JP2010111024A - Image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently reuse printing environment information in a print job processed at the side of an image formation system even if executing a succeeding print job. <P>SOLUTION: After finishing printing by executing the print job, details of the processed printing environment information applied to the printing are indicated in a list with a check box on a screen for setting preserved details of user setting information 12o. The printing environment information of printing environment items checked in the check box by a user on the user setting information preserved details setting screen 12o is made to be associated with the element specific information (identification information) of the element of the check box checked by the user, and then stored in an external storage unit 13 as user setting information together with a user setting information name 12p. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention prints an image corresponding to the print job on a recording sheet after the received processing is applied to the print environment information when processing for the print environment information in the print job input from the outside is received. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  For example, in the case where print data created using an application program (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “application”) in a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”) is printed in the image forming apparatus, The printer driver installed on the PC converts the print data into an intermediate code and inputs it as a print job to an image forming apparatus connected via a network such as a LAN.

  At that time, in order to reproduce the image of the print data created on the application as faithfully as possible by printing in the image forming apparatus, the print job input from the printer driver to the image forming apparatus includes information on paper size and In addition, a lot of printing environment information such as form information related to form overlay and color information related to color adjustment is included.

  The above-described print environment information includes default settings that are standard setting contents corresponding to each application. However, depending on the application or the created print data, the standard setting contents may be a user. In some cases, the intended image cannot be reproduced by printing with the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the printer driver is provided with a function that can change and set the contents of the default printing environment information.

  Also, the changed print environment information is stored, and the next print job is output to the image forming apparatus according to the frequency of use of the print environment information in each application, the last use history of the print environment information in each application, etc. A printer driver has also been proposed in the past that automatically selects printing environment information of print data to be used from among those stored in the past (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Also, the printing environment information set in the printer driver is stored on the image forming apparatus side instead of the printer driver (PC on which the printer driver is installed), and when the next print job is generated, the user is requested from the PC to request the image forming apparatus. As a result, a proposal has been made that the saved printing environment information can be called from the image forming apparatus to the requesting PC so that the printing environment information set in the past can be reused even if the PC used is changed. (For example, Patent Document 2).

  However, depending on the characteristics of the data conversion logic from the print data to the intermediate data, the logic characteristics of rasterizing (bitmap) the intermediate data in the image forming apparatus, etc., no matter how fine the print environment information is set, There are cases where the layout of an image reproduced by printing by the image forming apparatus does not fit within the accuracy that a user can satisfy. If the print data is image data read by a scanner and the original image is a part of a book or booklet, the shadow of the binding margin that is read by the scanner is erased during printing. There are things you have to do.

  In order to cope with these situations, the print data digitized by the conversion to the intermediate data is rasterized (bitmap) in the image forming apparatus, and then printing of the image with the print data is repeated in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to input and set correction (processing) of printing environment information related to image layout and erasure of unnecessary portions of the image in the image forming apparatus. Even when there is a difference between the image color of the original print data and the color of the image printed by the image forming apparatus, correction (processing) of the print environment information related to color designation must be input and set in the image forming apparatus. I don't get it.

Regarding the storage and reuse of printing environment information input and set in the image forming apparatus, the contents of correction (processing) of the printing environment information input and set in the past are stored in the image forming apparatus separately for each user. Thereafter, when a print job is input from the same user, the print environment information of the input print job is corrected (processed) to the contents stored for the user, and the image is printed. Proposals have been made in the past (for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2001-75762 A JP 2006-53717 A JP 7-141134 A

  When it is assumed that the correction (processing) contents of the printing environment information performed in the image forming apparatus are reused, the conventional technology for storing the printing environment information changed and set in the printer driver differs in the storage target. , Nothing contributes to improving convenience.

  Further, in the conventional technique for storing the correction (processing) contents of the printing environment information input and set in the past in the image forming apparatus for each user, the user who has input and set the correction (processing) contents of the printing environment information in the past. It can only be reused and has no versatility beyond the framework of limited users.

  On the other hand, the cause of the necessity to input and set the contents of correction (processing) of the printing environment information in the image forming apparatus may be different for each user, but is not limited to that. Rather, it is caused by other factors. In addition, it is necessary to input and set the contents of correction (processing) of the printing environment information in the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is when printing environment information in a print job inputted from the outside is processed on the image forming apparatus side and printed on a recording sheet. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can efficiently reuse the processed content even when a subsequent print job is executed.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when receiving processing for print environment information in a print job input from outside, accepts the received processing for the print environment. In an image forming apparatus that prints an image corresponding to the print job after being applied to information on a recording paper,
Writing that stores processing information indicating the content of the received processing in a storage unit in association with identification information for identifying the print job in the print job having the print environment information that is the target of the received processing Means,
A reading unit that searches the storage unit based on the identification information of the print job, and reads the processing information from the storage unit when the identification information is stored in the storage unit in association with the processing information. When,
When the print job is input from the outside, the reading unit searches the storage unit, and the reading unit stores the processing information stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the input print job. Printing that, when read from the storage means, prints an image corresponding to the input print job on the recording paper after processing the content indicated by the read processing information on the printing environment information Control means;
It is characterized by providing.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the “print job” includes “print environment information” together with image data of a document to be printed (photograph, graphic, character, etc.). This “printing environment information” indicates the printing environment when the document based on the image data in the “printing job” is printed on the image forming apparatus by the output source of the “printing job” (for example, a client terminal connected to the image forming apparatus) ) To specify from.

  The “print job” includes “identification information” in addition to the above-described document image data and “print environment information”. This “identification information” is for identifying (specifying) each “print job”. The “identification information” includes, for example, the user name of the computer registered in the client terminal computer that is the output source of the “print job” input to the image forming apparatus, and the computer name registered in the client terminal computer. Generates the PC name that is the name, the job name of this “print job” (for example, the image data file name in the “print job” with an intermediate data identifier), or the image data of the document to be printed Application name indicating the application program that has been executed.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, processing for “print environment information” included in “print job” may be received together with “identification information”. This processing means that the content of the “print environment information” at the time of input from the outside of the image forming apparatus is processed into content different from that. The content of the accepted processing is indicated by “processing information”. This “processing information” indicates only the content that has been purely changed in a narrow sense, and indicates the content of “printing environment information” after the change in a broad sense. The “processing information” in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention may be of a narrow concept or a broad concept.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when processing for the “printing environment information” of the input “print job” is received, the “processing” indicating the content of the received processing is displayed. The “information” may be always stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information of “print job”, or may be stored as needed instead. For example, let us consider a case where processing having the same content is received in the “print environment information” of the “print job” having the same content repeatedly generated. In this case, when “processing information” related to “printing environment information” of each “print job” is associated with identification information and stored in the storage means each time, a combination of identification information and “processing information” having exactly the same contents is stored. A plurality of sets are stored in the means. It may be desirable to avoid doing so in order not to unnecessarily exhaust the storage capacity of the storage means. Therefore, even if a “print job” for which processing for “print environment information” has been received is input, “processing information” related to “print environment information” is associated with the input identification information of “print job” depending on the content. May not be stored in the storage means.

  By the way, when the “print job” input from the outside is executed without modifying the “print environment information”, the “process information” for the “print environment information” of the “print job” does not exist. Since “processing information” does not exist, the identification information of the “print job” is not associated with the “processing information” and stored in the storage unit. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, “print job” input from the outside includes “print job” in which identification information is stored in the storage unit in association with “processing information”; There are other “print jobs”. As described above, the “print job” input from the outside of the image forming apparatus includes both the “print job” specified (identified) by the identification information stored in the storage unit together with the processing information, and the other “print job”. Therefore, the term “print job” cannot simply represent a “print job” input from the outside of the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, not only the above-mentioned claim 1 but also the whole of the claims, “a print job input from the outside of the image forming apparatus”, in particular, “input from the outside”. “Print job”, “when the print job is input from the outside”, or “the input print job” to express a “print job” input from the outside of the image forming apparatus. Yes.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, the print environment information in the print job input from the outside is accepted, and the print job after the process is applied to the print environment information is received. Identification for identifying the print job in the print job in which the processing information indicating the content of the received processing includes the printing environment information to be processed when the corresponding image is printed on the recording paper In association with the information, the information is stored in the storage unit by the writing unit.

  When a print job is input from the outside after that, the reading unit searches the storage unit. If the identification information of the print job input in the past stored in the storage means in association with the processing information is the same as the identification information of the print job input this time, The reading unit causes the reading unit to read out the processing information indicating the content of the processing added to the print environment information of the print job input in the past, which is associated with the identification information.

  Then, under the control of the printing control means, the processing indicated by the processing information read from the storage means by the reading means is applied to the print environment information of the print job input from the outside this time, and this processing is further performed. An image corresponding to the print job after printing is printed on the recording paper.

  Therefore, a print job having identification information that matches the identification information of a past print job that has undergone the modification on the print environment information for the print environment information of the print job that has been input from the outside in the past. When it is input, it is read from the storage means and reused for processing the printing environment information of the print job.

  For this reason, when processing the print environment information of a print job that has the same identification information content as a past print job with the same content that was used when the past print job was executed, the processing content of the print environment information is changed again. It is not necessary to perform input setting in the image forming apparatus, and past processing contents can be efficiently reused including other users.

An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.
A plurality of element specifying information each specifying a plurality of elements related to the print job included in the print job having the print environment information that is the target of the received processing each time processing for the print environment information is received An element selection instruction means for selecting and instructing the element specifying information of a desired element from
Each time the writing unit receives processing for the printing environment information, the writing unit has the printing environment information that is the target of the processing to be processed. The element specifying information is stored in the storage means as the identification information together with the related processing information,
The reading means stores the element specifying information of the element selected by the element selection instruction means stored in the storage means as the identification information in association with the processing information, in the content of the element of the print job. When the content of the element specifying information of the corresponding element included in the identification information matches, the element specifying information of the element with the matching content is stored as the identification information in association with the identification information. Processing information is read from the storage means;
It is characterized by that.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the “identification information” includes a plurality of “element specifying information”. Each “element specifying information” specifies an “element” related to the print job. Examples of the “element” mentioned here include the above-described user name, PC name, job name, and application name. There are items. Therefore, each “element specifying information” is, for example, specific contents such as the user name, the PC name, the job name, and the application name described above.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 2, the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1 is written whenever processing for print environment information of a print job input from the outside is received. The identification information associated with the processing information written in the storage means by the means is a plurality of element specifying information related to the print job (for example, specific contents such as a user name, a PC name, a job name, and an application name), This is element identification information of the type selected and instructed each time by the element selection instruction means.

  Therefore, when the processing for the print environment information of the first print job input from the outside is accepted, the element specifying information selected by the element selection instruction means and the second print job input from the outside are printed. When the element specifying information selected and specified by the element selection instruction means when the processing for the environment information is for different elements, the processing for the print environment information received for the first print job The element specifying information stored in the storage unit in association with the information and the element specifying information stored in the storage unit in association with the processing information for the print environment information received for the second print job are for each print job. Different.

  Therefore, the processing information to be stored in the storage unit by the writing unit when the processing for the print environment information of the print job input from the outside is received is the element specification for a specific element in the print job input from the outside. Only print jobs with the same information content are used for processing the print environment information.

  For example, when processing information of a print job input from the outside first is stored in the storage unit and processing information of a print job input from the outside is stored secondly in the storage unit, for each print job If the type (pattern) of the element specifying information stored in the storage unit in association with each processing information as the identification information is changed, the processing job is read from the storage unit and used for processing the printing environment information. However, the processing information of the first print job and the processing information of the second print job do not necessarily match.

  Specifically, in association with the processing information of the print job input first from the outside, for example, element specifying information for two elements of job name and application name is selected and instructed by the element selection instructing means, It is assumed that it is stored in the storage means as identification information. Further, in association with the processing information of the print job inputted second from the outside, for example, only the element specifying information for one element called a user name is selected and instructed by the element selection instructing means, and stored as identification information in the storing means. It shall be memorized.

  In this case, the element specifying information (contents of job name and application name) regarding the two elements stored in the storage means as the identification information of the first print job is the third or later print job input from the outside. If the print job has the element identification information (content of job name and application name) whose contents match in the identification information, the processing stored in the storage means in association with the element identification information for these two elements The processing of the content indicated by the information is reflected in the print environment information of the print job.

  Also, the contents of the third and subsequent print jobs input from the outside match the element specifying information (content of the user name) for one element stored in the storage means as the identification information of the second print job. If the print job has the element specifying information (content of the user name) in the identification information, the contents indicated by the processing information stored in the storage means in association with the element specifying information for the one element are processed. This is reflected in the print environment information of the print job.

  Accordingly, the elements of the element specifying information stored in the storage unit as the identification information of the print job in association with the modification information of the print job that has been input in the past and received the modification for the print environment information are made different for each print job. Thus, among print jobs to be input in the future, the print job to be subjected to the processing having the same content as the processing information in the storage means is specified for the element stored in the storage means in association with the processing information. This can be limited to print jobs having element identification information whose contents match the information in the identification information.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when processing for the print environment information of the print job input from the outside is accepted, the element selection instruction means calls the job name and the application name, for example. Select and specify job name element identification information from the two elements, associate it with the processing information and store it in the storage means by the writing means, and then select and specify the application name element identification information by the element selection instruction means. However, this may be associated with the same processing information and stored in the storage means by the writing means. That is, when processing for the print environment information of a certain print job is received, the element selection instruction means does not always have a chance to select and specify the element specifying information of a desired element, but only once. There can be.

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 2,
The printing environment information is set for each of a plurality of printing environment items,
Item selection instruction means for selecting and instructing the print environment information of a desired item from the print environment information set for each of the print environment items,
When the writing unit accepts processing for the printing environment information, every time the item selection instruction unit selects and instructs the printing environment information of the desired item, processing for the printing environment information instructed to be selected The processing information indicating the content of the information is stored in the storage unit in association with the element specifying information of the element selected and instructed by the element selection instruction unit.
It is characterized by that.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the “print environment information” is set for each of a plurality of “print environment items”. Each “printing environment item” includes, for example, a printing speed, a printing density, a printing position, and a color separation area (when the image forming apparatus is a multicolor stencil printing apparatus).

  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 2, when processing for the print environment information of the print job input from the outside is received, The item selection instruction means selects the printing environment information of a desired printing environment item from among the printing environment information of a plurality of printing environment items (for example, the printing environment information regarding the printing speed, printing density, printing position, and color separation area). Each time it is instructed, the processing information related to the processing received for the printing environment information of the selected printing environment item is a plurality of element specifying information (for example, user name, PC name, job name, application name, etc.) Of the element) is written in the storage means by the writing means in association with the element specifying information of the element selected and instructed by the element selection instructing means.

  For this reason, when processing for print environment information related to one print job is accepted, every time the item selection instruction unit selects and instructs the print environment information of the desired print environment item, the print selected and instructed by the item selection instruction unit The processing information for the printing environment information of the environmental item is associated with the element specifying information of the element selected and instructed by the element selection instructing means and stored in the storage means each time.

  Therefore, when processing for print environment information related to one print job is received, processing information indicating the content of processing to be applied to print environment information of a print job to be input from the outside in the future is stored in association with this. A plurality of patterns can be stored in combination with the print job to be applied specified by the element specifying information stored in the means.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, for example, when processing for the print environment information about the print density of a print job is received, the print environment information about the print density is displayed by the item selection instruction unit. In some cases, a selection instruction is given, and the printing environment information regarding the print density is associated with each of the element identification information of the job name and the element identification information of the application name and stored in the storage unit by the writing unit. In this case, as the print environment information associated with the element identification information of the job name, the print environment information of the print density is selected and instructed by the item selection instruction means, and separately from this, the print environment information associated with the element identification information of the application name As such, the print environment information of the print density is instructed to be selected by the item selection instruction means. In other words, when the printing environment information of a specific item is associated with element identification information of different elements and stored in the storage means, the information is specified each time the information is stored in the storage means in association with the element identification information of each element. The printing environment information of the item is selected and instructed by the item selection instruction means.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 4 is the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, 2, or 3,
A writing designation unit for designating whether the processing unit stores the processing information in the storage unit in association with the identification information;
The writing means stores only the processing information specified to be stored in the storage means by the writing specification means in the storage means in association with the identification information;
It is characterized by that.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 4, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, 2, or 3, for a print job that has received processing for print environment information, The processing information indicating the contents is not always stored in the storage means, but if the writing means stores it in the storage means, only the processing information of the designated print job is stored in the storage means in association with the identification information. .

  For this reason, only processing information that needs to be used for processing the printing environment information of a print job input from the outside in the future can be selectively stored in the storage means.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 5 is the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4.
The image processing apparatus further includes a processing designation unit that designates whether or not the processing indicated by the processing information read from the storage unit by the reading unit is performed on the printing environment information in the input print job. ,
The processing information specified by the print control means to be applied to the print environment information in the print job input by the processing specifying means among the processing information read by the reading means from the storage means Only, processing of the content indicated by the processing information is performed on the print environment information in the input print job.
It is characterized by that.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 5, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, 3, or 4, the reading unit stores data in response to an external print job input. As a result of searching for the means, even if one or more pieces of processing information associated with the identification information matching the input identification information of the print job are read from the storage means, only the processing information designated by the processing designation means is input. It is not used for processing the print environment information of a print job.

  Therefore, even if the processing information indicating the content of processing performed on the print environment information of the past print job with the matching identification information is read from the storage device by the reading device, the print environment information of the current print job Whether or not to use for processing is decided each time, and if it is unnecessary, the contents of past processing can be prevented from being used for processing the printing environment information.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 6 is the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the processing information stored in the storage means is used as the processing information. It further comprises export means for exporting to a portable storage medium in a data format that can be imported by another image forming apparatus together with the identification information stored in the storage means in association with information.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 6, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the print environment information of the print job input from the outside Each time processing is accepted, the processing information written in the storage means by the writing means in association with the identification information is portable storage in a data format that can be imported to the storage means in another image forming apparatus together with the identification information by the export means. It will be exported to the media.

  Accordingly, the processing information exported by the export unit of a certain image forming apparatus and recorded in the portable storage medium, stored and stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, and the identification information associated therewith, The image forming apparatus can be imported and stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus.

  For this reason, the processing information stored and accumulated in the storage means of a certain image forming apparatus and the identification information associated therewith can be used in other image forming apparatuses, so that the processing information by a plurality of image forming apparatuses is used. Can be shared.

  According to the present invention, when processing the print environment information of a print job having the same content of the identification information with the same content as that performed at the time of execution of a past print job, the processed content of the print environment information is newly changed to the image forming apparatus In this case, it is possible to eliminate the need for input setting in step 1, and to efficiently reuse past processing contents including other users.

  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 a stencil printing apparatus according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1 and a client terminal that outputs a print job to the stencil printing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical schematic structure of these.

  The stencil printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes first and second drums 10 a while the recording paper P of the paper feeding unit 5 is conveyed to the paper discharge unit 6 using the intermediate conveyance unit 8. , 10b, two color stencil printing is performed on the recording paper P.

  For this purpose, the stencil printing apparatus 1 uses the stencil sheet 3 used in the first and second drums 10a and 10b to make the stencil sheet (not shown) and the stencil sheet used in the first drum 10a. The first discharge plate portion 7a that collects and stores after use, the second discharge plate portion 7b that collects and stores the stencil sheet used in the second drum 10b, and the recording paper P that is being transported are transferred to the first drum 10a and the second drum. Press rollers 11a and 11b are provided to press contact with the drum 10b, respectively.

  Note that the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment also has a function of reading an image on a document (not shown) and copying it on a recording paper P. For this purpose, a document reading unit 2 is provided at the top of the apparatus.

  In addition to the document reading unit 2, an operation panel unit 12 is provided on the upper part of the apparatus for displaying statuses related to the operation and settings of the apparatus and accepting various setting inputs by user operations. As will be described later with reference to the drawings, the operation panel unit can be configured by a display whose display contents are variable and a touch panel for detecting a user operation covering the display surface.

  Document reading unit 2, plate making unit 3, printing unit 4 (first drum 10a, second drum 10b), paper feeding unit 5, paper discharge unit 6, first plate discharging unit 7a, second plate discharging unit 7b, intermediate conveyance described above The unit 8 and the operation panel unit 12 both include elements that are electrically controlled. The operation of these elements is controlled by the control unit 9 of FIG. 2 provided in the stencil printing apparatus 1.

  Next, the stencil printing apparatus 1 prints an image on the recording paper P in accordance with a print job input from the outside (corresponding to “print job input from outside” or “the input print job” in the claims). A detailed configuration of the control unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control unit 9 includes a CPU 16 that executes various processes based on a control program stored in the ROM 15, and a RAM 17 that functions as a working area of the CPU 16. The CPU 16 includes a document reading unit 2, a plate making unit 3, a printing unit 4 (first drum 10a and second drum 10b), a paper feeding unit 5, a paper discharge unit 6, a first plate discharging unit 7a, and a second plate discharging unit. 7b, intermediate transfer unit 8, and operation panel unit 12, external storage device 13 (corresponding to storage means in claims), external interface unit 14, and set portable memory card 40 (invoice) A reader / writer 18 for reading / writing data to / from the portable storage medium in the section is connected.

  An external interface unit 37 of the client terminal 30 is connected to the external interface unit 14 via a network line 20 such as a LAN. The client terminal 30 is configured by a PC (personal computer) or the like, and includes a CPU 31 that executes various processes based on a control program stored in the ROM 32, a RAM 33 that functions as a working area of the CPU 31, a keyboard, An input unit 34 composed of a mouse or the like and an output unit 35 composed of a liquid crystal display or the like are provided.

  In addition to the external interface unit 37 described above, an external storage device 36 is connected to the CPU 31. The external storage device 36 includes an application program storage area for generating image data, a printer driver program storage area for the stencil printing apparatus 1, a database area for image data generated using the application program, and a printer. A database area such as standard contents of the print environment information in the driver program or contents customized by the user is secured.

  The CPU 31 activates the application program of the external storage device 36 in accordance with the activation request input from the input unit 34, and image data (characters such as characters and symbols) having contents designated by parameter input from the input unit 34 or the like. (Including image data based on only) is generated on the activated application program. The generated image data is displayed and output at the output unit 35, and when a save request is input from the input unit 34, it is stored in the image data database area of the external storage device 36.

  The image data stored in the database area of the external storage device 36 is read from the external storage device 36 when a read request is input from the input unit 34 during the activation of the application program. The read image data can be displayed and output to the output unit 35, or can be processed on the application program and regenerated as new image data.

  Further, the CPU 31 activates the printer driver program of the external storage device 36 when an image print request based on the image data generated on the application program is input from the input unit 34. In addition, the CPU 31 includes, in the activated printer driver program, standard print environment information stored in the database area of the print environment information in the external storage device 36 as print environment information necessary for image printing. The content of the printing environment information customized by the user is read.

  Then, when a print command is input from the input unit 34 while the application program is running, the CPU 31 converts the image data of the image to be printed into intermediate data corresponding to the stencil printing apparatus 1 together with the print environment information. The job is output from the external interface unit 37 to the external interface unit 14 of the control unit 9 via the network line 20.

  The print job includes identification information for identifying (specifying) the print job. This identification information includes a plurality of element specifying information for specifying the contents of a plurality of elements related to the print job. Here, the elements are, for example, a user name registered in the client terminal 30 and stored in the external storage device 36, a PC name that is the name of the client terminal 30 stored and registered in the external storage device 36 in advance, Including the job name of this print job (for example, the file name of the image data in the print job with an intermediate data identifier) and the application name indicating the application program that generated the image data of the image to be printed. Yes. The element specifying information is information for specifying the contents of each element of the user, the PC, the job, and the application program.

  The print environment information of the print job is set for a plurality of print environment items. The printing environment item includes, for example, a printing speed, a printing density, a printing position, and a color separation area. Among these, the printing speed indicates a speed at which the image data of the print job is printed by the stencil printing apparatus 1. The value of the printing speed corresponding to the printing environment information is set to a lower value as the print quality of the requested image is higher. Also, the print density, which is one of the print environment items, is the density at the time of printing the image, and the print position, which is also one of the print environment items, is an image that is determined according to the size and orientation of the recording paper P, margin settings, etc. This is the actual image printing position relative to the standard printing position. The value of the printing position corresponding to the printing environment information is defined by the amount of deviation of the recording paper P in the vertical direction.

  Further, a color separation area which is one of the printing environment items will be described in detail. In the stencil printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 that executes a print job and prints two colors of images, the first and second rotary drums 10a and 10b of the printing unit 4 share the printing of each color (separation). ). At this time, which region in the image is to be printed by the first and second rotary drums 10a and 10b, respectively, depends on the print color assigned to each of the first and second rotary drums 10a and 10b. , Determined by color separation of the image to be printed.

  Therefore, the printing environment information related to the color separation area in the printing environment information includes the print colors assigned to the first and second rotary drums 10a and 10b, and the first and second rotary drums determined accordingly. The contents set with the image printing area 10a and 10b are the contents.

  The color separation described above is automatically performed on a printer driver program executed by the CPU 31 in the client terminal 30 of FIG. The result of this color separation is displayed in a pop-up on the output unit 35 by selecting a manual color separation menu on a printer driver screen (not shown) displayed on the output unit 35 during startup of the printer driver program. 3 can be confirmed and changed on the manual separation setting screen 35a.

  Next, the control unit 9 of the stencil printing apparatus 1 in which the above-described print job is input to the CPU 16 via the external interface 13 in FIG. 2 displays the basic menu screen 12A in FIG. 4 on the operation panel unit 12 in FIG. is doing. This basic menu screen 12A has a plurality of tabs corresponding to the setting contents, and the “basic” tab screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed by default. Processing on the print environment information in the print job received from the client terminal 30 can be requested by input on the basic menu screen 12A.

  For example, when processing for a color separation area in the printing environment information is requested, the CPU 16 performs a touch operation on the “digitizer” button 12B on the “basic” tab screen of the basic menu screen 12A. 5 digitizer screen 12 a can be displayed on the operation panel unit 12. In the digitizer screen 12a, the first and second rotary drums 10a and 10b are determined by the client terminal 30 and are currently set as print environment information regarding the color separation area in the print environment information of the print job. When the two colors of printing are shared, the contents of the expected print image I that will be printed on the recording paper P are displayed.

  The print expected image I displayed on the digitizer screen 12a in FIG. 5 is originally “A” in red, “I” in black, “U” in blue, “E” in light purple, and “O” in brown. It is an image. Here, the print environment information regarding the color separation area in the print environment information of the input print job includes, for example, the content that the print color of the first rotary drum 10a is black and the print color of the second rotary drum 10b is red. It is assumed that each is set. Then, the separation results are assigned such that “I”, “U”, “E” are printed by the first rotating drum 10a, and “A”, “O” are printed by the second drum 10b.

  On the other hand, the user desires to print “I” and “U” by the first rotating drum 10a so that the portion “E” becomes clearer, and “A” and “U” by the second drum 10b. If the assignment is to print “e” and “o”, the assignment of “e” needs to be corrected from the first rotating drum 10a to the second rotating drum 10b.

  Therefore, the user designates a range of “e” on the predicted print image I by the pointer 12b in the tool menu 12a ′ of the digitizer screen 12a in FIG. Is designated as the processing target, the CPU 16 switches the content of the tool menu 12a ′ displayed on the digitizer screen 12a from the range designation menu shown in FIG. 5 to the machining content input menu shown in FIG.

  Then, when the user touches the color designation button 12b ′ in the tool menu 12a ′ whose menu has been switched by the CPU 16, the CPU 16 displays the color designation screen 12c of FIG. On the color designation screen 12c, the black color of the print color set for the first rotary drum 10a and the red color of the print color set for the second rotary drum 10b are displayed in the form of buttons 12d and 12e.

  When the button 12d of the first rotating drum 10a displayed as black (black) is touch-operated by the user on the color designation screen 12c and the confirmation button 12k is touch-operated, the CPU 16 The printing environment information regarding the color separation area in the printing environment information is set so that the portion of “e” on the predicted printing image I designated by the pointer 12b of the digitizer screen 12a is printed in black on the first rotating drum 10a. Change (process) the contents.

  Further, the button 12e of the second rotating drum 10b displayed as red (red) on the color designation screen 12c in FIG. 7 is touch-operated by the user on the color designation screen 12c, and the confirmation button 12k is further touch-operated. Then, the CPU 16 sets the “e” portion on the predicted print image I designated by the pointer 12b of the digitizer screen 12a in FIG. 5 to be printed in red on the second rotary drum 10b. Change (process) the contents of the printing environment information related to the separation area.

  Further, when one of the buttons 12d and 12e is touch-operated by the user on the color designation screen 12c in FIG. 7 and the confirmation button 12k is further touch-operated, the CPU 16 prints the color separation area in the print environment information. The change (processing) content designated by the user for the “e” portion on the predicted print image I with respect to the content of the environmental information is confirmed. Then, the CPU 16 switches the display of the operation panel unit 12 from the color designation screen 12c of FIG. 7 to the color separation result inquiry screen 12c ′ of FIG. Here, when the “No” button 12e ′ that does not display the separation result is touch-operated by the user, the CPU 16 displays the operation panel unit 12 from the separation result inquiry screen 12c ′ in FIG. Switch to the digitizer screen 12a.

  On the other hand, when the “Yes” button 12d ′ for displaying the color separation result is touched by the user, the CPU 16 responds to the buttons 12d and 12e touched by the user as shown in FIG. In the print expected image I that will be printed on the recording paper P after the content of the print environment information related to the color separation area in the print environment information is changed to the printed content, it is printed in black on the first rotating drum 10a. A color separation result screen 12 f showing the expected print partial image Ia of the portion that will be displayed is displayed on the operation panel unit 12.

  When the second rotary drum button 12i in the menu button of the color separation result screen 12f is touch-operated by the user, the CPU 16 displays the display on the operation panel unit 12 by the user as shown in FIG. 9B. Of the predicted print images I that will be printed on the recording paper P after changing the contents of the printing environment information related to the color separation area in the printing environment information to the contents corresponding to the touch-operated buttons 12d and 12e Then, the screen is switched to the color separation result screen 12g showing the expected print partial image Ib of the portion that will be printed in red on the second rotating drum 10b. When the first rotary drum button 12h in the menu button of the color separation result screen 12g is touched by the user, the CPU 16 switches the display on the operation panel unit 12 to the color separation result screen 12f in FIG. 9A.

  Then, on the color separation result screens 12f and 12g shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the contents of the expected print partial images Ia and Ib that will be printed on the recording paper P in black and red are confirmed. When the user who determines that there is no problem touches the “OK” button 12j in the menu buttons of the color separation result screens 12f and 12g, the CPU 16 displays the display on the operation panel unit 12 in FIG. Switch to the digitizer screen 12a.

  The user's processing request for the information contents of the color separation area input by operating the operation panel unit 12 as described above is confirmed by the touch operation of the “OK” button 12b ″ on the digitizer screen 12a of FIG. When the “OK” button 12b ″ is touched by the operation, the CPU 16 changes the contents of the tool menu 12a ′ displayed on the digitizer screen 12a from the machining content input menu of FIG. 6 to the range designation menu of FIG. When the edit end button 12a ″ is touched by the user, the CPU 16 switches the display on the operation panel unit 12 to the basic menu screen 12A shown in FIG.

  When the user inputs an instruction to start printing on the basic menu screen 12A, the CPU 16 prints an image on the recording paper P according to the setting contents of the print environment information relating to each current print environment item. It is executed in the printing apparatus 1.

  Further, the CPU 16 displays a print job end confirmation screen 121 shown in FIG. 10 on the operation panel unit 12 after the image printing on the recording paper P in the stencil printing apparatus 1 is executed. The print job end confirmation screen 12l includes a message for inquiring whether or not to save the contents of the print environment information related to the processed (changed contents) print environment item in the print environment information of the executed print as user setting information. , “Save” button 12m and “Do not save” button 12n.

  When the “do not save” button 12n is touched by the user on the print job end confirmation screen 12l, the CPU 16 switches the display of the operation panel unit 12 to the basic menu screen 12A of FIG. 4 described above. Furthermore, when the “save” button 12m is touched by the user on the print job end confirmation screen 12l, the CPU 16 switches the display on the operation panel unit 12 to the user setting information storage content setting screen 12o shown in FIG. .

  The user setting information storage content setting screen 12o includes user name, PC name, job name, and application name items input as identification information in the print job, and element specifying information which is their contents, The final printing speed, the printing density, the printing position, and the printing environment items of the color separation area and the printing environment information which are their contents applied to the printing are displayed with check boxes. The user setting information storage content setting screen 12o displays a user setting information name 12p automatically assigned by the CPU 16.

  Therefore, the user has processed (changed the contents of) the print environment information among the check boxes of the desired elements among the elements of the identification information and the items of the print environment information on the user setting information storage content setting screen 12o. When the check box of the item is appropriately selected and checked, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 16 displays check marks in the checked check boxes. At the same time, the “save” button 12q that has been in the invalid display state is set in the valid display state.

  When the user touches the “save” button 12q in the valid display state, the CPU 16 displays the element specifying information (identification information) of the element whose check mark is displayed in the check box, and the check mark is displayed in the check box. The print environment item is associated with the print environment information and stored in the external storage device 13 together with the user setting information name 12p. The display on the operation panel unit 12 is completely marked with a check mark as shown in FIG. The screen is switched to a user setting information storage content setting screen 12o in a default state that is not displayed. At this time, the CPU 16 automatically assigns a new user setting information name 12p and displays it on the user setting information storage content setting screen 12o. Further, the CPU 16 sets the “save” button 12q to an invalid display state.

  Before the user touches the “save” button 12q in the valid display state, the user's favorite name is input by touching an input key (not shown) simultaneously displayed on the operation panel unit 12. Thus, the user setting information name 12p displayed on the user setting information storage content setting screen 12o (the user setting information name 12p stored in the external storage device 13 by the touch operation of the “save” button 12q) is shown in FIG. As shown, it can be changed from the contents automatically given by the CPU 16.

  Then, the user again processes (changes the contents of) the print environment information among the check boxes of the desired elements among the elements of the identification information and the items of the print environment information on the user setting information storage content setting screen 12o. When a check box for a desired item is appropriately selected in another pattern and checked, as shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 16 displays check marks in the checked check boxes. At the same time, the “save” button 12q that has been in the invalid display state is set in the valid display state.

  Therefore, when the user touches the “save” button 12q in the valid display state, the element specifying information (identification information) of the element whose check mark is displayed in the check box and the check mark are displayed in the check box. The print environment item can be associated with the print environment information and newly stored in the external storage device 13 by the CPU 16 together with the user setting information name 12p.

  When the user touches the “end” button 12r button on the user setting information storage content setting screen 12o when the user setting information having the necessary contents is stored, the CPU 16 displays the display on the operation panel unit 12 as described above. 4 to the basic menu screen 12A.

  As a result of a series of touch operations and the like on the operation panel unit 12 of the user as described above, the print environment information of the print environment item whose check mark is displayed in the check box on the user setting information storage content setting screen 12o is displayed as the user setting information. In association with the element specifying information (identification information) of the element whose check mark is displayed in the check box on the saved content setting screen 12o, it can be stored in the external storage device 13 as user setting information together with the user setting information name 12p. .

  In addition, the printing environment information of the printing environment item stored as the user setting information in the external storage device 13 includes the element specifying information (identification information) and contents of the elements stored in the external storage device 13 in association with the printing environment information. When a print job having matching element specifying information (identification information) is subsequently input to the control unit 9, it is read from the external storage device 13 by the CPU 16 and applied when the print job is executed. Can do.

  For example, the user outputs a print job having element identification information (identification information) whose contents match the element identification information (identification information) stored in the external storage device 13 from the client terminal 30 to the stencil printing apparatus 1. Shall. Then, the CPU 16 of the control unit 9 displays the user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12s of FIG.

  In this user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12s, the contents of the element specifying information (identification information) in the user setting information stored in the external storage device 13 match all items, and the contents in the print job input to the control unit 9 are displayed. The element of the element specifying information (identification information) and the printing environment information of the printing environment item stored in the external storage device 13 in association with the element are displayed.

  Each element of the element specifying information (identification information) and each printing environment item of the printing environment information are displayed together with a check box with a check mark. That is, by default, each element of the element specifying information (identification information) read from the external storage device 13 and all printing environment items of the printing environment information are selected. Among these items, each print environment item of the print environment information can be deselected for each item when the user performs a check operation on the check box on the user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12s to remove the check mark.

  If only at least one printing environment item is selected as the printing environment information, the CPU 16 sets the “restore” button 12t displayed on the user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12s to an effective display state. The “Restore” button 12t is set to an invalid display state.

  When the “do not restore” button 12 t ′ is touched by the user on the user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12 s, the CPU 16 displays the operation panel unit 12 on the “Function List” tab of FIG. 15 on the basic menu screen. Switch to the screen.

  On the other hand, when the “restore” button 12t in the valid display state is touched by the user on the user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12s, the CPU 16 displays the printing environment information regarding the printing environment item in which the check mark is displayed in the check box. Then, overwriting the contents of the print environment information related to the print environment item corresponding to the print job input to the control unit 9, the display of the operation panel unit 12 is switched to the “function list” tab screen of FIG. 15 in the basic menu screen. .

  Further, when the user inputs an instruction to start printing on the basic menu screen 12A of FIG. 4, the CPU 16 prints an image on the recording paper P according to the setting contents of the print environment information regarding each current print environment item. Is executed in the stencil printing apparatus 1.

  As described above, in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the contents of the processed printing environment information for the printing environment item input by the user on the operation panel unit 12 when a certain print job is executed are stored in the user. Is stored in the external storage device 13 as user setting information in association with the element specifying information (identification information) of the element selected by the element specifying information (content specifying information (identification information) in the user setting information). When a print job having (identification information) is subsequently input, the user setting information is read from the external storage device 13, and the post-process mark for the print environment item set by the read user setting information Can be applied as the print environment information of the same print environment item when the input print job is executed.

  Further, the contents of the processed printing environment information for the printing environment items stored in the external storage device 13 as user setting information in association with the element specifying information (identification information) are exported to the memory card 40 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, by importing the stencil printing apparatus 1 to the external storage device 13, it can be applied as the printing environment information of the same printing environment item when executing the print job input to the stencil printing apparatus 1.

  In this case, the user touches the “function list” tab in the basic menu screen 12 </ b> A on the operation panel unit 12 of the stencil printing apparatus 1. As a result, the CPU 16 of the control unit 9 switches the display of the operation panel unit 12 from the “basic” tab screen of FIG. 4 to the “function list” tab screen of FIG.

  Furthermore, the user performs a touch operation on the printing environment information button 12 </ b> C on the “function list” tab screen. Thereby, the CPU 16 of the control unit 9 causes the operation panel unit 12 to display the printing environment information screen 12D of FIG. The user touches the data export button 12F on the printing environment information screen 12D and then touches the confirmation button 12I on the upper right of the screen. As a result, the CPU 16 of the control unit 9 causes the operation panel unit 12 to display the user setting information writing content confirmation screen 12u of FIG.

  On the user setting information writing content confirmation screen 12u, a list of user setting information names 12p stored in the external storage device 13 is displayed with a check box.

  Therefore, when the user appropriately selects and performs a check operation on the check box of the user setting information name 12p to be exported on the user setting information writing content confirmation screen 12u, the CPU 16 displays a check mark in each check box that has been checked. Let At the same time, the “write selected item” button 12v which has been in the invalid display state is set in the valid display state.

  When the user touches the “write selected item” button 12v in the valid display state, the CPU 16 displays the user setting information of the user setting information name 12p whose check mark is displayed in the check box as the reader / writer 18 (FIG. 2), transfer and store (export) the memory card 40 from the external storage device 13.

  When the user finishes transferring and storing (exporting) necessary user setting information to the memory card 40, when the user touches the “end” button 12w button on the user setting information writing content confirmation screen 12u, the CPU 16 The display on the panel unit 12 is returned to the printing environment information screen 12D in FIG. Further, when the user touches the cancel button 12H of the printing environment information screen 12D, the CPU 16 switches the display of the operation panel unit 12 to the “function list” tab screen of FIG. 15 on the basic menu screen.

  Further, in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the identification information (element specifying information) and the printing environment information associated therewith exported to the portable memory card 40 in the other stencil printing apparatus 1 are processed. The contents can be imported into the external storage device 13 and applied at the time of execution of a print job to be input thereafter.

  In this case, the user touches the “function list” tab in the basic menu screen 12 </ b> A on the operation panel unit 12 of the stencil printing apparatus 1. As a result, the CPU 16 of the control unit 9 switches the display of the operation panel unit 12 from the “basic” tab screen of FIG. 4 to the “function list” tab screen of FIG.

  Furthermore, the user performs a touch operation on the printing environment information button 12 </ b> C on the “function list” tab screen. Thereby, the CPU 16 of the control unit 9 causes the operation panel unit 12 to display the printing environment information screen 12D of FIG. The user touches the data import button 12E on the printing environment information screen 12D and then touches the confirmation button 12I on the upper right of the screen. As a result, the CPU 16 of the control unit 9 causes the operation panel unit 12 to display the user setting information read content confirmation screen 12x of FIG.

  On this user setting information read content confirmation screen 12x, printing environment information stored in the external storage device 13 in association with identification information (element specifying information) stored in the memory card 40 set in the reader / writer 18 is displayed. Are displayed in a list with check boxes.

  Therefore, when the user appropriately selects the check box of the identification information to be imported and the user setting information name 12p of the printing environment information on the user setting information read content confirmation screen 12x and performs a check operation, the CPU 16 performs the check operation. Display a check mark in each box. At the same time, the “read selected item” button 12y which has been in the invalid display state is set in the valid display state.

  When the user performs a touch operation on the “read selected item” button 12y in the valid display state, the CPU 16 adds the element specifying information (identification information) of the user setting information name 12p whose check mark is displayed in the check box to this. The associated printing environment information is transferred and stored (imported) from the memory card 40 set in the reader / writer 18 to the external storage device 13 together with the user setting information name 12p.

  When the user finishes transferring and storing (importing) necessary user setting information from the memory card 40 to the external storage device 13, the user touches the “end” button 12z button on the user setting information reading content confirmation screen 12x. The CPU 16 returns the display of the operation panel unit 12 to the printing environment information screen 12D of FIG. Further, when the user touches the cancel button 12H of the printing environment information screen 12D, the CPU 16 switches the display of the operation panel unit 12 to the “function list” tab screen of FIG. 15 on the basic menu screen.

  The operation as described above in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is realized by the CPU 16 of the control unit 9 executing a control program stored in the ROM 15. The procedure of processing performed by the CPU 16 by executing this control program will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, after the power of the stencil printing apparatus 1 is turned on, the CPU 16 waits until the power of the stencil printing apparatus 1 is turned off, print job interrupt request confirmation processing, data export interrupt request confirmation processing, and data The import interrupt request confirmation process is repeatedly executed at appropriate intervals set individually.

  Among these, in the print job interrupt request confirmation process, as shown in FIG. 20, it is determined whether or not a print job has been input (step S1a). If it has not been input (NO in step S1a), the CPU 16 Then, the print job interrupt request confirmation process is terminated. On the other hand, if a print job is input (YES in step S1a), the CPU 16 performs a print job execution process described later with reference to FIG. 23 (step S1b), and then ends the print job interrupt request confirmation process. To do.

  Further, in the data export interrupt request confirmation process, as shown in FIG. 21, whether or not data export of user setting information is requested by a touch operation of the data export button 12F on the print environment information screen 12D of FIG. Is determined (step S3a). If not requested (NO in step S3a), the data export interrupt request confirmation process is terminated. On the other hand, if requested (YES in step S3a), after performing a data export process described later with reference to FIG. 25 (step S3b), the data export interrupt request confirmation process is terminated.

  Further, in the data import interrupt request confirmation process, as shown in FIG. 22, whether or not data import of user setting information has been requested by a touch operation of the data import button 12E on the print environment information screen 12D in FIG. Is determined (step S5a). If not requested (NO in step S5a), the data import interrupt request confirmation process is terminated. On the other hand, if requested (YES in step S5a), after performing a data import process described later with reference to FIG. 26 (step S5b), the data import interrupt request confirmation process is terminated.

  Then, in the print job execution process of step S1b, the CPU 16 first, as shown in FIG. 23, the element specifying information (identification) associated with the print environment information of any user setting information stored in the external storage device 13. It is determined whether or not (information) matches the element specifying information (identification information) in the input print job (step S12).

  If the element specifying information (identification information) of any user setting information in the external storage device 13 does not match the element specifying information (identification information) in the input print job (NO in step S12), the CPU 16 will be described later. The process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the element specifying information (identification information) of any user setting information in the external storage device 13 matches the element specifying information (identification information) in the input print job (YES in step S12), the operation is performed. When executing a print job, which is input by an operation by the user of the panel unit 12, designation of user setting information to be applied as print environment information of the same print environment item is received (step S13).

  Specification of user setting information to which printing environment information is applied when executing a print job is accepted by a check operation of a check box on the user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12s in FIG. 17 or a touch operation of a “restore” button 12t. Can do. In addition, a designation indicating that there is no user setting information to which the printing environment information is applied at the time of execution of the print job is accepted by a touch operation of the “not restore” button 12t ′ on the user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12s of FIG. Can do. Then, the CPU 16 reads the printing environment information of the designated user setting information from the external storage device 13, and overwrites the printing environment information of the corresponding item in the input print job (step S14). Thereafter, the CPU 16 shifts the process to step S15.

  In step S15, the CPU 16 determines whether or not processing for the print environment information in the input print job has been requested. The processing request for the print environment information can be determined based on whether or not an input requesting that is made on the basic menu screen of the operation panel unit 12. If machining is not requested (NO in step S15), the CPU 16 proceeds to step S19 described later. On the other hand, when processing on the print environment information is requested (YES in step S15), the CPU 16 processes the print environment item and the print environment information of the print environment item that are input by an operation by the user of the operation panel unit 12. The contents are accepted (step S16).

  The processing contents for the printing environment item and the printing environment information of the printing environment item are, for example, the operation of the pointer 12b on the digitizer screen 12a in FIG. 5 and the first rotation drum 10a and the second rotation on the color designation screen 12c in FIG. It can be received by operating the buttons 12d and 12e of the drum 10b or the “confirm” button 12k. Then, the CPU 16 overwrites the received processing content on the print environment information of the corresponding print environment item in the input print job (step S17). Then, the CPU 16 sets the flag F (“0” by default) in the processing flag area of the RAM 17 to “1” (step S18), and then proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the CPU 16 determines whether an instruction to start printing has been input. The instruction to start printing can be determined based on whether or not an input for instructing to start printing has been performed by the user on a basic menu screen (not shown) of the operation panel unit 12. If an instruction to start printing has not been input (NO in step S19), the CPU 16 shifts the process to step S12. When an instruction to start printing is input (YES in step S19), the CPU 16 prints an image on the recording paper P in accordance with the setting contents of the current printing environment information (step S20). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S21.

  As shown in FIG. 24, in step S21, it is confirmed whether or not the processing flag F of the RAM 17 is “1”. If the processing flag F is not “1”, the CPU 16 ends the print job execution process. When the processing flag F is “1”, the CPU 16 determines whether or not an instruction to save the contents of the printing environment information of the printing executed in step S20 as user setting information has been input (step S22).

  Specifically, it is possible to determine that a save instruction has been input by detecting a touch operation of the “save” button 12m on the print job end confirmation screen 12l of FIG. Further, by detecting the touch operation of the “do not save” button 12n on the print job end confirmation screen 12l, it can be determined that the save instruction has not been input.

  If the user setting information storage instruction has not been input (NO in step S22), the CPU 16 proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if a save instruction is input (YES in step S22), designation of contents to be saved as user setting information is accepted (step S23). The designation of the contents to be saved as the user setting information is performed by checking a check box on the user setting information saving contents setting screen 12o shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. Can be accepted. Then, the CPU 16 stores the user setting information having the designated contents in the external storage device 13 (step S24). Then, the CPU 16 sets the processing flag F of the RAM 17 to “0” (step S25), and ends the print job execution process.

  Next, in the data export process in step S3b (see FIG. 21), the CPU 16 accepts designation of user setting information to be exported as shown in FIG. 25 (step S33).

  The designation of user setting information to be exported can be accepted by a check operation of a check box on the user setting information writing content confirmation screen 12u in FIG. 18 or a touch operation of a “write selected item” button 12v. Then, the CPU 16 reads out the designated user setting information from the external storage device 13, and transfers and stores (exports) it to the memory card 40 set in the reader / writer 18 (step S35). Thereafter, the data export process is terminated.

  Subsequently, in the data import process in step S5b (see FIG. 22), the CPU 16 imports the user setting information stored in the memory card 40 set in the reader / writer 18 as shown in FIG. The designation of setting information is accepted (step S53).

  Specification of user setting information to be imported can be accepted by a check operation of a check box on the user setting information reading content confirmation screen 12x in FIG. 19 or a touch operation of a “read selected item” button 12y. Then, the CPU 16 causes the reader / writer 18 to read the designated user setting information from the memory card 40 and write it into the external storage device 13 (import, step S55). Thereafter, the CPU 16 ends the data export process.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, steps S21 to S24 in the flowchart of FIG. 24 are processes corresponding to the writing means in the claims. Further, in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, steps S12 to S14 in the flowchart of FIG. 23 are processing corresponding to the reading means in the claims. Further, in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, steps S14 and S20 in FIG. 23 are processing corresponding to the printing control means in the claims.

  Further, in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the element selection instruction means and the item selection instruction means in the claims are configured by the CPU 16 that executes the process of step S23 in FIG. 24 and the operation panel unit 12, respectively. ing. Further, in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, step S22 in FIG. 24 is a process corresponding to the writing designation means in the claims.

  Further, step S13 in FIG. 23 is a process corresponding to the process specifying means in the claims. Furthermore, in the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, step S33 and step S35 in FIG. 25 executed as data export processing in step S3b in FIG. 21 are processing corresponding to the export means in the claims. Yes.

  According to the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment in which the CPU 16 executes the process according to the above-described procedure, the processing content (print environment information) received for the print environment information of the print job input from the outside is associated with the identification information. Then, after printing is completed, it is stored in the external storage device 13 as user setting information.

  When a print job of identification information whose content matches the identification information of the user setting information stored in the external storage device 13 (the element specifying information of the item specified by the user) is input later (“external The printing environment information stored in association therewith is read from the external storage device 13 and reused for processing the printing environment information of the printing job. It will be.

  For this reason, when processing the print environment information of a print job that has the same identification information content as a past print job with the same content that was used when the past print job was executed, the processing content of the print environment information is changed again. It is not necessary to make input settings by operating the operation panel unit 12, and the past processing contents can be efficiently reused.

  Moreover, according to the stencil printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the identification information associated with the processing content (print environment information) of the print environment information stored in the external storage device 13 after the end of printing is included in the identification information in the print job. Since it is limited to the element specifying information of the item specified by the user, it is the same as that performed for the print environment information of the past print job by changing the type (pattern) of the element specifying information selected as the identification information. For example, the target of the print job to be processed on the printing environment information can be appropriately limited according to the content (property) of the processing.

  Note that the configuration for exporting the user setting information of the external storage device 13 to the memory card 40 and the configuration for importing the user setting information of the memory card 40 to the external storage device 13 may be omitted. However, if these configurations are provided, the user setting information stored and accumulated in the external storage device 13 of a certain stencil printing apparatus 1 can be copied to the external storage device 13 of another stencil printing apparatus 1 and used. User setting information can be shared by a plurality of stencil printing apparatuses 1, which is advantageous.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the print job interrupt request confirmation process in FIG. 20, the data export interrupt request confirmation process in FIG. 21, and the data import interrupt request confirmation process in FIG. The case where the CPU 16 executes independently has been described as an example. However, these interrupt request confirmation processes may be executed continuously every same cycle.

  In this case, when the input of the print job is confirmed in the print job interrupt request confirmation process, the data export interrupt request confirmation process is performed after the print job execution process shown in FIG. . In addition, when data export of user setting information is requested in the data export interrupt request confirmation process, the data export interrupt request confirmation process is performed after the data export process of FIG. Become. Further, when data import of user setting information is requested in the data import interrupt request confirmation process, the data import process of FIG. 26 is subsequently performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in a certain print job, processing for print environment information (related to some or all print environment items) (in the case of a print job of job number 17 shown in FIG. 10, processing for print density and print position). ), After the printing by the print job is completed, the user setting information storing operation as described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 and FIGS. 13 and 14 is repeated to perform printing. A plurality of patterns of user setting information in which the processing information of the environment information and the element specifying information (identification information) of the print job are associated can be stored in the external storage device 13.

  Therefore, the job No. When the print job No. 17 is executed, two pieces of user setting information (print environment information Nos. 10 and 11) are stored. When three user setting information (print environment information Nos. 12 to 14) is stored when 18 print jobs are executed, these five user setting information (print environment information Nos. 10 to 15) are externally stored. It is stored in the storage device 13 at the same time.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the user setting information “print environment information No. 10” and the user setting information “print environment information NO. Both are common in that they are the contents of “job name” and “application name”. Therefore, it is assumed that the contents of “job name” and “application name” are exactly the same in “print environment information NO. 10” and “print environment information NO. 12”.

  Here, a print job having “job name” and “application name” having the same contents as “print environment information NO. 10” and “print environment information NO. 12” as “element specifying information” (identification information) will be described. When input from the client terminal 30 to the control unit 9 of the stencil printing apparatus 1, the “printing environment information” of the print job is processed as user setting information stored in the external storage device 13. "Processing information" ("Print density" and "Print position") of "Information No. 10" and "Process information" ("Print speed", "Print density", and "Print environment information No. 12") "Printing position") is suitable.

  Similarly, assuming that “print environment information No. 11” and “print environment information No. 13” whose “element identification information” are both “user names” are “user names” having exactly the same contents. When a print job having “user name” having the same content as “element identification information” (identification information) is input, the “print environment information” of the external storage device 13 is used for processing the “print environment information” of the print job. “Processing information” (“Print density”) of “Information No. 11”, “Process information” (“Print speed”, “Print density”, and “Print position”) of “Print environment information No. 12” and Would be suitable.

  As described above, when two or more pieces of user setting information suitable for processing the “print environment information” of the input print job are stored in the external storage device 13, which user setting information “processing information” is applied. It is desirable that the user can select, for example, a touch operation on the display screen of the operation panel unit 12.

  Furthermore, the selection results are stored and accumulated to some extent, and thereafter, the priority of application based on the past usage frequency is determined, and the “processing information” of the user setting information with the highest priority is input. It can also be applied to processing of “print environment information” of a print job.

  Further, in this embodiment, when a processing request for the print environment information of a print job input from the outside is received, “Save” of the print job completion confirmation screen 12l in FIG. Only the processing content selected by the touch operation of the “Yes” button 12m is stored in the external storage device 13 as user setting information. However, when a processing request for the print environment information of a print job input from the outside is received, all of the processing content may be stored in the external storage device 13 as user setting information.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a print job of identification information whose content matches the identification information of the user setting information stored in the external storage device 13 (the element specifying information of the item specified by the user) is input later, Among the print environment information stored in the external storage device 13 in association with each other, only the print environment information of the item selected on the user setting information restoration confirmation screen 12s in FIG. 17 is executed when the input print job is executed. The configuration is applicable. However, the configuration may be such that the printing environment information of all items stored in the external storage device 13 is applied when the input print job is executed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the content of the processing for the print environment information of the print job input from the outside is the change of the separation area input by the operation of the digitizer screen 12a in FIG. 5 or the color designation screen 12c in FIG. I explained a case. However, the processing for the printing environment information in the present invention is not limited to the change of the color separation area, but may be processing for the printing speed, printing density, or printing position included in the printing environment information of the print job. Furthermore, the contents of the printing environment information are not limited to the items described in the present embodiment. Similarly, the content of print job identification information (element specifying information) is not limited to the items described in the present embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the stencil printing apparatus 1 that performs two-color separation using the first and second rotating drums 10a and 10b has been described as an example. However, the present invention includes a drum exchange type as long as it can process the print environment information in the print job when printing the image on the recording paper P by executing the print job input from the outside. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus that performs printing by a method other than stencil printing, such as a stencil printing device of this type, an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, or the like.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a stencil printing apparatus according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical schematic configuration of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1 and a client terminal that outputs a print job to the stencil printing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the manual color separation menu screen displayed on the output part of the client terminal of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a “basic” tab screen among basic menu screens displayed on the operation panel unit of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a digitizer screen for processing a color separation area displayed on an operation panel unit of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a digitizer screen for processing a color separation area displayed on an operation panel unit of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a color designation screen displayed on an operation panel unit of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a separation result display inquiry screen displayed on an operation panel unit of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a separation result screen displayed on the operation panel section of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1, wherein (a) is an explanatory diagram of a separation result screen of a first rotating drum, and (b) is a separation of a second rotating drum. It is explanatory drawing of a plate result screen. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a print job end confirmation screen displayed on an operation panel unit of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user setting information preservation | save content setting screen displayed on the operation panel part of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user setting information preservation | save content setting screen displayed on the operation panel part of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user setting information preservation | save content setting screen displayed on the operation panel part of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user setting information preservation | save content setting screen displayed on the operation panel part of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a “function list” tab screen among basic menu screens displayed on the operation panel unit of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printing environment information screen displayed on an operation panel unit of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user setting information restoration confirmation screen displayed on the operation panel part of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user setting information writing content confirmation screen displayed on the operation panel part of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user setting information reading content confirmation screen displayed on the operation panel part of the stencil printing apparatus of FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a print job interrupt request confirmation process executed by a CPU of the control unit in FIG. 2 according to a program stored in a ROM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the data export interruption request | requirement confirmation process which CPU of the control part of FIG. 2 performs according to the program stored in ROM. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the data import interruption request | requirement confirmation process which CPU of the control part of FIG. 2 performs according to the program stored in ROM. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print job execution processing in FIG. 20. FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print job execution processing in FIG. 20. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the data export process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the data import process of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a combination pattern of a print environment item of print environment information stored as user setting information in the external storage device of FIG. 2 and elements of element specifying information of a print job.

Explanation of symbols

1 Stencil printing device (image forming device)
12 Operation panel (element selection instruction means, item selection instruction means)
16 CPU (writing means, reading means, print control means, element selection instruction means, item selection instruction means, write designation means, export means)
P Recording paper

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that prints an image corresponding to the print job after applying the received processing to the printing environment information when processing on the printing environment information in the print job input from the outside is received In
Writing that stores processing information indicating the content of the received processing in a storage unit in association with identification information for identifying the print job in the print job having the print environment information that is the target of the received processing Means,
A reading unit that searches the storage unit based on the identification information of the print job, and reads the processing information from the storage unit when the identification information is stored in the storage unit in association with the processing information. When,
When the print job is input from the outside, the reading unit searches the storage unit, and the reading unit stores the processing information stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the input print job. Printing that, when read from the storage means, prints an image corresponding to the input print job on the recording paper after processing the content indicated by the read processing information on the printing environment information Control means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A plurality of element specifying information each specifying a plurality of elements related to the print job included in the print job having the print environment information that is the target of the received processing each time processing for the print environment information is received An element selection instruction means for selecting and instructing the element specifying information of a desired element from
Each time the writing unit receives processing for the printing environment information, the writing unit has the printing environment information that is the target of the processing to be processed. The element specifying information is stored in the storage means as the identification information together with the related processing information,
The reading means stores the element specifying information of the element selected by the element selection instruction means stored in the storage means as the identification information in association with the processing information, in the content of the element of the print job. When the content of the element specifying information of the corresponding element included in the identification information matches, the element specifying information of the element with the matching content is stored as the identification information in association with the identification information. Processing information is read from the storage means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The printing environment information is set for each of a plurality of printing environment items,
Item selection instruction means for selecting and instructing the print environment information of a desired item from the print environment information set for each of the print environment items,
When the writing means accepts the processing for the printing environment information, every time the printing environment information of the desired item is instructed to be selected by the item selection instruction means, the processing for the printing environment information instructed for the selection is performed. The processing information indicating the content of the information is stored in the storage unit in association with the element specifying information of the element selected and instructed by the element selection instruction unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. A writing designation unit for designating whether the processing unit stores the processing information in the storage unit in association with the identification information;
The writing means stores only the processing information specified to be stored in the storage means by the writing specifying means in the storage means in association with the identification information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3. The image processing apparatus further includes a processing designation unit that designates whether or not the processing indicated by the processing information read from the storage unit by the reading unit is performed on the printing environment information in the input print job. ,
The processing information specified to be applied to the printing environment information in the print job input by the processing specifying unit among the processing information read out from the storage unit by the reading unit. Only, processing of the content indicated by the processing information is performed on the print environment information in the input print job.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4.   The processing information stored in the storage unit is portable in a data format that can be imported to the storage unit in another image forming apparatus together with the identification information stored in the storage unit in association with the processing information. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising export means for exporting to a storage medium.

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