JP6770472B2 - Image forming system, image forming device, information processing device and device driver, and printing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus and a device driver, and a printing method, and in particular, an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and information processing capable of printing an overlay or tracking characters in addition to the text. Devices and device drivers and printing methods.

Multifunction devices including image forming devices are used for various purposes, but in particular, they may be used in a company to print a document created by an application program in response to an instruction from a personal computer as printed matter. There are many.

Printed matter printed by a company includes those that are treated as confidential information, those that are treated as trade secrets, or those equivalent thereto within the company. It is necessary to prevent or prevent such confidential or trade secret printed matter from leaking outside the company.

Therefore, conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, in order to suppress information leakage, the administrator is set to apply the tracking character composition function of the multifunction device to all printed matter. , I was forced to synthesize tracking characters on the printed matter.

JP-A-2000-313156

However, since the tracking characters are combined with all the printed matter, it may not look good depending on the intended use of the printed matter (submission to the customer, etc.) and may not be suitable for the intended use.

In order to prevent this, the user should be able to freely turn on / off the tracking character, but if this is done, the original suppression function will be lost.

Therefore, in view of the above points, the present invention provides an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a device driver, and a printing method capable of printing a printed matter while striking a balance between an information leakage suppressing function and practicality. The purpose is to do.

According to the present invention
Image forming device and
A first device driver in which the information processing device sends a print job for causing the image forming device to print, and
It is an image forming system equipped with
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting, the image forming apparatus may display the tracking character if the print job coming from the first device driver contains information for printing the overlay. An image forming system characterized in that printing is not performed and tracking characters are printed without printing unless the print job coming from the first device driver contains information for printing the overlay. Is provided.

Further, according to the present invention,
Image forming device and
A first device driver in which the information processing device sends a print job for causing the image forming device to print, and
It is an image forming system equipped with
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting, the image forming apparatus may display the tracking character if the print job coming from the first device driver contains information for printing the overlay. An image characterized in that the overlay is printed instead, and if the print job coming from the first device driver does not contain information for printing the overlay, the overlay is not printed and the tracking characters are printed. A forming system is provided.

Further, according to the present invention
An image forming device that prints according to the print job received from the device driver.
If the image forming apparatus is set to print the tracking character and the print job coming from the device driver does not include the tracking character cancel command, the tracking character is printed.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the tracking character is not printed when the tracking character printing setting is set in the image forming apparatus and the tracking character cancel command is included in the print job coming from the device driver. Is provided.

Further, according to the present invention
Image forming device and
A first device driver in which the information processing device sends a print job for causing the image forming device to print, and
It is an image forming method in an image forming system including.
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting, the image forming apparatus may display the tracking character if the print job coming from the first device driver contains information for printing the overlay. An image forming method characterized by printing tracking characters without printing if the print job coming from the first device driver does not include information for printing the overlay without printing. Is provided.

Further, according to the present invention
Image forming device and
A first device driver in which the information processing device sends a print job for causing the image forming device to print, and
It is an image forming method in an image forming system including.
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting, the image forming apparatus may display the tracking character if the print job coming from the first device driver contains information for printing the overlay. An image characterized in that an overlay is printed instead, and if the print job coming from the first device driver does not contain information for printing the overlay, the overlay is not printed and the tracking characters are printed. A forming method is provided.

Further, according to the present invention
Image forming device and
A device driver that sends a print job for the information processing device to make the image forming device print.
It is an image forming method in an image forming system including.
The image forming apparatus
If the image forming apparatus is set to print the tracking character and the print job coming from the device driver does not include the tracking character cancel command, the tracking character is printed.
An image forming method characterized in that the tracking character is not printed when the image forming apparatus is set to print the tracking character and the print job coming from the device driver includes a tracking character cancel command. Is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, a program for making a computer function as the above-mentioned image forming apparatus is provided.

Further, according to the present invention
A device driver that sends a print job to make an image forming device print.
A means of sending a print job that does not include an overlay print command and no tracking character cancel command,
A means of sending a print job that includes an overlay print command and a tracking character cancel command,
A device driver is provided that comprises.

Further, according to the present invention
A device driver that sends a print job to make an image forming device print.
A means of sending a print job that does not include the overlay image data superimposed on the original image data and does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job.
A means for sending a print job that includes overlay image data superimposed on the original image data in the print job and also includes a tracking character cancel command.
A device driver is provided that comprises.

Further, according to the present invention
An image forming method in which an information processing device causes an image forming device to perform image forming using a device driver.
A step of accepting an overlay execution instruction by a user operation and controlling overlay image data superimposition on the original image data on the device driver side depending on whether or not the execution instruction is accepted.
The control command for instructing the control of the composition of the tracking characters on the image forming apparatus side according to whether or not the execution instruction is accepted is associated with the manuscript image data or the manuscript image data on which the overlay image data is superimposed. Steps to send to the image forming device,
A step of controlling the composition of tracking characters on the image forming apparatus side based on the setting of tracking character composition in the image forming apparatus or the control command.
Steps to perform image formation based on the print job,
An image forming method characterized by having the above is provided.

Further, according to the present invention
In the information processing device, the step of accepting the presence or absence of overlay insertion in the printed image, and
In the information processing apparatus, whether or not to superimpose the image data of the overlay on the image data of the original to be included in the print job and whether or not to insert the tracking character cancel command into the print job, depending on whether or not the overlay is inserted. And the steps to control the data in conjunction with each other
In the image forming apparatus that has received the print job, whether or not the tracking character printing is set in the image forming apparatus and whether or not the tracking character should be included in the print image according to both the contents of the print job. And the steps to control
A tracking character printing control method is provided, which comprises.

According to the present invention, it is possible to print a printed matter while achieving a balance between an information leakage suppressing function and practicality.

It is a conceptual sectional view of the multifunction device according to the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the multifunction device according to the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image formation system by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the print content by the image formation system by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the print processing part and its peripheral part shown in FIG. 3 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a table which shows the content of the print item truth table shown in FIG. It is a table which shows the content of the print item truth table shown in FIG. 3 in the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a table which shows the content of the print item truth table shown in FIG. 3 in the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation when the device driver of the normal version is used in the image formation system by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation when the special version device driver is used in the image formation system by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the print processing part shown in FIG. 3 and the peripheral part thereof in 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation when the device driver of the normal version is used in the image formation system by 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation when the special version device driver is used in the image formation system by 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the overlay by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the overlay by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows still another example of the overlay by embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment is used in the second and subsequent embodiments. 1 and 2 show the configuration of the multifunction device 800 as an example of the image processing device.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction device 800 includes a document reading device 820 that reads an image of a document, a multifunction device main body (image forming unit main body) 830 that forms an image on a sheet, and a document reading device 820 and a composite. It includes an operation panel unit 843 for operating the machine main body 830, and an arithmetic processing unit 841 that controls the document reading device 820 and the multifunction device main body 830 based on the operation by the operation panel unit 843. The multifunction device 800 also includes an input / output interface 305, which will be described later.

In addition to using the document reading device 820 as a single unit for image reading and using the multifunction device main body 830 as a single unit for image formation, these can also be linked to copy an image. Further, the multifunction device 800 may include a storage device and a facsimile machine (not shown). The storage device can store the image read by the document reading device 820 and the image received by the facsimile machine. The facsimile machine can transmit the image read by the document reading device 820 and the image stored in the storage device, and can receive the image from the outside. Further, the multifunction device 800 may include an interface for connecting to a personal computer via a network. The personal computer connected to the multifunction device 800 can use the function of the multifunction device for the data that can be managed by the personal computer.

The document reading device 820 includes a document automatic feeding unit SPF (Single Pass Feeder) 824 for automatically feeding the document, and a scanning device main body 822 for reading the image of the document. In addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, the document reading device 820 also includes components not shown in FIG. 2 but shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the reading device main body 822 is provided with a document base 826.

The multifunction device main body 830 is formed on a sheet feeding unit 10 for feeding a sheet, a manual feeding unit 20 capable of manually feeding a sheet, and a sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit 10 or the manual feeding unit 20. An image forming unit 30 for forming an image is provided.

The sheet feeding unit 10 includes a sheet loading unit 11 for loading sheets and a separate feeding unit 12 for separately feeding the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit 11 one by one. The seat loading portion 11 includes a middle plate 14 that rotates about a rotation shaft 13, and the middle plate 14 rotates when feeding the seat to lift the seat upward. The separate feeding unit 12 includes a pickup roller 15 that feeds the sheet lifted by the middle plate 14, and a separation roller pair 16 that separates the sheets fed by the pickup roller 15 one by one. ..

The manual feed feeding unit 20 includes a manual feed tray 21 capable of loading sheets and a separate feeding unit 22 for separately feeding the sheets loaded on the manual feed tray 21 one by one. The manual feed tray 21 is rotatably supported by the main body 830 of the multifunction device, and when manually feeding and feeding, the sheet can be loaded by fixing the manual feed tray 21 at a predetermined angle. The separation feeding unit 22 includes a pickup roller 23 that feeds the sheets loaded on the manual feed tray 21, a separation roller 24 and a separation pad 25 that separate the sheets fed by the pickup roller 23 one by one. I have.

The image forming unit 30 includes four process cartridges 31Y to 31K for forming images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K, which will be described later. 32, a transfer unit (transfer means) 33 for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K to the sheet, and a fixing unit 34 for fixing the transferred toner image to the sheet. And have. The alphabet (Y, M, C, K) attached to the end of the code indicates each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black).

Each of the four process cartridges 31Y to 31K is configured to be removable from the main body 830 of the multifunction device and can be replaced. Since the four process cartridges 31Y to 31K have the same configuration except that the colors of the images to be formed are different, only the configuration of the process cartridge 31Y that forms the yellow (Y) image will be described, and the process cartridge 31M will be described. The description of ~ 31K will be omitted.

The process cartridge 31Y includes a photoconductor drum 740Y as an image carrier, a charger 741Y for charging the photoconductor drum 740Y, a developing device 742Y for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 740Y, and photosensitivity. It includes a drum cleaner that removes toner remaining on the surface of the body drum 740Y. The developing device 742Y includes a developing device main body (not shown in detail) for developing the photoconductor drum 740Y, and a toner cartridge (not shown in detail) for supplying toner to the developing device main body. The toner cartridge is configured to be removable from the main body of the developing device, and when the stored toner is exhausted, the toner cartridge can be removed from the main body of the developing device and replaced.

The exposure apparatus 32 includes a light source for irradiating the laser beam (not shown), a plurality of mirrors (not shown) for guiding the laser beam to the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K, and the like. The transfer unit 33 is an intermediate transfer belt 35 that carries a toner image formed on the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K, and a primary transfer roller that first transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K to the intermediate transfer belt 35. It includes 36Y to 36K, a secondary transfer roller 37 that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 35 to the sheet, and a belt cleaner 38 that removes the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 35. The intermediate transfer belt 35 is hung on the driving roller 39a and the driven roller 39b, and is pressed against the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K by the primary transfer rollers 36Y to 36K. The secondary transfer roller 37 nips (sandwiches) the intermediate transfer belt 35 with the drive roller 39a, and transfers the toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 35 to the sheet at the nip portion N. The fixing portion 34 includes a heating roller 34a that heats the sheet and a pressure roller 34b that presses against the heating roller 34a.

The operation panel unit 843 includes a display unit 845 that displays predetermined information, and an input unit 847 that allows the user to input instructions to the document reading device 820 and the multifunction device main body 830. In the present embodiment, the operation panel unit 843 is arranged on the front side of the reading device main body 822. The front side corresponds to the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1, and the back side corresponds to the back side of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the arithmetic processing unit 841 includes a CPU 841a that drives and controls a sheet feeding unit 10, a manual feeding unit 20, an image forming unit 30, and a document reading device 820, and various programs for operating the CPU 841a. It includes a memory 841b for storing various information and the like used by the CPU 841a. The arithmetic processing unit 841 integrates and controls the operations of the sheet feeding unit 10, the manual feeding feeding unit 20, the image forming unit 30, and the document reading device 820 based on the operation of the operation panel unit 843 by the user. Let the sheet form an image.

Next, an image forming operation (image forming control by the arithmetic processing unit 841) by the multifunction device 800 configured as described above will be described. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 30 forms the image of the scanned document fed by the document automatic feeding unit 824 and read by the reading device main body 822 on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit 10. An image forming operation will be described as an example.

When the image formation start signal is transmitted by the input to the input unit 847 of the operation panel unit 843 by the user, the scanned document placed on the document automatic feeding unit 824 by the user is automatically directed toward the document reading position. The image is fed and the image is read by the reading device main body 822 at the document reading position.

When the image of the document is read by the scanning device main body 822, the exposure device 32 irradiates the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K with a plurality of corresponding laser beams based on the image information of the scanned document. At this time, the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K are precharged by the chargers 741Y to 741K, respectively, and the corresponding electrostatic latent laser beams are irradiated on the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K. An image is formed. After that, the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K are developed by the developing devices 742Y to 742K, and yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are developed on the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K. ) And black (K) toner images are formed. The toner images of each color formed on the photoconductor drums 740Y to 740K are superimposed and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 35 by the primary transfer rollers 36Y to 36K, and the superimposed transferred toner image (full-color toner image) is the intermediate transfer belt. It is conveyed to the nip portion N while being carried on the 35.

In parallel with the image forming operation described above, the sheets loaded on the sheet loading section 11 are fed to the sheet transport path 26 by the pickup roller 15 while being separated one by one by the separate feeding section 12. Then, the resist roller pair 27 located upstream in the sheet transport direction of the nip portion N corrects the skew and is conveyed to the nip portion N at a predetermined transfer timing. A full-color toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 35 is transferred to the sheet conveyed to the nip portion N by the secondary transfer roller 37.

The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is heated and pressurized by the fixing portion 34 to melt and fix the toner image, and is discharged to the outside of the device by the discharge roller pair 18. The sheet discharged to the outside of the device is loaded on the discharge sheet loading unit 19.

When images are formed on both sides (first surface and second surface) of the sheet, the discharge roller pair 18 is rotated in the reverse direction before the sheet on which the image is formed on the first surface is discharged to the outside of the device. It is conveyed to the double-sided transport path 17, and is re-conveyed to the image forming unit 30 via the double-sided transport path 17. Then, as with the first surface, an image is formed on the second surface and discharged to the outside of the device. The sheet discharged to the outside of the device is loaded on the discharge sheet loading unit 19.

[Second Embodiment]
With reference to FIG. 3, which is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, this system includes the first information processing device 101, the second information processing device 201, and the multifunction device 800. Including. These are connected by network 501 and can communicate with each other. Further, an information processing device having a similar configuration may be connected to the network 501.

The first information processing device 101 includes an operating system 103, an application program 105, a normal version device driver 107, and an input / output interface 109.

The second information processing device 201 includes an operating system 203, an application program 205, a special edition device driver 207, and an input / output interface 209.

The multifunction device 800 includes a print processing unit 303, an image forming unit 830, and an input / output interface 305 as parts related to the present embodiment. The arithmetic processing unit 841 shown in FIG. 2 can be made to function as the print processing unit 303, but other similar arithmetic processing units (not shown) can also be made to function as the print processing unit 303, and the print processing unit 303 can be made to function. It may be configured by hardware.

The first information processing device 101 includes a CPU and a main storage device like a normal computer, and is connected to an external storage device, but these are not shown. The operating system 103, the application program 105, and the normal version device driver 107 are realized by copying the program read from the external storage device by the CPU to the main storage device and then executing the program. When the program is executed, the CPU reads and writes data to the external storage device and / or the main storage device.

The operating system 103 controls the entire operation of the first information processing device 101.

The application program 105 is a program that runs on the operating system 103, and is, for example, a word processor, a spreadsheet program, and a drawing program. There may be two or more application programs.

The input / output interface 109 is configured by hardware and exchanges data with other devices connected to the input / output interface 109 via the network 501. In particular, the input / output interface 305 included in the multifunction device 800. Send a print job to. The input / output interface 109 may be combined with software such as firmware.

The normal version device driver 107 drives the input / output interface 109 according to the instruction from the operating system 103, and mediates the input / output of data between the operating system 103 and the network 501. The normal version device driver 107 may drive the input / output interface 109 according to the instruction from the application program 105 to intervene the input / output of data between the application program 105 and the network 501.

The second information processing device 201 has the same configuration as the first information processing device 101, except that the normal version device driver 107 is replaced with the special version device driver 207.

The print processing unit 303 generates print data and the like according to the print job received from the first information processing device 101 or the second information processing device 201, and causes the image forming unit 830 to form an image by these.

The input / output interface 305 is configured by hardware and exchanges data with other devices connected to the input / output interface 305 via the network 501, and in particular, the first information processing device 101 and the second information processing device 101 and the second. The print job is received from the input / output interfaces 109 and 209 included in the information processing apparatus 201, respectively. The input / output interface 305 may be combined with software such as firmware.

When the image forming unit 830 prints a document or the like created by the application program 105, the normal version device driver 107 selected on the print dialog screen of the application program 105 is used. The application program 105 outputs the document data and the print instruction created by the application program 105 to the normal version device driver 107 directly or via the operating system 103. The normal version device driver 107 converts the document data and the print command input from the application program 105 into a print job, and then transmits the data to the print processing unit 303.

In addition, the user can turn on / off the overlay printing and select the overlay on the setting screen provided by the normal version device driver 107 called from the print dialog screen of the application program 105.

When the image forming unit 830 prints the document created by the application program 205, the special edition device driver 207 selected on the print dialog screen of the application program 205 is used. The application program 205 outputs the document data and the print instruction created by the application program 105 to the special edition device driver 207, either directly or via the operating system 203. The special edition device driver 207 converts the document data and the print instruction input from the application program 205 into a print job, and then transmits the print processing unit 303.

In addition, the user can turn on / off overlay printing and select overlay printing on the setting screen provided by the special edition device driver 207 called from the print dialog screen of the application program 205.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the multifunction device 800 prints only the text text 401 on each sheet (see FIG. 4A), and prints the text text 401 with the tracking character 403 added (see FIG. 4B). ), And printing (see FIG. 4C) in which the overlay 405 is added to the text text 401 can be printed.

As shown in FIG. 4B as an example, the tracking character 403 includes a company name, a department, a printer, a printing date and time, software used (application used), and a printer used (image processing device used). As a result, anyone who sees the printed matter can identify them, so that the manageability of the printed matter can be improved. In addition, although not shown, the tracking character 403 contains characters indicating that the printed matter is kept secret (for example, "secret", "limited to related parties", "confidential"). May be good. By printing the tracking character 403 on a printed matter, the information leakage suppression function can be exhibited. That is, the trade secret of the printed matter can be guaranteed on one side, and unauthorized printing can be suppressed. In addition, if the printed matter leaks to the outside, the source can be tracked, so that the external outflow can be suppressed, and even if the printed matter leaks, the source and the outflow route can be known. Will be.

As shown in FIG. 4C as an example, the overlay 405 includes a company logo, a company name, and a department name. From these, a person who sees this printed matter can identify them.

However, as the overlay 405, one that can identify the company and the department that is the source of the printed matter is used, but these are not necessarily represented by the characters of the company name and the characters of the department name. For example, the company logo and the background color corresponding to the department may be used to represent the company and department. That way, the general public can identify the company but not the department, while employees who know the correspondence between the department name and the background color are only printed matter of their own. Instead, the department corresponding to the background color can be recognized as the department that printed. Not limited to this example, the overlay is such that only those who know what kind of information is converted by what kind of rules and knowledge and embedded in the overlay can decrypt the information, and after embedding. By using a product with a good design, the overlay can be effectively used.

As the overlay 405, a watermark that can be visually recognized as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 may be used. In these figures, the character string rising to the right is the overlay.

Further, the overlay may include a digital watermark that cannot be recognized by normal vision. Then, the digital watermark may include all the contents represented by the tracking characters.

A plurality of overlays may be prepared in the information processing devices 101 and 102 so that the user can select one of them. It may also allow the user to create their own overlay.

In the present embodiment, the printed matter of any of FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) can be selectively printed by the setting for the multifunction device 800 and the commands from the device drivers 107 and 207. However, for that purpose, as shown in FIG. 5, the print processing unit 303 has a tracking character flag 307 that reflects the settings for the multifunction device 800, an overlay flag 309 that reflects the commands from the device drivers 107 and 207, and the device driver 107. , The tracking character cancel flag 311 reflecting the command from 207 is used.

The multifunction device 800 can receive a designation as to whether or not to print the tracking character 403 via the operation panel 843. The received content is held by the tracking character flag 307. The tracking character flag 307 is set if it is specified to print the tracking character 403, and is reset if it is specified not to print the tracking character 403.

Further, the print job received from the first or second information processing apparatus 101 or 201 includes information related to printing of the overlay 405, and this information is held by the overlay flag 309. The overlay flag 309 is set if the print job includes an overlay print command, and is reset if the print job does not include an overlay print command.

Further, although the print job received from the first or second information processing apparatus 101 or 201 may or may not include the tracking character canceling command, the tracking character canceling flag 311 relates to the tracking character canceling command. Information is retained. The tracking character cancel flag 311 is set if the print job includes a tracking character cancel command, and is reset if the print job does not include a tracking character cancel command.

The first or second device driver 107 or 207 sets information regarding the overlay 405 of the print job to be transmitted to the multifunction device 800 according to the operation by the user. When the user gives a setting or an instruction for overlay printing, the second device driver 107 of the normal version or the device driver 207 of the special version sets information about the overlay 405 of the print job as such.

Also, the normal version device driver 107 does not always include the tracking character cancel command in the print job. That is, the normal version device driver 107 does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job regardless of whether or not the user gives a setting or instruction for overlay printing.

The special edition device driver 207 includes a tracking character cancel command in the print job when the user sets or instructs the overlay printing, but otherwise, the tracking character cancel command is included in the print job. exclude.

With reference to FIG. 6A showing the contents of the print item truth table 313 referred to by the print processing unit 303, whether or not to print overlays and tracking characters corresponding to various cases will be described.

When the tracking character printing OFF is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 operates as follows for the print job from the normal version device driver 107. That is, tracking characters are not always printed. In addition, overlay printing is executed or not executed according to the presence or absence of an overlay print command.

When the tracking character printing ON is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 operates as follows for the print job from the normal version device driver 107. That is, the tracking characters are always printed. In addition, overlay printing is not executed regardless of the presence or absence of an overlay print command.

When the tracking character printing OFF is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 operates as follows for the print job from the special edition device driver 207. That is, tracking characters are not always printed. In addition, overlay printing is executed or not executed according to the presence or absence of an overlay print command. This is the same as in the case of the normal version device driver 107.

When the tracking character printing ON is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 operates as follows for the print job from the special edition device driver 207. That is, if there is no overlay print command, the tracking character is printed, and conversely, if there is an overlay print command, the overlay is printed instead of the tracking character.

The above operation will be explained as follows, focusing on the tracking character cancel command.

When the tracking character printing OFF is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 responds to the print job from both the normal version device driver 107 and the special version device driver 207 as follows. Operate. That is, tracking characters are not always printed. In addition, overlay printing is executed or not executed according to the presence or absence of an overlay print command.

When the tracking character printing ON is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 responds to the print job from both the normal version device driver 107 and the special version device driver 207 as follows. Operate. That is, if there is no tracking character cancel command, the tracking character is printed regardless of the presence or absence of the overlay printing command, but the overlay printing is not executed. Also, if there is a tracking character cancel command, an overlay is printed instead of the tracking character.

Next, the normal version device driver 107 does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job regardless of whether the overlay print is specified or not. Further, the special edition device driver 207 does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job unless the overlay printing is specified, but includes the tracking character cancel command in the print job when the overlay printing is specified.

Further, both the normal version device driver 107 and the special version device driver 207 include an overlay print command in the print job if the overlay print is specified.

Next, an operation example when the normal version device driver 107 is used will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

First, the administrator sets the image processing device 501 to turn off tracking character printing (step S501).

Next, the normal version device driver user performs an operation for printing on the first information processing device 101 together with the overlay OFF setting (step S503).

Next, the first information processing device 101 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S505). The print job here does not include an overlay print command or a tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S507). Here, the text is printed, but the tracking characters and overlays are not printed.

Next, the normal version device driver user performs an operation for printing on the first information processing device 101 together with setting the overlay ON (step S509).

Next, the first information processing device 101 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S511). The print job here includes an overlay print command, but does not include a track character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S513). Here, the text is printed and the overlay is printed, but the tracking characters are not printed.

Next, the administrator sets the image processing device 501 to turn on tracking character printing (step S515).

Next, the normal version device driver user performs an operation for printing on the first information processing device 101 together with the overlay OFF setting (step S517).

Next, the first information processing device 101 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S519). The print job here does not include an overlay print command or a tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S521). Here, the text and tracking characters are printed, but the overlay is not printed.

Next, the normal version device driver user performs an operation for printing on the first information processing device 101 together with setting the overlay ON (step S523).

Next, the first information processing device 101 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S525). The print job here includes an overlay print command, but does not include a track character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S527). Here, the text and tracking characters are printed, but the overlay is not printed.

Next, an operation example when the special edition device driver 207 is used will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the administrator sets the image processing device 501 to turn off tracking character printing (step S531).

Next, the special edition device driver user performs an operation for printing on the second information processing device 201 together with the overlay OFF setting (step S533).

Next, the second information processing device 201 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S535). The print job here does not include an overlay print command or a tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S537). Here, the text is printed, but the tracking characters and overlays are not printed.

Next, the special edition device driver user performs an operation for printing on the second information processing device 201 together with the overlay ON setting (step S539).

Next, the second information processing device 201 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S541). The print job here includes an overlay print command, but does not include a track character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S543). Here, the text is printed and the overlay is printed, but the tracking characters are not printed.

Next, the administrator sets the image processing device 501 to turn on tracking character printing (step S545).

Next, the special edition device driver user performs an operation for printing on the second information processing device 201 together with the overlay OFF setting (step S547).

Next, the second information processing device 201 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S549). The print job here does not include an overlay print command or a tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S551). Here, the text and tracking characters are printed, but the overlay is not printed.

Next, the special edition device driver user performs an operation for printing on the second information processing device 201 together with setting the overlay ON (step S553).

Next, the second information processing device 201 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S555). The print job here includes an overlay print command and also a track character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S557). Here, the text and overlay are printed, but the tracking characters are not printed. That is, the overlay is printed instead of the tracking character.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, using the tracking character cancel command, the multifunction device 800 executes overlay and printing of tracking characters depending on whether the device driver is a normal device driver or a special edition device driver. Do not execute.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the multifunction device 800 determines whether the device driver is a normal device driver or a special edition device driver before receiving a print job or when receiving a print job. Identification is performed, and overlay and tracking character printing are not executed or executed as in the first embodiment, based only on the identification result, the presence / absence of the overlay printing command, and the content of the tracking character printing setting. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the tracking character cancel command.

[Third Embodiment]
When the same information processing device is used by only one user, install only one of the normal version device driver and the special version device driver for each information processing device according to the user. Just do it. For example, if the only user who uses the information processing device is a user who has the authority of the special edition, the special edition device driver is installed in the information processing device, and the only user who uses the information processing device is special. If the user does not have the version authority, install the normal version device driver on the information processing device. If the only user who uses the information processing device is a user who has the authority of the special version, the special version device driver and the normal version device driver can be installed on the information processing device, and the user can select either one. You may do so.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Even when using the same information processing device, only users who can be authenticated can use the special version device driver, or the special version device driver or the normal version device driver can be used. However, other users may be able to use only the normal version device driver.

In addition, only authorized users among the authenticated users can use the special version device driver, or the special version device driver or the normal version device driver can be used. , Other users may be able to use only the normal version device driver.

In such a case, the normal version device driver 107 and the special version device driver 207 are installed in advance in any of the first information processing device 101 and the second information processing device 201 shown in FIG. deep.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the present invention, the overlay includes an overlay having no printed content at all. When such an overlay is added, the print content is the same as the print content when no overlay is added. With such an overlay, if the overlay is printed instead of the tracking characters, the printed content will have no tracking characters or overlays added.

[Sixth Embodiment]
An effect similar to that of the fifth embodiment can also be obtained by changing the print content when the tracking character cancellation includes an instruction. That is, in the second to fifth embodiments, the contents of the print item truth table 313 shown in FIG. 6A were followed, but this is changed to follow the contents of the print item truth table 313 of FIG. 6B. The contents of the print item truth table 313 of FIG. 6A and the contents of the print item truth table 313 of FIG. 6B differ only in the bottom line. That is, according to the contents of the print item truth table 313 of FIG. 6B, when the tracking character setting is ON and the overlay specification is ON, the overlay specification is ON, and the special edition device corresponds to this. From the driver, the tracking character cancel command is turned on, but in this case, not only the tracking character is not printed, but also the overlay is not printed.

[7th Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the overlay image data may be stored in the multifunction device 800 in advance, or may be stored in the information processing devices 101 and 201 in advance. When the data is stored in the information processing devices 101 and 201 in advance, when the print job is transmitted, the overlay image data is included in the print job separately from the original image data and is stored in the information processing devices 101 and 201. It is transmitted to the multifunction device 800, and these image data are synthesized in the multifunction device 800.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the overlay image data is stored in the information processing devices 101 and 201 in advance. Then, the image data of the original and the image data of the overlay are combined in advance, and when the print job is transmitted, the combined image data is transmitted from the information processing devices 101 and 201 to the multifunction device 800.

In the present embodiment, the printed matter of any of FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) can be selectively printed by the setting for the multifunction device 800 and the commands from the device drivers 107 and 207. However, for that purpose, as shown in FIG. 5, the print processing unit 303 uses the tracking character flag 307 that reflects the settings for the multifunction device 800, and the tracking character cancel flag 311 that reflects the commands from the device drivers 107 and 207. To do. Unlike the first embodiment, the overlay print command is not always output from the device drivers 107 and 207. Correspondingly, as shown in FIG. 9, a tracking character setting flag 307, a tracking character canceling flag 311 and a print item table 313 are provided in the peripheral portion of the print processing unit 303 of the multifunction device 800 according to the present embodiment. However, the overlay flag is not provided.

The multifunction device 800 can receive a designation as to whether or not to print the tracking character 403 via the operation panel 843. The received content is held by the tracking character flag 307. The tracking character flag 307 is set if it is specified to print the tracking character 403, and is reset if it is specified not to print the tracking character 403.

Further, the print job received from the first or second information processing apparatus 101 or 201 may or may not include the tracking character canceling command, but the tracking character canceling flag 311 relates to the tracking character canceling command. Information is retained. The tracking character cancel flag 311 is set if the print job includes a tracking character cancel command, and is reset if the print job does not include a tracking character cancel command.

The first or second device driver 107 or 207 sets information regarding the overlay 405 of the print job to be transmitted to the multifunction device 800 according to the operation by the user. When the user gives a setting or an instruction for overlay printing, the second device driver 107 of the normal version or the device driver 207 of the special version prints the image data of the original and the image data of the overlay as described above. When compositing and sending a print job, the image data after compositing is included in the print job.

Also, the normal version device driver 107 does not always include the tracking character cancel command in the print job. That is, the normal version device driver 107 does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job regardless of whether or not the user gives a setting or instruction for overlay printing.

The special edition device driver 207 includes a tracking character cancel command in the print job when the user sets or instructs the overlay printing, but otherwise, the tracking character cancel command is included in the print job. exclude.

With reference to FIG. 6C showing the contents of the print item truth table 313 referred to by the print processing unit 303, whether or not to print overlays and tracking characters corresponding to various cases will be described.

When the tracking character printing OFF is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 operates as follows for the print job from the normal version device driver 107. That is, tracking characters are not always printed. If the overlay image data is superimposed on the image data of the original image, the overlay is printed as it is.

When the tracking character printing ON is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 operates as follows for the print job from the normal version device driver 107. That is, the tracking characters are always printed. If the overlay image data is superimposed on the image data of the original image, the overlay is printed as it is.

When the tracking character printing OFF is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 operates as follows for the print job from the special edition device driver 207. That is, tracking characters are not always printed. Further, if the overlay image data is superimposed on the image data of the original image, the overlay is printed as it is. This is the same as in the case of the normal version device driver 107.

When the tracking character printing ON is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 operates as follows for the print job from the special edition device driver 207. That is, if the user specifies overlay printing, the tracking characters are printed. If the overlay image data is superimposed on the image data of the original image, the overlay is printed as it is.

The above operation will be explained as follows, focusing on the tracking character cancel command.

When the tracking character printing OFF is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 responds to the print job from both the normal version device driver 107 and the special version device driver 207 as follows. Operate. That is, tracking characters are not always printed. Further, although the explanation is duplicated, if the overlay image data is superimposed on the image data of the original image, the overlay is printed as it is.

When the tracking character printing ON is set for the multifunction device 800, the multifunction device 800 responds to the print job from both the normal version device driver 107 and the special version device driver 207 as follows. Operate. That is, if there is no tracking character cancel command, the tracking character is printed regardless of whether or not the overlay image data is superimposed on the image data of the original image. Further, although the explanation is duplicated, if the overlay image data is superimposed on the image data of the original image, the overlay is printed as it is.

Next, the normal version device driver 107 does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job regardless of whether the overlay print is specified or not. Further, the special edition device driver 207 does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job unless the overlay printing is specified, but includes the tracking character cancel command in the print job when the overlay printing is specified.

Further, both the normal version device driver 107 and the special version device driver 207 superimpose the overlay image data on the image data of the original image if the overlay printing is specified.

Next, an operation example when the normal version device driver 107 is used will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the administrator sets the image processing device 501 to turn off tracking character printing (step S601).

Next, the user of the normal version device driver performs an operation for printing on the first information processing device 101 together with setting the overlay OFF (step S603).

Next, the first information processing device 101 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S605). The print job here includes the image data of only the original, but does not include the tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S607). Here, the text is printed, but the tracking characters and overlays are not printed.

Next, the normal version device driver user performs an operation for printing on the first information processing device 101 together with setting the overlay ON (step S609).

Next, the normal version device driver superimposes the overlay image data on the image data of the original (step S610).

Next, the first information processing device 101 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S611). The print job here includes image data obtained by superimposing the image data of the original and the image data of the overlay, but does not include the tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S613). Here, the text is printed and the overlay is printed, but the tracking characters are not printed.

Next, the administrator sets the image processing device 501 to turn on tracking character printing (step S615).

Next, the normal version device driver user performs an operation for printing on the first information processing device 101 together with the overlay OFF setting (step S617).

Next, the first information processing device 101 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S619). The print job here includes the image data of only the original, but does not include the tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S621). Here, the text and tracking characters are printed, but the overlay is not printed.

Next, the normal version device driver user performs an operation for printing on the first information processing device 101 together with setting the overlay ON (step S623).

Next, the normal version device driver superimposes the overlay image data on the image data of the original (step S624).

Next, the first information processing device 101 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S625). The print job here includes image data obtained by superimposing the image data of the original and the image data of the overlay, but does not include the tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S627). Here, the text, tracking characters, and overlay are printed.

Next, an operation example when the special edition device driver 207 is used will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the administrator sets the image processing device 501 to turn off tracking character printing (step S631).

Next, the special edition device driver user performs an operation for printing on the second information processing device 201 together with the overlay OFF setting (step S633).

Next, the second information processing device 201 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S635). The print job here includes the image data of only the original, but does not include the tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S637). Here, the text is printed, but the tracking characters and overlays are not printed.

Next, the special edition device driver user performs an operation for printing on the second information processing device 201 together with setting the overlay ON (step S639).

Next, the special edition device driver superimposes the overlay image data on the image data of the original (step S640).

Next, the second information processing device 201 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S641). The print job here includes the image data obtained by superimposing the image data of the original and the image data of the overlay, but does not include the tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S643). Here, the text is printed and the overlay is printed, but the tracking characters are not printed.

Next, the administrator sets the image processing device 501 to turn on tracking character printing (step S645).

Next, the special edition device driver user performs an operation for printing on the second information processing device 201 together with the overlay OFF setting (step S647).

Next, the second information processing device 201 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S649). The print job here includes the image data of only the original, but does not include the tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S651). Here, the text and tracking characters are printed, but the overlay is not printed.

Next, the special edition device driver user performs an operation for printing on the second information processing device 201 together with setting the overlay ON (step S653).

Next, the special edition device driver superimposes the overlay image data on the image data of the original (step S654).

Next, the second information processing device 201 transmits a print job to the multifunction device 800 (step S655). The print job here includes image data obtained by superimposing the image data of the original and the image data of the overlay, and also includes a tracking character cancel command.

Next, the multifunction device 800 executes printing (step S657). Here, the text and overlay are printed, but the tracking characters are not printed. That is, the overlay is printed instead of the tracking character.

In the same way that the third to sixth embodiments are derived from the second embodiment, other embodiments can be derived from the seventh embodiment.

Note that the fact that the print job does not include the overlay print specification also includes the fact that an overlay print instruction having an invalid value operand or a negative value operand is included. The absence of a tracking character canceling instruction also includes a tracking character canceling instruction having an invalid value operand or a negative value operand.

Further, the above-mentioned image forming apparatus or information processing apparatus can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Further, the image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus, or the image forming method performed by the combination thereof can also be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Here, what is realized by software means that it is realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

Programs can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-temporary computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (eg, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (eg, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD- Includes R, CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (eg, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory)). The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transient computer readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical, optical, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

The present invention can be used to form an image on a print medium. In addition, the present invention can be used to manage the security of printed matter.

101 First information processing device 103 Operating system 105 Application program 107 Normal version device driver 109 I / O interface 201 Second information processing device 203 Operating system 205 Application program 207 Special edition device driver 209 Input / output interface 301 Image processing device 303 Printing Processing unit 305 I / O interface 307 Tracking character flag 309 Overlay flag 311 Tracking character cancel flag 313 Printed item truth table 501 Network 830 Image forming unit

Claims (20)

Image forming device and
A first device driver in which the information processing device sends a print job for causing the image forming device to print, and
It is an image forming system equipped with
When the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting, the image forming apparatus provides information for printing an overlay indicating information different from the tracking characters in a print job coming from the first device driver. If it is included, the overlay is printed instead of the tracking character, and if the print job coming from the first device driver does not contain the information for printing the overlay, the overlay is not printed and the tracking character is printed. An image forming system characterized by printing in a display mode that can be visually recognized by a user . The image forming system according to claim 1.
The tracking character includes identification information of the image forming apparatus.
An image forming system, characterized in that the overlay does not include identification information of the image forming apparatus. Image forming device and
A first device driver in which the information processing device sends a print job for causing the image forming device to print, and
A further image forming system Ru with a second device driver to send a print job to the information processing apparatus causes the printing to the image forming apparatus,
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting, the image forming apparatus may display the tracking character if the print job coming from the first device driver contains information for printing the overlay. If the print job coming from the first device driver does not include information for printing the overlay, the overlay is not printed, the tracking character is printed, and the tracking character is printed on the image forming apparatus. An image characterized by printing tracking characters, if there is a print setting, regardless of whether the print job coming from the second device driver contains information for printing the overlay. Formation system. The image forming system according to claim 3.
The image forming apparatus may or may not include information for printing the overlay in the print job coming from the second device driver when the image forming apparatus has the tracking character printing setting. An image forming system characterized by not printing overlays. The image forming system according to claim 3.
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting, the image forming apparatus may display the overlay if the print job coming from the second device driver contains information for printing the overlay. An image forming system characterized by printing. The image forming system according to any one of claims 3 to 5.
When the image forming apparatus does not have the tracking character printing setting for the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus does not print the tracking characters, and the print job coming from the first device driver or the second device driver. An image forming system characterized in that the execution of overlay printing is switched according to whether or not information for printing an overlay is included in the image. The image forming system according to any one of claims 3 to 6.
An image forming system characterized in that the information for printing the overlay is an overlay print command or overlay image data superimposed on the image data of the original. An image forming device that prints according to the print job received from the device driver.
If the image forming apparatus is set to print the tracking character and the print job coming from the device driver does not include the tracking character cancel command, the tracking character is printed.
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting and the printing job coming from the device driver includes a tracking character cancel command, the tracking character is not printed .
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting and the printing job coming from the device driver does not include the tracking character cancel command, whether or not the print job includes an overlay print command. An image forming apparatus characterized in that overlay printing is not performed regardless of the above . The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 .
If the image forming apparatus is set to print tracking characters and the print job coming from the device driver includes an overlay print command,
If the print job has a tracking character cancel command, print the overlay and
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that an overlay is not printed unless the print job has a tracking character cancel command. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 .
If the image forming apparatus does not have the tracking character printing setting, the tracking character is not printed, and whether or not overlay printing is executed is switched according to whether or not the print job includes an overlay print command. An image forming apparatus characterized by. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 .
An image forming apparatus characterized in that when a print job coming from a device driver includes overlay image data superimposed on the original image data, the overlay is printed. Image forming device and
A first device driver in which the information processing device sends a print job for causing the image forming device to print, and
It is an image forming method in an image forming system including.
When the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting, the image forming apparatus provides information for printing an overlay indicating information different from the tracking characters in a print job coming from the first device driver. If it is included, the overlay is printed instead of the tracking character, and if the print job coming from the first device driver does not contain the information for printing the overlay, the overlay is not printed and the tracking character is printed. An image forming method characterized by printing in a display mode that can be visually recognized by a user . Image forming device and
A device driver that sends a print job for the information processing device to make the image forming device print.
It is an image forming method in an image forming system including.
The image forming apparatus
If the image forming apparatus is set to print the tracking character and the print job coming from the device driver does not include the tracking character cancel command, the tracking character is printed.
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting and the printing job coming from the device driver includes a tracking character cancel command, the tracking character is not printed .
If the image forming apparatus has a tracking character printing setting and the printing job coming from the device driver does not include the tracking character cancel command, whether or not the print job includes an overlay print command. An image forming method characterized in that overlay printing is not performed regardless of the above . A program for operating a computer as the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11 . A device driver that sends a print job to make an image forming device print.
A means of sending a print job that does not include an overlay print command and no tracking character cancel command,
A means of sending a print job that includes an overlay print command and a tracking character cancel command,
A device driver characterized by being equipped with. A device driver set including the device driver according to claim 15 and another device driver.
The other device drivers mentioned above
A means of sending a print job that does not include an overlay print command and no tracking character cancel command,
A means of sending a print job that includes an overlay print command and no tracking character cancel command,
A device driver set characterized by being equipped with. A device driver that sends a print job to make an image forming device print.
A means of sending a print job that does not include the overlay image data superimposed on the original image data and does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job.
A means for sending a print job that includes overlay image data superimposed on the original image data in the print job and also includes a tracking character cancel command.
A device driver characterized by being equipped with. A device driver set including the device driver according to claim 17 and another device driver.
The other device drivers mentioned above
A means of sending a print job that does not include the overlay image data superimposed on the original image data and does not include the tracking character cancel command in the print job.
A means for sending a print job that includes overlay image data superimposed on the original image data and does not include a tracking character cancel command in the print job.
A device driver set characterized by being equipped with. An image forming method in which an information processing device causes an image forming device to perform image forming using a device driver.
Steps to accept overlay execution instructions by user operation,
A step of controlling overlay image data superposition on the original image data to be included in the print job on the device driver side depending on whether or not the execution instruction is accepted, and
The control command for instructing the control of the composition of the tracking characters on the image forming apparatus side according to whether or not the execution instruction is accepted is associated with the manuscript image data or the manuscript image data on which the overlay image data is superimposed. Steps to send to the image forming device,
A step of controlling the composition of tracking characters on the image forming apparatus side based on the setting of tracking character composition in the image forming apparatus or the control command.
Steps to perform image formation based on the print job,
An image forming method characterized by having. In the information processing device, the step of accepting the presence or absence of overlay insertion in the printed image, and
In the information processing apparatus, whether or not to superimpose the image data of the overlay on the image data of the original to be included in the print job and whether or not to insert the tracking character cancel command into the print job, depending on whether or not the overlay is inserted. And the steps to control the data in conjunction with each other
In the image forming apparatus that has received the print job, whether or not the tracking character printing is set in the image forming apparatus and whether or not the tracking character should be included in the print image according to both the contents of the print job. And the steps to control
A tracking character printing control method characterized by having.