JP2019006021A - Image formation device, print control method and printing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform suitable printing by use of a used sheet.SOLUTION: Scan data concerning printed sheets which are stored in plural sheet feeding parts is acquired, association information for associating a page order of the printed sheets in each sheet feeding part with scan data is stored, sheet feeding information concerning the printed sheets stored in each sheet feeding part is acquired, a printed sheet which is fed at a next time based on sheet feeding information is specified, and a margin region of a printed sheet which is fed at a next time based on association information is detected. A scale of a printing image of print data, at the time of so printing that the printing image is fit into the margin region of the printed sheet which is fed from each sheet feeding part at a next time, is calculated. A screen which indicates a correspondence between each sheet feeding part and the calculated scale is displayed, and a sheet feeding part which is used in processing of print data is selected. Print data is edited so that a printing image is located in the margin region of the printed sheet which is fed from the selected sheet feeding part at a next time, and is sent to an image formation device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a printing control method, and a printing control program, and in particular, an image forming apparatus that performs printing on a blank area of printed paper, a printing control method in a printing system including the image forming apparatus, and the printing system. The present invention relates to a print control program that operates on an internal device.

  There is a method of reducing paper used in the image forming apparatus by printing in a margin area of printed paper. For example, a method in which printed paper is set in the paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus, a sensor is provided in the paper conveyance path, etc., to detect a blank area of the printed paper, and a print image is printed in the blank area, There is a method in which scan data of printed paper is stored in advance in the forming apparatus main body, a blank area of the printed paper is detected from the scan data, and a print image is printed in the blank area. An image forming apparatus having a function of printing a document image read by an image reading device on a print sheet, the document image input unit for inputting a document image, a storage unit, and a control unit, the control unit Detects margin area information, which is information relating to a margin area of the image of the paper read by the image reading device, stores the margin area information in the storage unit, and inputs the margin area information from the document image input unit. The document image, configured to control so as to print in the blank area of the paper based on the blank space information stored in the storage unit is disclosed.

  As another method, a sheet on which an ID is recorded is used, a sheet ID is input using a user interface (UI) of the printer driver at the time of print setting, a blank area is determined from the print history of the printer driver, and There is also a method of printing a print image in the margin area. For example, in Patent Document 2 below, a document receiving unit that receives document data of a document to be printed, a margin region extracting unit that extracts a margin region of a medium on which the document data is printed, and a margin region extracting unit There is disclosed a printing system including a document allocating unit that allocates the document data to the extracted margin area, and a printing unit that prints the document data allocated by the document allocating unit on the medium.

JP 2010-206524 A JP 2008-090356 A

  However, adding a sensor or the like to the conveyance path or the like of the image forming apparatus causes an increase in cost. In addition, when detecting a blank area from scan data of printed paper stored in the image forming apparatus main body, it is not necessary to add a sensor or the like and the cost is not increased, but the printed paper to be fed next is determined. Therefore, depending on the size of the margin area, the print image may be reduced and printed more than necessary, and the visibility of the print image may be significantly reduced.

  Further, in the method of using the paper on which the ID is recorded, since only the paper on which the paper ID is registered can be used, the printed paper to be used for each printing must be set in the image forming apparatus. The method becomes complicated.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus, a printing control method, and a printing control program capable of appropriately printing using printed paper. There is to do.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of paper feeding units, an image reading unit that scans printed paper that is scheduled to be stored in the plurality of paper feeding units, and obtains scan data of the printed paper, Association processing units that store association information for associating the page order of the printed sheets stored in the sheet feeding unit in the scan order with the scan data of the printed sheets in the storage unit, and stored in each of the sheet feeding units The paper supply information of the printed paper that has been printed is acquired, the printed paper to be fed next from each of the paper supply units is specified based on the paper supply information, and the paper supply information is specified based on the association information. A margin area detection unit that identifies scan data associated with a printed sheet to be fed next, and detects a margin area of the printed sheet to be fed next based on the identified scan data; Printing day A scale calculation unit that calculates a scale of the print image when printing so as to fit in a margin area of a printed sheet that is next fed from each of the sheet feeding units; and A screen for associating the paper supply unit with the calculated scale is displayed on the display unit, and the selection control unit is configured to select the paper supply unit to be used for processing the print data with reference to the scale. Next, the printing unit edits the print image and the selected paper feed unit feeds the print image so that the print image is arranged in a margin area of the printed paper that is fed next from the paper unit. And a print processing unit that prints the edited print image on printed paper.

  One aspect of the present invention is a printing in a printing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a sheet feeding unit and an information processing apparatus that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus and instructs printing are connected via a communication network. In the control method, each of the image forming apparatuses scans a printed sheet to be stored in the sheet feeding unit of the apparatus, acquires scan data of the printed sheet, and stores the scanned data in the sheet feeding unit. The information processing apparatus executes a first process of storing the printed sheets in the scan order, and the information processing apparatus performs page order of the printed sheets stored in the sheet feeding unit of each of the image forming apparatuses and the printed sheets. Second processing for storing in the storage unit association information for associating the scan data with each other, and from each of the image forming apparatuses, the printed paper stored in the paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus Paper information is acquired, based on the paper feed information, a printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit of each of the image forming apparatuses is specified, and based on the association information, the next paper feed is specified. A third process for identifying scan data associated with printed paper to be printed, and detecting a margin area of the printed paper to be fed next based on the identified scan data; A fourth process of calculating a scale of the print image when printing the print image based on the print area so as to fit in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit of each of the image forming apparatuses; A screen for associating the paper feeding unit of each of the image forming apparatuses with the calculated scale is displayed on the display unit, and the paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus used for processing the print data with reference to the scale. Let me choose Processing and editing the print data so that the print image is arranged in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit of the selected image forming apparatus, and the selected A sixth process of transmitting the edited print data to the image forming apparatus, and the selected image forming apparatus is configured to add a blank area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit to the margin area of the printed sheet. A seventh process of printing a print image based on the edited print data is executed.

  One aspect of the present invention is a printing in a printing system in which an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feeding units and an information processing apparatus that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus and instructs printing are connected via a communication network. In the control method, the image forming apparatus scans printed sheets to be stored in the plurality of sheet feeding units, acquires scan data of the printed sheets, and supplies the scanned data to each sheet feeding unit. A first process of storing printed sheets in scan order is performed, and the information processing apparatus performs page order of the printed sheets stored in each of the sheet feeding units and scan data of the printed sheets. Second processing for storing association information to be associated in the storage unit, and paper feed information of the printed paper stored in each of the paper feed units from the image forming apparatus, and based on the paper feed information , Specifying a printed sheet to be fed next from each of the sheet feeding units, identifying scan data associated with the printed sheet to be fed next based on the association information, A third process for detecting a margin area of the printed paper to be fed next based on the scanned data, and a print image based on the print data is fed next from each of the paper feeding units. A fourth process for calculating the scale of the print image when printing so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper, and a screen for associating each paper supply unit with the calculated scale is displayed on the display unit; With reference to the scale, a fifth process for selecting a paper feed unit to be used for processing the print data, and the print image in a margin area of a printed paper fed next from the selected paper feed unit So that the A sixth process of editing the print data and transmitting the edited print data to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is next printed from the selected paper feed unit A seventh process of printing a print image based on the edited print data in a margin area of the paper is executed.

  One aspect of the present invention is a print control program that operates on a device that instructs printing to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a paper feed unit, and each of the image forming devices is connected to the paper feed unit. A first process for acquiring scan data obtained by scanning a printed sheet to be stored; a page order of the printed sheets stored in the sheet feeding unit of each of the image forming apparatuses in a scan order; and Second processing for storing association information for associating the scan data with the storage unit, and from each of the image forming apparatuses, obtains the sheet feeding information of the printed sheet stored in the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus. The printed paper to be fed next from the paper feeding unit of each of the image forming apparatuses is identified based on the paper feeding information, and the printed paper to be fed next is based on the association information Paper A third process for identifying the associated scan data and detecting a margin area of the printed paper to be fed next based on the identified scan data; a print image based on the print data; A fourth process of calculating a scale of the print image when printing so as to fit in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit of the forming apparatus, the feeding of each of the image forming apparatuses; A screen for associating a paper section with the calculated scale is displayed on the display section, and a reference is made to the scale to select a paper feed section of the image forming apparatus to be used for processing the print data; A sixth process for editing the print data so that the print image is arranged in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus, and the selected image forming apparatus In A seventh process of transmitting the edited print data and printing a print image based on the edited print data in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus; It is made to perform.

  One aspect of the present invention is a print control program that operates on an apparatus that instructs printing to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feeding units. A first process for acquiring scan data obtained by scanning a printed sheet to be stored; a page order of the printed sheet stored in each of the sheet feeding units in a scan order; and scan data of the printed sheet. Second processing for storing association information to be associated in the storage unit, obtaining paper feed information of the printed paper stored in each of the paper feed units from the image forming apparatus, and based on the paper feed information, A printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit is identified, scan data associated with the printed sheet to be fed next is identified based on the association information, and the identified scan is identified. A third process for detecting a margin area of the printed paper to be fed next based on the scan data, and a print image based on the print data of the printed paper to be fed next from each of the paper feeding units. A fourth process for calculating the scale of the print image when printing so as to fit in a margin area, a screen associating each of the paper supply units with the calculated scale is displayed on the display unit, and the scale is referred to A fifth process for selecting a paper feed unit to be used for processing the print data, and the print image is arranged in a margin area of a printed paper to be fed next from the selected paper feed unit. A sixth process for editing the print data; a margin area of a printed sheet that is transmitted next from the selected sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus by transmitting the edited print data to the image forming apparatus; The edited print data Seventh processing for printing a print image based on the data, characterized in that to the execution.

  According to the image forming apparatus, the print control method, and the print control program of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately print using printed paper.

  The reason is that, in a printing system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a sheet feeding unit or an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet feeding units, printing is performed by scanning printed sheets to be stored in a plurality of sheet feeding units. Scanned paper is acquired, the printed paper is stored in each paper feed unit in the scan order, and the page order of the printed paper stored in each paper feed unit is associated with the scan data of the printed paper. When the association information is saved and printing on the printed paper is performed, the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in each paper feed unit is acquired, and the next paper is fed based on the paper feed information. The printed paper to be fed next, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next is identified based on the association information, and the printed paper to be fed next based on the identified scan data Margins Area is detected, and the print image based on the print data is calculated to calculate the scale of the print image when printing so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from each paper feed unit. A screen showing the correspondence between the paper section and the calculated scale is displayed, the paper section to be used for processing the print data is selected with reference to the scale, and the next paper fed from the selected paper section is printed This is because the print data is edited so that the print image is arranged in the margin area of the finished paper, and the edited print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus having the selected paper feed unit to instruct printing.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement (pre-processing) of the printing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention (printing process on a blank area of printed paper). FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention (processing when printing is performed by specifying a scale condition). FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention (processing when printing is performed by designating the same size printing). It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (scale list screen) displayed on the printing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (option print setting screen) displayed on the printing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when adding a mark to the printed area) in the printing control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when a print image is rotated) in the printing control method which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when a printing image is divided | segmented and arrange | positioned) in the printing control method which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when changing the order of a printing image) in the printing control method which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when a print image is arrange | positioned repeatedly) in the printing control method which concerns on one Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, as a method of reducing paper by printing in the margin area of the printed paper, the printed paper is set in the paper feed unit of the image forming apparatus, and a sensor is provided in the paper conveyance path, etc. A method for printing by detecting a blank area, a method for storing scanned data of printed paper in the image forming apparatus main body in advance, a method for detecting and printing a blank area from the scanned data, and a sheet on which an ID is recorded. There is a method of printing by setting a margin area from a print history of the printer driver by inputting a paper ID using a UI of the printer driver at the time of print setting.

  However, adding a sensor or the like to the conveyance path or the like of the image forming apparatus causes an increase in cost. In addition, when detecting a margin area from the scanned data of printed paper stored in the image forming apparatus main body, the printed paper to be fed next is determined, so the print image is reduced more than necessary and printed. In some cases, the visibility of the printed image is significantly reduced. Further, when using a sheet on which an ID is recorded, only a sheet on which a sheet ID is registered can be used. Therefore, a printed sheet to be used for each printing must be set in the image forming apparatus. Becomes complicated.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, in a printing system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a sheet feeding unit or an image forming apparatus having a plurality of sheet feeding units, it is scheduled to be stored in a plurality of sheet feeding units in advance. Scan the printed paper, obtain the scanned data of the printed paper, store the printed paper in each paper feeding unit in the scanning order, and the page order of the printed paper stored in each paper feeding unit Correlation information for associating with scanned data of printed paper is stored. An information processing apparatus that includes a printer driver (or universal printer driver) that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus and instructs printing and an image forming apparatus that includes a plurality of paper feeding units perform printing on printed paper. In this case, the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in each paper feed unit is acquired, the printed paper to be fed next is specified based on the paper feed information, and the next paper is fed based on the association information. The scan data associated with the printed paper to be printed is specified, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected based on the specified scan data, and the print image based on the print data is supplied to each paper feed Calculate the scale of the printed image when printing so that it fits in the margin area of the printed paper that will be fed next from the printer, display a screen showing the correspondence between the paper feeder and the scale, and refer to the scale. Mark Select the paper feed unit to be used for data processing and move the print position or print image so that the print image is placed in the margin area of the printed paper that will be fed next from the selected paper feed unit. Edit the print image by scaling.

  In this way, the user can select and display the scale for printing the printed image in the margin area of the printed paper that will be fed next from each paper feed unit, thereby allowing the printed image to be printed at the optimum scale. It is possible to print on the area and contribute to the resource saving of paper.

  In the present invention, the rectangular area that can be secured most from the area where no printed image exists is set as the blank area of the page on each page of the printed paper.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, an image forming apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams illustrating configurations of a client apparatus and an image forming apparatus, respectively. 4 to 7 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating examples of screens displayed on apparatuses in the printing system. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an output result in the printing control method of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a printing system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a client device 20 and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 (three printers A to C in the figure) including a paper feed cassette that stores printed paper. Stand). These are connected via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) defined by standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface).

  As shown in FIG. 1B, when the single image forming apparatus 30 includes a paper feed cassette that stores a plurality of printed sheets, the printing system 10 includes the client apparatus 20 and one image forming apparatus. 30. In FIG. 1, the printing system 10 includes the client device 20 and one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30. However, a configuration in which a controller is connected to a communication network and the controller instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to print, A configuration may be adopted in which a management server is connected to the communication network, the management server manages print data output from the client device 20, and instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to perform printing. Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail on the premise of the configuration of FIG.

[Client device]
The client apparatus 20 is an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, and creates print data and instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to print. As shown in FIG. 2A, the client device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a network I / F unit 23, a display unit 24, an operation unit 25, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21a and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21b and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 21c. The CPU 21a stores a control program stored in the ROM 21b or the storage unit 22. The operation of the entire client device 20 is controlled by expanding and executing in the RAM 21c. As shown in FIG. 2B, the control unit 21 (CPU 21a) executes an OS (Operating System) 26, an application 27, a printer driver (universal printer driver 28 in this embodiment), and the like.

  The OS 26 is Windows (registered trademark), Mac OS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), or the like, and enables the client device 20 to operate the application 27 and the universal printer driver 28.

  The application 27 is software that performs text creation, spreadsheet, image processing, and the like. The application 27 reads the universal printer driver 28 when a print instruction is given, and transfers the document data created by the application 27 to the universal printer driver 28.

  The universal printer driver 28 is a print control program. The document data created by the application 27 is converted into print data (PJL (Printer Job Language), PS (PostScript), PCL (Printer Control) in a language that the image forming apparatus 30 can interpret. PDL (Page Description Language) data described in a page description language such as “Language” or PDF (Portable Document Format) data. To this print data, the print conditions set on the print setting screen of the universal printer driver 28 are described and added to a print ticket or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the universal printer driver 28 also functions as an association processing unit 28a, a blank area detection unit 28b, a scale calculation unit 28c, a selection control unit 28d, and an editing unit 28e.

  The association processing unit 28a acquires scan data obtained by the image forming apparatus 30 scanning the printed paper, and stores the page order of the printed paper stored in the scanning order in the paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus 30. Information (hereinafter referred to as association information) for associating the scanned data with the printed paper is stored in the storage unit 22 or the like.

  When the printing on the printed paper is instructed, the blank area detection unit 28b acquires the paper supply information (use history information) of the printed paper stored in the paper supply unit from the image forming apparatus 30, and supplies the paper supply information. The printed paper to be fed next from each paper feed unit is specified based on the above, and the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next is specified based on the association information, and specified. Based on the scanned data, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected. The method for detecting the blank area of the printed paper from the scan data is not particularly limited. For example, a rectangular area (rectangular area that can be determined as the ground color of the paper) in which each pixel value of the scan data is a predetermined value or less is blank. It can be detected as a region.

  The scale calculator 28c prints the scale of the print image (margin) when printing the print image based on the print data to be printed this time so that the print image fits in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from each paper feed unit. Area size / printed image size) is calculated.

  The selection control unit 28d displays on the display unit 24 a screen (scale list screen to be described later) that associates each paper feeding unit with the calculated scale, and is used for processing print data by referring to the scale. Select the paper source to be used. It should be noted that the selection control unit 28d selects the predetermined paper feeding unit when the scale calculated for the printed paper fed next from the predetermined paper feeding unit satisfies a preset condition. You may make it select as a paper supply part used for the process of print data.

  The editing unit 28e adjusts the print position and enlarges / reduces the print image so that the print image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the selected paper feed unit. The print data is edited, and the edited print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 including the selected paper feed unit. In addition, the editing unit 28e generates an additional image for identifying the printed region of the printed paper and adds it to the print data as necessary. In addition, the editing unit 28e may rotate the print image ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees when editing the print data, or divide the print image as necessary when the calculated scale is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold. If it is arranged in the margin area of multiple printed papers, or if the print data contains multiple print images, the print order of the multiple print images is changed to suit the margin areas of the multiple printed papers. The print image is arranged in a small scale, or when the print data is specific print data such as business card data, the print image is repeatedly arranged in the margin area of the printed paper.

  The storage unit 22 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, a program for the CPU 21a to control each unit, information on the processing function of the own device, document data created by the application 27, universal Print data created / edited by the printer driver 28, association information for associating the page order of printed paper with scan data, and the like are stored.

  The network I / F unit 23 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, connects the client device 20 to a communication network, enables transmission of print data to the image forming device 30, and the image forming device 30. Can receive the scanned data of the printed paper.

  The display unit 24 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and the like, and includes a document creation screen for the application 27, a print setting screen for the universal printer driver 28 (an optional print setting screen to be described later). Display a scale list screen.

  The operation unit 25 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and creates a document by the application 27, sets printing conditions by the universal printer driver 28, selects an option on the option print setting screen, and a paper feeding unit and an image forming apparatus on the scale list screen. Operation such as selection of 30 is made possible.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus 30 is an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripherals) or the like, and as shown in FIG. 3A, a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a network I / F unit 33, a display operation unit 34, an image processing unit. 35, an image reading unit 36, a paper feeding unit 37, a print processing unit 38, and the like.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU 31a and a memory such as a ROM 31b and a RAM 31c. The CPU 31a expands and executes a control program stored in the ROM 31b and the storage unit 32 on the RAM 31c, thereby performing the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 30. Control.

  When the image forming apparatus 30 performs print control on printed paper set in a plurality of paper feed units 37, the control unit 31 includes an association processing unit 39, a margin, as shown in FIG. It also functions as an area detection unit 40, a scale calculation unit 41, a selection control unit 42, an editing unit 43, and the like.

  The association processing unit 39 causes the image reading unit 36 to scan the printed paper, obtains scan data, and stores the page order of the printed paper stored in the scanning order in the paper feeding unit 37 and the scan data of the printed paper. Is stored in the storage unit 32 or the like.

  When printing on printed paper is instructed, the margin area detection unit 40 acquires paper feed information (use history information) of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit 37, and based on the paper feed information, A printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit 37 is identified, scan data associated with the printed sheet to be fed next is identified based on the association information, and based on the identified scan data Then, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected.

  The scale calculation unit 41 prints the print image generated by the image processing unit 35 based on the print data to be printed this time so that it fits in the margin area of the printed paper fed next from each paper feed unit 37. In this case, the scale of the print image is calculated.

  The selection control unit 42 causes the display operation unit 37 to display a screen (scale list screen) for associating each paper feeding unit 37 with the calculated scale, and uses it for processing print data with reference to the scale. The paper feed unit 37 to be selected is selected. In the same manner as described above, the selection control unit 42 determines the predetermined scale when the scale calculated for the printed paper to be fed next from the predetermined paper supply unit satisfies a preset condition. The paper feeding unit 37 may be selected as a paper feeding unit used for processing print data.

  The editing unit 43 acquires the print image generated by the image processing unit 35 based on the print data, and arranges the print image in the margin area of the printed paper that is fed next from the selected paper feed unit 37. As described above, the print image is edited by adjusting the print position or enlarging / reducing the print image, and the print processing unit 38 is instructed to print the edited print image. In addition, the editing unit 43 generates an additional image for identifying the printed region of the printed paper as necessary, and instructs the print processing unit 38 to print the additional image. In addition, the editing unit 43 rotates the print image by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees as necessary, or divides the print image when the calculated scale is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, If a print image is included, the printing order of a plurality of print images is changed. If the print data is specific print data such as business card data, the print images are repeatedly arranged.

  The association processing unit 39, the blank area detection unit 40, the scale calculation unit 41, the selection control unit 42, and the editing unit 43 may be configured as hardware, or the control unit 31 may be configured as the association processing unit 39 and the blank area detection. The print control program may be configured to function as the unit 40, the scale calculation unit 41, the selection control unit 42, and the editing unit 43, and the CPU 31a may execute the print control program.

  The storage unit 32 is configured by an HDD, an SSD, or the like, a program for the CPU 31a to control each unit, information on processing functions of the own device, print data, a print image generated by the image processing unit 35 or edited by the editing unit 43, and the like Remember.

  The network I / F unit 33 is configured by a NIC, a modem, and the like, connects the image forming apparatus 30 to a communication network, enables reception of print data from the client apparatus 20, and scans printed paper on the client apparatus 20. Data can be transmitted.

  The display operation unit 34 is a touch panel or the like provided with a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch sensor) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on the display unit. Various screens related to print processing (scale list screens as necessary) And an optional print setting screen) to enable various operations related to print processing.

  The image processing unit 35 functions as a RIP unit (Raster Image Processor), translates print data to generate intermediate data, and performs rendering to generate a bitmap-format print image (this series of processing is performed as RIP processing). Call it.) The image processing unit 35 performs screen processing, gradation correction, density balance adjustment, thinning, halftone processing, and the like on the print image as necessary.

  The image reading unit 36 is a part that optically reads image data from a document, and converts an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that transports the document, a light source that scans the document, and light reflected by the document into an electrical signal. An image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) and an A / D converter for A / D converting an electric signal are used. In this embodiment, scanned data is acquired by scanning a printed sheet.

  The paper feed unit 37 is a paper feed cassette or a manual feed tray for storing paper to be supplied to the print processing unit 38. In this embodiment, printed paper is stored in at least one paper feed cassette or manual feed tray.

  The print processing unit (print engine) 38 executes print processing based on the print image. Specifically, the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device is irradiated with light corresponding to the printed image from the exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image, and the charged toner is attached and developed by the developing device. The toner image is primarily transferred to the transfer belt, secondarily transferred from the transfer belt to the paper, and further, the fixing device fixes the toner image on the paper.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the print processing unit 38 draws a print image in a margin area of printed paper. Further, when the editing unit 43 generates an additional image for identifying the printed region of the printed paper, the print processing unit 38 draws the additional image in the printed region. In addition, the print processing unit 38 draws a print image in the margin area of the printed paper while the printed paper is rotated ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees, and the editing unit 43 prints the print image ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees. When the image is rotated by 90 degrees, a print image rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees is drawn in the margin area of the printed paper. Further, when the editing unit 43 divides the print image, the print processing unit 38 draws the divided print image in the margin areas of a plurality of printed sheets. In addition, when the editing unit 43 changes the printing order of the print images, the print processing unit 38 draws the print images in the margin areas of the plurality of printed sheets according to the order. Further, when the print data is specific print data such as business card data, the print processing unit 38 repeatedly draws the print image in the margin area of the printed paper.

  1 to 3 show an example of the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment, and the configuration thereof can be changed as appropriate. For example, when a controller or management server that instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to perform printing is arranged in the printing system 10, the CPU of the controller or management server may execute a print control program.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system of this embodiment will be described. In the following, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 are connected to the client apparatus 20, and the universal printer driver 28 of the client apparatus 20 is a plurality of sheet feeding units 37 (referred to as sheet feeding cassettes) of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 30. It is assumed that print control is performed on the printed paper stored in the.

[Pre-processing]
The user sets the printed paper in the image reading unit 36 of the image forming apparatus 30, and the image reading unit 36 scans the printed paper and obtains scan data (for example, a PDF (Portable Document Format) file) (S101). ).

  Next, the user sets the scanned printed paper in the paper feeding cassette of the image forming apparatus 30 in the order of scanning (S102).

  Next, the user operates the client device 20, and the universal printer driver 28 (association processing unit 28a) reads scan data from the image forming apparatus 30 (S103).

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (association processing unit 28a) converts the scan data into a form file (for example, a file indicating the positions of the printed area and the margin area) as necessary, The association information is stored in the storage unit 22 or the like in association with the scan data (or form file) (S104). The above process is repeated for each image forming apparatus 30 and for each paper feed cassette of each image forming apparatus 30.

[Printing on preprinted paper]
The universal printer driver 28 converts the document data acquired from the application 27 into print data, displays a print setting screen (optional print setting screen, which will be described later) on the display unit 24, and sets print conditions. (S201). Here, the user enables the “print on printed paper” function.

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (margin area detection unit 28b) obtains paper feed information (information indicating how many sheets have been fed from a paper feed cassette loaded with printed paper) from each image forming apparatus 30. (S202).

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (margin area detection unit 28b) specifies the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed cassette based on the obtained paper feed information, and the association information stored in the storage unit 22 Based on the scan data (or form file) associated with the next printed paper fed from the paper feed cassette, and the next paper is fed based on the specified scan data (or form file). A blank area of the printed paper is detected (S203).

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (scale calculation unit 28 c) fits the print image based on the print data in the margin area of the printed paper that is next fed from each paper feed cassette of each image forming apparatus 30. In this way, the scale of the print image when printing is calculated (S204). Then, the processes of S202 to S204 are repeated for each image forming apparatus 30 and for each paper feed cassette of each image forming apparatus 30.

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (selection control unit 28d) causes the display unit 24 to display a scale list screen that associates each image forming apparatus 30 (each paper feed cassette) with the scale calculated in step S204, so that the user The image forming apparatus 30 (paper feed cassette) that can be printed at a desired scale is selected (S205). FIG. 8 shows an example of the scale list screen 50. The user operates the operation unit 25 to select an image forming apparatus 30 (model A having the largest scale) that can be printed at a desired scale.

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 switches to a printer driver (referred to as a predetermined printer driver) corresponding to the selected image forming apparatus 30 (S206).

  Next, a predetermined printer driver (editing unit 28e) edits the print data. Specifically, the print image based on the print data is moved from the paper feed cassette of the selected image forming apparatus 30 to a position that does not overlap the printed area of the printed paper to be fed next (S207). The print image based on the print data is reduced / enlarged so as to fit in the margin area (S208).

  Thereafter, the predetermined printer driver (selection control unit 28d) displays an optional print setting screen on the display unit 24 as necessary in order to improve the visibility when printing a print image on the margin area of the printed paper. Display, let the user set other options, add setting information (paper cassette designation information, print image print position, scale, etc.) to the edited print data and send it to the image forming apparatus 30 for printing Is instructed (S209). This optional print setting will be described later.

  When the image forming apparatus 30 receives the print data from the client apparatus 20, the image processing unit 35 analyzes the print data to acquire print settings and generates a print image (S210). The printed paper is fed from the paper feed cassette specified in the settings (S211), and the print processing unit 38 prints the generated print image on the margin area of the printed paper at the scale specified in the print settings ( S212).

  As described above, the printed sheets set in the plurality of sheet cassettes are individually scanned, the scanned printed sheets are set in the plurality of sheet cassettes in the scanning order, and the printed sheets set in the plurality of sheet cassettes are set. The page order and scan data are stored in association with each other, and when printing on printed paper, the paper feed information of each paper cassette is acquired, and the printed paper to be fed next based on the paper feed information And the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected based on the association information so that the printed image fits in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from each paper cassette. The scale for printing is calculated, a list screen for associating the image forming apparatus (or paper feed cassette) with the scale is displayed, and the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the selected paper feed cassette is displayed. By editing the print data by moving the print position or enlarging / reducing the print image so that the print image is arranged, the user can print the print image on the margin area of the printed paper at a desired scale. The printed paper can be reused efficiently.

  In the above flow, the scale list is displayed in S205 and the user is allowed to select a desired scale. However, the scale is defined in advance, and the image forming apparatus 30 (paper cassette) is automatically installed. You can also choose. Processing in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The universal printer driver 28 converts the document data acquired from the application 27 into print data, and displays a print setting screen (optional print setting screen if necessary) on the display unit 24 in S201 to specify the print conditions. (S301). Here, after the user activates the “print on printed paper” function, for example, the user designates printing conditions such as printing a print image on a blank area of the printed paper at a scale of 80% or more.

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (margin area detection unit 28b) acquires paper feed information from each image forming apparatus 30 (S302), and then feeds paper from the paper cassette next based on the acquired paper feed information. The printed sheet to be printed is identified, and the scan data (or form file) associated with the printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet cassette is identified and identified based on the association information stored in the storage unit 22 Based on the scanned data (or form file), the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected (S303).

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (scale calculation unit 28 c) fits the print image based on the print data in the margin area of the printed paper that is next fed from each paper feed cassette of each image forming apparatus 30. In this way, the scale of the print image when printing is calculated (S304), and it is determined whether the calculated scale satisfies the scale condition specified in S301 (S305).

  If the scale condition is satisfied (Yes in S305), the universal printer driver 28 (selection control unit 28d) notifies that the image forming apparatus 30 satisfying the scale condition has been selected (S306), and S206 in FIG. Perform the following processing. On the other hand, when the scale condition is not satisfied (No in S305), the universal printer driver 28 (selection control unit 28d) determines whether there are other candidates for the paper feed cassette (S307), and there are other candidates. In this case (Yes in S307), the process returns to S302 and the same processing is repeated. When there are no other candidates (No in S307), it is notified that there is no image forming apparatus 30 that satisfies the scale condition (S308). 5 and subsequent processes in S205 are performed.

  In this way, the scale condition is specified, and the scale when the print image is printed so as to fit within the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed cassette of the selected image forming apparatus is the scale. When the condition is satisfied, the image forming apparatus 30 and the paper cassette desired by the user can be appropriately selected by automatically selecting the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 6, an apparatus for reducing / enlarging at a specified scale is selected, but an apparatus capable of printing at the same magnification without reducing / enlarging can be selected. Processing in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The universal printer driver 28 converts the document data acquired from the application 27 into print data, and displays a print setting screen (optional print setting screen if necessary) on the display unit 24 in S201 to specify the print conditions. (S401). Here, after the user activates the “print on printed paper” function, for example, the user designates printing conditions such as printing the print image in the margin area of the printed paper at the same magnification. Also, it specifies how many margins are to be detected when printing at the same magnification. Let Z be the number of blanks to be detected.

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (margin area detection unit 28b) substitutes 1 for N (S402), obtains paper feed information from each image forming apparatus 30 (S403), and based on the obtained paper feed information. The printed sheet fed to the Nth sheet from the sheet feeding cassette is identified and associated with the printed sheet fed to the Nth sheet from the sheet feeding cassette based on the association information stored in the storage unit 22 The specified scan data (or form file) is specified, and based on the specified scan data (or form file), a blank area of the printed sheet fed to the Nth sheet is detected (S404).

  Next, the universal printer driver 28 (scale calculation unit 28c) prints the print image based on the print data, and the margin area of the printed paper that is fed to the Nth sheet from each paper feed cassette of each image forming apparatus 30. The scale of the print image when printing so as to fit in the image is calculated (S405), and it is determined whether the image can be printed at the same magnification (whether the scale is 100%) (S406).

  When printing at the same magnification (Yes in S406), the universal printer driver 28 (selection control unit 28d) notifies that the image forming apparatus 30 capable of printing at the same magnification has been selected (S407), and S206 in FIG. Perform the following processing. On the other hand, if printing cannot be performed at the same magnification (No in S406), the universal printer driver 28 (selection control unit 28d) determines whether N is smaller than Z (number of margin detection) +1 (that is, less than the number of margin detection). (S408), and if N ≧ Z + 1 (exceeds the number of margins to be detected) (No in S408), it is notified that there is no image forming apparatus 30 capable of the same size printing (S411). 5 and subsequent processes in S205 are performed.

  If N <Z + 1 (less than the number of margins to be detected) (Yes in S408), the universal printer driver 28 (selection control unit 28d) determines whether there are other paper feed cassette candidates (S409). If there are other candidates (Yes in S409), the process returns to S403 and the same processing is repeated. If there are no other candidates (No in S409), 1 is added to N (S410), and the process returns to S403. Repeat the same process.

  In this way, the same scale printing is designated, and the scale for printing the print image so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper fed from the paper feed cassette of the selected image forming apparatus is calculated. By automatically selecting the image forming apparatus 30 that can print at the same scale based on the calculated scale, the user can select the image forming apparatus 30 and the paper feed cassette desired by the user. Further, in the case where printing with the next printed paper cannot be performed at the same magnification, for example, when there is a printed paper that can be printed at the same magnification on the third sheet of the paper feeding cassette of the image forming apparatus 30, the first The two sheets can be discharged and printed on the third printed sheet, and the print image can be printed on the printed sheet appropriately.

  Hereinafter, the option print setting in S209 of FIG. 5 will be specifically described. FIG. 9 shows an example of the option print setting screen 51. For example, in the case of “print on the margin of printed paper”, “mark the printed portion”, “rotate the paper by 180 degrees”, “paper” Options such as “Do not specify orientation”, “Print by dividing into multiple sheets”, “Print by changing the order of pages”, and “Print business card data” can be set.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a print result when “mark a printed part” is set on the option print setting screen 51. As shown in FIG. 10, when printing a print image based on the print data in the margin area of the printed paper, the printed paper based on the scan data is used to distinguish the printed area from the newly printed area. Is printed, an additional image such as a mark (for example, a x mark) for identifying the printed area is generated, and the additional image is printed in the printed area. Note that FIG. 10 illustrates the case where an additional image with a cross is printed in the printed area, but it is only necessary to distinguish the printed area from the newly printed area. For example, the color of the newly printed image may be changed. Alternatively, the font may be changed, the character style such as bold or italic may be changed, or a newly printed image may be surrounded by a frame.

  FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of a print result when “rotate paper by 180 degrees” is set on the option print setting screen 51. As shown in FIG. 11A, in order to distinguish the printed area from the newly printed area, the print image is rotated by 180 degrees, and the print image rotated by 180 degrees is printed in the margin area of the printed paper. To do. In this way, by rotating the print image by 180 degrees, the printed area and the newly printed area are reversed, so that the newly printed area can be easily identified. In FIG. 11A, the print image is rotated 180 degrees, but the printed paper is rotated 180 degrees in the paper transport path of the print processing unit 38 of the image forming apparatus 30 and the printed paper is rotated 180 degrees. A printed image may be printed in the blank area in the state of being set.

  FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a print result when “Do not specify paper orientation” is set on the option print setting screen 51. As shown in FIG. 11B, in order to distinguish the printed area from the newly printed area, the printed image is rotated by ± 90 degrees, and the printed image is rotated by ± 90 degrees on the margin area of the printed paper. To print. When there is no margin in the vertical direction of the paper and there is a margin area on either the left or right side, the print image is printed at a larger scale by rotating the print image by ± 90 degrees than when printing without rotation. can do. In FIG. 11B, the print image is rotated by ± 90 degrees. However, the printed paper is rotated by ± 90 degrees in the paper transport path of the print processing unit 38 of the image forming apparatus 30, and the printed paper is rotated by ± 90 degrees. The print image may be printed in the blank area after being rotated 90 degrees.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a print result when “print divided and printed on a plurality of sheets” is set on the option print setting screen 51. When a print image based on print data is printed on a margin area of one printed sheet, the scale may be reduced. Therefore, when the scale is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, as shown in FIG. 12, the print image is divided and printed in the margin areas of a plurality of printed sheets. In this way, by dividing the print image based on the print data and placing it in the margin areas of a plurality of printed papers, the print image can be printed at a large scale, and the visibility of the print image can be improved. it can.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a print result when “print by changing page order” is set on the option print setting screen 51. When printing a print image of a plurality of pages, the scale may be reduced if printed in the order of pages. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 13, the print order is printed by changing the order of the pages so that each page has the maximum scale. Thus, by switching the page order, the print image can be printed at a large scale, and the visibility of the print image can be improved.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a print result when “print business card data” is set on the option print setting screen 51. As shown in FIG. 14, when printing a print image of a small size such as business card data on the margin area of the printed paper, the number of repetitions, layout, etc. are automatically calculated and printed repeatedly. Thereby, the blank area of the printed paper can be used efficiently.

  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.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 are connected to the client apparatus 20 and the universal printer driver 28 of the client apparatus 20 controls printing on printed paper. Even when printed sheets are stored in a plurality of paper feed cassettes of the apparatus 30, the print control method of the present invention can be similarly applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the universal printer driver 28 of the client apparatus 20 performs print control on the blank area of the printed paper has been described. However, the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 including a plurality of paper feed cassettes is described. The print control method of the present invention can be applied in the same manner when performing print control on the margin area of printed paper.

  Further, when a controller or a management server is connected to a printing system including the client device 20 and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 (or a single image forming apparatus 30 having a plurality of paper feed cassettes), the controller and management The print control method of the present invention can be similarly applied when the server performs print control on the blank area of the printed paper.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs printing on a blank area of printed paper, a printing control method in a printing system including the image forming apparatus, a printing control program that operates on an apparatus in the printing system, and the printing control program. It can be used for recorded recording media.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing system 20 Client apparatus 21 Control part 21a CPU
21b ROM
21c RAM
22 Storage Unit 23 Network I / F Unit 24 Display Unit 25 Operation Unit 26 OS
27 Application 28 Universal Printer Driver 28a Association Processing Unit 28b Margin Area Detection Unit 28c Scale Calculation Unit 28d Selection Control Unit 28e Editing Unit 30 Image Forming Apparatus 31 Control Unit 31a CPU
31b ROM
31c RAM
32 storage unit 33 network I / F unit 34 display operation unit 35 image processing unit 36 image reading unit 37 paper feed unit 38 print processing unit 39 association processing unit 40 margin area detection unit 41 scale calculation unit 42 selection control unit 43 editing unit 50 Scale list screen 51 Option print setting screen

Claims (14)

Multiple paper feeders,
An image reading unit that scans printed paper to be stored in the plurality of paper feeding units and acquires scan data of the printed paper;
An association processing unit that stores association information for associating the page order of the printed sheets stored in each of the sheet feeding units in the scan order with the scan data of the printed sheets in a storage unit;
Obtaining paper feed information of the printed paper stored in each of the paper feed units, and specifying a printed paper to be fed next from each of the paper feed units based on the paper feed information; Based on the association information, scan data associated with the next printed sheet to be fed is identified, and based on the identified scan data, a margin area of the printed sheet to be fed next is determined. A margin area detection unit to detect;
A scale calculation unit that calculates a scale of the print image when printing a print image based on print data so as to fit in a margin area of a printed sheet that is next fed from each of the paper feeding units;
A selection control unit that displays a screen associating each of the sheet feeding units with the calculated scale on the display unit, and refers to the scale to select a sheet feeding unit to be used for processing the print data;
An editing unit that edits the print image so that the print image is arranged in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the selected sheet feeding unit;
A print processing unit that prints the edited print image on printed paper that is fed next from the selected paper feed unit;
An image forming apparatus. The selection control unit selects the predetermined paper feeding unit when the scale calculated for the printed paper to be fed next from the predetermined paper feeding unit satisfies a preset condition. Select as the paper source to use for print data processing,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The editing unit generates an additional image for identifying a printed region of the printed paper;
The print processing unit prints the print image in the margin area of the printed paper and prints the additional image in the printed area;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The editing unit rotates the print image by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees,
The print processing unit prints the print image rotated ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees in the margin area of the printed paper;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A printing control method in a printing system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a sheet feeding unit and an information processing apparatus that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus and instructs printing are connected via a communication network,
Each of the image forming apparatuses
Scans the printed paper to be stored in the paper feed unit of its own device, acquires the scanned data of the printed paper, and executes the first process of storing the printed paper in the paper feed unit in the scan order And
The information processing apparatus includes:
A second process for storing, in a storage unit, association information associating a page order of the printed sheets stored in the sheet feeding unit of each of the image forming apparatuses with scan data of the printed sheets;
From each of the image forming apparatuses, sheet feeding information of the printed paper stored in the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus is acquired, and based on the sheet feeding information, the sheet feeding information of each of the image forming apparatuses is acquired. A printed sheet to be fed next from the paper section is identified, scan data associated with the printed sheet to be fed next is identified based on the association information, and based on the identified scan data A third process for detecting a margin area of the printed sheet to be fed next;
The scale of the print image is calculated when the print image based on the print data is printed so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper that is next fed from the paper feed unit of each of the image forming apparatuses. A fourth process;
A screen for associating the paper feeding unit of each image forming apparatus with the calculated scale is displayed on the display unit, and the paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus used for processing the print data is referred to the scale. A fifth process to be selected;
The print data is edited so that the print image is arranged in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the paper feeding unit of the selected image forming apparatus, and the selected image forming apparatus is selected. And a sixth process of transmitting the edited print data to
The selected image forming apparatus is:
Performing a seventh process of printing a print image based on the edited print data in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit;
And a printing control method. A printing control method in a printing system in which an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units and an information processing apparatus that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus and instructs printing are connected via a communication network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A first process of scanning printed sheets scheduled to be stored in the plurality of paper feeding units, acquiring scan data of the printed papers, and storing the printed sheets in each of the paper feeding units in the scan order; Run,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A second process of storing, in a storage unit, association information associating a page order of the printed sheets stored in each of the sheet feeding units with scan data of the printed sheets;
From the image forming apparatus, paper feed information of the printed paper stored in each paper feed unit is acquired, and based on the paper feed information, the next paper fed from each paper feed unit A specified sheet is identified, scan data associated with the next printed sheet is identified based on the association information, and the next sheet is printed based on the identified scan data. A third process for detecting a margin area of the used paper;
A fourth process for calculating a scale of the print image when printing a print image based on the print data so as to fit in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from each of the sheet feeding units;
A fifth process for displaying a screen for associating each of the paper feed units with the calculated scale on the display unit, referring to the scale, and selecting a paper feed unit to be used for processing the print data;
The print data is edited so that the print image is arranged in a margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the selected paper feed unit, and the edited print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. Performing a sixth process,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Executing a seventh process of printing a print image based on the edited print data in a margin area of a printed sheet fed next from the selected sheet feeding unit;
And a printing control method. In the fifth process, when the scale calculated for the printed paper to be fed next from the predetermined paper supply unit satisfies a preset condition, the predetermined paper supply unit is Select as the paper source to use for print data processing,
The printing control method according to claim 5, wherein the printing control method is a printing method. In the sixth process, an additional image for identifying a printed area of the printed paper is generated and added to the print data;
In the seventh process, the print image is printed in the margin area of the printed paper, and the additional image is printed in the printed area.
The printing control method according to claim 5, wherein the printing control method is a printing method. In the sixth process, when editing the print data, the print image is rotated ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees,
In the seventh process, the print image rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees is printed in the margin area of the printed paper.
The printing control method according to claim 5, wherein the printing control method is a printing control method. A print control program that operates on a device that instructs printing to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a paper feed unit,
In the device,
A first process for acquiring scan data obtained by scanning a printed sheet to be stored in the sheet feeding unit from each of the image forming apparatuses;
A second process for storing, in a storage unit, association information associating a page order of the printed sheets stored in the sheet feeding unit of each of the image forming apparatuses in a scan order with scan data of the printed sheets;
From each of the image forming apparatuses, sheet feeding information of the printed paper stored in the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus is acquired, and based on the sheet feeding information, the sheet feeding information of each of the image forming apparatuses is acquired. A printed sheet to be fed next from the paper section is identified, scan data associated with the printed sheet to be fed next is identified based on the association information, and based on the identified scan data A third process for detecting a margin area of the printed sheet fed next;
A scale for calculating the print image when printing a print image based on the print data so as to fit within a margin area of a printed sheet that is next fed from the sheet feeding unit of each of the image forming apparatuses is calculated. 4 treatment,
A screen for associating the paper feeding unit of each image forming apparatus with the calculated scale is displayed on the display unit, and the paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus used for processing the print data is referred to the scale. A fifth process to be selected,
A sixth process for editing the print data so that the print image is arranged in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the sheet feeding unit of the selected image forming apparatus;
The edited print data is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus, and a print image based on the edited print data is printed in a margin area of a printed sheet that is next fed from the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus. To execute the seventh process of printing
A print control program characterized by that. A print control program that operates on an apparatus that instructs printing to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units,
In the device,
A first process for acquiring scan data obtained by scanning a printed sheet to be stored in the plurality of sheet feeding units from the image forming apparatus;
A second process for storing, in a storage unit, association information associating a page order of the printed sheets stored in each of the sheet feeding units in a scan order with scan data of the printed sheets;
From the image forming apparatus, paper feed information of the printed paper stored in each paper feed unit is acquired, and based on the paper feed information, the next paper fed from each paper feed unit A specified sheet is identified, scan data associated with the next printed sheet is identified based on the association information, and the next sheet is printed based on the identified scan data. A third process for detecting the margin area of the used paper,
A fourth process for calculating a scale of the print image when printing a print image based on the print data so as to fit in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from each of the paper feeding units;
A fifth process for displaying a screen for associating each of the paper feed units with the calculated scale on the display unit and selecting a paper feed unit to be used for processing the print data with reference to the scale;
A sixth process for editing the print data so that the print image is arranged in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the selected sheet feeding unit;
The edited print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and a print image based on the edited print data is printed in a margin area of a printed sheet to be fed next from the selected sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus. To execute the seventh process of printing
A print control program characterized by that. In the fifth process, when the scale calculated for the printed paper to be fed next from the predetermined paper supply unit satisfies a preset condition, the predetermined paper supply unit is Select as the paper source to use for print data processing,
The print control program according to claim 10 or 11, In the sixth process, an additional image for identifying a printed area of the printed paper is generated and added to the print data;
In the seventh process, the print image is printed in the margin area of the printed paper, and the additional image is printed in the printed area.
13. The print control program according to claim 10, wherein the print control program is any one of claims 10 to 12. In the sixth process, when editing the print data, the print image is rotated ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees,
In the seventh process, the print image rotated ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees is printed in the margin area of the printed paper.
14. The print control program according to claim 10, wherein the print control program is any one of claims 10 to 13.

Images