JPH09212315A - Network printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily handle print data corresponding to plural kinds of description form as one print data by providing a data converting means which converts the description form of print data into a specific form. SOLUTION: Plural print data and job information from host devices 30, 31... are transmitted to the printer 10. The printer 10 stores the print data and job information received by a data receiving means 21 in a data storage means 22. A data converting means 24a takes print data, determined by a job managing means 23, out of the data storage means 22 and performs image expansion from the state of code data to the state of bit map data. At this time, when the respective print data are described in different page description languages(PDL), the respective PDLs are converted temporarily into a specific format, e.g. standardized intermediate code data, which are expanded into the bit map data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network printing device which is connected to a host device via a network and outputs print data input by the host device to a recording medium as a visible image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a network printing apparatus,
For example, as in a laser beam printer device (hereinafter abbreviated as a printer), a local area network (Local Ar
ea Network; hereinafter, abbreviated as LAN) and the like that are provided and used on a network are known. Such a printer is connected to a host device such as a personal computer via a LAN, and print data input in the host device is output to a recording medium as a visible image.

However, in the host device, the page description language (Page Description Language) supported by the host device is used.
guage; hereinafter, abbreviated as PDL), print data is input. Specifically, for example, a document having a plurality of pages is input as one print data by code data such as a character code, graphic information, image information, designation information for designating a print position and size.
In addition, in this host device, one print data is sent to the LAN.
When sending to the printer via the
A processing request for instructing the output of this print data is transmitted.

Therefore, when there is a processing request from the host device, the printer regards the print data corresponding to this processing request as one output unit, and outputs to the recording medium for each print data. That is, the printer develops, for each print data from the host device, an image of this print data from a code data state to a bitmap data state, and the print data in the bitmap data state is recorded as a visible image on a recording medium. Output to.

By the way, in the above printer, for example, when one document is divided into a plurality of pieces by a plurality of host devices on a LAN and is input separately as a plurality of print data,
Even one document is output separately for each divided print data. That is, even if a plurality of print data are related to each other, output is performed separately for each print data. Therefore, in this case, the user (operator) of this printer must select the necessary one from all the output recording media in order to obtain the output result of one document. It takes a lot of time and effort.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-78058 discloses a printer that outputs information about a processing request to a recording medium in a list format in addition to the output of print data. According to this printer, the processing request is output in the form of a list in addition to the output of the print data. Therefore, even if a plurality of print data are related to each other by referring to the list. The relationship between the respective print data is clarified, which makes it possible to easily select the output result.

[0007]

However, in the printer disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-78058, even if the relationship between the print data is clarified by the list of processing requests, the required output result It is necessary to manually select, that is, sort the output recording media. In order to eliminate such rearrangement of recording media, when the print data is output by the printer described above or the printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-78058,
It is conceivable that print data related to each other is collected in advance as one print data in the host device and then transmitted, but, for example, if each print data is input to different host devices by different operators, once Therefore, it is necessary to collect each print data and collect them as one print data.

Further, if each print data to be collected as one print data is input by a plurality of host devices or a plurality of applications, these print data may be described by different PDLs and input. . In this case, in order to combine these print data into one, it is necessary to once perform a conversion operation of converting each print data into print data of the same PDL in the host device.

That is, the above-mentioned printer or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 7
In the printer disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 78058, that is, a conventional network printing apparatus, even if a plurality of print data are related to each other, it is not easy to handle these print data as one print data. Therefore,
It may be inconvenient for an operator who uses the conventional network printing device. Therefore, the present invention provides a network printing apparatus capable of easily handling and outputting a plurality of print data items associated with each other as a single print data item even if the print data items correspond to a plurality of types of description formats. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a network printing device devised to achieve the above object, which is connected to a data input device for transmitting print data corresponding to a plurality of types of description formats. Data receiving means for receiving the print data from the data input device; data storing means for storing the print data received by the data receiving means;
Determining means for determining a plurality of print data to be output as one output unit from the print data, and determining whether or not the plurality of print data determined by the determining means is accumulated in the data accumulating means. Determination means, and data conversion means for converting each description format of the plurality of print data into a predetermined format when the plurality of print data are determined to be stored in the data storage means by the determination means. Data output means for outputting a plurality of print data converted into a predetermined format by the data conversion means to a recording medium as a visible image.

According to the network printing apparatus having the above configuration, when the data receiving means receives the print data from the data input device, the data storing means stores the print data. At this time, the determining unit determines a plurality of print data to be output as one output unit from the print data from the data input device. Further, the determination means determines whether or not the plurality of print data determined by the determination means are stored in the data storage means. Then, when the plurality of print data are stored in the data storage means, the data conversion means converts each description format of the plurality of print data into a predetermined format, and the data output means further outputs the converted print data. The data is output to the recording medium as a visible image.
Therefore, in this network printing apparatus, even a plurality of print data corresponding to a plurality of types of description formats are output to the recording medium as one output unit.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A network printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, here, a case where the present invention is applied to a printer provided and used on a LAN will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the printer 10 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the printer 10. Further, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a system in which the printer 10 is used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 of the present embodiment includes the printer 10 and a plurality of host devices 3.
0, 31, ... And a LAN 32 for connecting them are used in a system. In such a system, the host devices 30, 31, ... Are composed of, for example, personal computers, workstations, etc., and function as the data input device of the present invention. That is, in the host devices 30, 31, ..., the print data to be output as a visible image by the printer has a plurality of description formats, that is, the host devices 30, 31 ,.
Are described in the corresponding PDL, and are input in the state of character codes, graphic information, image information, designation information for designating the print position and size, and when print data is input, The print data is transmitted to the printer 10 via the LAN 32. In addition to the print data, the host devices 30, 31, ... Input and transmit control data for the printer 10. In addition,
The control data includes, for example, information for specifying the paper feed mode switching control in the printer 10.

By the way, these host devices 30 and 31
..., it is possible to share and input one document, for example. That is, in the host devices 30, 31, ..., What should be output as one print data can be divided into a plurality of print data, and each divided print data can be input to each of the host devices 30, 31 ,. It is like this. In this case, each print data has different P
It may be described in DL. Further, in one host device 30, a plurality of print data can be separately input by different PDLs by using different applications. However, at this time, in order to instruct the printer 10 to output these plural print data, any one of the host devices 30, 31, ... Inputs and sends job information as a processing request to the printer 10. Is supposed to do.

The job information will be described below. The job information is information for outputting a plurality of print data divided from one print data as one output unit, and is in the form of a job registration table as shown in FIG. Is input in any one of the above. That is, the job information is "identification name", "owner", "number of cases", "number of copies", "function",
"Longest waiting time", "Print time specification", "Print condition",
It is composed of information designating "deletion condition".

The "identification name" is an ID code for distinguishing each print data divided from one print data and other print data. Therefore, the host device 3
0, 31, ... When transmitting each print data divided from one print data, the same I is previously assigned to each print data.
A D code is added and transmitted. In addition,
The host devices 30, 31, ... Have already registered (printer 10
If you try to enter a new "identification name" that has been sent), an error will occur. "Owner" is
One of the host devices 30, 31, ... That is, the host device 30, 31, ... Which inputs and transmits job information
Is information indicating. As a result, the host devices 30, 31, ... Which are “owners” have the authority to directly instruct the printer 10 to change or delete the job information after the job information is transmitted.

The "number of cases" is information indicating the number of divisions when one print data is divided into a plurality of print data. “Number of copies” is information that specifies the number of output copies of print data. The “function” is information instructing the editing function of the printer 10 when outputting print data. The editing functions include, for example, sorting, blank filling, page filling, and left margin. "Longest waiting time" and "Print time designation"
Is information for designating the output date and time of the print data transmitted to the printer 10.

The "print condition" is information for designating the output condition when the print data transmitted to the printer 10 is output, and is "number of cases", "longest waiting time", "designation of printing time".
It is represented by a logical calculation (AND, OR, etc.) between.
For example, "Number of cases" is "5" and "Longest waiting time" is "9".
8:30 on March 3, 6th ",
If "print condition" is specified as "number of cases or longest waiting time", the number of cases will be 5, or even if 5 cases are not collected, it will be automatically set at 8:30 on March 3, 1996. The printer 10 is instructed to output.

The "deletion condition" is information for designating the date and time when the print data transmitted to the printer 10 is deleted from the printer 10. By obligating the designation of this “deletion condition”, the print data will not remain in the printer 10 forever. In addition, the host device 3
0, 31 ... If the "deletion condition" is not specified,
The implicit value may be automatically set.

As described above, the host devices 30, 31, ... Are divided from one print data and have different PDs.
A plurality of print data described by L and job information as a processing request for instructing the output of the plurality of print data are transmitted to the printer 10 via the LAN 32.

The printer 10 connected to such host devices 30, 31 ... Has a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the printer 10 includes a host interface (hereinafter, interface is abbreviated as I / F) 11 that is connected to the host devices 30, 31, ...
memory 12 such as an om access memory), a disk 13 such as a hard disk device, and a CPU (Centra).
l Processing Unit) etc.
4 and a program ROM (Read Only Memor) storing a program for operating the microprocessor 14.
y) 15, a page memory 16 including a RAM having a storage capacity for storing at least one page of bitmap data of a recording medium, and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller 17 for controlling transfer of bitmap data and the like.
And a printer engine 1 that outputs a visible image to a recording medium
8 and a bus 19 that connects them to each other.

In the printer 10 having such a hardware configuration, a visible image is output with respect to the print data and job information from the host devices 30, 31 ... With a configuration based on the functional blocks shown in FIG. It has become. That is, the printer 10 is provided with the data receiving means 2
1, a data storage means 22, a job management means 23,
The image developing means 24, the image transfer means 25, and the data output means 26 are provided with the functions.

The data receiving means 21 is a host I / F 11
The host device 3
When print data and job information are transmitted from 0, 31 ..., They are received. Data storage means 22
Is realized by the function of the memory 12 or the disk 13, and temporarily stores the print data and job information received by the data receiving means 21. Each accumulated data is deleted according to the “deletion condition” of the job information.

The job management means 23 is realized by the function of the microprocessor 14, and performs operation scheduling of each part of the printer 10 and allocation of each memory. It should be noted that the job management means 23 also manages the job information. Therefore, in the job managing means 23, the determining means 23a,
It has a judging means 23b, a deadline determining means 23c, a deadline judging means 23d, and an output control means 23e.

The deciding means 23a distinguishes a plurality of print data divided from one print data from other print data based on the "identification name" and "number of cases" of the job information and the ID code of the print data. The host devices 30, 31
A plurality of print data to be output as one output unit is determined from the print data from. The determination unit 23b determines whether or not all of the plurality of print data determined by the determination unit 23a are stored in the data storage unit 22. The deadline determining means 23c determines the output deadline for the plurality of print data determined by the determining means 23a based on the "longest waiting time" and the "printing time designation" of the job information. Deadline judging means 23
d is for determining whether or not the output time limit determined by the time limit determining means 23c has been reached based on information from a time detecting means (not shown).

The output control means 23e recognizes the editing function designated by this "function" based on the "function" of the job information, and gives the recognition result to the image developing means 24. For example, in the output control means 23e, when blank filling is instructed in the "function" of the job information,
When the print data is output to the recording medium, it is decided to delete the blank portion generated on the recording medium, and the image developing means 24 is instructed to that effect. Further, when page-filling is instructed in the “function” of the job information, when print data is output to a recording medium, it is decided to delete a blank page generated on this recording medium, and the image is developed to that effect. The means 24 is instructed.

In the job management means 23, a plurality of pieces determined by the determination means 23a are determined based on the "printing conditions" of the job information and the determination result by the determination means 23b or the deadline determination means 23d. For the print data, it is judged whether or not the processing by the image developing means 24 to be described later is started, and the result of the judgment is instructed to the image developing means 24.

The image developing means 24 is realized by the function of the microprocessor 14.
According to the instruction from the job management means 23, the determination means 23
The data output means 26 outputs the plurality of print data determined in a.
It performs the necessary processing for outputting. For that purpose, the image developing means 24 uses the data converting means 24a.
And editing means 24b.

The data converting means 24a extracts from the data storing means 22 the print data which is decided by the job managing means 23 to start the processing in the image developing means 24, and converts the print data from the state of code data into bitmap data. Image is expanded to the state of page memory 1
6 stores bit map data for one page of the recording medium. However, in the data conversion means 24a,
When each print data is described by different PDL, each PDL is once converted into a predetermined format, for example, unified intermediate code data, and this is expanded into bitmap data. However, the data conversion means 24a
The PDL may be directly expanded into bitmap data.

The editing means 24b performs editing processing on the print data before image expansion in the data converting means 24a or the data converted into unified intermediate code data or the like in accordance with the instruction from the output control means 23e. is there. For example, when the output control means 23e gives an instruction to delete the blank portion generated on the recording medium, the editing means 2
In 4b, after the conversion into the unified intermediate code data by the data conversion means 24a, the code corresponding to the page break in the unified intermediate code data is deleted, and then the page aligning process is performed. The margin data can be deleted. The fitting process is a process of checking the amount of data to be included in one page and inserting a code corresponding to a page break at a position exceeding the one page.

Further, for example, when the output control means 23e gives an instruction to delete the blank page generated on the recording medium, the editing means 24b causes the editing means 24b to format the print data or the unified intermediate code data such as the paper size. If the data are ordered, follow the order, if not, arrange them in the registered order, and delete the end processing code other than the final data and the start processing code other than the first data. , Margin page data can be deleted. However, in the editing means 24b,
The PDL differs between each data, and the data conversion means 24
If you do not convert to unified intermediate code data in a, PD
The processing code for the conversion of L may be left, and in order to make the processing code interpretable, it may be indicated at the beginning of the data that this data has a different PDL for each page.

The image transfer means 25 is realized by the function of the DMA controller 17,
The bitmap data stored in the page memory 16 by the image developing means 24 is transferred to the data output means 26. The data output means 26 is realized by the function of the printer engine 18.
Based on an instruction from the job management unit 23, the bitmap data transferred by the image transfer unit 25 is output as a visible image on a recording medium such as recording paper using an electrophotographic process. That is, in the data output means 26, at the same time as operating the paper feed / conveyance system in the printer engine 18, an image is formed on the photosensitive drum with a photosensitive agent such as toner using a laser beam, an LED array, and a liquid crystal light emitting element. The formed image is transferred to a recording medium, and the visible image transferred to the recording medium is fixed by using a high-temperature and high-pressure fixing device to output the visible image on the recording medium.

Next, the printer 1 configured as described above
0, an operation example in the case of outputting the print data from the host devices 30, 31, ... To the recording medium will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a plurality of print data is transmitted from the host devices 30, 31, ...
Then, the data receiving unit 21 receives the print data, and the data storing unit 22 stores the received print data. Separately from this, when the job information in the format of the job registration table is transmitted from the host devices 30, 31, ..., The data receiving means 21 receives the job information (step 101, hereinafter the step is abbreviated as S). ) Further, in the data storage means 22, the job information is stored and registered in a predetermined area in the data storage means 22 (S1).
02).

When the job information is registered in the data storage means 22, the job management means 23 first recognizes the "print condition" of the job information, and the print data from the host devices 30, 31 ... Is the "print condition". It is determined whether or not is satisfied (S103). For example, "print condition" of job information
Is specified as the number of cases or the longest waiting time, and
When the "number of cases" is designated as "5" and the "longest waiting time" is designated as "8:30 on March 3, 1996", the job management means 23 determines based on the judgment result by the judgment means 23b. "5 cases"
Print data, that is, all the print data to be output is stored in the data storage means 22 or "8:30 on March 3, 96" based on the determination result by the deadline determination means 23d. Determine whether

Here, the judgment means 23b judges that "5" print data has not been accumulated in the data accumulating means 22, and that it has not become "8:30 on March 3, 96". When the time limit judging means 23d judges that the "print condition" is not satisfied, the job managing means 23
It waits until this "print condition" is satisfied (S104).
That is, all of the "5" print data are stored in the data storage unit 22 or "8:30 on March 3, 96", whichever comes first. When the "print condition" is satisfied, the output control means 23e continues.
Recognizes the "function" of the job information (S105), and determines whether the editing process by the editing means 24b is necessary (S1).
06). Here, when it is determined that the editing process is necessary,
The output control means 23e instructs the editing means 24b to that effect. The editing means 24b then outputs the output control means 23e.
The print data is edited according to the instruction from (S107).

For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the print data to be output consists of data (1) and data (2), and in the "function" of the job information, blank padding for these print data is performed. If specified,
The output control unit 23e determines that the editing process by the editing unit 24b is necessary, and instructs the editing unit 24b to that effect. When there is an instruction from the output control unit 23e, the editing unit 24b deletes the page feed code and the page alignment process for the data (1) and the data (2), and thereby the data (data) is obtained from these data. (3) is newly generated.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG.
The print data to be output is data (1) and data (2)
In addition, when the page function for these print data is designated in the “function” of the job information, the output control unit 23e determines that the editing process by the editing unit 24b is necessary, and To the editing means 24b. Then, the editing means 24b realizes the deletion of the margin page data by deleting the end-time processing code of the data (1) and the start-time processing code of the data (2), and the data (1) is printed on the surface of the recording medium. However, the editing process is performed so that the data (2) is output on the back surface of the data.

In FIG. 5, when the output control means 23e determines that the editing processing by the editing means 24b is not necessary, or when the editing processing by the editing means 24b is completed, the data converting means 24a prints. Perform image expansion for data. That is, the data conversion means 24a
A plurality of print data decided by the decision means 23a (for example, "5" print data designated by the job information)
Of these, when the job management unit 23 determines that the “print condition” is satisfied, the print data stored in the data storage unit 22 is image-developed from code data to bitmap data, This bitmap data is stored in the page memory 16 (S108).
When the bitmap data is stored in the page memory 16, the data output means 26 outputs the bitmap data to the recording medium as a visible image (S109). In this way, the print data from the host devices 30, 31, ... Is output to the recording medium as a visible image.

As described above, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment outputs a plurality of print data described in different PDLs to the recording medium as one output unit. It has become.
Therefore, even if, for example, one document is divided into a plurality of pieces and the plurality of print data described in different PDLs are individually input to the respective host devices 30, 31, ... It can be output to the recording medium as one output unit. As a result, in the printer 10, the operator rearranges the recording media to obtain the output result of one document, the host device 30,
31. No need to combine a plurality of print data into one print data or to convert different PDL into the same PDL. That is, this printer 10
Since it is easy to handle a plurality of print data related to each other as one print data, the operator who uses the printer 10 can easily use the print data.

Further, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment.
When the deadline determination means 23d determines that the output deadline determined by the deadline determination means 23c has been reached, all of the plurality of print data to be one print data are stored in the data storage means 2
Even if the print data is not stored in No. 2, only the stored print data among the plurality of print data is output to the recording medium. That is, in this printer 10, since the output deadline of a plurality of print data can be specified, it is possible to obtain the print data output at a required time even if all of the plurality of print data are not available. As a result, it can be convenient for the operator.

Further, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment.
In the case of 0, the editing unit 24b performs the editing process on a plurality of print data according to the determination by the output control unit 23e. Therefore, for example, when the print data is output to the recording medium, it is possible to reduce the number of pages by filling the blank portion or output the blank data to both sides of the recording medium. That is, in this printer 10,
For example, no matter how one document is divided, a plurality of divided print data can be output as one document, so one document is output to each host device 30,
It is possible to freely share and input with 31 ..., which is convenient for the operator.

Further, according to such a printer 10,
It may be used in the following usage forms. For example, it is possible to easily create a certain document (process) by a plurality of operators using a plurality of host devices 30, 31, ... And output these as one document after the creation. In addition, the host devices 30 and 31
It is possible to ask a plurality of operators to input questionnaires in a designated format in ... And output these questionnaires collectively when the designated date comes.

Further, when used in such a usage mode, the storage status of the print data in the data storage means 22 is recognized, and the recognition result is recognized by the host device 30,
If the printer 10 is provided with a function of notifying 31 ..., The operators of the host devices 30, 31, ...
Since it is possible to know the storage status of No. 2, it becomes possible to grasp the host devices 30, 31 ... Which have not input or transmitted print data. This allows you to forcibly output the print data that has been accumulated at a certain point, replace only specific print data, or leave the print condition waiting state as is, and It is also possible to output all or only a part. In addition, if a function to register the email address of the operator who inputs and sends print data is provided, it is possible to send an email urging the operator to send the print data to the operator who has not yet sent the print data at the specified time, It becomes possible to notify the owner or a designated operator of the end of printing and the end condition by e-mail, or to notify the end of the e-mail by e-mail when the deletion time approaches.

In the present embodiment, the processing request to the printer 10 is stored as job information in the host devices 30 and 3.
Although the case of transmitting from any one of 1 ... has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the printer 10 is provided with a setting input means such as an operation panel, the print data from the host devices 30, 31 ... May be processed according to the job information input by the setting input means.

[0045]

As described above, in the network printing apparatus of the present invention, even if there are a plurality of print data corresponding to a plurality of types of description formats, the plurality of print data are used as one output unit for the recording medium. It is designed to output to. Therefore, the operator rearranges the recording media to obtain the output result of one document, the operation of collecting a plurality of print data as one print data in the data input device, or the operation of converting different description formats into the same format. Etc. are unnecessary. That is, since it is easy to handle a plurality of print data described in different formats as one print data, it is easy for the operator who uses this network printing device to use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an example of an embodiment of a network printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the network printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system in which the network printing apparatus of FIG. 1 is used.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a table format of job information transmitted to the network printing apparatus of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of output of print data in the network printing apparatus of FIG.

6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing a specific example of an edit process for print data, FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of blank filling, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of page filling.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 printer (network printing device) 21 data receiving means 22 data accumulating means 23b judging means 23c deadline determining means 23d deadline judging means 23e output control means 24a data converting means 24b editing means 26 data output means 30, 31 host device (data input device) )

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A data receiving unit that is connected to a data input device that transmits print data corresponding to a plurality of types of description formats, and that receives the print data from the data input device, and print data received by the data receiving unit. A data storage unit for storing, a determination unit for determining a plurality of print data to be output as one output unit from the print data, and a plurality of print data determined by the determination unit are stored in the data storage unit. Determination means for determining whether or not the plurality of print data are stored in the data storage means, and a determination format for each of the plurality of print data is determined by a predetermined format. And a plurality of print data converted into a predetermined format by the data conversion unit and output as a visible image to a recording medium Network printing apparatus, comprising a data output unit that. 2. A deadline deciding means for deciding an output deadline of the plurality of print data in the data output means, and a deadline deciding means for deciding whether or not the output deadline decided by the deadline deciding means has been reached. In addition, when the deadline determining means determines that the output deadline has been reached, the data converting means stores the plurality of print data in the data storing means regardless of the determination result of the determining means. The network printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion execution function for converting the print data. 3. Output control means for deciding whether or not to delete a blank portion generated on the recording medium when the data output means outputs a visible image to the recording medium, and the output control means has a blank portion. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an edit unit that deletes blank area data included in the plurality of print data from the plurality of print data when it is determined to delete the print data. 4. Output control means for determining whether or not to delete a blank page generated on the recording medium when the data output means outputs a visible image to the recording medium, and the output control means has a blank page. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an edit unit that deletes blank area data included in the plurality of print data from the plurality of print data when it is determined to delete the print data.