JP2007323248A - Printing system, print data creation device, printing device, and method for identifying the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable users to easily identify print destination printing devices corresponding to the users' print instructions without going to each printing device. <P>SOLUTION: A printer updates identification actions set in an identification operation setting table 100 if receiving an identification operation edit command 300 from a PC (S202: YES, S203). The printer executes a printing operation if receiving print data from the PC (S207: YES, S209), and if receiving an identification operation execution command 350 as well as the print data (S211: YES), executes an identification operation enabling the user to identify the print destination printer according to the identification operation execution command (S215). The identification operation is not executed if receiving only the print data (S211: NO). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system that executes image printing on a recording medium based on print data, a print data creation apparatus, a printing apparatus, and an identification method thereof, and more particularly, printing of a print execution destination among a plurality of printing apparatuses. It relates to what identifies the device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic devices have been wired or wirelessly networked, and a plurality of computers can share a single printer device, or a plurality of computers and a plurality of printer devices can be connected n to n. Yes. In such a computer network system, when a user instructs execution of printing of an image, a document, or the like by a computer, print data is transmitted from the computer to one of a plurality of printer apparatuses, and the printer apparatus uses the print data based on the print data. An image or the like is printed on the printing paper.

Conventionally, various methods have been proposed for notifying a user of a printing state or abnormality occurrence of a printer device by sound. For example, by enabling the operator to switch between online and offline and generating a sound continuously or intermittently while online, the state of the printer and its change can be notified to the operator by sound. Inform. Thus, a printer control device is known in which an operator can grasp the printing state of the printer without looking away from the display so that the printing work can be made efficient (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
JP-A-7-172032

  However, in a conventional computer network system, if the number of printer devices connected to a computer used by a user is large, when the user issues a print instruction, which printer device has executed the print instruction (that is, which It is difficult to determine whether the printer apparatus is a print execution destination. Therefore, every time the user gives an instruction to execute printing, there is a problem that the user has to go to each printer device to check the printing status, and the efficiency of the printing work is deteriorated.

  Further, according to the technique of notifying the printing state or the like by sound as in the prior art, it is possible to determine that the one performing notification by sound among the plurality of printer apparatuses is the print execution destination. However, when each printer device is shared by a plurality of computers, it is difficult to determine which user's print instruction corresponds to the print state or the like notified by sound in each printer device. For this reason, there has been a trouble in that the user who has given the print instruction goes to the printer device that notifies the print state and the like and confirms whether or not the print operation corresponding to his / her print instruction is being executed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve the above-described problem, and it is easy even if a user does not go to each printing apparatus as a printing execution destination printing apparatus corresponding to a user's printing instruction among a plurality of printing apparatuses. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system, a printing data creation device, a printing device, and a method for identifying the printing system that can make the printing operation more efficient.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a printing data creation device that creates printing data, and a plurality of printing devices that execute image printing on a recording medium based on the printing data. Are printing systems connected to each other via a network, wherein the print data creation device includes print data creation means for creating print data based on image data to be printed, and a transmission destination of the print data. A printing destination selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of printing apparatuses; a printing data transmission means for sending the printing data to the printing apparatus selected by the printing destination selection means; An identification operation execution instructing unit for instructing a printing apparatus to which print data is transmitted by the print data transmitting unit to execute an identification operation for identifying the printing apparatus; Each of the plurality of printing apparatuses includes: a print data receiving unit that receives the print data transmitted from the print data transmitting unit; and an image on a recording medium based on the print data received by the print data receiving unit. A printing unit that performs printing, and an identification operation execution unit that executes an identification operation that enables the printing apparatus to be identified when printing is performed by the printing unit when the identification operation execution instruction is issued from the identification operation execution instruction unit. It is provided with.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print data creation device connected to a plurality of printing devices that execute image printing on a recording medium based on the print data via a network. Print data creation means for creating print data based on target image data; and a print destination selection means for selecting one of the plurality of printing apparatuses as a transmission destination of the print data; Identification that enables the print device to be identified to the print device that transmits the print data to the print device selected by the print destination selection device and the print device to which the print data is transmitted by the print data transmission device An identification operation execution instructing unit for instructing execution of the operation is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, an identification operation execution command for generating an identification operation execution command for causing the printing apparatus to execute the identification operation. The identifying operation execution instructing unit transmits the identifying operation execution command created by the identifying operation execution command creating unit to the printing apparatus to which the print data is transmitted by the print data transmitting unit; The printing apparatus is instructed to execute an identification operation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second or third aspect of the invention, the identification operation execution instructing means includes an identification stored in each of the plurality of printing apparatuses. It is characterized by instructing the execution of the identification operation set in the operation setting table.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, the print data creating apparatus creates an identification operation editing command for editing the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table. Identification operation editing command creation means, and editing destination selection for selecting one of the plurality of printing devices as a transmission destination of the identification operation editing command created by the identification operation editing command creation means And an identification operation editing command transmission unit for transmitting the identification operation editing command to the printing apparatus selected by the editing destination selection unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any of the second to fifth aspects, the identification operation is an output of sound from the printing apparatus. And

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the identification operation is an output of colored light from the printing apparatus. Features.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the identification operation may be performed on a subject outside any display information from the printing apparatus. It is characterized by being projected onto the screen.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus which is connected to a print data creation apparatus via a network and executes image printing on a recording medium based on the print data, the print data creation apparatus The print data receiving means for receiving the print data from the print data, the print means for printing the image on the recording medium based on the print data received by the print data receiving means, and the identification operation execution instruction from the print data creating apparatus In this case, the printing apparatus includes an identification operation execution unit that executes an identification operation that enables the printing apparatus to be identified when printing is performed by the printing unit.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 9, the printing apparatus of the invention according to claim 10 is an identification operation that makes it possible to identify a printing apparatus that performs printing by the printing unit from among a plurality of printing apparatuses. And an identification operation setting table storage unit that stores an identification operation setting table in which the identification operation setting table is stored. The identification operation execution unit executes the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table stored in the identification operation setting table storage unit. It is characterized by doing.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the ninth or tenth aspect of the invention, the printing apparatus includes the identification operation setting table based on the identification operation editing command transmitted from the print data creation apparatus. An identification operation editing means for editing the set identification operation is provided.

  A printing apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the invention includes a volume setting means for arbitrarily setting a maximum volume that can be output by the sound output unit in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any of the ninth to eleventh aspects. It is provided with.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus identification method for performing image printing on a recording medium based on print data, the print data receiving print data via a network. Identification for enabling identification of a receiving step, a printing step for printing an image on a recording medium based on the print data received in the print data receiving step, and a printing apparatus for executing the printing step at the time of executing the printing step And an identification operation execution step for executing the operation.

  In the printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print data creating device and the plurality of printing devices are connected via the network, and the print data creating device sends the print data to the printing device selected as the transmission destination of the print data. Each of the plurality of printing apparatuses executes image printing on the recording medium based on the print data received from the print data creation apparatus, and an identification operation execution instruction is issued from the identification operation execution instruction unit. In this case, an identification operation is performed to enable identification of a printing apparatus on which printing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to easily identify the printing execution destination printing device corresponding to the user's printing instruction among the plurality of printing devices without the user going to each printing device. Can be efficient.

  In the print data creating apparatus according to the second aspect, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus selected as the transmission destination of the print data, and the execution of the identification operation that makes the printing apparatus identifiable is instructed. Therefore, it is possible to easily identify the printing execution destination printing device corresponding to the user's printing instruction among the plurality of printing devices without the user going to each printing device. Can be efficient.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 2, the identification operation execution command for executing the identification operation of the printing device is selected as the transmission destination of the print data. To the printing device, and causes the printing device to execute the identification operation set in the identification operation execution command. Therefore, the user can cause each printing apparatus to execute a desired identification operation by instructing the execution of printing and arbitrarily designating the identification operation at the time of printing.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 2 or 3, since the identification operation is stored in the printing device as an identification operation setting table in advance, the identification operation is executed. By selecting an identification operation to be executed by the instruction means, an arbitrary identification operation can be easily executed.

  In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 4, the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 5 is used as a transmission destination of the identification operation editing command for editing the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table. Since the identification operation editing command is transmitted to the selected printing device, the printing device that has received the command edits the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table based on the received identification operation editing command. Therefore, by arbitrarily editing the identification operation setting table stored as the default identification operation in each printing apparatus, the user can cause each printing apparatus to execute a desired identification operation with a simple operation during printing.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any of claims 2 to 5, since the printing device outputs a sound as an identification operation, the user can The printing device can be easily identified.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of claims 2 to 6, the printing device outputs colored light as an identification operation, so that the user can Can be easily identified.

  In addition, in the print data creation device of the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention of any one of claims 2 to 7, arbitrary display information is projected on an external subject as an identification operation by the printing device. The user can easily identify the printing apparatus that is the printing execution destination.

  In the printing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the image printing is performed on the recording medium based on the print data received from the print data creation apparatus via the network, and the identification operation execution instruction is issued from the print data creation apparatus. Accordingly, an identification operation is performed to enable identification of the printing apparatus when printing is performed. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of printing apparatuses, it is possible to easily identify the printing execution destination printing apparatus corresponding to the user's print instruction without the user going to each printing apparatus, Printing work can be made more efficient.

  In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 9, the printing apparatus of the invention according to claim 10 stores the contents of the identification operation in advance as an identification operation setting table. It is possible to execute the identification operation simply by presenting it to the creation device and receiving an instruction to execute the identification operation based on it.

  In addition to the effect of the invention of claim 9 or 10, the printing apparatus of the invention of claim 11 allows the user to edit the pre-stored identification operation setting table, so that the default options can be easily selected. It can be edited, and a desired identification operation can be specified without performing complicated operations during printing.

  In addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 9 to 11, the printing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect includes means for arbitrarily setting a maximum volume that can be output by the sound output unit. . Therefore, since the user can arbitrarily set the maximum volume in each printing apparatus, it can be restricted that each printing apparatus outputs an excessively loud sound as an identification operation.

  In the printing apparatus identification method according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, image printing is performed on a recording medium based on print data received via a network, and the printing apparatus on which printing is performed can be identified. Perform identification operation. Therefore, it is possible to easily identify the printing execution destination printing device corresponding to the user's printing instruction among the plurality of printing devices without the user going to each printing device. Can be efficient.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, a case where a plurality of printers 20 that are stationary ink jet printers that can be connected to a PC 10 that is a personal computer are present on the same floor will be described as an example.

  First, the configuration of the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the printing system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing system 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the identification operation setting table 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, there are a plurality of printers 20 that can wirelessly communicate with the PC 10 around the PC 10 used by the user. Each printer 20 is a printing medium based on print data output from the PC 10. It is possible to print on the recording paper. In FIG. 1, five printers 20 (printers A, B, C, D, and E) exist around the PC 10. When the user of the PC 10 designates any one of the plurality of printers 20 at the time of printing, data communication is executed between the PC 10 and the designated printer 20. Then, print data is transmitted from the PC 10 to the designated printer 20, and the printer 20 performs printing on a recording sheet based on the print data (details will be described later).

  Next, the configuration of the PC 10 and the printer 20 that constitute the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the PC 10 has a configuration similar to that of a general personal computer, and includes a CPU 11 that controls the PC 10, a ROM 12 that stores BIOS, a RAM 13 that temporarily stores various data, and various data. In addition to a hard disk device (HDD) 14 that stores data, a display 15 for displaying various data, a user interface (user I / F) 16 including a keyboard 16a and a mouse 16b for operating the PC 10, a printer 20, Communication control units 17 that perform communication control are connected to each other via a bus.

  The HDD 14 stores various information such as a control program (including a program for executing a “main process of the PC 10” described later (see FIG. 4)) executed by the CPU 11 and a printer driver. The CD-ROM inserted in the CD-ROM drive (not shown) stores a control program for the PC 10, and this control program is loaded from the CD-ROM into the program storage area (not shown) of the HDD 14 when installed. Set up and memorized. The printer driver is a program for converting data generated by executing the application program into various commands and print data that can be interpreted by the printer 20 and transmitting the data to the printer 20 in response to a request from the application program. It is.

  On the other hand, each printer 20 has the same configuration as a general-purpose printer. In addition to the CPU 21, ROM 22 and RAM 23, a liquid crystal panel 27 for displaying the status of the printer 20, buttons for operating the printer 20, An operation panel 28 provided with a switch or the like and a communication control unit 29 that performs communication control with the PC 10 are connected to each other via a bus. A printing unit 26 is provided that performs printing by conveying and coloring the recording paper by driving a motor for conveying the recording paper, driving a laser, or driving a head. Further, as a notification means for notifying the user of the PC 10, a light emitting unit 24 having a projector function for projecting an image or a character, and a sound output unit 25 including a speaker or an amplifier and outputting a predetermined sound are provided. Is provided. The projecting location may be a projector screen or a wall surface as long as the light emitting unit 24 can project an image or the like, but in this embodiment, the ceiling of the floor located above the installation location of the printer 20 To do.

  The RAM 23 of the printer 20 interprets the received print data received by the communication control unit 29 and stores the commands and print data transmitted from the communication control unit 17 of the PC 10, and draws data for each page. Various storage areas are provided, such as a page memory 23b for generating and storing an ID, and an identification operation setting table storage area 23c for storing an identification operation setting table 100 (see FIG. 3) that defines an identification operation executed at the time of printing. ing. The ROM 22 stores a control program (including a program for executing “main processing of the printer 20” (see FIG. 15) described later) executed in the CPU 21 in a program storage area (not shown) in advance. Yes.

  Next, the identification operation setting table 100 stored in the identification operation setting table storage area 23c provided in the RAM 23 of the printer 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The identification operation setting table 100 is for defining an identification operation that is executed when printing is performed in order to identify the printer 20 that performs printing in accordance with an instruction from the PC 10 that transmits print data. As shown in FIG. 3, in the identification operation setting table 100, a plurality of types of sound effects 102 and light effects 103 are defined corresponding to the numbers 101, respectively. The sound effect 102 and the effect light 103 defined in the identification operation setting table 100 are set in the printer 20 as default identification operations, and the PC 10 acquires the contents of the identification operation setting table 100 from the printer 20. Then, it can be presented to the user as a choice of identification operation to be executed (details will be described later). Further, as will be described later, a command can be transmitted from the PC 10 to the printer 20 so as to change the contents of the identification operation setting table 100, and the default identification operation can be edited. Here, “bell sound”, “buzzer sound”, “scream”, etc. are set as the sound effects of the identification operation. When these sound effects are designated together with the print data, the designated sound effects are output from the sound output unit 25 when printing is executed. In addition, as the effect light of the identification operation, display character strings such as “printing”, “printing XX”, “here” and display colors such as “red”, “blue”, “yellow” are set. ing. When these effect lights are designated together with the print data, the designated effect lights are output from the light emitting unit 24 when printing is performed, and the display character string is projected on the ceiling in the designated color.

  In the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the PC 10 and each printer 20 can be connected to each other by short-range wireless communication using a wireless LAN via the respective communication control units 17 and 29. Then, the identification operation editing command for instructing the printer 20 to edit the identification operation setting table 100, the identification operation execution command for instructing the execution of the specified identification operation, or printing via the communication control units 17 and 29. Data and the like are transmitted, and the contents of the identification operation setting table 100 are transmitted from the printer 20 to the PC 10.

  Next, the flow of processing in the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described separately for processing executed by the PC 10 and processing executed by each printer 20. In the following, a case where print data is sent from the data transmission source (print request source) PC 10 to the “printer A” as the data reception destination (print execution destination) printer 20 will be described as an example.

  First, the flow of processing in the PC 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing of the PC 10. Note that the main process (FIG. 4) of the PC 10 is started when the PC 10 is turned on and activated, and is repeatedly executed continuously while the PC 10 is activated. In the main process (FIG. 4) of the PC 10, only the process related to the present invention will be described for easy understanding, and other processes are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the main process of the PC 10, when the PC 10 is powered on and started up, various initial values and flags are initialized (S1), and input from the keyboard 16a and mouse 16b by the user is performed. Await. If the input by the user is an instruction to edit the default identification operation set in the printer 20 (S3: YES), the identification operation editing process described later is executed (S5). On the other hand, if the input by the user instructs the print setting to cause the printer 20 to execute printing (S3: NO, S7: YES), a print setting process described later is executed (S9). If neither the identification operation editing nor the print setting is instructed (S7: NO), or after executing S5 or S9, the process returns to S3 and waits for the user's instruction.

  Next, details of the identification operation editing process (S5) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the identification operation editing process (S5). FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the sound effect changing process (S27). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the identification operation editing screen 200. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of the sound effect designation screen 210 displaying a list of sound effects that can be designated. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the identification operation editing command 300.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the identification operation editing process (S5) is started, printer information of a printer 20 currently selected as a print execution destination (for example, a default printer of the PC 10) is acquired (S20). . As part of the printer information acquired here, the contents of the identification operation setting table 100 stored in the RAM 23 of the printer 20 are acquired. In other words, the contents of sound effects and light effects that are identification operations currently set as default values in the printer 20 are acquired.

  Next, an identification operation editing screen 200 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 15 (S21). As shown in FIG. 7, on the identification operation editing screen 200, the default identification operations (sound effects / light effects) stored in each printer 20 connected to the PC 10 are displayed, and the user can edit these arbitrarily. It can be done. The identification operation editing screen 200 displays the sound effects set in the printer selection list 201 for the user to arbitrarily select the printer 20 whose identification operation is to be edited, and the printer 20 selected in the printer selection list 201. The sound effect display unit 202 to display and the effect light display unit 204 to display the effect light set in the printer 20 selected in the printer selection list 201 are configured.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the printer currently selected in the printer selection list 201 is “Printer A”, and therefore the printer 20 that acquired the printer information in S <b> 20 is “Printer A”. The identification operation set as the default value in the identification operation setting table 100 of “printer A” is shown in the sound effect display unit 202 and the effect light display unit 204. That is, the sound effects are “bell sound 1”, “bell sound 2”, “bell sound 3”, “buzzer sound”, “squeal (dog)”, “squeal (cat)”. The effect light is “printing”, “printing XX”, “printing xxx data”, “printing PC1”, “here”, “Now Printing”.

  The identification operation editing screen 200 includes a “change” button 203 for registering an arbitrary sound effect as the identification operation of the printer 20 being selected by the user instead of the current sound effect, and designation of the identification operation editing screen 200. A “registration” button 205 for confirming the contents and an “end” button 206 for canceling the designation contents on the identification operation editing screen 200 are provided.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description of the identification operation editing process is continued. If the identification operation editing screen 200 is displayed in S21, it is next determined whether or not a new printer 20 has been selected in the printer selection list 201 (S22). When a new printer 20 is designated (S22: YES), printer information is acquired from the designated printer 20 (S23). Then, from the acquired printer information, the contents of the identification operation set in the printer 20 are reflected on the sound effect display unit 202 and the effect light display unit 204 and displayed on the identification operation editing screen 200 (S21).

  If the new printer 20 is not designated (S22: NO), it is next determined whether or not the “change” button 203 has been clicked (S25). When the “change” button 203 is clicked (S25: YES), a sound effect changing process for changing the currently selected sound effect is executed (S27). In the identification operation editing screen 200, as shown in FIG. 7, when the user clicks the “change” button 203 in a state where any sound effect is selected in the sound effect display unit 202, the sound effect designation shown in FIG. A screen 210 is displayed, and a new sound effect can be designated. Here, the details of the sound effect changing process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the “change” button 203 is clicked and the sound effect changing process is started, first, the sound effect specifying screen 210 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (S51). Then, it is determined whether or not the sound data displayed on the sound effect designation screen 210 is selected (S53). If selected (S53: YES), the sound data is currently selected on the identification operation editing screen 200. (S55). Then, the process returns to the identification operation editing process. If the sound data is not designated (S53: NO), it is determined whether or not the “Cancel” button is clicked (S57). If the “Cancel” button is clicked (S57: YES), the effect is obtained. The sound designation screen 210 is closed and the process returns to the identification operation editing process. If the “Cancel” button has not been clicked (S57: NO), the process returns to S53 and waits for user input.

  For example, in the state shown in FIG. 7, “bell sound 1” which is the sound effect of number 1 is being selected, and when the “change” button 203 is clicked in this state, a sound effect designation screen 210 is displayed, When “bell sound 4” is selected as shown in FIG. 8, the number 1 is changed from “bell sound 1” to “bell sound 4”.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description of the identification operation editing process is continued. When the sound effect changing process (S27) is completed, if new sound data is specified by the user, the change result (FIG. 6: S55) is reflected on the sound effect display unit 202, and then the identification operation editing screen is displayed. 200 is displayed (S21).

If the “change” button 203 has not been clicked (S25: NO), then whether or not a change input has been made to the character string set to “display” in the selected state in the effect light display unit 204. Is determined (S29). The character string set to “display” can be directly input from the keyboard 16a in a selected state. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the character string “printing” of number 1 is selected. When an arbitrary character is input to this character string, the character string is changed to that character string. When the character string is input (S29: YES), the character string set to “display” is changed to the input character string (S31). Then, the changed content is reflected and displayed on the identification operation editing screen 200 (S21).

  If no character string has been input to the character string set to “display” (S29: NO), it is determined whether or not the display color has been changed (S33). In the “color” item of the effect light display unit 204, a combo box is displayed for the currently selected color, and options of colors that can be specified are displayed. Here, the user can specify an arbitrary color from the options. When the display color is changed (S33: YES), the currently selected display color is changed to the content designated by the user (S35). Then, the changed content is reflected and displayed on the identification operation editing screen 200 (S21). As described above, in S <b> 25 to 35, the user sets the contents of the sound effect displayed on the sound effect display unit 202 and the display character string and display color of each effect light displayed on the effect light display unit 204. It can be changed arbitrarily.

  For example, when editing the identification operation setting table 100 of “printer A”, “printer A” is selected as the data transmission destination printer in the printer selection list 201 on the identification operation editing screen 200 shown in FIG. Then, when it is desired to change the “bell sound 1” which is the sound effect of the sound effect number 1, the sound effect “bell sound 1” is selected on the sound effect display unit 202 and “bell sound 1” is inverted. When the “change” button 203 is clicked, a sound effect designation screen 210 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display 15. Then, if a desired sound file (for example, “bell sound 4”) is designated on the sound effect designation screen 210, the sound file is read from the external storage area, and the sound effect display unit 202 has the sound effect number 1. The sound effect is changed from “bell sound 1” to “bell sound 4”. When it is desired to change “printing” which is the display character string of the effect light number 1, the character string of “effect printing” is selected on the effect light display unit 204, and the currently selected character string is directly selected. By changing and inputting “printing”, the display character string of the effect light number 1 is changed from “printing” to “printing”. Further, regarding the display color, if “black” is selected from the display color options (not shown) displayed by clicking the display color “red” of the effect light number 1, the display color of the effect light number 1 is changed. “Red” is changed to “Black”.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description of the identification operation editing process is continued. If the display color has not been changed on the identification operation editing screen 200 (S33: NO), it is determined whether or not the “end” button 206 has been clicked (S37). If the “end” button 206 is clicked (S37: YES), even if a change in sound effect or light has been input so far, the change is canceled and the identification operation editing screen 200 is closed. Then, the identification operation editing process is terminated and the process returns to the main process (FIG. 4).

  If the “end” button 206 has not been clicked (S37: NO), it is determined whether or not the “registration” button 205 has been clicked (S39). If the “Register” button 205 has not been clicked (S39: NO), the process directly returns to S21. When the “Register” button 205 is clicked (S39: YES), the identification operation editing command 300 (FIG. 9) for transmitting to the printer 20 based on the contents input and set on the identification operation editing screen 200 so far. Reference) is created (S41). Finally, the identification operation editing command 300 created in S41 is transmitted to the printer 20 specified in the printer selection list 201 (S43), and the identification operation editing process (FIG. 5) ends. Then, the process returns to the main process (FIG. 4). In the printer 20 that has received the identification operation editing command 300, the identification operation setting table 100 is rewritten (described later).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the identification operation editing command 300 includes a header portion 301 indicating an identification operation editing command, a specified address portion 302 indicating identification information (printer) of a data transmission destination, and a user It is composed of a type indicating the type of identification operation (whether it is sound effect or light), a number indicating the number among the types, and a data part 303 including data contents. Data portions 303 are created for the number of specified identification operations. FIG. 9 shows a command when the sound effect number 1 and the display character string and display color of the effect light number 1 are designated. In this example, one sound effect and one effect light are specified, but only one of the sound effect and the effect light may be specified, or a command including a plurality of sound effects and effect lights may be used. . A command is created so as to correspond to the number of identification operations edited by the user on the identification operation editing screen 200. The printer 20 that has received the identification operation editing command 300 updates the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table 100 (see FIG. 3) based on this (details will be described later).

  Next, details of the print setting process (FIG. 4: S9) when the user instructs printing execution will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the print setting process (S9). FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the print setting screen 250. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the sound effect setting process (S75). FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the effect light setting process (S79). FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the identification operation execution command 350.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the print setting process (S9), first, when a user arbitrarily designates a printer 20 as a print execution destination (S61), a print operation and an identification operation executed by the designated printer 20 are performed. A print setting screen 250 (see FIG. 11), which is a dialog for the user to arbitrarily set, is displayed on the display 15 (S63). Here, it is assumed that the user of the PC 10 designates “printer A” as the print execution destination.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the print setting screen 250 includes a printer display unit 251 for displaying and setting the print execution destination printer 20, and a print number display unit 252 for displaying and setting the number of prints. And a sound effect check box 253 for selecting whether or not to generate sound effects when the printer 20 performs printing, a sound effect designating unit 254 for designating the sound effect, and a volume designating unit for designating the sound volume 255, the effect light check box 256 for selecting whether or not the effect light is generated when the printer 20 performs printing, the effect light designation unit 257 for designating the effect light, and the setting contents of the print setting screen 250 are confirmed. A “print” button 258 for canceling, and a “cancel” button 259 for canceling the setting contents of the print setting screen 250. On this print setting screen 250, the keyboard 16a and mouse 16b of the PC 10 can be operated to arbitrarily set the properties of the printer 20, the number of copies, etc., and the identification operation at the time of printing can be arbitrarily set as necessary. Can be specified.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the description of the print setting process is continued. When the “property” button is clicked on the printer display section 251 on the print setting screen 250 and the property of the printer 20 as the print execution destination is specified by the user on the property screen (not shown) (S65: YES), the printer 20 The property is changed to the content specified by the user (S67). Further, when the number of copies to be printed is specified in the number-of-prints display section 252 (S65: NO, S69: YES), the number of copies is changed to the number specified by the user (S71). When a sound effect is designated by the sound effect check box 253 or the like (S69: NO, S73: YES), a sound effect setting process described later is executed (S75). When the effect light is designated by the effect light check box 256 or the like (S73: NO, S77: YES), the effect light setting process described later is executed (S79). After executing any of S67, S71, S75, and S79, the process returns to S63, and the changed or set contents are displayed on the print setting screen 250.

  Here, the details of the sound effect setting process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, in the sound effect setting process (FIG. 10: S75), when the sound effect check box 253 is “ON” (when checked) (S101: YES), the sound effect designating unit 254 If “default sound effect” is selected (S103: YES), the sound effect selected by the user from the default sound effect options set in the printer 20 designated in S61 is set. (S105). That is, in S105, data communication is performed between the print request source PC 10 and the print execution destination printer 20 ("printer A" in the example of FIG. 11), and the identification operation setting table 100 of the printer 20 is set. The set sound effect is acquired via the network. The acquired sound effects are displayed as selectable sound effects as default sound effects. Therefore, the user can select a desired sound effect from among predetermined sound effect options by operating the keyboard 16a and the mouse 16b. What is selected by the user in this way is displayed as a sound effect on the sound effect designation unit 254.

  On the other hand, if “designate sound effect” is selected in the sound effect designation unit 254 (S103: NO), sound data arbitrarily designated by the user is designated as a sound effect (S107). When “designate sound effect” is selected, the user can click an “open file” button for designating an arbitrary audio file from an external storage area or the like. If an arbitrary sound file is selected from a dialog box (not shown) opened by clicking the “Open file” button and designated as a sound effect, it is displayed as a sound effect in the sound effect designation unit 254.

  When the “volume” is changed by the sound effect designation unit 254 (S109: YES), the volume is changed to the volume designated by the user (S111). If the “volume” has not been changed (S109: NO), the sound effect setting process is terminated and the process returns to the print setting process (FIG. 10). Even when the sound effect check box 253 is “OFF” (when not checked) (S101: NO), the sound effect setting process is terminated and the process returns to the print setting process (FIG. 10).

  Next, the details of the effect light setting process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, in the effect light setting process (FIG. 10: S79), if the effect light check box 256 is “ON” (checked) (S121: YES), the effect light designating unit 257 If “default effect light” is selected (S123: YES), the effect light selected by the user from the default effect light options set in the printer 20 designated in S61 is set. (S125). That is, in S125, data communication is performed between the print request source PC 10 and the print execution destination printer 20, and the effect light set in the identification operation setting table 100 of the printer 20 is acquired via the network. Is done. And the acquired effect light is displayed so that selection is possible as default effect light. Therefore, the user can select a desired sound effect from among predetermined effect light options by operating the keyboard 16a and the mouse 16b. What is selected by the user in this way is displayed as effect light on the effect light designating unit 257.

  On the other hand, if “designate effect light” is selected in the effect light designation unit 257 (S123: NO), the display character string is arbitrarily designated by the user (S127), and is designated arbitrarily by the user. The displayed color is changed (S129). When “designate effect light” is selected, the user can input an arbitrary display character string or designate a display color from the choices. If input is made in this manner, the effect light is displayed on the effect light designating unit 257 as effect light. When the effect light check box 256 is “OFF” (when not checked) (S121: NO), the effect light setting process is terminated and the process returns to the print setting process (FIG. 10).

  Returning to FIG. 10, the description of the print setting process is continued. When the “cancel” button 259 is clicked on the print setting screen 250 (S77: NO, S81: YES), the print setting screen 250 is closed, the print setting process (FIG. 10) is terminated, and the main process (FIG. 4) is performed. Return to). On the other hand, when the “print” button 258 is clicked (S81: NO, S83: YES), the image data to be printed designated by the user with reference to the properties set in the print setting screen 250, the number of copies, etc. Based on the above, print data in a data format printable by the printer 20 is created (S85). Furthermore, if the “sound effect sound during printing” setting or the “display effect light during printing” setting is set, the identification operation execution command 350 (see FIG. 14) is set based on the settings made in S75 and S79. ) Is created (S87). Then, the print data created in S85 is transmitted to the printer 20 designated in S61 (S89). Next, when the identification operation execution command 350 is created in S87, the identification operation execution command 350 is transmitted to the printer 20 designated in S61 (S91), and the print setting process (FIG. 9) is performed. End and return to the main process (FIG. 4).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 14, the identification operation execution command 350 includes a header portion 351 indicating an identification operation execution command, a specified address portion 352 indicating identification information of a data transmission source, and an effect specified by the user. The sound effect data portion 353 indicating sound and the effect light data portion 354 indicating effect light designated by the user are configured. Then, the printer 20 that has received the identification operation execution command 350 executes the identification operation when executing printing based on this (details will be described later). (1) shown in FIG. 14 is an example of the identification operation execution command 350 when the user selects and designates from a predetermined sound effect and light effect set in the printer 20. In this example, a sound effect corresponding to a predetermined sound effect number 1 (here, “bell sound 4”, see FIG. 11) is designated, and the sound effect data portion 353 indicates that it is a sound effect. “1” designating the number together with the type and “2” designating the volume are designated. In addition, the effect light corresponding to the preset effect light number 5 (here, “here is purple (purple)”, see FIG. 11) is designated, and the effect light data portion 354 indicates that it is effect light. “5” for designating a number together with the type is designated.

  Also, (2) shown in FIG. 14 is a case where the user arbitrarily designates a discriminating operation other than the default sound effect or effect light (“designate sound effect” or “designate effect light” on the print setting screen 250). This is an example of the identification operation execution command 350 when “is selected”. For example, the user checks the sound effect check box 253 for printing with “Printer B”, selects “Specify sound effect” in the sound effect designation unit 254, and designates an arbitrary sound data file Suppose that the volume is designated by “3”. Also, the effect light check box 256 is checked, “Specify effect light” is selected in the effect light designating unit 257, “XX PC printing” is input as the display character string, and the display color is “blue”. Is selected. Then, as shown in FIG. 14 (2), “printer B” is set in the designated address portion 352, and the type of the identification operation “sound effect”, sound data file, and volume “3” are set in the sound effect data portion 353. Then, an identification operation execution command 350 in which the type of the identification operation “effect light”, the display character string “XX PC printing”, and the display color “blue” is set in the effect light data portion 354 is created. To printer B ".

  As described above, in the main processing of the PC 10 (FIG. 4), when the user changes the identification operation set in the data transmission destination printer 20 on the identification operation editing screen 200, the identification for instructing the update of the identification operation setting table 100 is performed. An operation editing command 300 is transmitted to the printer 20. Further, when the user designates the printer 20 as the print execution destination and instructs execution of printing of arbitrary image data, the print data is transmitted to the printer 20. Further, the user designates the printer 20 as the print execution destination and performs the identification operation at the time of printing execution in the identification operation setting table 100 acquired from the printer 20 or any sound data, display character string / display color. When input is specified, an identification operation execution command 350 for instructing an identification operation at the time of printing is transmitted to the printer 20, and the printer 20 generates a sound effect and an effect light according to the instruction to perform the identification operation.

  Next, the flow of processing in each printer 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing main processing of each printer 20. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of the identification operation setting table 100 updated based on the identification operation editing command 300. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the identification operation executed by the printer 20 that has received the print data and the identification operation execution command 350.

  Note that the main process (FIG. 15) of each printer 20 is started when the power of each printer 20 is turned on and started, and is repeatedly executed continuously while the printer 20 is started. To do. Further, in the main process (FIG. 15) of each printer 20, only the process related to the present invention is described for easy understanding, and other processes are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the main process of each printer 20, when the printer 20 is powered on and activated, various initial values and flags are initialized (S201). When the editing command 300 (see FIG. 9) is received (S202: YES), the identification operation setting table 100 stored in the identification operation setting table storage area 23c is updated based on the identification operation editing command 300. (S203).

  For example, when “printer A” receives the identification operation editing command 300 shown in FIG. 9, the identification operation setting table 100 is updated as shown in FIG. That is, the content (number 1 “bell sound 4”) of the data section 303 in which the type of the identification operation is “sound effect” is set as the sound effect 102, and the type of the identification operation is “effect light”. The contents of the data portion 30 (number 1 “printing”, color “black”) are set in the effect light 103.

  Returning to FIG. 15, the description of the main processing of the printer is continued. When the maximum volume is set from the operation panel 28 of the printer 20 (S204: YES) instead of receiving the identification operation editing command 300 from the PC 10 (S202: NO), the set maximum volume is stored in the RAM 23. Store in the area (S205). The maximum volume set here can be set on the printer 20 side in consideration of the surrounding environment of the printer 20, and is set in the printer 20 even when a volume exceeding the maximum volume is designated from the PC 10. The maximum volume value that is set has priority. Thereby, it is possible to limit the output of an excessively loud sound effect when executing the identification operation in each printer 20.

  When print data is received (S207: YES) instead of setting the maximum volume value (S204: NO), image printing is executed on a recording sheet as a recording medium based on the print data (S209). When the identification operation execution command 350 is received together with the print data from the PC 10 (S211: YES), the volume of the sound effect specified by the identification operation execution command 350 is the maximum volume value set in the printer 20. It is determined whether or not it exceeds (S213). If the maximum volume value is exceeded (S213: YES), the volume specified by the identification operation execution command 350 is changed to the maximum volume value (S214). If the maximum volume value is not exceeded (S213: NO), the process proceeds to S215 as it is. Then, the identification operation is executed based on the identification operation execution command 350 (S215). On the other hand, when the identification operation execution command 350 is not received from the PC 10 (S211: NO), the identification operation is not performed.

  For example, when “printer A” receives the identification operation execution command 350 shown in FIG. 14A together with the print data, the contents and effects of the sound effect data unit 353 are identified as the identification operation of “printer A” that receives the print data. The contents of the optical data portion 354 are executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, in the “printer A”, the first sound effect stored in the identification operation setting table 100 as a predetermined sound effect from the sound output unit 25 during execution of printing based on the print data. The “bell sound 4” is output. Further, the display character string “here is” which is the fifth effect light, which is stored in the identification operation setting table 100 as the default effect light, is projected by the light emitting unit 24 on the external subject in “purple”. The Therefore, the user can confirm with eyes and ears that “printer A” among the plurality of printers 20 is a print execution destination corresponding to the print instruction of the user.

  Note that “printer A” only receives print data when the PC 10 has not instructed the PC 10 to create the identification operation execution command 350, and the identification operation execution command 350 is received from the PC 10 due to a communication error or network failure. This corresponds to the case where reception was not possible. Even in such a case, the identification operation is not executed.

  Returning to FIG. 15, the description of the main processing of the printer is continued. When the printing executed in S209 is completed (S217: YES), the identification operation executed in S215 is stopped (S219). On the other hand, if the printing has not been completed (S217: NO), the process returns to S209 and the printing operation and the identification operation are continuously performed until the printing is completed. After execution of S203 or S219, the process returns to S202 and waits for reception of print data and various commands.

  As described above, in the main process of each printer 20 (FIG. 15), when each printer 20 receives the identification operation editing command 300, the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table 100 is updated based on the received command. In addition, the maximum volume value unique to the printer 20 can be set. Further, when each printer 20 receives print data, a printing operation is executed based on the received print data. When the identification operation execution command 350 is received together with the print data, an identification operation is performed so that the user can identify the printer 20 that is the print execution destination based on the identification operation execution command 350. If only print data is received, the identification operation is not executed.

  As described above, according to the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the PC 10 and the plurality of printers 20 are connected to each other via the network, the user of the PC 10 specifies the printing execution destination printer 20 to perform printing. When instructing execution of an identification operation that enables identification of the execution destination printer 20 and instructing execution of printing of arbitrary image data, the PC 10 transmits print data to the printer 20 selected as the transmission destination of the print data. The identification operation execution command 350 is transmitted. On the other hand, the printer 20 prints an image on recording paper based on the print data received from the PC 10 and executes an identification operation for identifying the printer 20 that is the print execution destination based on the received identification operation execution command 350. To do. Therefore, the user of the PC 10 can easily identify the printing execution destination printer 20 corresponding to his / her printing instruction without going to each printer 20, thereby making the printing work more efficient. be able to.

  Further, when the user of the PC 10 designates the identification operation editing destination printer 20 and arbitrarily sets the identification operation at the time of printing, the PC 10 transmits an identification operation editing command 300 to the printer 20. On the other hand, the printer 20 edits the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table 100 based on the identification operation editing command 300. Therefore, the user of the PC 10 can cause each printer 20 to execute a desired identification operation by arbitrarily editing the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table 100 of each printer 20.

  When the user of the PC 10 designates the printer 20 that is the print execution destination and arbitrarily designates the identification operation at the time of printing execution, the PC 10 sends an identification operation execution command 350 for instructing the identification operation at the time of printing execution to the printer 20. Send. When each printer 20 receives the identification operation execution command 350 together with the print data, the printer 20 executes an identification operation based on the identification operation execution command 350 at the time of printing execution. Therefore, the user of the PC 10 can cause each printer 20 to execute an arbitrary identification operation by instructing the execution of printing and arbitrarily specifying the identification operation at the time of printing.

  Incidentally, in the above embodiment, the PC 10 corresponds to the “print data creation device” of the present invention. In the print setting process (S9; FIG. 10), the CPU 11 that executes S85 corresponds to the “print data creating means” of the present invention, and the CPU 11 that executes S87 includes the “identification operation execution command creating means” of the present invention. This corresponds to “identification operation execution instruction means”. In the identification operation editing process (S5; FIG. 5), the CPU 11 that executes S41 corresponds to the “identification operation editing command creation means” of the present invention. The communication control unit 17 corresponds to the keyboard 16a, the mouse 16b, the “print destination selection unit” and the “edit destination selection unit” of the present invention, and the communication control unit 17 performs “print data transmission unit” and “identification operation edit command transmission unit” of the present invention. And “identification operation execution command transmission means”.

  On the other hand, each printer 20 corresponds to a “printing apparatus” of the present invention. The printing unit 26 corresponds to the “printing unit” of the present invention, the RAM 23 (identification operation setting table storage area 23c) corresponds to the “identification operation setting table storage unit” of the present invention, and the communication control unit 29 corresponds to the present invention. "Print data receiving means", "identification operation editing command receiving means" and "identification operation execution command receiving means". In the main process (FIG. 15) of each printer 20, the CPU 21 that executes S203 corresponds to the “identification operation editing unit” of the present invention, and the CPU 21, the light emitting unit 24, and the audio output unit 25 that execute S215 are the main processing. This corresponds to “identification operation executing means” of the invention. The audio output unit 25 corresponds to the “sound output unit” of the present invention.

  Further, in the main process (FIG. 15) of each printer 20, S207 corresponds to the “print data receiving process” of the present invention, S209 corresponds to the “print process” of the present invention, and S215 corresponds to the “identification operation” of the present invention. This corresponds to an “execution step”.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, in each printer 20, different sound effects are set in the identification operation setting table 100 for each of the plurality of PCs 10, and a unique sound effect corresponding to the print requesting PC 10 is output as an identification operation when printing is performed, and the identification operation is performed. Different effect lights are set for each of the plurality of PCs 10 in the setting table 100, and unique light corresponding to the print request source PC 10 is output as an identification operation when printing is performed. Therefore, the user of each PC 10 may be able to easily identify the print execution destination printer 20 corresponding to his / her print instruction among the printers 20 with his / her eyes or ears. Further, the setting for each PC 10 (user) is held in the server, and the setting of the PC 10 (user) of the print request source is transmitted from the server to the print execution destination printer 20 at a predetermined timing such as when printing is performed. You may do it.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 20 that is a stationary ink jet printer is exemplified as the “printing apparatus”. However, the present invention can be applied to various printing apparatuses, and the type of recording medium is not limited to the type of recording paper or cloth, and the printing method is not limited to the thermal method or the ink jet method. Absent.

  Hereinafter, a modified example of the present invention will be described by exemplifying a printer 30 which is a thermal portable label printer. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the printer 30. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a specific example of the maximum volume setting screen 400.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the printer 30 is a label printing apparatus for producing a label by printing on a printing tape that is a recording medium, and is a small and lightweight casing 31 that is convenient for a user to carry. Have As with conventional label printers, a control device (not shown) having a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a printing mechanism (not shown) having a thermal head, a tape feed motor, a cutter mechanism, etc., a tape cassette Are provided with a tape cassette storage unit 32, a keyboard unit 33 for inputting characters and symbols, a liquid crystal display unit 34 for displaying various information, and the like.

  Further, like the printer 20, the printer 30 includes a light emitting unit 35 and an audio output unit (not shown) which are notification means to the user, and a communication control unit (not shown) for performing wireless communication with the PC 10. Is provided. 1 may be constructed using the printer 30 together with the PC 10 and the printer 20 to cause the printer 30 to execute an identification operation at the time of printing in the same manner as the printer 20.

  In the printer 30, when the user performs a predetermined operation with the keyboard unit 33, a maximum volume setting screen 400 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 34. In the liquid crystal display unit 34, the user can arbitrarily set the maximum volume of the identification operation (sound effect) executed by the printer 30 by operating the keyboard unit 33. Thereby, it is possible to limit the output of an excessively loud sound effect when the identification operation in each printer 30 is executed.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printing system. It is a figure which shows the data structure of an identification operation setting table. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of PC. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of identification operation | movement edit processing. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a sound effect change process. It is a figure which shows the specific example of an identification operation | movement edit screen. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the sound effect designation | designated screen which displayed the list of the sound effects which can be designated. It is a figure which shows the data structure of identification operation | movement edit command. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of print setting processing. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a print setting screen. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a sound effect setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an effect light setting process. It is a figure which shows the data structure of identification operation execution command. 3 is a flowchart illustrating main processing of each printer. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the identification operation setting table updated based on the identification operation edit command. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an identification operation executed by a printer that has received print data and an identification operation execution command. It is a perspective view which shows the printer in the modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a maximum volume setting screen.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printing system 10 PC
11 CPU
16a Keyboard 16b Mouse 17 Communication control unit 20 Printer 21 CPU
23 RAM
23c Identification operation setting table storage area 24 Light emitting unit 25 Audio output unit 26 Printing unit 100 Identification operation setting table 200 Identification operation editing screen 210 Sound effect designation screen 250 Print setting screen 300 Identification operation editing command 350 Identification operation execution command 400 Maximum volume setting screen

Claims (13)

A printing system in which a printing data creation device that creates printing data and a plurality of printing devices that execute image printing on a recording medium based on the printing data are respectively connected via a network,
The print data creation device includes:
Print data creation means for creating print data based on image data to be printed;
A print destination selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of printing apparatuses as a transmission destination of the print data;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus selected by the print destination selection means;
An identification operation execution instructing unit for instructing the printing apparatus to which the print data is transmitted by the print data transmitting unit to execute an identification operation for identifying the printing apparatus;
Each of the plurality of printing devices includes:
Print data receiving means for receiving print data transmitted from the print data transmitting means;
Printing means for printing an image on a recording medium based on the print data received by the print data receiving means;
And an identification operation execution unit that executes an identification operation that enables the printing apparatus to be identified when printing is performed by the printing unit when the identification operation execution instruction is issued from the identification operation execution instruction unit. And printing system. A print data creation device connected via a network to a plurality of printing devices that execute image printing on a recording medium based on print data,
Print data creation means for creating print data based on image data to be printed;
A print destination selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of printing apparatuses as a transmission destination of the print data;
Print data transmission means for transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus selected by the print destination selection means;
A print data creation apparatus comprising: a printing apparatus to which print data is transmitted by the print data transmission unit; and an identification operation execution instructing unit for instructing execution of an identification operation that enables identification of the printing apparatus. An identification operation execution command creating means for creating an identification operation execution command for causing the printing apparatus to execute the identification operation;
The identification operation execution instructing unit identifies the printing apparatus by transmitting the identification operation execution command created by the identification operation execution command creating unit to the printing apparatus to which the print data is transmitted by the print data transmission unit. The print data creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein execution of the operation is instructed.   4. The print data according to claim 2, wherein the identification operation execution unit instructs execution of an identification operation set in the identification operation setting table stored in each of the plurality of printing apparatuses. Creation device. An identification operation editing command creating means for creating an identification operation editing command for editing the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table;
Editing destination selection means for selecting any of the plurality of printing apparatuses as a transmission destination of the identification action editing command created by the identification action editing command creation means;
The print data creation apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: an identification operation editing command transmission unit that transmits the identification operation editing command to the printing apparatus selected by the editing destination selection unit.   6. The print data creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identification operation is an output of sound from the printing apparatus.   The print data creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identification operation is an output of colored light from the printing apparatus.   The print data creating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identification operation is projection of arbitrary display information from the printing apparatus onto an external subject. A printing apparatus connected to a print data creation apparatus via a network and executing image printing on a recording medium based on the print data,
Print data receiving means for receiving print data from the print data creation device;
Printing means for printing an image on a recording medium based on the print data received by the print data receiving means;
And an identification operation execution unit that executes an identification operation that allows the printing device to be identified when printing is performed by the printing unit when an instruction to perform the identification operation is issued from the print data creation device. Printing device. An identification operation setting table storage unit that stores an identification operation setting table that sets an identification operation of the printing device that enables identification of a printing device that performs printing by the printing unit from among a plurality of printing devices;
The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the identification operation executing unit executes the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table stored in the identification operation setting table storage unit.   The identification operation editing means for editing the identification operation set in the identification operation setting table based on an identification operation editing command transmitted from the print data creation device. Printing device. A sound output unit that outputs a sound as the identification operation,
The printing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a volume setting unit configured to arbitrarily set a maximum volume that can be output by the sound output unit. A method for identifying a printing apparatus that performs image printing on a recording medium based on print data,
A print data receiving process for receiving print data via a network;
A printing step of printing an image on a recording medium based on the print data received by the print data receiving step;
An identification operation execution step of performing an identification operation for enabling identification of a printing apparatus that executes the printing process at the time of execution of the printing process.