JP2007329734A - Image forming device and contention control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that is made to solve the problem, when designation of an image forming parameters are executed separately by a plurality of times, and to provide a contention control program. <P>SOLUTION: It is supposed that a discrepancy occurs between the image forming parameter designated by an image forming data body and that of designated by a communication header, when image formation is instructed from a host terminal 10. More specifically, this is the case such as where three copies are designated in the data body, and two copies are designated in the header. When there is contention in the designation of the numbers of copies, and when the numbers of copies contradict each other in this a manner, the common two copies are outputted, as they are, and an inquiry regarding the remaining one copy is made to a user so as to determine whether to output or cancel the remaining one copy, on the basis of the inquiry result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a competition control program.

  In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a fax machine, a copier, or a multifunction machine, an image is formed on a recording medium such as paper based on designated image forming parameters (image forming setting information). The image forming parameters are provided with many setting items such as monochrome / color, enlargement / reduction, paper size, number of copies, finisher setting, and the user designates values for these image forming parameters. To obtain a desired image formation result.

  By the way, when this image forming parameter is set, the specified parameter setting may fall under the prohibition specification. This prohibition specification corresponds to, for example, a case where a stapling function is provided but it is not appropriate to staple a sheet bundle exceeding 10 thick sheets.

Therefore, in order to cope with this, when the designated image formation parameter corresponds to the prohibition specification as in Patent Document 1, the cause is notified to the user, and if this is resolved within a predetermined time, the image formation is performed. A technique of executing is proposed.
JP 2004-234510 A

  By the way, when an image forming apparatus is used in a system constituted by a network or the like, the LPR protocol (Line PRinter daemon protocol) defined by RFC-1179, the IPP protocol (Internet Printing Protocol) defined by RFC-2565, or the like. Protocol) or the like can be used to instruct image formation. These protocols have a function of causing the image forming apparatus to form an image, and an image forming parameter can be designated in response to an image forming instruction.

  In this case, for example, when the user designates image formation parameters from the printer driver and instructs image formation using the LPR protocol, the image formation parameters designated from the printer driver and the image formation parameters designated from the LPR protocol are used. May cause inconsistencies.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and a competition control program that can solve the problem that occurs when a plurality of image forming parameters are specified separately.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is configured to determine whether or not there is a conflict in image formation setting information designated at the time of image formation, and to determine the image formation by the determination unit. When it is determined that there is a conflict in the setting information, a determination unit that determines a countermeasure method corresponding to the conflict state, and a conflict that controls subsequent processing according to the countermeasure method determined by the determination unit Control means.

  The invention of claim 2 further comprises receiving means for receiving the image forming information via the communication means in the invention of claim 1, wherein the judging means is an image forming information main body received by the receiving means. It is determined whether or not there is a conflict between the designated image formation setting information and the image formation setting information added to the image formation information body.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the determination unit makes an inquiry to a requester who has requested the image formation before starting the image formation processing, or a part of the image formation processing. After the execution, a coping method is determined as to whether to make an inquiry to the requester, or to execute the image forming process and notify the requester.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus further comprises inquiry means for inquiring a requester who has requested the image formation about the image formation countermeasure method. Execution is waited, and the waiting image forming process is executed or stopped based on the inquiry result to the requester by the inquiry means.

  The invention of claim 5 further comprises inquiry means for inquiring a requester who has requested the image formation about the method of dealing with the image formation in the invention of claim 1, wherein the contention control means performs image formation processing. A part of the image forming process is made to stand by, and the waiting image forming process is resumed or stopped based on the inquiry result to the requester by the inquiry unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the fourth or fifth aspect, the inquiry means displays on the display of the apparatus main body that performs the image formation that the contention of the image formation setting information has occurred. The inquiry is made by

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth or fifth aspect, the inquiry means displays on the display device of the requester or administrator's device that the contention of the image formation setting information has occurred. To make the inquiry.

  The invention of claim 8 further comprises notification means for notifying the requester who has requested the image formation that the competition of the image formation setting information has occurred in the invention of claim 1, and the contention control means. Executes the image forming process and notifies the requester by the notifying means.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the invention, the notifying unit displays the fact that the competition of the image formation setting information has occurred on the display of the apparatus main body that performs the image formation. Make a notification.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, the notifying unit displays on the display device of the requester or administrator's device that the contention of the image formation setting information has occurred. The notification is performed.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the invention, the notifying unit records the fact that the competition of the image formation setting information has occurred on a recording medium on which an image is formed by the image formation. The notification is performed.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is a determination unit that determines whether or not there is a conflict in the image formation setting information specified at the time of image formation, and the determination unit causes a conflict in the image formation setting information. If it is determined that the problem has occurred, a determination unit that determines a countermeasure method corresponding to the race condition, a part of the image forming process is executed according to the countermeasure method determined by the determination unit, and then the rest The image forming process includes contention control means for restarting or canceling based on an inquiry to a requester who has requested the image forming.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a competition control program for causing a computer to execute processing in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, and whether or not there is a conflict in image formation setting information designated at the time of image formation. A determination step for determining whether or not there is a conflict in the image formation setting information by the determination step; a determination step for determining a coping method corresponding to the conflict state; and the determination step And a contention control step for controlling subsequent processing in accordance with the coping method determined by.

  According to the present invention, an intended image formation result can be obtained even when there is a conflict in designation of image formation parameters. In addition, when competition occurs, the image forming process is executed within a range that does not produce a result different from the intended image formation, so that productivity can be improved.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and a competition control program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, as a typical embodiment of the present invention, the image forming parameter (specified by the image forming data (image forming information) body) and the communication header added to the image forming data body are specified. A case where there is a conflict with the image forming parameters thus described will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system configured by arranging an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, a case where the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine 20 will be described as an example.

  The image forming system includes a host terminal 10 that outputs image forming data (simply referred to as image forming data, including an image forming data main body and a communication header) to the multi-function device 20, and a sheet based on the image forming data. The host terminal 10 and the multifunction device 20 are configured by a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like. Communication is established via the network 30. In this embodiment, since the LPR protocol is used as one of the methods for specifying the image forming parameters, the host terminal 10 and the multifunction device 20 need to be connected via the network 30. If the image forming parameters are not specified using the, the network terminal is not limited, and the host terminal 10 and the multifunction device 20 may be directly connected via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like.

  Here, the host terminal 10 is a personal computer or the like handled by the user, and includes a display unit 11 such as a display for displaying various kinds of information, and an input unit 12 such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting user instructions. Configured. When the user performs a predetermined operation from the host terminal 10 to instruct image formation, image formation data based on this instruction is created and sent to the multifunction device 20.

  A printer driver is installed in the host terminal 10, and when an image formation instruction is given, the user designates various image formation parameters such as monochrome / color, enlargement / reduction, paper size, number of copies, and finisher settings from the printer driver. I do. The image formation parameters designated from the printer driver are set in the image formation data body.

  In order to instruct image formation from the host terminal 10 to the multi-function device 20, the LPR protocol (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a protocol) is used. For this reason, the image forming parameters are also designated by this protocol. The image forming parameters specified by this protocol are set in a communication header (an area in which information essential for communication such as a transmission source and a transmission destination is set) added to the image formation data body.

  That is, there is a possibility that the specification of the image formation parameter in the image formation data body by the printer driver and the specification of the image formation parameter in the communication header by the protocol may be different. Such a contradiction in image forming parameters includes, for example, a case where the paper feed tray 1 is specified in the image forming data body and the paper feed tray 2 is specified in the communication header.

  Assume that the host terminal 10 instructs the multifunction device 20 to form an image. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, in this instruction, three copies are specified in the image forming data body (@ARTEX COPIES = 3 is specified in the page description language (ARTEX)), and two copies are specified in the communication header (lpr-# 2), there will be an inconsistency in the number of copies specified. In this case, the MFP 20 first forms an image for the two copies designated by both instructions, and inquires the user about the remaining one copy of the image that contradicts both instructions.

  Here, the inquiry to the user is made, for example, by displaying on the display unit (display device) of the operation panel arranged in the multi-function device 20, and the user refers to this display and checks the remaining one copy. A user instruction to execute (restart) or stop the image formation is performed from the input unit (input device) of the operation panel.

  In the image forming system shown in FIG. 1, when image forming data is sent to the multi-function device 20, the image forming data body is described in the page description language ARTEX. Regardless, for example, PostScript may be adopted.

  Here, a part of the functional configuration of the multifunction machine 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The multifunction device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, an image forming unit 23, an image reading unit 24, and a display operation unit 25 as its functional configuration.

  The communication unit 21 is composed of a network card or the like, and functions as a communication interface that connects the multifunction device 20 and the network 30. That is, the multi-function device 20 receives image formation data and the like from the host terminal 10 via the communication unit 21.

  The control unit 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a program memory, a working memory, various ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), and the like, and fulfills a function of controlling the multifunction device 20 in an integrated manner. When the control unit 22 receives the image forming data, the control unit 22 edits the image forming data (for example, enlargement / reduction) based on the image forming parameters, and outputs it to the image forming unit 23.

  The image forming unit 23 includes a photosensitive drum, a transfer belt, a fixing device, and the like, and fulfills a function of forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on image forming data. In the image forming unit 23, when settings relating to the finisher and the like are made with the image forming parameters, post-processing according to the settings is performed after the image formation. In this embodiment, the case where the image forming unit 23 is configured by an electrophotographic method will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods (for example, an ink jet method) may be adopted. .

  The image reading unit 24 includes an illumination lamp, a lens, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like, and performs a function of optically scanning a document placed on the platen glass and reading the document.

  The display operation unit 25 includes an operation panel including input devices such as a touch panel and hard buttons, and display devices such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Functions as a user interface that connects The above is a description of the various processing functions that make up the multifunction machine 20.

  Next, a part of the functional configuration of the control unit 22 described above will be described.

  The control unit 22 includes an image formation instruction receiving unit 41, a competition determination unit 42, a competition level determination unit 43, a competition control unit 44, and a user inquiry unit 45 as various processing function units. .

  The image formation instruction accepting unit 41 has a function of accepting an image formation instruction from the host terminal 10 via the communication unit 21, and a protocol designation obtaining unit 41a for obtaining an image formation parameter based on the instruction designated by the communication header. And a data designation acquisition unit 41b for obtaining image formation parameters based on the instruction designated in the image formation data body.

  The competition determination unit 42 has a function of determining whether or not there is a competition in specifying the image forming parameters. That is, the image forming parameter specified by the communication header is compared with the image forming parameter specified by the image forming data body to determine whether there is a conflict.

  The contention level determination unit 43 functions to determine the contention level when there is contention in the designation of image forming parameters. By determining the contention level, a coping method for the contention is determined. Here, in the present embodiment, three levels of (a) immediate resolution, (b) partial common, and (c) post-notification are provided for this level division.

  The outline of each competition level will be described. First, the competition corresponding to (a) is a case where it is necessary to resolve before starting the image forming process. For example, if the specified paper size is different, image formation cannot be started unless this is resolved, and in such a case, this corresponds to the competition level (a). This immediate resolution of the competition level (a) corresponds to a case where there is a contradiction in the designation of image forming parameters such as finisher and enlargement / reduction, in addition to the contradiction in the paper feed tray described above.

  In addition, the competition corresponding to (b) can be executed for a part of the image forming process, but when executing the other, it is necessary to resolve the competition of the image forming parameters. For example, if the specified number of copies is 2 and 3, the two copies are the same, so there is no problem even if the image formation is started as it is, but the remaining one copy is about the image formation parameters. In such a case, the competition level (b) is satisfied. In other words, at this competition level (b), the part where the parameters are not inconsistent is processed first, and the user is inquired about the processing that is inconsistent and would cause a problem if proceeded without user intervention. This partly common competition level (b) corresponds to the case where there is a contradiction in the designation of image forming parameters such as stored print (security print, time designation print) in addition to the above-mentioned contradiction in the number of copies.

  The competition corresponding to (c) is a case where notification may be made after image formation. For example, if paper feed from different paper feed trays is specified, but the paper is the same (size, paper quality, etc.) and there is no difference between the papers, feed from any of the paper feed trays. There is no particular problem. In this case, after image formation is performed using the paper in one of the paper feed trays (for example, the tray with the higher priority), it is sufficient to notify the user to that effect by a subsequent notification. Corresponds to the competition level (c). This post-notification of the contention level (c) corresponds to the case where one of the designations is invalid in addition to the contradiction of the paper feed tray described above.

  Note that when determining the above-described contention level, it is necessary to set in advance in the MFP 20 setting information indicating what kind of image formation parameter contention is classified into which contention level. The level determination unit 43 determines the competition level by referring to the setting information.

  Subsequently, the competition control unit 44 performs a function of performing overall control of the operation of the competition control process. That is, various processing functions configured on the control unit 22 operate according to instructions from the contention control unit 44. The contention control unit 44 also controls input / output of data generated between the processing functions.

  The user inquiry unit 45 performs a function of making an inquiry to the user in order to resolve the conflict when there is a conflict in the designation of the image forming parameter. In some cases, only notification is performed without inquiring of the user (without requiring user intervention). In the present embodiment, a case where an inquiry or notification is made to the user by displaying on the display device of the display operation unit 25 will be described as an example. Inquiries and notifications may be made by a method such as display on a terminal screen of a system administrator or the like, recording on paper (for example, banner paper). The above is the description of the various processing functions that constitute the control unit 22. Note that various processing functions configured on the control unit 22 may be implemented in software by an application or the like, or may be implemented in hardware by a dedicated ASIC or the like.

  Here, the operation of the image forming process in the multifunction machine 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When an image formation instruction is issued from the host terminal 10, this process is started. When image formation is instructed, image formation data based on the instruction is sent to the multi-function device 20 using the LPR protocol.

  In the multifunction device 20, the image formation instruction receiving unit 41 receives the image formation instruction and also receives image formation data based on the instruction (step S101). At this time, the protocol designation acquisition unit 41 acquires the image formation parameters specified by the communication header (step S102), and the data specification acquisition unit 41b acquires the image formation parameters specified by the image formation data body. (Step S103).

  When the parameter acquisition is completed, the competition determination unit 42 determines whether or not there is a competition by comparing the acquired image forming parameters (step S104). As a result, if there is no conflict in the parameter designation (YES in step S104), the image forming unit 23 performs the same image forming process as in the prior art (step S105), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if there is a conflict in parameter designation (NO in step S104), the details will be described later, but after performing a predetermined conflict control process corresponding to the conflict level (step S106). This process is terminated.

  Next, the outline of the operation of the contention control process in step S106 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation in the case where the contention level requires immediate resolution, FIG. 6 shows that the contention level is partially common, and FIG. 8 shows the operation when the contention level is post-notification.

  First, with reference to FIG. 4, as an example of an operation when the conflict level is immediate resolution, a case where a conflict has occurred in the image forming parameters related to the designation of the paper feed tray will be described as an example.

  Here, as a specific example in the case where there is a conflict in the image formation parameters related to the designation of the paper feed tray, as shown in FIG. 4 (upper side: image formation parameters), the paper feed tray 1 is designated by the communication header, and the image Assume that the paper size A4 is designated in the formation data main body, and that A4 size paper is stored in the paper feed tray 2. In other words, the paper feed tray designated in the image forming data body is substantially the paper feed tray 2, and a contradiction arises between the paper feed trays designated by both instructions. Hereinafter, the operation of the MFP 20 in this case will be described with reference to FIG. 4 (lower side: flowchart).

  The multi-function device 20 first determines the contention level in the contention level determination unit 43 (step S201). In this case, since it is not possible to start the image forming process unless it is determined from which paper feed tray, the contention level needs to be resolved immediately.

  When the contention level is determined, the contention control unit 44 that has received this waits for execution of the image forming process, and the user inquiry unit 45 inquires the user about how to deal with parameter contention. The inquiry to the user is that there is a conflict in the designation of the paper feed tray on the display device of the display operation unit 25, and image formation is performed using the paper in the paper feed tray 1 (A3), or paper feed. This is done by displaying a screen (see FIG. 5) that allows the user to select whether to form an image using the paper in tray 2 (A4) or not (step S202).

  As a result, when the user who refers to the screen selects one of the paper feed trays (step S203), the competition control unit 44 releases the standby for the image forming process and executes the process. That is, the competition control unit 44 instructs the image forming unit 23 to execute image formation, and the image forming unit 23 that has received this instruction performs image formation using the paper fed from the selected paper feed tray. Performed (step S204). Then, after this image forming process is completed, this process is ended.

  Next, as an example of the operation when the contention level is partially common, a case where contention has occurred in the image forming parameters regarding the number of copies will be described as an example with reference to FIG.

  Here, as a specific example in the case where there is a conflict in the image forming parameters related to the number of copies, as shown in FIG. 6 (upper side: image forming parameters), 5 copies are designated in the communication header, and 3 copies in the image forming data main body. Is specified. That is, both instructions are common to the three parts, but contradictions occur in the remaining two parts. Hereinafter, the operation of the MFP 20 in this case will be described with reference to FIG. 6 (lower side: flowchart).

  The multi-function device 20 first determines a competition level in the competition level determination unit 43 (step S301). In this case, since some parameters are common, the competition level is partially common.

  When the contention level is determined, the contention control unit 44 that has received this determines the number of image forming copies to 3 which is a common number (step S302), and the image forming unit 23 executes image formation for the number of copies. To instruct. In response to this instruction, the image forming unit 23 forms an image based on the instruction and outputs three copies (step S303).

  By the way, when forming the remaining number of copies, there is a contradiction in the image forming parameters designated by the communication header and the image forming data body. Therefore, the user inquiry unit 45 inquires the user about how to deal with parameter conflicts. The inquiry to the user is that there is a conflict in the number of copies specified on the display device of the display operation unit 25, so that the user is asked whether to output three copies at the same time and whether to output or cancel the remaining two copies. This is done by displaying a screen to be selected (see FIG. 7) (step S304).

  As a result, when the user who has referred to the image gives an instruction to cancel image formation for the remaining number of copies (NO in step S305), this processing is terminated as it is, but the user forms an image for the remaining number of copies. When the instruction is made (YES in step S305), the competition control unit 44 instructs the image forming unit 23 to execute the image forming process for the number of copies. In response to this instruction, the image forming unit 23 performs image formation based on the instruction and outputs the remaining two copies (step S303). Then, after this image forming process is completed, this process is ended.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, as an example of the operation when the competition level is post-event notification, a case where competition has occurred in the image forming parameters related to the designation of the paper feed tray will be described as an example.

  Here, as a specific example in the case where there is a conflict in the image formation parameters related to the designation of the paper feed tray, as shown in FIG. 8 (upper side: image formation parameters), the paper feed tray 1 is designated by the communication header, and the image The paper feed tray 2 is designated in the formation data main body, and the paper stored in the paper feed tray 1 and the paper feed tray 2 are the same (size, paper quality, etc.), and there is no difference between the papers. And This means that there is no particular problem even if paper is fed from any paper feed tray. Hereinafter, the operation of the MFP 20 in this case will be described with reference to FIG. 8 (lower side: flowchart).

  The multi-function device 20 first determines a competition level in the competition level determination unit 43 (step S401). In this case, the sheets stored in the sheet feeding tray 1 and the sheet feeding tray 2 are the same, and there is no problem even if the sheet stored in any sheet feeding tray is used.

  When the contention level is determined, the contention control unit 44 that receives the contention level first determines which paper feed tray to use based on the priority of the tray assigned in advance to the paper feed tray (step S402). In addition, when the priority is not provided for the paper feed tray, for example, it is possible to cope with the problem by selecting the lower number (in this case, the paper feed tray 1 corresponds).

  Further, the competition control unit 44 causes the image forming process to be executed together with the determination of the paper feed tray. That is, the competition control unit 44 instructs the image forming unit 23 to execute image formation, and the image forming unit 23 that has received this instruction performs image formation using the paper fed from the selected paper feed tray. Performed (step S403).

  When this image forming process is completed, the user inquiry unit 45 notifies that there is a conflict in the parameters. This notification to the user notifies the user that the paper in the paper feed tray 1 is used because there is a conflict in the designation of the paper feed tray on the display device of the display operation unit 25 but the paper is the same. This is done by displaying a screen (see FIG. 9) (step S404). Then, after this notification, this processing is terminated.

  Although the above is an example of typical embodiment of this invention, this invention is not limited to the Example shown to the said and drawing, It can implement suitably deform | transforming within the range which does not change the summary. .

  For example, the present invention can be applied not only to competition of image formation parameters caused by designation by two methods but also to competition of image formation parameters caused by designation by three or more methods.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the case where a plurality of image formation parameters are specified, the image formation parameter specified in the image formation data main body and the image formation parameter specified in the communication header conflict. However, the present invention is also applicable to cases where image forming parameters are designated by other methods. For example, there are cases where the designation of image forming parameters is set in the main body of the image forming apparatus, but the present invention can also be applied to this case.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the LPR protocol is used as the method for specifying the image forming parameter in the communication header has been described as an example. However, for example, the IPP protocol may be used. In this case, the same processing as in the case of the LPR protocol described above can be performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, when there is a conflict in the image forming parameters and an inquiry to the user is necessary, the image forming process is waited until a user instruction is input. In consideration of the processing, the image forming data relating to the image forming may be temporarily saved in a storage device or the like until a user instruction is input, and the subsequent image forming processing may be performed first. In this case, inquiries and notifications are made to the user by displaying them on the terminal screen of an image formation instructor or system administrator or by recording them on paper (for example, banner paper).

  In the above embodiment, the case where the three levels of (a) immediate resolution required, (b) partial common, and (c) post-notification are provided as examples of the competition level has been described as an example. In the case of a competition level corresponding to, it is only necessary to notify the user, so instead of giving a notification after the end of the process, it is made a prior notification or a midway notification, etc. before the start of the process or during the process You may make it notify to a user.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the multifunction machine 20 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a printer or the like. The present invention may be applied to a copying machine or a fax machine.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied has been described. However, this process may be executed by a competition control program installed in a computer. The contention control program can be provided not only by communication means such as a network but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The image forming apparatus and the competition control program of the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper and a competition control program that causes a computer to execute this processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image forming system configured by arranging an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a part of the functional configuration of the multifunction machine 20 illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing an image forming process operation in the multifunction machine 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the operation | movement of the competition control process in FIG.3 S106 (competition level: immediate solution required). It is a figure which shows an example of the screen layout of the screen which inquires a user (contention level: immediate solution required). It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the operation | movement of the competition control process in FIG.3 S106 (competition level: partially common). It is a figure which shows an example of the screen layout of the screen which inquires a user (competition level: partly common). It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the operation | movement of the competition control process in FIG.3 S106 (contention level: post-notification). It is a figure which shows an example of the screen layout of the screen which notifies a user (competition level: post-notification).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host terminal 11 Display part 12 Input part 20 Multifunction machine 30 Network 21 Communication part 22 Control part 23 Image formation part 24 Image reading part 25 Display operation part 41 Image formation instruction | indication reception part 41a Protocol designation | designated acquisition part 41b Data designation | designated acquisition part 42 Competition Determination unit 43 Competition level determination unit 44 Competition control unit 45 User inquiry unit

Claims (13)

Determination means for determining whether or not there is a conflict in the image formation setting information specified at the time of image formation;
A determining unit that determines a coping method in response to the conflicting state when the determining unit determines that there is a conflict in the image formation setting information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a competition control unit that controls subsequent processing in accordance with the coping method determined by the determination unit. Receiving means for receiving image formation information via communication means;
The determination means includes
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not there is a conflict between the image formation setting information specified in the image formation information body received by the receiving unit and the image formation setting information added to the image formation information body. Forming equipment. The determining means includes
Make an inquiry to the requester who requested the image formation before starting the image formation process, or make an inquiry to the requester after partially executing the image formation process, or execute the image formation process The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a coping method for determining whether to notify the requester is determined. Inquiry means for inquiring the requester who has requested the image formation about the image formation coping method,
The contention control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution of the image forming process is waited, and the waiting image forming process is executed or stopped based on a result of an inquiry to the requester by the inquiry unit. Inquiry means for inquiring the requester who has requested the image formation about the image formation coping method,
The contention control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming process is partly executed and then waited, and the waiting image forming process is resumed or stopped based on a result of an inquiry to the requester by the inquiry unit. The inquiry means is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inquiry is performed by displaying on the display of the apparatus main body that performs the image formation that the contention of the image formation setting information has occurred. The inquiry means is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inquiry is performed by displaying on the display device of the requester or administrator's apparatus that the contention of the image formation setting information has occurred. A notification means for notifying a requester who has requested the image formation that a conflict of the image formation setting information has occurred;
The contention control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming process is executed to notify the requester by the notifying unit. The notification means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification is performed by displaying on the display of a main body of the apparatus that performs the image formation that a conflict of the image formation setting information has occurred. The notification means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification is performed by displaying on the display device of the requester or the administrator that the image formation setting information has been conflicted. The notification means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification is performed by recording that the competition of the image formation setting information has occurred on a recording medium on which an image is formed by the image formation. Determination means for determining whether or not there is a conflict in the image formation setting information specified at the time of image formation;
A determining unit that determines a coping method in response to the conflicting state when the determining unit determines that there is a conflict in the image formation setting information;
Competing control means for causing part of image forming processing to be executed according to the coping method determined by the determining means, and then restarting or canceling the rest of the image forming processing based on an inquiry to the requester who requested the image forming. Image forming apparatus. A competition control program that causes a computer to execute processing in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium,
A determination step of determining whether or not there is a conflict in the image formation setting information specified at the time of image formation;
A determination step of determining a coping method in response to the conflict state when it is determined in the determination step that a conflict has occurred in the image formation setting information;
A contention control program comprising: a contention control step for controlling subsequent processing in accordance with the coping method determined in the determination step.

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