JP2005271404A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To synthesize and output a printing cost (fee) on a print output of received print information.
SOLUTION: A first image generation unit 6-1 generates first image data based on print information, and a cost information calculation unit 6-2 calculates the cost information based on the print information. The second image generation unit 6-3 generates second image data based on the cost information calculated by the cost information calculation unit 6-2, and the image synthesis unit 6-4 generates the first image data. The image data and the second image data are combined, and the image forming unit 6-5 forms an image based on the combined image data combined by the image combining unit 6-4.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that outputs print information such as billing information for printing corresponding to the executed print output.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus that outputs billing information related to printing that has been executed, for example, based on the received printing information, the consumption amount of consumables such as recording paper and toner consumed by printing execution, After calculating the cost required for printing execution from the time required for printing execution, etc., printing is executed, and after the printing is finished, the accounting information relating to the calculated cost is printed on a receipt or the like and output. (See Patent Document 1).

However, in such a conventional printing apparatus, after printing of the received print information is completed, in order to print out the billing information, the amount of consumables consumed for printing out the billing information and the time required for printing execution It was difficult to execute the billing process for.
JP-A-5-108961

  The problem to be solved is that it is difficult to execute the charging process for the consumption of consumables for printing out the charging information, the time required for printing, and the like.

  In the present invention, the first image generation means for generating the first image data based on the print information, the cost information calculation means for calculating the cost information based on the print information, and the cost information calculation means. A second image generating unit that generates second image data based on the cost information, an image combining unit that combines the first image data and the second image data, and the image combining unit. An image forming unit that forms an image based on the combined image data, and the cost information calculated by the cost information calculating unit is image-synthesized and output to one corner of the recording paper on which the print information is printed out. The biggest feature.

  By synthesizing and outputting the cost information calculated by the cost information calculation means on the recording paper on which the print information is printed out, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the recording paper on which the cost information is printed.

  All of the first image generation means, the cost information calculation means, the second image generation means, the image composition means, and the image forming means are configured by the control means of the control unit that controls the entire apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus used in the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a communication unit 1, an operation unit 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, a print engine unit 5, and a control unit. 6 and a system bus 7.

The communication unit 1 communicates with a host device (not shown) such as a personal computer via an interface (not shown) such as a LAN (local area network) or USB (universal serial bus) based on the control of the control unit 6. It is.
The operation unit 2 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and serves as an interface between the operator and the printing apparatus, such as accepting the operator's settings and notifying the operator of the control stage of the printing apparatus. .

The ROM 3 is a read-only memory that stores a control program read by the control unit 6 and font data for generating image data.
The RAM 4 is a main memory of the control unit 6 and a work memory for accumulating cost information of print information. A cost integration memory A4-1, which will be described later in detail, is formed inside.
The ROM 3 and the RAM 4 are also used together as a storage unit 7 that stores in advance cost calculation information necessary for calculating the cost information.

Hereinafter, an example of the cost calculation information stored in the storage unit 7 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the recording paper size.
As shown in the figure, this is a table in which parameters corresponding to the recording paper size are set.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the recording paper type.
As shown in the figure, this is a table in which parameters corresponding to the recording paper type are set.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of font types.
As shown in the figure, this is a table in which parameters corresponding to font types are set.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the recording paper size and the charge.
As shown in the figure, the table is set with a charge corresponding to the recording paper size indicated by the parameter.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the recording paper type and the premium coefficient.
As shown in the figure, the table is a table in which a charge corresponding to the recording sheet type recording sheet size indicated by the parameter is set.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between font types and premiums.
As shown in the figure, it is a table in which a charge corresponding to the font type displayed as a parameter is set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the processing time (seconds) and the extra amount.
As shown in the figure, this is a table in which an extra charge corresponding to the processing time (seconds) is set.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between various toners and charges.
As shown in the figure, this is a table in which charges for various toners corresponding to the amount of consumption represented by the number of dots are set.

Returning to FIG. 1, the print engine unit 5 is a part that prints image data on recording paper based on the control of the control unit 6. An outline of the main mechanism portion of the print engine unit 5 will be described below.
FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the main mechanism of the print engine unit.
As shown in the figure, the recording paper 5-0 is fed from the paper feed tray 5-1 to the image forming cassette 5-2 by the paper feeder 5-5. On the fed recording paper 5-0, toner images of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are formed inside the image forming cassette 5-2. This toner image is fixed on the recording paper 5-0 by the fixing device 5-3 and discharged by the discharging device 5-4.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 6 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire apparatus in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 3. In the present embodiment, in particular, as a control means, a first image generation means 6-1, a cost information calculation means 6-2, a second image generation means 6-3, an image composition means 6-4, Image forming means 6-5.

The first image generation unit 6-1 is a unit that generates image data based on print information received from a host device (not shown) via the communication unit 1.
The cost information calculation unit 6-2 is a unit that calculates cost information required for printing the print information based on the cost calculation information (for example, FIGS. 2 to 9) stored in the storage unit 7. This includes a timer (not shown) for measuring the processing time. Also, it is a means for forming a cost integrating memory A4-1 in the RAM 4 (FIG. 1) in order to calculate cost information. The interior of the integration memory area will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the cost accumulation memory A.
As shown in the figure, in the cost accumulation memory A4-1, a printed sheet counter 4-1-1 is formed as an example, and accumulates the number of printed sheets based on the printing information. In addition, storage areas of the recording paper size 4-1-2, the recording paper type 4-1-3, and the used font 4-1-5 are secured, and the recording paper size based on the print information, the recording paper type, and the used font. Is stored. Further, memory areas of C toner consumption 4-1-6, M toner consumption 4-1-7, Y toner consumption 4-1-8, and K toner consumption 4-1-9 are secured. The C toner consumption, the M toner consumption, the Y toner consumption, and the K toner consumption are respectively stored as the number of dots.

Returning to FIG. 1, the second image generation unit 6-3 gives the operator a print fee for requesting charging based on the cost information calculated by the cost information calculation unit 6-2. It is means for generating image data.
The image synthesizing unit 6-4 is a unit that synthesizes the first image data and the second image data.
The image forming unit 6-5 is a unit that controls the print engine unit 5 based on the combined image data combined by the image combining unit 6-4 to print out an image.
The system bus 7 is a common signal path that connects the components.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of the image generation unit of the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the entire operation of the first embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the detailed flow of the operation of step S1-3 (the operation of the image generating means) in FIG. Below, it demonstrates in order of a step.

Step S1-1
When the communication unit 1 (FIG. 1) receives print information from a higher-level device (not shown), the process proceeds to the next.
Step S1-2
The cost information calculation means 6-2 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 initializes all the cost accumulation memories A4-1 (FIG. 1) secured in the RAM 4 (FIG. 1) to zero.

Step S1-3
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 executes the flow (FIG. 13) from step S1-3-1 to step S1-3-12.
Step S1-3-1
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 notifies the cost information calculation unit 6-2 (FIG. 1) and includes it in the cost information calculation unit 6-2 (FIG. 1). Start the timer.
Step S1-3-2
The first image generation means 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 reads the print information and starts generating image data.

Step S1-3-3
When the first image generating means 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 detects a recording paper size designation command from the commands included in the print information, the first image generating means 6-1 analyzes the command and executes the step Proceed to S1-3-8. In cases other than that described here, process flow proceeds to Step S1-3-4. Here, for example, when the recording sheet size A4 is detected as the recording sheet size designation command, the recording sheet size A4 is converted into the parameter 2 from the table of FIG. 2 stored in the storage unit 7 (FIG. 1), and step S1- Proceed to 3-8.

Step S1-3-4
When the first image generating means 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 detects a recording paper type designation command from the commands included in the print information, the first image generating means 6-1 analyzes the command and executes the step Proceed to S1-3-8. In cases other than that described here, process flow proceeds to Step S1-3-5. Here, for example, when plain paper is detected as the recording paper type command, the recording paper type plain paper is converted into the parameter 12 from the table of FIG. 3 stored in the storage unit 7 (FIG. 1), and step S1-3. Proceed to -8.

Step S1-3-5
When the first image generating unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 detects a command designating a plurality of copies (copy) from commands included in the print information, the first copy generating unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) sets the copy number. Output to step S1-3-8. In cases other than that described here, process flow proceeds to Step S1-3-7. Here, for example, the number of copies 10 is output and the process proceeds to step S1-3-8.

Step S1-3-6
If the first image generating unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 detects a font designation command from the commands included in the print information, the process proceeds to step S1-3-8. In cases other than that described here, process flow proceeds to Step S1-3-7. Here, for example, when the font B is detected as the font designation command, the table shown in FIG. 4 stored in the storage unit 7 (FIG. 1) is converted into the font parameter 22, and the process proceeds to step S1-3-8.

Step S1-3-7
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 analyzes the print information and generates image data.
Step S1-3-8
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 stores the command information in a predetermined area of the cost integration memory A (FIG. 11).

Step S1-3-9
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 determines whether or not the generation of image data for one page of print information is completed, and if completed, step S1-3-10. If not completed yet, the process returns to step S1-3-2, and the flow up to step S1-3-9 is repeated.

Step S1-3-10
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 notifies the cost information calculation unit 6-2 (FIG. 1) and stops the timer. Here, it is assumed that the timer value at this time is, for example, 150 seconds.
Step S1-3-11
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 stores the processing time (for example, 150 seconds) in a predetermined area of the integration memory (FIG. 11).
Step S1-3-12
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 stores the toner consumption as the number of dots of the image data in a predetermined area of the integration memory (FIG. 11). Here, as an example, it is assumed that the C toner consumption amount is 200 dots, the M toner consumption amount is 300 dots, the Y toner consumption amount is 100 dots, and the K toner consumption amount is 1500 dots.
Thereafter, the process returns to FIG. 12 and proceeds to step S1-4.

Step S1-4
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 uses the RAM 4 as image data based on print information received from the host device (not shown) by the communication unit 1 (FIG. 1) as first image data. (FIG. 1).
Step S1-5
The cost information calculation means 6-2 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 calculates the cost required for printing one page of print information received based on the data stored in the cost integration memory A (FIG. 11). .
Cost (printing fee) = unit price of recording paper (yen) x recording paper type extra count x number of copies + additional font used + additional processing time + additional toner used = 20 (yen) x 1.0 (times) x 10 (parts) +200 (yen) +100 (yen) + (0 (yen) +0 (yen) +0 (yen) +50 (yen)) = 550 (yen).

Step S1-6
The second image generating means 6-3 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 converts the cost (printing fee) 550 yen into character string data, ¥ 550, acquires font data from the ROM 3 (FIG. 1), Image data for each color is generated.
Step S1-7
The second image generation means 6-3 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 stores the image data of each color, ¥ 550, as second image data in the RAM 4 (FIG. 1).

Step S1-8
The image synthesizing means 6-4 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 reads the first image data and the second image data from the RAM 4 (FIG. 1), and generates (synthesizes) the third image data.
Here, an example of image synthesis will be described.
FIG. 14 shows an image before composition.
(A) is an example of said 1st image, (b) is the figure which expanded the corner | angular part (dotted line part) of the 1st image. This portion is a portion that is not normally used as a print area.

FIG. 15 shows an image after synthesis.
(A) is an enlarged view of the second image data, (b) is an enlarged view when the second image data is arranged at the corner (dotted line portion) of the first image, (c) ) Is an overall view of the combined image.
The image composition means 6-4 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 reads the first image data and the second image data from the RAM 4 (FIG. 1), and calculates the width and height of the image. Next, the overwriting position on the first image data is moved so that the second image data is located at a predetermined position ((b) in FIG. 14) of the first image data. In this state, the second image data is overwritten on the first image data. That is, in the first image data, the lower right portion of the bit data is replaced by the rectangular size of the second image data. The synthesis result is shown in FIG.

Returning again to FIG. 12,
Step S1-9
The image forming unit 6-5 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 controls the print engine unit 5 (FIG. 1) to print out the synthesized third image, and prints out the synthesized third image to execute step S1- Return to 1.
Step S1-1
The image composition means 6-4 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 repeats steps S1-2 to S1-9 if there is a subsequent page, and ends the flow after the processing of all print information is completed. .

  In the above description, the cost information is printed as the printing fee, but each data in the cost integration memory A (FIG. 11) may be displayed as it is. Further, although the case where the second data is represented by arithmetic numbers has been described, it may be printed by a graphic such as a barcode instead of the arithmetic numbers. Further, the second image data may be printed in a color that is difficult to be confirmed by human eyes, such as yellow, so that the appearance of the printed material is not impaired.

  In the above description, all of the first image generation unit, the cost information calculation unit, the second image generation unit, the image synthesis unit, and the image formation unit are configured by the control unit of the control unit that controls the entire apparatus. Although the case has been described, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, the first image generation unit, the cost information calculation unit, the second image generation unit, the image synthesis unit, and the image formation unit may be all or a part of the dedicated electronic circuit.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, by combining the first image data generated based on the received print information and the second image data representing the cost (printing fee), Since the recording paper for printing information and the recording paper for printing the cost (printing fee) can be shared, the consumption of the recording paper for printing the cost (printing fee) can be reduced. obtain.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus used in the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a communication unit 1, an operation unit 2, a ROM (read only memory) 3, a RAM (random access memory) 4, a print engine unit 5, and a control unit. 16 and a system bus 7.
Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

  The control unit 16 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire apparatus according to a control program stored in the ROM 3. In the present embodiment, in particular, as a control means, a first image generation means 6-1, a cost information calculation means 6-2, a second image generation means 6-3, an image composition means 6-4, Image forming means 6-5 and margin detection means 16-1 are included.

The margin detection unit 16-1 is a unit that detects a blank portion of the second image so as to avoid overlap between the first image and the second image. This includes a blank line counter (not shown) that counts the number of blank lines.
Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

The operation of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 17 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is an operation flowchart of the margin detection unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the overall operation flow of the second embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the operation (margin detection means) in step S2-8 in FIG. Further, the detailed flow of the operation (image generation means) in step S2-3 in FIG. 17 is completely the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 13), and thus the description thereof is omitted. Below, it demonstrates in order of a step.

Step S2-1
When the communication unit 1 (FIG. 16) receives print information from a host device (not shown), the process proceeds to the next.
Step S2-2
The cost information calculation means 6-2 (FIG. 2) of the control unit 6 initializes all the cost integration memories A4-1 (FIG. 16) secured in the RAM 4 (FIG. 16) to zero.

Step S2-3
The control unit 16 (FIG. 16) executes the flow from step S1-3-1 to step S1-3-12 (FIG. 13) to generate a first image, and costs integration memory A4-1 (FIG. 16). Predetermined information is stored in.
Step S2-4
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 uses, as the first image data, image data based on print information received from the host device (not shown) by the communication unit 1 (FIG. 16). Stored in the RAM 4 (FIG. 16).

Step S2-5
The cost information calculation means 6-2 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 calculates the cost required for printing one page of print information received based on the data stored in the cost integration memory (FIG. 11).
Cost (printing fee) = unit price of recording paper (yen) x recording paper type extra count x number of copies + additional font used + additional processing time + additional toner used = 20 (yen) x 1.0 (times) x 10 (parts) +200 (yen) +100 (yen) + (0 (yen) +0 (yen) +0 (yen) +50 (yen)) = 550 (yen).

Step S2-6
The second image generation unit 6-3 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 converts the cost (printing fee) 550 yen into character string data, ¥ 550, acquires font data from the ROM 3 (FIG. 16), Image data for each color is generated.
Step S2-7
The second image generating unit 6-3 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 stores the image data of each color, ¥ 550, as the second image data in the RAM 4 (FIG. 16).

Step S2-8
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 detects the margin portion by executing the flow from step S2-8-1 to step S2-8-9 (FIG. 13).
Step S2-8-1
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 reads the first image data and the second image data from the RAM 4 (FIG. 16).

Step S2-8-2
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 counts the first image data in the right direction with the upper left corner of the image as the origin when it is assumed that the image data is displayed on the screen as an image. The width (W1) of the measured image and the height (H1) of the image counted downward, the width (W2) of the image obtained by counting the second image data to the right and the height of the image counted downward ( H2) is calculated and the blank line number counter is cleared to zero.
Step S2-8-3
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 sets a search target row for detecting a margin portion for synthesizing the second image data as the last row of the first image data. This last line corresponds to the height (H1) measured downward from the upper left of the image as the origin.

Step S2-8-4
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 determines whether or not there is a margin portion enough to insert the second image data in the last row (H1) of the first image data. Whether there is a margin larger than the width (W2) of the image is searched. If there is a margin, the process proceeds to step S2-8-5. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2-8-8.
Step S2-8-5
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 increments the margin line number counter.

Step S2-8-6
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 determines whether or not the count value of the margin line number counter (the number of consecutive margin lines) is equal to the height (H2) of the second image data. If equal, the process proceeds to step S2-9 (FIG. 17), otherwise proceeds to step S2-8-9.
Step S2-8-8
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 clears the margin line number counter (FIG. 16) to zero.

Step S2-8-9
The margin detection means 16-1 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 has no margin enough to insert the second image data in the last row (H1) of the first image data, and therefore from the last row (H1). Also, the line one line below is set as the search target line in the blank portion, and the process returns to step S2-8-4. Thereafter, the same flow is repeated, and after detecting a blank portion, the process proceeds to step S2-9 (FIG. 17).

Step S2-9
The image composition means 6-4 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 reads the first image data and the second image data from the RAM 14 (FIG. 16), and generates (synthesizes) the third image data.
Step S2-10
The image forming unit 6-5 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 controls the print engine unit 5 (FIG. 16) to print out the synthesized third image and returns to step S2-1.
Step S2-1
The image composition means 6-4 (FIG. 16) of the control unit 16 repeats steps S2-2 to S2-10 if there is a subsequent page, and terminates the flow after the processing of all print information is completed. .

  In the above description, the first image generation unit, the cost information calculation unit, the second image generation unit, the image synthesis unit, the image formation unit, and the margin detection unit are all controlled by the control unit that controls the entire apparatus. Although the case where it comprises with a means was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this example. That is, the first image generation unit, the cost information calculation unit, the second image generation unit, the image synthesis unit, the image formation unit, and the margin detection unit are all or partly configured by a dedicated electronic circuit. May be.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the margin detection means is provided, the cost information is printed at a position where the image of the received print information is not printed, so that important print information is unexpectedly overwritten. The effect that there is no loss is obtained.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus used in the third embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment includes a communication unit 1, an operation unit 2, a ROM (read only memory) 3, a RAM (random access memory) 24, a print engine unit 5, and a control unit. 26 and a system bus 7.
Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

  The control unit 26 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire apparatus according to a control program stored in the ROM 3. In the present embodiment, in particular, as the control means, a first image generation means 6-1, an accumulated cost information calculation means 26-1, a second image generation means 6-3, and an image composition means 6-4 are provided. And image forming means 6-5.

  The accumulated cost information calculating unit 26-1 calculates the accumulated cost information required for printing the print information for a plurality of pages based on the cost calculation information (for example, FIGS. 2 to 9) stored in the storage unit 27. Means. This includes a timer (not shown) for measuring the processing time. Further, it is a means for forming a cost integration memory B24-1 in the RAM 24 (FIG. 19) in order to calculate accumulated cost information. The inside of the cost accumulation memory B will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the cost integration memory B.
As shown in the figure, in the cost integration memory B24-1, a printed sheet counter 4-1-1 is formed as an example, and integrates the number of printed sheets based on the printing information. In addition, the recording paper size 4-1-2, the recording paper type 4-1-3, and a storage area for the used font are secured, and the recording paper size based on the print information, the recording paper type, and the used font are stored. Further, memory areas of C toner consumption 4-1-6, M toner consumption 4-1-7, Y toner consumption 4-1-8, and K toner consumption 4-1-9 are secured. The C toner consumption, the M toner consumption, the Y toner consumption, and the K toner consumption are respectively stored as the number of dots. Further, a link pointer 24-1-1 is provided, and the address of the cost accumulation memory B of the subsequent page is stored.

The operation of the third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 21 is an operation flowchart of the third embodiment.
The detailed flow of the operation (image generation means) in step S3-2 in FIG. 21 is the same as in the first embodiment, except that the cost integration memory A shown in FIG. 11 is replaced with the cost integration memory B shown in FIG. Since it is completely the same as (FIG. 13), description is abbreviate | omitted. Below, it demonstrates in order of a step.

Step S3-1
When the communication unit 1 (FIG. 19) receives single-page print information from a host device (not shown), the process proceeds to the next.
Step S3-2
The control unit 26 (FIG. 19) executes the flow from step S1-3-1 to step S1-3-12 (FIG. 13) to generate the first image data from the single page print information, and the cost accumulation memory. Partial predetermined information other than the link pointer 24-1-1 of B (FIG. 20) is stored.
Step S3-3
The first image generation unit 6-1 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 26 converts the image data based on the single page print information received from the host device (not shown) by the communication unit 1 (FIG. 19) to the first image data. The image data is stored in the RAM 24 (FIG. 19).

Step S3-4
The first image generating unit 6-1 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 26 determines whether or not there is a subsequent page of print information, and if there is a next page, the process proceeds to step S3-9, where the next page is If not, the process proceeds to step S3-5.
Step S3-5
The accumulated cost information calculation unit 26-1 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 26 receives the print information received based on the data stored in the cost integration memory B (FIG. 20) set for each page of the print information. Calculate the cost required for printing all pages.

Step S3-6
The second image generating means 26-3 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 26 converts the cost (printing fee) into character string data, acquires font data from the ROM 3 (FIG. 19), and converts the image data of each color into the character data. Generate.
Step S3-7
The second image generation means 26-3 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 26 stores the image data of each color in the RAM 24 (FIG. 19) as the second image data.

Step S3-8
The image composition means 26-4 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 26 reads the first image data and the second image data from the RAM 4 (FIG. 1), generates (synthesizes) third image data, The print engine unit 5 (FIG. 19) controls the synthesized third image to print out the synthesized third image, and the process returns to step S3-1.
Step S3-1
The image composition means 26-4 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 26 repeats steps S3-2 to S3-9 if there is a subsequent page, and terminates the flow after all the print information processing is completed. .

Step S3-9
The image composition means 26-4 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 26 sets the address of the cost accumulation memory B (FIG. 20) of the subsequent page, and is provided in the cost accumulation memory B (FIG. 20) of the page being processed. Stored in the link pointer 24-1-1 (FIG. 20).

  In the above description, the first image generation unit, the accumulated cost information calculation unit, the second image generation unit, the image synthesis unit, and the image formation unit are all configured by the control unit of the control unit that controls the entire apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, all or part of the first image generation unit, the accumulated cost information calculation unit, the second image generation unit, the image synthesis unit, and the image formation unit may be configured by a dedicated electronic circuit. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the link pointer 24-1-1 in the cost accumulation memory B, the cost information of each page of the print information is associated and stored, and the last page of the print information is stored. Since the cost information for all pages can be printed, the cost amount (time, developer) consumed in the process of printing the print information can be reduced.

  Although the case where the present invention is adapted to a printing apparatus such as a color printer has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, it can be adapted to a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus used in Example 1. FIG. It is a recording paper size explanatory diagram. It is a recording sheet type explanatory diagram. It is font type explanatory drawing. It is a correspondence explanatory diagram of the recording paper size and the charge. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining correspondence between recording sheet types and an additional count. It is a correspondence explanatory view of a font type and an extra amount. It is processing explanatory drawing of processing time (second) and an additional amount. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating correspondence between various toners and charges. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of main mechanisms of a print engine unit. It is cost integrated memory A explanatory drawing. Operation flowchart of the first embodiment 3 is an operation flowchart of an image generation unit according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is an image before composition. It is an image after composition. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus used in Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart of a margin detection unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus used in a third embodiment. It is cost integrated memory B explanatory drawing. 10 is an operation flowchart of the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Communication unit 2 Operation unit 3 ROM
4 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Print engine part 6 Control part 6-1 1st image generation means 6-2 Cost information calculation means 6-3 2nd image generation means 6-4 Image composition means 6-5 Image formation means

Claims (5)

A printing apparatus that prints out cost information associated with printing of the print information based on the received print information,
First image generation means for generating first image data based on the print information;
Cost information calculating means for calculating the cost information based on the print information;
Second image generation means for generating second image data based on the cost information calculated by the cost information calculation means;
Image synthesizing means for synthesizing the first image data and the second image data;
An image forming unit configured to form an image based on the combined image data combined by the image combining unit. A printing device that prints out cost information associated with printing of the print information based on the received print information over a plurality of pages,
First image generation means for generating first image data based on the print information;
A cumulative cost information calculating unit that calculates cost information for each page based on the print information for each page;
Second image generation means for generating second image data based on a cumulative result of the cost information over the plurality of pages calculated by the cost information calculation means;
Image synthesizing means for synthesizing the first image data and the second image data;
An image forming unit configured to form an image based on the combined image data combined by the image combining unit. In the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A printing apparatus, further comprising a storage unit that stores cost calculation information necessary for calculating the cost information in advance. In the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The cost information is
A printing apparatus comprising at least one of a consumption amount of consumables accompanying printing of printing information and a man-hour required for printing the printing information. In the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
In order to avoid overwriting composition of the first image data and the second image data by the image composition means, a margin detection means for searching for a predetermined amount of a margin portion in the first image data is further provided. A printing apparatus characterized by that.

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