JP7121336B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming program and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming program, and an image forming system that execute variable printing.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming system that executes variable printing is known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200016). Variable printing is used, for example, for printed matter such as direct mail in which part of information such as an address is replaced for each page and printed. The print data for variable printing includes data for common portions of variable printing and data for variable portions of variable printing. In variable printing, an image of a common portion generated by performing RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on data of a common portion of variable printing among print data is stored in a storage unit, and print data is generated. The image of the variable part generated by executing the RIP process on the individual data of the data of the variable part of the variable printing and the image of the common part stored in the storage unit are superimposed. Since this technique generates an image of one page by using a single page, the total printing time for a plurality of pages can be shortened compared to the technique of generating an image of a common portion for each page.

JP 2010-157099 A

However, in a conventional image forming system, even if individual data that does not need to be printed is included in variable part data for variable printing, printing is performed based on all individual data. There is a problem of execution. Therefore, for example, the user needs to find and remove unnecessary printed matter from a large amount of printed matter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming program, and an image forming system capable of suppressing unnecessary printing in variable printing.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a printing device and print executing means for executing printing by the printing device based on print data. In the case of variable print data as print data for variable printing, which includes common data as variable print data and variable data as variable part data for variable printing, individual data included in the variable data of the variable print data When specific information satisfies a specific condition, an image of a page including an image based on the common data and an image based on the individual data is printed, and when the specific information does not satisfy the specific condition. , the image of the page is not printed.

With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can create a page including an image based on the common data and an image based on the individual data when the specific information of the individual data of the variable print data satisfies a specific condition. While printing the image, if the specific information of the individual data of the variable print data does not meet the specific conditions, the image of the page containing the image based on the common data and the image based on the individual data is not printed. , unnecessary printing can be suppressed in variable printing.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention may include condition accepting means for accepting the specific condition.

With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention accepts specific conditions designated by the user, so convenience can be improved.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the condition accepting means accepts the specific condition in association with the user, and the print execution means determines whether or not the specific information satisfies the specific condition. In this case, the specific condition associated with the sender of the variable print data may be used.

With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention suppresses unnecessary printing in variable printing according to specific conditions associated with the sender of variable print data, thereby improving convenience.

An image forming program according to the present invention causes an image forming apparatus having a printing device to implement printing executing means for executing printing by the printing device based on print data, and the printing executing means causes the print data to be printed by variable printing. In the case of variable print data as print data for variable printing, which includes common data as data for the common part of and variable data as data for the variable part for variable printing, the variable data of the variable print data printing an image of a page including an image based on the common data and an image based on the individual data when specific information of the included individual data satisfies a specific condition; The image of the page is not printed when the condition is not satisfied.

With this configuration, the image forming apparatus that executes the image forming program of the present invention provides an image based on the common data and an image based on the individual data when the specific information of the individual data of the variable print data satisfies a specific condition. While printing the image of the page containing the image, if the specific information of the individual data of the variable print data does not meet the specific conditions, the page containing the image based on the common data and the image based on the individual data Since the image is not printed, unnecessary printing can be suppressed in variable printing.

An image forming system of the present invention includes the image forming apparatus described above and a computer. The computer includes an operation device and print data generation means for generating the print data. The print data generation means includes the The specific information received via the operation device is added to the individual data when generating variable print data.

With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention adds specific information set by the user to the individual data of the variable print data, thereby improving convenience.

The image forming apparatus, image forming program, and image forming system of the present invention can suppress unnecessary printing in variable printing.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a database shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of variable print data generated by the computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a page printed by the MFP based on the variable print data shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of extraction condition information shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer shown in FIG. 7 when generating variable print data; 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 5 when extraction condition information is set; 6 is a flowchart of part of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 5 when print data is received; FIG. 11 is a flowchart continued from the operation shown in FIG. 10; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system 10 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 10 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 as an image forming apparatus, a computer 30 that transmits print data to the MFP 20, and variable print data (hereinafter referred to as "variable print data"). .), the server 40 manages a database 41 containing data that is the source of individual data in the data of the variable portion of variable printing (hereinafter referred to as "variable data"). The MFP 20, the computer 30, and the server 40 are communicably connected to each other via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

Image forming system 10 can include at least one MFP similar to MFP 20 in addition to MFP 20 . Similarly, imaging system 10 can include at least one computer other than computer 30 that is similar to computer 30 .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the database 41. As shown in FIG.

The database 41 shown in FIG. 2 includes a plurality of data in which values associated with the item "name" are associated with values associated with the item "destination".

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of variable print data 50 generated by the computer 30. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, variable print data 50 defines data 51 of a common portion of variable printing (hereinafter referred to as "common data") 51, variable data 52, and the layout of the common portion and the variable portion on a page of printed matter. and control data 53 for The variable data 52 includes a plurality of individual data including individual data 52a.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a page 60 printed by the MFP based on the variable print data 50 shown in FIG.

A page 60 shown in FIG. 4 includes a common portion 61 printed based on the common data 51 (see FIG. 3) and variable portions 62 and 63 printed based on individual data of the variable data 52. . The variable portion 62 is a portion of the individual data of the variable data 52 (see FIG. 3) that is printed based on the value associated with the item “name”. This is the part of the individual data that is printed based on the value associated with the item "destination". The layout of common portion 61 and variable portions 62, 63 in page 60 is defined in control data 53 (see FIG. 3). Variable portions 62 and 63 printed on the same page 60 are printed based on the same individual data in variable data 52 .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the MFP 20. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21, which is an operation device such as a button for inputting various operations, and a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying various information. A unit 22, a printer 23 that is a printing device that prints an image on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 24 that is a reading device that reads an image from a document, and communication with an external facsimile device (not shown) and a public telephone line. A facsimile communication unit 25, which is a facsimile device that performs facsimile communication via a line, and a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without a network. A communication unit 26, a storage unit 27 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing various information, and a control unit 28 for controlling the MFP 20 as a whole.

The storage unit 27 stores an image forming program 27a. The image forming program 27a may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be installed on the network. may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from the

The storage unit 27 stores extraction condition information 27b indicating extraction conditions for individual data for variable data of variable print data.

The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Memory) as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 28. Access Memory). The CPU of the control unit 28 executes programs stored in the storage unit 27 or the ROM of the control unit 28 .

By executing the image forming program 27a, the control unit 28 implements a condition reception unit 28a that receives extraction conditions and a print execution unit 28b that executes printing by the printer 23 based on print data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the extraction condition information 27b.

The extraction condition information 27b shown in FIG. 6 indicates the corresponding relationship among extraction conditions, attributes to which this extraction condition is applied, and users to which this extraction condition is applied. For example, in FIG. 6, the extraction condition numbered 1 is a condition applied to the user "USER001", and the value of the attribute "<number>" matches either 1-3 or 7-10. is a condition to extract Further, in FIG. 6, the extraction condition numbered 11 is a condition that is applied to all users, and is a condition that extracts data whose attribute "<name>" value is not listed in the business relationship dissolution list. be. Here, the business relationship dissolution list is information indicating a list of former business partners with whom the user of the MFP 20 has terminated the business relationship. Anything that can be read is fine.

The extraction conditions included in the extraction condition information 27b may be those other than those shown in FIG. For example, the extraction condition included in the extraction condition information 27b may be a condition that a specific character string is included in the value of a specific attribute.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of computer 30. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the computer 30 includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting various operations, and a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD for displaying various information. , a communication unit 33, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without a network, and a semiconductor memory, for example, that stores various information. , a storage unit 34 that is a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD, and a control unit 35 that controls the entire computer 30 . The computer 30 may be configured by, for example, a PC (Personal Computer).

The storage unit 34 stores a print data generation program 34a for generating print data. The print data generation program 34a may be installed in the computer 30 at the manufacturing stage of the computer 30, for example, or may be downloaded from an external storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB memory to the computer 30. , or may be additionally installed on the computer 30 from the network.

The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that serves as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 35 . The CPU of the control unit 35 executes programs stored in the storage unit 34 or the ROM of the control unit 35 .

The control unit 35 implements a print data generation unit 35a that generates print data by executing the print data generation program 34a.

Next, operations of the image forming system 10 will be described.

First, the operation of the computer 30 when generating variable print data will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the operation of the computer 30 when generating variable print data.

When the control unit 35 of the computer 30 is instructed via the operation unit 31 to start processing for generating variable print data, it performs the operation shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the print data generation unit 35a of the control unit 35 generates the layout of the common part and the variable part in the page of the printed matter according to the instruction via the operation unit 31 (S101). Control data corresponding to the layout thus obtained is generated (S102).

After the process of S102, the print data generation unit 35a receives the data extraction condition for the database 41 in accordance with the instruction via the operation unit 31 (S103). For example, the print data generating means 35a may extract data whose value associated with the item "name" is a specific name from among the data contained in the database 41, or Among them, it is possible to accept a condition such as extracting data in which the value associated with the item "destination" is a specific address.

After the process of S103, the print data generation unit 35a acquires a plurality of data from the database 41 according to the extraction conditions accepted in S103 (S104), and uses each of the plurality of data acquired in S104 as individual data. Variable data is generated (S105).

Next, the print data generating means 35a receives attribute information including the attribute and the attribute value in response to an instruction via the operation unit 31 (S106), and generates the attribute information received in S106 in S105. is added to the variable data (S107).

For example, if the individual data of the variable data generated in S105 includes the item "name", the print data generation unit 35a may receive the attribute "<name>" corresponding to the item "name" in S106. . Here, the value of the attribute "<name>" is the value associated with the item "name" in the individual data.

In addition, the print data generation unit 35a may receive, in S106, a different number for each piece of individual data of the variable data generated in S105 as the value of the attribute "<number>".

Attributes that can be added to the variable data in S107 are attributes included in an attribute list described later.

After the processing of S107, the print data generation unit 35a generates common data according to the instruction via the operation unit 31 (S108).

Next, the print data generation unit 35a generates variable print data including the control data generated in S102, the variable data to which attribute information is added in S107, and the common data generated in S108 (S109). 8 ends.

Note that the print data generation unit 35a may generate variable print data without adding attribute information to the variable data according to an instruction via the operation unit 31. FIG. In addition, the print data generating means 35a does not need to add attribute information to variable data when items included in individual data of variable data can be used as attributes as they are.

Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when the extraction condition information 27b is set will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the operation of the MFP 20 when the extraction condition information 27b is set.

The control unit 28 of the MFP 20 performs the operations shown in FIG. 9 when instructed via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26 to start the process of setting the extraction condition information 27b.

As shown in FIG. 9, the condition reception unit 28a of the control unit 28 identifies the user to whom the extraction condition is applied (S121). Here, if the user who gave the instruction to start the process of setting the extraction condition information 27b is a general user, the condition reception means 28a identifies this user as a user to whom the extraction condition is applied. do. On the other hand, if the user who gave the instruction to start the process of setting the extraction condition information 27b is the administrator, the condition reception means 28a extracts the user specified via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26. Identifies users to whom the conditions apply. Here, if the user who gave the instruction to start the process of setting the extraction condition information 27b is the administrator, the condition reception means 28a selects either a specific user or all users from the operation unit 21 or through communication. It can be specified via section 26 .

After the process of S121, the condition receiving means 28a selects one of the attributes from the list of attributes to which the extraction condition can be applied (hereinafter referred to as "attribute list"). It accepts according to the instruction via the Internet (S122). Here, the attribute list can include not only default attributes, but also attributes added by the user. In other words, the condition receiving means 28a can include attributes corresponding to instructions via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26 in the attribute list.

After the process of S122, the condition accepting means 28a accepts the extraction condition for the attribute accepted in S122 in accordance with an instruction via the operation unit 21 or the communication unit 26 (S123).

After the process of S123, the condition receiving means 28a includes the corresponding relationship between the user identified in S121, the attribute received in S122, and the extraction condition received in S123 in the extraction condition information 27b (S124). 9 ends.

Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when receiving print data will be described.

10 and 11 are flowcharts of the operation of the MFP 20 when print data is received.

Control unit 35 of computer 30 transmits the generated print data to MFP 20 . When the control unit 28 of the MFP 20 receives the print data via the communication unit 26, it performs the operations shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the print execution unit 28b of the control unit 28 determines whether the received print data (hereinafter referred to as "target print data") is variable print data (S141).

When the print execution unit 28b determines in S141 that the target print data is not variable print data, the printer 23 executes printing according to the target print data (S142), and the operations shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are terminated. .

When the print execution unit 28b determines in S141 that the target print data is variable print data, it acquires the control data in the target print data (S143).

Next, the print execution unit 28b acquires common data in the target print data (S144).

Next, the print execution unit 28b executes RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on the common data acquired in S144 (S145). That is, the print execution unit 28b generates a RIP-processed common portion image (hereinafter referred to as "RIP-processed common portion image").

Next, the print execution unit 28b stores the RIP-processed common partial image generated in S145 in the storage unit 27 (S146).

Next, the print execution unit 28b determines whether or not the extraction condition information 27b includes an extraction condition associated with the sender of the target print data (S147). Here, the extraction conditions associated with the sender of the target print data include not only the extraction conditions associated with only the sender of the target print data, but also the extraction conditions associated with all users. .

If the print execution unit 28b determines in S147 that the extraction condition associated with the sender of the target print data is not included in the extraction condition information 27b, the variable data in the target print data is not yet targeted. Only individual data are targeted (S148).

Next, the print executing unit 28b executes the RIP process for the individual data targeted in S148 (S149).

Next, the print executing unit 28b superimposes the RIP-processed common portion image stored in S146 and the RIP-processed variable portion image in S149 in the layout defined in the control data acquired in S143. generates an image of one page (S150).

Next, the print execution unit 28b causes the printer 23 to print the one-page image generated in S150 (S151).

Next, the print execution unit 28b determines whether or not there is individual data that has not yet been targeted in the variable data in the target print data (S152).

If the print execution unit 28b determines in S152 that there is individual data that has not yet been targeted in the variable data in the target print data, it executes the process of S148.

When the print execution unit 28b determines in S152 that there is no individual data that has not yet been targeted in the variable data in the target print data, the operation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is terminated.

When the print execution unit 28b determines in S147 that the extraction condition information 27b includes an extraction condition associated with the sender of the target print data, the print execution unit 28b extracts one variable data in the target print data that has not yet been targeted. Only individual data are targeted (S153).

Next, the print executing unit 28b determines whether or not the attribute information of the individual data targeted in S153 satisfies the extraction condition associated with the sender of the targeted print data (S154).

When determining in S154 that the attribute information of the target individual data in S153 satisfies the extraction condition associated with the sender of the target print data, the print execution unit 28b performs the RIP process on the target individual data in S153. Execute (S155).

Next, the print executing means 28b superimposes the RIP-processed common portion image stored in S146 and the variable portion image RIP-processed in S155 in the layout defined in the control data acquired in S143. generates an image of one page (S156).

Next, the print executing means 28b causes the printer 23 to print the one-page image generated in S156 (S157).

If the print execution unit 28b determines in S154 that the attribute information of the individual data targeted in S153 does not satisfy the extraction condition associated with the sender of the target print data, or executes the process of S157, the target print It is determined whether or not individual data that has not yet been targeted exists in the variable data in the data (S158).

If the print execution unit 28b determines in S158 that there is individual data that has not yet been targeted in the variable data in the target print data, it executes the process of S153.

When the print execution unit 28b determines in S158 that there is no individual data not yet targeted in the variable data in the target print data, the operation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is terminated.

As described above, when the attribute information of the individual data of the variable print data satisfies the extraction conditions (YES in S154), the MFP 20 includes a page including an image based on the common data and an image based on the individual data. (S157) On the other hand, if the attribute information of the individual data of the variable print data does not satisfy the extraction conditions (NO in S154), the image based on the common data and the image based on the individual data are included. Since the image of the page is not printed, unnecessary printing can be suppressed in variable printing.

Since the MFP 20 accepts the extraction conditions specified by the user (S123), convenience can be improved.

Since the MFP 20 suppresses unnecessary printing in variable printing according to the extraction conditions associated with the sender of the variable printing data (YES in S147), convenience can be improved.

The image forming system 10 adds the attribute information set by the user to the individual data of the variable print data (S107), so convenience can be improved.

In this embodiment, the computer 30 generates variable data of variable print data based on data contained in the database 41 . However, computer 30 may generate variable data based on data other than data contained in database 41 . For example, the computer 30 may generate variable data based on data stored in the storage unit 34 or may generate variable data based on data input via the operation unit 31 .

Although the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in this embodiment, it may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a dedicated printer.

10 image forming system 20 MFP (image forming apparatus)
23 Printer (printing device)
27a Image forming program 28a Condition acceptance means 28b Print execution means 30 Computer 31 Operation unit (operation device)
35a print data generating means 50 variable print data 51 common data 52 variable data 52a individual data 60 pages 61 common part 62, 63 variable part

Claims (5)

a printing device;
a print executing means for executing printing by the printing device based on print data;
The print execution means is variable print data as print data for variable printing, which includes common data as data of a common portion of variable printing and variable data as data of a variable portion of variable printing. In one case, when specific information of individual data included in the variable data of the variable print data satisfies a specific condition provided separately from the variable print data, the image based on the common data and the individual and an image based on data, and does not print the image of the page when the specific information does not satisfy the specific condition. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising condition receiving means for receiving said specific condition. The condition acceptance means accepts the specific condition in association with the user,
The print executing means uses the specific condition associated with the sender of the variable print data when judging whether the specific information satisfies the specific condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a printing device,
realizing print execution means for executing printing by the printing device based on print data;
The print execution means is variable print data as print data for variable printing, which includes common data as data of a common portion of variable printing and variable data as data of a variable portion of variable printing. In one case, when specific information of individual data included in the variable data of the variable print data satisfies a specific condition provided separately from the variable print data, the image based on the common data and the individual and printing an image of a page including an image based on data, and not printing the image of the page when the specific information does not satisfy the specific condition. an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3;
equipped with a computer and
The computer is
an operating device;
and print data generation means for generating the print data,
The image forming system, wherein the print data generation unit adds the specific information received via the operation device to the individual data when generating the variable print data.

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