JP2002305621A - Method and device for processing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to select a method for processing a job by avoiding finishing the job without notifying the user. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a job end inquiry step for inquiring of a host computer whether or not to finish the job halfway in the case of temporarily stopping the job (305), a job end instruction receiving step for receiving a response from the host computer with respect to the inquiry of the job end inquiry step (306), a job control step for finishing the job if the received response is an instruction to the effect that the job should be finished halfway (315) and for holding the job until an operation instruction from the host computer or an operation instruction from an operation instruction input step is received if the received response is an instruction to the effect that the job should not be finished (310), and the operation instruction input step for inputting an operation instruction from the user with respect to the job (311 and 312).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus that allow a user to select a job processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in addition to peripheral devices such as printers that have performed print operations by transmitting print data from a computer, copiers and the like are also connected to a network. Print or FA from host computer
A job such as X can be input to a copying machine or the like, and is widely used.

[0003] Devices are known that are connected to a network, input a job from a physically distant host computer, and are simultaneously shared by many users. In such a usage mode of the device, if the status of the device and the processing status of the submitted job can be acquired by the host computer connected to the network, the user can perform a desired operation without moving to the installation location of the device. It is very useful to know the situation.

[0004] Further, if the device notifies the host computer of the end status at the end of the input job, if the user cannot complete the desired processing due to an error or the like, a notification is sent. The appropriate processing can be resumed more quickly by the user who has received the information. Printers, digital copiers, and application software on host computers having such functions have already been used in network-connected usage forms, thereby increasing user convenience.

[0005]

The operation of a job input from a host computer connected to a network must be stopped on the device side at the discretion of the control unit inside the device due to a device error or the like. There are cases. For example, when the remaining amount of ink or toner for forming an image becomes zero, or in a control mode in which the upper limit number of printable sheets is set for each user and user management is performed,
There is a case where the upper limit is reached during the processing of a job input from the host.

When such a condition is detected, the control unit inside the device immediately forcibly ends the job processing,
The configuration is such that a job completion status indicating that the job has been terminated due to an error is notified to the host computer.

However, if the job is forcibly terminated on the device side as described above, a long time is required until the forced termination and a large amount of image data is processed. However, the processing results up to that point have been wasted. Therefore, there is a problem that the user must execute the same job again from the beginning after removing the cause of the forced termination of the job.

Further, a user who has input a job from the host cannot select whether to end the job halfway or to suspend the job without suspending the job. Further, when a large number of jobs are suspended in the temporarily stopped state, there is a problem that control resources such as storage devices of the apparatus are consumed in proportion to the number.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to prevent a user from ending without notifying a user and to select a job processing method. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method and an apparatus therefor.

[0010]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 performs bidirectional communication with a host computer.
In the image forming method for processing a job input from the host computer, an operation instruction input step of inputting an operation instruction from a user for the job, and when the job is temporarily stopped, the host computer A job end inquiry step for inquiring whether or not to end the job halfway; a job end instruction receiving step for receiving a response from the host computer to the inquiry of the job end inquiry step; and a response received in the job end instruction step. But,
If the instruction is to end the job halfway, the job is ended. If the instruction is not to end the job, an operation instruction or the operation instruction input from the host computer is input. A job control step of suspending the job until an operation instruction is issued from a step.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the job control step according to the first aspect, the host computer or the operation instruction input is performed for a preset time after receiving a response in the job end instruction step. If there is no operation instruction from the step, the job that has been suspended is forcibly terminated by an instruction not to terminate the job.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the job control step according to the first aspect, the host computer or the operation instruction input is performed for a preset time after receiving a response in the job end instruction step. If there is no operation instruction from the step, the job held by the instruction not to end the job and the control information necessary for returning the job are stored as control information of the running job. It is characterized in that it is read from the storage unit and stored in another secondary storage unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the job control step according to the third aspect, when an operation instruction is received from the host computer or the operation instruction input step, the job is stored in the secondary storage unit. The stored job and control information required to restore the job are stored in the primary storage unit and processing is continued.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the job control step according to the third or fourth aspect, the job and control information necessary for returning the job are stored in the secondary storage unit. If there is no operation instruction from the host computer or the operation instruction input step for a preset time, the job and the control information necessary for returning the job are deleted from the secondary storage unit. Features.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which is connected to a host computer by two-way communication means and processes a job input from the host computer. And an operation instruction input unit for inputting an operation instruction from the user to the host computer, and when the job is temporarily stopped under the control of the image forming apparatus, inquires of the host computer whether or not to end the job halfway. A job end inquiring unit, a job end instruction receiving unit for receiving a response from the host computer in response to the inquiry of the job end inquiring unit, and a response received by the job end instructing unit indicating that the job ends in the middle. If the instruction is, end the job and end the job When was the instruction not, characterized in that a job control means for holding the job until the operation instruction from the operation instruction or the operation instruction input means from the host computer.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the job control means according to the sixth aspect is configured such that the host computer or the operation instruction input is performed for a preset time after receiving a response by the job end instruction means. If there is no operation instruction from the means, the suspended job is forcibly terminated by an instruction not to terminate the job.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the job control unit according to the sixth aspect is configured such that the host computer or the operation instruction input is performed for a preset time after receiving a response from the job end instruction unit. If there is no operation instruction from the means, the job held by the instruction not to end the job and the control information necessary for the return of the job are stored as control information of the job being executed. It is characterized in that it is read from the storage means and stored in another secondary storage means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when the job control means receives an operation instruction from the host computer or the operation instruction input means, the job control means stores the job in the secondary storage means. The stored job and control information required to restore the job are stored in the primary storage unit, and the processing is continued.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the job control unit according to the eighth or ninth aspect stores the job and control information necessary for returning the job in the secondary storage unit. If there is no operation instruction from the host computer or the operation instruction input means for a preset time, the job and the control information necessary for returning the job are deleted from the secondary storage means. Features.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium which is connected to a host computer by two-way communication means and records a program for controlling an image forming apparatus which processes a job input from the host computer, An operation instruction input step of inputting an operation instruction from a user for the job, and a job end inquiry step of inquiring the host computer whether or not to end the job halfway when the job is temporarily stopped, A job end instruction receiving step of receiving a response from the host computer to the inquiry of the job end inquiry step; and a case where the response received in the job end instruction step is an instruction to end the job halfway. Terminates the job and does not terminate the job. In the case where the instruction to the effect was issued, a program for causing the computer to execute an operation instruction from the host computer or a job control step of suspending the job until receiving an operation instruction from the operation instruction input step was recorded. It is a computer-readable recording medium.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for controlling an image forming apparatus which is connected to a host computer by a two-way communication means and processes a job input from the host computer, wherein a user for the job is provided. An operation instruction inputting step of inputting an operation instruction from the computer; a job end inquiry step of inquiring the host computer whether or not to end the job halfway when the job is temporarily stopped; and a job end inquiry step. A job end instruction receiving step of receiving a response from the host computer in response to the inquiry, and if the response received in the job end instruction step is an instruction to end the job halfway, the job Ended and the instruction did not end the job Expediently, characterized in that it is a program for executing a job control step of holding the job until the operation instruction from the operation instruction or the operation instruction input step from the host computer to the computer.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 2000 of the image forming apparatus is connected to a scanner 2070 serving as an image input device and a printer 2095 serving as an image output device, while being connected to a local area network (LAN) 2011 and a public line (WAN) 2051. The control unit 2000 is a controller for inputting and outputting image information and device information.

The CPU 2001 is a controller for controlling the entire system. The RAM 2002 is a CPU 20
01 is a system work memory for operation, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. R
OM2003 is a boot ROM in which a system boot program is stored. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data.

An operation unit I / F 2006 includes an operation unit (UI).
An interface between the control unit 2012 and the control unit 2000;
The image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 is output. Further, information input by the device user from the operation unit 2012 is
It plays a role of communicating to the CPU 2001. Network part 2
Reference numeral 010 connects to the LAN 2011 and inputs and outputs information. The modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs and outputs information. The devices described above are arranged on a system bus 2007.

The image bus I / F 2005 is connected to the system bus 2007 and the image bus 200 for transferring image data at high speed.
8 is a bus bridge for converting the data structure. The image bus 2008 is a PCI (Peripheral Componet).
nt Interconnect) bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

Raster image processor (RIP) 2
060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F 2020 connects the scanner 2070 or printer 2095, which is an image input / output device, to the controller 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The scanner image processing unit 2080 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data. The printer image processing unit performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. Image rotation unit 2030
Performs rotation of image data. The image compression unit 2040
Multi-valued image data and JPEG (Joint Photographic Exper
ts Group) binary image data and JBIG (Joint Bi
-level Image Group), MMR (Modified Modified RE)
AD) or MH (Modified Huffman) compression / expansion processing.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A scanner 2070 serving as an image input device illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert the image into raster image data into an electric signal 2071. The manuscript paper is set on the tray 2073 of the manuscript feeder 2072, and the apparatus user issues a read start instruction from the operation unit 2012 to issue an instruction to the controller CP.
U2001 issues an instruction signal to the scanner 2070 (2071)
give. In the scanner 2070, the feeder 207
Reference numeral 2 denotes an operation for feeding a document sheet one by one and reading a document image.

A printer unit 209 serving as an image output device
Reference numeral 5 denotes a part for converting the raster image data 2096 into an image on paper, which is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt. There is an ink jet system for printing an image directly, but any system may be used.

The printing operation is started by the controller CP.
The process starts with an instruction signal 2096 from U2001.
The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected.
Paper cassettes 2101, 2102, and 21 corresponding thereto
03, 2104. Also, the paper discharge tray 2111 is
It receives the printed paper.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The LCD display unit 2013 has a touch panel sheet affixed on the LCD, displays an operation screen of the system, and when a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the controller C.
Notify PU2001. A start key 2014 is used, for example, when the reading operation of a document image is started in accordance with an instruction from the apparatus user. A two-color LED 2018 of green and red is built in the center of the start key 2014, and the color indicates whether the start key 2014 is in a usable state. A stop key 2015 functions to stop an operation in operation. The ID key 2016 is the user I
Used when inputting D. The reset key 2017 is
Used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner image processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. An image bus I / F controller 2081 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls a bus access sequence, and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2080.

The filter processing unit 2082 performs a convolution operation using a spatial filter. The editing unit 2083
For example, a closed area surrounded by a marker pen is recognized from input image data, and image data in the closed area is recognized.
Performs image processing such as shadowing, shading, and negative / positive reversal. When changing the resolution of the read image, the scaling unit 2084 performs interpolation calculation in the main scanning direction of the raster image to perform enlargement and reduction. Zooming in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of an image reading line sensor (not shown). The table 2085 is a table conversion that is performed to convert image data that is read luminance data into density data. Binarization 2086
Converts the multi-value grayscale image data into a binary value by an error diffusion process or a screen process. The processed image data is again transferred to the image bus via the image bus controller 2081.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer image processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. An image bus I / F controller 2091 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls a bus access sequence, and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 2090. Resolution conversion unit 209
2 is a network unit 2011 or a public line 205
1 is converted to the resolution of the printer 2095. The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs a process of smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary such as an oblique line) in the image data after the resolution conversion.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image compression processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image bus I / F controller 2041 is connected to the image bus 2008 and controls a bus access sequence. The image bus I / F controller 2041 is
Timing control for exchanging data between the input buffer 2042 and the output buffer 2045 and control such as mode setting for the image compression unit 2043 are performed.
The processing procedure of the image compression processing unit 2040 will be described below.

The CPU 200 via the image bus 2008
1 to the image bus I / F controller 2041 for setting for image compression control. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2041 performs settings for the image compression unit 2043 such as MMR compression and JBIG expansion required for image compression. After making the necessary settings,
U2001 permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. Subject to this permission,
The image bus I / F controller 2041 is a RAM 200
2 or transfer of image data from each device on the image bus 2008 is started. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042,
The image is transferred at a constant speed in response to the image data request of (3). At this time, the input buffer 2042 determines whether image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, reads image data from the image bus 2008, and executes image compression. If it is not possible to write an image to 2043, control is performed to prevent data transfer (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshake).

The image compression section 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because, when performing image compression, several lines of data are required depending on the type of image compression processing, and in order to perform the first one-line compression, several lines of image data are prepared. This is because image compression cannot be performed until after. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately output to the output buffer 204.
5 In the output buffer 2045, the image bus I
A handshake is performed between the / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and the image data is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 2041. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the compressed or decompressed image data to the RAM 2002 or each device on the image bus 2008. Such a series of processing is performed by C
Until there is no processing request from PU 2001, for example,
This processing is repeated until the required number of pages have been processed, or until a stop request is issued from the image compression unit, for example, when an error occurs in compression and decompression.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image rotating unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image bus I / F controller 2031 is connected to the image bus 2008 and controls a bus sequence. The image bus I / F controller 2031 performs control for setting a mode and the like in the image rotation unit 2032 and timing control for transferring image data to the image rotation unit 2032. The processing procedure of the image rotation unit will be described below.

The CPU 200 via the image bus 2008
1 to the image bus I / F controller 2031 to make settings for image rotation control. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2041 performs settings necessary for image rotation on the image rotation unit 2032, for example, settings such as an image size, a rotation direction and an angle. After making the necessary settings,
Again from the CPU 2001, the image bus I / F controller 2
041 is permitted to transfer image data. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2031
Transfer of image data from the M2002 or each device on the image bus 2008 is started. Here, the image size to be rotated is set to 32 × 32 (bit), and the image bus 20 is rotated.
When transferring the image data onto the image data 08, image transfer is performed in units of 32 bits. It is assumed that an image to be handled is a binarized image.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an image size used in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform data transfer 32 times in the above-described units, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a method of reading image data in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written to the RAM 2033 such that the image data is rotated to a desired angle at the time of reading. For example,
If the rotation is 90 degrees counterclockwise, the first 32
Bit image data is written in the Y direction shown in FIG. At the time of reading, the image is rotated by reading in the X direction.

After the image rotation of 32 × 32 (bit), that is, the writing to the RAM 2033 is completed, the image rotating unit 2032 reads the image data from the RAM 2033 by the above-described reading method, and sends the image data to the image bus I / F controller 2031. To transfer. Image bus I / F controller 2031 that has received the rotated image data
Transfers data to each device on the RAM 2002 or the image bus 2008 by continuous addressing.
Such a series of processing is repeated until the processing request from the CPU 2001 disappears, for example, until the processing of the required number of pages is completed.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device I / F of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image bus I / F controller 2021 is connected to the image bus 2008, controls a bus access sequence, and generates control and timing of each device in the device I / F unit 2020. The image bus I / F controller 2021 generates a control signal to the external scanner 2070 and printer 2095.

The scan buffer 2022 includes the scanner 2
070 is temporarily stored, and the image data is output in synchronization with the image bus 2008. The serial / parallel / parallel / serial converter 2023 arranges or decomposes the image data stored in the scan buffer 2022 in order, and converts it into a data width that can be transferred on the image bus 2008. The parallel / serial / serial / parallel converter 2024 decomposes or arranges the image data transferred from the image bus 2008 and converts the data into a data width that can be stored in the print buffer 2025. The print buffer 2025 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2008, and
95 to output image data.

The processing procedure at the time of image scanning is described below.
The image data sent from the scanner 2070 is stored in the scan buffer 2022 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2070. When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, when image data enters the buffer in 32 bits or more, the image data is sent to the serial / parallel / serial / serial converter 2023 from the buffer for the first 32 bits in first out. The serial / parallel / parallel / serial converter 2023 converts the image data into 32-bit image data and outputs the image data to the image bus I / F controller 2.
021 on the image bus 2008.

The image bus 2008 is connected to the IEEE 139
In the case of No. 4, the image data in the buffer is sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial converter 2023 on a first-in first-out basis, and is converted into serial image data.
008.

The processing procedure when printing an image is described below.
When the image bus 2008 is a PCI bus, the 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is transferred to the image bus I / O.
It is received by the F controller and sent to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel converter 2024. The parallel / serial / serial / parallel converter 2024 decomposes the image data into the number of input data bits of the printer 2095 and stores the image data in the print buffer 2025.

The image bus 2008 is connected to the IEEE 139
In the case of 4, serial image data sent from the image bus is received by the image bus I / F controller and sent to the parallel-serial / serial / parallel converter 2024.
The image data is converted into image data having the number of input data bits of the printer 2095 and stored in the print buffer 2025. Then, in synchronization with a timing signal sent from the printer 2095, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2095 on a first-in first-out basis.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a network to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected.
An image forming apparatus 1001 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
It is composed of a scanner and a printer described later. The image forming apparatus 1001 converts the image read from the scanner into
An image transmitted to a local area network (LAN) 1010 or received from the LAN can be printed out by a printer. In addition, an image read from the scanner is transmitted to a PSTN (Public Switch) by a facsimile transmission unit (not shown).
headphone network) or ISDN 1030, or an image received from the PSTN or ISDN can be printed out by a printer.

The database server 1002 manages the binary image and the multi-valued image read by the image forming apparatus 1001 according to the present invention as a database. The database client 1003 is the database server 1
002 client terminal and database 100
The user can browse / search the image data stored in the storage device 2. The e-mail server 1004 can receive the image read by the image forming apparatus 1001 as an e-mail attachment. The e-mail client 1005 is a client terminal of the e-mail server 1004, and receives and browses received e-mails,
Or send an email. WWW (Wo
rld Wide Web) server 1006 is an HTML (Hyper Te
An xt Markup Language) document can be provided to the LAN, and the image forming apparatus 1001 can print out an HTML document provided by the WWW server 1006.

The router 1011 is connected to the network 1010
Is connected to the Internet / intranet 1012. The Internet / intranet 1012 includes the image forming apparatus 1020 described above and the database server 1
021, a WWW server 1022, and an e-mail server 1023 are connected. A user host 1050 is connected so that various devices including the device of the present invention can be used from a network.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1001
Alternatively, the facsimile apparatus 1031 via the ISDN 1030
Can be sent and received. Also, the network 101
A printer 1040 is also connected to the image forming apparatus 100 so that an image read by the image forming apparatus 1001 can be printed out.

FIG. 12 is a software functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. UI
Reference numeral 1501 denotes a module that manages a user interface, and that mediates with an apparatus when an operator performs various operations and settings of the image forming apparatus. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, and requests processing or sets data according to the operation of the operator. The address book 1502 includes a data destination,
A database module that manages communication destinations.
The contents of the address book are used to add, delete, and acquire data by an operation from the UI 1501 and to provide data transmission / communication destination information to each module described later by an operator's operation.

The web server module 1503 is used for notifying management information of the image forming apparatus in response to a request from a web client (not shown). The management information is read via a control API 1518 described below,
HTTP1512, TCP / IP1516,
The web client is notified via the network driver 1517.

The universal transmission 1504 is a module for managing data distribution, and distributes data designated by the operator via the UI 1501 to designated communication destinations. When the operator uses the scanner function of the apparatus to instruct generation of distribution data, the apparatus operates the device via a control API 1518 described later to generate data. Printer module 1505
Is a module executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in the universal transmission 1504. E-ma
The il module 1506 is a universal transmission 1504
This is a module that is executed when an e-mail address is specified as a communication destination. DB module 1507 is
This module is executed when a database is specified as an output destination in the universal transmission 1504. The DP module 1508 is a module that is executed when the same MFP as the image forming apparatus is designated as the output destination in the universal transmission 1504.

The remote copy scan module 150
Reference numeral 9 denotes a module that uses the scanner function of the image forming apparatus, sets another MFP connected to the network as an output destination, and performs processing equivalent to the copy function realized by the image forming apparatus alone. Remote copy print module 1
Reference numeral 510 denotes a module that uses the printer function of the image forming apparatus, receives another MFP connected to the network as an input destination, and performs processing equivalent to the copy function realized by the image forming apparatus alone.

Web pull print module 1511
Is a module for reading and printing information of various homepages on the Internet or an intranet. The HTTP 1512 is a module used when the image forming apparatus communicates using the HTTP, and provides communication to the web server module 1503 and the web pull print module 1511 described above using a TCP / IP 1516 module described later. Things. The lpr module 1513 includes a TCP / I
Universal transmission 1 described above by P1516 module
A communication is provided to the printer module 1505 in the printer 504. The SMTP module 1514 provides communication to an E-mail module 1506 in the universal transmission 1504 by using a TCP / IP 1516 module described later. SLM (Salutation-Manager)
The module 1515 provides communication to the DB module 1507, the DP module 1518, the remote copy scan module 1509, and the remote copy print module 1510 in the universal transmission 1504 by using a TCP / IP 1516 module described later.

The TCP / IP 1516 provides network communication to the various modules described above using a network driver 1517 described later. The network driver 1517 controls a part physically connected to the network. Control API 1518
Provides an interface to an upstream module such as the universal transmission 1504 with a downstream module such as a job management 1519 to be described later, reduces dependency between the upstream and downstream modules, and enhances their applicability.

The job management 1519 interprets the processing instructed by the above-described various modules via the control API 1518, and gives instructions to each module described later. The job management 1519 is for centrally managing hardware processing executed in the image forming apparatus.

The CODEC management 1520 is a job management 1
519 manages and controls various types of compression and decompression of data in the processing designated by 519. FBE encoder 1521
Is for compressing data read by the scan processing executed by the job management 1519 and the scan management 1524 in the FBE format. J
The PEG codec 1522 includes a job management 1519,
In the scan processing executed by the scan management 1524 and the print processing executed by the print management 1526, JPEG compression of read data and JPEG decompression processing of print data are performed. M
The MR codec 1523 performs a scan process executed by the job management 1519 and the scan management 1524,
In print processing executed by the print management 1526, MMR compression of read data and MMR expansion processing of print data are performed.

The scan management 1524 includes the job management 15
19 manages and controls the scanning process designated by the user. The SCSI driver 1525 includes the scan management 152
4 communicates with a scanner unit internally connected to the image forming apparatus.

The print management 1526 includes the job management 15
The print management unit 19 manages and controls the print process.
The engine I / F 1527 provides an I / F between the print management 1526 and the printing unit. The parallel port driver 1528 is a web pull print module 1
Reference numeral 511 denotes an I / F for outputting data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embedded application related to distribution of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a block diagram illustrating the operation unit application of the present invention described with reference to FIG. A UI 4050 for controlling a user interface, a remote copy 4100 indicating a sender of a remote copy application, a universal transmission 4150 indicating a sender of a broadcast distribution, a web pull print 4200 indicating a web pull print module, and a web server module. And a web server 4250.

FIG. 13B shows a remote device 4300 indicating a remote copy receiving side or a printing side.
An LBP 4350 that receives and prints an image transmitted by broadcast distribution using a general-purpose printer, a remote print device 4400 indicating a remote print receiving side (print side), and a publicly known image transmitted by broadcast distribution. A server 4450 for receiving / storing by a Lotus Notes (registered trademark) server, and a server 450 for receiving / storing a binary image which is an image transmitted by broadcasting.
0, a server 4550 for receiving / storing an image transmitted in the broadcast distribution by a known mail server, and a 4600 for receiving / storing a multi-valued image in the image transmitted in the broadcast distribution. ing.

FIG. 13C shows a known web server 4650 containing information contents. Also, a known web client 4700 that accesses the web server 4650 and the like is included. Hereinafter, the application group will be described in detail with reference to each block.

The details of the UI 4050 are as described above. Here, the address book 4051 will be described. The address book 4051 is stored in a non-volatile storage device in the image forming apparatus, for example, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk, or the like, in which the characteristics of the devices connected to the network are described. For example, those listed below are included. (1) the official name or alias name of the device, (2) the network address of the device, (3) the network protocol that can be processed by the device, (4) the document format that can be processed by the device, and (5) the compression that can be processed by the device. Type, (6) image resolution that can be processed by the device, (7) paper size and paper feed stage information that can be fed in the case of a printer device, and (8) folder name that can store a document in a computer device such as a server.

Each application described below can determine the characteristics of the distribution destination based on the information described in the address book 4051. The address book can be edited and can be downloaded from a server computer or the like in a network and used, or can be directly referred to.

The remote copy application determines from the address book 4051 the resolution information that can be processed by the device designated as the distribution destination. Next, the binary image read by the scanner is compressed by using a known MMR compression, and is formatted by a known TIFF (Tagged Image File Format). Finally, via the SLM 4103,
Send to a printer device on the network. SLM41
03 is a well-known Salutation Man, which will not be described in detail.
This is a type of network protocol that includes device control information called ager or Smart Link Manager.

Unlike a remote copy application, a broadcast application can transmit images to a plurality of distribution destinations by one image scan. The distribution destination is not limited to the printer device, and can be directly distributed to the server computer. Hereinafter, description will be made in order according to the distribution destination.

The destination device is a known network printer protocol, LPD (Line Printer Daemon),
Alternatively, if it is determined by the address book 4051 that a known LIPS can be processed as a printer control command, the image is read according to the image resolution determined by the address book 4051. In this embodiment, the image itself is a known FBE (First Binary Encoding).
, And is further converted to LIPS code, and transmitted to the partner device by LPR, which is a known network printer protocol.

The destination device can communicate with the SLM,
In the case of a server device, from the address book 4051,
The server address and the designation of the folder in the server are determined. Similarly to the remote copy application, the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using the known MMR compression and formatted by the known TIFF. Then, it can be stored in a specific folder in the server device on the network via the SLM.

In the device of the present embodiment, when the server which is the partner device determines that the known JPEG-compressed multi-valued image can be processed, the multi-valued read image is processed in the same manner as the binary image. Performs well-known JPEG compression and
It can be formatted in the IF and stored in a specific folder of the server device on the network through the SLM.

If the destination device is a known electronic mail server, the mail address described in the address book 4051 is determined, and the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using the known MMR compression. Then, it is formatted by a known TIFF. Next, the known SMT
Using P (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) 4153, the message is transmitted to the electronic mail server. Subsequent distribution is performed according to server 4550.

A web pull print application;
Since the web server application is not directly related to the present embodiment, the description is omitted. Next, each screen of the operation unit will be described in detail.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The functions provided by the image forming device are Copy / Send / Re
It is divided into six major categories: trieve / Tasks / Management / Configuration. These categories are
Six main tabs COPY3011, SEND3012, and RETR displayed at the top of the operation screen 3010
EIVE3013, TASKS3014, MGMT
3015 and CONFIG 3016.
By pressing these main tabs, switching to a screen of each category is performed. When switching to another category is not permitted, the display color of the main tab changes, and there is no response even when the main tab is pressed.

Copy / has a function of copying a normal document using its own scanner and printer, a function of copying a document using its own scanner and a printer connected via a network, That is, remote copy is included.

Send / is a function for transferring a document placed in the scanner of the own device to an e-mail, a remote printer, a facsimile, a file transfer (FTP) and a database, and it is possible to designate a plurality of destinations. is there.

Retrieve / is a function of acquiring an external document and printing it with its own printer.
WWW, e-mail, file transfer, and fax can be used as document acquisition means.

Tasks / automatically processes documents sent from outside such as fax and Internet print, and generates tasks to periodically retrieve /
Perform management.

Management / manages jobs, address books, bookmarks, documents, account information, and the like.

In Configuration /, settings relating to the own device, for example, settings of a network, a clock, and the like are performed. Hereinafter, a method of setting these functions will be described using an example of an LCD screen display.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an ID input screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The ID input screen 3020 is displayed immediately after the power is turned on and when the ID key is pressed. On the ID input screen 3020, enter the user ID and password correctly,
When the OK button is pressed, the above-described operation screen is displayed, and operation becomes possible. Switching between the ID input area 3021 and the password input area 3022 can be performed by directly pressing the input area.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the start button 2014 shown in FIG. 3 is pressed while the COPY main screen 3100 is displayed, the scanner operates, and a copy from the selected printer according to each setting parameter displayed on the screen is displayed. Is output.

The COPY main screen 3100 includes a printer selection button 3103, a printer display area 3102,
Image quality selection button 3105 and image quality display area 31
04 and copy parameter display 3 similar to that of a conventional copying machine
101, scaling setting buttons 3106, 3107,
Paper selection button 3108 and sorter setting button 3110
, Two-sided copy setting button 3112, density indicator and density setting button 3109, numeric keypad 3114
It is composed of

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a printer list display of the COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit. When the printer selection button 3103 is pressed, an available printer,
That is, a list of the printers of the own device and the printers connected via the network is displayed in the printer display area
Is displayed as a pull-down display 3120. When a desired printer is selected from the list, the list disappears and the selected printer name is displayed in the printer display area 3102.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an image quality list display of the COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit. When an image quality setting button 3105 is pressed, a list of image quality is displayed in a pull-down display 3125 from an image quality display area 3104,
A desired image quality can be selected from among them.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an enlargement / reduction setting sub-screen of the COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit. The scaling setting sub screen 3130 includes a scaling setting button 3
Pressing 106 and 3107 is displayed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a paper selection sub-screen of the COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit. The paper selection sub screen 3140 is displayed when the paper selection button 3108 is pressed.

FIG. 21 shows a sorter setting sub-screen of the COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit. A sorter setting sub screen 3150 includes a sorter setting button 3110.
Press to display.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a double-sided copy setting sub-screen of the COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit.
The two-sided copy setting sub-screen 3160 is displayed when the two-sided copy setting button 3112 is pressed.

In this way, parameters can be set in the same manner as in a conventional copying machine. The density setting is also performed by a density indicator and a density setting button 3109.
Thus, the operation can be performed in the same manner as a conventional copying machine.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the start button 2104 is pressed while the SEND main screen 3200 is displayed,
The scanner operates to start processing for transmitting the read image data to the set destination by the transmission method specified.

The SEND main screen 3200 includes a destination display area 3202, a detailed destination number display area 3203, a destination scroll button 3204, and an address book button 3
208, a New button 3209, and an Edit button 3
210, a Delete button 3211, a Subject input area 3205, a Message input area 3206, a File Name input area 3207, and a Cover page check button 3212.
And Put Into HD check button 3213 and Print Out
Check button 3214 and Scan Setting button 321
And 5.

FIG. 24 is a view showing a SEND initial screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The SEND initial screen 3201 is a screen displayed at the time of initialization including reset. In the destination display area 3202, no operation destination screen is displayed, and an operation explanation screen is displayed. In the destination display area 3202, a list of input destinations is displayed. Inputs are sequentially added to the end. The number of destinations currently set is displayed in the detailed destination number display area 3203. When a delete button 3211 is pressed after selecting a destination from the destination display area, the selected destination is deleted. Subject input area 3205
, Message input area 3206, File Name input area 3
By pressing 207, a full keyboard is displayed, and each input can be made.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an address book sub screen of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit.
When an address book button 3208 is pressed on the SEND main screen 3200, the address book sub screen 32
20 is displayed. In the address book display area 3221, the destination marked with the selection mark 3232 is added to the destination display area 3202 of the SEND main screen by pressing an OK button 3231.

The display of the address book is sorted by class, in ascending name order, and in descending name order by pressing the sort item setting buttons 3224-3226. In the item selection number display area 3227, the number of items with a selection mark is displayed. OK button 3231 or Cancel button 32
When 30 is pressed, the address book sub screen 3220 is closed and the SEND main screen 3200 is displayed.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a detailed information screen of the address book sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. When a Detail button 3229 is pressed in a state where one item is selected in the address book display area 3221, a detailed information screen 3235 is displayed. The detailed information screen 3235 displays all information obtained from the address book as information on the selected item.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an address search screen of the address book sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. Search button 3228 on address book sub screen 3220
Pressing displays an address search screen 3240 for searching for a destination from the local address book or an external address server. The address search screen 3240 is
This is the search condition setting part. Search target class display area 32
45, a search target attribute display area 3247, a search target condition display area 3249, and a search target address book display area 3252, and the currently selected content is displayed.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a search target class list display on the address search screen displayed on the operation unit. Search target class setting button 3 on address search screen 3240
When 246 is pressed, a search target class list 3260 is displayed. The item selected from this list is displayed in the search target class display area 3245.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a search target attribute list display on an address search screen displayed on the operation unit. By pressing a search target attribute setting button 3248 on the address search screen 3240, a search target attribute list 3261 is displayed. The attributes displayed in this list change as follows depending on the selected search target class. Common Name
・ Address ・ Country (Class: Person), Common Name
・ Owner ・ Location ・ Model ・ Type ・ Resolution ・ Color
・ Finisher (class: Printer), Common Name ・ Member
(Class: Group), all attributes (class: Everythin
g).

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a search target condition list display on the address search screen displayed on the operation unit. Search target condition setting button 325 on address search screen 3240
When 0 is pressed, a search target condition list 3262 is displayed, and the user selects a condition from the list.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a list of address books to be searched on the address search screen displayed on the operation unit. When a search target address book setting button 3253 on the address search screen 3240 is pressed, a search target address book list 3263 is displayed, and the user can select from the list.

Address search screen 3240 shown in FIG.
When the search target attribute value input area 3251 is pressed, a full keyboard 3040 is displayed, and a value can be input. When a Do Search button 3254 is pressed, a search is performed according to the set search conditions.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a search result of the address search screen displayed on the operation unit. The search results are displayed in a search result display area 3241, and the number of cases is displayed in a search result number display area 3244. Detail button 3 with one of the items in the search result display area selected
When the user presses 255, a detailed information screen 3235 shown in FIG. 26 is displayed as detailed information on the item. A selection mark is added to items in the search result display area 3241 to be added to the destination. When the OK button 3257 is pressed, the address search screen 3240 is closed and the SEN
Returning to the D main screen 3200, the item to which the selection mark has been added is added to the destination. Cancel button 325
When 6 is pressed, the address search screen 3240 is closed and the screen returns to the SEND main screen 3200, but the destination remains unchanged.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a Person class details sub-screen of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit. New button 320 on SEND main screen 3200
When 9 is pressed, a Person class details sub screen 3270 is displayed, and a new destination can be set. Enter the destination
Transmission method (e-mail, fax, printer, FT
Transmission method selection buttons 3271 to 3274 corresponding to P)
Or the detailed destination input area 3275-3278
Press to do. For fax, numeric keyboard 3
050, otherwise, a full keyboard 3040 is displayed and input is possible. Setting button 3279-3
Reference numeral 282 denotes a button for setting a transmission option of each transmission method, but detailed description is omitted here.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a Person class details sub screen displayed on the operation unit. On the SEND main screen 3200, when the Edit button 3210 is pressed in a state where the destination of the Person class is selected, the Person class details sub screen 3290 is also displayed. The details of the selected destination are displayed in the corresponding area of the detailed destination input area 3275 to 3278. When the keyboard is displayed by the above-described method, the destination can be edited.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a Data Base class details sub screen of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit. On the SEND main screen 3200, select Data Bass
When the Edit button 3210 is pressed while the destination of the e-class is selected, a Data Base class details sub screen 3310 is displayed. On the Data Base class details sub screen 3310, a database name 3311 and a folder list 3312 are displayed.

FIG. 36 is a view showing a Group class details sub-screen of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit. On the SEND main screen 3200, with the destination of the Group class selected, the Edit button 32
When 10 is pressed, Group class details sub screen 33
20 is displayed. Group class details sub screen 3320
Displays a group member 3321.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a hard disk setting sub-screen of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit. On the SEND main screen 3200, Put Into H
When the D check button 3213 is pressed, a hard disk setting sub-screen 3330 for performing settings for transmission to the hard disk is displayed. Detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a printout setting sub-screen of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit. On the SEND main screen 3200, select Print Out
When the check button 3214 is pressed, a printout setting sub screen 3340 is displayed. On the printout setting sub screen 3340, the number of prints, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, double-sided printing, sorting, resolution, and the like are set.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a paper size list display on the printout setting sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. When a paper size selection button 3345 is pressed on the printout setting sub screen 3340, a paper size list 33 is displayed.
60 is displayed, from which to select.

FIG. 40 is a view showing a sorter list display of the printout setting sub-screen displayed on the operation unit.
When a sorter selection button 3350 is pressed on the printout setting sub-screen 3340, a selectable sorter list 3 is displayed.
365 is displayed.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a scan setting sub-screen of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit. S
When a Scan Setting button 3215 is pressed on the END main screen 3200, a scan setting sub screen 3370 is displayed. When one scan setting is selected from the preset mode selection area 3371 in the scan setting sub-screen 3370, the corresponding preset resolution selection area 3377, scan mode selection area 3379, and density selection area 3381 are displayed in the respective display areas. Will be displayed. These values can also be changed manually.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a paper size list display on the scan setting sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. When the user presses a paper size selection area 3375 on the scan setting sub-screen 3370, a screen in which a paper size selection list 3390 is displayed in a pull-down manner is displayed. Select the size and orientation of the paper to be used from this list.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a resolution list display of the scan setting sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. In the scan setting sub screen 3370, the resolution selection area 33
When 77 is pressed, a screen in which a resolution list 3391 is displayed in a pull-down manner is displayed.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a scan mode list display on the scan setting sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. When a scan mode selection area 3379 is pressed on the scan setting sub screen 3370, a screen in which a scan mode list 3392 is displayed in a pull-down manner is displayed.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. R on the operation screen 3010 shown in FIG.
When ETREIVE 3013 is pressed, a RETRIEVE main screen 3400 is displayed. On the RETRIEVE main screen 3400, WWW3401, E-mail 3402, Fa
An X3403, an FTP 3404 sub tab, a PUT INTO HD check button 3405 commonly used in each sub category, and a PRINT SETTING button 3406 are displayed. The corresponding WW by pressing the subtab
The W, E-mail, Fax, and FTP sub-screens are displayed. At the time of initialization including reset, a WWW sub screen is displayed.

When the start button is pressed while the WWW sub-screen is displayed at the time of initialization, a home page is printed according to each setting displayed on the screen. However, if nothing is displayed in the URL input area,
Nothing works when the start button is pressed. RETRIEVE
When the user presses a URL input area 3411 of the main screen 3400, a full keyboard 3040 is displayed, and direct input of the URL is enabled. LinkDepth 3412 and Max Pages
When the user presses the input area 3414, a numeric keyboard 3050 is displayed, and a numeric value can be directly input.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a bookmark sub screen of the RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit. RE
Bookmark button 341 on TRIEVE main screen 3400
Pressing 9 displays a bookmark sub screen 3460. A list of set bookmarks is displayed in the bookmark display area 3461 of the bookmark sub-screen 3460. When any one of the rows is pressed, a selected display state is set. When an OK button 3466 is pressed, the bookmark sub screen 3460 is closed, and the URL corresponding to the selected item is displayed on the RETRIEVE main screen 34.
00 is displayed in the URL input area 3411. The description of the other buttons on the bookmark sub screen 3460 is omitted.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing an E-mail sub screen of the RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit. E
On the -mail sub screen 3430, settings for receiving an E-mail are made. Each input area 3431 to 4433
By pressing, a full keyboard 3040 is displayed, and input becomes possible.

FIG. 48 is a diagram showing a fax sub-screen of the RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit. On the fax sub screen 3440, a fax number is input. When the input area 3441 is pressed, a numeric keyboard 3050 is displayed, and a fax number can be input.

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing an FTP sub-screen of the RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit. On the FTP sub screen 3450, settings for receiving data from the server are made. When each of the input areas 3451 to 3453 is pressed, a full keyboard 3040 is displayed, and input becomes possible.

When a Put Into HD check button 3405 common to each category is pressed, a hard disk setting sub screen 3330 shown in FIG. 37 is displayed. Also, Print
When the Setting button 3406 is pressed, a printout setting sub screen 3340 shown in FIG. 38 is displayed.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a TASKS main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the start key 2014 is pressed while the TASKS main screen 3500 is displayed, the TASK
The RETRIEVE operation is automatically executed according to the parameters set on the S main screen 3500. The TASKS main screen 3500 includes WWW3501 and E-mail3
502, Print Receive 3503, Fax Receive 35
04 and a sub tab of Fax Polling 3505 are displayed. At the time of initialization including reset, a WWW sub screen is displayed.

In the WWW task list display area 3511,
Tasks held in the device are displayed in the order in which they were entered. Tasks that actually need to be performed are marked with a selection mark. The tasks for which the selection mark is not displayed are held in the device as tasks, but are not actually executed.

WWW task list display area 3511 to 1
When the Edit button 3514 is pressed while one task is selected, a WWW task details sub screen 3520 including the selected task information is displayed, and the setting can be edited. WWW task details sub screen 3520
Will be described later. WWW task list display area 35
Delete button 3 with one task selected from 11
Pressing 515 deletes the selected task.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a WWW task details sub-screen of the TASKS main screen displayed on the operation unit.
When a New button 3513 of the TASKS main screen 3500 is pressed, a WWW task details sub screen 3520 is displayed.
A new task can be entered. The WWW task details sub screen 3520 is a WW of the RETRIEVE main screen 3400.
As with the W sub screen, the URL input area 3521, Link D
epth 3522 and Max Pages 3524, a check time display area 3534, a check time setting button 3535, and a PRINT WHEN CHANGED check button 35.
36, a transfer check button 3537, and an OK button 3
539 and a cancel button 3538.

Description of portions common to the RETRIEVE main screen 3400 will be omitted. Check time display area 3534
Is blank when the WWW task details subscreen 3520 is displayed by the New button 3513,
When displayed by the t button 3514, the set task execution time is displayed. Immediately after the setting is performed on the check time sub screen 3550 described later, the set task execution time is displayed.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a first check time sub-screen of the WWW task details sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. When a check time setting button 3535 on the WWW task details sub screen 3520 is pressed, a first check time sub screen 3550 is displayed, and it becomes possible to set the timing for executing the task. On the first check time sub screen 3550, schedule mode setting buttons 3551 to 3553 and a time input area 3554 are displayed.
OK button 3558 and Cancel button 3557
Is displayed. When the Once button 3551 is selected among the schedule mode setting buttons,
A month input area 3555 and a date input area 3556 are displayed.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a second check time sub-screen of the WWW task details sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. When the Weekly button 3552 is selected, a day setting check button 3561 is displayed.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a third check time sub-screen of the WWW task details sub-screen displayed on the operation unit. When the Monthly button 3553 is selected, a date input area 3571 is displayed. When each of the input areas is pressed, a numeric keyboard 3050 is displayed, and a numerical value can be input. The day setting check button allows selection of a plurality of days.

FIG. 55 is a view showing a Management main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. When MGMT 3015 on operation screen 3010 shown in FIG. 14 is pressed, Management screen 3600 is displayed. Detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 56 is a view showing a configuration main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Operation screen 301 shown in FIG.
When CONFIG 3016 of 0 is pressed, a Configuration main screen 3700 is displayed. Detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a full keyboard displayed on the operation unit. Full keyboard 3040 is displayed when a character input area is pressed. www. When the button 3041 and the com button 3042 are pressed, characters “www.” And “com” are input, respectively. The other keys have the same functions as in the related art, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing a numeric keypad displayed on the operation unit. Numeric keyboard 3050 is displayed when a numeric input area or a month input area is pressed. Description of each key is omitted.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing an error screen displayed on the operation unit. The error screen 3030 is displayed when there is any error. The error screen includes a message display area 3031 for displaying an error message in text, and an OK button 3032 for closing the error screen.

In the control unit 2000, a database for storing setting values for jobs, functions of devices such as scanners and printers, status, and billing information in a data format conforming to the Control API, and an interface with the database. DIS (Device Information
Service).

FIG. 60 is a diagram showing the functional connection of DIS in the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The DIS 7102 includes a job management 710
1, scan management 7103, and print management 7104
And are connected. Basically, dynamic information such as a job start command is directly instructed from the job management 7101 to the scan management 7103 and the print management 7104.
Static information such as device functions and job content
Reference is made to IS7102. Static and dynamic information or events from the scan management 7103 and the print management 7104 are transmitted to the job management 7101 via the DIS 7102.

Scan Management 7103 and Print Management 71
When setting or acquiring data in the database of the DIS 7102 from the DIS 7102, the DIS 7102
Since the internal data format of the
Data format and scan management 710 based on ontrol API
3 and the print management 7104 perform a mutual conversion process between data formats that can be understood. For example, scan management 710
3 and the print management 7104, when setting status data, interprets device-specific data and
l Convert to the corresponding data defined by API and
Write to the database of 102.

When data is set or obtained from the job management 7101 to the database of the DIS 7102, no data conversion occurs between the job management 7101 and the DIS 7102. In the DIS 7102, event data is updated based on various event information notified from the scan management 7103 and the print management 7104.

FIG. 61 is a diagram showing the configuration of the database inside the DIS in the control unit. Various databases (hereinafter, referred to as DBs) inside the DIS 7102 will be described. The SupervisorDB 7201 is a DB that holds status and user information for the entire device. Information that needs to be backed up, such as a user ID and a password, is stored in a non-volatile storage device such as an HD device or a backup memory.

The Scan Component DB 7202 and Print Co
The mponentDB 7203 is held corresponding to each existing component. For example, in the case of a device including only a printer, only the Print Component DB 7203 exists, and in the case of a device having a FAX, the FAX Componen
tDB is held. At the time of initialization, the corresponding Document Manager
Sets the function and status of the component.

Scan Job Service DB 7204 and Print
The Job Service DB 7205 is stored for each job service, and at the time of initialization, the corresponding Document Man
ager sets the functions that can be used on the device and the support status.

Scan Job DB 7206 and Print Job DB 7
Reference numeral 207 denotes a DB of each job.
B7208 and Print Document DB 7209 are document DBs. The job DB and the document DB are dynamically secured by the job management 7101 each time a job and a document accompanying the job are generated, initialized, and necessary items are set.

Each Document Manager reads items necessary for processing from the job DB and the document DB before starting the job processing, and starts the job. Thereafter, when the job is completed, the job and the document DB attached to the job are released. Since a job has one or more documents, a plurality of document DBs may be reserved for a certain job.

[0146] The soft counter 7210 indicates that each Document M
This is a DB that stores event information notified from an anager. The event table 7211 is a counter table for recording the number of scans and the number of prints of the apparatus. Events notified by Document Manager include component status transitions from Scan Document Manager, completion of scan processing, and various errors,
There are component status transition from Print Document Manager, print processing completion, paper jam, and paper feed cassette open. An event ID for identifying each event is predetermined.

When an event is issued from the Document Manager, the DIS 7102 sets the event table 72
11 registers the event ID issued and the detailed data accompanying the required event. When the event cancellation is notified from the Document Manager, the event data designated to be canceled is deleted from the event table 7211. When an event is polled by the job management 7101, the DIS 7102
Referring to FIG. 10, an event ID that is currently occurring and detailed data associated with a necessary event are returned to the job management 7101. If no event is currently occurring, that fact is returned.

When the event of the completion of the scan processing operation and the event of the completion of the print processing operation are notified, the counter value of the user who has performed the scan or print is updated. This software counter is written back to the backed-up memory device or the non-volatile storage device of the HD device every time the value is updated so that the value is not lost due to accidental power-off or the like.

FIG. 62 is a block diagram for explaining a scanning operation of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The PCI bus 8105 includes a CPU 8101,
A memory 8102, a codec 8104 as an image compression / decompression board, and a scanner 8107 are connected via a SCSI controller 8103. The SCSI controller 8103 and the scanner (or the scanner function unit of the copier having the multifunction) 8107
They are connected by a CSI interface cable 8106.

An IDE controller 8108 is connected to the PCI bus 8105, and an IDE hard disk 8110 is connected via an IDE cable 8109.

FIG. 63 is a block diagram showing a software structure relating to the scanning operation. Job management 820
1 has a function of classifying and storing application level requests. The DIS 8202 stores parameters required for a scan operation from the application level. The request from the application is stored in the memory 8102. The scan operation management unit 8203 acquires information necessary for performing a scan from the job management 8201 and the DIS 8202.

FIG. 64 is a diagram showing table data used in the scan operation management unit. The scan operation management unit 8203 receives table data 8301 including a job number 8303 and a document number 8304 from the job management 8201. Scan operation management unit 82
03 is the DIS 8 based on the table data 8301.
From 202, a scan parameter 8302 is received.
As a result, scanning is performed based on the scanning conditions requested by the application.

The scan operation management unit 8203 is provided with the DIS 8
The scan parameters 8302 obtained from the scan 202 are transferred to the scan sequence control unit 8204 in the order of document numbers 8306. Upon receiving the scan parameters 8302, the scan sequence control unit 8204 executes the SCSI control unit 82 according to the content of the scan image attribute 8308.
07 is controlled.

Thus, the SCSI controller 8103 connected to the PCI bus 8105 shown in FIG.
Is operated, a scan is executed by sending a SCSI control command to the scanner 8107 via the SCSI cable 8106. The scanned image is transferred to a SCSI controller 8103 via a SCSI cable 8106, and further to a PCI bus 8105.
Is stored in the memory 8102 via the.

When the scan is completed and the image is stored in the memory 8102 via the PCI bus 8105, the scan sequence control unit 8204 stores the image in the memory 8102 in accordance with the contents of the scan image compression format 8309 of the scan parameter 8302. A request is issued to the compression / decompression control unit 8205 to compress the stored scan image. The compression / decompression control unit 82 that has received the request
05 uses a codec 8104 connected to a PCI bus 8105 and uses a scan sequence control unit 820.
4 based on the designation of the scan image compression format 8309. The compression / decompression control unit 8205 stores the compressed image in the memory 810 via the PCI bus 8105.
2 is stored.

The scan sequence control unit 8204 is different from the compression / decompression control unit 8205 in that the scan image compression format 830 is used.
9. Compress the scanned image into the format specified in
At the time when the scan parameter 8302 is stored,
Memory 8 according to the image file type 8307 of
The compressed scan image stored in 102 is filed. The scan sequence control unit 8204 requests the file system 8206 to create a file in the file format specified by the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302.

The file system 8206 receives the image file type 83 from the scan sequence control unit 8204.
07, the compressed image stored in the memory 8102 is converted into a file, transferred to the IDE controller 8108 via the PCI bus 8105, and the IDE hard disk 8110 via the IDE cable 8109.
The compressed image scanned is transferred to a file. The scan sequence control unit 8204 determines that the file system 8206
When the filed image is stored in the scanner 8, the scanner 8
Assuming that the processing of one original on 107 has been completed, a scan completion notification is sent back to scan operation management unit 8203.

At this point, an unscanned document exists on the scanner 8107 and the job management 820
If there is a scan request from DIS820, DIS820
A scan operation is requested to the scan sequence control unit by using the scan parameter 8302 stored in the scan parameter 2.

If there is no unscanned document on the scanner 8107 or if the job management 8201
If there is no scan request from, a scan end notification is issued to the job management 8201 assuming that the scan operation has ended.

FIG. 65 is a block diagram for explaining a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. A PCI bus 9005 includes a CPU 9001,
A memory 9002, a codec 9004 which is an image compression / decompression board, and a printer 9007 are connected via an engine I / F board 9003. Engine I
The / F board 9003 and a printer (or a printer function unit of a copier having a composite function) 9007 are connected by an engine interface cable 9006.

The engine I / F board 9003 has a DPRAM inside, and through this DPRAM, sets parameters for the printer, reads the status of the printer, and exchanges print control commands. Further, the engine I / F board 9003 has a video controller, and is connected to the engine interface cable 9 by a printer.
VCLK (video clock) given by 006 and HS
The image data developed on the PCI bus 9005 is transmitted to the printer via the engine interface cable 9006 in accordance with the YNC.

FIG. 66 is a time chart showing the timing of transmission to the printer in the printing operation.
VCLK is always output, and HSYNC is applied in synchronization with the start of one line of the printer. The video controller stores data for the set image width (WIDTH) in the memory 9002 on the set PCI bus 9005.
And outputs it to the engine interface cable 9006 as a video signal. After repeating this for a specified number of lines (LINES), an IMAGE_END interrupt is generated.

As described with reference to FIG.
Control API 151 from the above application program
8 is given a print job instruction, the control API 1
518 is the job management at the controller level 15.
19 is passed as a job. In FIG. 60, the job management 7101 stores the job settings in the DIS 7102 and instructs the print management 7104 to start the job. When the print management 7104 receives the job,
Reads information necessary for job execution from IS7102,
The printer is set via the engine I / F board 9003 and the DPRAM.

FIG. 67 is a diagram showing the setting items of the engine I / F board. Uncompress the job for simplicity,
The operation will be specifically described with a letter (11 ″ × 8.5 ″) size binary image, two pages of one copy printed, and a printer performance of 600 dpi. First, when receiving this job, the print management calculates the number of image bytes of the width (8.5 ″) of the image. WIDTH = 8.5 × 600 ÷ 8 ≒ 630 (Bytes) Next, the number of lines is calculated. LINES = 11 × 600 = 6600 (Lines) These calculated values and the address where the image of the given first page is stored are stored in WIDTH, LI as shown in FIG.
Set to NES, SOURCE. At this point, the engine I / F board 9003 has completed preparation for image output, but has not received an HSYNC signal from the printer (VCLK
Does not output image data.

FIG. 68 is a diagram showing printer setting items, control commands, and status commands. The print management writes 1 as the number of output copies to a predetermined address (BookNo) of the DPRAM. After that, a paper feed request (FEED_REQ) for the first page is output, and the
Wait for IMAGE_REQ. When IMAGE_REQ comes from the printer, IM
Issue AGE_START. In response, the printer
Engine I / F that started to release C and was waiting for HSYNC
The board 9003 outputs an image.

When the printer detects the trailing edge of the output paper, it outputs IMAGE_END, and when the output paper is ejected, SHEET
Output _OUT. Print management is IMAGE_ of the first page
In response to the END, the WIDTH, LINES, and SOURCE of the second page are set to the engine I / F board 9003, FEED_REQ is output, and IMAGE_REQ is waited. The operation after IMAGE_REQ of the second page is the same as that of the first page.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing a job interruption process in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A case where a print job is input from a user host and the job is interrupted due to no toner will be described. As shown in FIG.
0, the user host 1050 and the image forming apparatus 100
The user host 1050 submits a job, acquires the status of the image forming apparatus 1001, and receives a job end notification based on the device control software IF defined by the control API 1518. And

In step 301, the user host 1
050, the job input command for instructing the start of the job and the print data to be printed out are stored in the network 1
010 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1001. The job submission command is data in a format defined by a control API 1518 in the control software of the image forming apparatus 1001. In step 302, the control API 1518, which has received the job input command, transfers the print operation content indicated by the job input command and the print data to be printed to the job management 1519, which is a lower module, and instructs the start of the print operation. . The job management 1519 instructs the printer management 1526 that controls the operation of the printer 2095 with the specified job contents, so that the printer 2095 starts a printing operation.

In step 303, the printer 209
If it is detected in step 5 that the amount of toner required for image formation has become zero during the operation of the printer and the printing operation cannot be continued, the job being printed is shifted to a suspended state in step 304.

In step 305, the control API 15
18 inquires of the user host 1050 via the network 1010 whether the job is temporarily stopped due to the absence of toner and whether the job can be ended in error. In response to the inquiry, the user host 1050 sends a reply as to whether or not to end the job to the image forming apparatus 1001, and the control API 1518 performs processing of the subsequent job based on the reply.

If the end of the job is instructed by a reply from the user host 1050, the job is ended in step 315. Further, in step 316, an end status indicating that the job has been ended due to an error due to no toner is displayed in the user host 1050.
To end the job processing.

If it is instructed in step 306 to hold the job without terminating it, the control API 1518 sets the job status to the hold status and sends the job status from the user host 1050 or the operation unit 2012 of the image forming apparatus 1001. Wait for instructions. In step 311, the user who has input the job terminates the job again with an error, or operates after replenishing the image forming apparatus 1001 with toner and canceling the state where there is no remaining toner which caused the error. It is possible to select whether to instruct the restart.

In Step 312, the user host 1
If an instruction to restart the job operation is issued from 050 or the operation unit 2012, in step 313, the image forming apparatus 1001 confirms that the remaining amount of toner is in a state in which the printing operation can be restarted. In step 314, if there is toner, the image forming apparatus 1001 restarts the print operation of the job from the state where the job is suspended. The image forming apparatus 1001 performs printing until the job ends (step 315). If the job ends normally, the user host 10 notifies the user host 10 that the job has ended normally.
50 (step 316), and the job processing is completed.

If no instruction is given in step 312, the job is
The data is kept stored in the storage unit 1 and becomes an obstacle in effective use of a storage device or the like in the device. Therefore, a job that has been on hold for a longer time than the preset time is set in the control API 151.
The setting for forcibly terminating can also be performed by using the setting of FIG. That is, when there is no instruction from the user host 1050 or the operation unit 2012 of the image forming apparatus 1001 for a preset time, the job that is on hold is forcibly terminated.

Further, in order to keep the job that has been put on hold due to an error as long as possible, a large-capacity non-volatile secondary storage device inside the image forming apparatus 1001 stores
Job information can also be saved. When the operation instruction for the job is issued again, the job information is read from the secondary storage device and the operation is resumed. Further, if no operation instruction is given for a job saved in the secondary storage device within a certain period of time after the saving, the processing is terminated and a setting is made to delete the job from the secondary storage device. Can also.

[0176]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An operation instruction input unit that is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and inputs an operation instruction from a user for the job, and terminates the job halfway to the host computer when the job is temporarily stopped under the control of the image forming apparatus. Means for inquiring whether or not the job is completed, a job end instruction receiving means for receiving a response from the host computer to the inquiry of the job end inquiry means, and a response received by the job end instruction means for terminating the job halfway. If the instruction is a termination instruction, the job is terminated. If the instruction is not to terminate the job, the job is suspended until an operation instruction from the host computer or an operation instruction from the operation instruction input unit is received. Job control means so that jobs submitted from the host By the equipment side of convenience that has received the,
It is possible for the user to select a job processing method by avoiding error termination without notifying the user.

Further, by deleting the job in the hold state after a certain period of time, it becomes possible to effectively use the resources of the device without wasting it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner image processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer image processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image compression processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image rotation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an image size used in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a method of reading image data in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a device I / F of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a network to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected.

FIG. 12 is a software functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embedded application related to distribution of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an operation screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an ID input screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a printer list display of a COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an image quality list display of a COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an enlargement / reduction setting sub-screen of the COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a paper selection sub-screen of a COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 21 is a view showing a sorter setting sub-screen of a COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a double-sided copy setting sub-screen of the COPY main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 23 is a view showing a SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a SEND initial screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an address book sub screen of a SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a detailed information screen of an address book sub screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an address search screen of an address book sub screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a search target class list display on an address search screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a search target attribute list display on an address search screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a search target condition list display on an address search screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a search target address book list display on an address search screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a search result of an address search screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 33 shows Pe on the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit.
It is a figure showing an rson class details subscreen.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a Person class details sub screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 35 shows Da of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit.
It is the figure which showed the ta Base class details subscreen.

FIG. 36 shows Gr on the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit.
It is a figure showing an oup class details subscreen.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a hard disk setting sub-screen of a SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a printout setting sub-screen of a SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a paper size list display of a printout setting sub screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a sorter list display of a printout setting sub screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a scan setting sub-screen of the SEND main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a paper size list display of a scan setting sub screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a resolution list display of a scan setting sub screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a scan mode list display of a scan setting sub-screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a bookmark sub screen of the RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 47 is a view E of the RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit.
It is the figure which showed the -mail sub-screen.

FIG. 48 shows F of the RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit
It is the figure which showed the ax sub screen.

FIG. 49: F of the RETRIEVE main screen displayed on the operation unit
It is the figure which showed the TP sub screen.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a TASKS main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51: WW of the TASKS main screen displayed on the operation unit
It is a figure showing the W task details subscreen.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a first check time sub-screen of a WWW task details sub-screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a second check time sub-screen of a WWW task details sub-screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a third check time sub-screen of a WWW task details sub-screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a Management main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56 is a view showing a configuration main screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a full keyboard displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing a numeric keyboard displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing an error screen displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 60 is a diagram showing a functional connection of DIS in the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 61 is a diagram showing a configuration of a database inside DIS in the control unit.

FIG. 62 is a block diagram for explaining a scanning operation of the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 63 is a block diagram showing a software structure related to a scan operation.

FIG. 64 is a diagram showing table data used in a scan operation management unit.

FIG. 65 is a block diagram illustrating a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 66 is a time chart showing a timing of transmission to a printer in a printing operation.

FIG. 67 is a diagram showing setting items of an engine I / F board.

FIG. 68 is a diagram showing printer setting items, control commands, and status commands.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart illustrating job interruption processing in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1001, 1020 Image forming apparatus 1002, 1021 Database server 1003 Database client 1004, 1023 E-mail server 1005 E-mail client 1006, 1022 WWW server 1010 Network 1011 Router 1012 Internet / Intranet 1030 PSTN or ISDN 1031 FAX device 1040 Printer 1050 User host 2000 Control unit 2001 CPU 2002 RAM 2003 ROM 2004 HDD 2005 Image bus I / F 2006 Operation unit I / F 2007 System bus 2008 Image bus 2010 Network unit 2011 Local area network (LAN) 2012 Operation unit (UI) 2020 Device I / F 2030 Image rotation unit 204 An image compression unit 2050 modem 2051 public line (WAN) 2060 raster image processor (RIP) 2070 scanner 2080 image processing unit 2095 printer

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ05 AQ06 AS02 HJ08 HK19 HL01 HV13 HV14 HV35 HV37 5B021 AA01 BB01 CC07 NN00 5C062 AA05 AA13 AA30 AA35 AB20 AB41 AB42 AB43 AC23 AC43AE

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming method for processing a job input from the host computer by performing bidirectional communication with a host computer, wherein an operation instruction input for inputting an operation instruction from a user for the job is provided. A job end inquiry step for inquiring the host computer whether or not to end the job halfway when the job is suspended; and a response from the host computer to the inquiry of the job end inquiry step Receiving the job termination instruction, and if the response received in the job termination instruction step is an instruction to terminate the job halfway, the job is terminated and the job is not terminated. If it is the instruction of An image processing method characterized by comprising a job control step of holding the job until the operation instructions or operation instruction from the operation instruction input step. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the job control step includes: when no operation instruction is received from the host computer or the operation instruction input step for a preset time after receiving a response in the job end instruction step. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the suspended job is forcibly terminated in response to an instruction not to terminate the job. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the job control step includes: when no operation instruction is received from the host computer or the operation instruction input step for a preset time after receiving a response in the job end instruction step. Said job suspended by an instruction not to end the job,
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control information necessary for returning the job is read from a primary storage unit that stores the control information of the job being executed, and stored in another secondary storage unit. Method. 4. The job control step, when an operation instruction is received from the host computer or the operation instruction input step, the job stored in the secondary storage unit and a job required to restore the job. 4. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein control information is stored in the primary storage unit and processing is continued. 5. The job control step, wherein the host computer or the operation instruction input step is performed for a preset time after storing the job and control information necessary for returning the job in the secondary storage unit. 5. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein when no operation instruction is received from the secondary storage unit, the job and control information necessary for returning the job are deleted from the secondary storage unit. 6. An image forming apparatus connected to a host computer by a bidirectional communication means for processing a job input from the host computer, wherein the image forming apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body and an operation instruction from a user for the job is issued. An operation instruction input unit for inputting a command; and, when the job is temporarily stopped under the control of the image forming apparatus, a job end inquiry unit for inquiring the host computer whether or not to end the job halfway. A job end instruction receiving means for receiving a response from the host computer in response to the inquiry of the job end inquiry means; and if the response received by the job end instruction means is an instruction to end the job halfway. Is an instruction to end the job and not to end the job. In this case, the image processing apparatus characterized by comprising a job control means for holding the job until the operation instruction from the operation instruction or the operation instruction input means from the host computer. 7. The job control means, if no operation instruction is received from the host computer or the operation instruction input means for a preset time after receiving a response from the job end instruction means, The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the job that has been suspended is forcibly terminated by an instruction not to terminate the job. 8. The job control means, if no operation instruction is received from the host computer or the operation instruction input means for a preset time after receiving a response from the job end instruction means, The job held by the instruction not to end the job and the control information necessary for returning the job are read out from the primary storage unit for storing the control information of the running job and stored in another secondary storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: 9. When the job control unit receives an operation instruction from the host computer or the operation instruction input unit, the job control unit stores the job stored in the secondary storage unit and a job necessary for restoring the job. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein control information is stored in the primary storage unit and processing is continued. 10. The host computer or the operation instruction input unit, wherein the job control unit stores the job and control information necessary for returning the job in the secondary storage unit for a preset time. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when there is no operation instruction from the control unit, the job and control information necessary for returning the job are deleted from the secondary storage unit. 11. 11. A recording medium which is connected to a host computer by a two-way communication means and records a program for controlling an image forming apparatus which processes a job input from the host computer, the recording medium comprising: An operation instruction input step of inputting an operation instruction; a job end inquiry step of inquiring whether or not to end the job halfway when the job is temporarily stopped; and an inquiry of the job end inquiry step. Receiving a response from the host computer to the job termination instruction; and, if the response received in the job termination instruction step is an instruction to terminate the job halfway, terminate the job. If the instruction to not end the job , The computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing a job control step of holding the job to the computer operating instructions or until the operation instruction from the operation instruction input step from the host computer. 12. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus which is connected to a host computer by a two-way communication means and processes a job input from the host computer, and inputs an operation instruction from a user for the job. An operation instruction input step; a job end inquiry step for inquiring whether or not to end the job in the middle when the job is temporarily stopped; and A job end instruction receiving step of receiving a response of the job. If the response received in the job end instruction step is an instruction to end the job halfway, the job is ended and the job is ended. If not, the host Programs for executing the job control step in a computer to suspend the job until the operation instruction from the operation instruction or the operation instruction input step from computer.