JPH07261959A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To give the necessary print data to each of plural output destinations to perform the print operations just by processing a group of print data as a whole. CONSTITUTION:The print data 32 produced by a print data production device 31 are inputted to a print data processor 35. The processor 35 specifies the output destination, the print form, the print resources, etc., for the print data of a single file through a table and based on the key information included in each pace. These specified factors are outputted to the corresponding one of printers 331, etc. An assortment page can also be outputted. In this case, the assortment page is outputted to the printer 33 before output of the print data and the assortment paper is inserted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system in which printed matter is distributed to a plurality of locations by using electronically created information. The present invention relates to a printing system in which printed matter can be delivered to these places relatively easily even when different.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In many companies operating in a relatively wide area, for example, printouts showing various details such as pay slips or monthly processing results or annual processing results are sent to departments within the same office. It is distributed to remote or nearby branches and sales offices. The printed matter distributed to each of these departments has the exact same contents, but in many cases, some of them differ from department to department. An example of the latter is a salary statement handed to an employee at each business office, business establishment or research institute. The salary allowance and the salary system are often changed depending on the work content or character of the employee such as a sales office or a research institute. Therefore, it may be inconvenient to form the pay statement in a completely unified format company-wide. In addition, the name of a business office, business establishment, etc. is often written on the cover of a printed matter such as a pay statement, and in these cases, the format of the cover needs to be changed each time.

FIG. 45 shows a first conventional printing system in which printed matter is output in a form suitable for each delivery destination.
This is an example of. In this example, the Nagoya area,
It shows the printing system of a company whose sales offices are divided into three areas, the Osaka area and the Fukuoka area. The print data creation device 11, with the district print data creation unit 12 ₁ Nagoya, with district print data creation unit 12 ₂ Osaka, print data created corresponding to each district as Fukuoka district print data creation unit 12 ₃ Parts are arranged. Print data 13 ₁ created for Nagoya print data generating unit 12 ₁ is stored in the area storage unit 14 ₁ Nagoya. Similarly, the print data 13 ₂ created by the print data creation section 12 ₂ for the Osaka area is stored in the storage section 14 ₂ for the Osaka area, and the print data 13 ₃ created by the print data creation section 12 ₃ for the Fukuoka area is for the Fukuoka area. It is stored in the storage unit 14 ₃ .

The print data output device 15 outputs print data 16 _{1 to} 16 from the respective storage units 14 _{1 to} 14 _3.
3 is read out in a time-division manner, sent to the center printing device 17 arranged in the printing center of the company, and printing is performed here in a unified manner. In the printing center of the company, will be distributed to each printed material obtained in this way mailing 18 _{1-18 3} Nagoya district in a manner that, in each sales office of the Osaka district and Fukuoka district.

FIG. 46 shows that each printed matter is suitable for distribution.
Second of the conventional printing system that outputs in a fixed form
This is an example of. This second example is the same as FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to some parts, and these explanations are appropriate.
Omitted for convenience. In this example, the storage section 14 for Nagoya area₁,
Memory area 14 for Osaka area₂And storage area 14 for Fukuoka area ₃
Print data 16 read from₁~ 16₃Print the
It is sent to the data output processing unit 22 in the data output device 21.
Be done. The data output processing unit 22 has a line 23, respectively.₁~ 2
Three₃Printing device 24 for each district via₁~ 24₃Contact
Has been continued.

Therefore, in the second conventional example, the Nagoya area printing device 24 ₁ prints the contents stored in the Nagoya area storage unit 14 _{1 in} the print data creating device 11. The Osaka area printing device 24 ₂ prints the stored contents of the Osaka area storage unit 14 _{2 in} the print data creating device 11. Further, the Fukuoka area printing device 24 ₃ prints the stored contents of the Fukuoka area storage unit 14 _{3 in} the print data creating device 11. For this reason, if each of the printing devices 24 _{1 to} 24 ₃ is arranged in the area in charge, printed matter can be obtained in these areas from the communication control device (not shown) via the lines 23 ₁ to 23 _3. . That is, unlike the case of FIG. 45, mailing is not required.

By the way, the first conventional example shown in FIG. 45 is a printing system using a communication means that does not have the performance to match the output amount of printed matter, or printing to a distribution destination such as a sales office. It is often used in printing systems where no device is available. Further, the printing system shown in FIG. 46 has come into widespread use particularly recently due to the widespread use of high-speed lines and the cost reduction of lines.

[0008]

However, in such a conventional printing system, as shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46, the print data creating unit 12 ₁
~ 12 ₃ are arranged, and these are independently printed data 16 ₁ ~
16 ₃ was created and output. Therefore, even if the printed matter output from each of the printing devices 24 _{1 to} 24 ₃ has pages with common contents as one company, these pages are stored in the storage units 14 _{1 to} 14 ₃ in a duplicated manner. As a result, the storage units 14 _{1 to} 14 ₃ and the lines 23 ₁ to 23 ₃ for transmitting these contents cannot be efficiently used.

Further, each print data creating section 12 _{1 to} 12 ₃
Is independent for each district or business office.
Therefore, the conditions for processing the print data created by these are also unique, and when the output destination of the printed matter is changed due to changes in the situation such as adding terminals or changing the organization. It was necessary to correct the configuration itself of the corresponding print data creation unit.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-259823 discloses a printing system using a management table. In this prior art, a print data output device side that outputs print data is provided with a management table that associates print data names with information about print devices that output printed matter. The print data output device uses the management table based on the selected print data, and outputs one print data to the printing device corresponding to the print data.

According to this prior art, even when the output destination of the printed matter is changed due to a change in the situation such as the addition of terminals or the change of organization, the output destination (information of the printing apparatus) and the print data are associated with each other in the management table. Therefore, the management itself regarding the output of print data can be simplified. However,
As a premise of this, it is necessary to prepare a print data generating unit or an original procedure (program) for generating print data in units of output departments or remote branch offices or sales offices. Also, if the output destination is changed,
The print resources such as the content of print data and the character type used for printing may be changed. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to modify the configuration of the print data generation unit or the processing procedure used to generate the print data.

Further, in this conventional technique, the management table associates the print data name with the printed matter. Therefore, even when almost the same print data is output to each printing device, the print data is separately created for each output destination as in the case of outputting different print data, and efficient processing is performed. There was also the problem of not being able to do it.

It is expected that the work of electronically creating print data using a computer will increase more and more in the future. In addition, the content of print data has become diverse due to the higher functionality of printing apparatuses. Under such circumstances, the operation and management of the printing system have become complicated, and it is a serious issue to make this as efficient as possible.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide necessary print data to a plurality of output destinations by simply processing a group of print data as a whole without creating print data for each output destination separately, and to print the print data. It is to provide a printing system capable of performing the following.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system capable of efficiently distributing printed matter distributed to each department when the printed matter contains common print data.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system capable of sorting printed matter output to each output destination as needed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system capable of reliably managing the number of outputs of printed matter output to each output destination.

[0018]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) a print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) a predetermined one of the print data created by the print data creating means. Print data selecting means for selecting print data that matches the conditions, and (c) Printing for printing in association with processing information preset for each page of the print data selected by the print data selecting means. When the processing information setting means for individually setting the processing of the data for each page and the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination on the corresponding page of the print data selected by the (d) print data selecting means are omitted. The page and subsequent pages are set to the output destination prepared in advance for the default, and when the processing information for changing the output destination is set, the corresponding page is set. An output destination setting means for setting change di destination to the destination corresponding to the processing information,
(E) Data output means for outputting the print data of the page corresponding to the output destination set by the output destination setting means, and (f) When the print data is sent from the data output means connected to the data output means, respectively. The printing system includes a plurality of printing devices for printing.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page according to the processing information set by the processing information setting means. The printing device as the output destination of the print data is specified by the processing information written for each page of the print data, but if this designation is omitted, set it to the output destination prepared in advance. The specification omission is allowed. When the output destination is changed from the page in the middle, the output destination can be changed by the processing information for changing the output destination. In this way, the data output means outputs the print data to the desired output destination page by page in association with the processing information of the processing information setting means. I am trying to print the page.

As described above, according to the present invention, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, the print data can be printed without separately preparing the print data for each output destination. You will be able to process. Also, if you want to keep a simple copy of the printed matter, or output destinations that appear frequently, you can set them in the process information setting means as default output destinations in advance without specifying the output destination. Can be specified, which simplifies the process.

According to the second aspect of the invention, (a) print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) print data meeting a predetermined condition from among the print data created by the print data creating means. And (c) an output destination of the print data in performing printing in association with processing information set in advance for each page of the print data selected by the print data selecting means, A process information setting unit for individually setting various processes including a print form of print data, print resources applied to the print data, and correction information when the print data is corrected, and (d) print data selection When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted in the corresponding page of the print data selected by the means, the pages after that are prepared in advance for the default. And an output destination setting means for changing the output destination of the corresponding page to the output destination corresponding to the processing information when the processing information for changing the output destination is set. E) Data output means for outputting the print data of the page corresponding to the output destination set by the output destination setting means, and (f)
The printing system is provided with a plurality of printing devices that are respectively connected to the data output means and that print the print data when it is sent.

That is, according to the second aspect of the invention, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page according to the processing information set by the processing information setting means. Printing such as output destination of print data for printing, double-sided printing or paper size selection in association with processing information set in advance for each page of print data selected by the print data selecting unit The print resources to be applied to the print data such as the print form of the data, which form to use when using an electronic form together with printing, and which font to use for the characters, and the original print data. The processing information setting means individually sets various processes including the correction information when the target printing is performed after the correction. The printing device as the output destination of the print data is specified by the processing information written for each page of the print data, but if this designation is omitted, set it to the output destination prepared in advance. West,
The specification omission is allowed. When the output destination is changed from the page in the middle, the output destination can be changed by the processing information for changing the output destination. In this way, the data output means outputs the print data to the desired output destination page by page in association with the processing information of the processing information setting means. I am trying to print the page.

As described above, according to the present invention, one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, so that the print data is not separately prepared for each output destination and The printing mode of the print data, the print resource applied to the print data, and the correction information for correcting the print data can be switched in page units, and the printing process can be performed.

According to the third aspect of the invention, (a) print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) print data meeting a predetermined condition from among the print data created by the print data creating means. And (c) print data processing for printing each page of the print data selected by the print data selecting means in association with the processing information set in advance for each page. Processing information setting means individually set to (d)
When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted on the corresponding page of the print data selected by the print data selecting means, the processing information setting means for the output destination prepared in advance for the omission of the page and subsequent pages The number of copies is set so that the print data is copied with the number of copies indicated by, and when the processing information for changing the output destination is set on the corresponding page of the print data, the processing information is handled. Regarding the output destination, the number of copies individual setting means for setting the number of copies so that the print data is copied with the number of copies indicated by the processing information setting means, and (e) the number of copies set by the individual number setting means for copies. Data output means for outputting the print data of the page corresponding to each output destination, and (f) are connected to this data output means respectively. When the printing data is sent to and a plurality of printing devices that print this printing system.

That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page according to the processing information set by the processing information setting means. The printing device as the output destination of the print data is specified by the processing information written for each page of the print data, but if this designation is omitted, set it to the output destination prepared in advance. The specification omission is allowed. When the output destination is changed from the page in the middle, the output destination can be changed by the processing information for changing the output destination. The number of copies individual setting means sets the number of copies so that the print data can be output with the number of copies indicated by the processing information setting means. In this way, the data output means outputs the print data of the pages corresponding to the respective output destinations with the number of copies set by the copy number individual setting means, and the print data is sent to the plurality of printing devices. At that time, the page is printed.

As described above, according to the present invention, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, the print data can be printed without preparing the print data separately for each output destination. Can do the processing,
Further, it is possible to obtain a desired number of copies of the printed matter for each output destination in page units.

In the invention according to claim 4, (a) print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) print data meeting a predetermined condition from among the print data created by this print data creating means. And (c) print data processing for printing each page of the print data selected by this print data selecting means in association with the preset processing information for printing. Processing information setting means individually set to (d)
When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted on the corresponding page of the print data selected by the print data selecting means, the processing information setting means for the output destination prepared in advance for the omission of the page and subsequent pages The number of copies is set so that the print data is copied with the number of copies indicated by, and when the processing information for changing the output destination is set on the corresponding page of the print data, the processing information is handled. Copy number individual setting means for setting the number of copies so that the print data is copied with the number of copies indicated by the processing information setting means for the output destination, and (e) the number of copies set by this individual copy number setting means. And (d) copy range information setting means for setting copy range information indicating the range of pages to be copied corresponding to the copy number information indicating Data output means for copying the print data page by page based on the copy range information and the output destination set by, and changing the output destination for each copy and outputting (g) the data output means, respectively. The printing system is provided with a plurality of printing devices that print the print data when it is sent.

That is, in the invention described in claim 4, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page according to the processing information set by the processing information setting means. The printing device as the output destination of the print data is specified by the processing information written for each page of the print data, but if this designation is omitted, set it to the output destination prepared in advance. The specification omission is allowed. When the output destination is changed from the page in the middle, the output destination can be changed by the processing information for changing the output destination. The number of copies individual setting means sets the number of copies so that the print data can be output with the number of copies indicated by the processing information setting means. Further, the copy range information setting means can set copy range information indicating a range of pages to be copied corresponding to the copy number information indicating the number of copies set by the individual copy number setting means.
In this way, the data output unit copies the print data page by page based on the copy range information set by the copy range information setting unit and the output destination, and changes the output destination in the copy unit to output. The printing device side prints the page when print data is sent.

As described above, according to the present invention, one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed. Can do the processing,
Further, since the copy range information indicating the range of pages to be copied is set by the copy range information setting means, it is possible to output the print data by changing the output destination for each copy.

In the invention described in claim 5, (a) print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) print data meeting a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating means. And (c) print data processing for printing each page of the print data selected by this print data selecting means in association with the preset processing information for printing. Processing information setting means individually set to (d)
When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted on the corresponding page of the print data selected by the print data selecting means, the processing information setting means for the output destination prepared in advance for the omission of the page and subsequent pages The number of copies is set so that the print data is copied with the number of copies indicated by, and when the processing information for changing the output destination is set on the corresponding page of the print data, the processing information is handled. Copy number individual setting means for setting the number of copies so that the print data is copied with the number of copies indicated by the processing information setting means for the output destination, and (e) the number of copies set by this individual copy number setting means. Copy range information setting means for setting copy range information indicating a range of pages to be copied corresponding to the copy number information indicating (4) Copy number information and copy range Printing form and the print data for the multi-address, and printing resources to be applied to the print data, and a control record generating compiling means incorporated in the generated print data control record for setting the correction information for performing correction of the print data,
(G) Data output means for copying the print data page by page based on the copy range information set by the copy range information setting means and the output destination and changing the output destination in the copy unit for output. The printing system is provided with a plurality of printing devices that print the print data according to the contents of the control record when the print data is sent from the output means.

That is, in the invention described in claim 5, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page according to the processing information set by the processing information setting means. The printing device as the output destination of the print data is specified by the processing information written for each page of the print data, but if this designation is omitted, set it to the output destination prepared in advance. The specification omission is allowed. When the output destination is changed from the page in the middle, the output destination can be changed by the processing information for changing the output destination. The number of copies individual setting means sets the number of copies so that the print data can be output with the number of copies indicated by the processing information setting means. Further, the copy range information setting means can set copy range information indicating a range of pages to be copied corresponding to the copy number information indicating the number of copies set by the individual copy number setting means.
The printing form of the print data for the copy number information and the copy range information, the print resource applied to the print data, and the correction information for correcting the print data are incorporated in the print data as a control record. The data output unit copies the print data page by page based on the copy range information and the output destination set by the copy range information setting unit and changes the output destination in the copy unit to output the data. On the side, when the print data is sent, the print data is printed according to the contents of the control record.

As described above, according to the present invention, one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed. Therefore, the print data can be printed without preparing the print data separately for each output destination. Can do the processing,
Further, since the copy range information indicating the range of pages to be copied is set by the copy range information setting means, it is possible to output the print data by changing the output destination for each copy. Further, a control record is generated that represents the printing form of the print data for the number of copies information and the copy range information, the print resources applied to the print data, and the correction information when the print data is corrected, and is embedded in the print data to be output to the output destination. Since it is sent to, it is possible to perform printing that meets these requirements when printing the print data.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, (a) print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) print data meeting a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating means. Print data selection means for selecting, (c) print data output destination for printing, print mode of print data, print resources to be applied to print data, and correction when correcting print data Processing identifier setting means for setting a processing identifier for each processing information indicating the processing contents combining the information, and (d) control record identifying means for identifying the control record included in the print data selected by the print data selecting means. (E) The processing content of the print data is changed according to the processing identifier set in the control record identified by the control record identifying means. A data output means for force, (f) This is the data output means respectively connected to provided the printing system and a plurality of printing apparatus for printing this time sent from now print data.

That is, in the invention described in claim 6, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page according to the processing information set by the processing information setting means. For the output destination of print data when printing, the print mode of print data, the print resources applied to print data, and the correction information when correcting print data, refer to the combined processing contents. A process identifier is set for each piece of process information shown. A control record is incorporated in the print data. The control record is identified, it is determined which process identifier this corresponds to, the processing content of the print data is changed according to the determined process identifier, and the data output means Print data is output. On the side of a plurality of printing devices, when print data is sent, the corresponding page is printed.

As described above, according to the present invention, one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, so that the print data can be printed without separately preparing the print data for each output destination. Processing can be performed. In addition, regarding the output destination of print data for printing, the print mode of print data, the print resources applied to print data, and the correction information when correcting print data, these combined processes are used. Since the process identifier is set for each process information indicating the content, the process content can be specified by using the process identifier as a key, and the process of the data output means is simplified.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, (a) print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) print data meeting a predetermined condition from among the print data created by this print data creating means. The key is to select the print data selection means and (c) the content related to sorting such as the output destination of the sorting page when the sorting page is inserted for sorting between the specific pages where the print data is output. Sorting information setting means to set for each sorting information
(D) Sorting page data generating means for discriminating the sorting information contained in the print data and generating sorting page data representing the contents set by the sorting information setting means; ) Sorting page data output means for outputting the sorting page data generated by the sorting page data generation means to the sorting page output destination, and (f) print data selected by the print data selecting means for each page. When the print data is sent to the data output means for outputting to the output destination corresponding to, and (g) the data output means and the sorting page data output means, respectively, the page is printed, while the sorting page is printed. When data is sent Print the corresponding page Print the sorting page before printing the data Print with multiple printing devices To be provided to the stem.

That is, in the invention described in claim 7, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page in accordance with the processing information set by the processing information setting means. In addition, a sorting page may be inserted between the specific pages to which print data is output for sorting purposes. The information can be set individually. The sorting page data generated based on this is sent to the output destination of the sorting page. In the printing device as the output destination,
The sorting page is printed before the corresponding print data is printed, and the sorting page is inserted in the printed matter.

As described above, according to the present invention, one print data is processed page by page and the output destination can be switched as needed. Therefore, the print data can be printed without preparing the print data separately for each output destination. Processing can be performed. Also, the details when the sorting page is output are set for each key information called sorting information, and when the printing data includes the sorting information, the sorting page data is generated according to which sorting information. As a result, the generation process is easy and simple. Furthermore, since the sorting page data is sent to the sorting page output destination and is output prior to the original output of the printed matter of the page, there is no need to insert it into the printed matter later, the processing is simple, and no error occurs.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, (a) print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) print data matching predetermined conditions from print data created by the print data creating means. The key is the content related to the sort of the print data selecting means to be selected and (c) the output destination of the sort page when the sort page is inserted for sorting between the specific pages to which the print data is output. Sorting information setting means for each sorting information, and (d)
Sorting page data generating means for discriminating when sorting information is included in the print data and generating sorting page data representing the above-mentioned contents set by the sorting information setting means, and (e) sorting Sorting page data output means for outputting the sorting page data generated by the page data generating means to the output destination of the sorting page,
(F) When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted in the corresponding page of the print data selected by the print data selecting means, the pages after that are set as the output destination prepared in advance for the omission. In addition, when the processing information for changing the output destination is set, the output destination setting means for changing the output destination of the corresponding page to the output destination corresponding to the processing information, and (g) this output destination Data output means for outputting the print data of the page corresponding to the output destination set by the setting means, and (h) When the print data is sent by being connected to the data output means and the sorting page data output means, respectively. When the page for printing is sent and the page data for sorting is sent, the page for sorting is printed before the print data for the corresponding page is printed. A printing apparatus for provided the printing system.

That is, in the invention described in claim 8, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page according to the processing information set by the processing information setting means. The printing device as the output destination of the print data is specified by the processing information written for each page of the print data, but if this designation is omitted, set it to the output destination prepared in advance. The specification omission is allowed. When the output destination is changed from the page in the middle, the output destination can be changed by the processing information for changing the output destination. Also, there is a case where a sorting page is inserted for sorting between specific pages where print data is output.
In such a case, it is possible to individually set assortment information indicating the content such as what sort of page to insert. The sorting page data generated based on this is sent to the output destination of the sorting page. The print data is also output in page units to a desired output destination while being associated with the processing information of the processing information setting unit. The printing device as the output destination prints the sorting page before printing the corresponding print data, and the sorting page is inserted in the printed matter.

As described above, according to the present invention, one print data is processed page by page and the output destination can be switched as needed. Therefore, the print data can be printed without separately preparing the print data for each output destination. Processing can be performed. Also, the details when the sorting page is output are set for each key information called sorting information, and when the printing data includes the sorting information, the sorting page data is generated according to which sorting information. As a result, the generation process is easy and simple. Furthermore, since the sorting page data is sent to the sorting page output destination and is output prior to the original output of the printed matter of the page, there is no need to insert it into the printed matter later, the processing is simple, and no error occurs. Also, if you want to keep a simple copy of the printed matter, or output destinations that appear frequently, you can set them in the process information setting means as default output destinations in advance without specifying the output destination. Can be specified, which simplifies the process.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, (a) print data creating means for creating print data, and (b) print data meeting a predetermined condition from among the print data created by the print data creating means. And the contents related to sorting such as the output destination of this sorting page when inserting the sorting page for sorting between the specific page where the print data is output Sorting information setting means to set for each sorting information
(D) Sorting page data generating means for discriminating when sorting information is included in the print data and generating sorting page data representing the above-mentioned contents set by the sorting information setting means; ) Sorting page data output means for outputting the sorting page data generated by the sorting page data generating means to the output destination of the sorting page, and (f) the corresponding page of the print data selected by the print data selecting means. When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted, the subsequent pages are set as the output destination prepared in advance for the default, and the processing information for changing the output destination is set. Sometimes, output destination setting means for changing the output destination of the corresponding page to an output destination corresponding to the processing information, and (g) setting by the output destination setting means. Data output means for outputting the print data of the page corresponding to the specified output destination, and (h) the total output page number of the print data or the sort page data for each output destination to which the print data or the sort page data is output. The total output page number storage means to be stored, and (i) the charging information for reading the information stored in the total output page number storage means at the stage when the processing of the predetermined print data is finished and outputting it as the charging information for each output destination. And an output unit provided in the printing system.

That is, in the invention described in claim 9, the print data selected by the print data selecting means is processed page by page according to the processing information set by the processing information setting means. The printing device as the output destination of the print data is specified by the processing information written for each page of the print data, but if this designation is omitted, set it to the output destination prepared in advance. The specification omission is allowed. When the output destination is changed from the page in the middle, the output destination can be changed by the processing information for changing the output destination. Also, there is a case where a sorting page is inserted for sorting between specific pages where print data is output.
In such a case, it is possible to individually set assortment information indicating the content such as what sort of page to insert. The sorting page data generated based on this is sent to the output destination of the sorting page. The print data is also output in page units to a desired output destination while being associated with the processing information of the processing information setting unit. When print data or page data for sorting is output, the total number of output pages for each output destination is stored, and after processing of one print data is completed or after processing of a plurality of print data is completed. At a predetermined stage, the stored contents are read out and output as billing information for each output destination.

As described above, according to the present invention, one print data is processed page by page and the output destination can be switched as needed. Therefore, the print data can be printed without separately preparing the print data for each output destination. Processing can be performed. Also, the details when the sorting page is output are set for each key information called sorting information, and when the printing data includes the sorting information, the sorting page data is generated according to which sorting information. As a result, the generation process is easy and simple. Furthermore, since the sorting page data is sent to the sorting page output destination and is output prior to the original output of the printed matter of the page, there is no need to insert it into the printed matter later, the processing is simple, and no error occurs. Also, if you want to keep a simple copy of the printed matter, or output destinations that appear frequently, you can set them in the process information setting means as default output destinations in advance without specifying the output destination. Can be specified, which simplifies the process. Moreover, in the present invention, the total number of pages for print data or sorting pages is stored for each output destination, and this is output as billing information for each output destination when processing of the predetermined print data is completed. As a result, it is possible to reliably grasp the actual situation of expense processing and office processing by output destination or department.

[0045]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples.

FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This printing system inputs a print data creation device 31 that creates print data and print data 32 created here,
First to N printing apparatus 33 ₁ ~ 33 _N of which are disposed in various
And a print data processing device 35 that outputs print data 34 _{1 to} 34 _N matching them. During the print data processing unit 35 and the printing devices 33 ₁ ~ 33 _N may be optionally be connected by a dedicated communication cable, or may be connected via a telephone network. "N" in order to simplify the explanation in this embodiment is "4" will be described as the first to fourth printing apparatus 33 _to 333 ₄ is provided in the printing system. Further, in this embodiment, the first printing device 33 ₁ is in Tokyo, the second printing device 33 ₂ is in Nagoya, the third printing device 33 ₃ is in Osaka, and the fourth printing device 33 ₄ is in Fukuoka. It is supposed to be arranged.

The print data creating device 31 includes print data A for creating different print data A to C.
A creation unit 41A, a print data B creation unit 41B, and a print data C creation unit 41C are provided. These print data A~C is not intended corresponding individual one-to-one to the first to fourth printing unit 33 _to 333 ₄ can of course. The created print data A to C are stored in the storage unit 42.

In the print data processing device 35, the data input unit 44 inputs the print data 32, performs predetermined processing under the control of the main control unit 45, and outputs the print data 34 _{1 to} 34 _N from the data output unit 46. Corresponding printers 33 _{1 to} 33 ₄
It is designed to perform the process of sending to the. Here, the main control unit 45 is connected to some processing units in addition to the data input unit 44 and the data output unit 46, and controls these units. Next, each control unit connected to the main control unit 45 will be specifically described.

The main control unit 45 uses a data input unit 44 for inputting print data, a selection information management unit 47 for storing information using a data selection condition table described later, and a processing information table described later. Processing information management unit 4 which notifies the processing information of page data to the data output unit 46
8. A sorting information management unit 49 for outputting sorting data and a control information management unit 50 for requesting a resetting process of processing information table information using a control information table described later are connected, and these are connected. Is connected to the non-volatile storage device 51 and the volatile storage device 52. The main control unit 45 is further connected to a display control unit 54 that performs display control on the display device 53, an input control unit 56 that controls input of an input device 55 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and the data output unit 46 described above. Has been done. Nonvolatile storage device 51
Stores fixed data such as a predetermined program and various tables, and the volatile storage device 52 stores data and tables temporarily required for control of the print data processing device 35. Information is to be stored.

FIG. 2 shows each item of the data selection condition table. Data selection condition table 61
Is a selection condition identifier 62 for identifying a set of conditions.
And a selection condition 63 ₁ as these conditions, an output start time 63 ₂ and default process identifier information 63 ₃ . Here, the selection condition 63 ₁ is information for setting the selection condition of the print data to be printed out.
The output start time 63 ₂ is information for setting time information representing the time when print data is an output target. For example, if the time information is “14:00”, 14:00 is the time that satisfies the condition for starting printout. The default process identifier information 63 ₃ is information for setting the process identifier in the process information table when the key information indicating the output destination of the printed matter is omitted.

FIG. 3 shows each item of the processing information table. In the processing information table 64, processing information 66 can be set for each processing identifier 65 as an identification name. As the processing information 66, default output destination 66 ₁ , output destination change information 66 ₂ , change processing information 66 ₃ , copy number 6
6 ₄ , copy range 66 ₅ , copy output destination 66 ₆ , print form 6
6 ₇ , print resources 66 ₈ and modification information 66 ₉ exist.

Here, the default output destination 66 ₁ is for setting the default output destination of print data. Key information indicating an output destination is added to each page of the print data 32 input from the print data creation device 31 to the print data processing device 35. If this key information is omitted, the output is performed. The destination is the default output destination 66 ₁ . The default output destination 66 ₁ can be changed by the output destination change key.

The output destination change information 66 ₂ is information for setting the output destination change information in the print data. This is composed of character string information as a key and position information within the page. The change processing information 66 ₃ is information for setting the deletion or change information of the key character string information which is the condition of the output destination change information. Number of copies 66 ₄ is information for setting the number of copies per page to be printed out print data. The copy range 66 ₅ is information indicating the range of pages to be copied. For example, in the case of the first page to the second page, "1-2" is displayed.

[0054] copy destination 66 _6, the print form 66 _7, printing resources 66 ₈ and the correction information 66 ₉ is information that can be set by the copying unit or copying pages. The Among copy destination 66 _6, which is information for setting information of the printing device 33 to output the matched page information to an output destination change key. The printing mode 66 ₇ means the printing device 33.
This is information for setting various types of print form information set when the print data is output to. Examples of such information include print orientation information such as horizontal printing and vertical printing, double-sided single-sided printing information such as double-sided printing or single-sided printing, and paper size to be printed. For example, there is size information, print origin coordinate information that defines the print origin coordinates, or reduction / enlargement ratio information that defines the reduction ratio or enlargement ratio at the time of printing.

[0055] The print resource 66 ₈ is information defining a print resource information used to print the print data.
Such information includes, for example, form name information indicating the name of a form used as an electronic overlay, form color information indicating the color of the form, and font information indicating the font type. Correction information 6
6 ₉ is information for setting the correction contents when correcting the original print data when outputting the print data. This includes correction condition information indicating conditions for correction, correction condition position information, and correction information for performing correction by replacement or deletion.

FIG. 4 shows each item of the sorting information table. The assortment information table 68 is the assortment information 6
9 _1, a changing process information 69 _2, and output destination information 69 _3,
Number of pages 69 ₄ , copy range 69 ₅ , print form 69 ₆
And it is constructed from the information of the printing resources 69 _7. Here, the sorting information is information that sets the conditions for outputting the sorting pages that are output for sorting between the continuously output printed materials. For example, the character string information or the in-page position information, which is a key for sorting, becomes the sorting information. The change processing information 69 ₂ is information for setting the character information, which is a key of the condition of the assortment information 69 ₁ , when the information is deleted or changed.

The output destination information 69 ₃ corresponds to the sorting information 69 ₁ and the printing device 33 when the sorting page is output.
Is information indicating. The number of pages 69 ₄ is information for setting the number of sorting pages to be output. The sorting pages are not always output page by page. For example, the printing device 3
In the case where the operator further sorts the printed matter output by No. 3, two or more sorting pages may be printed out at one place. Copy range 69
₅ is information indicating the copy range of the number of pages 69 ₄ . A plurality of print forms 69 ₆ and print resources 69 ₇ are set in units of copy range information. Printing form 69 ₆ is information for defining the print format of the page for sorting. The “print form” itself is the same as that defined in the print form 66 ₇ (FIG. 3). Print resources 69 ₇ is information for setting a print resource to be applied to a classification output page. The "print resource" itself is the same as that defined in the print resource 66 ₈ (FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 shows each item of the control information table. The control information table 71 includes control character string information 72 ₁ , control character string position information 72 ₂ and parameter position information 72 ₃ . Here, the control character string information 72 ₁ refers to character string information to be recognized as a control record. The control character string position information 72 ₂ is set with position information from the beginning of the record of the character string information for recognition as a control record. The parameter position information 72 ₃ is the position information from the beginning of the record of the parameter information set in the control record.

FIG. 6 shows each item of the billing information table. Charging table 74, for example, the system administrator is a table for grasping the actual conditions of the performed printing in each printing apparatus 33 _to 333 _4. The billing table 74 has a total output destination number 75 ₁ and an input print data name 75 ₂
It comprises an output start time 75 ₃ , an output end time 75 ₄ , a print output destination name 75 ₅ , a total print data output number 75 ₆ and a sorting page total output number 75 ₇ . Here, the total number of output destinations 75 ₁ is set to the total number of output destinations to which the print data is output. The processed print data name is set as the input print data name 75 ₂ . The output start time 75 ₃ is set to the time when the print data processing is actually started. The output end time 75 ₄ is set to the time when the print data processing is completed.

In the item of print output destination name 75 ₅ , the name of the printing device 33 to which the print data is output is set. In the item of total output number of print data 75 ₆ , the total number of output pages of the print data output to the print output destination indicated by the print output destination name 75 ₅ is set. The total number of output pages for sorting page 75 ₇ is set to the total number of output pages for sorting page output to the print output destination.

Returning to FIG. 1, description of each processing unit in the print data processing device 35 will be continued. The data input unit 44 processes the print data 32 sent from the print data creation device 31 into the processing information table 64 (FIG. 3) and the sorting information table 68.
(FIG. 4) and the control information table 71 (FIG. 5). Then, in order to send the print data to the printing device 33 designated as the output destination by the processing information table 64 and the sorting information table 68, the data output unit 46 is requested to output the print data page by page. .

The selection information management section 47 carries out an initial setting process according to an instruction from the main control section 45. This initial setting process reads the data selection condition table 61 (FIG. 2) from the nonvolatile storage device 51 and stores this information in the volatile storage device 52.

The processing information management unit 48 executes the initialization processing in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 45 as the nonvolatile storage device 5.
The process information table 64 (FIG. 3) is read from the inside of No. 1 and the process of storing this information in the volatile storage device 52 is performed.
Also, the data (page data) for each page passed from the data input unit 44 is inspected based on the information set in the processing information table 64, and the data main unit 46 is passed via the main control unit 45. The processing for notifying information for processing the page data is performed.

The assortment information management section 49 uses the non-volatile storage device 5 as an initialization process in accordance with an instruction from the main control section 45.
1 reads the assortment information table 68 (FIG. 4) and stores this information in the volatile storage device 52.
The one-page data transferred from the data input unit 44 is inspected based on the information set in the assortment information table 68, and the data main unit 46 is passed via the main control unit 45.
Prior to the output of the page data, processing for notifying the data main unit 46 of processing information for outputting the page data for sorting is performed.

The control information management unit 50, in response to an instruction from the main control unit 45, performs the initial setting process on the nonvolatile storage device 5.
The control information table 71 (FIG. 5) is read from the inside of No. 1 and the processing of storing this information in the volatile storage device 52 is performed.
In addition, the one-page data transferred from the data input unit 44 is inspected based on the information set in the control information table 71. Then, when the control record is detected, the information reset processing of the processing information table 64 (FIG. 3) to be used is performed through the main control unit 45 in accordance with the instruction set in the control record. The process of requesting 48 is performed.

The data output unit 46 sends the delivered page data to the designated printing device 33 according to an instruction from the main control unit 45. In addition, the information setting of the printing apparatus 33 is performed based on the information of each item of the printing forms 66 ₇ and 69 ₆ and the printing resources 66 ₈ and 69 _{7 in} the processing information table 64 (FIG. 3) and the sorting information table 68 (FIG. 4). It is designed to output a control record for use. In addition, in response to the output request for the sorting page, the sorting page data is generated prior to sending the corresponding print page data,
This is sent to the corresponding printing device 33.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of a circuit configuration of an apparatus in which the print data creating apparatus and the print data processing apparatus are integrated in the printing system having the above-mentioned configuration. This device is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81.
CPU81 is connected with each section of the device through a bus 82 such as a data bus, and the creation of print data to be based, which to perform processing for delivering to the printing apparatus 33 _to 333 ₄ (Fig. 1) Has become. Of these, working memory 8
Reference numeral 3 corresponds to the volatile storage device 52 shown in FIG. 1, and is composed of a RAM (random access memory). The disk control device 84 is a device for controlling input / output to / from the magnetic disk 85. The magnetic disk 85 corresponds to the nonvolatile storage device 51 of FIG. The magnetic disk 85 stores programs for performing various controls and the above-mentioned tables.

The input circuit 86 is connected to a keyboard 87 and a mouse 88 as a pointing device, and is designed to input data when creating print data or when designating printing. The display control device 91 is a device that controls the display of the CRT 92 as a display (monitor). The communication control device 93 is connected to the communication means 94 such as a communication cable or a communication line printer 33 ₁ -
33 ₄ or transmits the print data to, so that the capture from the print data source, such as a host computer (not shown) print data required. In the case of an apparatus that exclusively takes in print data from a print data source and does not create print data by itself, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. Can also be

First example

Then, in order to explain the details of the control of each part of the apparatus, the outline of the control will be explained by taking a simple print data processing example in which printing is performed by this printing system as a first example. . Here, the print data A
Is used to output the printed matter to the first printing device 33 ₁ arranged in Tokyo and the second printing device 33 ₂ arranged in Osaka, respectively. Further, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that there is no page common to both areas, and there are three types of forms as overlays.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the data selection condition table in the first example. In the data selection condition table 61, "SEL" is selected as the selection condition identifier 62.
₁ ”is registered and print data A is input data.
Is used, the output start time to the printing device 33 (FIG. 1) is not specified, and the process identifier 65 (FIG. 3) of the default process information table 64 is “process A”. Has been shown to be. Here, “Processing A”, “Processing B”, and the like indicate data that are stored in one file and handle different jobs.

FIG. 9 shows print data A as input data.
It represents the configuration of. The print data A is composed of data for three pages. The first page is "Tokyo Data ₁ ", and the key information indicating the output destination is not shown here. Therefore, the default output destination is the output destination. The second page is "Osaka Data ₁ ", and "Osaka ₂₀ " is described here as key information. The third page is "Tokyo data ₂ ", and "Tokyo ₁₀ " is written as key information here.

FIG. 10 shows the setting contents of the processing information table. In the process information table 64, the default output destination 66 ₁ for the “process A” of the process identifier 65 is the first printing device 33 ₁ , and the output destination change information 66 ₂ is not set in particular, so the printed matter is 1 printing device 33
It will be output to ₁ . Since the change processing information 66 ₃ is “none”, if there is key information, it will be printed as it is. Since the number of copies 66 ₄ is one and the printing form 66 ₇ is “horizontal printing”, printing is performed with the sheets arranged in the horizontal direction. First form is used as a printing resource 66 _8.

FIG. 11 shows each form used in this first example. The first form 101 is
As shown in FIG. 6A, the form applied to the lateral printing is provided with a semitransparent band of a predetermined width from the lower end of the paper. The second form 102 is a form applied to lateral printing as shown in FIG. 8B, and is provided with an opaque band from the lower end of the paper by a predetermined width. Third form 103
Is a form applied to longitudinal printing as shown in FIG. 7C, and has an opaque band of a predetermined width from the lower end of the paper.

FIG. 12 sequentially shows printed matter output by the first printing apparatus arranged in Tokyo. On the first page, the print data (Tokyo data ₁ ) for the first page shown in FIG. 9 is printed using the first form 101 (FIG. 11).

Returning to FIG. 9, the description will be continued. Print data A
When the processing of the first page of is performed as described above, the processing of the second page is performed. The key information "Osaka ₂₀ " is added to the print data (Osaka data ₁ ) on the second page. When the output destination change information 66 ₂ shown in FIG. 10 is “Osaka ₂₀ ”, the key information is left as it is and two copies are made. Of these, the first page is "laterally printed" by the third printing device 33 ₃ .
The second form is used. Similarly, for the second page, the third printing device 33 ₃ is used, and “horizontal printing” is performed, but the first form is used.

FIG. 13 shows such printed matter of the first and second pages output from the third printing apparatus in Osaka. The first page is printed on the second form 102 shown in FIG. 11, and the second page is printed on the first form 101. Although the forms are different as described above, the print contents are the same for both.

Returning to FIG. 9 again, the description will be continued. When the processing of the second page for the print data A is performed as described above, the processing of the third page is performed. The print data (Tokyo data ₂ ) on the third page has the key information "Tokyo ₁₀ ". When the output destination change information 66 ₂ shown in FIG. 10 is “Tokyo ₁₀ ”, the key information is deleted and two copies are made. For these, "transverse printing" is performed and the third form is used. Figure 1
The second and third pages of No. 2 are thus obtained. In the first example described above, the sorting information table 68 shown in FIG. 4 and the control information table 71 shown in FIG. 5 are not set. This is because, in this example, the sorting page is not output, and there is no need to use these tables 68 and 71 because there is no switching from "process A" to another process.

Another example of printing will be described later, and the state of control of each unit of this printing system will be described next.

FIG. 14 shows an outline of the processing operation of the main control section. When the print data processing device 35 (FIG. 1) of this system is powered on, the main control unit 45 first performs the activation process of the display control unit 54 (step S10).
1). Based on this, the display controller 54 displays the display device 53.
An initial screen is displayed on (CRT 92 shown in FIG. 7) (step S102). The main control unit 45 performs the activation process of the input control unit 56 (step S103), and the input control unit 56 starts the process of accepting various requests from the operator (operator) (step S104).

When any of the requests is input by the operator operating the keyboard 87 or the mouse 88 (step S105; Y), the input control section 56 transfers it to the main control section 45 (step S106). . The main control unit 45 checks the request (step S1).
07). As a result, if the stop of the print data processing device 35 is requested (step S108; Y),
The main control unit 45 notifies each processing unit in the print data processing device 35 to stop the processing (step S1).
09). As a result, the processing of each processing unit is stopped. However, if there is a stop request while the print data is being processed, the print data processing device 35 stops after the processing of the print data is completed.

On the other hand, when the creation of the table is requested (step S110; Y), the main control unit 45 executes the creation process of the corresponding table (step S111).
The table creating process is a process of creating the four tables 61, 64, 68, 71 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 or changing the information in the existing table.

Unlike the above, if the processing of the print data is requested (step S113; Y), the main control unit 45 executes the processing (step S113). That is, delivery according to information set in each table 61,64,68,71, enter the print data, after performing its processing, the print data to the corresponding device among the printing apparatus 33 _to 333 ₄ And make a printed matter. The processing of the print data ends when there is a request to stop the print data processing device 35 and all the processing is completed as described above. After the process of step S111 or S113 is performed, the process returns to step S104 and waits for the next operator's request.

FIG. 15 shows the flow of the table creation processing shown in step S111 of FIG. When the main control unit 45 of the print data processing device 35 determines that the table creation process is performed, it analyzes which table creation process is involved (step S201). As a result, if it relates to the creation or modification of the data selection condition table 61 (step S2
02; Y), the data selection condition table 61 shown in FIG.
Will be created and updated. Therefore, the main control unit 4
5 requests the selection information management unit 47 to create and update the data selection condition table 61 (step S203),
The selection information management unit 47 analyzes the request and determines whether this is a new table creation (step S20).
4). When a new creation is requested (step S20)
5; Y), the selection information management unit 47 newly creates the data selection condition table 61 (step S206). Then, this is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 51 (FIG. 1) including the magnetic disk 85 (FIG. 7) (step S207).
This ends the processing (end).

If it is determined in step S205 that the table is updated (N), the nonvolatile storage device 5
The corresponding data selection condition table 61 is read from No. 1 and stored in the volatile storage device 52 as the work memory 83 (FIG. 7) (step S208). After that, the selection information management unit 47 performs a process of changing the contents of the data selection condition table 61 (step S209). Note that step S
The new data or the changed data input in the new creation processing of 206 or the change processing of step S209 is
It is received by the main control unit 45 and stored in the volatile storage device 52, and is delivered at the time of the request in step S203. When the changing process of the data selection condition table 61 is completed, the process proceeds to step S207, and the data selection condition table 61 stored in the nonvolatile storage device 51 is replaced.

If it is determined in step S202 that the data selection condition table 61 is not related to creation or modification (N), it is checked whether it is related to creation or modification of the processing information table 64 shown in FIG. Is performed (step S210). If so (Y), the creation / update process of the process information table 64 is performed (step S211). This process will be described in detail below.
If it is not related to the creation or modification of the processing information table 64 (N), it is checked whether it is related to the creation or modification of the sorting information table 68 shown in FIG. 4 (step S212). If so (Y), the creation / update process of the sorting information table 68 is performed (step S).
213). This process will be described in detail later. If it is not related to the creation or modification of the assortment information table 68 (N), it is checked whether it is related to the creation or modification of the control information table 71 shown in FIG. 5 (step S214). If so (Y), the process of creating and updating the control information table 71 is performed (step S2).
15). This process will be described in detail later. In other cases (step S214; N), it is determined that an error has been input, and the process is terminated (end). Depending on the device, an error display may be displayed.

FIG. 16 shows an outline of the creation / update processing of the processing information table shown in step S211 of FIG. In this process, first, the main control unit 45 requests the process information management unit 48 to create and update the process information table 64 (step S301). The processing information management unit 48 analyzes the content of this request (step S302),
When a new creation of the processing information table 64 is requested (step S303; Y), this new creation is performed (step S304). Then, this is stored in the non-volatile storage device 51 (FIG. 1) (step S305), thereby ending the processing (end).

If it is determined in step S303 that the table is to be updated (N), the processing information management unit 48 stores the corresponding processing information table 64 in the nonvolatile storage device 51.
Is read and stored in the volatile storage device 52 (step S306). After that, the processing information management unit 48 performs a process of changing the contents of the processing information table 64 (step S30).
7). The new data or the changed data input in the new creation processing in step S304 or the change processing in step S307 is the data received by the main control unit 45 and stored in the volatile storage device 52.
It will be handed over when requesting 1. When the modification process of the process information table 64 is completed, the process proceeds to step S305, and the process information table 64 stored in the non-volatile storage device 51 is replaced.

FIG. 17 shows an outline of the assortment information table creation / update processing shown in step S213 of FIG. In this process, the main control unit 45 first requests the assortment information management unit 49 to create and update the assortment information table 68 (step S401). The assortment information management unit 49 analyzes this request content (step S402),
When a new creation of the assortment information table 68 is requested (step S403; Y), this new creation is performed (step S404). Then, this is stored in the non-volatile storage device 51 (FIG. 1) (step S405), thereby ending the processing (end).

When it is determined in step S403 that the table is to be updated (N), the assortment information management unit 49 stores the corresponding assortment information table 68 from the nonvolatile storage device 51.
Is read and stored in the volatile storage device 52 (step S406). The assortment information management unit 49 thereafter performs a process of changing the contents of the assortment information table 68 (step S40).
7). The new data or the modified data mainly used in the new creation processing of step S404 and the modification processing of step S407 is received by the main control unit 45 and stored in the volatile storage device 52.
It will be handed over when requesting 1. When the changing process of the assortment information table 68 is completed, the process proceeds to step S405, and the assortment information table 68 stored in the nonvolatile storage device 51 is replaced.

FIG. 18 shows an outline of the creation / update processing of the control information table shown in step S213 of FIG. In this process, first, the main control unit 45 requests the control information management unit 50 to create and update the control information table 71 (step S501). The control information management unit 50 analyzes this request content (step S502),
When a new creation of the control information table 71 is requested (step S503; Y), this new creation is performed (step S504). Then, this is stored in the non-volatile storage device 51 (FIG. 1) (step S505), thereby ending the processing (end).

When it is determined in step S503 that the table is to be updated (N), the control information management unit 50 stores the corresponding control information table 71 in the nonvolatile storage device 51.
Is read and stored in the volatile storage device 52 (step S506). After that, the control information management unit 50 performs a process of changing the contents of the control information table 71 (step S50).
7). The new data or the changed data input in the new creation processing in step S504 or the change processing in step S507 is the one received by the main control unit 45 and stored in the volatile storage device 52.
It will be handed over when requesting 1. When the changing process of the control information table 71 is completed, the process proceeds to step S505, and the control information table 71 stored in the nonvolatile storage device 51 is replaced.

19 to 22 show the flow of control relating to the processing of the print data processing request. First, FIG. 19 will be described. The main control unit 45 shown in FIG. 1 first requests the selection information management unit 47 and the control information management unit 50 to initialize the information related to these tables (step S601). Based on this, the selection information management unit 47 reads the data selection condition table 61 to be used from the non-volatile storage device 51 and stores it in the volatile storage device 52. The control information management unit 50 also reads the control information table 71 (FIG. 5) to be used from the nonvolatile storage device 51 and stores it in the volatile storage device 52.

After that, the main control unit 45 checks whether or not a system stop request is input from the operator (step S602). If the request is accepted (step S603; Y), the process is ended (END). It should be noted that a stop request may occur even when some kind of error occurs in the system.

When it is determined in step S603 that the stop request has not been accepted (N), the main control unit 45 requests the data input unit 44 to start inputting print data in order to process the print data. (Step S60
4). Upon receiving this request, the data input unit 44 causes the data selection condition table 61 stored in the volatile storage device 52.
Is searched (step S605), and the corresponding print data acquisition process is performed (step S606). In the first example, the print data A is acquired using the data selection condition table 61 shown in FIG. When the print data does not exist at the time when this acquisition processing is performed and the print data cannot be acquired (step S607; N), the step S6 is executed again.
Returning to step 02, it is checked whether the stop request has been accepted thereafter, and then the data selection condition table 61 is checked to check whether print data to be printed exists.

As a result of searching the data selection condition table 61 in step S605, it may be found that a plurality of print data exist. In such a case, it is necessary to first acquire one print data to be printed first. At this time, the acquisition priority order is determined by the output start time 63 ₂ in the data selection condition table 61 and the predecessor-posterior relationship written in the table. That is, the print data for which the output start time 63 ₂ is set is preferentially acquired when the time arrives, but other print data is preferentially acquired before the time. When there are a plurality of such other print data, the old print data previously stored in the table is preferentially acquired.

When the print data is acquired (step S607; Y), the print data input process is performed by the data input unit 44 (step S608). This process is sequentially performed page by page until the end of the file is detected (step S609). That is, the first
In the example, the print data for the first page of the print data A shown in FIG. 9 is input and the processing is performed.

20 to 22 show the flow of processing for each page. In FIG. 20, the main control unit 45 requests the control information management unit 50 to check the print data (step S610). The control information management unit 50 checks the input print data for one page and notifies the main control unit 45 of the result (step S611). That is, the control information management unit 50 controls the control character string information 72 ₁ and the control character string position information 72 in the control information table 71 (FIG. 5) stored in the volatile storage device 52 corresponding data for one page. _When the control record is detected in accordance with ₂ , and the parameter information in the control record is detected, the parameter position information 7 in the control information table 71 is displayed.
Analyzed according to 2 _3, and notifies the result to the main control unit 45. The main control unit 45 analyzes the result of the check process (step S612). Since the control information table 71 (FIG. 5) is not set in the first example described above, the control record is not detected.

When the control record is detected as the analysis result (step S613; Y), the main control unit 45 requests the setting process of the process information table 64 according to the control record (step S614). For example, in the first example described above, only the print data A was processed, but it is assumed that another print data, for example, the print data B is processed at a certain point, and a control record for switching the print data is displayed. If detected, the setting process of the process information table 64 for the print data B is requested.

Upon receipt of this request, the processing information management unit 48 sets the corresponding processing information table 64 (step S615). That is, the corresponding processing information table 6
4 is read from the non-volatile storage device 51 and stored in the volatile storage device 52. When the control record is related to the sorting information, the main control unit 45 causes the sorting information table 6
A setting processing request of 8 is performed (step S616). At this time, the assortment information management unit 49 uses the corresponding assortment information table 6
8 is read from the non-volatile storage device 51, stored in the volatile storage device 52, and the setting process is performed (step S
617).

When a control record is detected in this way, the corresponding tables 64 and 68 are set accordingly. The table is created when the print data for the first page of the file arrives. Also need to do. Therefore, if no control record is detected in step S613, it is checked whether it is the beginning of the data (step S618). If it is the head of the data (Y), the main control unit 45 requests the setting processing of the processing information table 64 according to the print data attribute (step S619). Based on this, the processing information management unit 48 performs the setting processing of the processing information table 64 (step S62).
0).

Next, the main control unit 45 causes the assortment information table 68.
When the setting of is required, this setting processing request is made (step S621). Sorting information management unit 4 that received the request
9 sets the sorting information table 68 (step S622). In the first example described above, since it is not necessary to output the sorting page, the sorting information table 68 is not set. In this way, even when the print data for the first page arrives, the corresponding processing information table 64 and assortment information table 68 are read from the nonvolatile storage device 51 and stored in the volatile storage device 52. For the second and subsequent pages, unless a control record is detected, such a table that has already been set is continuously used, and therefore the table setting process is not performed.

FIG. 21 shows the processing contents after the necessary table setting is performed or when the table setting is not required for the page.
In this printing system, when the sorting page is used, as described above, the sorting page is output before the print data is output. Therefore, the main control unit 45 delivers the print data received from the data input unit 44 to the sorting information management unit 49, and requests the check of the print data (step S623). The assortment information management unit 49 checks the corresponding one page of the obtained print data according to the assortment information 69 ₁ in the assortment information table 68 shown in FIG. 4 (step S624).

As a result of the check, if the sorting conditions match (steps S625, S626; Y), the sorting information management unit 49 first creates sorting page output information as result information to be passed to the main control unit 45. (Step S62
7). The sorting page output information is composed of the following information.
However, the following information items (1) to (2) are created only when "output" is selected in. Information on whether or not to output sorting pages (output or not output) Output destination information indicating the output destination of sorting pages Output number information indicating the number of output sorting pages Representing the printing form of sorting pages Sorting page print form information Sorting page print resource information that represents the sorting page print resources

Next, the assortment information management section 49 carries out a process for modifying the character string in the print data that matches the condition to be modified according to the modification process information 69 ₂ in the assortment information table 68 (step S628). In this way, the checking process and the changing process for all the sorting conditions are repeatedly performed (steps S625 to S628).

When all the checks are completed (step S625; Y), the main control unit 45 receives the sorting page output information created at this point in step S627 and analyzes it (step S629). When it is necessary to output the sorting page before outputting the print data (step S630; Y), the sorting page output information about the sorting page is notified to the data output unit 46, and the corresponding printing is performed. The device 33 is caused to perform a process of outputting the sorting page (step S631). The sorting page output process is the same as the normal print data output process, and will therefore be described in detail in the section of the normal print data output process. Step S63
When the output of the sorting page is not required at 0, the process of step S631 is not performed and the process proceeds to the next process step.

FIG. 22 shows a state of control after the output processing of the sorting page is completed as a continuation of the processing of FIG. When the output process of the sorting page is completed,
The main control unit 45 transfers the print data received from the data input unit 44 to the processing information management unit 48, and requests a check for determining the output destination of the print data of the page (step S632). The processing information management unit 48 checks the print data of the page obtained using the information in the processing information table 64 shown in FIG. 3, and outputs page data corresponding to one page as page data as information. A control information creation process is performed (steps S633 to S6).
36). The created page data control information is stored in the main control unit 4.
5 will be notified.

The page data control information is created by sequentially checking whether or not the output modification conditions are met (creating return information) (step S63).
5, S636). The page data control information notified to the main control unit 45 has the following configuration. However, this page data control information is created for each printing device 33 when the page data is output to a plurality of printing devices 33. Output destination information indicating the output printing device 33 that outputs the print data Copy number information indicating the number of copies of the print data Copy range information indicating the copy range of the print data Print form information applied to the print page Print resource information indicating the print resources used when printing the page Correction information indicating the corrections applied to the print page

Upon receiving the page data control information, the main control unit 45 requests the data output unit 46 to output the print data in order to output the print data of the corresponding page to the corresponding printing device 33 (step S637). . In response to this request, the data output unit 46 performs print data output processing (step S638). Details of the print data output process will be described later.

When the output process of the print data for one page is completed in this way, the process returns to step S608 of FIG. 19 and the input process of the print data is performed. As a result of this,
If the end of the file is not detected yet (step S609; N), the process shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 for the print data of the newly input page (step S61).
0 to S638) are performed.

On the other hand, when the output process up to the last page is completed by the previous print data output process,
As a result, the end of the file is detected (step S609; Y), and the billing information is processed. That is, the main control unit 45 acquires a record of the billing information from the billing table 74 (FIG. 6) for processing the print data stored in the volatile storage device 52 by the data output unit 46, and performs the output process ( Step S639). The output process here is to output the billing information in the non-volatile storage device 51 as a system file of the print data processing device 35. When the billing information record is stored in the non-volatile storage device 51, the billing information in the volatile storage device 52 is cleared as unnecessary information (step S6).
40). After that, the process returns to step S602, and the main control unit 45 confirms the existence of the stop request.

FIG. 23 shows an outline of the print data output processing in step S638 of FIG. Figure 1
When receiving a request for output of print data from the main control unit 45, the data output unit 46 shown in (4) checks the request content (step S701). Then, if it is the output request for the sorting page (step S702; Y), the sorting page output processing is performed (step S703). In other cases, page data output processing is performed as normal printing (step S704).

FIG. 24 shows a specific flow of the sorting page output process by the data output unit. The data output unit 46 first confirms the output destination of the sorting page (step S801). After that, when it is determined that the output to all the corresponding printing devices 33 is not completed (step S802; N), the print form information check process is performed (step S803). As a result, if there is a request to apply the print form information (step S8)
04; Y), and the data output unit 46 corresponds to the printing device 33.
A control record for setting print mode information is generated and output (step S805).

After that, the data output unit 46 checks whether or not there is a print resource information application request (step S806). If the application of print resource information is requested (step S807; Y), the data output unit 46.
Generates and outputs a control record for setting print resources to the corresponding printing device 33 (step S808). After that, the data output unit 46 performs an output process of sorting page data for one page (step S309). And
Next, it is checked whether or not there is a copy designation of the sorting page (step S310). If there is a copy designation (step S311; Y), the process returns to step S803 to achieve the designated number of copies, and repeats up to step S311 to output the sorting page to the corresponding printing device 33.

That is, when information indicating the number of copied pages of the assortment page and its copy range is set, FIG.
The process shown in FIG. 4 is repeatedly performed, and the output process of the control record and the output process of the sorting page for setting the print form information and the printing resource information for printing the corresponding sorting page are performed.

When the sorting page data is output to one output destination as described above, the data output unit 4
6 sets the number of sorting pages output to the output destination in the charging information table 74 in the volatile storage device 52 as the charging information (step S812). And step S
Returning to step 802, while the printing device 33 that outputs the sorting page data remains, the above-described procedure (step S80
3 to S812) is repeated. When the output to all the printing devices 33 is completed (step S802; Y), the sorting page output process by the data output unit is ended (END),
The process is handed over to the main control unit 45.

FIG. 25 specifically shows the first half of the page data output process described in step S704 of FIG. This processing is also performed by the data output unit 46. The data output unit 46 analyzes the page data control information notified from the main control unit 45. Then, the total output number of the page data is checked (step S
901). This is because the following processing is repeated by the total output number. When the total output number becomes zero as a result of repeating this processing (step S90
2; Y), the processing is to be ended (end).

When the total number of outputs is not zero (N), the data output unit 46 analyzes this page data control information notified from the main control unit 45 and acquires the corresponding output destination information (step S903). Then, the page data for one page is copied to a predetermined area in the volatile storage device 52 (step S904), and it is checked whether there is correction information (step S905). That is, in the printing system of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform various transformational printing by making corrections to page data with correction information, so it is necessary to check whether or not there is correction information that is a prerequisite for that. .

When correction information exists (step S90)
6; Y), the data output unit 46 performs the correction process of the print data according to the correction information (step S907). For example, a correction such as deleting a predetermined character string in the corresponding page or changing it to another character string is performed based on this correction information. After the page data is corrected, it is checked whether or not the print form information exists before sending it to the corresponding printing device 33 (step S90).
8). When it is determined in step S906 that the correction information does not exist, the process of step S908 is immediately started.

If it is determined that the print form information exists (step S909; Y), that is, if there is a print form application request, the data output unit 46 generates a control record for setting print resource information, and Is output to the corresponding printing device 33 (step S910). After that, the data output unit 46 checks whether or not there is print resource information that is similarly requested to be applied (step S911). If print resource information exists (step S
912; Y), a control record for setting print resource information is generated and output to the corresponding printing device 33 (step S9).
13).

FIG. 26 shows the second half of the page data output process described in step S704 of FIG.
It specifically represents the step subsequent to step S913. When the setting process for printing the page data to the corresponding printing device 33 is completed, the data output unit 46 checks the number of copies of the print data of the page indicated in the page data control information (step S91).
4). Then, while the number of copies is not zero (step S915; N), the corresponding page data, which has been copy-corrected in the volatile storage device 52, corresponds to the printing device 33.
Is output (step S916), and the number of copies is subtracted by one (step S917). After this, the data output unit 4
6 sets the print data page number information output to the corresponding printing device 33 in the charging table in the volatile storage device 52 (step S918).

Thereafter, the process returns to step S914 to check again whether or not the number of copies of the print data has been reduced to zero, and if it is not zero (step S91).
5; N), the same processing is repeated (step S91).
6-S918). If the number of copies of the print data is subtracted to zero as a result of outputting the print data of the required number of copies (step S915; Y), the data output unit 46.
Subtracts "1" from the total number of outputs to be checked in step S901 of FIG. 25 (step S919).
Then, the processing is returned to step S901. When the total output number becomes zero (step S902;
Y), the page data output process of the data output unit 46 ends (end), and the process is handed over to the main control unit 45.

When the flow of processing of the printing system is shown, the second and third examples will be shown as print data processing examples in order to facilitate understanding thereof.

Second example

FIG. 27 shows the contents of the data selection condition table in this second example. In this data selection condition table 61, “SEL ₁ ” is registered as the selection condition identifier 62, the print data A and B are used as input data, and the printing device 33.
The output start time to (Fig. 1) is 9:15,
And the process identifier 65 of the default process information table 64
(FIG. 3) is shown to be “process A”.

FIG. 28 shows the configuration of print data A as input data. The print data A is composed of data for three pages. The first page is "Tokyo Data ₁ ", and the key information indicating the output destination is not shown here. Therefore, the default output destination is the output destination. The second page is "Nagoya Data ₁ ", and "Nagoya ₁₀ " is described here as key information. Third
The page number is "Osaka Data ₁ ", and "Osaka ₁₀ " is written as key information here.

FIG. 29 shows the configuration of print data B as input data. The print data B is also composed of data for three pages. The first page is "Fukuoka Data ₁ ", and "Fukuoka ₁₀ " is recorded here as key information. The second page is "Tokyo Data ₂ ", in which "Tokyo ₁₀ " as key information and "Assortment ₁₀ " as assortment information 69 ₁ are described. The third page is "Tokyo Data ₃ ", and key information indicating the output destination is not shown here.

FIG. 30 shows the setting contents of the processing information table. In the output destination change information 66 ₂ of the processing information table 64, unlike the first example shown in FIG.
"Nagoya ₁₀ " and "Fukuoka ₁₀ " have been added. "Nagoya ₁₀ " as the output destination corresponds to the second printing device 33 ₂ (FIG. 1) of the copy output destination 66 ₆ and "Fukuoka ₁₀ " corresponds to the fourth printing device 33 ₄ . Amendment information 66 ₉
Although “total value deletion” is written in the bottom column, this means that the printing of the total value shown in the print data A is deleted.

FIG. 31 shows the set contents of the sorting information table. The control information table 71 (see FIG. 5) is not set in this second example. In the assortment information table 68, "assortment ₁₀ " is stored as the assortment information 69 _1.
Is written. Since the "sorting ₁₀ " is described as the sorting information 69 ₁ on the second page of the print data B shown in FIG. 29, the sorting page should be printed before the printing of the second page is started. become.

FIG. 32 shows each form used as the print resource information in this second example. Of these, the first to fifth foams 11 shown in FIGS.
Nos. 1 to 115 are described in the processing information table 64 of FIG. 30, and are applied to print data in this example. The sixth form 116 shown in FIG. 15F is described in the assortment information table 68 of FIG. 31, and is applied to the assortment page in this example.

FIG. 33 shows a printed matter output from the first printing apparatus in Tokyo. Similarly, FIG. 34 shows a printed matter output from the second printing apparatus in Nagoya, and FIG.
5 shows the printed matter output from the third printing apparatus in Osaka, and FIG. 36 shows the printed matter output from the fourth printing apparatus in Fukuoka.

First, the first of the print data A shown in FIG.
The first printing device 33 ₁ designated as the default output destination is the output destination of the page. The first form 111 is applied to the print data of the first page, and is output as the printed matter of the first page in the first printing device 33 ₁ by lateral printing.

The second page of the print data A designates the _second printing device 33 ₂ in Nagoya as the output destination. For this, the second form 112 is applied, is output from the lateral printed by the second printing unit 33 ₂ as print the first page as shown in Figure 34. The third page of the print data A specifies the _third printing device 33 ₃ in Osaka as the output destination. For this, the third form 1
13 is applied, is output from the side printed in the third printing unit 33 ₃ as the first page of the printed material as shown in FIG. 35.

The processing of print data A is thus completed.
Then, the printing using the print data B shown in FIG. 29 is performed.
Be seen. The first page is the fourth printing device 33 in Fukuoka
_FourIs specified as the output destination. About this, the fourth
Form 114 is applied and the fourth print in the horizontal print
Device 33_FourTo print the first page as shown in Figure 36
It is output as a thing. The processing information table of FIG. 30
64, the second to fourth printing devices 33
₂~ 33_FourChange processing information 66₃Becomes "deleted"
There is. Therefore, the 2nd-4th shown in FIGS.
Printing device 33 ₂~ 33_FourThese printouts output from
From things, “Nagoya”_TenKey information indicating the output destination such as "is printed
It has not been.

On the second page of the print data B shown in FIG. 29, key information indicating the output destination "Tokyo ₁₀ " and assortment information 69 ₁ "Assortment ₁₀ " are written. Therefore, the sorting page is output before the print data of this page is output to the first printing device 33 ₁ . The output destination of the sorting page is the first printing device 33 _{1 according} to the output destination information 69 ₃ of the sorting information table 68 of FIG. Therefore, the sixth form 116 is included in the sorting page.
Is applied, and this is output as the printed matter of the second page of the _first printing device 33 ₁ as shown in FIG.

Next, the print data of the second page of the print data B is output as the printed matter of the third page of the _first printing device 33 ₁ . It can be seen from the processing information table 64 of FIG. 30 that the form applied at this time is the fifth form 115. It should be noted that, since the print data of this page is changing process information 66 ₃ is "No", the key information that indicates the output destination of "Tokyo _10" is printed without being deleted.

Finally, the third page of print data B is processed. Since the key information indicating the output destination is not added to this, the first printing device 33 ₁ is selected as the default output destination. And the fifth form 115
Is applied as a printing resource and the first printing device 3 in FIG.
3 ₁ to 4 will be output as printed matter. In addition, from the printed matter of the third page and the fourth page output from the first printing device 33 ₁ in Tokyo,
The printing of the total value such as “total 1200” or “total 5000” is deleted. This is because the modification information "Delete sum" is written in the correction information 66 ₉ processing information table 64 in FIG. 30.

Third example

FIG. 37 shows the contents of the data selection condition table in the third example. In this data selection condition table 61, “SE
L ₁ ”is registered, print data A is used as input data, output start time to the printing apparatus 33 (FIG. 1) is 9:15, and default processing information The process identifier 65 (FIG. 3) of the table 64 is shown to be “process A”.

FIG. 38 shows print data as input data.
2 shows the configuration of A. Print data A is 6 pages
It is composed of data for the amount of time. The first page is "East
Kyo Data₁, And here is the key information indicating the output destination.
Not shown. Therefore, the default output destination is
Become. The second page is "Nagoya Data₁Is here
"Nagoya" is described as the key information. 3rd
Page is "Tokyo Data" ₂, And the output destination is also shown here.
Key information is not shown. The fourth page is "Nagoya
data₂, And here is "Nagoya" as the key information.
Is written. The fifth page is "Tokyo Data₃"
Control for switching the processing to this print data.
A record is written, and it is instructed to change to process B
Has been done. Therefore, after that, the process B is applied, and
If omitted, the output destination of the fifth page is the output destination. Page 6
The eye is "Osaka data₁, And here as key information
"Osaka" is written.

FIG. 39 shows the setting contents of the processing information table. In the processing information table 64, the processing A
And two process identifiers 65 of process B are described. This is because, as described with reference to the configuration of the print data A in FIG. 38, the process A and the process B are dynamically switched in the third example. In this third example, since the sorting page is not output, the sorting information table 68
(FIG. 4) is not provided.

FIG. 40 shows the setting contents of the control information table. In the control information table 71, "CONT
It is shown that the control character string position information 72 ₂ "ROL" is set and the parameter position information 72 ₃ "Process B" is set.

FIG. 41 shows each form used in this third example as print resource information. The first to fourth forms 111 to 114 are the first to the fourth shown in FIG.
The same as the fourth foams 111 to 114 is used.

FIG. 42 shows a printed matter output from the first printing apparatus in Tokyo. Similarly, FIG. 43 shows a printed matter output from the second printing device in Nagoya, and FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a printed matter output from the third printing device in Osaka.

First, the first of the print data A shown in FIG.
The first printing device 33 ₁ designated as the default output destination is the output destination of the page. The first form 111 is applied to the print data of the first page and is output as the printed matter of the first page in the first printing device 33 ₁ in the horizontal direction printing (FIG. 42).

The second page of the print data A specifies the _second printing device 33 ₂ in Nagoya as the output destination. For this, the second form 112 is applied, is output from the lateral printed by the second printing unit 33 ₂ as print the first page as shown in Figure 43. The third page of the print data A has the first printing device 33 ₁ designated as the default output destination as the output destination. The first form 111 is applied to this, and as shown in FIG. 42, it is output as the printed matter of the second page in the _first printing device 33 ₁ . The fourth page of the print data A specifies the _second printing device 33 ₂ in Nagoya as the output destination. For this, the second form 112 is applied, is output from the lateral printed by the second printing unit 33 ₂ as print the second page as shown in Figure 43.

On the fifth page of the print data A, there is an instruction to change to the process B as already described. Therefore, the default output destination is the first printing device 33 ₁ set as the default output destination 66 ₁ in the process B of the process information table 64 as the output destination of this print data (in this case, the default output destination is the default output destination 66 ₁ ). The output destination matches "Tokyo".). In the process B, the third form 113 is applied in this case. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 42, the first printing device 3
From 3 ₁ , this print data is output as the printed matter of the third page.

Finally, the sixth part of the print data A shown in FIG.
The page processing is performed. For this, the fourth form 114 is applied in the process B in which "Osaka" is written as the key information, and the third printing device 33 ₃ shown in FIG.
Will be output as a printed matter of the first page. In the third example, the output destinations of the second and third printing apparatuses 33 ₂ and 33 ₃ whose change processing information 66 ₃ in the processing information table 64 of FIG. The indicated key information is not printed.

In the embodiment, since the output start time is set in the data selection condition table 61, there is an advantage that it is possible to output the printed matter which is strictly adhered to the output start time for printing without delay. . It also makes it easy to operate the printing system automatically at midnight.

Further, in the embodiment, the output of the sorting page is changed to distinguish the sorting page from the pages of other print data. It is also possible to select paper for sorting. Further, the sorting page can be provided with many sorting functions by specifying the color of the color paper and the form. Of course, depending on the printing form, instead of outputting the sorting page, it is possible to change the discharge direction of the printing paper or to shift the printing paper and discharge it.

[0151]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, each output destination can be switched. The printing process can be performed without separately preparing print data. That is, since the print data of each output destination can be put together in one file, file management is simplified. Also, if you want to keep a simple copy of the printed matter, or output destinations that appear frequently, you can set them in the process information setting means as default output destinations in advance, without specifying the output destination. Can be specified, which has the effect of simplifying the processing.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as necessary, the print data can be separately output for each output destination. Simplify file management without provision. In addition, it is possible to switch the print mode of print data, print resources applied to print data, and modification information when modifying print data in page units. It is possible to realize printing that meets the requirements or the printing content. In particular, since the print data can be modified, the original data can be effectively used to obtain the modified (modified) print content, and the size of the print data stored in the file can be suppressed to a relatively small amount. . Further, there is an advantage that printing can be performed with print contents suitable for each printing apparatus.

As for the print form, the print form can be freely set for each page or for each output destination. Therefore, for example, for a place where a print is managed in portrait orientation of A4 size, a print form suitable for that can be set. It has the advantage that printed matter can be output and filing can be unified. Further, as for printing resources, fonts and the like provided in each printing device can be used, and there is an effect that labor for transferring printing resources can be saved. Further, since it is possible to output a printed matter in a font that should be used uniformly by the printing device like a newspaper company, it is possible to realize flexible printing in response to the request from each output side.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, the print data can be separately output for each output destination. Print processing can be performed without preparing, and file management is simplified. Further, since the number of copies can be set, it is possible to obtain a desired number of copies of the printed matter in page units for each output destination. That is, in the conventional printing system, the number of copies of the printed matter is set in file units, but can be set in page units. Therefore, it is not necessary to additionally copy only a specific page on the printing device side, and efficient and fine paperwork can be performed.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as necessary, the print data can be separately output for each output destination. Print processing can be performed without preparing, and file management is simplified. Further, since the copy range information indicating the range of pages to be copied is set by the copy range information setting means, it is possible to output the print data by changing the output destination for each copy.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, the print data can be separately output for each output destination. Print processing can be performed without preparing, and file management is simplified. Further, since the copy range information indicating the range of pages to be copied is set by the copy range information setting means, it is possible to output the print data by changing the output destination for each copy. Further, a control record is generated that represents the printing form of the print data for the number of copies information and the copy range information, the print resources applied to the print data, and the correction information when the print data is corrected, and is embedded in the print data to be output to the output destination. Since it is sent to, it is possible to perform printing that meets these requirements when printing the print data. That is, for example, it is possible to change the form, change the font, and modify a part of the data while copying, and it is possible to realize a flexible printing system.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, the print data can be separately output for each output destination. Print processing can be performed without preparing, and file management is simplified. In addition, regarding the output destination of print data for printing, the print format of print data, the print resources applied to print data, and the correction information when correcting print data, these combined processes are used. Since the process identifier is set for each process information indicating the content, the process content can be specified by using the process identifier as a key, and the process of the data output means can be performed even when relatively large switching of the process is performed. To simplify.

Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 7, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, the print data can be separately output for each output destination. Print processing can be performed without preparing, and file management is simplified. Also, the details when the sorting page is output are set for each key information called sorting information, and when the printing data includes the sorting information, the sorting page data is generated according to which sorting information. As a result, the generation process is easy and simple. Furthermore, since the sorting page data is sent to the sorting page output destination and is output prior to the original output of the printed matter of the page, there is no need to insert it into the printed matter later, the processing is simple, and no error occurs.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 8, since one print data is processed page by page and the output destination can be switched as needed, the print data can be separately output for each output destination. Print processing can be performed without preparing, and file management is simplified. Also, the details when the sorting page is output are set for each key information called sorting information, and when the printing data includes the sorting information, the sorting page data is generated according to which sorting information. As a result, the generation process is easy and simple. Furthermore, since the sorting page data is sent to the sorting page output destination and is output prior to the original output of the printed matter of the page, there is no need to insert it into the printed matter later, the processing is simple, and no error occurs. Also,
Output destination when you want to keep a simple copy of printed matter,
If an output destination that frequently appears is set in the processing information setting means in advance as a default output destination, the output destination can be specified without designating the output destination, thus simplifying the processing.

It is possible to specify the print resource and the print form of the sorting page. It is also possible to set the number of copies of assortment pages. When the number of copies of the sorting pages is set, it is not necessary to newly adjust the sorting pages when further sorting is performed on the printing apparatus side.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since one print data is processed in page units and the output destination can be switched as needed, the print data need not be separately prepared for each output destination. Print processing can be performed, and file management is simplified. Also, the details when the sorting page is output are set for each key information called sorting information, and when the printing data includes the sorting information, the sorting page data is generated according to which sorting information. As a result, the generation process is easy and simple. Furthermore, since the sorting page data is sent to the sorting page output destination and is output prior to the original output of the printed matter of the page, there is no need to insert it into the printed matter later, the processing is simple, and no error occurs. Also, if you want to keep a simple copy of the printed matter, or output destinations that appear frequently, you can set them in the process information setting means as default output destinations in advance without specifying the output destination. Can be specified, which simplifies the process. In addition, in the present invention, the total number of pages for print data or sorting pages is stored for each output destination, and this is output as billing information for each output destination when processing of the predetermined print data is completed. As a result, it is possible to surely grasp the actual situation of expense processing by output destination or department, and office work processing by each department (printing apparatus).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing each item of a data selection condition table in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing each item of a processing information table in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing each item of a sorting information table in this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing each item of a control information table in this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing each item of a billing information table in the present embodiment. .

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of an apparatus in which a print data creating apparatus and a print data sending apparatus are integrated in this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data selection condition table in the first example in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of print data A as input data in the first example.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing setting contents of a processing information table in the first example.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing each form used in the first example.

FIG. 12 is a plan view sequentially showing a printed matter output by the first printing apparatus arranged in Tokyo in the first example.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing printed materials of a first page and a second page output from the third printing apparatus in Osaka in the first example.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing operation of a main control unit in the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of table creation processing shown in step S111 of FIG.

16 is a flowchart showing an outline of the creation / update processing of the processing information table shown in step S211 of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an outline of the creation / update processing of the assortment information table shown in step S213 of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an outline of the creation / update processing of the control information table shown in step S213 of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a first stage of a control flow relating to processing of a print data processing request.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a second stage of the control flow relating to processing of a print data processing request.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a third step of the control flow relating to processing of a print data processing request.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a fourth step of the control flow relating to processing of a print data processing request.

23 is a flowchart showing an outline of the print data output processing shown in step S638 of FIG. 22. FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a specific flow of assortment page output processing by the data output unit of the present embodiment.

25 is a flowchart specifically showing the first half of the page data output process described in step S704 of FIG. 23. FIG.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart specifically showing the latter half of the page data output process described in step S704 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a data selection condition table in the second example.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of print data A as input data in the second example.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of print data B as input data in the second example.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing setting contents of a processing information table in the second example.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing setting contents of the assortment information table in the second example.

FIG. 32 is a plan view showing each form used in this second example as print resource information.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing a printed matter output from the first printing apparatus in Tokyo in the second example.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing a printed matter output from the second printing apparatus in Nagoya in the second example.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing a printed matter output from the third printing apparatus in Osaka in the second example.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing a printed matter output from the fourth printing apparatus in Fukuoka in the second example.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a data selection condition table in the third example.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of print data A as input data in the third example.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing setting contents of the processing information table in the third example.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing setting contents of a control information table in the third example.

FIG. 41 is a plan view showing each form used in this third example as print resource information.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing a printed matter output from the first printing apparatus in Tokyo in the third example.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing a printed matter output from the second printing apparatus in Nagoya in the third example.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing a printed matter output from the third printing apparatus in Osaka in the third example.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of a conventional printing system that outputs a printed matter in a form suitable for each delivery destination.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of a conventional printing system that outputs printed materials in a form suitable for each distribution destination.

[Explanation of symbols]

31 ... Print data creating device, 32, 34 ... Print data,
33 ₁ ... First printing device, 33 ₂ ... Second printing device, 3
3 ₃ ... Third printing device, 33 ₄ ... Fourth printing device, 35
... print data processing device, 41A ... print data A, 41B
... print data B, 41C ... print data C, 42 ... storage section, 44 ... data input section, 45 ... main control section, 46 ... data output section, 47 ... selection information management section, 48 ... processing information management section, 49 ... Sorting information management unit, 50 ... Control information management unit, 5
1 ... Nonvolatile storage device, 52 ... Volatile storage device, 53 ...
Display device, 55 ... Input device, 61 ... Data selection condition table, 64 ... Processing information table, 68 ... Sorting information table, 71 ... Control information table, 74 ... Charging table, 8
1 ... CPU, 83 ... Work memory, 85 ... Magnetic disk, 86 ... Input circuit, 87 ... Keyboard, 88 ... Mouse, 92 ... CRT, 93 ... Communication control device, 101, 11
1 ... 1st form, 102, 112 ... 2nd form, 113 ... 3rd form, 114 ... 4th form, 115 ... 5th form, 116 ... 6th form

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A print data creating unit for creating print data, a print data selecting unit for selecting print data that matches a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating unit, and the print data. Processing information setting means for individually setting the processing of the print data for printing in association with the processing information preset for each page of the print data selected by the selection means, and the print data selection When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted in the corresponding page of the print data selected by the means, the pages after that are set as the output destination prepared in advance for the default, and the output destination is set. When the processing information to change is set, the output destination of the corresponding page is changed to the output destination corresponding to the processing information. Output destination setting means, data output means for outputting the print data of the page corresponding to the output destination set by the output destination setting means, and the print data sent from the data output means connected to the data output means. A printing system comprising: a plurality of printing devices for printing 2. A print data creating means for creating print data, a print data selecting means for selecting print data meeting a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating means, and the print data. The output destination of the print data when printing is performed in association with the processing information set in advance for each page of the print data selected by the selection unit, the print mode of the print data, the print resource applied to the print data, A process information setting unit for individually setting various processes including correction information for correcting print data for each page, and a process for indicating an output destination on the corresponding page of the print data selected by the print data selecting unit If the information setting is omitted, set the pages after that to the output destination prepared in advance for the default and change the output destination. Corresponding to the output destination set by the output destination setting means for changing the output destination of the corresponding page to the output destination corresponding to the processing information when the processing information for setting is set. A printing system comprising: a data output unit that outputs print data of a page to be printed; and a plurality of printing devices that are respectively connected to the data output unit and print the print data when the print data is sent. 3. A print data creating means for creating print data, a print data selecting means for selecting print data meeting a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating means, and the print data. Processing information setting means for individually setting the processing of the print data for printing in association with the processing information preset for each page of the print data selected by the selection means, and the print data selection When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted on the corresponding page of the print data selected by the means, the processing information setting means indicates the output destination prepared in advance for the page after the page. Set the number of copies so that the print data can be copied with the specified number of copies, and change the output destination to the corresponding page of the print data. When the processing information is set, copy number individual setting means for setting the number of copies so that the print data is copied at the copy number indicated by the processing information setting means for the output destination corresponding to the processing information, Data output means for outputting the print data of the page corresponding to each output destination at the copy number set by the copy number individual setting means, and data output means connected to this data output means, respectively, when print data is sent from now on A printing system comprising a plurality of printing devices for printing. 4. A print data creating means for creating print data, a print data selecting means for selecting print data meeting a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating means, and the print data. Processing information setting means for individually setting the processing of the print data for printing in association with the processing information preset for each page of the print data selected by the selection means, and the print data selection When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted on the corresponding page of the print data selected by the means, the processing information setting means indicates the output destination prepared in advance for the page after the page. Set the number of copies so that the print data can be copied with the specified number of copies, and change the output destination to the corresponding page of the print data. When the processing information is set, copy number individual setting means for setting the number of copies so that the print data is copied at the copy number indicated by the processing information setting means for the output destination corresponding to the processing information, Copy range information setting means for setting copy range information indicating a range of pages to be copied corresponding to copy number information indicating the number of copies set by the copy number individual setting means, and the copy range information setting means. Data output means for copying the print data in page units based on the copy range information and the output destination and changing the output destination in the copy unit for output, and print data sent from the data output means respectively connected to the data output means. A printing system comprising: a plurality of printing devices that print the image when the printing system is used. 5. A print data creating means for creating print data, a print data selecting means for selecting print data meeting a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating means, and the print data. Processing information setting means for individually setting the processing of the print data for printing in association with the processing information preset for each page of the print data selected by the selection means, and the print data selection When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted on the corresponding page of the print data selected by the means, the processing information setting means indicates the output destination prepared in advance for the page after the page. Set the number of copies so that the print data can be copied with the specified number of copies, and change the output destination to the corresponding page of the print data. When the processing information is set, copy number individual setting means for setting the number of copies so that the print data is copied at the copy number indicated by the processing information setting means for the output destination corresponding to the processing information, Copy range information setting means for setting copy range information indicating a range of pages to be copied corresponding to copy number information indicating the copy number set by the copy number individual setting means, and printing for the copy number information and the copy range information. A control record generation organization unit that generates a control record that sets a print mode of data, a print resource applied to the print data, and correction information when the print data is corrected and incorporates the control record into the print data, and the copy range information setting The print data is copied in page units based on the copy range information and output destination set by Printing comprising further data output means for outputting, and a plurality of printing devices for printing the print data according to the contents of the control record when the print data is sent from the data output means system. 6. A print data creating unit that creates print data, a print data selecting unit that selects print data that matches a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating unit, and performs printing. A process identifier for each process information indicating the output destination of the print data above, the print form of the print data, the print resource applied to the print data, and the processing content that combines the correction information when the print data is corrected. A process identifier setting means for setting, a control record identifying means for identifying a control record included in the print data selected by the print data selecting means, and a control record identified by the control record identifying means. A data output means for changing the processing content of the print data according to the processing identifier and outputting the data; Printing system characterized by comprising a plurality of printing apparatus for printing this when connected now print data has been sent respectively. 7. A print data creating means for creating print data, a print data selecting means for selecting print data matching a predetermined condition from among the print data created by the print data creating means, and Sorting information setting means for setting sorting-related contents such as an output destination of the sorting page when sorting pages for sorting between specific pages to be output for each sorting information as a key, and the printing A sorting page data generating means for discriminating this when the data includes sorting information and generating sorting page data representing the contents set by the sorting information setting means, and a sorting page data generating means. Sorting page data output means for outputting the generated sorting page data to a sorting page output destination, and the print data selection The data output means for outputting the print data selected by the stage to the corresponding output destination for each page, and the print data when the print data is sent by being connected to the data output means and the sorting page data output means, respectively. A printing system comprising: a plurality of printing devices that print a sorting page before printing the printing data of a corresponding page while printing the sorting page data. 8. A print data creating unit for creating print data, a print data selecting unit for selecting print data that matches a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating unit, and a print data Sorting information setting means for setting sorting-related contents such as an output destination of the sorting page when sorting pages for sorting between specific pages to be output for each sorting information as a key, and the printing A sorting page data generating means for discriminating this when the data includes sorting information and generating sorting page data representing the contents set by the sorting information setting means, and a sorting page data generating means. Sorting page data output means for outputting the generated sorting page data to a sorting page output destination, and the print data selection When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted in the corresponding page of the print data selected by the column, the pages after that are set as the output destination prepared in advance for the default, and the output destination is set. When the processing information to be changed is set, the output destination of the corresponding page is changed to the output destination corresponding to the processing information, and the output destination setting means and the output destination set by the output destination setting means are set. The data output means for outputting the print data of the corresponding page is connected to the data output means and the sorting page data output means, respectively, and when the print data is sent, the page is printed, while the sorting page data is It is equipped with a plurality of printing devices that print the sorting page before printing the print data of the corresponding page when sent. Printing system to collect. 9. A print data creating means for creating print data, a print data selecting means for selecting print data meeting a predetermined condition from the print data created by the print data creating means, and a print data Sorting information setting means for setting sorting-related contents such as an output destination of the sorting page when sorting pages for sorting between specific pages to be output for each sorting information as a key, and the printing A sorting page data generating means for discriminating this when the data includes sorting information and generating sorting page data representing the contents set by the sorting information setting means, and a sorting page data generating means. Sorting page data output means for outputting the generated sorting page data to a sorting page output destination, and the print data selection When the setting of the processing information indicating the output destination is omitted in the corresponding page of the print data selected by the column, the pages after that are set as the output destination prepared in advance for the default, and the output destination is set. When the processing information to be changed is set, the output destination of the corresponding page is changed to the output destination corresponding to the processing information, and the output destination setting means and the output destination set by the output destination setting means are set. A data output means for outputting the print data of the corresponding page, and a total output page number storage means for storing the total output page number of the print data or the sorting page data for each output destination to which the print data or the sorting page data is output. Then, when the processing of the predetermined print data is completed, the information stored in the total output page number storage means is read, and the charge for each output destination is performed. Printing system characterized by comprising a charging information output means for outputting a broadcast.