printing apparatus 2 through the second communication unit 33 and the communication unit 4. Print data not transmitted is stored in the storage device 34 of the terminals 3A to 3D, a storage medium (not shown) attached to the storage media drive 35, a portable memory (not shown) attached to the portable memory slot 36, or Discarded. The second communication unit 33 transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit 31 and set for printing by the printer driver unit 32 to the printing apparatus 2 through the communication unit 4, and from the printing apparatus 2 through the communication unit 4. Receive limit values.

  The storage device 34 of the terminals 3A to 3D stores generated data such as software of the operation system unit 311, software of the management application unit 312, software of the printer driver unit 32, print data, and the like. . For example, a hard disk is used as the storage device 34. Similarly to the storage device 261 of the printing apparatus 2, the storage device 34 may be a RAM or ROM that temporarily stores data such as programs, print data, or the like. You may have.

  For example, a storage medium such as a compact disk (CD) or a digital video disk (DVD) is mounted on the storage media drive 35, and data can be written to and read from the storage media drive 35. The portable memory slot 36 is the same as the portable memory slot 262 of the printing apparatus 2 described above.

  The display device 37 is, for example, a liquid crystal display monitor or a CRT monitor. The input device 38 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a pen input device, and the like.

[Printing method]
The printing method of the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment described above is as shown in FIG.

  First, print data is generated in the print data generation unit 31 of the terminal 3A (or any of the terminals 3B-3D) (S1). The print data includes at least text data, image data or data including both text data and image data, data on the number of printed sheets, and data on the number of copies. Then, in the printer driver unit 32 of the terminal 3A, print setting of print data is performed, and a limit value is charged to the printing apparatus 2 (S2). The request for the limit value is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through each of the second communication unit 33 and the communication unit 4.

  In the job management unit 231 of the controller unit 23 of the printing apparatus 2, a limit value (printable number) obtained by subtracting a printed number (actual number of printed sheets) from a printable number (limited number of printed sheets) is set every time a printing operation is completed. It is generated at any time (S21). In the job management unit 231, the limit value is updated at the stage where the print data scheduled for the printing operation is stored in the storage device 261. The limit values include the overall limit value of the printing system 1, the limit value set for each user of the printing system 1, the limit value set for each group of the printing system 1, and the terminal 3A- of the printing system 1. Any of the limit values set for each 3D may be used. Here, for example, when a limit value is set for each group, another user in the same group may start a printing operation while one user in the group is printing. In such a situation, the limit value is updated as needed during printing. The printing apparatus 2 receives the request for the limit value transmitted through the communication unit 4 at the first communication unit 24 (S22). When the limit value is requested in the printing apparatus 2, the limit value generated in the job management unit 231 is transmitted from the first communication unit 24 to the terminal 3A through the communication unit 4 (S23).

  In the terminal 3A, the limit value transmitted from the printing apparatus 2 is received by the second communication unit 33 (S3). This limit value is transmitted to the printer driver unit 32. In the printer driver unit 32, it is calculated from the number of prints and the number of copies included in print data (for example, print data (including color data)) already generated by the print data generation unit 31 and stored in the storage device 34. The total number of printed sheets) is compared with the limit value transmitted from the printing apparatus 2 (S4). Here, if the print data is within the limit value range (print data <limit value), the printer driver unit 32 determines that the print data can be printed in the printing apparatus 2, and the second communication unit 33. The print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through (S5). On the other hand, if the print data is outside the limit value range (print data> limit value), the printer driver unit 32 determines that the print data cannot be printed by the printing apparatus 2, and the print data printing apparatus. 2 is not transmitted (S6). As a result, printing is stopped (S7). When print data is not transmitted, the printer driver unit 32 displays a “transmission rejection notice” on the display device 37 of the terminal 3A, for example. Untransmitted print data is stored in the storage device 34 of the terminal 3A or discarded as necessary.

  The print data transmitted from the terminal 3A is received by the first communication unit 24 of the printing apparatus 2 through the communication unit 4 (S24). The received print data is transmitted to the job management unit 231 of the controller unit 23. The job management unit 231 determines whether there is no change in the limit value after receiving print data (whether there is a decrease in the limit value) (S25). If there is no change in the limit value, job registration of the received print data is executed (S26), and the received print data is stored in the storage device 261. After the job management unit 231 instructs the printing unit 21 to perform a printing operation based on the print data stored in the storage device 261, it is determined whether the print data is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range. (S27). If it is within the limit value range, the printing unit 21 is operated from the job management unit 231 through the plate-making printing control unit 232, and printing of the print data stored in the storage device 261 is executed (S28). If it is outside the range of the limit value, the job management unit 231 transmits a “job registration rejection notice” to the effect of canceling the printing operation to the operation unit 25 and the terminal 3A (S32), and cancels the printing operation ( S33). Note that step S27 may instruct the printing unit 21 to perform a printing operation after determining whether the print data is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range.

  If there is a change in the limit value after receiving the print data in step S25, it is determined whether the print data is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range (S29). If the received print data is within the limit value range, print data job registration is executed (S26). If the received print data is outside the range of the limit value, the job management unit 231 transmits a “job registration rejection notification” to the effect of canceling the job registration operation to the operation unit 25 and the terminal 3A (S30). Then, the printing operation is stopped (S31).

  As described above, in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, the terminals 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D, and the printing method according to the first embodiment, the limitation on the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets in the printing apparatus 2. A value is generated as needed, and after print data is generated and stored in the terminals 3A to 3D, whether or not the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 is determined based on the comparison result between the print data and the limit value. The processing of the job management unit 231 of the apparatus 2 can be distributed to the terminals 3A to 3D, and the processing capacity of the job management unit 231 can be reduced. Conversely, the processing capability of the job management unit 231 of the printing apparatus 2 can be increased, and the operating efficiency of the printing operation of the printing apparatus 2 can be improved.

  In the printing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the job management unit 231 of the printing apparatus 2 is configured by hardware, but a microcomputer (not shown) disposed in the printing apparatus 2 is installed. Software that is used and operated may be used. Similarly, in the printing system 1, the printer driver unit 32 of the terminals 3A-D is configured by hardware, but is operated using a microcomputer (not shown) disposed inside the terminals 3A-D. It may be software.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, the terminals 3A-3D, and the printing method according to the first embodiment described above, the limit value cannot be cleared by color printing. In the following, an example will be described in which it is possible to shift to monochrome printing or gray scale printing.

[Configuration of printing system, printing apparatus and terminal]
The printing system 1, printing apparatus 2, and terminals 3A-3D according to the second embodiment are basically the same as the printing system 1 and printing apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. This is the same as the terminal 3A-3D, except for the following points.

  In the print data generation unit 31 of the terminals 3A to 3D, print data having print number data and color data is generated. This is not particularly described in the first embodiment, but the print data generation unit 31 of the terminals 3A to 3D according to the first embodiment also generates print data having print number data and color data. Is done.

  In the job management unit 231 of the printing apparatus 2, a first limit value of the number of color printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets is generated as needed. Further, the job management unit 231 generates a second limit value of the number of monochrome prints (or the number of gray scale prints) corresponding to the first limit value. Generally, the running cost of color printing is three to five times higher than the running cost of monochrome printing (or gray scale printing). In order to suppress an increase in printing cost, when the number of color prints is limited for each user, each group, etc., color printing will be outside the range of the first limit value, but monochrome printing is limited. There is a possibility that it is within the range of printing costs. The second limit value is a limit value of the number of monochrome prints when the first limit value is substituted for monochrome printing (or gray scale printing). The second limit value is generated every time the first limit value is generated (updated) or when the terminal 3A-3D requests the second limit value. The second limit value is generated (obtained based on data indicating a correspondence relationship between a predetermined first limit value and the second limit value, for example, data stored in the storage device 261 as a table. ). In the table, for example, data that allows 100 sheets of color printing in the first limit value is stored, and data that allows 300 sheets of monochrome printing in the second limit value is stored.

  Further, the printer driver unit 32 of the terminals 3A to 3D determines whether the print data is within the first limit value range or out of the range, and the print data is outside the first limit value range. A function for determining whether the print data is within the range of the second limit value or not.

[Printing method]
The printing method of the printing system 1 according to the second embodiment described above is as shown in FIG.

  First, in the print data generation unit 31 of the terminal 3A (or any of the terminals 3B-3D), print data having print number data and color data is generated (S1), and this print data is temporarily stored in the storage device 34. Or semi-permanently stored. The print data includes at least data on the number of color prints of data including color text data, color image data, or both, and data on the number of copies. Then, the print setting of the print data is performed in the printer driver unit 32 of the terminal 3A, and the first limit value is charged to the printing apparatus 2 (S2). The request for the first limit value is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through each of the second communication unit 33 and the communication unit 4.

  In the job management unit 231 of the controller unit 23 of the printing apparatus 2, the first limit value (printable number of sheets) obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets (limited number of printed sheets) from the number of printed sheets (actual number of printed sheets) is the printing operation. It is generated whenever necessary (S21). In the job management unit 231, the first limit value is updated at the stage where the print data scheduled for the printing operation is stored in the storage device 261. The printing apparatus 2 receives the request for the first limit value transmitted through the communication unit 4 at the first communication unit 24 (S22). In the printing apparatus 2, when the first limit value is requested, the first limit value generated in the job management unit 231 is transmitted from the first communication unit 24 to the terminal 3A through the communication unit 4 (S23). ).

  In the terminal 3A, the first limit value transmitted from the printing apparatus 2 is received by the second communication unit 33 (S3). This first limit value is transmitted to the printer driver unit 32. The printer driver unit 32 compares the already generated print data with the first limit value transmitted from the printing apparatus 2 (S4). If the print data is within the range of the first limit value (print data <first limit value), the printer driver unit 32 determines that the printing apparatus 2 can print color print data. Then, print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through the second communication unit 33 (S5).

  If the print data is outside the range of the first limit value (print data> limit value), the printer driver unit 32 determines that the print device 2 cannot perform color printing of the print data, and the user In step S8, it is requested to determine whether to substitute for monochrome printing (or gray scale printing). If the user refuses to substitute for monochrome printing, the print data is not transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 (S6). As a result, printing is stopped (S7). When print data is not transmitted, the printer driver unit 32 displays a “transmission rejection notice” on the display device 37 of the terminal 3A, for example. Untransmitted print data is stored in the storage device 34 of the terminal 3A or discarded as necessary.

  When the user permits substitution for monochrome printing, the printer driver unit 32 of the terminal 3A charges the second limit value to the printing apparatus 2 (S9). The request for the second limit value is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through each of the second communication unit 33 and the communication unit 4. In the job management unit 231 of the controller unit 23 of the printing apparatus 2, after the first limit value is generated (updated), before the second limit value is charged, or the second limit value is charged. Then, a second limit value is generated when color printing is replaced with monochrome printing (or gray scale printing) (S21). If the second limit value is generated after the claim is made, it is accompanied by an update of the first limit value, so the second limit value is in the latest updated state. The printing apparatus 2 receives the request for the second limit value transmitted through the communication unit 4 at the first communication unit 24 (S22). In the printing apparatus 2, when the second limit value is requested, the second limit value generated in the job management unit 231 is transmitted from the first communication unit 24 to the terminal 3A through the communication unit 4 (S23). ).

  In the terminal 3A, the second limit value transmitted from the printing apparatus 2 is received by the second communication unit 33 (S10). This second limit value is transmitted to the printer driver unit 32. In the printer driver unit 32, the monochrome print data converted from the color print data is compared with the second limit value transmitted from the printing apparatus 2 (S11). If the print data is within the range of the second limit value (print data <second limit value), the printer driver unit 32 determines that the printing apparatus 2 can print monochrome print data. Then, print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through the second communication unit 33 (S5).

  Conversely, if the print data is outside the range of the second limit value (print data> second limit value), the printer driver unit 32 determines that printing of monochrome print data is impossible in the printing apparatus 2. Then, the print data is not transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 (S6). As a result, printing is stopped (S7). When print data is not transmitted, the printer driver unit 32 displays a “transmission rejection notice” on the display device 37 of the terminal 3A, for example.

  The color print data or monochrome print data transmitted from the terminal 3A is received by the first communication unit 24 of the printing apparatus 2 through the communication unit 4 (S24). The received print data is transmitted to the job management unit 231 of the controller unit 23. The job management unit 231 determines whether there is no change in the first limit value or the second limit value after receiving print data (whether there is a decrease in the first limit value or the second limit value). (S25). If there is no change in the first limit value or the second limit value, job registration of the received print data is executed (S26), and the received print data is stored in the storage device 261. After the job management unit 231 instructs the printing unit 21 to perform a printing operation based on the print data stored in the storage device 261, whether the print data is within the range of the first limit value or the second limit value. It is determined whether it is out of the range of the limit value of 1 or the second limit value (S27). If it is within the range of the first limit value or the second limit value, the printing unit 21 is operated from the job management unit 231 through the plate-making printing control unit 232, and color printing of print data stored in the storage device 261 is performed. Alternatively, monochrome printing is executed (S28). If it is outside the range of the first limit value or the second limit value, the job management unit 231 transmits a “job registration rejection notice” to the effect of stopping the printing operation to the operation unit 25 and the terminal 3A ( (S32) The printing operation is stopped (S33).

  If there is a change in the first limit value or the second limit value after reception of the print data in step S25 described above, the print data is within the range of the first limit value or the second limit value. Whether it is out of the range of the first limit value or the second limit value is determined (S29). If the received print data is within the range of the first limit value or the second limit value, print data job registration is executed (S26). If the received print data is outside the range of the first limit value or the second limit value, the job management unit 231 sends a “job registration rejection notification” to cancel the job registration operation. Then, the data is transmitted to the terminal 3A (S30), and the printing operation is stopped (S31).

  As described above, in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, the terminals 3A-3D and the printing method according to the second embodiment, the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, and the terminal 3A according to the first embodiment. The same effects as those obtained by the 3D printing method and the printing method can be achieved.

  Furthermore, in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, the terminals 3A to 3D, and the printing method according to the second embodiment, the printing apparatus 2 uses the monochrome printing number (or gray) corresponding to the first limit value of the number of color printings. Second limit value of the number of scale prints) is generated, and after the color print data is generated in the terminals 3A-3D, the color print data is compared with the first limit value, and the color print data is the first limit value. When the print data is out of the value range, the monochrome print data is compared with the second limit value, and whether or not the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 is determined based on the comparison result. Even in the case of monochrome printing, the processing of the job management unit 231 of the printing apparatus 2 can be distributed to the terminals 3A to 3D, and the processing capacity of the job management unit 231 can be reduced. Conversely, the processing capability of the job management unit 231 of the printing apparatus 2 can be increased, and the operating efficiency of the printing operation of the printing apparatus 2 can be improved. In addition, in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, the terminals 3A to 3D, and the printing method according to the second embodiment, monochrome printing can be executed even when color printing is restricted.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment of the present invention describes an example in which the security of print data is enhanced in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, the terminals 3A-3D, and the printing method according to the first embodiment. It is.

[Configuration of printing system, printing apparatus and terminal]
The printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, and the terminals 3A-3D according to the third embodiment are basically the same as the printing system 1 and the printing apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. This is the same as the terminal 3A-3D, except for the following points.

  The print data generated in the print data generation unit 31 of the terminals 3A to 3D and stored in the storage device 34 is encrypted in the printer driver unit 32. That is, the terminals 3A-3D have a function of encrypting print data. For encryption of print data, for example, a secure socket layer (SSL) communication encryption method can be used practically.

  The job management unit 231 of the printing apparatus 2 has a function of decrypting encrypted print data. Further, the job management unit 231 of the printing apparatus 2 causes the printing unit 21 to execute a printing operation based on the decrypted print data if it is within the limit value range, and decrypted if it is outside the limit value range. It has a function of borrowing the insufficient number of prints based on the print data and causing the printing unit 21 to execute a printing operation. Here, “borrow the deficient number of printed sheets” means that when the number of printed sheets set for each user or group is exceeded, at least the number of printed sheets is borrowed ahead of schedule from the next allocation. Used in meaning. For example, if the user's number of prints on the current day is limited to 100, when the number of prints reaches 105, the excess 5 sheets are borrowed ahead of schedule from the number of prints restricted on the next day. The printing data with high security is completed as soon as possible without the presence of the surrounding users knowing the existence of the printing data, and the printing data is erased from the printing apparatus 2 and the security is maintained.

[Printing method]
The printing method of the printing system 1 according to the third embodiment is as shown in FIG.

  First, print data is generated in the print data generation unit 31 of the terminal 3A (or any of the terminals 3B-3D) (S1), and this print data is temporarily or semi-permanently stored in the storage device 34. The The print data includes at least data on the number of printed sheets of data including text data, image data, or both, and data on the number of copies. Then, in the printer driver unit 32 of the terminal 3A, print setting of print data is performed, and a limit value is charged to the printing apparatus 2 (S2). The request for the limit value is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through each of the second communication unit 33 and the communication unit 4.

  In the job management unit 231 of the controller unit 23 of the printing apparatus 2, a limit value (printable number) obtained by subtracting a printed number (actual number of printed sheets) from a printable number (limited number of printed sheets) is set every time a printing operation is completed. It is generated at any time (S21). In the job management unit 231, the limit value is updated at the stage where the print data scheduled for the printing operation is stored in the storage device 261. The printing apparatus 2 receives the request for the limit value transmitted through the communication unit 4 at the first communication unit 24 (S22). When the limit value is requested in the printing apparatus 2, the limit value generated in the job management unit 231 is transmitted from the first communication unit 24 to the terminal 3A through the communication unit 4 (S23).

  In the terminal 3A, the limit value transmitted from the printing apparatus 2 is received by the second communication unit 33 (S3). This limit value is transmitted to the printer driver unit 32. The printer driver unit 32 compares the already generated print data with the limit value transmitted from the printing apparatus 2 (S4). Here, if the print data is within the range of the limit value (print data <limit value), the printer driver unit 32 determines that the print data can be printed in the printing apparatus 2, and uses the print data as security. The user is asked whether or not to encrypt (S15). When the print data is not encrypted, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through the second communication unit 33 (S5). When the print data is encrypted, the printer driver unit 32 encrypts the print data (S16), and the encrypted print data (hereinafter simply referred to as “encrypted print data”) is the user of the terminal 3A. The data is stored in the storage device 34 serving as a personal storage location (S17). After being stored, the encrypted print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2 through the second communication unit 33 (S5).

  In step S4, if the print data is outside the limit value range (print data> limit value), the printer driver unit 32 determines that the print data cannot be printed by the printing apparatus 2, and prints the print data. Transmission to the apparatus 2 is not performed (S6). As a result, printing is stopped (S7). When print data is not transmitted, the printer driver unit 32 displays a “transmission rejection notice” on the display device 37 of the terminal 3A, for example. Untransmitted print data is stored in the storage device 34 of the terminal 3A or discarded as necessary.

  The print data or the encrypted print data transmitted from the terminal 3A is received by the first communication unit 24 of the printing apparatus 2 through the communication unit 4 (S24). The received print data or encrypted print data is transmitted to the job management unit 231 of the controller unit 23. The job management unit 231 determines whether there is no change in the limit value (whether there is a decrease in the limit value) after receiving the print data or the encrypted print data (S25). If there is no change in the limit value, it is determined whether print data has been transmitted from the terminal 3A or whether encrypted print data has been transmitted (S40). If it is print data, job registration of the received print data is executed (S26), and the received print data is stored in the storage device 261. After the job management unit 231 instructs the printing unit 21 to perform a printing operation based on the print data stored in the storage device 261, it is determined whether the print data is within the limit value range or outside the limit value range. (S27). If it is within the limit value range, the printing unit 21 is operated from the job management unit 231 through the plate-making printing control unit 232, and printing of the print data stored in the storage device 261 is executed (S28). If it is outside the range of the limit value, the job management unit 231 transmits a “job registration rejection notice” to the effect of canceling the printing operation to the operation unit 25 and the terminal 3A (S32), and cancels the printing operation ( S33).

  If it is determined in step S40 that the print data is encrypted, the job management unit 231 of the printing apparatus 2 requests authentication from the terminal 3A (user) that has transmitted the encrypted print data (S41). . When the authentication from the terminal 3A is obtained, the encrypted print data is decrypted (S42). If the authentication cannot be obtained, the decryption of the encrypted print data and the printing operation itself are stopped (S47). In the decrypted print data, the decrypted print data is compared again with the limit value updated as needed (S43). This is because the printing apparatus 2 requires time from receiving the encrypted print data to decrypting the encrypted print data and converting it into print data, even if the limit value fluctuates within this time. This is for realizing a printing operation in consideration of the limit value. If the decrypted print data is within the limit value range, print data job registration is executed (S44), and the print data is stored in the storage device 261. The job management unit 231 instructs the printing unit 21 to perform a printing operation based on the print data stored in the storage device 261, and the printing unit 21 executes printing of the decrypted print data (S45). The decrypted print data that has been printed is erased to maintain security (S46).

  In step S43, if the decrypted print data is outside the range of the limit value, an advance processing is executed in which the number of prints that are insufficient for printing the print data is borrowed from the number of prints assigned next time ( S48). Thereafter, the processing after step S44 for executing job registration of print data is executed.

  In the above-described step S25, if a change occurs in the limit value after receiving the print data or the encrypted print data, it is limited whether the print data or the encrypted print data is within the newly updated limit value range. It is determined whether the value is out of the range (S29). If it is within the range of the limit value, the processing after step S40 for determining whether the print data or the encrypted print data is executed. Even when it is outside the range of the limit value, it is determined whether it is print data or encrypted print data (S49). If it is determined that the print data is encrypted print data, the operations after step S41 for decrypting and printing the encrypted print data are executed. If it is determined that the data is print data, the job management unit 231 transmits a “job registration refusal notification” to the effect that the job registration operation is stopped to the operation unit 25 and the terminal 3A (S30), and cancels the print operation. (S31).

  As described above, in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, the terminals 3A-3D and the printing method according to the third embodiment, the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, and the terminal 3A according to the first embodiment. The same effects as those obtained by the 3D printing method and the printing method can be achieved. Furthermore, in the printing system 1, the printing apparatus 2, the terminals 3A to 3D, and the printing method according to the third embodiment, a printing operation with high security is realized while improving the operation efficiency of the printing operation of the printing apparatus 2. can do.

  The printing system 1, printing apparatus 2, terminals 3A-3D and printing method according to the third embodiment are the same as the printing system 1, printing apparatus 2, terminals 3A-3D and printing according to the second embodiment described above. Can be combined with the method.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the first to third embodiments. However, the description and the drawings which constitute a part of this disclosure do not limit the present invention. The present invention can be applied to various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational technologies.

  For example, in the above-described first to third embodiments, only one printing apparatus 2 is provided in the printing system 1, but the number is not limited to this. In the invention, two or more printing apparatuses 2 may be connected to the communication means 4.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, an example of a stencil printing apparatus was mainly described as the printing apparatus 2 incorporated in the printing system 1, but as described above, the present invention is An ink jet printer may be used for the printing apparatus 2. In this case, the printing apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1 omits the plate making unit 2 and the supply / discharge plate unit 28, replaces the plate making print control unit 232 with the print control unit 232, and does not perform control related to plate making.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, an example of a personal computer has been mainly described as the terminals 3A to 3D incorporated in the printing system 1. However, the present invention is not limited to the terminals described above. A portable memory that can be directly connected to the portable memory slots 36 and 262 or can be indirectly connected via a USB cable or an IEEE1394 cable (connectable via communication means) may be used. As the portable memory, the above-described USB flash memory, card memory, and the like can be used practically. In this case, the portable memory includes at least a storage device that stores print data, a printer driver unit, and a second communication unit. The printer driver unit determines whether or not to send the print data stored in the storage device to the printing apparatus 2 based on the limit value transmitted and received from the printing apparatus 2. Although the portable memory itself may be provided with a display function, information on whether or not to print is displayed on the operation unit 25 of the printing apparatus 2. Of course, the portable memory can be applied to any of the first to third embodiments described above.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus and terminal which concern on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a printing method according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the printing method which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the printing method which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 2 ... Printing apparatus, 21 ... Printing part, 22 ... Plate making part, 23 ... Controller unit, 231 ... Job management part, 232 ... Plate making printing control part, 24 ... 1st communication part, 25 ... Operation 261, 34 ... storage device, 262, 36 ... portable memory slot, 27 ... paper supply / discharge unit, 28 ... supply / discharge plate part, 29 ...
Reading device, 3A-3D ... terminal, 31 ... print data generation unit, 311 ... management application unit, 312 ... operation system unit, 32 ... printer driver unit, 33 ... second communication unit, 35 ... storage media drive, 37 ... display device, 38 ... input device, 4 ... communication means.

Claims (12)

A printing unit that executes a printing operation based on the print data; and
A controller unit for generating a limit value of the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets as needed, and controlling the printing operation of the printing unit within the range of the limit value;
A first communication unit that receives the print data and transmits the limit value;
A storage device for storing the print data;
A printer driver unit that transmits the print data if the print data stored in the storage device is within the limit value; and that does not transmit the print data if the print data is outside the limit value;
A second communication unit that transmits the print data and receives the limit value;
Communication means for transmitting and receiving the print data and the limit value between the first communication unit and the second communication unit;
A printing system comprising: A printing unit that performs a printing operation based on print data having print number data and color data;
A first limit value for the number of color prints obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the printable number of sheets is generated as needed, and a second limit value for the number of monochrome prints corresponding to the first limit value is generated. A controller unit for controlling the printing operation of the printing unit within a range of the limit value or the second limit value;
A printing apparatus comprising: a first communication unit that receives the print data and transmits the first limit value or the second limit value;
A storage device for storing the print data;
If the print data is within the range of the first limit value, or if it is outside the range of the first limit value and within the range of the second limit value, the print data is transmitted.
A printer driver unit that does not transmit the print data if it is outside the range of the first limit value and outside the range of the second limit value;
A second communication unit that transmits the print data and receives the first limit value and the second limit value;
Communication means for transmitting and receiving the print data and the limit value between the first communication unit and the second communication unit;
A printing system comprising: The printer driver unit of the terminal generates encrypted print data obtained by encrypting the print data, and the second communication unit transmits the encrypted print data;
The first communication unit of the printing apparatus receives the encrypted print data, and the controller unit decrypts the encrypted print data into the print data if it is within the limit value, and the limit value If it is within the range, the printing unit executes a printing operation based on the decrypted print data, and if it is outside the limit value, the insufficient number of prints is borrowed based on the decrypted print data The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit performs a printing operation. A printing unit that executes a printing operation based on the print data; and
A controller unit for generating a limit value of the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets as needed, and controlling the printing operation of the printing unit within the range of the limit value;
A printing apparatus comprising: a first communication unit that receives the print data and transmits the limit value. A printing unit that performs a printing operation based on print data having print number data and color data;
A first limit value for the number of color prints obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the printable number of sheets is generated as needed, and a second limit value for the number of monochrome prints corresponding to the first limit value is generated. A controller unit for controlling the printing operation of the printing unit within a range of the limit value or the second limit value;
A printing apparatus, comprising: a first communication unit that receives the print data and transmits the first limit value or the second limit value.   The first communication unit receives encrypted print data obtained by encrypting the print data, and the controller unit decrypts the encrypted print data into the print data if within the limit value, If it is within the limit value range, the printing unit performs a printing operation based on the decrypted print data, and if it is outside the limit value range, the insufficient number of prints based on the decrypted print data The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing unit causes the printing unit to execute a printing operation. A storage device for storing print data generated by the print data generation unit;
A second communication unit that transmits the print data stored in the storage device and receives a limit value of the number of printed sheets generated by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets generated at any time in the printing apparatus;
A printer driver unit that transmits the print data if the print data is within the limit value; and that does not transmit the print data if the print data is outside the limit value;
A terminal comprising: A storage device for storing print data including print number data and color data;
The print data stored in the storage device is transmitted, and is generated at any time in the printing device, and is generated in the printing device by a first limit value of the number of color prints obtained by subtracting the number of printed pages from the number of printable pages. A second communication unit that receives a second limit value of the number of monochrome prints corresponding to the first limit value;
If the print data is within the range of the first limit value, or if it is outside the range of the first limit value and within the range of the second limit value, the print data is transmitted. A printer driver unit that does not transmit the print data if it is outside the range of the first limit value and outside the range of the second limit value;
A terminal comprising:   The terminal according to claim 7, wherein the printer driver unit generates encrypted print data obtained by encrypting the print data, and the second communication unit transmits the encrypted print data. Storing print data generated at the terminal;
A step of generating a limit value of the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets in the printing apparatus as needed, and transmitting to the terminal;
In the terminal, if the print data is within the limit value range, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and if the print data is outside the limit value range, the print data is not transmitted.
Performing a printing operation based on the print data transmitted and received from the terminal in the printing device;
A printing method characterized by comprising: Storing print data having print number data and color data in a terminal;
A step of generating a first limit value of the number of color prints obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets in the printing apparatus as needed, and transmitting to the terminal;
Generating a second limit value of the number of monochrome prints corresponding to the first limit value in the printing apparatus and transmitting the second limit value to the terminal;
In the terminal, if the print data is within the range of the first limit value, or if it is outside the range of the first limit value and within the range of the second limit value, the print data is stored. Transmitting to the printing apparatus and not transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus if out of the first limit value range and out of the second limit value range;
Performing a printing operation based on the print data transmitted and received from the terminal in the printing device;
A printing method characterized by comprising: In the terminal, storing encrypted print data obtained by encrypting the generated print data;
A step of generating a limit value of the number of printed sheets obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets in the printing apparatus as needed, and transmitting to the terminal;
In the terminal, if the encrypted print data is within the limit value range, the encrypted print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and if it is outside the limit value range, the encrypted print data is transmitted. No stage and
Decrypting the encrypted print data transmitted and received from the terminal in the printing device into the print data;
Executing the printing operation based on the decrypted print data if the print data decrypted in the printing device is within the limit value;
In the printing apparatus, if the decoded print data is outside the range of the limit value, borrowing the insufficient number of prints, and executing a printing operation based on the decoded print data;
A printing method characterized by comprising:

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