JP2006215751A - Image forming apparatus, control method for the same, computer program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the identification and selection of a job to be processed out of a plurality of jobs. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises a display means for displaying identification information identifying a plurality of image data on a storage means, a selection reception means for receiving the selection of predetermined image data to which images are to be formed from the plurality of image data through the displayed identification information, and an instruction reception means for receiving an execution instruction for either first processing of forming images of a part of prespecified copies or second processing of image-forming all the copies. According to the received execution instruction for the first processing or second processing, the image of the predetermined image data is formed. The identification information includes information identifying the image data out of the plurality of image data for which the instruction reception means has received the execution instruction for the first processing or second processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, a computer program, and a storage medium.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus called a multi-function printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “MFP”) has a function called a box function (see Patent Document 1). Image data can be temporarily stored in the MFP and then printed by operating the operation panel of the MFP. In the market that handles a large number of copies and jobs called print-on-demand (hereinafter simply referred to as “POD”), the number of cases in which printing is performed using a printer instead of a printing press is increasing. The box function is increasingly used.

At the POD site, an operator who operates the MFP, moves and manages paper is essential. The operator is familiar with the operation of the MFP and efficiently processes a large number of jobs (operation to form an image on a sheet based on image data under predetermined printing conditions) according to the situation. It is required to continue. The box function is used because there is an advantage that the operator can start printing at a desired timing according to the situation at the site.
Japanese Patent No. 3007384

  On the other hand, in POD, only a part of trial printing is performed before actual printing, and the finish is confirmed with the operator or the job requester. If there is a problem in the confirmation result, the setting is changed and test printing is performed again. If there is no problem, the main printing is performed. However, it may take time to make the client confirm the test print result. This is especially noticeable when the client is in a remote location. For this reason, unprocessed jobs or jobs waiting to be confirmed by the requester may be mixed in the MFP box, and a large amount may accumulate.

  Under this circumstance, there is a problem that it becomes difficult for the user to find a desired job when a confirmation result of the trial print for a new user arrives. Similarly, it is difficult to find a job that needs to be test-printed with an unprocessed job.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily identify and select a job to be processed from among a plurality of jobs.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a storage means for storing a plurality of image data together with information on the number of copies to be formed as an image on a recording paper, and an image formation for forming an image corresponding to the image data on the recording paper. Means for displaying identification information for identifying a plurality of image data stored in the storage means, and forming the image from the plurality of image data using the identification information displayed on the display means. A selection accepting unit that accepts selection of predetermined image data to be image-formed by the means, and a first part that forms a part of the number of copies for the predetermined image data that has been accepted by the selection accepting unit. And an instruction accepting unit that accepts an execution instruction of the second process for forming all of the number of copies by the image forming unit. The forming unit forms an image for the predetermined image data based on the execution instruction of the first process or the second process received by the instruction receiving unit, and the identification information includes the plurality of image data Among them, information for identifying image data for which an instruction to execute the first process or the second process is received by the instruction receiving unit is included.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily identify and select a job to be processed from among a plurality of jobs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
[System overview]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the system configuration of the embodiment, and FIG. 1 shows a comparatively simple network configuration.

  The computer includes a server computer 102 and user computers 103a, 103b, and 103c. The server computer 102 manages these user computers. Although not shown in the figure, many user computers are connected in addition to these, and hereinafter, the user computer is represented as 103 as a representative. The network 101 is connected to MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 104 and 105 a to 105 d and a printer 107.

  The MFP 104 is a full-color MFP that can scan or print in full color with high resolution and high gradation, and can send and receive a plurality of bits simultaneously with an independent interface (205 described later) when the amount of data becomes enormous. . On the other hand, the MFPs 105a to 105d are MFPs that perform monochrome scanning and printing. Hereinafter, the MFPs 105a to 105d are represented as 105 as a representative. Although not shown, other devices such as an MFP, scanner, printer, and FAX are connected to the network 101 other than the above.

  Further, the scanner 106 is an apparatus that captures an image from a paper document. In addition to the apparatus that is connected to the network as shown in FIG. 1, there is a scanner 106 that is connected to a computer via a SCSI interface or the like. In addition, the scanner itself may be supported as a part of the function of the MFP 105.

  Here, on the user computer 103, application software for executing so-called DTP (Desk Top Publishing) is operated to create / edit various documents / graphics. The user computer 103 performs printout by converting the created document / graphic into a page description language PDL (Page Description Language) and sending it to the MFPs 104 and 105 via the network 101.

[Configuration of MFPs 104 and 105]
Next, the configuration of the MFPs 104 and 105 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the MFP corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. However, since the difference between the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 is a difference between full color and monochrome, and in many parts other than color processing, the full color device often includes the configuration of the monochrome device. Therefore, a description of the monochrome device will be added as needed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the MFPs 104 and 105 include a scanner unit 201 that performs image reading, a scanner IP unit 202 that performs image processing on the image data, and a FAX that transmits and receives images using a telephone line such as a facsimile. A unit 203, a NIC (Network Interface Card) unit 204 that exchanges image data and device information using a network, and a dedicated I / F unit 205 that exchanges information with the full-color MFP 104. Depending on how the MFPs 104 and 105 are used, the core unit 206 temporarily stores an image signal or determines a path in cooperation with the memory unit 211 or the box unit 212 used by dividing the memory unit. Control.

  Next, the image data output from the core unit 206 is sent to the printer unit 209 that performs image formation via the printer IP unit 207 and the screening unit 208. The sheet printed out by the printer unit 209 is sent to the online finisher unit 210, where sheet sorting processing and sheet finishing processing are performed.

  The core unit 206 organizes bus traffic, and path switching is performed as shown in the following (A) to (I) depending on how the MFP is used. In addition, it is generally known that compressed data such as JPEG, JBIG, and ZIP is used when the data passes through the network. After the data enters the MFP, the data is decompressed (decompressed) in the core unit. .

(A) Copy function: scanner unit 201-> core unit 206-> printer unit 209
(B) Network scanner: scanner unit 201 → core unit 206 → NIC unit 204
(C) Network printer: NIC unit 204 → core unit 206 → printer unit 209
(D) Facsimile transmission function: scanner unit 201 → core unit 206 → FAX unit 203
(E) Facsimile reception function: FAX unit 203 → core unit 206 → printer unit 209
(F) Box reception function 1: NIC unit 204 → core unit 206 → box unit 212
(G) Box reception function 2: scanner unit 201 → core unit 206 → box unit 212
(H) Box transmission function 1: box unit 212 → core unit 206 → NIC unit 204
(I) Box transmission function 2: box unit 212 → core unit 206 → printer unit 209.

  Here, box reception / box transmission means the input and storage of data using the box unit 212, or the output of stored data. The memory is divided for each job and each user and is primary. This function saves data and sends and receives data by combining a user ID and password.

  Furthermore, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 213 plays a role of developing PDL data input from the NIC unit 204 into a bitmap image as necessary.

[Configuration of NIC unit 204]
The NIC unit 204 has an interface function with respect to the network 101. More specifically, the NIC unit 204 plays a role of acquiring information from the outside using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable such as 100Base-Tx and 1000Base-Tx, and flowing information to the outside.

  When obtaining information from the outside, first, the voltage is converted by a transformer and sent to the LAN controller. The LAN controller has a first buffer memory therein, determines whether or not the information is necessary information, sends it to the second buffer memory, and then sends a signal to the core unit 206. Next, when providing information to the outside, the data sent from the core unit 206 is added with necessary information by the LAN controller and connected to the network 101 via a transformer.

[Configuration of dedicated I / F unit 205]
The dedicated I / F unit 205 is an interface through which multi-value bits are sent in parallel in the CMYK interface at the interface with the full-color MFP 104, and includes an image data line of 4 colors × 8 bits and a communication line. If an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable is used for transmission, the dedicated parallel interface such as this cannot be used because it cannot output at a speed suitable for the MFP 104 and the performance of other devices connected to the network is sacrificed. It may be used.

[Configuration of Printer IP Unit 207]
Next, the configuration of the printer IP unit 207 will be described. 3A shows a printer IP unit for color images, and FIG. 3B shows a printer IP unit for monochrome images. First, the output masking unit 501 is a part that converts the M1, C1, and Y1 signals into C, M, Y, and K signals, which are toner colors of the image forming apparatus, using a matrix operation. Are converted into C, M, Y, and K data for image output using a look-up table (LUT) RAM in consideration of various color characteristics. A spatial filter unit 503 for applying sharpness or smoothing is used.

  On the other hand, in the case of monochrome, the output masking unit 501 is not provided, but after the spatial filter unit 503, the binarization circuit 504 converts the data from 8 bits to 1 bit.

[Configuration of Screening Unit 208]
Next, the screening unit 208 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Image data separated into four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the printer IP unit 207 (in the case of the MFP 105, a single color) is screened. Each image is formed through the section 208 (in the case of color, four configurations in FIG. 4A are required). Reference numeral 601 denotes a triangular wave generator, and reference numeral 602 denotes a D / A converter (D / A converter) that converts an input digital image signal into an analog signal. The signal from the triangular wave generator 601 (signal a in FIG. 4B) and the image signal from the D / A converter 602 (signal b in FIG. 4B) are compared in magnitude by the comparator 603 to obtain a density like the signal c in FIG. 4B. The pulse width signal depends on the signal and is sent to the laser driver 604. Each of C, M, Y, and K is converted into a laser beam by each laser 605.

  The polygon scanner 713 scans the respective laser beams and irradiates the photosensitive drums 717, 721, 725, and 729.

[Configuration of Printer 209 (for Color MFP 104)]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional structure diagram of the color printer unit. A polygon mirror 713 receives four laser beams emitted from the four semiconductor lasers 605. One of them scans and exposes a photosensitive drum 717 through mirrors 714, 715 and 716, the next one scans and exposes a photosensitive drum 721 through mirrors 718, 719 and 720, and the next one is a mirror. The photosensitive drum 725 is scanned and exposed through 722, 723, and 724, and the last one scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 729 through the mirrors 726, 727, and 728.

  On the other hand, a developing device 730 supplies yellow (Y) toner, forms a yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 717 in accordance with the laser beam, and a developing device 731 supplies magenta (M) toner. , A magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 721 in accordance with the laser light, and a developing device 732 supplies cyan (C) toner. A cyan toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 725 in accordance with the laser light. , 733 are developers that supply black (K) toner, and form a magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 729 in accordance with the laser beam. The toner images of the four colors (Y, M, C, K) are transferred onto the sheet, and a full color output image can be obtained.

  A sheet (or recording paper) fed from any one of the sheet cassettes 734 and 735 and the manual feed tray 736 is attracted onto the transfer belt 738 via the registration roller 737 and conveyed. In synchronism with the timing of paper feeding, toner of each color is developed in advance on the photosensitive drums 717, 721, 725, and 729, and the toner is transferred to the sheet as the sheet is conveyed. The sheet on which the toner of each color is transferred is separated and conveyed by the conveyance belt 739, and the toner is fixed to the sheet by the fixing device 740. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 740 is once guided downward by the flapper 750, and after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the flapper 750, the sheet is switched back and discharged. As a result, the sheets are discharged face down, and the correct page order is obtained when printing is performed in order from the first page.

  The four photosensitive drums 717, 721, 725, and 729 are arranged at equal intervals with a distance d, and the sheet is conveyed at a constant speed v by the conveyance belt 739, and this timing synchronization is performed. Thus, the four semiconductor lasers 605 are driven.

[Configuration of Finisher 209]
FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional structure diagram of the finisher portion. The sheet discharged from the fixing unit 740 of the printer unit 209 enters the finisher unit 209 (when the finisher is connected). The finisher unit 209 includes a sample tray 901 and a stack tray 902, which are switched and discharged according to the type of job and the number of discharged sheets.

  There are two sort methods: a bin sort method that has a plurality of bins and distributes to each bin, and an electronic sort function and a bin (or tray), which will be described later, are shifted in the back direction to distribute output sheets for each job. Sorting by the shift sort method can be performed. The electronic sort function is called collate. If you have the large-capacity memory described in the core section above, the so-called collate function is used to change the buffered page order and discharge order using this buffer memory. It can also support electronic sorting functions. Next, the group function is a function for sorting by page, while sorting is sorted by job.

  Further, when discharging to the stack tray 902, the sheets before being discharged can be stored for each job and bound by the stapler 905 immediately before discharging.

  In addition to the above two trays, there are a Z-folder 904 for folding paper into a Z-shape and a puncher 906 for punching two (or three) holes for files, depending on the type of job. Each process.

  Further, the saddle stitcher 907 performs processing for binding a central portion of the sheet at two places and then half-folding the sheet by biting the central portion of the sheet with a roller to create a booklet such as a weekly magazine or a pamphlet. . The sheets bound by the saddle stitcher 907 are discharged to the booklet tray 908.

  In addition, although not shown in the drawing, it is also possible to add binding by glue (gluing) for bookbinding or trim (cutting) for aligning the end surface opposite to the binding side after binding.

  An inserter 903 is for sending a sheet set on the tray 910 to one of the trays 901, 902, and 908 without passing it through the printer. As a result, the sheet set in the inserter 903 can be inserted (inserted) between the sheets fed into the finisher 209. The tray 910 of the inserter 903 is set face up by the user, and is fed in order from the uppermost sheet by the pickup roller 911. Accordingly, the sheet from the inserter 903 is discharged to the trays 901 and 902 as it is, and is discharged face down. When sending to the saddle stitcher 907, the face is aligned by sending it back to the puncher 906 and then switching back.

  Next, the trimmer (cutting machine) 912 will be described. The output converted into a booklet (saddle stitch booklet) by the saddle stitcher 907 enters this trimmer 912. At that time, the output of the booklet is first fed by a predetermined length by the roller, cut by a predetermined length by the cutter unit 913, and dispersed among a plurality of pages in the booklet. The edges that were left will be neatly aligned. Then, it is stored in the booklet hold unit 914.

[Configuration of RIP Unit 213]
Next, the configuration of the RIP unit 213 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the RIP unit 213 is normally input from the NIC unit 204 or other interface such as USB or parallel. Next, it enters the server (print manager) from the input device control unit 1001 and plays a role in connecting various user applications to the server. As input, page description language PDL (Page Description Language) data and JCL (Job Control Language) data are accepted. It is status information about the printer and server and corresponds to various users. The output of this module (input device controller 1001) has the role of combining all the appropriate PDL and JCL components.

  Next, an input job control unit 1002 manages a requested list of jobs and creates a job list for accessing individual jobs submitted to the server. Further, this module (input job control unit 1002) has three functions: job routing for determining the route of the job, job split for determining whether to divide and RIP, and job scheduling for determining the job order.

  Reference numeral 1003 denotes a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit. Although it is possible to increase the number of RIPs 1003a and RIP1003b or as necessary, they are collectively referred to as the RIP unit 1003 here. The RIP module (RIP unit 1003) performs RIP processing on PDLs of various jobs, and creates bitmaps with appropriate sizes and resolutions. Regarding RIP processing, rasterizing processing in various formats such as PostScript (registered trademark), PCL, TIFF, JPEG, PDF, and the like is possible.

  A data conversion unit 1004 plays a role of compressing a bitmap image created by the RIP unit 1003 or performing format conversion, and selects an optimal image image type that matches each printer. For example, when a job is to be handled in units of pages, processing such as adding a PDF header to bitmap data after rasterizing TIFF or JPEG in the RIP portion and editing the data as PDF data is performed.

  An output job control unit 1005 takes a page image of the job and manages how to handle them based on command settings. The page is printed on the printer or saved on the hard disk 1007. Whether or not to leave the job after printing on the hard disk 1007 can be selected. When the job after printing is saved on the hard disk 1007, it can be recalled. Further, this module (output job control unit 1005) manages the interaction between the hard disk 1007 and the memory (SDRAM) 1008.

  Reference numeral 1006 denotes an output device control unit that controls which device is output and which device is clustered (multiple devices are connected and printed simultaneously), and sends print data to the interface of the selected device. . This module (output device control unit 1006) also plays a role of monitoring the status of the MFP (104 or 105) and conveying the status of the apparatus.

  Note that the RIP unit 1003 may actually be built in the MFP 104 (or 105) or may exist in a separate unit.

[RIP unit 213]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the RIP unit 1003 illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the RIP unit 1003 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the RIP unit 1003 generally includes three parts: an interpreter unit 1101, a rendering unit 1102, and a screening unit 1103.

  The interpreter unit 1101 translates PDL and develops a bitmap. The rendering unit 1102 performs PDL color rendering. In the case of output to the monochrome MFP 105, the screening unit 1103 creates a binarization process and a screen having a predetermined cycle and angle. In the case of output to the color MFP 104, the screening gamma Create including the table.

  Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail. First, the interpreter unit 1101 will be described with reference to FIG.

The interpreter unit 1101 is a part that analyzes PDL data, and PDLs represented by Adobe's PostScript (registered trademark) language are classified into the following three elements (a) to (c).
(A) Image description based on character code (b) Image description based on graphic code (c) Image description based on raster image data In other words, PDL is a language for describing an image composed of a combination of the above elements. This data is called PDL data.

  9A and 9B are schematic diagrams illustrating a description example of PDL data input to the interpreter unit 1101 illustrated in FIG. 8 and a rendering result by the interpreter unit 1101.

  FIG. 9A corresponds to the PDL description example of the drawing of FIG. 9B, and the character information “description of R1201” is represented by L1211 to L1213, and includes the character color, character string, and coordinate position. In the parentheses of the character color, the densities of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black are shown in order. The minimum is “0.0” and the maximum is “1.0”. L1211 shows an example in which the character is designated to be black. Next, L1212 indicates that the character string “ABC” is assigned to the variable String1.

  Next, in L1213, the first and second parameters indicate the x and y coordinates of the start position coordinates on the paper on which the character string is laid out, the third parameter is the character size, and the fourth parameter is the character spacing. The fifth parameter indicates a character string to be laid out. In short, L1213 is an instruction to lay out the character string “ABC” with the size “0.2” and the interval “0.3” from the coordinates (0.0, 0.0).

  Next, in the example of graphic information “describe R1202”, L1221 designates the line color by the same description method as L1211 that designates the character color, and here, Cyan is designated. Next, L1222 is used to specify that a line is to be drawn. The first and second parameters are the x and y coordinates of the start end coordinates of the line, and the third and fourth parameters are the x and y coordinates of the end coordinates, respectively. And the fifth parameter indicates the thickness of the line.

  Furthermore, in the raster image information example “description of R1203”, L1231 substitutes the raster image for the variable image1. Here, the first parameter represents the image type and the number of color components of the raster image, the second parameter represents the number of bits per color component, and the third and fourth parameters are the x direction and y direction of the raster image. Represents the image size. The fifth and subsequent parameters represent raster image data. The number of raster image data is the product of the number of color components constituting one pixel and the image size in the x and y directions. In L1231, since the CMYK image is composed of four color components (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), the number of raster image data is 100 (4 × 5 × 5 =).

  Next, L1232 indicates that image1 is laid out in a size of “0.5 × 0.5” from the coordinates (0.0, 0.5).

  FIG. 9B shows a state in which three image descriptions (“Description of R1201”, “Description of R1202”, and “Description of R1203”) are interpreted in one page shown in FIG. 9A and developed into raster image data. It is shown.

  In FIG. 9B, R1201, R1202, and R1203 are developed from the respective PDL data (“Description of R1201,” “Description of R1202,” “Description of R1203”) shown in FIG. 9A.

  These raster image data are actually expanded in the memory 1008 (or hard disk 1007) for each of the C, M, Y, and K color components. For example, the R1201 portion is stored in each CMYK memory with C = 0. , M = 0, Y = 0, K = 255 are written, and C = 255, M = 0, Y = 0, and K = 0 are written in the portion of R1202, respectively.

  In the print manager 115, the PDL data sent from the user computer 103 (or another computer) remains in the PDL data or expanded into a raster image as described above, and is stored in the memory 1008 (or hard disk). 1007) and stored as needed.

  Next, the rendering unit 1102 shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. The image data output from the interpreter unit 1101 shown in FIG. 8 includes various color spaces other than grayscale, RGB, and CMYK. In the case of other color spaces, CRD (Color Rendering Dictionary) is once used. After being converted to CMYK space, color matching is performed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of color matching in the rendering unit 1102 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in color matching, when color matching is required for data input in RGB or CMYK, the CMM unit 1304 performs color adjustment based on the ICC profile. The ICC profile includes a source profile 1305 and a printer profile 1306. The source profile 1305 converts RGB (or CMYK) data into a standardized L * a * b * space, and this L * a *. The b * data is again made a CMYK space suitable for the target printer.

  The source profile 1305 includes an RGB profile and a CMYK profile (not shown). If the input image is an RGB image (Microsoft application software, JPEG, TIFF image, or the like), the RGB profile is selected, and the CMYK system is selected. In the case of an image (such as Photoshop (registered trademark) of Adobe or partial data of Illustrator (registered trademark)), a CMYK profile is selected.

  Next, the printer profile 1306 is created in accordance with the color characteristics of each printer. In the case of an RGB image, it is preferable to select Perceptual (color priority) or Saturation (brightness priority). In the case of an image, the optimum image is often output by selecting Colorimetric (minimum color difference). The ICC profile is generally created in a lookup table format. When RGB (or CMYK) data is input in the source profile 1305, the ICC profile is uniquely converted to L * a * b * data, and the printer profile 1306 is obtained. In this case, the L * a * b * data is converted into CMYK that matches the printer.

  If color matching is not required for RGB input data, the default color conversion unit 1303 converts the RGB data into CMYK that matches the printer and outputs the converted data. In addition, when color matching is not necessary for data input in CMYK, the data is output as it is.

  Next, gamma correction in the screening unit 1103 shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

  11 is a characteristic diagram for explaining gamma correction in the screening unit 1103 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 (a) corresponds to a linear gamma table, and FIG. 11 (b) corresponds to a printer output characteristic. FIG. 11C corresponds to the calibrated gamma table, and FIG. 11D corresponds to the gamma table in consideration of output characteristics. As the gamma table, a linear gamma curve as shown in FIG. 11A is prepared by default, and the table is prepared according to the printer characteristics.

  For example, if the output characteristic Gp of the MFP 104 has a value as shown in FIG. 11B, the output characteristic can be obtained as shown in FIG. 11A by multiplying the inverse function Ga of FIG. 11C. It is corrected to a linear value (Ga × Gp = G0). Further, if it is desired to select the print-like output characteristic Gb as shown in FIG. 11D, a table of values such as Ga × Gb may be multiplied. In addition, a calibration function that uses a scanner unit or a densitometer of the MFP 104 to create these gamma tables is generally known.

[Operation section]
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation unit of the MFP 104 or 105. The operation unit includes an LCD (liquid crystal display) unit 2200 and a key operation unit 2230 of the touch panel, and FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the LCD unit 2200. This flowchart shows a copy mode (S2110) for performing a copying operation, a transmission (Send) mode (S2120) for performing scan transmission, a box mode (S2130) for taking out and editing from a box, and options for performing various settings. Modes such as a mode (S2140) and a system monitor (S2150) for knowing the status of the system are prepared, and these modes are switched by pressing the mode selection keys 2201 to 2205 of the LCD unit 2200 of FIG. It has become. In FIG. 13, in addition to the number of copies, a paper size, a scaling factor, an image mode, a finishing method, and the like are set and a start key 2231 is pressed to perform a copy operation.

[Printer Driver]
The printer driver will be described below.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver screen on the user computer 103 (or 102).

  A printer via a GUI for instructing a print operation (a GUI displayed when a property display instruction for “printer” is issued on a print setting GUI displayed when a print instruction is issued from an application or the like) When the driver accepts the instruction, the user can instruct a desired setting parameter and send a desired image to a transmission destination such as a printer.

  FIG. 14 is a GUI window for the printer driver to accept an instruction. In the setting items in the printer driver window, reference numeral 3211 denotes a transmission destination selection column for selecting a target output destination. In the present embodiment, the MFP 104 (or MFP 105a, MFP 105b) is the selection target.

  Reference numeral 3213 denotes a page setting column for selecting an output page from the job, and determines which page is to be output among image images created by application software running on the user computer 103.

  Reference numeral 3214 denotes a copy setting column for designating the number of copies. By moving the cursor 3214 to this position and clicking the arrow shown (arrow of the scroll bar), the number of copies can be increased or decreased. Reference numeral 3212 denotes a property key for performing detailed setting related to the transmission destination device selected in the transmission destination selection column 3211. By instructing this key, the screens shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C are displayed.

  When the desired setting is completed, printing is started with an OK key 3201. When canceling, the cancel key 3202 is used to cancel printing.

  15A to 15C show display screens (GUI) when the property key 3212 shown in FIG. 32 is clicked.

  In this screen, for example, tabs such as “Output” 3301, “Paper” 3302, “Graphics” 3303, “Device Options” 3304, “PDL” 3305, etc. are provided. By instructing, different setting contents such as “Output”, “Paper”, “Graphics”, “Device Options”, “PDL”, and the like can be set.

  In FIG. 15A, the output destination can be selected by 3311, and it can be thrown into the box in addition to the printer output (Printer). In addition to the user box (Personal Box), there is a workflow box (Workflow Box) described later. When a user box or a workflow box is selected, the box number is also input.

  FIG. 15B describes the case where the “Paper” tab 3302 is selected. Here, settings such as a paper size 3321, an imposition layout 3322, and a paper orientation 3323 can be performed. FIG. 15C shows a case where the “Device Options” tab 3304 is selected. Here, as device-specific setting information 3331 (Function), it is possible to perform finer adjustments related to image processing, for example, finishing settings such as stapling (Staple Mode) and changing parameters such as color by a printer. Become. As shown in FIG. 15C, for selection, a function 3331 and its set value 3332 are set to desired values, respectively. Reference numeral 3333 denotes a default key for returning each setting value to an initial value.

  Although not shown, when the “Graphics” tab 3303 is selected in the same manner, resolution and halftone settings can be performed. When the “PDL” tab 3305 is selected, the PDL output format can be selected. Further, reference numeral 3306 denotes an OK key. When this key is pressed (instructed), the property setting is validated and the screen shown in FIG. Reference numeral 3307 denotes a cancel key. When this key is pressed (instructed), the property setting is invalidated and the screen returns to the screen of FIG. Further, reference numeral 3308 denotes an application key. When this key is pressed (instructed), the property setting is validated while the property screen of FIG. 15 is maintained.

  Normally, the print driver can input device-specific setting values that can be specified when the “Device Options” tab 3304 is selected. Generally, the device-specific setting values are PPD (PostScript Printer Description) files. Prepare the printer driver. The PPD file describes the setting items for controlling the printer and its initial value, whether or not combinations of settings are possible, and is provided as a unique file for each printer. The operator must prepare the printer and the cluster by linking the PPD and the driver in his / her own computer. It should be noted that the PPD file has a one-to-one correspondence with a printer whose function is known in advance.

  Next, processing when a job is thrown from the print driver will be described with reference to FIG. S3501 to S3505 indicate the operation of rewriting the data on the application to PDL data (for example, PS data), and the print driver has a role of creating PDL data and transmitting the data to a preset MFP port. The user computer 103 registers this port in advance when setting the printer driver. That is, a printer driver operating on the user side throws data to be printed passed from the application into a port prepared by the MFP 104 (or 105) after PDL processing.

  On the other hand, on the MFP side, a hot folder 3522 is prepared for a job to be thrown in, and the presence or absence of a file is always checked. If there is a job (S3532), the job is scheduled (S3533) and sequentially RIPed. The data is converted into raster data (S3534).

  At this time, if it is addressed to the printer, the MFP 104 (or 105) performs print processing (S3535), and if it is addressed to the box, it is stored in the box unit 212 (S3536). The job stored in the box unit 212 is given “unprinted” as the initial status.

[Printing of Job Stored in Box Unit 212]
Hereinafter, printing of a print job stored in the box unit 212 will be described. The flow of printing a print job can be roughly divided into the following three types.
Case 1: Perform actual printing.
Case 2: The main print is performed after the test print.
Case 3: Hold after test printing.

  In this embodiment, “main printing” and “trial printing” are defined as follows. First, “main printing” refers to printing that outputs all the number of copies and the number of copies specified in a print job. Further, “trial printing” refers to printing a part of a job (for example, the first few sheets) for the purpose of confirming an output result so that desired printing can be performed in actual printing.

  A configuration example of job data stored in the box unit 212 at this time will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of job data stored in the box unit 212 corresponding to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 37, at least a box management table 8100 and box data 8200 are stored in the box unit 212 (FIG. 37A). An example of the configuration of the box management table 8100 is as shown in FIG. 37B, and an ID 8101 is registered as identification information in each box. A box name 8102 arbitrarily given for each box is registered. Reference numeral 8103 denotes a usage amount. Here, the box unit 212 is divided into a plurality of storage areas having a predetermined data size in advance, and each divided storage area is assigned to each box. The dividing method of the box unit 212 may be performed not only by physically dividing but also by logically limiting the data size of the box. That is, the “usage amount” represents the ratio of the box data to the data size previously given to each box in this way. Reference numeral 8104 denotes whether or not there is a job whose status is “hold after trial printing” in the box.

  Next, a configuration example of the box data 8200 is as shown in FIG. Here, only the box data for the box whose ID 8101 is “03” is described, but similar data is also stored in the box data 8200 for other boxes having the ID 8101. The box data 8200 is divided for each box ID 8101, and each divided area has the predetermined data size. As shown in FIG. 38, the image data stored in the box unit 212 is grouped by being stored in any of a plurality of boxes.

  In FIG. 38, the box data is composed of three types of tables shown in (a) to (c). (A) is data representing job attributes stored in the box. Here, each job data is managed for each ID 8101. Reference numeral 8201 denotes a job type. In this embodiment, there are “printer”, “scan”, and “FAX”. A user name 8202 is registered with the name of the user who requested the job. Reference numeral 8203 denotes a document name (job name). In this embodiment, the document name is determined based on the date and time when the job request is received. Note that another name may be separately registered in the document name 8203.

  Reference numeral 8204 denotes a job status, that is, a current state. In the present embodiment, there are “hold after test printing”, “output completed”, “not printed”, “not transmitted”, “not output”, “printed”, “transmitted”, and the like. Reference numeral 8205 denotes the number of times trial printing has been performed for the job. When a job is submitted, the number of trials 8205 is set to “0” as a default value, and is updated one by one when trial printing is performed. Reference numeral 8206 denotes a hold date / time, in which time information such as the date / time when the hold of the main print is accepted is registered.

  Next, FIG. 38B is a table for registering setting contents at the time of job execution (“trial printing” or “main printing”) set for each job, and is managed by a document name 8203. 8207 represents the paper size of the job. In FIG. 38, only “A4” is shown. However, other paper sizes corresponding to a predetermined recording paper size such as “B5” and “A3” are registered. The Further, information relating to paper quality such as “A4 fine paper” and “A4 recycled paper” may be registered. Reference numeral 8208 denotes the paper direction, and either “vertical” or “horizontal” is registered. Reference numeral 8209 denotes the number of pages, and the number of pages of the target document of the job is registered. 8210 is a date / time, in which time information related to the date / time when the job is registered is registered. 8211 is the number of copies, and the number of copies to be output is registered.

  Reference numeral 8212 denotes a history number representing the order in which the setting contents are registered / changed for the same document name (job) 8203. Reference numeral 8213 registers the details of processing performed for the job. That is, when a process to be newly registered in 8213 is executed, the history number is updated by 1, and the new setting content is registered in the table. In this way, the table shown in (b) registers the history of processing performed on the job in order.

  In addition, although not shown in FIG. 38B, setting contents such as sort setting, double-sided setting and stapling setting, and fine adjustment setting contents such as lightness adjustment and hue adjustment are also registered in the table. These are information that is set and input using a screen shown in FIG.

  Next, FIG. 38C is a table for managing body data of image data registered for each job, and a data body 8214 is registered based on a document name (job name) 8203.

  As described above, the box unit 212 can manage job data for each box together with a history of setting contents.

  Next, a flow of print processing performed by executing a print job stored in the box unit 212 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for printing image data by executing a print job stored in the box unit 212.

  First, in step S4101, the selection of a desired job from among the jobs input in the box for executing the main printing or the trial printing and the selection of the processing for the selected job are accepted. More specifically, first, a box list display screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed, and after selection of a box is accepted, a list of jobs stored in the box as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. Accept selection of desired job. Further, screens as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 are displayed for the selected job, and selection of processing for the job is accepted.

  Here, of the information displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 2200, as information related to the box, information registered in the box unit 212 as shown in FIG. 37 is read and used. The screen shown in FIG. 18 is displayed after a button 2203 for selecting a box displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2200 of the operation panel is pressed. Reference numeral 4201 denotes a box number uniquely assigned to a plurality of boxes. This box number corresponds to ID 8101 shown in FIG. It also serves as a button to display the contents of the box. Reference numeral 4202 denotes a box name. This name corresponds to the box name 8102 in FIG. An arbitrary name can be set so that each box can be easily distinguished. Further, the usage amount corresponding to the usage amount 8103 of FIG. 37B is displayed on the screen of FIG.

  In the display state of FIG. 18, when any one of the box numbers is selected and the LCD unit 2200 of the touch panel is operated, the screen is switched. Here, it is assumed that “03” is selected from the box number 4201.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of a screen displayed when the button with the box number 03 in FIG. 18 is operated. In this example, six jobs are input in the box number 03. The operator can select each job by pressing the line of each job. It is also possible to select a plurality by pressing a plurality of lines. Here, the list as shown in FIG. 19 can be displayed by generating the list data by selecting the box data 8200 in FIG. 38 that matches the ID of the box with the ID 8100 selected.

  In FIG. 19, reference numeral 4301 denotes a column indicating a selected job (selected job column), and a mark is displayed when a job in the row is selected. Reference numeral 4302 denotes a job type, and a print job, a scan job, a FAX job, and the like can be distinguished. Here, all are print jobs. This job type corresponds to the type 8201 in FIG. Reference numeral 4303 denotes a document name, which corresponds to a name unique to the job, that is, a job name, and is automatically generated when the job is submitted. This document name 4303 corresponds to the document name 8203 in FIG. Reference numeral 4304 denotes a status column. This status 4304 corresponds to the status 8204 in FIG. There are three types of status: “unprinted”, “printed”, and “hold after test printing”. Here, “unprinted” indicates that neither “main printing” nor “trial printing” is performed. “Printed” indicates that “main printing” has been executed. “Pending after trial printing” indicates that “trial printing” has been executed but “main printing” has not been executed.

  Reference numeral 4305 denotes information relating to the paper used in the job. In the example of FIG. 43, the paper size and the vertical and horizontal orientations are shown. These displays correspond to the paper size 8207 and the paper direction 8208 in FIG. Reference numeral 4306 denotes the page number of the job, which corresponds to the page number 8209 in FIG. Reference numeral 4307 denotes a date / time column at the time of job submission, which corresponds to the date / time 8210 in FIG.

  In the display state of FIG. 19, when any (or all) job rows are selected by operating the LCD unit 2200 of the touch panel, the screen is switched. Here, it is assumed that the third job from the top (document name: 20041105103425) is selected.

  FIG. 20 is an example of a screen displayed when the third job from the top in FIG. 19 is selected. In FIG. 20, “1” is displayed in the selected job column 4301 as a mark 4401 indicating that it has been selected. When one or more jobs are selected as described above, buttons 4402 to 4406 appear. Reference numeral 4402 denotes a button for accepting a job selection cancellation instruction. Reference numeral 4403 denotes a button for receiving an instruction for printing processing (main printing or test printing) of the selected job. Reference numeral 4405 denotes a button for accepting an instruction to display detailed information about the selected job. Reference numeral 4406 denotes a button for accepting an instruction to delete the selected job. The operator can instruct processing to be executed for the selected job by selecting any of the buttons 4402 to 4406.

  When the button 4403 is operated by operating the LCD unit 2200 of the touch panel in the display state of FIG. 20, the display on the liquid crystal display unit 2200 is switched as shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when the button 4403 is operated, and shows an example of a screen for accepting designation of the processing method of the selected job.

  In FIG. 21, reference numeral 4501 denotes a button for accepting a test print execution instruction. Reference numeral 4502 denotes a button for accepting a setting content change instruction. Reference numeral 4503 denotes a button for accepting an execution instruction for actual printing. The operator can operate the button 4503 to execute the actual printing for the selected job, and can operate the button 4501 to execute the test printing.

  As described above, in step S4101, the selection of the job stored in the box unit 212 and the selection of the process for the selected job are performed. In step S4102, step S4103, and step S4105 following step S4101, it is determined whether the accepted process is actual printing, setting change, or trial printing. If the main print is accepted, that is, if the button 4503 is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 21, the process proceeds to step S4113, the main print is executed, and the required number of copies are output. In the subsequent step S4114, the status 8204 stored in the box unit 212 is updated to “printed”. Here, the job data that has become “printed” may be deleted immediately or may be deleted later. When the setting change is accepted, that is, when the button 4502 is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 21, a setting change screen as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed, and the setting change is accepted and changed in step S4104. The set contents are saved with a new history number 8212.

  If trial printing is accepted, that is, if the button 4501 is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 21, the process proceeds to step S4110 and trial printing is performed. After the trial printing in step S4110, the process proceeds to step S4111 to determine whether to perform the main printing or to hold the main printing. Specifically, a screen as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed to accept the selection. FIG. 22 shows an example of a screen displayed after the trial printing is executed after the button 4501 for starting the trial printing in FIG. 21 is operated. In FIG. 22, reference numeral 4601 denotes a button for accepting a setting change instruction. The button 4601 is operated when the operator immediately confirms the test print result and finds a problem. When this button 4601 is operated, a setting screen as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed, and a setting change is accepted. In FIG. 17, this flow is determined not to be a hold in step S <b> 4111, and returns to step S <b> 4106, is determined not to be actual printing, proceeds to step S <b> 4107, is determined to be a setting change, and proceeds to step S <b> 4108. A setting change is accepted, and the changed setting content is saved with a new history number 8212.

  Here, an example of the setting screen will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed for changing the setting content. According to this screen, it is possible to change job processing conditions and fine-tune image quality.

  In FIG. 26, reference numeral 5001 denotes a paper selection field, which accepts selection of paper that can be used as a recording paper from “A4”, “A4 quality”, “A4 playback”, and “A5”. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a sort setting field that accepts sort settings from “sort”, “group”, and “no sort”. Reference numeral 5004 denotes a double-sided setting column that accepts a double-sided setting from “original”, “single-sided”, and “double-sided”. Reference numeral 5005 denotes a staple setting column, which accepts a staple setting from among “saddle stitching”, “upper left corner”, and “left double”. As described above, the selection fields 5001, 5002, 5004, and 5005 accept selection of one processing condition from a plurality of options. On the other hand, reference numeral 5003 denotes a fine adjustment field, and detailed adjustment settings can be received by increasing or decreasing the numbers for the number of copies, brightness adjustment, hue adjustment, X position adjustment, Y position adjustment, and magnification. These setting contents are registered in the table shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 22, reference numeral 4603 denotes a button for accepting an instruction for executing the actual printing. The button 4603 is operated when the operator immediately confirms the result of the trial printing and determines that there is no problem and immediately tries to execute the main printing. When the button 4603 is operated, in the flowchart of FIG. 17, it is determined in step S4111 that it is not on hold and the process returns to step S4106. In step S4106, it is determined that actual printing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S4113 and main printing is performed. Will be executed.

  Further, in FIG. 22, reference numeral 4602 denotes a button for putting the processing on hold after the trial printing. An example of pressing the button 4602 is when it takes time to confirm the test print result and obtain the result. In particular, when there is no job requester nearby, there is an advantage of holding the job. If the button 4602 is selected, in step S4111, it is determined that there is a hold, the process proceeds to step S4112, and the contents of the status 8204 in the box unit 212 are updated to “hold after test printing”. If there is no other job having a status of “hold after trial printing” in the box to which the job belongs, the hold job 8104 is updated to “present” and a job “hold after test printing” is displayed. Indicates that exists. At this time, a screen as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. FIG. 23 shows an example of a screen displayed after the button 4602 is operated when a job is put on hold after trial printing. As shown in FIG. 23, when a button 4602 is selected, a window 4701 is displayed to notify the worker that job processing has been suspended. Thereafter, the display returns to the display of FIG. 18 and the selection of the job is accepted again.

  As described above, the MFP 104 (or 105) can be used for processing other jobs until the confirmation result of the trial printing is obtained by holding the job. When resuming job processing after obtaining confirmation results, even if there are many jobs in the box with a status of “Printed” or “Unprinted”, the status is “Pending after trial printing”. Can be searched from the jobs.

  As described above, after test printing, after the processing is suspended, the process returns to step S4101, and when the box number 4201 is selected on the display screen in FIG. 18, the display screen in FIG. 19 or FIG. Will be displayed. FIG. 24 shows an example of a screen displayed when box number 03 is selected on the screen of FIG. 18 after the window 4701 is closed. Here, the status of the third job from the top is “hold after test printing”. In FIG. 24, reference numeral 4801 denotes a button for receiving an instruction to display a list of held jobs after trial printing. This button is displayed when a job whose status is “hold after trial printing” is included in the box. Button. When the button 4801 is operated, only jobs whose status is “hold after trial printing” are displayed.

  A display example at this time is as shown in FIG. 25, for example. FIG. 25 shows an example of a screen displayed when the button 4801 in FIG. 24 is operated. However, in FIG. 24, there is only one job whose status is “pending after trial printing”, but in FIG. 25, the number is increased to six for ease of explanation. Here, the list as shown in FIG. 25 is generated by selecting a job whose ID is “03” and status is “hold after test printing” in the box data 8200 in FIG. By doing so, it becomes possible to display.

  In FIG. 25, considering that all the jobs have a status of “hold after test printing”, the limited screen of the liquid crystal display unit 2200 is used effectively, and the POD is more than the content displayed in FIG. Information useful in the field is displayed. For example, the user name is 4901, the date and time of the last hold of 4902, and the number of trial prints of 4903. These pieces of information make it easy for the worker to find a held job that he / she wants to resume processing. These displays are based on the registered contents in the user name 8202, the number of trials 8205, and the hold date 8206 shown in FIG. A button 4904 is a button for accepting an instruction to return to the screen as shown in FIG. 19 for displaying a job stored in a normal box.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to display a list of jobs for which the trial printing has been completed for the selected box but the main printing is suspended. Therefore, the operator can check only the jobs for which the main printing is suspended for each box from the list, and more efficiently select a job for further processing.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, only jobs having a post-trial print pending status among the jobs belonging to the selected box are displayed in a list. In contrast, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a list of jobs having a post-trial print pending status is displayed from all boxes.

  FIG. 27 is an example of a screen that displays a box list when there is a job whose status is “hold after trial printing”. That is, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 17, in step S4101, FIG. 27 is displayed instead of FIG. 18, and a box selection or a list display of jobs suspended after trial printing can be received.

  In FIG. 27, reference numeral 6101 denotes a button for accepting an instruction to display a list of jobs that are “hold after test printing” in all boxes. When this button is operated, a list of jobs that are scattered in each box and whose status is “hold after test printing” is displayed. In FIG. 27, reference numeral 6102 denotes a display for clearly indicating that there is a hold job when there is a hold job in each box. Whether or not to hold the hold job display 6102 can be determined depending on whether or not the registered content of the hold job 8104 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the boxes with IDs 8101 of “01” and “03” are “pending” for the hold job 8104, and therefore “Pending job after trial printing” is displayed for the corresponding box in FIG. ing. This display 6102 allows the worker to immediately recognize a box having a job that is on hold.

  In FIG. 27, when a button 6101 is operated, a list display as shown in FIG. 28 is switched. FIG. 28 is an example of a screen that displays a list of jobs in which the status distributed in each box is “pending after trial printing”. The list as shown in FIG. 28 can be displayed by generating a list data by selecting a job whose status is “pending after trial printing” in the box data 8200 in FIG.

  In FIG. 28, reference numeral 6201 denotes a box for displaying a box number and a box name in which a job whose status is “hold after trial printing” is stored. The line in which each job is displayed can be selected, so that it is possible to check which job is stored in which box by checking the list, and perform actual printing, retest printing, or setting contents. The job to be changed can be selected.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when the third job from the top in the display example of FIG. 28 is selected. Here, a mark 6301 indicating that the third job from the top is selected is displayed. When a job is selected, a button 6302 for performing processing is displayed. When this button 6302 is operated, a screen as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed for the selected job, and actual printing, trial printing, and setting contents can be changed.

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to select a job to be processed by displaying a list of jobs having a post-trial print pending status from all boxes. Therefore, regardless of which box the job belongs to, the operator can check only the jobs for which main printing is suspended from the list, and more efficiently select a job for further processing. .

[Third Embodiment]
Next, as a third embodiment, an example will be described in which a dedicated box for a job whose status 8204 is “hold after test printing” is provided.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a box list display screen corresponding to the present embodiment. In FIG. 30, reference numeral 7101 denotes a button representing a job-dedicated box whose status 8204 is “printed”. When this button 7101 is operated, a list of jobs stored in the box is displayed. Reference numeral 7102 denotes a button representing a box dedicated to a job whose status 8204 is “hold after trial printing”. When this button 7102 is selected, a list of jobs stored in the box is displayed.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when the button 7102 is operated. In FIG. 31, reference numeral 7201 denotes a display field indicating the type of box, which indicates that the box is a hold-only box. Reference numeral 7202 denotes a display area for displaying a list of jobs stored in the hold box. Note that when a job displayed in the list display 7202 is selected, a button 6302 as shown in FIG. 29 is displayed, and the designation of processing for the selected job can be accepted.

  The flow of processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing corresponding to this embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 32 is substantially the same as the flowchart of FIG. 17 described in the first embodiment, but the step of moving the job data of the job held in step S4111 to the hold-only box (step S7301), A difference is that a step (step S7302) of moving job data to a box dedicated to a printed job after execution of the main printing is added.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, jobs having a status 8204 of “printed” or “hold after test printing” are stored in a dedicated box, and only jobs stored in the box are displayed in a list. The job to be processed can be selected. Since job data is stored separately for each job status in this way, target job data can be selected more efficiently.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, as a fourth embodiment, an example in which a trial print history of a job suspended after trial printing is displayed will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 17, it is shown that test printing and setting change can be performed a plurality of times for one job. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which past setting contents are read and desired processing is performed based on the read setting contents.

  FIG. 33 shows an example of a screen for accepting the designation of processing for the selected job displayed after the target job is selected from the box in step S 4101 of FIG. 17 corresponding to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a screen corresponding to FIG. 22 in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 33, reference numeral 5201 denotes a display field for displaying the date and print conditions and print conditions of the last test print for the selected job. That is, the job corresponding to FIG. 33 is a job that has been suspended after performing the trial printing, and the trial printing has already been performed three times. The data for display in the display column 5201 is that the processing content 8213 is “trial printing” based on the number of trials 8205, date / time 8210, history number 8212, processing content 8213, etc. of the box data 8200 shown in FIG. It can be generated using the setting contents registered for the job having the largest history number.

  Reference numeral 5202 denotes a button for receiving an instruction to display a list of change history of job processing and setting contents. When this button 5202 is selected, for example, a list screen as shown in FIG. 34 is displayed.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a history list display screen displayed after the button 5202 is operated. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 38, a history number 8212 is assigned every time processing such as job input, trial printing, and hold occurs, and the generation date and time, processing content, and setting content when executing the job are registered in the table. Is done. The registered history number 8212 is displayed in the display field 5302. The date and time of occurrence corresponding to the date / time 8210 is displayed in the display field 5303. Further, the processing content 8213 is displayed in the display column 5304, and the setting content (paper size 8207, paper direction 8208, number of copies 8211, etc.) received using the screen of FIG.

  In the display of FIG. 34, by accepting selection of a row to which history number 5302 is assigned, a job in the corresponding setting content is selected. At this time, a mark 5401 as shown in FIG. 35 is displayed in the display field 5301 to clearly indicate the history number 5302 for which the selection has been accepted. FIG. 35 shows an example of a screen showing a state where history number 2 is selected. If the button 5402 is selected in this state, the screen is closed and the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 33. At this time, the display column 5201 displays a display reflecting the printing condition of the history number 2 accepted in FIG. The A display example here is as shown in FIG.

  That is, when any of the buttons 4501, 4502, and 4503 is selected in the display state of FIG. 36, the selected process is executed based on the setting content corresponding to the content displayed in the display field 5201. It will be.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to read past setting contents as a history and set the current printing conditions. Therefore, even if the operator does not store past setting contents, the job can be executed by reading from the history, and the main printing, the trial printing, and the setting contents can be changed efficiently.

  Also, when trial printing is performed under a plurality of different printing conditions and one of the most preferable printing conditions is to be selected, if the history is left as in this embodiment, the preferable printing conditions are efficiently determined. It becomes possible to do.

[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an MFP corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printer IP unit 207 corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows another example of a structure of the printer IP part 207 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the screening part 208 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the PWM process in the screening part 208 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of sectional drawing of the printer part 209 (especially in the case of a color printer) corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the online finisher part 210 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the RIP part 213 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the RIP part 1003 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a description of the PDL data input into the interpreter part 1101 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the drawing result by the interpreter part corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the color matching process in the rendering part 1102 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a characteristic view for demonstrating the gamma correction in the screening part 1103 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in an operation unit of the MFP corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an operation unit of an MFP corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver screen corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the printer driver screen corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the printer driver screen corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the printer driver screen corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart corresponding to an example of the job input process corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart corresponding to an example of a printing process performed by executing a print job stored in a box unit 212, corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the box list display screen corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed when the predetermined | prescribed box is selected in the example of a screen of FIG. 18 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when a predetermined job is selected in the screen example of FIG. 19 corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen for accepting designation | designated of the processing method of the selected job corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed after execution of trial printing corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed when a hold instruction | indication is received after test printing corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the job list screen displayed when it hold | maintains after trial printing corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the list display of the job suspended after the trial printing corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which receives a setting change corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displays the box list | wrist when there exists the job whose status is "hold after trial printing" corresponding to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displays the list of the jobs whose status is "Pending after trial printing" corresponding to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed when a predetermined job is selected in the list of jobs corresponding to the second embodiment of the present invention whose status is “hold after test printing”. It is a figure which shows an example of the box list display screen corresponding to the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displayed the list of the jobs in the box only for a hold job corresponding to the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process corresponding to the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen for receiving the designation | designated of the process with respect to the job corresponding to the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the log | history list display screen corresponding to the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of selection of a history number in the history list display screen corresponding to the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen for receiving the designation | designated of the process with respect to the job reflecting selection of the history number in the history list display screen corresponding to the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the block data stored in the box part 212 corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of a structure of the block data stored in the box part 212 corresponding to embodiment of this invention.

Claims (20)

Storage means for storing a plurality of image data together with information on the number of copies to be formed as an image on recording paper;
Image forming means for forming an image according to the image data on a recording paper;
Display means for displaying identification information for identifying a plurality of image data stored in the storage means;
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of predetermined image data for image formation by the image forming means from the plurality of image data, using the identification information displayed on the display means;
For the predetermined image data whose selection is received by the selection receiving means, a first process for forming a part of the number of copies by the image forming means, and a first process for forming all of the number of copies by the image forming means. Instruction accepting means for accepting an execution instruction for any of the processes of No. 2 and
The image forming unit forms an image for the predetermined image data based on an execution instruction of the first process or the second process received by the instruction receiving unit,
The identification information includes information for identifying image data for which an instruction to execute the first process or the second process is received by the instruction receiving unit from among the plurality of image data. Image forming apparatus.   The information for identifying image data that has received an instruction to execute the first process is information for identifying that the second process has not been executed. Image forming apparatus. The plurality of image data is stored in the storage means as image data belonging to any of a plurality of groups,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the identification information for identifying image data belonging to the group for each group. The plurality of image data is stored in the storage means as image data belonging to any of a plurality of groups,
The display means displays only the identification information of the image data that has received the execution instruction of the first process by the instruction receiving means among the image data belonging to the plurality of groups. Image forming apparatus.   When the plurality of image data are stored in the storage unit as image data belonging to any of a plurality of groups, a first process is performed by the instruction receiving unit on the first group of the plurality of groups. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only image data for which an execution instruction is received is stored.   Image data belonging to a group other than the first group and having received an instruction to execute the first process is stored in the first group after the first process is executed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.   When the plurality of image data is stored in the storage unit as image data belonging to any of a plurality of groups, a second process is performed by the instruction receiving unit on the second group of the plurality of groups. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only image data for which an execution instruction is received is stored.   Image data belonging to a group other than the second group and having received an instruction to execute the second process is stored in the second group after the second process is executed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. The storage means further stores the setting contents when executing the first process or the second process for the predetermined image data in association with the image data,
The image forming apparatus further includes a selection unit that receives selection of the setting content stored in the storage unit,
When a plurality of the setting contents for the predetermined image data are stored in the storage means, the instruction receiving means performs the first process or the second process based on the setting contents selected by the selection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the execution instructions is accepted. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores a plurality of image data together with information on the number of copies to be formed as an image on recording paper; and an image forming unit that forms an image according to the image data on the recording paper. There,
A display step of displaying identification information for identifying a plurality of image data stored in the storage unit;
A selection receiving step of receiving selection of predetermined image data to be image-formed by the image forming unit from the plurality of image data using the identification information displayed in the display step;
For the predetermined image data for which selection has been received in the selection receiving step, a first process for forming a part of the number of copies in the image forming unit and a method for forming all the number of copies in the image forming unit. And an instruction receiving step for receiving an execution instruction for any of the processes of 2,
The image forming unit forms an image with respect to the predetermined image data based on an instruction to execute the first process or the second process received in the instruction receiving step.
The identification information includes information for identifying image data that has received an instruction to execute the first process or the second process in the instruction receiving step among the plurality of image data. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus.   The information for identifying image data that has received an instruction to execute the first process is information for identifying that the second process has not been executed. Image forming apparatus control method. The plurality of image data is stored in the storage unit as image data belonging to any of a plurality of groups,
12. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in the display step, the identification information for identifying the image data belonging to the group is displayed for each group. The plurality of image data is stored in the storage unit as image data belonging to any of a plurality of groups,
11. The display step displays only identification information of image data that has received an instruction to execute a first process in the instruction receiving step among the image data belonging to the plurality of groups. 11 is a control method of an image forming apparatus.   When the plurality of image data is stored in the storage unit as image data belonging to any of a plurality of groups, the first group of the plurality of groups includes a first process in the instruction receiving step. 14. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein only image data for which an execution instruction is received is stored.   Image data belonging to a group other than the first group and having received an instruction to execute the first process is stored in the first group after the first process is executed. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 14.   When the plurality of image data are stored in the storage unit as image data belonging to any of a plurality of groups, the second group of the plurality of groups has a second process in the instruction receiving step. 14. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein only image data for which an execution instruction is received is stored.   Image data belonging to a group other than the second group and having received an instruction to execute the second process is stored in the second group after the second process is executed. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 16. The storage unit further stores a setting content when executing the first process or the second process for the predetermined image data in association with the image data,
The method further includes a selection step of accepting selection of the setting content stored in the storage unit,
When a plurality of the setting contents for the predetermined image data are stored in the storage unit, in the instruction receiving step, the first process or the second process based on the setting contents selected in the selection step 18. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein one of the execution instructions is accepted.   A computer program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 10.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 19.

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