JP4594813B2 - Printing system, printing request apparatus control method, program, and printing request apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing request apparatus control method , a program , and a printing request apparatus .

  2. Description of the Related Art A printing system that includes a computer on which an application program is executed and a printer, and causes a printer to print out an “image including character strings” created by the application program is generally known. For example, a printing system is known in which a receipt image created by a POS (Point Of Sales) application program is printed out by a printer.

  By the way, in the above printing system, the convenience of a printing system may be improved by processing the content based on the character string contained in a printing object image, and printing it out. For example, when a specific product name is included in the receipt image, an advertisement image or coupon image of the product or its related product is added to the receipt image, so that the product for the customer who purchased the specific product or its related It is possible to reduce the time and effort of distributing advertisements for products and coupons, and to reliably perform the distribution, thereby improving the convenience of the printing system.

  When realizing such a printing system, the user or administrator of the application program specifies an arbitrary character string, and later confirms how the image containing the character string was actually printed. It is desirable to make it possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to realize a printing system that performs processing of contents based on a character string included in a print target image and prints it out. A printing system, a printing system control method, and a program that allow a user to specify an arbitrary character string so that it can be confirmed later how an image including the character string is actually printed. It is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, a printing system according to the present invention includes a printer and a print requesting device connected to be communicable with the printer, and the printing requesting device includes the printer and the print requesting device. And a port driver for outputting data from the port and supplying the data to the printer , and a character to be printed. Means for supplying the print data to the port driver to output the print data including a column from the port. The print requesting device supplies the print data to the port driver. And when the supply of the print data to the port driver is detected, the Generation means for restricting supply of print data and generating post-process print data based on the print data; and supplying post-process print data generated by the generation means to the port driver A post-processed print data output means for outputting from the print data data generating means for generating raster image data of an image to be printed based on the print data, and the print image data generating means Print image data processing means for subjecting the generated raster image data to image processing whose content is determined based on the character string to be printed; and the print image data processing means generated by the print image data generation means the processing after printing de for the raster image data subjected to image processing by means printed out on the printer Comprising means for generating a data, wherein the print request device comprises at least a portion of the print object character string included in the print data is generated by the print image data generation means based on the print data, and the The image processing apparatus further includes means for storing the raster image data subjected to image processing by the print image data processing means in association with the storage means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a print request apparatus , wherein the printer is communicably connected to a printer, a port for communicably connecting to the printer, data is output from the port, and the data is supplied to the printer and port driver to be generated by any one of a plurality of programs, and print data including the print target string, the order to output from the port, means for supplying and the print data to the port driver And monitoring the supply of the print data to the port driver, and detecting the supply of the print data to the port driver when the supply of the print data to the port driver is detected. A generation step that restricts the supply to the port driver and generates post-processed print data based on the print data. And up, the post-processing print data generated in said generating step, and supplies to the port driver comprises a post-processing print data output step of outputting from the port, generating step, based on said print data, Print image data generation step for generating raster image data of the print target image, and image processing of content determined based on the print target character string for the raster image data generated by the print image data generation step a print image data processing step for performing, generated by the print image data generation step, and the processing for printing the output raster image data subjected to image processing by the print image data processing step to said printer wherein generating a post print data, wherein the control method, the indicia At least a part of a print target character string included in the data, and raster image data generated by the print image data generation step based on the print data and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing step. The method further includes a step for storing the information in the storage means in association with each other.

A program according to the present invention is connected to a printer so as to be communicable, a port for connecting to the printer so as to be communicable, a port driver for outputting data from the port and supplying the data to the printer And means for supplying the print data to the port driver for outputting print data generated by any of a plurality of programs and including a print target character string from the port. A program for causing a computer to function as a requesting device , the means for monitoring the supply of the print data to the port driver, and when the supply of the print data to the port driver is detected, the print data Restricts supply to the port driver, and prints post-processed print data based on the print data. The processed print data generating means to be formed, the processed print data generated by the generating means is supplied to the port driver, and the processed print data output means for outputting from the port, further causing the computer to function, A generating unit configured to generate raster image data of a print target image based on the print data; the raster image data generated by the print image data generating unit based on the print target character string; Print image data processing means for performing image processing of the contents determined in this manner, raster image data generated by the print image data generation means and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing means is printed out to the printer comprising means for generating the post-process print data for causing the said print de At least a part of a print target character string included in the data, and raster image data generated by the print image data generation unit based on the print data and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing unit. It is a program for causing the computer to further function as means for storing the information in the storage means in association with each other. An information storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium storing the above program.

  In addition, a print request apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a printer so as to be communicable, a port for connecting to the printer so as to be communicable, data output from the port, and supplying the data to the printer A supply means for supplying the print data to the port driver in order to output the port driver and print data generated by any of a plurality of programs and including a print target character string; A print request apparatus including: means for monitoring the supply of the print data to the port driver; and restricting the supply of the print data to the port driver; and the processed print data based on the print data Generating means for generating the processed print data generated by the generating means to the port driver before A post-process print data output means for outputting from the port, and the generation means generates print image data generation means for generating raster image data of an image to be printed based on the print data; and the print image data generation Print image data processing means for performing image processing of contents determined based on the print target character string on the raster image data generated by the means, and the print image data generation means, and the print image Means for generating post-processed print data for causing the printer to print out raster image data that has been subjected to image processing by a data processing means, and the print requesting device includes a print target included in the print data Generated by the print image data generation means based on at least a part of the character string and the print data; One further comprising means for storing in association with memory means and raster image data subjected to the image processing, the by the print image data processing unit.

The present invention includes a printer and a print requesting device connected to be communicable with the printer, and the print requesting device outputs a data from the port for connecting the printer and the print requesting device in a communicable manner. A port driver for supplying the data to the printer, and the print data to be output from the port so that “print data generated by one of a plurality of programs and including the print target character string” is output from the port. And a means for supplying to the driver . Here, the print target character string is a character string including one or a plurality of characters. The characters include hiragana, kanji, numbers, alphabets and symbols, and control characters such as space characters and tab characters. In the present invention, the supply of print data to the port driver is monitored. When supply of print data to the port driver is detected, supply of print data to the port driver is restricted. Further, post-processing print data is generated based on the print data. Specifically, raster image data of the print target image is generated based on the print data. Next, the raster image data is subjected to image processing determined based on the character string to be printed. Then, the processed print data for causing the printer to print out the raster image data after the image processing is generated is generated, and the processed print data is supplied to the port driver. In addition, the print target character string included in the print data and the raster image data after the image processing are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, when realizing a printing system that performs processing of contents based on a character string included in a print target image and prints it out, the user designates an arbitrary character string, It becomes possible to make it possible to confirm later how an image including a character string was actually printed.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 10 (print requesting apparatus) and a printer 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the host computer 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, an interface (I / F) 15, and an optical disk reading unit 16. Computer.

  The control unit 11 operates according to an operating system and other programs stored in the storage unit 12 and executes various types of information processing. The storage unit 12 is composed of a computer-readable information storage medium. For example, the storage unit 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk device. The storage unit 12 stores a program executed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory that stores various data required in the process of the control unit 11.

  The input unit 13 is a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and inputs data corresponding to a user operation input to the control unit 11. The display unit 14 is a display, for example, and displays information in accordance with instructions input from the control unit 11. The optical disk reading unit 16 reads a program and data stored on an optical disk (information storage medium) such as a DVD-ROM, for example, according to an instruction from the control unit 11.

  The interface 15 is an interface for connecting various peripheral devices and information storage media (such as a memory card) to the host computer 10. The interface 15 outputs data input from a peripheral device or the like to the control unit 11. Further, the interface 15 outputs various data to a peripheral device or the like in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 11. The host computer 10 is provided with one or a plurality of connection ports (hereinafter referred to as USB ports) in accordance with, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface standard.

  Here, it is assumed that Windows (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation is installed in the host computer 10 as an operating system. Further, it is assumed that a POS application program having a receipt creation function (hereinafter referred to as a POS application) is installed in the host computer 10.

  The printer 20 is connected to the host computer 10 via the interface 15 so as to be able to exchange data with each other. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an image forming unit 23, and an interface (I / F) 24.

  The control unit 21 controls the entire printer 20. The storage unit 22 includes a ROM and a RAM, and stores various programs and data necessary for printing execution. The interface 24 receives data transmitted from the host computer 10 and outputs it to the control unit 21. For example, the printer 20 is provided with a USB port as the interface 24. The image forming unit 23 forms an image based on data input from the control unit 21 on an image recording medium such as printing paper.

  Here, the printer 20 receives raster image data in a predetermined data format (more precisely, command data indicating coloring information for each pixel constituting the image) from the host computer 10 and receives the raster image data as an image. It shall be formed on a recording medium. In addition, the printer 20 includes an auto-cutter mechanism, and receives command data for instructing cutting of the image recording medium from the host computer 10 together with the command data for forming an image on the image recording medium. It is assumed that the cutting is performed in a given manner at the position.

  Next, the operation of the host computer 10 when a receipt image created by the POS application is printed out by the printer 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the host computer 10. In the figure, a POS application 30a and a POS application 30b are described, but at least one of them is installed in the host computer 10.

  When a receipt image print instruction is issued in the POS application 30a, metadata representing a receipt image drawing command is generated by a GDI (Graphic Device Interface) program 31. The GDI program 31 is a program provided as part of the operating system. The metadata is data that does not depend on the device.

  The metadata generated by the GDI program 31 is supplied to the print data generation program (printer driver) 33a via the spooler 32. The print data generation program 33a generates print data in a predetermined data format based on the metadata. The print data generated here may be interpretable by the printer 20 or may be uninterpretable by the printer 20. For example, the printer 20 may be interpretable by a printer having different specifications.

  Here, the print data generation program 33a, for example, command data indicating the type of font, command data indicating the print contents for each line (print target character string for each line), command data for controlling the printer mechanism ( For example, command data for instructing cutting of the image recording medium is generated as print data.

  For example, when a print instruction for the receipt image 40 as shown in FIG. 3 is issued, the print data generation program 33 a first generates initialization command data and supplies it to the spooler 32. The print data generation program 33 a generates command data indicating the top, bottom, left, and right margins of the image recording medium and supplies the command data to the spooler 32. Thereafter, the print data generation program 33 a appropriately generates, for example, command data indicating the font type, command data indicating the cutting position and cutting mode of the image recording medium, and supplies the generated data to the spooler 32.

  In addition, the print data generation program 33a may include, for example, “'A” commercial ”store“ LF ”,“' x ”x” x ”x” year ”x” x ”month” x. '' x '' day 'LF' ',' 'x''x''hour' 'x''x''minutes'' LF '' and `` a''a''a '' '' '' '' '' ¥ Command data indicating print contents for each line such as “5” 0 ”0'LF” is sequentially generated and supplied to the spooler 32. Finally, the print data generation program 33 a generates command data indicating the end of the page and supplies it to the spooler 32. In the above, “LF” indicates command data indicating a print line feed.

  On the other hand, when a receipt image print instruction is issued in the POS application 30b, print data is generated by the print data generation program 33b. The print data generation program 33b is a program called by a name other than “printer driver”, for example, a program provided as part of the POS application 30b. The print data generation program 33b generates print data similar to the print data generation program 33a.

  The print data generated by the print data generation programs 33 a and 33 b is temporarily held in the storage unit 12 by the spooler 32. The spooler 32 sequentially transmits print data to the printer 20 while monitoring the status of the printer 20. That is, the spooler 32 sequentially supplies the print data to the port driver 34 in order to output the print data from the port connected to the printer 20.

  The language monitor program 36 monitors the supply of print data from the spooler 32 to the port driver 34. The language monitor program 36 receives status information from the printer 20 via the port driver 34, and is also used to supply it to a predetermined program (for example, a status reference program). When detecting the print data supplied from the spooler 32, the language monitor program 36 restricts (suppresses) the supply of the print data to the port driver 34 and supplies the print data to the print data conversion program 35.

  The print data conversion program 35 interprets print data (command data) sequentially supplied from the language monitor program 36 and generates raster image data of the entire receipt image to be printed. Then, the print data conversion program 35 performs various image processing on the raster image data.

  Here, various image processing executed by the print data conversion program 35 will be described.

  For example, the print data conversion program 35 determines whether or not a predetermined keyword is included in the receipt image based on the print data supplied from the language monitor program 36 (more specifically, command data indicating print contents for each line). Determine. The keyword is, for example, a specific product name or company name. Then, the print data conversion program 35 adds an image corresponding to the keyword to the receipt image according to the determination result. For example, when a specific product name is included in the receipt image, an advertisement image or the like related to the product or a related product of the product is added. For example, when the product name “aaa” is included in the receipt image 40 as shown in FIG. 3, the coupon image 41 of the product “aaa” is added to the receipt image 40 together with the broken line 42 as shown in FIG. 4. A plurality of coupon images may be added to the receipt image. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the coupon image of the product “bbb” may be further added below the coupon image 41 of the product “aaa” together with a broken line. Hereinafter, this function of adding an image corresponding to a keyword to a receipt image by the print data conversion program 35 will be referred to as a “keyword corresponding image addition function”.

  For example, the print data conversion program 35 adds a predetermined background image to the receipt image. For example, a watermark image 43 as shown in FIG. 5 is added to the receipt image 40. Hereinafter, this function of adding a predetermined background image to the receipt image by the print data conversion program 35 is referred to as a “background image adding function”.

  Further, for example, the print data conversion program 35 removes at least a part of the upper and lower margins of the receipt image 40 as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this function of removing at least part of the upper and lower margins of the receipt image by the print data conversion program 35 will be referred to as a “margin removal function”.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the print data conversion program 35 is displayed in the printer 20 in which the image recording medium is discharged from the “side on which the upper side of the receipt image 40 is formed” of the image recording medium. As shown in FIG. 7B, the receipt image is printed upside down or horizontally reversed so that the image recording medium is discharged from the “side on which the lower side of the receipt image 40 is formed” of the image recording medium. Image processing is executed. Hereinafter, this function of inverting and printing a receipt image by the print data conversion program 35 will be referred to as “reverse printing function”.

  The print data conversion program 35 generates print data for causing the printer 20 to form raster image data after the above-described various image processes are selectively performed on an image recording medium. The print data generated by the print data conversion program 35 is output from the port connected to the printer 20 via the language monitor program 36 and the port driver 34 and supplied to the printer 20.

  The print data conversion program 35 and the language monitor program 36 are installed in the host computer 10 via an information storage medium such as an optical disk. The print data conversion program 35 and the language monitor program 36 may be provided integrally or separately. Further, the print data generated by the print data generation program 33 b may be directly supplied to the language monitor program 36 without going through the spooler 32.

  Next, functions realized by the print data conversion program 35 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram mainly showing those related to the present invention among the functional blocks realized in the host computer 10. As shown in the figure, the host computer 10 includes a print data generation unit 50, a preprocessing unit 51, a print image data generation unit 53, a print image data processing unit 54, a print instruction unit 55, and journal data registration. Part 58 and a journal data storage part 59. The print data generation unit 50 is realized by executing the print data generation programs 33a and 33b by the control unit 11. Other functional blocks are realized by the print data conversion program 35 and the language monitor program 36 being executed by the control unit 11.

[1. Print data generator]
The print data generation unit 50 generates print data and supplies it to the preprocessing unit 51. As described above, the print data generation unit 50 sequentially generates, for example, command data indicating the font type, command data indicating the print contents for each line, and command data indicating the end of the page, and sequentially supplies them to the preprocessing unit 51.

[2. Pre-processing section]
The preprocessing unit 51 receives command data sequentially supplied from the print data generation unit 50. The preprocessing unit 51 supplies the received command data to the print image data generation unit 53 and the journal data registration unit 58. Further, the preprocessing unit 51 determines whether or not the received command data is “command data indicating page end”, and if the received command data is “command data indicating page end”, this is indicated. The print image data generation unit 53 and the journal data registration unit 58 are notified.

  For example, the preprocessing unit 51 may execute processing for converting alphabetic characters from lowercase letters to uppercase letters. For example, when command data such as “'a” a ”a” ”” ”” ¥ ”5” 0 ”0'LF” is received, “' A” A ” A command data such as A ″ ″ ″ ″ ¥ ″ 5 ″ 0 ″ 0′LF ”is converted and supplied to the print image data generation unit 53 and the journal data registration unit 58. Also good.

[3. Machining content determination section]
The preprocessing unit 51 includes a processing content determination unit 52. The processing content determination unit 52 includes processing content for raster image data (that is, a receipt image to be printed) generated by a print image data generation unit 53 described later in print data supplied from the print data generation unit 50. Determine based on the character string to be printed. In the present embodiment, the processing content determination unit 52 determines whether or not a specific keyword (specific character string) is included in the print target character string, and determines the processing content based on the determination result.

  In the present embodiment, the processing content determination unit 52 stores a keyword table as shown in FIG. 9, for example. As shown in the figure, this keyword table includes a “keyword” field and an “image data” field. In the “keyword” field, for example, keywords such as specific product names and company names are stored. The “image data” field stores information for specifying image data corresponding to the keyword. Here, the image data name (file name) is stored. In the “image data” field, for example, image data names such as logo images, advertisement images, and coupon images of a specific product or related products of the product are stored.

  The processing content determination unit 52 includes the keyword stored in the “keyword” field in the printing content of each line each time command data indicating the printing content for each line (character string to be printed for each line) is supplied. It is determined whether or not. When the processing content determination unit 52 determines that a keyword is included, the image data name corresponding to the keyword is read from the “image data” field and processed content data (processing content, for example, in the format shown in FIG. Information). In the processing content data shown in the figure, for example, “print logo =“ coupon_aaa ”” instructs to add an image based on the image data “coupon_aaa” to the receipt image. In other words, the processing content data shown in the figure serves as a command list for instructing addition of an image to a receipt image. When receiving a notification from the preprocessing unit 51 that the command data indicating the end of the page has been received, the processing content determination unit 52 supplies the processing content data to the print image data processing unit 54.

  The processing content determination unit 52 generates instruction data in a format such as “print logo =“ cupon_aaa ”” every time it is determined that a keyword is included in the printing content for each line, and print image data processing is performed. You may make it supply to the part 54. FIG. Then, the processing content data as shown in FIG. 10 may be generated in the print image data processing unit 54.

[4. Print image data generation unit]
The print image data generation unit 53 generates raster image data of the entire receipt image to be printed based on the print data sequentially supplied from the preprocessing unit 51. That is, image data in which coloring information is associated with each pixel constituting the receipt image is generated.

  The print image data generation unit 53 holds various data for generating raster image data of an image to be printed based on the print data generated by the print data generation unit 50. For example, the print image data generation unit 53 stores font image data of a font type that can be specified in the command data generated by the print data generation unit 50. The print image data generation unit 53 generates the raster image data based on the various data.

  The print image data generation unit 53 receives intermediate control data such as “Feed to cutter = True; Cut percentage = 50%;...” When the command data indicating the cut command of the image recording medium is received. Generate. The intermediate control data is supplied to the print instruction unit 55 via the print image data processing unit 54.

[5. Print image data processing section]
The print image data processing unit 54 performs various image processes on the raster image data supplied from the print image data generation unit 53. For example, content image processing based on a print target character string included in the print data generated by the print data generation unit 50 is performed. Further, for example, image processing based on the processing content data supplied from the processing content determination unit 52 is performed. For example, when a predetermined keyword is included in the character string to be printed, image processing corresponding to the keyword is performed. Further, for example, vertical or horizontal reversal processing is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the print image data processing unit 54 stores environment setting data as shown in FIG. 11, for example. As shown in the figure, this environment setting data includes a “keyword-compatible image addition function flag” field, a “background image addition function flag” field, a “background image data” field, a “background image repeat count” field, A “margin removal function flag” field and a “reverse printing function flag” field are included. Information indicating whether or not to use the keyword-compatible image addition function is stored in the “keyword-compatible image addition function flag” field. The “background image addition function flag” field stores information indicating whether or not to use the background image addition function. The “background image data” field stores information for specifying the image data of the background image to be added to the receipt image. Here, the image data name of the background image is stored. The “background image repeat count” field stores the number of times the output of the background image is repeated. The “margin removal function flag” field stores information indicating whether or not to use the margin removal function. The “reverse printing function flag” field stores information indicating whether or not to use the reverse printing function. The contents of the environment setting data are edited by the user on a predetermined environment setting screen displayed on the display unit 14 of the host computer 10, for example.

  Here, processing executed by the print image data processing unit 54 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing such processing.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the print image data processing unit 54 first executes a margin removal process (S101). The print image data processing unit 54 removes the predetermined length portion from the upper end of the raster image data generated by the print image data generation unit 53 and removes the predetermined length portion from the lower end. Note that the execution of the processing in this step is inhibited according to the content of the “margin removal function flag” field. Further, the length of the upper and lower removal widths may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  Next, the print image data processing unit 54 executes a keyword-corresponding image addition process (S102). The print image data processing unit 54 adds an image to the receipt image based on the processing content data supplied from the processing content determination unit 52. In the present embodiment, the print image data processing unit 54 receives the processing content data (FIG. 10) from the processing content determination unit 52, and sequentially acquires the image data names of images to be added to the receipt image from the processing content data. Each time the print image data processing unit 54 acquires an image data name, the print image data processing unit 54 reads out the image data corresponding to the acquired image data name from the storage unit 12 and combines it with a predetermined delimiter image (broken line 42 etc.) below the raster image data Let Note that the read image data may be translucently combined with the raster image data. Further, the execution of the processing of this step is suppressed according to the content of the “keyword corresponding image addition function flag” field.

  Next, the print image data processing unit 54 executes background image addition processing (S103). The print image data processing unit 54 adds a predetermined background image to the background of the receipt image. For example, the print image data processing unit 54 may state that “an image having the same number of vertical and horizontal pixels as the raster image data and specified by the“ background image data ”field of the environment setting data from a given position, “Background image data” which is repeatedly expressed by the number of times indicated by the “background image repeat count” field and in which a transparent attribute is set in a portion other than the background image ”is generated. Then, the print image data processing unit 54 semi-transparently combines the background image data with the raster image data after the processing of S101 and S102 is executed. Note that the execution of the processing in this step is inhibited according to the content of the “background image addition function flag” field.

  Next, the print image data processing unit 54 stores the raster image data after the processing of S101 to S103 is performed in the storage unit 12 (hard disk device) (S104). At this time, the raster image data is stored in a predetermined directory, and a character string based on, for example, the serial number of the printer 20 and the current time is set as the file name.

  Next, the print image data processing unit 54 performs upside down processing on the raster image data after the processing of S101 to S103 is executed (S105). The processing in this step is suppressed according to the contents of the “reverse printing function flag” field.

  The raster image data after the processing of S101 to S105 is supplied to the print instruction unit 55. Further, the storage path and file name of the raster image data stored in the storage unit 12 in S104 are supplied to a journal data registration unit 58 described later.

[6. Print instruction section]
The print instruction unit 55 causes the printer 20 to print out the raster image data generated by the print image data generation unit 53 and processed by the print image data processing unit 54. The print instruction unit 55 includes a post-process print data generation unit 56 and a post-process print data output unit 57.

[7. Post-processing print data generator]
The post-processing print data generation unit 56 generates print data for causing the printer 20 to form raster image data processed by the print image data processing unit 54 on the image recording medium. In the present embodiment, the post-process print data generation unit 56 sequentially generates command data for instructing the printer 20 the coloring information of each pixel for each dot row, and supplies the command data to the post-process print data output unit 57. . Further, the post-processing print data generation unit 56 appropriately generates command data for causing the printer 20 to control the content indicated by the intermediate control data generated by the print image data generation unit 53, and outputs post-processing print data To the unit 57.

[8. Print data output after processing]
The post-process print data output unit 57 outputs the print data (command data) generated by the post-process print data generation unit 56 to the printer 20 by sequentially outputting the print data from the port to which the printer 20 is connected. In this case, the printer 20 receives and interprets command data sequentially transmitted from the processed print data output unit 57. Then, according to the command data, formation of a receipt image on the image recording medium, cutting of the image recording medium, and the like are executed.

[9. Journal data registration unit and storage unit]
The journal data storage unit 59 stores journal data. The journal data includes at least a part of a character string to be printed included in the print data generated by the print data generation unit 50, and “the print image data generation unit 53 generates the print image data based on the print data and print image data processing. The raster image data processed by the unit 54 are associated with each other.

  Each time a receipt image is printed, the journal data registration unit 58 generates a journal file as shown in FIG. 13 and stores it in the journal data storage unit 59. As shown in the figure, the journal file stores the date and time when the print data was received by the preprocessing unit 51 (Date and Time). Further, the system user name related to the execution of the POS application 30a or 30b in the host computer 10 and the computer name of the host computer 10 are stored (System User and System Computer). In addition, character strings that can be individually set by users of the POS applications 30a and 30b and the printer 20 are stored (Client String). For example, a cashier name is stored. In particular, the journal file stores information for specifying the storage location of raster image data processed by the print image data processing unit 54 (Output BMP), and the print data generated by the print data generation unit 50 Is stored (Searchable Data).

  The journal data registration unit 58 receives the print data supplied from the preprocessing unit 51 and acquires a print character string included in the print data. Further, the journal data registration unit 58 receives from the print image data processing unit 54 the input of the storage destination path and file name of the processed raster image data (raster image data stored in S104). And the journal data registration part 58 produces | generates the said journal file based on them.

  As described above, according to the printing system 1 according to the present embodiment, by providing the keyword-corresponding image addition function, when a specific keyword is included in the receipt image, the image corresponding to the keyword is the receipt image. Will be automatically added. For example, an advertisement image or coupon image of the product or a related product of the product is automatically added to a receipt image including a specific product name. As a result, for example, it is possible to reliably distribute advertisements, coupons, and the like of the product or related products to a person who has purchased the specific product while reducing labor.

  In addition, according to the printing system 1, by providing the reverse printing function, the image recording medium is discharged from the “printing receipt receipt” in the printer 20 that is first performed from the “side on which the upper side of the receipt image is formed”. It is possible to start from the side where the lower side of the image is formed. When the user picks up the image recording medium ejected from the printer 20 and refers to the contents of the image recording medium, the user can change the orientation of the image recording medium (invert the image recording medium vertically or horizontally) Although there is a case where the user needs to change his / her hand, the printing system 1 can reduce the trouble of such a user. Note that the processing content determination unit 52, the journal data registration unit 58, and the journal data storage unit 59 are not necessary for realizing the reverse printing function.

  Further, according to the printing system 1, by providing the journal data registration unit 58 and the journal data storage unit 59, the user or administrator of the POS applications 30a, 30b can designate the character string by designating an arbitrary character string. It becomes possible to relatively easily confirm later how the receipt image including the columns is actually printed out.

  Further, in the printing system 1, since the above-described functions are realized by the language monitor program 36 and the print data conversion program 35, it is not necessary to change the POS applications 30a and 30b when realizing the above-described functions. . Further, it is not necessary to prepare a different program for each POS application 30a, 30b.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  For example, the operating system executed on the host computer 10 is not limited to Microsoft Windows (registered trademark). The application program executed on the host computer 10 is not limited to the POS applications 30a and 30b. That is, the print target in the printer 20 is not limited to the receipt image generated by the POS applications 30a and 30b, but may be a document or an image generated by another application program.

  For example, in the above description, the host computer 10 and the printer 20 are described as being connected via a USB cable. However, the host computer 10 and the printer 20 communicate via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). You may make it connect. In this case, the interfaces 15 and 24 may be configured as communication interfaces for connecting to a communication network.

  For example, instead of the language monitor program 36, a program called by a name other than the “language monitor program” (for example, “port emulator”) may be used.

  Further, for example, a receipt image preview function may be realized. When the receipt image preview instruction is given by the POS applications 30a and 30b, the raster image data (bitmap file) stored in the storage unit 12 in S104 is displayed on the display unit 14 (preview screen). do it.

  Further, for example, the journal data storage unit 59 may be realized by a storage unit (for example, a hard disk device) of another computer connected to the host computer 10 or the printer 20 via a communication network.

  Further, for example, functional blocks other than the print data generation unit 50 among the functional blocks shown in FIG. 8 may be realized in the printer 20.

  For example, in the keyword-corresponding image addition function, the image corresponding to the keyword may be added to the top of the receipt image. Alternatively, it may be added to a given position in the receipt image. For example, you may make it insert in the position based on the appearance position of the keyword in a receipt image.

  For example, in the keyword-corresponding image addition function, when a receipt image includes a plurality of keywords, at least one of the plurality of keywords is selected, and an image corresponding to the keyword is added to the receipt image. It may be. For example, when priority is stored in association with each keyword, and the receipt image includes a plurality of keywords, at least one of the plurality of keywords is assigned a priority corresponding to each keyword. And an image corresponding to the keyword may be added to the receipt image. Further, for example, in the keyword-corresponding image addition function, when one keyword appears in the receipt image a plurality of times, only one image corresponding to the keyword may be added to the receipt image. In the present embodiment, the print image data processing unit 54 receives supply of processing content data based on keyword detection results for the entire print target character string and raster image data of the entire receipt image to be printed. A keyword-corresponding image is added by performing image processing (processing) on the raster image data based on the processing content data. For this reason, it is possible to add a keyword-corresponding image in the above-described manner. In other words, it is possible to add a keyword-corresponding image with a relatively high degree of freedom.

  Further, for example, in the keyword-corresponding image addition function, instead of printing the broken line 42 between the receipt image main body portion 40a and the coupon image portion 41a (keyword-corresponding image portion), the image recording medium is cut (for example, partial cut or full (Cut) may be performed.

  For example, in the above, when a specific keyword is included in the receipt images (receipt images targeted for printing) created by the POS applications 30a and 30b, an image corresponding to the keyword (for example, a logo image, an advertisement image, or a coupon image) Etc.) (keyword-corresponding image addition function) may be implemented in place of or in addition to this function.

  For example, when a key image (specific image) is included in receipt images created by the POS applications 30a and 30b, image processing corresponding to the key image may be performed on the receipt image. For example, a coupon image corresponding to the key image may be added. This function can be realized in the same manner as the keyword-corresponding image addition function. That is, the processing content determination unit 52 may store the key image and image data such as a coupon image in association with each other. Then, the processing content determination unit 52 determines whether the receipt image created by the POS applications 30a and 30b includes a key image based on the print data supplied from the print data generation unit 50, and the determination Processing content data (FIG. 10) based on the result may be supplied to the print image data processing unit 54.

  Further, the receipt image may be subjected to image processing corresponding to the timing at which the receipt image created by the POS applications 30a and 30b is printed. For example, a coupon image corresponding to the timing may be added. This function can also be realized in the same manner as the keyword-corresponding image addition function. That is, the processing content determination unit 52 may store the timing condition and image data such as a coupon image in association with each other. Here, the timing condition is, for example, information indicating time, time zone, date, date and time, day of the week, and period. Then, according to the supply of print data from the print data generation unit 50, the processing content determination unit 52 determines whether the current date and time or the time satisfies the timing condition (whether it is a predetermined time or a predetermined period). It is sufficient to determine whether or not the data is included, and supply the processing content data (FIG. 10) based on the determination result to the print image data processing unit 54. In this way, for example, a coupon can be issued at a predetermined time. In this case, the journal file (FIG. 13) may store the date and time used for the determination by the processing content determination unit 52.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a host computer. It is a figure which shows an example of a receipt image. It is a figure which shows an example of the receipt image after a process. It is a figure which shows an example of the receipt image after a process. It is a figure which shows an example of the receipt image after a process. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining discharge of an image recording medium in a printer. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a keyword table. It is a figure which shows an example of process content data. It is a figure which shows an example of environmental setting data. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the print data processing part. It is a figure which shows an example of a journal file.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system, 10 Host computer, 11 Control part, 12 Storage part, 13 Input part, 14 Display part, 15 Interface, 16 Optical disk reading part, 20 Printer, 21 Control part, 22 Storage part, 23 Image formation part, 24 interface 30a, 30b POS application, 31 GDI program, 32 spooler, 33a, 33b Print data generation program, 34 port driver, 35 print data conversion program, 36 language monitor program, 40 receipt image, 40a receipt image main part, 41 coupon image , 41a Coupon image portion, 42 broken line, 43 watermark image, 50 print data generation unit, 51 preprocessing unit, 52 processing content determination unit, 53 print image data generation unit, 54 print image data Processing unit, 55 print instructing unit, 56 post-machining print data generation unit, after 57 working printing data output unit, 58 the journal data registration unit, 59 the journal data storage unit.

Claims (4)

A printer and a print requesting device connected to be able to communicate with the printer,
The print request device includes:
A port for communicably connecting the printer and the print requesting device;
A port driver for outputting data from the port and supplying the data to the printer;
Produced by any of a plurality of programs, and print data including the print target string, the order to output from the port, means for supplying and the print data to the port driver,
In the printing system including
The print request device includes:
Means for monitoring the supply of the print data to the port driver;
Generating means for restricting the supply of the print data to the port driver and generating post-processed print data based on the print data when the supply of the print data to the port driver is detected;
Further comprising: processed print data output means for supplying the processed print data generated by the generating means to the port driver and outputting it from the port;
The generation means is
Print image data generation means for generating raster image data of an image to be printed based on the print data;
Print image data processing means for subjecting the raster image data generated by the print image data generation means to image processing of content determined based on the print target character string;
Means for generating post-processed print data for causing the printer to print out raster image data generated by the print image data generation means and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing means. ,
The print request device includes:
At least a part of a print target character string included in the print data, and raster image data generated by the print image data generation unit based on the print data and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing unit; , Further including means for associating and storing them in the storage means ,
Printing system according to claim. A port communicably connected to the printer, a port for communicably connecting with the printer, a port driver for outputting data from the port and supplying the data to the printer, and any of a plurality of programs produced by either and print data including the print target string, the order to output from the port, in the method for controlling the printing request apparatus comprising, means for supplying to the print data said port driver,
Monitoring the supply of the print data to the port driver;
A generation step of restricting supply of the print data to the port driver and generating post-processed print data based on the print data when supply of the print data to the port driver is detected; ,
A post-process print data output step of supplying the post-process print data generated in the generation step to the port driver and outputting from the port; and
The generation step is
A print image data generation step for generating raster image data of an image to be printed based on the print data;
A print image data processing step for performing image processing of the content determined based on the print target character string on the raster image data generated by the print image data generation step;
Generating the processed print data for causing the printer to print out the raster image data generated by the print image data generation step and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing step. ,
The control method is:
At least a part of a print target character string included in the print data, raster image data generated by the print image data generation step based on the print data, and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing step; , Further including a step for storing the information in the storage means
A control method for a print requesting apparatus . A port communicably connected to the printer, a port for communicably connecting with the printer, a port driver for outputting data from the port and supplying the data to the printer, and any of a plurality of programs produced by either and print data including the print target string, the order to output from the port, for causing a computer to function the print data as a print request apparatus comprising, means for supplying to said port driver A program,
Means for monitoring the supply of the print data to the port driver;
Processed print data for restricting supply of the print data to the port driver and generating processed print data based on the print data when supply of the print data to the port driver is detected Generating means,
The processed print data output means for supplying the processed print data generated by the generating means to the port driver and outputting it from the port;
Further functioning the computer as
The generating means includes
On the basis of the print data, a print image data generating means for generating raster image data of the print target image,
To raster image data generated by the print image data generation unit, a print image data processing unit performs image processing of the content is determined based on the print object character string,
Means for generating post-processed print data for causing the printer to print out raster image data generated by the print image data generation means and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing means. ,
At least a part of a print target character string included in the print data, and raster image data generated by the print image data generation unit based on the print data and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing unit; , And associating them with the storage means,
A program for further functioning the computer. A port communicably connected to the printer, a port for communicably connecting with the printer, a port driver for outputting data from the port and supplying the data to the printer, and any of a plurality of programs And a supply means for supplying the print data to the port driver so as to output the print data including the character string to be printed from the port.
Means for monitoring the supply of the print data to the port driver;
Generation means for restricting the supply of the print data to the port driver and generating post-processed print data based on the print data;
A post-processing print data output unit configured to supply the post-processing print data generated by the generation unit to the port driver and output from the port;
The generating means includes
Print image data generation means for generating raster image data of an image to be printed based on the print data;
Print image data processing means for subjecting the raster image data generated by the print image data generation means to image processing of content determined based on the print target character string;
Means for generating post-processed print data for causing the printer to print out raster image data generated by the print image data generation means and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing means. ,
The print requesting device includes:
At least a part of a print target character string included in the print data, and raster image data generated by the print image data generation unit based on the print data and subjected to image processing by the print image data processing unit; , Further including means for associating and storing them in the storage means,
A printing request apparatus characterized by the above.

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