JP2006315403A - Printing controller, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the degree of freedom of design and also to reduce costs when a business form with a ground tint for restraining unjust copying is formed. <P>SOLUTION: A business form output apparatus 1 forms the business form by generating a security ground tint composed of a basic security ground tint which disappears when copying by a copying machine is carried out, and a hidden security ground tint which is clearly copied when copying by the copying machine is carried out, and by printing both the security ground tint and printing data by a printer 6. As the hidden security ground tint, a character string is printed which shows information different for every business form such as a consecutive number given to each continuous-form paper, a name of a distribution destination of each business form, or a printing date and time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus that prints a form with a copy-checking copy-forgery-inhibited pattern that checks copying for an illegal purpose, and a recording medium that stores the control program.

  Conventionally, paper on which a copy check pattern is printed has been used for important documents such as gold vouchers and seal certificates. A copy check pattern is a pattern that partially disappears when copied by a copying machine and only partially reproduced. For example, it looks like a fine geometric pattern. Is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Copying a form with a copy-checking copy-forgery-inhibited pattern only provides a copy that can be clearly seen as a duplicate, and therefore has the effect of checking the copy for an illegal purpose. Conventionally, when creating a document with a copy check pattern, a sheet on which a copy check pattern has already been printed is purchased and set in a printer.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-151854

  However, when creating a document with a copy check pattern, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the cost of the paper because a dedicated paper must always be purchased and cannot be replaced with an inexpensive paper.

  Further, when a dedicated printer cannot be prepared for paper with a copy check pattern, it takes time to replace plain paper and paper with a copy check pattern, resulting in a reduction in work efficiency. For example, when a copy check pattern is to be added only to a part of a document, such as when a copy check pattern is to be added only to a specific page of a multi-page document, the paper must be definitely replaced each time. There was a problem that the efficiency was significantly reduced. When there are a plurality of places where a copy check pattern is necessary, or when a plurality of forms are printed, there is a problem that workability is extremely lowered.

  In addition, since documents and forms printed on paper with copy check patterns are regarded as official originals, the paper with copy check patterns before printing may be misused. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures against theft and loss of the paper before printing, which increases the management cost.

  Further, since a sheet on which only a copy check pattern is printed in advance is required, if the number of types of sheets is increased, the management cost, the printing cost, and the like increase significantly. However, if the number of paper types is reduced, only similar forms can be created, and there is a problem that the design is restricted.

  Furthermore, if the number of paper types is reduced in order to reduce costs, the characters that emerge during copying must be changed to general-purpose character strings such as "copy", "copy", and "invalid". It was difficult to use.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve the degree of freedom of design and reduce the cost when creating a form with a tint block that checks illegal copying.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention has the following features. In the following description of the means, the configuration corresponding to the embodiment is shown as an example in parentheses. Reference numerals and the like are reference numerals for drawings to be described later.

The invention according to claim 1
In a print control device that creates a printed matter by a printing device,
A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generation unit (for example, the CPU 2 that performs the processing shown in FIG. 8) that generates a copy-checking copy-forgery-inhibited pattern that consists of a copy-disappearing pattern that is difficult to be copied by a copying machine and a copy-reading remaining pattern that can be copied by a copying machine;
Control means (for example, the CPU 2 that performs the processing shown in FIG. 9) that creates the printed matter by printing the copy check pattern generated by the pattern generation unit on a print medium together with print data;
With
The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generation unit generates a copy-checked copy-forgery-inhibited pattern including a common pattern common to a plurality of the printed materials and a residual pattern at the time of copying, which includes a variable pattern indicating unique information according to a distribution destination.

  Here, the lost pattern at the time of copying is, for example, a pattern that is composed of dots having a size smaller than the resolution at the time of reading the original of the copying machine and cannot be completely reproduced by the copying machine or is difficult. Further, examples of the disappearing pattern at the time of copying and the remaining pattern at the time of copying include a geometric pattern and a logo mark, but may be a character string. Furthermore, examples of the printing medium include paper and a film made of a synthetic resin. However, a cloth may be used, and there is no particular limitation as long as an image can be fixed by a printing apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the printing control apparatus for creating a printed matter by the printing apparatus, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern which is difficult to be copied by the copying machine and the remaining pattern at the time of copying which can be copied by the copying machine are used by the background pattern generating means. A copy check copy is created by printing the print check copy with the print data on the print medium together with the print data. In the copied product, the disappeared pattern at the time of copying disappears and only the remaining pattern at the time of copying is printed. Therefore, the duplicate obtained by the copying machine differs in appearance from the original printed matter, and it becomes clear that the copy has been made. Therefore, copying for an illegal purpose does not make sense. As a result, duplication for illegal purposes can be suppressed and the print contents can be protected. Furthermore, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generation unit generates a copy-check pattern that includes a common pattern common to a plurality of printed materials and a variable pattern that indicates unique information according to the distribution destination. As a result of the name of the distribution destination appearing as a remaining pattern at the time of copying, it becomes clear to which distribution destination the copy is copied from the printed material. Accordingly, when the printed material is copied, the distribution destination of the printed material used as the original copy source can be specified, so that illegal copying can be strongly suppressed.
In addition, it is not necessary to prepare special print media such as dedicated paper in advance, and general print media can be used, so even if important printed materials are created, the print media before printing is strictly There is no need to manage. As a result, the cost of the print medium can be reduced, and the management cost can be reduced. Further, since a print medium that is common to a printed matter that does not require a copy check pattern can be used, the trouble of replacing the print medium can be saved. Then, since the copy check pattern generated by the copy pattern generation means is printed, there is no risk of increasing the cost even if the number of copy check patterns is increased, so that the desired copy check pattern can be used according to the situation, A desired printed matter can be created without being restricted.

According to the printing control apparatus of the invention described in claim 1 and the recording medium described in claim 6, it is apparent that the duplicate obtained by the copying machine is different from the original printed matter in appearance and copied. Therefore, copying for illegal purposes does not make sense. As a result, duplication for illegal purposes can be suppressed and the print contents can be protected. Further, when the printed material is copied, the name of the distribution destination appears as a residual pattern at the time of copying, and as a result, it becomes clear from which distribution material the copy is copied. Therefore, when the printed material is copied, the distribution destination of the printed material used as the original copy source can be specified, so that unauthorized copying can be strongly suppressed.
In addition, it is not necessary to prepare special print media such as dedicated paper in advance, and general print media can be used, so even if important printed materials are created, the print media before printing is strictly There is no need to manage. As a result, the cost of the print medium can be reduced, and the management cost can be reduced. Further, since a print medium that is common to a printed matter that does not require a copy check pattern can be used, the trouble of replacing the print medium can be saved. Then, since the copy check pattern generated by the copy pattern generation means is printed, there is no risk of increasing the cost even if the number of copy check patterns is increased, so that the desired copy check pattern can be used according to the situation, A desired printed matter can be created without being restricted.

  According to the print control device of the invention described in claim 3, management information relating to the printed matter created by the printing device, for example, information such as the document name of the printed matter, the person in charge of printing, the printing date and time, the storage location after printing, etc. is stored. Since it is stored in the means, it is possible to easily manage printed matter with copy check patterns. In addition, since the management information is stored in the print control apparatus, it is possible to firmly prevent recording mistakes and intentional alterations compared to the case where management is performed manually after printing, and the printed matter can be managed more reliably.

  According to the print control apparatus of the invention described in claim 4, the original print control means causes the original proof pattern, which is difficult to be copied by the copying machine, to be printed on the print medium together with the copy check background pattern and the print data, thereby limiting the original print restriction. Since the number of times of printing the original proof pattern for one piece of print data is limited to one by the means, only a part of the printed matter on which the original proof pattern indicating the original is printed is created. As a result, the original on which the copy check pattern and the original proof pattern are printed is not duplicated. For this reason, while the copying by the copying machine is checked by the copy check ground pattern and the original proof pattern, by preventing the copy of the printed matter as the original, the printed content can be protected more reliably and the reliability can be improved. .

  According to the printing control apparatus of the invention described in claim 5, the regular copy printing control means prints the regular copy certification pattern, which is difficult to be copied by the copying machine, on the print medium together with the copy check pattern and print data. The number of distribution destinations corresponding to the printed matter on which the regular copy certificate pattern is printed is acquired by the number acquisition unit, and the number of times the regular copy certificate pattern is printed for one print data by the regular copy print control unit is limited to the original printing The number of distribution destinations acquired by the distribution destination number acquisition means is limited to the number of distribution destinations. Does not print. As a result, the printed matter on which the copy check pattern and the regular copy certification pattern are printed is not duplicated more than necessary. For this reason, while copying by a copying machine is controlled by a copy check ground pattern and a regular copy proof pattern, the print content as an original is prevented from being excessively printed, thereby protecting the print contents more reliably and improving reliability. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a form output device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a form output device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, a storage device 4, a storage medium 5 included in the storage device 4, a printing device 6, a display unit 7, An input unit 8 and a transmission control unit 9 are provided, and each unit is connected by a bus 10.

  The CPU 2 reads out a system program stored in the storage device 4, such as a program file 4 b, expands and executes it in a work area in the RAM 3, and drives and controls each part of the form output device 1. In addition, the CPU 2 reads and executes the business application file 4a in the storage device 4 in accordance with the input instruction from the input unit 8, and executes various business corresponding to the input instruction such as order / delivery management, creation of invoices and quotations, etc. Execute the process.

  Then, the CPU 2 generates display information for displaying the form created by the business process, the input content in the input unit 8, and the like, outputs the display information to the display unit 7, and causes the display unit 7 to display various screens.

In addition, the CPU 2 executes a security pattern generation process (FIG. 8) to generate a security pattern, and stores the generated security pattern data in the storage device 4 as a security pattern data file 4d.
Note that the security background pattern generated here is a background pattern printed on the form by the form output device 1, and is composed of a basic security background pattern and a hidden security background pattern.

Of these, the basic security pattern is visible as a pattern on the form, and disappears without being reproduced when copied by a copying machine. The basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is printed in an area designated in the form, such as an area in which transaction contents are printed.
On the other hand, the hidden security copy-forgery is printed at a predetermined position so as to overlap the basic security copy-forgery and is difficult to see on the form due to the basic security copy-forgery, but is clearly copied when copied by a copying machine.

  Therefore, the form with the security background pattern printed by the form output device 1 can visually recognize a uniform pattern of the basic security background pattern and the hidden security background pattern on the surface. Further, the basic security pattern is not reproduced on the duplicate obtained by copying the form with the security pattern with the copying machine, and only the hidden security pattern is clearly copied. For this reason, the form printed by the form output device 1 can be easily distinguished from a copy obtained by copying the form with a copying machine.

  Further, the CPU 2 executes a print control process described later, stores print data generated by the application in the print data memory 3a, and stores data related to the form of the form in the form data memory 3b. Further, an individual security copy-forgery pattern set individually for each form is generated, combined with data in the security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data file 4d, and stored in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3c. Then, the data in the print data memory 3a, the form data memory 3b, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3c are output to the printer driver, and the printing device 6 prints a form with a security copy-forgery.

  The RAM 3 forms a work area that temporarily stores system programs executed by the CPU 2, various application programs, and data related to these programs. The RAM 3 includes a print memory 31 that stores data for printing a form.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the print memory 31. As shown in FIG. 2, in the print memory 31, memory areas of a print data memory 3a, a form data memory 3b, and a tint block data memory 3c are formed.

  The print data memory 3a is a memory area in which print data such as a supplier name, a product name, and an amount of money printed on a form created by the form output device 1 is stored.

  The form data memory 3b is a memory area for storing data related to the form of the form, such as the title of the form created by the form output device 1, the date entry field, and the printing position of the ruled line.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3 c is a memory area in which data relating to the security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern on the form created by the form output device 1 is stored.

  The storage device 4 has a storage medium 5 in which a program, data, and the like are stored in advance as a recording medium in the present invention, and the storage medium 5 is configured by a magnetic, optical recording medium, or semiconductor memory. Yes. The storage medium is fixedly attached to the storage device or is detachably mounted. The storage medium includes the system program, various application programs corresponding to the system, a print control processing program, and each process. Data processed by the program, document data, etc. are stored.

  The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 5 are received from the transmission control unit 9 via a transmission medium such as a network line from a part or all of the server or client and stored. In addition, the storage medium 5 may be a storage medium of a server constructed on a network. Furthermore, the program may be transmitted to a server or a client via a transmission medium such as a network line and installed in these devices.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a file structure in the storage device 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage device 4 includes a business application file 4a, a program file 4b, a form form data file 4c, and a security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data file. 4d, print data file 4e, security pattern A file 4f, security pattern B file 4g, security form definition file 4h, distribution destination table file 4i, sequential number management table file 4j, and document management file 4k are stored. .

Among these, the business application file 4a is a file of various application programs executed by the CPU 2 in the form output device 1, and includes, for example, an application program for performing various business processes such as creation of a written estimate and an invoice. It is a file.
The program file 4b is a file such as a system program for controlling each part of the form output device 1 by the CPU 2.

  The form data file 4c includes a form of a form printed out by the printing device 6 of the form output apparatus 1, that is, data relating to the form / format of the form. For example, for each form such as an estimate, an invoice, an invoice, etc., data for defining the ruled line and the printing position of various information such as customer name, product name, price, etc. is included.

The security pattern data file 4d includes data related to the security pattern generated by the security pattern generation process (FIG. 8).
Further, the print data file 4e is data for printing a form generated when the business application file 4a is executed by the CPU 2. For example, a product described in each form such as an estimate, an invoice, and an invoice Name, price, supplier name, etc. are included.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the security pattern A file 4f includes data of a plurality of patterns that can be printed on a form as a basic security pattern.
In the example shown in FIG. 4A, data of two patterns “standard 1” and “standard 2” are stored. In the security background pattern generation process (FIG. 8), one of these two patterns is stored. A basic security pattern is generated using the pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the security pattern B file 4g includes data related to a plurality of character strings to be printed on a form as a hidden security background pattern. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the character string “copy invalid” is included as “standard 1”, and the character string “COPY” as “standard 2” and “standard 3” as “standard 3”. The character string “copy prohibited” is included.

  In the security tint block generation process (FIG. 8), a hidden security tint block is generated based on any character string in the security pattern B file 4g.

  The hidden security pattern is not particularly limited, and a desired pattern can be used. In this embodiment, the pattern shown in FIG. 4C is used as an example. Shall be.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the security form definition file 4h. As shown in FIG. 5, the security form definition file 4h is composed of various data for printing a security background pattern on the form by the printing apparatus 6.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the name of the printer to be used is set in the item “DEV”, and the form name is set in the item “NAME”. The form name of the form is set in the item “FORM”, and the file name of the security pattern data file 4d in which the security pattern data is set is set in the item “SEQ-FORM”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the security form definition file 4h includes data related to the individual security background pattern set in the print control process (FIGS. 9 to 12).

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the item “SEQ-DT” of the security form definition file 4h is set with an individual security tint block type.
In the first embodiment, as the type of individual security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern, “$ HAIHU”, which indicates a case where it is generated based on the distribution destination name, is generated based on the system date, as shown in the margin of FIG. Three types, “$ SYS # DATE” indicating the case and “$ NUMBER” indicating the case of generating based on the serial number of the form, can be set.

  In addition, as data included in the security form definition file 4h, the item “SEQ-PATb” is set with the form and color of the individual security pattern, and the item “DT-START” is set with the print start position of the individual security pattern. In the item “DT-SIZE”, the print size of the individual security pattern is set. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that only one type of pattern shown in FIG. 4C is used as the form of the individual security tint block set in the item “SEQ-PATb”.

  Furthermore, as shown in the margin of FIG. 5, the file name of the security form definition file 4h is “form name.Seqdef” with a predetermined extension added to the form name. That is, the security form definition file 4 h is generated for each form with a name corresponding to the name of each form and stored in the storage device 4.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the distribution destination table file 4i includes data in which form names, distribution destinations, and distribution numbers are associated with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the distribution destination corresponding to the form “mitumori1” is “▲▲▲ industrial”, and the distribution number is only one. Further, the distribution destination of the form “kikaku1” is “XX department manager, XX section manager, Δ △ section manager, Mr. □□”, and the number of distribution is four. Furthermore, the distribution destination of the form “kikaku2” is “XX department manager, △ section manager, □ section manager”, and the number of distribution is set to three.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the serial number management table file 4j includes data in which the form name is associated with the final serial number. Here, the serial number is a serial number assigned to each form when each form is printed, and the last number of the serial number is set in the serial number management table file 4j.
In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the last serial number of the form “c-list1” is “02103”. That is, since serial numbers from “1” to “02103” have already been assigned, the number of printed pages is 2,103. Similarly, it can be seen that the form with the form name “c-list2” has already been printed on 192 sheets. The last serial number in the serial number management table file 4j is updated each time a form is printed and a new number is assigned.

  A printing apparatus 6 shown in FIG. 1 includes a printer such as a laser printer, an ink jet printer, or a sublimation printer, and drives and controls the printer according to the control of the CPU 2 to print out various forms. The printing method of the printer is not limited, but it is desirable that the printer can print with a resolution equivalent to the security pattern. In the present embodiment, a printer capable of color printing is described. However, a printer capable of only monochrome printing may be used.

  The display unit 7 includes a display screen such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (liquid crystal display screen), and controls the display screen according to display information input from the CPU 2 to display various screens.

  The input unit 8 includes a keyboard having numeric keys, character keys, and various function keys, generates an operation signal corresponding to the operated key, and outputs the operation signal to the CPU 2. The input unit 8 may include a pointing device such as a mouse, a tablet, or a touch pad. In this case, the input unit 8 is designated by the operation together with an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the pointing device. A signal indicating the relative position coordinates is generated and output to the CPU 2.

  The transmission control unit 9 is configured by a modem (MODEM / DEModulator), a terminal adapter (TA), or the like, and performs control for communication with an external device via a communication line such as a telephone line or an ISDN line. I do. In order to communicate with an external device such as a personal computer via a telephone line, the modem modulates digital data processed by the CPU into an analog signal suitable for the frequency band of the telephone line, and also via the telephone line. The terminal adapter converts the existing interface into an interface corresponding to ISDN in order to communicate with an external device such as a personal computer via an ISDN line. It is a device to do.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the operation of the form output device 1 and each file in the storage device 4. In the figure, a business application indicated by symbol A, a print control program indicated by symbol B, a form definition program indicated by symbol C, an individual security pattern generation program indicated by symbol D, and a printer driver indicated by symbol E are respectively The program executed by the CPU 2 at each stage is shown.

  First, when the business application indicated by symbol A is executed by the CPU 2 and a print job is generated based on the processing data of the business application, the CPU 2 executes a print control program indicated by symbol B.

  By executing the print control program, a form definition program indicated by symbol C is executed in accordance with an input instruction in the input unit 8, and based on the security pattern A file 4f and the security pattern B file 4g, a form data file 4c, a security background pattern A data file 4d is generated.

  Further, when executing the print control program, an individual security tint block generation program denoted by reference symbol D is executed based on the distribution destination table file 4i, serial number management table file 4j, and security pattern B file 4g.

  Then, in the print control program, the form data file 4c, the security pattern data file 4d, the print data file 4e, the security form definition file 4h, and the data obtained by the processing of the individual security pattern generation program are printed. Data is generated and output to the printer driver indicated by symbol E. Thereafter, the printer 6 indicated by symbol E controls the drive of the printing device 6 based on the data generated by the print control program, and the form is printed out.

Next, the security tint block generation process and the print control process executed by the CPU 2 will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
Here, a program for realizing each function described in these flowcharts is stored in a recording medium in the form of a readable program code, and the CPU 2 sequentially executes operations according to the program code. . Further, the CPU 2 can sequentially execute the operation according to the above-described program code transmitted through the transmission medium. That is, in addition to the recording medium, an operation specific to this embodiment can be executed using a program / data supplied externally via a transmission medium.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing security tint block generation processing executed by the CPU 2.
First, when a basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, color, print start position, and print size (size in the X direction and size in the Y direction) are input by the input operation in the input unit 8, the CPU 2 stores the input data. These are temporarily stored in the RAM 3 as SEQ-PATa, IRO, START, XSIZE, and YSIZE, respectively (step S11).

  Subsequently, the CPU 2 reads out the corresponding tint block pattern from the security pattern A file 4f using the SEQ-PATa data in the RAM 3 as a key, and stores it as PATa (step S12).

  The CPU 2 further sets the print color in accordance with the IRO data in the RAM 3, sets the print start point to the START position, and sets the print sizes in the X and Y directions to the input values of XSIZE and YSIZE, respectively. Based on these setting values, basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data is generated and stored in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3c of the print memory 31 (step S13).

  After that, the CPU 2 confirms with the operator whether or not the input relating to the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern has been completed (step S14). If there is an instruction, the process returns to step S11.

In step S15, the hidden security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern, color, print start position, and print size (size in the X direction and size in the Y direction) are input by the input operation in the input unit 8, and the CPU 2 receives the input data. Are temporarily stored in the RAM 3 as SEQ-PATb, IRO, START, XSIZE, and YSIZE, respectively.
Here, the print color, that is, IRO may be the same as the input value related to the basic security pattern in step S11.

  Subsequently, the CPU 2 reads out the corresponding tint block pattern from the security pattern B file 4g using the SEQ-PATb data in the RAM 3 as a key, and stores it as PATb (step S16).

  The CPU 2 further sets the print color according to the IRO data in the RAM 3, sets the start point of printing to the START position, and sets the sizes in the X and Y directions to the input values of XSIZE and YSIZE, respectively. Then, based on these set values, basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data is generated. The generated data is stored in the tint block data memory 3c (step S17).

  After that, the CPU 2 confirms with the operator whether or not the input related to the hidden security copy-forgery has been completed (step S18). If there is an input instruction indicating the completion, the CPU 2 proceeds to step S19 and inputs that the input has not been completed. If there is an instruction, the process returns to step S15.

  Then, the CPU 2 outputs the data stored in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3c to the security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data file 4d, that is, the form name (CYO-ID) .Sjimon file (step S19), and ends this process.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a print control process executed by the CPU 2. In FIG. 9, first, the CPU 2 acquires the form name to be printed as CYO-ID (step S21).

  Subsequently, the CPU 2 reads the CYO-ID.Seqdef file, that is, the security form definition file 4h corresponding to the acquired form name, based on the CYO-ID acquired in step S21 (step S22).

  If the corresponding security form definition file 4h does not exist (step S23; No), the CPU 2 executes a normal printing process without adding a security background pattern (step S24), and ends this process.

  If the corresponding security form definition file 4h exists (step S23; Yes), DEV, NAME, FORM, SEQ-FORM, SEQ-DT, SEQ-PATb, DT-START, DT from the security form definition file 4h. Data of each setting item such as -SIZE is acquired (step S25).

  Subsequently, the CPU 2 acquires the number of copies to be printed and sets it as a variable PR # CNT (step S26). Here, the number of copies to be printed may be obtained by searching the distribution destination table file 4i in the storage device 4 based on the form name and acquiring the number of distributions as the number of copies to be printed, or designated by the input unit 8 The number may be the number of copies.

  Subsequently, the CPU 2 acquires security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data based on the set value of SEQ-FORM acquired in step S25, and stores it in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3c (step S27).

  For example, if the security form definition file 4h is configured as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 2 acquires the file name “mitumori.Sjimon” set in SEQ-FORM in step S25. In step S27, a file having a file name “mitumori.Sjimon” is searched, and the data of the searched file is stored in the tint block data memory 3c.

  Further, the CPU 2 acquires form data based on the set value of FORM acquired in step S25, and stores it in the form data memory 3b (step S28). For example, if the security form definition file 4h has the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 2 acquires the file name “mitumori1.Form” in step S25. In step S28, the file having the file name “mitumori1.Form” is searched, and the data of the searched file is stored in the form data memory 3b.

  Thereafter, the CPU 2 acquires data generated by the business application that generated the print job, and stores it in the print data memory 3a (step S29).

  The CPU 2 executes individual security pattern generation processing (FIGS. 10 to 12) according to the set value of SEQ-DT acquired in step S25, and stores the generated individual security pattern in the background pattern data memory 3c (step S30).

  Thereafter, the CPU 2 decrements the value of PR # CNT (−1) (step S31), and then combines the data in the print data memory 3a, form data memory 3b, and tint block data memory 3c of the print memory 31. Data for form printing is generated and output to the printer driver (step S32).

  Then, the CPU 2 initializes the print memory 31 (step S33), and determines whether the value of PR # CNT has become 0 (zero) (step S34). If PR # CNT is not 0, the process returns to step S27 to continue the process. If the value of PR # CNT is 0, processing has been performed for all the forms to be printed, and thus this processing ends. Therefore, the print control process shown in FIG. 9 is executed until the value of PR # CNT, that is, the number of copies to be 0, is finished.

Next, the individual security tint block generation process executed in step S30 of FIG. 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process when an individual security pattern is generated using a serial number. The processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed when the set value of SEQ-DT in the security form definition file 4h is “$ NUMBER”.

In FIG. 10, the CPU 2 first acquires the contents of the serial number management table file 4j and temporarily stores them as NUMBER (step S41).
Then, using the PATb of the tint block pattern stored in step S16 (FIG. 8), the tint block of the number string stored as NUMBER is generated, and the generated tint block is stored as PATb # NO (step S42).

  Subsequently, the CPU 2 refers to the security form definition file 4h, acquires the setting value of DT # START, and stores it as START (step S43).

  Thereafter, the CPU 2 generates data for printing out the ground pattern stored as PATb # NO at the START position acquired in step S43, and stores it in the ground pattern data memory 3c (step S44).

  As described above, according to the processing shown in FIG. 10, in the print control processing of FIG. 9, a serial number unique to each form is printed as a part of the hidden security pattern.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing when an individual security copy-forgery pattern is generated using the name of the distribution destination. The process shown in FIG. 11 is executed when the set value of SEQ-DT in the security form definition file 4h is “$ HAIHU”.

  In FIG. 11, the CPU 2 first acquires the NAME setting value of the security form definition file 4h and temporarily stores it (step S51). Next, the CPU 2 searches the distribution destination table file 4i using the acquired NAME as a key, acquires the character string of the corresponding distribution destination name, and stores it as HAIHU # STR (step S52). HAIHU # STR is a character string including the names of all distribution destinations.

  Then, the CPU 2 cuts out the PR # CNT-th character string from HAIHU # STR and stores it as HAIHU (step S53). As a result, only the distribution destination name corresponding to the form currently being processed is extracted.

  The CPU 2 generates a background pattern of the character string stored as NAME using the background pattern PATb stored in step S16 (FIG. 8), and stores it as PATb # HAIHU (step S54).

  Subsequently, the CPU 2 refers to the security form definition file 4h, acquires the set value of DT # START, and stores it as START (step S55).

  The CPU 2 generates data for printing the PATb # HAIHU copy-forgery-inhibited pattern at the START position acquired in step S55, and stores it in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3c (step S56).

  As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 11, the name of the distribution destination corresponding to each form is printed as a part of the hidden security pattern in the print control process of FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing when an individual security copy-forgery is generated using the system date. The process shown in FIG. 12 is executed when the set value of SEQ-DT in the security form definition file 4h is “$ SYS # DATE”.

In FIG. 12, the CPU 2 first acquires the system date of the form output device 1 and temporarily stores it as SYS # DATE (step S61).
Further, the CPU 2 acquires the system time of the form output device 1 and stores it as SYS # TIME (step S62).

  Then, the CPU 2 generates a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern of SYS # DATE and SYS # TIME using the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern PATb in step S16 (FIG. 8), and stores the generated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern as PATb # DATETIME ( Step S63).

  Subsequently, the CPU 2 refers to the security form definition file 4h, acquires the setting value of DT # START, and stores it as START (step S64).

  The CPU 2 generates data for printing out the ground pattern stored as PATb # DATETIME at the START position acquired in step S64 and stores it in the ground pattern data memory 3c (step S65).

  As described above, according to the processing shown in FIG. 12, in the print control processing of FIG. 9, the date and time at the time of processing are printed on each form as a part of the hidden security pattern.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a security background pattern in the present embodiment. FIG. 13A shows an example of a printed security background pattern, and FIG. 13B shows a state copied by a copying machine.

In the example shown in FIG. 13A, the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 101 is printed over the entire frame, and the hidden security copy-forgery 102 with the character string “invalid” is further printed therein.
In the example shown in FIG. 13A, for convenience of explanation, the basic security pattern 101 and the hidden security pattern 102 are shown to be visually identifiable. However, in the form that is actually printed out, Visual discrimination is difficult, and it is difficult to recognize that there is a character string “invalid”.

The basic security pattern 101 and the hidden security pattern 102 shown in FIG. 13A change as shown in FIG. 13B after copying by the copying machine.
That is, the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 101 disappears by copying with a copying machine, while the hidden security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 102 is printed more clearly than the original shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of the security tint block shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 101 is composed of fine dots and blanks. On the other hand, the hidden security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 102 is composed of dots larger than the dots constituting the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 101 and blanks.

The dots constituting the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 101 have a size smaller than the resolution of a general copying machine and cannot be read by the copying machine or are very difficult, and therefore cannot be reproduced by copying by the copying machine.
However, since the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 101 is composed of a large number of dots, some pattern or color can be visually recognized on the original form.

  On the other hand, the dots constituting the hidden security pattern 102 conform to the resolution of the copying machine and can be easily read and reproduced by the copying machine. For this reason, it is printed clearly at the time of copying. However, in the state before copying, since it overlaps with the basic security pattern 101, it is difficult to visually recognize it.

  In addition, when the blank constituting the hidden security tint block is fine and has a size smaller than the resolution of the copying machine, it is difficult to read and reproduce the blank of the hidden security tint block with the copying machine. In this case, the hidden security pattern is printed darker than the original because dots are reproduced while blanks are not reproduced.

  Accordingly, when a form with a security copy-forgery is copied, the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 101 disappears, and the hidden security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern 102 is printed darker than the original copy source, resulting in a completely different form. Since it is clear that this form is a duplicate of a copy, it is possible to check for unauthorized copying.

Subsequently, as a form printed out by the form output apparatus 1, an estimate is illustrated as an example.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of form data stored in the form data memory 3b of the print memory 31 when an estimate is created. As shown in FIG. 15, the form data includes data on the form of the estimate such as the ruled line position of the form and the printing position of the date.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a security background pattern stored in the background pattern data memory 3c of the print memory 31 when the estimate is created.
The security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern shown in FIG. 16 is composed of a basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern indicated by F and a hidden security copy-forgery indicated by reference signs G and H in the figure.
The hidden security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is two character strings of “copy invalid” indicated by symbol G and “▲▲▲ industrial” indicated by symbol H. Among these, the character string “copy invalid” is selected from the security pattern B file 4g (FIG. 4B). The character string “▲▲▲ industrial” is a distribution destination name set in the distribution destination table file 4i (FIG. 6A) in association with the form name “mitumori1”.

  That is, the hidden security tint block indicated by the symbol G can be used for all the forms if selected by the instruction input, while the security tint block indicated by the symbol H is unique to the estimate named “mitumori1”. It is a security pattern.

Then, when the form data shown in FIG. 15 and the security background pattern shown in FIG. 16 are combined, a combined form as shown in FIG. 17 is obtained.
The composite form shown in FIG. 17 is a form of a form in which a security background pattern is arranged only in an area where a product name, a price, and the like are described in an estimate. For this reason, according to the synthetic form shown in FIG. 17, it is possible to check the copy of a part in which data such as a product name and a price is described.

  Next, the print data stored in the print data memory 3a of the print memory 31 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the print data memory 3a includes data to be generated by a business application and printed on a form, such as a product name and price.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a form obtained based on the composite form shown in FIG. 17 and the print data shown in FIG. Although it takes the form of an estimate, a security copy-forgery is printed on the portion where the price or product name is written.

When the form shown in FIG. 19 is copied by a copying machine, as shown in FIG. 20, the character strings “copy invalid” and “▲▲▲ industrial” printed as the hidden security background pattern clearly appear.
Accordingly, in copying by a copying machine, only a completely different copy from the original form created by the form output device 1 can be obtained, so that unauthorized copying can be checked.

  FIG. 21 illustrates a customer list as a form printed by the form output apparatus 1. In the customer lists shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, “copy prohibited” is printed as a hidden security pattern, and the name of the distribution destination generated by the individual security pattern generation process (FIG. 11) is also displayed. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is printed as “Suzuki B” and “Yamada K”, respectively.

  When the customer list shown in FIG. 21A is copied, a hidden security pattern “Suzuki B” appears as shown in FIG. This hidden security pattern is the name of the distribution destination of each form, and it is clear that this copy is a copy of the material distributed to “Suzuki B”.

That is, if a different distribution destination name for each form is printed as a hidden security pattern, the distribution destination of the form used as the original copy source can be specified when the form is copied. Therefore, unauthorized copying can be more strongly controlled.
In addition, in the individual security pattern generation process (FIGS. 10 to 12), when the system date and the sequential number of the form are printed as a hidden security pattern, the date of printing the form that is the original copy is similarly applied. Or you can specify the serial number.

  As described above, according to the form output device 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention, the security pattern stored in the storage device 4 is executed by the CPU 2 by executing the security tint block generation process (FIG. 8). Based on the settings in the A file 4f, the security pattern B file 4g, and the security form definition file 4h, a security background pattern including a basic security pattern that disappears during copying and a hidden security pattern that is clearly copied during copying is generated. Are stored in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3c, and the print data in the print data memory 3a, the form data in the form data memory 3b, and the security copy-forgery in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data memory 3c are printed by the printing device 6 through the print control process (FIG. 9). To make a form.

  Thereby, it is possible to easily create a form on which the print data and the security pattern are printed. When the created form is copied by a copying machine, the basic copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is not copied in the obtained duplicate, and the hidden security-type copy is clearly copied. At first glance, it is different from the original form. For this reason, even if copying is performed for an illegal purpose, it does not make sense, so that unauthorized copying can be suppressed.

  Further, since the security background pattern is printed by the printing device 6, a common printing paper can be used for printing a normal form without a security background pattern and for printing a form with a security background pattern. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the cost of printing paper, and by using printing paper of various designs, it is possible to easily create a form with high designability while having a security background pattern. Further, even when a normal form and a form with a security background pattern are printed alternately, it is possible to save work such as replacement of printing paper and improve work efficiency.

  Further, as a hidden security pattern, in addition to general-purpose character strings such as “copy” and “invalid”, the name of the distribution destination, the serial number for each form set in the serial number management table file 4j, the printing date and time, etc. Information unique to each form can be printed. In other words, the hidden copy-forgery-inhibited pattern that is different for each original form is printed on the duplicate obtained by copying the form created by the form output device 1 with the copying machine, so that the original form is specified. It is possible to strongly restrain copying for illegal purposes.

  In the first embodiment, the pattern used for the hidden security pattern and the individual security pattern is only one type shown in FIG. 4C, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of patterns may be set in the security pattern B file 4g shown in FIG. 4B, and a desired pattern may be designated from the plurality of patterns.

  In the print control process shown in FIG. 9, each form is printed one by one. However, it is possible to process a form composed of a plurality of pages. In this case, if the configuration for generating a security pattern for each page is set, a variety of different security patterns can be set for each page, and a form with a mixture of pages with security patterns and pages without security patterns. However, it can print quickly.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the form output device 1 prints out two types of forms, a form used as an original and a form used as a regular copy.

  In the second embodiment, parts having the same configuration as the form output device 1 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a configuration of the document management file 4k according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 23, in the document management file 4k, a form name and a last update date and time when each form is updated are set in association with each other. Furthermore, the document management file 4k is set with the date and time when the form was printed out, the name of the person who performed the output, the output category, the storage location of the output form, the name of the person responsible for the output, the output purpose, and the print count. Is done.

Note that a numerical value “1” or “2” is set as the print category. The print category “1” indicates printing of the original, and the print category “2” indicates normal multiple printing.
The print count indicates the number of printed copies. For example, when two copies are printed together, “2” is set.

  For example, in the third record from the top in FIG. 23, the output person “Taro Yamada” printed “two copies” of “regular copy” at “1:34 pm on March 30, 2000”. It is shown that.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the configuration of the security form definition file 4h in the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the security form definition file 4h is set with a printer name, form name, form name, security pattern data name, and the like.

  The security form definition file 4h includes data for printing the original form and the form as a regular copy by the form output device 1.

  For example, in the security form definition file 4h shown in FIG. 24, an item “DEV” in which a printer name is set, an item “NAME” in which a form name is set, “FORM” in which a form name is set, and print control Contains the data of each item of “SEQ-FORM” in which the file name of the program and security pattern data file is set.

  In addition, as the data related to the original printing, the item “GEN-PR” is set to the original certification character string printed on the form as the original certification, and the item “GEN-PR-MEN” is the original certification. The print side to be printed is set, the item "GEN-PR-COLOR" is set to the original certificate print color, the item "GEN-PR-FONT" is set to the original certificate font, and the item "GEN-PR-FONT" In “GEN-PR-START”, the print start position of the original certificate is set.

  In addition, in the security form definition file 4h, as data related to regular copy printing, the item “COP-PR” is set with a character string of a regular copy certificate printed on the form as proof of regular copy. "COP-PR-MEN" is set to the printing side to print the regular copy certificate, item "COP-PR-COLOR" is set to the print color of the regular copy certificate, and item "COP-PR-FONT" Is set to the font of the regular copy certificate, and the item “COP-PR-START” is set to the print start position of the regular copy certificate.

  Therefore, based on the data of each item set in the security form definition file 4h, the original certification character string is printed on the original form, and the regular copy certification character string is printed on the regular copy form. Can be printed.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the print control process. In FIG. 24, since the form name to be printed is input by operating the input unit 8, the CPU 2 stores the form name as CYOUHYO in the RAM 3 (step S101).

  Subsequently, since the print type indicating whether to print the original or normal copy is input, the CPU 2 stores the input type as SYUBETSU in the RAM 3 (step S102).

  Next, when the output person name is input, the CPU 2 stores the input content as P-TANTOU in the RAM 3 (step S103).

  Thereafter, similarly, when the storage location is input, the CPU 2 stores the input content as HOKAN in the RAM 3 (step S104), and when the storage person is input, stores the input content as H-TANTOU in the RAM 3 (step S104). Further, when an output purpose is input, the input content is stored in the RAM 3 as MOKUTEKI (step S106).

  Then, the CPU 2 opens the form designated in step S101, that is, the form stored in the RAM 3 with the form name CYOUHYO (step S107), refers to the document management file 4k corresponding to this form, and determines the last update date and time. Acquired and stored in the RAM 3 as MODY-DATE, and proceeds to step S109 (step S108).

  In step S109, the CPU 2 refers to the security form definition file 4h, DEV, NAME, FORM, SEQ # FORM, GEN-PR, GEN-PR-MEN, GEN-PR-COLOR, GEN-PR-FONT, GEN -PR-START, COP-PR, COP-PR-MEN, COP-PR-COLOR, COP-PR-FONT, COP-PR-START, etc.

  Thereafter, the CPU 2 proceeds to step S110, acquires security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern data based on the acquired setting value of SEQ # FORM in the RAM 3, stores it again in the RAM 3 as SEQ-FORM, and proceeds to step S111.

  In step S111, the CPU 2 acquires the form data set in the acquired FORM in the RAM 3, stores it as CYO-FORM, and proceeds to step S112. In step S112, SEQ-FORM and CYO-FORM are synthesized and stored in the print memory 31.

Subsequently, in step S113, the CPU 2 reads the document management file 4k, and proceeds to step S114 to determine whether or not the set value of SYUBETSU is “1”, that is, whether or not the original is printed. To do.
When the original is printed (step S114; Yes), the process proceeds to step S115. When the regular copy is printed (step S114; No), the process proceeds to step S117.

  In step S115, CPU 2 sets the character string to be printed to the set value of GEN-PR, sets the print side to GEN-PR-MEN, sets the print color to GEN-PR-COLOR, and sets the font to GEN-PR. Set to PR-FONT, set the print start position to GEN-PR-START, and store the set value in the print memory 31.

  Then, the CPU 2 performs update processing and printing processing of the document management file 4k based on various information related to printing (step S116), and ends this processing.

  When printing regular copies, CPU2 sets the character string to be printed to the COP-PR setting value, sets the print side to COP-PR-MEN, and sets the print color to COP-PR-COLOR. Then, the font is set to COP-PR-FONT, the print start position is set to COP-PR-START, and the set value is stored in the print memory 31 (step S117).

  Thereafter, the CPU 2 performs update processing and printing processing of the document management file 4k based on various information related to printing (step S118), and ends this processing.

  Here, the document management file 4k update / print processing in step S116 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 27 shows the update / print processing of the document management file 4k when the original is printed.
First, the CPU 2 indexes the document management file 4k based on the setting value of the form name CYOUHYO acquired in step S101 and the setting value of the last update date and time MODY-DATE acquired in step S108 (step S121).

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is a corresponding record (step S122), and if there is a corresponding record, the present process is terminated as it is. If there is no corresponding record, 1 is set in the print count P-CNT (step S123), and then 1 is set in the category KBN (step S124).

  Then, the CPU 2 newly adds the document management file 4k to the document management file 4k based on the set values of KBN and P-CNT set in step S124 and the set values of H-TANTOU and MOKUTEKI acquired in the print control process (FIG. 25). A new record is recorded to update the document management file 4k (step S125), and the process proceeds to step S126.

In step S126, the data in the print memory 31 is output to the printer driver to execute printing, and the process ends.
With the above processing, the document management file 4k is updated each time a necessary original is printed, and since the original that has already been printed is not printed again, unauthorized printing of the original can be suppressed, and the form can be saved. It can be managed easily and reliably.

  Next, update processing of the document management file 4k in step S119 (FIG. 26) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 28 shows the update process of the document management file 4k when a regular duplicate is printed.
First, the CPU 2 indexes the document management file 4k based on the setting value of the form name CYOUHYO acquired in step S101 and the setting value of the last update date and time MODY-DATE acquired in step S108 (step S131).

Then, it is determined whether or not there is a corresponding record (step S132). If there is no corresponding record, 1 is set to the print count P-CNT (step S133), and the process proceeds to step S135 described later.
If there is a corresponding record, the value of the print count P-CNT of the record is incremented (+1) (step S134), and the process proceeds to step S135.

  In step S135, the distribution destination name setting value is acquired from the distribution destination table file 4i based on the setting value of CYOUHYO.

  Then, the CPU 2 proceeds to step S136, acquires the number of distribution destination names with “,” included in the acquired distribution destination name as a delimiter, and sets it in HAIHU-CNT. For example, if the distribution table file 4i is set to correspond to the setting value of CYOUHYO, such as “XX department manager, XX section manager, △△ section manager, Mr. □□”, CPU 2 sets “,” Recognizing a break, the number of distribution destination elements is determined to be “4”.

  Subsequently, CPU 2 determines whether or not the value of P-CNT exceeds the value of HAIHU-CNT (step S137). If the value of P-CNT is larger than the value of HAIHU-CNT, The process ends.

  On the other hand, when the value of P-CNT is equal to or less than HAIHU-CNT (step S137; No), the CPU 2 sets “2” in the category KBN (step S138).

  Then, the CPU 2 sets the document management file 4k based on the setting values of KBN and P-CNT set in steps S137 to 138 and the setting values of H-TANTOU and MOKUTEKI acquired in the print control process (FIG. 25). A new record is recorded in the file and the document management file 4k is updated (step S139).

  Thereafter, the CPU 2 outputs the data in the print memory 31 to the printer driver to execute printing (step S140), and ends this process.

  As a result of the above processing, regular copies are printed only for the number of distribution destinations, so that the number of printed copies can be easily and reliably managed.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen in the print control process (FIG. 25). The input screen shown in FIG. 29 is displayed by the display unit 7 when inputting items such as a form name to be output, a category, an output person name, a storage location, a storage person, and an output purpose prior to the print control process. It is a screen to be. The operator can output a desired form by inputting each item in accordance with the instructions on this screen.

Next, an example of a form printed by the form output apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form printed as an original by the form output apparatus 1. In FIG. 30, as indicated by the symbol L, the original printed character string certifying the original is printed on the form printed as the original. In the example shown in FIG. 30, it is “original”.

  As described above, the print color of the original certificate indicated by the symbol L is the color set as GEN-PR-COLOR in the security form definition file 4h (FIG. 24). It is a color that is difficult to read by and easy to disappear during copying.

  30 is printed with a basic security pattern indicated by the symbol J and a hidden security pattern indicated by the symbol K. As described above, the basic security pattern is lost when copying by a copying machine, and the hidden security pattern is clearly copied when copying by a copying machine.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form printed as a regular copy by the form output apparatus 1. In FIG. 31, as indicated by the symbol M, the form printed as a regular copy is printed with a character string of a regular copy certificate that certifies that it is a regular copy. In the example shown in FIG. COPY ".

  Further, as described above, the print color of the regular copy certificate indicated by the symbol M is the color set as COP-PR-COLOR in the security form definition file 4h (FIG. 24). Similar to the print color of the original proof, it is a color that is difficult to read by a copying machine and is easily lost during copying.

  FIG. 32 shows an example in which the forms shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 are copied by a copying machine. As shown in FIG. 32, when an original or a regular copy form is copied by a copying machine, the original copy certificate indicated by L in FIG. 30 and the normal copy certificate indicated by M in FIG. Both disappear and are not reproduced.

  Also, the basic security copy-forgery indicated by the reference symbol J is lost during copying, and only the hidden security copy-forgery indicated by the reference symbol K is clearly copied. For this reason, in copying by a copying machine, only a clear copy that is an unauthorized copy can be obtained.

FIG. 33 shows an example in which a system date is printed as a hidden security pattern on a form printed as a regular copy.
In the form shown in FIG. 33, in addition to the basic security pattern indicated by the symbol J and the hidden security pattern indicated by the symbol K, a hidden security pattern of the system date indicated by the symbol N is printed. Further, as indicated by a symbol M, a character string of a regular copy certificate is printed.

FIG. 34 shows a case where the form shown in FIG. 33 is copied by a copying machine.
As shown in FIG. 33, the basic security copy-forgery-inhibited pattern indicated by symbol J and the regular copy certificate indicated by symbol M are lost during copying and are not reproduced.

  On the other hand, the hidden security background pattern indicated by the symbol K in FIG. 33 is clearly printed, and the hidden security background pattern of the system date indicated by the symbol N is also clearly printed.

  Therefore, it is clear that the form obtained by copying is an unauthorized copy by a copying machine, and the date and time of printing of the form that is the original copy source is clear, so it is necessary to check for stronger and unauthorized copies. In addition, it is possible to identify the form that became the original in the case of illegal copying.

FIG. 35 shows an example in which serial numbers are printed as hidden security patterns on a form printed as a regular copy.
In the form shown in FIG. 35, a basic security background pattern indicated by reference numeral J, a hidden security background pattern indicated by reference numeral K, and a hidden security background pattern having a serial number indicated by reference numeral O are printed. Further, as indicated by a symbol M, a character string of a regular copy certificate is printed.

FIG. 36 shows a case where the form shown in FIG. 35 is copied by a copying machine.
As shown in FIG. 35, in FIG. 35, the basic security copy-forgery pattern indicated by the symbol J and the regular copy certificate indicated by the symbol M are lost during copying and are not reproduced.

  On the other hand, the hidden security tint block indicated by the symbol K in FIG. 35 is clearly printed, and further, the consecutive hidden security tint block indicated by the symbol O is clearly printed.

  Therefore, it is clear that the form obtained by copying is an illegal copy by a copying machine, and the serial number of the original form of the copy source is clear, so that the illegal copy can be checked more strongly. Can do. Further, in the case of illegal copying, it is possible to easily identify the original form and information such as the storage location and the person in charge of management from the serial number.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, on the form printed as the original, the character string of the original certificate indicating the original is printed, and the form is printed as the regular copy. A character string of a regular copy certificate indicating that the copy is a regular copy is printed. Then, the character string of the original certificate and the character string of the regular copy certificate are printed so as to disappear when copied by the copying machine. Further, management information such as the form name, the last update date, the classification of the original and the regular copy, the person in charge of output, the storage location, etc. is stored as a document management file 4k for the form created by the form output device 1, and this document management file According to the contents in 4k, by controlling the printing of the document with the original certificate character string and the regular copy certificate character string, the number of copies of the original document is limited to one, and the form is printed as a regular copy. The number of copies is limited to the number of distribution destinations.

Therefore, by storing the document management file 4k, it is possible to easily manage a form with a security background pattern. In particular, when the document management file 4k is stored in the form output apparatus 1, management is performed manually. Compared to this, it is possible to firmly prevent mistakes in recording and intentional alteration of information, and to securely protect the forms.
In addition, by printing the original text string and the regular copy certificate text string, it is proved that the original and the regular copy, while the number of copies of the original and the regular copy is limited. Can be prevented, and unnecessary printing by the form output device 1 can be prevented, so that print data can be reliably protected and reliability can be improved.

  In particular, the contents of the document management file 4k are updated at the time of printing an original and a regular copy, and the number of copies is limited based on the contents in the document management file 4k, which affects the work such as the passage of time and processing distribution. It is possible to make a limit without fail.

  In the second embodiment described above, the character string of the original certificate and the character string of the regular copy certificate are printed in the print color set in the security form definition file 4h. It is not limited to this, and it may be printed as a part of the hidden security pattern, or the same print color and pattern as the basic security pattern and the hidden security pattern at a printing position away from the security pattern. You may make it print with. Further, the form name, type, person in charge name, etc. to be printed are input by the input unit 8, but only input based on a specific input means or input method may be accepted.

  In addition, the setting items in the document management file 4k are merely examples, and the configuration thereof is arbitrary, and it is needless to say that specific detailed configurations can be changed as appropriate.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the form output device 1 in 1st Embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure in the print memory 31 shown in FIG. 1 in detail. It is a figure which shows the file structure in the memory | storage device 4 shown in FIG. 1 in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of each file shown in FIG. 3, in which (a) shows a security pattern A file 4f, (b) shows a security pattern B file 4g, and (c) is used for a hidden security background pattern. An example of a pattern to be displayed is shown. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the security form definition file 4h shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of each file shown in FIG. 3, where (a) shows a distribution destination table file 4i, and (b) shows a serial number management table file 4j. It is a figure which shows the relationship between operation | movement of the form output device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and each file in the memory | storage device 4 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the security tint block generation process performed by the form output device 1 of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print control process executed by the form output device 1 in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the example which performs the separate security tint block generation process in step S30 of FIG. 9 using a serial number. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the individual security tint block generation process in step S30 of FIG. 9 is performed using the name of a distribution destination. It is a flowchart which shows the example which performs the separate security tint block generation process in step S30 of FIG. 9 using a system date. It is a figure which shows the example of the security background pattern in this 1st Embodiment, (a) shows the security background pattern printed on a form by the form output device 1, (b) shows the security background pattern shown in (a). Shows the case of copying with a copier. It is a principal part enlarged view of the security background pattern shown to Fig.13 (a). It is a figure which shows the example of the form data of the form printed out in the 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the security background pattern of the form printed out in the 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the synthetic | combination form obtained by synthesize | combining the form data shown in FIG. 15, and the security tint block shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the print data of the form printed out in the 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the form obtained by printing the synthetic form shown in FIG. 17, and the print data shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a case where the form shown in FIG. 19 is copied by a copying machine. It is a figure which shows the example of the form printed out in this 1st Embodiment, (a) And (b) shows the example of the form on which the individual security background pattern was printed based on the name of the distribution destination. It is a figure which shows the case where the form shown to Fig.21 (a) and (b) is copied with the copying machine. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the document management file 4k in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the security form definition file 4h in the 2nd embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing according to the second embodiment. 27 is a flowchart showing in detail the update / print process of the document management file 4k executed in step S116 of FIG. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing in detail an update / print process of a document management file 4k executed in step S118 of FIG. 26. FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen displayed by the display unit 7 in the print control process shown in FIG. 25. It is a figure which shows the example of the form printed out as an original in this 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the form printed out as a regular copy in this 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a case where the forms shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 are copied by a copying machine. It is a figure which shows the example of the form printed out as a regular copy in this 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a case where the form shown in FIG. 33 is copied by a copying machine. It is a figure which shows the example of the form printed out as a regular copy in this 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a case where the form shown in FIG. 35 is copied by a copying machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 Form output device 2 CPU
3 RAM
31 Print Memory 3a Print Data Memory 3b Form Data Memory 3c Background Pattern Data Memory 4 Storage Device 4a Business Application File 4b Program File 4c Form Form Data File 4d Security Background Pattern Data File 4e Print Data File 4f Security Pattern A File 4g Security Pattern B File 4h Security form definition file 4i Distribution destination table file 4j Serial number management table file 4k Document management file 5 Storage medium 6 Printing device 7 Display unit 8 Input unit 9 Transmission control unit 10 Bus

Claims (6)

In a print control device that creates a printed matter by a printing device,
A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generating means for generating a copy-checking copy-forgery-inhibited pattern comprising a copy-disappearing pattern that is difficult to be copied by a copying machine and a copy-reading remaining pattern that can be copied by a copying machine;
Control means for creating the printed matter by causing the copy check pattern generated by the pattern generation unit to be printed on a print medium together with print data;
With
The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generation unit generates a copy-checking copy-forgery-inhibited pattern including a common pattern common to a plurality of the printed materials and a variable pattern indicating variable information indicating unique information according to a distribution destination. Control device.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generation unit can change at least one of a form, a color, a print start position, and a print size of the copy check copy-forgery-inhibited pattern.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing management information relating to the printed matter created by the printing apparatus. An original print control means for printing an original proof pattern difficult to be copied by a copying machine on the print medium together with the copy check pattern and the print data;
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an original print restriction unit that restricts the number of times the original proof pattern is printed with respect to one piece of the print data by the original print control unit. 5. The printing control apparatus according to 1. Regular copy printing control means for printing a regular copy proof pattern difficult to be copied by a copying machine on the print medium together with the copy check pattern and the print data;
Distribution destination number acquisition means for acquiring the number of distribution destinations corresponding to the printed matter on which the regular copy proof pattern is printed by the regular copy printing control means;
The printing apparatus further includes a printing restriction unit that restricts the number of times that the regular copy print control unit prints the regular copy certification pattern for the one print data to be equal to or less than the number of distribution destinations acquired by the distribution destination number acquisition unit. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A computer that creates printed matter with a printing device,
A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generating means for generating a copy-checking copy-forgery-inhibited pattern comprising a copy-disappearing pattern that is difficult to be copied by a copying machine and a copy-reading remaining pattern that can be copied by a copying machine;
Control means for printing the copy check pattern generated by the printing apparatus on the print medium together with the print data;
Store the program to function as
The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generation unit generates a copy-checked copy-forgery-inhibited pattern including a common pattern common to a plurality of the printed materials and a variable pattern indicating variable information indicating unique information according to a distribution destination. Medium.