JP4890178B2 - Image forming system and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system capable of printing coded code information such as a two-dimensional code and a bar code, and an image forming method used in such an image forming system.

  Today, two-dimensional codes and bar codes have been widely used for product management and price management. Furthermore, information such as URLs can be saved by reading and converting images using QR codes (product names). It has also been used to plan. One way to print such barcode information from an application using the printer's built-in code is to register the barcode information as font information built in the driver. Use the barcode in the way to select the font from the application. Thus, the required printing can be performed.

  For example, as a system for forming an image, consider a host device composed of a personal computer and a printer that operates by receiving data transmission from the host device. When printing using the printer, an application that outputs the barcode information included in the print data using the barcode font information, and a printer driver that converts the barcode font information into a barcode command that can be analyzed by the printing apparatus And a system that performs required printing in accordance with a command from a printer driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-221946

  In the barcode printing method as described above, since the data displayed on the application and the data actually printed are different, the layout of the data may be hindered depending on the type of barcode. That is, in the case of printing a one-dimensional barcode as shown in FIG. 18, since the occupation area for the one-dimensional barcode on the monitor is a relatively small area, actual printing was performed. Even in this case, there is a tendency that a large difference does not occur in the occupied area on the paper surface. However, as shown in FIG. 19, in a two-dimensional code having a two-dimensional spread, even when the amount of data is relatively large, the area occupied on the actual printed paper is reduced. Code printing is possible. In this case, since the area occupied by the two-dimensional code can be reduced, the data is compressed by that amount. If the page setting is left as it is, the data is printed around the printed two-dimensional code area. An area UPA1 that cannot be generated occurs. When such an unprintable area UPA1 is generated, there is a disadvantage that the user cannot freely set the page layout, and it is wasteful even though information is aggregated using a two-dimensional code. Leading to the problem of having to print a blank area.

  Therefore, in view of the above technical problem, the present invention does not generate a useless blank area around the print area corresponding to the code information in the image forming system that prints the required coded code information. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that realizes printing of code information to an arbitrary place.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the image forming system according to the present invention generates a document data using an application and can output code information encoded corresponding to the document data. And an image forming apparatus that forms a predetermined image using the code information supplied from the host apparatus, and a predetermined page size for actual printing on the application A display unit for receiving a selection of a larger page size and displaying a document data display area corresponding to the received page size, and a page length of the predetermined page size input to the document data display area A conversion processing unit that converts document data including information and outputs code information, and the conversion processing unit outputs the code information A replacement processing unit that acquires information about the page length of the predetermined page size from the code information, replaces the page size received via the display unit with the predetermined page size, and resets the page size. And

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by selecting a font of the document data, the image forming apparatus can form an image of the code information corresponding to the document data. The code information image may be formed in an area outside the page size. The area outside the predetermined page size may be a header or footer area, and the coded code information may be a two-dimensional code or a barcode.

  Another image forming system of the present invention is supplied from a host device that generates document data using an application and that can output code information encoded corresponding to the document data, and the host device. An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus that forms a predetermined image using the code information, and when the required code information is selected by selecting a font, the portion of the portion selected as the code information Length information about the document data is extracted, and the page size is reset based on the length information.

In addition, an image forming method according to the present invention includes a host device capable of generating document data using an application and outputting code information encoded corresponding to the document data, and the host device. An image forming method in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that forms a predetermined image using the code information, wherein a page larger than a predetermined page size used for actual printing on the application A document including a display process for receiving a size selection and displaying a document data display area corresponding to the received page size, and information regarding the page length of the predetermined page size input to the document data display area A conversion process for converting data and outputting code information; and the code output in the conversion process. A replacement process for acquiring information related to the predetermined page size from the page information, replacing the page size received in the display process with the predetermined page size, and resetting, and a code encoded corresponding to the document data A transmission process for transmitting information from the host apparatus to the image forming apparatus together with information on resetting the predetermined page size, and an image forming process for forming a required image based on the code information are performed.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention, the adjustment of the page size is performed by extracting length information about the document data of the portion selected as the code information and based on the length information. It is configured to be performed by resetting the page size.

  According to the image forming system of the present invention, it is possible to print code information at an arbitrary place regardless of the amount of data without generating a useless blank area around the print area corresponding to the code information. . For this reason, the degree of freedom of layout of information to be printed by the user can be increased, and the code information can be printed more easily.

[First embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the application uses a paper larger than the paper size that is actually printed, and allows two-dimensional code information to be written at the bottom of the paper so that the code can be placed at an arbitrary place regardless of the data amount of the code information. It is a system that enables printing of information.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the host device constituting the system is an information processing device such as a personal computer. For example, an application 21 such as a Microsoft Word (product name) for creating a document is used to create a document, image, or table. The data is sent to the printer 10 through a dummy font compatible printer driver and a language monitor. The connection between the printer 10 and the host device may be a direct connection regardless of wired wireless connection or a connection via a network such as a LAN.

  The host device includes an application 21 that runs on an OS (not shown), a dummy font compatible printer driver 11, and a language monitor 12, and data created on the application 21 is processed by the dummy font compatible printer driver 11. Expanded to a command specific to the printer. Specifically, the data from the application 21 is first analyzed by the data analysis unit 22 and sent to the command conversion processing units 23 to 25. The built-in font command conversion process 23 is a processing unit that performs a process of converting the built-in font data of the print data into a printer command, and the image command conversion process 24 performs a process of converting information such as graphics, ruled lines, and outline fonts into image commands. It is a processing part to perform. The other command conversion process 25 is a processing unit for processing other commands.

  The spooler 31 is a part of a printing system in an OS such as Windows (registered trademark), and performs a process of temporarily spooling print data. The data temporarily spooled by the spooler 31 is sent to the next language monitor 12.

  The language monitor 12 is also a part of the printing system in the OS, and this module 12 is allowed to be installed in a lower layer of the spool processing 31 and is originally intended to realize a bidirectional interface. Now let's analyze data and convert commands in this module. Specifically, the data from the spooler 31 is first sent to the command analysis unit 32. The command analysis unit 32 analyzes the printer command developed by the printer driver, and accompanies the command when a dummy font is detected. Data is acquired and passed to the QR code data acquisition unit 35.

  The data storage unit 33 stores data other than dummy font commands. The QR code data acquisition unit 35 extracts QR code data, QR code print position information (x, y), and page length information from the analyzed command. The QR code development unit 36 develops the acquired data into QR code data, and develops the data into image commands so that the printer can print the data.

  The x and y data storage unit 37 stores data of the QR code printing position in the x and y directions. The page length command creation unit 38 creates a page length command based on the acquired page length. Since the paper length selected separately on the application is longer than the paper length actually used, the difference is adjusted by the page length command replacement processing unit 39. The data merge unit 34 combines the data from the data storage unit 33 and the QR code image data from the QR code development unit 36, and also combines the data about the page length adjusted by the page length command replacement processing unit 39, 10 to send. The printer 10 performs required printing according to the data from the language monitor 12.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment, particularly the operation when printing a QR code will be described. First, a dummy font (built-in font) will be described. The printer driver is created using a unitool provided by the OS, and in the FONTS window (see FIG. 2) of the unitool, for example, an OCR- that is a built-in font. First select the B font. Next, when the property is opened, font information is displayed as shown in FIG.

  In this OCR-B font property, the “SaveAs” button is selected, and a copy of the OCR-B font information is registered with a file name “qr.pfm”, for example. FIG. 3 shows a screen at the time of registration, and the OCR-B font information is configured to exist with a new file name “qr.pfm” in the # 38 portion, and this functions as a dummy font.

  If some setting conditions are added here, a file “qr.pfm” is opened (see FIG. 5), and the name of this dummy font (Type Face Name) is set to “QR code”. This font name “QR code” is registered as one name of the font set displayed in the font selection list of the application. Also, the font command is “ESC k 07h” as shown in the font selection box of FIG. Here, the “ESC k” command is originally an “ANK character selection command”, and the characters from 00h to 06h below “ESC k” are usually already defined in other fonts. Setting is performed under such conditions, other setting values are used without change, and all data described after selecting the “QR code” font on the application is converted into the command. In other words, the dummy font has the same information as the OCR-B font except for the font name and the font command.

  Subsequently, the ResidentFonts window is displayed (see FIG. 6). Since the qr.pfm file described above cannot be used as a driver just by creating it, by selecting and highlighting the qr.pfm file in this ResidentFonts window, as shown in FIG. Keep it available. Finally, the data file is compiled to create a dummy font driver.

  Next, an operation when printing a two-dimensional code using a dummy font driver will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system of this embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 9, the application selects a sheet having a longer sheet length than the actual sheet, and data such as text and images other than the barcode data (on the upper side of the selected sheet having the longer sheet length). Hereinafter referred to as page data). As a specific example, when a user starts up an application called MSWord (product name), creates QR document data, and prints it on a sheet with a page length of 4 inches, user-defined A page length longer than the actual 4 inches is created by the size creation function. For example, a page length of 210 mm in width, 400 mm in length (400 mm is larger than 4 inches), and a paper name “longer than 4 inches” is created.

  Next, when a two-dimensional code such as a QR code is described (step S01), a “QR code” that is a dummy font is selected from the font selection list of the application or the font selection screen when the font itself is highlighted. Select (step S03) and write QR code information in the blank area below the actual paper size (step S04). Here, the QR code information has a data format shown in FIG. 10 in the present embodiment. That is, it includes a bar code horizontal print start position (x), a bar code vertical print start position (y), a paper page length (length), and bar code data (data). As will be described later, the printer can print two-dimensional data such as a QR code. In this case, the OCR-B font is only displayed on the monitor screen of the computer in the lower area of the paper on the application. This is because the dummy font information is substantially the same as the OCR-B built-in font as described above.

  The processing in the application constitutes a loop relating to barcode printing. If the barcode is not printed, it is processed as drawing normal page data from the selection of “No” in step S01. (Procedure S05). If barcode printing is performed in step S01, it is first determined in step S02 whether or not the amount of barcode document to be converted is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. If not (“No”), in other words, If bar code printing is possible without intentionally using the lower area, normal bar code printing is performed. “QR code”, which is a dummy font, is selected from the font selection screen described above (step S03), and QR code information is written in a blank area below the actual paper size (step S04). The procedure is selected when the amount of barcode documents to be converted is a predetermined amount or more (“Yes” in step S02).

  When all drawing is completed (step S06), the print button is depressed to start printing (step S07). At this time, the print data is sent from the application to the printer driver and developed into a printer command. In step S08, it is determined whether or not the font data constitutes page data. In step S09, it is determined whether or not the font data is a dummy font. If the part is described by selecting “QR code”, it is converted into a command “ESC k 07h” as described in “qr.pfm” (step S11). Except for the font data, necessary data is developed in step S10 and appropriately processed by a normal driver function. When the conversion for all data has been completed, the process proceeds to the next spool process S13, but if not yet, the process is repeated from step S08.

  FIG. 11 shows a dummy font command for printing information “5, 5, 4, abc” as a bar code as an example. Here, the information “5, 5, 4, abc” is data for QR code printing with the top edge of the paper 5 mm and the left edge 5 mm as the origin (upper left corner), and the QR-coded data is abc. The data indicates that the page length is 4 inches. As the data format, “ESC k 07H” indicating that it is a dummy font command first exists, and subsequently, “35H 27H 35H 27H 34H 27H 61H” corresponding to the data portion “5, 5, 4, abc”. 62H 63H "is located, and finally" ESC! 00H "for ANK mode batch specification is present.

  After all the data is expanded by the printer driver, the data is spooled (nest pool process) by the spooler (step S13). Next, when the printer is ready for printing, the data on the spooler is transmitted to the printer via the language monitor.

  Steps S14 to S25 are processing in the language monitor, and all data are analyzed in the language monitor. In step S14, it is determined whether or not the command is a dummy font command. Since normal page data does not have a dummy font command, data is stored while being stored in the buffer in step S17. Is performed.

  If it is determined in step S14 that there is a dummy font command, the process proceeds to step S15 where the page length is detected, the QR code print start position (x, y) is set in step S16, and the QR code data is set in step S20. To be acquired. A page length command is created in step S18 from the page length data acquired in step S15, and the QR code print start position (x, y) is stored in the buffer (step S19). Logical data of QR data is created from the QR code data acquired in step S20 (step S21). Note that the dummy font command itself is discarded and controlled so as not to be transmitted to the printer. Other data is stored in the storage buffer. Here, the logical data of the QR code will be described. The QR code is usually composed of a collection of square cells, and each cell has a value of either white or black, and this state becomes logical data of the QR code. For example, if each cell is expanded into image data of 4 dots square, for example, it becomes print data (physical data).

  Next, the acquired QR code printing start position (x, y) and the logical data are developed into a printer image command so that the printer can print (step S22). Further, a page length command is created in step S18 from the page length acquired in step S15, the page length command is replaced with the current page length command in step S25, and the actual page length to be printed is adjusted. . In other words, the MSWord side of the application selects and prints a sheet “longer than 4 inches”, but the page length of the actual print sheet is replaced with 4 inches as shown in step S25 of the flowchart of FIG. .

  In step S23, it is determined whether or not the analysis for one page has been completed so that the development up to the printer image command is repeated for one page. If not, the process jumps to the dummy font command determination step. If the data analysis for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the data in the storage buffer and the QR code image command are merged to create page data. In step S25, the current page length command and the created page length command are replaced, and the page data is transmitted to the printer. The printer prints data according to the command (step S26). In the next step S27, it is determined whether or not there is a next page. If there is no next page, printing is terminated, and if there is, the process returns to the spool process S13.

  In the above flow, the example using OCR-B (1-byte code) as the built-in font has been described, but a font such as Mincho (2-byte code) can also be used, and two-dimensional such as kanji data. Bar coding can also be realized.

  As described above, in the image forming system of the present embodiment, it is possible to control the QR code data to be written at the lower end of the page and set back at the time of printing after setting the page length to be long. The page layout can be set freely. As the dummy font, an existing built-in font can be used, and it is not necessary to use a special font set, and printing is possible.

[Second Embodiment]
In the image forming system according to the first embodiment, QR code data is described in the same area as the print data. Therefore, if a line feed operation occurs due to editing of the print data, the QR code data portion is also broken. There may be a situation where the page is changed to the page. In such a case, there is a possibility that normal printing cannot be performed. Therefore, the system of the second embodiment is improved in this point. In the second embodiment, by describing QR code data in a footer area or header area that can be set by an application, it is possible to always place QR code data in a fixed place regardless of the editing status of page data. It becomes.

  The host device constituting the system is an information processing device such as a personal computer, as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, for example, an application such as Microsoft Word (product name) for creating a document is used. 43 is used to create a document, an image, a table, and the like, and the data is sent to the printer 41 via the dummy font compatible printer driver 42 and the language monitor 44. The connection between the printer 41 and the host device may be a direct connection regardless of wired wireless connection or a connection via a network such as a LAN.

  The host device includes an application 43 operating on an OS (not shown), a dummy font compatible printer driver 42, and a language monitor 44. In the present embodiment, the application 43 is assumed to have a footer function in addition to a normal text creation function within a page. Note that a header function may be used instead of the footer function. Data is distributed to the page data input unit 52 and the QR code data input unit 53 according to an operation by the user input unit 51 such as a mouse or a keyboard, and the data applied to the page data input unit 52 is an area outside the footer. The data applied to the QR code data input unit 53 is input to the footer area.

  The data created on the application 43 is expanded into commands specific to the printer by the dummy font compatible printer driver 42. Specifically, the data analysis unit 54 first analyzes the data from the application 43 and sends the data to the command conversion processing units 55 to 57. A built-in font command conversion process 55 is a processing unit that performs a process of converting the built-in font data of the print data into a printer command. An image command conversion process 56 performs a process of converting information such as graphics, ruled lines, and outline fonts into image commands. It is a processing part to perform. The other command conversion process 57 is a processing unit for processing other commands.

  The spooler 58 is a part of a printing system in an OS such as Windows (registered trademark), and performs a process of temporarily spooling print data. The data temporarily spooled by the spooler 58 is sent to the next language monitor 44.

  The language monitor 44 is also a part of the printing system in the OS, and this module 44 is allowed to be installed in a lower layer of the spooler 58 and is originally intended to realize a bidirectional interface. In this module, data analysis and command conversion are performed. Specifically, the data from the spooler 58 is first sent to the command analysis unit 59. The command analysis unit 59 analyzes the printer command developed by the printer driver 42, and if a dummy font is detected, it is attached to the command. Data to be acquired and passed to the QR code data acquisition unit 62.

  The data storage unit 60 stores data other than dummy font commands. The QR code data acquisition unit 62 extracts QR code data, QR code print position information (x, y), and page length information from the analyzed command. The QR code development unit 63 develops the acquired data into QR code data, and develops the data into image commands so that the printer can print the data.

  The x and y data storage unit 64 stores data of the QR code printing position in the x and y directions. The page length command creation unit 65 creates a page length command based on the acquired page length. Since the paper length selected separately in the application is longer than the paper length actually used, the difference is adjusted by the page length command replacement processing unit 66. The data merge unit 61 combines the data from the data storage unit 60 and the QR code image data from the QR code development unit 63, and further combines the data about the page length adjusted by the page length command replacement processing unit 66, 41. The printer 41 performs required printing according to the data from the language monitor 44.

  Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the dummy font described in the first embodiment can be used. In the Unitool FONTS window (see FIG. 2), for example, the built-in font OCR is used. -B font is first selected, and a copy of this OCR-B font information is registered with a file name of "qr.pfm", for example. Furthermore, this qr.pfm file is opened (see FIG. 5), the name (Type Face Name) of this dummy font is set to “QR code”, and the font command is displayed as “ESC k” as shown in the font selection box of FIG. 07h ". Subsequently, the ResidentFonts window is displayed (see FIG. 6), and the qr.pfm file is selected and highlighted so that it can be used as shown in FIG. Finally, the data file is compiled to create a dummy font driver.

  Next, an operation when printing a two-dimensional code using a dummy font driver will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system of this embodiment. First, in the application, as shown in FIG. 14, a paper having a longer paper length than the actual paper is selected, and data such as text and images other than the barcode data (on the upper side of the selected paper having the longer paper length). Hereinafter referred to as page data). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the lower area of the paper having a longer paper length than the actual paper is used as a relatively wide footer area, and is particularly actively used as an area for describing QR code data.

Next, when a two-dimensional code such as a QR code is to be described, a footer area is first secured as a premise (step S30). When using a two-dimensional code such as a QR code,
A dummy font "QR code" is selected from the font selection list of the application or the font selection screen when the font itself is highlighted (step S32), and the footer area is blank below the actual paper size. The QR code information is described in the above and necessary editing is performed (step S33). Here, in the present embodiment, the QR code information has the data format shown in FIG. 10 similar to that of the first embodiment described above. That is, it includes a bar code horizontal print start position (x), a bar code vertical print start position (y), a paper page length (length), and bar code data (data). As will be described later, the printer can print two-dimensional data such as a QR code. In this case, the OCR-B font is only displayed on the monitor screen of the computer in the lower area of the paper on the application. This is because the dummy font information is substantially the same as the OCR-B built-in font as described above.

  Processing in the application constitutes a loop related to barcode printing. If the barcode is not printed, normal page data in the area outside the footer is edited from the selection of “No” in step S31. It is processed as a thing (procedure S34). If barcode printing is to be performed in step S31, a "QR code" that is a dummy font is selected from the above-described font selection screen (step S32), and a footer area that is blank below the actual paper size. QR code information is described in (step S33).

  When all the drawing is completed (step S35), the print button is pushed down to start printing (step S36). At this time, the print data is sent from the application to the printer driver and developed into a printer command. In step S37, it is determined whether or not the font data constitutes page data. In step S38, it is determined whether or not the font data is a dummy font. If the part is described by selecting “QR code”, it is converted into a command “ESC k 07h” as described in “qr.pfm” (step S40). Except for the font data, necessary data is expanded in step S39 and appropriately processed by a normal driver function. When the conversion for all data has been completed, the process proceeds to the next spool process S42, but if not yet, the process is repeated from step S41. An example of the dummy font command has a format such as the data shown in FIG. 11, and the system of this embodiment can use the same data as in the first embodiment for this format.

  After all the data is expanded by the printer driver, the data is spooled (nest pool process) by the spooler (step S42). Next, when the printer is ready for printing, the data on the spooler is transmitted to the printer via the language monitor.

  Steps S43 to S54 are processing in the language monitor, and all data are analyzed in the language monitor. In step S43, it is determined whether or not it is a dummy font command. Since normal page data does not have a dummy font command, data is stored while being stored in the buffer in step S46. Is performed.

  If it is determined in step S43 that there is a dummy font command, the process proceeds to step S44, where the page length is detected, the QR code print start position (x, y) is set in step S45, and the QR code data is set in step S49. To be acquired. A page length command is created in step S47 based on the page length data acquired in step S44, and the QR code print start position (x, y) is stored in the buffer (step S48). Logical data of QR data is created from the QR code data acquired in step S49 (step S50). Note that the dummy font command itself is discarded and controlled so as not to be transmitted to the printer. Other data is stored in the storage buffer.

  Next, the acquired QR code print start position (x, y) and the logical data are developed into a printer image command so that the printer can print (step S51). In addition, a page length command is created in step S47 from the page length acquired in step S44, the page length command is replaced with the current page length command in step S54, and the actual page length to be printed is adjusted. .

  In step S52, it is determined whether or not the analysis for one page has been completed so that the development up to the printer image command is repeated for one page. If not, the process jumps to the dummy font command determination step. When the data analysis for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S53. In step S53, the data in the storage buffer and the QR code image command are merged to create page data. In step S54, the current page length command and the created page length command are replaced, and the page data is transmitted to the printer. The printer prints data according to the command (step S55). In the next step S56, it is determined whether or not there is a next page. If there is no next page, printing is terminated, and if there is, the process returns to the spool process S42.

  In the above flow, an example using OCR-B (1-byte code) as the built-in font has been described. However, a font such as Mincho (2-byte code) can also be used, and two-dimensional data such as kanji data can be used. Bar coding can also be realized. In the above-described embodiment, the footer area is used as an area for describing a dummy font. However, a header area or other blank area may be used.

  As described above, in the image forming system of the present embodiment, it is possible to control the QR code data to be described in the footer area after setting the page length to be long and to be returned at the time of printing, regardless of the QR code data amount. The page layout can be set freely. As the dummy font, an existing built-in font can be used, and it is not necessary to use a special font set, and printing is possible.

[Third embodiment]
In the present embodiment, a method and system for printing a plurality of barcodes in one page will be described.

  As in the first and second embodiments, the host device constituting the system is an information processing device such as a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 15, for example, a Microsoft Word (product name) for creating a document is used. Such an application 74 is used to create a document, an image, a table, and the like, and the data is sent to the printer 71 via the dummy font compatible printer driver 72 and the language monitor 73. The connection between the printer 71 and the host device may be a direct connection regardless of wired wireless connection or a connection via a network such as a LAN.

  The host device includes an application 74 that runs on an OS (not shown), a dummy font compatible printer driver 72, and a language monitor 73. In the present embodiment, the application 74 has a footer function in addition to a normal text creation function within a page. Note that a header function may be used instead of the footer function. After operating the means 81 for securing the footer area, the data is distributed to the page data input unit 82 and the QR code data input unit 83, and the data related to the page data input unit 82 is transferred to the area outside the footer. The data described and applied to the QR code data input unit 83 is input to the area in the footer.

  The data created on the application 74 is expanded into commands specific to the printer by the dummy font compatible printer driver 72. Specifically, the data from the application 74 is first analyzed by the data analysis unit 84 and sent to the command conversion processing units 85 to 87. A built-in font command conversion process 85 is a processing unit that performs a process of converting built-in font data of print data into a printer command, and an image command conversion process 86 performs a process of converting information such as graphics, ruled lines, and outline fonts into image commands. It is a processing part to perform. The other command conversion process 87 is a processing unit for processing other commands.

  The spooler 88 is a part of a printing system in an OS such as Windows (registered trademark), and performs a process of temporarily spooling print data. Data temporarily spooled by the spooler 88 is sent to the next language monitor 73.

  The language monitor 73 is also a part of the printing system in the OS, and this module is allowed to be installed in the lower layer of the spooler 88 and is originally intended to realize a bidirectional interface. Causes the module to analyze data and convert commands. Specifically, the data from the spooler 88 is first sent to the command analysis unit 89. The command analysis unit 89 analyzes the printer command developed by the printer driver 72, and if a dummy font is detected, it is attached to the command. Data to be acquired and passed to the QR code data acquisition unit 92.

  The data storage unit 90 stores data other than dummy font commands. The QR code data acquisition unit 92 extracts QR code data, QR code print position information (x, y), and page length information from the analyzed command. The QR code expansion unit 93 expands the acquired data into QR code data, and expands the data into image commands so that the printer can print the data. In particular, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of QR code data for one page is acquired, development into QR code data is performed each time.

  The x and y data acquisition unit 94 acquires data in the x direction and y direction of the QR code printing position, and transmits the data in the x direction and y direction of the QR code printing position to the QR code development unit 93. The data from the QR code development unit 93 is sent to the QR code image command storage unit 97, and the image command created by the QR code development unit 93 in the QR code image command storage unit 97 is stored. Here, the image command can correspond to one or a plurality of QR code data.

  The page length command creation unit 95 creates a page length command based on the acquired page length. Since the paper length separately selected in the application is longer than the paper length actually used, the difference is adjusted by the page length command replacement processing unit 96. The data merging unit 91 combines the data from the data storage unit 90 with the QR code image data from the QR code image command storage unit 97, and also combines the data about the page length adjusted by the page length command replacement processing unit 96. To the printer 71. The printer 71 performs required printing according to the data from the language monitor 73.

  Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the dummy font described in the first embodiment can be used. In the Unitool FONTS window (see FIG. 2), for example, the built-in font OCR is used. -B font is first selected, and a copy of this OCR-B font information is registered with a file name of "qr.pfm", for example. Furthermore, this qr.pfm file is opened (see FIG. 5), the name (Type Face Name) of this dummy font is set to “QR code”, and the font command is displayed as “ESC k” as shown in the font selection box of FIG. 07h ". Subsequently, the ResidentFonts window is displayed (see FIG. 6), and the qr.pfm file is selected and highlighted so that it can be used as shown in FIG. Finally, the data file is compiled to create a dummy font driver.

  Next, an operation when printing a two-dimensional code using a dummy font driver will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system of this embodiment. First, in the application, as in the second embodiment, a paper having a paper length longer than the actual paper is selected, and text or an image other than the barcode data is displayed on the upper side of the selected paper having a long paper length. Data (hereinafter referred to as page data) is described. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the lower area of the paper having a longer paper length than the actual paper is used as a relatively wide footer area, and is particularly actively used as an area for describing QR code data.

Next, when a two-dimensional code such as a QR code is to be described, a footer area is first reserved as a premise (step S61). When using a two-dimensional code such as a QR code,
A “QR code” that is a dummy font is selected from the font selection list of the application or the font selection screen when the font itself is highlighted (step S64), and a footer area that is blank below the actual paper size. The QR code information is described in the above and necessary editing is performed (step S65).

Here, the QR code information in this embodiment is slightly different from the first and second embodiments described above, and has a data format shown in FIG. 17, for example. That is, the horizontal print start position (x _n ) of the barcode, the vertical print start position (y _n ) of the barcode (subscript n is an integer), the page length (length) of the paper, and the barcode data made (data _n), it will be able plurality print not two-dimensional data, such as QR code singular only in the printer as described below from these information. That is, by distinguishing each data with a subscript, it is possible to easily discriminate even if a plurality of QR code data exist in one page. Even in this case, the OCR-B font is merely displayed on the monitor screen of the computer in the footer area below the paper on the application. This is because the dummy font information is substantially the same as the OCR-B built-in font as described above.

  The processing in the application constitutes a loop relating to barcode printing. If the barcode is not printed, it is processed in step S62 as drawing normal page data from “No” selection. (Procedure S66). If barcode printing is performed in step S62, it is first determined in step S63 whether or not the amount of barcode document to be converted is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. If not (“No”), in other words, If bar code printing is possible without intentionally using the lower area, normal bar code printing is performed. Each step of selecting “QR code”, which is a dummy font, from the font selection screen described above (step S64) and writing QR code information in a blank area below the actual paper size (step S65). Is selected when the amount of barcode documents to be converted is a predetermined amount or more (“Yes” in step S63).

  When all drawing is completed (step S67), the print button is pressed down to start printing (step S68). At this time, the print data is sent from the application to the printer driver and developed into a printer command. In step S69, it is determined whether or not the font data constitutes page data. In step S70, it is determined whether or not the font data is a dummy font. If the part is described by selecting “QR code”, it is converted into a command “ESC k 07h” as described in “qr.pfm” (step S72). Except for the font data, necessary data is expanded in step S71 and appropriately processed by a normal driver function. When the conversion for all the data is completed, the process proceeds to the next spool process S74, but if not yet, the process is repeated from step S73.

  After all the data is expanded by the printer driver, the data is spooled (nest pool process) by the spooler (step S74). Next, when the printer is ready for printing, the data on the spooler is transmitted to the printer via the language monitor.

  Steps S75 to S88 are processing in the language monitor, and all data are analyzed in the language monitor. In step S75, it is determined whether or not the command is a dummy font command. Since normal page data does not have a dummy font command, data is stored while being stored in the buffer in step S78. In step S87, data matching is performed. Is performed.

  If it is determined in step S75 that there is a dummy font command, the process proceeds to step S76, the page length is detected, the QR code print start position (x, y) is set in step S77, and the QR code data is set in step S81. To be acquired. A page length command is created in step S79 from the page length data acquired in step S76, and the QR code print start position (x, y) is stored in the buffer (step S80). Logical data of QR data is created from the QR code data acquired in step S81 (step S82). Note that the dummy font command itself is discarded and controlled so as not to be transmitted to the printer. Other data is stored in the storage buffer.

  Next, the acquired QR code print start position (x, y) and the logical data are developed into a printer image command so that the printer can print (step S83). The developed printer image command is temporarily stored in the buffer (step S84). Here, the processing for one QR code is temporarily ended, but in the next step S85, it is determined whether or not the analysis for all the QR codes has been completed, and if the QR code to be analyzed still remains. Returning to step S77, if no QR code to be analyzed remains, it is determined whether or not the next page has been completed (step S86).

  If the analysis of the page is not completed, the process jumps to the dummy font command determination step (S77). If the data analysis for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step S87. In step S87, page data is created by merging the data in the storage buffer with the QR code image command. Since the page data is processed so as to be distinguished even if there are a plurality of data as described above, even the images corresponding to a plurality of QR codes are printed reliably. A page length command is created in step S79 from the page length acquired in step S76, the page length command is replaced with the current page length command in step S88, and the actual page length to be printed is adjusted. That is, in step S88, the current page length command and the created page length command are replaced, and transmission to the printer is performed.

  The printer prints data according to the command (step S89). In the next step S90, it is determined whether or not there is a next page. If there is no next page, printing is terminated, and if there is, the process returns to the spool process S74.

  In the above flow, an example using OCR-B (1-byte code) as the built-in font has been described. However, a font such as Mincho (2-byte code) can also be used, and two-dimensional data such as kanji data can be used. Bar coding can also be realized. In the above-described embodiment, the footer area is used as an area for describing a dummy font. However, a header area or other blank area may be used.

  As described above, in the image forming system of the present embodiment, it is possible to control the QR code data to be described in the footer area after setting the page length to be long and to be returned at the time of printing, regardless of the QR code data amount. In addition, even when there are a plurality of QR code data, it is possible to freely set the page layout. As the dummy font, an existing built-in font can be used, and it is not necessary to use a special font set, and printing is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the personal computer is exemplified as the host device. However, the host device is not limited to this, and various electronic devices can be used. For example, a digital camera, a mobile phone, a PDA, a facsimile device can be used. It can be applied to various electronic devices such as scanner devices and medical monitor devices. Further, although the QR code is exemplified as the two-dimensional code, the present invention can be applied to other code information.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the font window of the unitool used with the image forming system of each embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the font window of the unitool used with the image forming system of each embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which copied the additional file. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display screen of the property of an example of the built-in font used with the image forming system of each embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display screen of the property of an example of the internal font used with the image forming system of each embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the command after the change. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display screen of the resident font window used with the image forming system of each embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen of a resident font window used in the image forming system of each embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a screen in which a created dummy font is made available. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the image forming system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an area to be secured for an actual sheet and code in the image forming system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data format of the two-dimensional code in the image forming system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data example of the dummy font command of the two-dimensional code in the image forming system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the image forming system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a footer area reserved for actual paper and codes in an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the image forming system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of an image forming system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data format of the two-dimensional code in the image forming system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display on a monitor and the printing (printing) result in the case of printing the conventional one-dimensional barcode. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display on a monitor and the printing (printing) result in the case of printing the conventional two-dimensional barcode.

Explanation of symbols

10, 41, 71 Printer 11, 42, 72 Printer driver 12, 44, 73 Language monitor 21, 43, 74 Application 22, 54, 84 Data analysis unit 23, 55, 85 Built-in font command conversion processing 24, 56, 86 Image Command conversion processing 25, 57, 87 Other command conversion processing 31, 58, 88 Spooler 32, 59, 89 Command analysis unit 33, 60, 90 Data analysis unit 34, 61, 91 Data merge unit 35, 62, 92 QR code data Acquisition unit 36, 63, 93 QR code development unit 37, 64 x, y data storage unit 38, 65, 95 Page length command creation unit 39, 66, 96 Page length command replacement processing unit 94 x, y data acquisition unit 97 QR Code image command storage

Claims (12)

A host device that generates document data using an application and that can output code information encoded in correspondence with the document data, and a predetermined image using the code information supplied from the host device. An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus to be formed,
On the application, a display unit that accepts selection of a page size larger than a predetermined page size used for actual printing and displays a document data display area corresponding to the accepted page size;
A conversion processing unit that converts the document data including information related to the page length of the predetermined page size, which is input to the document data display area, and outputs code information;
Replacement for acquiring information about the page length of the predetermined page size from the code information output by the conversion processing unit, replacing the page size received via the display unit with the predetermined page size, and resetting An image forming system comprising: a processing unit. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein an image of the code information corresponding to the document data is formed in the image forming apparatus by selecting a font of the document data. 2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the document data including information on the page length of the predetermined page size is input to an area outside the predetermined page size in the display area for document data. system. Determining means for determining whether or not a document amount corresponding to document data including information on a page length of the predetermined page size is a predetermined amount or more;
When the document amount is less than the predetermined amount, the conversion processing unit performs the code information output processing for the document data input to an area outside the predetermined page size in the document data display area. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the image forming system is not performed. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the area outside the predetermined page size in the document data display area is an area below the area of the predetermined page size. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the area outside the predetermined page size in the document data display area is a header or footer area.   2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the coded code information is two-dimensional code information. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the coded code information is two-dimensional code information corresponding to a plurality of two-dimensional codes.   2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined image is formed using the code information in the predetermined page size that has been reset.   2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined page size is reset by changing a page break command according to information relating to a page length of the predetermined page size. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the font is selected for a dummy font. A host device that generates document data using an application and that can output code information encoded in correspondence with the document data, and a predetermined image using the code information supplied from the host device. An image forming method in an image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus to be formed,
On the application, a display process for receiving a selection of a page size larger than a predetermined page size used for actual printing and displaying a document data display area corresponding to the received page size;
A conversion process for converting the document data including information related to the page length of the predetermined page size, which is input to the document data display area, and outputting code information;
A replacement process for acquiring information related to the predetermined page size from the code information output in the conversion process, replacing the page size received in the display process with the predetermined page size, and resetting.
A transmission process for transmitting code information encoded corresponding to the document data together with information relating to the resetting of the predetermined page size from the host apparatus to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming method comprising: performing an image forming process for forming a required image based on the code information.