JP2009303070A - Image forming apparatus, slot indicating method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible for a user to simply identify which is a target external storage device in an image forming apparatus on which a plurality of external storage devices is connected at a time. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1, including a plurality of slots into which target external storage devices are inserted, includes a job list producing unit 111/for displaying the job list showing practiced jobs on a display DP and a USB slot indicator 114 for indicating a USB slot 11 with a USB memory used for the job selected by a user from the job list displayed on the display DP. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of USB insertion ports, a method for indicating the SUB insertion port, and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus called a multi-function machine that integrates various functions such as copy, scanner, fax, network printing, document server, and file transfer is often used. Such an image processing apparatus is sometimes called an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals).

  In recent years, models that can be equipped with an external storage device such as a USB memory have been developed as multifunction peripherals. In such a type of multifunction device, the scanned image data can be stored in the external storage device. Further, printing can be performed based on image data stored in the external storage device.

  Conventionally, a method as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a technique related to a multifunction peripheral that can be used with such an external storage device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for enabling an option card (external storage device) to be attached / detached without turning off the main power supply of the image forming apparatus. Also, a method for preventing the option card from being accidentally pulled out during reading of data from the option card is shown.
JP-A-6-12344

  By the way, at present, a model having a plurality of insertion ports for an external storage device has been developed in the above-described multifunction peripheral. Using such a model is particularly convenient in an environment where a plurality of users can share their external storage devices at a time, so that a plurality of users share a multifunction peripheral.

  However, if a plurality of external storage devices are installed, it may be difficult to know which external storage device belongs to them. There is also a risk that someone else removes and takes away someone else by mistake with your external storage device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to enable a user to easily identify the target external storage device in an image processing apparatus in which a plurality of external storage devices can be mounted at once. To do.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of insertion ports into which an external storage device is mounted, and displays a job list indicating an executed job on a display unit. And an insertion port instructing unit for indicating the insertion port in which the external storage device used in the job selected by the user from the job list displayed on the display unit is mounted.

  Preferably, storage device data generation means for generating storage device data indicating characteristics of data stored in the external storage device attached to the insertion port, and the storage device data is related to the storage device data. A storage device data storage unit that stores the external storage device in association with the insertion port, and a job attribute data generation unit that generates job attribute data indicating an attribute of a job executed in the image forming apparatus The job attribute data generation means generates the job attribute data of the job including the storage device data of the external storage device when the external storage device is used in executing the job. The insertion port instructing means is included in the job list from the storage device data stored in the storage device data storage means. Te identify the storage device data corresponding to the storage device data included in the job attribute data of the selected job by the user, and instructs the insertion opening corresponding to the specified storage data.

  Alternatively, the job attribute data includes a flag indicating whether or not the external storage device has been used when executing the job of the job attribute data, and the job list display processing means is included in the job attribute data Based on the flag, the job list showing only jobs for which the external storage device has been used at the time of execution is displayed on the display means.

  Alternatively, the job list display processing means is used when the attached external storage device is executed based on the job attribute data including the storage device data of the external storage device attached to the insertion port. The display unit displays the job list indicating only the jobs that have been executed.

  Alternatively, the job list display processing unit causes the display unit to display the job list indicating only jobs executed within a period specified by the user.

  Alternatively, the image forming apparatus includes thumbnail generation means for generating thumbnail image data indicating thumbnails of images related to the executed job, and the job list display processing means converts the thumbnail list into the job list based on the thumbnail image data. Is displayed on the display means.

  Alternatively, thumbnail generation means for generating thumbnail image data indicating thumbnails of images related to the executed job, and thumbnail display processing means for causing the display means to display the thumbnail corresponding to the job selected by the user in the job list. And having.

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that can be equipped with a plurality of external storage devices at a time, the user can easily identify the target external storage device.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overview of the image forming apparatus 1, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 3 is an overview of the vicinity of the USB insertion port 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a multi function peripheral (MFP) or a multi function peripheral (MFP) that integrates various functions such as copy, scanner, fax, network printing, document server, and file transfer. And so on.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, a hard disk 10d, a control circuit 10e, an operation panel 10f, a communication interface 10g, a printing device 10h, a scanner 10i, and the like.

  The scanner 10 i is an apparatus that optically reads an image such as a photograph, a character, a picture, or a chart drawn on a paper sheet of an original to generate image data (density data), and is provided on the upper surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. It has been. The acquired image data is converted into digital data by an image processing unit (not shown), subjected to known image processing, and then sent to the printing apparatus 10h to be used for a print job. Alternatively, it is stored in a directory (folder) designated in advance by the user. As a save destination, a directory in an external storage device such as a USB memory or a directory in an internal storage device such as the hard disk 10d can be designated. Image data is stored in those directories as a file to which data such as a header or a footer is added. It can also be transmitted from the communication interface 10g to another device and stored.

  The printing apparatus 10h is an apparatus that prints an image on a sheet based on image data obtained by scanning with the scanner 10i or image data transmitted from another apparatus. The user can designate a file stored in an external storage device such as a USB memory and cause the image forming apparatus 1 to execute printing based on the image data of the file.

  The communication interface 10g is a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a modem for communicating with other devices.

  The communication interface 10g can transmit / receive facsimile data via a public telephone line, and can also transmit / receive data to / from other devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet. . As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 has not only a function as a facsimile apparatus that performs normal facsimile communication but also a function as a terminal for sending and receiving electronic mail. Therefore, various image data can be transmitted and received as an attached file of an e-mail. Note that the communication performed by the communication interface 10g may be wired or wireless.

  The operation panel 10f includes a display DP and a plurality of operation buttons. The display DP is a touch panel display, and displays a message to the user who operates the image forming apparatus 1 and various screens for the user to operate the image forming apparatus 1. The operation buttons are buttons for the user to input processing conditions such as a job execution command or the number of copies to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The control circuit 10e is a circuit for controlling devices such as the hard disk 10d, the scanner 10i, the printing device 10h, the communication interface 10g, and the operation panel 10f. The control circuit 10e is configured by a hardware circuit using various electronic components, for example.

  The ROM 10c and the hard disk 10d are installed with programs (computer programs) and data for realizing the functions of the respective units as shown in FIG. These programs and data are read into the RAM 10b as necessary, and the programs are executed by the CPU 10a. That is, the CPU 10a can operate as a computer. Such a program is recorded on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a CD-ROM, and a DVD, and is installed as appropriate. Moreover, you may make it download from a server via a network.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a plurality of USB insertion ports (insertion ports) 11a, 11b, 11c, light emitting diodes 12a, 12b, 12c, paper feeding units 13a, 13b, 13c, and A tray 14 is provided. Hereinafter, the USB insertion ports 11a, 11b, and 11c may be collectively referred to as “USB insertion port 11”. Similarly, other members or data may be collectively described by omitting a serial number or alphabet attached to the end of the reference numeral.

  The USB insertion port 11 is an insertion port for attaching (inserting) an external device having a USB interface to the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 can exchange data with an external device attached to the USB insertion port 11. Each USB insertion port 11 is previously assigned an insertion port number, which is information for identifying the USB insertion port 11.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 12a, 12b, and 12c corresponding to the USB insertion ports 11a, 11b, and 11c are provided in the vicinity of the USB insertion ports 11a, 11b, and 11c, respectively.

  The paper supply unit 13 supplies paper to the printing apparatus 10h. On the tray 14 provided near the center of the image forming apparatus 1, the sheet on which the image is printed by the printing apparatus 10h is discharged.

  4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory configuration table TLD, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file attribute table TLZ, and FIG. 7 is a job attribute table TLJ. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display DP on which the job list LSJ is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a storage device data storage unit 101, a job data storage unit 102, a command reception unit 103, a storage device attachment detection unit 104, a storage device data generation update unit 105, and a storage device extraction detection. Unit 106, storage device data deletion unit 107, job attribute data generation update unit 108, job execution control unit 109, thumbnail generation unit 110, job list generation unit 111, display control unit 112, selected job detection unit 113, and USB plug-in It is comprised by the mouth instruction | indication part 114 grade | etc.,.

  The storage device data storage unit 101 stores the storage device data DK. The job data storage unit 102 stores a job attribute table TLJ as shown in FIG. The storage device data DK and the job attribute table TLJ will be described in detail later.

  The command receiving unit 103 receives a command input by the user using the operation panel 10f. The user can input a command for executing a job such as printing and scanning using the operation panel 10f. For example, printing can be instructed by specifying a file in a USB memory attached to the USB insertion port as a print target. In addition, a directory in the USB memory can be designated as a storage destination of a file of image data obtained by scanning.

  The storage device attachment detection unit 104 detects that when a USB memory is attached to the USB insertion port 11.

  The storage device data generation update unit 105 generates storage device data DK of the attached USB memory when the storage device attachment detection unit 104 detects the attachment of the USB memory. The generated storage device data DK is stored in the storage device data storage unit 101 in association with the insertion port number of the USB insertion port 11 in which the USB memory is mounted.

  The storage device data DK includes directory configuration data indicating the directory configuration in the mounted USB memory, and file attribute data indicating the attributes of files stored in the USB memory.

  Specifically, the directory configuration data indicates a directory configuration table TLD as shown in FIG. The directory configuration table TLD stores, for each directory in the SUB memory, a record indicating the name of the directory (folder name) and the name of the parent directory of the directory (parent folder name). Note that the parent directory is a directory one level higher than a directory including the directory when attention is paid to the directory.

  Specifically, the file attribute data indicates a file attribute table TLZ as shown in FIG. In the file attribute table TLZ, for each file stored in the USB memory, the file name (file name), size, format, creation date / time, update date / time, and path of the directory in which the file is stored, etc. Stores records that indicate file attributes.

  The file attribute data may be data indicating attributes of only files stored in the root directory of the USB memory, or data indicating attributes of files stored in a directory in a predetermined hierarchy. Alternatively, it may be data indicating the attributes of all files stored in all directories.

  The storage device data DK may include only directory configuration data or file attribute data.

  The storage device data generation / updating unit 105 also stores the storage device data DK of the USB memory when the file of the image data obtained by scanning is stored in the USB memory, for example, and the file is added to the USB memory. A record indicating the attribute of the file is added to the file attribute table TLZ, and the storage device data DK is updated. In addition, when the user deletes a file in the USB memory or changes the directory structure of the USB memory, the storage device data is appropriately saved so that the state of the USB memory after the change is reflected. The content of the storage device data DK of the USB memory stored in the unit 101 is updated.

  The storage device extraction detection unit 106 detects this when the USB memory is extracted from the USB insertion port 11.

  When the storage device removal detection unit 106 detects the removal, the storage device data deletion unit 107 stores the storage device data DK stored in association with the insertion port number of the USB insertion port 11. Delete from.

  When the user instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to execute a job such as printing or scanning, the job attribute data generation / update unit 108 generates job attribute data DJ related to the job and stores it as a record in the job attribute table TLJ ( sign up.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the job attribute data DJ includes the job number, job type (job type), file name, number of pages, number of copies, registration time, execution time, execution result, presence of memory, storage device Data DK and thumbnail data are shown.

  The job number is identification information for identifying a job. It is given to a job when the user inputs a job execution command.

  The job type is a type of the job such as print or scan. The file name is the name of the file to be printed or the name of the image data file obtained by scanning. It may be the absolute path of the file.

  The number of pages is the number of pages of a file to be printed or the number of scanned documents. The number of copies is the number of copies to be printed. The number of copies indicates “-” when the job type of the job attribute data DJ is scan.

  The registration time is the time when the job attribute data DJ is registered. The execution time is the time when the job is executed. The execution result is a result of execution of the job. As the execution result, “normal end” or “error occurrence” is indicated.

  The presence / absence of memory is a flag indicating whether or not the used USB memory is attached to the USB insertion port 11 when the USB memory is used for the job. “Present” indicates that it is attached, and “None” indicates that it is not attached.

  “When a USB memory is used for the job” means that a print job is executed based on a file stored in the USB memory, or a USB is used as a storage destination of a file of image data obtained by scanning. This means that a directory in memory is specified and the file is saved in that directory. When the USB memory is not used for executing the job, “-” is shown in the presence / absence of the memory.

  Further, thumbnail data indicating the thumbnail of the image to be printed or the scanned image is added to the job attribute data DJ. When the USB memory is used in the job of the job attribute data DJ, the storage device data DK of the USB memory is added.

  In addition, when the USB memory is removed or attached, the job attribute data generation update unit 108 updates the value of the presence or absence of the USB memory in the job attribute data DJ of the job in which the USB memory is used. This process is performed as follows.

  When the storage device extraction detection unit 106 detects the removal of the USB memory, it is stored in the storage device data storage unit 101 in association with the insertion port number of the USB insertion port 11 from which the USB memory has been extracted. The storage device data DK is extracted. The job attribute data DJ including the storage device data DK having the same contents as the storage device data DK can be determined as job attribute data DJ of the job using the extracted USB memory. Therefore, the storage device data DK included in each job attribute data DJ and the extracted storage device data DK are collated, and the matching data is specified. The memory presence / absence of the job attribute data DJ including the matching storage device data DK is updated to “none”.

  The job attribute data DJ is also updated when the storage device attachment detection unit 104 detects the attachment of the USB memory. This process is performed as follows.

  When the storage device attachment detection unit 104 detects the attachment of the USB memory, the storage device data generation update unit 105 generates the storage device data DK of the USB memory. The job attribute data generation / update unit 108 collates the generated storage device data DK with the storage device data DK included in each job attribute data DJ, and specifies job attribute data DJ including the matching storage device data DK. . Then, the presence / absence of memory of the job attribute data DJ is updated to “present”.

  Further, the job attribute data generation / update unit 108 also updates the job attribute data DJ when the storage device data generation / update unit 105 updates the storage device data DK as described above. This process is performed as follows.

  The storage device data DK before update and the storage device data DK included in each job attribute data DJ stored in the job data storage unit 102 are collated, and job attribute data DJ that matches them is extracted. Then, the storage device data DK included in the extracted job attribute data DJ is replaced with the storage device data DK that has been updated by the storage device data generation / updating unit 105.

  The job execution control unit 109 sequentially executes jobs registered in the job attribute table TLJ by controlling the scanner 10i and the printing apparatus 10h.

  When the job is normally completed, the job attribute data generation / update unit 108 changes the value of the execution result of the job attribute data DJ of the job to “normal end”. If an error occurs, change to "Error occurrence".

  The thumbnail generation unit 110 converts an image related to an executed job, that is, an image indicated by image data of a file to be printed in the case of a print job, or image data obtained by scanning in the case of a scan job. Thumbnail data indicating the thumbnail of the displayed image is generated. The generated thumbnail data is added to the job attribute data DJ of the job and stored. Note that only thumbnails of images shown on the first page of the file may be generated, or thumbnails of all pages may be generated.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation, the job list generation unit 111 generates job list data of a job list that is a list indicating the attributes of the executed job based on the job attribute table TLJ (see FIG. 7).

  The display control unit 112 displays a message for the user and a screen for setting job conditions on the display DP. Further, a job list LSJ as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display DP based on the job list data.

  The user can specify in advance conditions for narrowing down the jobs to be displayed in the job list LSJ. If a condition is specified, the job list generation unit 111 searches the job attribute data DJ from the job attribute table TLJ based on the condition, and generates job list data indicating the job attribute of the job attribute data DJ. To do. As a job narrowing condition, for example, a job using a USB memory, a job using a USB memory currently attached to the image forming apparatus 1, or a job executed within a predetermined period is specified. You may enable it to designate the condition of the combination of these conditions by the logical sum or the logical achievement. That is, for example, it may be possible to specify conditions such as a job using a USB memory and a job executed within a predetermined period.

  Note that, in the job attribute table TLJ, the job with the job attribute data DJ having the presence / absence of memory is a job in which the USB memory currently attached to the image forming apparatus 1 is used. A job having job attribute data DJ including the storage device data DK is a job using a USB memory.

  In FIG. 8, the job list LSJ shows a job number, job type, file name, registration time, execution time, number of pages, number of copies, execution result, and presence of memory.

  When the user selects any row in the job list LSJ, the background color of the row is inverted as in the fourth row of the job list LSJ in FIG. 8, and the row is selected. When a line is selected, the selected job detection unit 113 specifies job attribute data DJ of the job corresponding to the line. The display control unit 112 causes the image display area ARS to display the thumbnail indicated by the thumbnail data included in the specified job attribute data DJ.

  The USB insertion port instruction unit 114 instructs the USB insertion port 11 in which the USB memory used for the job selected by the user in the job list LSJ is installed. This process is performed as follows.

  When the selected job detection unit 113 specifies the job attribute data DJ, it is checked whether or not the storage device data DK is included in the job attribute data DJ. If included, the job of the job attribute data DJ is a job in which the USB memory is used at the time of execution, that is, a print job or image data executed based on a file stored in the USB memory. It can be determined that the job is a scan job in which a directory in the USB memory is designated as a file storage destination. If it is such a job, the storage device data DK included in the job attribute data DJ is extracted.

  When a USB memory is attached to the USB insertion port 11, the storage device data storage unit 101 stores storage device data DK of each attached USB memory. Each of the storage device data DK and the storage device data DK extracted from the job attribute data DJ are collated to identify those that match. If there is a match, the light-emitting diode 12 at the location of the USB slot 11 with the slot number associated with the matched storage device data DK is turned on so that the USB slot 11 is turned on. Instruct.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus 1 when executing a job, and FIG. 10 is for explaining the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus 1 when a job is selected in the job list LSJ. It is a flowchart of.

  Next, the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus 1 when a job is executed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 9, when the user attaches a USB memory to the USB insertion slot 11 (Yes in # 101), the image forming apparatus 1 detects it. The image forming apparatus 1 generates storage device data DK of the USB memory (# 102), and stores it in association with the insertion port number of the USB insertion port 11 to which the USB memory is attached.

  Next, the storage device data DK included in each job attribute data DJ stored in the job attribute table TLJ is collated with the storage device data DK generated in step # 102, and the job attribute including the matching storage device data DK is obtained. Search data DJ. If there is such job attribute data DJ (Yes in # 103), the presence / absence of memory of the job attribute data DJ is changed to “present” (# 104).

  When the user sets conditions for a print or scan job and inputs a job execution command (Yes in # 105), the image forming apparatus 1 generates job attribute data DJ for the job (# 106), Register in the job attribute table TLJ. The job is executed based on the input condition (# 107). A thumbnail of the image related to the job is generated and stored (# 108).

  If the executed job is a scan and the directory in the USB memory is designated as the storage destination of the scanned image data file in step # 105, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the scan job after executing the scan job. (Yes in # 109), the image data file obtained by scanning is stored in the designated directory in the USB memory. The USB memory storage device data DK is generated again and replaced with the USB memory storage device data DK stored in step # 102 (# 110).

  Further, the job attribute data DJ including the storage device data DK having the same contents as the storage device data DK before the update is extracted, and the storage device data DK of the job attribute data DJ is replaced with the updated storage device data DK.

  As a result, the storage device data DK of the USB memory included in the storage device data DK and each job attribute data DJ of the storage device data storage unit 101 is replaced with the storage device data DK reflecting the attributes of the stored file. .

  When the user removes the USB memory (Yes in # 111), the presence / absence of memory of the job attribute data DJ of each job using the USB memory is changed to “None” (# 112).

  Next, a processing flow in the image forming apparatus 1 when a row is selected in the job list LSJ will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the user previously sets job conditions to be displayed in the job list LSJ. When the user performs an operation for displaying the job list LSJ, the image forming apparatus 1 searches the job attribute table TLJ for job attribute data DJ corresponding to the conditions set by the user (# 201), and the searched job Based on the attribute data DJ, the job list LSJ is displayed on the display DP (# 202).

  When the user selects a row in the displayed job list LSJ (Yes in # 203), the image forming apparatus 1 extracts the storage device data DK included in the job attribute data DJ of the job in the selected row.

  At this time, if a USB memory is attached to any of the USB insertion ports 11 (Yes in # 204), job attribute data among the stored storage device data DK of each attached USB memory is stored. The data that matches the storage device data DK extracted from the DJ is specified (# 205). Then, the light emitting diode 12 of the USB insertion slot 11 having the insertion number associated with the specified storage device data DK is turned on (# 206).

  However, even if the user selects a row from the job list LSJ, if no USB memory is attached to the USB insertion port at that time (No in # 204), the processing is ended as it is.

  According to the present embodiment, when a job using a USB memory is selected in the job list LSJ, the light emitting diode of the USB insertion port 11 in which the USB memory is mounted is turned on. Therefore, even if a plurality of USB memories are attached to the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to easily know which USB memory is related to the job. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the adverse effect of the user accidentally extracting a USB memory different from the intended one.

  In addition, since the user can check not only the character information displayed in the job list LSJ but also the thumbnail displayed in the image display area ARS, it is possible to make it difficult to mistake the user's job and the job of others. The above adverse effects can be further reduced.

  In this embodiment, an example in which a USB memory is used as an external storage device has been described. However, another storage device such as an external hard disk may be used. An external storage device other than the USB interface such as a CF (Compact Flash) card or a PC card may be used.

  In the present embodiment, when the storage device data DKs are collated, those whose contents match each other are determined as the storage device data DK of the same USB memory. If it is obtained and it is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, both may be determined as the storage device data DK of the same USB memory. Further, when collating the storage device data DK, only the directory configuration data included in the storage device data DK may be collated, or only the file attribute data may be collated. Further, only predetermined attributes or a combination of predetermined attributes included in the file attribute data may be collated.

  In the present embodiment, the USB insertion port 11 is instructed by the light emitting diode 12, but the instruction may be instructed by displaying an illustration near the USB insertion port 11 in the image display area ARS.

  In addition, the configuration and functions of the entire image forming apparatus 1 or each unit, the configuration and content of each screen, the content or order of processing, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overview of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the vicinity of a USB insertion port of the image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a directory structure table. It is a figure which shows the example of a file attribute table. It is a figure which shows the example of a job attribute table. It is a figure which shows the example of display DP on which the job list was displayed. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing in the image forming apparatus when a job is executed. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow in the image forming apparatus when a job is selected in the job list.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming apparatus 10a CPU (computer)
11 USB socket (plug)
101 storage device data storage unit (storage device data storage means)
105 Storage Device Data Generation Update Unit (Storage Device Data Generation Unit)
108 Job attribute data generation / update unit (job attribute data generation means)
110 Thumbnail generation unit (thumbnail generation means)
111 Job list generation unit (job list display processing means)
112 Display control unit (job list display processing means, thumbnail display processing means)
114 USB port instruction section (plug port indicating means)
DK storage device data DP display (display means)
DJ job attribute data (job attribute data)
List of LSJ jobs

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus having a plurality of insertion ports for mounting external storage devices,
A job list display processing means for displaying a job list indicating the executed job on the display means;
An insertion port instruction means for indicating the insertion port in which the external storage device used in the job selected by the user from the job list displayed on the display means is mounted;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Storage device data generation means for generating storage device data indicating characteristics of data stored in the external storage device attached to the insertion port;
Storage device data storage means for storing the storage device data in association with the insertion port on which the external storage device related to the storage device data is mounted;
Job attribute data generating means for generating job attribute data indicating attributes of a job executed in the image forming apparatus,
The job attribute data generation means generates the job attribute data of the job including the storage device data of the external storage device when the external storage device is used in executing the job,
The insertion port instruction means includes the storage device data included in the job attribute data of the job selected by the user in the job list from the storage device data stored in the storage device data storage means. Identify the corresponding storage device data, and indicate the insertion port corresponding to the specified storage device data,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The job attribute data includes a flag indicating whether or not the external storage device has been used when executing the job of the job attribute data,
The job list display processing unit causes the display unit to display the job list indicating only jobs for which the external storage device has been used at the time of execution based on the flag included in the job attribute data.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The job list display processing unit uses the attached external storage device for execution based on the job attribute data including the storage device data of the external storage device attached to the insertion port. Displaying the job list indicating only jobs on the display means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The job list display processing means causes the display means to display the job list indicating only jobs executed within a period specified by a user.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Thumbnail generation means for generating thumbnail image data indicating thumbnails of images related to the executed job;
The job list display processing means causes the display means to display the list of thumbnails as the job list based on the thumbnail image data.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Thumbnail generation means for generating thumbnail image data indicating thumbnails of images related to the executed job;
Thumbnail display processing means for causing the display means to display the thumbnail corresponding to the job selected by the user in the job list,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An insertion port instruction method in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of insertion ports for mounting an external storage device,
Display a job list indicating jobs executed by the image forming apparatus on the display unit;
When the user selects any job from the job list displayed on the display means, the user inserts the insertion port in which the external storage device used in the selected job is mounted. ,
A method for indicating an outlet, characterized in that. A computer program executed in a computer provided in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of insertion ports into which an external storage device is mounted,
Processing for displaying on the display means a job list indicating jobs executed by the image forming apparatus;
When the user selects any job from the job list displayed on the display means, the user inserts the insertion port in which the external storage device used in the selected job is mounted. Processing,
A computer program for causing the computer to execute.

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