JP5440953B2 - Print control apparatus and print control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus and a print control method, and more particularly to a print control apparatus and a print control method in variable printing.

  In recent years, a technique (Transaction Mail Promotion: so-called transpromo) in which transaction information and promotional advertisements are combined and printed on a monthly biller or usage statement document and mailed has become widespread. This transpromo uses variable printing. In variable printing, a reuse object is held in a cache memory and reused to increase processing efficiency.

  In variable printing, it is important that the intended image is arranged correctly, and there is a need to ensure that the image for each user is arranged as intended. In addition, a technique for printing an inspection image such as a barcode or a check number is known.

  Although it is not a technique related to inspection, regarding a technique for printing a barcode, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a determination means for determining whether or not a code mark fits in an image forming region, and the code mark by the determination means Is disclosed to include an editing unit that edits the code mark, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the editing by the editing unit. ing.

  Further, although it is not a technique related to inspection, regarding a technique for printing a mark for print correction, for example, Patent Document 2 below uses a register adjusting device for a multicolor printing machine including individual printing devices. Printing a print mark on the substrate, and detecting the print mark by a sensor, or at least partially detecting a print image based on the image evaluation, performing an evaluation in the registration adjustment device, and moving the substrate, or In a method for controlling modification of individual printing devices and / or web transport to compensate for different print lengths between individual printing devices, at least one first print mark and second print mark Printing for each production and printing process, comparing the first print mark and the second print mark with a reference point or reference area for registration, and / or Others the register adjustment, print correction method performed based on a comparison between the data obtained from the print image detection and comparison image data is disclosed.

JP 2007-196574 A JP 2007-69607 A

  As mentioned above, inspection using barcodes and marks is important to confirm that the intended image is correctly arranged for each user, but inspection images such as barcodes and marks are This is an unnecessary image that does not bring any direct merit to the end user. However, in the conventional technique, since the inspection is performed by printing the inspection image on the paper, if the inspection result is bad, it has to be reprinted, resulting in a waste of resources. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus and a print control method capable of reducing wasteful resource consumption in a variable print inspection. It is in.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a variable designating an image arranged in each field defined by a layout and an inspection image including numerical information specifying the image arranged in each field. A print control device that receives print data, and that analyzes the variable print data and combines the image and the inspection image according to the layout to generate a combined image; and the inspection image An analysis unit that analyzes and obtains the digitized information from the inspection image; and the digitization information acquired from the inspection image by acquiring the digitized information stored in a database by the apparatus that generates the variable print data A determination unit that determines the suitability of variable printing by comparing information and the digitized information acquired from the database; If the serial digitized information matches, the image manipulation unit for erasing the test image from the composite image, and the image transfer unit for outputting to an output device image data of the composite image, in which at least includes.

  The present invention also provides a variable print data generation device that generates variable print data, a print control device that receives the variable print data and outputs image data, and an output device that executes printing based on the image data. , Is a print control method in a system connected by a communication network, wherein the variable print data generation device specifies an image arranged in each field defined by a layout and an image arranged in each field. A data generation step of generating variable print data designating an inspection image including digitization information; a transmission step of transmitting the variable print data to the print control device; and the digitization included in the inspection image. Storing the information in a database, and executing the print control An image composition step of receiving and analyzing the variable print data, synthesizing the image and the inspection image according to the layout to generate a composite image, analyzing the inspection image, and analyzing the inspection image An analysis step for obtaining the digitization information from the image; a database operation step for obtaining the digitization information from the database; the digitization information obtained at the analysis step; and the digitization information obtained at the database operation step. A determination step for determining the suitability of variable printing, an image operation step for erasing the inspection image from the composite image when the digitized information matches, and image data of the composite image And an image transfer step of outputting to the output device It is.

  According to the printing control apparatus and the printing control method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce wasteful resource consumption in variable printing inspection.

  The reason is that the variable print data generation device generates and prints variable print data specifying an image to be arranged in each field specified by the layout and an inspection image at least describing a numerical value for specifying the image. The numerical value is stored in the database while being transmitted to the control device, and the print control device analyzes the variable print data, combines the image of each field with the image for inspection, and analyzes the image for inspection for inspection. The numerical value described in the image is acquired, and the numerical value acquired from the inspection image is compared with the numerical value acquired from the database to determine the appropriateness of variable printing. This is because the processing is performed so that the inspection image cannot be visually recognized.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the program structure of the variable print data generation apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a program configuration of a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the operation | movement (variable print data production | generation process) of the variable print data production | generation apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of PPML data based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of PPML data which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically operation | movement (erasing instruction | indication process of the test | inspection code) of the variable print data generation apparatus concerning one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically operation | movement (inspection determination processing) of the printing control apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically operation | movement (inspection determination result notification process) of the printing control apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically operation | movement (inspection code | cord | chord print availability judgment processing) of the printing control apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically operation | movement (code image area | region determination process for an inspection) of the printing control apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the erasing method of the test | inspection code which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the erasing method of the test | inspection code which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the variable print data production | generation apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (inspection process) of the print control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (inspection result notification process) of the print control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Variable printing stimulates users' willingness to purchase and establishes loyalty to stores, dealers, companies, products and brands, and provides information such as products that match age, gender, preferences, or related products of recently purchased products. Used to provide to the user. As described above, variable printing is an important tool in direct marketing. However, since variable printing prints different images for each user, it is ensured that an appropriate image is arranged in an appropriate position for each user. It is necessary to inspect at high speed.

  Therefore, a method is used in which an inspection image such as an inspection barcode or mark is printed, and the printed inspection image is used to inspect whether the printed material is configured as intended by the issuer. In this method, since the inspection is performed after printing, if the inspection result is defective, the printing has to be performed again, and there is a problem in that resources are wasted. In addition, this method has a problem in that the printed image does not look good because the inspection image remains on the paper.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a variable print data generation device that generates variable print data, a print control device (controller) that generates image data by rasterizing variable print data, and printing based on the image data In a system including an output device that executes the above, an inspection can be performed by a print control device (controller). If there is no problem as a result of the inspection, a white or paper color image having the same size and configuration as the inspection image is combined with the inspection image, a photographic image having a size larger than the inspection image, After the solid images are synthesized so that unnecessary inspection images cannot be viewed, the image data is transmitted to the output device.

  In this way, by performing the inspection with the print control device, even if the result of the inspection is bad, it is only necessary to regenerate the variable print data with the variable print data generation device, thereby reducing wasteful resource consumption. Can do. Further, since printing is executed in a state where unnecessary inspection images are deleted or replaced, the appearance of the printed matter can be remarkably improved.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a print control apparatus and print control method in variable printing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a print control system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a program configuration of a variable print data generation apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a print control. It is a block diagram which shows the program structure of an apparatus. 4, FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 are diagrams schematically showing the operation of the variable print data generation device and the print control device, and FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 11 are diagrams showing examples of PPML data. 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for erasing an inspection code. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing of the variable print data generation apparatus, and FIGS. 15 to 17 are flowcharts showing processing of the print control apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a print control system 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a variable print data generation device 20 that generates variable print data, and a print control device 40 that analyzes the variable print data and generates image data for each page. And an output device 50 that executes printing based on image data for each page and outputs a printed matter 60, and an inspection information database 30 that stores information related to inspection. The variable print data generation device 20 and the print control device 40 are connected by a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the print control device 40 and the output device 50 are connected by a dedicated interface. Has been.

  The variable print data generation apparatus 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 24, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 25, and the like. Then, the program (the program shown in FIG. 2) stored in the ROM 22 and the HDD 25 is expanded in the RAM 23 and executed by the CPU 21. The HDD 25 is provided with layout data, image data, and a customer database including customer IDs (customer identification numbers) that define the arrangement of objects in variable printing. The NIC 24 performs communication processing with the print control apparatus 40.

  The inspection information database 30 includes information generated by the variable print data generation device 20 (digitized information described in an inspection code, which will be described later, printability selection information for specifying whether to print the inspection code, or the like). It is a database for saving. The inspection information database 30 may be included in either the variable print data generation device 20 or the print control device 40, or may be another server that can communicate from the variable print data generation device 20 and the print control device 40. Good.

  The print control device (controller) 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a NIC 44, an HDD 45, and the like. The program (the program in FIG. 3) stored in the ROM 42 and the HDD 45 is expanded on the RAM 43 and executed by the CPU 41. The RAM 43 has a cache memory for storing reusable objects, an area for storing a management table for managing reusable object names, a work area for combining images, and a frame buffer area for storing combined images (print images). .

  The output device 50 is an image forming apparatus (MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral) such as a network printer or a multifunction peripheral.

  In FIG. 1, the print control device 40 and the output device 50 are separate devices, but the print control device 40 and the output device 50 may be a single device.

  Next, programs that operate on the variable print data generation device 20 and the print control device 40 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a program configuration diagram of the variable print data generation apparatus 20. The variable print data generation apparatus 20 includes an inspection code generation unit 20 a, an end user print availability selection input unit 20 b, an inspection information DB operation unit 20 c, and variable printing. It functions as a data generation unit 20d, a variable print data transmission unit 20e, and the like.

  The inspection code generation unit 20a quantifies information for specifying an image arranged in each field specified in the layout and information for identifying the inspection code (referred to as individual identification information), and this numerical value. Is encoded to generate an inspection code such as a barcode. In this embodiment, one inspection code is generated, and one inspection code is synthesized at a predetermined position of the printed matter 60 so that inspection can be performed. It is also possible to generate and synthesize each inspection code in the vicinity of each image so that the inspection can be performed. In this embodiment, the inspection is performed using the inspection code obtained by coding the digitized information. However, the inspection code may be any code that can analyze the digitized information. Also good.

  The end user printability selection input unit 20b is a means for causing the user to select whether or not the inspection code can be printed. The end user printability selection input unit 20b passes the printability selection information selected by the user to the inspection information DB operation unit 20c and stores it in the inspection information database 30, or prints the printability selection information as a variable print data generation unit. 20d to be incorporated into the variable print data.

  The inspection information DB operation unit 20c includes digitized information described in the inspection code (information obtained by digitizing information specifying an image arranged in each field), and an end-user printability selection input unit 20b as necessary. Is stored in the examination information database 30 in association with the individual identification information.

  The variable print data generation unit 20d generates variable print data in which an image is arranged in each field of the layout and an inspection code is arranged at a predetermined position.

  The variable print data transmission unit 20e transmits the variable print data generated by the variable print data generation unit 20d to the print control apparatus 40 having a variable print function through the network.

  FIG. 3 is a program configuration diagram of the print control device 40. The print control device 40 includes a variable print data analysis / image synthesis unit 40a, an inspection code analysis unit 40b, an inspection information DB operation unit 40c, an inspection determination unit 40d, It functions as an inspection result notification unit 40e, an inspection code printability determination unit 40f, an inspection code image area determination unit 40g, an inspection code image operation unit 40h, a raster image engine transfer unit 40i, and the like.

  The variable print data analysis / image composition unit 40a analyzes the variable print data sent from the variable print data generation device 20 and composes a print image. The print image is stored in the RAM 43 or the HDD 45 in the print control apparatus 40. In addition, the variable print data analysis / image composition unit 40a extracts the printability selection information incorporated in the variable print data as necessary.

  The inspection code analyzing unit 40b analyzes the inspection code of the print image synthesized by the variable print data analyzing / image synthesizing unit 40a, digitizing the barcode in the case of a barcode, and from the image in the case of a character or a numerical value. It converts into a character string or a numerical value, and extracts the digitized information described in the inspection code (information specifying the image specifying the image arranged in each field and the individual identification information).

  The inspection information DB operation unit 40c accesses the inspection information database 30 from the variable print data generation device 20 and the print control device 40 or a server on the network, and uses the individual identification information extracted by the inspection code analysis unit 40b as a key. Then, the digitized information (information obtained by digitizing the information specifying the image arranged in each field) is taken out as the basis of the inspection code.

  The inspection determination unit 40d compares the digitized information extracted by the inspection code analysis unit 40b with the digitized information extracted by the inspection information DB operation unit 40c, and performs inspection determination.

  The inspection result notification unit 40e notifies the operator, the inspector, or a predetermined device of the print control system 10 of the result of the inspection determination by the inspection determination unit 40d. As a notification method, a method of displaying the result on a monitor attached to the output device 50 (MFP) may be used, or a method of notifying with sound only in the case of a failure determination may be used. When notifying a predetermined apparatus of the print control system 10, notification is performed through communication such as sending a message to the apparatus. In addition, you may enable it to select how post-processing is performed by each notification method.

  The inspection code printability determination unit 40f extracts the printability selection information stored by the variable print data generation device 20. When the printability selection information is stored in the inspection information database 30, the printability selection information is extracted from the inspection information database 30 using the inspection information DB operation unit 40c. Print enable / disable selection information is acquired from the print data analysis / image composition unit 40a, and the inspection code print enable / disable determination is performed based on the print enable / disable selection information.

  The inspection code image area determination unit 40g extracts the inspection code clip area from the variable print data generated by the variable print data generation apparatus 20, and specifies the area where the inspection code image is drawn. Then, the inspection code image operation unit 40h is instructed about the area where the image should be operated.

  The raster image engine transfer unit 40i transfers the print image after the inspection by the inspection code image operation unit 40h to the engine (output device 50).

  Next, individual operations of the variable print data generation apparatus 20 and the print control apparatus 40 configured as described above, and data generated by the variable print data generation apparatus 20 will be described.

[Generate variable print data including inspection code]
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation for generating variable print data including an inspection code using the variable print data generation apparatus 20.

  Assume that an image layout is created based on a layout designated by a customer and image data of the customer. The inspection code generation unit 20a digitizes the information for identifying the image arranged according to the image layout and the individual identification information for identifying the inspection code, and creates a number that combines the customer identification number of the document, An inspection code is generated based on the number. Here, the barcode is generated using the NW-7 barcode standard.

  The variable print data generation unit 20d generates variable print data based on the image layout information and the inspection code generated by the inspection code generation unit 20a. In this example, it is assumed that the completed image shown in the figure is obtained.

[PPML data including inspection code]
FIG. 5 shows an example of PPML data (variable print data) of the completed image shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the inspection code is designated as one image (inspection image) in the PPML data as with the completed image. Specifically, as shown in the eleventh line, a PRIVATE_INFO element is used to indicate that this information is an inspection code. Identifier = “CheckCodeDimmension” on the eleventh line indicates that an inspection code area is designated.

[PPML data that includes printability selection information in the inspection code]
FIG. 6 shows an example of PPML data (variable print data) in which the inspection code includes print enable / disable selection information.

  The PRIVATE_INFO element is used as in FIG. 5, but includes printability selection information as CheckCodePrint = “Delete” on the 11th line. In this example, the inspection code is erased.

[Process for incorporating printability selection information into inspection code]
FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation of incorporating printability selection information into the inspection code.

  The end-user printability selection input unit 20b inquires of the customer whether the inspection code can be printed and stores it in the customer database as printability selection information. Whether or not the inspection code can be printed is determined based on the printability selection information. Then, using the inspection information DB operation unit 20c, the printability selection information and the digitized information described in the inspection code are stored in the inspection information database 30. In FIG. 7, the character information in which the printability selection information is omitted is stored in the inspection information database 30. However, the printability selection result may be stored as numerical information.

[Inspection judgment processing in print control device]
FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating the operation of the inspection determination from the image composition in the print control apparatus 40.

  The variable print data analysis / image composition unit 40a analyzes the variable print data created by the variable print data generation device 20 and performs image composition. When the image composition is completed, the inspection code analysis unit 40b analyzes the inspection code. In addition, when the variable print data includes the print availability selection information, the variable print data analysis / image composition unit 40a extracts the print availability selection information when analyzing the variable print data, and sends it to the inspection code print availability determination unit 40f. Notice. The inspection code analysis unit 40b reads the inspection code from the print image generated by the variable print data analysis / image synthesis unit 40a, and extracts the numerical value described in the inspection code. The inspection determination unit 40d performs inspection determination using the numerical values extracted by the inspection code analysis unit 40b and the numerical values registered in the inspection information database 30.

[Notification processing of inspection judgment result]
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation based on the inspection determination result of the inspection determination unit 40d.

  When it is determined as NG, the inspection determination unit 40d needs to inform the operator of the determination result. In the case of NG, the determination result is displayed on the PC designated in advance, and it is possible to instruct how to handle this printed matter. In the case of NG, when an operation is designated in advance, the inspection determination unit 40d can skip printing or stop the output device 50 according to the instruction.

[Inspection code printability determination process]
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the operation of the inspection code printability determination unit 40f.

  The inspection code printability determination unit 40 f takes out the printability selection information from the inspection information database 30 when there is printability selection information in the inspection information database 30. If the printable / unusable selection information is incorporated in the variable print data, the printable / unusable selection information is received from the variable print data analyzing / image synthesizing unit 40a, and the operation is determined.

[Inspection code image area judgment processing]
FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the operation of the inspection code image area determination unit 40g.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the area of the inspection code image is designated as the CRIP_RECT element on the 12th line of the PPML data. From this area information, it can be determined where the inspection code is arranged. In this example, the area of the inspection code image is designated by PPML data, but the area information of the inspection code image may be stored in the inspection information database 30.

[Image operation (deletion) of inspection code]
FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an operation when the inspection code is erased.

  For example, a barcode image of exactly the same size, position, and shape as a barcode placed at a predetermined position, or a rectangular image that is slightly larger than the placed barcode, white, paper color, background color, or image information The barcode can be erased by generating it as none (indicated by a broken line in the figure) and synthesizing it at the same position as the placed barcode.

[Image operation of inspection code (image substitution)]
FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation when another image is combined with the inspection code.

  For example, the barcode can be made invisible by overwriting a rectangular image that can be covered with a barcode that is slightly larger than the barcode placed at a predetermined position. Note that this rectangular image may be one type, or may be changed according to the user's preference. In this example, a photographic image is used as the rectangular image, but an illustration or a mark may be used.

  Next, the overall operation of the print control system 10 of this embodiment will be outlined.

  The variable print data generation apparatus 20 takes out a layout from a user's print instruction, maps an image assigned from the contents of the customer database, digitizes information for identifying each image and individual identification information, and converts the digitized information into a barcode The variable print data including the inspection code is generated. The inspection code is stored in the inspection information database 30 or incorporated in the variable print data as printability selection information in order to perform image operation processing in accordance with the user's specification. This process is repeated until the customer database is completed. When the generation of variable print data is completed, the variable print data is transmitted to the print control apparatus 40.

  The print control apparatus 40 analyzes the variable print data generated by the variable print data generation apparatus 20 and synthesizes an image. The synthesized image includes an inspection code, and the inspection code is analyzed and digitized. The individual identification information is extracted from the numerical value, and the digitized information described in the inspection code is extracted from the inspection information database 30 using this as a key. Further, an inspection code for an image is extracted from the variable print data, and the inspection code is read to obtain digitized information. Then, the numerical value extracted from the inspection information database 30 is compared with the numerical value read from the image inspection code to perform inspection determination. The inspection result is notified to an operator or a device in the print control system.

  Hereinafter, detailed operations of the variable print data generation apparatus 20 and the print control apparatus 40 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[Detailed Operation of Variable Print Data Generation Device 20]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of processing of the variable print data generation apparatus 20.

  The variable print data generation apparatus 20 specifies the layout ID from the user's print instruction and extracts the layout (S101). In order to assign image data to each extracted layout, one record is extracted from the customer database and applied to the layout frame (S102). Next, the image data is mapped to the field instructed for layout (S103), and information for specifying the image is digitized (S104). Thereafter, the digitized information is converted into a barcode (S105), and the image and the barcode are registered as a variable image to generate variable print data (S106).

  If composite data for one page still remains (No in S107), the process returns to S103 and the same processing is repeated. When the synthesis for one page is completed (Yes in S107), the individual identification information, the layout ID, and the customer ID Is added to the variable print data so as to be combined with the page (S108), and the digitized information described in the barcode of the page is stored in the inspection information database 30 (S109). The barcode generated from the digitized information for specifying the image and the barcode generated from the individual identification information, the layout ID, and the customer ID may be separate barcodes, or they may be combined to form one barcode. It may be a code.

  The above processing is repeated until the customer database is finished. When the customer database is finished (Yes in S110), the generated variable print data is transferred to the print control apparatus 40, and the series of processing is finished.

[Detailed Operation of Print Control Device 40]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of processing of the print control apparatus 40.

  The print control device 40 monitors the job sent from the variable print data generation device 20 (S201), and when receiving the variable print data, analyzes the variable print data (S202). If image data is arranged, it is determined whether the image needs to be rasterized (S203). If rasterization is necessary, the image is rasterized (S204). If the rasterized image is a reuse object, it is stored in the cache memory (S205). Next, layout information to be passed to the variable print data analysis / image composition unit 40a is extracted, and the layout information is transferred to the variable print data analysis / image composition unit 40a (S206).

  Then, it is determined whether the analysis of the variable print data for one page has been completed (S207). If the analysis of the variable print data for one page has not been completed (No in S207), the process returns to S202 to return to the next variable. The print data is analyzed, and this process is repeated until the analysis for one page is completed.

  When the analysis for one page is completed (Yes in S207), the variable print data analysis / image composition unit 40a performs composition processing for one page (S208). The combined image for one page is transferred to the inspection determination unit 40d, and inspection processing is performed by the inspection determination unit 40d (S209, details will be described later), and the completed image for one page after the inspection processing is output to the output device 50. (S210). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the variable printing job is completed (S211). If the job continues, the process returns to S202, where the variable print data is analyzed, and this process is repeated until there is no more variable print data.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the inspection process in S209 of FIG.

  The inspection code image area determination unit 40g extracts the inspection code image area (S301). The barcode in the inspection code image area is read from the image of one page synthesized by the variable print data analysis / image synthesis unit 40a and digitized by the inspection code analysis unit 40b (S302). Next, the individual identification information is extracted from the digitized information, and the numerical information that is the basis of the inspection code is extracted from the inspection information database 30 using the individual identification information as a key (S303).

  The inspection determination unit 40d performs inspection determination (S304), and in the case of NG (No in S304), the inspection result notification unit 40e performs inspection result notification processing (S305, details will be described later). In the case of OK (Yes in S304), the inspection code printability selection information is extracted from the inspection information database 30 or the variable print data (S306), and the inspection code printability determination unit 40f determines whether or not printing is possible. If the printability selection information is deleted (Yes in S307), the inspection code is deleted by synthesizing the inspection code with white inspection code such as white or a slightly larger size white rectangular image. Processing is performed (S309). When the printability selection information is not deleted (No in S307) and the image is replaced (Yes in S308), a predetermined image is synthesized in the image area of the inspection code, and the image replacement process of the inspection code is performed. Perform (S310).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the inspection result notification processing in S305 of FIG. Note that the operator and the system administrator can pre-register what processing is to be performed when the inspection result is NG before performing the printing processing.

  First, the test result notifying unit 40e determines whether there is pre-registration (S401). If there is pre-registration (Yes in S401), the registered process is taken out as a post process (S402). If there is no pre-registration (No in S401), it is determined whether there is a console display setting of the output device 50 (MFP) (S403). If there is a console display setting (Yes in S403), NG is displayed on the MFP console. Is displayed (S404), and if necessary, post-processing is selected (S405). On the other hand, if there is no console display setting (No in S403), it is determined whether or not a notification PC is registered (S406), and if a notification PC is registered (Yes in S406), it is notified that the notification has become NG. The PC is notified (S407), and if necessary, a screen for allowing the notification PC to select post-processing is displayed to instruct post-processing (S408).

  Then, any one of the post-processing registered in advance, the post-processing selected on the console, and the post-processing selected on the notification PC is executed (S409), and the document in which NG has occurred is saved as a report (S410).

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the inspection is performed before printing on the paper, it is possible to prevent the output of problematic printed matter, reduce unnecessary printing, and reduce resource consumption. Can do. In addition, printing can be performed without an inspection code that does not provide a direct merit for the end user, and the appearance of the printed matter can be improved. In addition, after the inspection, the inspection code can be replaced with an image according to the end user's preference or preference instead of a meaningless image, so that the appearance of the printed matter can be further improved. Further, since the end user can select whether or not the inspection code is printed, a printed product more end-user-oriented can be provided.

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

  For example, in the above embodiment, the digitized information described in the test code is stored in the test information database 30, but the digitized information may be incorporated in the variable print data. In the above embodiment, the digitized information described in the inspection code is stored. However, the inspection code itself may be stored as an image.

  In the above embodiment, the inspection code is formed by using the information for identifying the image arranged in each field and the individual identification information for identifying the inspection code. When there is no need to do this (for example, when the processing order of jobs is determined, and numerical values may be extracted sequentially from the inspection information database 30), the individual identification information can be omitted from the inspection code.

  The present invention can be used in a system including an apparatus that generates variable print data and a print control apparatus that analyzes variable print data and generates image data for each page.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Print control system 20 Variable print data production | generation apparatus 20a Test | inspection code production | generation part 20b End user print availability selection input part 20c Inspection information DB operation part 20d Variable print data production | generation part 20e Variable print data transmission part 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 NIC
25 HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Inspection information database 40 Print control apparatus 40a Variable print data analysis / image composition part 40b Inspection code analysis part 40c Inspection information DB operation part 40d Inspection determination part 40e Inspection result notification part 40f Inspection code printability determination part 40g Inspection code Image area determination unit 40h Inspection code image operation unit 40i Raster image engine transfer unit 41 CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
44 NIC
45 HDD
50 Output device 60 Printed matter 61 Inspection code

Claims (14)

A print control apparatus for receiving variable print data specifying an image arranged in each field defined by a layout and an inspection image including digitized information for specifying the image arranged in each field. ,
An image composition unit that analyzes the variable print data and composes the image and the inspection image according to the layout to generate a composite image;
Analyzing the inspection image and obtaining the digitized information from the inspection image;
The apparatus that generates the variable print data acquires the digitized information stored in the database, and compares the digitized information acquired from the inspection image with the digitized information acquired from the database, thereby changing the variable information. A determination unit for determining whether printing is appropriate;
An image operation unit for erasing the inspection image from the composite image when the digitized information matches;
An image transfer unit that outputs image data of the composite image to an output device. It is determined whether or not to print the inspection image on the output device based on the print availability selection information that is stored in the database in advance or previously acquired in the variable print data. And a printability determination unit that
2. The image operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the image operation unit erases the inspection image from the composite image when the printability determination unit determines not to print the inspection image on the output device. The printing control apparatus described.   The image operation unit erases the inspection image from the synthesized image by combining a white image having the same size and shape as the inspection image at the same position as the inspection image. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The image operation unit erases the inspection image from the composite image by combining a predetermined image having a size larger than the inspection image into a region including the inspection image. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit notifies that the determination result is bad when the digitized information does not match.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection image is a barcode obtained by encoding the digitized information. A variable print data generating device that generates variable print data, a print control device that receives the variable print data and outputs image data, and an output device that executes printing based on the image data are connected via a communication network. A printing control method in a designated system, comprising:
The variable print data generation device includes:
A data generation step of generating variable print data designating an image arranged in each field defined in the layout and an inspection image including numerical information specifying the image arranged in each field;
A transmission step of transmitting the variable print data to the print control device;
Storing the digitized information included in the inspection image in a database; and
The print control device includes:
Receiving and analyzing the variable print data, and combining the image and the inspection image according to the layout to generate a combined image;
Analyzing the inspection image and obtaining the digitized information from the inspection image;
A database operation step of obtaining the digitized information from the database;
A determination step of determining the suitability of variable printing by comparing the digitization information acquired in the analysis step and the digitization information acquired in the database operation step;
An image operation step of erasing the inspection image from the composite image when the digitized information matches;
An image transfer step of outputting image data of the composite image to the output device is executed. In the storing step, the printability selection information for allowing the user to select whether or not to print the inspection image on the output device is stored in the database,
The print control device further executes a print propriety determination step for determining whether to cause the output device to print the inspection image based on the print propriety selection information stored in the database,
8. The image operation step, wherein the inspection image is erased from the composite image when it is determined that the inspection image is not printed on the output device in the printability determination step. The printing control method as described. In the data generation step, the printability selection information that allows the user to select whether or not to print the inspection image on the output device is incorporated into the variable print data,
The print control device further executes a print propriety determination step for determining whether to cause the output device to print the inspection image based on the print propriety selection information incorporated in the variable print data,
8. The image operation step, wherein the inspection image is erased from the composite image when it is determined that the inspection image is not printed on the output device in the printability determination step. The printing control method as described.   In the image operation step, the inspection image is erased from the composite image by combining a white image having the same size and shape as the inspection image at the same position as the inspection image. A printing control method according to any one of claims 7 to 9.   In the image operation step, the inspection image is erased from the composite image by combining a predetermined image having a size larger than the inspection image into a region including the inspection image. The printing control method according to any one of claims 7 to 9. In the data generation step, identification information for identifying the inspection image is added to the inspection image,
In the storing step, the digitized information is stored in the database in association with the identification information,
12. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein in the database operation step, the digitized information is acquired from the database using the identification information.   The print control method according to claim 7, wherein, in the determination step, when the digitized information does not match, notification is made that the determination result is bad.   The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the inspection image is a barcode obtained by encoding the digitized information.

Images