JP2010231621A - Printing control program, printing data output device, and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing control program, a printing data output device, and a printing system for reducing pages to be output as blank paper. <P>SOLUTION: A server 1 detects a blank data region for a complete blank sheet in print data (S1), and counts the number of sheets corresponding to the detected blank data region (S3). The print data transmitted from a specific user whose number of prints is equal to or less than the number of blank pages counted in step S3 and whose priority order is the highest are extracted from among the print data temporarily stored in the server 1 (S4 to S7). The print data extracted in step S7 are inserted into the print data whose blank data region has been detected in step S2 so that composite print data can be created (S8). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control program, a print data output apparatus, and a printing system that function in a print data output apparatus that outputs print data to a printing apparatus that performs print processing on a print medium based on print data.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for reducing a region printed as a blank paper portion when executing a printing process in a printing apparatus has been proposed.
For example, it is checked whether the blank area on the print medium (recording paper) for printing the print data exceeds a predetermined value, and if it exceeds the predetermined value, the aggregation process (reducing the page, A printer driver that performs printing by performing a process of printing a plurality of pages on one sheet of recording paper is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-47683 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, even when it is detected that one entire print medium is blank, printing is performed by performing aggregation processing. Accordingly, there is a problem in that a page that is a blank sheet is printed as a blank sheet even if the page is reduced.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a print control program, a print data output device, and a print system that can reduce pages output as blank paper. .

  The invention according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is a print control program that functions in a print data output device that outputs print data to a print device that performs print processing on a print medium based on print data. When the print data output device detects a blank data area in the print data, the blank data detection means for detecting a blank data area in which all of the print medium is blank, and the blank data area is detected by the blank data detection means. Functions as data insertion means for creating composite print data by inserting other data into the data area, and output means for outputting composite print data to a printing device when composite print data is created by the data insertion means A print control program characterized in that

  If the print data output device is caused to function as the above means by the print control program configured as described above, when the print data output device detects a blank data region from the print data, the print data output device may include other data in the blank data region. Are combined to create composite print data, and the composite print data is output to a printing apparatus.

  Therefore, when the printing apparatus that has received the composite print data executes print processing, the print data before the other data is inserted into the blank paper data area (hereinafter also referred to as original print data) should be printed as blank paper. Printing based on the other data is performed on the print medium. Therefore, since the print medium on which printing based on other data is performed is not a blank sheet, pages output as blank sheets can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the composite print data has the same number of prints as the original print data, it is possible to suppress the end of the print process from being delayed much later than the print process of the initial print data.
Further, when a blank paper data area is detected, in an apparatus configured not to execute printing on a print medium corresponding to the blank paper data area (that is, to output a blank print medium), the print data If there is a blank paper data area, the number of printed print media will be less than the number instructed to print, and the user who has output the print data may misunderstand that the print processing has failed. However, since the print data output apparatus described above outputs a print medium on which other contents are printed, the user can be made to recognize that the print processing has been completed normally.

  The composite print data here is one form of print data. Therefore, when the printing apparatus receives the composite print data, the printing apparatus can execute a printing process based on the composite print data.

  A print control program according to a second aspect is the print control program according to the first aspect, wherein the print data output device is further stored in a storage device that stores a plurality of print data in a storage device. A data extraction unit that extracts print data satisfying a predetermined condition from the plurality of print data, and the data insertion unit uses the print data extracted by the data extraction unit as other data, and is a blank data area. It is characterized by the fact that it is a means to be inserted into.

  If the print data output device functions as each of the above means by the print control program configured as described above, the print data output device inserts the print data stored in the storage means into the blank paper data area and performs composite printing. Create data.

  Therefore, it is possible to execute printing based on other print data on a print medium that should have been printed as white paper in the original print data. Further, at least a part of the other print data inserted into the blank paper data area is printed during the print processing of the composite print data. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the print result of other print data earlier than in the case where the initial print data and other print data are sequentially printed. Further, since the data inserted into the blank paper data area is print data stored in the storage device, the possibility that the print data inserted into the blank paper data area is interrupted can be reduced.

Note that the print data stored in the storage device may be print data waiting to be output to the printing device, for example.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print control program according to the second aspect, wherein the data extracting means includes the number of print media necessary for a print process among a plurality of print data stored in the storage device. Is a means for extracting print data equal to or less than the number of print media corresponding to the blank paper data area detected by the blank paper data detection means as print data satisfying a predetermined condition.

  If the print data output device is caused to function as the above means by the print control program configured as described above, the print data output device can reduce the number of necessary print media to the number of print media corresponding to the blank paper data area or less. The print data is inserted into the blank data area to create composite print data.

Therefore, by executing the print processing based on the composite print data, the print processing of two print jobs can be executed simultaneously.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print control program according to the second or third aspect, wherein the data extracting means is a predetermined priority among a plurality of print data stored in the storage device. The print data having the highest rank is extracted as print data satisfying a predetermined condition.

  If the print data output device functions as each of the above means by the print control program configured as described above, the print data output device inserts the print data with the highest priority into the blank paper data area and outputs the composite print data. create.

  Therefore, by executing the printing process based on the composite print data, it is possible to simultaneously print the printing process based on the print data having a high priority and the printing process of the initial print data. In addition, since the priority order is determined in advance, it is convenient because it is possible to predict what kind of print data will be printed simultaneously.

  In addition, the specific reference | standard of a priority is not specifically limited. For example, it is conceivable that the print data to be inserted is determined according to the type of the application that created it, or the priority is set higher as the time stored in the storage device is later or earlier.

  A print control program according to claim 5 is the print control program according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the print data output device further includes a plurality of print data stored in a storage device. Identification information indicating the transmission source of each of the print data functions as a reading unit, and the data extraction unit reads print data having predetermined identification information from among the print data read by the reading unit. It is a means for extracting as print data satisfying a predetermined condition.

  If the print data output device functions as each of the above means by the print control program configured as described above, the print data output device inserts print data having identification information indicating a predetermined transmission source into the blank paper data area. To create composite print data.

  Therefore, in order to insert the print data output from a specific transmission source into the blank data area, a print medium printed based on the print data output from an unspecified transmission source is printed based on the original print data. It is possible to suppress the output and mixing at the same time as the printed medium.

  A print control program according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the print control program according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the print data output device is further print data indicating information of the print data output device. The data insertion unit functions as a device data creation unit that creates device data, and the data insertion unit is a unit that inserts the device data created by the device data creation unit into the blank data area as other data. .

  If the print data output device functions as each of the above means by the print control program configured as described above, the print data output device inserts print data indicating the information of the print data output device into the blank paper data area and combines it. Create print data.

Therefore, it is possible to print the information of the print data output device on the print medium that should have been printed as blank paper in the initial print data.
A print control program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the print control program according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the print data output device is further stored in a predetermined information stored in the print device. Functioning as command information creation means for creating command information for printing, and the data insertion means is means for inserting the command information created by the command information creation means into the blank data area as other data It is characterized by.

  If the print data output device functions as each of the above means by the print control program configured as described above, the print data output device will send command information for printing predetermined information stored in the printer to blank data. Insert composite print data into the area. The printing apparatus that has received the composite print data prints predetermined information stored in the printing apparatus according to the command information.

Therefore, the predetermined information stored in the printing apparatus can be printed on the print medium that should have been printed as blank paper in the initial print data.
The print data output device according to claim 8, a storage unit that stores a plurality of print data in a storage device, and a print that performs print processing on the print medium based on the print data, the print data stored in the storage device In the storage device, output means for outputting to the apparatus, blank data detection means for detecting a blank data area in which all the print medium is blank in the print data, and a blank data area detected by the blank data detection means are stored in the storage device. A data insertion means for creating composite print data by inserting the other print data, and the output means prints the composite print data when the composite print data is created by the data insertion means It outputs to an apparatus.

  When the print data output apparatus configured as described above detects a blank data area from the print data, it inserts the print data stored in the storage means into the blank data area to create composite print data, and The composite print data is output to the printing apparatus.

  Therefore, when the printing apparatus that has received the composite print data executes print processing, printing based on the other print data is performed on the print medium that should have been printed as blank paper in the original print data. Accordingly, since the print medium on which printing based on other print data is performed is not a blank sheet, pages output as blank sheets can be reduced.

  In addition, when a blank data area is detected, if printing is not performed on a print medium corresponding to the blank data area (that is, a blank print medium is not output), a print process is instructed. The user may misunderstand that the printing process has failed because the number of printed media is less than the specified number. However, since the print data output apparatus described above outputs a print medium that has been printed based on other print data, the user can recognize that the print process has been completed normally.

  Further, at least a part of the other print data inserted into the blank paper data area is printed during the print processing of the composite print data. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the print result of other print data earlier than in the case where the initial print data and other print data are sequentially printed. Furthermore, since the composite print data has the same number of prints as the original print data, it is possible to suppress the end of the print process from being delayed much later than the print process of the initial print data.

  The composite print data here is one form of print data. Therefore, when the printing apparatus receives the composite print data, the printing apparatus can execute a printing process based on the composite print data.

  The print data output device according to claim 9 is a data extraction means for extracting print data satisfying a predetermined condition from a plurality of print data stored in the storage device in the print data output device according to claim 8. The data insertion means inserts the print data extracted by the data extraction means as other print data into the blank paper data area.

  The print data output apparatus configured as described above creates composite print data by inserting print data satisfying a predetermined condition stored in the storage unit into the blank data area, and outputs the composite print data to the printing apparatus. To do.

Therefore, it is possible to perform printing based on other print data that satisfies a predetermined condition on a print medium that should have been printed as blank paper in the initial print data.
The print data output device according to claim 10 is the print data output device according to claim 9, wherein the data extraction means is a print medium required for print processing among a plurality of print data stored in the storage device. Print data equal to or less than the number of print media corresponding to the blank paper data area detected by the blank paper data detecting means is extracted as print data satisfying a predetermined condition.

  The print data output apparatus configured as described above creates composite print data by inserting print data equal to or less than the number of print media corresponding to the blank data area into the blank data area.

Therefore, by executing the print processing based on the composite print data, the print processing of two print jobs can be executed simultaneously.
The print data output device according to claim 11 is the print data output device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the data extraction means is a plurality of print data stored in the storage device in advance. The print data having the highest priority order is extracted as print data that satisfies a predetermined condition.

The print data output apparatus configured as described above creates composite print data by inserting print data with a high priority into the blank paper data area.
Therefore, by executing the printing process based on the composite print data, it is possible to simultaneously print the printing process based on the print data having a high priority and the printing process of the initial print data. In addition, since the priority order is determined in advance, it is convenient because it is possible to predict what kind of print data will be printed simultaneously.

  A print data output device according to a twelfth aspect is the print data output device according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, wherein identification information indicating transmission sources of a plurality of print data stored in the storage device is provided. Reading means for reading from each of the print data, and the data extracting means sets the print data having the predetermined identification information as print data satisfying a predetermined condition among the print data whose identification information is read by the reading means. It is characterized by extracting.

The print data output apparatus configured as described above creates composite print data by inserting print data having identification information indicating a predetermined transmission source into a blank paper data area.
Accordingly, only the print data output from a specific transmission source is subjected to the printing process, so that a print medium printed based on the print data output from an unspecified transmission source is printed based on the original print data. It is possible to prevent the print media from being output and mixed at the same time.

  A print data output apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect is the print data output apparatus according to any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, further comprising the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a plurality of paper discharge ports for discharging the print medium on which the printing process has been performed. When the printing unit performs a printing process based on the composite print data, the composite print data creation unit performs blank paper printing. Print media that has undergone print processing based on other print data inserted into the data area and print media that have undergone print processing based on other areas in the composite print data are placed in different paper outlets. The paper is discharged.

  In the case of the print data output apparatus configured as described above, when the printing unit performs the print process based on the composite print data, the print process is performed based on the other print data inserted in the blank paper data area. Since the print medium and the print medium subjected to the printing process based on the other area are discharged without being mixed, it is possible to easily identify these print media.

  The printing system according to claim 14 includes a printing unit that performs a printing process on a printing medium based on the printing data, an output unit that outputs the printing data to the printing unit, and all the printing medium in the printing data is a blank sheet. Blank data detection means for detecting a blank paper data area, storage means for storing a plurality of print data in the storage device, and other print data stored in the storage device in the blank data area detected by the blank data detection means And a data insertion means for creating composite print data, and the output means outputs the composite print data to the printing means when the composite print data is created by the data insertion means. It is characterized by that.

  In the printing system configured as described above, when the blank data area is detected from the print data, the print data stored in the storage unit is inserted into the blank data area to create composite print data, and the composite print is performed. A printing process is executed based on the data.

  Therefore, as a result of executing the printing process based on the composite print data, printing based on the other print data is performed on the print medium that should have been printed as blank paper in the original print data. Accordingly, since the print medium on which printing based on other print data is performed is not a blank sheet, pages output as blank sheets can be reduced.

  The composite print data here is one form of print data. Accordingly, when the printing unit receives the composite print data, the printing unit can execute a printing process based on the composite print data.

Block diagram showing schematic configuration of printing system 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of data insertion processing according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print control processing according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of data insertion printing processing according to a modification of the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of data insertion processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print control processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of data insertion processing according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print control processing according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of data insertion printing processing according to a modification of the third embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Example 1]
(1.1) Description of Configuration of Printing System FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an entire printing system exemplified as an embodiment of the present invention.

  This printing system is a system that includes a server 1, a plurality of client PCs (personal computers) 2, and a printing device 3. These devices are connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 5.

  The server 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as communication I / F) 15 for performing communication via a network, and the like. It is. The server 1 can be a normal personal computer.

  The control unit 11 is configured mainly with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and performs overall control of each unit configuring the server 1 based on a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12, and performs data insertion processing described later. Execute.

The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive, stores programs and various data, and reads and writes information according to control from the control unit 11.
The input unit 13 includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and obtains operation information from the user via these devices and inputs the operation information to the control unit 11.

The display unit 14 is a display device having a display surface configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays information to the user according to the output of the control unit 11.
The client PC 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an input unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication I / F 25 for performing communication via a network. These are the same configurations as the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the input unit 13, the display unit 14, and the I / F 15 of the server 1 described above.

The client PC 2 is configured to be able to create data to be printed using an application that is activated by a program stored in the storage unit 12.
The printing apparatus 3 includes a control unit 31, a print processing unit 32, a nonvolatile memory 33, an operation input unit 34, a display panel 35, a communication I / F 36 for performing communication via a network, and the like.

  The control unit 31 is mainly configured with a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The control unit 31 performs overall control of each unit configuring the printing apparatus 3 based on a program stored in the ROM, and executes a print control process described later. The print processing unit 32 is a device that performs print processing on recording paper (print medium). The nonvolatile memory 33 is for storing various data necessary for the operation of the printing apparatus 3. The operation input unit 34 includes a plurality of keys for the user to operate. The operation input unit 34 acquires operation information from the user via the user via these keys, and inputs the acquired operation information to the control unit 31.

  The printing apparatus 3 executes a printing process for forming an image on a sheet based on the print data transmitted from the server 1. In addition, the printing apparatus 3 includes a plurality of paper discharge trays (not shown) for discharging the recording paper on which the printing process has been performed. Even if printing is performed on a plurality of recording papers by one print job, each recording paper is printed. The discharge destination can be changed.

  By the way, when the client PC 2 issues a print instruction to the printing apparatus 3, the client PC 2 converts the print target data created using the application software into print data in a PDL (Page Description Language) format or the like. Thereafter, the converted print data is transmitted to the server 1.

  When the server 1 receives the print data, the server 1 temporarily stores and stores the received print data in a specific area secured in the storage unit 12. The print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 3 in response to a print data transmission request transmitted from the printing apparatus 3 according to the printing progress status of the printing apparatus 3. Thereafter, the print data transmitted to the printing apparatus 3 is deleted from the storage unit 12.

  By the way, the print instruction by the user is configured to be executable by a plurality of client PCs 2. For this reason, the storage unit 12 of the server 1 stores print data instructed to be printed by a plurality of users (client PC 2).

Further, here, the print data includes print setting information, the type of print target data (the type of application that created the data to be printed), and the transmission source of the print data (an identification number representing the user or client PC that issued the print instruction) , And information indicating the print data reception time and the like are added and stored in the storage unit 12.
(1.2) Description of Operation of Server 1 The processing procedure of data insertion processing executed by the server 1 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This data insertion process starts when print data is received from the client PC 2 and stored in the storage unit 12.

  In this process, first, the received print data is read from the storage unit 12, the print data is analyzed, and a blank data area in which all the recording sheets are blank is detected (S1). Here, for each page of print data, it is checked whether the number of pixels other than white pixels (pixels or dots printed as white when printing on recording paper) included in the page is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, When the number of pixels other than white pixels is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the page is blank. In this embodiment, the threshold value is 0, that is, no pixel is determined to be blank if there is a pixel other than a white pixel even at one point. However, the threshold value may be set to a value larger than 0 as long as it is within the range recognized as blank paper.

  Next, it is checked whether a blank paper data area is detected in S1 (S2). If no blank data area is detected (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S9. On the other hand, if a blank data area is detected (S2: YES), the number of recording sheets corresponding to the detected blank data area (hereinafter also simply referred to as the number of blank pages) is counted (S3).

  Next, print data transmitted from a specific user is extracted from the print data temporarily stored in the storage unit 12 of the server 1 (S4). Specifically, the transmission source information of the print data stored in the storage unit 12 is read and collated with the transmission source of the print data read in S1, so that the print data stored in the storage unit 12 can be compared with S1. The print data that is the same transmission source as the transmission source of the print data read in is extracted. If there are a plurality of corresponding print data, all the corresponding print data are extracted.

  Note that the transmission source information referred to here is not limited to information indicating one user or one client PC 2, and may be configured to have the same transmission source information in a group to which a plurality of users belong, for example. .

Next, the number of recording sheets required for the printing process of each of the print data extracted in S4 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the number of printed sheets) is checked (S5).
Next, the number of prints checked in S5 is compared with the number of blank pages counted in S3, and it is checked whether or not there is print data of the number of prints equal to or less than the number of blank pages (S6). If there is no print data for the number of prints equal to or less than the number of blank pages (S6: NO), the process proceeds to S9. On the other hand, if there is print data with the number of prints equal to or less than the number of blank pages (S6: YES), the print data with the highest priority is extracted from those print data (S7). This priority can be arbitrarily set by the user who sent the print data from the client PC 2 or the administrator of the server 1. For example, setting the priority order according to the type of application that created the print data, increasing the priority order for print data with a smaller or larger print data size, and printing with a later or earlier time when the print data was received It is conceivable to increase the priority of the data, or to lower the priority of the print data (composite print data) in which the print data has already been inserted into the blank paper data area.

  Next, the print data extracted in S7 described above is inserted into the print data in which the blank data area is detected in S2, and composite print data is created (S8). Specifically, printing is performed on the blank data area corresponding to one recording sheet so that one page of the print data extracted in S7 is printed on one recording sheet corresponding to the blank data area. Insert one page of data. The print data extracted in S7 is sequentially inserted in the blank data area close to the first page in the original print data (print data read in S1) in order from the first page of the print data. Further, information indicating that the print data is inserted is added to the page (blank data area) where the print data is inserted.

Next, the print data read in S1 (composite print data in the case of shifting from S8) is set to wait for output (S9). After this S9, this process ends.
The server 1 sequentially outputs the print data set for output waiting in S9 to the printing apparatus 3 in response to a transmission request from the printing apparatus 3, but the output process is executed in a separate process.
(1.3) Description of Operation of Printing Apparatus 3 A processing procedure of print control processing executed by the printing apparatus 3 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. This print control process is started when print data (which may be composite print data, although it may be composite print data, both are described as print data) is received from the server 1 and stored in the RAM.

In this process, first, the data of one page having the highest priority (the number of pages is small) among the pages that are not printed is read out of the received print data (S11).
Next, it is checked whether or not the page is a page corresponding to the print data inserted in the blank data area in S8 of the data insertion process (S12). If it is not the above-described page (S12: NO), the printing process is executed, and the recording sheet on which the image is printed is discharged to a discharge tray that is set to be used normally (S13). On the other hand, if it is the above-described page (S12: YES), the printing process is executed, and the recording sheet on which the image is printed is discharged to a different discharge tray (S14).

Next, it is determined whether or not the received print data has been printed on all pages (S15). If all pages have been finished (S15: YES), this processing is finished. On the other hand, if all pages have not been completed (S15: NO), the process returns to S11.
(1.4) Effect In the printing system configured as described above, when the server 1 detects a blank data area from the print data, the server 1 inserts other print data into the blank data area and outputs the composite print data. The composite print data is generated and output to the printing apparatus 3.

  Therefore, when the printing apparatus 3 that has received the composite print data executes a print process, the print data (original print data) that should have been printed as a blank sheet before other data is inserted into the blank sheet data area. Printing based on other print data is performed on the paper. Therefore, since the recording paper on which printing based on other print data is performed is not a blank sheet, pages output as blank sheets can be reduced.

  Further, the server 1 creates composite print data by inserting print data in which the number of necessary recording sheets is equal to or less than the number of recording sheets corresponding to the blank data area into the blank data area. As a result, other print data inserted into the blank paper data area is printed during the composite print data printing process.

  Therefore, by executing the print processing based on the composite print data, the print processing of two print jobs can be executed simultaneously. In addition, it is possible to obtain a recording sheet on which printing based on other print data is performed earlier than in the case where the initial print data and other print data are sequentially printed. Furthermore, since the composite print data has the same number of printed sheets as the original print data, it is possible to suppress the end of the print process from being greatly delayed as compared with the case where the original print data is directly printed.

  Further, since the print data inserted into the blank data area by the server 1 is the print data stored in the storage unit 12, the print data inserted into the blank data area in order to create composite print data may be interrupted. Can be reduced.

  In addition, the server 1 creates composite print data by inserting print data with a high priority into the blank paper data area. Therefore, by executing the print process based on the composite print data, the print process based on the print data with a high priority can be printed simultaneously with the print process of the initial print data. In addition, since the priority order is determined in advance, it is convenient because it is possible to predict what kind of print data will be printed simultaneously.

Further, the server 1 extracts the print data transmitted from the user who transmitted the initial print data from the storage unit 12 and inserts it into the blank paper data area to create composite print data.
Accordingly, when printing based on the composite print data, only print data transmitted by the same user is printed, so that the recording sheet printed based on the print data output from an unspecified transmission source is the user's print data. It is possible to suppress the output and mixing simultaneously with the recording paper printed based on the transmitted print data.

  In addition, when the printing apparatus 3 performs the printing process based on the composite print data, the printing apparatus 3 is based on the recording sheet on which the printing process is performed based on the other print data inserted in the blank paper data area and the other area. Thus, the recording sheets on which the printing process has been performed are discharged to different discharge trays, so that the recording sheets can be easily identified.

Further, when a blank paper data area is detected, in an apparatus configured not to execute printing on a recording paper corresponding to the blank data area (that is, to output a blank recording paper), the print data If there is a blank paper data area, the number of printed recording sheets will be less than the designated number, and the user who has output the print data may misunderstand that the printing process has failed. However, in the printing system described above, a recording sheet on which printing based on other print data is performed is output, so that the user can recognize that the printing process has been completed normally.
(1.5) Modifications Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the print data to be inserted into the blank data area is limited by the transmission source user name and the number of prints necessary for printing in S4 to S6 of the data insertion process. The structure which does not restrict | limit may be sufficient and the structure which restrict | limits only any one may be sufficient. If these restrictions are not applied, the user name and the number of prints are used for the priority in S7, the priority of print data transmitted from a specific user is increased, the number of prints is small, or It can be considered that the priority order of a large amount of print data is increased.

  If there is no limit on the number of prints, if the number of pages of print data to be inserted is large, not all pages may be inserted into the blank data area, but in that case, they were not inserted into the blank data area. Only the page may be configured to be printed after the print processing of the composite print data.

  In the above embodiment, the print data output from the client PC 2 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 3 via the server 1. However, the print data is directly sent from the client PC 2 to the printing apparatus 3 without using the server 1. It may be configured to transmit and execute the processing of the server 1 described above in the printing apparatus 3. In this case, the printing apparatus 3 may be configured to include a program that causes the data insertion process executed by the server 1 and the printing control process to be executed by the printing apparatus 3. The processing procedure of the data insertion printing process executed by this program is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Since this process often performs the same process as the data insertion process of FIG. 2 and the print control process of FIG. 3, the same process is denoted by the same reference numeral and description thereof is omitted. The difference is that in the process of S1, the print data read from the storage unit 12 of the server 1 is read from the buffer (RAM or the like) of the printing apparatus 3, and S9 is deleted.
[Example 2]
The configuration of the printing system in the second embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment. However, since the processing by the server 1 and the printing apparatus 3 is partially changed, the changed processing is shown below.
(2.1) Description of Operation of Server 1 A processing procedure of data insertion processing executed by the server 1 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. This data insertion process starts when print data is received from the client PC 2 and stored in the storage unit 12.

Since S21 to S23 of this process are the same processes as S1 to S3 of FIG.
When the process of S23 is completed, composite print data is created by inserting command information for printing information of the printing apparatus 3 into the print data in which the blank paper data area is detected in S22 (S24). Here, for example, command information for printing the setting information of the printing apparatus 3, the remaining amount of consumables, the daily report, and the like on a sheet corresponding to the blank data area is inserted into the detected blank data area.

Next, the print data read in S21 (composite print data in the case of shifting from S24) is set to output waiting (S25). Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(2.2) Description of Operation of Printing Apparatus 3 The processing procedure of the print control process executed by the printing apparatus 3 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This print control process is started when print data (which may be composite print data, although it may be composite print data, both are described as print data) is received from the server 1 and stored in the RAM.

The processing of S31, S33, and S35 of this processing is the same as the processing of S11, S13, and S15 in FIG.
When the process of S31 ends, it is subsequently determined whether or not command information is inserted into the print data for one page read in S31 (S32). If command information is not inserted (S32: NO), the process proceeds to S33. On the other hand, if command information is inserted (S32: YES), printing is executed in accordance with the command, and the paper on which the image is printed is discharged to a different paper discharge tray (S34). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S35.
(2.3) Effect In the printing system configured as described above, the server 1 creates composite print data by inserting command information for printing information stored in the printing apparatus 3 into a blank data area. The printing apparatus 3 that has received the composite print data prints predetermined information stored in the printing apparatus 3 according to the command information.

Therefore, the information stored in the printing apparatus 3 can be printed on the recording paper that should have been printed as white paper in the initial print data. Accordingly, since the recording paper on which the information stored in the printing apparatus 3 is printed is not a blank paper, it is possible to reduce pages output as blank paper.
[Example 3]
The configuration of the printing system in the third embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment. However, since the processing by the server 1 and the printing apparatus 3 is partially changed, the changed processing is shown below.
(3.1) Description of Operation of Server 1 A processing procedure of data insertion processing executed by the server 1 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. This data insertion process starts when print data is received from the client PC 2 and stored in the storage unit 12.

Since S41 to S43 of this process are the same processes as S1 to S3 of FIG.
When the process of S43 is completed, composite print data is created by inserting the information of the server 1 as print data into the print data in which the blank paper data area is detected in S42 (S44). Here, the setting information of the server 1 is inserted as print data into the blank page data area. The setting information of the server 1 is, for example, a server name or a server IP address.

Next, the print data read in S41 (composite print data in the case of shifting from S44) is set to output waiting (S45). Thereafter, this process is terminated.
(3.2) Description of Operation of Printing Apparatus 3 A processing procedure of print control processing executed by the printing apparatus 3 will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG. This print control process is started when print data (which may be composite print data, although it may be composite print data, both are described as print data) is received from the server 1 and stored in the RAM.

The processing of S51, S53, and S55 of this processing is the same as the processing of S11, S13, and S15 in FIG.
When the process of S51 is completed, subsequently, it is checked whether or not the page read in S51 is a page corresponding to the print data based on the information of the server 1 inserted in the blank data area in S44 of the data insertion process. (S52). If the page read in S51 is not the page in which the print data is inserted (S52: NO), the process proceeds to S53. On the other hand, if the page read in S51 is the page in which the print data is inserted (S52: YES), the printing process based on the information of the server 1 is executed, and the image is placed on a different paper discharge tray. The printed paper is discharged (S54). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S55.
(3.3) Effect In the printing system configured as described above, the server 1 creates composite print data by inserting print data indicating information of the server 1 into the blank paper data area. Therefore, the information of the server 1 can be printed on the recording paper that should have been printed as blank paper in the initial print data. Accordingly, since the recording sheet on which the information of the server 1 is printed is not a blank sheet, pages output as blank sheets can be reduced.
(3.4) Modification Although the third embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can take various forms as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the print data output from the client PC 2 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 3 via the server 1 is illustrated. However, the print data is directly sent from the client PC 2 to the printing apparatus 3 without using the server 1. It may be configured to transmit and execute the processing of the server 1 described above in the printing apparatus 3. In this case, the printing apparatus 3 may be configured to include a program that causes the data insertion process executed by the server 1 and the printing control process to be executed by the printing apparatus 3. The processing procedure of the data insertion printing process executed by this program is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Since this data insertion printing process has many points that perform the same process as the data insertion process of FIG. 7 and the print control process of FIG. 8, the description of the same process is omitted by using the same reference numerals.
This process starts when the printing apparatus 3 receives print data from the client PC 2 and stores it in the RAM.

  First, the received print data is read from the RAM, the print data is analyzed, and a blank data area in which all the sheets are blank is detected (S61). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S42.

  Further, after S43, composite print data is created by inserting information of the printing apparatus 3 as print data into the print data in which the blank paper data area is detected in S42 (S62). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S51.

  Further, after S51, it is checked whether or not the page read in S51 is a page corresponding to print data based on the information of the printing apparatus 3 inserted in the blank paper data area in S62 (S63). If the page read in S51 is not the page in which the print data is inserted (S63: NO), the process proceeds to S53. On the other hand, if the page read in S51 is the page in which the print data is inserted (S63: YES), the printing process based on the information of the printing apparatus 3 is executed, and the image is placed on a different paper discharge tray. Is discharged (S64). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S55.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server, 2 ... Client PC, 3 ... Printing apparatus, 5 ... LAN, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Memory | storage part, 13 ... Input part, 14 ... Display part, 15 ... Communication interface, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Storage unit 23 ... Input unit 24 ... Display unit 25 ... Communication interface 31 ... Control unit 32 ... Print processing unit 33 ... Non-volatile memory 34 ... Operation input unit 35 ... Display panel 36 ... Communication interface

Claims (14)

A print control program that functions in a print data output device that outputs print data to a printing device that performs print processing on a print medium based on the print data,
The print data output device;
In the print data, a blank page data detecting means for detecting a blank page data area in which the entire print medium is blank.
A data insertion means for creating composite print data by inserting other data into the blank data area when the blank data area is detected by the blank data detection means;
When the composite print data is created by the data insertion unit, the print control program causes the composite print data to function as an output unit that outputs to the printing apparatus. The print data output device;
Storage means for storing a plurality of print data in a storage device;
Of the plurality of print data stored in the storage device, function as data extraction means for extracting print data satisfying a predetermined condition,
The print control according to claim 1, wherein the data insertion unit is a unit that inserts the print data extracted by the data extraction unit as the other data into the blank data area. program. The data extraction unit includes a plurality of pieces of print data stored in the storage device, the number of the print media necessary for the printing process corresponding to the blank paper data area detected by the blank paper data detection unit. The print control program according to claim 2, wherein the print data is equal to or less than the number of print data as means for extracting the print data satisfying the predetermined condition. The data extraction means is means for extracting the print data having the highest predetermined priority order as print data satisfying the predetermined condition from among a plurality of print data stored in the storage device. The print control program according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein The print data output device;
Identification information indicating a plurality of print data transmission sources stored in the storage device is allowed to function as a reading unit that reads from each of the print data,
The data extraction means is means for extracting, as print data satisfying the predetermined condition, the print data having the predetermined identification information from the print data having the identification information read by the reading means. The printing control program according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The print data output device;
Function as device data creation means for creating device data which is print data indicating information of the print data output device;
The data insertion means is means for inserting the device data created by the device data creation means into the blank data area as the other data. A print control program according to any one of the above. The print data output device;
Function as command information creating means for creating command information for printing predetermined information stored in the printing apparatus;
The data insertion unit is a unit that inserts the command information created by the command information creation unit into the blank data area as the other data. A print control program according to any one of the above. Storage means for storing a plurality of print data in a storage device;
Output means for outputting the print data stored in the storage device to a printing device that performs a printing process on a print medium based on the print data;
In the print data, a blank page data detecting means for detecting a blank page data area in which the entire print medium is blank.
Data insertion means for creating composite print data by inserting other print data stored in the storage device into the blank data area detected by the blank data detection means;
The output means outputs the composite print data to the printing apparatus when the composite print data is created by the data insertion means. A data extracting means for extracting print data satisfying a predetermined condition among the plurality of print data stored in the storage device;
The print data output apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the data insertion unit inserts the print data extracted by the data extraction unit into the blank data area as the other print data. The data extraction unit includes a plurality of pieces of print data stored in the storage device, the number of the print media necessary for the printing process corresponding to the blank paper data area detected by the blank paper data detection unit. The print data output apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print data equal to or less than the number is extracted as print data that satisfies the predetermined condition. The data extraction means extracts the print data having the highest predetermined priority among the plurality of print data stored in the storage device as print data satisfying the predetermined condition. The print data output device according to claim 9 or 10. A reading unit that reads identification information indicating transmission sources of a plurality of print data stored in the storage device from each of the print data;
The data extraction unit extracts the print data having the predetermined identification information from the print data read by the reading unit as the print data satisfying the predetermined condition. The print data output device according to any one of claims 9 to 11. Comprising the printing device;
The printing apparatus includes a plurality of paper discharge ports for discharging a print medium on which printing processing has been performed, and the blank print data is generated by the composite print data creation unit when performing print processing based on the composite print data. The print medium subjected to print processing based on the other print data inserted into the area and the print medium subjected to print processing based on other areas in the composite print data are different from each other. The print data output device according to claim 8, wherein the print data output device discharges the paper to a paper discharge port. Printing means for performing print processing on a print medium based on print data;
Output means for outputting the print data to the printing means;
In the print data, a blank page data detecting means for detecting a blank page data area in which the entire print medium is blank.
Storage means for storing a plurality of print data in a storage device;
Data insertion means for creating composite print data by inserting other print data stored in the storage device into the blank data area detected by the blank data detection means;
The output system outputs the composite print data to the printing means when the composite print data is created by the data insertion means.

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