JP2010068243A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device allowing even an inexperienced person to easily reedit, to a desired format, an image of a document printed on paper by adding editing such as two-sided printing or imposition printing thereto and print the image on paper. <P>SOLUTION: Data included in a print job related to an image of a data document input to a control unit 10 from a client terminal 14 and exhibiting the content of print setting (paper-saving setting, standard document setting) of the image are stored in an external storage device 93. The data of the print setting stored in the external storage device 93 can be used as data showing a layout state of an image on a paper document when recording paper with the image of the data document printed thereon by executing a print job including the print setting is mounted, as a paper document, on a document set tray or a document mounting glass base of an ADF unit, and the image is copied and printed on another recording paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes a job for printing an image read from a paper document set on a scanner or an image of a data document input from the outside on a sheet.

  When printing output of printed matter with an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction device having a printer function, double-sided printing may be performed in order to save paper or to perform processing such as binding and bookbinding after printing. In some cases, imposition printing is performed to collect a plurality of pages into one sheet (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  When creating a formal document by copying such double-sided printing or imposition printing, if the double-sided printing or imposition printing of the official document is prohibited by company regulations, one page per sheet It is necessary to copy the printed matter with the setting for single-sided printing.

  In addition, when sending images of printed materials that have been printed on both sides to a remote location using a facsimile machine that only has a single-sided scan function, the images on both sides of the printed materials must be printed on separate papers in order to send the images on both sides of the printed materials to the other party without omission. It must be copied again with single-sided printing.

Further, when an imposition printing document is transmitted by facsimile, if the resolution of the facsimile machine on the transmission side or the reception side is low, the image reduced by the imposition is enlarged to the original size and one sheet is printed. It is necessary to copy the images one by one on the paper.
JP 2002-103758 A JP 2006-302001 A

  When copying printed materials with double-sided printing or imposition printing according to the above-mentioned circumstances, in order to obtain a copy document with the desired appearance, specific details regarding double-sided printing or imposition printing of the printed material are accurately grasped. In addition, appropriate editing content (number of image divisions, page layout in imposition printing, paper selection, paper orientation, magnification selection, etc.) must be set according to the content.

  Such setting of editing contents takes time unless it is used by a person who is accustomed to it. Moreover, if there is any mistake in the setting contents, a copy document having a desired appearance cannot be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to allow an inexperienced person to easily create an image of a manuscript printed on a sheet after editing such as double-sided printing or imposition printing. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be re-edited in appearance.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1 executes a print job for printing an image read from a paper document set on a scanner or an image of a data document input from the outside on a sheet. And when the print job includes an image layout setting on the paper when the image of the data original is printed on the paper, the image of the data original is edited according to the contents of the layout setting. In the image forming apparatus for printing on paper, storage means for storing data indicating the contents of the layout setting included in the print job of the data original as original setting data, and the original stored in the storage means From the setting data, specific original setting data corresponding to the image layout state of the paper original set on the scanner is obtained. The editing content of the image of the paper document set on the scanner is determined on the basis of the layout state of the image on the paper document indicated by the selection unit to be selected and the data of the specific document setting selected by the selection unit An editing image obtained by editing the image of the paper document set on the scanner with the editing content determined by the determination unit when the data of the specific document setting is selected by the selection unit. An edited image output means for outputting is provided.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the image of the data document is edited according to the contents of the layout setting included in the print job of the data document input from the outside, and is executed by the print execution unit. When printing on a sheet, data indicating the designated contents of the layout, such as the print side of the image on the sheet and the aggregation or division, specified by the layout setting is stored in the storage unit as the document setting data.

  Then, the image layout setting data stored on the paper stored in the storage means is stored on the paper original when the paper on which the image of the data original is printed according to the layout setting is set on the scanner as a paper original and copy printing is performed. It is also data indicating the layout state of the image at.

  For this reason, the layout setting data stored in the storage means when the image of the data original is printed on the paper set in the scanner as a paper original is selected by the selection means as specific original setting data. Images of paper originals for printing on paper or for paperless facsimile transmission without the user having to know and specify exactly the layout of the printed surface of the loaded paper original or the layout state such as aggregation or division It is possible to easily obtain original document data that has been re-edited according to the user's desired format.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 2 is the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, wherein the image of the paper document set in the scanner is printed on the paper. Further comprising designation means for designating the contents of the layout setting of the image in the image, and the determination means further includes a paper document set on the scanner based on the contents of the layout setting designated by the designation means. The editing contents of the image are determined, and the editing image output means is configured to specify the layout setting contents by the specifying means, and the specific original setting data is selected by the selecting means. And printing the edited image obtained by editing the image of the paper document set on the paper with the editing content determined by the determining means on a sheet. That.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 2, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, the image on the paper when the image of the paper document set in the scanner is printed on the paper is recorded. When the contents of the layout setting are specified by the specifying means, the layout state of the image of the paper document and the layout setting of the image on the printed paper are determined.

  Therefore, the editing content of the paper original image determined by the determining means is uniquely determined by the respective contents of the paper original image layout state and the image layout setting on the printed paper.

  Therefore, the user can easily specify the layout setting of the image on the printed paper desired by the user by the designation means, and the image of the paper document can be easily put on the paper with the layout re-edited to the user's desired appearance. Can be printed.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 3 is the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the print job of the data document including the layout setting includes the layout setting. A storage necessity setting for designating whether or not data indicating contents need to be stored in the storage means as the document setting data, and the print job of the data document includes the contents of the layout setting. Is included in the print job of the data document when the storage unit includes the storage necessity setting that specifies that it is necessary to store the data indicating the document setting data in the storage unit. Data indicating the contents of the layout setting to be stored is stored in the storage means.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 3, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1 or 2, the data indicating the contents of the layout setting included in the print job of the data document is set as the document setting. If the print job includes a storage necessity setting that specifies that it is not necessary to store the data in the storage unit as data, data indicating the contents of the layout setting included in the print job is stored in the storage unit. Not remembered.

  For this reason, even when the layout setting such as the printing surface or the integration or division is designated and the image of the data document is printed on the paper, the document setting data indicating the contents of the layout setting with the same contents is already stored in the storage unit. If it is not necessary to store the data indicating the layout settings included in the print job in the storage means for reasons such as being stored in the print job, the print job should include a storage necessity setting that specifies that fact. By doing so, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of the storage area of the storage means.

  According to the present invention, even if the user does not accurately grasp and specify the print surface of the image set on the paper original set on the scanner or the layout setting such as aggregation or division, it is possible to print on paper or to transmit a paperless facsimile. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain the original document data in which the image of the paper original is re-edited to the user's desired appearance. As a result, an image of a document printed on paper after being subjected to editing such as double-sided printing or imposition printing can be easily re-edited in a desired form even by an unskilled person.

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

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment reads a scanner unit 101 that reads an image on a paper document M and outputs an image signal, and outputs from the scanner unit 101. And a printer unit 102 that prints (records) an image on a recording sheet S (one side or both sides, corresponding to the sheet in claims) based on the received image signal.

  The scanner unit 101 photoelectrically reads an image on a paper document M and outputs a digital signal of each pixel constituting the document image. The scanner unit 101 includes a document reading unit 101a and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF or ADF unit) 101b.

  In the original reading unit 101a, optical images of images from one or a plurality of paper originals M set on the original setting tray of the ADF unit 101b and a paper original M placed on an original placement glass stand (not shown) are used. Reading can be performed. An image read from the paper original M by the scanner unit 101 can be printed on the recording paper S by an inkjet head unit 104 (to be described later) of the printer unit 102.

  Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment incorporates a control unit 10 (see FIG. 3) described later. The control unit 10 receives an image print job of a document (hereinafter referred to as “data document”) based on data from a client terminal 14 (see FIG. 3) described later. The printer unit 102 also performs an operation of printing (recording) an image of a data document on the recording paper S (one side or both sides) based on the print job received by the control unit 10.

  The print job that the control unit 10 receives from the client terminal 14 includes postscript data and print environment data. The control unit 10 generates raster data of the image of the data document based on the received postscript data of the print job, and outputs it to a control board 103 described later provided in the printer unit 102.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a belt conveyance unit 106 for conveying the recording paper S from the paper supply unit 105 to the paper discharge unit 109 via the printer unit 102. A belt conveyance unit 107, a double-sided stack tray 108, a conveyance path 112, and a display 110 for performing various input settings and information display are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 102 includes a control board 103 and an inkjet head unit 104. In the printer unit 102, when raster data of an image of a data document is input from a control unit 10 (see FIG. 3) built in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 as a controller, an image printing operation is performed. The printer unit 102 also performs an image printing operation when raster data of an image read from the paper original M is input by the scanner unit 101.

  The raster data of the image read from the paper original M by the scanner unit 101 is input from the control unit 10 to the printer unit 102 as shown in FIG. For example, when the control unit 10 receives the print job from the client terminal 14 via the external interface unit 11 connected to the control unit 10, the raster data of the image of the data document is transferred from the control unit 10 to the printer unit 102. Entered.

  The client terminal 14 is configured by a PC (personal computer) or the like, and is connected to the external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10 via the external interface unit 15. The client terminal 14 includes a CPU 16 that executes various processes based on a control program stored in the ROM 17, a RAM 18 that functions as a working area for the CPU 16, an input unit 19 that includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, a liquid crystal display, and the like. And an output unit 20 including a display or the like.

  In addition to the external interface unit 15 described above, an external storage device 21 is connected to the CPU 16. The external storage device 21 has a database area such as a storage area of an application program for generating image data of a data document and a storage area of a printer driver program of the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

  When an image print request generated on the application program is input from the input unit 19 while the application program is being activated, the CPU 16 activates the printer driver program and generates a print job using the image to be printed as a data document. To do. Then, the generated print job is output from the external interface unit 15 to the external interface unit 11 of the control unit 10. The print job output to the control unit 10 includes postscript data and print environment data.

  Postscript data includes data of photographs, figures and characters (including symbols, the same applies hereinafter), data of attributes, and layout data in a page that constitute an image of a data document to be printed on the recording paper S. Contains. In Postscript data, figures and characters are expressed in a vector data format using Bezier curves. The attribute data includes data indicating mode (high-definition mode, standard mode) data indicating the resolution of a photograph, and data indicating setting contents such as a font used for character printing, character size, and character decoration.

  The print environment data includes data of setting contents regarding the print environment of the document image. The print environment data includes, for example, the document size of the document image, the print size (printing magnification), the number of pages, the type of the recording paper S used for printing, and the mode indicating the printing resolution (high quality mode, normal quality) Mode) and data indicating the contents of the layout setting of the image of the data document on the recording paper S are included. In the layout setting, the printing surface (double-sided printing or single-sided printing) of the recording paper S on which the image of the data document is printed, the presence / absence of image aggregation or division (imposition printing), and the contents thereof are designated.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a property screen for print settings of a data document displayed on the output unit 20 of the client terminal 14 while the printer driver program is activated. On this property screen, the setting state of the print setting in which the data is included in the print job of the image of the data document output from the CPU 16 to the control unit 10 is displayed. The displayed print setting setting state includes the attribute data setting state and the print environment data setting state in the postscript data.

  First, the upper part of the property screen shown in FIG. 13 is a paper saving setting area. Here, when printing an image of a data document on the recording paper S in a paper saving format, the printing surface (one side or both sides) of the recording paper S on which the image is printed, the number of impositions, and the page of the image according to the number of impositions Set the order and zoom ratio as the contents of the paper saving settings. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the number of impositions in the paper saving setting is set to “4 pages”, the page order is “left → right”, the scaling factor is “71%”, and the print surface is “single side”.

  In addition, in the upper part of the property screen of FIG. 13, “Easy Print Setting” is turned on / off (corresponding to the storage necessity setting in the claims). When the “simple print setting” is turned on, when the print job for printing the image of the data document on the recording paper S is output to the control unit 10 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the paper saving included in the print job is saved. Data indicating the contents of the settings (print surface, imposition number, image page order, scaling ratio) and standard document settings (print surface, imposition number) described later are stored on the control unit 10 side. Details thereof will be described later.

  The lower part of the property screen shown in FIG. 13 is a standard document setting area. Here, the number of impositions and the print side when printing the data original image on the recording paper S in the standard document format are set as the contents of the standard document setting. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the number of impositions in the standard document setting is set to “one side” and the print side is set to “one side”.

  The data indicating the paper saving setting, the standard document setting, and the “easy print setting” on / off setting set in the above-described property screen of FIG. 13 is the client terminal 14 as a part of the print job related to the image of the data document. To the inkjet recording apparatus 1.

  In the client terminal 14 of FIG. 3, when a button for executing printing of a data original image is operated on a print execution screen (not shown) displayed on the output unit 20, the paper saving setting and the paper saving setting set on the property screen of FIG. A print job relating to an image of a data document including standard document settings is generated and output to the inkjet recording apparatus 1. This print job also includes data indicating the contents of the print format (paper saving format or standard document format) of the image of the data document selected and designated on the above-described unillustrated print execution screen.

  3 is input from the client terminal 14 via the external interface unit 11, and the control unit 10 in FIG. 3 receives the data document including the above setting contents as print setting data. The printer unit 102 prints the image.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 102 uses a digital image signal of an image of a data document generated on the control board 103 in accordance with the postscript data of the print job input to the control unit 10. An image of a data document is printed by the inkjet head unit 104 on the recording paper S conveyed in the direction of arrow b by the belt conveyance unit 105 from 105.

  At this time, if the print setting data included in the print job has a content that sets the print format of the data document image to the paper saving format, the data document image is recorded according to the content of the paper saving setting in the print job. Printed on the paper S. In addition, when the print format data included in the print job has a content in which the print format of the image of the data document is the standard document format, the image of the data document is recorded on the recording paper according to the content of the standard document setting in the print job. S is printed.

  When the scanner unit 101 reads an image from the paper document M, the printer unit 102 performs copy printing of the image of the paper document M on the recording paper S according to the raster data of the read image.

  When the image of the data original or the paper original M is printed on one side on the recording paper S, the recording paper S is conveyed by the belt conveying unit 106 to the paper discharging unit 109 and discharged. On the other hand, when double-sided printing of a data document or a paper document M on the recording paper S, one side (for example, the front surface) is formed by the linkage of the belt conveyance unit 106, the conveyance path 112, and the double-sided belt conveyance unit 107. The printed recording sheet S is continuously conveyed from the direction of the arrow b to the direction of the arrow c in the inverted state, and is temporarily discharged to the double-sided stack tray 108. Then, the recording paper S is conveyed again to the inkjet head unit 104 by the belt conveyance unit 106, and an image is printed on the remaining one side (for example, the back side). The recording sheet S that has been printed on both sides is transported to the paper output unit 109 by the belt transport unit 106 and discharged as in the case of single-sided printing.

  In the control board 103, raster data for one image of the data original or the paper original M input from the control unit 10 is stored in the form of a digital image signal, and converted from RGB to CMYK into the digital image signal. The predetermined image processing such as is performed. The processed digital image signal is output to the inkjet head unit 104.

  The processing as described above is performed in synchronization with the conveyance of the recording paper S from the paper supply unit 105 to the inkjet head unit 104 described above. Thus, based on the processed digital image signal for each component, ink of each color is ejected from the recording head of each color (CMYK) of the inkjet head unit 104 at a predetermined timing synchronized with the conveyance speed of the recording paper S. And transferred onto the recording paper S. In this way, the image of the data original or the paper original M is printed on the recording paper S.

  The display 110 is disposed on the upper part of the printer unit 102 together with the scanner unit 101. A touch sensor (not shown) is attached to the screen of the display 110. By this touch sensor, it is possible to detect the pressing operation of each button displayed on the display 110.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 that causes the printer unit 102 to perform a printing operation includes a CPU 90. The CPU 90 controls the operation of the scanner unit 101 and the printer unit 102 according to the contents input and set from the display 110 based on the program and setting information stored in the ROM 91.

  The control unit 10 is provided with a RAM 92. The RAM 92 stores the number of prints and various setting contents in the printing operation to be performed by the printer unit 102 as needed. For example, when a print job is input from the client terminal 14, print setting data in the input print job is stored in the RAM 92. In addition, when the start of copy printing is input from a basic input screen (see FIG. 10) described later on the display 110, data indicating the contents of the print setting designated (or default) on the basic input screen is displayed. It is stored in the RAM 92.

  The RAM 92 is provided with a frame memory area. In this frame memory area, the original image raster data generated by the CPU 90 from the postscript data of the print job input from the client terminal 14 to the control unit 10 is temporarily output until it is output to the printer unit 102. Is remembered.

  Further, an external storage device 93 is connected to the CPU 90. The external storage device 93 stores data indicating the contents of print settings (paper saving settings, standard document settings) relating to the image of the data document included in the print job input from the client terminal 14. The stored print setting data is used as a layout state selection candidate on the paper original M of an image to be copied and printed on the recording paper S. Further, it is also used as a selection candidate for layout setting on the recording paper S when the image of the paper original M is copied and printed on the recording paper S.

  Note that the print job to be stored in the external storage device 93 with data indicating the contents of the print settings is a print related to the image of the data document in which “Simple print settings” is set to ON in the property screen of the client terminal 14 shown in FIG. Limited to jobs.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic input screen displayed on the display 110 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The basic input screen includes “main”, “layout”, “image processing”, and “registration setting / calling” screens. When the layout state of the image on the paper document M is stored in the external storage device 93 described above, the “registration setting / calling” screen is displayed by touching the “registration setting / calling” tab on the basic input screen. When displayed on 110, a “simple print” button is displayed.

  When the “Easy Print” button is touch-operated, as shown in FIG. 11, the list of layout settings for the paper document M stored in the external storage device 93 overlaps the “Registration Setting / Call” screen. It is displayed on the display 110. In this list, the print setting contents of a print job storing data as a selection candidate for the layout state of the paper document M are listed for each print job name. Each enumerated print setting includes the contents of the paper saving setting and the standard document setting.

  The paper saving setting is the content set as the print setting when printing the image of the data document on the recording paper S in the paper saving format on the property screen of the client terminal 14 shown in FIG. 13, that is, the imposition number, page order, It includes settings for variable magnification and printing surface. The standard document settings are the contents set as the print settings when printing the data original image on the recording paper S in the standard document format on the property screen of the client terminal 14, that is, the settings for the number of impositions and the print surface. Contains content.

  From the list of FIG. 11, one of the print settings to be used as data indicating the layout state of the paper document M is selected by designating the print job name by touching the scroll button and the cursor key on the screen. Can do. When one print setting is selected and the confirmation button on the screen is touched, the overlap display of the list in FIG. 11 is terminated, and as shown in FIG. 12, “paper saving setting” is displayed on the “registration setting / calling” screen. Button and "Standard document setting" button are displayed.

  When the “paper saving setting” button is touched, the contents of the print settings (print side, imposition number, image page) stored as the paper saving setting among the print settings of the print job name specified in the list of FIG. Order and scaling ratio) is used as a layout state (printing surface, imposition number, image page order and scaling ratio) on the paper original M of a screen to be copied and printed on the recording paper S. When the “standard document setting” button is touched, the contents of the print settings in the standard document format stored as the standard document settings (print surface, number of impositions) among the print settings of the print job name specified in the list of FIG. ) Is used as the layout state (printed surface, imposition number) of the paper document M on the screen for copy printing.

  In addition, regardless of which of the “paper saving setting” button and the “standard document setting” button is touched, the standard setting stored as the standard document setting among the print settings of the print job name specified in the list of FIG. The contents of the print settings (print side, number of impositions) in the document format are also used as layout settings (print side, number of impositions) on the recording paper S of an image to be copied and printed from the paper original M to the recording paper S.

  The print setting data stored in the external storage device 93 used as the layout state of the image on the paper original M and the layout setting of the image to be copied and printed on the recording paper S is used until the copy printing of the paper original M is completed. Is stored in the RAM 92 of the control unit 10.

  The operation as described above in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is realized by the CPU 90 of the control unit 10 executing a control program stored in the ROM 91. A procedure of processing performed by the CPU 90 by executing this control program will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, after the power of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is turned on, the CPU 90 performs a print job interrupt request confirmation process, a layout setting interrupt request confirmation process, and a copy until the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is turned off. The interrupt request confirmation process is repeatedly executed for each appropriate period set individually.

  Among these, in the print job interrupt request confirmation process, as shown in FIG. 4, it is confirmed whether or not a print job has been input (step S1a). If it has not been input (NO in step S1a), the CPU 90 Then, the print job interrupt request confirmation process is terminated. On the other hand, when a print job is input (YES in step S1a), the CPU 90 performs a print job execution process described later with reference to FIG. 7 (step S1b), and then ends the print job interrupt request confirmation process. To do.

  In the layout setting interrupt request confirmation process, as shown in FIG. 5, it is confirmed whether or not the “easy print” button in the “registration setting / calling” screen of the display 110 shown in FIG. (Step S3a) When the touch operation is not performed (NO in Step S3a), the CPU 90 ends the layout setting interrupt request confirmation process. On the other hand, if the “easy print” button is touched (YES in step S3a), the CPU 90 performs a layout setting process described later with reference to FIG. 8 (step S3b), and then requests a layout setting interrupt. The confirmation process ends.

  Further, in the copy interrupt request confirmation process, as shown in FIG. 6, it is confirmed whether or not a copy button (not shown) in the basic input screen of the display 110 has been touched (step S5a), and the touch operation has not been performed. In such a case (NO in step S5a), the CPU 90 ends the copy interrupt request confirmation process. On the other hand, if the copy button is touched (YES in step S5a), the CPU 90 performs a copy process described later with reference to FIG. 9 (step S5b), and then ends the copy interrupt request confirmation process.

  Then, in the print job execution process in step S1b of FIG. 4, the CPU 90 determines the editing contents of the data document image according to the data document image layout setting stored in the RAM 92 as shown in FIG. Step S11).

  For example, when the data document image layout setting is paper saving setting (imposition number “4”, page order “left → right”, scaling ratio “71%”, print side “single side”), it is continuous. The setting for reducing and consolidating the images of the four data originals on one side of one recording paper S is determined as the editing content of the image of the paper original M.

  Next, the CPU 90 executes printing of the image of the data document on the recording paper S (step S13). In this printing, the image of the data document by the print job input from the client terminal 14 is edited according to the editing content determined in step S11 and printed on the recording paper S. Thereafter, the CPU 90 shifts the process to step S15.

  In step S <b> 15, the CPU 90 confirms whether or not the data indicating on / off contents of “simple print setting” in the print job input from the client terminal 14 is data indicating “on” of “simple print setting”. To do. If “simple print setting” is not on (NO in step S15), the CPU 90 ends the print job execution process.

  On the other hand, if the “simple print setting” is on (YES in step S15), the print setting of the data original image included in the print job input from the client terminal 14 (paper saving setting, standard document setting). Are stored in the external storage device 93 as selection candidates for the layout state of the image on the paper document M and the layout setting of the image to be copied and printed on the recording paper S (step S17). Thereafter, the CPU 90 ends the print job execution process.

  Next, in the layout setting process in step S3b of FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 90 performs a touch operation on the “easy print” button (see FIG. 10) on the “registration setting / calling” screen of the display 110. It is confirmed whether or not (step S31). When the touch operation is not performed (NO in step S31), the CPU 90 ends the layout setting process.

  On the other hand, when the “Easy Print” button is touched (YES in step S31), the CPU 90 sets the print setting to be used as the image layout state on the paper document M on the list screen of FIG. It is confirmed whether or not (print job name) has been selected (step S33). If it is not selected (NO in step S33), the CPU 90 repeats step S33 until it is selected. If it is selected (YES in step S33), the CPU 90 confirms whether or not the “paper saving setting” button (see FIG. 12) is touched on the “registration setting / calling” screen of the display 110 (step S35). ).

  If the “paper saving setting” button is touched (YES in step S35), the CPU 90 in step S37, print setting for the print job name selected in step S33 (specific document setting in claims). Data indicating the contents of the print settings (print side, imposition number, image page order and scaling ratio) stored as the paper saving settings are copied and printed on the recording paper S. The data is stored in the RAM 92 as data of the layout state of the image on the paper original M (printed surface, number of impositions, page order of the image, and scaling ratio).

  Further, in step S37, the CPU 90 displays data indicating the contents of the print settings (print surface and number of impositions) stored as the standard document settings among the print setting data of the print job name selected in step S33. Then, the data is stored in the RAM 92 as data of layout setting (printed surface, number of impositions) on the recording paper S of an image to be copied and printed from the paper document M. Thereafter, the CPU 90 ends the layout setting process.

  When the “paper saving setting” button is not touch-operated (NO in step S35), the CPU 90 touches the “standard document setting” button (see FIG. 12) on the “registration setting / calling” screen of the display 110. It is confirmed whether or not (step S39).

  When the “standard document setting” button is touched (YES in step S39), the CPU 90 stores the standard document setting in the print setting data of the print job name selected in step S33 in step S41. The layout state (printed surface, number of impositions) on the paper original M of the image to be copied and printed on the recording paper S from the data indicating the contents of the print settings (printed side, imposition number), and the paper original M The data is stored in the RAM 92 as data of layout settings (printed surface and number of impositions) on the recording paper S of the image to be copied and printed. Thereafter, the CPU 90 ends the layout setting process.

  If the “standard document setting” button has not been touched (NO in step S39), the CPU 90 shifts the process to step S35.

  Subsequently, in the copy process in step S5b of FIG. 6, the CPU 90 sets the layout state of the image on the paper original M and the layout of the image to be copied and printed on the recording paper S, which are stored in the RAM 92, as shown in FIG. Thus, the editing content of the image of the paper document M is determined (step S51).

  For example, the layout state of the image on the paper original M corresponds to the paper saving setting (imposition number “4”, page order “left to right”, scaling factor “71%”, print side “single”). In this state, when the layout setting of the image on the recording paper S is the standard document setting (the number of impositions is “1 side”, the printing side is “single side”), the reduced and consolidated printing is performed on one side of one paper document M. The setting for printing the four images being enlarged and divided on one side of the four recording sheets S is determined as the editing content of the image of the paper document M.

  Next, the CPU 90 executes copy printing of the image of the paper original M on the recording paper S (step S53). In this copy printing, an image optically read by a document reading unit 101a from a paper document M set on a document set tray of the ADF unit 101b or a paper document M placed on a document placement glass stand (not shown) Editing is performed according to the editing content determined in step S51, and copy printing is performed on the recording paper S. When a plurality of paper originals M are set in the ADF unit 101b, the CPU 90 repeatedly executes the copy printing in step S53 until there is no paper original M in the ADF unit 101b. Thereafter, the CPU 90 ends the copy process.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 90 that executes the process of step S3b in the flowchart of FIG. 5 (steps S31 to S37 in the flowchart of FIG. 8), and FIG. The display means for displaying the screen of FIG. 12 constitutes the selecting means in the claims.

  Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, step S51 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is a process corresponding to the determining means in the claims, and step S53 in FIG. 9 is the printing in the claims. This process corresponds to execution means.

  Furthermore, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 90 that executes the process of step S17 in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the CPU 90 that executes the processes of step S35 and step S37 in FIG. The storage device 93 constitutes the storage means in the claims. Further, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the designation unit in the claims is configured by the display 110 that displays the screens of FIGS. 10 to 12.

  According to the ink jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment in which the CPU 90 executes the process according to the above-described procedure, the print setting of the image included in the print job related to the image of the data document input from the client terminal 14 to the control unit 10 ( Data indicating the content of the paper saving setting and the standard document setting is stored in the external storage device 93.

  Therefore, the print setting data stored in the external storage device 93 includes the recording paper S on which the image of the data original is printed by executing the print job including the print setting, the original set tray of the ADF unit 101b, and the unillustrated original. The data can be used as data indicating the layout state of the image on the paper original M when the paper original M is placed on the original placement glass stand and the image is copied and printed on another recording paper S.

  Therefore, when the image of the data document is printed on the recording sheet S placed on the document set tray of the ADF unit 101b or the document placement glass table (not shown) as the paper document M, the print settings stored in the external storage device 93 are stored. Is selected as data indicating the layout state of the image on the paper document M, so that the user does not exactly know and specify the print state of the image on the paper document M or the layout state such as aggregation or division. However, the image of the paper document M can be re-edited to the user's desired appearance and easily printed on the recording paper S.

  Incidentally, for example, when different users print images of the same data document with the same print settings (paper saving settings, standard document settings) with different ink jet recording apparatuses 1, the external storage devices 93 of the respective ink jet recording apparatuses 1. In addition, the data indicating the contents of the print settings in the print job input from the respective client terminals 14 to the respective control units 10 may be stored with the same print job name.

  With such a configuration, even when a certain user copies and prints an image of the paper document M on the recording paper S using another ink jet recording apparatus 1 different from the ink jet recording apparatus 1 that is usually used, Copy printing can be performed with the same operation feeling as the ink jet recording apparatus 1 that is normally used. In other words, the print settings can be substantially shared and used in the plurality of inkjet recording apparatuses 1.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the image on the paper document M is enlarged and divided and printed on the recording paper S is described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the image on the paper document M is enlarged and divided and printed on the recording paper S on both sides.

  When the image on the paper original M is enlarged and divided and double-sided printing is performed on the recording paper S, the layout state on the paper original M of the image to be copied and printed on the recording paper S will be described as the paper saving setting. , The number of impositions, the page order of the image, and the scaling ratio, and in the case of duplex printing in the standard document setting, in addition to two of the printing surface and the number of impositions, the binding “ The “left and right opening” may be stored in the external storage device 93.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, selection of layout settings on the recording paper S when the image of the paper original M is copied and printed on the recording paper S from the print setting (standard document setting) data stored in the external storage device 93. The configuration used as a candidate has been described as an example.

  Such a configuration can be omitted, but if this configuration is provided as in the present embodiment, it is possible to determine how to edit the image of the paper document M and copy-print on the recording paper S. This eliminates the need for the user to input image layout settings on the recording paper S. Therefore, the image of the paper document M can be easily copied and printed on the recording paper S in a desired format.

  Further, in the present embodiment, only when a print job related to an image of a data document for which “Easy Print Setting” is set to ON in the property screen of the client terminal 14 shown in FIG. Data indicating the contents of print settings included in the print job is stored in the external storage device 93.

  Such a configuration is effective in reducing the storage area of the external storage device 93 occupied by the print setting data to be stored. However, such a configuration may be omitted, and data indicating the contents of the print settings included in the print job may be stored in the external storage device 93 for all print jobs input to the control unit 10.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the paper document M placed on the document set tray of the ADF unit 101b or the document placement glass table (not shown) is copied and printed on the new recording sheet S has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to a case where an image of a paper document M placed on a document set tray of the ADF unit 101b or a document placement glass table (not shown) is read by the scanner unit 101, and is enlarged and divided and transmitted by facsimile. Is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment and its modifications, the image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus 1) that performs printing of a document image by the inkjet method using the inkjet head unit 104 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that prints an image of a data document or a paper document M by a method other than an inkjet method such as an electrophotographic method.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of a printer part among the inkjet recording devices of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the control unit built in the inkjet recording device of FIG. 3 performs according to the program stored in ROM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the control unit built in the inkjet recording device of FIG. 3 performs according to the program stored in ROM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the control unit built in the inkjet recording device of FIG. 3 performs according to the program stored in ROM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the control unit built in the inkjet recording device of FIG. 3 performs according to the program stored in ROM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the control unit built in the inkjet recording device of FIG. 3 performs according to the program stored in ROM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which CPU of the control unit built in the inkjet recording device of FIG. 3 performs according to the program stored in ROM. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic input screen displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of layout settings displayed on the display of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic input screen displayed on the display of the inkjet recording device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the property screen of the image of the data original displayed in the output part of the client terminal of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Inkjet recording device (image forming device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control unit 11 External interface part 14 Client terminal 15 External interface part 16 CPU
17 ROM
18 RAM
19 Input unit 20 Output unit 21 External storage device 90 CPU (selection unit, determination unit, print execution unit, storage unit, designation unit)
91 ROM
92 RAM
93 External storage device (storage means)
101 Scanner Unit 101a Document Reading Unit 101b Automatic Document Feeder (ADF Unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Printer part 103 Control board 104 Inkjet head unit 105 Paper feed part 106 Belt conveyance part 107 Double-sided belt conveyance part 108 Double-sided stack tray 109 Paper discharge part 110 Display (selection means, designation means)
112 Conveyance path M Paper original S Recording paper

Claims (3)

Executes a print job for printing an image read from a paper original set on a scanner or an image of a data original input from the outside on a paper, and lays out the image on the paper when the image of the data original is printed on the paper. In an image forming apparatus that edits an image of the data document according to the contents of the layout setting and prints it on a sheet when the print job includes settings,
Storage means for storing data indicating the contents of the layout setting included in the print job of the data document as document setting data;
Selecting means for selecting specific original setting data corresponding to an image layout state of the paper original set on the scanner from the original setting data stored in the storage means;
Determining means for determining the editing content of the image of the paper document set on the scanner based on the layout state of the image on the paper document indicated by the data of the specific document setting selected by the selecting means;
Edit image output for outputting an edited image obtained by editing the image of the paper document set on the scanner with the editing content determined by the determining unit when the data of the specific document setting is selected by the selecting unit Means,
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus further comprises a designation unit that designates the content of the layout setting of the image on the paper when the image of the paper document set on the scanner is printed on the paper, and the determination unit is further designated by the designation unit The editing contents of the image of the paper document set on the scanner are determined on the basis of the contents of the layout setting, and the editing image output means specifies the contents of the layout setting by the specifying means, and When the data of the specific document setting is selected by the selection unit, the edited image obtained by editing the image of the paper document set on the scanner with the editing content determined by the determination unit is printed on a sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The print job of the data document including the layout setting further includes a storage necessity setting for designating whether or not data indicating the contents of the layout setting needs to be stored in the storage unit as the document setting data. And the print job of the data document includes the storage necessity setting that specifies that the data indicating the contents of the layout setting needs to be stored in the storage unit as the document setting data. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores data indicating contents of the layout setting included in the print job of the data document in the storage unit.

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