JP2007235748A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-forming device capable of printing an image related to image data stored by an external storage by designating a method of forming the image. <P>SOLUTION: The image-forming device comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring image data from the external storage connected via a network; and a printer section 14 for forming an image on a form, based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means. The image-forming device further comprises: an acceptance means for accepting the formation method of an image by the print section 14; and a means for controlling image formation by the printer 14, based on the formation method of the image accepted by the acceptance means, and image data acquired by the acquisition means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that acquires image data from an external storage device connected via a network, and forms an image on a sheet based on the acquired image data.

  A conventional network printer system includes an image forming apparatus and a personal computer connected via a network. The personal computer on which the printer driver is installed converts document data into predetermined image data corresponding to the image forming apparatus. Convert and send to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus prints an image on a sheet based on the image data transmitted from the personal computer.

There has also been proposed an image forming apparatus having a direct printing function for acquiring image data in a hard disk included in a personal computer via a network and printing an image on a sheet based on the acquired image data (for example, a patent). Reference 1).
According to the image forming apparatus configured as described above, an image can be directly printed based on image data in a hard disk provided in the personal computer without operating the personal computer.
JP 2005-161556 A JP 2005-100411 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus according to Patent Document 1, when printing an image based on image data in a hard disk included in the personal computer, a detailed printing method such as a paper size and the number of copies for printing the image may be designated. There was a problem that the degree of freedom of printing was low.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and accepts an image forming method and forms an image based on the forming method and image data acquired from an external storage device. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image related to image data stored in a storage device on a network by specifying an image forming method.

  Another object of the present invention is to accept the size, the number of copies, the image aggregation method, or the image enlargement / reduction ratio of the paper on which the image is to be formed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image related to image data stored in an external storage device by specifying an enlargement or reduction magnification.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires image data from an external storage device connected via a network, and a formation unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an accepting unit that accepts an image forming method by the forming unit; an image forming method accepted by the accepting unit; and an image formation by the forming unit based on image data obtained by the obtaining unit And means for controlling.

In the present invention, the acquisition unit acquires image data from an external storage device, and the reception unit receives a forming method for forming an image related to the image data on a sheet. The image forming apparatus controls image formation by the forming unit based on the forming method received by the receiving unit and the image data acquired by the acquiring unit.
Therefore, an image related to the image data stored in the external storage device can be formed on the sheet by the forming method received by the receiving unit.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the receiving unit includes a unit that receives the size, the number of copies, the image aggregation method, or the enlargement or reduction magnification of the image forming sheet.

In the present invention, the accepting unit accepts the size of the paper on which the image is formed, the number of copies, the image aggregation method, or the enlargement or reduction magnification of the image.
Therefore, an image related to the image data stored in the external storage device can be formed by the size, number of copies, aggregation method, or enlargement / reduction ratio received by the reception unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to designate an image forming method and print an image related to image data stored in an external storage device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to print an image related to image data stored in an external storage device by specifying a paper size, the number of copies, an image aggregation method, or an enlargement or reduction ratio.

Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment in which the image forming apparatus is applied to the multifunction machine 1.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction device 1 according to the embodiment has a direct printing function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a communication interface 21, an image memory 15 for temporarily storing image data acquired from the communication devices 3 and 4 via the communication interface 21, and XPS (XML Paper Specification) format image data for printing. An XPS decoding unit 22 that decodes image data, a printer unit 14 that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data stored in the image memory 15, that is, a printing unit 14, and a control unit 10 are provided. Is configured to realize a direct printing function by controlling acquisition, decoding, and printing of image data via the bus 23.

  The communication interface 21 connected to the bus 23 is connected to the communication devices 3 and 4 via the LAN 5, and the control unit 10 transmits various data to the communication devices 3 and 4 via the communication interface 21. The image data transmitted from the communication devices 3 and 4 is received.

  The XPS decoding unit 22 converts the XPS format image data given by the control unit 10 via the bus 23 into predetermined image data, and gives the converted image data to the image memory 15.

The printer unit 14 is an electrophotographic printer device that includes a photosensitive drum that electrically reproduces an image, a transfer drum that transfers toner attached to the photosensitive drum to a sheet, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner to the sheet by heat. A flash ROM (not shown) that stores a program for printing processing is provided. According to the program stored in the flash ROM, charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing steps are sequentially performed, and image data is related. Print the image on paper.
Further, the printer unit 14 has a function of performing color printing of an image by using a plurality of colors of toner, a sort printing function, and the like.
The printer unit 14 is provided with a plurality of paper cassettes for feeding paper such as B5, A4, B4, and A3 to the printer unit 14, a manual feed tray, and the like.

  A ROM 17 and a RAM 19 are connected to the bus 23. The ROM 17 is composed of a flash memory, and stores various control programs necessary for the operation of the multifunction device 1, for example, a computer program for acquiring image data from the communication devices 3 and 4 by a protocol related to CIFS (Common Internet File System). is doing. The control unit 10 implements various functions such as a direct printing function, a CIFS client function, and a facsimile function of the multifunction device 1 by reading the control program stored in the ROM 17 into the RAM 19 and executing it.

  The multifunction device 1 also includes a reading unit 12 that reads a document and acquires image data of the document, and the control unit 10 controls acquisition of image data and printing by the printer unit 14 via the bus 23. Thus, the copy function is realized.

  The reading unit 12 includes a light source that irradiates light on a document, and an optical element such as a line CCD that converts reflected light reflected from the document into an electrical signal. An image of the document is based on the electrical signal converted by the line CCD. Get the data. Then, the reading unit 12 gives the acquired image data to the image memory 15, and the printer unit 14 prints an image based on the image data.

  The MFP 1 also includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) 11 and a modem 13 for transmitting / receiving image data by facsimile communication, and a code such as MH, MR, MMR, etc., for transmitting / receiving image data. The control unit 10 realizes a facsimile function by controlling transmission / reception of image data, reading of a document, and printing of an image.

  The modem 13 is connected to the bus 23, demodulates analog image data input from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) into digital image data, and controls the bus 23 under the control of the control unit 10. The function of modulating the image data given from the image memory 15 via an analog signal into an analog signal is provided.

  The NCU 11 is hardware that performs operations of closing and opening the line 6 with the public telephone line network, and connects the modem 13 and the PSTN according to the control of the control unit 10.

  The encoding / decoding unit 20 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 12 under the control of the control unit 10, and provides the encoded image data to the modem 13. The encoding / decoding unit 20 decodes image data received by facsimile communication and stores the image data in the image memory 15.

  An operation unit 18 and a display unit 16 for operating the multifunction machine 1 are connected to the bus 23.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the operation unit 18 and the display unit 16.
The display unit 16 includes a liquid crystal display that displays an operation state of the multifunction device 1 and soft keys for operating the multifunction device 1.
The operation unit 18 includes a resistive film type or capacitance type touch panel 18a arranged to face the display unit 16, and software displayed on the display unit 16 when the control unit 10 detects an operation state of the touch panel 18a. It is configured to accept key operations.
The operation unit 18 also includes push button type keys such as a direct print key 18b, an enter key 18c, a reset key 18d, a numeric key 18e, a function key 18f, and a power key.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication device 3.
The communication device 3 includes a storage device 32 for storing image data, for example, a hard disk, and has a CIFS server function for disclosing the contents of the image data stored in the storage device 32.
The communication device 3 is, for example, a personal computer, and includes a control unit 30 having a CPU, a ROM 31, a RAM 33, and a communication interface 34. The ROM 31 stores a computer program necessary for the operation of the communication device 3, and the storage device 32 stores a computer program for sharing image data between the multifunction device 1 and the communication device 3 according to a protocol related to CIFS. is doing. The control unit 30 reads the computer program from the ROM 31 and the storage device 32 to the RAM 33 and executes it to share the image data with the multifunction device 1.
The multifunction device 1 is connected to the communication interface 34 via the LAN 5.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the control unit 10 related to image formation.
When the power is turned on, the control unit 10 of the multifunction machine 1 determines whether or not the direct print key 18b has been operated by detecting the operation state of the direct print key 18b (step S11).
If it is determined that the direct print key 18b has not been operated (step S11: NO), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S11.

When it is determined that the direct print key 18b has been operated (step S11: YES), the control unit 10 acquires host information of the communication devices 3 and 4, for example, an IP address (step S12). And the control part 10 requests | requires public resource information from the communication apparatuses 3 and 4 based on the acquired host information (step S13). The public resource information is information regarding folders and image data stored in the storage device 32 of the communication device 3 or the storage device (not shown) of the communication device 4. Specifically, in step S13, the control unit 10 performs connection at the transport layer level between the multi-function device 1 and the communication devices 3 and 4, negotiates protocols related to CIFS, authentication of the multi-function device 1, and the communication device 3. , 4 are sequentially requested for public resource information.
The communication devices 3 and 4 that have received the request for the public resource information transmit the public resource information to the multifunction device 1.

  When the process of step S13 is completed, the control unit 10 acquires the public resource information transmitted from the communication devices 3 and 4 (step S14). Then, the control unit 10 displays the file name list 7 (see FIG. 5) of folders and image data stored in the storage device 32 of the communication device 3 and the storage device of the communication device 4 based on the received public resource information. It is displayed on the display unit 16 (step S15).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a file name list 7 of folders and image data.
For example, based on the public resource information of the communication device 3, the control unit 10 stores “folder 1-1”, “folder 1-2”, and “folder 1-1” stored in the storage device 32 of the communication device 3. "Is stored in the tree structure of the file name of each image data," file 1-1-1.xps "," file 1-1-2.xps "," file 1-1-3.xps ". It is displayed on the display unit 16. Similarly, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 16 to display “folder 2-1” stored in the storage device of the communication device 4 based on the public resource information of the communication device 4.
In addition, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 16 to display a cursor 7a for selecting image data to be printed.

Next, the control unit 10 receives the image data to be printed by detecting the operation state of the touch panel 18a (step S16).
For example, when the touch panel 18a of the part where “file 1-1-1.xps” is displayed in the file name list 7 is operated, the control unit 10 performs image data related to “file 1-1-1.xps”. As image data to be printed.

And the control part 10 determines whether the determination key 18c was operated by detecting the operation state of the determination key 18c (step S17). When it determines with the determination key 18c not being operated (step S17: NO), the control part 10 returns a process to step S13.
When it is determined that the enter key 18c has been operated (step S17: YES), the control unit 10 requests the image data to be printed received in step S15 from the communication device 3 or the communication device 4 (step S18).
The communication device 3 that has received the request for image data transmits the image data stored in the storage device 32 to the multifunction device 1. Similarly, the communication device 4 that has received the request for image data transmits the image data stored in the storage device of the communication device 4 to the multifunction device 1.

When image data is transmitted from the communication devices 3 and 4, the control unit 10 acquires the image data transmitted from the communication devices 3 and 4 (step S19).
Next, the control unit 10 calls a subroutine related to reception of the printing method and receives the image printing method (step S20).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a subroutine related to acceptance of the printing method.
When a subroutine related to reception of the printing method is called, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 16 to display a printing method reception screen 8 (see FIG. 7) for receiving the printing method (step S31).

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the printing method reception screen 8.
On the printing method reception screen 8, a paper size selection key group 80 displayed at a substantially central portion of a substantially rectangular outer frame is displayed. The paper size selection key is made up of a block displaying the characters “B5”, is composed of a “B5” size key 80a that accepts the B5 size, and is a block displaying the characters “A4”, and is an “A4” size key that accepts the A4 size. 80b, a block displaying characters "B4", and a "B4" size key 80c receiving B4 size, a block displaying characters "A3", "A3" size key 80d receiving A3 size, and " The block is composed of blocks displaying “manual feed” characters, and includes a “manual feed” key 80e for receiving the manual paper size.

  A “+” key 81 a and a “−” key 81 b for receiving an enlargement or reduction magnification of an image are displayed on the lower side and near one end of the paper size selection key group 80.

  Further, an aggregation method selection key 82a composed of blocks displaying characters "every 2 sheets" and "every 4 sheets" in order to accept the aggregation method on the lower side and the other end portion of the paper size selection key group 80. , 82b are displayed.

  Further, a “monochrome” key 83 a and a “color” key 83 b for selecting color or monochrome are displayed on one end side and upper part of the printing method reception screen 8. In the lower part, density change keys 84a and 84b are displayed. The density change keys 84a and 84b are composed of blocks displaying characters "Koku" and "Light" to change the density of the image.

  Furthermore, a “sort” key 85 for accepting the presence / absence of sorting is displayed on the other end side of the printing method acceptance screen 8.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 10 detects the operation state of the touch panel 18 a to accept the paper size (Step S <b> 32). For example, when the “A4” size key 80b is operated, A4 size is accepted as a sheet to be printed.
Further, the control unit 10 receives the number of copies by detecting the operation state of the numeric keypad 18e (step S33).

  Next, the control unit 10 detects the operation state of the touch panel 18a, and accepts an enlargement or reduction magnification of the image (step S34). For example, when the “+” key 81a is operated, the magnification is increased, and when the “−” key 81b is operated, the magnification is decreased.

  Moreover, the control part 10 receives the presence or absence of color printing by detecting the operation state of the touch panel 18a (step S35).

  Next, the control unit 10 receives the image density by detecting the operation state of the touch panel 18a (step S36). Moreover, the control part 10 receives an aggregation method by receiving the operation state of the touch panel 18a (step S37). For example, when the aggregation method selection key 82a displaying the characters “every 2” is operated, the aggregation method of 2 sheets is accepted, and the aggregation method selection key 82b displaying the characters “every 4” is operated. In this case, a four-sheet aggregation method is accepted.

  Furthermore, the control part 10 receives the presence or absence of a sort by detecting the operation state of the touch panel 18a (step S38).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the determination key 18c has been operated by detecting the operation state of the determination key 18c (step S39). When it determines with the determination key 18c not being operated (step S39: NO), the control part 10 returns a process to step S31. If it is determined that the enter key 18c has been operated (step S39: YES), the control unit 10 stores the various printing methods accepted in steps S32 to S38 (step S40), and the subroutine processing related to acceptance of the printing method Finish.

  When the processing of the subroutine related to acceptance of the printing method is completed, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 provides the printer unit 14 with a control signal corresponding to the accepted printing method and image data, so that the image is printed on the paper. Printing is performed (step S21), and the processing relating to image printing ends.

For example, when a change in density is received, the control unit 10 generates image data in which the density of the image related to the image data is changed, and when an aggregation method is received, the control unit 10 selects a plurality of images based on the plurality of image data. Aggregated image data is generated.
Further, the control unit 10 gives a control signal for designating the paper size to the printer unit 14 to print an image on the designated paper. Similarly, the control unit 10 gives the printer unit 14 control signals that specify the number of copies to be printed, whether or not to perform color printing, and whether or not to sort, and causes the printer unit 14 to print the specified number of copies in color or monochrome.

  In the multi-function device 1 configured in this way, the paper size, the number of copies, the enlargement / reduction ratio, the presence / absence of color printing, the density, the aggregation method, and the presence / absence of sorting are designated on the multi-function device 1 side. An image related to the image data stored in the storage device 32 of the communication device 3 or the storage device of the communication device 4 can be printed.

  In addition, since the user can directly check the state of the multifunction device 1 on the multifunction device 1 side and designate a printing method, and can print an image related to the image data on the communication devices 3 and 4 side. It is possible to avoid a printing error caused by designating and printing a sheet that is not normally used from the 4th side, for example, a manual feed sheet, for example, a problem that printing is not performed on a desired sheet.

  Furthermore, since the image data in the XPS format is acquired from the communication devices 3 and 4 and the image is printed based on the image data, the versatility is high, and printing such as the number of copies and the presence / absence of color printing is performed. The method can be appropriately set on the multifunction device 1 side.

  In the embodiment, the image data in the XPS format is converted to image data for printing and the image is printed. However, the image is described in PDF or other page description language. You may comprise so that an image may be printed based on data.

  Further, although configured to accept the number of copies to be printed and the presence / absence of color printing, other printing parameters such as the presence / absence of double-sided printing may be accepted.

  Furthermore, based on the public resource information acquired from the communication device, the file name of the image data in the XPS format may be selected and displayed in a list to acquire the image data. With this configuration, it is possible to omit useless processing for acquiring image data that cannot be printed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of an operation part and a display part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part which concerns on image formation. It is a schematic diagram of a file name list of folders and image data. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the subroutine which concerns on reception of the printing method. It is a schematic diagram of a printing method reception screen.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 3, 4 Communication device 5 LAN
7 File name list 8 Printing method acceptance screen 10 Control unit 11 NCU
12 Reading unit 13 Modem 14 Printer unit 15 Image memory 16 Display unit 17 ROM
18 Operation Unit 18a Touch Panel 18b Direct Print Key 18c Enter Key 18d Reset Key 18e Numeric Keypad 18f Function Key 19 RAM
20 Encoding / Decoding Unit 21 Communication Interface 22 XPS Decoding Unit 23 Bus 80 Paper Size Selection Key Group 80a “B5” Key 80b “A4” Key 80c “B4” Key 80d “A3” Key 80e “Manual Feed” Key 81a “ "+" Key 81b "-" key 82a, 82b Aggregation method selection key 83a "Monochrome" key 83b "Color" key 84a, 84b Density change key 85 "Sort" key

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires image data from an external storage device connected via a network; and a formation unit that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit.
Receiving means for receiving a method of forming an image by the forming means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming method received by the receiving unit; and a unit for controlling image formation by the forming unit based on image data acquired by the acquiring unit. The accepting means is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that receives a size of a sheet on which an image is formed, the number of copies, an image aggregation method, or an image enlargement or reduction magnification.

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