JP2008119966A - Printing processing method, printing processing apparatus, and printing processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an accurate checking for whether a proper printing process has been performed or not to be performed. <P>SOLUTION: In this printing processing apparatus 12, when a printing job for performing a printing process based on job data for each customer is received from a host system 44, the extraction of a customer ID, the setting of a sequence number and the allotting process for a recording paper are performed by a printing controller 24, and the printing process is performed by outputting the data to a printing engine 14. Also, in a post-processing apparatus 46, the cutting, folding/gluing processes to the print-processed recording paper are performed, and a notice which has been prepared in this manner is thrown into a letter-box 80. At this time, into a history information managing section 70, the sequence number, the customer ID and the allotting information are input. At the same time, when a bar code indicating the customer ID which is formed on the recording paper is detected by the printing engine, the post-processing apparatus and the letter-box, the information in response to the detected bar code is input as the processing history, and thus, the history information is formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print processing method for performing print processing based on a print job, a print processing apparatus, and a print processing system for performing predetermined processing including print processing.

  In general, in a print processing device such as a printer, the cause of an error is recorded by recording the operation status of the device over time and the progress of processing as a log and checking the log recorded during maintenance such as when an error occurs. It is easy to pursue.

  In such a print processing apparatus, an old log is deleted and a new log is recorded, so that the log is recorded with a limited storage capacity, and thus valid data is deleted. Since there is a possibility, a print system has been proposed in which logs generated by the log generation unit are allocated to a plurality of log storage units to prevent the logs from being deleted (for example, patents). Reference 1).

  On the other hand, printing processing using an image forming apparatus is diversified as printers and the like have advanced functions of the image forming apparatus. Such print processing includes form printing such as a notice for each customer and an invoice.

  In form printing, for example, on a host computer, which is a mainframe, when a predetermined information is edited from a large amount of databases, data on credit card usage details for each customer and transaction details such as a bank are generated. The generated print data is input as a print job.

  As a result, the print processing apparatus performs print processing based on the input print job, and for example, creates printed matter such as usage details and transaction details for individually delivering to each of thousands to hundreds of thousands of customers. .

  Such printed matter includes personal information for each customer. From here, for example, double-sided printing is performed using adhesive paper or the like as recording paper, and the recording paper is predetermined so that the adhesive surface is on the inside. Folded to size and bonded together by applying pressure to create a single printed matter. By forming a postcard or the like in this way, it is possible to prevent the recorded personal information from being inadvertently viewed even if it is delivered to the customer by mail.

  By the way, personal information is not limited to printed materials delivered to customers. For example, there is a possibility of leakage from printed materials, wastes, etc. due to printing errors, defective printing, and unauthorized printing processing. Thus, for example, Patent Document 2 proposes preventing illegal output of a form.

In the proposal of Patent Document 2, the input operation is not accepted when the printing process is started, the display of the form image is suppressed, the background printing process is executed, and the printing processing apparatus Create and store logs when sending form request data, when receiving form data, when sending print data is completed, and when printing is completed using the provided log recording function. Proposes to be able to track output.
JP 2002-108594 A JP 2004-213069 A

  However, in form printing, usage statements and transaction statements for a plurality of customers are printed on a single recording sheet. For this reason, if the printed page is misaligned, different usages are used. The statement or transaction statement will be sent. In particular, when printing processing for thousands to hundreds of thousands of customers is continuously performed, a large amount of information leakage may occur due to a shift in one place.

  At this time, it is difficult to check whether or not the data to be printed has been properly allocated and printed even if data is simply recorded at the time of data input / output and print output.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and an object of the present invention is to provide a print processing method, a print processing apparatus, and a print processing system that enable confirmation of whether or not proper print processing is being performed.

  The print processing method of the present invention that achieves the above object includes a print process on a print sheet based on a print job that includes unique data that allows the job data to be specified for each job data, and a print sheet that has been printed. Is a print processing method for performing post-processing on an image, wherein an identification image that can identify the unique data is set when printing is performed on the recording paper, and an image corresponding to the job data is formed on the recording paper. The identification image is formed, the job data formed on the recording paper or the recording paper is specified from the identification image formed on the recording paper, and the identification image is detected in each step from the printing process to the post-processing. Thus, the recording paper is specified, and processing history information for the job data is generated in association with the specified recording paper.

  According to this invention, for example, the unique code set for each customer or each job data is extracted from the job data for each customer. Also, on the recording paper, an identification image that makes it possible to specify the unique code together with the job data is printed, and the identification image formed on the recording paper when the printing processing and the printing processing on the recording paper are completed and the post-processing is performed. The recording paper is specified from the above, and history information is generated.

  From the history information thus obtained, it is possible to accurately grasp whether or not the recording paper has been properly processed.

  In the print processing method of the present invention, the history information includes allocation of print pages in the order of printing on the recording paper for each job data, and recording paper number as the order of recording paper to be printed. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, a print page is allocated for each job, and print processing on recording paper is performed in the order of the allocated print pages. At this time, recording sheet numbers are sequentially assigned to the recording sheets to be printed, and history information for the job data is generated including the print page number and the recording sheet number.

  Thereby, it is possible to grasp from the history information whether the job data is properly printed on each recording sheet.

  In addition, the present invention includes the identification image printed on the recording paper, the history information including a printing process for each recording paper subjected to a printing process according to job data and a processing result in each post-processing process. To identify the recording paper.

  Thereby, it is possible to confirm whether or not each of the recording sheets is properly processed in each step.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the identification image is obtained by encoding the unique data for each job data so as to be mechanically readable so that mechanical reading is easy. It becomes. As coding at this time, not only barcodes but also two-dimensional barcodes such as QR codes can be applied.

  Such a print processing apparatus applied to the present invention receives a print job including unique data for identifying job data for each job data, and sequentially transfers recording paper to the job data. A print processing apparatus that performs printing processing on recording paper in response, and assigns an extraction unit that extracts the unique data from each of the job data, and a print page number that is the order of printing on the recording paper for each job data Allocating means, printing processing means for printing the job data and unique data for each job data in order on the recording sheet, and the job data and the print page number assigned by the allocating means in order. Output means for outputting the identification image to the print processing means, and recording in the order of the recording paper to be printed The association means for associating the number, the print page number set by the assignment means, and the job data or the unique data, and the recording sheet on which the printing process has been completed can be specified from the identification image printed on the recording sheet. What is necessary is just to include a detection unit and an acquisition unit that acquires information associated by the association unit and a detection result of the detection unit as history information for the job data.

  The print processing apparatus may include a storage unit that stores history information for the job data obtained by the acquisition unit.

  Furthermore, a print processing system to which the present invention is applied is a print processing system that performs print processing on a recording sheet based on a print job that includes unique data that makes it possible to specify job data for each job data, Extraction means for extracting the unique data from each of the job data, assignment means for assigning a print page number to be printed on the recording paper for each job data, and for each job data and job data in order on the recording paper Print processing means for printing an identification image that makes it possible to identify the unique data, output means for outputting the job data and the identification image to the print processing means in the order of the print page numbers assigned by the assignment means, and printing The recording paper number as the order of the recording paper to be processed, the printing paper set by the allocating means An association means for associating a job number and the job data or the unique data, a detection means for enabling the identification of the recording paper that has been printed from the identification image printed on the recording paper, and an association means. And history information generating means for generating history information for the job data from the detected information and the detection result of the detecting means, and recording means for storing the history information generated by the history information generating means. .

  Furthermore, the print processing method of the present invention includes post-processing means for performing post-processing on the recording paper that has undergone printing processing, and the identification that is provided on the post-processing means and printed on the recording paper that has been subjected to post-processing. A reading unit that reads the unique data from the image, and the history information generation unit identifies the recording sheet based on the reading result of the reading unit and includes the recording sheet in the history information for the job data. good.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by using the unique code for each job data, an identification image that can identify the unique code is printed, and the identification image is detected in each processing step. By identifying and generating history information for the recording paper or job data printed on the recording paper, it is possible to accurately grasp whether or not each recording paper has been properly processed from the history information.

  In addition, since the present invention generates history information for job data by associating a print page number to which job data is assigned and a recording paper number for printing job data, each job data is appropriately printed on the recording paper. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that it is possible to accurately grasp what has been done.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a print processing system 10 according to the present embodiment. The print processing system 10 can perform print processing using the print processing device 12 and generate and store a processing history.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the print processing apparatus 12 applied to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the print processing apparatus 12 includes a print engine 14 that performs print processing on the recording paper 16 and a print controller 24 that performs data processing for executing print processing by the print engine 14. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print engine 14 includes a paper feed unit 18 in which the recording paper 16 is accommodated, an image forming unit 20 that performs printing processing on the recording paper 16, and a stock in which the recording paper 16 that has undergone printing processing is accumulated. A portion 22 is provided. The print engine 14 is provided with a conveyance path 26 for the recording paper 16 from the paper supply unit 18 to the stock unit 22 through the image forming unit 20.

  The paper feed unit 18 is provided with a plurality of paper feed trays 28 that can accommodate a plurality of recording papers 16 stacked on each other. In this embodiment, the paper feed trays 28A, 28B, 28C, and 28D are provided as an example, but the number of the paper feed trays 28 is not limited to this.

  In the paper supply unit 18, the uppermost recording paper 16 is taken out from the paper supply tray 28 and sent to the conveyance path 26. Accordingly, the recording paper 16 is conveyed toward the image forming unit 20.

  The image forming unit 20 includes a developing device 30 and an endless transfer belt 32. For example, the developing unit 30 applies an electrophotographic process to form a toner image corresponding to print data on a photosensitive drum (not shown). The image forming unit 20 transfers the toner image to the transfer belt 32.

  The developing device 30 can form a K-color toner image or a Y-, M-, C-, or K-color toner image, thereby enabling a single-color image or a full-color image to be formed. . Further, as the developing device 30, an arbitrary configuration such as directly forming a toner image on the transfer belt 32 without using a photosensitive drum can be applied. Furthermore, in this embodiment, image formation using an electrophotographic process will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration that performs image formation such as an inkjet method can be applied.

  The image forming unit 20 is provided with a transfer unit 34 and a fixing device 36. In the print engine 14, the recording paper 16 is sent to the transfer unit 34 in synchronization with the movement of the transfer belt 32 to which the toner image is transferred, and the recording paper 16 and the transfer belt 32 (toner image) are overlapped by the transfer unit 34. By matching, the toner image on the transfer belt 34 is transferred to the recording paper 16.

  The fixing device 36 includes a fixing roll 36A heated to a predetermined temperature. When the recording paper 16 to which the toner image is transferred and peeled from the transfer belt 32 is fed, the recording paper 16 is transferred to the fixing roll 36A. By heating while applying pressure, the toner transferred to the recording paper 16 is melted and fixed, and an image is formed on the recording paper 16 (printing).

  A reversing section 38 is provided in the transport path 26, and the recording paper 16 that has undergone the fixing process is fed into the reversing section 38, so that the transport direction of the recording paper 16 is reversed and the upstream side of the transfer section 34. It is sent to the conveyance path 26 on the side. As a result, the print processing apparatus 12 can perform printing processing on both the front and back surfaces of the recording paper 16 (double-sided printing processing).

  The stock unit 22 is provided with a paper discharge tray 40 on which the recording paper 16 that has undergone the printing process is stacked. In the present embodiment, the paper discharge trays 40A and 40B are provided as an example.

  The recording paper 16 for which the printing process has been completed is sent to the stock unit 22 to be placed on the paper discharge tray 40A or the paper discharge tray 40B and accumulated. The stock unit 22 is provided with a purge tray 42. When the print processing device 12 detects a printing defect, the recording paper 16 in which the printing defect has occurred is sent to the purge tray 42 and accumulated. As a result, only the recording paper 16 in which the printing failure has occurred can be collectively discarded.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the print processing apparatus 12 is connected to a host system (for example, a host computer) 44 provided as a main frame, and receives print jobs input from the host system 44. Based on this, the printing process is executed.

  The host system 44 extracts data for each customer from a large number of databases using a predetermined business application, and prints, for example, a credit card usage statement or a bank transaction statement for each customer from the extracted data. Data (hereinafter referred to as job data) is created, and the created job data is transmitted to the print processing apparatus 12 as a print job.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the print controller 24 of the print processing apparatus 12 performs an input process for receiving a print job and an output process for performing a print process based on the received print job. The print job transmitted from the host system 44 is received by the print controller 24, and the print job is developed for each page of the recording paper 16 to generate print data (for example, raster data) used for the printing process. A known configuration can be applied to such basic processing in the print processing apparatus 12, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  On the other hand, the print processing system 10 applied to the present embodiment is provided with a post-processing device 46 that performs a predetermined post-processing on the recording paper 16 that has been printed by the print processing device 12.

  In the print processing system 10, as an example of print processing using the print processing device 12, a description will be given on the assumption that a notification 48 (see FIG. 4) such as a credit card usage statement sent to a customer is printed.

  The post-processing device 46 performs a cutting process on the recording paper 16 for which the printing process in the print processing device 12 has been completed, and a bending process and a gluing process for the cut recording paper 16. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the print processing apparatus 12 prints the customer's address on one side of the recording paper 16 (hereinafter referred to as the front surface 16A; see FIG. 5A), and the other side ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as a back surface 16B (see FIG. 5B), and usage details for each customer are printed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, two notices 48 are prepared from one recording paper 16, and the post-processing device 46 cuts the recording paper 16 at a predetermined portion and then records it. The recording paper 16 is bent so that the back surface 16B side of the paper 16 is inside. At this time, the post-processing device 46 glues a predetermined area of the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16 and adheres the back surface 16B of the folded recording paper 16 to create a notification 48 for each case.

  At this time, by printing the details for each customer on the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16, the printed details are concealed. A known configuration can be applied as the basic configuration of the post-processing device 46. Further, as the recording paper 16, it is possible to use an adhesive paper having an adhesive applied to the back surface, and in this case, the gluing process can be omitted.

  FIG. 5A shows a print example of the address on the front surface 16A of the recording paper 16, and FIG. 5B shows a print example of the usage details on the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16. FIG.

  In the host system 44, job data for each customer for printing the notification 48 is generated using a business application, and the generated job data is transmitted to the print processing apparatus 12 as a print job to be printed on a predetermined print form. To do.

  Further, in the database used for the host system 44, unique data such as a customer ID (hereinafter referred to as a customer ID) is given as identification information for each customer for identifying the customer. , This customer ID is included.

  Further, the business application used in the host system 44 encodes the customer ID together with the customer ID, and generates job data so that an image that can be mechanically read (hereinafter referred to as an identification image) is printed. In the present embodiment, as an example of the identification image, a barcode obtained by encoding information including a customer ID is used, and the customer ID and the barcode are described to be printed on the recording paper 16. The identification image to be applied is not limited to this, and any coding method may be applied to the coding of information including the customer ID as long as it is mechanically readable, such as a two-dimensional code such as a QR code. be able to.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of print data based on a print job generated by such a business application. In this business application, two data to be printed on the front surface of the recording paper 16 are followed by two data to be printed on the back surface of the recording paper 16, and further, on the front and back surfaces of one recording paper 16. Data to be printed on the next recording paper 16 is continued after the data to be printed.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 3, the print controller 24 of the print processing apparatus 12 is provided with a data receiving unit 50 and an identification information extracting unit 52. In the print controller 24, when the print job transmitted from the host system 44 is received by the data receiving unit 50, the customer ID set for each customer is extracted by the identification information extracting unit 52.

  The print controller 24 is provided with a print allocation unit 54. The print allocation unit 54 sets the page number of the recording paper 16 to be printed for each job data of the customer, and sets whether to print on the upper stage or the lower stage of the recording paper 16. That is, a customer to be printed on the front and back surfaces is assigned to each recording paper 16, and when printing two pieces of customer information on one recording paper 16, the upper printing customer and the lower printing customer are set. Based on this setting, the customer allocation information for each recording paper 16 or the allocation information to the recording paper 16 for each customer is generated.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the barcode 60 is printed on the recording paper 16 together with the customer ID 58 on the front surface 16A and the back surface 16B. The same customer ID 58 and barcode 60 are printed in the upper and lower rows. When the customer ID is not added to the job data, the identification information extracting unit 52 may generate identification information (unique code) and a barcode for each job data.

  The controller 24 is provided with a development processing unit 62 and a data output unit 64. The development processing unit 62 develops an image to be printed for each recording paper 16 based on the allocation information and a preset print form, and generates print data (raster data).

  The data output unit 64 outputs the generated print data to the print engine 14 page by page at a predetermined timing. The print engine 14 prints images in the order of the front surface 16A and the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16 when print data is input.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the print engine 14 of the print processing apparatus 12 is provided with a plurality of recording paper detection sensors 66. Each of the recording paper detection sensors 66 is disposed at a predetermined position along the conveyance path 26 and detects the recording paper 16 conveyed along the conveyance path 26. The recording paper detection sensor 66 can read the barcode 60 when the barcode 60 is printed on the recording paper 16.

  In the print processing apparatus 12, as an example, a recording paper detection sensor 66A is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 36 to detect the detection of the recording paper 16 that has undergone the printing process, and each of the front surface 16A and the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16 is detected. It is possible to detect whether or not printing processing has been performed.

  Further, the print processing apparatus 12 is provided with recording paper detection sensors 66B, 66C, and 66D that detect the recording paper 16 fed to the paper discharge trays 40A and 40B and the purge tray 42 of the stock unit 22, respectively.

  Thereby, the print processing apparatus 12 grasps the processing state of the recording paper 16 on which the customer ID is recorded while identifying the recording paper 16 from the customer ID printed on the recording paper 16 conveyed by the conveyance path 26. Is made possible. The recording paper detection sensor 66D is used to detect the recording paper 16 that is discharged to the purge tray 42 due to printing failure.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the print controller 24 is provided with a data transmission unit 68. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the print processing system 10 includes a history information management unit 70. In the present embodiment, the history information management unit 70 is provided in the print processing apparatus 12 as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the data transmission unit 68 includes a customer ID extracted by the identification information extraction unit 52, allocation information for each job data from the print allocation unit 54, and print data (job data) from the data output unit 64. The data transmission unit 68 transmits the input customer ID, assignment information, and output order to the history information management unit 70.

  Further, the recording paper detection sensor 66 (recording paper detection sensors 66A to 66D) provided in the print engine 14 is connected to the data transmission unit 68, whereby each of the recording paper detection sensors 66 is connected to the recording paper. The information of the barcode 60 which is detected and read 16 is input.

  The data transmission unit 68 transmits the recording paper detection sensor 66 that has read the barcode 60 printed on the recording paper 16 and data based on the detected barcode 60 to the history information management unit 70.

  The history information management unit 70 includes a history information processing unit 72 and a storage unit 74 using an HDD or the like. When the history information management unit 70 receives the data transmitted from the data transmission unit 68, the history information management unit 70 generates and records the received data from the processing history for each customer ID for the print job transmitted from the host system 44. Store in the unit 74. At this time, the history information processing unit 72 generates history information by associating the customer ID, the allocation information, and the output order.

  Further, the post-processing device 46 is provided with a barcode reader 76 and a data transmission unit 78. The post-processing device 46 may be connected to the print processing device 12 and may be fed with the recording paper 16 for which the print processing has been completed by the print processing device 12. The recording paper 16 that has been subjected to the printing process by the print processing apparatus 12 may be manually fed.

  In the post-processing device 46, every time the recording paper 16 is cut, bent, and glued, the barcode 60 printed on the recording paper 16 that has been processed is read by the barcode reader 76 to transmit data. The information is transmitted from the unit 78 to the history information management unit 70.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the print processing system 10, the notice 48 created when the predetermined processing is completed by the post-treatment device 46 is delivered to the customer by posting it in the posting box 80. The

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the print processing system 10, the posting box 80 is also provided with a bar code reader 76 and a data transmission unit 78, and a notification is sent when the notice 48 is posted in the posting box 80. The barcode 60 printed on the book 48 is read by the barcode reader 76. The data transmission unit 78 transmits information read by the barcode reader 60 to the history information management unit 70. The reading of the barcode 60 in the posting box 80 may be performed manually at the time of posting, and a barcode reader 76 is provided at the insertion port of the posting box 80 and the notification 48 is input. The barcode 60 may be read when passing through the mouth.

  When the history information processing unit 72 provided in the history information management unit 70 receives the data transmitted from the post-processing device 46 and the data transmission unit 78 of the posting box 80, the history information for each customer ID based on the received data. Update. At this time, the history information processing unit 72 specifies the recording paper 16 on which the corresponding customer ID is printed based on the detected customer ID.

  Thus, in the print processing system 10, when the notification 46 to be shipped for each customer is printed, the history information management unit 70 creates and stores a processing history for each recording paper 16 and customer (customer ID). Stored in the unit 74. In addition, the history information management unit 70 can confirm the history information as a processing history when the printing process of the notice 48 is performed by using the customer ID or the barcode 60 printed on the notice 48. It can be done.

  Here, as an operation of the present embodiment, a print process using the print processing apparatus 12 in the print processing system 10 and management of a processing history will be described using the notification form 48 as an example.

  In the print processing system 10, job data for printing a notification 48 to be sent for each customer using the business application in the host system 44 is generated, and the generated job data is transmitted to the print processing apparatus 12 as a print job.

  When the print processing device 12 receives the print job transmitted from the host system 44, the print processing device 12 performs print processing on the recording paper 16 based on the received print job, and the post-processing device 46 applies the print processing to the recording paper 16 that has been subjected to the print processing. On the other hand, a predetermined post-treatment is performed, and the notice 48 created thereby is sent to the posting box 80 and sent to the customer.

  By the way, in the host system 44, the job data includes the customer ID as the unique data for each customer and the data obtained by encoding the customer ID. The print controller 24 provided in the print processing apparatus 12 extracts a customer ID from each job data of the received print job and performs an allocation process on the recording paper 16 for each job data.

  Further, the print processing apparatus 12 prints the customer ID 58 and the barcode 60 extracted from the job data on the recording paper 16, and the print processing system 10 detects or reads the customer ID 58 or the barcode 60, thereby processing history management. The processing history (log data) for each customer (customer ID) is generated by the unit 70, and the history management information for sending the notice 48 based on this processing history is generated and stored in the storage unit 74.

  Here, creation of a processing history in the print processing system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, a 14-digit number is applied as a customer ID, which is a unique number set for each customer. The data transmission units 68 and 78 generate, for example, a data packet including a customer ID, a processing date and time as necessary in addition to a sequence number in each step and a trace type indicating the step. The packet is transmitted to the history information management unit 70 as processing history data.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the host system 44, for the data printed on the front surface 16 </ b> A of the recording paper 16 with respect to job data for two customers formed on the recording paper 16 for one page, the fifth line A customer ID that is a unique number shifted by two digits (two columns) is arranged. In the data to be printed on the back surface 16B, a customer ID that is a unique number from the top is arranged in the second row.

  From this point, the print controller 24 is provided with an input processing management table as shown in FIG. 7, for example. The input processing management table is used to extract a customer ID as a unique number and to display the address data on the surface. 16A is assigned, and detailed data is assigned to the back surface 16B.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an allocation process performed as an input process by the print controller 24. This flowchart is executed when the print processing apparatus 12 receives a print job transmitted from the host system 44. In the first step 100, initialization is performed and the page number P of the recording paper 16 is reset (P = 0). . In the next step 102, the page counter used as the count value of the page number P is updated (P = P + 1).

  In the following, the data for one page is used for two cases to be printed on the front surface 16A or the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16 (for example, two addresses or details for two cases, see FIG. 6). The address or details for one customer up to 6 page break marks are used as data for one case.

  In FIG. 8, in the next step 104, data for the first one is read, and in step 106, the position of the customer ID, which is a unique number (unique code), is specified to confirm whether it is address data or detailed data. To do.

  Here, if it is data (address data) to be printed on the front surface 16A, an affirmative determination is made at step 106 and the routine proceeds to step 108, where it is determined whether to print on the upper or lower row of the recording paper 16. At this time, if the data to be printed on the upper stage of the same page is not allocated, it is determined in step 108 that the data is allocated to the upper stage, and the process proceeds to step 110.

In step 110, set the data to be assigned to the upper surface 16A, and extracts the customer ID (identification number), the next step 112, it sets the sequence number O _N to the customer ID on the basis of the page number. At this time, if the data to be printed on the upper surface 16, to set the page number P to the sequence number _{O N (O N = P)} , at step 114, it was upper address input of the page number P Data indicating that (address input data) is transmitted to the history information management unit 70.

  Thereafter, in step 116, it is confirmed whether or not the allocation of data for one page has been completed. In step 118, it is confirmed whether or not the allocation of data for all pages has been completed.

  At this time, the allocation to the upper stage of the surface 16A has been completed, but if the allocation to the lower stage has not been completed, a negative determination is made in step 116 and the process proceeds to step 104, and the next one data is stored. Read. Thereafter, an affirmative determination is made in step 106, and in step 108, the destination data to the upper stage of the surface 16A is set, so a negative determination is made and the routine proceeds to step 120.

In this step 120, the read data is set as data to be assigned to the lower part of the surface 16A, and a unique number is extracted as the assigned data in the lower part of the surface 16A. In the next step 122, the order for the customer ID based on the page number is extracted. to set the number _{O N.} In this case, as the data to be printed on the lower surface 16A, it sets a sequence number O _N in the upper part of the next number. That is, set the next page number of the upper data as sequence number _{(O N = P + 1)} .

  Thereafter, in step 124, address input data indicating that the lower destination input of the page number P has been performed is transmitted to the history information management unit 70.

  When the allocation of the front surface 16A of the recording paper 16 is completed in this way, an affirmative determination is made in step 116, a negative determination is made in step 118, the process proceeds to step 102, and the page number P is updated (P = P + 1). At 104, the next data is read.

  As a result, when the data to be printed on the upper surface 16B of the recording paper 16 is read, a negative determination is made in step 106, an affirmative determination is made in step 126, and the process proceeds to step 128.

In this step 128, it sets to the detailed data allocated to the upper stage of the surface 16B, and a specific number is extracted. In step 130, it sets the sequence number _{O N} to the customer ID on the basis of the page number P. At this time, if the data to be printed in the upper part of the rear surface 16B, so that the same sequence number O _N and data to be printed on the upper surface 16A, sets a sequence number O _N. That is, setting the sequence number _{O N} from page number P in _{O N = (P-1)} .

  Thereafter, in step 132, data (detailed input data) indicating that the detailed input of the upper stage of the page number P has been performed is transmitted to the history information management unit 70.

  Further, when the allocation to the upper stage of the back surface 16B is completed, the data to be allocated to the lower stage of the back surface 16B is read in Step 104, and a negative determination is made in Step 126, thereby proceeding to Step 134.

In this step 134, it sets to the detailed data allocated to the lower stage of the surface 16B, and extracts customer ID. In step 136, it sets the sequence number _{O N.} In this case, set such that the same sequence number O _N and data to be printed in the lower part of the surface 16A, a sequence number O _N from page number P in O _{N =} P.

  Thereafter, in step 138, detailed input data indicating that the lower detailed input of the page number P has been performed is transmitted to the history information management unit 70.

  By assigning all the data in this way, the history information management unit 70 can obtain a processing history in which the destination input / details input for the print job is a trace type.

FIG. 9 shows an example of this input processing history. At this time, the storage unit 74 of the history information managing unit 70, the customer ID is a unique number corresponding to the sequence number O _N at the time of printing by the printing processor 12 is stored.

  On the other hand, when the print controller 24 finishes allocating the data to be printed on the recording paper 16, the print controller 24 outputs print data (raster data) to the print engine 14 by expanding the data for each page. Thereby, an image forming process (drawing process) on the recording paper 16 is executed.

  FIG. 10 shows an outline of the processing at this time. In this flowchart, when initial setting is performed in the first step 140 and initial value setting of the page number P is performed (P = 0), the counter (page counter) of the page number P is updated in the next step 142 (P = P + 1).

  Thereafter, in step 144, the print data corresponding to the page number P is output to the print engine 14, so that the image forming unit 20 of the print engine 14 performs a drawing process (print process) on the recording paper 16. To. That is, by outputting print data in the order of page numbers from the first page, the printing process is performed in the order of the front surface 16A and the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16.

  In step 146, it is confirmed whether or not the surface 16 </ b> A of the recording paper 16 is printed. When printing on the surface 16 </ b> A, an affirmative determination is made in step 146 and the process proceeds to step 148.

In step 148, it sets the upper sequence number _{O N.} In this case, to set the page number P as the upper sequence number _{O N} surface 16A _(O N = P). In step 150, it transmits the address rendering data indicating that was the upper address drawing, including the sequence number O _N to the history information managing unit 70.

In step 152, it sets the lower sequence number _{O N.} In this case, set to the next number in the page number P as a sequence number _{O N} of the lower surface _{16A (O N = P + 1} ). In step 154, it transmits including a sequence number O _N a lower address the drawing data to the history information managing unit 70.

  Thereafter, in step 156, it is confirmed whether or not drawing processing (printing processing) for all pages has been completed.

  Here, when the printing of the front surface 16A of the first recording paper 16 is finished and the printing processing of the back surface 16B is performed, a negative determination is made in step 156 and the process proceeds to step 142. 16B print data is output.

Thereafter, a negative determination is made at step 146 and the routine proceeds to step 158. In step 158, it sets the upper sequence number _{O N.} In this case, setting the previous number of the page number P as the upper sequence number _{O N} of the back _{16B (O N = P-1} ). In step 160, it transmits the history information managing section 70 the data (item drawing data) indicating that were lower specification drawing, including the sequence number O _N.

In the next step 162, it sets the lower sequence number _{O N.} In this case, to set the page number P as a lower sequence number _{O N} surface 16A _(O N = P). In step 164, it transmits including a sequence number O _N a lower specification drawing data to the history information managing unit 70.

  In this way, by outputting data for print processing in the order of pages, the history information management unit 70, as shown in FIG. 11, processing history for the print job (Trace type is processing history of address drawing / detail drawing). ) Is obtained.

  On the other hand, the print engine 14 of the print processing apparatus 12 is provided with a recording paper detection sensor 66 along the conveyance path 26 of the recording paper 16, and this recording paper detection sensor 66 detects the passage of the recording paper 16. Thus, the trace type data corresponding to the position of the recording paper detection sensor 66 is transmitted to the history information management unit 70.

  Here, discharge detection by the recording paper detection sensor 66B will be described as an example. FIG. 12 shows an outline of the processing at this time. The print processing device 12 forms the customer ID 58 and the barcode 60 in the upper and lower stages when performing the printing process on the recording paper 16, and the recording paper detection sensor 66 detects the barcode 60, thereby A customer ID (unique number) for specifying the customer printed on the recording paper 16 can be specified.

In the flowchart of FIG. 12, and resets the recording paper number F _N to be discharged order of the recording paper 16 by performing the initial setting in the first step 170 (F N _{= 0).} Thereafter, in step 172, it is confirmed whether or not the passage of the recording paper 16 is detected.

Here, when the printing process is completed and the recording paper 16 conveyed to the paper discharge tray 40 is detected, an affirmative determination is made in step 172 and the process proceeds to step 174 to update the recording paper number F _N (F _N = F _N +1).

  At the same time, in step 176, the barcode 60 printed on the upper row of the recording paper 16 is read, and the upper sheet discharge data specified by the read barcode 60 is transmitted to the history information management unit 70. (Step 178).

  Further, in step 180, when the lower stage of the recording paper 16 passes, the barcode 60 printed in the lower stage is read, and the lower sheet discharge data specified by the read barcode 60 is stored in the history information. It transmits to the management part 70 (step 182).

  This flowchart is repeated every time the passage of the recording paper 16 is detected until the final passage of the recording paper 16 is detected and an affirmative determination is made in step 184.

  By transmitting the paper discharge data in this manner, the recording information management unit 70 generates a processing history as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 13, in place of the customer ID, it is displayed by using a sequence number O _N of the printing apparatus 12 is set for each customer ID.

  Further, in the print processing apparatus 12, the recording paper 16 sent to the purge tray 42 due to the occurrence of printing failure is detected by the recording paper detection sensor 66C, and the detection result is transmitted to the history information management unit 70, thereby printing. The recording paper 16 in which the defect has occurred can be removed from the recording paper 16 on which the paper discharge process has been completed to the paper discharge tray 40.

  On the other hand, the print processing system 10 creates a notification 48 by cutting, bending and gluing the recording paper 16 that has been printed by the print processing device 12 by the post-processing device 46, and the created notification. The book 48 is sent to the customer by posting it in the box 80.

  Here, generation of history information for the processing in the post-processing device 46 and the posting processing in the posting box 80 will be described.

  FIG. 14A shows an outline of the cutting process. In this flowchart, a cut process for cutting the recording paper 16 at a predetermined position between an upper stage and a lower stage is performed in Step 200.

  When the cutting process is performed, in step 202, the barcode 60 printed on the upper side of the cut recording paper 16 is read by the barcode reader 76, and in the next step 204, it is specified by the read barcode 60. The upper recording paper cut data of the recording paper 16 to be recorded is transmitted to the history information management unit 70.

  In step 206, the barcode 60 printed on the lower side of the cut recording paper 16 is read by the barcode reader 76, and in the next step 208, the recording paper 16 specified by the read barcode 60 is read. The lower recording paper cut data is transmitted to the history information management unit 70.

  Thereafter, in step 210, it is confirmed whether or not it is the final recording paper 16, and the process is repeated until the cutting process for the final recording paper 16 is completed and an affirmative determination is made in step 210.

  Further, the post-processing device 46 performs the folding / gluing process after the recording paper 16 is cut. FIG. 14B shows an example of acquisition of history information when performing bending / gluing processing.

  In this flowchart, the cut recording paper 16 is sequentially bent / glued (step 220). Further, the post-processing device 46 performs the folding / gluing process so that the surface 16A on which the destination is printed becomes the outer side. 60 are sequentially read by the barcode reader 76.

  Thereafter, in step 224, bending / gluing data for the recording paper 16 specified by the read barcode 60 is transmitted to the history information management unit 70. In step 226, it is confirmed whether the recording paper 16 is the final recording paper 16. The process is repeated until the cutting process for the final recording paper 16 is completed and an affirmative determination is made in step 226.

  Further, the print processing system 10 obtains a notice 46 to be sent to the customer by cutting, bending and gluing, and FIG. 14C shows a posting process for sending this notice 46. 2 shows an example of acquisition of history information for.

  In this flowchart, the bar code 60 printed on the notification 46 to be mailed at the first step 230 is read, and at step 232, the mail data for the customer ID specified by the read bar code 60 is displayed as a history information management unit. To 70.

  At the same time, the notice 46 from which the barcode 60 has been read is placed in the box 80 as it is (step 234). In this flowchart, in step 236, it is confirmed whether or not posting of all notifications 46 has been completed, and the process is repeated until all notifications 46 have been posted.

  By transmitting the paper cut data, the folding / gluing data, and the posting data in this manner, the history information management unit 70 provides the history information about the recording paper cutting process as shown in FIG. (Cut history information), as shown in FIG. 15B, history information about the folding / gluing process of each cut recording paper 16 (trace type is the history information of folding / gluing), and FIG. As shown, history information relating to the posting process (history information whose trace type is posting) is created. Note that in FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C, the order number is displayed instead of the customer ID.

  On the other hand, the history information management unit 70 records history management information (for example, FIG. 17) based on the processing history input according to the printing process on the recording paper 16, the post-processing, and the posting process of the created notification form 46. (History information management table) shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 shows an outline of the processing at this time. The print processing system 10 obtains a processing history by tracing processing for job data while executing print processing in the order of address input, detail input, and drawing processing.

  This flowchart is executed every time processing history data is received. In the first step 240, the received processing history data is read. In the next step 242, the customer ID, sequence number, or trace type included in the processing history data is read. Extract information.

  Thereafter, in step 244, it is first checked whether or not the trace type is destination input. If it is destination input, an affirmative determination is made in step 244 and the routine proceeds to step 246. In this step 246, it is confirmed whether or not the data with the previous sequence number is written from the sequence number set by the print processing apparatus 12.

  Here, when the data of the previous sequence number (data for customer ID and address input) has been written, an affirmative determination is made in step 246 and the process proceeds to step 248 to match the sequence number set in the print processing apparatus 12. The customer ID is written in the history information management table, and in step 250, the data in the destination input column is incremented (data is set to “1”) as the trace type. In the history information management table, the data of each trace type is in the reset state (data is “0”) in the initial state.

  On the other hand, when the trace type is the detail input or later, a negative determination is made at step 244 and the routine proceeds to step 252. In this step 252, it is confirmed from the customer ID and the trace type whether or not the previous process (trace type) corresponding to the customer ID has been completed. In the next step 254, the sequence number is the same trace type. Check if all previous data has been incremented.

  That is, it is confirmed whether or not the data of the previous process has been incremented and whether or not the data having the same trace type and the previous sequence number has been incremented.

  Here, when the data of the previous process is incremented and the previous data of the sequence number is incremented, an affirmative determination is made in step 252 and step 254 and the process proceeds to step 256, and the trace type corresponding to the customer ID Increment the data.

  At this time, based on the address / detail input process, the drawing process, and the paper discharge process, the recording sheet 16 is identified by associating the recording sheet number FN with the sequence number ON, and printed on the identified recording sheet 16. Job data history information is generated.

  Thereafter, in step 258, it is confirmed whether or not the trace type is posting processing. If it is posting processing, an affirmative determination is made in step 258, and the processing proceeds to step 260, where the data of the corresponding customer ID is processed. Write the posting time.

  In this way, by updating the history management information table based on the processing history data input from the print processing device 12, the post-processing device 46, and the posting box 80, for example, as shown in FIG. can get. Here, the time is written only for the posting process, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the time data may be written for other processing histories.

  On the other hand, when the address is entered, the customer ID is written along the sequence number. However, if the customer ID is missing, a notice 46 with no address printed may be created. From this point, in the flowchart of FIG. 16, if a negative determination is made in step 246, the process proceeds to step 262 to notify the print processing apparatus 12 or the host system 44 of an error, interrupt the printing process, omission of data input, etc. Prompt for confirmation.

  In addition, when assigning the address and details to be printed on the recording paper 16, the order number is set for each address and details, and the order number and customer ID of the detail input data match the customer ID for the address input order number. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the address and details do not match on the notice 46.

  Further, if the recording paper 16 that should have been processed continuously in a predetermined order is missing or if the processing on the recording paper 16 is missing, a negative determination is made in either step 252 or step 254.

  At this time, the process proceeds to step 264 to perform error processing. The error processing at this time is error processing set according to the trace type at that time, such as processing interruption and confirmation of processing contents.

  By creating the history management information in this way, it is possible to confirm whether or not the notice 46 to be sent to each customer has been properly processed.

  Further, the history information management unit 70 stores and saves the created history management information in the storage unit 74, so that in the print processing system 10, the customer who has received the notification 46 receives the notification 46. The history management information stored in the storage unit 74 of the history information management unit 70 can be referred to based on the customer ID 58 or the barcode 60 printed on the screen.

  In the present embodiment described above, history management information serving as log data from printing to shipping of the notice 46 is created and stored by the history information management unit 70 provided in the print processing apparatus 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, a history information management server may be set, and history management information may be created or stored on this server, or the history information management unit 70 may be provided in the host system 44. .

  In the present embodiment, the same customer ID 58 and barcode 60 are printed on the front surface 16A and the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16. However, the identification code is used so that the front surface 16A or the back surface 16B can be specified on the recording paper 16. In this way, it is possible to identify whether the front surface 16A and the back surface 16B of the recording paper 16 are appropriately processed.

  In this embodiment, the post-processing device 46 is provided separately from the print processing device 12. However, the post-processing device that executes post-processing is connected to the print processing device 12, and the print processing device 12 ends the print processing. The post-processing may be subsequently performed on the recording paper 16, and a notification 46 created after the post-processing is completed may be posted.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as the history management information, a processing result of an arbitrary process can be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the processing from the printing of the notice 46 to the posting has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to processing related to an arbitrary printed matter.

  In the above-described embodiment, the print processing apparatus 12 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a print processing apparatus having an arbitrary configuration.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a print processing system applied to the present embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a print processing apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print controller of the print processing apparatus. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the process in a post-processing apparatus. (A) And (B) is the schematic which shows an example of a printing result, (A) shows the example of printing of the surface, (B) shows the example of printing of the back. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of print data based on a print job output from a host system. It is the schematic which shows an example of the table used for an input process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of input processing executed by the print controller. It is the schematic which shows an example of the process log | history obtained by an input process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data output processing (drawing processing) executed by the print controller. It is the schematic which shows an example of the process log | history obtained by a data output process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of output of paper discharge processing data. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a processing history obtained from paper discharge processing data. (A) is a flowchart showing an example of output of recording paper cut data, (B) is a flowchart showing an example of output of folding / gluing data, and (C) is a flowchart showing an example of output of posting data. (A) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a processing history obtained from recording paper cut data, (B) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a processing history obtained from folding / gluing data, and (C) is a processing obtained from posting data. It is the schematic which shows an example of a log | history. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the production | generation of log | history management information. It is the schematic which shows an example of the history management information obtained by the process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print processing system 12 Print processing apparatus 14 Print engine 16 Recording paper 16A Front surface 16B Back surface 24 Print controller 44 Host system 46 Post-processing apparatus 48 Notification form 52 Identification information extraction part (extraction means)
54 Print assignment section (assignment means)
58 Customer ID (unique code)
60 Barcode (identification image)
64 Data output section (output means)
66 (66A to 66D) Recording paper detection sensor (detection means)
68, 78 Data transmission unit 70 History information management unit 72 History information processing unit (acquisition means, association means, history information generation means)
74 Storage 76 Bar code reader (reading means)
80 box

Claims (9)

A print processing method for performing print processing on a recording sheet based on a print job including unique data that can identify job data for each job data, and post-processing on a recording sheet that has been printed.
Set an identification image that can identify the unique data when printing on the recording paper,
When the image corresponding to the job data is formed on the recording paper, the identification image is formed,
Specify job data formed on recording paper or recording paper from the identification image formed on the recording paper,
Identifying the recording paper by detecting the identification image in each step from the printing process to the post-processing;
Generating processing history information for the job data in association with the identified recording paper;
A print processing method characterized by the above.   2. The record information according to claim 1, wherein the history information includes an allocation of print pages to be printed on the recording paper for each job data, and a recording paper number to be an order of recording paper to be printed. Print processing method.   3. The printing process according to claim 1, wherein the history information includes a printing process for each recording sheet on which a printing process corresponding to job data is performed and a processing result in each post-processing process. Method.   4. The print processing method according to claim 1, wherein the identification image printed on the recording paper is detected to identify the recording paper. 5.   5. The printing process according to claim 1, wherein the identification image is encoded so as to be mechanically readable by encoding the unique data for each job data. 6. Method. A print processing apparatus that receives a print job including unique data for identifying job data for each job data, and prints the recording paper according to the job data while sequentially transporting the recording paper. ,
Extracting means for extracting the unique data from each of the job data;
Assigning means for assigning a print page number to be printed on the recording paper for each job data;
Print processing means for printing an identification image that enables identification of the job data and unique data for each job data in order on the recording paper;
Output means for outputting the job data and the identification image to the print processing means in order of the print page numbers assigned by the assignment means;
An association means for associating the recording paper number as the order of the recording paper to be printed, the print page number set by the assignment means, and the job data or the unique data;
Detection means for enabling identification of the recording paper that has undergone printing processing from the identification image printed on the recording paper;
An acquisition means for acquiring information associated by the association means and a detection result of the detection means as history information for the job data;
A print processing apparatus.   The print processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising storage means for storing history information for the job data obtained by the acquisition means. A print processing system that performs print processing on a recording sheet based on a print job that includes unique data that enables identification of job data for each job data,
Extracting means for extracting the unique data from each of the job data;
Assigning means for assigning a print page number to be printed on the recording paper for each job data;
Print processing means for printing an identification image that enables identification of the job data and unique data for each job data in order on the recording paper;
Output means for outputting the job data and the identification image to the print processing means in the order of the print page numbers assigned by the assignment means;
An association means for associating the recording paper number as the order of the recording paper to be printed, the print page number set by the assignment means, and the job data or the unique data;
Detection means for enabling identification of the recording paper that has undergone printing processing from the identification image printed on the recording paper;
History information generating means for generating history information for the job data from the information associated by the associating means and the detection result of the detecting means;
Recording means for storing history information generated by the history information generating means;
A print processing system. Post-processing means for performing post-processing on the recording paper for which print processing has been completed;
A reading unit that is provided in a post-processing unit and reads the unique data from the identification image printed on the recording paper that has been post-processed;
And the history information generating means identifies the recording paper based on the reading result of the reading means and includes it in the history information for the job data.
The print processing system according to claim 8.