JP2008090721A - Information processor, print system and print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform printing on printed matters for all members of a group by one print instruction with an image quality and quantity according to classification of the group members. <P>SOLUTION: In a host terminal 10, a delivery information management TB 131 retains the number of persons and an image conversion method for each degree of color blindness of each class. A delivery designation control part 144 receives a class as a delivery destination instructed by a user at the print instruction of document information, and a characteristic-based image conversion processing part 145 specifies an image conversion method for each degree of color blindness corresponding to the class of the delivery destination from the delivery destination information management TB 131, and image-converts the document information. A print job creation part 142 specifies the number of persons for each degree of color blindness corresponding to the class of the delivery destination from the management TB 131, and gives print instruction corresponding in number to the number of persons for each degree of color blindness of the document information after image-conversion based on the degree concerned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing control program.

  In the operation of a printer, there are not a few usages in which the document information is printed as many copies as the number of people in the distribution target group, and the printed matter is distributed to all members of the group.

  In such an operation, when the printer is a color printer, the same color printed matter is generally printed for the number of people in the group and distributed to each person in the group.

  On the other hand, there may be color blind people in the distribution target group. In this case, when a color blind person receives distribution of the same color printed matter as a normal color blind person, the color image portion may be difficult to see or the color may not be recognized.

In order to reduce the difficulty in viewing a color print by a person with color blindness, the following Patent Document 1 has a plurality of means for converting a drawing image into a pattern that is easy for a person with color blindness to see, and designates a conversion pattern when executing printing. Thus, a technique for performing drawing image conversion processing according to the designation and printing is disclosed.
JP 2001-293926 A

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing system capable of printing a printed matter for all members of a distribution target group by a single print instruction with a breakdown of images and the number of copies corresponding to the classification of the members of the group. An object is to provide a print control program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a holding unit that holds the number of group members according to classification and the image conversion method according to the classification corresponding to the group. An image conversion unit that performs image conversion of the document by an image conversion method classified by classification corresponding to the group held in the holding unit, and an image conversion by the image conversion unit. Printing control means for controlling printing of the document information by the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the classification held in the holding means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the changing means for changing the group, the number of the group members by classification, and the image conversion method by the classification, which the holding means holds. It comprises.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the holding means includes a number of persons according to the degree of color vision abnormality in the group and a converted color image corresponding to each degree of the color vision abnormality. Holding a color image conversion conversion method into a converted color image, wherein the image conversion means is instructed to print the color image conversion method corresponding to each degree of color vision abnormality by the color image conversion method corresponding to each degree of color vision abnormality. The corresponding converted color image of the document is converted into a converted color image.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the third aspect, the print control unit performs the print control each time print control is performed based on the document information after the image conversion for each degree of the color vision abnormality. The document information after image conversion corresponding to all the degree of color blindness is updated by sequentially subtracting the number of copies corresponding to the number of color vision abnormalities from the set number of copies at the time of printing instruction of the document to update the number of remaining printed copies. After the print control based on the above is completed, the document is further subjected to print control for the remaining number of copies without image conversion by the image conversion means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising: an information processing apparatus; and the information processing apparatus and a printing control apparatus connected to the printing apparatus. The information processing apparatus forms a group with respect to the printing control apparatus. A print instructing unit for instructing printing of a designated document, and the print control device includes a holding unit for holding the number of group members according to the classification and the image conversion method according to the classification corresponding to the group; An image conversion unit that performs image conversion of the document by an image conversion method classified by classification corresponding to the group held in the holding unit when receiving a print instruction of the document designating the group from the information processing apparatus; A printing system for controlling the document information, which has been image-converted by the image conversion means, to be printed by the printing apparatus by the number of copies corresponding to the number of people belonging to the classification held in the holding means. And means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the holding means converts the number of people according to the degree of color vision abnormality in the group and the converted color image from the converted color image corresponding to each degree of the color vision abnormality. A color image conversion conversion method to an image, wherein the image conversion means performs the color image conversion method corresponding to each degree of color vision abnormality for each degree of color vision abnormality, and The corresponding converted color image is converted into a converted color image.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the print control unit performs the print control every time print control is performed based on the document information after the image conversion for each degree of color blindness. The number of copies corresponding to the controlled degree of color vision abnormality is sequentially subtracted from the set number at the time of printing instruction of the document to update the remaining printing number, and after the image conversion corresponding to all the degree of color vision abnormality After the print control based on the document information is completed, the document is further subjected to print control for the remaining number of copies without performing image conversion by the image conversion means.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control program according to the invention, wherein the number of the group members classified by classification and the image conversion method classified by classification are held in a holding unit corresponding to the group, and the document specifying the group is stored. In the printing instruction, the image conversion step for performing image conversion of the document by the image conversion method classified by classification corresponding to the group held in the holding unit, and the document information image-converted by the image conversion step And causing the computer to execute print control including a print control step of performing print control for the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the classification held in the means.

  According to each of the first, fifth, and eighth aspects of the present invention, compared to the case where the present configuration is not provided, the printed matter for all the members of the distribution target group can be classified by a single print instruction. Separately, it is possible to print with a breakdown of image quality and the number of copies corresponding to the classification, and there is no trouble of specifying an image conversion method when issuing a print instruction.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the printed matter for all members of the distribution target group is printed with the breakdown of the image quality and the number of copies corresponding to the classification according to the classification of the group members, It is possible to respond flexibly to replacement.

  According to each of the third and sixth aspects of the invention, compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the color vision is normal only by giving a single print instruction to a class in which students with abnormal color vision are present. The necessary number of copies to be distributed to each student, and the images that are difficult to see for each degree of color vision abnormalities are converted into easy-to-see colors for distribution to students with different color vision abnormalities. The necessary number of copies can be printed easily.

  According to the inventions of claims 4 and 7, the printed matter can be printed with the image quality and the number of copies corresponding to the degree of color blindness of the group of color blindness designated as the distribution destination, and the document information By printing without conversion, the printed matter for the normal color vision person distributed to the normal color vision person in the group can be printed at the same time.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment.

  This printing system receives a print job from a host terminal 10 having a document processing function such as editing and management of a document and sending a print request (print job), and receives a print job based on the print job. A printer 20 that prints and outputs print data on a recording medium (recording paper) is configured via a transmission path 30 such as a LAN cable.

  In this printing system, the host terminal 10 creates document information including color information including, for example, R (red), G (green), B (blue), and the like, and issues a print request (print job) for the document information. The printer 20 is realized by a color printer that can receive a print job sent from the host terminal 10 and print the print data in the print job as a color image.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the host terminal 10 according to the first embodiment.

  The host terminal 10 is realized by, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), and as shown in FIG. 2, displays an input / operation unit 11 including an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and various types of information such as operation guidance and operation status. Display unit 12, storage unit 13 for storing various information such as operation programs, control unit 14 for controlling the entire apparatus, and external interface (I / I) that controls a communication interface when communicating with the printer 20 via the transmission path 30. F) It is provided with the part 15.

  In the host terminal 10, the storage unit 13 classifies according to predetermined characteristics of members constituting the group corresponding to the group to which the printed matter printed by the printer 20 is distributed through the print control of the host terminal 10. A distribution destination information management table (TB) 131 is provided that holds (stores) distribution destination information including the number of members belonging to each characteristic category and an image conversion method corresponding to each characteristic category.

  In the host terminal 10, the control unit 14 performs processing such as operation of document information (document file), storage, display, editing, and print instruction operation according to a predetermined operation in the input / operation unit 11. Based on a predetermined print instruction operation in the application unit 141, the input / operation unit 11, a print job including a document file print data and its processing instruction is generated and sent to the printer 20. A distribution destination information management unit 143 that manages (registers and updates) the distribution destination information corresponding to a plurality of groups using the provided distribution destination information management TB 131, and when a user (user) issues a document information print instruction. , A distribution destination designation control unit 144 that performs control such as accepting a group designation of a distribution target (distribution destination) of a printed material based on the document information, a designated distribution destination Distribution destination information held in the distribution destination information management TB 131 corresponding to the group (characteristic classification of members constituting the group, number of members for each characteristic classification, image conversion method corresponding to each characteristic classification, etc. Information), and for each characteristic, an image conversion process for each characteristic for the document information instructed to be printed by the user is performed so that the printed matter for all the groups can be printed out in an image and the number of copies corresponding to each characteristic. A characteristic-specific image conversion processing unit 145 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer 20 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 20 is connected from the host terminal 10 through the external interface (I / F) unit 21 that controls a communication interface when communicating with the host terminal 10 via the transmission path 30 and the external I / F unit 21. A storage unit 22 for storing various information such as print data and operation programs extracted from the received print job, a recording medium (recording) by executing an electrophotographic process based on print image data obtained by image processing of the received print data The image forming unit 23 forms (prints) an image on (paper), the display / operation unit 24 including a large bitmap display having a touch panel function, and the control unit 25 for controlling the entire apparatus.

  In the printer 20, the control unit 25 includes a print job analysis unit 251 that performs analysis of a print job received from the host terminal 10 through the external I / F unit 21 and generation processing of print image data based on the analysis result. A print control unit 252 is provided for transmitting the image data to the image forming unit 23 and printing out the image on a recording medium.

  This printing system is installed, for example, in a school staff room, and is used by a teacher in charge of a certain grade or class to print a print (printed material) distributed to students of that grade or class. Here, since the printer 20 is a color printer, a color print can be printed as a distributed print.

  In the operation of this printing system, when printing and distributing color prints, the teacher examines the number of color blind persons in each grade or class in which they are responsible for each degree of color blindness. It is necessary to register distribution destination information including information on the number of persons for each degree in the distribution destination information management TB 131 in advance.

  FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of distribution destination information registered in the distribution destination information management TB 131.

  In the distribution destination information management TB 131 illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, the degree of color blindness (degree 1, degree 2) corresponding to each class (Class A, Group B, Group C,...) In the first grade of elementary school. , Grade 3, grade 4, etc., the number of persons belonging to each grade is registered.

  Corresponding to the degree of color blindness (about 1, about 2, about 3, about 4,...), The conversion method (the color from the converted color image in the document information to the converted color image), respectively. Image conversion method) is registered. Specifically, in this example, for the degree of color blindness = “degree 1”, the image conversion method “a” that converts light blue to gray and gray to pink is used. Image conversion methods b and c for converting blue-green to gray for “2” and “degree 3”, and image conversion methods for converting red to green for the degree of color blindness = “degree 4” Each d is registered.

  Registration of distribution destination information in the distribution destination information management TB 131 can be performed by processing by the distribution destination information management unit 143 of the host terminal 10.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of registering (updating) distribution destination information in the distribution destination information management TB 131 by the distribution destination information management unit 143 of the host terminal 10.

  The distribution destination information management unit 143 is provided as, for example, a distribution destination information registration application under the control of the application unit 141, and a user (school or class teacher) displays a screen (for example, displayed on the display unit 12). It is activated by selecting and designating a corresponding icon on the desktop screen (step S101), and a menu screen including a “start registration” button and the like is displayed.

  While the menu screen is displayed, the distribution destination information management unit 143 monitors whether or not a distribution destination information registration start operation has been performed by pressing a “start registration” button or the like (step S103).

  Here, when the distribution destination information registration start operation is performed by the user (YES in step S103), the distribution destination information management unit 143 reads the information registered at that time from the distribution destination information management TB 131 and displays it on the display unit 12. A list is displayed (step S105).

  Here, the list display screen displayed on the display unit 12 displays each information item in the distribution destination information management TB 131 shown in FIG. 4 [the degree of color blindness for each class (“degree 1”, “degree 2”, “degree] 3,...), The number of persons for each “degree”, and an image input method corresponding to each “degree”], and the information input field corresponding to the desired information item is selected and the information is selected. It is configured such that desired information (information on the corresponding item) can be entered in the input field.

  During the display of the list screen, the distribution destination information management unit 143 monitors whether or not a registration end operation provided on the screen, for example, by pressing the “registration completion” button is performed (step S107). When the registration end operation is not performed (NO in step S107), it is further monitored whether or not registration information (or change information) is input to each information input field of the list display screen information (step S109). ).

  Here, when registration information (or change information) is input by the user (YES in step S109), the input information is registered in the corresponding information item column of the distribution destination information management TB 131 (step S111). Thereafter, while the registration end operation is not performed (NO in step S107), similarly, the registration (update) process of the input registration information (or change information) is continued (YES in step S109 → S111).

  During this time, if a registration end operation is performed (YES in step S107), the list display screen is closed, and a series of registration (update) processing ends.

  As described above, the host terminal 10 can appropriately update the distribution destination information for the distribution destination information management TB 131 by the processing of the distribution destination information management unit 143.

  Here, on the list screen displayed in the above step S105, a class, a “degree” degree of color blindness for each class, the number of persons by “degree”, and a column corresponding to each “degree” are additionally set. It goes without saying that information (distribution destination information) of unregistered groups (classes) can be newly registered by inputting the value of the information of the corresponding item in each column.

  The distribution destination information management unit 143 is not limited to being implemented as a distribution destination information registration application, and may be provided as a processing function of a document processing application that operates under the control of the application unit 141.

  Next, the registration (update) process shown in FIG. 5 causes the distribution destination information management TB 131 to, for example, the distribution destination information having the contents shown in FIG. 4 (in this example, the degree of color blindness corresponding to each class in the first grade) The print processing operation in the host terminal 10 when another person number and image conversion method information) are registered will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the print processing operation in the host terminal 10 of this printing system.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the host terminal 10, the application unit 141 activates the application in response to a selection activation operation of a desired application (document processing application) on the input / operation unit 11 by the user (step S <b> 201). .

  Thereafter, under the control of the application unit 141, the application reads the selected document information from the document information managed by the application in response to the user's selection operation for the document information desired to be printed. For example, a print setting screen 121 as shown in FIG. 7 is opened in response to the document information selection process (step S202) for displaying the editing screen and the operation of the corresponding menu button (“print” button) on the editing screen. Then, a process of accepting an input of print settings (print control information) from the user (step S203) is performed.

  Here, in the print setting screen 121 supported by the application, as shown in FIG. 7, the number of copies, layout (vertical / horizontal), paper size (B4, A4, B5,...), Enlargement / reduction (one sheet) In addition to input fields for general setting items such as the number of pages per page and paper size) and print range (all pages, current page, specified page), a distribution destination specification field for specifying the distribution destination of printed materials is provided. .

  This distribution destination designation column is a characteristic-specific image conversion continuous printing mode corresponding to the processing in steps S208 to S214 in FIG. 6 [The document information instructed to print is the characteristic of the constituent member (student) of the distribution destination (for example, a class). In this example, the image conversion continuous printing mode for each characteristic is used. A check box (CB) for instructing whether to activate (hereinafter referred to as image conversion printing mode) and a selection candidate provided along with the CB, for example, from each class in the first grade It is composed of a combo box (abbreviated as CMB) that can select and designate any class as a distribution destination.

  As a result, for example, when printing a print distributed to Class A in the first grade, the user selects document information to be printed in Step S202, and in Step S203, the number of copies of Group A (for example, , 40)), and the “Image conversion print designation” check box in the distribution destination designation column is checked, and an associated combo is specified. -By operating the box and selecting the first grade A group, the first grade A group can be designated as the distribution destination.

  On the other hand, the distribution destination designation control unit 144 monitors the distribution destination selection designation operation performed using the distribution destination designation column on the print setting screen 121, accepts the designation of the distribution destination (step S204), and accepts the accepted distribution. The information of the former (in this example, the first class A group) is held as a search key of the distribution destination information management TB 131.

  While continuing the document information selection, print setting, and distribution destination designation receiving processes in steps S202, S203, and S204, the application unit 141 instructs to start printing such as pressing a “start” button on the print setting screen 121. It is monitored whether or not an operation has been performed (step S205).

  During this time, when a print start instruction operation is performed (YES in step S205), the print job generation unit 142 prints the document information (color document information) selected in step S202 with the print settings specified in step S203. Prepare to create a print job that includes instructions.

  At that time, it is checked whether or not the distribution destination of the printed material is specified together with the print setting (whether or not the distribution destination information is retained) (step S206), and it is determined that the distribution destination is not specified. (Step S206 NO) performs normal printing control (Step S221).

  In this normal print control, the print job generation unit 142 generates print data based on the document information selected in step S202, and includes a print job including a processing command for setting the print data and the number of copies to 40. Is generated and sent to the printer 20, and the printer 20 is made to print out the printed matter (image corresponding to the document information) for the designated number of copies (40 copies) based on the print job.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the distribution destination of the printed material is specified (YES in step S206), the distribution destination information (identification information) held is extracted to determine the distribution destination (step S207).

  Next, the image conversion processing unit by characteristic 145 checks the distribution destination information stored in the distribution destination information management TB 131 corresponding to the determined distribution destination (step S208).

  Specifically, for example, it is checked whether or not the column of “degree of color vision abnormality” in the first grade A set designated as the distribution destination this time has been searched in order from “degree 1”.

  Thereby, for example, if the “degree 1” column in the “degree of color blindness” column corresponding to the first class A that is the distribution destination is not searched (YES in step S209), the “degree 1” It is checked whether the number of people in the column is not “0” (step S210). If the number of people is “0” (step S210 NO), the process returns to step S209.

  If the number of persons in the “degree 1” column is not “0” (YES in step S210), the image conversion processing unit by characteristics 145 selects an image conversion method corresponding to the “degree 1” from the distribution destination information management TB 131. a is specified, and the document information selected in step S202 is converted by the image conversion method a (step S211).

  Here, the document information selected by the user in step S202 has a color image area composed of R, G, and B, and the printer 20 has, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C ( Assume that the image forming unit 23 forms a color image on a recording sheet using toners of cyan and K (black) colors.

  In this case, the characteristic image conversion processing unit 145 determines in step S211 from the document information selected by the user in step S202, the degree of color blindness among the color image regions composed of R, G, and B = “about 1 ”Corresponding to the color to be converted (light blue and gray) of the image conversion method a specified corresponding to“ ”, and the region is converted into the conversion color of the image conversion method a (gray, gray for light blue). Is converted into an image of each color component of Y, M, C, and K that can be expressed in a color corresponding to pink.

  Thereafter, the document information after the image conversion and the number of color vision abnormalities that have been searched this time = “degree 1” are passed to the print job generation unit 142.

  As a result, the print job generation unit 142 generates print data based on the document information after the image conversion, and prints the number of copies corresponding to the number of people with the degree of color vision abnormality = “about 1”. A print job including a processing instruction is generated, and the print job is sent to the printer 20 (step S212).

  On the other hand, the printer 20 that is the transmission destination of the print job receives the print job sent from the host terminal 10, the print job analysis unit 251 analyzes the print job, generates print image data, and the print control unit 252 The print image data is transferred to the image forming unit 23, and an operation based on printing the image based on the print image data on a recording medium (paper) is output until the number of print copies is reached.

  In step S212, the print job [degree of color vision abnormality already searched = print degree for the number of copies corresponding to the degree of color vision abnormality = “degree 1” based on the document information image-converted corresponding to “degree 1”] ] Is transmitted, the print job generation unit 142 subtracts the number of copies (= n) instructed to print this time from the number of copies designated by the print setting in step S203, that is, the set number of copies (= N). Then, the number of copies N is updated to (N = N−n) (step S212).

  Thereafter, the print job generation unit 142 returns to step S209, where it is determined that any of the “degree 2”, “degree 3”,... (In step S209 YES), the number of people in the “degree 2”, “degree 3”,... Column determined as unsearched is not “0” each time (every time) according to the procedure described above. If the number of persons is not “0” (YES in step S210), the document information selected in step S202 is converted into an image corresponding to the “degree 2”, “degree 3”,. After the conversion by the method b, c,... (Step S211), the number of persons in the “degree 2”, “degree 3”,... Column is read, and the image is converted by the corresponding image conversion method b, c,. When print data is generated based on document information , A print job including a processing command for printing the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons of “degree 2”, “degree 3”,... Is sent to the printer 20 (step S212). Further, after the print job is sent, the number of print copies (remaining print copies) N is obtained by subtracting the number of copies (= n) instructed to be printed this time from the number of print copies updated in step S213 (= N). (N = N−n) is updated (step S212), and the process returns to step S209 again.

  If it is determined that there is no unexamined “degree” column in the “degree of color blindness” column (NO in step S209), the print job generation unit 142 displays the current number of copies [in the previous step S213. The updated number of print copies (remaining print copies)] N is read, while print data is generated based on the document information (original document information not subjected to image conversion) instructed for printing in step S202, and the print A print job including a processing instruction for printing data corresponding to the number N of current print copies is generated, the print job is sent to the printer 20 (step S214), and a series of printing processes is completed.

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a print output example of the printer 20 based on the printing process (see FIG. 6) of the host terminal 10 and a print instruction operation example at that time.

  In this example, for example, using the host terminal 10 in which the distribution destination information having the contents shown in FIG. For example, an output example in a situation where document information “class letter” is printed and distributed to 40 people) is shown.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the teacher selects the document information “class letter” having the contents shown in FIG. A print instruction operation is performed in which the number of minutes (N = 40) is designated and the first grade A set is designated as the distribution destination.

  On the other hand, in response to the printing instruction operation shown in FIG. 8A by the teacher, the host terminal 10 selects document information “class letter” and prints = 40 copies in steps S202, S203, and S204 in FIG. And a print destination including the first, and a destination designation receiving process with the first grade A set as the destination.

  Thereafter, when the teacher performs a print start instruction operation, the host terminal 10 that has recognized this in step S205 recognizes that the distribution destination is “A group in the first grade” in step S207.

  Subsequently, the host terminal 10 goes through steps S209 and S210, and the number of persons corresponding to “degree 1” in the “degree of color blindness” column stored in the distribution destination information management TB 131 corresponding to the “group A”. Is not “0”, and in step S211, the image conversion method corresponding to the “degree 1” is the image conversion method a that converts light blue to gray and gray to pink. Is extracted, the light blue object and the gray object in the document information “class letter” selected in step S202 are extracted, and image conversion processing is performed to convert each object into gray and pink, respectively.

  Further, in relation to the processing in step S211, it is recognized that the number of people corresponding to the degree of color vision abnormality = “degree 1” is “2”, and in step S212, after image conversion based on the image conversion method a. Print data based on the document information “class report” is generated, a print job including a processing instruction for printing the print data in two copies is generated and sent to the printer 20. Two copies of “Class Letter” for students of “degree 1” are printed out.

  Next, after the number of copies N is updated to (N = 40-2 = 38) in step S213, it is stored in the distribution destination information management TB 131 corresponding to the “A set” again through steps S209 and S210. In the column of “degree of color blindness”, it is recognized that the number of people corresponding to “degree 2” is not “0”, and then in step S211, the image conversion method corresponding to “degree 2” is blue-green. Recognizing that this is the image conversion method b for converting to gray, image conversion processing for converting to a blue-green object gray in the document information “class letter” selected in step S202 is performed.

  Further, in connection with the processing in step S211, it is recognized that the number of people corresponding to the degree of color vision abnormality = “degree 2” is “1”, and in step S212, after image conversion based on the image conversion method b. Print data based on the document information “class letter” is generated and a print job including a processing instruction for printing one copy of the print data is generated and sent to the printer 20. A copy of “Class Letter” for students of “degree 2” is printed out.

  Next, after the number of copies N is updated to (N = 38-1 = 37) in step S213, it is stored in the distribution destination information management TB 131 corresponding to the “A set” again through steps S209 and S210. In the column of “degree of color blindness”, it is recognized that the number of persons corresponding to “degree 4” is not “0”, and then in step S211, the image conversion method corresponding to “degree 4” is changed from red to green. Recognizing that this is the image conversion method d for converting to red, the image conversion process for converting the red object in the document information “class letter” selected in step S202 to green is performed.

  Further, in connection with the processing in step S211, it is recognized that the number of persons corresponding to the degree of color vision abnormality = “degree 4” is “3”, and in step S212, after image conversion based on the image conversion method d. Print data based on the document information “class letter” is generated and a print job including a processing instruction for printing the print data in three copies is generated and sent to the printer 20. Print out three copies of “Class Letter” for students of “degree 4”.

  Next, after the number of copies N is updated to (N = 37-3 = 34) in step S213, the process proceeds to step S209 again, where it is stored in the distribution destination information management TB 131 corresponding to the “A set”. If it is recognized that the number of persons corresponding to “degree 5” or later is “0” in the “degree of color blindness” column, the process further proceeds to step S214 to recognize the current number of print copies N = 34. Print data based on the original document information “class letter” selected in S202 is generated, and a print job including a processing command for printing 34 copies of the print data is generated and sent to the printer 20. Will print 34 copies of “class letter” for students who are normal.

  As a result of this printing process, the teacher in charge of Class A in the first grade selects “Class Letter”, specifies the number of copies (40 copies) for the number of people in Class A as the number of copies, and sets Class A as the distribution target. (See FIG. 8A), information stored in the distribution destination information management TB 131 shown in FIG. 4 corresponding to the set A (degree of color blindness 1, 2, 4 / Number of persons = 2, 1, 3 / Based on the image conversion methods a, b, d), as shown in FIG. 8B, the light blue and gray objects in the original “class report” are converted into the image conversion method a. As a result, two copies of “School Letter” 231a for two students of the degree of color blindness converted to gray and pink, respectively, and the blue-green object in the original “Class Letter” are images. The degree of color blindness converted to gray by conversion method b = A degree of color blindness in which a red letter in the original "class letter" is converted to green by the image conversion method d = 3 of grade 4 The printer 20 includes three copies of a “school year letter” 231d for human students, and 34 copies of a “school letter” 231e for 36 students who are normal color vision based on original document information without image conversion. Is printed out.

  After that, the teacher outputs “a letter from school grade” 231a to each student of the class A color blindness = degree 1 and “school news” 231b gives a grade 2 color blindness student to the student “ “School-level news” 231d can be distributed to each student of the degree of color blindness = degree 4, and “School-level news” 231e can be distributed to each student with normal color vision.

  As described above, in the host terminal 10 according to the first embodiment, in response to a print instruction for a document designating a group (distribution destination), the image conversion method classified by classification corresponding to the group held in the distribution destination information management TB 131 is used. A group having an image conversion processing unit by characteristics 145 that performs image conversion of a document, and the print job generation unit 142 storing the document information image-converted by the image conversion processing unit by characteristics 145 in the distribution destination information management TB 131 Control is performed so that the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the category is printed.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the printing system according to the second embodiment.

  This printing system is configured by connecting a host terminal 10B, a printer 20, and a print server 50 via a transmission line 30 such as a LAN cable.

  In the present embodiment, the host terminal 10B is realized by a PC or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, from the host terminal 10 according to the first embodiment, a distribution destination information management TB 131, a distribution destination information management unit 143, It has a configuration in which each function of the image conversion processing unit 145 is removed.

  In this configuration, the host terminal 10B activates an application by the application unit 141, selects a document, displays it on the editing screen, and performs print setting using the print setting screen 121 (see FIG. 7), as in the first embodiment. When performing the above, if necessary, a check box in the distribution destination designation column is checked, and the combo box can be operated to designate the distribution destination of the printed material based on the document information.

  Thereafter, when a print start operation is performed, the print job generation unit 142 generates a print job including print data generated based on the document information and a processing command based on the print setting. At this time, if the distribution destination designation is accepted at the time of the print setting, the designated distribution destination information is added to the print job and transmitted to the print server 50.

  That is, the host terminal 10B according to the present embodiment has a print instruction function for instructing the print server 50 to print a document specifying a distribution destination (group).

  On the other hand, the print server 50 is realized by an information processing apparatus such as a computer. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a communication interface (communication interface (communication interface) for communicating with the host terminal 10B and the printer 20 via the transmission path 30) I / F) unit 51, a storage unit 53 for storing various information such as operation programs, and a control unit 55 for controlling the entire apparatus.

  In the print server 50, the storage unit 53 is provided with a distribution destination information management table (TB) 531. The distribution destination information management TB 531 stores distribution destination information equivalent to the distribution destination information management TB 131 provided in the storage unit 13 of the host terminal 10 according to the first embodiment.

  Further, the control unit 55 of the print server 50 is provided with a print job (JOB) transmission / reception unit 551, a distribution destination determination unit 552, a print control unit 553, a characteristic-specific image conversion processing unit 554, and a distribution destination information management unit 555.

  A print job (JOB) transmission / reception unit 551 receives a print job sent from the host terminal 10 </ b> B and transmits a print job to the printer 20 via the communication I / F unit 51.

  The distribution destination determination unit 552 extracts the distribution destination information added to the print job received from the host terminal 10B, and determines the distribution destination.

  In addition to normal print control based on the print job received from the host terminal 10B, the print control unit 553 manages distribution destination information corresponding to the distribution destination extracted and determined from the received print job by the distribution destination determination unit 552. According to the distribution destination information held (registered) in the TB 531, image conversion printing according to characteristics described later (steps S 304 to S 310 in FIG. 11) based on print data in the print job (corresponding to document information instructed to be printed by the user). (See also)

  The characteristic-specific image conversion processing unit 554 has the same function as the characteristic-specific image conversion processing unit 145 in the host terminal 10 according to the first embodiment, and is extracted and determined from the received print job by the distribution destination determination unit 552. Document information (print data in a received print job: print instruction in the host terminal 10B is instructed by the image conversion method corresponding to each classification for each classification of the distribution destination held in the distribution destination information management TB 531 corresponding to the distribution destination (Equivalent to document information) image conversion processing is performed.

  For example, the distribution destination information management unit 555 uses the predetermined registration setting screen on the host terminal 10B to input the group name, the number of members of the group by classification, and the image conversion method by classification. A setting request is received, and processing for registering and updating information of each item requested for setting in the corresponding item of the distribution destination information management TB 531 is performed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the print processing operation of the print server 50 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the print server 50 monitors whether a print job has been received from the host terminal 10B during standby (step S301).

  Here, when a print job is received through the print job transmission / reception unit 551 (step S301 YES), the distribution destination determination 552 checks whether or not the information on the distribution destination is included in the print job (step S302). When the distribution destination information is not included (NO in step S302), normal printing control (step S321) is performed.

  In this normal print control, the print control unit 553 sends the print job received from the host terminal 10B in step S301 to the printer 20 through the print job transmission / reception unit 551, and prints ( The image corresponding to the document information) is printed out for the designated number of copies.

  On the other hand, if the print job received from the host terminal 10B includes distribution destination information (YES in step S302), the distribution destination determination unit 5452 extracts the distribution destination information to determine the distribution destination ( Step S303).

  Thereafter, in the print server 50, the print control unit 552 and the characteristic-specific image conversion processing unit 554 cooperate, and for example, the characteristic-specific image conversion processing unit 554 is assigned to the distribution destination (a certain class) determined in step S303. Correspondingly, the document control unit 553 performs image conversion of the document information by an image conversion method for each classification (degree of color blindness) corresponding to the distribution destination (class) held in the distribution destination information management TB 531. The printer 20 prints out the document information image-converted for each classification by the characteristic-specific image conversion processing section 554 by the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the classification of the group held in the distribution destination information management TB 531. Print control is performed (steps S304 to S310).

  The series of characteristic-specific image conversion continuous printing control in steps S305 to S310 is the same as the series of processing shown in steps S208 to S214 of FIG. 6 in the host terminal 10 according to the first embodiment. Detailed explanation is omitted.

  According to the printing system of the present embodiment in which the print server 50 having the print processing function shown in FIG. 11 is arranged, the teacher in charge of the first class A in the first grade uses the host terminal 10B as in the first embodiment. When “class report” is selected, the number of copies (40 copies) corresponding to the number of people in group A is specified as the number of copies to be printed, and the print instruction operation for specifying group A as a distribution target is performed, the print server 50 causes the distribution target Is stored in the distribution destination information management TB 531 corresponding to the set A (degree of color blindness 1, 2, 4 / number of people = 2, 1, 3 / image conversion method a , B, d: Information content is the same as the distribution destination information management TB 131 in FIG. 4), and the breakdown of color blindness as shown in FIG. 2 copies for color blindness degree = 1 copy for color grade 2 students 3 parts of the student abnormality degree = degree 4, control for continuously printing out "grade news" in the printer 30 of the total 40 parts of 34 parts for the student is normal color vision person is performed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the host terminal 10B instructs the print server 50 to print a document designating a group (distribution destination), and the print server 50 prints a document designating a group from the host terminal 10B. When accepting the print instruction, the image conversion processing unit by characteristics 554 performs image conversion of the document by the image conversion method by classification corresponding to the group held in the distribution destination information management TB 531, and the print control unit 553 Print control is performed in which the printer 20 prints the document information image-converted by the separate image conversion processing unit 554 by the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the classification held in the distribution destination information management TB 531.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented by being appropriately modified within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  For example, in the first embodiment, a distribution destination is designated, image conversion corresponding to the classification is performed according to the classification of the members of the distribution destination group, and printing control is performed for the number of people belonging to the classification. In the case where only the distribution destination information relating to one group is registered in the TB 131 (there is no room for selecting a group), printing is selectively designated in the image conversion by characteristic image conversion continuous printing mode, and the mode is designated. In this case, the above-described characteristic-specific image conversion continuous printing may be executed.

  In this case, for example, in the print setting screen 121 shown in FIG. 7, a print setting screen having only an “image conversion print designation” check box in the distribution destination designation column is used, and the check box is checked. Depending on whether or not, it may be configured to instruct whether or not to perform continuous image conversion by characteristics.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, an example has been given in which the information holding means stores the number of people and the color image conversion method corresponding to the degree of color blindness of color blind persons in a group (grade or class). The information about the group held in is not limited to the information about color blindness, but may be other information.

  In short, the present invention has a holding unit that holds the number of group members according to classification and the image conversion method according to the classification corresponding to the group. The document image conversion is performed by the image conversion method for each category corresponding to the group held in the holding unit, and the document information image-converted for each category corresponds to the number of persons belonging to the class held in the holding unit. The present invention can be applied to information processing apparatuses and printing systems that perform printing control for each copy.

  Thus, for example, when the holding means stores information on the number of employees for each job category of a company, and the document information is designated as a distribution destination, the document information is It can also be applied to a printing system that prints in color for the corresponding number of officers and prints in black and white for the corresponding number of ordinary employees.

  In the above embodiment, a print control program is installed in the host terminals 10 and 10B and the print server 50 (hereinafter referred to as a computer), and a group is designated for the host terminals 10 and 10B and the print server 50 based on the program. When a document print instruction is issued, an image conversion step for performing image conversion of the document by the image conversion method classified by classification corresponding to the group held in the holding unit, and the document information image-converted by the image conversion step are stored in the holding unit. The print control including the print control step of performing print control for the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the held category is executed. The print control program is stored in a storage medium such as a CDROM and provided. Anyway.

  The present invention is applied to a PC, an information processing apparatus such as a print server that performs print control based on a print instruction from the PC, a print system in which the PC and the printer are connected to the print server, and a print control program installed in the PC or the print server. it can.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a host terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. 6 is a table showing an example of distribution destination information registered in a distribution destination information management table of Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing registration (update) processing of distribution destination information of a host terminal. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation in the host terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print setting screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a print output example and a print instruction operation example based on print processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a print server according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation in the print server according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10B ... Host terminal (PC), 11 ... Input / operation part, 12 ... Display part, 121 ... Print setting screen, 13 ... Storage part, 131 ... Distribution destination information management table (TB), 14, 14b ... Control part , 141... Application section, 142... Print job generation section, 143... Distribution destination information management section, 144... Distribution destination designation control section, 145. Communication interface (I / F) unit, 20 Printer, 21 External interface (I / F) unit, 22 Storage unit, 23 Image forming unit, 24 Display / operation unit, 25 Control unit, 251 Print job analysis unit, 252 ... print control unit, 30 ... transmission path, 50 ... print server, 51 ... communication interface (I / F) unit, 53 ... storage unit, 531 ... distribution destination information management table (TB) , 55 ... controller, 551 ... print job receiving unit, 552 ... distribution destination determination section, 553 ... print control unit, 554 ... characteristics based image conversion processing section, 555 ... distribution destination information management unit

Claims (8)

Corresponding to the group, the number of the group members by classification, the holding means for holding the image conversion method by the classification,
An image conversion means for performing image conversion of the document by an image conversion method classified by classification corresponding to the group held in the holding means in response to a print instruction of the document designating the group;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a print control unit configured to print-control document information image-converted by the image conversion unit by the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the classification held in the holding unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a changing unit that changes the group, the number of group members according to classification, and the image conversion method according to the classification held by the holding unit. The holding means is
The number of persons with different color blindness in the group, and a color image conversion conversion method from a converted color image to a converted color image corresponding to each degree of color blindness,
The image conversion means includes
The converted color image corresponding to the print-instructed document is converted into a converted color image by the color image conversion method corresponding to each degree of color vision abnormality for each degree of color vision abnormality. The information processing apparatus described. The print control means includes
Each time print control is performed based on the document information after image conversion for each degree of color blindness, the number of copies corresponding to the degree of color blindness that has been subjected to printing control is calculated from the number of copies set when the document is instructed to be printed. Update the remaining number of copies by subtracting sequentially,
4. After the print control based on the document information after the image conversion corresponding to all the color vision abnormalities is completed, the document is further subjected to print control for the remaining number of copies without performing image conversion by the image conversion means. The information processing apparatus described. An information processing device;
A print control device connected to the information processing device and the printing device,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A print instruction means for instructing the print control apparatus to print a document designating a group;
The print control device includes:
Corresponding to the group, the number of the group members by classification, the holding means for holding the image conversion method by the classification,
An image conversion unit that performs image conversion of the document by an image conversion method classified by classification corresponding to the group held in the holding unit when receiving a print instruction of the document designating the group from the information processing apparatus;
A printing system comprising: a printing control unit that performs control to print the document information image-converted by the image conversion unit by the printing apparatus by a number corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the classification held in the holding unit. The holding means is
The number of persons with different color blindness in the group, and a color image conversion conversion method from a converted color image to a converted color image corresponding to each degree of color blindness,
The image conversion means includes
The color image conversion method corresponding to each degree of color vision abnormality for each degree of color vision abnormality converts the corresponding converted color image of the document instructed to be converted into a converted color image. Printing system. The print control means includes
Each time print control is performed based on the document information after image conversion for each degree of color blindness, the number of copies corresponding to the degree of color blindness that has been subjected to printing control is calculated from the number of copies set when the document is instructed to be printed. Update the remaining number of copies by subtracting sequentially,
6. After the print control based on the document information after the image conversion corresponding to all the degree of color blindness is completed, the document is further subjected to print control for the number of remaining prints without image conversion by the image conversion means. Or the printing system of 6. Corresponding to the group, the number of the group members by classification and the image conversion method by classification are held in the holding means,
An image conversion step of performing image conversion of the document by an image conversion method classified by classification corresponding to the group held in the holding unit when instructing to print the document designating the group;
A print control program for causing a computer to execute print control including: a print control step of performing print control on the document information image-converted in the image conversion step by the number of copies corresponding to the number of persons belonging to the classification held in the holding unit.

Images