JP4833134B2 - Individual image data generation apparatus and individual image data generation program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an individual image data generation device and an individual image data generation program for generating a plurality of individual image data individually representing a plurality of versions of images based on a plurality of variable elements.

  In recent years, technology for creating print data by taking out information stored in a database and creating print data by combining the retrieved information with predetermined text, pictures, photos, etc. Progressing. With this technology, as with direct mail and New Year's cards, the printed content at a specific location, such as the address or name of the destination, differs for each printed material, and for other printed content, the printed content is printed with multiple printed materials. It is frequently used when creating printed materials that are in common. In this way, printing of a printed material in which only the printed content at a predetermined location differs for each printed material is called variable printing. At present, information that gives different printed content at the predetermined location is read from a database or the like. Various variable application software is known as software combined with image data and character data that are common parts.

In variable printing, there are many cases where a large number of printed materials with different printing contents are created for each printed material, and humans inspect each printed material one by one to check whether the necessary printed material has been obtained after printing. It takes a lot of work. Therefore, recently, an identification mark for identifying the printed content of each printed matter is attached to each printed matter at the time of printing work, and the reader reads the identification mark after printing, so that the required number of printed matter is obtained. A method for inspecting whether or not has been obtained has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-301813 A

  However, according to the method described in Patent Document 1, if the original purpose of the printed material is to be viewed by humans, an unnecessary mark is given to the printed material to change the printed content, which may impair the impression received from the printed material. .

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an individual image data generation device and an individual image data generation program that can inspect whether or not a desired number of output products have been output in the output of a plurality of versions without changing the output contents. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the individual image data generation apparatus of the present invention provides:
A master element that is commonly used and arranged in a plurality of versions of images each having at least one element arranged therein, and a plurality of variable elements that are individually used and arranged in each of the plurality of versions of the image are obtained. An element acquisition unit;
An individual image data generating unit for generating a plurality of individual image data individually representing the plurality of versions of the image based on the master element and the plurality of variable elements;
An image output unit that outputs a plurality of individual image data generated by the individual image data generation unit to an image output device that prints out an image represented by the individual image data based on the individual image data;
And an identical element retrieval unit that retrieves mutually identical variable elements from a plurality of variable elements used in a plurality of versions of images represented by the plurality of individual image data.

  Since the individual image data generation device of the present invention can search for the presence of the same variable elements in the stage before being printed out to the image output device, it is unnecessary for identifying each output product. There is no need to put a special mark on the output. For this reason, there is no fear of damaging the impression that humans receive from the output material, and the original impression of the output material is maintained. Further, it is possible to prevent wasteful output for the same variable element.

  Further, in the individual image data generation device of the present invention, “a table acquisition unit that acquires a table in which a plurality of the variable elements are described, and the variable element that is the same as the variable element used in the image represented by the individual image data is the table. A form of “having an element counting unit that counts how many of them are present” is a preferable form.

  Even when the variable elements overlap, it is possible that a plurality of print outputs are desired for the variable elements. According to the preferred embodiment including the element count unit, it is possible to confirm whether a plurality of elements are originally desired by preparing a table for checking a desired variable element.

In order to achieve the above object, an individual image data generation program of the present invention includes:
Built into a computer system, on that computer system,
A master element that is commonly used and arranged in a plurality of versions of images each having at least one element arranged therein, and a plurality of variable elements that are individually used and arranged in each of the plurality of versions of the image are obtained. An element acquisition unit;
An individual image data generating unit for generating a plurality of individual image data individually representing the plurality of versions of the image based on the master element and the plurality of variable elements;
An image output unit that outputs a plurality of individual image data generated by the individual image data generation unit to an image output device that prints out an image represented by the individual image data based on the individual image data;
An identical element search unit that searches for the same variable elements from among a plurality of variable elements used in a plurality of versions of images represented by the plurality of individual image data is constructed.

  By executing the individual image data generation program of the present invention in a computer system, the individual image data generation apparatus of the present invention can be easily realized.

  Note that the individual image data generation program referred to in the present invention is only shown in its basic form here, but this is merely to avoid duplication, and the individual image data generation program referred to in the present invention includes In addition to the basic form, various forms corresponding to each form of the individual image data generation apparatus described above are included.

  Further, the elements such as the same element search unit constructed on the computer system by the individual image data generation program of the present invention may be constructed by one program part, and a plurality of one element. The program component may be constructed, or a plurality of elements may be constructed by one program component. In addition, these elements may be constructed so as to execute such an action by themselves, or may be executed by giving instructions to other programs and program components incorporated in the computer system. It may be constructed.

  According to the present invention, in outputting a plurality of versions of an image, it is possible to inspect whether or not a desired number of output products are output without changing the output contents.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a variable printing system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  This variable printing system has a personal computer 100 and an output device 2170. In this variable printing system, execution data for executing variable printing is created by the personal computer 100, and based on the created execution data. The output device 2170 performs output on the paper, and the output device 2170 also performs folding processing of the output product. The variable printing here refers to a printing form in which a plurality of printed materials are created by combining different printing contents such as a destination and printing contents common to each other such as New Year's greetings and advertisements, Different print contents are called records. In the following, as an example of variable printing performed in this variable printing system, a direct mail 210 in which a postal code, an address, and a name as a destination are described and a message text and an image are combined is described. A case where a part of each destination is created will be described. In this direct mail 210, a message text and an image common to any direct mail 210 sent to any destination are described except for the zip code, address, and name, which are information about the destination. Accordingly, in this example, the postal code, address, and name correspond to the record.

  Information about the postal code, address, and name described in the direct mail 210 is listed as a list in one database file 220 that has been input to the personal computer 100 in advance. An example of such a database file is a Microsoft Excel file from Microsoft Corporation. Data representing the postal code, address, and name information is extracted from the database file 220 by the variable application 10a and combined with data of description items common to all destinations such as the image 210a and the message sentence 210b. Thus, the execution data described above is created. This execution data is data in the PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language) format in which the contents of the record are described for each record. The execution data in the PPML format (hereinafter abbreviated as PPML data) includes The record printing position, color, font, etc. are also defined. Based on the PPML data, printing raster data representing the printing contents for each individual printed matter is generated by a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 10, and output is performed in the output device 2170 based on the raster data. The output device 2170 performs folding processing of the output product.

  Here, the output device 2170 will be described as a single device having both an output function and an output product folding function. However, instead of the output device 2170 in the variable printing system, an output device 2170 is provided. Similar variable printing can be performed even when the output device folding device is used as an independent device instead. Further, here, the PPML format is adopted as the format of the execution data, but the present invention can adopt a format other than the PPML format.

  In the figure, the created direct mail 210 is shown in a state where the paper of the direct mail 210 is unfolded. Actually, however, the destination at the center dotted line 2170a is shown by folding processing in the output device 2170. Direct mail 210 in a state of being folded in two with the outer side facing outward is created. The direct mail 210 is put in the envelope 2100 in such a folded state. At this time, the destination described in the direct mail 210 is put into the envelope 2100 in such a manner that it can be read from the outside through the transparent portion 2100a of the envelope 2100, and is delivered to each destination in this state.

  In this variable printing system, it is possible to confirm before printing execution by checking the PPML data whether or not the required number of copies can be obtained when actually printing (that is, whether printing omission or duplicate printing does not occur). A function is provided in the RIP 10. As reference data at the time of this check, the RIP 10 has data (hereinafter referred to as data in the database) representing detailed information about the destination including information on the postal code, address, and name from the database file 220. Is entered.

  In the variable printing system of FIG. 1, a personal computer 100 operates as an embodiment of the individual image data generation apparatus of the present invention. Hereinafter, the personal computer 100 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a personal computer that operates as an embodiment of the individual image data generation apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram thereof.

  The personal computer 100 includes a main body 110 incorporating a CPU, a RAM memory, a hard disk, and the like which will be described later, an image display device 120 that displays a screen on the display screen 121 according to an instruction from the main body 110, and a user's computer in the personal computer 100. A keyboard 130 for inputting instructions and character information and a mouse 140 for inputting an instruction corresponding to the position by designating an arbitrary position on the display screen 121 are provided.

  The main body 110 further has an FD loading slot 111 into which a flexible disk (hereinafter abbreviated as FD) is loaded, and a CD-ROM loading slot 112 into which a CD-ROM is loaded. An FD drive and a CD-ROM drive (to be described later) for driving an FD and a CD-ROM are also incorporated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 110 includes a CPU 211 that executes various programs, a main memory 212 that reads programs stored in the hard disk device 213 and develops them for execution by the CPU 211, and various programs. And a hard disk device 213 and FD 2140 in which data and the like are stored are loaded, an FD drive 214 and a CD-ROM 2150 that access the loaded FD 2140 are loaded, and a CD-ROM drive 215 that accesses the loaded CD-ROM 2150 Is built-in. These various elements and the image display device 120, the keyboard 130, and the mouse 140 shown in FIG. 2 are also connected to each other via a bus 1200. Further, as described above, an output device 2170 for post-processing such as output of variable printed matter and folding processing of output matter is provided outside the personal computer 100 to send output data from the personal computer 100. In addition, the personal computer 100 has a built-in input / output interface 216. The input / output interface 216 is also connected to the above-described various elements constituting the hardware inside the personal computer 100 via the bus 1200.

  Next, an embodiment of the individual image data generation program of the present invention will be described.

  When one embodiment of the individual image data generation program of the present invention is stored in, for example, a CD-ROM 2150, when the CD-ROM 2150 is loaded into the main body 110 from the CD-ROM loading slot 112, the CD The individual image data generation program stored in the ROM 2150 is installed in the hard disk device 213 of the personal computer 100 by the CD-ROM drive 215. When the individual image data generation program installed in the hard disk device 213 is activated, the personal computer 100 operates as an embodiment of the individual image data generation device of the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the individual image data generation program of the present invention.

  Here, the individual image data generation program 900 is stored in the CD-ROM 2150. The storage medium for storing the individual image data generation program 900 according to the present invention is not limited to the CD-ROM 2150 shown in FIG. 4 but also the hard disk device 213 and FD 2140 shown in FIG. Various storage media such as the illustrated DVD and MO can be employed.

  The individual image data generation program 900 is executed in the personal computer 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and operates the personal computer 100 as an embodiment of the present invention as described above. , A count unit 22, a display control unit 23, and a print control unit 24.

  The detailed contents of each element of the individual image data generation program 900 will be described later together with the operation of each part in the personal computer 100.

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of elements constructed on the personal computer for operating the personal computer shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as an embodiment of the individual image data generation apparatus of the present invention, and an action by these elements. FIG.

  When the individual image data generation program 900 shown in FIG. 4 is installed in the personal computer 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the acquisition unit 11, the count unit 12, the display control unit 13, and the print control unit 14 shown in FIG. Each element is constructed on the personal computer 100 to constitute the RIP 10 shown in FIG. With the function of this RIP 10, the personal computer 100 operates as an embodiment of the individual image data generation apparatus of the present invention. The acquisition unit 11, the count unit 12, the display control unit 13, and the print control unit 14 are the acquisition unit 21, the count unit 22, the display control unit 23, and the print control unit 24 in the individual image data generation program 900 shown in FIG. Each is constructed on the personal computer 100. Therefore, each element in FIG. 4 corresponds to each element in FIG. 5, and each element in FIG. 5 includes the hardware of the personal computer 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the OS and application executed on the personal computer 100. 4 is different from that of the individual image data generation program 900 shown in FIG. 4 in that only the application program is included. Note that the variable application 10a shown in FIG. 1 is installed in advance using a recording medium for variable application installation, separately from the installation by the individual image data generation program 900 described above.

  Below, each element shown in FIG. 5 and the outline of the effect | action by each element are demonstrated.

  When variable printing is executed, PPML data created by the variable application 10 a is sent to the RIP 10 and acquired by the acquisition unit 11 in the RIP 10. Here, the PPML data is composed of data representing print contents (master elements) common to each destination, and data representing different print contents (records) for each destination for each record. . The acquisition unit 11 also acquires data in the database that represents detailed information about each destination from the database file 220. The counting unit 12 counts the degree of duplication of each record in the PPML data. At this time, the count unit refers to the destination information described in the data acquired by the acquisition unit 11. The display control unit 13 causes the image display device 120 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to display the count result of the counting unit 12. The count result of the count unit 12 is also input to the print control unit 14. When the count number of the count unit 12 is 1 for any destination described in the data in the database, The PPML data is converted into raster data for printing and sent to the output device 2170, and all records are output. On the other hand, if there is a destination whose count number is not 1 among the destinations described in the data in the database, the print control unit 14 stops the printing process by not converting to raster data. .

  Here, the acquisition unit 11 corresponds to an example of both the element acquisition unit and the table acquisition unit referred to in the present invention, the count unit 12 corresponds to an example of the same element search unit in the present invention, and the print control unit. 14 corresponds to an example of both the individual image data generation unit and the image output unit according to the present invention.

  Note that, as described above, the printing process is branched depending on whether the count is 1 or not, as described above, by creating a part of the direct mail 210 in FIG. 1 for each of a plurality of predetermined destinations. This is because, for example, the user can change the count number at which the branch of the printing process is performed by changing the setting of the RIP 10 as necessary.

  Here, data in the database and PPML data stored in the acquisition unit 11 will be described.

  6 is a diagram showing the contents of the database file of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of PPML data stored in the storage unit of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the database file 220 includes a list of member number, postal code, address, surname, name, and telephone number information for each destination, and is stored in the storage unit 11. The data in the database is data representing such information. In this list, the postal code, address, last name, and name information enclosed by dotted lines are the contents described on the direct mail 210 as shown in FIG.

  In the RIP 10 of FIG. 5, the member number surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6 is used as the identifier of each record, among the information about the destination. For example, as for the destination person with the postal code “330-0845”, the address “Saitama Prefecture…”, the surname “Aikawa”, and the name “Nana” located at the top of the dotted line in FIG. Since the number is “00101”, the record with the postal code “330-0845”, the address “Saitama Prefecture…”, the last name “Aikawa”, and the name “Nana” at the top is recognized as the record “00101”. Is done. Specifically, the identifier of each record is defined at the head of the data representing each record in the PPML data.

  As shown in FIG. 7, at the head of PPML data, master element data representing matters common to all destinations, such as the image 210a, message text 210b, and layout information of FIG. 1, is described. Below that, data representing the contents of each record is classified and described for each record.

  The record identifier described above is, for example, for the record “00101”, after “<DOCUMENT_SET Label =” as “<DOCUMENT_SET Label =“ 00101 ”>” shown at the top of FIG. It is defined as a number between two quotation marks "" "" "". Also, as shown in this figure, the data “00101” is followed by the text “<DOCUMENT_SET Label =“ 00101 ”>”, and the text “</ DOCUMENT_SET>” The description of the data representing the record “00101” ends. In the data representing the record “00101”, the information of the postal code “330-0845”, the address “Saitama Prefecture.”, The surname “Aikawa”, and the name “Nana” in FIG. 6 is described. Other records are also described with the same data structure. As described above, the PPML data in FIG. 7 has a structure in which, for each record, data representing the record continues in order after the definition of the identifier. Which information is adopted as an identifier is determined by the user setting of the variable application 10a.

  Hereinafter, the operation of each unit in FIG. 5 when checking whether or not there is a record to be printed out or checking whether or not there is a duplicate printed record will be described in detail.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of each unit in FIG. 5 when checking whether there is a record to be printed out or checking whether there is a duplicate printed record.

  When a printing instruction is given by the user, the acquisition unit 11 in the RIP 10 acquires data representing the description content of the database file 220 from the database file 220 in FIG. 5 (step S1). Next, input of the PPML data created by the variable application 10a to the acquisition unit 11 is started (step S2).

  In general, in variable printing, the number of records is often thousands or tens of thousands. In many cases, all records to be printed are divided into several record groups, and then the interval is set. And printing is performed for each record group. Here, how to divide and print all records is determined by the user setting a variable application. Specifically, in the print setting of the variable application, the user specifies from which record to which record is one record group, and then PPML data of the record group is sent to the RIP for printing. Executed.

  In the following, even in the direct mail variable printing described in this embodiment, since the number of records is large, all records are divided into several record groups by the user, and PPML data for each record group is obtained. The description will be made assuming that the data is sent to the RIP 10. Therefore, the same number of PPML data as the number of record divisions (number of record groups) is successively input to the acquisition unit 11. The input PPML data is input in the monitoring folder (hot folder) of the acquisition unit 11 in the order of transmission. This hot folder is a folder in which data to be counted by the counting unit 12 in FIG. 5 is stored. The counting unit 12 in FIG. 5 does not start the counting process until all PPML data of the same number as the number of record divisions is input (step S3; No in FIG. 8), and the same number of PPML data as the number of record divisions. When all the data is input (step S3; Yes), the count process is started (step S4). Here, when all records are divided into several record groups by the user, the last record group among the record groups divided in the variable application print settings is the last record group. When the mark which represents is provided and the record group with this mark is input, the count part 12 starts a count process. In this counting process, the counting unit 12 counts the number of records having the same zip code, address, and name in all PPML data in the hot folder. Here, the count section is preliminarily input that the information described in the postal code, address, and name fields in the data in the database acquired in step S1 is information to be referred to at the time of counting. ing. Specifically, when the data in the database is acquired in step S1, the information to be referred to is specified in the column from the left in the data in the database by the user input. For example, in the case of the postal code, address, and name fields, information to be referred to is defined in the form of the second field, the third field, and the fourth field in FIG. The number of records having the same zip code, address, and name is counted by counting how many times these zip code, address, and name information appear in all PPML data in the hot folder. Is counted. And the display control part 13 displays the count result of the count part 12 on the image display apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 (step S5).

  When the direct mail 210 of FIG. 1 is partially created for each of a plurality of predetermined destinations as in this embodiment, it is normal that the count result of the counting unit 12 is 1 for any destination. . However, in the print setting of a variable application, when a user specifies from which record to which record is set as one record group, it is easy for the user to specify mistakes, and the same record has two record groups. Or records that do not exist in any record group. For example, when the user designates the 1000th record to the 2000th record as one record group and the 2000th record to the 3000th record as another record group, the 2000th record has two records. Duplicate records exist. Further, if the 1999th record from the 1001st record is designated as one record group and the 2999th record from the 2001th record is designated as another record group, the 2000th record is not printed. (That is, printing is lost).

  As described above, when printing is performed in a state where a user's designation error has occurred, an extra printed matter is created or a necessary printed matter is not created. Therefore, in the present embodiment, printing is controlled according to the count result of the count unit 12.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a window displayed when the count result of the count unit in FIG. 5 is normal.

  When the count result of the counting unit 12 is 1 for any destination in the data in the database, even if printing is executed as it is based on all PPML data in the hot folder, there is no difference for any destination. The direct mail of FIG. 1 is created for each copy, and desired printing is realized. Therefore, when the count result of the counting unit 12 is 1 for any destination in the data in the database, the display control unit 13 shows the duplication degree check window 300 in FIG. 9 in step S5. Is displayed on the image display device 120 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and the user prints the desired print according to the print instruction of the user. Communicate that will be realized. Further, the display control unit 13 also displays a message “Printing will be executed. Please wait for a while”. When the count number of the count unit 12 is normal for all of the destination records described in the data in the database (step S6 in FIG. 8; Yes), the print control unit 14 in FIG. The PPML data that exists in the number of record groups is sequentially converted into raster data for printing at a predetermined time interval and sent to the output device 2170 to execute variable printing (step S7).

  On the other hand, in the count result of the count unit, if any of the destinations described in the data in the database has a count number other than 1, printing is executed based on all PPML data in the hot folder. Then, for a destination whose count is not 1, direct mail is not created at all, or is duplicated. Therefore, the display control unit 13 displays a warning message in the multiplicity check window 300 when any of the destinations described in the data in the database has a count number other than 1, and informs the user. The user's print instruction informs that desired printing is not realized, and displays destination information whose count is not 1. As described above, when the count result of the count unit in FIG. 5 is not normal (step S6 in FIG. 8; No), the print control unit 14 in FIG. 5 does not convert the PPML data into raster data, and the user A new print instruction is awaited (step S8).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a window displayed when the count result of the count unit in FIG. 5 is not normal.

  In FIG. 10, in all PPML data, there are two duplicate records having an identifier “00102” (that is, a destination record having a membership number “00102”), and a record having an identifier “01001” (that is, An example is shown where there is no destination record whose membership number is “01001”. As shown in this example, when a record that overlaps in the PPML data and a record that does not exist in the PPML data are found, as shown in the figure, “WARNING: overlapping data and not printed” A warning message is displayed.

  For any destination described in the data in the database, the corresponding record exists in the PPML data, but if a duplicate record is found in the PPML data, “WARNING: Duplicate The message “There is data to be present.” Is displayed, and conversely, no duplicate record is found in the PPML data, but the corresponding destination is listed in the data in the database. When a destination where a record does not exist in PPML data is found, a message “WARNING: data not to be printed exists” is displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 10, in the destination information display field 304 below the warning message, the member number, zip code, address, surname, last name, and phone number, which are destination information, are displayed for two destinations whose count number is not 1. The list is displayed as shown in the figure. Further, on the left side of each destination information, the count number and the data number are displayed for each destination. In the figure, for the destination whose membership number is “00102”, the count number is “2”, indicating that two duplicate records exist in the PPML data. Similarly, for the destination record whose membership number is “01001”, the count number is “0”, indicating that this record does not exist in the PPML data. In addition, the number of data displayed for each destination is a number indicating how many destinations having the same zip code, address, and name as the destination exist in the data in the database. It is counted by the counting unit 12 in FIG. When a person with the same zip code, address, and name is duplicated multiple times in the data in the database, the counting unit 12 in FIG. 5 duplicates the same record for this person in the PPML data. Will count as something to do. If the user correctly divides records during print settings, the number of data above matches the count number, so the user can confirm that his print settings are correct even if a warning message is displayed. I can confirm.

  When the user looks at the display of the warning message and the destination information whose count is not 1, and re-divides the record in the print setting, the user presses the reset button 305 in the figure with the mouse 140 shown in FIGS. Click to set print settings again. Further, even if it is confirmed that the destinations are duplicated, if the user desires to print while avoiding duplicate printing, the user clicks the skip print button 307 to duplicate records. For, only the first record appearing in the PPML data can be printed. Furthermore, when printing is desired as it is, the user clicks an OK button 306. When the OK button 306 is clicked, the print control unit 14 in FIG. 5 converts PPML data into raster data for printing and sends it to the output device 2170 to execute variable printing.

  As described above, in the RIP 10 shown in FIG. 5, by examining the PPML data before printing is performed by the output device 2170, a record that is not intended to be printed occurs from the user's intention, or the same record is generated. The creation of a plurality of printed materials is suppressed.

  In the present invention, the same variable element is directly searched by counting the number of the same variable elements in the PPML data directly without referring to the data in the database. May be.

  In the above description, the destination information display column 304 in FIG. 9 displays destination information for all items described in the database file in FIG. 6, but in the present invention, the displayed contents Any content that tells the user that, if printing is actually performed, records that will not be printed, or that multiple copies of the same record will be created, can be used. Detailed information is not always necessary.

1 is a configuration diagram of a variable printing system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is an external perspective view of a personal computer that operates as an embodiment of an individual image data generation apparatus of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the personal computer which operate | moves as one Embodiment of the separate image data generation apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the separate image data generation program of this invention. It is a figure showing the outline of the effect | action by those elements constructed | assembled on this personal computer in order to operate the personal computer shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 as one Embodiment of the separate image data generation apparatus of this invention. . It is a figure showing the contents of the database file of FIG. It is a figure showing the structure of the PPML data memorize | stored in the acquisition part of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of each unit in FIG. 5 when checking for the presence of a record that fails to print or checking for the presence of a duplicated record. It is a figure showing the window displayed when the count result of the count part of FIG. 5 is normal. It is a figure showing the window displayed when the count result of the count part of FIG. 5 is not normal.

Explanation of symbols

10 RIP
10a Variable Application 11 Acquisition Unit 12 Count Unit 13 Display Control Unit 14 Print Control Unit 21 Acquisition Unit 22 Count Unit 23 Display Control Unit 24 Print Control Unit 100 Personal Computer 110 Main Body 111 FD Loading Port 112 CD-ROM Loading Port 120 Image Display Device 121 Display screen 130 Keyboard 140 Mouse 1200 Bus 210 Direct mail 210a Image 210b Message sentence 220 Database file 2100 Envelope 2100a Transparent portion 2170a Dotted line 211 CPU
212 Main memory 213 Hard disk device 214 FD drive 2140 FD
215 CD-ROM drive 2150 CD-ROM
216 Input / output interface 2170 Output device 300 Multiplicity check window 304 Destination information display field 305 Reset button 306 OK button 307 Skip print button 900 Individual image data generation program

Claims (3)

A master element that is commonly used and arranged in a plurality of versions of images each having at least one element arranged therein, and a plurality of variable elements that are individually used and arranged in each of the plurality of versions of the image are obtained. An element acquisition unit;
An individual image data generation unit for generating a plurality of individual image data individually representing the plurality of versions of the image based on the master element and the plurality of variable elements;
An image output unit that outputs a plurality of individual image data generated by the individual image data generation unit to an image output device that prints out an image represented by the individual image data based on the individual image data;
An individual image data generation device comprising: an identical element retrieval unit for retrieving an identical variable element from among a plurality of variable elements used in a plurality of versions of images represented by the plurality of individual image data. A table acquisition unit for acquiring a table in which a plurality of the variable elements are described;
The individual image data generation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an element count unit that counts how many variable elements that are the same as the variable elements used in the image represented by the individual image data are present in the table. . Built into a computer system, on that computer system,
A master element that is commonly used and arranged in a plurality of versions of images each having at least one element arranged therein, and a plurality of variable elements that are individually used and arranged in each of the plurality of versions of the image are obtained. An element acquisition unit;
An individual image data generation unit for generating a plurality of individual image data individually representing the plurality of versions of the image based on the master element and the plurality of variable elements;
An image output unit that outputs a plurality of individual image data generated by the individual image data generation unit to an image output device that prints out an image represented by the individual image data based on the individual image data;
An individual image data generation program for constructing an identical element retrieval unit for retrieving an identical variable element from among a plurality of variable elements used in a plurality of versions of images represented by the plurality of individual image data.

Images