JP2007166480A - Image forming apparatus and image output processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily performing a plurality of kinds of image output processing not through a network. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 equipped with a plurality of kinds of image output functions includes: a loading means 2 where a storage medium 13 stored with a setting file containing setting information for image data corresponding to an image output function is loaded in an unloadable state; a decision means 3 of deciding which of the plurality of kinds of image output functions a setting file stored in a storage medium 13 corresponds to when the storage medium 13 is loaded in the loading means 2; a setting information acquiring means 4 of acquiring the setting information from the setting file the kind of the image output function of which is decided; and an image data output means 5 of outputting image data on which the acquired setting information is reflected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image output processing program having, for example, a printer function, a fax function, a copy function, or a scanner function.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of image output functions such as a printer function and a scanner function, image data created by a user on a terminal such as a personal computer is set on a printer driver for the printer function. The print processing is performed based on the print information output after. As for the scanner function, a document or the like is set on a document table and predetermined settings are made, and then the document is read, and the read image data is output to the user terminal or sent by e-mail (for example). For example, see Patent Document 1.)
JP 2004-248227 A

In the above Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the user terminal and the image forming apparatus are connected via a network in an office or the like. If the individual user or the like does not own the image forming apparatus, the convenience store or the like is used. The installed image forming apparatus is used.
In this case, the user sets a document brought to a convenience store or the like on the image forming apparatus, performs various setting operations on the operation panel, and then performs image output processing, which is troublesome for a user who is not familiar with the operation. is there.

  The present invention has been made to solve such inconveniences, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image output processing program that can easily perform a plurality of types of image output processing without going through a network. And

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of types of image output functions, wherein at least setting information for image data corresponding to the image output functions is written. A mounting unit in which a storage medium storing a file is detachably mounted, and when the storage medium is mounted in the mounting unit, the setting file stored in the storage medium outputs the plurality of types of image A determination unit that determines which type of image output function corresponds to the type of image output function, and setting information acquisition that acquires the setting information from the setting file in which the type of the image output function is determined by the determination unit And image data output means for outputting the image data corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means by reflecting the setting information. There as.

  According to the above configuration, the image data reflecting the setting information written in the setting file is output for each of a plurality of types of image output functions only by mounting the storage medium storing the setting file on the mounting unit of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, a plurality of types of image output processes can be easily performed without going through a network.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the image output function is a printer function, and the image data output unit corresponds to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit in advance. The image file stored in is acquired and the image data of the image file is output to the printing means.

  According to the above configuration, the image data of the image file reflecting the setting information of the setting file is output to the printing unit simply by mounting the setting file and the storage medium storing the image file on the mounting unit of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the print output process can be easily performed without using a network.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the image output function is a fax function, and the image data output unit corresponds to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit in advance. An image file stored in a storage medium is acquired, and image data of the image file is output to a transmission unit.
According to the above configuration, the image data of the image file reflecting the setting information of the setting file is output to the transmission unit simply by mounting the setting file and the storage medium storing the image file on the mounting unit of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the fax transmission process can be easily performed without going through the network.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the setting information includes an erasure setting for erasing the setting file and the image file after the image data output unit outputs the image data. When erasure setting is included, the configuration includes a file erasing unit that erases the setting file and the image file.
According to the above configuration, since the setting file and the image file are deleted after the image data is output, security can be enhanced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image output function is a copy function, and the image data output unit includes the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit. The corresponding copy image data is output to the printing means.
According to the above configuration, the copy image data reflecting the setting information of the setting file can be output to the printing unit simply by mounting the storage medium storing the setting file on the mounting unit of the image forming apparatus. Processing can be easily performed without going through a network.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image data output means outputs the image data when the storage medium is detached from the mounting means.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to remove the storage medium attached to the attachment means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image output function is a scanner function, and the image data output unit includes the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit. The scan image data is read and the image data is output to the transmission unit or output to and stored in the storage medium.
According to the above configuration, the scan image data reflecting the setting information of the setting file is output to the transmission unit only by mounting the storage medium storing the setting file on the mounting unit of the image forming apparatus, or is stored in the storage medium. Since the data can be output and stored, the scanner process can be easily performed without using a network.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the setting information includes an erasure setting for erasing the setting file after the image data output means outputs the image data, and includes the erasure setting. The file erasing means for erasing the setting file is provided.
According to the above configuration, since the setting file is deleted after the scan image data is output, security can be enhanced.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of types of image forming apparatus including a mounting unit on which a storage medium storing a setting file in which setting information for at least image data corresponding to the image output function is written is detachably mounted. An image output processing program for executing the image output processing when the storage medium is mounted on the mounting means, the setting file stored in the storage medium being one of the plurality of types of image output functions A determination process for determining which type of image output function the setting file corresponds to; a setting information acquisition process for acquiring the setting information from the setting file in which the type of the image output function is determined by the determination process; An image data output process for outputting image data corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition process by reflecting the setting information; It is constituted to be executed by the forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform a plurality of types of image output processing without going through a network.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus 1 which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of types of image output functions such as a printer function, a fax function, a scanner function, and a copy function. As shown in FIG. 2, a determination unit 3, a setting information acquisition unit 4, an image data output unit 5, a file erasing unit 6, a display control unit 7, a display unit 8, a document reading unit 9, a printing unit 10, a transmission unit 11, and a storage unit 12. ing. Each process of these means is executed by the CPU by loading an image output processing program stored in the storage means 12 (ROM, hard disk, etc.) into the RAM.

The mounting means 2 has a reader / writer function in which a storage medium 13 such as a USB memory or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card is detachably mounted and data can be read / written at the time of the mounting. .
Here, the storage medium 13 stores a setting file in which setting information for output image data is written for each of a printer function, a fax function, a scanner function, and a copy function used by the user. When the fax function is used, an output image file corresponding to the setting information is stored. The setting information and the output image file are stored in the storage medium 13 using a registration program acquired via a network or the like on a terminal such as a PC owned by the user.

An example of storing files in the storage medium 12 for each of the printer function, the fax function, the scanner function, and the copy function will be described.
[Printer function]
(1) Setting file (a) Setting information Printing method (NUP, output size, paper source, etc.)
(Erasing settings for image files and setting files after image output)
(B) Image file (1 file or more)
(C) File name.

[Fax Function]
(1) Setting file (a) Setting information (i) Transmission setting (A) Document location (storage medium 13, DP / document table / automatic)
(I) Address (individual, group)
(C) Transmission method (polling, etc.)
(D) Setting file deletion setting after image output (when the document location is the storage medium 13, setting file and image file deletion setting)
(E) Others (subject, memo, etc.)
(Ii) When the document location is the storage medium 13, an image file (one or more files)

[Scanner function]
(1) Setting file (a) Setting information (i) Scan setting (a) Read data output destination (PC, transmission means 11, storage medium 13, etc.)
(B) Document location (automatic / DP / document table)
(C) Reading method (magnification, document size, output size, black and white / color, file format, resolution, continuous reading, etc.)
(D) Settings file deletion after image output (e) Others (file name, etc.)

[Copy function]
(1) Setting file (a) Setting information (i) Print settings (a) Number of copies (b) Document location (Auto / DP / platen)
(C) Printing method (NUP, magnification, document size, output size, paper source, sort, staple, continuous reading, etc.)
(D) Settings file deletion settings after image output, etc.

The determination unit 3 determines whether or not a setting file is stored in the storage medium 13 when the storage medium 13 is mounted on the mounting unit 2. Is a setting file corresponding to any type of image output function of the printer function, fax function, scanner function, and copy function. If the determination unit 3 determines that the setting file is not stored in the storage medium 13, the determination unit 3 outputs a command to the display control unit 7 to display that effect on the display unit 8.
The setting information acquisition unit 4 acquires setting information from the setting file in which the type of the image output function is determined by the determination unit 3.

The image data output means 5 outputs the image data corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means 4 reflecting the setting information.
Specifically, when the image output function is a printer function, it is determined whether or not there is an image file corresponding to the setting information on the storage medium 13. An image file is acquired, and the image data of the image file is output to the printing means 10 including setting information. As a result, a printing process reflecting the setting information is performed. If it is determined that there is no image file corresponding to the setting information in the storage medium 13, a command to display the fact on the display unit 8 is output to the display control means 7.

  When the image output function is a fax function, it is determined whether or not there is an image file corresponding to the setting information in the storage medium 13. If it is determined that there is an image file, the corresponding image file is acquired from the storage medium 13. Then, the image data of the image file is output to the fax transmission unit (not shown) of the transmission unit 11 including the setting information. As a result, a fax transmission process reflecting the setting information is performed. If it is determined that there is no image file corresponding to the setting information in the storage medium 13, the image data of the original is read from the designated original location, and the image data including the setting information is transmitted by fax by the transmission unit 11. Part (not shown). As a result, a fax transmission process reflecting the setting information is performed.

  When the image output function is a scanner function, the original image data is read from the original place specified by the setting information of the setting file by the original reading unit 9 based on the setting information reading method, and is set by the setting information. It is determined whether or not the output destination of the read data is the storage medium 13. If the output destination is the storage medium 13, the image data is output to the storage medium 13 and saved. At this time, if the storage to the storage medium 13 is not normally performed, a command to display the fact on the display unit 8 is output to the display control means 7. If it is determined that the data output destination of the setting information is not the storage medium 13, the image data is output to a PC transmission unit or an email transmission unit (both not shown) of the transmission unit 11. Thereby, the PC transmission process or the e-mail transmission process reflecting the setting information is performed.

  When the image output function is a copy function, the image data of the document is read from the document location specified by the setting information in the setting file, and the read image data is output to the printing unit 10 including the setting information. Thereby, a copy printing process reflecting the setting information is performed.

  When the image erasing unit 6 uses the printer function or the fax function to acquire an image file from the storage medium 13 and there is an erasing setting in the setting information of the setting file, the image data output unit 5 outputs the image data. The setting file and the image file stored in the storage unit 12 are deleted. Further, when an image file is not acquired from the storage medium 13 by the scanner function, copy function or fax function, if there is an erasure setting in the setting information of the setting file, the image data output means 5 outputs the image data and then stores it. The setting file stored in the means 12 is deleted. Note that image data read from a designated document location by a scanner function, a copy function, or a fax function is a known data erasing unit mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 after the image data output unit 5 outputs the image data. Is erased from the storage means 12.

  Next, an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic operation of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printer function, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the fax function, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the copy function.

First, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Here, Steps S1 to S3 and Step S5 correspond to a determination unit, and Step S4 corresponds to the setting information acquisition unit 4, the image data output unit 5, and the file deletion unit 6, respectively.
When the storage medium 13 is attached to the attachment means 2 in step S1, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether or not a setting file is stored in the storage medium 13, and it is determined that it is stored. If so, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, it is determined whether the setting file corresponds to any type of image output function among the printer function, fax function, scanner function, and copy function, and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the determination is performed. Image output processing (image output processing of any kind of printer function (see FIG. 3), fax function (see FIG. 4), scanner function (see FIG. 5), and copy function (see FIG. 6)). Execute.
If it is determined in step S2 that the setting file is not stored in the storage medium 13, the process proceeds to step S5, and a command to display the fact on the display unit 8 is output to the display control means 7.

Next, an example of the operation of the printer function will be described with reference to FIG. Here, step S11 corresponds to the setting information acquisition unit 4, steps S12 to S14 and step S17 correspond to the image data output unit 5, and steps S15 and S16 correspond to the file erasing unit 6, respectively.
In step S11, the setting file is read from the storage medium 13 mounted on the mounting unit 2 to acquire setting information, and the process proceeds to step S12.
In step S12, it is determined whether or not there is an image file corresponding to the setting information in the storage medium 13. If it is determined that there is an image file, the corresponding image file is acquired from the storage medium 13 in step S13. The process proceeds to S14.

In step S14, the image data of the acquired image file is output to the printing unit 10 including the setting information, and the process proceeds to step S15.
In step S15, it is determined whether or not there is an erase setting in the setting information of the setting file. If there is an erase setting, the process proceeds to step S16, and the setting file and the image file stored in the storage unit 12 are erased. .
If it is determined in step S12 that there is no image file corresponding to the setting information in the storage medium 13, the process proceeds to step S17, and the display control unit 7 displays that effect on the display unit 8. Output a command.

  Next, an example of the operation of the fax function will be described with reference to FIG. Here, step S21 corresponds to the setting information acquisition means 4, steps S22 to S24, steps S27 and S28 correspond to the image data output means 5, and steps S25, S26, S29 and S30 correspond to the file erasure means 6, respectively. .

In step S21, the setting file is read from the storage medium 13 mounted on the mounting unit 2 to acquire setting information, and the process proceeds to step S22.
In step S22, it is determined whether or not there is an image file corresponding to the setting information in the storage medium 13. If it is determined that there is an image file, the corresponding image file is acquired from the storage medium 13 in step S23. The process proceeds to S24.
In step S24, the image data of the acquired image file is output to the fax transmission unit (not shown) of the transmission unit 11 including the setting information, and the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, it is determined whether or not the setting information in the setting file has an erase setting. If there is an erase setting, the process proceeds to step S26 to erase the setting file and the image file stored in the storage unit 12. .
If it is determined in step S22 that there is no image file corresponding to the setting information in the storage medium 13, the process proceeds to step S27, where the image data of the document is read from the designated document location, and in step S28, The image data including the setting information is output to a fax transmission unit (not shown) of the transmission unit 11, and the process proceeds to step S29.
In step S29, it is determined whether or not there is an erase setting in the setting information of the setting file. If there is an erase setting, the process proceeds to step S30, and the setting file stored in the storage unit 12 is erased.

  Next, an example of the operation of the scanner function will be described with reference to FIG. Here, step S31 corresponds to the setting information acquisition unit 4, steps S32 to S35, steps S38 and S39 correspond to the image data output unit 5, and steps S36 and S37 correspond to the file erasing unit 6, respectively.

In step S31, the setting file is read from the storage medium 13 loaded in the loading unit 2 to obtain setting information, and the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the document reading unit 9 specifies the setting file setting information. The original image data is read from the original location based on the setting information reading method, and the process proceeds to step S33.
In step S33, it is determined whether or not the output destination of the read data set in the setting information is the storage medium 13. If the output destination is the storage medium 13, the process proceeds to step S34, and the image data is stored. The data is output to and stored in the storage medium 13, and the process proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not the storage in the storage medium 13 in step S34 has been normally performed. Then, a command to display the fact on the display unit 8 is output, and when the storage is normally performed, the process proceeds to step S36.
If it is determined in step S33 that the data output destination of the setting information is not the storage medium 13, the image data is output to the PC transmission unit or e-mail transmission unit (both not shown) of the transmission unit 11, and step S36 is performed. Migrate to
In step S36, it is determined whether or not there is an erase setting in the setting information of the setting file. If there is an erase setting, the process proceeds to step S37, and the setting file stored in the storage unit 12 is erased.

Next, an example of the operation of the copy function will be described with reference to FIG. Here, step S41 corresponds to the setting information acquisition unit 4, steps S42 and S43 correspond to the image data output unit 5, and steps S44 and S45 correspond to the file deletion unit 6, respectively.
In step S41, the setting file is read from the storage medium 13 mounted on the mounting means 2 to acquire setting information, and the process proceeds to step S42.

In step S42, the image data of the document is read from the document location specified by the setting information in the setting file. In step S43, the read image data including the setting information is output to the printing means 10, and the process proceeds to step S44.
In step S44, it is determined whether or not there is an erase setting in the setting information of the setting file. If there is an erase setting, the process proceeds to step S45, and the setting file stored in the storage unit 12 is erased.

As apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, the storage medium 13 storing the setting file for each of the printer function, fax function, scanner function, and copy function used by the user is attached to the mounting unit 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. By simply installing it, image data reflecting the setting information of the setting file can be output for each of the printer function, fax function, scanner function, and copy function, making it easy to perform multiple types of image output processing without going through a network. Can be done.
In addition, since the setting file or the setting file and the image file are deleted from the storage unit 12 after the image data is output by the image data output unit 5, security can be enhanced.

Next, the image output processing program will be described.
The image output processing function of the computer (such as an image forming apparatus) in the above-described embodiment is realized by an image output processing program stored in a storage unit (for example, ROM, HDD, etc.).
The image output processing program is read by a computer control means (CPU or the like) to send instructions to the various components of the computer, and image output processing, for example, what kind of image output the setting file stored in the storage medium 13 is A determination process for determining whether the setting file corresponds to a function, a setting information acquisition process for acquiring the setting information from the setting file, an image data output process for outputting image data reflecting the setting information, and the like are performed.
These image output processes are realized by the cooperation of an image output processing program that is software and each component of a computer (such as an image forming apparatus) that is a hardware resource.

Note that the image output processing program for realizing the image output processing of the present invention is stored in a computer ROM, hard disk or the like, or in a computer-readable recording medium such as an external storage device and a portable recording medium. Can be stored.
An example of the external storage device is a memory expansion device that incorporates a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and is externally connected to an image forming apparatus or the like. On the other hand, the portable recording medium is a recording medium that can be mounted on a recording medium driving device (drive device) and is portable, and examples thereof include a flexible disk, a memory card, and a magneto-optical disk. .

Then, the program recorded on the recording medium is loaded into the RAM of the computer and executed by the CPU. By this execution, the above-described image output processing function of the present embodiment is realized.
Furthermore, when the image output processing program of the present invention is loaded by a computer, the image output processing program held by another computer may be downloaded to a RAM or an external storage device of the own computer using a communication line. it can. The downloaded image output processing program is also executed by the CPU to realize the image output processing function of the present embodiment.

The configurations of the storage medium, mounting means, determination means, setting information acquisition means, image data output means, printing means, transmission means, file erasure means, etc. of the present invention are limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment. However, the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the timing for removing the storage medium 13 from the mounting means 2 is not mentioned, but for example, except when the image data output means 5 outputs image data to the storage medium 13 by the scanner function. The image data output means 5 may output the image data after removing the storage medium 13 from the mounting means 2.
In this way, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to remove the storage medium 13 attached to the attachment means 2.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic operation of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of operation | movement of a printer function. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a fax function. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of operation | movement of a scanner function. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of operation | movement of a copy function.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Mounting means 3 Discriminating means 4 Setting information acquisition means 5 Image data output means 6 File erasing means 10 Printing means 11 Transmission means 13 Storage medium

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus having a plurality of types of image output functions,
A mounting means for detachably mounting a storage medium storing a setting file in which setting information for image data corresponding to at least the image output function is written;
When the storage medium is attached to the attachment means, it is determined whether the setting file stored in the storage medium is a setting file corresponding to any type of image output function of the plurality of types of image output functions Discriminating means, and
Setting information acquisition means for acquiring the setting information from the setting file whose type of image output function has been determined by the determination means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: image data output means for outputting image data corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means by reflecting the setting information. The image output function is a printer function, and the image data output means acquires an image file stored in the storage medium in advance corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data of the file is output to a printing unit. The image output function is a fax function, and the image data output means acquires an image file stored in the storage medium in advance corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data of the file is output to a transmission unit. The setting information includes an erasure setting for erasing the setting file and the image file after the image data output means outputs the image data, and when the erasure setting is included, the setting file and the image file are The image forming apparatus according to 2 or 3, further comprising a file erasing unit for erasing. The image output function is a copy function, and the image data output means outputs copy image data corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition means to a printing means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 4 above. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data output unit outputs the image data when the storage medium is detached from the mounting unit. The image output function is a scanner function, and the image data output unit reads scan image data corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition unit, and outputs the image data to a transmission unit. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs the image to the storage medium and saves the image. The setting information includes an erasure setting for erasing the setting file after the image data output means outputs the image data, and a file erasing means for erasing the setting file when the erasure setting is included. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. An image that causes a plurality of types of image output processing to be executed by an image forming apparatus including a mounting unit on which a storage medium storing a setting file in which setting information for at least image data corresponding to an image output function is written is detachably mounted An output processing program,
When the storage medium is attached to the attachment means, it is determined whether the setting file stored in the storage medium is a setting file corresponding to any type of image output function of the plurality of types of image output functions Discriminating process to
A setting information acquisition process for acquiring the setting information from the setting file in which the type of the image output function is determined by the determination process;
An image output processing program that causes the image forming apparatus to execute an image data output process that outputs image data corresponding to the setting information acquired by the setting information acquisition process by reflecting the setting information.

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