JP5391710B2 - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that acquires document data and executes various jobs such as a print job, and a program thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus called a multifunction peripheral or MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) acquires document data and executes various jobs such as a print job. Jobs that the image forming apparatus acquires and executes document data include a fax transmission job and a network transmission job to a computer connected via a network in addition to a print job.

  In recent years, such image forming apparatuses that incorporate a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk device have become widespread. A plurality of storage areas called “BOX” and the like are set in the nonvolatile storage device, and each storage area is allocated for each user who uses the image forming apparatus, for example. Therefore, a user who uses the image forming apparatus can save document data or the like in a storage area allocated to the user in the image forming apparatus by operating his computer connected to the network.

  In such an image forming apparatus, there is conventionally known an apparatus that provides a storage area such as “BOX” with a function for automating various routine tasks (for example, Patent Document 1). According to the technique of Patent Document 1, in each storage area, means for registering conditions for stored data, means for registering processing for stored data when the conditions are satisfied, and when data is stored Means for determining conditions and determining processing.

JP 2006-203798 A

  However, in the case of the above-mentioned patent document 1, a routine work cannot be automatically processed when a process for data stored when a condition is satisfied is not registered in the storage area. For example, when document data is stored in a certain storage area, if no conditions are registered for the storage area, the processing for the document data cannot be performed automatically. Therefore, the document data stored in the storage area continues to be stored in the storage area unless any operation is performed by the user.

  On the other hand, a user who saved document data in the storage area can execute a print job based on the document data by operating the image forming apparatus. Thus, since the user can obtain a printed output obtained by printing the document data, there is a case where the user wants to delete the document data from the storage area after the job is executed in the image forming apparatus. In such a case, if the condition as in Patent Document 1 is not registered in the storage area, the user operates the image forming apparatus again after the print job in the image forming apparatus is completed, and the storage allocated to the user. It is necessary to access the area, find out the printed document data from the document data stored in the area, and manually delete the document data. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation for deleting the document data after printing is complicated and lacks convenience.

  In recent image forming apparatuses, an external storage device such as a USB memory can be connected, and document data stored in the image forming apparatus can be directly read and a print job or a transmission job can be performed. However, the technique of Patent Document 1 cannot set conditions for automating processing for such an external storage device. Therefore, after the image forming apparatus reads the document data from the external storage device and executes the job, if the user wants to delete the document data from the external storage device, the external storage device is disconnected from the image forming apparatus and The document data deletion operation must be performed separately after connecting to a computer or the like. Therefore, also in this case, there is a problem that the operation for deleting the document data is complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-described problems, and it is not necessary to perform a complicated operation when a user wants to delete the document data after executing a job based on the document data, and efficiently. An image forming apparatus capable of deleting unnecessary document data and a program therefor are provided.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus, wherein display means capable of displaying various information to a user, operation input means for accepting an input operation by the user, Document data acquisition means for acquiring document data designated via the operation input means, storage means having a storage area for storing the document data, and execution of a job based on the document data stored in the storage area Connected to an adding means for generating and adding deletion processing setting information indicating whether or not to delete the document data later to each document data stored in the storage area, and an external storage device for storing the document data interface and deletion processing setting probability that the deletion processing setting information to the document data to which the document data acquisition unit has acquired to confirm whether it is added to And means, when the document data to be the designated is determined to be the document data stored in the storage unit performs confirmation by the deletion setting confirmation means, when the deletion processing setting information is added If it is confirmed , processing corresponding to the deletion processing setting information is performed after execution of the job based on the document data, and if the deletion processing setting information is not added, whether or not to delete the document data A selection screen is displayed on the display means and a selection operation is accepted via the operation input means. After the job based on the document data is executed, processing corresponding to the selection operation is performed , and the designated document data is If it is determined that the document data is stored in the external storage device, whether or not to delete the document data without performing confirmation by the deletion processing setting confirmation unit Accepting a selection operation of the selection screen via the operation input means and displays on the display means performs a process according to the selection operation after execution of the job based on the document data, further comprising a document data management means It is a feature.

Such invention in claim 2, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document data management unit performs the preview display on the display device based on the document data to which the document data acquisition means has acquired, the document When the deletion processing setting information is not added to the data, a selection screen as to whether or not to delete the document data is displayed on the display means along with the preview display.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, to remove the document data when the job execution is performed based on the document data stored in the previous term memory area A document deletion condition indicating whether or not the storage means or the storage area can be set, and the deletion processing setting information is added to the document data acquired from the storage area by the document data acquisition means. And when the document deletion condition is set for the storage unit or the storage area from which the document data acquisition unit has acquired the document data, the document data management unit is configured according to a preset priority order. A process after execution of a job based on the document data is performed based on either the deletion process setting information or the document deletion condition.

The invention according to claim 4 is a display means capable of displaying various information to the user, an operation input means for receiving an input operation by the user , a storage means having a storage area for storing document data, A program executed by a computer of an image forming apparatus that executes a job based on the document data , the interface being connected to an external storage device that stores the document data, the computer via the operation input unit Document data acquisition means for acquiring specified document data, deletion processing setting information indicating whether or not to delete the document data after execution of a job based on the document data stored in the storage area, in the storage area adding means for generating and adding to each of the document data stored document de of the document data acquiring means acquires Deletion setting confirmation means for the deletion processing setting information to the data to confirm whether it is added, when the document data to be the designated is determined to be the document data stored in the storage means, the Confirmation by the deletion processing setting confirmation means is performed, and if it is confirmed that the deletion processing setting information is added, after executing a job based on the document data, processing according to the deletion processing setting information is performed, and the deletion When the processing setting information is not added, a selection screen as to whether or not to delete the document data is displayed on the display means, and a selection operation is accepted via the operation input means, and a job based on the document data is received. performs the according to the selected operation process after execution, when the document data to be the designated is determined to be the document data stored in the external storage device A confirmation screen for determining whether or not to delete the document data is displayed on the display means without confirmation by the deletion processing setting confirmation means, and a selection operation is accepted via the operation input means, and a job based on the document data It is characterized by functioning as document data management means for performing processing in accordance with the selection operation after execution of .

  According to the present invention, when a job based on document data is executed using an image forming apparatus, the user deletes the document data even if the user does not need the document data after executing the job. Therefore, unnecessary document data can be deleted efficiently in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the operability for deleting unnecessary document data after job execution is significantly improved as compared with the prior art.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system including an image forming apparatus shown as an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the document deletion conditions which can be set with respect to the memory | storage part or the memory area of a memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the deletion process setting information which can be added with respect to the document data preserve | saved at a memory | storage part. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions realized when a CPU of an image forming apparatus executes a program. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen displayed on a display part when document data are read from a memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen displayed on a display part when document data are read from an external storage device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when a job based on document data is executed in the image forming apparatus. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of internal document processing in the flowchart of FIG. 8. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of external document processing (step S4) in the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the process procedure different from the process part F in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of internal document processing different from FIG. 9. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of internal document processing different from FIG. 9.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system including an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus generally called a multifunction peripheral or MFP, and has an image reading unit 10 in the upper part of the apparatus main body and an image forming part 13 in the lower part. The image reading unit 10 includes a scanner unit 11 that reads an image of a document, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 12 that automatically transports a plurality of set documents to the scanner unit 11 one by one. The image forming unit 13 includes a printer unit 14 that forms an image by transferring a toner image onto a printing medium such as paper, and a paper feeding unit 15 that supplies the printing medium to the printer unit 14 one by one. I have. By operating these units, the image forming apparatus 1 can use various functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, and a scanner function, and various jobs such as a scan job, a print job, a FAX transmission job, and a network transmission job. The job specified by the user is executed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 16 that can be operated by the user on the front side of the scanner unit 11. The operation panel 16 includes a display unit 17 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various types of information to the user, touch panel keys arranged on the surface of the display unit 17, and a push button type arranged around the display unit 17. And an operation input unit 18 including the operation keys. The operation input unit 18 is for accepting an input operation by a user and inputting it to the image forming apparatus 1.

  A USB interface 19 is provided on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1. The USB interface 19 is an interface (connection means) for detachably connecting a USB memory 7 which is a kind of external storage device. The USB memory 7 stores, for example, document data 30 that is a job execution target in the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can read the document data 30 stored in the USB memory 7 and execute a job such as a print job as it is.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a network 2 such as a LAN and to a communication network 6 such as a telephone line. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can perform data communication with the computer 3 and the document management server 4 connected to the network 2 and can transmit and receive FAX data to and from other image forming apparatuses via the communication network 6. It can be carried out.

  The computer 3 connected to the network 2 is a general computer such as a personal computer assigned to each user. The document management server 4 is a kind of external storage device having a hard disk device 5 and is a device for storing document data 30 input from the computer 3 or the like. The image forming apparatus 1 can access the hard disk device 5 of the document management server 4 via the network 2, read the document data 30 stored therein, and execute a job such as a print job. It is configured.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a FAX communication unit 24, a network interface 25, and a storage unit 26 in addition to the above-described image reading unit 10, image forming unit 13, operation panel 16 and USB interface 19. These components are connected to each other via the data bus 8 so that data can be transmitted and received between them. The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 constitute a control computer 20 provided inside the image forming apparatus 1.

  The CPU 10 controls various operations in the image forming apparatus 1 by reading and executing the program 27 stored in the storage unit 26. The ROM 11 stores various control parameters and screen information to be displayed on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16. The RAM 12 functions as a work area of the CPU 10 by storing temporary data when the CPU 10 executes various processes. The FAX communication unit 24 is a processing unit for performing transmission / reception of FAX data via the communication network 6. The network interface 25 is an interface (connection means) for connecting to the computer 3 and the document management server 4 via the network 9. The storage unit 26 is a storage unit configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk device.

  The storage unit 26 stores the program 27 described above. The storage unit 26 stores a document deletion condition 28 as necessary. Further, the storage unit 26 is provided with a storage area 29 called a BOX (box) or the like. A plurality of storage areas 29 can be set for the storage unit 26. For example, the storage areas 29 can be set as individual storage areas individually assigned to users who use the image forming apparatus 1, or shared by a plurality of users. And can be set as a storage area for use. The storage area 29 stores document data 30 or the like to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the storage area 29 stores document data read from a document by the image reading unit 10 or a computer via the network 2. 3, document data input from the document management server 4, document data input from the USB memory 7, or document data received via the communication network 6 can be stored. .

  The document deletion condition 28 is condition information for setting whether or not to delete the document data 30 that is the execution target of the job after the job based on the document data 30 stored in the storage unit 26 is executed. The document deletion condition 28 can be set for the entire storage unit 26 (that is, all the storage areas 29) and can be set individually for each storage area 29.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the document deletion condition 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the document deletion condition 28 includes a storage area to be set, a set value of processing after executing a job based on document data stored in the storage area, information on a condition setter, Is associated information. In the case of the example in the figure, the setting for all the storage areas 29 is performed by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1, but nothing is set as processing after job execution. In addition, setting for one storage area A is performed by the user A, and it is set not to delete the document data 30 as processing after job execution. Furthermore, although setting for another storage area B is performed by the user B, nothing is set as processing after job execution.

  When such a document deletion condition 28 is set in the storage area 29, the image forming apparatus 1 reads the document data from the storage area 29 and executes a job such as a print job, and then is set in the storage area 29. The document data 30 can be processed based on the set value of the document deletion condition 28. For example, if “delete” is set as a setting value for processing after job execution, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically deletes the document data 30 after job execution. If “do not delete” is set as the setting value of the processing after the job is executed, the image forming apparatus 1 continues the state in which the document data 30 is stored in the storage area 29 even after the job is executed. Further, if the setting value of the processing after the job execution is “no setting”, it means that whether or not to delete the document data is not set, so the image forming apparatus 1 does not delete the document even after the job execution. The storage state of the data 30 is continued.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can add the deletion processing setting information 31 as individual additional information to the document data 30 stored in the storage area 29 of the storage unit 26. . The deletion process setting information 31 is information describing whether or not to delete the document data 30 when the job is executed based on the added document data 30. In the example of FIG. 2, the deletion processing setting information 31 is not added to one document data 30a out of the two document data 30 (30a, 30b) stored in the storage area 29, and the other The case where the deletion process setting information 31 is added to the document data 30b is illustrated. Such deletion process setting information 31 is generated based on the setting of the deletion process set by the user when the document data 30 is stored and saved in the storage area 29 designated by the user. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 generates the deletion process setting information 31 based on the user's setting operation, and stores the deletion process setting information 31 in the storage area 29 with the document data 30 added. On the other hand, if the user does not set the deletion process when saving the document data 30, the image forming apparatus 1 does not generate the deletion process setting information 31, and the document data 30 is stored in the storage area 29 alone. Saved in. The deletion process setting by the user can be performed, for example, by operating the operation panel 16 when saving document data.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the deletion process setting information 31 added to the document data 30. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the deletion processing setting information 31 is performed after the execution of the job when the image forming apparatus 1 executes a job such as a print job based on the added document data 30. Information indicating whether or not the document data 30 is deleted as processing is stored as a setting value. Therefore, if the deletion processing setting information 31 is added to the document data 30, the image forming apparatus 1 does not set the document deletion condition 28 in the storage area 29 in which the document data 30 is stored. Based on the deletion processing setting information 31 added to the document data 30, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not to delete the document data 30 after execution of the job, and to perform processing on the document data 30. For example, since the setting value of the deletion process setting information 31 shown in FIG. 4A is “not deleted”, the document data 30 to which the deletion process setting information 31 is added is stored in the storage area even after the job is executed. The saved state is continued without being deleted from 29. Further, since the setting value of the deletion process setting information 31 shown in FIG. 4A is “delete”, the document data 30 to which the deletion process setting information 31 is added is stored in the storage area 29 after the job is executed. It will be deleted automatically.

  When such deletion processing setting information 31 is added to the document data 30, for example, even when the document deletion condition 28 is not set in the storage area 29 where the document data 30 is stored, the image forming apparatus 1, after reading out the document data 30 from the storage area 29 and executing a job such as a print job, the document data 30 is processed based on the setting value of the deletion processing setting information 31 added to the document data 30. be able to. For example, if “delete” is set as the setting value of the deletion processing setting information 31, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically deletes the document data 30 after executing the job. If “do not delete” is set as the setting value of the deletion processing setting information 31, the image forming apparatus 1 continues to store the document data 30 in the storage area 29 even after the job is executed.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating functions realized by the CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 5 mainly shows a function for processing the document data 30. The CPU 21 reads out and executes the program 27 stored in the storage unit 26, thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, a document data acquisition unit 41, a deletion processing setting confirmation unit 42, a document data management unit 43, and a job control unit 44. Function as.

  The document data acquisition unit 41 is a processing unit that reads and acquires the document data 30 from a storage destination designated by the user via the operation panel 16. In the example shown in the figure, the document data 30 stored in the storage unit 26 is acquired. However, the document data acquisition unit 41 also includes, for example, a USB memory 7 that is an external storage device, document management, and the like. The document data 30 can be read and acquired from the hard disk device 5 of the server 4. Then, the document data acquisition unit 41 stores the document data 30 read from the designated storage destination in the RAM 23. The document data 30 stored in the RAM 23 is a job execution target in the image forming apparatus 1. Further, when the deletion process setting information 31 is added to the document data 30 read and acquired from the designated storage location, the document data acquisition unit 41 acquires the deletion process setting information 31 together with the document data 30. When the document data acquisition unit 41 acquires the deletion process setting information 31, for example, the deletion process setting information 31 may be stored in the RAM 23 together with the document data 30.

  The deletion processing setting confirmation unit 42 is a processing unit that confirms whether or not the deletion processing setting information 31 is added to the document data 30 acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41. When the deletion processing setting information 31 is added to the document data 30 acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41, the deletion processing setting confirmation unit 42 further checks the setting value of the deletion processing setting information 31 and executes the job. It is determined whether the process is “delete” or “do not delete”. Then, the confirmation result is output to the document data management unit 43.

  The document data management unit 43 determines whether or not to delete the storage destination document data 30 acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41 after the image forming apparatus 1 executes a job based on the document data 30 stored in the RAM 23. A processing unit that determines a process and executes the process.

  For example, even if the document deletion condition 28 is not set in the storage area 29 where the document data 30 is stored, if the deletion processing setting information 31 is added to the document data 30, the document data management unit 43 Whether to delete the document data 30 can be determined based on the deletion processing setting information 31. Even when the deletion processing setting information 31 is not added to the document data 30, if the document deletion condition 28 is set in the storage area 29 where the document data 30 is stored, the document data management unit 43 Whether or not the document data 30 is to be deleted can be determined based on the document deletion condition 28.

  However, if the document deletion condition 28 is not set in the storage area 29 in which the document data 30 is stored and the deletion processing setting information 31 for the document data 30 is not added, whether or not to delete the document data 30 is determined. Information for determining the process is not set in advance.

  Therefore, if the document deletion condition 28 is not set in the storage area 29 in which the document data 30 is stored, and the deletion processing setting information 31 for the document data 30 is not added, the document data management unit 43 determines the job. A screen for selecting whether or not to delete the document data 30 after execution is displayed on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16 to prompt the user to select whether or not to delete the document data 30. A selection operation by the user is accepted via the operation input unit 18, and after the job based on the document data 30 is executed, a process corresponding to the selection operation is performed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen displayed on the display unit 17 at this time. A selection screen 51 illustrated in FIG. 6 is a screen displayed when the document data acquisition unit 41 acquires the document data 30 from the storage unit 26 provided in the image forming apparatus 1. On the selection screen 51, a display indicating that the handling of the document data 30 after job execution is not set is performed. Then, the user is prompted to perform a selection operation. The selection screen 51 also includes a delete button 52 for instructing to delete the document data 30 after the job is executed, and an instruction to keep the document data 30 without being deleted after the job is executed. A save button 53 is displayed, and a hold button 54 for instructing not to set the handling of the document data 30 this time is displayed. Therefore, when the selection screen 51 is displayed, the user selects and operates any one of the delete button 52, the save button 53, and the hold button 54.

  For example, when the delete button 52 is selected by the user, the document data management unit 43 saves the document data 30 after a job based on the document data 30 stored in the RAM 23 is executed in the image forming apparatus 1. The corresponding document data 30 is automatically deleted from the storage area 29 of the storage unit 26. Therefore, the user does not need to perform an operation for deleting the document data 30 stored in the storage area 29 by operating the operation panel 16 after the job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, and the unnecessary document data is efficiently stored. 30 can be deleted.

  When the save button 53 is selected by the user, the document data management unit 43 generates the deletion process setting information 31 with the setting value “not deleted”, and the storage unit 26 in which the document data 30 is stored. And delete processing setting information 31 is added to the corresponding document data 30. After the job based on the document data 30 stored in the RAM 23 is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the corresponding document data 30 is continuously stored in the storage area 29 of the storage unit 26 where the document data 30 is stored. To do. In this case, when the same document data 30 is acquired next time by the document data acquisition unit 41, the selection screen 51 is not displayed because the deletion processing setting information 31 is added at that time.

  Further, when the user presses the hold button 54, the document data management unit 43 does not execute the job based on the document data 30 stored in the RAM 23, but the document data 30 stored in the original storage destination. The processing for is not performed. Therefore, also in this case, the corresponding document data 30 is continuously stored in the storage area 29 of the storage unit 26. However, in this case, since the deletion process setting information 31 is not added to the document data 30 stored in the storage area 29, the next time the same document data 30 is acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41, at that time Again, the selection screen 51 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 17.

  Further, when an external storage device such as the USB memory 7 or the hard disk device 5 of the document management server 4 is designated as the storage destination of the document data 30, the image forming apparatus 1 stores the document data 30 stored in the external storage device. In some cases, the job is acquired and executed. Since the document data 30 stored in such an external storage device is not data used only by the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 presets a document deletion condition 28 for such an external storage device. It is difficult to add the deletion processing setting information 31 to the document data 30 stored in the external storage device. Therefore, when the document data acquisition unit 41 acquires the document data 30 from the external storage device, the document deletion condition 28 is not set in the external storage device in which the document data 30 is stored, and the document data 30 The deletion process setting information 31 is not added.

  In such a case, the document data management unit 43 displays a selection screen for selecting whether or not to delete the document data 30 from the external storage device after executing a job based on the document data 30 acquired from the external storage device. The message is displayed on the display unit 17 and prompts the user to select whether or not to delete the document data 30. A selection operation by the user is accepted via the operation input unit 18, and after the job based on the document data 30 is executed, a process corresponding to the selection operation is performed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen 55 displayed on the display unit 17 at this time. A selection screen 55 illustrated in FIG. 7 is a screen displayed when the document data acquisition unit 41 acquires the document data 30 from an external storage device such as the USB memory 7 or the hard disk device 5 of the document management server 4. The selection screen 55 displays whether the document data 30 has been acquired from the external storage device, and whether or not to delete the document data 30 from the external storage device after executing a job based on the acquired document data 30. Inquiries are displayed, prompting the user to perform a selection operation. The selection screen 51 also includes a delete button 56 for instructing to delete the document data 30 after the job is executed, and an instruction to keep the document data 30 without being deleted after the job is executed. A save button 57 is displayed. When such a selection screen 55 is displayed, the user selects and operates either the delete button 56 or the save button 57.

  For example, when the user selects and operates the delete button 56, the document data management unit 43 executes the job based on the document data 30 acquired from the external storage device and stored in the RAM 23, and then the document data 30 The corresponding document data 30 is automatically deleted from the external storage device in which is stored. Therefore, the user does not need to separately perform an operation for deleting the document data 30 stored in the external storage device after executing the job in the image forming apparatus 1, and can efficiently delete the unnecessary document data 30. become able to.

  Further, when the user selects and operates the save button 57, the document data management unit 43 sets the original storage destination external storage device even if a job based on the document data 30 stored in the RAM 23 is executed. Processing for the stored document data 30 is not performed. Therefore, in this case, the corresponding document data 30 is continuously stored in the external storage device. Then, when the document data 30 stored in the external storage device is acquired again by the document data acquisition unit 41, the selection screen 55 as shown in FIG. become.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the job control unit 44 is a processing unit that executes a job specified by the user based on the document data 30 acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41 and stored in the RAM 23. When the user presses a start key included in the operation input unit 18 of the operation panel 16, the job control unit 44 starts job execution control based on the start key pressing operation. At this time, the job control unit 44 reads the document data 30 stored in the RAM 23, performs data processing as necessary, and then transfers the document data 30 to the image forming unit 13, FAX communication unit 24, or network interface 25. Output. For example, when the job designated by the user is a print job, the job control unit 44 outputs the document data 30 to the printer unit 14 of the image forming unit 13 and drives the printer unit 14 and the paper feeding unit 15. Control to perform print output. If the job specified by the user is a FAX transmission job, the job control unit 44 outputs the document data 30 to the FAX communication unit 24, and the FAX communication unit 24 performs FAX transmission to the destination specified by the user. Control to do. Further, when the job designated by the user is a network transmission job, the job control unit 44 outputs the document data 30 to the network interface 25 and sends the document data 30 to the destination designated by the user via the network 2. To control.

  When the job control unit 44 completes the execution of the job designated by the user, the job control unit 44 outputs a signal indicating that the job execution has ended to the document data management unit 43. When the document data management unit 43 receives the signal from the job control unit 44, the document data management unit 43 recognizes that the execution of the job designated by the user in the image forming apparatus 1 has ended. Then, as described above, the document data management unit 43 executes processing for the document data 30 based on the determination result of whether or not to delete the document data 30.

  Next, a specific operation in the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. FIGS. 8 to 10 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a processing procedure when a job based on the document data 30 is executed in the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to this flowchart.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the user has instructed reading of the document data 30 (step S1). Wait until an instruction is given (NO in step S1). When the user instructs reading of the document data 30, a storage destination of the document data 30 to be read is specified. Therefore, when an instruction to read out the document data 30 is issued (YES in step S1), the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the document data 30 to be read is data stored in the storage unit 26 ( Step S2). As a result, if the document data 30 is stored in the storage unit 26, the process proceeds to internal document processing (step S3). If the document data is stored in the external storage device, the process proceeds to external document processing (step S4).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the internal document processing (step S3). This flowchart exemplifies processing when the document deletion condition 28 is not set for the storage unit 26. In the internal document processing (step S3), in the CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 1, the document data acquisition unit 41 functions to access the storage unit 26 and read the document data 30 from the recording area 29 designated by the user. Is performed (step S11). When the document data acquisition unit 41 acquires the specified document data 30, the document data 30 is stored in the RAM 23. In the CPU 21, the deletion process setting confirmation unit 42 functions to determine whether or not the deletion process setting information 31 is added to the document data 30 acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41 (step S 12).

  If the deletion process setting information 31 is added (YES in step S12), the deletion process setting confirmation unit 42 confirms the set value (step S14). If the set value is “delete” (YES in step S14), the document data management unit 43 functions in the CPU 21 to turn on the deletion flag (step S15). On the other hand, if the set value is “do not delete”, the process of step S15 is skipped. In this case, the deletion flag is turned off. In step S16, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a job execution instruction has been issued by the user in the CPU 21 (step S16). Wait until the user gives a job execution instruction (NO in step S16). When the user gives a job execution instruction (YES in step S16), the job control unit 44 reads the document data 30 in the RAM 23 and starts executing the job designated by the user (step S17). After the execution of the job is finished, the document data management unit 43 of the CPU 21 functions again and determines whether or not the deletion flag is on (step S18). If the deletion flag is on (YES in step S18), the document data management unit 43 accesses the storage area 29 that is the storage source of the document data 30, and deletes the document data 30 stored there. (Step S19). If the deletion flag is off (NO in step S18), the document data management unit 43 ends the process without deleting the document data 30 in the storage area 29.

  On the other hand, when the deletion process setting information 31 is not added to the document data 30 acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41 (NO in step S12), the document data management unit 43 selects a document based on the acquired document data 30. The image is preview-displayed on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16 (step S20). With this preview display, the user can confirm the contents of the designated document data 30. Such a preview display may be performed between steps S11 and S12 described above. Then, the document data management unit 43 displays the selection screen 51 as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16 (step S21). When the document data management unit 43 displays the selection screen 51, the document data management unit 43 receives a selection operation by the user. Then, it is determined whether or not the delete button 52 displayed as “Yes. Delete” is selected (step S22). If the delete button 52 is selected (YES in step S22), the process proceeds to step S22. Proceeding to S15, the deletion flag is turned on. Then, the process proceeds to step S16, and the same processing as described above is executed. In this case, since the deletion flag is on, YES is obtained in step S18 after the job is executed, and the document data 30 is deleted from the storage area 29.

  If the button selected by the user is not the delete button 52, the document data management unit 43 determines whether or not the save button 53 displayed as “No. Do not delete” has been selected (step S23). If the user has not selected the save button 53 (NO in step S23), the process proceeds to step S16, and thereafter, the same processing as described above is executed. In this case, since the deletion flag is OFF, after execution of the job, NO is determined in step S18, and the process ends without deleting the document data 30 from the storage area 29.

  On the other hand, when the user selects the save button 53 (YES in step S23), the document data management unit 43 creates the deletion process setting information 31 with the setting value “not deleted”, and the deletion process setting information 31. Is added to the document data 30 stored in the storage area 29 (step S24). Then, the process proceeds to step S16, and thereafter, the same processing as described above is executed. Also in this case, since the deletion flag is OFF, after execution of the job, NO is determined in step S18, and the processing ends without deleting the document data 30 from the storage area 29.

  As described above, in the internal document processing (step S3) shown in FIG. 9, when the deletion processing setting information 31 is added to the document data 30 acquired by the image forming apparatus 1, after the job based on the document data 30 is executed, The document data management unit 43 performs processing according to the deletion processing setting information 31. If the deletion process setting information 31 is not added to the document data 30 acquired by the image forming apparatus 1, a selection screen 51 for determining whether or not to delete the document data 30 is displayed on the display unit 17 and the operation is performed. A selection operation by the user is accepted via the input unit 18, and after the job based on the document data 30 is executed, a process corresponding to the selection operation is performed. Therefore, after the job in the image forming apparatus 1 is executed, the user does not need to perform a complicated operation by manually operating the operation panel 16 in order to delete the unnecessary document data 30. Since the image forming apparatus 1 automatically and efficiently deletes document data 30 unnecessary for the user after executing the job, the operability of the image forming apparatus 1 is remarkably improved and excellent convenience is exhibited.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of the external document processing (step S4). When proceeding to the external document processing (step S4), in the CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 1, the document data acquisition unit 41 functions to access the storage unit 26, and reads the document data 30 from the external storage device designated by the user. Is performed (step S31). For example, when the USB memory 7 is designated by the user, the document data 30 is acquired from the USB memory 7. If the hard disk device 5 of the document management server 4 is designated, the designated folder or the like of the hard disk device 5 is accessed via the network 2 and the document data 30 designated by the user is acquired. . When the document data acquisition unit 41 acquires the document data 30 from the external storage device, the document data 30 is stored in the RAM 23.

  Here, in the case of external document processing (step S4), since the deletion processing setting information 31 is not added to the acquired document data 30, when the document data 30 is acquired from the external storage device, the CPU 21 reads the document. The data management unit 43 functions to display a preview of the document image based on the acquired document data 30 on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16 (step S32). With this preview display, the user can confirm the contents of the designated document data 30. After the preview display, the document data management unit 43 displays the selection screen 55 as shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16 (step S33). When the document data management unit 43 displays the selection screen 55, the document data management unit 43 receives a selection operation by the user. Then, it is determined whether or not the delete button 56 displayed as “Yes. Delete” has been selected (step S34). If the delete button 56 has been selected (YES in step S34), the delete button 56 is deleted. The flag is turned on (step S35). On the other hand, when the save button 57 is selected and operated instead of the delete button 56 (NO in step S34), the process of step S35 is skipped, so the delete flag is turned off.

  In the CPU 21, the job control unit 44 functions to determine whether or not a job execution instruction has been issued by the user (step S36). Here, the process waits until the user gives a job execution instruction (NO in step S36). If the user gives a job execution instruction (YES in step S36), the job control unit 44 reads the document data 30 in the RAM 23 and starts executing the job specified by the user (step S37). After the execution of the job is completed, the document data management unit 43 of the CPU 21 functions again to determine whether or not the deletion flag is on (step S38). If the deletion flag is on (YES in step S38), the document data management unit 43 accesses the external storage device that is the storage source of the document data 30, and deletes the document data 30 stored there. (Step S39). If the deletion flag is off (NO in step S38), the document data management unit 43 ends the processing as it is without deleting the document data 30 in the external storage device.

  As described above, in the external document processing (step S4) shown in FIG. 10, when the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the document data 30 from the external storage device, the document data management unit 43 performs external processing after executing the job based on the document data 30. A selection screen 55 for selecting whether or not to delete the document data 30 stored in the storage device is displayed. After the job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the document data management unit 43 performs a process corresponding to the user's selection operation performed on the selection screen 55. Therefore, after the job in the image forming apparatus 1 is executed, the user performs a complicated erasing operation such as operating his / her computer in order to delete the document data 30 that is no longer required to be stored in the external storage device. There is no need to do it. Since the image forming apparatus 1 automatically and efficiently deletes the document data 30 that is no longer necessary for the user after the job is executed, the image forming apparatus 1 exhibits excellent convenience.

  Next, regarding the processing procedure of the internal document processing (step S3) shown in FIG. 9, a processing procedure different from the processing procedure described above will be described. In the flowchart of the internal document processing (step S3) shown in FIG. 9, the processing part of steps S16 to S19, that is, the processing part F surrounded by a broken line in the figure may be a processing procedure as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure different from the processing portion F in the flowchart of FIG. 9. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 11 includes a processing procedure in the case where the user instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to end the process without instructing the execution of the job. Hereinafter, this processing procedure will be described in detail.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 is waiting for a job execution instruction from the user, the job control unit 44 determines whether or not a job execution instruction has been issued (step S16). Further, it is determined whether or not an end instruction has been issued (step S41). When the user gives an instruction to execute a job in this standby state (YES in step S16), the processes in steps S17, S18, and S19 similar to those in FIG. 9 are sequentially performed.

  On the other hand, when the user gives an end instruction by operating the cancel key, the reset key, or the like in the standby state (YES in step S41), the document data management unit 43 functions in the CPU 21. The document data management unit 43 determines whether or not the deletion flag is on (step S42). If the deletion flag is on (YES in step S42), the deletion processing setting information 31 is added to the document data 30. It is determined whether it has been performed (step S43). If the deletion process setting information 31 is not added to the document data 30 (NO in step S43), the document data management unit 43 sets the deletion process setting whose setting value to be added to the document data 30 is “delete”. Information 31 is newly created (step S44). On the other hand, if the deletion flag is off (NO in step S42), the processes in steps S43 and S44 are skipped. If the deletion process setting information 31 has already been added to the document data 30 (YES in step S43), the process of step S44 is skipped. Then, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, the document data management unit 43 determines whether or not the deletion process setting information 31 has been created. If the deletion process setting information 31 has been created (YES in step S45), the created deletion process information 31 is determined. The process setting information 31 is added to the document data 30 stored in the storage area 29 of the storage unit 26 (step S46). If the deletion process setting information 31 has not been created, the process of step S46 is not performed. Then, the process ends.

  By applying the processing procedure of FIG. 11 as described above, the deletion process setting information 31 is not added to the document data 30 acquired by the user's instruction, and a job based on the acquired document data 30 is executed. If not, the document data management unit 43 can add the deletion process setting information 31 to the document data 30 and end the process. Accordingly, when the same document data 30 is acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41 after the next time, the deletion process setting information 31 is added at that time, so the document data management unit 43 has the deletion process setting information 31. It becomes possible to perform processing based on the set value.

  Next, a processing procedure different from the processing procedure described above with respect to the processing procedure of the internal document processing (step S3) shown in FIG. 9 will be described. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing an example of a detailed processing procedure of internal document processing (step S3) different from FIG. This flowchart exemplifies a procedure for determining processing for document data 30 after job execution based on a preset priority when the document deletion condition 28 is set for the storage unit 26. The processing portion F shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is a portion to which the same processing as that of any of the processing portions F shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 is applied. Hereinafter, the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described in detail.

  When the process proceeds to the internal document processing (step S3) in FIG. 12, in the CPU 21 of the image forming apparatus 1, the document data acquisition unit 41 functions to access the storage unit 26, and the document data 30 from the recording area 29 designated by the user. Is read (step S51). When the document data acquisition unit 41 acquires the specified document data 30, the document data 30 is stored in the RAM 23. In the CPU 21, the deletion processing setting confirmation unit 42 functions, and the deletion processing setting confirmation unit 42 determines whether or not the document deletion condition 28 is set for the storage area 29 from which the document data 30 is read (step S 52). ). If the document deletion condition 28 is set in the storage area 29 (YES in step S52), it is determined whether or not the setting is made by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S53). This determination can be made by referring to the condition setter column of the document deletion condition 28. If the setting is made by the administrator (YES in step S53), the deletion processing setting confirmation unit 42 reads the setting value of the document deletion condition 28 set by the administrator (step S54).

  On the other hand, when the document deletion condition 28 is set for the storage area 29, but the setting person is not the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 but a non-administrator (for example, a general user) (NO in step S53). ), The deletion process setting confirmation unit 42 determines whether or not the deletion process setting information 31 is added to the acquired document data 30 (step S55). When the deletion process setting information 31 is not added to the acquired document data 30 (NO in step S55), the deletion process setting confirmation unit 42 reads the setting value of the document deletion condition 28 set by the non-administrator ( Step S56). On the other hand, when the deletion process setting information 31 is added to the document data 30 acquired by the document data acquisition unit 41 (YES in step S55), the deletion process setting confirmation unit 42 sets the deletion process setting information 31. The value is read (step S58).

  If the document deletion condition 28 is not set for the storage area 29 (NO in step S52), the deletion processing setting confirmation unit 42 determines whether the deletion processing setting information 31 is added to the acquired document data 30. It is determined whether or not (step S57). When the deletion process setting information 31 is added to the acquired document data 30 (YES in step S57), the deletion process setting confirmation unit 42 reads the setting value of the deletion process setting information 31 (step S58).

  When the setting value is read in any one of steps S54, S56, and S58, the deletion process setting confirmation unit 42 confirms the setting value (step S59). If the set value is “delete” (YES in step S59), the document data management unit 43 functions in the CPU 21 to turn on the deletion flag (step S60). On the other hand, when the set value is not “delete” (NO in step S59), the process of step S60 is skipped. In this case, the deletion flag is turned off. Then, the process proceeds to the process part F, and the process of the process part F shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 11 is executed.

  On the other hand, when the deletion process setting information 31 is not set in step S57 (NO in step S57), the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. Then, the document data management unit 43 displays a preview of the document image based on the acquired document data 30 on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16 (step S61), and then selects the selection screen 51 (on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16). 6) is displayed (step S62). When displaying the selection screen 51, the document data management unit 43 accepts a selection operation by the user, determines whether or not the deletion button 52 displayed as “Yes. Delete” is selected (step S63). If the delete button 52 has been selected (YES in step S63), the process proceeds to step S60 in FIG. 12 to turn on the delete flag. Thereafter, the processing of the processing portion F is executed.

  If the button selected by the user is not the delete button 52 (NO in step S63), the document data management unit 43 determines whether or not the save button 53 displayed as “No. Do not delete” has been selected. (Step S64). If the user has not selected the save button 53 (NO in step S64), the process proceeds to the processing portion F shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the user selects the save button 53 (YES in step S64), the document data management unit 43 creates the deletion process setting information 31 with the setting value “not deleted” (step S65). Then, the process proceeds to the processing portion F shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the processing procedure shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the document deletion condition 28 is set in the storage area 29 in which the document data 30 is stored, the setting is made by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1. If there is, the setting value of the document deletion condition 28 is preferentially applied, and it is determined whether or not to delete the document data 30 stored in the storage area 29 after the job is executed. Even when the document deletion condition 28 is set in the storage area 29, if the setting is not made by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 but by a non-administrator, the document data 30 is deleted. It is confirmed whether or not the process setting information 31 is added. If it is added, the setting value of the deletion process setting information 31 is applied. When the deletion processing setting information 31 is not added to the document data 30, the setting value of the document deletion condition 28 set by the non-administrator is applied.

  When the document deletion condition 28 is set by the administrator, the setting value by the administrator is preferentially applied, so that the setting regarding the handling of the document data 30 in the image forming apparatus 1 is different from the setting performed by the administrator. It is possible to prevent the setting from being applied, and it is possible to perform integrated data management by the administrator setting. If the document deletion condition 28 by the administrator is not set, the setting value of the deletion processing setting information 31 set individually for the document data 30 by the user is preferentially applied to the document data 30. Processing that preferentially reflects the user's intention can be performed. However, when the document deletion condition 28 is not set by the administrator, the setting value of the deletion processing setting information 31 is not necessarily limited to priority application, and the document deletion condition 28 set by the non-administrator is set. If so, the set value may be prioritized.

  In particular, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the document deletion condition 28 is not set for the storage area 29 in which the document data 30 is stored, and also for the document data 30 itself. When the deletion processing setting information 31 is not added, a selection screen 51 for inquiring whether or not to delete the document data 30 stored in the storage area 29 or the external storage device after the job based on the document data 30 is executed. Alternatively, 55 is displayed on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16 to accept a selection operation by the user. After the job based on the document data 30 is executed, processing corresponding to the selection operation performed by the user is performed. That is, if the user has selected to delete the document data 30 after the job is executed, the image forming apparatus 1 stores the storage location (the storage area of the storage unit 26) where the document data 30 is stored after the job is executed. 29 or the external storage device). If the user has selected to save the document data 30 after the job is executed, the image forming apparatus 1 stores the document data 30 after the job is executed (a storage area 29 of the storage unit 26 or an external storage device). ) Will continue to be saved.

  Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment allows the user himself / herself to perform an operation after the job is completed even after the job based on the document data 30 is executed, even if the document data 30 becomes unnecessary data for the user. There is no need for a manual operation such as operating the panel 16 to access the storage location, finding out the document data 30 that has been executed from the document data stored in the storage location, and performing a deletion operation. A user's operation burden for deleting the document data 30 can be significantly reduced.

  The same applies to the case where the storage destination of the document data 30 is an external storage device such as the USB memory 7 or the hard disk device 5 of the document management server 4. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment reads out from the external storage device. After the job based on the document data 30 is executed, the user's operation burden for deleting the document data 30 from the external storage device can be significantly reduced.

  Further, when it is not necessary to inquire the user about the handling of the document data 30 after the job execution, such as when the document deletion condition 28 is set by the administrator, the user is prompted to perform a selection operation. Since the selection screen 51 or 55 is not displayed, the user does not need to perform a selection operation in this case. That is, since the image forming apparatus 1 displays the selection screen 51 or 55 only when necessary, the user only needs to perform a selection operation when the selection image 51 or 55 is displayed. In other cases, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically determines the processing for the document data 30, so that the user is not bothered by the selection operation and the operability of the image forming apparatus 1 is further improved.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was illustrated, this invention is not limited to the example mentioned above.

  For example, in the above embodiment, whether or not to delete the document data 30 after the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the document data 30 from the storage unit 26 or the external storage device and before executing a job based on the document data 30. The case where the selection screen 51 or 55 for inquiring the user is displayed on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 16 is illustrated. However, the timing for displaying the selection screen 51 or 55 is not limited to this. For example, after the job based on the document data 30 acquired in the image forming apparatus 1 is executed, the selection screen 51 or 55 is displayed and the document data is displayed. The user may be allowed to select whether or not to delete the document data 30 from the 30 storage destinations. Even in this case, the user can delete the unnecessary document data 30 from the storage area 29 or the external storage device only by performing a selection operation after the job is executed. There is no need to perform this operation, and the operation burden on the user can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, when the document deletion condition 28 is set, the batch setting for the entire storage unit 26 (that is, all the storage areas 29) and the individual setting for each storage area 29 can be established simultaneously. Illustrated. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and for example, only one of the batch setting for the storage unit 26 and the individual setting for each storage area 29 may be established.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the document deletion condition 28 and the deletion processing setting information 31 are set to delete the document data 30 after the job is executed, the image forming apparatus 1 accompanies completion of the job execution. The form which deletes the document data 30 was illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the document deletion condition 28 and the deletion processing setting information 31 may be set to delete the document data 30 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the job is executed. In this case, the document data 30 is automatically deleted when a predetermined time elapses after the job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, for example, after executing a print job for printing one copy of a document based on the document data 30, if the user notices that two copies are required, the document data 30 before being automatically deleted by the image forming apparatus 1 There is an advantage that a print job can be executed by designating again.

  In this case, the predetermined time until the document data 30 is deleted after the job is executed can be individually set for each storage area 29 by the document deletion condition 28, and each document data can be set by the deletion processing setting information 31. Can be set individually. Considering that the processing based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13 is performed, if the document deletion condition 28 set in the storage area 29 in which the document data 30 is stored is set by the administrator. After the job is executed, the document data 30 is deleted after the time set in the setting value of the document deletion condition 28 has elapsed. On the other hand, if the document deletion condition 28 set in the storage area 29 in which the document data 30 is stored is set by a non-administrator, the deletion process added to the document data 30 after the job is executed. The document data 30 is deleted after the time set in the setting value of the setting information 31 has elapsed. Since the time set in the setting value of the document deletion condition 28 may be different from the time set in the setting value of the deletion processing setting information 31, a job based on the document data 30 is executed in the image forming apparatus 1. After that, the timing at which the document data 30 is deleted from the image forming apparatus 1 may be different.

1 Image forming device 4 Document management server 5 Hard disk device (external storage device)
7 USB memory (external storage device)
16 Operation panel 17 Display section (display means)
18 Operation input section (operation input means)
19 USB interface (connection means)
20 Control computer 25 Network interface (connection means)
26 storage unit (storage means)
27 Program 28 Document Deletion Condition 29 Storage Area 30 Document Data 31 Deletion Process Setting Information 41 Document Data Acquisition Unit (Document Data Acquisition Unit)
42 Deletion process setting confirmation unit (deletion process setting confirmation means)
43 Document Data Management Department (Document Data Management Means)
44 Job control section

Claims (4)

Display means capable of displaying various information to the user;
An operation input means for receiving an input operation by a user;
Document data acquisition means for acquiring document data designated via the operation input means;
Storage means having a storage area for storing document data;
Generation and addition of deletion processing setting information indicating whether or not to delete the document data after execution of a job based on the document data stored in the storage area to each document data stored in the storage area Additional means to
An interface connected to an external storage device for storing document data;
And deletion processing setting confirmation means to document data to which the document data acquisition unit has acquired to confirm whether the deletion processing setting information is added,
When it is determined that the designated document data is document data stored in the storage unit, confirmation is performed by the deletion processing setting confirmation unit, and it is confirmed that the deletion processing setting information is added . In this case, after executing a job based on the document data, a process according to the deletion process setting information is performed, and when the deletion process setting information is not added, a selection screen for selecting whether or not to delete the document data is displayed. While displaying on the display means and accepting a selection operation via the operation input means, performing processing according to the selection operation after execution of a job based on the document data ,
When it is determined that the designated document data is document data stored in the external storage device, a selection screen for determining whether or not to delete the document data without performing confirmation by the deletion processing setting confirmation unit A document data management unit that receives a selection operation via the operation input unit and performs processing according to the selection operation after execution of a job based on the document data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The document data management means performs a preview display on the display means based on the document data acquired by the document data acquisition means, and when the deletion processing setting information is not added to the document data, the preview is displayed. the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displaying on said display means a selection screen for whether to delete the document data with the display. Can be set document deletion condition indicating whether or not to delete the said document data when the storage area in the execution of the job based on the document data stored is made to the storage means or the storage area Yes,
The deletion processing setting information is added to the document data acquired from the storage area by the document data acquisition means, and the storage means or the storage area from which the document data acquisition means has acquired the document data. When the document deletion condition is set, the document data management means executes a job based on the document data based on either the deletion process setting information or the document deletion condition according to a preset priority order. the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the processing after execution. Display means capable of displaying various types of information to the user, operation input means for accepting input operations by the user, storage means having a storage area for storing document data, and external storage device for storing document data and a interface connected to a program which is executed by a computer of an image forming apparatus for executing a job based on the document data,
The computer,
Document data acquisition means for acquiring document data designated via the operation input means;
Generation and addition of deletion processing setting information indicating whether or not to delete the document data after execution of a job based on the document data stored in the storage area to each document data stored in the storage area Additional means to
Deletion setting confirmation means for the deletion processing setting information to the document data to which the document data acquisition unit has acquired to confirm whether it is added,
When it is determined that the designated document data is document data stored in the storage unit, confirmation is performed by the deletion processing setting confirmation unit, and it is confirmed that the deletion processing setting information is added . In this case, after executing a job based on the document data, a process according to the deletion process setting information is performed. When the deletion process setting information is not added, a selection screen for determining whether or not to delete the document data While displaying on the display means and accepting a selection operation via the operation input means, performing processing according to the selection operation after execution of a job based on the document data ,
When it is determined that the designated document data is document data stored in the external storage device, a selection screen for determining whether or not to delete the document data without performing confirmation by the deletion processing setting confirmation unit Is displayed on the display means and receives a selection operation via the operation input means, and performs processing according to the selection operation after execution of a job based on the document data,
A program characterized by functioning as

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