JP2007021728A - Image forming apparatus, its control method and network system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image with high degree of freedom, and to provide its control method and a network system. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus comprising a print function and a function for communicating data with other terminal through a communication means, when additional information representative of print mode of a final printed matter and a print image file are received from other terminal, print operation for printing the image of the print image file is performed in accordance with the additional information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a printing function and a communication function for exchanging data with another terminal device via a communication unit, and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of image processing functions such as an image reading function, a printer function, and a copying function has functions convenient for the user, such as a document bank function and a user program registration function ( Patent Document 1).

  The document bank function stores image data that can be reused, for example, a map, a guide map to be presented to a visitor, or image data to be added to a copy, for example, an advertisement document, etc. Is a function that makes it possible to utilize documents stored appropriately.

The user program registration function registers operation contents and operation information for performing a specific work by combining a plurality of copy modes as a program with one registration key so that the same program can be used with one key operation. It is a thing.
JP 2000-184213 A

  By the way, when the document bank function is used in such a multi-function peripheral, image data reflecting the contents operated by the user is stored. For example, if you select the 2in1 mode that consolidates two images into one page and scan the image, each scanned image is scaled (reduced) to 50%, and the two scaled images are placed. An accumulated image for one page is formed and registered in the document bank function in that state.

  Therefore, since the images registered in the document bank function in such a state are handled as one image after that, there is a possibility that it may be difficult to use.

  In particular, in recent years, when a multifunction device is connected to a network environment, a request for handling image data stored in the multifunction device from another device such as another multifunction device, a printer device, or a server device has occurred. However, since the stored image data is affected by the user's operation when storing images in the multifunction peripheral, image editing may be required when using with other devices. .

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of performing image formation with a high degree of freedom, a control method therefor, and a network system.

  The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a printing function and a communication function for exchanging data with another terminal device via a communication unit, and representing an aspect of printing a final printed matter from the other terminal device. When the information and the print image file are received, a print operation for printing the image of the print image file is performed according to the additional information. The additional information is operation information input by an operation means of the other terminal device. Further, a parameter for printing is created based on the additional information, and an image is formed according to the parameter.

  In addition, in a control method for an image forming apparatus having a printing function and a communication function for exchanging data with another terminal device via a communication unit, the printing mode of the final printed matter is expressed by the other terminal device. When the additional information and the print image file are received, a printing operation for printing an image of the print image file is performed according to the additional information. The additional information is operation information input by an operation means of the other terminal device. Further, a parameter for printing is created based on the additional information, and an image is formed according to the parameter.

  Also, an image file storage function for storing a large number of image files, a file server device having a communication function for connecting to a network and exchanging data with other terminals, and the file server device via the network In the network system comprising a user-operated terminal device to be connected, a print function for printing an image, and a communication function for connecting to a network and exchanging data with other terminals, the file server When the apparatus receives print job information including an additional information table in which instruction information of one or more image files instructed to be printed from the user operation terminal apparatus and additional information representing a printing mode is received, the apparatus accepts the network compatible printing apparatus. In contrast to the instruction information included in the received print job information. The one or more image files and the print job information are transmitted, and the network-compatible printing apparatus performs a printing operation for printing the image of the received one upper image file according to the received additional information. It is a thing.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the image data and the operation information indicating the operation content designated by the user at the time of the accumulation operation are stored separately, which is very convenient when reusing the image data. obtain.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In this figure, this network system is composed of two network multifunction peripherals FXa and FXb connected to a local area network LAN and a server device SM.

  The network multifunction peripherals FXa and FXb have a copying function and a function of transferring print job information or an image file to another terminal.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the network MFP FX (FXa, FXb).

  In the figure, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process, a copy control process, and an image transfer control process for each part of the network MFP FX. 1 stores a control processing program executed by the computer 1 and various data necessary for executing the processing program, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 is a network multifunction device. This is for storing various kinds of information unique to FX, and the clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

  The image reading unit 5 is for reading a document image with a predetermined resolution, and the reading control unit 6 is for controlling the operation of the image reading unit 5. The image printing unit 7 is for recording and outputting an image with a predetermined resolution, and the print control unit 8 is for controlling the operation of the image printing unit 7. The operation display unit 9 is for operating the image forming apparatus, and includes various operation keys and various displays.

  The image processing unit 10 is for applying various image processing (for example, encoding / decoding processing, scaling processing, image characteristic conversion processing, etc.) to the image data obtained by reading by the image reading unit 5. The magnetic disk device 11 is for accumulating a large number of image data and other various data and data files.

  The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the network MFP FX to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 13 communicates with other data terminal devices via the local area network LAN. It is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data between them.

  These are the system control unit 1, the system memory 2, the parameter memory 3, the clock circuit 4, the reading control unit 6, the print control unit 8, the operation display unit 9, the image processing unit 10, the magnetic disk device 11, and the local area network. The transmission control unit 13 is connected to an internal bus 14, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the magnetic disk device 11 is provided with an image file area for storing image files and a print job area for storing print job information. The magnetic disk device 11 may be provided with other appropriate information storage areas.

  A plurality of image files are accumulated in the image file area as shown in FIG. Each image file is composed of a file ID for identifying each image file and image data as the image file body, as shown in FIG.

  In the print job area, a plurality of pieces of print job information are accumulated as shown in FIG. Each print job information includes a print file data table in which file IDs of one or more image files included in the print job are collected and a user operation during a copying operation, as shown in FIG. It consists of an additional information table for storing additional information consisting of operation information and the like.

  Here, the additional information includes editing information, image quality information, device specific information, and the like.

  The editing system information includes an aggregation mode in which a plurality of images are allocated to one sheet (2 in 1 (an aggregation mode in which two images are allocated to one sheet)), 4 in 1 (an aggregation in which four images are allocated to one sheet) Mode)), imposition mode (single side / both sides) indicating that an image is formed only on one side of the paper or on both sides of the paper, presence or absence of bookbinding, center erase mode for erasing the center of the image, Frame erasing mode for erasing the frame part of the image, Margining mode for placing on the paper in consideration of the margin, date printing for printing the date on the paper, page printing for printing the page number on the paper, and a predetermined stamp on the paper There is stamp printing to print.

  Further, the image quality information includes reading resolution, reading mode (monochrome / color), reading source (reading device attributes (scanner of image forming apparatus, general-purpose scanner, digital still camera, etc.)), and image quality mode (character / character). Photo / special).

  Further, the device unique information includes a model code, a destination, a lot number, and the like. A case where the user of the network multifunction peripheral FXa transfers the read image to the network multifunction peripheral FXb with the above configuration will be described.

  First, when a user sets a document on a document table (not shown) of the image reading unit 5, the system control unit 1 starts a reading operation of the image reading unit 5 by the reading control unit 6, and a one-page document image is predetermined. The image processing unit 10 converts the image data obtained by the image data into the standard image model image data, converts the image data into image data of a predetermined compression format, and stores the image data in the image file area of the magnetic disk device 11. This operation is repeated for all originals. Here, the standard image model is defined as a condition that forms an image such as a color space as a virtual one, not a device-specific one.

  In parallel with this document reading and accumulating operation, the user performs a transfer operation. In this operation, an operation mode operation when forming a printed matter, an input operation of a network address of the transfer destination network multifunction peripheral FXb, and the like are performed.

  Then, the system control unit 1 generates print job information for the reading operation at this time, and stores additional information representing the operation contents of the user at this time in the additional information table of the generated print job information. Further, the file IDs of one or more image files read at this time and stored in the magnetic disk device 11 are stored in the print file data table of the generated print job information.

  When the user's operation is completed and the image data of all the read originals are accumulated in the magnetic disk device 11 and the above-described print job information is completed, the system control unit 1 connects to the network MFP FXb of the designated network address. Then, the print job information formed at that time and the image file included in the print job are transferred.

  In this way, the network multifunction peripheral FXb that has received the print job information and the image file creates print data corresponding to the image file in a printing mode according to the received print job information, and records and outputs it.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the network multifunction peripheral FXa in this case.

  When the user sets a document on the document table of the image reading unit 5 (processing 101), the system control unit 1 starts the reading operation of the image reading unit 5 and the storage operation of the read image by the reading control unit 6 (processing). 102).

  In parallel with this document reading and accumulating operation, an operation mode operation for forming a printed matter of the user is performed (processing 103). As a result, print job information is formed, an additional information table corresponding to the operation in the operation mode is formed and stored in the print job information, and a print file data table in which the accumulated image files are collected is printed. Stored in job information.

  When the user's operation is completed, the saved print job information and one or more image files included in the print file data table of the print job information are transferred to the network MFP FXb that is the designated transfer destination. (Process 104).

  FIG. 5 shows an outline of image reading / accumulation and additional information forming processing.

  First, an original image of one page is read at a predetermined resolution (process 201), and image data obtained thereby is converted into image data of a standard image model by the image processing unit 10 (process 202), and a predetermined compression format is used. Are stored in the image file area of the magnetic disk device 11 (process 203).

  When the reading / accumulation for one page is completed, it is checked whether or not there is a next reading original (determination 204). When the result of determination 204 is YES, the process returns to processing 201 to read the original image of the next page. -Perform accumulation operation.

  When the reading / accumulating operation is completed for all the read originals and the result of determination 204 is NO, the process waits until the user's copying operation ends (NO loop of determination 205). When the result of determination 205 is YES, an additional information table in which additional information representing the user's operation content at this time is collected is formed (processing 206).

  Next, print job information is created for the print job at this time (process 207), and this process ends.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of image output processing performed by the network multifunction peripheral FXb.

  First, when print job information and an image file are received from the network multifunction peripheral FXa, they are stored in the magnetic disk device 11 (process 301).

  Next, the apparatus state of the image printing unit 7 at that time (for example, the photosensitive characteristics of the photoconductor, the toner density of the developer, etc.) and the difference parameter from the standard apparatus state are formed and set in the print control unit 8. (Process 302).

  Next, print data of the image file included in the print file data table is created according to the contents of the additional information table of the print job information (process 303), and a print corresponding to the print data created in process 303 is printed on the print control unit 8. Then, it is formed and recorded by the image printing unit 7 (process 304).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the copy original image is accumulated for each page, and the operation content such as the copy mode is stored as additional job information as print job information for each print job. Information is transferred to another network multifunction peripheral (image forming device), and the network multifunction peripheral that has received the image file and the print job information has received it according to the contents of the print job information information when creating a copy. Since the image of the image file is formed, the printed matter according to the specified print job when it is stored in the transmission source network multifunction device is recorded and output from the transmission destination network multifunction device. Image data can be used effectively.

  FIG. 7 shows a network system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  In this figure, this network system is composed of a personal computer PC connected to a local area network LAN, a print information management server SV, a network printer NP, and a server SM.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of the print information management server apparatus SV.

  In the figure, a system control unit 21 performs various control processes such as a control process for each part of the print information management server device SV and an image transfer control process. The control processing program to be executed and various data necessary for executing the processing program are stored, and the work area of the system control unit 21 is configured. The parameter memory 23 is the print information management server device. This is for storing various types of information unique to the SV, and the clock circuit 24 outputs current time information.

  The operation display unit 25 is for operating the print information management server device SV, and includes various operation keys and various displays.

  The image processing unit 26 applies various image processing (for example, encoding / decoding processing, scaling processing, image characteristic conversion processing, etc.) to various types of image data. Image data and other various data and data files.

  The local area network interface circuit 28 is for connecting the print information management server SV to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 29 is connected to another data terminal via the local area network LAN. This is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with the apparatus.

  The system control unit 21, system memory 22, parameter memory 23, clock circuit 24, operation display unit 25, image processing unit 26, magnetic disk device 27, and local area network transmission control unit 29 are connected to the internal bus 30. The data is exchanged between these elements mainly through the internal bus 30.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of the network printer device NP.

  In the figure, a system control unit 41 performs various control processes such as a control process of each part of the network printer apparatus NP, a print control process, and an image transfer control process. 41 stores a control processing program executed by the CPU 41 and various data necessary for executing the processing program, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 41. The parameter memory 43 is a network printer device. The clock circuit 44 is for storing various types of information unique to the NP, and outputs the current time information.

  The image printing unit 45 is for recording and outputting an image with a predetermined resolution, and the print control unit 46 is for controlling the operation of the image printing unit 45. The operation display unit 47 is for operating the image forming apparatus, and includes various operation keys and various displays.

  The image processing unit 48 is for applying various types of image processing (for example, encoding / decoding processing, scaling processing, image characteristic conversion processing, etc.) to various types of image data. Image data and other various data and data files.

  The local area network interface circuit 50 is for connecting the network printer device NP to the local area network LAN. The local area network transmission control unit 51 is connected to other data terminal devices via the local area network LAN. It is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data between them.

  These system control unit 41, system memory 42, parameter memory 43, clock circuit 44, print control unit 46, operation display unit 47, image processing unit 48, magnetic disk device 49, and local area network transmission control unit 51 are Are connected to the internal bus 52, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 52.

  In this embodiment, the print information management server SV includes an image file area in the magnetic disk device 27 as in the case of the network multifunction peripherals FXa and FXb in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and a number of images are included in this image file area. Accumulating files.

  The user of the personal computer apparatus PC connects to the print information management server apparatus SV, selects an image file desired to be printed from among a large number of image files stored in the print information management server apparatus SV, and prints. Is designated (in this case, the network printer device NP), and further, an operation for designating a printing mode for printing is performed. By this operation, for example, additional information (editing system information, image quality system information, device specific information, etc.) similar to that of the network MFP of the above-described embodiment is formed.

  When the user's operation is finished, the personal computer apparatus PC print information specifying the printing device specified by the user (for example, a network address, a network identification name, etc.), and one or more images selected by the user. Print job information (see FIGS. 3A to 3E) including a print file data table indicating a file and an additional information table formed based on a user operation is generated, and the printing device designation information and print job information are created. Is transmitted to the print information management server SV. Here, the processing of the personal computer apparatus PC is executed by appropriate software such as a printer driver, for example.

  The print information management server device SV temporarily stores the received printing device designation information and print job information, and stores the accumulated print job information and the print file of the print job information for the network printer device NP designated as the printing device. Transfer one or more image files included in the data table.

  Then, the network printer NP creates print data for printing the received image file in accordance with the received print job information, and records and outputs a printed matter specified in the print job information.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of processing of the personal computer apparatus PC.

  First, a connection is made to the print information management server apparatus SV (process 401). Then, the user designates a printing device (in this case, the network printer device NP), designates one or more image files stored in the print information management server device SV as a print file, and performs printing. An operation for designating the printing mode is performed (processing 402).

  As a result, the personal computer PC creates print job information including a print file data table indicating one or more image files selected by the user and an additional information table formed based on the user operation (processing 403). ), The printing device designation information and the print job information are transmitted to the print information management server device SV (process 404).

  FIG. 11 shows an example of processing of the print information management server apparatus SV in this case.

  First, when printing device designation information and print job information are received (process 501), the printer is connected to the device designated by the printing device designation information (in this case, the network printer NP), and print file data of the print job information The upper image file included in the table and the print job information are transferred (process 502).

  FIG. 12 shows an example of processing of the network printer device NP in this case.

  When the network printer device NP receives the print job information and the image file from the print information management server device SV (process 601), the network printer device NP stores the information in the magnetic disk device 49.

  Next, the apparatus state of the image printing unit 45 at that time (for example, the photosensitive characteristic of the photosensitive member, the toner density of the developer, and the like) and the difference parameter from the standard apparatus state are formed and set in the print control unit 46. (Process 602).

  Next, print data of the image file included in the print file data table stored in the magnetic disk device 49 is created according to the contents of the additional information table of the print job information (process 603), and the print data corresponding to the print data created in process 603 is supported. A printed matter is formed and recorded by the print control unit 46 and the image printing unit 45 (process 604).

1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which showed an example of the structure of network multifunction peripheral FX (FXa, FXb). FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a storage area of the magnetic disk device 11. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the network multifunction peripheral FXa. The flowchart which showed the outline of the reading / accumulation of an image, and the formation process of additional information. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of image output processing performed by the network multifunction peripheral FXb. The block diagram which showed the network system concerning the other Example of this invention. The block diagram which showed an example of the structure of printing information management server apparatus SV. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network printer device NP. The flowchart which showed an example of the process of personal computer apparatus PC. The flowchart which showed an example of the process of print information management server apparatus SV. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the network printer apparatus NP.

Explanation of symbols

1, 21, 41 System control unit 2, 22, 42 System memory 3, 23, 43 Parameter memory 5 Image reading unit 6 Reading control unit 7, 45 Image printing unit 8, 46 Print control unit 9, 25, 47 Operation display unit 10, 26, 48 Image processing unit 11, 27, 49 Magnetic disk unit 13, 28, 50 Local area network interface circuit 1429, 51 Local area network transmission control unit FXa, FXb Network multifunction device SM server device SV print information management server device NP Network printer device PC Personal computer device

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus having a printing function and a communication function for exchanging data with other terminal devices via a communication unit,
Upon receiving additional information representing a printing mode of a final printed matter and a print image file from another terminal device, the image forming apparatus performs a printing operation for printing an image of the print image file according to the additional information. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is operation information input by an operation unit of the other terminal device.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a parameter for printing is created based on the additional information, and an image is formed according to the parameter. In a control method for an image forming apparatus having a printing function and a communication function for exchanging data with another terminal device via a communication unit,
Upon receiving additional information representing a printing mode of a final printed matter and a print image file from another terminal device, the image forming apparatus performs a printing operation for printing an image of the print image file according to the additional information. Control method.   5. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the additional information is operation information input by operating means of the other terminal device.   6. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a printing parameter is created based on the additional information, and an image is formed according to the parameter. A file server device having an image file storage function for storing a large number of image files, a communication function for connecting to a network and exchanging data with other terminals, and connecting to the file server device via a network In a network system comprising a user operation terminal device, a printing function for printing an image, and a network-compatible printing device having a communication function for connecting to a network and exchanging data with other terminals,
When the file server device receives print job information including an additional information table in which additional information representing one or more image files instructed to be printed from the user operation terminal device and additional information representing a printing mode is received, One or more image files corresponding to the instruction information included in the received print job information and the print job information are transmitted to the printing apparatus;
The network system, wherein the network-compatible printing apparatus performs a printing operation for printing an image of the received image file one level higher in accordance with the received additional information.

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