JP4858458B2 - Printing instruction device, printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print instruction apparatus and a printing apparatus.

Recently, with the enforcement of the Personal Information Protection Law, there is a rapidly increasing need for providing a security function to a printed document.
Here, as a conventional technique described in the publication, there is proposed a method of printing a two-dimensional code pattern in which identification information set for each document page is embedded together with a document image on a medium such as a sheet constituting a print document ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-94907 A

By the way, when printing an electronic document, the number of copies to be printed is often specified, and a plurality of copies of the printed document are output from the same electronic document.
Here, for example, when outputting a plurality of copies of a print document consisting only of document images, the same image is printed on each print document. Therefore, the electronic document and the number of copies may be sent as a print instruction to the printing apparatus.
On the other hand, when outputting a plurality of copies of a printed document in which a document image and a two-dimensional code pattern in which identification information is embedded are output, the two-dimensional code pattern is different for each copy even if the document image is the same in each portion. Different images are printed on the print documents. For this reason, when different identification information is to be assigned to each print document, it is necessary to repeatedly send a print instruction including the electronic document and the identification information for the number of copies to be printed.

  It is an object of the present invention to improve printing productivity when different identification information is given to each print document when outputting a plurality of copies of the print document from the same electronic document.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an acquisition unit that acquires an electronic document to be printed on a medium and information on the number of copies of the electronic document, and the electronic document acquired based on the electronic document acquired by the acquisition unit. Print data creation means for creating one copy of print data; extraction means for extracting an attribute of the electronic document acquired by the acquisition means; and when the extraction means extracts the first attribute, the print When the same number of print identification information as the number of copies is acquired and the extraction means extracts the second attribute, the second number equal to the total number of pages obtained by multiplying the number of copies by the number of pages of the electronic document. Identification information acquisition means for acquiring a number of print identification information, and when the extraction means extracts the first attribute, the one set of print data created by the print data creation means, and the identification information The first obtained by the obtaining means Print instruction data including association information for associating each of the number of print identification information with each of the number of print copies and each of the first number of print identification information. When the attribute is extracted, the one copy number of print data created by the print data creation unit, the second number of print identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit, and the number of print copies A print instruction apparatus including print instruction data generating means for generating print instruction data including association information for associating each page with each of the second number of print identification information .
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the extraction unit further extracts electronic document identification information unique to the electronic document given to the electronic document, and the extraction unit extracts the first attribute. An identification information table is created in which the electronic document identification information extracted by the extraction unit and the first number of print identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit are associated with each other. Identification information that associates the electronic document identification information extracted by the extraction unit with the second number of print identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit when the second attribute is extracted The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a table creation unit that creates a table.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the extraction unit extracts a third attribute, the identification information acquisition unit does not acquire the print identification information, and the print instruction data generation unit generates the print data 3. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one piece of print data created by a means is used as the print instruction data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acquisition unit that acquires an electronic document to be printed on a medium and information on the number of copies of the electronic document, and based on the electronic document acquired by the acquisition unit, the electronic document Print data creation means for creating one copy of print data; extraction means for extracting an attribute of the electronic document acquired by the acquisition means; and when the extraction means extracts the first attribute, the print When a first request instruction that requests creation of the same number of print identification information as the number of copies is generated, and the extraction unit extracts the second attribute, the total number of copies is multiplied by the number of pages of the electronic document. A request instruction generating means for generating a second request instruction for requesting creation of the same number of print identification information as the number of pages; and when the extracting means extracts the first attribute, the print data generating means One copy of the print data to be created And the first request instruction generated by the request instruction generation unit, and when the extraction unit extracts the second attribute, the print data generation unit generates the print instruction data. A print instruction data generation unit that generates print instruction data including the one copy of print data to be generated and the second request instruction generated by the request instruction generation unit .
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the extracting unit further extracts electronic document identification information unique to the electronic document given to the electronic document, and the extracting unit includes the first extracting unit. When the attribute is extracted, print instruction data in which the electronic document identification information extracted by the extraction unit is added to the one copy of the print data and the first request instruction is created, and the extraction unit When the second attribute is extracted, the print instruction data is created by adding the one copy of print data and the second request instruction to the electronic document identification information extracted by the extraction unit. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 4.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the extracting unit extracts a third attribute, the request instruction generating unit does not generate a request instruction for requesting generation of the print identification information, and the print instruction 6. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data generation unit uses the one copy of the print data generated by the print data generation unit as the print instruction data.

The invention according to claim 7 is the printing data of one copy of an electronic document, information of the number of copies of the electronic document, a first number of print identification information that is the same as the number of copies, Print instruction data including association information for associating each of the first number of print identification information, receiving one copy of the electronic document, information on the number of copies of the electronic document, A second number of print identification information, which is the same as the total number of pages obtained by multiplying the number of copies by the number of pages of the electronic document, and each page of the number of copies to be associated with each of the second number of print identification information. receiving means for receiving print instruction data including the correspondence information, the document image generating means for generating a document image of one copy from the printing data of one copy received by the receiving unit, the receiving unit is the first Print identification information A first number of superimposed images each having one print identification information embedded therein, and when the receiving means receives the second number of print identification information, one print identification A superimposed image creating means for creating a second number of superimposed images in which information is embedded; and the document image created by the document image creating means when the receiving means receives the first number of print identification information. And the superimposed image created by the superimposed image creating means are associated for each number of copies based on the association information received by the receiving means, and the receiving means recognizes the second number of print identifications. When the information is received, the printing unit generates the document image created by the document image creating unit and the superimposed image created by the superimposed image creating unit based on the association information received by the receiving unit. And associating means for associating the number of copies for each and Pejigoto of a printing apparatus including a printing means for printing on the medium by superimposing said document image correspondence is made with the superimposed image by the correlating means.

The invention according to claim 8 is a first request for requesting generation of print data of one copy of an electronic document, information on the number of copies of the electronic document, and print identification information having the same first number as the number of copies. Same as the total number of pages obtained by multiplying the number of printed copies of the electronic document by the number of printed pages of the electronic document, and the number of printed copies of the electronic document. Receiving means for receiving print instruction data including a second request instruction for requesting generation of a second number of print identification information; and one copy of the document image from one copy of the print data received by the receiving means. When the document image creating means to be created and the receiving means receive the first request instruction, the first number of print identification information is acquired, and the receiving means has received the second request instruction. If the second number of print identification information is obtained Identification information acquisition means and the reception means receive the first request instruction, the first number of print identification information each embedded with one print identification information based on the first number of print identification information A superimposed image is created, and when the receiving means receives the second request instruction, a second number of superimposed images each embedded with one print identification information based on the second number of print identification information a superposed image forming means for forming an image, when the receiving unit receives the first request instruction, and the superimposed image in which the document image and the superimposed image generating means for the document image producing means creates For each of the number of copies to be printed, and when the receiving unit receives the second request instruction, the document image created by the document image creating unit and the superimposed image created by the superimposed image creating unit Image and In the printing apparatus that includes a correlation means for associating the number of copies for each and Pejigoto of the number of copies, and printing means for printing on the medium by superimposing association is with the document image has been made and the superimposed image by the correlating means is there.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the print instruction data received by the receiving unit further includes electronic document identification information unique to the electronic document given to the electronic document, and the receiving unit receives the first request. When an instruction is received, an identification information table is created in which the electronic document identification information received by the receiving unit is associated with the first number of print identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring unit When the receiving unit receives the second request instruction, the electronic document identification information received by the receiving unit and the second number of print identifications acquired by the identification information acquiring unit The printing apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising a table creation unit that creates an identification information table in which information is associated with the information .

According to the first aspect of the invention, when different print identification information is given to each print document when outputting a plurality of copies of the print document from the same electronic document , printing is performed according to the attribute given to the electronic document. Different print identification information can be assigned for each number of copies of a document, or different print identification information can be assigned for each number of copies of a print document and for each page .
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to trace the electronic document that is the origin of the print document from the print identification information printed on the print document.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the print identification information can be output without being added to the print document in accordance with the attribute given to the electronic document.
According to the invention of claim 4, when different print identification information is given to each print document when outputting a plurality of copies of the print document from the same electronic document , printing is performed according to the attribute given to the electronic document. Different print identification information can be assigned for each number of copies of a document, or different print identification information can be assigned for each number of copies of a print document and for each page .
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, for example, the electronic document identification information can be associated with the print identification information on the printing apparatus side.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output the print identification information without giving it to the print document in accordance with the attribute given to the electronic document.
According to the invention of claim 7, when different print identification information is given to each print document when outputting a plurality of copies of the print document from the same electronic document , printing is performed according to the attribute given to the electronic document. Different print identification information can be assigned for each number of copies of a document, or different print identification information can be assigned for each number of copies of a print document and for each page .
According to the invention described in claim 8, when different print identification information is given to each print document when outputting a plurality of copies of the print document from the same electronic document , printing is performed according to the attribute given to the electronic document. Different print identification information can be assigned for each number of copies of a document, or different print identification information can be assigned for each number of copies of a print document and for each page .
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to trace the original electronic document from the print identification information printed on the print document.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a document management system according to the present embodiment. The document management system includes a terminal device 10 that outputs a print request for an electronic document, an image forming device 20 that prints a document image of an electronic document requested to be printed from the terminal device 10 on a medium, and outputs the print document. A document management server 30 that stores and manages an electronic document output as a print document by the image forming apparatus 20 as necessary is configured by being connected to a network 40. In this document management system, the terminal device 10 designates the number of copies of the electronic document when outputting the print request, and the image forming apparatus 20 prints the electronic document on the medium by the number of copies according to the print request. Accordingly, when a plurality of print copies are designated in a single print request, the image forming apparatus 20 outputs a plurality of print documents in which the contents of the same electronic document are printed.

In the present embodiment, electronic data that is the basis of an image to be recorded on a medium is expressed as “electronic document”, but this does not mean only data obtained by digitizing a “document” including text. For example, "electronic document" including image data such as pictures, photos, figures (regardless of raster data or vector data), data recorded by database management software or spreadsheet software, and other printable electronic data It is said. The “electronic document” includes one or more pages of document images.
In the present specification, the “medium” may be any material as long as it can print an image. A typical example is paper, but it may be a plastic sheet such as an OHP sheet or a metal plate.

In this document management system, the terminal device 10 issues a print request including a print of a code image obtained by imaging an electronic document and identification information in addition to a print request for only the electronic document. At that time, the terminal apparatus 10 sets whether different identification information is assigned to each print document or whether different identification information is assigned to each medium of each print document in the print request. Here, the identification information is information for uniquely specifying the print document or each medium (page) constituting the print document.
The image forming apparatus 20 prints only the document image of the electronic document on the medium when there is a request to print only the electronic document, and the document of the electronic document when there is a print request for the electronic document and code image. The code image is superimposed on the image and printed on the medium. However, when there is a request to give different identification information for each print document, the image forming apparatus 20 prints a code image that is different for each print document on a document image of the electronic document, and prints the page for each print document. When there is a request for assigning different identification information for each print, a different code image for each print document and for each page is superimposed and printed on the document image of the electronic document.
The document management server 30 does not particularly manage the electronic document in which only the document image is printed on the medium by the image forming apparatus 20, but the electronic document in which the code image is superimposed on the document image and printed on the medium. The identification information and the electronic document are stored in association with each other and managed.

A terminal device 10 as an example of a print instruction device is a computer device that outputs an electronic document print request to the image forming device 20. Here, as the terminal device 10, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, or another computer is used.
The image forming apparatus 20 as an example of a printing apparatus is an apparatus that prints an image on a medium and outputs it as a printed document. The image forming apparatus 20 may be a single printer or a printing machine, or may be a so-called “multifunction machine” having a scanner or a communication function. Here, as an image forming method in the image forming apparatus 20, for example, an electrophotographic method may be used, but other methods may be used.
The document management server 30 is a computer device that includes a storage device that manages an electronic document that is printed on a medium by superimposing a document image and a code image by the image forming apparatus 20. Here, as the document management server 30, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, or another computer is used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 includes a print instruction unit 11, an attribute extraction unit 12, a superimposed image specification determination unit 13, a job data generation unit 14, a job data editing unit 15, and a transmission unit 16.
The print instruction unit 11 as an example of an acquisition unit outputs an electronic document print instruction based on an input received from a user. Here, the electronic document printing instruction includes the electronic document to be printed, the number of copies, the contents of post-processing (such as punching and stapling) to be performed on the printed medium, and the like. The electronic document to be printed may be an electronic document acquired from an external electronic document database or the like using a URL (Uniform Resource Location), for example, in addition to the electronic document held by the terminal device 10 itself.
An attribute extraction unit 12 as an example of an attribute extraction unit extracts attributes of an electronic document to be printed based on a print instruction input from the print instruction unit 11.
The superimposed image specification determination unit 13 refers to the attribute of the electronic document extracted by the attribute extraction unit 12, and determines the specification of the superimposed image, that is, the code image to be superimposed on the document image at the time of printing.
The job data generation unit 14 is a so-called printer driver, and generates job data obtained by converting a print instruction input from the print instruction unit 11 into a format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 20.
The job data editing unit 15 as an example of the identification information acquisition unit, the print instruction data generation unit, the selection unit, the table generation unit, and the request instruction generation unit executes various processes based on the determination result by the superimposed image specification determination unit 13. The job data input from the job data generation unit 14 is edited using the processing result. The job data editing unit 15 mainly performs editing related to the code image.
The transmission unit 16 transmits job data and the like input from the job data editing unit 15 via the network 40 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a reception unit 21, a document image creation unit 22, a document image storage unit 23, a superimposed image creation unit 24, a superimposed image storage unit 25, an output image composition unit 26, and a printing unit 27.
The receiving unit 21 as an example of a receiving unit receives job data sent from the terminal device 10 via the network 40 shown in FIG.
The document image creating unit 22 as an example of the document image creating unit creates document image data corresponding to the electronic document based on the job data received by the receiving unit 21, and the document image storage unit 23 creates the created document image data. Store data temporarily.
The superimposed image creating unit 24 as an example of the superimposed image creating unit, the table creating unit, and the obtaining unit creates code image data based on the job data received by the receiving unit 21, and the superimposed image storage unit 25 is created. The code image data is temporarily stored.
The output image composition unit 26 as an example of the association unit creates composite image data in which the document image data read from the document image storage unit 23 and the code image data read from the superimposed image storage unit 25 are superimposed.
The printing unit 27 as an example of a printing unit prints the combined image data input from the output image combining unit 26 on a medium, and outputs it as a print document.

  Note that the functions of the components constituting the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 are realized by cooperation of software and hardware resources. That is, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) provided in the terminal device 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 stores a program for realizing each function of each unit constituting the terminal device 10 or the image forming apparatus 20, for example, a storage such as a hard disk. Each of these functions is realized by reading into the main memory from the apparatus.

  In this document management system, when a print request including printing of an electronic document and a code image (superimposed image) obtained by imaging the identification information is performed by the terminal device 10, the identification information issuance and the identification information are imaged. It is necessary to generate a code image. Such issuance of identification information and generation of a code image may be executed by any of the terminal device 10, the image forming device 20, the document management server 30, or other computer devices connected to the network 40. Here, first, the case of executing on the terminal device 10 side will be described in the first embodiment, and then the case of executing on the image forming device 20 side will be described in the second embodiment. The case of selectively executing in either the terminal device 10 or the image forming apparatus 20 will be described in the third embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which identification information is issued and a code image generated by imaging the identification information is generated on the terminal device 10 side.
First, the operation of the terminal device 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the terminal device 10.
First, the print instruction unit 11 outputs a print instruction for an electronic document (step 101). As described above, the print instruction includes an electronic document to be printed, the number of copies to be printed, contents of post-processing to be executed, and the like. Here, the electronic document to be printed is M pages (M = 1, 2, 3). ,..., And the designated number of print copies is N (N = 1, 2, 3,...). Next, the attribute extraction unit 12 extracts the attribute of the electronic document to be printed based on the print instruction (step 102).

Then, the superimposed image specification determining unit 13 refers to the attribute of the electronic document extracted by the attribute extracting unit 12 and determines whether or not the code image needs to be superimposed when printing the electronic document. When it is necessary to superimpose, it is determined whether a different code image is assigned in units of copies (for each set) or different code images are assigned in units of pages (for each set and for each page) (step 103).
The superimposed image specification determination unit 13 further refers to the attribute of the electronic document, and whether or not a document ID (referred to as an original document ID in the following description) is given to the electronic document as an example of electronic document identification information. (Step 104), and if it is assigned, the original document ID is acquired (step 105). In this example, it is assumed that the original document ID is always set in the attribute of the electronic document when the attribute that the code image needs to be superimposed is given to the electronic document. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 104 that the original document ID is not assigned, the process proceeds to the next step 106 as it is.

  Next, the job data generation unit 14 generates job data for the electronic document based on the print instruction (step 106). At this time, the job data generated by the job data generation unit 14 includes a content entity description unit as an example of print data including a rendering command corresponding to one copy (M pages) of an electronic document, the number of print copies, and execution. A job control description part corresponding to the contents of post-processing is included. The content entity description portion is described in PDL (Page Description Language) that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 20.

  Subsequently, the job data editing unit 15 determines whether it is necessary to add a code image including identification information based on the determination result of the superimposed image specification determination unit 13 (step 107). If it is determined that a code image needs to be added, the job data editing unit 15 may further change the code image for each number of copies (for each print document) (corresponding to the first mode) or It is determined whether it is different for each copy and each page (for each print document and each medium) (corresponding to the second mode) (step 108).

  If it is determined in step 108 that a different code image needs to be assigned for each copy, the job data editing unit 15 selects a document ID as an example of the same number (N) of print identification information as the number of copies included in the print instruction. (Step 109), and N code image data in which the issued N document IDs are encoded and embedded are created (step 110). In the following description, the document ID for each print document issued corresponding to the number of copies is referred to as a print document ID. At this time, when issuing the print document ID, the job data editing unit 15 associates each part (first to Nth part) of the print document with each print document ID (first to Nth part). . Next, the job data editing unit 15 creates a superimposed code image description unit including a drawing command corresponding to the N pieces of code image data (step 111). Note that the superimposed code image description part is described in PDL that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 20 in the same manner as the content description part described above. Then, the job data editing unit 15 creates an ID table as an example of an identification information table in which the original document ID (one) is associated with the newly issued print document ID (N) (step 112). The process proceeds to step 117.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 108 that different code images need to be assigned for each copy and each page, the job data editing unit 15 prints the same number (N) of print document IDs as the number of print copies included in the print instruction. The paper ID (identification information) as an example of the print identification information of the same number as the number of media of all print documents, that is, the number (N × M) of each copy (N copies) and each page (M pages) is issued. (Step 113), N × M code image data in which N × M paper IDs are encoded and embedded are created (step 114). At this time, when issuing the print document ID, the job data editing unit 15 associates each part (first to Nth part) with each print document ID (first to Nth part), and When issuing a paper ID, each section (first to Nth copies), each sheet (first to N × Mth) and each paper ID (first to N × Mth) are associated with each other. Next, the job data editing unit 15 creates a superimposed code image description unit described in PDL including a rendering command corresponding to N × M code image data (step 115). The job data editing unit 15 is an example of an identification information table in which the original document ID (one), the newly issued print document ID (N) and the paper ID (N × M) are associated with each other. An ID table is created (step 116), and the process proceeds to step 117.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 107 that the code image is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step 117 as it is.

Then, the job data editing unit 15 appropriately edits the job data input from the job data generation unit 14 according to the specifications of the superimposed image, that is, the code image (step 117).
Here, for example, when a different code image is assigned to each copy, the job data editing unit 15 adds the superimposed code image description part created in step 111 to the job data, and edits each part (first to Nth copies). ) And each print document ID (from the first to the Nth) are added to the job control description part of the same job data and edited for output. On the other hand, for example, when a different code image is given for each copy and for each page, the job data editing unit 15 performs editing for adding the superimposed code image description generated in step 115 to the job data, and each unit (from the first copy to the Nth). Copy), each print document ID (1st to Nth), each paper (1st to N × Mth) and each paper ID (1st to N × Mth) Is added to the job control description part of the same job data and output. On the other hand, when the code image is not added, the job data editing unit 15 outputs the job data as it is without editing.

  Thereafter, the transmission unit 16 transmits job data as an example of print instruction data input from the job data editing unit 15 to the image forming apparatus 20 via the network 40. When the job data editing unit 15 creates a different code image for each copy or for each page and for each page, the transmission unit 16 transmits the ID table data created by the job data editing unit 15 (step 112 or step The one created at 116 is transmitted to the document management server 30 via the network 40. The document management server 30 receives the data of the ID table sent from the terminal device 10 and stores it in a storage unit (not shown).

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus 20.
First, the receiving unit 21 receives job data sent from the terminal device 10 (step 201). Subsequently, the document image creation unit 22 interprets the contents described in the content entity description part of the received job data and creates document image data (M pages) for one copy (step 202). The data is stored in the storage unit 23.

  Next, the superimposed image creation unit 24 determines whether or not a superimposed code image description unit exists in the received job data (step 203). Here, when it is determined that the superimposed code image description portion exists, the superimposed image creation unit 24 interprets the drawing command described in the superimposed code image description portion of the job data, and the code image data (N Code image data (N × M) for each page and for each page (step 204) and stored in the superimposed image storage unit 25. If there is no superimposed code description part in the job data, the process proceeds to step 205 as it is.

Then, the output image composition unit 26 determines whether or not to assign a different code image for each copy based on the contents described in the job control description portion of the received job data (step 205). If a different code image is to be added, the first synthesis process is executed (step 206). On the other hand, if it is determined in step 205 that it is not necessary to assign a different code image for each copy, the output image composition unit 26 next determines whether or not to apply a different code image for each copy and for each page. (Step 207) When a different code image is given for each copy and for each page, the second synthesis process is executed (Step 208). If it is determined in step 207 that it is not necessary to assign a different code image for each copy and for each page, the output image combining unit 26 executes a third combining process (step 209).
In this example, the output image composition unit 26 determines that a different code image is assigned to each unit if the job control description unit instructs to associate each unit with each print document ID. If there is an instruction regarding the association between each print document ID and each paper and each paper ID, it is determined that a different code image is assigned for each copy and for each page. Judge that there is no.
Then, the printing unit 27 sequentially prints and outputs the synthesized image on the medium based on the output image data input from the output image synthesizing unit 26 (step 210).

Here, FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing the flow of the first synthesis process shown in step 206 of FIG.
In the first composition processing, the output image composition unit 26 first sets n to 1 (step 301), and reads document image data (1 part: M pages) from the document image storage unit 23 (step 302). Next, the output image composition unit 26 is based on an instruction for associating each part described in the job control description part with each print document ID from among the N code image data stored in the superimposed image storage part 25. Then, one piece of code image data including the nth print document ID corresponding to the nth copy is read (step 303). Then, the output image composition unit 26 superimposes this one piece of code image data on the data of each page (M page) constituting the document image data, and obtains the obtained output image data (M page). Is output to the printing unit 27 (step 304). Next, it is determined whether or not n = N, that is, all the copies have been completed (step 305). If n <N, that is, if there are remaining print copies, n = n + 1 is set (step 306). ), Returning to step 302, the processing corresponding to the next number of copies is continued. On the other hand, if n = N in step 305, the process is terminated.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing the flow of the second combining process shown in step 208 of FIG.
In the second composition process, the output image composition unit 26 first sets n to 1 (step 401), and reads the document image data (1 part: M pages) from the document image storage unit 23 (step 402). Next, the output image composition unit 26 instructs to associate each part, each paper, and each paper ID described in the job control description part from the N × M code image data stored in the superimposed image storage unit 25. Based on this, M code image data (referred to as an nth code image data group in the following description) including M paper IDs corresponding to the 1st to Mth pages of the nth copy are read (step 403). Then, the output image composition unit 26 superimposes the corresponding M code image data on the data of each page (M page) constituting the document image data, and obtains the obtained output image data (M page). ) Is output to the printing unit 27 (step 404). Next, it is determined whether n = N, that is, all the copies have been completed (step 405). If n <N, n = n + 1 is set (step 406), and the process returns to step 402 to continue. Continue processing corresponding to the number of copies. On the other hand, if n = N in step 405, the process is terminated.

Further, FIG. 6C is a flowchart showing the flow of the third synthesis process shown in step 209 of FIG.
In the third composition process, the output image composition unit 26 sets n to 1 (step 501), reads the document image data (1 part: M pages) from the document image storage unit 23 (step 502), and outputs it as it is. The image data is output to the printing unit 27 (step 503). Then, it is determined whether or not n = N, that is, all the copies have been completed (step 504). If n <N, n = n + 1 is set (step 505), and the process returns to step 502 to return to the next. Continue processing according to the number of copies. On the other hand, if n = N in step 504, the process is terminated.

Then, an example is given and demonstrated about the process mentioned above. Here, an example will be described in which five copies (n = 5) of an electronic document having a document image of three pages (M = 3) are printed.
FIG. 7 shows an electronic document to be printed, a printed document printed based on the electronic document, an original document ID of the electronic document, a printed document ID assigned to each printed document, and each page of each printed document The relationship with the paper ID is shown. In this example, the original document of the electronic document is “001”, and the print document IDs assigned to the respective print documents are “002” to “006”, respectively. For example, in the first copy of the print document (print document ID “002”), the paper IDs of the first to third pages are “002-001” to “002-003”, respectively. When there is a request for assigning a code image for each copy, only the print document ID is issued and the paper ID is not issued.

  FIG. 8A illustrates an ID table created in step 112 shown in FIG. 4 when a code image is assigned to each copy. In this case, the original document ID 001 and the print document IDs 002 to 006 are associated with each other. On the other hand, FIG. 8B illustrates an ID table created in step 116 shown in FIG. 4 when a code image is given for each copy and for each page. In this case, the original document ID001 and the print document ID002 to 006 are associated with each other, and for example, the print document ID002 and the paper ID002 to 001 to 002 to 003 are associated with each other. Other print document IDs are also associated with each paper ID in the same manner. Then, the created ID table is sent to the document management server 30 and stored in step 119 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9A shows the job data generated in step 106 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 9B shows the job data output after editing in step 117 shown in FIG.
The job data generated by the job data generation unit 14 includes a content entity description part including a rendering command corresponding to one part of the electronic document regardless of the number of copies, and a job corresponding to the number of prints and contents of post-processing to be executed. Contains a control description part. When a different code image is given for each copy or for each copy and for each page (there is a code image), the job data editing unit 15 includes, in the job data, a superimposed code image description unit that includes a drawing command corresponding to the code image data. Is added by editing and output. Here, when a different code image is given for each copy, a superimposed code description portion is created based on five parts, that is, five pieces of code image data, and when a different code image is given for each copy and each page. A superimposed code description part is created based on 15 pages, that is, 15 code image data. On the other hand, when a code image is not added (no code image), the job data editing unit 15 does not add such a superimposed code image description unit, and does not add job data including a content entity description unit and a job control description unit. Output as is. When a different code image is given for each copy or for each copy and each page (with a code image), the job data editing unit 15 also edits the contents of the job control description unit as described above.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the first combining process (see FIG. 6A) executed by the output image combining unit 26. FIG. Here, the document image data is one part (three pages), and is stored in the document image storage unit 23. The code image data has five parts and is stored in the superimposed image storage unit 25. In each code image data, a document ID (002 to 006) assigned to each code image data is embedded.
In the first synthesis process, different code image data for each print document is synthesized with the document image data of three pages constituting one part of the electronic document. In other words, the same code image data is synthesized on each page in the same print document. Therefore, for example, in the first printed document, the output image data obtained by combining the document image data “1”, “2”, “3” and the code image data in which the print document ID “002” is embedded, respectively. Is output. The same processing is performed for the second to fifth printed documents.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the second combining process (see FIG. 6B) executed by the output image combining unit 26. FIG. Here, the document image data is one part (three pages), and is stored in the document image storage unit 23. Further, there are 15 pages of code image data, which are stored in the superimposed image storage unit 25. Each code image data is embedded with a paper ID (002-001 to 006-003) assigned thereto.
In the second synthesizing process, different code image data for each print document and for each page is synthesized with the document image data for three pages constituting one part of the electronic document. That is, different code image data is synthesized on each page even in the same print document. Therefore, for example, in the first print document, the document image data “1” and the code image data in which the paper ID “002-001” is embedded, the document image data “2” and the paper ID “002-002”. Output image data obtained by synthesizing the code image data embedded with the document image data “3” and the code image data embedded with the paper ID “002-003”. The same processing is performed for the second to fifth printed documents.

In the present embodiment, the ID table is transmitted from the terminal device 10 to the document management server 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the terminal device 10 performs editing by adding an ID table to the job control description part of the job data, transmits it to the image forming apparatus 20, and after the output of the print document is completed, the image forming apparatus 20 sends the ID table to the document management server 30. Transmission may be performed.
In the present embodiment, job data is generated and edited by the terminal device 10 based on the output of the print instruction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the document management server 30 has a job data generation function and a job data editing function, only a print instruction is transmitted from the terminal device 10 to the document management server 30, and job data is generated and edited by the document management server 30. The job data may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20. In this case, since various IDs are issued by the document management server 30, an ID table may be created and stored by the document management server 30 based on the IDs.
Further, in the present embodiment, the terminal device 10 issues the print document ID and creates the code image data in which the print document ID is embedded. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the terminal device 10 performs editing by adding the issued print document ID to the job control description part of the job data, and the image forming device 20 reads the print document ID from the job data and encodes and embeds the print document ID. Code image data may be generated.

<Embodiment 2>
In the present embodiment, the terminal device 10 only issues an instruction for issuing identification information and generating a code image obtained by encoding the identification information, and the image forming apparatus 20 issues a code obtained by issuing the identification information and encoding the identification information. A case of generating an image will be described.
First, the operation of the terminal device 10 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the terminal device 10. Since steps 601 to 608 of this process are the same as steps 101 to 108 (see FIG. 4) in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in step 608 that it is necessary to assign a different code image for each copy, the job data editing unit 15 creates an instruction to request the addition of a different code image for each copy as an example of a request instruction ( Step 609), the process proceeds to Step 611. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 608 that it is necessary to assign a different code image for each copy and each page, the job data editing unit 15 requests a different code image for each copy and each page as an example of a request instruction. An instruction to do so is created (step 610), and the process proceeds to step 611. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 607 that the code image is unnecessary, the process proceeds to step 611 as it is.

Then, the job data editing unit 15 appropriately edits the job data input from the job data generation unit 14 according to the specifications of the superimposed image, that is, the code image (step 611).
Here, for example, when a different code image is given for each copy, the job data editing unit 15 instructs to give a different code image for each copy created in step 609 and the original document ID acquired in step 605. Is added to the job control description part of the job data and output. On the other hand, for example, when a different code image is assigned for each copy and for each page, the job data editing unit 15 generates an instruction for requesting a different code image for each copy and for each page created in step 610 and the original document ID. Is added to the job control description part of the job data and output. On the other hand, when the code image is not added, the job data editing unit 15 outputs the job data as it is without editing. Thereafter, the transmission unit 16 transmits the job data input from the job data editing unit 15 to the image forming apparatus 20 via the network 40.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus 20. Since steps 701 and 702 of this process are the same as steps 201 and 202 (see FIG. 5) in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  After the reception unit 21 receives job data (step 701), the document image creation unit 22 creates document image data (step 702), and the document image storage unit 23 stores document image data, then the superimposed image creation unit 24 determines whether an instruction for requesting the addition of a code image is described in the job control description part of the received job data (step 703). If it is determined that it is necessary to add a code image, the superimposed image creation unit 24 determines whether the code image is different for each copy or for each copy and each page (step 704).

  If it is determined in step 704 that a different code image needs to be assigned for each copy, the superimposed image creation unit 24 issues the same number (N) of print document IDs as the number of print copies described in the job control description portion. (Step 705) and N code image data in which the issued N print document IDs are encoded and embedded are created (Step 706) and stored in the superimposed image storage unit 25. At this time, when the print document ID is issued, the superimposed image creation unit 24 associates each part (first to Nth part) with each print document ID (first to Nth part). Then, the superimposed image creation unit 24 acquires the original document ID described in the job data control description unit, and associates this original document ID (one) with the newly issued print document ID (N). An ID table is created (step 707). Thereafter, the output image composition unit 26 executes the first composition process shown in FIG. 6A (step 708), and proceeds to step 714.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 704 that a different code image needs to be assigned for each copy and each page, the superimposed image creation unit 24 prints the same number (N) of prints as the number of prints described in the job control description portion. A document ID and a number (N × M) of paper IDs corresponding to each part (N parts) and each page (M) are issued (step 709), and N × M paper IDs are encoded and embedded. The code image data is created (step 710) and stored in the superimposed image storage unit 25. At this time, the superimposed image creation unit 24 associates each part (first to Nth part) with each print document ID (first to Nth part) when issuing the print document ID. When issuing a paper ID, each section (first to Nth copies), each sheet (first to N × Mth) and each paper ID (first to N × Mth) are associated with each other. Then, the superimposed image creating unit 24 acquires the original document ID described in the job data control description unit, and this original document ID (one), the newly issued print document ID (N) and the paper ID ( N × M) are created (step 711). Thereafter, the output image composition unit 26 executes the second composition process shown in FIG. 6B (step 712), and proceeds to step 714. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 703 that the code image is unnecessary, the third synthesis process shown in FIG. 6C is executed (step 713), and the process proceeds to step 714.

  Then, the printing unit 27 sequentially prints and outputs the synthesized image on the medium based on the output image data input from the output image synthesizing unit 26 (step 714). In addition, when the superimposed image creation unit 24 creates different code images for each copy or for each page and for each page, a transmission unit (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 20 is created by the superimposed image creation unit 24. The data of the ID table (created in step 707 or step 711) is transmitted to the document management server 30 via the network 40. The document management server 30 receives the ID table data sent from the image forming apparatus 20 and stores it in a storage unit (not shown).

<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment, various IDs are issued and code image data is generated on the terminal device 10 side, and in the second embodiment, on the image forming device 20 side. However, the data processing capabilities of the terminal device 10 and the image forming device 20 differ from device to device, and there are cases where the processing capability of the image forming device 20 is lower than that of the terminal device 10 and vice versa.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when outputting a print instruction, the processing capabilities of the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 are compared, and various IDs are issued and code image data is created on the side with the higher processing capability. Give an explanation.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the terminal device 10 when outputting a print instruction.
In this process, first, it is determined whether or not a print instruction is output from the print instruction unit 11 (step 801). If a print instruction is output, hardware such as the CPU and memory of the terminal device 10, and Performance information relating to software operating at that time is extracted (step 802). Next, an inquiry is made to the image forming apparatus 20 to obtain performance information of the image forming apparatus 20 (step 803). Then, it is determined whether or not the terminal device 10 side has higher performance than the image forming apparatus 20 (step 804). If it is determined that the terminal device 10 has high performance, the terminal device 10 issues various IDs and creates code image data (step 805). That is, the image forming operation is executed according to the procedure described in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 804 that the image forming apparatus 20 has high performance, the image forming apparatus 20 issues various IDs and creates code image data (step 806). That is, the image forming operation is executed according to the procedure described in the second embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments, when the origin of the output print document is traced later, the code image formed on the print document is read using a scanner, an electronic pen having an imaging function, or the like. If the read code image is decoded, the print document ID or paper ID assigned to the print document is acquired, and the acquired print document ID or paper ID is inquired of the document management server 30 storing the ID table. Good.

It is a figure showing an example of composition of a document management system of this embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the function structure of the terminal device. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the terminal device according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. (A) is a flowchart showing a flow of the first synthesis process, (b) is a flow of the second synthesis process, and (c) is a flowchart showing a flow of the third synthesis process. Electronic document to be printed, print document printed based on electronic document, original document ID of electronic document, print document ID assigned to each print document, and paper ID assigned to each page of each print document It is a figure which shows the relationship. (A) is an example of an ID table created when a different code image is given for each copy, and (b) is an example of an ID table created when a different code image is given for each copy and every page. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the job data produced | generated by the job data production | generation part, and the job data output after editing by the job data editing part. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st synthetic | combination process. It is a figure for demonstrating a 2nd synthetic | combination process. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the terminal device according to the second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by the terminal device according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Terminal device, 11 ... Print instruction | indication part, 12 ... Attribute extraction part, 13 ... Superimposed image specification judgment part, 14 ... Job data generation part, 15 ... Job data edit part, 16 ... Transmission part, 20 ... Image forming apparatus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Reception part, 22 ... Document image creation part, 23 ... Document image storage part, 24 ... Superimposition image creation part, 25 ... Superimposition image storage part, 26 ... Output image composition part, 27 ... Printing part, 30 ... Document management server , 40 ... Network

Claims (9)

An acquisition means for acquiring an electronic document to be printed on a medium and information on the number of copies of the electronic document;
Print data creation means for creating one copy of print data of the electronic document based on the electronic document obtained by the obtaining means;
Extracting means for extracting attributes of the electronic document acquired by the acquiring means;
When the extraction unit extracts the first attribute, the first number of print identification information that is the same as the number of print copies is acquired, and when the extraction unit extracts the second attribute, the number of print copies is Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the second number of print identification information equal to the total number of pages multiplied by the number of pages of the electronic document ;
When the extraction means extracts the first attribute, the one copy of print data created by the print data creation means and the first number of prints obtained by the identification information acquisition means Print instruction data including identification information and association information for associating each of the number of print copies with each of the first number of print identification information is generated, and the extraction unit extracts the second attribute In this case, the one copy number of print data created by the print data creation unit, the second number of print identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit, and each page of the number of print copies A print instruction apparatus including print instruction data generating means for generating print instruction data including association information for associating each of the second number of print identification information . The extraction means further extracts electronic document identification information unique to the electronic document given to the electronic document,
When the extraction unit extracts the first attribute, the electronic document identification information extracted by the extraction unit and the first number of print identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit An associated identification information table is created, and when the extraction means extracts the second attribute, the electronic document identification information extracted by the extraction means and the identification information acquisition means The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a table creation unit that creates an identification information table in association with the second number of print identification information . When the extraction unit extracts the third attribute, the identification information acquisition unit does not acquire the print identification information, and the print instruction data generation unit generates the print data generation unit. 3. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of copies of print data is the print instruction data. An acquisition means for acquiring an electronic document to be printed on a medium and information on the number of copies of the electronic document;
Print data creation means for creating one copy of print data of the electronic document based on the electronic document obtained by the obtaining means;
Extracting means for extracting attributes of the electronic document acquired by the acquiring means;
When the extraction unit extracts a first attribute, a first request instruction for requesting creation of the same number of print identification information as the number of copies is generated, and the extraction unit extracts a second attribute Request instruction generating means for generating a second request instruction for requesting creation of the same number of print identification information as the total number of pages obtained by multiplying the number of printed copies by the number of pages of the electronic document ;
When the extraction means extracts the first attribute, the one copy number of print data created by the print data creation means and the first request instruction generated by the request instruction generation means When the print instruction data including the print attribute data is generated and the extraction unit extracts the second attribute, the print data generation unit generates the one copy of the print data and the request instruction generation unit. A print instruction apparatus including print instruction data creating means for creating print instruction data including the second request instruction . The extraction means further extracts electronic document identification information unique to the electronic document given to the electronic document ,
The print instruction data creation means, when the extraction means extracts the first attribute, the electronic document identification information extracted by the extraction means for the one copy of print data and the first request instruction. When the extraction means extracts the second attribute, the electronic document is extracted by the extraction means for the one copy of the print data and the second request instruction. 5. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the print instruction data is added with identification information. When the extraction unit extracts the third attribute, the request instruction generation unit does not generate a request instruction for requesting generation of the print identification information, and the print instruction data generation unit 6. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the one copy of print data created by the creation unit is used as the print instruction data. Print data of one copy of an electronic document, information on the number of copies of the electronic document, a first number of print identification information that is the same as the number of print copies, each set of the number of print copies, and the first number of print identification information Print instruction data including association information for associating each of the electronic document, one copy data of the electronic document, information on the number of copies of the electronic document, and the number of copies of the page of the electronic document. A print instruction including a second number of print identification information that is the same as the total number of pages multiplied by the number, and association information for associating each page of the number of print copies with each of the second number of print identification information Receiving means for receiving data ;
Document image creating means for creating one copy of the document image from one copy of the print data received by the receiving means ;
When the receiving unit receives the first number of print identification information, the receiving unit creates a first number of superimposed images in which one print identification information is embedded, and the receiving unit sets the second number of print identification information. Superimposition image creation means for creating a second number of superimposition images each embedded with one print identification information when receiving the print identification information ;
When the receiving unit receives the first number of print identification information, the receiving unit receives the document image created by the document image creating unit and the superimposed image created by the superimposed image creating unit. When the receiving unit receives the second number of print identification information, the document image created by the document image creating unit is associated with the number of copies based on the association information. An associating means for associating the superimposed image created by the superimposed image creating means with each of the number of copies and for each page based on the correspondence information received by the receiving means ;
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that superimposes the document image and the superimposed image that have been associated by the association unit and prints them on a medium. Print instruction data including print data for one copy of an electronic document, information on the number of print copies of the electronic document, and a first request instruction for requesting generation of the first number of print identification information that is the same as the number of print copies. Received and printed data of one copy of the electronic document, information of the number of copies of the electronic document, and the second number of print identification information equal to the total number of pages obtained by multiplying the number of prints by the number of pages of the electronic document Receiving means for receiving print instruction data including a second request instruction for requesting generation of
Document image creating means for creating one copy of the document image from one copy of the print data received by the receiving means ;
When the receiving unit receives the first request instruction, the first number of print identification information is acquired, and when the receiving unit receives the second request instruction, the second number Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the print identification information;
When the receiving means receives the first request instruction, it creates a first number of superimposed images each embedded with one print identification information based on the first number of print identification information, and When the receiving means receives the second request instruction, a superimposed image creation that creates a second number of superimposed images each embedded with one print identification information based on the second number of print identification information Means,
When the receiving unit receives the first request instruction, the document image created by the document image creating unit and the superimposed image created by the superimposed image creating unit are associated for each number of copies. In addition, when the receiving unit receives the second request instruction, the document image created by the document image creating unit and the superimposed image created by the superimposed image creating unit are set for each number of copies. And association means for associating each page ;
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that superimposes the document image and the superimposed image that have been associated by the association unit and prints them on a medium. The print instruction data received by the receiving unit further includes electronic document identification information unique to the electronic document attached to the electronic document,
When the reception unit receives the first request instruction, the electronic document identification information received by the reception unit and the first number of print identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit Is generated by the electronic document identification information received by the receiving unit and the identification information acquiring unit when the receiving unit receives the second request instruction. The printing apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising a table creation unit that creates an identification information table in association with the second number of print identification information .

Images