JP2007299148A - Image forming device and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate setting necessary for printing to improve operability by use of information on a server, and eliminate wasteful copy. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device forms a visible image in a recording medium on the basis of inputted information, and outputs it. Schedule information of a user is acquired from the schedule server 20 managing the schedule information of the user (steps S106, 107), printing information is set on the basis of the acquired schedule information of the user (step S110), and printing is executed (S111). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copy, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a multifunction peripheral, and a multifunction peripheral, and a computer program executed by a computer.

  In recent years, “multifunction peripherals” and “multifunction peripherals” called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), which have realized functions as a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile in a single device, have come to market. These multifunction peripherals and multifunction peripherals are equipped with hardware such as an imaging unit, a printing unit, and a communication unit, as well as four types of software corresponding to copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles. By switching these softwares, Functions as a copy, printer, scanner, or facsimile. When functioning as a copy and printer, an image is printed on recording paper or the like, and when functioning as a scanner or facsimile, the image is transmitted to another device via a network or the like.

  As this type of technology, for example, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is known. The present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires user information from an information management server that manages user information; and an information management unit that manages user information acquired by the information acquisition unit. Based on an image acquired from an entry sheet in which a correspondence relationship between an acquisition item of user information acquired by the acquisition unit and a management item of user information managed by the information management unit is entered, the acquisition item and the management It is characterized by providing a customizing means for customizing the correspondence with the item.

  That is, among the functions of the multifunction peripheral and the multifunction peripheral, there is a function that requires “user information”. For example, when a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction peripheral functions as a scanner or a facsimile, “user information” such as a mail address or a facsimile telephone number is required. Multifunction devices and multifunction devices are provided with a function to manage these user information, but multifunction devices and multifunction devices are also equipped with a function to acquire these user information from the “information management server”. It is convenient to be there. Examples of such an “information management server” include an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server used for managing employee information, customer information, resident information, and the like.

  In the LDAP server, a person or an organization is considered as an “object”. Information about individual objects is stored by “entries” of the individual objects. The entry stores “object class” that is information about the type of object, “attribute” that is information about the nature of the object, and the like. The attributes are “attribute type” such as c (country) o (organization) ou (intra-organizational unit) cn (first and last name) sn (last name) givenName (first name) mail (mail address) facsimileTelephoneNumber (facsimile telephone number), and c: Japan, o: Ricoh, ou: R & D Department, cn: Taro Suzuki, sn: Suzuki, givenName: Taro, etc. Since each entry is hierarchized by object class, the identification name (DN) of each entry is configured by arranging the relative identification name (RDN) of each entry derived from one attribute (identification attribute) of each entry in hierarchical order. Is done.

  Various “requests” and “responses” are repeated between the LDAP client and the LDAP server. In LDAP, authentication operations such as bind and unbind, query operations such as search and compare, add, delete, and modify Update system operations such as are provided. For example, when a “search operation” is requested from the LDAP client to the LDAP server, a “search result” is returned from the LDAP server to the LDAP client.

On the other hand, as a scene for printing on the MFP, a case where B copies of materials for A meeting are printed is assumed. In this case, the information that the confidential stamp is pressed and the material for the number of participants is printed is set in the MFP by the time when the A meeting starts. On the other hand, the conference is often managed on a database shared by many people, and the database has information such as the location of the conference, schedule, participants, and attachment of conference materials.
JP 2004-274486 A

  The information often overlaps with the information set in the MFP when printing the conference material. However, at present, the information cannot be used for the MFP, and the LDAP server, the conference, and the like are managed. There is a problem that information set in a database (hereinafter referred to as a schedule server) is also set in the MFP. Further, when the number of participants is changed, if the confirmation of the number of people is neglected, there is a waste that there are not enough copies of the conference material or too many copies.

  Therefore, a problem to be solved by the present invention is to use information on the server, omit settings necessary for printing, improve operability, and eliminate wasteful copying.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first means is an image forming apparatus that forms and outputs a visible image on a recording medium based on input information, from the schedule server that manages the user's schedule information to the user Information acquisition means for acquiring the schedule information, and print information setting means for setting printing information based on the user's schedule information acquired by the information acquisition means.

  The second means is characterized in that in the first means, there is provided display means for displaying the schedule information.

  The third means is characterized in that, in the second means, the print information is set based on the schedule information displayed on the display means.

  According to a fourth means, in any one of the first to third means, a schedule setting means for setting the schedule information is provided.

  The fifth means includes a judging means in any one of the first to fourth means for judging whether or not the user can acquire information when the user acquires information from the schedule server by the information acquiring means. It is characterized by being.

  The sixth means is characterized in that in any one of the first to fifth means, there is provided setting means for setting device-specific information for printing based on the schedule information of the schedule server.

  The seventh means is characterized in that in any one of the first to fifth means, there is provided setting means for setting user-specific information for printing based on the schedule information of the schedule server.

  The eighth means is characterized in that in any one of the first to fifth means, setting means for setting application-specific information for printing based on the schedule information of the schedule server is provided.

  According to a ninth means, in any one of the first to eighth means, the information acquisition means and the print information setting means are provided in an information processing apparatus connected to the schedule server and transferred from the information processing apparatus. Printing based on the print information.

  A tenth means is a computer program that is loaded into a computer and forms and outputs a visible image on a recording medium based on the inputted information, and the user's schedule information is sent from a schedule server that manages the user's schedule information. And a process of setting printing information based on the user's schedule information acquired by the process.

  The eleventh means includes the process of displaying the schedule information in the tenth means.

  A twelfth means is characterized in that, in the eleventh means, the print information is set based on the schedule information displayed by the display process.

  A thirteenth means is characterized in that, in any of the tenth to twelfth means, a process for setting the schedule information is included.

  The fourteenth means is characterized in that, in any of the tenth to thirteenth means, a process for authenticating whether or not information can be obtained is obtained when obtaining information from the schedule server.

  The fifteenth means is characterized in that, in any one of the tenth to fourteenth means, a process for setting device-specific information for printing based on the schedule information of the schedule server is included.

  The sixteenth means is characterized in that in any one of the tenth to fourteenth means, a process for setting information for each user for printing based on the schedule information of the schedule server is included.

  A seventeenth means is characterized in that in any one of the tenth to fourteenth means, a process for setting application-specific information for printing based on the schedule information of the schedule server is included.

  In an embodiment described later, the image forming apparatus is the MFP 1 or 2, the schedule server is 20, the information acquisition unit is the CPU 211 (steps S 106, S 107, steps S 306, S 307), and the print information setting unit is the CPU 211 (step S 110). , Step S310), the display means is the touch panel (display screen) 311, the schedule setting means is the CPU 211 (step S110, step S310), the judgment means is the CPU 211 (steps S103 to S105, steps S303 to S305), the setting means. Are the CPU 211 and the setting application 30 (steps S201 to S207), the process of acquiring the schedule information is steps S106, S107, and steps S306 and S307, and the process of setting the printing information is step S110. , S310 is displayed in steps S108 and S308, print information is set in steps S110 and S310, and authentication is performed in steps S103 to S105 and steps S303 to S305. The processing for setting information and information for each application corresponds to steps S201 to S207, respectively.

  According to the present invention, user schedule information is acquired from a schedule server, and printing information is set based on the acquired user schedule information. Therefore, information necessary for printing is omitted using information on the server. Thus, the operability can be improved and the waste of copying can be eliminated.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function peripheral 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the compound machine 101 includes various hardware 111, various software 112, and a compound machine starting unit 113. As a result, the MFP 101 of FIG. 1 functions as a copy, a printer, a scanner, or a facsimile.

  The hardware 111 includes an imaging unit 121, a printing unit 122, and other hardware 123. The imaging unit 121 is hardware for acquiring an image (image data) from a document, and is used when functioning as a copy, a scanner, or a facsimile. The imaging unit 121 may be a monochrome image or a color image.

  The photographing unit 121 includes a document setting unit and the like as a mechanism relating to a document. The printing unit 122 is hardware for printing an image (image data) on printing paper or the like, and is used when the printer 122 functions as a copy, a printer, or a facsimile. The printing unit 122 may be a monochrome image or a color image.

  Here, the printing unit 122 employs an electrophotographic system, and includes a photoreceptor, a charging machine, an exposure machine, a developing machine, a transfer machine, a fixing machine, and the like. The printing unit 122 includes a paper feeding unit, a paper discharge unit, a printing paper transport mechanism, and the like as mechanisms relating to printing paper and the like. The other hardware 123 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The software 112 includes various applications 131 and a platform 132. These are executed in parallel on a process basis by an OS (Operating System) such as UNIX (registered trademark).

  The application 131 is software for executing information processing unique to each function of the copy, printer, scanner, and facsimile. The application 131 includes a copy application 141 that is a copy application, a printer application 142 that is a printer application, a scanner application 143 that is a scanner application, a facsimile application 144 that is a facsimile application, and an application for a network file. Network file application 145. The network file application 145 includes Web server software for distributing HTML documents and the like, a Web browser for browsing HTML documents and the like.

  The platform 132 is software for executing information processing related to a processing request from the application 131 to the hardware 111. In order to receive a processing request from the application 131, an application interface (API) 133 that receives the processing request by a predefined function is used, and in order to transmit the processing request to the hardware 111, it is defined in advance. An engine interface (ENI) 134 that transmits a processing request by a function is used. The platform 132 includes various control services 151, a system resource manager 152, and various handlers 153.

  The control service 151 interprets a processing request from the application 131 to the hardware 111, and generates a hardware 111 acquisition request according to the interpretation result. The control service 151 includes a network control service (NCS) 161, a facsimile control service (FCS) 162, a delivery control service (DCS) 163, an engine control service (ECS) 164, a memory control service (MCS) 165, an operation panel control service ( OCS) 166, user directory control service (UCS) 167, and system control service (SCS) 168.

  The process of the NCS 161 provides an API for performing data communication via a network or the like. The process of FCS 162 provides an API for performing image data communication, image data acquisition, image data printing, and the like as a facsimile. The process of DCS 163 performs control related to distribution of document data stored in the multi-function peripheral 101. The process of the ECS 164 performs control related to engine units such as the imaging unit 121 and the printing unit 122. The process of the MCS 165 performs control related to a memory and a hard disk drive such as image data storage and image data processing. The process of the OCS 166 performs control related to the operation panel. The process of the UCS 167 performs control related to management of user information. The process of the SCS 168 performs control related to system management.

  The system resource manager (SRM) 152 arbitrates the acquisition request of the hardware 111 and performs control for realizing the processing request to the hardware 111 according to the arbitration result. Specifically, the process of the SRM 152 determines whether or not the hardware 111 related to the acquisition request can be used (whether or not it conflicts with other acquisition requests), and if so, that fact Is notified to the control service 151. Furthermore, a use schedule for the hardware 111 related to the acquisition request is created, and control is performed to realize a processing request to the hardware 111 according to the creation result.

  The handler 153 manages the hardware 111 according to the arbitration result. The handler 153 includes a facsimile control unit handler (FCUH) 171 and an image memory handler (IMH) 172. The FCUH 171 manages the facsimile control unit. The IMH 172 allocates memory to each process and manages the memory allocated to each process.

  The MFP starter 113 is executed first when the MFP 101 is turned on. As a result, an OS such as UNIX (registered trademark) is activated, and the application 131 and the platform 132 are activated. These programs are stored in the hard disk drive, played back from the hard disk drive, and activated in the memory.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware 111 configuration of the multi-function peripheral 101 of FIG. The hardware 111 includes a controller 201, an operation panel 202, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 203, an imaging unit 121, and a printing unit 122. Components other than the imaging unit 121 and the printing unit 122 in FIG. 2 correspond to “other hardware 123” in FIG.

  The controller 201 includes a CPU 211, ASIC 212, NB (North Bridge) 221, SB (South Bridge) 222, MEM-P (System Memory) 231, MEM-C (Local Memory) 232, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 233, NIC ( Network interface controller) 241, USB device 242, IEEE 1394 device 243, and Centronics device 244. Among these, the CPU 211 is hardware for executing various information processing. For example, the application 131 and the platform 132 are executed in parallel on a process basis by an OS such as UNIX (registered trademark). The ASIC 212 is an image data processing IC. The NB 221 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 211 and the ASIC 212. The SB 222 is a bridge for connecting the NB 221 and peripheral devices. The ASIC 212 and the NB 221 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port).

  The MEM-P 231 is a memory used by being connected to the NB 221. The MEM-C 232 is a memory used by being connected to the ASIC 212. The HDD 233 is a storage used by being connected to the ASIC 212, and is used to perform image data accumulation, document data accumulation, program accumulation, font data accumulation, form data accumulation, and the like. The NIC 241 is a controller for performing data communication using a MAC address or the like via a network or the like. The USB device 242 is a device for providing a serial port compliant with the USB standard. The IEEE 1394 device 243 is a device for providing a serial port conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. The Centronics device 244 is a device for providing a Centronics specification parallel port. The NIC 241, USB device 242, IEEE 1394 device 243, and Centronics device 244 are connected to the NB 221 and the SB 222 by a PCI bus. The operation panel 202 is hardware (operation unit) for an operator to input to the multifunction machine 101 and hardware (display unit) for the multifunction machine 101 to output to the operator. The operation panel 202 is connected to the ASIC 212. The FCU 203, the imaging unit 121, and the printing unit 122 are connected to the ASIC 212 via a PCI bus.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the multi-function peripheral 101 of FIG. In FIG. 3, the MFP 101 includes an imaging unit 121, a printing unit 122, an operation panel 202, a document setting unit 301 for setting a document, a paper feeding unit 302 that serves as a paper feeding destination, and paper ejection. A paper discharge unit 303 is provided. The document setting unit 301 is a component of the imaging unit 121, and the paper feed unit 302 and the paper discharge unit 303 are components of the printing unit 122. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 202 includes a touch panel 311, numeric buttons 312, and a start button 313. The touch panel 311 is hardware (touch operation unit) for an operator to input to the multifunction machine 101 by touch operation, and hardware (screen display unit) for the multifunction machine 101 to output to the operator by screen display. It is. The number buttons 312 are hardware for an operator to input numbers by operating buttons on the multifunction machine 101. The start button 313 is hardware for an operator to input a start to the multifunction machine 101 by operating a button.

  When a document is set on the document setting unit 301, the multifunction machine 101 acquires an image from the document by the imaging unit 121 when the start button 313 is pressed. When the multifunction machine 101 functions as a copy, the printing unit 122 prints the image on printing paper or the like. When the multifunction machine 101 functions as a scanner or facsimile, the image is transferred to another device via the network or the like by the NIC 241 or the like. Will be sent. The paper feed destination of the print paper is the paper feed unit 302, and the paper discharge destination of the print paper is the paper discharge unit 303.

  The document setting unit 301 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) 305, a flat bed 306, and a flat bed 307. The ADF 305 is installed on the upper surface of the flat bed 307. A plurality of originals can be stacked on the ADF 305. When a document is set on the ADF 305, the MFP 101 acquires an image from the document by the imaging unit 121 when the start button 313 is pressed. More specifically, when the start button 313 is pressed, the ADF 305 conveys a plurality of documents one by one along the path shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, and the imaging unit 121 moves as shown by the arrow in FIG. An image is acquired from a document conveyed one by one along the path. The flat bed 306 appears when the flat bed 307 is opened. The flat bed 306 is formed of a transparent member such as glass or plastic. A document is set on the flat bed 306 downward. When a document is set on the flat bed 306, the MFP 101 acquires an image from the document by the imaging unit 121 when the start button 313 is pressed. More specifically, when the start button 313 is pressed, the imaging unit 121 acquires an image from a document that faces through the flat bed 306. The paper feed unit 302 includes four paper feed trays that serve as paper feed destinations and one manual feed tray. The paper discharge unit 303 includes a single paper discharge tray that serves as a paper discharge destination for printing paper.

  FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of the first embodiment in which two MFPs (MFP 1 and MFP 2) and a schedule server 20 are connected to the LAN 10. With this configuration, when the conference material is copied and printed by the MFP 1, the copy application screen is displayed on the display screen (touch panel) 311 of the operation unit as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, for example (step S101). ) When a schedule reference request is input from the display screen 311 (step S102), the MFP 1 checks whether authentication is necessary (step S103). If authentication is required, the MFP 1 requests authentication from the schedule server 20 (step S104). When authentication OK is returned from the schedule server 20, the MFP 1 requests schedule information from the schedule server 20 (step S106). The schedule server 20 returns the requested schedule to the MFP 1 (step S107).

  The MFP 1 displays the schedule information of the logged-in person on the display screen 311 based on the schedule information returned from the schedule server 20, and when a schedule is selected from this screen (step S109), the selected schedule is in the selected schedule. Information is set as printing information (step S110), and printing is executed (step S111).

  The transition state of the display on the display screen (touch panel) 311 at this time is shown in FIG. FIG. 7A is a front view showing an initial screen (copy screen) of the display screen 311 in the copy application. In the figure, the display screen 311 is provided with a document number display portion 321, a set number display portion 322, and a copy number display portion 323 on the upper right, and from the bottom to the center, a paper selection key 331, a magnification key 332, one side A single side key 323, a single side → double side key 324, a double side → double side key 325, a sort key 341, a staple key 342, a punch key 343, and a schedule key 350 are provided. A paper selection key 331 is used to select a paper tray such as automatic paper selection, trays 1 to 4 that store paper according to size, and a manual feed tray. A scaling key 332 is used to set the size when copying from a document, and selects the same size for the original size and a combination of the document size and the copy size for enlargement or reduction. The single-sided / single-sided key 323 is selected when a single-sided copy is made from a single-sided original, the single-sided / double-sided key 324 is selected when making a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, and the double-sided / double-sided key 325 is selected when making a double-sided copy from a double-sided original. The default is one side → one side. A sort key 341, a staple key 342, and a punch key 343 are keys for designating post-processing, and select sort (paper page ordering), staple (paper bundle binding), and punch (paper punching) processes. Used when. The schedule key 350 is used when inputting or reading a user's schedule.

  The copy screen 311a in FIG. 7A corresponds to the copy application screen in step S101. When copy is selected, the copy application is activated, and the copy screen 311 a shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display screen 311. When the schedule key 350 is pressed from the copy screen 311a, a schedule reference request is transferred to the copy application (step S102), and whether or not authentication is necessary is determined (step S103). That is, the copy screen 311a is transferred to the authentication screen 311b shown in FIG. If authentication is required, the user ID and password are input from the user ID and password display 351 on the authentication screen 311b, and the authentication key 352 is pressed, the processing of steps S104 and S105 is executed. When the cancel key 353 is pressed, the screen returns to the copy screen 311a.

  If the authentication is executed and OK, the log-in user's schedule is transferred from the schedule server 20 to the MFP 1 and the screen shifts to the schedule screen 311c shown in FIG. Since the login user's schedule is displayed on the schedule screen 311a (step S108), if there is a change in the schedule, the change key is pressed to enter. If there is no change in the schedule, the login user's schedule is displayed from the schedule screen 311a. select. In the example of FIG. 17 (c), assuming that the material is used for the conference of the regular A, when the key of the regular A is pressed and then the setting key 355 is pressed, the setting screen 311d shown in FIG. 7 (d) is displayed. To do. When canceling the schedule screen 311a, when the return key 356 is pressed, the screen returns to the copy screen 311a in FIG. If the contents of the setting screen 311d in FIG. 7D are acceptable, the print key 313 is pressed to execute copy printing (step S111).

  If there is a change in the number of people in the conference, the schedule key 350 is pressed to return to the authentication screen 311b in FIG. 7B, and after the authentication is received, the schedule change is input on the schedule screen 311c.

  By performing the processing in this way, the printing conditions matching the schedule stored in the schedule server 20 are set in the MFP 1 (step S110), and copy printing is executed based on the settings. At that time, if the operator basically presses the schedule key 350 from the display screen 311 of the MFP 1 and performs the authentication work, the operator then stores it in the database only by confirming the print information transferred from the schedule server 20 on the MFP 1 side. The required number of copies for the conference is automatically printed out according to the paper size, print surface, and post-processing being performed (step S111).

  If it is not necessary to confirm the set contents on the setting screen 311d, when the print key 313 is pressed in the state of the schedule screen 311c in FIG. 7C, the setting screen 311d set in the schedule server 20 is displayed. Printed with the settings.

  Setting or setting change to the schedule server 20 is performed from the setting screen 311d. The schedule setting information includes information indicating the location of the schedule server 20, for example, information necessary for connecting to the IP, port, and server, the number of copies, the print size, the type of printing (single side, double side), the type of post-processing, or This is setting information unique to the MFP. In the first embodiment, these pieces of information can be set for each device, each application, and each individual. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting such information. FIG. 8 shows a procedure between the setting application 30 for executing the setting and the setting management module 40 of the schedule server 20.

  In FIG. 7, when the setting key 355 is pressed on the schedule screen 311c in FIG. 7C, the setting application 30 is activated, and the display state shifts to the setting screen 311d shown in FIG. 7D (step S201). When the paper size, scaling, printing method, post-processing, and the like are set from the setting screen 311d, a setting information setting request (step S203) and a setting information acquisition request (step S205) are transferred from the setting application 30 to the setting management module 40. The setting information is set by a reply from the setting management module (steps S204 and S206). This setting is usually performed before copy printing.

  When the setting information is set in this way, the set result is displayed (step S207). In the first embodiment, the highlighted part in FIG. 7D is the setting information set this time. In the example of FIG. 7D, it can be seen that the paper is set to tray 1 (A4), the printing method is set to duplex copying from a double-sided original, and the copied paper is stapled.

  In FIG. 5, the MFP 1 and the MFP 2 do not include a scanner for copying. However, when using the copy function, an MFP including the ADF 305 and the imaging unit 121 shown in FIG. Is done.

  FIGS. 9 and 10 are for explaining the second embodiment. FIG. 9 shows another implementation when a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 1 for personal use is connected to the LAN 10 instead of the MFP 2 of FIG. It is a system configuration figure of form. In the second embodiment, a print instruction is issued from the personal PC 1 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure between the MFP 1, the printer driver 60 of the personal computer PC1, and the schedule server 20. In the figure, when a print instruction is issued from the personal computer PC1, a printer driver screen is displayed (step S301). When a schedule reference request is input from the personal computer PC1 by operating the keyboard PC1K (step S102), the printer is displayed. The driver 60 checks whether authentication is necessary (step S303). If authentication is required, the printer driver 60 requests the schedule server 20 for authentication (step S404), and if the authentication returns OK from the schedule server 20, the printer driver 60 requests schedule information from the schedule server 20. Then, the schedule server 20 returns the requested schedule to the printer driver 60 (step S307).

  The printer driver 60 displays the schedule information of the person who has logged in based on the schedule information returned from the schedule server 20 on the display PC1D of the personal computer PC, refers to the screen of the display PC1D, and selects a schedule from the keyboard PC1K. If so (step S309), the information in the selected schedule is set as printing information (step S310), and a print request is sent to the MFP 1 (step S111). In response to this print request, the MFP 1 executes printing based on the print information set in step S310.

  The display screen displayed on the display PC1D of the personal computer PC1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 7. In the case of the first embodiment, the input is performed from the touch panel of the display screen 311. The only difference is that it is performed from the keyboard PC1K.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

As described above, according to Examples 1 and 2,
1) Since information on a schedule server (database) for managing conferences and the like is used at the time of printing, settings necessary for printing can be omitted and operability can be improved.
2) Since printing can be performed using the latest information (number of participants) managed by the schedule server, it is possible to eliminate the waste of copying.
3) Since information unique to the image forming apparatus, information by user, or information by application that is not managed by the schedule server can be stored and used, settings necessary for printing can be omitted and operability can be improved. Can be made.
There are effects such as.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the compound machine which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the compound machine of FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the compound machine of FIG. It is a front view of the operation panel provided in the fusion machine of FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a first embodiment in which two MFPs (MFP1, MFP2) and a schedule server are connected to a LAN. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure between the MFP 1 and a schedule server in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state of the display screen of the operation panel which changes with the process of the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the setting procedure of the setting information of a schedule. FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of the second embodiment in which one MFP, a personal computer, and a schedule server are connected to a LAN. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure among an MFP, a personal computer, and a schedule server in Embodiment 2.

Explanation of symbols

10 LAN
20 Schedule Server 101 Multifunction Machine 111 Hardware 112 Software 121 Imaging Unit 122 Printing Unit 202 Operation Panel 211 CPU
311 Touch panel (display screen)
311a Copy screen 311b Authentication screen 311c Schedule screen 311d Setting screen

Claims (17)

An image forming apparatus that forms and outputs a visible image on a recording medium based on input information,
Information acquisition means for acquiring the user's schedule information from a schedule server for managing the user's schedule information;
Print information setting means for setting print information based on the user's schedule information acquired by the information acquisition means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the schedule information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein print information is set based on schedule information displayed on the display unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a schedule setting unit configured to set the schedule information.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not the user can acquire information when the user acquires information from the schedule server by the information acquisition unit. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set device-specific information for printing based on schedule information of the schedule server.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set user-specific information for printing based on schedule information of the schedule server.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set information for each application for printing based on schedule information of the schedule server.   9. The information acquisition unit and the print information setting unit are provided in an information processing apparatus connected to the schedule server, and print based on print information transferred from the information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. A computer program that is loaded into a computer and forms and outputs a visible image on a recording medium based on input information,
A process of acquiring the user's schedule information from a schedule server that manages the user's schedule information;
A process of setting information for printing based on the user's schedule information acquired by the process;
The computer program characterized by including.   The computer program according to claim 10, further comprising a process for displaying the schedule information.   12. The computer program according to claim 11, further comprising a process of setting print information based on the schedule information displayed by the process of displaying.   The computer program according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a process of setting the schedule information.   14. The computer program according to claim 10, further comprising a process of authenticating whether or not information can be acquired when acquiring information from the schedule server.   The computer program according to any one of claims 10 to 14, including a process of setting information for each device for printing based on schedule information of the schedule server.   15. The computer program according to claim 10, further comprising a process of setting information for each user for printing based on schedule information of the schedule server.   15. The computer program according to claim 10, further comprising a process of setting information for each application for printing based on schedule information of the schedule server.

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