JP2007122641A - Image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an operator to change print setting for re-printing without moving to a computer which is a transmitting origin of printing object data even when printing is unsuccessful in the case of performing printing by transmitting the printing object data from the computer to an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In a server computer, the printing object data transmitted from the computer is stored in a printing object data storage part (S1), after a creation part of data for print creates data for print (S3), a communication part transmits the data for print to a multifunction machine (S5) and data of the first page of the created data for print is simultaneously stored in a page data storage part (S4). When reading data of the first page of a printed matter and new print setting are transmitted from the multifunction machine (YES in S6), a printing data creation means creates new data for print according to this print setting instruction (S8) and the communication part transmits the new data for print to the multifunction machine (S5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, and more particularly to a technique for setting print settings again when printing fails.

  When printing is performed by sending print target data from a personal computer to an image forming device on the network, but the paper size of the printed matter or the enlargement / reduction setting of the image to be printed is poor, and printing fails. In this case, printing is performed again by changing the paper size, enlargement / reduction setting, or the like. As a technique for changing a conventional print setting, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561, there is an image processing apparatus that switches settings such as paper size and enlargement / reduction by reading an information input sheet by reading means. Also, in Patent Document 2 below, printing is performed after the operator confirms the contents of the print target data that has been printed previously by displaying the print image of the print target data that has been printed on the browsing means of the host computer. There has been proposed a printing apparatus that eliminates the need to specify the printing target data to be printed and to transmit the printing target data to the image forming apparatus again.

However, if the print setting is changed and printing is performed again, the operator moves to the personal computer that is the output source of the print target data, operates the personal computer, changes the print setting, and then again enters the image forming apparatus. It is necessary to send print target data. In the case of the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, settings can be switched on the image forming apparatus side, but if the operator does not move to the host computer, the print target data to be printed is transmitted again. It is not possible. Also, in the case of the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a print image of previously printed print target data is displayed on the host computer, so the operator needs to move to the host computer to perform a printing operation.
JP-A-8-224930 JP 2004-326817 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When printing target data is transmitted from a computer to an image forming apparatus and printing is performed, even if the printing fails, the operator can print the data to be printed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system capable of performing reprinting by changing print settings without moving to a computer that is a transmission source of the image.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present application is an image forming system including a server computer and an image forming apparatus connected to a network so that data can be transmitted and received between each other.
The server computer includes a print target data storage unit that stores print target data transmitted from the computer as a print target, and a print target corresponding to the image forming apparatus from the print target data stored in the print target data storage unit. Print data creation means for creating data, page data storage means for storing print data for at least one page created by the print data creation means, and print data created by the print data creation means Printing data transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes: a print setting input unit that receives print settings from an operator; a printing unit that prints print data transmitted from the server computer; an image reading unit that reads an image on a document; Data transmitting means for transmitting to the server computer the read data for at least one page of the original read by the image reading means and the print settings input to the print setting input means;
The server computer further includes a determination unit that determines whether the read data for at least one page of the document transmitted from the image forming apparatus matches the print data stored in the page data storage unit. When the determination unit determines that the two data match, the print data creation unit reads out the print target data from which the match is determined from the print target data storage unit. The print data is generated according to the print settings transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the print data transmitting means transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus.

  In this configuration, in the server computer, the print target data transmitted from the computer is stored in the print target data storage means, and after the print data creation means creates the print data, the created print data is printed. The print data is transmitted from the print data transmission means to the image forming apparatus, the print target data is left in the print target data storage means, and at least one page of the created print data is stored in the page data storage means. Keep it. The data transmission unit of the image forming apparatus transmits to the server computer the read data for at least one page of the document read by the image reading unit and the print setting input to the print setting input unit by the operator. Then, the determination unit determines whether the read data for at least one page of the document transmitted from the image forming apparatus matches the print data stored in the page data storage unit. When it is determined that the two data match, the print data creation unit reads the print target data that is the basis of the print data for which the match is determined from the print target data storage unit, Print data is created in accordance with the print settings, and the print data transmission means transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a print setting sheet data storage unit that stores data of print setting sheets, and an operator's data. An instruction input means for inputting a print instruction for the print setting paper, and print setting paper data stored in the print setting paper data storage means when an operator inputs a print instruction to the instruction input means. Control means for causing the printing means to print,
The print setting input means accepts an input of print settings from an operator by analyzing print settings from the read data of the print setting paper read by the image reading means, and the data transmission means The print setting received by the input means is transmitted to the server computer.

  In this configuration, when a print instruction is input from the operator to the instruction input unit in the image forming apparatus, the control unit causes the print unit to print the data of the print setting sheet stored in the print setting sheet data storage unit. . The print setting input unit receives an input of the print setting instruction from the operator by analyzing the print setting instruction from the read data of the print setting sheet read by the image reading unit. The data transmission unit transmits a print setting instruction analyzed from the read data to the server computer from the data transmission unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the second aspect, the print setting paper data storage unit of the image forming apparatus stores the print setting paper data and the print setting. The image data that serves as the paper identification mark is stored,
The control means, based on the print instruction from the operator input to the instruction input means, together with the print setting paper data stored in the print setting paper data storage means, the image serving as the identification mark. Causing the printing means to print the data;
The print setting input unit detects print settings from the read data of the print setting sheet read by the image reading unit when the identification mark is detected from the read data of the print setting sheet read by the image reading unit. Is analyzed.

  In this configuration, when a print instruction is input from the operator to the instruction input unit in the image forming apparatus, the control unit prints image data serving as an identification mark of the print setting sheet together with the print setting sheet data. To print. Then, when the identification mark is detected from the read data read by the image reading unit, the print setting input unit further analyzes the print setting instruction from the print target data.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the second aspect, an operator inputs to the instruction input unit that a reading target of the image reading unit is the print setting sheet. In this case, the print setting input unit analyzes the print setting from the read data of the print setting sheet read by the image reading unit.

  In this configuration, the print setting input unit receives a print setting instruction from the read data read by the image reading unit when the operator inputs that the reading target of the image reading unit is print setting paper to the instruction input unit. Is to be analyzed.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is instructed to input a print instruction from an operator instead of the print setting input unit. An input unit, a print setting sheet data storage unit storing print setting sheet data, and a print instruction stored in the print setting sheet data storage unit when an operator inputs a print instruction to the instruction input unit Control means for causing the printing means to print data on setting paper, and the data transmission means inputs from the operator to the instruction input means that the reading target of the image reading means is the print setting paper In this case, the read data read by the image reading unit is transmitted to the image forming apparatus,
The server computer includes print setting analysis means for analyzing print settings from the read data transmitted from the data transmission means of the image forming apparatus, and the print data creation means is analyzed by the print setting analysis means. Print data according to the print settings.

  In this configuration, in the image forming apparatus, when a print instruction is input from the operator to the instruction input unit, the control unit causes the printing unit to print the print setting sheet data stored in the print setting sheet data storage unit. Further, when the operator inputs to the instruction input means that the reading target of the image reading means is the print setting paper, the data transmitting means outputs the read data read by the image reading means to the image Send to forming device. In the server computer, the print setting analyzing unit analyzes the print setting instruction from the print data transmitted from the data transmitting unit of the image forming apparatus, and the print data creating unit converts the analyzed print setting into the analyzed print setting. Create print data accordingly.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising a server computer and an image forming apparatus connected to a network so as to be able to transmit / receive data to / from each other.
The server computer includes a print target data storage unit that stores print target data transmitted from the computer as a print target, and a print target corresponding to the image forming apparatus from the print target data stored in the print target data storage unit. Print data creating means for creating data, and print data transmitting means for sending print data created by the print data creating means to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes: a print instruction input unit that inputs an instruction for specifying data to be printed and print settings from an operator; a print unit that prints print data transmitted from the server computer; Data transmission means for transmitting an instruction for specifying data to be printed and print settings input to the print instruction input means to the server computer;
Further, the server computer reads the print target data from the print target data storage unit in accordance with an instruction for the print data generation unit to specify the data to be printed transmitted from the image forming apparatus, Print data is generated according to the print settings transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the print data transmitting means transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus.

  In this configuration, in the server computer, the print target data transmitted from the computer is stored in the print target data storage means, and after the print data creation means creates the print data, the created print data is printed. The data transmission means transmits to the image forming apparatus. When an instruction for specifying data to be printed and print settings input by the operator to the print setting input means are transmitted from the data transmission means of the image forming apparatus to the server computer, the print data The creation unit reads the print target data indicated by the instruction for specifying the data to be printed from the print target data storage unit, creates print data according to the print setting from the image forming apparatus, and print data The transmission unit transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the server computer holds the print target data transmitted from the computer and the print setting instruction is transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the print setting instruction is followed. Since the print data is created from the print target data stored in the print target data storage means, the operator can output the printed matter without moving to the computer that has output the print target data to the server computer. An operation for inputting an instruction to change the print setting can be performed while staying at the installation place of the image forming apparatus. Further, the server computer collates the read data for at least one page of the document transmitted from the image forming apparatus with the print data for at least one page of the document stored in the page data storage means, and prints it. Since the print target data to be created is specified, the operator is not required to perform complicated operations in the image forming apparatus to specify the print target data to be created for print data. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus accepts an input of the print setting instruction from the operator by analyzing the print setting instruction from the read data of the print setting sheet read by the image reading unit. Since the analyzed print setting instruction is transmitted to the server computer, the operator can input the print setting to the image forming apparatus with a simple operation by causing the image reading unit to read the print setting sheet.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, when image data serving as an identification mark is detected from the read data of the print setting sheet read by the image reading unit, the read data by the image reading unit Are handled as data to be analyzed as to whether a print setting instruction is included, so that the operator does not need to input an instruction to analyze the print setting instruction.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in the image forming apparatus, when the operator inputs that the reading target of the image reading unit is print setting paper to the instruction input unit, the image reading unit reads the image. Since the read data is handled as data to be analyzed whether a print setting instruction is included, the operator can easily input an instruction to analyze the print setting instruction.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary for the image forming apparatus to have a system for analyzing the print setting instruction, and the processing burden on the image forming apparatus can be reduced. Since the server computer generally has a relatively high-performance CPU as a control means, even if the server computer has a system (program or the like) for analyzing the print setting instruction, the server computer Such processing burden is not a serious problem.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the server computer holds the print target data transmitted from the computer and the print setting instruction is transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the print setting instruction is followed. Since the print data is created from the print target data stored in the print target data storage means, the operator can output the printed matter without moving to the computer that has output the print target data to the server computer. An operation for inputting an instruction to change the print setting can be performed while staying at the installation place of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration including an image forming apparatus and a server computer constituting an image forming system according to the present invention, and a computer connected to the image forming system.

  The multifunction machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus has functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The multi-function device 1 includes a server computer SV2 connected to the multi-function device 1 via an internal storage device of the multi-function device 1, an intranet or the like, and PCs (personal computers) 31 to 34 is stored in a storage unit or the like. The multifunction device 1 prints out data stored in the internal storage device of the multifunction device 1 or prints out data sent from the server computer SV2. As described above, the multi-function device 1, the server computer SV2, and the PCs 31 to 34 can perform data communication with each other.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multi-function device 1 includes a control unit 100 that controls the operation of each unit of the apparatus, an image reading unit (image reading unit) 110 that includes a scanner that reads a document image, data of a document read by the image reading unit 110, and the like. The image memory 120, which is an area for temporarily storing or temporarily storing data to be printed by the printing unit 130, the document data read by the image reading unit 110, and the server computer SV2 is transmitted. A printing unit (printing means) 130 for printing the data and the like.

  The multi-function device 1 includes a facsimile communication unit 140 that performs various functions necessary for facsimile communication and receives image data from an external facsimile apparatus through a public line, a transmission start key, a numeric keypad, and an abbreviated number key. An operation unit (print setting input means, instruction input means) 20 for receiving input of various operation instructions (input of print settings, print instruction of print setting paper, etc.) and ID information (described later) from the operator, And a display unit 150 including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like for displaying operation guidance and the like. The display unit 150 may be provided with a touch panel function to accept various operation instructions from the operator.

  Further, the multifunction machine 1 has an HDD (hard disk) 170 having a large-capacity storage area for storing document image data read by the image reading unit 110. The HDD 170 includes a print setting paper data storage unit (print setting paper data storage unit) 171 and a data storage unit 172. The print setting paper data storage unit 171 stores image data necessary for printing the print setting paper and image data necessary for printing the identification mark. The print setting paper is a print setting paper for the operator to write print settings (enlargement / reduction, paper size setting, etc.) of the printed matter. An identification mark is a mark (for example, a barcode) indicating that a recording sheet printed as a print setting sheet is a sheet having information on a print setting instruction from an operator and is different from a general document to be printed. Etc.). The data storage unit 172 stores document image data read by the image reading unit 110 and data transmitted from the server computer SV2 or the PCs 31 to 34.

  The control unit 100 includes an analysis unit 101, a data transmission / reception unit 102, and a control unit 103.

  An analysis unit (functioning as part of a setting input unit) 101 analyzes image data (hereinafter referred to as read data) read by the image reading unit 110 and detects a print setting instruction included in the read data. As a result, an input of print settings from the operator is accepted.

  The data transmission / reception unit (data transmission means) 102 performs processing necessary for data transmission / reception between the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34. In this embodiment, the data transmission / reception unit 102 reads the print setting instruction analyzed by the analysis unit 101 and the read data for at least one page of the printed matter read by the image reading unit 110 in order to specify the data to be reprinted. Are transmitted to the server computer SV2.

  The control unit (control unit) 103 controls operation of the entire multifunction device 1. In the present embodiment, when the print instruction for the print setting paper is input from the operator to the operation unit 20, the control unit 103 identifies the identification mark and the print setting paper image stored in the print setting paper data storage unit 171. The data is printed on the printing unit 130.

  Further, the multi function device 1 includes an image processing unit 190 that performs image image data editing / processing (code / decoding processing, enlargement / reduction processing, compression / decompression processing) processing read by the image reading unit 110, a server computer SV2, It has a network I / F 160 used for exchanging various data with the PCs 31 to 34 (FIG. 2 shows the connection with the server computer SV2 as a representative).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the PCs 31 to 34. Since the configurations of the PCs 31 to 34 are all the same, the following description will be given taking the configuration of the PC 31 as an example. The PC 31 includes a control unit 311, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, an HDD 314, a display 315, a communication I / F 316, and an input unit 317.

  The control unit 311 controls operation of the entire PC 31. The ROM 312 stores various operation programs. The RAM 313 is used as an operation area of the control unit 311. The HDD 314 is a storage device that stores various data such as document data or image data to be printed. The display 315 displays various data contents. The communication I / F 316 functions as an interface for performing data communication with the multifunction machine 1 and the server computer SV2. The input unit 317 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is an instruction for specifying data to be transmitted to the multifunction device 1 via the server computer SV2 as data to be printed from data stored in the HDD 314. The operator inputs an instruction to transmit the specified data.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the server computer SV2. The server computer SV2 includes a control unit 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an HDD 24, a display 25, a communication I / F 26, and an input unit 27.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU and the like, and includes a control unit 211, a print data creation unit 212, a communication unit 213, and a determination unit 214.

  The control unit 211 controls operation of the entire server computer SV2. The print data creation unit 212 creates print data composed of a page description language composed of a printer language used in the multi-function device 1 from the print target data stored in the print target data storage unit 241. The print data creation unit 212 creates the print data in accordance with, for example, the printer driver for the multifunction machine 1 installed in the HDD 24.

  The communication unit 213 performs processing necessary for transmitting and receiving the print data and various data to and from the multifunction device 1 or the PCs 31 to 34 via the communication I / F 26.

  The determination unit 214 determines whether the original reading data for one page transmitted from the multi-function peripheral 1 matches or does not match the printing data for one page stored in the page data storage unit 242.

  In addition to controlling the operation of the entire server computer SV2, the control unit 211, when the determination unit 214 determines that the two data match, is a print target that is the original data of the print data for which the match is determined. Control is also performed to read data from the print target data storage unit 241 and cause the print data creation unit 212 to create print data in accordance with the print setting instruction transmitted from the multifunction device 1.

  The ROM 22 stores various operation programs. The RAM 23 is used as an operation area for the control unit 211.

  The HDD 24 is a storage device that stores various data. In the present embodiment, a program necessary for creating print data suitable for the multifunction device 1, that is, a program (the printer driver) that causes the control unit 21 to function as the print data creation unit 212 or the like is stored in the HDD 24. Yes. A part of the area of the HDD 24 is used as a print data storage unit (print data storage unit) 241 and a page data storage unit (page data storage unit) 242. The print target data storage unit 241 is an area for storing and storing each print target data transmitted from the computer as a print target. The page data storage unit 242 is an area for storing the first page data (data for one page) of the print data when the print data creation unit 212 creates the print data. .

  The display 25 displays the contents of various data. The communication I / F 26 functions as an interface for performing data communication with the multifunction machine 1 and the PCs 31 to 34. The input unit 27 includes a keyboard and a mouse.

  Next, a first embodiment of printing processing in the image forming system will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the first embodiment of the printing process in the image forming system, FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a print setting sheet in a default state, and FIG. 5B is a print setting sheet in which print settings have been entered by the operator. FIG.

  In the server computer SV2, when the communication unit 213 receives print target data to be printed from any of the PCs 31 to 34 via the communication I / F 26 (YES in S1), the control unit 211 receives the received print The target data is stored in the print target data storage unit 241 (S2), and the print data creation unit 212 converts the print target data into a printer language suitable for the multifunction machine 1 and creates print data (S3). ). Then, the control unit 211 stores the first page data of the created print data in the page data storage unit 242 (S4), and the communication unit 213 transmits the print data for all pages to the multifunction device 1. (S5).

  In the multifunction device 1, when the data transmitting / receiving unit 102 receives the print data transmitted from the server computer SV2 via the network I / F 160 (YES in F1), the control unit 103 causes the printing unit 130 to Print data for printing (F2). Thereby, the operator obtains a printed matter of data to be printed transmitted from the PC 31 or the like.

  When an instruction to print print setting paper for changing the print setting is input to the operation unit 20 by the operation of the operation unit 20 by the operator (YES in F3), the control unit 103 instructs the printing unit 130. Then, the print setting paper and the image data of the identification mark stored in the print setting paper data storage unit 171 are printed on the recording paper and discharged as setting paper (F4). As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the print setting paper includes paper size, paper feeding method, and enlargement / reduction print setting items, and the operator checks the items to be set. ing. For example, after confirming the print contents of the printed matter of the print data, the operator changes the print settings (such as changing the print setting paper size for enlargement / reduction) instead of the expected contents. When the user wants to perform reprinting, the user inputs an instruction to print the print setting paper from the operation unit 20 and checks a desired print setting item in the print setting paper printed by the multifunction device 1 (FIG. 6 ( b)).

  When an instruction for reading a document image is input by an operation of the operation unit 20 by an operator within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) after the printing of the print setting sheet is completed (YES in F5), the control is performed. The unit 103 causes the image reading unit 110 to read a document (F6). Here, it is assumed that the operator causes the image reading unit 110 to read the print setting sheet in which a desired item is checked and the first page of the printed matter at a time.

  After reading the original, the analysis unit 101 analyzes the read data read by the image reading unit 110, and determines whether or not an identification mark indicating that the original to be read is print setting paper is included. Detect (F7). If the analysis unit 101 detects an identification mark (YES in F8), the analysis unit 101 continues the analysis and detects a print setting instruction from the read data of the page including the identification mark (F9). This print setting analysis is arranged, for example, on the left side of “A1” of “paper size” stored in the print setting paper data storage unit 171 at a predetermined position in the read data, for example. If the data indicating the square image is almost the same as the original data, it is recognized that the same position is not checked, and if there is a difference compared to the original data, the same position is checked. recognize. Then, it is recognized that the paper size “A1” corresponding to the position recognized as being checked is selected. The same applies to other print setting items). The data transmitting / receiving unit 102 transmits the analyzed print setting instruction and the read data of the first page of the original read by the image reading unit 110 to the server computer SV2 (F10).

  When the analysis unit 101 does not detect the identification mark in the read data read by the image reading unit 110 (NO in F8), the control unit 103 executes a normal scan operation or copy operation ( F11).

  When the server computer SV2 receives the print instruction and the first page read data from the multifunction machine 1 (YES in S6), the determination unit 214 stores the received first page read data and page data. The print data stored in the unit 242 is determined to match the first page data (S7), and the print data creation unit 212 determines that the first page print data is determined to match. The original data is read from the print target data storage unit 241 and new print data in which the settings such as the paper size and the enlargement / reduction are changed according to the print setting instruction received from the multifunction machine 1 is created (S8). The control unit 211 rewrites the first page data of the created new print data as the first page data of the print data stored in the page data storage unit 242 so far (S9). . Thereafter, the process returns to S5, and the communication unit 213 transmits data for all pages of the newly created print data to the multi function device 1 (S5), and the subsequent processes are repeated. If the print instruction and the first page read data are not received from the multifunction device 1 in S6 (NO in S6), the process returns to S1, and other print target data is transmitted from the PC 31 or the like. Prepare.

  Next, a second embodiment of printing processing in the image forming system will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the printing process in the image forming system. In FIG. 7, the same processes as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the document read by the image reading unit 110 is a print setting sheet, and the analysis unit 101 analyzes the read data and determines whether the read data includes an identification mark. However, in the second embodiment, the identification mark data is not stored in the print setting paper data storage unit 171, and when the operator instructs to print the print setting paper (F3), the control unit 103 causes the printing unit 130 to print only the print setting paper data (F4). Then, after the operator enters a check in the print setting item, when the image reading unit 110 reads the print setting sheet (F5, F6), the operation unit 20 operates to indicate that the document to be read is the print setting sheet. Is input (YES in F21), the analysis unit 101 analyzes the read data read by the image reading unit 110 and detects a print setting instruction from the read data (F22). If the operator does not input an instruction that the document to be read by the image reading unit 110 is print setting paper (F21 NO), a normal scanning operation or copying operation is performed (F1).

  In this way, the data held in the print setting paper data storage unit 171 and the number of images when the printing unit 130 prints the print setting paper are reduced, and further the analysis processing for detecting the identification mark is reduced. can do.

  Next, a second embodiment of the image forming system will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the multifunction peripheral 1 in the image forming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the server computer SV2 in the image forming system according to the second embodiment.

  In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, the server computer SV2 performs a process of analyzing the read data read by the image reading unit 110 and detecting a print setting instruction. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 100 of the multifunction machine 1 includes a data transmission / reception unit 102 and a control unit 103, but does not include the analysis unit 101 as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the server computer SV2 includes a print setting analysis unit 215 in the control unit 21, and the print setting analysis unit 215 analyzes and prints the read data transmitted from the multifunction device 1. Detect setting instructions. This print setting instruction analysis / detection process is performed in the same manner as the process performed by the analysis unit 101 in the MFP 1 of the first embodiment.

  A printing process performed by the image forming system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing print processing by the image forming system according to the second embodiment. Note that the same processes as those shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, in the multi-function device 1, the document is read by the image reading unit 110, and the document to be read by the operation of the operation unit 20 by the operator is print setting paper. Is input (YES in F21), the data transmitting / receiving unit 102 reads the print data of the print setting sheet and the next page (that is, the first page of the printed matter) to the server computer SV2. Data is transmitted (F31).

  When the server computer SV2 receives the read data for the page corresponding to the print setting paper and the read data for the next page (that is, the first page of the printed material) (YES in S11), the print setting analysis unit 215 performs the print setting. A print setting instruction is analyzed from the read data of the paper (S12), and print data is created from the original data stored in the print target data storage unit 241 according to the analyzed print setting instruction (S13).

  In this way, since it is not necessary to provide the analysis unit 101 in the multifunction machine 1, the processing burden on the control unit 100 can be reduced.

  In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, the MFP 1 is not provided with the analysis unit 101. However, the identification mark data is stored in the print setting sheet data storage unit 171 of the MFP 1 together with the print setting sheet. In addition, when printing the print setting sheet, the control unit 103 causes the printing unit 130 to print the identification mark, and whether the reading data read by the image reading unit 110 includes the identification mark. When the analysis unit 101 detects the identification mark in the read data by the image reading unit 110, the print setting sheet including the identification mark is provided. And the read data for the next page (that is, the first page of the printed matter) are transmitted to the server computer SV2, and the server computer SV2 Print setting instructed by the print setting analysis unit 215 may be parsed.

  Furthermore, in the image forming system according to the first and second embodiments, the MFP 1 is not provided with the print setting sheet data storage unit 171, and the print setting sheet data storage unit is provided in the HDD 24 of the server computer SV 2. When the operator inputs an instruction to print the print setting paper to the operation unit 20 of the multifunction machine 1, the data transmission / reception unit 102 requests the server computer SV2 to transmit the print setting paper data and sends it to the server computer SV2. The print setting sheet data may be acquired from the control unit 103 and the printing unit 130 may print the print setting sheet data.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, when the operator changes the print setting in the multifunction device 1, the operator specifies the data for which new print data is to be created according to the changed print setting. 1 is read by the image reading unit 110 of the multi-function device 1 and the read data is transmitted to the server SV2 to determine whether the read data matches the data stored in the page data storage unit 242. On the basis of this, the determination unit 214 of the server SV2 detects the data for which the new print data is to be created. Instead, in the multi-function device 1, the operator operates the operation unit 20. An instruction for specifying the data to be printed is input from the printer, the input instruction is transmitted to the server SV2, and the print is performed based on the instruction for specifying the data to be printed. Elephant data creation unit 212 may read the data to be the creation of the new print data. In this case, the amount of data transmitted from the multi-function device 1 to the server SV2 can be reduced, and the page data storage unit 242 and the determination unit 214 need not be provided in the server SV2.

  In the above embodiment, the page data storage unit 242 of the server computer SV2 stores the first page data of each print data. However, this is limited to the first page data. Instead, it may be data for other pages or data for a plurality of pages. In that case, the data transmission / reception unit 102 of the multi-function device 1 receives other page data or a plurality of pages of data, and the determination unit 214 receives the received other page data or a plurality of pages of data, A match / non-coincidence with the data of other pages or a plurality of pages of data stored in the page data storage unit 242 is determined, and original data (print target data) for which print data is to be created is specified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus provided in the image forming system according to the present invention is the multi-function device 1, but this does not limit the image forming apparatus according to the present invention to the multi-function device 1. It may be an image forming apparatus.

  Further, the configuration and processing shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration and processing shown above.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration including an image forming apparatus and a server computer constituting an image forming system according to the present invention, and a computer connected to the image forming system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a multifunction machine. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of an internal structure of a personal computer. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of an internal structure of a server computer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of printing processing in the image forming system. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a print setting sheet in a default state, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a print setting sheet in which an operator has entered print settings. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a printing process in the image forming system. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral in an image forming system according to a second embodiment. It is the schematic of the internal structure of the server computer in the image forming system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process performed by the image forming system according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 20 Operation Unit 21 Control Unit 100 Control Unit 101 Analysis Unit 102 Data Transmission / Reception Unit 103 Control Unit 110 Image Reading Unit 130 Printing Unit 150 Display Unit 170 HDD
171 Print setting paper data storage unit 172 Data storage unit 211 Control unit 212 Print data creation unit 213 Communication unit 214 Determination unit 215 Print setting analysis unit 241 Print target data storage unit 242 Page data storage unit 31, 32, 33, 34 Personal Computer 311 Control unit SV2 Server computer

Claims (6)

An image forming system comprising a server computer and an image forming apparatus connected to a network so as to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other,
The server computer includes a print target data storage unit that stores print target data transmitted from the computer as a print target, and a print target corresponding to the image forming apparatus from the print target data stored in the print target data storage unit. Print data creation means for creating data, page data storage means for storing print data for at least one page created by the print data creation means, and print data created by the print data creation means Printing data transmission means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes: a print setting input unit that receives print settings from an operator; a printing unit that prints print data transmitted from the server computer; an image reading unit that reads an image on a document; Data transmitting means for transmitting to the server computer the read data for at least one page of the original read by the image reading means and the print settings input to the print setting input means;
The server computer further includes a determination unit that determines whether the read data for at least one page of the document transmitted from the image forming apparatus matches the print data stored in the page data storage unit. When the determination unit determines that the two data match, the print data generation unit reads out the print target data from which the match is determined from the print target data storage unit. An image forming system in which print data is generated according to print settings transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the print data transmitting unit transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes: a print setting paper data storage unit that stores data of print setting paper; an instruction input unit that inputs a print instruction of the print setting paper from an operator; Control means for causing the printing means to print print setting paper data stored in the print setting paper data storage means when a print instruction is input;
The print setting input means accepts an input of print settings from an operator by analyzing print settings from the read data of the print setting paper read by the image reading means, and the data transmission means The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print setting received by the input unit is transmitted to the server computer. The print setting paper data storage unit of the image forming apparatus stores the data of the print setting paper and image data serving as an identification mark of the print setting paper,
The control means, based on the print instruction from the operator input to the instruction input means, together with the print setting paper data stored in the print setting paper data storage means, the image serving as the identification mark. Causing the printing means to print the data;
The print setting input unit detects print settings from the read data of the print setting sheet read by the image reading unit when the identification mark is detected from the read data of the print setting sheet read by the image reading unit. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein   When the operator inputs that the reading target of the image reading unit is the print setting sheet to the instruction input unit, the print setting sheet is read by the image reading unit. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the print setting is analyzed from the read data. The image forming apparatus includes, instead of the print setting input unit, an instruction input unit that receives a print instruction from an operator, a print setting sheet data storage unit that stores print setting sheet data, and the instruction input Control means for causing the printing means to print the print setting paper data stored in the print setting paper data storage means when a printing instruction is input from the operator to the means, and the data transmission means includes When the operator inputs that the reading target of the image reading unit is the print setting sheet to the instruction input unit, the reading data read by the image reading unit is transmitted to the image forming apparatus,
The server computer includes print setting analysis means for analyzing print settings from the read data transmitted from the data transmission means of the image forming apparatus, and the print data creation means is analyzed by the print setting analysis means. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein print data is created according to the print settings. An image forming system comprising a server computer and an image forming apparatus connected to a network so as to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other,
The server computer includes a print target data storage unit that stores print target data transmitted from the computer as a print target, and a print target corresponding to the image forming apparatus from the print target data stored in the print target data storage unit. Print data creating means for creating data, and print data transmitting means for sending print data created by the print data creating means to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes: a print instruction input unit that inputs an instruction for specifying data to be printed and print settings from an operator; a print unit that prints print data transmitted from the server computer; Data transmission means for transmitting an instruction for specifying data to be printed and print settings input to the print instruction input means to the server computer;
Further, the server computer reads the print target data from the print target data storage unit in accordance with an instruction for the print data generation unit to specify the data to be printed transmitted from the image forming apparatus, An image forming system in which print data is generated according to print settings transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the print data transmitting unit transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus.

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