JP2003320735A - Print system, image data management system, printer and data management server constituting these systems, printer, and driver of image scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To obtain a duplicate printed matter without image deterioration without imposing a burden on a person who requests a duplicate printed matter of a printed sample or a sample supplier. SOLUTION: A sample poster supplier prints an image on a sheet 1 with an element in which a sheet identifier is stored,
This is provided as a sample poster 3 to a duplicate poster printer, while the image is associated with the identifier and stored in the data management server 40. The duplicate poster printer reads the identifier from the element 100 provided on the sample poster 3 by the scanner 80, and requests the data management server 40 to transfer the image data corresponding to the identifier. When the host 50 on the copy poster print side receives the image data, the host computer 50 causes the printer 90 to execute printing based on the image data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system for printing an image on a printing medium, an image data management system for providing image data to this printing system, a printer and a data management server constituting these systems, a printer and an image. The present invention relates to a driver that controls the operation of a scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a person who obtains a poster sample with photographs or pictures wants to obtain a copy of this poster sample, he / she must send the poster to the poster sample supplier, or The image of the poster sample is captured by the image scanner, and the captured image is printed on the printer.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional techniques, when a poster or the like is to be mailed, there is a problem in that it takes time and labor for the request and the mailing procedure, and the image scanner. However, there is a problem that the image deterioration occurs when the image is captured by.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above problems of the prior art, and based on a printed matter on which a certain image is printed, it is possible to obtain a printed matter without image deterioration without trouble. An object of the present invention is to provide a print system that can be used, an image data management system that provides image data to the printing system, a printer and a data management server that configure these systems, and a driver that controls the operations of the printer and the image scanner.

[0005]

A printer for achieving the above object comprises a print head facing a print medium and moving relative to the print medium, and an element provided on the print medium. An identifier reading unit that reads an identifier of the print medium or an identifier of the image, and an identifier transmitting unit that transmits the identifier read by the identifier reading unit are provided, and the identifier reading unit performs the printing of the print head. It is characterized in that it is provided on the surface facing the medium.

Here, the printer further receives an instruction to read the identifier from a printer host that transmits the image data, and an instruction receiving unit that causes the identifier reading unit to execute a reading operation, and the instruction reception. A means for receiving a reading instruction of the identifier, the transmitting means for transmitting the fact that the identifier cannot be read to the printer host if the identifier cannot be read even if the identifier reading means executes a reading operation. , Are preferably provided.

A first printer driver for achieving the above object includes an identifier receiving procedure for receiving an identifier of a print medium or an identifier of a specific image from a printer, and the identifier and the specific image received in the identifier receiving procedure. In association with the data to be stored in the storage area,
An identifier management procedure for extracting the identifier stored in the storage area in response to a request is executed by a computer.

Here, the first printer driver is
Further, the designation of the identifier or the data of the specific image stored in the storage area is accepted, the identifier can be retrieved from the storage area in the identifier management procedure, and the data management server is accessed from the network control unit via the communication network. In order to transmit the data of the identifier and the specific image, it is preferable to cause the computer to execute a data transfer acceptance procedure of passing the data of the identifier and the specific image to the network communication control unit.

A second printer driver for achieving the above object is an identifier receiving procedure for receiving an identifier of a print medium or an identifier of a specific image from a printer, and a storage area for storing the identifier received in the identifier receiving procedure. Stored in the storage area and accepting the identifier management procedure for extracting the identifier stored in the storage area in response to the request and the designation of the identifier stored in the storage area, and executing the identifier management procedure from the storage area in the identifier management procedure. Since the network control unit receives the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier from the data management server via the communication network by extracting the identifier, the network control unit receives the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier. A data transfer request acceptance procedure for transmitting a transfer request to the data management server, An image data management procedure for receiving the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier via the network control unit and storing the data of the specific image in a storage area. Is.

Here, the above-mentioned first and second printer drivers further receive a reading instruction of the identifier of the print medium or the identifier of the specific image, and inform the printer in which the print medium is set. It is preferable that the computer is caused to execute a read instruction receiving procedure for giving an instruction to read the identifier from an element provided on the print medium. In this case, if the unreadable reception procedure for receiving the fact that the identifier cannot be read from the printer and the fact that the identifier cannot be read from the printer in the unreadable reception procedure are received, the print medium is not set correctly. It is preferable to cause the computer to execute the display instruction procedure for displaying the message.

A scanner driver for achieving the above object stores an identifier receiving procedure for receiving an identifier of a print medium or an identifier of a specific image from an image scanner and storing the identifier received in the identifier receiving procedure in a storage area. An identifier management procedure for extracting the identifier stored in the storage area in response to a request, and a designation of the identifier stored in the storage area accepted, and the identifier management procedure for extracting the identifier from the storage area Since the network control unit receives the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier from the data management server via the communication network, the network control unit requests the transfer of the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier. The data transfer request acceptance procedure to be transmitted to the data management server, and the data management server An image data management procedure of receiving the data of the specific image corresponding to the information of the identifier via the network control unit and storing the data of the specific image in a storage area. To do.

Here, the scanner driver further accepts a reading instruction of the identifier of the print medium or the identifier of the specific image, and causes the image scanner in which the print medium is set to read the print medium. In the read instruction reception procedure for instructing the reading of the identifier from the provided element, the unreadable reception procedure for receiving the fact that the identifier cannot be read from the image scanner, and the unreadable reception procedure in the unreadable reception procedure. It is preferable to cause the computer to execute a display instruction procedure for displaying that the print medium is not correctly set when receiving the fact that the identifier cannot be read.

A data management server for achieving the above object is a network communication control means for transmitting and receiving various data via a communication network, a storage area for storing various data, and the network communication control means for communicating with the communication. When the information of the identifier of the print medium and the data of the specific image printed on the print medium are received via the network, the identifier and the data of the specific image are associated with each other and stored in the storage area. When the control means receives a transfer request for the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier of the print medium via the communication network, the data of the specific image is read from the storage means and passed to the network communication control means. And a storage management unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the image data distribution method receives an identifier of a print medium or an identifier of a specific image and data of the specific image printed on the print medium via a communication network. Image data receiving step, a storage step of associating the identifier received in the image data receiving step with the data of the specific image, and storing in a storage area; and an identifier of the print medium via the communication network. A transfer request receiving step of receiving a transfer request of the corresponding specific image data, and a transfer request receiving step of receiving the transfer request of the specific image data corresponding to the identifier of the print medium from the storage area in the transfer request receiving step. A read step of reading data of the specific image; and a step of transferring the specific image data read in the read step to a transfer request source. It is characterized in that it has a, and image data transmission step of transmitting via a communication network.

An image data management system for achieving the above object comprises an element provided on a print medium,
A printer having an identifier reading unit for reading the identifier of the print medium or the identifier of the image, and an identifier transmitting unit for transmitting the identifier read by the identifier reading unit, and the first printer driver are incorporated. And a printer host.

Here, the image data management system may include the data management server connected to the printer host via a communication network.

In a first printing system for achieving the above object, an identifier reading unit for reading an identifier of the printing medium or an identifier of an image from an element provided on the printing medium, and a reading unit for reading the identifier. And an image scanner including an identifier transmitting unit that transmits the identifier, a host in which the scanner driver is installed, and a printer that operates according to an instruction from the host. Data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier read by the identifier reading unit is received from the data management server, and the specific image is printed by the printer. Printing system.

A second printing system for achieving the above object is an identifier reading unit for reading an identifier of the printing medium or an identifier of an image from an element provided on the printing medium, and the identifier reading unit. A printer having an identifier transmitting means for transmitting the read identifier and a printer host having the second printer driver incorporated therein are provided, and the printer host is read by the identifier reading means of the printer. The data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier is received from the data management server, and the specific image is printed by the printer.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that a duplicate poster of the sample poster is printed based on the sample poster on which a picture or a photograph is drawn. As shown in FIG. 4, the sample poster is obtained by printing an image such as a picture, a photograph, and a character on the element-equipped sheet 1 in which the element 100 is provided on the sheet 2. The element 100 is provided on the leading end side portion of the paper 2 on the paper feeding direction B side shown in FIG. This element
100 is extremely thin and can be easily embedded in the paper 2 of about 0.5 mm.

The element 100 embedded in the paper 2 is
As shown in FIG. 5, a planar coil type antenna 101,
A resonance capacitor 102 formed by etching a metal coating and an IC chip 103 are mounted on a plastic film and covered with a transparent cover sheet. The IC chip 103, as shown in FIG.
An electrically readable and writable memory 107 such as an AND type flash ROM, a control unit 106 for writing and reading data to and from the memory 107, and the antenna 101 while converting the data read from the memory 107 into a signal.
Signal analysis unit RF that interprets external signals received by
It has a (Radio Frequency) 105 and a rectifier 104 that rectifies a high frequency signal received from the outside by the antenna 101 and supplies the high frequency signal as a DC power supply current to the control unit 106 and the like. Memory 10 of this device 100
In 7, the identifier of the paper 2 is stored. The element 100 as described above is called a memory tag or the like, and a wide variety of elements are commercially available, such as one that has adhesiveness on one side and can be used as a memory seal.

The system in the first embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the sample poster supplier side printer host 10 and the printer 30, the duplicate poster printer side printer host 50, the image scanner 80, and the printer 90.
And a data management server 40 connected to the printer host 10 on the sample poster supplier side and the printer host 50 on the duplicate poster printer side via the network 120.
And are equipped with.

In this system, the printer host 10, the printer 30, and the data management server 40 on the sample poster supplier side form an image data management system.
The printer host 50, the image scanner 80, and the printer 90 on the person who prints the duplicate poster constitutes a printing system.

Printer host 1 on the sample poster supplier side
As shown in FIG. 2, 0 is a host main body 11, a display device 12, and an input device 13 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
And have.

The host main body 11 has an operating system (OS) 14, an application 15 for synthesizing pictures and drawing pictures, a data file 16 for storing image data and the like, and a network 120.
It has a network communication control unit 17 for communicating with the data management server 40 via a printer, and a printer driver 20 for controlling the operation of the printer 30. The host main body 11 is a computer, and the CPU of the computer executes various programs stored in the memory, whereby each of the functional elements 14, 15, 17, 20 described above is executed.
Works.

The printer driver 20 transfers the RGB image data created by the application 15 to the printer 3
A conversion unit 21 for converting into CMYK image data corresponding to the ink color of 0, a printer interface 22 for transmitting various commands and the like to the printer 30 and receiving various commands from the printer 30, and a data file 16 It has a data management unit 23 that writes and reads data, and a user interface 24 that receives an input instruction from the input device 13 and instructs the display content of the display device 12.

The printer 30 includes a printing mechanism 33 that actually prints and a mechanism control unit 32 that controls the printing mechanism 33.
And a transmission / reception unit 31 that transmits / receives data, commands, and the like to / from the printer host 10. Printing mechanism 3
3 has an inkjet print head 34 that moves relative to the paper, and a communication circuit (identifier reading means) for wirelessly communicating with the element 100 of the element-equipped paper 1 on the paper facing surface of the print head 34. ) 35 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, the communication circuit 35 includes a coil type antenna 36 similar to the antenna 101 of the element 100.
And a transmission / reception circuit 37. The mechanism control unit 32 of the printer 30 transmits / receives data to / from the transmission / reception circuit 37 and also supplies power to the transmission / reception circuit 37.

Printer host 5 on the side of the duplicate poster printer
As shown in FIG. 3, 0 is a host main body 51, a display device 52, and an input device 53 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
And have.

The host main body 51 includes an operating system (OS) 54, an application 55 for synthesizing a picture or drawing a picture, a data file 56 for storing image data and the like, and a network 120.
A network communication control unit 57 for communicating with the data management server 40 via the Internet, a scanner driver 60 for controlling the operation of the image scanner 80, and a printer 30.
And a printer driver 70 for controlling the operation of. The host main body 51 is a computer, and the CPU of the computer executes various programs stored in the memory so that the functional elements 54, 55, and
57, 60, 70 function.

The scanner driver 60 sends various commands to the image scanner 80, and receives various commands from the image scanner 80.
It has an interface 62, a data management unit 63 that writes and reads data to and from the data file 56, and a user interface 64 that receives an input instruction from the input device 53 and instructs the display content of the display device 52. ing.

The image scanner 80 is a flatbed scanner in this embodiment, and data and commands are sent between the scan mechanism 83 for actually capturing an image, the mechanism control section 82 for controlling the scan mechanism 83, and the host 50. And a transmission / reception unit 81 for transmitting / receiving the above information.
The scanning mechanism 83 includes a transparent flat plate 88 on which a document to be scanned is placed, a document table cover 84 that sandwiches the document between the transparent flat plate 88, a light source 86 that illuminates the document through the transparent flat plate 88, and a transparent plate. A CCD sensor 87 that receives the reflected light from the original through the flat plate 88. On the document contact surface side of the document table cover 84, a communication circuit (identifier reading means) 85 for wirelessly communicating with the device 100 of the device-equipped sheet is provided. This communication circuit 85 is shown in FIG.
Is the same as the communication circuit 35 of the printer 30 described above.

The data management server 40 includes a data file 43 in which various data are stored and a data file 4
3, a data storage management unit 42 that writes and reads data to and from the network 3, and a network communication control unit 41.

Next, the operation of each device constituting the system described above, particularly the hosts 10 and 50, will be described with reference to FIGS.
Description will be given according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the operation of the printer host 10 on the sample poster supplier side when printing a sample poster will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the sample poster supplier is the printer 3
Set the paper with element 1 in the paper feed unit of 0. Then, the input device 13 of the printer host 10 is operated to give the printer driver 20 of the host main body 11 an instruction to print on the sheet 1 or an instruction to read the identifier of the sheet 1.

Printer driver 20 of host main body 11
Is in a print instruction acceptance waiting state (step 1) and an identifier (ID) reading instruction waiting state (step 11). In step 1, when the user interface 24 receives a print instruction from the input device 13, the input device 1
Further, the process waits for an instruction to read the identifier from step 3 (step 2). If the user interface 24 does not receive the identifier reading instruction from the input device 13 in step 2, normal printing operation is performed, and the conversion unit 21 converts the RGB image data from the application 15 into CMYK corresponding to ink colors. The image data is converted into image data (step 3), and the print command including the CMYK image data is transmitted to the printer 30 by the printer interface 22 (step 4).

On the other hand, in step 2, when the user interface 24 receives an instruction to read the identifier from the input device 13, the conversion unit 21 converts the RGB image data from the application 15 into CMYK image data corresponding to ink colors. After doing (step 3a), the printer
The interface 22 sends an identifier read instruction command to the printer 30 together with the print command including the CMYK image data (step 4a).

When the transmission / reception unit 31 of the printer 30 receives the identifier read instruction command and the print command from the printer host 10, the print head 34 of the printing mechanism 33 starts to operate, and in this process, the print head 34 is provided in the print head 34. If the element 100 of the sheet 1 with an element exists near the communication circuit 35, the communication circuit 35 receives the identifier of the sheet 1 from the element 100, and the identifier is sent via the mechanism control unit 32 and the transmission / reception unit 31. To the printer host 10. Then, the print head 34 and the like operate to print an image according to the print command on the paper 1. On the other hand, in the process in which the print head 34 of the printing mechanism 33 starts to operate, if the element 100 of the element-attached paper 1 does not exist near the communication circuit 35, the communication circuit 35 causes the mechanism control unit 32 and the transmission / reception unit 31 The fact that the identifier of the paper cannot be read is transmitted to the printer host 10 via.

Communication between the communication circuit 35 of the printer 30 and the element 100 of the element-equipped sheet 1 will be described.

When the transmission / reception section 31 of the printer 30 receives the read instruction command, the mechanism control section 32 causes the communication circuit 32 to be transmitted.
Electric power is supplied to the transmitting / receiving circuit 37, and a high frequency signal is emitted from the antenna 36. If the element 100 exists near the antenna 36, the antenna 10 of the element 100
1 receives this, the rectifier 104 converts this high frequency signal into a direct current, and gives this direct current to the control part 106 grade | etc.,. The control unit 106 uses this direct current as the drive current,
The identifier is read from the memory 107 and given to the signal analysis unit RF105. The signal analysis unit RF105 converts this identifier into a transmission signal and emits a signal from the antenna 101. When the antenna 36 of the transmission / reception unit 31 receives this signal, the transmission / reception circuit 37 converts this signal into an appropriate signal and passes it to the mechanism control unit 32.

Here, the operation of the printer host 10 will be described again.

When the printer interface 22 transmits the print command and the read instruction command to the printer 30 in step 4a, the printer interface 22
The system waits for reception of the identifier or the fact that the identifier could not be read (step 5). In step 5, when the printer interface 22 receives the identifier, the data management unit 23 receives the identifier, and the data file 16
Then, it is stored in association with the image data (step 6). When the printer interface 22 receives the fact that the identifier could not be read in step 5, the print stop command is transmitted to the printer 30 (step 7), and the user interface 24 displays “Paper It is not set correctly. Please reload the paper. "Is displayed (step 8). At this time, the sample poster supplier who saw this noticed that the orientation of the sheet 1 with the element with respect to the printer 30 was inappropriate and changed the orientation of the sheet 1, that is, the communication between the element 100 of the sheet 1 and the printer 30. The paper 1 is properly set again so that the circuit 35 can communicate with the circuit 35, and the print instruction is given to the printer host 10 again.

If no print instruction is received in the print instruction reception waiting state of step 1, the identifier read instruction waiting state is entered (step 11). In step 11, if the user interface 24 does not accept the identifier reading instruction from the input device 13, the process returns to step 1, and if the identifier reading instruction is accepted, the printer interface 22 causes the printer 30 to operate. A read instruction command is transmitted (step 12) to wait for reception of the identifier or reception of the fact that the identifier could not be read (step 13). When the printer interface 22 receives the identifier from the printer 30,
Proceeding to step 6 described above, this identifier is stored in the data file 16. In addition, when it is received that the identifier could not be read, the process proceeds to step 8 described above, and the display device 12 displays "Paper is not set correctly. Please reload the paper." .

Here, if the instruction to read the identifier is not accepted, the communication circuit 35 of the printer 30 causes the element 100 to operate.
The communication circuit 35 may not always perform the communication operation with the element 100, but the communication circuit 35 may always perform the communication operation with the element 100 when the print instruction is received.

Further, in this embodiment, the communication circuit 35 is provided in the print head 34 of the printer 30, but the printer 30
The communication circuit 35 may be provided at a fixed portion of the printer 30 through which the paper passes, such as the paper supply port. When the communication circuit 35 is provided in the fixed portion of the printer 30 in this way, the communication circuit 3
5 can secure a sufficient time for communication between the device 5 and the element 100, and reliable communication can be performed. However, in this case, since the communication circuit 35 is fixed, the element 100 is provided at the specified position of the sheet 1 and the sheet 1 is set correctly, and the element 100 of the sheet 1 passes by the communication circuit 35. However, in the case of this embodiment, the print head 34
Since the communication circuit 35 is provided in the
Since the communication circuit 35 also moves according to the movement of the sheet 1, it has a scanning function, and even if the sheet 1 is not set according to the regulation, the element 100 can be searched for and communication can be performed with the element 100. .

Next, the data transfer operation of the printer host 10 on the sample poster supplier side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user interface 24 of the printer driver 20 receives a transfer instruction for specific data among the data stored in the data file 16 (step 21), the data management unit 23 receives the transfer instruction from the data file 16. Specific data is read (step 22). At the time of the transfer instruction in step 21, the data management unit 23 receives this designation of either the specific image data stored in the data file 16 or the identifier associated with this image data. The image data and the identifier associated with this are read from the data file 16.

After receiving the designation of the data management server 40, which is the data transfer destination, the network communication control unit transfers the read image data and the identifier to the data management server 40 (step 23).

The network communication control unit 41 of the data management server 40 uses the printer host 1 of the sample poster supplier.
The image data and the identifier transferred from 0 are received and passed to the data storage management unit 42. The data storage management unit 42 stores the image data and the identifier in the data file 43 in a state of being associated with each other.

The sample poster supplier creates the sample poster 3 as shown in the flow chart of FIG.
Distribute this to specific people. When the person who receives the sample poster 3 (printer of the duplicate poster) requests the duplicate 5 of the sample poster 3, first, the identifier of the sample poster 3 is registered in the host computer.

Specifically, the duplicate poster printer first
The sample poster 3 is set on the image scanner 80, and the host 50 is instructed to read the identifier of the sample poster 3.

User interface 64 of host 50
However, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, when an instruction to read the identifier of the sample poster 3 is received (step 3
1), the scanner interface 62 transmits an identifier read instruction command to the image scanner 80 (step 32).

The image scanner 80 which has received the command for instructing the reading of the identifier has the element 100 of the sample poster 3 beside the communication circuit 85 of the image scanner 80, similarly to the printer 30 of the sample poster supplier described above. Then, the identifier of the sample poster 3 is acquired by communicating with this, and the identifier of the sample poster 3 is transmitted to the host 50 via the mechanism control unit 82 and the transmission / reception unit 81. If the element 100 of the sample poster 3 does not exist near the communication circuit 85 of the image scanner 80, the mechanism control unit 82
Also, the fact that the identifier of the sample poster 3 cannot be read is transmitted to the host 50 via the transmission / reception unit 81.

When the scanner interface 62 transmits the read instruction command to the image scanner 80 in step 32, the scanner interface 62 enters a waiting state for receiving the identifier or the fact that the identifier could not be read (step 33). . In step 33, the scanner
When the interface 62 receives the identifier, the data management unit 63 receives it and stores it in the data file 56 (step 34). If, at step 33, the scanner interface 62 receives a message that the identifier could not be read, the user interface 64 will display "Paper is not loaded correctly. Please reload the paper." Is displayed (step 35). At this time, the duplicate poster printer who saw this, the sample poster 3 for the image scanner 80.
The orientation of the sample poster 3 is changed, and the host 50 is instructed to read again.

Next, the image data receiving operation of the host 50 on the duplicate poster printer side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the user interface 64 of the scanner driver 60 receives a transfer request to the data management server 40 for the image data corresponding to the specific identifier (step 41), the data management unit 63 reads this specific data from the data file 56. The identifier is read (step 42).

When the user interface 64 receives the transfer request, the user interface 64 gives a transfer request to the network communication control unit 57 to the effect that the image data corresponding to the identifier acquired by the data management unit 63 is transferred, and the transfer request is sent. Data to the data management server 40 (step 4
3).

The network communication control unit 41 of the data management server 40 receives the transfer request transmitted from the duplicate poster printer host 50, and passes this to the data storage management unit 42. The data storage management unit 42 refers to the identifier included in this transfer request and refers to the data file 43.
Is searched for the image data corresponding to this identifier. If the image data corresponding to the identifier exists in the data file 43, the data storage management unit 42 transfers this image data from the network communication control unit 41 to the duplicate poster printer host 50. If the image data corresponding to the identifier does not exist in the data file 43, the fact that the image data corresponding to the identifier is not registered is transferred from the network communication control unit 41 to the host 50 of the duplicate poster printer.

When the host 50 of the duplicate poster printer sends the transfer request in step 43, the host 50 waits to receive the image data (step 44). In this step 44,
Upon receiving the image data, the data management unit 63 stores the image data in the data file 56 in association with the identifier (step 45). Also, step 44
Then, when it is received from the data management server 40 that the image data is not registered, the user interface 6
4 is a display device 52 and a data management server 40
Indicates that the image data corresponding to the identifier is not registered (step 46).

When the host 50 receives the image data of the sample poster and then receives a print instruction for this image data, the image data is read from the data file 56, and the printer driver 70 sends a print command related to this image data to the printer. Sent to 90. The printer 90 follows the print command to print the paper 4
Print the image on (Figure 1). This completes the duplicate poster.

As described above, in this embodiment, a person who desires a copy of the sample poster 3 reads the identifier from the element 100 of the sample poster 3 and outputs the image data corresponding to this identifier from the data management server 40. If you obtain it, you can print a poster of this image, so you do not need to request the poster to be mailed to the sample poster supplier, and the sample poster supplier also needs to perform the poster mailing procedure, etc. It is possible to obtain a duplicate poster without much effort for those involved. Further, since the image data obtained by the duplicate poster printer is the same digital data as the image data used by the sample poster supplier, the image deterioration of the duplicate hoster 5 can be prevented.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a second embodiment of the printing system on the duplicate poster printer side will be described.

The printing system on the side of the duplicate poster printer according to the present embodiment comprises a printer host 50a and a printer 90a. That is, in this embodiment, the image scanner 80 is not used on the duplicate poster printer side, as in the first embodiment.

Host body 51a of printer host 50a
Has an operating system (OS) 54, an application 55, a data file 56, a network communication controller 57, and a printer driver 70a. The printer driver 70a is the application 55
A conversion unit 71 that converts the RGB image data created in step S1 into CMYK image data corresponding to the ink colors of the printer 90a, a printer that transmits various commands and the like to the printer 90a, and receives various commands and the like from the printer 90a. It has an interface 72, a data management section 73 for writing and reading data to and from the data file 56, and a user interface 74 for receiving an input instruction from the input device 53 and instructing the display content of the display device 52. ing.

The printer 90a is basically the same as the printer 30 on the side of the sample poster supplier in the first embodiment, and the printing mechanism 33 that actually prints and the mechanism control unit 32 that controls this printing mechanism 33. And the printer host 10
A transmission / reception unit 31 for transmitting / receiving data, commands, etc. to / from
And are equipped with. The print head 34 of the print mechanism 33 is provided with a communication circuit 35.

That is, in the present embodiment, in the first embodiment, the identifier of the sample poster 3 is read by the image scanner 80, whereas the printer 90a is read and the reading control by the printer 90a is performed. In addition, the printer driver 70a is provided with the function of the scanner driver 60 in the first embodiment.

As described above, the identifier of the sample poster 3 may be read by the image scanner 80 or the printer 90a. In short, if there is a means for reading the identifier of the sample poster 3, this means will be used. It may exist in any state.

In each of the above embodiments, the sheet identifier is stored in the element 100 of the sample poster 3. However, if the relationship between the sheet and the image can be specified, for example, the image identifier is stored. You may let me. In addition to the sheet identifier or the image identifier, the element 100 may store the sheet specifications such as the sheet thickness and the surface glossiness. In this way, if you want to store the paper specifications, etc., after the printer has read the specification data, control to optimize printing on the paper of this specification, and print the image on the paper. Preferably.

In each of the above embodiments, poster production was described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to the production of any printed matter.

Further, in the above, the paper is taken as an example of the type of print medium, but it may be a resin sheet or the like, for example.

[0073]

According to the present invention, a person who desires a copy of a sample printed matter can read out the identifier from the element of the sample printed matter and obtain the image data corresponding to this identifier from the data management device. Since it is possible to create a printed matter of, it is not necessary to request the sample printed matter supplier to mail the sample printed matter, and the sample printed matter supplier does not need to perform the mailing procedure of the printed matter. Duplicate printed matter can be obtained without much trouble. Further, since the image data used to create the duplicate printed matter is the same digital data as the image data used to create the sample printed matter, it is possible to prevent image deterioration of the duplicate printed matter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image data management system on the side of a sample poster supplier according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system on a duplicate poster printer side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sheet with an element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of an element and a communication circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host when creating a sample poster on the sample poster supplier side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the host at the time of data transfer on the side of the sample poster supplier in the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host when reading the identifier on the duplicate poster printer side according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host when a data transfer request is made by the duplicate poster printer in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a printing system on the duplicate poster printer side according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Element-equipped paper, 3 ... Sample poster, 5 ... Duplicate poster, 10, 50, 50a ... Printer host, 11, 5
1, 51a ... Host main body, 14, 54 ... Operating system, 16, 56 ... Data file, 17, 5
7, 41 ... Network communication control unit, 20, 70, 70
a: printer driver, 21, 71 ... conversion unit, 22, 7
2 ... Printer interface, 23, 73 ... Data management section, 24, 74 ... User interface, 30, 9
0, 90a ... Printer, 34 ... Print head, 35, 85
... communication circuit, 40 ... data management device, 42 ... data storage management unit, 43 ... data file, 60 ... scanner driver, 62 ... scanner interface, 63 ... data management unit, 64 ... user interface, 80 ... image scanner, 100 ... Element, 107 ... Memory, 120 ... Network.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A printer for printing an image on a print medium, comprising: a print head that faces the print medium and moves relative to the print medium; and an element provided on the print medium, Identifier reading means for reading the identifier of the image or the identifier of the image, and identifier transmitting means for transmitting the identifier read by the identifier reading means, the identifier reading means facing the print medium of the print head. A printer that is provided on the surface to be printed. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein a printer host that transmits the image data,
An instruction receiving unit that receives the identifier reading instruction and causes the identifier reading unit to perform a reading operation; and the instruction receiving unit receives the identifier reading instruction,
A printer comprising: a transmission unit that transmits to the printer host that the identifier cannot be read if the identifier cannot be read even after the identifier reading unit executes a reading operation. 3. An identifier receiving procedure for receiving an identifier of a print medium or an identifier of the specific image from the printer in a printer driver for converting the specific image into image data printable by the printer and sending the image data to the printer. And an identifier management procedure for associating the identifier received in the identifier receiving procedure with the data of the specific image, storing the same in a storage area, and extracting the identifier stored in the storage area in response to a request. A printer driver that causes a computer to execute. 4. The printer driver according to claim 3, wherein designation of the identifier or data of the specific image stored in the storage area is accepted, and the identifier can be retrieved from the storage area by the identifier management procedure. In order to transmit the data of the identifier and the specific image from the network control unit to the data management server via the communication network,
A printer driver for causing a computer to execute a data transfer acceptance procedure for passing the data of the identifier and the specific image to the network communication control unit. 5. An identifier receiving procedure for receiving an identifier of a print medium or an identifier of the specific image from the printer in a printer driver which converts the specific image into image data printable by the printer and sends the image data to the printer. And an identifier management procedure for storing the identifier received in the identifier receiving procedure in a storage area and extracting the identifier stored in the storage area in response to a request, and designating the identifier stored in the storage area In the identifier management procedure, the identifier can be retrieved from the storage area, and the network control unit receives the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier from the data management server via the communication network. A request to transfer the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier to the data management section. A data transfer request acceptance procedure to be transmitted to the server, and data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier is received from the data management server via the network control unit, and the data of the specific image is stored in a storage area. A printer driver characterized by causing a computer to execute image data management procedures. 6. The printer driver according to claim 3, wherein the printer in which the print medium is set accepts a reading instruction of the identifier of the print medium or the identifier of the specific image. On the other hand, a printer driver that causes a computer to execute a read instruction receiving procedure for instructing to read the identifier from an element provided on the print medium. 7. The printer driver according to claim 6, wherein the identifier cannot be read from the printer in the unreadable reception procedure for receiving a message that the identifier cannot be read from the printer, and the unreadable reception procedure. A printer driver, which, when received, causes a computer to execute a display instruction procedure for displaying that the print medium is not correctly set. 8. A scanner driver for receiving image data from an image scanner that reads an image drawn on a print medium, and an identifier receiving procedure for receiving an identifier of a print medium or an identifier of a specific image from the image scanner, and the identifier. An identifier management procedure for storing the identifier received in the reception procedure in a storage area and extracting the identifier stored in the storage area in response to a request, and accepting designation of the identifier stored in the storage area, In the identifier management procedure, the identifier can be retrieved from the storage area, and the network control unit receives the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier from the data management server via the communication network. A data transfer request for the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier is issued. A data transfer request acceptance procedure to be transmitted to the data management server; A scanner driver characterized by causing a computer to execute a stored image data management procedure. 9. The scanner driver according to claim 8, wherein an instruction to read the identifier of the print medium or the identifier of the specific image is accepted, and the print is performed to the image scanner in which the print medium is set. The read instruction reception procedure for instructing to read the identifier from an element provided on the medium, the unreadable reception procedure for receiving a message that the identifier cannot be read from the image scanner, and the unreadable reception procedure for the image scanner. A scanner driver, which causes a computer to execute a display instruction procedure for displaying that the print medium is not correctly set when receiving the fact that the identifier cannot be read from. 10. A data management server connected to a communication network, comprising: a network communication control means for transmitting and receiving various data via the communication network; a storage area for storing various data; and the network communication control means. When the information of the identifier of the print medium and the data of the specific image printed on the print medium are received via the communication network, the identifier and the data of the specific image are associated and stored in the storage area, When the network communication control means receives a transfer request for the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier of the print medium via the communication network, the data of the specific image is read from the storage means, and the network communication control means. A data management server, comprising: 11. An image data distribution method for distributing image data via a communication network, comprising: an identifier of a print medium or an identifier of a specific image; and the specific image printed on the print medium via the communication network. Image data receiving step of receiving the data, and a storage step of storing the data in the storage area in association with the identifier and the data of the specific image received in the image data receiving step, via the communication network, A transfer request receiving step of receiving a transfer request of data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier of the print medium; and a transfer request receiving data transfer of the specific image corresponding to the identifier of the print medium in the transfer request receiving step. Then, the reading step of reading the data of the specific image from the storage area, and the specific image read in the reading step. The Jideta to the transfer request source, the method of distributing image data and having a an image data transmitting step of transmitting via the communication network. 12. An identifier reading unit for reading an identifier of the printing medium or an identifier of an image from an element provided on the printing medium, and an identifier transmitting unit for transmitting the identifier read by the identifier reading unit. And a printer host in which the printer driver according to any one of claims 3 and 4 is incorporated. 13. The image data management system according to claim 12, wherein the image data management system is connected to the printer host via a communication network.
An image data management system comprising the data management server according to claim 10. 14. An identifier reading unit for reading an identifier of the printing medium or an identifier of an image from an element provided on the printing medium, and an identifier transmitting unit for transmitting the identifier read by the identifier reading unit. An image scanner, a host in which the scanner driver according to any one of claims 8 and 9 is incorporated, and a printer that operates according to an instruction from the host. A printing system, wherein data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier read by the identifier reading unit is received from the data management server and the specific image is printed by the printer. 15. An identifier reading means for reading an identifier of the print medium or an identifier of an image from an element provided on the print medium, and an identifier transmitting means for transmitting the identifier read by the identifier reading means. And a printer host incorporating the printer driver according to claim 5, wherein the printer host stores the data of the specific image corresponding to the identifier read by the identifier reading unit of the printer. A printing system, which receives from the data management server and causes the printer to print the specific image.