JP2010232844A - Image forming apparatus and print setting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately and smoothly perform output by eliminating output failures caused by the difference in the setting, when preserving a file and when outputting it and the output failures caused, when collectively outputting the plurality of files. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an output form input means 141 for inputting a desired output form beforehand, corresponding to a prescribed operation; an output check means 164 for determining whether the output failure is to occur by performing image output processing, according to the output form for respective image data files 171 preserved in a storage part 17; a file extraction means 161 for extracting the image data file 171, in which it is determined that the output failure will not occur; a file display means 143 for displaying the extracted image data file 171; a file selection means 144 for selecting a desired image data file 171, corresponding to an input operation; and an image output means 131 for performing the image output processing individually or collectively, on the basis of the input output form to the one, two or more selected image data files 171. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a print setting program that smoothly output an image data file in an appropriate output format.

Some image forming apparatuses such as printers and multifunction peripherals have a configuration in which a storage medium such as a hard disk is mounted inside or provided with a storage means outside, and image data files and communication cables read by an attached scanner It is possible to save an image data file input from the outside via, for example.
For example, it is possible to organize and save one or a plurality of image data files for each storage box called a document box.
For this reason, since the user can take out the image data file stored in the document box by designating the organized categories, efficient output processing is possible.
In addition, the user can select a plurality of document boxes at the time of output to output the image data stored in the document boxes at once, which is convenient when a large amount of file output is desired. It has become a function.

However, when a plurality of image data files stored in the document box are output at a time, depending on the file, the setting at the time of saving may differ, and an irregular problem may occur at the time of output.
For example, when the paper size setting at the time of storage is A3, the output may stop due to an irregular problem, such as when only the A4 size paper feeding mechanism is installed in the apparatus main body.
In addition, when a large number of files are output at once, such a problem may become latent.
For example, when a batch output command is performed on image data files related to 100 document boxes, even if an error occurs during the 96th output in the actual output stage, the user often does not notice that, It can develop into a big problem later.

In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming apparatus capable of aligning the format of individual data files with respect to data files stored in a file server.
Specifically, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a receiving unit that receives data from a terminal connected to a network, a setting unit that sets a format of data received by the receiving unit, and the setting Storing / accumulating means for storing / accumulating data whose format is set by the means, and the receiving means gives an instruction of the resolution and paper size of the data set by the setting means from the terminal connected to the network The storage / accumulation means stores and accumulates according to the resolution or paper size set by the setting means in accordance with the data resolution and paper size instructions received and received by the reception means.

JP 2001-222391 A

However, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a technique for the purpose of making it easy to view a plurality of files, and a configuration for avoiding problems at the time of output due to differences in file attributes. is not.
In other words, according to the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to save a plurality of files with the same resolution and paper size, but the user usually saves the output format. This is not usually done, and may be different from the setting desired by the user at the time of output.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and batches output defects and multiple files that occur due to differences in settings when saving and outputting files. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a print setting program that can eliminate an output problem that occurs during output and can output data appropriately and smoothly.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a storage unit that stores an image data file together with its output format, and inputs a desired output format in advance according to a predetermined operation. For each image data file stored in the storage unit, an output format input means and whether or not an output problem occurs by performing image output processing according to the output format input by the output format input means A file checking unit for determining, a file extracting unit for extracting an image data file determined to cause no output failure by the file checking unit, and a file display for displaying the image data file extracted by the file extracting unit And the image data displayed by the file display means according to the input operation. A file selection means for selecting a desired image data file from the files, and one or more image data files selected by the file selection means, individually based on the output format input by the output format input means Alternatively, an image output unit that collectively performs image output processing is provided.

  Also, the print setting program of the present invention provides an output format input for inputting a desired output format in advance to a computer constituting an image forming apparatus having a storage unit that stores an image data file together with its output format. A file check for determining whether or not an output problem occurs by performing an image output process according to the output format input by the output format input unit for each image data file stored in the storage unit Means, a file extraction means for extracting an image data file determined not to cause a problem in output by the file check means, a file display means for displaying the image data file extracted by the file extraction means, according to an input operation , The image data frame displayed by the file display means File selection means for selecting a desired image data file from the file, individually or based on the output format input by the output format input means for one or more image data files selected by the file selection means This is a program for functioning as an image output unit that collectively performs image output processing.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus and the print processing program of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately and smoothly output the stored image data file.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a first example diagram of a screen displayed on the operation / display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a second example diagram of a screen displayed on the operation / display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a third example diagram of a screen displayed on the operation / display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a fourth example diagram of a screen displayed on the operation / display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a fifth example diagram of a screen displayed on the operation / display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sixth example diagram of a screen displayed on the operation / display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a table diagram of image data files stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a document reading unit 11, a data receiving unit 12, an image forming unit 13, an operation / display unit 14, a control unit 15, a prohibition determination unit 16, and a storage unit 17. Composed.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Therefore, each configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

(Original reading unit 11)
The document reading unit 11 is configured by a scanner that reads a picture, a photograph, a document, a film, and the like, and includes a control board that converts a target document (image) into digital image data by scanning.
(Data receiving unit 12)
The data receiving unit 12 is a communication interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), and includes a control board that receives image data from an external host computer (not shown) via a communication cable or the like.
(Image forming unit 13)
The image forming unit 13 mainly includes a control board that performs image output processing on the images read by the document reading unit 11 or received by the data receiving unit 12 individually or collectively based on a predetermined output format (this book). Operation of the image output means 131 of the invention). Specifically, the control board converts the target image data into a bitmap. In addition, the image forming unit 13 includes a print engine that develops a bitmapped image on a printer head and a photosensitive drum, and further performs toner transfer / fixing on a printer sheet provided from a paper feeding mechanism. .

(Operation / Display Unit 14)
The operation / display unit 14 is configured by an operation / display device such as a touch panel, and includes a control board for instructing a state check and various settings / execution of the image forming apparatus 1 according to an input operation.
Details of the control board included in each component will be described later.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the operation / display unit 14 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and with reference to the screen display examples of FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, the output format input means 141 inputs an output format for performing image output processing in advance by a predetermined operation by the user, and according to this, “output paper size” “output paper type” "Output side", "Print side (both sides / single side)", "Paper feed stage", "Discharge destination", "Resolution", etc. are set.
Specifically, the output format can be set step by step by selecting a selection key relating to each of the output formats and sequentially selecting output format selection keys hierarchically assigned to the selection keys.

For example, by selecting the “output paper size” selection key in FIG. 3A, the settable paper sizes are displayed as shown in FIG.
Then, the user selects an arbitrary paper size (for example, “A4”) from among these, thereby setting the output paper size (A4) of the target image data.
This is significantly different from the conventional mode in which the output format is set after the image data file to be output is selected, and is a configuration / process unique to the present embodiment.
The output format display means 142 displays the set output format (see FIG. 4).

The file display means 143 displays the image data file 171 that is determined not to cause a problem in output.
For example, on the output format setting screen shown in FIG. 4, the file extraction means 161 is executed in response to the selection of the “display outputable file” key, and as a result, “output is appropriately performed” as shown in FIG. A list of “image data files” can be displayed.
It is determined by the file check means 164 described later whether or not “output failure occurs”.
Further, the file display unit 143 can display the image data file 171 determined to have a problem in output depending on a predetermined operation.
For example, a list of “image data files that are not properly output” can be displayed as shown in FIG. 6 by selecting a “display file that cannot be output” key on the screen shown in FIG. .

The file selection unit 144 selects an arbitrary image data file 171 by a user input operation.
For example, by specifying two indexes, “1” and “2”, using the numeric keypad and touch panel operation from the list of files that can be output shown in FIG. Selected.
In addition, by designating indexes “3” and “4” from the list of files that cannot be output shown in FIG. 6, data of “2006 schedule table” and “section member table” are selected.

The box display unit 145 displays a document box 172 having one or more image data files that are determined not to cause a problem in output.
For example, on the output format setting screen shown in FIG. 4, the box extraction means 162 is executed in response to the selection of the “Display BOX having outputable file” key. As a result, as shown in FIG. A list of “document boxes having image data files to be performed” can be displayed.

The box selection means 146 selects an arbitrary document box 172 by a user input operation.
When the document box 172 is selected, the file display unit 143 displays an image data file 171 that belongs to the document box 172 and is appropriately output.
For example, by designating an index “1” by using a numeric keypad or a touch panel operation from the list of “document boxes having an outputable file” shown in FIG. 7, the “document” document box 172 is selected, and the document box is displayed. Each image data file 171 of “FY2009 policy material”, “FY2009 schedule table”, and “Personnel assignment table” belonging to 172 is displayed.

The output check result display unit 147 displays the determination result regarding the output obtained by the execution of the output check unit 164.
For example, as shown in the lower column of FIG. 8, for the image data file 171 to be output, “output is possible”, “cannot be output. There is no paper of the set paper size.” , A message such as "It is possible to forcibly output, but the printing result cannot be guaranteed.
As a result, the user can know in advance the occurrence of an output error and can prevent such an output error in advance.

(Control unit 15)
The control unit 15 includes a control board, and includes an output execution command unit 151, a recommended output format change unit 152, an output check command unit 153, and a forced output command unit 154 as shown in FIG.
The output execution command means 151 instructs the output execution of the target image data file 171 in accordance with a predetermined operation by the user.
For example, when the “output execution” key is selected on the operation screen shown in FIG. 8, the image output unit 131 performs print processing on the target image data file 171.

  The recommended output format changing unit 152 changes the output format of the target image data file 171 to the recommended output format extracted by the recommended setting extracting unit 163.

  The output check command means 153 causes the output check means 164 to be executed according to the input operation, and causes the output check result display means 147 to display the result.

  The compulsory output command unit 154 causes the image output unit 131 to execute the target image data file 171 based on the input output format regardless of the output check determination result.

(Prohibition determination unit 16)
The prohibition determination unit 16 includes a control board, and includes a file extraction unit 161, a box extraction unit 162, a recommended setting extraction unit 163, and an output check unit 164 as shown in FIG.
The file extraction unit 161 extracts from the storage unit 17 the image data file 171 that has been determined by the output check unit 164 to be free from output problems.

  The box extraction unit 162 extracts from the storage unit 17 a document box 172 having one or more image data files 171 that have been determined by the output check unit 164 to have no output problems.

The recommended setting extraction unit 163 extracts a common output format that does not cause output problems with respect to any of a plurality of image data files 171 selected by the file selection unit 144.
Specifically, based on the output format when each image data file 171 is saved, the function limitation of the image forming apparatus 1 and the output format input by the output format input unit 141, all the image data files 171 are appropriately stored. A common output format that can be output is extracted.
For example, in the above example, in the table shown in FIG. 1-No. When ten image data files 171 are selected by the file selection unit 144, “output size: A4”, “paper type: normal”, “printing side: single side”, “paper feed stage: cassette 1”, “paper discharge” Each output format of “first: tray 1” and “resolution: 600 × 600” is extracted as a common output format.

The output check unit 164 determines whether or not a problem in output occurs by performing image output processing according to the output format input by the output format input unit 141 in the image data file 171 stored in the storage unit 17. Each is judged.
Then, based on the determination result, the file extraction means 161 and the box extraction means 162 extract the corresponding image data file 171 and document box 172, and the output check result display means 147 displays various information based on the determination result. .
Specifically, output settings (paper size, resolution, etc.) at the time of saving each image data file 171, function restrictions of the apparatus image forming apparatus 1 (feed type, size variation, presence / absence of finisher, etc.), and input Based on the output format, an image data file 171 that can be appropriately printed without causing any irregular problems is extracted from the storage unit 17.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that a plurality of image data files 171 are stored in association with each output format.
It is assumed that the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is not equipped with a duplex printing mechanism or an A3 paper feed cassette.
Here, “paper size: A4”, “paper type: normal”, “printing surface: single side”, “paper feed stage: cassette 1”, “paper output destination: tray 1”, “resolution” are output by the output format input means 141. : 600 × 600 ”is entered. 1-No. It is assumed that ten image data files 171 are selected by the file selection unit 144.
In this case, the output check unit 164 compares the output setting of each image data file 171 with the function restrictions of the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs the information as “No. The image data files 171 of 1, 2, 5, 7, 9 can be specified.
On the other hand, the output check means 164 is assumed to cause a forbidden malfunction by the same method. It is also possible to specify the image data files 171 of 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10.

(Storage unit 17)
The storage unit 17 is configured by a storage medium such as a hard disk or a USB memory, and includes a control board that stores image data files 171 such as documents, images, and pictures.
Further, in order to classify, organize, and save the plurality of image data files 171 (1) to 171 (m), the image data file 171 corresponding to the document box 172 is stored as shown in FIG. It is also possible to save it.
Specifically, an arbitrary image data file 171 can be stored under a plurality of document boxes 172 (1) to 172 (n) with identification information such as a category and date.

The control board provided in each of the document reading unit 11, the image forming unit 13, the control unit 15, the prohibition determination unit 16, the data receiving unit 12, the operation / display unit 14, and the storage unit 17 is a CPU (Central Process Unit). ) And control elements such as chipset, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random
Access Memory). The control boards cooperate with each other to constitute a computer of the image forming apparatus 1. The CPU is an arithmetic processing unit that executes processing described in a program such as a print setting program. The ROM is a non-volatile memory that stores programs and data in advance. The RAM is a memory that temporarily stores the program and data when the program is executed and uses it as a work area.
By executing the print setting program, each control board configures each of the above means as a functional block in the CPU, and the hardware elements of each unit are the document reading unit 11, the image forming unit 13, the control unit 15, and the prohibition determination. It functions as the unit 16, the data receiving unit 12, the operation / display unit 14, and the storage unit 17.
Next, an image processing procedure performed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an image processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, first, in response to an input operation, an output format is input by the output format input means 141 (S101).
Next, in accordance with a predetermined operation, either the “select from output possible files” process or the “select from output impossible files” process is selected (S102).
If “selection from outputable file” is selected in step S102 (S102: selection from outputable file), then either file selection or box selection is selected (S103).

When “box” is selected according to a predetermined operation (S103: box), the box display means 145 displays a document box 172 having an outputable file (S104).
Specifically, the box extraction unit 162 extracts a document box 172 having an image data file 171 that can be output from a plurality of document boxes 172 stored in the storage unit 17, and the box display unit 145 displays the list. indicate.
Then, the box selection unit 146 selects an arbitrary document box 172 from the displayed list of document boxes 172 according to a predetermined operation by the user (S105).

Here, following step S105, or when “file” is selected in step S103 (S103: file), the file display unit 143 displays a list of output image data files 171 (S106).
Next, the file selection unit 144 selects an arbitrary image data file 171 from the displayed list of image data files 171 in accordance with a predetermined operation (S107).
Then, according to a predetermined operation, the output execution command means 151 issues a normal output command (S108).
In response to this, in the image forming unit 13, the image output unit 131 performs normal output processing (S109).
For example, in FIG. 8, output processing is executed by selecting an “output execution” key, and when there are a plurality of target image data files 171, the output processing is executed collectively.

On the other hand, if “selection from non-outputable file” is selected in step S102 (S102: selection from non-outputtable file), the file display unit 143 displays a list of image data files 171 that cannot be output (S110). ).
Next, the file selection unit 144 selects an arbitrary image data file 171 from the displayed list of image data files 171 according to a predetermined operation (S111).
Here, an output method of “recommended output” or “forced output” is selected by a predetermined operation of the user (S112).

If “recommended output” is selected in step S112 (S112: recommended output), the output format is changed to the recommended output format (S113).
Specifically, in FIG. 6, by selecting the “Use recommended setting only for specified data” key, the recommended setting extracting unit 163 extracts the recommended output format, and the recommended output format changing unit 152 outputs the output format. To the recommended output format.
Then, according to a predetermined operation, the output execution command unit 151 issues an output command to the image forming unit 13, and the image output unit 131 executes image output processing based on the recommended output format (S109).

When “forced output” is selected in step S112 (S112: forced output), the forced output command means 154 issues an output command (S114), and the output is executed regardless of whether the output is appropriate (S109). .
Specifically, in FIG. 6, by selecting the “forced execution of only specified data” key, the forced output command unit 151 issues a forced output command to the image forming unit 13 and the output is executed.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is determined for each image data file 171 whether or not the output check unit 164 can appropriately output based on the output format input in advance. The file extraction unit 161 extracts the corresponding image data file 171 based on the determination result, and the file display unit 143 displays the image data file 171.
Similarly, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is determined for each image data file 171 whether or not the output check unit 164 can appropriately output based on the output format input in advance, and the box extraction unit. 162 extracts the document box 172 having the corresponding image data file 171 based on the determination result, and the file display means 143 displays the corresponding image data file 171 belonging to the target document box 172. ing.

In other words, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an actual output process can be performed smoothly by performing an output check through a pseudo output process in advance.
For this reason, even if the output format differs depending on the image data file 171, it can be smoothly output without any problems.
In particular, when a plurality of image data files 171 are output in a lump, not only the trouble of setting the output format for each of them can be saved, but also an irregular output defect due to a difference in output format can be eliminated.
Further, by displaying and recommending a common output format that can appropriately output a plurality of image data files 171, not only the occurrence of illegal problems can be prevented, but also the output process can be executed more smoothly.
Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, output problems that occur due to a difference in settings when saving and outputting files and output problems that occur when a plurality of files are output at once are eliminated. Therefore, image output can be performed properly and smoothly.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the display means of the image data file 171.

That is, in the first embodiment, a list of files that can be output (or cannot be output) is displayed, and an arbitrary image data file 171 is selected from the list, and output processing is performed. Then, all the image data files 171 are displayed, and an arbitrary image data file 171 is selected from them, and output processing is performed. Other components are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Therefore, in FIG. 11, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation / display unit 14 further includes an all file display unit 148 and an all box display unit 149.
The all file display means 148 displays all the image data files 171 (1) to 171 (m) stored in the storage unit 17 in accordance with a predetermined operation.
The all box display means 149 displays all the document boxes 172 (1) to 172 (n) stored in the storage unit 17 in accordance with a predetermined operation.

Next, an image processing procedure performed by the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an image processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, first, according to an input operation, an output format is input by the output format input means 141 (S201).
Next, either a “select from file” process or a “select from box” process is selected according to a predetermined operation (S202).

When “box” is selected in step S202 (S202: box), the all-box display unit 149 displays all the document boxes 172 stored in the storage unit 17 (S203).
Next, the box selection unit 146 selects an arbitrary document box 172 from the displayed list of document boxes 172 according to a predetermined operation (S204).
Then, the all file display means 148 displays a list of all the image data files 171 belonging to the selected document box 172 (S205).

On the other hand, when “file” is selected in step S202 (S202: file), the all file display unit 148 displays all the image data files 171 stored in the storage unit 17 (S206).
After step S205 or S206, the file selection means 144 selects an arbitrary image data file 171 from the list of displayed image data files 171 in accordance with a predetermined operation (S207).

Here, it is selected whether or not to perform an output check on the selected image data file 171 (S208).
When the output check is performed (S208: YES), the output check command unit 153 issues an execution command to the output check unit 164 according to the input operation, and the result is displayed by the output check result display unit 147 (S209). .
On the other hand, when the output check is not performed in step S208 (S209: NO), the process proceeds to step S210 as it is.

In step S210, one of “normal output”, “recommended output”, and “forced output” is selected according to a predetermined operation (S210).
When “normal output” is selected in step S210 (S210: normal output), a normal output command is issued based on the output execution command means 151 according to a predetermined operation (S211), and output is executed (S214). ).
For example, in FIG. 8, normal output processing is executed by selecting an “output execution” key, and when there are a plurality of target image data files 171, the output processing is executed collectively. Become.
In general, “normal output” may be selected when it is determined in step S209 that “output is possible”.

On the other hand, when “recommended output” is selected in step S210 (S210: recommended output), the output format is changed to the recommended common output format based on the recommended output format changing means 152 according to a predetermined operation (S212). .
In response to the input operation, the output execution command means 147 issues an output command to the image forming unit 13 and the output based on the recommended output format is executed (S214).
For example, if “recommended output” is selected when it is determined in step S209 that “output is not possible”, the output process can be smoothly performed and effective.

  When “forced output” is selected in step S210 (S210: forced output), a forced output command is issued based on the forced output command means 154 according to a predetermined operation (S213), and the output is forcibly executed. (S214).

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not a previously input output format is appropriate for outputting an arbitrary image data file 171 and display the result. I am doing so.
For this reason, it is possible to know in advance a problem that will occur at the time of output for any of a plurality of image data files 171, and to avoid an output error in advance.
In addition, regardless of the determination result, it can be changed to a recommended output format that can be appropriately output to any plurality of image data files 171 or can be forcibly output, and can be flexibly used in various usage modes. It is possible to correspond to.

Here, as described above, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is realized by processing, means, and functions executed by a computer in accordance with a program (software) instruction. The program sends a command to each component of the computer to perform the predetermined processing as described above. That is, each function in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is realized by specific means in which a program and a computer cooperate.
Note that all or part of the program is provided by, for example, a magnetic disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, or any other computer-readable recording medium, and the program read from the recording medium is installed in the computer and executed. The The program can also be loaded and executed directly on a computer through a communication line without using a recording medium.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. However, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be variously within the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, it is possible to implement this change.
For example, the storage unit 17 of the present invention may be configured not only to be mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 but also to have a mechanism externally connected to the storage device via a communication cable or a network.
Further, in the above embodiment, the control boards of the respective constituent units cooperate with each other to constitute the computer of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the main control board is provided in the control unit 15 of the image forming apparatus, for example. A computer may be configured by a control board, and each hardware element may be controlled.

  The present invention can be suitably used for an image forming apparatus having a storage unit such as a document box.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 131 Image output means 141 Output format input means 143 File display means 144 File selection means 145 Box display means 146 Box selection means 161 File extraction means 162 Box extraction means 163 Recommended setting extraction means 164 Output check means

Claims (11)

A storage unit for storing the image data file together with its output format;
An output format input means for inputting a desired output format in advance according to a predetermined operation;
Output check means for determining, for each image data file stored in the storage unit, whether or not an output problem occurs by performing image output processing in accordance with the output format input by the output format input means; ,
A file extraction means for extracting an image data file determined by the output check means as not to cause a problem in output;
File display means for displaying the image data file extracted by the file extraction means;
A file selection means for selecting a desired image data file from the image data files displayed by the file display means in response to an input operation;
Image output means for individually or collectively performing image output processing on one or more image data files selected by the file selection means based on the output format input by the output format input means. An image forming apparatus. The storage unit stores the image data file together with its output format under a predetermined document box,
A box extraction means for extracting a document box having one or more image data files determined by the output check means as not to cause output problems;
Box display means for displaying the document box extracted by the box extraction means;
A box selection unit that selects a desired document box from among the document boxes displayed by the box display unit in response to an input operation;
The file display means includes
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image data file that belongs to the document box selected by the box selection means and that is determined not to cause a problem in output is displayed. The output check means includes
An output at the time of saving, for each image data file saved in the storage unit, whether or not an output malfunction occurs by performing an image output process according to the output format input by the output format input means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is based on a format and a function restriction of the image forming apparatus.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file extraction unit extracts an image data file that has been determined by the output check unit to have an output problem. 5. A recommended setting extraction means for extracting a common output format that does not cause a problem in output for a plurality of image data files selected by the file selection means;
5. The image output unit according to claim 1, wherein the image output unit performs image output processing individually or collectively on the plurality of image data files based on a common output format extracted by the recommended setting extraction unit. The image forming apparatus according to Item. The recommended setting extraction means is:
A common output format that does not cause a problem in output for a plurality of image data files selected by the file selection means, an output format when saving each image data file, function restrictions of the image forming apparatus, and input of the output format 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein extraction is performed based on an output format input by the means. The image output means includes
When a predetermined operation is performed, the image data file selected by the file selection unit is based on the output format input by the output format input unit regardless of the determination result by the output check unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image output process is performed. The file display means displays all image data files stored in the storage unit,
The file selection means selects a desired image data file from all the displayed image data files according to an input operation,
The output check means determines whether or not a problem occurs in output by performing image processing output on the selected image data file in accordance with the output format input by the output format input means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The box display means displays all document boxes stored in the storage unit,
The box selection means selects a desired document box from all the displayed document boxes according to an input operation,
The file display means includes
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein all image data files belonging to the selected document box are displayed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an output check result display unit that displays a determination result made by the output check unit. A computer constituting the image forming apparatus;
A storage unit for storing image data files together with their output formats;
An output format input means for inputting a desired output format in advance according to a predetermined operation;
Output check means for determining, for each image data file stored in the storage unit, whether or not an output problem occurs by performing image output processing in accordance with the output format input by the output format input means;
A file extraction means for extracting an image data file determined by the output check means as not to cause a problem in output;
File display means for displaying the image data file extracted by the file extraction means;
In response to an input operation, a file selection unit that selects a desired image data file from among the image data files displayed by the file display unit, and one or more image data files selected by the file selection unit A print setting program for functioning as image output means for performing image output processing individually or collectively based on the output format input by the output format input means.

Images