JP2008276442A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a print job setting along the requirement of a user with intuitive operation. <P>SOLUTION: When a use purpose is selected from previously registered variation by selection input using an operation part 3 by the user, a control part 14 reads print job setting information corresponding to the selected use purpose from an internal memory 28, and reflects the read print job setting information in a print job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a printer or a multifunction peripheral thereof, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus that allows a user to select a print job setting according to a user request through an intuitive operation.

  Conventionally, when a print job is performed using an image forming apparatus including a printer or a multi-function printer, the user, for example, on the printer driver screen of the user terminal, the number of copies, paper size, paper orientation, aggregated / duplex printing After performing setting operations related to various items such as quality, the print job is started.

  By the way, with the increase in the number of functions of image forming apparatuses, the number of processing items set for a print job is steadily increasing. In this case, there arises a problem that an operation for setting an item according to a user's request from among a plurality of prepared processing items becomes complicated.

  As one approach for solving this problem, after logging in with user-specific information such as a user ID and password, the user can set print settings such as paper size, paper orientation, print quality, etc. on the operation display unit. When the user has set the print setting for registration, presses the setting registration button when the user has set the print setting for registration, and then presses any desired ten key as the registration destination, the setting control unit When the print setting at the time when the setting registration button is pressed is assigned to the pressed numeric keypad and registered, and the user performs printing with the registered setting, the user first presses the setting selection button, and then the desired print setting is A technique is known in which a registered print setting is called by pressing a registered numeric keypad (see Patent Document 1). Irradiation). According to the technique of Patent Document 1, for various types of settings that can be set by the user, those that are frequently used in accordance with the user's use can be assigned and registered for setting operations by the setting means, thereby executing processing. The setting operation can be simplified.

  However, if the user who intends to use the print job setting registration function according to the technique of Patent Document 1 does not know what type of print job setting is registered in which numeric keypad, the user can execute the print job. Therefore, it is not possible to enjoy the actual benefit of simplifying the setting operation. For this reason, in the technique of Patent Document 1, there is a tendency that the user side lacks tenderness in terms of operability.

JP 2007-79382 A

  The problem to be solved is that when setting a print job in accordance with a user's request, the operability of the user tends to be poor.

  The present inventor has been pursuing day and night research for the purpose of obtaining user-friendly operability when setting a print job in accordance with a user's request.

  Therefore, if there is a clear purpose such as “for distribution” or “for storage” as the purpose of use of the print job, a combination of processing items to be set for the print job that meets that purpose. It has been found that the processing item groups related to are often the same or similar.

  So, even for a novice user who is far from skilled or knowledgeable, isn't the key to the user interface at the novel point of “purpose of use” being able to execute the target setting operation easily? I came to get the idea.

  Based on this idea, we have been diligently pursuing further research. From among the variations of the processing item group related to the combination of a plurality of processing items set for a print job, the processing item group according to the user's request Thus, the present invention has finally been completed, which can be set by intuitive operation from the “use purpose” section.

  That is, according to the present invention, when performing a print job setting in accordance with a user's request, the process meets a user's request from among variations of processing item groups related to a combination of a plurality of processing items set for the print job. A combination of multiple processing items that are set for a print job in association with variations of the purpose of use for the purpose of making it possible to set the processing items from the “purpose of use” point of view. The print job setting information storage means for storing the print job setting information relating to the processing item group consisting of, the usage purpose selection means for causing the user to select the usage purpose, and the usage purpose selection means from among the variations. When a purpose of use is selected, print job setting information corresponding to the selected purpose of use is displayed as the print job setting. Reads from broadcast storing means, the print job setup information read, the most important comprising: the print job setting control means to be reflected in the print job, the.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a print job for storing print job setting information related to a processing item group composed of a combination of a plurality of processing items set for a print job in association with a variation of a purpose of use. A setting information storage unit, a usage purpose selection unit for allowing a user to select a usage purpose, and a print job setting control unit to be described below. When the purpose of use is selected, the print job setting information corresponding to the selected purpose of use is read from the print job setting information storage unit, and the read print job setting information is reflected in the print job. Since the user has made it to the user's request from the variations registered in advance Such selecting Tsu usage purposes, with a very simple and intuitive, various settings for the print job can be performed collectively. Therefore, even for a novice user who is far from skilled or familiar, the user can easily perform a desired setting operation. Can provide sex.

  When setting the print job according to the user's request, the purpose of providing user-friendly operability is selected when the use purpose is selected from the variations by the use purpose selection unit. The print job setting information corresponding to the usage purpose is read from the print job setting information storage unit, and the read print job setting information is reflected on the print job.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an example in which the apparatus is incorporated and applied to the image forming apparatus will be described.

[Entire configuration of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention reads image data of a document set on a platen glass (not shown) or sent from a document feeding device 4 with a scanner unit 5. The read image data is photoelectrically converted and sent to the image forming unit 6. The image forming unit 6 stores data selectively set and operated from the operation unit 3 on the recording material (copy paper, OHP film, etc.) supplied from the paper feed trays 7 and 8 or the duplex printing unit 10. It has a function of printing image data received from an external PC or the like via the network 22.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 1 sends the printed recording material to the post-processing device 2, and performs post-processing including punching and stapling on the recording material in the post-processing device 2. The recording material is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 12 of the recording material discharge unit 11. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 can discharge the printed recording material onto the paper discharge tray 12 of the recording material discharge unit 11 through the bypass conveyance path 13 without performing post-processing.

  Next, the functional members constituting the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 is controlled by a control unit 14 including a microcomputer and a dedicated hardware circuit, as shown in FIG. . The image forming apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 5, an engine unit 16, a hard disk 17, an operation unit 3, and a printer controller 18 as input / output devices connected to the control unit 14 via an interface 15 and performing various functions. Of these, a post-processing unit 20 is connected to the engine unit 16 via an interface 15. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the network 22 via the LAN connection board 21 and communicates data or mail messages with the other personal computer 23 or the printer 24 controlled by the personal computer 23 via the network 22. Has the function of transmitting and receiving.

  Of the components of the image forming apparatus 1, the scanner unit 5 includes a document feeding device 4 and a scanner (image reading unit) 5 a, and the document fed to the scanner 5 a by the document feeding device 4 is read by the image reading CCD 25. The image data read by the image reading CCD 25 is photoelectrically converted and transmitted to the memory copy unit 26 of the control unit 14.

  The control unit 14 includes a memory copy unit 26 capable of storing / reading image data, a CPU 27 (corresponding to “print job setting control unit” of the present invention), and an internal memory (ROM of the present invention) such as a ROM / RAM. Corresponds to “print job setting information storage means”) 28. The internal memory 28 has a function of storing print job setting information related to a processing item group including a combination of a plurality of processing items set for a print job in association with each of the usage purpose variations. On the other hand, when a purpose of use is selected from the variations registered in advance by the operation unit 3, the control unit 14 stores print job setting information corresponding to the selected purpose of use in a predetermined storage in the internal memory 28. It has a function of reading from the area and reflecting the read print job setting information to the print job. Further, the control unit 14 takes in the image data sent from the scanner unit 5 or the external printer controller 18 into the memory copy unit 26, and the image data from the memory copy unit 26 to the laser scanning unit of the hard disk 17 or the engine unit 14. (LSU) 30 has a function of sending out. The control unit 14 can read the image data stored in the hard disk 17 to the memory copy unit 26 and send the image data of the memory copy unit 26 to the engine unit 14.

  The engine unit 14 includes various devices necessary for forming an image on a recording material (for example, LSU 30, a photoreceptor (not shown), a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, a cleaning mechanism, a paper feed). An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive member by the LSU 30, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member is visualized with toner supplied from a developing device. After the toner image is transferred onto a recording material by a transfer device, the toner image on the recording material is fixed by a fixing device.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 3 (corresponding to “use purpose selection means” of the present invention) includes a key input unit 31 for inputting various character codes including characters, graphics, and symbols, and user authentication. A liquid crystal display unit 32 for displaying various job processing modes and various data, and an LED display unit 33 for emitting and displaying operation buttons and the like are displayed. When the operation unit 3 is operated by a user, key input of a user identification number and a personal identification number (authentication information), selection of a mode setting, the number of copies, and the like in a copy job, for example, are performed and the user uses them. It will be used when selecting the purpose.

  In the post-processing apparatus 2, a recording material introduction port 34 is connected to a paper discharge port 35 of the image forming apparatus main body 1a, and a punch unit 36 for punching a printed recording material and a printed recording material are provided. And a post-processing unit (stapler unit) 20 for stapling. In the case of stapling, the post-processing apparatus 2 guides the recording material from the leading end side in the transport direction to the branch path 37 after the recording material introduced from the recording material introduction port 34 passes through the punch unit 36, and It is placed in a state of being positioned on the intermediate tray 38 of the post-processing unit 20. When a predetermined number of recording materials are stored on the intermediate tray 38, the end portions of the plurality of recording materials are stapled by the post-processing unit 20. Thereafter, the recording material subjected to the stapling process is discharged from the intermediate tray 38 to the paper discharge tray 12 of the recording material discharge portion 11 through the recording material discharge port 40. Note that the recording material discharge unit 11 has a function of moving the plurality of paper discharge trays 12, 12,.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows an operation when the image forming apparatus 1 is in a panel authentication mode in which a key input operation of authentication information is requested to a login user who attempts to log in. FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of print job setting information held by the image forming apparatus 1.

  Prior to the description of this operation, referring to the presupposed configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1, for example, requests a login user to perform a key input operation of user identification information and a personal identification number (authentication information). Assume that you are in a panel authentication mode that permits the use of the device.

  When the logged-in user performs a key input operation of user identification information and a personal identification number (authentication information) via the operation unit 3 (step S11), the control unit 14 stores the input user identification information and the like in the internal memory 28. By verifying user identification information registered in advance, user authentication relating to whether or not the user who has accessed through panel authentication is a regular user is performed. As a result of this user authentication, when the user who has accessed this time is a regular user, the control unit 14 waits for a selection operation related to whether or not the use purpose function can be used by the user. At this time, when the user inputs an option for “not use” the purpose-of-use function, the control unit 14 causes a normal print job to be executed (step S13).

  On the other hand, when the user inputs an option to “use” the usage purpose function, the control unit 14 performs a selection operation related to the usage purpose by the user from the variations related to the usage purpose displayed on the display screen. Wait (see the initial screen example of (1) in FIG. 5). At this time, when the user inputs, for example, an option for “distribution” (see the selection screen example of (2) in FIG. 5) (step S14), the control unit 14 selects the selected usage purpose for the user. Processing for reading print job setting information corresponding to “for distribution” from a predetermined storage area in the internal memory 28 and accepting correction or change of print job settings by the user based on the read print job setting information (Steps S15 to S16).

  When the print job setting acceptance process in step S16 is completed and the user inputs an operation input for starting a print job (specifically, for example, an input operation for pressing a start key) is confirmed, the control unit 14 For the print job, the print job setting contents in step S16 are reflected, and the print job according to the print job setting contents is executed (step S17).

  The control unit 14 constantly monitors the execution status of a series of print jobs related to the user in step S13 or S17. At this time, when all jobs have been completed for the corresponding user, the control unit 14 stores the history relating to the current print job as print job setting information in a predetermined storage area in the internal memory 28 (step S40). S18) All processes are terminated. In step S18, the print job setting information is accumulated through storing the history related to the print job in association with the corresponding user name. Therefore, the user can search for and use the print job setting information from the viewpoint of the purpose of use according to the present invention simply by performing normal use without being particularly aware of the registration of the setting information related to the print job. Benefit from unique features.

  Here, a specific example of the print job executed in step S17 according to the print job setting contents will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that the contents shown in FIG. 6 (based on the storage of the print job history in step S18) are registered in advance as the print job setting information.

  When “for distribution” is selected as the usage purpose by the user “Taro Osaka” who has accessed the image image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 14 selects the selected usage purpose “Taro Osaka” for the user “Taro Osaka”. Print job setting information corresponding to “for distribution” is read from a predetermined storage area in the internal memory 28. Here, the print job setting information of the print number “100000” whose usage purpose is “for distribution” is read out from the history of the print job executed by the user “Taro Osaka” in the past. Here, the user “Taro Osaka” makes necessary corrections or changes to the print job setting information of the print number “100000”. However, generally, in the same user, when the purpose of use is the same as the previous time, it is often possible to divert the same print job setting as the previous time. In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the previous print job setting can be used as it is, and the user has input an operation for starting a print job without correction or change. Then, in the image forming process of the two copies of the printed output for distribution (two copies per part), the names of “Taro Tadashi” and “Jiro Tadashi” are combined and printed on the printed output as the distribution destinations. Then, the stapling process is performed on each part, and two copies of the printed output for distribution as a finished product are discharged from the image forming apparatus 1.

  On the other hand, when “for storage” is selected as a usage purpose by the user “Hanako Osaka” who has accessed the image image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 14 selects the selected usage for the user “Hanako Osaka”. Print job setting information corresponding to the purpose “for storage” is read from a predetermined storage area in the internal memory 28. Here, the print job setting information of the print number “100001” whose usage purpose is “for storage” is read out from the history of the print job executed by the user “Hanako Osaka” in the past. Here, the user “Osaka Hanako” makes necessary corrections or changes to the print job setting information of the print number “100001”. However, as described above, generally, in the same user, when the purpose of use is the same as that of the previous time, the same print job setting as that of the previous time can often be used as it is. In the case of the present embodiment as well, the previous print job setting can be used as it is, and the user inputs a print job start operation without correction or change. Then, in the image forming process of part (10 sheets) of the print output for storage, the print output includes a file name indicating that the location name of the “first storage shelf” is used as the storage destination and the use is “filing”. The name “Monthly report file” and the name “Osaka Hanako” as the administrator are respectively combined and printed, and each sheet is punched, and the image forming apparatus 1 receives the completed product as a finished product. A part of the printed output for storage is discharged.

  Further, when “for circulation” is selected as a usage purpose by the user “Saburo Osaka” who has accessed the image image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 14 selects the selected usage for the user “Saburo Osaka”. Print job setting information corresponding to the purpose “circulation” is read from a predetermined storage area in the internal memory 28. Here, the print job setting information of the print No “100002” whose usage purpose is “for circulation” is read out from the history of the print job executed by the user “Saburo Osaka” in the past. Here, the user “Saburo Osaka” makes necessary corrections or changes to the print job setting information of the print number “100002”. However, as described above, generally, in the same user, when the purpose of use is the same as that of the previous time, the same print job setting as that of the previous time can often be used as it is. In the case of the present embodiment as well, the previous print job setting can be used as it is, and the user inputs a print job start operation without correction or change. Then, in the image forming process of a part (one sheet) of the printed output for circulation, the department name of “first technical section” is synthesized and printed on the printed output as a circulation destination. A part of the printed output for circulation as a finished product is discharged.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the control unit 14 selects the purpose of use from among the pre-registered variations by the selection input using the operation unit 3 by the user. Since the print job setting information corresponding to the selected purpose of use is read from the internal memory 28 and the read print job setting information is reflected in the print job, the user is registered in advance. Various settings relating to the print job can be performed at once by a very simple and intuitive operation such as selecting a purpose of use in accordance with its own request from among the variations. Therefore, even for a novice user who is far from skilled or familiar, the user can easily perform a desired setting operation, and as a result, when performing a print job setting in accordance with the user's request, a user-friendly operation Can provide sex.

[Others]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention read from the claims and the entire specification or the technical idea, and image formation accompanied by such changes The apparatus is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, three examples of “distribution”, “storage”, and “circulation” are described as variations of the purpose of use selected by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, "For patents" when printing documents related to patent applications, "For internal reports" when printing documents related to company newsletters, and legal documents such as employment rules "Legacy" when printing, "Reporting" when printing a document related to a report, "For cover page" when printing a document related to a cover sheet, or "For poster" when printing a poster Etc. ”can be incorporated into the variations.

  Further, the purpose of use according to the embodiment of the present invention is a concept including an aspect hierarchized in a plurality of stages. Here, the usage purpose is hierarchized in a plurality of stages, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, sub-purposes (in accordance with the claims of the present invention) are subordinate to the “distribution” sub-layer as the main usage purpose. "Distribution destination 1: Ichiro Tamatsukuri / Distribution destination 2: Jiro Tadashi", "Distributor: Taro Osaka", and "Post-processing: Staple processing" as subordinates) In the lower layer of “For Storage”, “Storage Destination: First Storage Shelf”, “Use: Filing”, “Name: Monthly Report File”, “Manager: Hanako Osaka”, and “After” "Processing: Punch processing" is subordinate, or sub-purpose of "circulation destination: 1st technical department" and "post-processing: none" are subordinate to the sub-purpose of "circulation" as the main purpose of use Means an embodiment. The purpose of use according to the embodiment of the present invention is a concept that includes both the above-described main purpose of use and the sub-purpose of use subordinate to the lower layers.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the mode of reading the corresponding print job setting information from the predetermined storage area in the internal memory 28 using both the purpose of use and the name of the logged-in user as a search key has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, a mode in which the corresponding print job setting information is read from a predetermined storage area in the internal memory 28 by using the purpose of use of the logged-in user as a search key. It can also be adopted. Note that the usage purpose in this case is a concept including both the primary usage purpose and the secondary usage purpose subordinate to the lower layers as described above.

  Finally, in the embodiment of the present invention, the print job setting information according to the present invention has been described by exemplifying a mode of storing and using in one image forming apparatus, but the present invention is limited to such an embodiment. Instead, for example, the print job setting information stored in one image forming apparatus is managed so as to be sharable in another image forming apparatus via, for example, a network, or the print job setting stored in one image forming apparatus is used. The information is accumulated with print job setting information accumulated in other image forming apparatuses via a network, for example, to obtain accumulated print job setting information, which is managed so that it can be shared among a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Needless to say, it may be configured as described above.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation panel part of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart when the image forming apparatus is in a panel authentication mode for requesting a login user for a key input operation of authentication information. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen when a purpose of use is selected in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print job setting information held by the image forming apparatus. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Operation part (usage purpose selection means)
14 Control unit (print job setting information storage means and print job setting control means)
27 CPU (print job setting control means)
28 Internal memory (print job setting information storage means)

Claims (4)

Print job setting information storage means for storing print job setting information related to a processing item group consisting of a combination of a plurality of processing items set for a print job in association with a variation of the purpose of use;
A purpose of use selection means for allowing the user to select a purpose of use;
When the usage purpose is selected from the variations by the usage purpose selection unit, the print job setting information corresponding to the selected usage purpose is read from the print job setting information storage unit and the read print job Print job setting control means for reflecting the setting information in the print job;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The purpose of use is stratified into a plurality of stages,
In this case, the print job setting information storage unit prints a process item group including a combination of a plurality of process items set for the print job in association with each of the hierarchized individual purpose variations. An image forming apparatus that stores job setting information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The image forming apparatus, wherein the print job setting information is accumulated based on a user's usage history. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The print job setting information is managed so as to be sharable with other image forming apparatuses.

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