JPH1124865A - Print control device and method, and storage medium storing computer readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller which can output the print data where the header information identifying the separation of print jobs are added at different positions for each print job by preparing a control means which adds the header information to the print data based on the decided print position. SOLUTION: An analysis part 105 analyzes the print jobs which are successively received from a data processor and generates the print data that can be outputted from a print part. A job start detection means 112 detects the start of each print job received from the data processor. An index decision means 114 decides the print position where the header information is printed to identify each print job every time the start of each print job is detected. An index print means 113 adds the header information to the print data based on the decided print position. As a result, the header information is analyzed and can be automatically added to the print data on every page when each print job is received and printed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print control device and a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional print control apparatus.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a print control apparatus main body. A host computer (host) 102 sends data for printing to the print control apparatus 101. 10
An input unit 3 receives data sent from the host 102. A reception buffer 104 stores data received by the input unit 103.

An analysis unit 105 analyzes the received data stored in the reception buffer 104 and creates a video signal for printing on printing paper. A central control unit 109 controls the entire print control apparatus main body 101. 11
Reference numeral 0 denotes an engine unit, which transfers the video signal of each page sent from the analysis unit 105 to printing paper and outputs it. 11
A paper cassette 1 stores printing paper.

[0005] The analysis unit 105 analyzes the received data to create drawing data of each page.
06, a page buffer 107 for storing drawing data for one page, and drawing data → video signal conversion means 108 for converting drawing data into video signals. The drawing data is an intermediate code for creating a video signal from the received data.

A series of data (hereinafter referred to as a print job) for performing printing described in a printer language starting from a job start command and ending with a job end command is sent from the host 102 to the print control apparatus main body 101 configured as described above. Will be described below.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of data received by input section 103 shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the input unit 103 continuously receives a plurality of print jobs including a first print job JOB1, a second print job JOB2,..., An n-th print job JOBn.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in a conventional print control apparatus. (1) to (5) indicate steps. This process is performed after data is received from the host 102 and the page creation unit 106 detects a job start command.

[0009] The data sent from the host 102 is received by the input unit 103, and the received data is stored in the reception buffer 104. Analysis is performed at 106 (1). When the page creation unit 106 detects the job start command, it determines that the print job has started.

Next, it is determined whether or not a paper ejection command is detected in the received data (2). If no paper ejection command is detected, that is, if it is determined that the data is page creation data, the page creation means 106 is turned on. The drawing data is created and stored in the page buffer 107 (3).

On the other hand, when the page creation means 106 detects a paper ejection command such as "0Ch (ASCII data code. H means that data is represented in HEX format)" while analyzing the received data. Interprets that data analysis for one page has been completed, and
The drawing data for one page in 07 is sent to the drawing data → video signal conversion means 108, where the drawing data is converted into a video signal, and the video signal is sent to the engine unit 110 (4).

Next, when a video signal is sent, the engine unit 110 takes in a sheet from the sheet cassette 111, forms an image on the sheet based on the video signal, discharges the sheet (5), and ends the processing. . Thereafter, the subsequent pages are processed in the same manner, the 37 pages of the first print job are discharged, and when the page creation unit 106 detects the job end command, it is determined that the print job has been completed. .

Next, the analysis unit 105 controls the reception buffer 10
4 is processed in the same manner as the first print job JOB1. Similarly, the subsequent print jobs are processed, and the output for each job is sequentially stacked on the paper discharge unit.

[0014]

Since the conventional print control apparatus is configured as described above, when the output results of a plurality of print jobs are accumulated at the paper discharge location, the user is limited to one print job. It is not possible to judge at a glance whether the output result is a job, and therefore, when a plurality of people use one print control device, another person mistakenly takes a part of his or her own printed material and carries it. There is a problem that a trouble may occur.

In order to solve such a problem, when a print job is sent from the host to the print control apparatus, the print job must be input first and the output result of who or what print job is output. Although a system on the host side that outputs a heading page indicating "?" Has been proposed, such a system has a problem that pages used as partitions are wasted.

In addition, in order to transmit data from the host side in this way, there is a problem that the driver software for the print control device must be developed by himself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for generating heading information capable of identifying a break of each print job every time the start of each print job is detected. By adding to different positions in the print data, when printing multiple print jobs in succession, each print job can be performed without wasting paper and without significantly changing the control procedure of the print job. Provided are a print control apparatus and a print control method capable of outputting print data in which heading information for identifying a job delimiter added at a different position for each print job, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program. That is.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of communicating with a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus is provided. Analyzing means for generating print data that can be output from the printing unit by analyzing the print job, detecting means for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device, and detecting means for detecting the start of each print job Determining means for determining a print position of heading information to be printed for identifying each print job, and control means for adding the heading information to the print data based on the print position determined by the determining means; It has.

A second invention according to the present invention has storage means for storing a plurality of print position data for printing heading information for identifying each print job at different positions, and wherein the deciding means comprises: Each time the unit detects the start of each print job, the print position data of the index information for identifying each print job is sequentially read from the storage unit and determined.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the determining means reads from the first print position data stored in the storage means, reads out the last print data, and repeats from the first print position data. It is determined by reading.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the heading information is a plurality of different pattern data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the heading information is pattern data of a plurality of different colors.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for designating a print position of the heading information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus capable of communicating with a data processing apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control unit analyzes a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus. Analyzing means for generating print data that can be output from the printer, detecting means for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, and each time the detecting means detects the start of each print job, Determining means for determining a printing position, a printing mode, and a printing color of heading information to be printed for identifying the print job based on the heading control information specified in the print job; Control means for adding the heading information according to the print position, print form, and print color in the print data based on the form and print color.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is a printing control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein said printing control device analyzes a print job sequentially received from said data processing device and prints the data. Analyzing means for generating print data that can be output from the printer; detecting means for detecting print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and identification information for identifying the start of each print job and the print requester of each print job; A storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of heading information corresponding to the identification information, and each time the detection unit detects the start of each print job and the identification information, the heading information to be printed for identifying each print job is determined. Determining means;
Control means for reading the heading information determined by said determining means from said storage means and adding it to a predetermined position in said print data.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the heading information is bar code data.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the printing section reads a printed barcode, and connects a sorter capable of sorting and discharging to any of a plurality of discharge bins. .

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print job is analyzed by analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device. An analysis step of generating print data that can be output from the printer; a detection step of detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device; and identifying each print job each time the start of each print job is detected. For determining the printing position of the heading information to be printed, and an adding step of adding the heading information to the print data based on the printing position determined in the determining step.

A twelfth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a computer readable program for controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, An analysis step of analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the device to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit, and a detection step of detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device;
A determination step of determining a print position of index information to be printed to identify each print job each time the start of each of the print jobs is detected, and determining the print data based on the print position determined by the determination step. And an adding step of adding the heading information.

A thirteenth invention according to the present invention relates to a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control section analyzes print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device, and An analysis step of generating print data that can be output from the printer; a detection step of detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device; and identifying each print job each time the start of each print job is detected. Determining the printing position, printing form, and printing color of the heading information to be printed based on the heading control information specified in the print job; and the printing position, printing form, and printing determined by the determining step. An adding step of adding the heading information according to the print position, print mode, and print color in the print data based on the color.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. An analysis step of analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the device to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit, and a detection step of detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device;
Every time the start of each print job is detected, the print position, print form, and print color of the index information to be printed for identifying each print job are determined based on the index control information specified in the print job. A determining step; and an adding step of adding the heading information according to the printing position, the printing mode, and the printing color in the print data based on the printing position, the printing mode, and the printing color determined by the determining step.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. The print control method analyzes a print job sequentially received from the data processing device. An analysis step of generating print data that can be output from the printer, a detection step of detecting print jobs sequentially received from the data processing apparatus and identification information for identifying a start of each print job and a print requester of each print job; A storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of heading information corresponding to the identification information; and determining the heading information to be printed to identify each printing job each time the detection step detects the start of each printing job and the identification information. Determining the heading information determined in the determining step from the storage unit that stores a plurality of heading information corresponding to the identification information; Those having the additional step of adding a predetermined position in the printing data.

A sixteenth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, An analysis step of analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the apparatus to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit; a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, a start of each print job, and a print requester of each print job A detecting step for detecting identification information for identifying the print job; a storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of heading information corresponding to the identification information; each time the detecting step detects the start of each print job and the identification information, A determining step of determining heading information to be printed in order to identify a job, and the heading information determined by the determining step as the identification information; In which from the storage means for storing a plurality of title information that respond and a additional step of adding a predetermined position in the print data.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a print control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 112 denotes a job start detecting means for detecting a job start command from the received data stored in the reception buffer 104. Reference numeral 113 denotes an index printing unit that creates drawing data for an index based on index information stored in an index information storage unit 115 described later, that is, index (index) information for identifying a boundary of a printed matter to be output.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an analysis unit, which is a page creation unit 10
6, a page buffer 107, drawing data → video signal conversion means 108, job start detection means 112, index printing means 113, and the like.

Reference numeral 114 denotes an index determination unit which determines the print position of the index of the job when the job start detection unit 112 detects a job start instruction. Note that the index determination means 114 is provided by the central control unit 1.
09.

Reference numeral 115 denotes an index information storage unit which stores information of a printing position for sequentially printing the above-mentioned index at different positions on the printing paper. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the print information set in the index information storage unit 115 can take an off value of 1st to 10th.

Reference numeral 116 denotes an operation panel for performing various settings including setting whether or not to print an index on print paper to be output.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for setting an index print flag set by the operation panel 116 shown in FIG. The setting of the presence or absence of index printing is performed by operating the keys while referring to the display of the operation panel 116 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the setting is made from the operation panel 116, but the setting may be made from the host computer.

With the above setting, the index print flag is set in a memory (not shown) in the central control unit 109. When the power is turned on, “off” is set as a default.

Hereinafter, a method for determining the index print position will be described.

First, the index determining means 114 refers to the above memory, and does not print the index when the memory is off.

The index deciding means 114 assigns the first print position to a print job detected first after the menu “index print” on the operation panel 116 is set to “ON”, and assigns 2nd print position to the jobs detected thereafter. Number 3,
When the print positions of numbers... Are sequentially assigned, the print position of number 10 is repeated, and so on. Further, the number corresponding to the print position assigned to the index determination unit 114 is stored in the index information storage unit 115.

A series of data (hereinafter referred to as a print job) for performing printing described in a printer language starting from a job start command and ending with a job end command is transmitted from the host 102 to the print control apparatus main body 101 configured as described above. Will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an accumulation state of data transmitted from the host 102 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that a plurality of print jobs are continuously sent as a first print job JOB1, a second print job JOB2,..., An n-th print job JOBn.
Note that the first print job JOB1 has 37 pages, the second print job JOB2 has 23 pages, and the third print job JOB
OB3 includes page creation data for 56 pages.

FIG. 4 shows the print control apparatus 101 shown in FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an index printing process according to FIG.
The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, PO indicates a sheet discharge result, which corresponds to a state where, for example, print jobs JOB1 to JOB4 are continuously stacked and discharged. JOB1-1 is a print job JOB.
The first page corresponds to a state where, for example, an index IND for identifying a break of each print job is automatically added to the right end side along the sheet discharging direction and printed.

In the present embodiment, the case where the paper is discharged face down with the printing surface being the lower surface is shown, but face up paper may be discharged.

FIG. 5 shows the print control apparatus 101 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a printing position of an index printed by the same method as in FIG. 4, and the same components as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, IND1 to IND10 are indexes, and the index determination means 114 shown in FIG.
The print position is determined in accordance with the numbers “1” to “10” determined by the above. For example, after printing the index IND10, the print position is returned to No. 1 and is sequentially rotated.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

A print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above, wherein a print job sequentially received from the data processing device is analyzed and output from a printing unit. Analyzing means (analyzing unit 105) for generating proper print data, detecting means (job start detecting means 112) for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device, and detecting the start of each print job. Means (index determining means 114) for determining the print position of the index information to be printed for identifying each print job each time the print data is detected, and adding the print data to the print data based on the print position determined by the determine means. Since it has a control unit (index printing unit 113) for adding the heading information, when each print job is received and printed, It can be automatically added to the print data of each page that is generated by analyzing the header information that enables identifying the delimiter of each print job in the position.

Further, there is provided a storage unit (index information storage unit 115) for storing a plurality of print position data for printing heading information for identifying each print job at different positions, and the determination unit includes the detection unit. Each time detects the start of each print job, the print position data of the index information for identifying each print job is sequentially read from the storage unit and determined (the index determination unit 114 is stored in the index information storage unit 115). Therefore, when each print job is received and printed, each print job is generated by analyzing the heading information that can identify the break of each print job according to the stored different position data. It can be automatically added to page print data.

Further, the determining means reads from the first print position data stored in the storage means, reads out the final print data, and then repeatedly reads out and determines from the first print position data (index determining means). 114, the index next to the IND 10 is determined to be the first position as shown in FIG. 5). Therefore, even if a large number of print jobs are received, a small number of print position data are circulated and heading information is set for each job. It can be added at different locations.

Hereinafter, the first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (12) indicate each step.

First, the data sent from the host 102 is received by the input unit 103 (step not shown), and upon receiving the data, the input unit 103 accumulates the data in the reception buffer 104 (step not shown).

Next, the analysis unit 105 analyzes the received data stored in the reception buffer 104 in the order of reception (1).
It is determined whether the job start detecting means 112 has detected the job start instruction (2). If it is determined that the job start instruction has been detected, the central control unit 109 receives a job start notification from the job start detecting means 112 and operates the operation panel 116. Refer to the setting contents of the menu "Index printing" to determine whether "Index printing" is set to "On" (3), and when it is determined that the setting contents are set to "On" Determines the printing position of the index to be printed on the printing paper by the index determining means 114 (4),
The content is set in the index information storage unit 115 (5), and the process is terminated.

When the job start command of the first print job is detected, the index determining means 114
The first print position is assigned to the print job No. 1, and the first print position is set in the index information storage unit 115.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the setting content is "off", the information on the printing position in the index information storage unit 115 is set to off (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the job start command has not been detected, it is determined whether or not the page creation means 106 has detected the discharge command (7). The received data is analyzed by the page creation means 106, the drawing data is created and stored in the page buffer 107 (8), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (7) that the print position has been detected, it is determined whether or not the print position information stored in the index information storage unit 115 is set to "off" (9). Is determined, the index printing unit 113 is activated, and based on the printing position of the index stored in the index information storage unit 115 (at first, the drawing data of the index corresponding to the printing position). Create and page buffer 1
07, that is, OR expansion is performed (10), and the process proceeds to step (11).

On the other hand, if it is determined to be "OFF", the process proceeds to step (11) without performing the process of step (10).

Next, the drawing data for one page developed in the page buffer 107 is sent to the drawing data → video signal conversion means 108, where the drawing data is converted into a video signal, and the video signal is sent to the engine unit 110. Send (1
1).

Then, when the video signal is sent, the engine unit 110 takes in the paper from the paper cassette 111, outputs an image based on the video signal to the paper, discharges the paper (12), and ends the processing. .

Then, the subsequent pages are processed in the same manner, and the 37 pages of the first print job are discharged. When the page creation unit 106 detects the job end command, it determines that the print job has ended.

Next, the analysis unit 105 performs the analysis of the second print job in substantially the same manner as the analysis of the first print job. However, when the central control unit 109 receives the job start notification and determines the printing position of the index by the index determining unit 114, the index information storage unit 113
, The print position of the first print job is referred to, and the next print number is determined. Second
The print job of No. 2 is assigned as a print number, and 23 pages of the second print job are discharged in the same manner as described above.

Then, similarly, the third, fourth,... Print jobs are processed, and when the eleventh print job is processed, the index information storage unit 115 is used when the index determination unit 114 determines the printing position of the index. Is referred to as the print position of the tenth print job, and the number 1 is assigned as the number next to the number 10.
Subsequent print jobs are processed in the same manner.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described.
This will be further described with reference to FIG.

A printing control method capable of communicating with the data processing device via the predetermined communication medium configured as described above, or controlling the printing process by communicating with the data processing device via the predetermined communication medium. An analysis step of analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and generating print data that can be output from a printing unit (FIG. 6).
(1)), a detecting step (step (2) in FIG. 6) for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, and each time the start of each print job is detected, A determining step (step (4) of 6) for determining the print position of the index information to be printed for identifying the job; and adding the index information to the print data based on the printing device determined in the determining step. And an additional step (step (10) in FIG. 6).
When each print job is received and printed, it can be automatically added to the print data of each page generated by analyzing the index information that can identify the break of each print job at a different position.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
By automatically printing the index at a different position for each print job, a printed matter can be output so that the user can determine at a glance the break indicating the output result of one print job.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
The case of printing in a single color at the index print position automatically determined based on the index print designation on the operation panel of the print control device has been described. However, the index parameter and the print direction of the index specified by the host in the job control language. Alternatively, the index may be printed based on the size and the size. Also, changing the index parameter, the color for printing the index,
Alternatively, the printing may be performed by changing the printing pattern of the index. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a printing control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a printing control apparatus main body. Reference numeral 215 denotes a RAM which secures an overlay registration area in which drawing data of an index portion can be registered as an overlay page. The engine unit 110 is configured to print a color image.

Reference numeral 205 denotes an analysis unit. The job start detection unit 112 detects and processes a job start command. The job control language analysis unit 217 analyzes a job control language part of the received data. Printer language analyzing means 206 for analyzing the portion to create drawing data for each page, page buffer 107 for storing drawing data for one page, creating drawing data for indexes, and using that page as an overlay page in RAM 2
15 and the index creation / printing means 213 which reads the drawing data of the overlay page from the RAM 215 and writes it in the page buffer 107 when a drawing page of each page (hereinafter referred to as a real page) can be created and discharged. , For converting drawing data into a video signal.

The central control unit 109 is provided with index determination means 114 for determining the printing position of the index to be printed on the job when the start of the job is detected.

In this embodiment, the case where the print position is specified by the print job control code transmitted from the host computer 102 has been described.
May be configured so that a print position such as up, down, right, left, etc. can be designated by an operation panel (not shown).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the job control language received from the host computer 102 shown in FIG.

The printer languages generally well known include ESC / P which is a standard printer language in a DOS environment of a DOS / V personal computer, LIPS and ESC / Page which are printer languages of a page printer. There is. A series of data for controlling the print job is called a job control language. The job control language is configured to enable setting of the number of copies, setting of the printing resolution, and the like.

In the figure, (A) to (D) are examples of job control language data. Hereinafter, the contents of the job control language will be described.

“#JOBCNTLINDEX” functions as a code for setting the index, followed by “PARM”, “DIRECTION”, and “SI”.
“ZE” is a variable, and the contents of the index are determined by what is set for each variable.

More specifically, "PARM" functions as a variable for setting how to identify an index, and if index printing is not performed (A)
If "OFF" is set as shown in (1) and the index is identified by the print position, "POSITION" is set as shown in (B), and if the index is identified by the print pattern ( C)
"PATTERN" is set as shown in (1), and "COLOR" is set as shown in (D) if the index is identified by color.

In (B), (C) and (D), “DIR”
"ECTION" functions as a variable to set which part of the printing paper the index is to be printed on. For example, "RIGHT" is set for printing on the right end, and "LEFT" is set for printing on the left end. To print at the upper end, "UP" is set, and to print at the lower end, "DOWN" is set.

In (B), (C) and (D), “SI
“ZE” functions as a variable for setting the size of the index, and “1” is used to print a small index.
Is set, "2" is set for printing a medium index, and "3" is set for printing a large index.

FIG. 9 shows the job control language JO shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of the index printing form by each variable set by BCL, (a) shows the index printing form by the variable "SIZE", (b) shows the variable "DIRE"
CION ”indicates an index printing form,
(C) shows an index printing form by the variable "POSITION", (d) shows an index printing form by "PATTERN", and (e) shows an index printing form by "COLOR".

Specifically, in FIG. 9A, the variable “SI
ZE "is set to" 1 ", a small index is printed, if" 2 "is set, a medium index is printed, and if" 3 "is set, a large index is printed. You.

The large, medium and small sizes are determined by the vertical and horizontal sizes of the paper size. FIG. 9A corresponds to a state in which the stacked print results are viewed from the cross-sectional side.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9B, the variable “DIRE
CITION ”,“ RIGHT ”,“ LEFT ”,“ U
P "and" DOWN "are set, and the index is printed at each of the right, left, upper, and lower positions of the printing paper. FIG. 9B corresponds to a state in which the stacked print results are viewed from the front.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9C, the variable “PAR
M "is set to" POSITION ".
For each print job, an index is printed shifted to the same end. Note that FIG. 9C corresponds to a state in which the stacked print results are viewed from the cross-sectional side.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9D, the variable “PAR
This is the case where “PATTERN” is set in “M”, for example, a plurality of patterns are printed at different positions. Further, in this print example, the print pattern is such that it increases like a binary number from the mark on the left of the index. Note that FIG. 9D corresponds to a state in which the stacked printing results are viewed from the cross-sectional side.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9 (e), the variable "PAR
This is a case where “COLOR” is set in “M”, and for example, an index is printed for each color of “black”, “yellow”, “red”, “green”, “blue”. Note that FIG. 9E corresponds to a state in which the stacked print results are viewed from the cross-sectional side.

FIG. 10 shows the reception buffer 11 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job stored in No. 4; In the figure, JOBCL is a job control language, and a print job J
Are added to the head of OB1 to JOB3,. Note that a job start command is added to the head of each print job JOB1 to JOB3, and a job end command is added to the end. The first job JOB1 has 37 pages, the second print job JOB2 has 23 pages, and the third print job JOB
Reference numeral 3 includes page creation data for 56 pages.

In this embodiment, the job control language JOBC
Following L, each print job JOB1 to JOB3 is received and stored in the reception buffer 104.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the printing control apparatus configured as described above, since the heading information is a plurality of different pattern data (see FIG. 9D), the heading information for easily identifying the break for each job is provided. Can be added.

Since the heading information is pattern data of a plurality of different colors (see FIG. 9E), it is possible to add heading information for easily identifying a break for each job. it can.

Further, a designating means for designating a print position of the heading information (a variable "DIRECTION" included in the job control language shown in FIGS. 8B, 8C and 8D).
Is analyzed by the job control language analysis means 217 and specified to the central control unit 209, or is specified to the central control unit 209 by input from an operation panel (not shown). The printing position can be freely changed to an intended position.

A print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control device analyzes print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and generates print data that can be output from a printing unit. Analysis means (analysis unit 2
05), detecting means (job start detecting means 112) for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, and identifying each print job each time the detecting means detects the start of each print job. Determining means for determining the print position, print form, and print color of the heading information to be printed based on the heading control information specified in the print job (job control language and variable following the job control language analyzing means 217). Is analyzed, and the analysis result is notified to the central control unit 109, and the index determination unit 114 determines based on the notification result), and based on the print position, print form, and print color determined by the determination unit. Control means for adding the index information according to the print position, print form, and print color in the print data (index creation /
Printing means 213), it is possible to identify the delimiter of each print job at a different position when each print job is received and printed based on the heading control information added in the received print job. It is possible to automatically add to the print data of each page generated by analyzing the intended heading information which is rich in changes.

Hereinafter, the second data processing of the print control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention. (1) to (12) indicate steps.

The data sent from the host 102 is received by the input unit 103 (not shown), and
3 receives the data and accumulates it in the reception buffer 104 (not shown). The analysis unit 205 analyzes the reception data stored in the reception buffer 104 in the order of reception (1).

Next, it is determined whether or not the received data is in the job control language (2). If it is determined that the received data is in the job control language, information on the index is read from the job control (3). The analysis means 217 outputs the index “PARM”, “DIRECTION”.
N ”and“ SIZE ”are analyzed and the information is
09, the central control unit 109 stores the information in the memory in the index determination unit 114 (4), and ends the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the language is not the job control language, the job start detecting means 1
12 determines whether a job start command has been detected (5). If it is determined that a job start command has been detected,
The job start detection unit 112 temporarily suspends the analysis processing of the received data by the analysis unit 205 and sends a job start notification to the central control unit 209. When the central control unit 209 receives the job start notification, the central control unit 209 turns the index determination unit 114 on. It starts and determines the contents of the index (6).

Thus, for example, in the case where the setting of discriminating the index according to (D) shown in FIG. 8 by color is made in the job control language, the index determination means 114 sets the index after setting the index in the job control language. "COLOR" is "black", "DIRECTION" is "upper", and "SIZ"
"E" is determined as the index of "3".

Next, when the contents of the index are determined, the central control unit 109 creates an index in the analysis unit 205.
The printing unit 213 is activated to create drawing data of a page on which only the index of the content is printed, and the drawing data of the page is registered as an overlay page in the overlay page registration area on the RAM 215 (7), and the process ends. I do.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that no job start command is detected, it is determined whether or not the received data is a paper discharge command (8). The control unit 109 instructs the analysis unit 205 to restart the analysis processing of the received data.
Restarts the analysis process. The printer language analyzing means 206 analyzes the received data in the printer language other than the job start command, creates drawing data, stores it in the page buffer 107 (9), and ends the processing. The drawing data is an intermediate code for creating a video signal from the received data.

On the other hand, in step (8), when the received data is a paper ejection command (for example, 0Ch (ASCII data code. H represents the data in the HEX format) while the printer language analyzing means 206 is analyzing the received data. Is detected), it is interpreted that data analysis for one page has been completed, the index creation / printing means 213 is activated, and RA
The overlay page is read from the overlay page registration area on M215, and the drawing data is stored in the page buffer 1
07, that is, OR expansion (10).

Then, the drawing data for one page in the page buffer 107 is sent to the drawing data → video signal conversion means 108, where the drawing data is converted into a video signal, and the video signal is sent to the engine unit 110 (1).
1). When the video signal is sent, the engine unit 110 takes in the paper from the paper cassette 111, outputs the video signal to the paper, discharges the paper (12), and ends the processing.

Then, the subsequent pages are processed in the same manner, the 37 pages of the first print job JOB1 are discharged, and when the printer language analyzing means 106 detects the job end command, this print job is ended. And judge.

In the same way, the subsequent pages are processed, the 37 pages of the first print job JOB1 are discharged, and when the printer language analyzing unit 206 detects the job end command, it is determined that the print job has ended. to decide.

Next, the analysis unit 205 outputs the second print job J
OB2 analysis processing is performed. The analysis processing of the second print job is performed in substantially the same manner as the analysis processing of the first print job JOB1. However, when the central control unit 109 receives the job start notification and determines the printing position of the index by the index determining unit 114, the index determining unit 1
Referring to the contents of the previous index stored in the memory No. 14, the variable “COLOR” is now changed to “yellow”
"DIRECTION" is "upper" and "SIZ
"E" is determined as the index of "3". When the contents of the index are determined, the central control unit 209 activates the index creation / printing means 213 in the analysis unit 205, creates drawing data of a page on which only the index of the content is printed, and creates drawing data of the page. Is registered in the RAM 215 as an overlay page. Then, as in the case described above, 23 pages of the second print job are discharged. Similarly, the third, fourth,... And print jobs are sequentially processed.

In the above-described processing procedure, “PARM” and “DIRECT” set in the job control language are used.
Since “TION” and “SIZE” correspond to the case of FIG. 8D, the index is determined as follows.

That is, the index “COLOR”
The five colors “black” → “yellow” → “red” → “green” → “blue” are repeated in order. Therefore, when an index with “COLOR” of “blue” is printed in the fifth print job,
In the next sixth print job, an index whose “COLOR” is “black” is printed. Subsequent print jobs are processed in the same manner.

Up to this point, the contents of the job control language are shown in FIG.
The case of (D) shown in FIG.
(B) and (C), the operation is the same except that the contents of the index overlay page are changed. In the case of (A) shown in FIG. 8, since an index is not printed, an overlay page in which no drawing data is performed is registered in the overlay registration area of the RAM 115.
The operation is the same as the operation (D) shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the characteristic structure of this embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.

A printing control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above, or controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. An analysis step of analyzing a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus and generating print data that can be output from a printing unit (FIG. 1).
1 (1)) and a detecting step of detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus (FIG. 1).
Step (5)), and each time the start of each print job is detected, the print position, print form, and print color of the index information to be printed to identify each print job are specified in the print job. (Step (6) in FIG. 11) for determining based on the heading control information, and the print position, print mode, and print color in the print data based on the print position, print form, and print color determined in the determination step. Since there is an additional step (step (10) in FIG. 11) of adding the heading information according to the form and the printing color, each print job is received based on the heading control information added in the received print job. Automatically prints the print data of each page generated by analyzing the change of the intended heading information that makes it possible to identify the breaks of each print job at different positions when printing. It can be.

As described above, by printing an index in which the print position or the print pattern or the print color is changed on the output result of each print job, the user can determine the end of the output result of one print job. By making the judgment at a glance, it is possible to avoid a situation such as a partial loss of the related printed matter due to a mishandling of the printed matter.

[Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment,
The case where printing is performed by automatically adding an index indicating the delimitation of each print job according to the job control language from the host has been described, but a predetermined code is printed on the index indicating the delimitation of each print job, the code is read, and the option is read. You may be comprised so that the discharge destination to the sorter provided with several bins as an apparatus may be controlled. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a printing system to which a printing control apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The printing control apparatus main body includes, for example, an automatic sorting apparatus having four bins. This corresponds to the case where the device can be connected. Note that the same components as those in FIG. 1 or FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a print control apparatus main body. An analysis unit 305 includes a job start detection unit 112 that detects a job start command, a page creation unit 106 that analyzes received data to create drawing data of each page, a page buffer 107 that stores one page of drawing data,
The drawing data for the index is created, and the page is registered as an overlay page in the RAM 115. When a drawing page (hereinafter, referred to as a real page) for each page can be created and discharged, the overlay page is drawn from the RAM 115. It comprises data reading and writing into the page buffer 107, index creation / printing means 213, drawing data for converting drawing data into video signals → video signal converting means 108.

Reference numeral 116 denotes an operation panel for setting whether or not to print an index (predetermined code, which is a barcode in this embodiment) on print paper to be output.

The central control unit 309 includes an index determination unit 114 for determining the print position of the index of the job when the start of the job is detected, and a user ID = barcode storage unit for storing the correspondence between the user ID and the barcode. 318 are provided.

319 is an automatic sorter (sorter)
The page received from the print control device 301 is received and sorted into bins for each user. A bar code reader 320 reads a bar code printed as an index on each page and detects a numerical code. 32
Reference numeral 1 denotes a sorting unit that determines a bin to be output from the numerical code of each page and outputs the bin to the bin. The automatic sorting device 319 includes a communication interface (not shown), CPU,
It has an OM, a RAM, and the like, and is configured to be able to communicate with the print control device.

The bins 322 to 325 are bins 322 to 322.
Reference numeral 24 denotes printed matter for users A to C, and bin 325 outputs printed matter of other users (other than users A to C).

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the correspondence between the user ID and the bar code stored in the user ID = bar code storage means 318 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 12, first, the print control device 30
One operator inputs the correspondence between the user ID and the barcode from the operation panel 116. The user ID is input, for example, as a combination of up to 16 alphabetic characters, numerical values or symbols starting with an alphabetic character, and the barcode is input as an 8-digit numerical value. The input data is stored in the user ID = barcode storage unit 318 in the central control unit 309. Here, the operator sets the user ID “USER-A” to the numerical value “01234505”.
When the bar code of the numerical value “0678915” is input to the user ID “USER-B” and the bar code of the numerical value “05432105” is input to the user ID “USER-C”, the user ID = bar code The correspondence between the user ID and the barcode is stored in the storage unit 318, and the user ID and the barcode correspond one-to-one, so that the user can be identified by each barcode.

Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

A print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above, wherein a print job sequentially received from the data processing device is analyzed and output from a printing unit. Analyzing means (analyzing means 305) for generating detailed print data, and detecting means for detecting print jobs sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, start of each print job, and identification information for identifying a print requester of each print job ( A job start detecting unit 112), a storing unit (user ID = barcode storing unit 318) for storing a plurality of heading information corresponding to the identification information, and the detecting unit detects the start of each print job and the identification information. Determining means (index determining means 114) for determining heading information to be printed in order to identify each print job; A control unit (index creation / printing unit 213) for reading the heading information determined by the setting unit from the storage unit and adding the index information to a predetermined position in the print data. In addition, it is possible to automatically add to the print data of each page generated by analyzing the index information that can identify the break of each print job for each different print requester.

Since the heading information is bar code data (the bar code shown in FIG. 13), a unique bar code for identifying each print requester can be printed on the recording medium to be discharged. it can.

Further, the printing section reads the printed bar code, and outputs a plurality of paper discharge bins (bins 322 to 32).
5) Since a sorter (automatic sorting device 319) capable of sorting and discharging can be connected to any of the above, the printed barcode can be read and sorted and discharged to a different discharging bin for each requester. .

Hereinafter, the host 10 is connected to the print control device 301.
A data processing method when a print job is sent from No. 2 will be described.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the same data as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the first print job JOB
1, a second print job JOB2,..., An n-th print job J
It is assumed that a plurality of print jobs are sent continuously, such as OBn. However, it is assumed that the job start instruction includes a user ID indicating a print job of which user.

Here, the job start command of the first print job JOB1 includes a user ID “USER-B” indicating that the job is a print job of the user B, and the job start command of the second print job JOB2 includes The user ID “USER-C” representing the print job of the user C includes the user ID “USER-A” representing the print job of the user A in the job start command of the third print job. Shall be included.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

The data sent from the host 102 is received by the input unit 103 (steps not shown), and
3 receives the data and accumulates it in the reception buffer 104 (not shown). The reception data accumulated in the reception buffer 104 is analyzed by the analysis unit 305 in the order of reception (1).

Next, upon detection by the job start detecting means 112 in the analysis unit 305, it is determined whether or not a job start instruction as first received data is detected (2), and it is determined that the job start instruction is detected. In this case, the job start detecting unit 112 outputs the user I
D Read "USER-B" (3).

Next, the analysis processing of the received data by the analysis unit 305 is temporarily stopped, and the user
When the job start notification including the D information is performed (step (not shown)) and the central control unit 309 receives the job start notification, the index determination unit 114 is activated, and the index determination unit 114 transmits the user ID “U” from the job start notification.
SER-B ”, and the user ID“ USER-
B ”corresponding to the numerical code“ 0667890 ”of the barcode.
15 "is read from the user ID = barcode storage means 217 (4).

Next, data for printing the numerical code as a bar code index is generated (not shown). Here, user ID = barcode storage means 318
If a job start notification of a user ID that is not registered in the user ID is sent or a job start notification that does not include the user ID is sent, the bar code value of the user ID representing the other user Code "09999
995 "is selected and processed.

Next, when the contents of the index are determined, the central control unit 309 creates / creates an index in the analysis unit 305.
The data is sent to the printing means 213, the index creation / printing means 213 is activated to create drawing data of a page for printing only the barcode index, and the drawing data of the page is used as an overlay page in the RAM 215.
(5), and terminates the process. Then, the central control unit 309 instructs the analysis unit 305 to restart the analysis process of the received data, and the analysis unit 305 restarts the analysis process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the job start command has not been detected, it is determined whether or not the discharge command has been detected (6). In 305, the received data in the printer language is analyzed by the page creation means 106, and the drawing data is created and stored in the page buffer 107 (7), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that the discharge command has been detected, it is interpreted that the data analysis for one page has been completed, the index creation / printing means 213 is activated, and the overlay from the RAM 215 The drawing data of the page is read and added to the page buffer 107, that is, OR development is performed (8).

Then, the drawing data for one page in the page buffer 107 is sent to the drawing data → video signal conversion means 108, where the drawing data is converted into a video signal, and the video signal is sent to the engine unit 110 (9). .
When the video signal is sent, the engine unit 110 takes in the paper from the paper cassette 111, outputs the video signal to the paper, discharges the paper (10), and ends the processing.

Then, the subsequent pages are processed in the same manner, the 37 pages of the first print job are discharged, and when the page creation means 106 detects the job end command, it is determined that the print job has ended. to decide.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processing procedure on the side of the automatic sorting apparatus 319 shown in FIG. Note that (1) to (3) indicate each step.

The printed material output from the print control device 301 is sent to the automatic sorting device 319. Automatic sorting device 3
In step 19, the prints sent from the print control device 301 are input one by one (1). The barcode printed as an index of each page is read by the barcode reader 320 and, for example, when the numeric code “0678915” is recognized (2), the numeric code is notified to the sorting means 321 and each page is sent.

The sorting means 321 recognizes which numerical code page should be output to which bin. At this time, the page of the numerical code “01234505” is stored in the bin 322 of the user A and the numerical code “06789”.
The page of “015” is in bin 323 of user B, and the page of numerical code “05432105” is in bin 32 of user C.
4 is output. Here, when the page of the numerical code “09999995” is sent, the paper discharge source is controlled so that the printed paper is output not to the bin for the specific user but to the bin 325 representing other users. (3). In this manner, the output results of all pages of the first print job are all bin 3 of user B.
23.

Then, like the first print job JOB1, the second print job JOB2 and the third print job JO
B3 are processed, and the printed matter of the print job of each user ID is output to the bins 322 to 325 for each user of the automatic sorting apparatus 319.

Hereinafter, the characteristic structure of this embodiment will be further described with reference to FIG.

A printing control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium configured as described above, or controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. An analysis step of analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the data processing apparatus and generating print data that can be output from a printing unit (FIG. 1).
Step (1) of FIG. 14 and a detection step of detecting the print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, the start of each print job, and identification information for identifying a print requester of each print job (step (2) in FIG. 14). ), (3)), storage means (user ID = barcode storage means 318) for storing a plurality of heading information corresponding to the identification information, and the detecting step detects the start of each print job and the identification information. Each time the print job is determined, a step of determining heading information to be printed to identify each print job (step (4) in FIG. 14); An additional step (step (8) in FIG. 14) of reading from the storage means for storing the heading information and adding it to a predetermined position in the print data. The in printing received can be automatically added to the print data of each page that is generated by analyzing the header information that enables identifying the delimiter of each print job for each different print requestor.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, a barcode corresponding to each user is printed as an index, and the barcode is identified by the automatic sorting device 319 equipped with a barcode reader. By sorting and discharging the bins to be printed, it is possible to obtain a printed material from the bin specified by the user without determining the output result of one print job.

In the above embodiment, the index is printed on the edge of the printing paper. However, the index is printed on a predetermined portion inside the edge of the printing paper, and the user can print the index one by one. The difference between print jobs may be recognized by looking at the print paper.

In the third embodiment, the user I
The example in which the correspondence between D and the barcode is set from the operation panel and the user ID is included in the job start command of the print job has been described, but the correspondence between the user ID and the barcode is sent from the host. It may be included in job control language data. Further, the user ID of the print job may be set in the job control language.

The configuration of a print control device according to the present invention and a data processing program readable by a printing system to which the print control device can be applied will be described below with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium for storing a print control device according to the present invention and various data processing programs readable by a printing system to which the print control device can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

FIGS. 6, 11, and 1 in this embodiment.
4, the functions shown in FIG. 15 may be performed by a host computer by a program externally installed. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0164]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control device analyzes print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and outputs print data that can be output from a printing unit. Analyzing means for generating, detecting means for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, and printing for identifying each print job each time the detecting means detects the start of each print job Since it has a deciding means for deciding a print position of the heading information and a control means for adding the heading information to the print data based on the printing position decided by the deciding means, each print job is received and printed. At this time, it is possible to automatically add the print data of each page generated by analyzing the heading information that can identify the break of each print job at a different position.

According to the second invention, there is provided storage means for storing a plurality of print position data for printing heading information for identifying each print job at different positions, wherein the determination means comprises: Each time the start of each print job is detected, the print position data of the heading information for identifying each print job is sequentially read from the storage unit and determined, so that when each print job is received and printed, the stored print position data is stored. It is possible to automatically add to the print data of each page generated by analyzing the heading information that can identify the break of each print job according to different position data.

According to the third aspect, the determining means reads from the first print position data stored in the storage means, reads out the last print data, and then repeatedly reads from the first print position data. Since the determination is made, even when a large number of print jobs are received, a small number of print position data can be circulated, and index information can be added to a different position for each job.

According to a fourth aspect, the heading information is:
Since a plurality of different pattern data are used, it is possible to add heading information for easily identifying a break for each job.

According to the fifth invention, the heading information is:
Since pattern data of a plurality of different colors is used, it is possible to add heading information for easily and visually identifying a break for each job.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the designation means for designating the print position of the index information is provided, the print position of the index information can be freely changed to an intended position according to the print data.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, analyzing a print job sequentially received from the data processing device and outputting the print job from a printing unit. Analyzing means for generating possible print data; detecting means for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device; and identifying each print job each time the detecting means detects the start of each print job. Determining means for determining a printing position, a printing form, and a printing color of the heading information to be printed based on the heading control information specified in the print job; and a printing position, printing form, Control means for adding the heading information according to the print position, print form, and print color in the print data based on the print color.
Based on the heading control information added in the received print job, when each print job is received and printed, a variety of intended heading information that makes it possible to identify a break of each print job at a different position. Can be automatically added to the print data of each page generated by analyzing.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and outputting the print job from a printing unit. Analyzing means for generating possible print data; detecting means for detecting print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and identification information for identifying a start of each print job and a print requester of each print job;
A storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of heading information corresponding to the identification information, and determining the heading information to be printed to identify each print job each time the detection means detects the start of each print job and the identification information. Determining means, and control means for reading the heading information determined by the determining means from the storage means and adding it to a predetermined position in the print data, so that when each print job is received and printed, It is possible to automatically add to the print data of each page generated by analyzing the heading information that can identify the break of each print job for each different print requester.

According to the ninth aspect, the heading information is:
Since the barcode data is used, a unique barcode for identifying each print requester can be printed on the recording medium to be discharged.

According to the tenth aspect, the printing section reads the printed barcode and can connect a sorter capable of sorting and discharging to any of the plurality of discharge bins. Barcodes can be sorted and discharged to different discharge bins for each reading requester.

According to the eleventh and twelfth aspects, there is provided a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, or by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a printing process,
An analysis step of analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the data processing apparatus to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit; a detection step of detecting a start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus; A determination step of determining a print position of index information to be printed to identify each print job each time a start of a print job is detected; and determining the title in the print data based on the print position determined by the determination step. And an adding step of adding information, so that when each print job is received and printed, print data of each page generated by analyzing heading information that can identify a break of each print job at a different position Can be added automatically.

According to the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, there is provided a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, or by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a printing process,
An analysis step of analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the data processing apparatus to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit; a detection step of detecting a start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus; Determining a print position, print form, and print color of heading information to be printed for identifying each print job based on heading control information specified in the print job every time the start of a print job is detected And an adding step of adding the heading information according to the print position, print form, and print color in the print data based on the print position, print form, and print color determined in the determining step. When each print job is received and printed based on the heading control information added in the print job, each print job is separated at a different position. Can be automatically added to the print data of each page that is generated by analyzing the header information intended variegated be another possible.

According to the fifteenth and sixteenth aspects, there is provided a print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, or by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program that controls a printing process,
An analysis step of analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the data processing apparatus to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit; and a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, and a start of each print job and a print job of each print job. A detecting step of detecting identification information for identifying a print requester; a storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of heading information corresponding to the identification information; each time the detecting step detects the start of each print job and the identification information, Determining a heading information to be printed in order to identify each print job; and reading the heading information determined in the determining step from a storage unit storing a plurality of heading information corresponding to the identification information and performing the printing. An additional step of adding the print job to a predetermined position in the data. It can be automatically added to the print data of each page that is generated by analyzing the header information that enables identifying the delimiter of each print job.

Therefore, when printing a plurality of print jobs continuously, the heading information for identifying the break of each print job can be obtained without wasting paper and without largely changing the control procedure of the print job. There is an effect that print data added to different positions can be output for each print job.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for setting an index print flag set by the operation panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of storing data sent from the host shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an index print process performed by the print control device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a print position of an index printed by the print control device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing an example of a job control language received from the host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an index printing mode using each variable set in the job control language shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job stored in a reception buffer illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a print control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the correspondence between the user ID and the barcode stored in the user ID = barcode storage means shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure on the automatic sorting device side illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a print control device according to the present invention and a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control device can be applied.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional print control device.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of data transmitted from a host to a conventional print control apparatus.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a conventional print control apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 printing control device 102 host computer (host) 103 input unit 104 reception buffer 105 analysis unit 106 page creation unit 107 page buffer 108 drawing data → video signal conversion unit 109 central control unit 110 engine unit 111 paper cassette 112 job start detection unit 113 Index printing unit 114 Index determination unit 115 Index information storage unit 116 Operation panel

Claims (16)

[Claims] A print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control device analyzes print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and generates print data that can be output from a printing unit. Analyzing means for detecting, the detecting means for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device, and each time the detecting means detects the start of each print job,
Determining means for determining a print position of heading information to be printed to identify each print job; and control means for adding the heading information to the print data based on the printing position determined by the determining means. A print control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A printing apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of print position data for printing heading information for identifying each print job at different positions, wherein the determination means determines that the detection means determines the start of each print job. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each time the print job is detected, print position data of heading information for identifying each print job is sequentially read from the storage unit and determined. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit reads out the first print position data stored in the storage unit, reads out the last print data, and then repeatedly reads out the first print position data to determine the read out print position data. 3. The print control device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heading information is a plurality of different pattern data. 5. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heading information is pattern data of a plurality of different colors. 6. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a designation unit for designating a print position of the index information. 7. A print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control device analyzes print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and generates print data that can be output from a printing unit. Analyzing means for detecting, the detecting means for detecting the start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device, and each time the detecting means detects the start of each print job,
Determining means for determining the print position, print form, and print color of the heading information to be printed for identifying each print job based on the heading control information specified in the print job; and the printing determined by the determining means Control means for adding the heading information according to the print position, print mode, and print color in the print data based on the position, print mode, and print color. 8. A print control device capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control device analyzes print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and generates print data that can be output from a printing unit. Analyzing means for detecting the print job sequentially received from the data processing device, and the identification information for identifying the start of each print job and the print requester of each print job; and a plurality of headings corresponding to the identification information Storage means for storing information; determination means for determining heading information to be printed to identify each print job each time the detection means detects the start of each print job and the identification information; and Control means for reading out the determined heading information from the storage means and adding it to a predetermined position in the print data. Printing control device. 9. The print control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the heading information is bar code data. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the printing unit reads the printed barcode, and connects a sorter capable of sorting and discharging to any of a plurality of discharge bins. Control device . 11. A print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a print job sequentially received from the data processing device is analyzed to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit. Analyzing step, detecting a start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, and printing heading information to be printed to identify each print job each time the start of each print job is detected. A print control method, comprising: a determining step of determining a position; and an adding step of adding the index information to the print data based on the print position determined in the determining step. 12. A storage medium storing a computer readable program that controls a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a print job sequentially received from the data processing device is stored. An analyzing step of analyzing and generating print data that can be output from the printing unit; a detecting step of detecting a start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device; and A determining step of determining a print position of index information to be printed to identify a print job; and an adding step of adding the index information to the print data based on the print position determined in the determining step. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program characterized by the above-mentioned. 13. A print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: analyzing print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit; Analyzing step, detecting a start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing apparatus, and printing heading information to be printed to identify each print job each time the start of each print job is detected. Determining a position, a printing mode, and a printing color based on the heading control information specified in the print job; and determining the position, printing mode, and printing color in the printing data based on the printing position, printing mode, and printing color determined in the determining step. An adding step of adding the heading information according to the print position, print form, and print color. 14. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a print job sequentially received from the data processing device is stored. An analyzing step of analyzing and generating print data that can be output from the printing unit; a detecting step of detecting a start of a print job sequentially received from the data processing device; and A determining step of determining a printing position, a printing form, and a printing color of heading information to be printed for identifying a print job based on heading control information specified in the print job; and a printing position determined by the determining step. Adding the heading information according to the print position, print mode and print color in the print data based on the print mode and print color A storage medium computer has stored readable program characterized by comprising. 15. A print control method capable of communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a print job sequentially received from the data processing device is analyzed to generate print data that can be output from a printing unit. Analyzing step for detecting print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device and the identification information for identifying the start of each print job and the print requester of each print job; and a plurality of headings corresponding to the identification information. Storage means for storing information; a decision step of determining heading information to be printed to identify each print job each time the detection step detects the start of each print job and the identification information; and The determined heading information is read from a storage unit that stores a plurality of heading information corresponding to the identification information, and is read at a predetermined position in the print data. Printing control method characterized by having, an addition step of adding. 16. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a printing process by communicating with a data processing device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a print job sequentially received from the data processing device is stored. An analysis step of analyzing and generating print data that can be output from a printing unit; detecting print jobs sequentially received from the data processing device, the start of each print job, and identification information for identifying a print requester of each print job. A detecting step; storage means for storing a plurality of heading information corresponding to the identification information; and printing for identifying each print job each time the detecting step detects the start of each print job and the identification information. A determining step of determining the heading information; and converting the heading information determined in the determining step to a plurality of heading information corresponding to the identification information. Storage medium from which a computer stores readable program characterized by comprising, an additional step of adding a predetermined position in the print data from the storage means for storing.