JP2009298043A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and system which supports efficient editing operation on an image forming apparatus side by notifying a user of information on re-RIP (raster image processing). <P>SOLUTION: A printer controller 10 creates image data by rasterizing print data received from a PC (S111). The image forming apparatus 20 receives and stores job data including the image data from the printer controller 10 (S124), receives an editing operation for the stored job data (S125), notifies, in the case where a re-RIP of the image data is needed as a result of the editing operation (S126;Yes), a user of the effect (S127), and sends a request for the re-RIP to the printer controller (S128). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system for forming an image based on image data generated by rasterizing with a printer controller.

  Print processing related to print data in which characters and figures are described by code data and vector data is rasterized (also called RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing) by the printer controller to generate bitmap format image data. Then, job data including the image data is transmitted from the printer controller to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus forms an image based on the job data on a sheet.

  Further, the image forming apparatus is provided with a large-capacity storage unit such as a hard disk device, job data received from the printer controller is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and the stored job data is received from the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus. In some cases, various editing operations may be performed. For example, the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus can accept editing operations such as changing settings for single-sided / double-sided printing and output tray, changing settings for punching / folding / binding, and changing settings for color tone and paper type. The

  Some of these editing operations can be handled only by processing performed on the image forming apparatus side (for example, change of output tray) and cannot be handled only by processing on the image forming apparatus side, such as change of color tone. Some image data needs to be regenerated (hereinafter also referred to as re-RIP) by rasterization in the printer controller.

  It is desirable that the time required for the RIP processing including the above-described re-RIP is short. As a technique for reducing the processing time of the RIP process, a technique for calculating a predicted processing time and reducing the processing time of the RIP process by reducing the image quality when it is longer than a specified time (for example, see Patent Document 1). There is a technique for shortening the rasterization processing time by performing parallel processing with a plurality of processors (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-10-305639 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-199687

  Even if a technique for shortening the processing time of RIP processing is adopted, if there are many pages to be re-RIPed, a long processing time is required for re-RIP. For example, the user who wants to check the preview screen of the editing result waits long. It may be letting you. In addition, since the user does not know which editing operation will result in a re-RIP, for example, an appropriate selection such as avoiding an editing operation that requires a re-RIP or performing a plurality of editing operations that require a re-RIP together It was difficult to proceed to the editing work efficiently.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of notifying a user of information related to re-RIP and supporting an efficient editing operation on the image forming apparatus side. The purpose is to provide a system.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] An image forming apparatus that receives job data including the image data from a printer controller that rasterizes print data to generate image data, and forms an image based on the job data.
A storage unit, a display operation unit, and a control unit;
The control unit stores job data received from the printer controller in the storage unit, accepts an editing operation on the job data stored in the storage unit through the display operation unit, and performs the job by the editing operation. It is determined whether or not the image data relating to the data needs to be regenerated by rasterization, and if the regeneration is necessary, the fact is displayed on the display operation unit and the image data corresponding to the editing operation is displayed on the printer controller. An image forming apparatus characterized by requesting regeneration.

  In the above invention, the image forming apparatus receives job data including rasterized image data from the printer controller, stores it, accepts an editing operation on the stored job data, and needs to regenerate the image data by the editing operation. If it does, it notifies the user to that effect and sends a regeneration request to the printer controller. In this way, since the user is notified that the image data needs to be regenerated (re-RIP) by the editing operation, the user can recognize that the image data generation processing is performed again by the editing.

[2] When the re-generation is necessary due to the editing operation, the control unit makes an inquiry about whether or not to cancel the editing operation by the display operation unit before transmitting the request. The image forming apparatus according to [1].

  In the above invention, the user can cancel the editing operation when it is not desired to regenerate the image data.

[3] The control unit estimates the time required for the regeneration, and transmits the request without performing the inquiry when the time required is shorter than a predetermined reference time. The image forming apparatus described.

  In the above invention, when the time required for regeneration is shorter than the reference time, regeneration is executed without inquiring the user whether the permission is permitted or not. By confirming the user's will for short-time processing, it is possible to prevent the convenience from being lowered.

[4] When the predetermined allowable time has elapsed from the transmission of the request to the completion of the regeneration related to the request, the control unit displays whether the regeneration is continued or stopped. Any one of [1] to [3], wherein the operation unit sends an inquiry to the printer controller to cancel the regeneration when the operation unit selects and cancels the regeneration. The image forming apparatus described in 1.

  In the above invention, when the completion notification is not received even after the allowable time is exceeded after the regeneration is requested, the user is inquired about the continuation / cancellation of the regeneration. You can stop this.

[5] a printer controller that generates image data by rasterizing print data;
An image forming apparatus that receives job data including the image data from the printer controller and forms an image based on the job data;
In an image forming system comprising:
The printer controller has a storage unit, and stores data for performing rasterization based on the print data again in the storage unit,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A storage unit, a display operation unit, and a control unit;
The control unit stores job data received from the printer controller in the storage unit, accepts an editing operation on the job data stored in the storage unit through the display operation unit, and performs the job by the editing operation. It is determined whether or not the image data relating to the data needs to be regenerated by rasterization, and if the regeneration is necessary, the fact is displayed on the display operation unit and the image data corresponding to the editing operation is displayed on the printer controller. Request regeneration,
The printer controller that has received the request regenerates image data according to the request based on the data stored in the storage unit, and transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus that has received the regenerated image data from the printer controller replaces the image data related to the job data stored in the storage unit with the image data. .

  In the above invention, the printer controller transmits job data including image data generated by rasterizing print data to the image forming apparatus, and stores data necessary for rasterizing the image data again by changing processing conditions. The image forming apparatus receives and stores job data including rasterized image data from the printer controller, accepts an editing operation on the stored job data, and if the editing operation requires regenerating the image data The user is notified of this, and a regeneration request is sent to the printer controller. In response to the request, the printer controller regenerates the image data and transmits it to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus replaces the original image data with the regenerated image data. In this way, since the user is notified that the image data needs to be regenerated (re-RIP) by the editing operation, the user can recognize that the image data generation processing is performed again by the editing.

[6] When the regeneration is necessary due to the editing operation, the control unit inquires about whether or not to cancel the editing operation by the display operation unit before transmitting the request. The image forming system according to [5].

  In the above invention, the user can cancel the editing operation when it is not desired to regenerate the image data.

[7] The control unit estimates the time required for the regeneration, and transmits the request without performing the inquiry when the time required is shorter than a predetermined reference time. The image forming system described.

  In the above invention, when the time required for regeneration is shorter than the reference time, regeneration is executed without inquiring the user whether the permission is permitted or not.

[8] When the predetermined allowable time has elapsed from the transmission of the request to the completion of the regeneration related to the request, the control unit displays whether the regeneration is continued or stopped. When the operation unit inquires and the regeneration stop is selected, a regeneration stop request related to the request is transmitted to the printer controller,
The image forming system according to any one of [5] to [7], wherein the printer controller that has received the cancel request cancels the regeneration related to the request.

  In the above invention, when the completion notification is not received even after the allowable time is exceeded after the regeneration is requested, the user is inquired about the continuation / cancellation of the regeneration. You can stop this.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming system according to the present invention, the user is notified of information regarding the necessity of regenerating the image data for the editing operation on the image forming apparatus side. Efficient editing work can be supported.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of the image forming system 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic mechanical configuration of the image forming apparatus 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 5 includes a printer controller 10 and an image forming apparatus 20. The printer controller 10 is connected to an information processing apparatus 2 such as a personal computer (PC) via a network 3 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and rasterizes print data sent from the information processing apparatus 2. It fulfills the function of executing processing (RIP processing) for generating bitmap format image data. The image forming apparatus 20 performs a print output function for forming and outputting a color image or a monochrome image on a sheet based on the image data generated by the printer controller 10. Here, the image forming apparatus 20 is configured as a so-called digital color multifunction peripheral having a copy function for optically reading a document and forming a duplicate image on a sheet in addition to a print output function.

  The printer controller 10 stores a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that performs overall control of the operation of the printer controller 10, a LANIF unit 12 that performs a communication function for connecting to the network 3, and image data generated by RIP processing. Image memory 13, hard disk device (HDD) 14 for storing print data received from the network 3, intermediate data generated in the course of RIP processing, data read / write function and image formation to the image memory 13 A DRAM control unit 15 that performs a function of transmitting / receiving various data to / from the device 20 is provided. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the CPU 11 temporarily stores a program (Read Only Memory) read and executed by the CPU and various data when the CPU 11 executes the program. A working memory is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a scanner unit 22 having an automatic document feeder 21, a display operation unit 23, a printer unit 24 that forms and outputs an image on a sheet, and a main control unit. 50.

  The automatic document feeder 21 has a function of feeding the originals J stacked on the original placement tray 21a one by one to the reading portion of the scanner unit 22 and discharging the read originals J to the paper output tray 21b.

  The scanner unit 22 performs a function of optically reading the original J in color or monochrome and acquiring corresponding image data. The scanner unit 22 includes an exposure scanning unit including a light source and a mirror, a color line image sensor 22a that receives reflected light from a document and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity, and reflected light from the document. Are provided with various mirrors, condenser lenses, and the like for guiding the light to the line image sensor 22a. The scanner unit 22 can read a document in a state where the document is placed on the platen glass in addition to a flow reading format in which the document is conveyed by the automatic document feeder 21 while the document is moved relative to the reading position. .

  The printer unit 24 includes a tandem type image forming unit, and includes an endless annular intermediate transfer belt 31 and a plurality of image forming units 40Y, 40M, and 40C that respectively form single color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 31. , 40K, a paper feeding unit 32 that feeds paper on which an image is formed, a transport unit 33 that transports the fed paper, and a fixing device 34.

  The image forming unit 40Y forms a yellow (Y) color image on the intermediate transfer belt 31, and the image forming unit 40M forms a magenta (M) color image on the intermediate transfer belt 31, and the image forming unit 40C. In this example, a cyan (C) color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 31, and the image forming unit 40 K forms a black (K) color image on the intermediate transfer belt 31.

  The image forming unit 40Y includes a photosensitive member 41Y as a cylindrical electrostatic latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a charging device 42Y, a developing device 43Y, and a cleaning device 44Y disposed around the photosensitive member 41Y. Have In addition, a laser unit 45Y including a laser diode, a polygon mirror, various lenses, a mirror, and the like is provided.

  The photoconductor 41Y is driven by a drive unit (not shown) and rotates in a certain direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure), and the charging device 42Y charges the photoconductor 41Y uniformly. The laser unit 45Y forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor 41Y by scanning the photoconductor 41Y with laser light turned on / off according to yellow image data. The developing device 43Y visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 41Y with yellow toner. The toner image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 </ b> Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31 at a location where it contacts the intermediate transfer belt 31. The cleaning device 44Y functions to remove and collect the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y after the transfer by rubbing with a blade or the like.

  The image forming unit 40M, the image forming unit 40C, and the image forming unit 40K form an image except that the toner colors are different and the laser light of the laser unit is turned on / off with image data corresponding to each color. The configuration is the same as that of the unit 40Y, and description thereof is omitted. In the figure, elements having the same configuration but different colors have the same numerals, and the symbols M (corresponding to M color) and C (corresponding to C color) indicating the color by substituting Y for the subscript. , K (corresponding to K color).

  The intermediate transfer belt 31 is wound around a plurality of rollers, and circulates in the direction of arrow B in the figure during image formation. In the process of going around, the images (toner images) of the respective colors (Y), (M), (C), and (K) are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the image forming units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K. A color image is synthesized by being formed. This color image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 31 to the sheet at the secondary transfer position D.

  A belt cleaning device 35 for removing toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 31 after transfer is installed downstream of the secondary transfer position D in the circumferential direction.

  The paper feed unit 32 has a plurality of paper feed cassettes 32a for storing papers used for image formation, and fulfills a function of feeding paper from the selected paper feed cassettes 32a one by one toward the transport unit 33. In addition to the normal path 33a, the transport unit 33 passes the paper fed from the paper feed cassette 32a through the secondary transfer position D and the fixing device 34, and discharges the paper to a post-processing device (not shown) or a paper discharge tray. A reversing path 33b for reversing the front and back of the paper that has passed through the fixing device 34 and then joining the normal path 33a again upstream of the secondary transfer position D is provided, which supports double-sided printing. The post-processing device is a device having a function of making a crease in a sheet, bundling a plurality of sheets, binding them with staples, or making holes with punches, and is connected to a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus 20. The processing content in the post-processing apparatus is designated by a control command output from the main control unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 20 to the post-processing apparatus.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described. The image forming apparatus 20 is configured by connecting a scanner unit 22, a printer unit 24, and a display operation unit 23 to a main control unit 50 that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 20.

  In addition to the line image sensor 22 a shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 22 includes a scanner control unit 22 b that controls the entire operation of the scanner unit 22. In addition to each laser diode (LD) that is turned on / off in accordance with image data, the printer unit 24 includes an intermediate transfer belt 31, image forming units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, a paper feeding unit 32, a conveyance unit 33, and a fixing device. 34 has a printer control unit 24b for controlling operations such as 34. In addition, although not shown, the printer control unit 24b includes a motor, a solenoid, and a motor for operating the intermediate transfer belt 31, the image forming units 40Y, 40M, 40C, and 40K, the paper feeding unit 32, the conveyance unit 33, and the like. A sensor is connected.

  The display operation unit 23 has various setting screens and operation screens, an editing screen to be described later, a function for displaying various guidance information, notifications, warnings, and the like, and a function for receiving various setting / selection operations and editing operations from the user. Fulfill. The display operation unit 23 includes a display unit 23a composed of a liquid crystal display, an operation unit 23b composed of a touch switch and other switches laid on the screen, and an operation control unit 23c for controlling the display unit 23a and the operation unit 23b. It is comprised.

  The scanner control unit 22b, the operation control unit 23c, and the printer control unit 24b are each configured by a circuit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like as main parts. Various controls are executed in accordance with programs stored in the ROM.

  The main control unit 50 performs a function of overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 20, and includes a reading processing unit 51, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) control unit 52, a compression IC 53a, a decompression IC 53b, and a semiconductor memory. The image memory 55, the write processing unit 56, the CPU 57, the ROM 58, the RAM 59, the nonvolatile memory 61, the hard disk device 62 (also referred to as HDD), and the like are configured.

  The reading processing unit 51 has a function of performing enlargement processing, mirror image processing, error diffusion processing, and the like on the image data output from the scanner unit 22. The compression IC 53a compresses image data, and the decompression IC 53b functions to decompress the compressed image data (compressed image data) to the original image data. The image memory 55 is used as a page memory 55a capable of storing uncompressed image data in units of pages, a compression memory 55b for storing compressed image data, and the like.

  The write processing unit 56 outputs a signal for turning on / off the laser diodes of the respective color laser units 45Y, 45M, 45C, and 45K according to the operation of the printer unit 24 in accordance with the image data read out from the compression memory 55b and expanded. It performs the function of outputting at a specific timing.

  The DRAM control unit 52 controls read / write timing and refresh timing for the image memory 55 formed of a dynamic RAM, compresses image data and stores the compressed data in the compressed memory 55b, and reads compressed image data from the compressed memory 55b for decompression. Control the timing when you do. The DRAM control unit 52 is connected to the DRAM control unit 15 of the printer controller 10 through a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 54 and performs a function of transferring various data to and from the printer controller 10 through the PCI bus 54. . Here, the printer controller 10 is incorporated in the image forming apparatus 20. When the printer controller 10 is provided outside the image forming apparatus 20, data transmission / reception between the printer controller 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 is performed through an interface suitable for it.

  The CPU 57 has a function of controlling the entire operation of the image forming apparatus 20. The ROM 58 stores programs and various fixed data, and the CPU 57 operates according to the programs stored in the ROM 58. The RAM 59 is used as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 57 executes a program. The non-volatile memory 61 is a memory that stores user data and system data that should be stored even after the power is turned off, threshold values to be described later, and the like.

  FIG. 3 shows the flow of the entire printing process in the image forming system 5. First, the information processing apparatus 2 transmits print data to the printer controller 10 through a printer driver (step S101).

  The CPU 11 of the printer controller 10 that has received the print data from the information processing apparatus 2 performs RIP processing (rasterization processing) on the received print data to generate image data (step S111). Then, job data (print job) including the image data and a control code for the image forming apparatus 20 such as output setting is generated and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 (step S112). In addition, the RIP process based on the print data is re-executed after changing the conditions such as the color tone, and the data necessary for regenerating the image data (referred to as re-RIP) is transferred to the hard disk device 14 (or image). It is stored in the memory 13) (step S113). The data to be stored may be print data received from the information processing apparatus 2 or predetermined intermediate data generated during the process of generating image data from the print data.

  The CPU 57 of the image forming apparatus 20 analyzes the job data received from the printer controller 10 (step S121), and determines whether an output suspension instruction (control code) is added. When there is no output hold instruction (in the print mode) (step S122; No), image formation (printing) relating to the received job data is immediately executed (step S123).

  When the output hold instruction is added to the received job data (in the hold mode) (step S122; Yes), the CPU 57 stores the received job data in the storage unit (hard disk device 62) (step S124). ) Immediate image formation is not performed.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is configured to be able to accept operations such as deletion, duplication, and editing for job data stored in the hard disk device 62 in the hold mode through the display operation unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 20. Editable items can be handled only by processing on the image forming apparatus 20 side such as output tray change, single-sided printing / double-sided printing change, and only processing on the image forming apparatus 20 side such as color change. In some cases, the printer controller 10 needs to regenerate (re-RIP) image data by rasterization.

  When the CPU 57 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives an editing operation on the job data stored in the hard disk device 62 (step S125), the CPU 57 determines whether or not the editing operation requires re-RIP (step S126). If re-RIP is necessary (step S126; Yes), the fact is displayed on the display operation unit 23 to notify the user (step S127), and re-RIP is requested to the printer controller 10 (step S128). This request includes processing conditions (processing conditions changed by the user's editing operation) when performing re-RIP.

  Upon receiving the re-RIP request, the printer controller 10 executes re-RIP based on the data (intermediate data) previously stored for re-RIP under the processing conditions instructed by the request, and the image data Is regenerated (step S114). Then, the regenerated image data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 (step S115).

  The image forming apparatus 20 replaces the image data included in the job data stored in the hard disk device 62 with the image data generated by the re-RIP (step S129).

  When the CPU 57 of the image forming apparatus 20 receives a predetermined output instruction from the display operation unit 23, the CPU 57 executes image formation (print output by the printer unit 24) based on job data stored in the hard disk device 62.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the editing screen 70 that the CPU 57 of the image forming apparatus 20 displays on the display unit 23 a of the display operation unit 23. When the CPU 57 receives an operation of an “edit” button after receiving a job selection on a menu screen (not shown), the CPU 57 enters an edit mode and displays the edit screen 70 on the display operation unit 23. On the editing screen 70, a preview image 71 of the page being edited is displayed. Below the display area of the preview image 71, a page number column 72 indicating the page number of the page to be edited and a page switching button 73 for switching the page to be edited are displayed. Further, on the editing screen 70, the item name and the set value are displayed in association with each item to be edited. The confirmation button 74 is an operation button for confirming the editing content. The user can perform an operation of selecting an item to be edited and changing the setting value through the editing screen 70.

  The job data received from the printer controller 10 and stored in the hard disk device 62 includes data indicating the setting values of all items displayed on the editing screen 70.

  FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing performed by the CPU 57 of the image forming apparatus 20 in the edit mode. The CPU 57 reads the job data of the job to be edited from the hard disk device 62 and copies it to a predetermined area in the nonvolatile memory 61 for backup (step S201). Next, the editing screen 70 is displayed on the display operation unit 23, and various editing operations are received from the user (step S202). The setting value of each item displayed on the edit screen 70 reflects each value of the setting value included in the job data. Each time the CPU 57 receives an editing operation from the user, the CPU 57 changes the setting value of the corresponding item in the job data stored in the hard disk device 62 to the value after the editing operation.

  When the confirmation button 74 on the edit screen 70 is pressed (step S203), the CPU 57 compares the edited job data with the backed up job data to recognize the changed item, and the changed item is displayed. It is checked whether the item requires re-RIP. More specifically, for each item displayed on the edit screen 70, information indicating whether the item is an item requiring re-RIP is stored in advance in the ROM 58 or RAM 59, and the CPU 57 stores this information. Referring to it, it is determined whether there is an item that requires re-RIP among the items changed in the editing operation.

  If the item requiring re-RIP has not been changed (step S204; No), the process is terminated. If an item requiring re-RIP has been changed (step S204; Yes), an inquiry screen 80 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed in a pop-up on the display unit 23a of the display operation unit 23 (step S205). The inquiry screen 80 includes a notification that the re-RIP is required due to the change related to the editing operation this time, a message 81 that inquires the user whether or not re-RIP can be executed, and a “Yes” button 82 that is pressed when re-RIP is performed. Then, a “No” button 83 that is pressed when canceling the change related to the editing operation is displayed.

  When the “No” button 83 is pressed (step S206; No), the job data changed according to the editing operation is returned to the original job data that has been backed up (step S207). Further, after a message indicating that the change related to the editing operation has been canceled and returned to the original setting value is displayed (step S208), the process proceeds to step S202, and the editing operation is accepted again.

  When the “Yes” button 82 is pressed (step S206; Yes), the CPU 57 transmits a re-RIP request to the printer controller 10 (step S209). This request includes processing conditions for performing re-RIP (processing conditions that need to be changed by the user's editing operation). For example, a portion of the job data excluding image data is transmitted to the printer controller 10 as information indicating processing conditions.

  As described in FIG. 3, the printer controller 10 performs re-RIP according to this request. When the image forming apparatus 20 receives the image data generated by the re-RIP from the printer controller 10, the image data of the job data related to the request stored in the hard disk device 62 is replaced with the image data generated by the re-RIP. . Also, the preview image 71 in the editing screen 70 is updated to a preview image based on the image data generated by this re-RIP (step S210). After that, the acceptance of the editing operation may be continued, or the editing screen 70 may be closed to end the acceptance of the editing operation.

  As described above, when re-RIP is necessary for the editing operation, the user is notified that re-RIP is necessary, so that the user recognizes that re-RIP is performed by the editing performed by the user. Can do. In addition, since it is possible to select whether to re-RIP or cancel the editing, the user can select how to proceed with the editing work in accordance with his / her time.

<Second Embodiment>
The configuration of the image forming system 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, an edit screen 70B shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display operation unit 23 instead of the edit screen 70 of the first embodiment. On the edit screen 70B, whether or not each item requires re-RIP is displayed in advance. Here, a character string 76 of “<required RIP>” is added to an item that requires re-RIP.

  The user can perform editing work while recognizing whether or not each item requires re-RIP based on whether or not <required RIP> is displayed. For example, editing related to a plurality of editing items requiring re-RIP The editing work can be performed efficiently by performing the work collectively or performing the editing work separately for items requiring re-RIP and items not requiring re-RIP.

  In the second embodiment, when a change requiring re-RIP is performed, the inquiry screen 80 may be displayed as in the first embodiment, or the inquiry screen 80 is not displayed. May be.

<Third Embodiment>
The configuration of the image forming system 5 according to the third embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the description thereof is omitted. In the third embodiment, when editing that requires re-RIP is performed, whether or not to display the inquiry screen 80 is switched depending on whether or not the estimated time required for re-RIP is shorter than the reference time. It has become.

  FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing when switching whether or not to display the inquiry screen 80 according to the total number of pages of the job. When entering the edit mode, the CPU 57 acquires the total number of pages of the job to be edited from the job data (step S301), and determines whether the total number of pages is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S302). That is, the estimated time required for re-RIP is replaced with the number of pages for determination. The threshold value is the number of pages corresponding to the reference time.

  If the total number of pages is equal to or less than the threshold (step S302; No), it is determined that the time required for re-RIP is shorter than the reference time, and the inquiry screen 80 is not displayed. That is, an editing operation is accepted (step S303, the same as step S202 in FIG. 5), and when the confirm button 74 is pressed (step S304), it is determined whether or not re-RIP is necessary (step S305). (Step S305; Yes), a request for re-RIP is transmitted to the printer controller 10 (step S306), and when image data generated by re-RIP is received from the printer controller 10, image data before editing is generated by this re-RIP. The preview image 71 is updated while the image data is replaced with the updated image data (step S307).

    On the other hand, if the total number of pages is equal to or greater than the threshold, the editing process of FIG. 5 is performed (step S308). That is, when re-RIP is required, the inquiry screen 80 is displayed to inquire the user whether or not to re-RIP.

  Note that the total data amount may be used instead of the total page number. That is, the processing time of RIP processing increases or decreases depending on the amount of print data or intermediate data before RIP processing. Therefore, it may be configured to determine whether or not to display the inquiry screen 80 by comparing the total data amount of the print data or intermediate data related to the job to be edited instead of the total number of pages with a threshold value. In this case, the information indicating the total data amount is included in the job data sent from the printer controller 10.

  The calculation target of the total number of pages and the total data amount may be limited to the edited pages. Specifically, as described above, on the editing screen 70, a page to be edited can be selected and edited in units of pages. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 20 designates only the edited page and transmits a re-RIP request to the printer controller 10, and the printer controller 10 re-RIPs only the page designated by the request. In this way, even when the same job is re-RIPed, the time required for re-RIP varies due to the small number of edited pages. In this case, it is only necessary to calculate the total number of pages or the total data amount for only the edited pages and compare it with the threshold value to determine whether or not to display the inquiry screen 80.

  For example, when most pages out of 500 pages are text only and monochrome, and print jobs related to novels with colored illustrations in some places, only the illustration pages are specified and the color tone editing operation is performed. If this is done, only the illustration page can be re-RIPed, and the processing time can be shortened.

  Further, the CPU 57 extracts a page that requires re-RIP from among the edited pages, and designates only the page that requires re-RIP to transmit a re-RIP request to the printer controller 10. May be. In this case, the total number of pages or the total amount of data is calculated only for pages that require re-RIP, and compared with a threshold value to determine whether or not to display the inquiry screen 80.

  Note that any index may be used as long as it is an index that can estimate the time required for re-RIP, not limited to the total number of pages and the total data amount. The threshold value to be compared is stored in the nonvolatile memory 61, for example. Further, the threshold value can be arbitrarily changed by the user on a separate setting screen such as a utility screen.

<Fourth embodiment>
The configuration of the image forming system 5 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the description thereof is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, the elapsed time after requesting the re-RIP to the printer controller 10 is measured on the image forming apparatus 20 side. Then, when a predetermined allowable time has elapsed before notification of completion of re-RIP, the user is inquired about whether to continue or cancel the re-RIP. The cancel request is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 to the printer controller 10.

  FIG. 9 shows the flow of the above processing performed by the CPU 57 of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the fourth embodiment. Processing up to issuing a re-RIP request may be the same as in any of the first, second, and third embodiments. When the re-RIP request is transmitted (step S401), the CPU 57 starts a timer related to the job related to the request (step S402).

  When the re-RIP is completed, the printer controller 10 is configured to transmit a re-RIP completion notification to the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 transmits a re-RIP request, and then completes the notification corresponding to the request. Is received from the printer controller 10 (step S403). The association between the re-RIP request and the completion notification is performed, for example, by collating the unique ID number or job number included in the request and the completion notification.

  If the completion notification has not been received (step S403; No), the CPU 57 determines whether or not the specified time (allowable time) has elapsed since the timer was started (step S404), and the specified time has elapsed. If not (step S404; No), the process returns to step S403. If a completion notification is received before the specified time has elapsed (step S403; Yes), the timer related to the job related to the completion notification is stopped (step S412), and the process is terminated.

  If the specified time has elapsed before the completion notification is received (step S404; Yes), it is checked whether or not the re-RIP cancellation screen of another job is displayed on the display unit 23a of the display operation unit 23 (step S405). If it is displayed (step S405; Yes), the process returns to step S403. The re-RIP cancellation screen for another job is displayed, for example, when a re-RIP for a plurality of jobs is requested from the printer controller 10 and processed in parallel, and when a specified time comes first for another job. The

  When the re-RIP cancel screen for another job is not displayed on the display unit 23a of the display operation unit 23 (step S405; No), a continuation inquiry screen for inquiring whether or not to cancel the re-RIP is displayed as a pop-up on the display unit 23a. (Step S406). If cancellation is not selected on the continuation inquiry screen (step S407; No), the continuation inquiry screen is closed (step S408) and the process returns to step S403. However, after that, the continuation inquiry screen is not displayed and the completion notification is waited for.

  If cancellation of re-RIP is selected on the continuation inquiry screen (step S407; Yes), the continuation inquiry screen is closed (step S409), and a re-RIP cancellation request is transmitted to the printer controller 10 (step S410). Further, the job data of the job related to the cancellation request is returned to the backed up job data (step S411), the timer related to the job is stopped (step S412), and the processing is ended.

  The value of the designated time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 61, for example. The value of the specified time can be arbitrarily changed by the user on a separate setting screen such as a utility screen. The specified time may be in minutes or seconds. When the designated time is set to “0”, the continuation inquiry screen as to whether or not to continue the re-RIP is not displayed.

  In this way, after re-RIP is requested, if re-RIP is not completed even after a specified time has elapsed, re-RIP can be canceled, so that long-time re-RIP can be canceled and another editing operation can be performed. It is possible to perform switching, and flexible editing work corresponding to the user's will is possible.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiments, and there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Is included in the present invention.

  The inquiry screen 80 shown in the embodiment is an example, and any screen configuration may be used as long as it can accept the user's selection such as “Yes” and “No”.

  In the embodiment, the digital color multifunction peripheral is exemplified as the image forming apparatus 20. However, the image forming apparatus 20 may be configured as a single printer without the scanner unit 22, and receives job data including image data from the printer controller 10. Provided with a function for printing out.

  In the embodiment, the configuration example in which the printer controller 10 is incorporated in the image forming apparatus 20 has been described. However, the printer controller 10 may be provided separately from the image forming apparatus 20.

  In the embodiment, whether the job data is stored in the hard disk device 62 or whether the job is immediately executed is switched depending on whether or not output is suspended. However, the job data may be always stored in the hard disk device 62. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of the entire printing process in the image forming system. It is a front view which shows an example of an edit screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a CPU of the image forming apparatus in an edit screen mode. It is a front view which shows an example of an inquiry screen. It is a front view which shows an example of the edit screen which displayed the necessity of re-RIP for every item. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when switching whether to display an inquiry screen according to the total number of pages of a job. It is a flowchart which shows the process which monitors the elapsed time after transmitting the request of re-RIP.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Information processing device 3 ... Network 5 ... Image forming system 10 ... Printer controller 11 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... LANIF part 13 ... Image memory 14 ... Hard disk apparatus 15 ... DRAM control part 20 ... Image forming apparatus 21 ... Automatic document feeder 21a ... Original document tray 21b ... Paper discharge tray 22 ... Scanner part 22a ... Line image sensor 22b ... Scanner control unit 23 ... Display operation unit 23a ... Display unit 23b ... Operation unit 23c ... Operation control unit 24 ... Printer unit 24b ... Printer control unit 31 ... Intermediate transfer belt 32 ... Paper feed unit 32a ... Paper feed cassette 33 ... Conveying unit 33a ... Normal path 33b ... Reversing path 34 ... Fixing device 35 ... Belt cleaning device 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K ... Image forming part 41Y, 41M, 41C, 41K ... Photoconductor 42Y, 42M, 42C, 42K ... Charging device 43Y, 43M , 43C, 43K ... developing devices 44Y, 44M, 44C, 4 K ... cleaning device 45Y, 45M, 45C, 45K ... laser unit 50 ... main control unit 51 ... reading processing unit 52 ... DRAM controller 53a ... compression IC
53b ... Extension IC
54 ... Bus 55 ... Image memory 55a ... Page memory 55b ... Compression memory 56 ... Write processing unit 57 ... CPU
58 ... ROM
59 ... RAM
61 ... Non-volatile memory 62 ... Hard disk device 70, 70B ... Edit screen 71 ... Preview image 72 ... Page number field 73 ... Page switching button 74 ... Confirm button 76 ... <RIP> character string 80 ... Inquiry screen 81 ... Message 82 ... "Yes" button 83 ... "No" button D ... Secondary transfer position J ... Original LD ... Laser diode

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus that receives job data including the image data from a printer controller that generates image data by rasterizing print data, and forms an image based on the job data.
A storage unit, a display operation unit, and a control unit;
The control unit stores job data received from the printer controller in the storage unit, accepts an editing operation on the job data stored in the storage unit through the display operation unit, and performs the job by the editing operation. It is determined whether or not the image data relating to the data needs to be regenerated by rasterization, and if the regeneration is necessary, the fact is displayed on the display operation unit and the image data corresponding to the editing operation is displayed on the printer controller. An image forming apparatus characterized by requesting regeneration. The control unit makes an inquiry about whether or not to cancel the editing operation by the display operation unit before transmitting the request when the regeneration is necessary due to the editing operation. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. The image according to claim 2, wherein the control unit estimates a time required for the regeneration, and transmits the request without performing the inquiry when the time required is shorter than a predetermined reference time. Forming equipment. When the predetermined allowable time has elapsed from the transmission of the request to the completion of the regeneration related to the request, the control unit determines whether to continue or cancel the regeneration. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a request for stopping the regeneration is transmitted to the printer controller when the request for canceling the regeneration is selected. apparatus. A printer controller that generates image data by rasterizing print data;
An image forming apparatus that receives job data including the image data from the printer controller and forms an image based on the job data;
In an image forming system comprising:
The printer controller has a storage unit, and stores data for performing rasterization based on the print data again in the storage unit,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A storage unit, a display operation unit, and a control unit;
The control unit stores job data received from the printer controller in the storage unit, accepts an editing operation on the job data stored in the storage unit through the display operation unit, and performs the job by the editing operation. It is determined whether or not the image data relating to the data needs to be regenerated by rasterization, and if the regeneration is necessary, the fact is displayed on the display operation unit and the image data corresponding to the editing operation is displayed on the printer controller. Request regeneration,
The printer controller that has received the request regenerates image data according to the request based on the data stored in the storage unit, and transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus that has received the regenerated image data from the printer controller replaces the image data related to the job data stored in the storage unit with the image data. . The control unit makes an inquiry about whether or not to cancel the editing operation by the display operation unit before transmitting the request when the regeneration is necessary due to the editing operation. Item 6. The image forming system according to Item 5. The image according to claim 6, wherein the control unit estimates the time required for the regeneration, and transmits the request without performing the inquiry when the time required is shorter than a predetermined reference time. Forming system. When the predetermined allowable time has elapsed from the transmission of the request to the completion of the regeneration related to the request, the control unit determines whether to continue or cancel the regeneration. If the request to cancel the regeneration is selected, a request to stop the regeneration is sent to the printer controller.
The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the printer controller that has received the cancel request cancels the regeneration related to the request.