WO2012086086A1

WO2012086086A1 - Print management device, print management device control method and print management device control program

Info

Publication number: WO2012086086A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/073443
Authority: WO
Inventors: 令宮川
Original assignee: 富士通株式会社
Priority date: 2010-12-24
Filing date: 2010-12-24
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

In the present invention, a data receiving unit (11) receives input of a plurality of print data and a specification of a paper size upon which to print each of the print data. A print order acquisition unit (18) acquires the print order of the print data. A print layout generation unit (13), on the basis of the specified paper size, sequentially generates layouts for performing double-sided printing for each of the print data in the print order, and then, upon completing generation of a print layout for one print data item, assesses whether or not the back side of the last page is blank, and if the back side is blank, assesses whether or not the paper size specified by the next print data item can be printed upon the back side, and if the back side can be printed upon, generates a print layout so that the next print data item is printed from the back side.

Description

Print management apparatus, print management apparatus control method, and print management apparatus control program

The present invention relates to a print management apparatus, a print management apparatus control method, and a print management apparatus control program.

When printing materials, etc., each individual specifies his / her necessary printing conditions (double-sided printing, single-sided printing, size, layout, number of copies, etc.) and so on. When each person designates printing conditions, the designated printing conditions are often different. In this way, when different printing conditions are designated, since there is no relation to each printing, when a person finishes printing, the next person starts printing using the next new paper. In this case, even if each material can be collected as one printed matter, as in the case of printing a material at a certain meeting, the same margin as when each other material is printed is generated, and a waste of resources is generated. May occur. Specifically, in such printing, even if the back side of a certain person's print is empty, other people do not use the back side, so that a useless margin is generated.

Furthermore, as the number of pages increases, it becomes difficult to check the contents described. For this reason, in printed materials with a large number of pages, it may not be possible to detect even if a blank space is inserted in the middle of the written text, or if one page becomes blank due to a wrong page break. There is a risk of wasting resources.

Conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which files are printed together in groups so that printed data of other data is not mixed in between data to be printed continuously. In order to eliminate waste of resources, a technique has been proposed in which extra space generated at the time of printing is calculated, and printing is performed by changing the paper size or the like so that the number of extra spaces is minimized.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-55496 JP 2009-134440 A

However, the conventional technology that performs printing in a group unit only handles data collectively and does not consider margins, so it cannot eliminate waste of resources. Also, with the conventional technology that reduces the number of extra spaces during printing, the margins that were mistakenly provided in the print data, or the back side that was created when printing certain data when printing a series of data It is difficult to perform printing using the margins.

The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above, and provides a print management apparatus, a print management apparatus control method, and a print management apparatus control program that efficiently reduce waste of resources during printing.

The print management apparatus disclosed in the present application includes the following units in one aspect. The data receiving unit receives input of designation of a plurality of print data and a paper size for printing each print data. The print order acquisition unit acquires the print order of the print data. The print layout generation unit sequentially generates a layout for performing double-sided printing for each print data in the print order based on the designated paper size, and generation of a print layout for one print data is completed. When it is determined whether or not the back side of the last page is free, and if the back side is free, it is determined whether or not the paper size specified by the next print data can be printed on the back side. If printing is possible, a print layout is generated so that the next print data is printed from the back side.

The print management device, the print management device control method, and the print management device control program disclosed in the present application have an effect of efficiently reducing waste of resources during printing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a print management system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the print management server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining generation of a layout by the print management server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a layout when data A to data C are printed using the designated printing conditions as they are. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining detection of unnecessary margins. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining margin deletion in print data. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of layout generation and printing in the print management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the unnecessary margin detection process. FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the print management server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the print management server according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a print management apparatus, a print management apparatus control method, and a print management apparatus control program disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The disclosed technology is not limited by this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the print management system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the print management server according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the print management system according to this embodiment includes a print management server 1, a printer 2, and terminal devices 3A to 3C. The print management server 1 is an example of a “print management apparatus”. Further, in FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the terminal devices 3A to 3C are shown, but the number of terminal devices is not particularly limited. Further, in the following description, when the terminal devices 3A to 3C are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as “terminal device 3”.

The print management server 1 and the terminal device 3 are connected via a network. Each terminal device 3 transmits data to the print management server 1 via the network. The print management server 1 and the printer 2 are also connected via a network. Then, the print management server 1 transmits data to be printed to the printer 2. However, the print management server 1 and the printer 2 may be directly connected by a cable capable of transmitting print data other than the network.

As shown in FIG. 2, the print management server 1 according to the present embodiment includes a data reception unit 11, a group classification unit 12, a print layout generation unit 13, a margin detection unit 14, a margin deletion unit 15, an input unit 16, a printing order. A storage unit 17 and a printing order acquisition unit 18 are included.

The data receiving unit 11 receives print data and printing conditions from each terminal device 3. The printing conditions include the paper size, information on double-sided printing or single-sided printing, and the number of copies. Further, when the print data is used as a series of printed materials together with other print data, the print condition includes a group ID. The data receiving unit 11 outputs the print data and the printing conditions to the group classification unit 12. In this embodiment, data A specifying A4 size paper is input from the terminal device 3A of FIG. 1, data B specifying A4 size paper is input from the terminal device 3B, and A3 size is input from the terminal device 3C. A case will be described where data C in which a sheet of paper is designated is input. Data A is material for two pages of A4 size paper, data B is material for two pages of A4 size paper, and data C is material for three pages of A3 size paper.

The group classification unit 12 receives input of print conditions and print data from the data reception unit 11. Then, the group classification unit 12 determines whether or not a group ID is included in the print conditions corresponding to each print data. The group classification unit 12 extracts print data in which the group ID is included in the print condition, and groups the print data having the same group ID as one group. Here, in the case of print data having no group ID, the group classification unit 12 sets a single print data.

Then, the group classification unit 12 outputs the grouped print data and the paper size in the printing conditions to the print layout generation unit 13.

Here, in this embodiment, grouping is performed first, but it may be performed any time before final layout determination. For example, grouping may be performed after a margin is deleted by a margin deletion unit 15 described later.

The print layout generation unit 13 includes a print buffer generation unit 131.

The print layout generation unit 13 receives print data grouped from the group classification unit 12 and its group ID, and print conditions including the paper size specified in each print data. In the present embodiment, the print layout generation unit 13 receives input of data A, data B and data C and their group IDs from the group classification unit 12. Further, the print layout generation unit 13 receives from the group classification unit 12 inputs A4 as the paper size of data A, A4 as the paper size of data B, and A3 as the paper size of data C.

When the print buffer creation unit 131 receives print data input from each terminal device 3 from the group classification unit 12, the print buffer creation unit 131 first obtains the print data and the paper size specified by each print data. Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 counts the number of lines of each print data. Next, the print buffer creation unit 131 prepares a print buffer that is a virtual sheet that matches the designated sheet size. For example, if the designated paper size is A4, an A4 print buffer is prepared. Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 arranges print data in the created print buffer. Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 outputs the print buffer in which the print data is arranged to the margin detection unit 14.

In addition, when the print buffer creation unit 131 receives print data input from the margin deletion unit 15, the print buffer creation unit 131 arranges the print data of each group in the print order acquired by the print order acquisition unit 18 as will be described later. Hereinafter, the arrangement of print data in the print buffer by the print buffer creation unit 131 for the group including data A, data B, and data C will be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the printing order is specified in the order of data A, data C, and data B. The print buffer creation unit 131 acquires an A4 size print buffer that is the paper size of data A that is print data to be printed first in the group. Since the data A is the first data in the group, the print buffer creation unit 131 arranges the data A on both sides of the A4 size print buffer from the top of the data A. When one A4 size print buffer is full, the same A4 size print buffer is prepared. Then, the rest of the data A is arranged from the top in the prepared print buffer. The print buffer creation unit 131 acquires an A4 size print buffer and arranges the remaining data A in the print buffer until all the data A is arranged. In the embodiment, since the data A is for two pages of A4 size paper, the creation of the data A print buffer ends when the data is arranged on both sides of the A4 size print buffer. Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 outputs the arrangement state of the data A in the print buffer to the print layout generation unit 13.

Next, the print buffer creation unit 131 acquires a layout including a paper size and a print position used for printing data C, which is the next order of print data, from the print layout generation unit 13. The print buffer creation unit 131 prepares a print buffer and arranges data in the print buffer according to the layout acquired from the print layout generation unit 13. In the present embodiment, the paper size specified by the data A is A4 size, and the paper size specified by the data C that is the next print data is A3. Then, a layout for arranging data C on a new A3 size sheet is generated. Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 prepares a print buffer for new paper of A3 size. Further, the print buffer creation unit 131 arranges data C in an A3 size print buffer. In this embodiment, since the data C is data for three pages of A3 size paper, the print buffer creating unit 131 first arranges the first and second pages of the data C using both sides of the A3 size print buffer. To do. Further, the print buffer creation unit 131 arranges the third page of data C on one side of the A3 size print buffer. At this time, the back side of the print buffer in which the third page of data C is arranged is a blank space. Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 outputs the arrangement state of the data C in the print buffer to the print layout generation unit 13.

Next, the print buffer creation unit 131 acquires the paper size and print position used to print the data B, which is the next order of print data, from the print layout generation unit 13. The print buffer creation unit 131 prepares a print buffer and arranges data in the print buffer according to the layout acquired from the print layout generation unit 13. In this embodiment, the paper size specified by the data C is A3 size, and the paper size specified by the data B which is the next print data is A4. Then, a layout for arranging data B on the back side of the A3 size paper on which the third page of data C is arranged is generated. Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 arranges data B on the back surface of the A3 size print buffer in which the third page of data C is arranged. In this embodiment, since the data B is data for two pages of A4 size paper, the print buffer creation unit 131 arranges the first and second pages of data B on the back surface of the A3 size print buffer. Complete the creation of the print buffer.

The print layout generation unit 13 outputs a group ID to the print order acquisition unit 18 in order to acquire the print order of the print data in each group. The print layout generation unit 13 receives an input of the print order corresponding to the output group ID from the print order acquisition unit 18. In the present embodiment, the print layout generation unit 13 receives from the print order acquisition unit 18 the print order of data A, data C, and data B as the print order in the group including the data A to C. Further, the print layout generation unit 13 outputs the acquired print order to the print buffer generation unit 131.

The print layout generation unit 13 generates a layout in order from the first print data in the print order. Since printing starts from the first print data, the print layout generation unit 13 determines the layout for the first print data to be printed with the designated paper size. In the following, the last print data of the print data that has already been arranged in the print buffer is referred to as “previous print data”, and the print data that is printed after the previous print data is referred to as “next print data”. Call it. The print layout generation unit 13 receives an input of the arrangement state of data that has been arranged in the print buffer from the print buffer creation unit 131. Then, the print layout generation unit 13 determines whether or not the back side of the final page is blank when the previous print data is printed on both sides. (Hereinafter, the back side of the final page when the previous print data is printed on both sides may be simply referred to as “back side”.) If the back side has a margin, the print layout generation unit 13 The specified paper size is compared between the print data and the next print data. Then, it is determined whether the paper size designated by the next print data can be printed on the paper size designated by the previous print data. In this embodiment, the print layout generation unit 13 determines that printing is possible when the paper size is the same or when the size of the back surface is an integral multiple of the paper size specified in the next printing.

Here, the determination of whether or not printing is possible will be specifically described. For example, when the paper size of the previous print data is A3 and the paper size of the next print data is A4, since A3 is twice A4, the print layout generation unit 13 determines that printing is possible. Conversely, when the paper size of the previous print data is A4 and the paper size of the next print data is A3, the paper size of the next print data is larger than the paper size of the previous print data, so the print layout The generation unit 13 determines that printing is not possible. Furthermore, when the paper size of the previous print data is A4 and the paper size of the next print data is B5, A4 is larger than B5, but is not an integer multiple, so the print layout generation unit 13 cannot print. to decide. However, this determination may be performed by another method, for example, a method of determining that printing is possible if the paper size specified by the next print data is smaller than the paper size specified by the previous print data.

When it is determined that printing on the back side is possible, the print layout generation unit 13 generates a layout so that printing of the next print data is started from the back side of the last page on which the first print data is printed.

When the next print data is printed on the back side of the last page of the previous print data, the print layout generation unit 13 is an integer multiple of the paper size of the previous print data with respect to the paper size of the next print data. A layout for printing the next page of print data on the back side is generated. For example, when the paper size of the previous print data is A3 and the paper size of the next print data is A4, since A3 is twice A4, the print layout generation unit 13 next places the back side of the A3 paper. A layout is generated so as to print two pages of the print data. When the back side is used up, the print layout generation unit 13 generates a layout so that double-sided printing is performed using the designated paper size from the next page.

When it is determined that printing on the back side is not possible, the print layout generation unit 13 generates a layout so that printing of the next print data is started using a new sheet having a paper size specified by the next print data.

If the back side of the last page of the previous print data is not blank, the print layout generation unit 13 starts printing the next print data using a new sheet of the paper size specified by the next print data. Generate a layout to

The print layout generation unit 13 receives the information on the arrangement state of the print data from the print buffer generation unit 131, and determines whether the back side of the last page on which the previous print data is printed is a margin sequentially from the first print data. The determination whether the next print data can be printed on the back side is repeated. If the next print data can be printed on the back side, the print layout generation unit 13 repeats generating a layout that starts printing the next print data from the back side. Then, the print layout generation unit 13 sequentially outputs the generated next print data layout to the print buffer generation unit 131.

Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the processing of the print layout generation unit 13 when data A to data C are used will be specifically described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining generation of a layout by the print management server according to the first embodiment. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the arrangement of print data in the print buffer by the print buffer creation unit 131 will be omitted.

First, the print layout generation unit 13 determines the layout so that the data A is printed on both sides of A4 paper. Since the data A has two pages, it is printed on both sides of the A4 like the paper 201, and there is no backside margin. Therefore, the print layout generation unit 13 determines a layout so that printing of the data C is started from a new sheet of A3 that is the sheet size specified by the data C. Here, since the data C is 3 pages, the sheet 202 is printed on both sides, and the sheet 203 is printed only on one side. That is, the back surface of the sheet 203 is a blank space. Therefore, the print layout generation unit 13 determines whether or not the data B can be printed on the back surface of the sheet 203. Here, the sheet 203 is A3, and the sheet size of the data B is A4. Since A3 is twice A4, the print layout generation unit 13 determines that two pages of data B can be printed on the back side of the sheet 203. Then, the print layout generation unit 13 determines the layout so that printing of the data B is started from printing two pages on the back surface of the sheet 203. Here, since the data B is two pages, it is printed like a sheet 204 representing the back side of the sheet 203. In this way, by generating the layout, the print layout generating unit 13 generates the layout of data A to data C shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a layout when printing data A to data C using the designated printing conditions as they are. As shown in FIG. 4, when printing is performed under designated printing conditions, data A is printed on paper 301 and paper 302, data C is printed on paper 303 to paper 305, and data B is printed on paper 306 and paper. 307 is printed. In this case, four A4 size sheets and three A3 size sheets are used. On the other hand, when the print management server 1 is used, it is only necessary to use one A4 size sheet and two A3 size sheets as shown in FIG. That is, it is possible to save three sheets of A4 size paper and one sheet of A3 size compared to the case where printing is performed as it is under the designated printing conditions. Thus, by using the print management server 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently reduce resource waste.

The print layout generation unit 13 outputs the print buffer created by the print buffer creation unit 131 to the printer 2.

The margin detection unit 14 stores in advance a predetermined number of rows as a threshold for detecting unnecessary margins. Here, the unnecessary margin refers to a margin portion that is considered to be a margin that has been generated unintentionally by the creator of the print data. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the margin detection unit 14 stores four rows as a predetermined number of rows. There is no particular limitation on the predetermined number of rows as the threshold value. However, if the predetermined number of lines is increased, the detection rate of unnecessary margins is lowered, and if the predetermined number of lines is decreased, the necessary margins may be detected as unnecessary margins. Therefore, the predetermined number of lines is preferably set appropriately in consideration of resource saving efficiency and readability of printed matter. The margin detection unit 14 receives input of print data and printing conditions from the data reception unit 11. Then, the margin detection unit 14 determines whether each print data includes continuous blank lines that are equal to or more than a predetermined number of lines stored in advance. A blank line is a line in which there is no description of information such as characters and a line is broken. The margin detection unit 14 determines that blank lines are also arranged from the position where the page break is inserted to the line with the next description.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the detection of unnecessary margins. Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the detection of the unnecessary margin by the margin detection unit 14 will be specifically described. A circle symbol in FIG. 5 represents a description of a character or the like. That is, a line in which a circle symbol is described is a line in which some description is made. On the contrary, a line in which there is no circle symbol and only a line feed mark is written is a blank line. The page 400 shown in FIG. 3 includes a margin 401 having two blank lines, a margin 402 having one blank line, and a margin 403 having 13 blank lines. When detecting an unnecessary margin for the page 400, the margin detection unit 14 determines whether each line is a blank line in order from the first line of the page 400. The margin detection unit 14 detects a margin 403 in which four or more blank lines are continuous as an unnecessary margin. Here, since the blank 401 and the blank 402 have fewer than four consecutive blank lines, the blank detection unit 14 does not detect the blank 401 and the blank 402 as unnecessary blanks.

Then, the margin detection unit 14 outputs the print data together with unnecessary margin information to the margin deletion unit 15. Here, the blank line information only needs to be information indicating which print data has a blank line, for example, identification information such as the name of the print data, page number, and blank line number. It only has to be included.

The margin deletion unit 15 stores in advance the number of lines to be left as margins. The number of lines left as the margin corresponds to an example of “predetermined value”. In the present embodiment, the margin deletion unit 15 stores the number of lines that is one line less than the predetermined number of lines stored in the margin detection unit 14 as the number of lines to leave as a margin. Specifically, the margin deletion unit 15 stores the number of lines to be left as margins as three lines. The margin deletion unit 15 receives print data and blank line information from the margin detection unit 14. Then, the margin deletion unit 15 specifies unnecessary margins using blank line information, deletes blank lines in the unnecessary margin portions, and reduces the number of lines to be left as margins. Then, the margin deletion unit 15 outputs the print data filled with unnecessary margins to the print layout generation unit 13.

Here, with reference to FIG. 6, the deletion of the margin will be specifically described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining margin deletion in print data. In the print data 500, which is one print data, the margin detection unit 14 detects that the page 501 has no margin, the

pages

502 and 504 have a margin in the lower half, and the page 503 has all the pages as a margin. At this time, the margin deletion unit 15 deletes all of the lower half area of the page 502 and the page 504 and the page 503. Since the deleted area is filled, the print data 500 is changed like the print data 510. Specifically, the page 501 becomes one page 511 as it is, and the data of the

pages

502 and 504 are arranged in the area 521 and the area 522 of the page 512, respectively. In this way, by deleting the margin, the input print data for four pages can be reduced to print data for two pages, and the paper for printing the print data can be reduced. .

The printing order storage unit 17 is a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk. The print order storage unit 17 stores in advance the print order of print data in each group input by the operator using the input unit 16. In this embodiment, as print data, data A is input from the terminal device 3A in FIG. 1, data B is input from the terminal device 3B, and data C is input from the terminal device 3C. Data A, data B, and data C are materials used in the same conference and are included in the same group. In this case, the operator uses the input unit 16 to input in advance the order of print data to be printed in the group of data A, data B, and data C. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the operator inputs the order of data A, data C, and data B as the printing order. In this case, the printing order storage unit 17 stores the order of data A, data C, and data B together with the group IDs of the groups of data A, data B, and data C. Here, in this embodiment, the operator inputs the print order using the input unit 16 of the print management server 1, but this may be another method. For example, the operator may use the terminal device 3. The order of printing may be input via the network using.

The printing order acquisition unit 18 receives an input of the group ID of the group that acquires the printing order from the printing layout generation unit 13. In the present embodiment, the printing order acquisition unit 18 receives input of group IDs of data A, data B, and data C groups. Then, the printing order acquisition unit 18 acquires the printing order from the printing order storage unit 17. Here, the printing order acquisition unit 18 acquires the printing order of data A, data C, and data B. Then, the printing order acquisition unit 18 outputs the acquired printing order information to the printing layout generation unit 13. Here, in this embodiment, the printing order acquisition unit 18 acquires the printing order stored in advance in the printing order storage unit 17, but this may be another method. For example, the print order acquisition unit 18 presents the group ID to the operator, requests the input of the print order of the group corresponding to the group ID, and prints input using the input unit 16 as a response to the request The order may be acquired. In this case, the print order storage unit 17 may not be provided.

The printer 2 performs printing using the print buffer received from the print layout generation unit 13.

Next, layout generation processing by the print management server 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of layout generation and printing in the print management system according to the first embodiment. Here, a case where a set of print data that forms one group is input will be described.

The data receiving unit 11 receives input of print data and printing conditions (step S101). Then, the group classification unit 12 groups the print data received by the data reception unit 11 using the group ID (step S102).

The print layout generation unit 13 acquires print data and print conditions. Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 arranges the print data in the print buffer in accordance with the designation of the paper size included in the input print condition (step S103).

The margin detection unit 14 acquires the print buffer created by the print layout generation unit 13. Then, the margin detection unit 14 detects, as an unnecessary margin, a line in which the blank line continues for a predetermined number of lines in the print data (step S104). The margin deletion unit 15 deletes blank lines from the print data until the number of unnecessary margins detected by the margin detection unit 14 reaches a predetermined number (step S105).

The print layout generation unit 13 acquires the print order of the print data from the print order acquisition unit 18 (step S106). Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 acquires a print buffer having a paper size specified by the first print data in the print order acquired by the print layout generation unit 13. Then, the print layout generation unit 13 arranges the first print data in the acquired print buffer (step S107).

The print layout generation unit 13 sets n = 2 (step S108). Then, the print layout generation unit 13 determines whether or not the back side of the last page of the print buffer in the state where the print buffer creation unit 131 has arranged data is a blank (step S109). If the back side of the last page is a blank (Yes at Step S109), the print layout generating unit 13 determines whether or not the nth print data can be arranged on the back side (Step S110). Specifically, it is determined that placement is possible when the paper size of the last page is an integral multiple of the paper size specified by the nth print data. When the nth print data can be arranged on the back side (Yes in step S110), the print layout generation unit 13 generates a layout for printing the nth print data on the back side of the last page of the current print buffer. The print buffer creation unit 131 receives the layout information from the print layout generation unit 13 and arranges the nth print data on the back side of the last page of the current print buffer (step S111). Then, the print buffer creation unit 131 determines whether there is remaining data of the nth print data (step S112). If there is remaining data (Yes at Step S112), the print buffer creation unit 131 prepares a print buffer having the paper size designated by the nth print data, and arranges the remaining print data (Step S113). On the other hand, when there is no remaining data (No at Step S112), the process proceeds to Step S115.

On the other hand, if the back side of the last page is not blank (No at Step S109), the print buffer creation unit 131 prepares a print buffer having the paper size specified by the nth print data and arranges the print data ( Step S114). Similarly, when the nth print data cannot be arranged in the back margin (No in step S110), the print buffer creation unit 131 similarly prepares a print buffer having a paper size designated by the nth print data, and performs printing. Data is arranged (step S114).

Then, the print layout generation unit 13 determines whether or not the arrangement of all the print data in the group in the print buffer has been completed (step S115). If not finished (No at Step S115), the print buffer creating unit 131 sets n = n + 1 (Step S117). Then, the process returns to step S109.

On the other hand, when the processing is completed (Yes at step S115), the print layout generation unit 13 outputs the print buffer to the printer 2. The printer 2 performs printing using the print buffer input from the print layout generation unit 13 (step S116).

Further, with reference to FIG. 8, the processing for detecting unnecessary margins by the margin detection unit 14 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the unnecessary margin detection process. The flowchart in FIG. 8 corresponds to the processing performed in step S104 in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 8, processing for detecting unnecessary margins in one piece of print data is described. Actually, the margin detection unit 14 performs the processing shown in FIG. 8 on each print data.

The margin detection unit 14 checks whether there are blank lines or page breaks in each line of the print data (step S201).

The margin detection unit 14 determines whether or not there is a one-page margin by inserting a page break (step S202). If there is no margin for one page due to a page break (No at Step S202), the margin detection unit 14 determines whether there is a blank line exceeding the threshold (Step S203). When there is one page margin (Yes at Step S202) or when there is a blank line exceeding the threshold (Yes at Step S203), the margin detection unit 14 stores information on unnecessary margin (Step S204), and goes to Step S201. Return.

On the other hand, when there is no blank line exceeding the threshold value (No at Step S203), the blank space detection unit 14 notifies the blank space deletion unit 15 of the stored unnecessary blank space information (Step S205). At this time, if there is no stored unnecessary margin information, the margin detecting unit 14 notifies the margin deleting unit 15 that there is no unnecessary margin as unnecessary margin information.

FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the print management server according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the print management server 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1010, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1020, a hard disk 1030, and a network interface 1040.

The print management server 1 is connected to the terminal device 3 and the printer 2 via the network interface 1040.

The hard disk 1030 stores in advance various programs such as a print management program that exhibits the same function as the print management server 1 shown in FIG.

The CPU 1010 reads out and executes a print management program or the like stored in the hard disk 1030, thereby generating a process for realizing each function described above. The RAM 1020 stores, for example, a print buffer created by the print buffer creation unit 131 shown in FIG.

Note that the above-described print management program is not necessarily stored in the hard disk 1030. For example, the print management program may be stored in a “portable physical medium” such as a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an MO disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an IC card inserted into the print management server. . Alternatively, the print management program may be stored in a “fixed physical medium” such as a hard disk drive (HDD) provided inside or outside the print management server 1. Alternatively, the print management program may be stored in “another computer (or server)” connected to the print management server 1 via a public line, the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, or the like. Then, the print management server 1 may read and execute each program from the above-described flexible disk or the like.

As described above, the print management server according to the present embodiment deletes a blank portion that is considered unnecessary in the input print data. Furthermore, the print management server according to the present embodiment prints the next print data from the back side of the blank page when the back side of the last page on which the previous print data is printed is blank and can be printed. Is generated. As a result, the deleted margin portion and the back side margin portion can be effectively used, and waste of resources during printing can be efficiently reduced.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the print management server according to the second embodiment. The print management server according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a common header is added as a layout of print data included in the same group. Therefore, in the following description, the addition of a header to print data included in the same group will be mainly described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the print management server 1 according to this embodiment is obtained by adding a header storage unit 19 to the print management server described in the first embodiment. 10 that have the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions unless otherwise specified.

The header storage unit 19 is a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk. The operator uses the input unit 16 to input the group ID of the group in which the header is to be inserted and the header information to be inserted. The header storage unit 19 stores the group ID input by the operator and the header information in association with each other. The header storage unit 19 is an example of a common information storage unit.

Here, in this embodiment, the printing order storage unit 17 and the header storage unit 19 are described separately, but this may be provided in one storage device.

The print layout generation unit 13 acquires header information corresponding to the group ID of the group that is about to print from the header storage unit 19. Then, the print layout generation unit 13 inserts header information into each page of the print buffer created by the print buffer creation unit 131. Here, when a plurality of pages of the next print data are arranged on the back side of the last page of the previous data, in this embodiment, the print layout generation unit 13 sets the headers of all the pages arranged on the back side. Insert header information into. However, this may be another method. For example, the print layout generation unit 13 may simply insert header information into the header portion on the back surface.

In the above description, the header is used as the common information. However, other information may be used as long as the information is common to each print data included in the group. For example, a footer may be used.

As described above, the print management server according to the present embodiment can automatically insert information common to data in printing included in a group into all print data. As a result, a unified layout can be easily applied to all print data included in the same group.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print management server 2

Printer

3A, 3B, 3C Terminal device 11 Data reception part 12 Group classification | category part 13 Print layout production | generation part 14 Margin detection part 15 Margin deletion part 16 Input part 17 Printing order memory | storage part 18 Printing order acquisition part 19 Header memory Part 131 Print buffer creation part

Claims

A data receiving unit that receives input of a plurality of print data and designation of a paper size for printing each print data;
A print order acquisition unit for acquiring the print order of the print data;
Based on the designated paper size, a layout for performing double-sided printing is sequentially generated for each print data in the printing order, and when generation of a print layout for one print data is completed, If the back side is empty, and if the back side is empty, it is determined whether the paper size specified by the next print data can be printed on the back side. A print layout generation unit that generates a print layout so that the next print data is printed from the back surface;
A print management apparatus comprising:
A group classification unit for classifying data having the same ID as the same group;
The data receiving unit receives the input of the ID together with designation of the print data and the paper size,
The print acquisition unit acquires a print order of print data included in the group;
The print management apparatus according to claim 1.
A printing order storage unit that stores in advance the printing order of the print data included in the group;
The print management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing order acquisition unit acquires the printing order from the printing order storage unit.
A margin detection unit for detecting unnecessary margins of the print data;
A margin deletion unit that deletes the detected unnecessary margin;
The print management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
The margin detection unit stores a predetermined number of lines as a threshold value, determines whether or not there are continuous blank lines exceeding the predetermined number of lines in the print data, and continuously exceeds the predetermined number of lines. Detect blank lines as unnecessary margins,
The print management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the margin deletion unit deletes a number of blank lines exceeding the predetermined value.
The margin detection unit determines whether there is a page without description, and when there is a page without description, detects the page as an unnecessary margin,
The print management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the margin deletion unit deletes a page without the description.
A common information storage unit that stores in advance common information corresponding to the group;
The print management according to claim 4, wherein the print layout generation unit generates a layout by adding the common information stored in the common information storage unit to a predetermined area of the print layout of the group. apparatus.
Receive input of multiple print data and specification of paper size for printing each print data,
Obtaining the print order of the print data;
In creating a layout for performing double-sided printing for each print data in the printing order based on the specified paper size, the back side of the last page is empty when generation of a print layout for one print data is completed. If the back side is empty, it is determined whether the paper size specified by the next print data can be printed on the back side. A print management apparatus control program for causing a computer to execute a process of generating a print layout so that the next print data is printed.
A printing management apparatus control method executed by a computer,
Receives input of multiple print data and paper size for printing each print data,
Obtaining the print order of the print data;
In creating a layout for performing double-sided printing for each print data in the printing order based on the specified paper size, the back side of the last page is empty when generation of a print layout for one print data is completed. If the back side is empty, it is determined whether the paper size specified by the next print data can be printed on the back side. A print management apparatus control method, wherein a print layout is generated so that the next print data is printed.