JP2007004568A - Image forming system, image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system, an image forming device and an image forming method, capable of properly processing a file even in an environment in which the kind of files is not limited. <P>SOLUTION: A print server provided with a printer driver and an application capable of interpreting files is connected to the image forming device. When the image forming device receives a file which cannot be processed by itself, the file is interpreted and converted to a new file described in PDL in the printer driver of the print server, and the new file is processed in the image forming device to print out images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method, and more particularly to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method that directly receive a file from an information processing apparatus and print out an image.

  A direct print system that directly sends a file described in PDF (Portable Document Format) or Page Description Language (PDL) from an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) to an image forming device such as a printer or a multi-function printer, and prints it out. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a system has been proposed in which image data is directly transmitted from a digital camera to an image forming apparatus and printed out (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

An image forming apparatus that starts an application, processes a file received from an information processing apparatus, and prints an image has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2003-162406 A JP 20045541 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-222230

  However, when a file described in a description language such as PDF is processed by an image forming apparatus and an image is printed out, the file cannot be processed unless the image forming apparatus corresponds to the description language of the file. .

  In addition, when a file described in PDL is processed by an image forming apparatus and an image is printed out, the file cannot be created unless the information processing apparatus has a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus. The image could not be printed out.

  Furthermore, even if an image forming apparatus activates an application to process a file, the number of applications activated on the information processing apparatus is infinite, and the type of file is often different for each application. The image forming apparatus is required to store a large number of applications for processing a file, and there is a problem that the configuration of the image forming apparatus becomes complicated and the cost increases.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method capable of appropriately processing a file even in an environment where the type of file is not limited.

  The image forming system according to the present invention includes a communication unit that transmits and receives a file, and processes the file when receiving a processable file, generates image data, and receives the unprocessable file via the communication unit. A file is transmitted to the print server, the file converted by the print server is received, the converted file is processed to generate image data, and the image is printed out based on the image data An image forming apparatus comprising a printer engine, a receiving means for receiving a file from the image forming apparatus, a file converting means for converting a file received from the image forming apparatus into a file that can be processed by the image forming apparatus, Transmission means for transmitting the file converted by the file conversion means to the image forming apparatus. Characterized in that a print server.

  Next, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit that transmits and receives a file, and processes the file when receiving a processable file to generate image data, and prints the file when receiving an unprocessable file. A data processing unit that transmits to the server, receives a file converted by the print server, processes the converted file to generate image data, and a printer engine that prints and outputs an image based on the image data; It comprises.

  In addition, a media insertion unit that receives media is further provided, and the media insertion unit acquires a file from the media.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus further includes a UI unit that receives a designation of a file to be displayed and printed, and the data processing unit generates an image to be displayed on the UI unit when a processable file is received. When an image printout instruction is received, the instructed image file is processed to generate image data.

  In the image forming method according to the present invention, the file is received by the communication means for transmitting and receiving the file, and the data processing unit determines whether or not the file can be processed. The image data is generated by the printer engine and the image is printed out by the printer engine. When it is determined that the file cannot be processed, the file is transmitted from the communication unit to a print server that converts the file into a file that can be processed by the data processing unit. The converted file is received from a print server, image data is generated by the data processing unit from the converted file, and an image is printed out by a printer engine.

  Also, the file is acquired from the media received by the media insertion unit.

  Further, when a processable file is received by the communication means, an image to be displayed on the UI unit that accepts designation of a file to be displayed and printed out is generated by the data processing unit and displayed on the UI unit, and the UI When the image print instruction is received by the image processing section, the data processing section processes the instructed image file to generate image data.

  In the present invention, even when a file of a type that cannot be processed by the image forming apparatus is received, the file can be appropriately processed and an image can be printed out.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The best mode for carrying out an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1 that prints out an image, an information processing apparatus 2 that transmits a file to the image forming apparatus, and a print server 3. The image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 are locally connected via communication means such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), and the image forming apparatus 1 and the print server 3 are connected to a network 4 such as LAN (Local Area Network). Connected through.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 1, the data processing unit 10, the network interface (I / F) 20 that connects the image forming apparatus 1 and the network 4, and the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 are locally connected. A local I / F 30 to be performed, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 that performs processing for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1, a program for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1, information necessary for control, and the like are stored. A memory 50 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input device such as a touch panel and operation buttons, and a display device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). And a printer engine 70 for printing out an image on a medium such as paper.

  The data processing unit 10 includes a data transmission / reception unit 11 that transmits and receives files and image data, a file determination unit 12 that determines whether a file received from the information processing apparatus is a processable file, a file And an image data generation unit 13 that generates image data (for example, raster data, vector data, etc.) for printing out an image with the printer engine 70.

  When the data processing unit 10 receives the file, the data processing unit 10 determines whether the file is an interpretable file. If the file is interpretable, the data processing unit 10 generates image data based on the file, and generates the generated image data. When the file is transmitted to the printer engine 70 and cannot be interpreted, the file is transmitted to the print server.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives an interpretable file, the image forming apparatus 1 prints out an image based on the file. When the image forming apparatus 1 receives an uninterpretable file, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the file to the print server 3.

  The information processing apparatus 2 transmits information to be printed out by the image forming apparatus 1 such as text and images to the image forming apparatus 1 as an arbitrary type of file.

  The print server 3 includes one or more applications for interpreting various types of files and a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1. When the file is received from the image forming apparatus 1, the received file Is converted into a file described in PDL corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 by the printer driver, and the converted file is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the image forming system of the present embodiment using the above configuration, when the image forming apparatus receives a file that cannot be processed by itself, the file is converted by the print server into a file that can be processed by the image forming apparatus. The file is processed by the image forming apparatus and the image is printed out.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing at the time of image formation of the image forming system in this embodiment.

  First, when the information processing apparatus 2 receives a print output instruction from the user (step 100), the information to be printed is converted into a file (step 101), and the file is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (step 102).

  The image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the received file is a file that can be processed (step 103). If the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the file cannot be processed (NO in step 103), the image forming apparatus 1 sends the file to the print server 3. Transmit (step 104).

  The print server 3 interprets the received file, creates a file described in PDL that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 1 (step 105), and transmits the created new file to the image forming apparatus 1 (step 105). 106).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 103 that the file is a processable file (YES in step 103), the file is interpreted to create image data (step 107), and the image is printed out (step 108).

  In this embodiment, in FIG. 2, when the new file transmitted from the print server in step 106 is received, image data is generated based on the new file in step 107. Similarly to the case where the file transmitted from the apparatus is received, it may be determined whether or not the file can be processed again in step 103, and then image data may be generated in step 107.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus are directly connected, but may be connected via a network.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even if the file type cannot be processed by the image forming apparatus, the file type is converted into a file that can be processed by the print server. It is possible to print out an image regardless of whether the information processing apparatus is provided with a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the file received from the information processing apparatus is processed and the image is printed out. However, by operating the UI of the image forming apparatus, the file is acquired from a medium such as a USB memory or an SD card. An image may be printed out and will be described in detail below with reference to the second embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image forming system in the present embodiment is provided with an image forming apparatus 1 for printing out an image and a print server 3, which are connected via a network 4.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a media insertion unit 80 that receives media such as a USB memory in which files are stored.

  Note that the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1 are attached to portions that perform the same functions as those in FIG. 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 acquires a file from the medium inserted in the medium insertion unit 80 and prints out the image, if the file can be interpreted, the image forming apparatus 1 prints out the image based on the file and cannot interpret the file. If not, the file is transmitted to the print server 3.

  The print server 3 includes one or more applications for interpreting various types of files and a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1. When the file is received from the image forming apparatus 1, the print server 3 receives the file. The file is interpreted by an application, converted into a file described in PDL corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 by a printer driver, and the converted file is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1.

  Using the above configuration, in the image forming system according to the present embodiment, when a file that cannot be processed by itself is acquired from the media, the file is converted into a file that can be processed by the image forming apparatus by the print server. The image is processed and printed out by the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during image formation of the image forming system in this embodiment.

  First, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a medium (step 200) and is instructed to print out a file stored in the medium (step 201), it is determined whether or not the file is a type of file that can be processed. When the determination is made (step 202) and it is determined that the processing is impossible (NO in step 202), the file is transmitted to the print server 3 (step 203).

  The print server 3 interprets the received file, creates a file described in PDL that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 1 (step 204), and transmits the created new file to the image forming apparatus 1 (step 204). 205).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 103 that the file is a processable file (YES in step 203), the file is interpreted to create image data (step 206), and the image is printed out (step 207).

  As described above, in this embodiment, even if the file type acquired from the medium cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus, it is converted into a file that can be processed by the print server, so that the image can be printed out.

  By the way, the print instruction of the file acquired from the medium can be received by an arbitrary method such as a method of receiving the selection by displaying the file name on the UI or a method of receiving only the print instruction without displaying the file name or the like. It is possible to accept a selection by displaying a list of images (files) as thumbnails.

  However, when a file cannot be processed by the image forming apparatus, it is often impossible to even display an image on the UI. In such a case, an image (file) may be displayed after the file is processed by the print server. Good. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given using the third embodiment.

  The image forming system according to this embodiment is the same as that according to the second embodiment except that the image data generating unit 13 generates an image to be displayed on the UI 50.

  In the image forming system according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the file is acquired, the data processing unit 10 determines whether the file can be processed. When the file is determined to be processed, the image data generation unit 13 displays the file on the UI 50. An image to be generated is displayed on the UI 50, and a print output of a file (image) is received.

  If it is determined that the file cannot be processed, the file is converted into a file that can be processed by the print server 3, and then the image data generating unit 13 generates an image to be displayed on the UI 50 and displays the image on the UI 50. The print output of (image) is accepted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during image formation of the image forming system in this embodiment.

  First, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a medium (step 300), the image forming apparatus 1 reads a file stored in the medium (step 301), and determines whether or not the file is a file of a processable type (step 301). 302) If it is determined that the processing is impossible (NO in step 302), the file is transmitted to the print server 3 (step 303).

  The print server 3 interprets the received file, creates a file described in PDL that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 1 (step 304), and sends the created new file to the image forming apparatus 1 (step 304). 305).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 302 that the file is a processable file (YES in step 302), the file is interpreted and an image is displayed (step 306), and the image (file) is selected and print output is instructed. When it is done (step 307), the file is interpreted to create image data (step 308), and the image is printed out (step 309).

  As described above, in this embodiment, even if the file type acquired from the medium cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus, the file is converted into a file that can be processed by the print server. It is possible to display and accept a print instruction and print it out.

  In this embodiment, the file acquired from the media is processed and the image is displayed on the UI. However, the file acquired from the information processing apparatus or the like is processed and the image is displayed on the UI. An instruction may be accepted.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system in Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during image formation in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing during image formation in the second embodiment. Flowchart showing the flow of processing during image formation in Embodiment 3.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... Information processing apparatus 3 ... Print server 4 ... Network 10 ... Data processing part 11 ... Data transmission / reception part 12 ... File determination part 13 ... Image data generation part 20 ... Network I / F
30 ... Local I / F
40 ... CPU
50 ... Memory 60 ... UI
70: Printer engine 80 ... Media insertion section

Claims (7)

A communication means for sending and receiving files;
When a processable file is received, the file is processed to generate image data. When an unprocessable file is received, the file is transmitted to the print server via the communication means, and the file converted by the print server. A data processing unit that processes the converted file to generate image data;
An image forming apparatus comprising a printer engine for printing out an image based on the image data;
Receiving means for receiving a file from the image forming apparatus;
File conversion means for converting the file received from the image forming apparatus into a file that can be processed by the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: a print server including a transmission unit configured to transmit the file converted by the file conversion unit to the image forming apparatus. A communication means for sending and receiving files;
When a processable file is received, the file is processed to generate image data. When an unprocessable file is received, the file is transmitted to the print server, and the file converted by the print server is received. A data processing unit that processes the generated file to generate image data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printer engine that prints out an image based on the image data. A media insertion unit for receiving media;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the media insertion unit acquires a file from a medium. A UI unit that accepts designation of a file to be displayed and printed;
The data processing unit
When a processable file is received, an image to be displayed on the UI unit is generated,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein upon receiving an image printout instruction in the UI unit, the image file is generated by processing the instructed image file. Receive the file by communication means to send and receive the file,
The data processing unit determines whether the file can be processed,
When it is determined that the data can be processed, the data processing unit generates image data, prints the image with a printer engine,
If it is determined that the file cannot be processed, the file is transmitted from the communication means to the print server that converts the file into a file that can be processed by the data processing unit, the converted file is received from the print server, and the converted file is received. An image forming method, wherein image data is generated from a file by the data processing unit and an image is printed out by a printer engine. 6. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the file is acquired from the medium received by the media insertion unit. When the processable file is received by the communication means, an image to be displayed on the UI unit that accepts designation of a file to be displayed and printed out is generated by the data processing unit and displayed on the UI unit.
8. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein upon receiving an image printout instruction in the UI unit, the data processing unit processes the instructed image file to generate image data.

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