JP2014021876A - Printing system, printing device, and print control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a print setup without considering a printing sequence and accomplish follow-up printing by using plural printing devices without individually instructing printing.SOLUTION: A printing device including one of CMYK toner or special toner: analyzes print data to determine whether print processing is required for another printing device including the other of the CMYK toner or special toner; determines whether print processing on a printing device itself has priority on the basis of a print content in the case of determining the print processing is required for the other printing device, or performs the print processing on the basis of print data and transfers the print data to the other printing device with a storage instruction in the case of determining that print processing on the printing device itself has higher priority, or stores the print data as a stored job, transfers the print data to the other printing device with an output instruction in the case of determining that print processing on the printing device itself has lower priority; and performs print processing on a printed matter in accordance with the stored job, the printed matter that has been subjected to print processing on the other printing device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing control method, and more particularly, to a printing system that performs additional printing using a plurality of printing apparatuses, a printing apparatus that constitutes the printing system, and a printing control method in the printing system.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for image quality of printed materials, and images are formed using transparent toners that express the gloss of the printed materials gently, and special color toners that express colors other than CMYK, such as gold, silver, and fluorescent colors. It has also been done.

  Regarding a printing apparatus including such a toner, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a receiving unit that receives an image signal, and a color toner and a transparent toner are used for a sheet based on the image signal received by the receiving unit. A storage unit storing image data for forming a predetermined transparent toner image on a sheet so that at least a part of the colored toner image is covered, in an image forming system comprising: an image forming unit capable of forming a toner image; And an image forming system that selects one of a plurality of image forming modes including an image forming mode for forming a toner image in accordance with image data stored in the storing means. Yes.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, in an image forming apparatus having a special color printing function connected to a network, means for generating special color image data and four color image data, the special color image data, and the four color image data, Difference extracting means for extracting difference information between the pixel values of the CMYK version of the spot color image data and the pixel values of the four-color image data using storage, storage means for storing the spot color image data and the difference information, and A determination unit configured to determine whether or not the other image forming apparatus has a special color printing function when printing on the other image forming apparatus via a network; When it is determined that the four-color image data is restored using the spot color image data and the difference information stored in the storage means, It means, the other image forming apparatus includes an image data transmission means, the said sending the reconstructed four-color image data to the image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  As described above, an image formed with CMYK toner (referred to as CMYK plate) and an image formed with toner other than CMYK such as transparent toner and special color toner (referred to as special plate) are used in one printing apparatus. Although printing is possible, this printing apparatus is expensive because of its complicated structure and control. Therefore, a normal printing device that prints CMYK plates and a printing device that prints special plates are combined, and a printed matter printed by one printing device is further printed by another printing device (also called overprinting). A printing system has been proposed. In this printing system, when the special plate is not printed, there is an advantage that it can be used as a normal CMYK plate printing device by setting normal toner in the special plate printing device. In this case, it is necessary to control the printing process in a plurality of printing apparatuses.

  Although it is not a technology related to reprinting, with regard to a technology for controlling a plurality of apparatuses, for example, Patent Document 3 below discloses device capability information for acquiring device capability information of each device from a plurality of devices that can communicate via a network. Generating combination information relating to a combination of the setting item and the device, including an execution order, so that a plurality of devices execute a series of processing related to print setting information including the acquisition unit and the plurality of setting items; Based on the combination information generation unit, the device capability information acquired by the device capability information acquisition unit, and the combination information generated by the combination information generation unit, among the combinations indicated by the combination information, There is a combination that allows a plurality of devices to execute a series of processes related to the print setting information. When it is determined by the determination unit that determines whether or not there is a combination capable of executing a series of processing related to the print setting information in a plurality of devices among the combinations indicated by the combination information An information processing apparatus having setting information generating means for generating setting information for setting setting items corresponding to each device based on corresponding combination information is disclosed.

2009-294634 2010-056647 2010-009219

  As a method for realizing follow-up printing using a plurality of printing apparatuses, a method of separately preparing data composed only of a special version and data composed only of a CMYK version and instructing printing to each printing apparatus; There is a method in which a user creates one data including not only a CMYK version but also a special version and instructs printing to a plurality of printing apparatuses.

  Here, in distributed printing, where multiple printing devices perform printing simultaneously, the same page is not printed by multiple printing devices, so even if separate data is prepared as in the former case, they are managed in combination. However, when printing the same page with multiple printing devices, such as reprinting, it is necessary to manage a plurality of separately prepared data in consideration of the combination, which makes management complicated. .

  Therefore, in a printing system including a printing apparatus that prints CMYK plates and a printing device that prints special plates, it is advantageous to handle one piece of data including the CMYK plates and special plates. In addition to printing the CMYK plate and then printing the special plate (for example, coating with a transparent toner after printing the CMYK plate), printing the special plate and then printing the CMYK plate (for example, transparent In some cases, a CMYK plate is printed after a tint block printing (embossing or the like) is performed with toner. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately set the printing order of the CMYK plate and the special plate according to the print contents.

  For example, when setting up reprint using a printer driver, first select the output destination printing device to open the setting screen, and set the finish of reprinting while selecting post-processing on the setting screen. In this case, if the printing device selected at the time of reprint setting is set to print later, if a print instruction is issued after setting reprint, Inconvenience occurs in that the data is first output by the printing apparatus that performs printing. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to discard all setting values, close the setting screen once, reselect a printing apparatus to print first, and perform the same setting again, which is troublesome.

  In other words, in the case of reprinting, a method of issuing a print instruction using one data including the CMYK plate and the special plate is appropriate for facilitating data management. Since the printing instruction can be given only to the apparatus, the user determines the printing order, performs the print setting for the printing apparatus that prints first, instructs the printing apparatus to print, and then prints to the printing apparatus that prints later. It is necessary to perform an operation such as setting and instructing the printing apparatus to perform printing, which causes a problem that the operation of the print setting and the printing instruction becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the main object of the present invention is that it is possible to make print settings without being aware of the order of printing when performing overprinting, and a plurality of print settings can be made without individually instructing printing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing control method that can issue a printing instruction to the printing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing system in which at least a printing apparatus including CMYK toner, a printing apparatus including toner other than the CMYK toner, and a computer apparatus that instructs printing are connected via a communication network. The computer device has a printer driver corresponding to each of the printing devices, and each of the printer drivers can create print data for instructing printing to a plurality of printing devices, and the print data The predetermined printing device that received the print data analyzes the print data, determines whether the printing process in the other printing device is necessary, and determines that the printing process in the other printing device is necessary, Based on the print content specified by the print data, it is determined whether the print processing in the self-printing device is first, and the print processing in the self-printing device is If it is determined that the print data is executed according to the print data, the print data is transferred to the other printing apparatus by instructing the storage, and it is determined that the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is later. In this case, the print data is saved as a save job, the output is instructed to the other printing apparatus, the print data is transferred, and the printed matter is printed on the other printing apparatus. The print processing is executed according to the save job, and when the other printing apparatus receives the print data transferred from the predetermined printing apparatus instructed to save, the print apparatus saves the print data as a save job. The print processing is performed on the printed matter that has been printed by the predetermined printing device according to the stored job, and the output is instructed and transferred from the predetermined printing device. Upon receiving the serial print data, and executes a print process in accordance with the print data.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus including one of CMYK toner and toner other than the CMYK toner. When print data is received, the print data is analyzed to determine whether the toner other than the CMYK toner or the toner other than the CMYK toner is used. If it is determined whether printing processing is required in another printing apparatus including the other, and if it is determined that printing processing in the other printing apparatus is necessary, based on the print content specified by the print data, It is determined whether the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is first, and if it is determined that the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is first, the printing process is executed according to the print data and the other printing apparatus The print data is transferred by instructing the storage, and when it is determined that the print processing in the self-printing apparatus is later, the print data is stored as a storage job and the other printing apparatus Against it, and transfers the print data and instructs the output for prints print processing by the other printing apparatus is executed, and executes print processing according to the saved job.

  Further, the present invention includes at least a printing apparatus including CMYK toner, a printing apparatus including toner other than the CMYK toner, and a printer driver corresponding to each of the printing apparatuses, and printing is performed using the printer driver. A transmission step of creating and transmitting print data for instructing printing to a plurality of printing apparatuses, wherein the instructing computer apparatus is a printing control method in a printing system connected via a communication network; A receiving step in which the predetermined printing device receives the print data; and the first printing device analyzes the print data to determine whether printing processing in another printing device is necessary. And when the predetermined printing device determines that printing processing in the other printing device is necessary, the print data A second determination step for determining whether the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is first based on the specified print content; and the predetermined printing apparatus determines that the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is first In this case, the print data is transferred by instructing the other printing apparatus to store the print data, and when it is determined that the print process in the self-printing apparatus is later, the print data is stored as a save job. And a transfer step for instructing the other printing apparatus to output and transferring the print data, and the predetermined printing apparatus generates a print process according to the print data, and then generated by the print process. The other printing apparatus executes print processing on the printed matter in accordance with the print data transferred when instructed to save, or the print data transferred when the other printing apparatus is instructed to output. In After executing the print process for printed material produced in the printing process, the predetermined printing device, a printing step of executing printing processing according to the storage job, and has a.

  According to the printing system, the printing apparatus, and the printing control method of the present invention, it is possible to perform print settings without regard to the order of printing when performing overprinting, and print instructions to a plurality of printing apparatuses without individually instructing printing. Is possible.

  The reason is that the predetermined printing apparatus that has received the print data determines whether the printing process in the other printing apparatus is necessary based on the printing data, and determines that the printing process in the other printing apparatus is necessary. In this case, the print processing order is determined based on the print data. If it is determined that the print processing in the self device is first, the print processing is executed in the self device and the print data is sent to another print device by a save instruction. If it is determined that the printing process in the own device is later, the print data is saved as a save job, and the print data is transferred to another printing apparatus by an output instruction, and the printing process is executed in the other printing apparatus. This is because control is performed to execute print processing on the printed matter according to the storage job.

It is a figure which shows typically an example of the printing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the detailed setting screen displayed on the client apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 3 is an example of a setting screen and a data transfer setting screen displayed on the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of the printing system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is an example of the print setting screen of the printer driver displayed on the client device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the print data based on 2nd Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, there has been proposed a printing system that performs a reprint by combining a printing device that prints a normal CMYK plate and a printing device that prints a special plate. And the CMYK version only, and the method of instructing the printing to each printing apparatus separately, it is necessary to manage a plurality of separately prepared data in association, management is complicated Become.

  Therefore, in such a printing system, it is advantageous that the user creates one data including not only the CMYK version but also the special version and instructs printing to a plurality of printing apparatuses. There are cases where printing is performed in the order of printing of a plate → printing of a special plate, and printing may be performed in the order of printing of a special plate → printing of a CMYK plate, and the printing order must be appropriately set according to the printing contents. For this reason, there has been a problem that operations for print settings and print instructions become complicated.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the user does not instruct printing to a plurality of printing apparatuses in consideration of the printing order, but one printing apparatus that receives the printing instruction determines the printing order. Instruct other printing devices to print.

  Specifically, any one printing device (predetermined printing device) that has received the print data including the CMYK plate and the special plate determines whether information relating to printing of the special plate is embedded in the print data. By determining whether or not printing processing is necessary in one or more printing devices (other printing devices) other than the predetermined printing device, and determining that printing processing in other printing devices is necessary Determines the order of the print processing based on the information indicating the order and the print contents, and if it is determined that the print processing in the own device is first, executes the print processing and saves it in another printing device When the print data is transferred by instructing the printer and it is determined that the print processing in the device is later, the print data is saved as a save job and the print data is transferred by instructing output to another printing device. And other printing devices After receiving the printed material printing process is executed, it controls to execute the print processing for the printed matter according to the stored job.

  Accordingly, when performing reprinting using a plurality of printing apparatuses, the user can perform print settings without considering the order of reprinting, and also instruct printing to the plurality of printing apparatuses. This eliminates the need for printing settings and print instruction operations.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in further detail, a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing control method according to a first example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus. 3 is an example of a detailed setting screen displayed on the client device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an example of a setting screen and a data transfer setting screen displayed on the printing device of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 10 of this embodiment includes a client device 20 that issues a print instruction, a CMYK plate printing device 30a that prints a CMYK plate, and a special plate printing device 30b that prints a special plate. The printing apparatus 30 includes a plurality of printing apparatuses 30 that are connected via a communication network 40 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Hereinafter, each device will be described.

[Client device]
The client device 20 is a computer device such as a personal computer, and includes a control unit, a storage unit, a display unit, an operation unit, a communication I / F unit, and the like.

  The control unit includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the CPU copies a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit to the RAM. Thereafter, the overall control of the client device 20 is performed according to the program on the RAM. The control unit also has a function as a printer driver that generates print data from electronic data to be imaged and instructs the printing apparatus 30 to perform a job. In this embodiment, it is assumed that printer drivers corresponding to the printing apparatuses 30 of the CMYK printing apparatus 30a and the special printing apparatus 30b are installed in advance. The print data handled in this embodiment is in the PDF (Portable Document Format) format. In PDF, using a Separation operator, in addition to standard color plates such as CMYK and RGB, the user can arbitrarily add a plate. Using this mechanism, a special version can be added to print data. Embed information that instructs printing.

  The storage unit is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and stores an OS (Operating System), an application such as Acrobat (registered trademark) that creates print data in PDF format, the printer driver, and the like. The display unit is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, or the like, and displays a print setting screen, a detailed setting screen, which will be described later, and the like. The operation unit is a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like, and enables various settings on the setting screen. The communication I / F unit is a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, or the like, and establishes communication with the CMYK printing apparatus 30a and the special printing apparatus 30b.

[Printer]
The printing apparatus 30 is a printer, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 31, the storage unit 32, the display / operation unit 33, the communication I / F unit 34, and the printing The output unit 35 is configured.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU and a memory such as a ROM or a RAM. The CPU copies the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 32 to the RAM, and then the entire printing apparatus 30 according to the program on the RAM. Take control. Further, the control unit 31 analyzes the print data received from the client device 20, rasterizes each page, and generates image data for printing (referred to as print page data).

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 31 further performs printing in another printing apparatus 30 based on whether the print data includes special plate data or information for instructing printing of the special plate is embedded. It is determined whether processing is necessary. If it is determined that printing processing in another printing apparatus 30 is necessary (including information on special plate data or information for instructing printing of a special plate is embedded), the print content specified by the print data is included. Based on this, the order of the printing process is determined. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the print processing in the own device is first, the print processing is executed according to the print data, and the other print device 30 is instructed to save and forward the print data. If it is determined that the printing process is performed later in the apparatus, the print data is stored in the storage unit 32 as a stored job, and print control is performed to instruct output to another printing apparatus and transfer the print data. .

  The storage unit 32 is configured by an HDD or the like, and holds print data, setting information, a program for performing the above print control, and the like. The display / operation unit 33 includes an operation unit such as a touch panel on a display unit such as an LCD or an organic EL display. The display / operation unit 33 displays a setting screen or a data transfer setting screen, which will be described later, and performs various settings on the setting screen. Enable. The communication I / F unit 34 is a NIC, a modem, or the like, and establishes communication with the client device 20 or another printing device 30.

  The print output unit 35 forms and prints an image based on the print page data generated by the control unit 31. Specifically, it is a general term for components necessary to form an image using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and includes an exposure unit, a development unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, and the like. Including. In this embodiment, the CMYK printing apparatus 30a includes CMYK toner, and the special printing apparatus 30b includes special toner such as transparent toner and special color toner other than the CMYK toner.

  FIG. 2 is an example of the printing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment, and the configuration thereof can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the above description, the CMYK plate printing device 30a and the special plate printing device 30b have the same configuration except for the toner, but each printing device 30 may be configured to print the CMYK plate or the special plate.

  Hereinafter, a printing method using special toner will be described. The printing using special toner means that, for example, a color such as DIC or PANTONE is determined like a company logo, and printing is performed using a toner that is specially formulated in accordance with the color. .

  First, the user creates data including a special version using a print-only application (for example, InDesign (registered trademark) of Adobe (registered trademark)) or the like installed in advance on the client device 20. Then, as in the case of printing normal data, when a print instruction is issued by the application, the OS print setting screen is called, and the output destination printing device 30 is selected on this print setting screen, and further detailed settings are made. Read the screen.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the detailed setting screen 50. On this detailed setting screen 50, setting of post-processing such as output paper type and size, stapling, folding and binding is performed, and a print button is pressed to give a print instruction. . This procedure is the same as the case of outputting normal print data (print data only for the CMYK version).

  When the printer driver 30 selects the CMYK printing device 30a as the output destination printing device, when the printer driver generates special print data when the print data is generated, Using the Separation operator, PDF data including a special version is generated, and the generated PDF data is transmitted to the CMYK printing apparatus 30a.

  In this embodiment, since the print data does not include information for specifying the printing apparatus 30 (here, the special plate printing apparatus 30b) that performs the additional printing, the printing apparatus 30 that receives the print data ( Here, a printing apparatus 30 that performs additional printing is set in advance on the CMYK printing apparatus 30a) side. Specifically, in the printing apparatus 30, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the display / operation unit 33, network settings for setting the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the printing apparatus 30 that performs additional printing, Print settings for setting what print settings are output when print data for which print settings (post-processing settings, etc.) are not set are received, security settings for setting users who are allowed to print, multiple printing A setting screen 51 for performing a data transfer setting for setting which printing device 30 to perform data transfer when printing with the device 30 is displayed. Various settings relating to printing can be performed on the setting screen 51.

  When the user selects the data transfer setting on the setting screen 51, a data transfer setting screen 52 as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed. In the data transfer setting screen 52, the CMYK printing apparatus 30a can be selected. For example, the special plate printing device 30b is selected as a device for transferring print data including a special plate, and if it is the special plate printing device 30b, the CMYK plate printing device 30a is selected as a device for transferring print data.

  In FIG. 4B, both the CMYK plate printing device 30a and the special plate printing device 30b are displayed as devices for transferring data, but the data transfer setting screen 52 displayed on the CMYK plate printing device 30a is displayed. Only the special plate printing device 30b may be displayed, and only the CMYK printing device 30a may be displayed on the data transfer setting screen 52 displayed on the special plate printing device 30b. Further, it is desirable that a plurality of printing apparatuses 30 to which print data is transferred can be registered. Even if the priority is displayed based on the history information, or the printing apparatus 30 having a higher priority is set by default. Good.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the printing system 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the print data transmitted from the client device 20 is received by the CMYK plate printing device 30a, and the CMYK plate printing device 30a displays the print data on the data transfer setting screen 52 in FIG. It is assumed that the transfer destination special plate printing apparatus 30b is set in advance.

  When the CMYK printing apparatus 30a receives print data from the client apparatus 20 (S101), the control unit 31 analyzes the received print data and searches whether the separation operator is included in the print data (S102). ). If the Separation operator is not included (No in S103), the control unit 31 receives the received print data as normal print data (print data for only the CMYK plate), and the other printing device 30 (special plate printing device). 30b) determines that the printing process is unnecessary, generates print page data from the print data (S110), and the print output unit 35 prints out the print page data and performs normal printing (S111).

  On the other hand, when the Separation operator is included (Yes in S103), the control unit 31 receives the print data including the special plate, and the other printing device 30 (special plate printing device 30b) It is determined that the printing process (reprinting) is necessary, and the printing process is performed by the other apparatus 30 after the printing process is performed by the own apparatus, or after the printing process is performed by the other printing apparatus 30 In step S104, it is determined whether the printing process is in order. The order of this printing process can be determined by the control unit 31 based on the contents of printing. For example, when the tint block printing is set, it can be determined that the printing process of the special plate printing apparatus 30b is first, and when the coating process is set, it can be determined that the printing process of the special plate printing apparatus 30b is after. .

  When it is determined that the printing process in the own apparatus is first (Yes in S105), the control unit 31 transfers the printing apparatus 30 (in this case, the special plate printing apparatus 30b) set in advance on the data transfer setting screen 52. ) And save the print data (S109), extract only the CMYK version from the print data to generate print page data (S110), and the print output unit 35 prints the print page data. The CMYK plate is printed by printing out (S111).

  The special plate printing apparatus 30b to which the print data is transferred in accordance with the save instruction extracts only the special plate from the print data, generates print page data, and stores it in the storage unit 32 as a save job. When the printed matter that has been printed by the CMYK printing apparatus 30a is placed on the tray of the special printing apparatus 30b, the user selects a print job by using the display / operation unit 33 of the special printing apparatus 30b to print instructions. Then, the print output unit 35 of the special plate printing apparatus 30b performs the special plate additional printing on the printed matter on which the CMYK plate is printed in accordance with the save job.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing process in the own apparatus is later (No in S105), the control unit 31 sets the transfer destination printing apparatus 30 (special printing apparatus 30b) set in advance on the data transfer setting screen 52. Instructing the output and transferring the print data (S106), extracting only the CMYK version from the print data to generate print page data (S107), and saving the print page data as a save job in the storage unit 32 (S108).

  The special plate printing device 30b to which the print data has been transferred in accordance with the output instruction extracts only the special plate from the print data and generates print page data. The print output unit 35 of the special plate printing device 30b receives the print page data. Is printed out to print a special version. When the printed matter that has been printed by the special plate printing device 30b is placed on the tray of the CMYK plate printing device 30a, the user selects a save job using the display / operation unit 33 of the CMYK plate printing device 30a and prints it. The print output unit 35 of the CMYK plate printing apparatus 30a performs the reprinting of the CMYK plate on the printed matter on which the special plate is printed according to the save job.

  As described above, in the printing system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus 30 that has received the print data from the client apparatus 20 determines whether the printing process in the other printing apparatus 30 is necessary, and the other printing apparatus 30. If it is determined that the printing process is necessary, the order of the printing process is determined. If it is determined that the printing process on the own apparatus is first, the printing process is executed on the own apparatus and the print data is printed on the other print. If it is transferred to the apparatus 30 with a save instruction and it is determined that the printing process in the own apparatus is later, the print data is saved as a save job and the print data is transferred to another printing apparatus 30 with an output instruction. When printing, it is possible to make print settings without being aware of the printing order of CMYK plates and special plates, and it is not necessary to give print instructions to a plurality of printing apparatuses 30. It is possible to simplify the work, thereby improving the convenience for the user.

  Next, a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a printing control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen displayed by the client apparatus (driver) of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data.

  In the first embodiment described above, the Separation operator is used to embed information for instructing the printing of a special plate in the print data. The print data created by the printer is created in normal CMYK or RGB, and the coat processing or copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing is instructed on the setting screen of the printer driver. The instruction information can also be added.

  In this case, the printer driver of the client device 20 displays a print setting screen 53 as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit, and the user selects a special processing setting tab on the print setting screen 53 at the time of print setting, and prints a tint block print. Make settings and coat processing settings.

  Specifically, in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print setting, the user sets a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print pattern and selects the special plate printing apparatus 30b that performs copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing. In the coating process setting, a special plate printing apparatus 30b that performs the coating process is set as well as which object of the print data is subjected to the coating process using the transparent toner. The printer driver can specify a special plate printing device 30b capable of coating processing and tint block printing by searching for a special plate printing device 30b on the communication network 40 using an MIB (Management Information Base). .

  Then, the printer driver adds information indicating that special plate (transparent toner plate) processing is necessary to the print data according to the special processing setting. As the method, for example, in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print setting, when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is built in the printer driver in advance, a transparent toner plate is generated using the selected copy-forgery-inhibited pattern and added to the print data. If a tint block pattern is registered on the apparatus 30 side, a method of designating only the tint block pattern type by PJL (Printer Job Language) or the like from the printer driver can be considered.

  Similarly, in the coat processing setting, when print data is generated by the printer driver, the type of the print data (text, graphics, image) is determined, and a transparent toner plate corresponding to the type is generated to generate the print data. Specify only the type of data to be added or the type of print data to be coated by PJL from the printer driver, and generate transparent toner plates from the type of print data when generating print page data from the print data with an interpreter Possible ways to do this.

  Hereinafter, a method for notifying both the background pattern printing setting and the coating process setting using only the setting parameters such as PJL will be described. Note that the special version is added by the printer driver in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  First, in accordance with the special processing setting on the print setting screen 53, the printer driver adds processing setting parameters for the special version to the print data using PJL. Here, the user sets the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print setting to “confidential”, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print device to “Printer1”, the coat processing setting to “image”, and the normal print device to “Printer3” with the printer driver of the CMYK printing apparatus 30a. Output instruction. In this case, the print data is as shown in FIG. 7, and the processing setting parameters are described in PJL before the actual print data (after “% PDF” in the figure).

  When receiving the print data, the CMYK printing apparatus 30a (Printer3 in this case) analyzes the PJL, determines whether or not the background pattern printing is performed ("WATERMARK" is ON or OFF), and whether or not the coating process is performed ("COATING _..." is ON or OFF). Check). If the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern print setting exists, the received print data is transferred to the designated printing apparatus (here, Printer1) by an output instruction. If the coat processing setting exists, the print data is transferred to the designated printing apparatus (in this case, MFP 2) according to the save instruction. Further, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing is present, the CMYK plate printing apparatus 30a determines that the apparatus itself will print the CMYK plate later, and stores the generated print page data in the storage unit 32 as a save job.

  The special plate printing apparatus 30b (Printer1) to which the print data has been transferred analyzes the PJL, determines that the self-printing apparatus will perform the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing, and determines that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern ("External secret" associated with "Type1" ") Is read out from the storage unit 32 and printed out.

  Similarly, the special plate printing apparatus 30b (MFP2) to which the print data is transferred analyzes the PJL, determines that the self apparatus performs the coating process on the image, and generates print page data from the print data. In addition, if the pixel output by the interpreter is an object (image) specified by PJL, the pixel is valid as a transparent toner plate, and if the pixel is other than the specified object, the pixel is invalid. Print page data composed only of the object thus created is generated and stored in the storage unit 32 as a save job.

  When print output from the special plate printing apparatus 30b (Printer 1) instructing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing is completed, the user sets the printed matter on the tray of the CMYK plate printing apparatus 30a (Printer 3), and the storage unit of the CMYK plate printing apparatus 30a. The stored job stored in 32 is selected and an output instruction is given. Further, when the print output in the CMYK plate printing apparatus 30a (Printer 3) is completed, the user sets the printed matter on the tray of the special plate printing apparatus 30b (MFP2) that performs the coating process, and the storage unit of the special plate printing apparatus 30b. The stored job stored in 32 is selected and an output instruction is given. Thereby, the desired printed matter can be obtained.

  In FIG. 7, information specifying the printing of the special plate and information specifying the printing device 30 that executes the printing process of the special plate are described in the print data, and the printing device 30 (Printer 3) that has received the print data However, although the order of the printing process is determined, information defining the order of the printing process may be described in the printing data, and the printing apparatus 30 that has received the printing data may specify the order of the printing process according to the description.

  As described above, in the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment, when setting of tint block printing or coating processing is performed on the printer driver setting screen of the client device 20, the setting information is described in the print data, and the print data is received. Since the printing apparatus 30 instructs other printing apparatuses 30 to perform printing in accordance with the setting information, operations related to printing settings and printing instructions can be simplified as in the first embodiment, and user convenience can be simplified. Can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  The present invention can be used in the printing system 10 that performs the follow-up printing using the CMYK printing apparatus 30a and the special printing apparatus 30b.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing system 20 Client apparatus 30 Printing apparatus 30a CMYK plate printing apparatus 30b Special plate printing apparatus 31 Control part 32 Memory | storage part 33 Display / operation part 34 Communication I / F part 35 Print output part 40 Communication network 50 Detailed setting screen (client apparatus) )
51 Setting screen (printer)
52 Data transfer setting screen (printer)
53 Print setting screen (printer driver of client device)

Claims (12)

In a printing system in which at least a printing apparatus including CMYK toner, a printing apparatus including toner other than the CMYK toner, and a computer apparatus that instructs printing are connected via a communication network,
The computer device includes:
A printer driver corresponding to each of the printing devices, and each of the printer drivers can create print data instructing printing to a plurality of printing devices;
The predetermined printing apparatus that has received the print data includes:
Analyzing the print data, determining whether printing processing in another printing apparatus is necessary,
If it is determined that the printing process in the other printing apparatus is necessary, based on the print content specified by the print data, determine whether the printing process in the own printing apparatus is first;
When it is determined that the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is first, the printing process is executed according to the print data, and the print data is transferred to the other printing apparatus by instructing saving,
If it is determined that the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is later, the print data is saved as a save job, the output is instructed to the other printing apparatus, and the print data is transferred. For the printed matter that has been subjected to the printing process by the printing apparatus, the printing process is executed according to the stored job,
The other printing device includes:
When receiving the print data transferred instructed to be saved from the predetermined printing device, the print data is saved as a save job, and the printed matter on which the printing process is executed by the predetermined printing device, Execute print processing according to the saved job,
When receiving the print data that has been instructed to be output and transferred from the predetermined printing device, print processing is executed according to the print data.
A printing system characterized by that. The predetermined printing apparatus includes:
When the print data includes information on an image formed using a toner other than the CMYK or information instructing printing using a toner other than the CMYK, the print processing in the other printing apparatus is performed. Judging that it is necessary,
The printing system according to claim 1. The information for instructing printing using toners other than CMYK is separation operator in PDF format data or post-processing setting information described in PJL.
The printing system according to claim 2. The predetermined printing apparatus includes:
Transferring the print data to a printing device preset on the setting screen of the predetermined printing device or a printing device preset on the setting screen of the printer driver and described in the print data;
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is a printing system. A printing apparatus comprising one of CMYK toner or toner other than the CMYK toner,
When the print data is received, the print data is analyzed to determine whether a printing process in another printing apparatus including the other of the CMYK toner or the toner other than the CMYK toner is necessary,
If it is determined that the printing process in the other printing apparatus is necessary, based on the print content specified by the print data, determine whether the printing process in the own printing apparatus is first;
When it is determined that the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is first, the printing process is executed according to the print data, and the print data is transferred to the other printing apparatus by instructing saving,
If it is determined that the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is later, the print data is saved as a save job, the output is instructed to the other printing apparatus, and the print data is transferred. Executing print processing in accordance with the stored job on the printed matter that has been printed by the printing apparatus;
A printing apparatus characterized by that. When the print data includes information on an image formed using a toner other than the CMYK or information instructing printing using a toner other than the CMYK, the print processing in the other printing apparatus is performed. Judging that it is necessary,
The printing apparatus according to claim 5. The information for instructing printing using toners other than CMYK is separation operator in PDF format data or post-processing setting information described in PJL.
The printing apparatus according to claim 6. Transferring the print data to a printing device preset on the setting screen of the self-printing device or a printing device preset on the setting screen of the printer driver and described in the print data;
The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. A printing apparatus including at least a CMYK toner, a printing apparatus including a toner other than the CMYK toner, a printer driver corresponding to each of the printing apparatuses, and a computer apparatus that instructs printing using the printer driver; Is a printing control method in a printing system connected by a communication network,
A transmission step in which the computer device creates and transmits print data for instructing printing to a plurality of printing devices;
A receiving step in which a predetermined printing device receives the print data;
A first determination step in which the predetermined printing apparatus analyzes the print data and determines whether printing processing in another printing apparatus is necessary;
If the predetermined printing apparatus determines that the printing process in the other printing apparatus is necessary, it is determined whether the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is first based on the print content specified by the print data. A second determination step for determining;
When the predetermined printing apparatus determines that the printing process in the self-printing apparatus is first, the other printing apparatus is instructed to save and transfer the print data, and printing in the self-printing apparatus is performed. A transfer step of saving the print data as a save job and instructing the other printing apparatus to output and transferring the print data when it is determined that the process is later;
After the predetermined printing device executes the printing process according to the printing data, the other printing device prints the printed matter generated by the printing process in accordance with the printing data transferred instructed to be stored. The predetermined printing device performs the processing or after the other printing device executes the printing processing in accordance with the print data that has been instructed to be output and transferred, and then prints the printed matter generated by the printing processing. And a printing step for executing a printing process according to the stored job.
And a printing control method. In the first determination step,
When the print data includes information on an image formed using a toner other than the CMYK or information instructing printing using a toner other than the CMYK, the print processing in the other printing apparatus is performed. Judging that it is necessary,
The print control method according to claim 9. The information for instructing printing using toners other than CMYK is separation operator in PDF format data or post-processing setting information described in PJL.
The printing control method according to claim 10. In the transfer step,
Transferring the print data to a printing device preset on the setting screen of the predetermined printing device or a printing device preset on the setting screen of the printer driver and described in the print data;
The printing control method according to claim 9, wherein the printing control method is a printing method.

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