JP7000794B2 - Image forming device, print control method and print control program - Google Patents

Description

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

There is a method of reducing the amount of paper used in the image forming apparatus by printing in the margin area of the printed paper. For example, a method in which printed paper is set in the paper feed section of an image forming apparatus, a sensor is provided in a paper transport path or the like to detect a margin area of the printed paper, and a printed image is printed in the margin area, or an image. There is a method in which scan data of printed paper is stored in the main body of the forming apparatus in advance, a margin area of the printed paper is detected from the scan data, and a printed image is printed in the margin area. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, in an image forming apparatus having a function of printing an original image read by an image reading device on print paper, an original image input unit for inputting an original image, a storage unit, and a control unit are provided. The control unit detects and stores the margin area information, which is information about the margin area of the image of the paper read by the image reader, in the storage unit, and inputs the original image input unit. A configuration is disclosed that controls the printed original image to be printed in the margin area of the paper based on the margin area information stored in the storage unit.

As another method, the paper on which the ID is recorded is used, the paper ID is input using the UI (User Interface) of the printer driver at the time of printing setting, the margin area is determined from the print history of the printer driver, and the margin area is determined. There is also a method of printing a printed image in the margin area. For example, the following Patent Document 2 includes a document receiving means for receiving document data of a document to be printed, a margin area extracting means for extracting a margin area of a medium on which the document data is printed, and the margin area extracting means. A printing system including a document allocating means for allocating the document data to the extracted margin area and a printing means for printing the document data allocated by the document allocating means on the medium is disclosed.

Further, although it is not a technique of printing in a margin area, regarding a technique related to layout, for example, in Patent Document 3 below, some objects in a page are arranged by an editing method of arranging figures and characters as objects on a document page. A layout editing method that classifies objects into blocks and uses them as editing units. A means for extracting objects with character information from object blocks, a method for extracting unformatted text information from character objects, and a method for holding extracted text information. And a means to extract and hold an object that does not have character information from an object block, a means to determine the placement of character information and other information in the area of the object block, and a specification for the area of the object block. A layout editing method having a means for arranging information other than characters based on the set value and a means for arranging character information in an area in an object block left by arranging information other than characters is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-20624 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-090356 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-008170

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

In addition, in the method of using the paper on which the ID is recorded, only the paper on which the paper ID is registered can be used, so the printed paper to be used must be set in the image forming apparatus every time printing is performed. The method becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program capable of appropriately printing using printed paper. To do.

One aspect of the present invention is a paper feed unit, an image reading unit that scans printed paper to be stored in the paper feed unit, and acquires scan data of the printed paper, and the paper feed unit in the order of scanning. The association processing unit that stores the association information that associates the page order of the stored printed paper with the scan data of the printed paper in the storage unit, and the supply of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit. Paper information is acquired, the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified based on the paper feed information, and the next paper is fed from the paper feed unit based on the association information. A margin area detection unit that identifies scan data associated with printed paper and detects a margin area of the printed paper that is next fed from the paper feed unit based on the specified scan data, and print data. When printing a printed image based on the above to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit, the scale calculation unit for calculating the scale of the printed image and the printed paper. An image forming apparatus having an editing unit for editing the printed image so that the printed image is arranged in a margin area, and a printing processing unit for printing the edited printed image in the margin area of the printed paper. When the calculated scale is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the margin area detection unit further sequentially detects the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit, and edits the paper. The unit is characterized in that the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feeding unit.

One aspect of the present invention is a print control method in a printing system in which an image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit and an information processing apparatus that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus to instruct printing are connected by a communication network. The image forming apparatus scans the printed paper to be stored in the paper feed unit and acquires the scan data of the printed paper, and the information processing apparatus is the paper feed unit. The association processing for storing the association information for associating the page order of the printed paper stored in the scan order with the scan data of the printed paper in the storage unit, and the information processing apparatus from the image forming apparatus. The paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit is acquired, and based on the paper feed information, the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified, and the association information is used. Based on this, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next is specified, and the margin area for detecting the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected based on the specified scan data. The scale of the printed image when the detection process and the information processing apparatus print the printed image based on the print data so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit. The scale calculation process for calculating the printing image, the editing process for editing the printed image so that the information processing apparatus arranges the printed image in the margin area of the printed paper, and the printing by the image forming apparatus. When the print process of printing the edited printed image in the margin area of the finished paper is executed and the calculated scale is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the margin area detection process further performs the printing process from the paper feed unit. The margin areas of the printed paper to be fed next are sequentially detected, and in the editing process, the printed image is divided into the margin areas of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feed unit. It is characterized by arranging.

One aspect of the present invention is a print control method in a printing system including an image forming apparatus having a paper feeding unit, wherein the image forming apparatus scans printed paper to be stored in the paper feeding unit, and the printed paper is scanned. The storage unit stores the association information that associates the scan process for acquiring the scan data of the printed paper with the page order of the printed paper stored in the scan order in the paper feed unit and the scan data of the printed paper. The association processing to be performed and the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit are acquired, and the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified based on the paper feed information. , The scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified based on the association information, and the next paper feed is performed from the paper feed unit based on the specified scan data. Margin area detection processing that detects the margin area of the printed paper to be printed, and the case of printing a print image based on the print data so that it fits in the margin area of the printed paper that is next fed from the paper feed unit. , A scale calculation process for calculating the scale of the printed image, an editing process for editing the printed image so that the printed image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper, and a margin area of the printed paper. If the calculated scale is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the margin area detection process further feeds paper from the paper feed unit. The feature is that the margin areas of the printed paper are sequentially detected, and in the editing process, the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin areas of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feed unit. do.

One aspect of the present invention is a print control program that operates in an information processing apparatus that instructs an image forming apparatus having a paper feeding unit to print, and the information processing apparatus has the image forming apparatus to the paper feeding unit. Data acquisition process for acquiring scan data obtained by scanning printed paper to be stored, associating the page order of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit in the scan order with the scan data of the printed paper. The association process for storing information in the storage unit, the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit is acquired from the image forming apparatus, and the next from the paper feed unit is based on the paper feed information. The printed paper to be fed to is specified, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next is specified based on the association information, and the scan data associated with the next printed paper to be fed is specified. Margin area detection processing that detects the margin area of the printed paper that is fed to, and prints the print image based on the print data so that it fits in the margin area of the printed paper that is next fed from the paper feed unit. In this case, the scale calculation process for calculating the scale of the printed image, the editing process for editing the print data so that the printed image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper, and the editing on the image forming apparatus. A printing process of transmitting print data and printing a printed image based on the edited print data in the margin area of the printed paper is executed, and when the calculated scale is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the margin is specified. In the area detection process, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed section is sequentially detected, and in the edit process, each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feed section is sequentially detected. The printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area.

One aspect of the present invention is a print control program that operates in an image forming apparatus having a paper feeding unit, and the image forming apparatus acquires scan data obtained by scanning printed paper to be stored in the paper feeding unit. Data acquisition processing to be performed, association processing to store association information in the storage unit for associating the page order of the printed paper stored in the scan order in the paper feed unit with the scan data of the printed paper, the paper feed unit. The paper feed information of the printed paper stored in is acquired, the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified based on the paper feed information, and the paper feed is specified based on the association information. The scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified, and the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is determined based on the specified scan data. A scale for calculating the scale of the printed image when the margin area detection process to be detected and the print image based on the print data are printed so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit. Calculation processing, editing processing for editing the printed image so that the printed image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper, printing processing for printing the edited printed image in the margin area of the printed paper, When the calculated scale is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the margin area detection process further detects the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit, and edits the paper. The process is characterized in that the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feed unit.

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

The reason is that the scan data obtained by scanning the printed paper to be stored in the paper feed section is acquired, and the page order of the printed paper stored in the scan order in the paper feed section, the scan data of the printed paper, and the scan data of the printed paper. The association information is stored in the storage unit, the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit is acquired, and the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is obtained based on the paper feed information. Identify and identify the scan data associated with the next printed paper to be fed based on the association information, and detect the margin area of the next printed paper to be fed based on the identified scan data. Then, when printing the print image based on the print data so that it fits in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit, the scale of the print image is calculated and the print image is placed in the margin area. When the printed image is edited and the edited print image is printed in the margin area of the printed paper, if the calculated scale is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the next feed is performed from the paper feed section. This is because the margin areas of the printed paper to be printed are sequentially detected, and the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin areas of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feed unit.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the printing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation (preprocessing) of the printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation (printing process to the margin area of the printed paper) of the printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation (printing process to the margin area of the printed paper) of the printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention (the process at the time of printing by changing the page order of a plurality of page data). It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention (processing when "prioritize" is selected for the scale ratio of an image). It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (option print setting screen) displayed in the printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen (warning screen) displayed in the printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when the character object is divided into a plurality of sheets and prints) in the print control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when printing by changing the order of an object) in the print control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when the order of the print data of a plurality of pages is changed) in the print control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when "prioritizing the scale ratio of an image" is set) in the print control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when the print data is printed repeatedly) in the print control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when the mark is added to the printed area) in the print control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the output result (when the data to be printed is rotated and printed) in the print control method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

As shown in the background technology, as a method of reducing the amount of paper by printing in the margin area of the printed paper, the printed paper is set in the paper feed section of the image forming apparatus, and a sensor is provided in the paper transport path or the like. A method of detecting and printing a margin area, a method of storing scan data of printed paper in advance in the image forming apparatus main body, and a method of detecting a margin area from the scan data and printing, and a paper on which an ID is recorded. There is a method of inputting a paper ID using the UI of the printer driver at the time of printing setting, determining a margin area from the print history of the printer driver, and printing.

However, adding a sensor or the like to the transport path or the like of the image forming apparatus causes an increase in cost. Also, when the margin area is detected from the scan data of the printed paper saved in the image forming apparatus main body, the printed image to be fed next is determined, so the printed image is reduced more than necessary and printed. , The visibility of the printed image may be significantly reduced. In addition, when using paper on which an ID is recorded, only paper with a registered paper ID can be used, so the printed paper to be used must be set in the image forming device each time printing is performed. Becomes complicated.

In response to this problem, the applicant of the present application, in the prior application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-124118), in a printing system including a plurality of image forming devices having a paper feeding section or an image forming device having a plurality of feeding sections. , In advance, scan the printed paper to be stored in multiple paper feed units, acquire the scan data of the printed paper, store the printed paper in each paper feed unit in the scan order, and feed each paper. A printer driver (or universal printer) that stores the association information that associates the page order of the printed paper stored in the unit with the scan data of the printed paper, and sends the print data to the image forming apparatus to instruct printing. An information processing device equipped with a driver) and an image forming device equipped with a plurality of paper feeding units acquire the paper feeding information of the printed paper stored in each paper feeding unit when printing on the printed paper. , Identifies the next printed paper to be fed based on the paper feed information, identifies the scan data associated with the next printed paper to be fed based on the association information, and is based on the identified scan data. When the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected and the print image based on the print data is printed so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from each paper feed unit. Calculates the scale of the printed image, displays a screen showing the correspondence between the paper feed unit and the scale, selects the paper feed unit to be used for processing print data by referring to the scale, and selects the paper feed unit from the selected paper feed unit. We are proposing a method for editing a printed image by moving the print position or scaling the printed image so that the printed image is placed in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next.

In this way, by presenting and allowing the user to select the scale for printing the printed image in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from each feeding unit, the printed image is margined at the optimum scale. It is possible to print on the area and contribute to the resource saving of the paper, but the size of the printed image based on the print data occupies the majority of the printed paper (for example, the size of the printed image is 2 / of the printed paper. In the case of 3 or more), the reduction ratio of the printed image becomes large, and the visibility may deteriorate. In addition, if the print image is set not to be printed when the scale of the printed image is less than the predetermined value, the printed paper is not printed and only the printed paper is conveyed. It takes time and printing efficiency is reduced.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the scale for printing a printed image based on print data so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. By dividing the print image based on the print data and printing it in the margin area of a plurality of printed papers, it is possible to further contribute to the resource saving of the papers.

Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, in a printing system including an image forming apparatus including a paper feed unit and an information processing apparatus including a printer driver, the printed paper is used as an image reading unit or a scanner of the image forming apparatus. Scan data is acquired by scanning with the device, and the page order of the printed paper stored in the paper feed section of the image forming device is associated with the scan data of the printed paper and stored in the printer driver. It is stored in the paper feed section of the image forming apparatus in the order of scanning. Then, the printer driver acquires the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit from the image forming apparatus, detects the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next, and prints the image based on the print data. Is calculated in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next, and if the scale is less than the predetermined value, a screen notifying the user to that effect as necessary. Is presented on the UI (User Interface) of the printer driver, and when division is instructed, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is detected, and the margin area of multiple printed papers is detected. The print image is divided so that it fits in the space of each printed paper, and the image is printed in the margin area of each printed paper.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, in a printing system including an image forming apparatus including a paper feeding unit, printed paper is read by an image reading unit or a scanner device of the image forming apparatus to acquire scan data, and the printed paper is supplied. The page order of the printed paper stored in the paper unit and the scan data of the printed paper are associated and stored in the image forming apparatus, and the scanned printed paper is stored in the paper feed unit in the scan order. Then, the image forming apparatus acquires the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit, detects the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next, and then prints the printed image based on the print data. The scale is calculated when printing is performed in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed, and if the scale is less than the predetermined value, a screen to notify the user to that effect is displayed on the panel as necessary. When splitting is instructed, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected from the paper feed section, and the printed image is divided so that it fits in the margin area of multiple printed papers. , Print in the margin area of each printed paper.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, even if the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is small, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected, and a plurality of printed sheets have been printed. Since the print image is divided and printed in the margin area of the paper, it is possible to efficiently print on the printed paper.

In the present invention, on each page of the printed paper, the largest rectangular area that can be secured from the area where the printed image does not exist is defined as the margin area of the page.

In order to explain the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, the image forming apparatus, the print control method, and the print control program according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the printing system of this embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams showing the configurations of a client device and an image forming device, respectively. 4 to 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the printing system of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing an example of a screen displayed on the apparatus in the printing system, FIGS. 10 to 9. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an output result in the print control method of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the printing system 10 of this embodiment includes a client device 20 and an image forming device 30 including a paper feeding unit (paper cassette) for storing printed paper. These are connected via communication networks such as LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) defined by standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Token Ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface).

In FIG. 1A, the printing system 10 is composed of the client device 20 and the image forming apparatus 30, but as shown in FIG. 1B, the printing system 10 is configured only by the image forming apparatus 30. You may. Further, a configuration in which a controller is connected to a communication network and the controller instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to print, or a management server is connected to the communication network and the management server manages print data output from the client device 20. The image forming apparatus 30 may be configured to instruct printing. Further, the printing system 10 may include a scanning device for scanning printed paper. Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail on the premise of the configuration of FIG. 1 (a).

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

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

The OS 26 is Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), etc., and enables the application 27 and the printer driver 28 to operate on the client device 20.

The application 27 is software that performs text creation, table calculation, image processing, etc., reads the printer driver 28 at the time of printing instruction, and transfers the document data created by the application 27 to the printer driver 28.

The printer driver 28 is a print control program, and the document data created by the application 27 is printed data (PJL (Printer Job Language), PS (PostScript), PCL (Printer Control Language) in a language that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 30. ) And other PDL (Page Description Language) data written in a page description language, or PDF (Portable Document Format) data). Then, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 via the communication network. The print conditions set on the print setting screen of the printer driver 28 are described in a print ticket or the like and added to the print data. When the printing system 10 is provided with a plurality of image forming devices 30, the printer driver 28 may be a universal printer driver compatible with the plurality of image forming devices 30.

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

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

When the margin area detection unit 28b is instructed to print on the printed paper, the image forming apparatus 30 acquires the paper feed information (usage history information) of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit, and the paper feed information. Based on, the next printed paper to be fed from the paper feed section is identified, and based on the above association information, the scan data associated with the next printed paper to be fed is identified and the identified scan. Detects the margin area of the next printed paper to be fed based on the data. Further, when the scale described later is equal to or less than the specified value, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is sequentially detected. The method of detecting the margin area of the printed paper from the scan data is not particularly limited, but for example, a rectangular area (rectangular area that can be determined to be the ground color of the paper) in which the value of each pixel of the scan data is equal to or less than a predetermined value is the margin. It can be detected as an area.

The scale calculation unit 28c is used to print a print image based on the print data to be printed this time so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit. Calculate the size / original size of the printed image). Then, the calculated scale is compared with a predetermined specified value, the calculated scale is equal to or less than the specified value, and the print data is an image object (image object) and / or a graphic object (graphics object) and a character object (text). When the object) is included, the scale when the printing order of the image object and / or the graphic object and the character object is changed is calculated.

The editing unit 28d adjusts the print position and enlarges / reduces the print image so that the print image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit. It is edited and the edited print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30. At that time, when the scale calculated by the scale calculation unit 28c is equal to or less than the specified value, a screen (warning screen described later) for notifying the user to that effect is displayed on the display unit 24 as necessary, and the user is allowed to display the screen. , Lets you select whether to print the printed image separately. Then, when the scale is equal to or less than the specified value, the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feed unit. For example, when the print data contains a character object, the character object may be divided or multiple print data may be printed so that the character object is printed in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. When composed of pages, printing based on print data is performed by changing the printing order of multiple pages so that the objects on each page are printed in the margin areas of multiple printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. Split the image. When the print data includes an image object and / or a graphic object and a character object, a plurality of objects are printed in the margin areas of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding a specified value. When the print order of objects is changed to divide the print image based on the print data, or when the priority is set for the object, the scale of the object with the highest priority is the largest, so that the scale of multiple objects is the largest. Change the print order. In addition, when the print data is specific print data such as business card data and the specified number of objects included in the print data are repeatedly laid out and printed, the objects are specified in the margin areas of each of the plurality of printed papers. The print image based on the print data is divided by setting the number of layouts of the object so that the print is performed at a scale exceeding the value. In addition, if necessary, an additional image for identifying the printed area of the printed paper can be generated and added to the print data, or the printed image can be rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees when editing the print data. do.

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

The network I / F unit 23 is composed of a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, or the like, connects the client device 20 to a communication network, enables transmission of print data or the like to the image forming device 30, and makes it possible to transmit print data or the like to the image forming device 30. Makes it possible to receive scan data of printed paper from.

The display unit 24 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device, and the like, and displays a document creation screen of the application 27 and a print setting screen of the printer driver 28 (option print setting screen described later). Includes.), Displays warning screens, etc.

The operation unit 25 is composed of a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and can perform operations such as creating a document by the application 27, setting print conditions by the printer driver 28, selecting an option on the option print setting screen, and instructing split printing on the warning screen. To.

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

The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU 31a and a memory such as a ROM 31b or a RAM 31c. The CPU 31a expands a control program stored in the ROM 31b or the storage unit 32 into the RAM 31c and executes the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 30. Control.

When the image forming apparatus 30 controls printing on the printed paper stored in the paper feeding unit 37, the control unit 31 controls the association processing unit 39 and the margin area detection as shown in FIG. 3 (b). It also functions as a unit 40, a scale calculation unit 41, an editing unit 42, and the like.

The association processing unit 39 causes the image reading unit 36 to scan the printed paper to acquire scan data, and the page order of the printed paper and the scan data of the printed paper stored in the paper feeding unit 37 in the order of scanning. The association information associated with is stored in the storage unit 32 or the like.

When the margin area detection unit 40 is instructed to print on the printed paper, the margin area detection unit 40 acquires the paper feed information (usage history information) of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit 37, and based on the paper feed information, the margin area detection unit 40 obtains the paper feed information (usage history information). The printed paper to be fed next is specified from the paper feed unit 37, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next is specified based on the above association information, and the scan data is based on the specified scan data. Then, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected. Further, when the scale described later is equal to or less than the specified value, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit 37 is sequentially detected.

When the scale calculation unit 41 prints the print image generated by the image processing unit 35 based on the print data to be printed this time so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit 37. , Calculate the scale of the printed image. Then, the calculated scale is compared with a predetermined specified value, and if the calculated scale is equal to or less than the specified value and the print data includes an image and / or a graphic object and a character object, the image and / or the graphic object. And calculate the scale when the print order of the character object is changed.

The editing unit 42 acquires the print image generated by the image processing unit 35 based on the print data, and arranges the print image in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit 37. The print image is edited by adjusting the print position and enlarging / reducing the print image, and the print processing unit 38 is instructed to print the edited print image. At that time, when the scale calculated by the scale calculation unit 41 is equal to or less than the specified value, a warning screen for notifying the user to that effect is displayed on the display operation unit 34, and the user is allowed to print an image. Lets you choose whether to print separately. Then, when the scale is equal to or less than the specified value, the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feed unit 37. For example, when the print data contains a character object, the character object may be divided or multiple print data may be printed so that the character object is printed in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. When composed of pages, printing based on print data is performed by changing the printing order of multiple pages so that the objects on each page are printed in the margin areas of multiple printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. Split the image. When the print data includes an image object and / or a graphic object and a character object, a plurality of objects are printed in the margin areas of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding a specified value. When the print order of objects is changed to divide the print image based on the print data, or when the priority is set for the object, the scale of the object with the highest priority is the largest, so that the scale of multiple objects is the largest. Change the print order. In addition, when the print data is specific print data such as business card data and the specified number of objects included in the print data are repeatedly laid out and printed, the objects are specified in the margin areas of each of the plurality of printed papers. The print image based on the print data is divided by setting the number of layouts of the object so that the print is performed at a scale exceeding the value. In addition, if necessary, an additional image for identifying the printed area of the printed paper can be generated and added to the print data, or the printed image can be rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees when editing the print data. do.

The association processing unit 39, the margin area detection unit 40, the scale calculation unit 41, and the editing unit 42 may be configured as hardware, and the control unit 31 may be configured as the association processing unit 39, the margin area detection unit 40, and the scale calculation. It may be configured as a print control program that functions as a unit 41 and an editorial unit 42, and the print control program may be executed by the CPU 31a.

The storage unit 32 is composed of an HDD, SSD, or the like, and includes a program for the CPU 31a to control each unit, information on the processing function of the own device, print data, a printed image generated by the image processing unit 35, or edited by the editing unit 42. Remember.

The network I / F unit 33 is composed of an NIC, a modem, or the like, connects the image forming apparatus 30 to a communication network, enables reception of print data or the like from the client apparatus 20, and scans printed paper on the client apparatus 20. Make it possible to send data etc.

The display operation unit 34 is a touch panel or the like provided with a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch sensor) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on the display unit, and various screens related to printing processing (optional printing if necessary). The setting screen and warning screen) are displayed, and various operations related to the printing process (operations such as option selection on the option printing setting screen and instructions for split printing on the warning screen) are enabled.

The image processing unit 35 functions as a RIP unit (Raster Image Processor), translates print data to generate intermediate data, and performs rendering to generate a bitmap print image (this series of processing is RIP processing). Called.). At that time, the image processing unit 35 identifies an object included in the print data, and determines whether the print data is composed of only a character object or an image object and / or a graphic object and a character object. .. Further, the image processing unit 35 performs screen processing, gradation correction, density balance adjustment, fine line thinning, halftone dot processing, and the like on the printed image, if necessary.

The image reading unit 36 is a portion that optically reads image data from a document, and converts an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that conveys the document, a light source that scans the document, and light reflected by the document into an electric signal. It is composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) and an A / D converter that A / D converts an electric signal. In this embodiment, printed paper is scanned to acquire scan data.

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

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

In particular, in this embodiment, the print processing unit 38 draws a print image in the margin area of the printed paper. Further, when the editing unit 42 divides the print image, the print processing unit 38 draws the divided print image in the margin area of the plurality of printed papers. Further, when the editing unit 42 changes the printing order of the objects, the printing processing unit 38 draws the objects in the margin areas of a plurality of printed papers according to the order. Further, when the editing unit 42 generates an additional image for identifying the printed area of the printed paper, the print processing unit 38 draws the additional image in the printed area. Further, the print processing unit 38 draws a printed image in the margin area of the printed paper in a state where the printed paper is rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees, and the editorial unit 42 draws the printed image by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees. When rotated by a degree, a printed image rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees is drawn in the margin area of the printed paper. Further, when the print data is specific print data such as business card data, the print processing unit 38 repeatedly draws the print image in the margin area of the printed paper.

1 to 3 are examples of the printing system 10 of this embodiment, and the configuration thereof can be changed as appropriate. For example, when the printing system 10 is provided with a controller or a management server that instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to print, the CPU of the controller or the management server may execute the print control program.

Hereinafter, the operation of the printing system 10 having the configuration of FIG. 1A will be described. The CPU 21a executes the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 7 by expanding and executing the print control program (here, the printer driver 28) stored in the ROM 21b or the storage unit 22 in the RAM 21c. In the following, the image forming apparatus 30 is connected to the client apparatus 20, and the printer driver 28 of the client apparatus 20 stores the printed paper in the paper feeding unit 37 (referred to as a paper feed cassette) of the image forming apparatus 30. Print control shall be performed for.

[Pre-processing]
As shown in FIG. 4, the user sets the printed paper in the image reading unit 36 of the image forming apparatus 30, and the image reading unit 36 scans the printed paper and scan data (for example, PDF (Portable Document Format)). File) is acquired (S101).

Next, the user sets the scanned printed paper in the paper feed cassette, the bypass tray, or the like of the image forming apparatus 30 in the order of scanning in the specified direction (S102).

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

Next, the printer driver 28 (association processing unit 28a) converts the scan data into a form file (for example, a file indicating the positions of the printed area and the margin area) as necessary, and scans the page order of the printed paper. The association information is stored in the storage unit 22 or the like in association with the data (or form file) (S104).

[Printing process on printed paper]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the printer driver 28 converts the document data acquired from the application 27 into print data, and causes the display unit 24 to display a print setting screen (optional print setting screen if necessary). And set the print conditions (S201). FIG. 8 is an example of the option print setting screen 50. For example, in the case of “printing in the margin of printed paper”, “printing by dividing into a plurality of sheets” and “printing by changing the order of pages”. "Yes", "Priority is given to the scale of the image", "Print business card data", "Mark the printed part", "Rotate the paper 180 degrees", "Do not specify the orientation of the paper" You can set options such as. Also, if you select "Print by dividing into multiple sheets", you can set the scale ratio (value expressed in%), and select "Prioritize the scale of the image". If so, the desired priority can be set for each image. Here, the user selects "Print in the margin of printed paper" to enable the "Print on printed paper" function.

Next, the printer driver 28 determines whether the print page (the page to be printed in the print data) is one page (S202). If there are multiple print pages, the process described later is performed.

When the number of print pages is one (Yes in S202), the printer driver 28 (margin area detection unit 28b) feeds paper feed information (how many sheets are fed from the paper feed cassette in which the printed paper is set) from the image forming apparatus 30. Information indicating whether or not the printer has been printed) is acquired (S203).

Next, the printer driver 28 (margin area detection unit 28b) identifies the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed cassette based on the acquired paper feed information, and uses the association information stored in the storage unit 22 as the associated information. Based on, the scan data (or form file) associated with the next printed paper to be fed from the paper cassette is identified and then fed based on the identified scan data (or form file). The margin area of the printed paper is detected (S204).

Next, the printer driver 28 (scale calculation unit 28c) prints a print image based on the print data so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed cassette of the image forming apparatus 30. The scale of the printed image is calculated (S205), and it is determined whether the calculated scale exceeds a predetermined predetermined value (S206). When the calculated scale exceeds the specified value (Yes in S206), the printed image based on the print data can be printed in the margin area of the printed paper at a desired scale, so that the process proceeds to S216.

On the other hand, when the calculated scale is not more than the specified value (No in S206), the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) indicates that the scale is not more than the specified value as shown in FIG. A warning screen 51 for notifying the user is displayed on the display unit 24, and the user is made to select whether or not to divide and print the printed image (S207). If split printing is not instructed on the warning screen 51 (No in S208), the process transitions to S216, and if split printing is instructed on the warning screen 51 (Yes in S208), the printer driver 28 (margin area detection unit). 28b) detects a margin area of the printed paper to be further fed from the paper feed cassette (S209).

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5B, the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) determines whether the print data is composed of only character objects (S210). When the print data is composed of only character objects (Yes in S210), the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) prints the character objects in the margin areas of each of a plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. Print data is created by dividing the character object so as to be performed (S211), and the transition to S216 is performed.

If the print data is not composed only of character objects (image objects and / or graphic objects and character objects are mixed) (No in S210), the printer driver 28 (scale calculation unit 28c) The scale when the printing order of the image object and / or the graphic object (abbreviated as image / graphic object) and the character object is changed is calculated (S212), and the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) uses the image / graphic. It is determined whether it is better to replace the object and the character object (S213). That is, it is determined whether or not each object can be printed on the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value by exchanging the objects. Then, when the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) determines that it is better not to replace the image / graphic object and the character object (No in S213), the printer driver 28 creates print data in which the objects are not replaced (S214). When it is determined that it is better to replace the image / graphic object and the character object (Yes in S213), print data in which the objects are replaced (the print order of the objects is changed) is created (S215). In any of the above cases, by handling the objects included in the print data individually, the print image based on the print data is divided and arranged.

Next, the printer driver (editing unit 28d) causes the display unit 24 to display the option print setting screen 50 as necessary, causes the user to set other options, and sets the setting information (printing of the print image) in the print data. An additional image for identifying a position, a scale, a printed area, a rotation angle when the printed paper is rotated, etc.) are added and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 to instruct printing (S216).

When the image forming apparatus 30 receives the print data from the client apparatus 20, the image processing unit 35 analyzes the print data to acquire print settings and generates a print image (S217), and the paper feed unit 37 supplies the print image. The printed paper is fed from the paper cassette (S218), and the print processing unit 38 prints the generated print image in the margin area of the printed paper at the scale specified in the print setting (S219). Also, if necessary, an additional image is printed in the printed area.

In the above flow, in S210, it is determined whether the print data is composed of only the character objects. However, even when the print data includes the character objects, by dividing only the character objects, each margin area can be used. The printed image can be printed at a scale exceeding the specified value.

Next, the process when the number of print pages is a plurality of pages in S202 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The printer driver 28 causes the display unit 24 to display the option print setting screen 50, and specifies print conditions (S301). Here, the user specifies "printing by changing the order of pages".

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

Next, the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) determines the printing order of each page of the print data to be printed this time (S304), and the printer driver 28 (scale calculation unit 28c) determines the margin area of each printed paper. The scale of the printed image is calculated when printing is performed in the printing order of the pages determined in (S305).

Next, the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) determines whether there is a candidate for another print order (S306), and if there is a candidate for another print order (Yes in S306), returns to S304 and each is Determine the print order of the pages.

After calculating the scale for all the print order candidates (No in S306), the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) uses the print order of each page (multiple print images of each page) for which the calculated scale is optimal. (S307), the printing order in which printing can be performed in each margin area of the printed paper at a scale exceeding the specified value is determined, and the process transitions to S216 in FIG. 5 (b) to give a printing instruction to the image forming apparatus 30. In this case as well, by handling the pages included in the print data individually, the print image based on the print data is divided and arranged.

In the above flow, the print order of the pages is determined without dividing the print image of each page. However, when the print image is a character object, even if at least one character object is divided, it is included as a candidate. It is also possible to determine the print order.

In this way, the printed paper loaded in the paper cassette is scanned, the scanned printed paper is set in the paper cassette in the scan order, and the page order of the printed paper loaded in the paper cassette is associated with the scan data. When printing on printed paper, the paper feed information of the paper cassette is acquired, the printed paper to be fed next is specified based on the paper feed information, and the next is based on the association information. Detects the margin area of the printed paper to be fed to, calculates the scale when printing the printed image so that it fits in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper cassette, and the scale is When the value is less than the predetermined value, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next is detected, the character object is divided, the print order of the image / graphic object and the character object is changed, and the page By changing the printing order, the user can print the printed image in the margin area of the printed paper at a desired scale, and the printed paper can be efficiently reused.

In FIG. 5B, the scale according to the printing order of the image / graphic object and the character object is calculated in S212, and it is determined whether or not it is better to replace the image / graphic object and the character object based on the calculated scale. However, it is also possible to determine the printing order of the image / graphic object and the character object according to the preset priority. The processing in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7.

The printer driver 28 causes the display unit 24 to display the option print setting screen 50, and specifies print conditions (S401). Here, the user specifies "prioritize the scale of the image".

Next, the printer driver 28 (editing unit 28d) determines the page (how many printed papers) the image (object) set with the highest priority has the maximum scale ratio (S402). ), The page and arrangement are determined so that the other images (objects) have the optimum scale ratio (scale exceeding the specified value) (S403). After that, the print data is created by transitioning to S215 in FIG. 5B and replacing the objects.

By setting the priority of the image (object) in this way, the desired object can be printed in the margin area of the printed paper at the optimum scale.

Hereinafter, the print control of this embodiment will be described with reference to specific examples.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a print result when "print by dividing into a plurality of sheets" is set on the option print setting screen 50. When printing a print image based on print data composed of only character objects in the margin area of one printed sheet, the scale may be reduced. Therefore, when the scale is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the character object is divided and printed in the margin area of a plurality of printed papers as shown in FIG. By dividing the character object and arranging it in the margin area of a plurality of printed papers in this way, the printed image can be printed at a scale exceeding the specified value, and the visibility of the printed image can be improved. can.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of other print results when "print by dividing into a plurality of sheets" is set on the option print setting screen 50. When printing a print image based on print data in which image / graphic objects and character objects coexist in the margin area of one printed sheet, if the objects are printed in the order of the print data, one of the objects (particularly). The scale of the image / graphic object) may become smaller. Therefore, if the scale of any of the objects (particularly the image / graphic object) is less than or equal to the predetermined value, the order of the objects is changed as shown in FIG. 11 (here, printing of the image / graphic object). Print in the margins of multiple printed papers (order first, print order of character objects later). By rearranging the order of the objects and arranging them in the margin areas of a plurality of printed papers in this way, each object (particularly, an image / graphic object) can be printed at a scale exceeding a specified value, and printing can be performed. The visibility of the image can be improved.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a print result when "print by changing the order of pages" is set on the option print setting screen 50. When printing multiple pages of printed images, the scale may become smaller if they are printed in page order. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 12, the printed images are printed by changing the order of the pages so that each page has the maximum scale. By changing the page order in this way, the printed image can be printed at a scale exceeding the specified value, and the visibility of the printed image can be improved.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the print result when "prioritize the scale ratio of the image" is set on the option print setting screen 50. When there are a plurality of printed images on one page and the images are printed in the order of print data, the scale of any of the images may be reduced. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 13, the image specified in advance (here, Photo 1) is printed in the margin area of the printed paper (here, the first printed paper) having the largest scale ratio. However, the other images (here, Photo 2 and Photo 3) are arranged and printed in the margin area of another printed paper (here, the second printed paper) so as to have the optimum scale. By giving priority to the scale ratio of the image in this way, the image specified in advance can be printed at a large scale, and the visibility of the printed image can be improved.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the print result when "Print business card data" is set on the option print setting screen 50. As shown in FIG. 14, when printing a small-sized print image such as business card data in the margin area of the printed paper, the number of layouts and the like are automatically calculated and printed repeatedly. As a result, the printed image can be printed at a scale exceeding the specified value, and the margin area of the printed paper can be efficiently used.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a print result when "mark a printed portion" is set on the option print setting screen 50. As shown in FIG. 15, when printing a print image based on print data in the margin area of the printed paper, the printed paper is based on the scan data in order to distinguish between the printed area and the newly printed area. The printed area of is detected, an additional image such as a mark (for example, x mark) for identifying the printed area is generated, and the additional image is printed on the printed area. Although the case of printing the additional image marked with x in the printed area is illustrated in FIG. 15, it is sufficient if the printed area and the area to be newly printed can be distinguished, for example, the color of the newly printed image may be changed. , You may change the font, change the character style such as bold and diagonal, or enclose the newly printed image in a frame.

FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram of the print result when "Rotate the paper 180 degrees" is set on the option print setting screen 50. As shown in FIG. 16A, in order to distinguish between the printed area and the area to be newly printed, the printed image is rotated 180 degrees, and the printed image rotated 180 degrees is printed in the margin area of the printed paper. do. By rotating the printed image by 180 degrees in this way, the printed area and the newly printed area are oriented in the opposite directions, so that it is possible to easily identify the newly printed area. In FIG. 16A, the printed image is rotated 180 degrees, but the printed paper is rotated 180 degrees by the paper transport path of the print processing unit 38 of the image forming apparatus 30, and the printed paper is rotated 180 degrees. A printed image may be printed in the margin area in the state where the printing is performed.

Further, FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram of the print result when "Do not specify the orientation of the paper" is set on the option print setting screen 50. As shown in FIG. 16B, in order to distinguish between the printed area and the area to be newly printed, the printed image is rotated by ± 90 degrees and rotated by ± 90 degrees to the margin area of the printed paper. To print. If there is no margin in the vertical direction of the paper and there is a margin area on either the left or right side, the printed image can be printed at a larger scale than when printing without rotation by rotating the printed image by ± 90 degrees. can do. In FIG. 16B, the printed image is rotated by ± 90 degrees, but the printed paper is rotated by ± 90 degrees by the paper transport path of the print processing unit 38 of the image forming apparatus 30, and the printed paper is rotated by ± 90 degrees. A printed image may be printed in the margin area in a state of being rotated by 90 degrees.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and its configuration and control can be appropriately changed as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the printer driver 28 of the client device 20 controls printing on the margin area of the printed paper has been described, but the control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 including the paper feed cassette has the printed paper. The print control method of the present invention can be similarly applied to the print control in the margin area of the above.

The present invention also relates to a case where a controller or a management server is connected to a printing system including a client device 20 and an image forming apparatus 30, and the controller or the management server controls printing on a margin area of printed paper. The print control method of can be applied in the same manner.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that prints on a margin area of printed paper, a print control method in a printing system including the image forming apparatus, a print control program that operates in the apparatus in the printing system, and the print control program. It can be used as a recording medium for recording.

10 Printing system 20 Client device 21 Control unit 21a CPU
21b ROM
21c RAM
22 Storage unit 23 Network I / F unit 24 Display unit 25 Operation unit 26 OS
27 Application 28 Printer driver 28a Association processing unit 28b Margin area detection unit 28c Scale calculation unit 28d Editing unit 30 Image forming device 31 Control unit 31a CPU
31b ROM
31c RAM
32 Storage unit 33 Network I / F unit 34 Display operation unit 35 Image processing unit 36 Image reading unit 37 Paper feeding unit 38 Printing processing unit 39 Association processing unit 40 Margin area detection unit 41 Scale calculation unit 42 Editing unit 50 Option print setting screen 51 Warning screen

Claims (26)

Paper feed section and
An image reading unit that scans the printed paper to be stored in the paper feed unit and acquires scan data of the printed paper, and an image reading unit.
An association processing unit that stores the association information that associates the page order of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit with the scan data of the printed paper in the storage unit.
The paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit is acquired, and based on the paper feed information, the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified, and the association information is used. Based on this, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified, and the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit based on the specified scan data. Margin area detection unit that detects the margin area of
A scale calculation unit that calculates the scale of the printed image when the print image based on the print data is printed so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper that is next fed from the paper feed unit.
An editorial unit that edits the printed image so that the printed image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper.
A print processing unit for printing the edited print image is provided in the margin area of the printed paper.
If the calculated scale is less than or equal to the predetermined value,
The margin area detection unit further detects the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit in order.
The editing unit divides and arranges the printed image in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feeding unit.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that. In the editorial unit, when the calculated scale is equal to or less than the specified value and the print data includes a character object, the character object has a scale exceeding the specified value in each margin area of the plurality of printed papers. Divide the character object so that it is printed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the print data is composed of a plurality of pages, the editorial unit may print the object on each page in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. Swap the print order of multiple pages,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. In the editorial unit, when the calculated scale is equal to or less than the specified value and the print data includes an image object and / or a graphic object and a character object, each object is a margin of each of the plurality of printed papers. Swap the print order of multiple objects so that the area is printed at a scale that exceeds the specified value.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the priority is set for the object, the editorial unit changes the printing order of the plurality of objects so that the scale of the object having the highest priority is the largest.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. When the editorial unit repeatedly lays out and prints a specified number of objects included in the print data, the objects are printed in the margin areas of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. To set the number of layouts of the object,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The editorial unit generates an additional image for identifying the printed area of the printed paper.
The print processing unit prints the printed image in the margin area of the printed paper, and prints the additional image in the printed area.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized in that. The editorial unit rotates the printed image by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees.
The print processing unit prints the printed image rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees in the margin area of the printed paper.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A print control method in a printing system in which an image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit and an information processing apparatus that transmits print data to the image forming apparatus to instruct printing are connected by a communication network.
The scan process in which the image forming apparatus scans the printed paper to be stored in the paper feed unit and acquires the scan data of the printed paper.
The information processing apparatus stores the association information in the storage unit for associating the page order of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit in the scan order with the scan data of the printed paper.
The information processing apparatus acquires the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit from the image forming device, and is then fed from the paper feed unit based on the paper feed information. The printed paper is specified, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next is specified based on the association information, and the scan data is fed next based on the specified scan data. Margin area detection processing to detect the margin area of printed paper
A scale for calculating the scale of the printed image when the information processing apparatus prints a print image based on the print data so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit. Calculation processing and
An editing process in which the information processing apparatus edits the printed image so that the printed image is arranged in a margin area of the printed paper.
The image forming apparatus executes a printing process of printing the edited print image in the margin area of the printed paper.
If the calculated scale is less than or equal to the predetermined value,
In the margin area detection process, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is sequentially detected.
In the editing process, the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feeding unit.
A printing control method characterized by this. A print control method in a printing system including an image forming apparatus having a paper feed unit.
The image forming apparatus
A scan process that scans the printed paper to be stored in the paper feed unit and acquires the scan data of the printed paper.
An association process for storing the association information for associating the page order of the printed paper stored in the scan order in the paper feed unit with the scan data of the printed paper in the storage unit.
The paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit is acquired, and based on the paper feed information, the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified, and the association information is used. Based on this, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified, and the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit based on the specified scan data. Margin area detection processing to detect the margin area of
A scale calculation process for calculating the scale of the printed image when the print image based on the print data is printed so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit.
An editing process for editing the printed image so that the printed image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper.
The printing process of printing the edited print image in the margin area of the printed paper is executed.
If the calculated scale is less than or equal to the predetermined value,
In the margin area detection process, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is sequentially detected.
In the editing process, the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feeding unit.
A printing control method characterized by this. In the editing process, when the calculated scale is equal to or less than the specified value and the print data includes a character object, the character object has a scale exceeding the specified value in each margin area of the plurality of printed papers. Divide the character object so that it is printed,
The print control method according to claim 9 or 10. In the editing process, when the print data is composed of a plurality of pages, the object on each page is printed in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. Swap the print order of multiple pages,
The print control method according to any one of claims 9 to 11. In the editing process, when the calculated scale is equal to or less than the specified value and the print data includes an image object and / or a graphic object and a character object, each object is a margin of each of the plurality of printed papers. Swap the print order of multiple objects so that the area is printed at a scale that exceeds the specified value.
The print control method according to claim 9 or 10. In the editing process, when the priority is set for the object, the printing order of the plurality of objects is changed so that the scale of the object having the highest priority is the largest.
13. The print control method according to claim 13. In the editing process, when a specified number of objects included in the print data are repeatedly laid out and printed, the objects are printed in the margin areas of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. To set the number of layouts of the object,
The print control method according to claim 9 or 10. In the editing process, an additional image for identifying the printed area of the printed paper is generated.
In the printing process, the printed image is printed in the margin area of the printed paper, and the additional image is printed in the printed area.
The print control method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the print control method is characterized. In the editing process, the printed image is rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees.
In the printing process, the printed image rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees is printed in the margin area of the printed paper.
The print control method according to any one of claims 9 to 16. A print control program that operates in an information processing device that instructs an image forming device that has a paper feed unit to print.
To the information processing device
A data acquisition process for acquiring scan data obtained by scanning printed paper to be stored in the paper feed unit from the image forming apparatus.
An association process for storing in the storage unit the association information for associating the page order of the printed paper stored in the scan order in the paper feed unit with the scan data of the printed paper.
From the image forming apparatus, the paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit is acquired, and based on the paper feed information, the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified. Then, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next is specified based on the association information, and the margin of the printed paper to be fed next is specified based on the specified scan data. Margin area detection process to detect the area,
A scale calculation process for calculating the scale of the printed image when the print image based on the print data is printed so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit.
An editing process for editing the print data so that the printed image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper.
A printing process of transmitting the edited print data to the image forming apparatus and printing a printed image based on the edited print data in the margin area of the printed paper is executed.
If the calculated scale is less than or equal to the predetermined value,
In the margin area detection process, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is sequentially detected.
In the editing process, the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feeding unit.
A print control program characterized by this. A print control program that operates in an image forming device that has a paper feed unit.
In the image forming apparatus,
Data acquisition process for acquiring scan data obtained by scanning printed paper to be stored in the paper feed unit.
An association process for storing in the storage unit the association information for associating the page order of the printed paper stored in the scan order in the paper feed unit with the scan data of the printed paper.
The paper feed information of the printed paper stored in the paper feed unit is acquired, and based on the paper feed information, the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified, and the association information is used. Based on this, the scan data associated with the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is specified, and the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit based on the specified scan data. Margin area detection process to detect the margin area of
A scale calculation process for calculating the scale of the printed image when the print image based on the print data is printed so as to fit in the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit.
An editing process for editing the printed image so that the printed image is arranged in the margin area of the printed paper.
A printing process for printing the edited print image is executed in the margin area of the printed paper.
If the calculated scale is less than or equal to the predetermined value,
In the margin area detection process, the margin area of the printed paper to be fed next from the paper feed unit is sequentially detected.
In the editing process, the printed image is divided and arranged in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers fed from the paper feeding unit.
A print control program characterized by this. In the editing process, when the calculated scale is equal to or less than the specified value and the print data includes a character object, the character object has a scale exceeding the specified value in each margin area of the plurality of printed papers. Divide the character object so that it is printed,
The print control program according to claim 18 or 19. In the editing process, when the print data is composed of a plurality of pages, the object on each page is printed in the margin area of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. Swap the print order of multiple pages,
The print control program according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the print control program is characterized. In the editing process, when the calculated scale is equal to or less than the specified value and the print data includes an image object and / or a graphic object and a character object, each object is a margin of each of the plurality of printed papers. Swap the print order of multiple objects so that the area is printed at a scale that exceeds the specified value.
The print control program according to claim 18 or 19. In the editing process, when the priority is set for the object, the printing order of the plurality of objects is changed so that the scale of the object having the highest priority is the largest.
22. The print control program according to claim 22. In the editing process, when a specified number of objects included in the print data are repeatedly laid out and printed, the objects are printed in the margin areas of each of the plurality of printed papers at a scale exceeding the specified value. To set the number of layouts of the object,
The print control program according to claim 18 or 19. In the editing process, an additional image for identifying the printed area of the printed paper is generated.
In the printing process, the printed image is printed in the margin area of the printed paper, and the additional image is printed in the printed area.
The print control program according to any one of claims 18 to 24. In the editing process, the printed image is rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees.
In the printing process, the printed image rotated by ± 90 degrees or 180 degrees is printed in the margin area of the printed paper.
The print control program according to any one of claims 18 to 25.

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