JP2009044469A - Printing system, and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system and the like in which suitable serial numbers can be imparted by managing, at a server, omitted numbers in management numbers even in the case that a problem such as printing interruption occurs during printing. <P>SOLUTION: Specific information (serial number) to be combined with image data to be printed is stored in a serial number table 1182. If a control unit 100 detects interruption of printing herein, on the basis of serial numbers during which printing is interrupted, omitted numbers are stored in the serial number table 1182. When printing the image data again, the serial numbers stored as omitted numbers in the serial number table 1182 are then inhibited from being printed again. Furthermore, information about serial numbers or the like that has become omitted numbers is transmitted to a server 200 as log information, and the server 200 manages the log information received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system or the like that includes a server and a printing apparatus that is connected to the server and includes a plurality of pieces of image data, and includes a printing unit that prints the image data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses that print images on recording paper based on image data are known. Here, in the printing apparatus, for example, a technique is known in which an image is formed by combining a form of slip data and recorded contents and printed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, in the printing apparatus, when trouble (jam) such as recording paper being printed stays inside the apparatus, printing is interrupted. Further, a technique is known in which printing is resumed by removing a recording sheet in the middle of printing that is staying inside the apparatus, and image data that has not been printed is processed again and printed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-155112 A JP-A-2005-316938

  Here, when printing image data, a printing apparatus is known that prints with a management number (serial number) for management as specific information. The recording paper printed by these printing apparatuses is, for example, a slip or direct mail. In such a printing apparatus, the user manages the slips by combining the printed management slips with the management numbers that are serial numbers.

  Here, if the above-mentioned jam occurs during the printing of a slip or the like, the printing is interrupted. Specifically, if a recording sheet stays in the printing apparatus while printing a slip or the like, printing is interrupted. Here, when the staying recording paper is removed by the user, a printing process for a slip or the like that has not been printed again is started.

  However, when the recording paper in the middle of printing stays inside the apparatus, there are cases where the image data and the management number can be confirmed or the staying recording paper can be used depending on the position where the recording paper stays. Specifically, when the toner image is transferred to the recording paper and is not fixed, it cannot be used as a recorded material. However, since the toner is electrostatically adsorbed on the recording paper, the toner is recorded on the recording paper by another device. The recorded matter can be used by fixing it to the image. In addition, there is a case where the recorded material stays in the middle of the transfer can be used depending on the fixing state.

  In such a case, there has been a problem that the management numbers of the slips and the like printed again are not consistent due to the state of the printed matter and the serial number assigned as the management number. For example, a plurality of slips may be printed with the same management number, or a slip with the same content may be printed for different management numbers.

  In addition, serial number printing such as slips may be output in a large amount, may be output from a plurality of printing apparatuses, or may be printed across a plurality of days. Further, when printing a slip generated every day, at least the number of sheets printed at one time is continuously printed every day. In such a case, the serial number management becomes more complicated, and there is a possibility that it cannot be correctly managed when managed by the user.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention aims to assign an appropriate serial number by managing a missing management number with a server even if a problem such as printing interruption occurs during printing. It is to provide a printing system or the like that can be used.

  In view of the above-described problems, a printing system of the present invention includes a server and a printing apparatus that is connected to the server and includes a printing unit that combines different pieces of specific information with a plurality of pieces of image data and prints the image data. In the printing system, the printing apparatus includes a print interruption detection unit that detects that the printing unit has suspended printing, and an instruction to print to the printing unit from the image data that has been suspended by the print interruption detection unit. And when the printing unit prints image data in accordance with an instruction from the printing instruction unit, among the specific information combined with the image data, the specific information not printed by the printing unit A print prohibiting unit that prohibits printing, and log information that transmits specific information that is prohibited by the print prohibiting unit to the server as log information. Information transmitting means, and the server includes server log information receiving means for receiving log information from a printing apparatus, and log information storage means for storing log information received by the server log information receiving means. It is characterized by that.

  In the printing system according to the present invention, the printing apparatus includes log information receiving means for receiving log information from the server, and the printing prohibiting means prohibits printing of specific information based on the log information. It is characterized by that.

  In the printing system according to the present invention, the print instructing unit instructs the printing unit to perform printing from image data in which the image data has not been transferred onto a recording sheet.

  Further, in the printing system according to the present invention, the printing interruption detection unit is a unit that detects that printing has been interrupted by detecting that an apparatus abnormality (jam) has occurred in the printing apparatus, The printing prohibiting unit determines that the image data is not printed and prohibits printing of specific information when the image data is not completely transferred to the recording paper in the printing unit.

  In the printing system according to the present invention, the specific information is information specified by a serial number, and the print prohibiting unit is printed by the printing unit among the serial numbers synthesized with the image data. Reprinting from the serial number combined with the image data to the serial number combined with the image data that has been detected by the print interruption detection means to be interrupted is prohibited.

  Further, in the printing system according to the present invention, the printing unit is a unit that performs reprinting of the image data in which printing is interrupted when the printing interruption detection unit detects that printing has been interrupted. The serial number to be combined with the image data is a serial number next to the serial number for which reprinting is prohibited by the print prohibiting means.

  The printing system according to the present invention is a printing system in which different specific information is combined with a plurality of image data, and a plurality of printing apparatuses each having a printing unit for printing the image data are connected. A printing interruption detecting means for detecting that the printing means has interrupted printing, a printing instruction means for instructing the printing means to print from the image data whose printing has been interrupted by the printing interruption detection means, and the printing means. When printing image data in accordance with an instruction from the print instruction unit, among the specific information combined with the image data, for the specific information that has not been printed by the printing unit, a print prohibiting unit that prohibits printing; and Log information that is sent to other printing devices connected to the printing system as specific information for which printing is prohibited by the printing prohibition means Characterized in that a transmission unit.

  In the printing system according to the present invention, the printing apparatus includes log information receiving means for receiving log information from another printing apparatus, and the printing prohibition means prints specific information based on the log information. It is characterized by prohibition.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a server, and includes a printing unit that combines different specific information with a plurality of image data and prints the image data, and the printing unit interrupts printing. A print interruption detecting unit for detecting, a print instruction unit for instructing the printing unit to perform printing from the image data whose printing has been interrupted by the print interruption detection unit, and the printing unit configured to output an image according to an instruction from the print instruction unit. When printing data, among the specific information combined with the image data, the specific information that is not printed by the printing unit is prohibited from printing by the printing prohibiting unit that prohibits printing and the printing prohibiting unit. Log information transmitting means for transmitting specific information as log information to the server.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention further includes log information receiving means for receiving log information from the server, and the print prohibiting means prohibits printing of specific information based on the log information. To do.

  According to the present invention, when it is detected in the printing apparatus connected to the printing system that printing has been interrupted, when the printing instruction is issued again from the image data in which printing has been interrupted, the image data is combined with the image data. Among the specific information, the specific information that has not been printed is prohibited from being printed, and the specific information for which printing has been prohibited is transmitted to the server as log information. Therefore, even when printing is interrupted and printing is performed again, it is possible to reliably prevent duplication of specific information, and by managing it as log information on the server, it is possible to obtain an appropriate serial number. It will be possible to manage.

  Also, the printing apparatus connected to the printing system receives log information from the server, and printing of specific information is prohibited based on the log information. Therefore, by using log information, it is possible to prevent duplication of specific information more reliably.

  Also, when printing is instructed from image data that has been interrupted, printing is instructed from image data that has not been transferred to the recording paper. Accordingly, the image data that has been transferred onto the recording paper is not printed redundantly, and printing of the same specific information can be prevented.

  Further, by detecting that a device abnormality (jam) has occurred in the printing device connected to the printing system, the printing is detected to be interrupted. When the printing is interrupted, the image data is not completely transferred to the recording paper. Printing of specific information is prohibited.

  In addition, in a printing system in which a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected, when it is detected that printing has been interrupted, when specifying printing again from image data for which printing has been interrupted, the specific information combined with the image data Among these, printing is prohibited for specific information that has not been printed, and the specific information for which printing has been prohibited is transmitted to the server as log information. Therefore, log information is managed between printing apparatuses without going through a server, and it is possible to reliably prevent duplication of specific information even in an environment without a server.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example, a case where the printing system according to the present invention is applied to a system in which a digital multifunction peripheral is connected to a server will be described.

[System Overview]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a printing system according to the present embodiment. In the printing system, a plurality of digital multifunction peripherals 1 are connected to a server 200. In FIG. 1, digital multifunction peripherals 1a, 1b, 1c,... Are connected to a server 200 via a network. Hereinafter, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the server 200 will be described. In FIG. 1, the server 200 and the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network). However, for example, they may be connected via a public line network such as the Internet. It is.

[Functional explanation of digital multifunction device]
First, functions of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment. In this digital multi-function peripheral 1, a copy mode for reading an image of a document and printing it on a recording paper, a facsimile mode for reading and transmitting an image of a document, receiving an image of a document and printing it on a recording paper, and information A printer mode for printing an image received from a terminal device via a network on a recording sheet can be selectively performed. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a document conveying / reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a paper discharge processing device 5, and a USB interface 7 when roughly classified.

  Next, taking the copy mode as an example, the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described. First, when a document is set on the document set tray 11 of the document conveyance reading unit 2, the document detection sensor 12 detects that the document is set. Then, by operating the operation panel 6 of the document conveying / reading unit 2, the print paper size, magnification, and the like are input and set. Thereafter, the start of copying is instructed by operating the operation panel 6.

  In response to these operations, the document conveying / reading unit 2 pulls out each document on the document setting tray 11 one by one by the pickup roller 13, and the document is passed through the platen plate 14 and the conveying roller 15 to the platen glass 16. Then, the document is conveyed on the platen glass 16 in the sub-scanning direction and discharged to the document discharge tray 17.

  At this time, the first reading unit 21 reads the surface (lower side) of the document. The first scanning unit 23 of the first reading unit 21 is moved and positioned, the second scanning unit 24 is positioned at a predetermined position, and the surface of the document is placed on the platen glass by the exposure lamp of the first scanning unit 23. 16, the reflected light of the document is guided to the imaging lens 26 by the reflection mirrors of the first and second scanning units 23 and 24, and the reflected light of the document is guided by the imaging lens 26 to the CCD (Charge Coupled Device). ) 27 is condensed, and an image on the surface of the document is formed on the CCD 27, whereby the image on the surface of the document is read.

  Further, the back side (upper side surface) of the document is read by the second reading unit 22. The second reading unit 22 is disposed above the platen glass 16 and collects reflected light of the original for each exposure lamp (LED (Light Emitting Diode) array, fluorescent lamp, etc.) that irradiates the back side of the original, and for each pixel. A light-sensitive Selfoc lens array and a contact image sensor (CIS) that photoelectrically converts reflected light of a document received through the Selfoc lens array and outputs an analog image signal are provided.

  Further, it is possible to open the upper housing of the document conveyance reading unit 2 and place the document on the platen glass 16, and in this state, the first reading unit 21 can read the surface of the document. In this case, the first and second scanning units 23 and 24 are moved in the sub-scanning direction while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, the original on the platen glass 16 is exposed by the first scanning unit 23, and the first The reflected light from the original is guided to the imaging lens 26 by the second scanning units 23 and 24, and the image of the original is formed on the CCD 27 by the imaging lens 26.

  When one or both sides of the document are read in this way, image data indicating an image on one or both sides of the document is input to a control unit 100 (shown in FIG. 4) such as a microcomputer, where various image processing is performed on the image data. The image data is output to the image forming unit 3.

  The image forming unit 3 prints an image of a document indicated by image data on a recording sheet. The image forming unit 3 is a photosensitive drum 31, a charging device 32, a laser scanning unit (hereinafter referred to as LSU) 33, a developing device 34, a transfer device. A device 35, a cleaning device 36, a static eliminator (not shown), a fixing device 37, and the like are provided.

  The image forming unit 3 is provided with a main transport path 38 and a reverse transport path 39, and the recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 4 is transported along the main transport path 38. The paper feed unit 4 pulls out the recording paper stored in the paper cassette 41 or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray 42 one by one, and sends the recording paper to the main conveyance path 38 of the image forming unit 3. .

  While the recording paper is being conveyed along the main conveyance path 38 of the image forming unit 3, the recording paper passes between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer device 35, and further passes through the fixing device 37 to be recorded. Printing on paper is performed. The photosensitive drum 31 rotates in one direction, and after the surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 36 and the static eliminator, the surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 32. The laser scanning unit 33 modulates the laser beam based on the image data from the document conveying / reading unit 2, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 in the main scanning direction with the laser beam, thereby converting the electrostatic latent image into the photosensitive member. It is formed on the surface of the drum 31. The developing device 34 supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to develop the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The transfer device 35 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to a recording sheet passing between the transfer device 35 and the photosensitive drum 31. The fixing device 37 heats and pressurizes the recording paper to fix the toner image on the recording paper.

  A branching claw 43 is disposed at a connection position between the main conveyance path 38 and the reverse conveyance path 39. When printing is performed only on one side of the recording paper, the branching claw 43 is positioned, and the recording paper from the fixing device 37 is guided toward the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5 by the branching claw 43.

  Further, when printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper, the branching claw 43 is rotated to the position indicated by the dotted line, and the recording paper is guided toward the reverse conveyance path 39. Then, the recording paper passes through the reverse conveyance path 39, is turned upside down, and is conveyed again to the main conveyance path 38, and printing on the back surface is performed in the middle of the conveyance of the main conveyance path 38 again. Then, the paper is guided toward the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5.

  The recording paper printed in this way is guided toward the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44 or to any one of the paper discharge trays 5a of the paper discharge processing device 5. It will be discharged.

  The paper discharge processing device 5 sorts and discharges a plurality of recording papers to the respective paper discharge trays 5a, performs punching processing on each recording paper, and performs stapling processing on each recording paper. For example, when creating a plurality of printed materials, each recording sheet is sorted and discharged to each discharge tray 5a so that a part of the printed material is allocated to each discharge tray 5a. Then, punching processing and stapling processing are performed on each recording sheet on the paper discharge tray 5a to create a printed matter.

[Configuration of digital MFP]
Next, the configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a control unit 100, an image reading unit 102, an operation unit 104, an image forming unit 106, a modem unit 108, an image memory 110, a communication unit 112, The ROM 114, the management unit 116, and the storage unit 118 are connected. The modem unit 108 is connected to the public line network N3, and the communication unit 112 is connected to the network N1.

  The control unit 100 is a functional unit that performs various operations and controls of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. Each process is realized by reading and executing various programs stored in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. Here, the control part 100 is comprised by CPU (Central Processing Unit) which performs a calculation, for example.

  The image reading unit 102 is a functional unit that reads an image recorded on a recording sheet and generates image data. The image reading unit 102 includes, for example, a scanner. In the digital multi-function peripheral 1 shown in FIG. 2, the document conveyance reading unit 2 corresponds. The image data generated in the image reading unit 102 is sent to the image memory 110 and temporarily stored.

  The operation unit 104 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel that displays information necessary for operation, and an input unit such as a touch panel or a numeric keypad on which information such as a control command is input by a user operation. Note that the operation panel 6 corresponds to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 shown in FIG.

  The image forming unit 106 is a functional unit for forming an image based on the image data stored in the image memory 110 and recording (printing) it on a recording sheet. For example, it may be configured by a laser printer or the like. In FIG. 2, the image forming unit 3 corresponds.

  The modem unit 108 is a functional unit for performing facsimile communication, and is connected to the public line network N3. Here, the image data generated by the image reading unit 102 can be transmitted by facsimile communication to another facsimile apparatus 212 via the public line network N3 connected to the modem unit 108. In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the modem unit 108 receives image data transmitted from another facsimile apparatus 212 via the public network N 3, and the image forming unit 106 forms an image from the received image data. it can.

  The image memory 110 is a memory that temporarily stores image data. Specifically, the image data generated by the image reading unit 102 is once stored in the image memory 110. Here, the image data instructed to be printed is sent to the image forming unit 106, the image data instructed to be stored is stored in the storage unit 118, and the image data instructed to be transmitted / received by communication is the modem unit 108 or the communication unit 112. Are output respectively.

  In addition, image data received by the modem unit 108 and the communication unit 112 is also temporarily stored in the image memory 110.

  The communication unit 112 is a functional unit that functions as a communication unit for the digital multi-function peripheral 1 to transmit and receive data via a network. The communication unit 112 can be connected to a communication network N1 such as an in-house LAN, and the server 200 and one or more personal computers (PCs) 300 are connected to the communication network N1.

  Specifically, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the image data generated by the image reading unit 102 is transmitted from the communication unit 112 to the PC 300. By doing so, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can operate as a scanner. Conversely, the PC 300 transmits the image data to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can form an image with the image forming unit 106 from the image data received by the communication unit 112. In this case, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can operate as a printer.

  Here, the communication network N1 can be further connected to a wide area communication network such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, the server 200 and the PC 300 have been described as being connected to the network N1, but may be connected to a wide area communication network.

  The ROM 114 is a functional unit that stores various data and programs for operating the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The control unit 100 executes control processing by reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 114. The ROM 114 stores a serial number printing program 1142. The control unit 100 reads out and executes the serial number printing program 1142, thereby realizing the serial number printing process (FIG. 8).

  The management unit 116 is a functional unit that manages serial number information. In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, management numbers to be combined with image data are generated as serial numbers. Then, the serial numbers are added to the image data by combining the serial numbers with the image data stored in the image memory 110.

  The storage unit 118 is a functional unit for storing the setting state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and storing image data temporarily stored in the image memory 110. Here, the storage unit 118 is configured by any storage device such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, and an optical disk drive, for example. The storage unit 118 stores a serial number table 1182 and log information 1184.

  The serial number table 1182 is a table that stores the serial number state in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the data structure of the serial number table 1182 includes a print interrupt serial number (for example, “A0004”), a used serial number (for example, “A0008”), and a missing number (for example, “A0004-A0008”). )).

  The log information 1184 is an area for storing log information received from the server 200. In accordance with the log information stored in the log information 1184, the sequential number of the slips to be printed is determined.

[Server configuration]
Next, the configuration of the server 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the server 200 includes a control unit 202, a communication unit 204, a ROM 206, and a storage unit 210.

  The control unit 202 is a functional unit that performs various operations and controls of the server 200. Each process is realized by reading and executing various programs stored in the server 200. Here, the server 200 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations.

  The communication unit 204 is a functional unit that functions as a communication unit for the server 200 to transmit and receive data via a network. The communication unit 204 can be connected to a communication network such as a LAN, and one or a plurality of digital multi-function peripherals 1 are connected to the communication network.

  The ROM 206 is a functional unit that stores various data and programs for operating the server 200. The control unit 202 executes control processing by reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 206.

  The storage unit 210 is a functional unit for storing the setting state of the server 200 and storing various data. Here, the storage unit 210 includes, for example, any storage device such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or an optical disk drive. In addition, log information 2102 is stored in the storage unit 210.

  An example of the data structure of the log information 2102 is shown in FIG. Each log (log 2102b in FIG. 7) is stored in the log information data 2102 corresponding to the type to be continuously printed (type 2102a in FIG. 7, for example, “Invoice for Company A”). Each log includes a date (for example, “May 20, 2007, 16:35”), a print number (for example, “A0001-A0083”), and a missing number (for example, “A0004-A0008”). ing.

  In the present embodiment, the log information 2102 in the server 200 and the log information 1184 in the digital multifunction peripheral 1 are the same information, but they may be different. For example, only log information corresponding to the serial number printing type designated by the user may be extracted from the log information 2102 and used as the log information 1184.

[Process flow]
Next, the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 connected to the printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation flow showing the serial number printing process executed by the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The serial number printing process is a process realized by the control unit 100 executing the serial number printing program 1142.

  First, when the sequential printing composition process is designated, the type of continuous printing is selected (step S10). For example, when “invoice” is designated as the management number (sentence), invoice data is selected, and a serial number suitable for the invoice is given by the management unit 116 as the management number.

  Subsequently, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 acquires log information from the server 200 via the communication unit 112 and stores the log information in the storage unit 118 as log information 1184. Then, the serial number is determined based on the log information 1184 (step S12).

  Subsequently, the management number generated in the management unit 116 is combined with the image data developed in the image memory 110, and an image is printed in the image forming unit 106 based on the combined image data (step S14). . Here, jamming does not occur during printing, and normal printing is performed (step S16; No), and the process is repeatedly executed until printing is completed (step S18; No → step S14).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that printing has ended (step S18; Yes), the serial number printing process is ended.

  If it is detected in step S16 that a jam has occurred (step S16; Yes), the serial number at which printing is interrupted is stored as “printing interrupt serial number” in the serial number table 1182 (step S20). . Further, the serial number already developed and assigned to the image memory 110 is stored as “used serial number” in the serial number table 1182 (step S22).

  Then, it warns that a jam has occurred (step S24), and warns the user that a jam has occurred. Here, as an example of the occurrence of the jam, for example, a case where the printing process cannot be executed due to the recording paper staying inside the digital multi-function peripheral 1 or the like.

  Here, when the jam is canceled (the cause of the printing failure is eliminated) (step S26; Yes), the serial number that is the missing number is determined and stored in the sequential number table 1182 as “missing number” ( Step S28). The number stored as the “missing number” is a number for which printing is prohibited when printing on recording paper again.

  For example, “A0004” is stored in the serial number table 1182 as the “printed serial number” and “A0008” is stored as the “used serial number”. Here, the data “A0004” to “A0008”, which are serial numbers where printing is interrupted, are stored as “missing numbers”.

  In other words, the number managed as a missing number is a number that has been developed in the memory and combined with the image data but has not been printed on the recording paper (the recording paper on which toner fixing has not been completed). For example, if a jam occurs in the paper discharge processing device 5 after image data is printed on the recording paper by passing through the fixing device 37, the image data has been printed on the recording paper, and therefore the recording paper The serial number printed on the page is not a missing number, but is managed as a serial number on which printing has been performed.

  Subsequently, serial numbers are assigned after the missing number (for example, “A0009”) (step S30). Then, printing is performed again from the assigned serial number (step 32). Here, the image data to be printed is image data that has not been printed. That is, for example, when a plurality of recording papers stay in the apparatus, the image data correctly printed on the recording paper by passing through the fixing device 37 is not printed, and the printing is not correctly performed on the recording paper. The image data is printed again.

  Furthermore, if it is detected that a jam has occurred again, the process proceeds to step S20 (step S34; Yes → step S20), and if no jam occurs, the printing process is continued (step S34; No → step). S36; No-> step S32).

  In addition, when printing of serial number printing is completed (step S36; Yes), the log information 1184 is updated based on the serial number table 1182, and the updated log information 1184 is transmitted to the server 200 (step S36). S38).

  The server 200 receives log information from each digital multifunction peripheral 1 and updates the log information 2102. The updated log information 2102 is transmitted when requested again from the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and is stored in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 as log information 1184.

[Operation example]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a slip printed with serial numbers. As shown in FIG. 9, "A0001" to "A0003" are printed as management numbers, and thereafter "A0004" to "A0008" are missing numbers, and "A0009" and so on are printed.

  Further, a slip number that is specifically printed or a slip number that is missing may be output as a report. In this case, information regarding missing numbers can be printed by referring to log information.

[Modification]
In this embodiment, the digital multifunction peripheral is used as an example of the printing apparatus. However, the apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the apparatus. Specifically, for example, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a facsimile machine, a computer system provided with a processing device and a printing device, and the like devices.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the reprinting is not performed for the correctly printed recording paper among the recording papers causing the jam (for example, the recording paper staying in the printing apparatus). It is also possible to reprint all the recording paper (image data) that caused the jam. In this case, for example, the recording paper correctly printed in the apparatus is not a missing number, and is printed with the same specific information (serial number) on the recording paper before printing and the recording paper after reprinting again. It becomes. Accordingly, different specific information (serial number) is not attached to the same image data, and management can be performed appropriately.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to the server have been described. Even if one printer is connected, serial numbers can be managed appropriately even if printing is performed on different days by managing log information with a server.

  In the above-described embodiment, the log information is described as being managed by a server connected to the network. However, the printing system to which the present invention is applied does not necessarily require a server.

  Specifically, it is possible to set a device (master device) that operates as a server substitute from printing devices connected to the network, and each printing device manages log information in parallel. It is also good.

It is the schematic of the printing system in this embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a digital multifunction machine according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the serial number table in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the server in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the log information in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of the serial number printing process in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the output result in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device 2 Document conveyance reading part 3 Image formation part 4 Paper feed part 5 Paper discharge processing apparatus 100 Control part 102 Image reading part 104 Operation part 106 Image formation part 108 Modem part 110 Image memory 112 Communication part 114 ROM
1142 Sequential Number Printing Program 118 Storage Unit 1182 Sequential Number Table 1184 Log Information 200 Server 202 Control Unit 204 Communication Unit 206 ROM
210 Storage unit 2102 Log information

Claims (10)

In a printing system including a server and a printing apparatus that is connected to the server and includes a plurality of pieces of specific information, and a printing device that includes a printing unit that prints the image data.
The printing apparatus includes:
Printing interruption detecting means for detecting that the printing means has interrupted printing; and
Print instruction means for instructing the printing means to print from image data whose printing has been interrupted by the print interruption detecting means;
When the printing unit prints image data in accordance with an instruction from the printing instruction unit, among the specific information combined with the image data, the specific information not printed by the printing unit is prohibited from printing. Means,
Log information transmitting means for transmitting, as log information, specific information whose printing is prohibited by the print prohibiting means;
With
The server includes server log information receiving means for receiving log information from a printing device;
Log information storage means for storing log information received by the server log information receiving means;
A printing system comprising: The printing apparatus includes:
Log information receiving means for receiving log information from the server;
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing prohibition unit prohibits printing of specific information based on the log information.   3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print instructing unit issues an instruction to perform printing from image data in which the image data is not completely transferred to a recording sheet in the printing unit. The printing interruption detecting means is means for detecting that printing has been interrupted by detecting that an apparatus abnormality (jam) has occurred in the printing apparatus,
The printing prohibiting unit determines that the image data is not printed and prohibits printing of specific information when the image data is not completely transferred to the recording paper in the printing unit. Item 4. The printing system according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The specific information is information specified by a serial number,
The printing prohibiting means detects that printing has been interrupted by the printing interruption detecting means from serial numbers synthesized with the image data printed by the printing means among serial numbers synthesized with the image data. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein reprinting up to serial numbers combined with the image data is prohibited. The printing means is means for reprinting image data whose printing has been interrupted when it is detected by the printing interruption detection means that printing has been interrupted,
6. The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the serial number to be combined with the image data is a serial number next to a serial number for which reprinting is prohibited by the print prohibiting unit. In a printing system in which a plurality of printing apparatuses each having a printing unit that synthesizes different specific information with a plurality of image data and prints the image data are connected,
The printing apparatus includes:
Printing interruption detecting means for detecting that the printing means has interrupted printing; and
Print instruction means for instructing the printing means to print from image data whose printing has been interrupted by the print interruption detecting means;
When the printing unit prints image data in accordance with an instruction from the printing instruction unit, among the specific information combined with the image data, the specific information not printed by the printing unit is prohibited from printing. Means,
Log information transmitting means for transmitting, as log information, specific information whose printing is prohibited by the print prohibiting means, to other printing devices connected to the printing system;
A printing system comprising: The printing apparatus includes:
Log information receiving means for receiving log information from another printing device;
The printing system according to claim 7, wherein the printing prohibiting unit prohibits printing of specific information based on the log information. In a printing apparatus including a printing unit that is connected to a server, combines different specific information with a plurality of image data, and prints the image data.
Printing interruption detecting means for detecting that the printing means has interrupted printing; and
Print instruction means for instructing the printing means to print from image data whose printing has been interrupted by the print interruption detecting means;
When the printing unit prints image data in accordance with an instruction from the printing instruction unit, among the specific information combined with the image data, the specific information not printed by the printing unit is prohibited from printing. Means,
Log information transmitting means for transmitting, as log information, specific information whose printing is prohibited by the print prohibiting means;
A printing apparatus comprising: Log information receiving means for receiving log information from the server;
The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing prohibition unit prohibits printing of specific information based on the log information.