JP2011055209A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that specifies print data using a code image, the image forming apparatus having more applicable functions. <P>SOLUTION: A network composite machine 1 including the image forming apparatus includes an operation unit 11 configured to receive a deletion instruction for print data from a user, a read unit 13 configured to read a QR code (code image) printed on a sheet together with the print data, an ID acquisition unit 10D configured to analyze the read QR code and to acquire a unique ID to specify an identification character string and the print data, a data retrieval unit 10E configured to retrieve the print data specified with the unique ID from a storage folder, and a data processing unit 10F configured to delete the print data retrieved by the data retrieval unit 10E when the deletion instruction is received and the identification character string is acquired. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Generally, when copying a paper document, the paper document is read by a scanner, and the read data is printed on the paper. In this case, printed characters and images deteriorate as copying is repeated. Thus, there is an image forming apparatus that prevents deterioration of an image or the like by printing stored print data instead of printing scanned data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when print data is first printed on paper, the print data is stored, and a QR code (registered trademark) including identification information of the stored print data is printed together with the print data on the paper. Printed on. Then, when copying a paper document, the QR code is read, and the print data specified by the identification information is printed on the paper.

JP 2008-263469 A

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, print data stored using a code image such as a QR code is specified, but it is considered to perform an applied process other than printing the print data. Absent.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus having a more applied function in an image forming apparatus that specifies print data using a code image.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a code image printed together with print data on a sheet, and an acquisition unit that analyzes the code image read by the reading unit and acquires specific information that identifies print data. And a search means for searching the print data specified by the specific information acquired by the acquisition means from the storage folder, and a data processing means for processing the print data searched by the search means. It is characterized by.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the code image printed together with the print data on the paper is read, and the specific information is acquired. Then, the print data specified by the specific information is searched from the storage folder, and the searched print data is processed. For this reason, print data can be specified and processed using a code image printed on paper. Therefore, more applied functions can be provided. In addition, since the print data printed on the paper using the code image is specified, the print data can be printed on the paper at hand without the user confirming the content of the print data on the display when processing the print data. The contents of can be easily confirmed.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a processing instruction from a user, and the acquiring unit analyzes the code image to acquire an identification character string indicating that the code image includes specific information, and performs data processing. Preferably, the means performs processing corresponding to the instruction on the print data when the instruction is received by the receiving means and the identification character string is acquired by the acquiring means. In this case, the user can instruct the processing of the print data.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the processing on the print data by the data processing unit is deletion of the print data. In this case, the user can easily confirm the contents of the print data on the paper at hand and then delete the print data. Further, since the print data is deleted, the memory can be used effectively.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a more applied function in an image forming apparatus that specifies print data using a code image.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network including a network multifunction peripheral in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment is mounted. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network multifunction peripheral. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the control part of a network multifunction device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating document management processing when a code image is printed by a network multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure (first half part) of print data deletion processing by the network multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure (second half) of print data deletion processing by the network multifunction peripheral.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment is mounted on a network multifunction device will be described as an example.

  The configuration of the network multifunction peripheral 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network including a network multifunction device 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network multifunction device 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit 10 of the network multifunction peripheral 1.

  When the network multifunction device 1 copies the paper 60, the network multifunction device 1 reads the code image 61 printed on the paper 60, specifies the stored print data using the obtained unique ID, and prints the print data have. The network multifunction device 1 has a function of performing processing such as deleting print data specified using a code image. A code image is an image obtained by converting code information such as numbers and character strings, and includes, for example, a one-dimensional code such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter), and the like. It is.

  In the present specification, the term “processing” is used as a narrowly-defined process excluding an output process (print process). That is, examples of data processing include deletion, replacement, addition, addition of special print information, and the like of print data.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the network multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to a LAN (local area network) 50. A PC (personal computer) 3 and a file server 4 are connected to the LAN 50. The printer driver 31 of the network multifunction device 1 is mounted on the PC 3. By executing the printer driver 31 on the PC 3, the network multifunction device 1 using the PC 3 can be used. The network multifunction device 1 is configured to be able to send and receive data to and from the file server 4 via the LAN 50.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the network MFP 1 includes a control unit 10, an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a reading unit 13, a printing unit 14, a codec 15, an image storage unit 16, a modem 17, an NCU 18, and an IFAX control unit. 19 and a LAN interface 20 or the like. In addition, each part is connected by the communication line 21 so that communication is mutually possible.

  The control unit 10 includes a microprocessor that performs calculations, a ROM that stores a program for causing the microprocessor to execute each process, a RAM that temporarily stores various data such as calculation results, and a backup in which the data is backed up. It is comprised by RAM etc. The control unit 10 executes the program stored in the ROM, thereby realizing the functions of each unit constituting the network multifunction device 1 described below and integrating the hardware constituting the network multifunction device 1 in an integrated manner. Control. Details of the control unit 10 will be described later.

  The operation unit 11 includes a plurality of operation buttons used for operating the network multifunction peripheral 1. The user can input a copy instruction using a QR code (code image) or a print data processing instruction to the network multifunction device 1 by using the operation unit 11. That is, the operation unit 11 functions as a receiving unit described in the claims.

  The display unit 12 displays setting contents and the like. The reading unit 13 includes a light source and a CCD, and reads a document such as a paper document to generate image data. In addition, when there is an instruction to copy or process print data using a QR code, the reading unit 13 reads the QR code printed on the paper document to be read. The reading unit 13 functions as a reading unit described in the claims.

  The printing unit 14 is an electrophotographic printer, print data input from the PC 3 or the like, print data stored in a storage folder, image data read by the reading unit 13, and image data received by facsimile. Etc. on paper.

  The codec 15 encodes and compresses the image data read by the reading unit 13 and decodes the encoded and compressed image data. The image storage unit 16 includes a DRAM or the like, and stores image data encoded and compressed by the codec 15, image data received by facsimile, and the like.

  An NCU (Network Control Unit) 18 is connected to the modem 17 and controls the connection between the modem 17 and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 51. The modem 17 and the NCU 18 have a FAX transmission / reception function. The IFAX control unit 19 is a part that controls the Internet FAX (IFAX) function, and attaches the read transmission original as image data in the TIFF format or the like to an e-mail and transmits it to a mail address (SMTP server).

  The LAN interface 20 is connected to the LAN 50, executes interface processing such as signal conversion and protocol conversion, and transmits and receives signals and data between the PC 3 and the file server 4.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, constituent elements related to the description of the control unit 10 are mainly described, and some constituent elements of the network multifunction peripheral 1 described in FIG. 2 are omitted. The control unit 10 includes an ID generation unit 10A, a document management unit 10B, a path storage unit 10C, an ID acquisition unit 10D, a data search unit 10E, and a data processing unit 10F.

  The ID generation unit 10A and the document management unit 10B have a function for storing print data. On the other hand, the ID acquisition unit 10D and the data search unit 10E have a function of specifying print data from the read QR code.

  The ID generation unit 10A generates a unique ID that identifies a print job input from the PC 3. The print job is information including job parameters indicating print data, settings at the time of printing, and the like along with an instruction to perform printing. Therefore, the unique ID for identifying the print job is specific information that can specify the print data. The unique ID is, for example, HEX data.

  The document management unit 10B sets the print data as one file for each page of data, and generates the file name of each file according to the generation rule. The file name is generated including a unique ID. For example, the document management unit 10B generates a file name such as “dataXXXXXXXXX_pageN.mmr” by combining “data” indicating page data, a unique ID “XXXXXXXXX”, and “pageN” indicating a page number N.

  Further, the document management unit 10B acquires path information of a storage folder that stores print data and the like from the device setting information stored in the path storage unit 10C in the network multifunction peripheral 1. The path storage unit 10C stores path information indicating a plurality of preset storage folders. For example, a folder in the network multifunction device 1 or a folder in the file server 4 can be used as the storage folder. The path storage unit 10C also stores priority information indicating the priority order of a plurality of storage folders. This priority order indicates the priority order when storing and retrieving print data.

  The document management unit 10B connects the path information of the storage folder acquired from the path storage unit 10C and the generated file name to generate the full path of the file of each page. Since the file name includes the unique ID, the full path includes the path information of the storage folder and the unique ID. By specifying the storage folder by this full path, the file of each page is stored in the storage folder. As a result, the print data is stored in the storage folder in association with the unique ID.

  Further, the document management unit 10B generates the command file name of the command file according to the generation rule. The command file is a file containing job parameters. The command file name includes a unique ID. For example, the document management unit 10B generates a command file name such as “cmdXXXXXXX_totalpageN” by combining “cmd” indicating a command file, a unique ID “XXXXXXX”, and “totalpageN” indicating the total number N of print data pages. To do. This command file is stored in the same storage folder as the file of each page described above.

  The ID acquisition unit 10D functions as an acquisition unit described in the claims, analyzes information of the QR code read by the reading unit 13, and acquires a unique ID. The QR code includes an identification character string “QRCPID” indicating that a unique ID for specifying print data is included. By including the identification character string in the information of the QR code, it is possible to distinguish it from IDs of other uses that have a similar format to the unique ID.

  The data search unit 10E generates a file name of a file to be searched according to a generation rule. The generation rule used by the data search unit 10E is the same as the generation rule used when the document management unit 10B generates a file name or a command file name. Therefore, the data search unit 10E generates the same file name as the file name of each saved print data file or command file.

  The data search unit 10E connects the path information of the storage folder acquired from the path storage unit 10C and the generated file name to generate a full path of the file to be searched. Then, the file including the unique ID is searched using the generated full path. Thereby, the data search unit 10E identifies the corresponding print data. That is, the data search unit 10E functions as a search unit described in the claims.

  The data processing unit 10F functions as data processing means described in the claims. That is, the data processing unit 10F performs processing for processing the print data searched by the data search unit 10E. Here, the processing performed by the data processing unit 10F includes deletion, replacement, addition of print data in the storage folder, addition of information for performing special printing, and the like. Note that special printing includes printing designating the number of copies, double-sided printing, scaling printing, and the like. Scaling printing includes enlarged printing, reduced printing, 2-in-1 printing for printing print data for two pages on one page of paper, and the like.

  Next, a document management process at the time of QR code printing by the network multifunction peripheral 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing document management processing when the network multifunction device 1 prints a QR code.

  When the user issues a print instruction for data stored in the PC 3, a print job is received by the network multifunction device 1 (step S100). Since the user performs information processing of the print data using the QR code later, when the print instruction is given, the user can add an instruction to save the print data to the print job.

  When the print job is received, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the print job includes a print data storage instruction (step S101). If the print job does not include a print instruction (NO in step S101). Then, the document management process is terminated, and the print data is printed on the paper. If a save instruction is included (YES in step S101), a unique ID for identifying a print job (print data) is generated by the ID generation unit 10A (step S102).

  Subsequently, the path information of the storage folder is acquired by the document management unit 10B (step S103). Then, the data for one page of the print data is set as one file, and the file name of each file is generated by the document management unit 10B according to the generation rule (step S104). Subsequently, the generated file name and storage folder path information are concatenated, and the full path of the file of each page is generated by the document management unit 10B (step S105).

  Then, the file of each page is stored in the storage folder according to the full path (step S106). When the storage of the print data files for all pages is completed (YES in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108. If the saving has not been completed (NO in step S107), the process returns to step S104, and a file saving process is executed.

  In step S108, the command file name is generated by the document management unit 10B according to the generation rule. Thereafter, the command file is stored in the storage folder in which the print data is stored (step S109).

  Through the above processing, when the user issues a print instruction for data stored in the PC 3, the print data is stored in the storage folder in association with the unique ID. On the other hand, the printing unit 14 of the network MFP 1 prints the QR code indicating the unique ID together with the print data on the paper, and outputs a paper document. In a paper document, for example, a QR code is printed on the first page.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the print data processing by the network multifunction peripheral 1 will be described with print data deletion as an example. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are flowcharts showing the procedure of print data deletion processing by the network multifunction device 1.

  When a user sets a paper document on which a QR code is printed on the network multifunction peripheral 1 and inputs a print data deletion instruction using the QR code using the operation unit 11, the deletion instruction is displayed on the network multifunction peripheral. 1 (Step S110). Then, the page on which the QR code is printed is read by the reading unit 13 (step S111).

  Subsequently, a display for confirming that the deletion process is to be performed is displayed by the display unit 12 (step S112). When an instruction to not perform the deletion process is input from the user (NO in step S113), the process ends. Even when the user inputs an instruction to perform the deletion process (YES in step S113), if the QR code is not detected (NO in step S114), an error notification is displayed on the display unit 12 ( Step S115), the process ends.

  If the user inputs an instruction to perform deletion processing (YES in step S113) and a QR code is detected (YES in step S114), the information on the QR code is analyzed by the control unit 10 (step S116). ). As a result of the analysis, if the identification character string “QRCPID” is not included in the QR code information (NO in step S117), an error notification is displayed (step S115), and the process ends.

  If the identification character string is included (YES in step S117), a unique ID is acquired from the information of the QR code by the ID acquisition unit 10D (step S118). Subsequently, in order to search for print data, the path information of the storage folder to be searched is acquired based on the priority information in descending order of priority (step S119). Subsequently, the data search unit 10E searches for a command file having a unique ID from the search target storage folder (step S120).

  If the corresponding command file does not exist (NO in step S121) and there is an unsearched folder among the storage folders to be searched (NO in step S122), the process returns to step S119, and the next candidate search target is selected. A search is performed in the storage folder. If the corresponding command file does not exist (NO in step S121) and the search in all the storage folders to be searched is completed (YES in step S122), an error notification is displayed (step S115). Processing ends.

  If the corresponding command file exists (YES in step S121), the data search unit 10E obtains the total page number “N” from the command file name “cmdXXXXXXX_totalpageN” (step S123). Subsequently, a file for each page having a file name with a matching unique ID is searched from the storage folder in which the corresponding command file is stored (step S124).

  Then, the specified file for each page is deleted by the data processing unit 10F (step S125). The processes in steps S124 and S125 are performed until the files of all pages are deleted (step S126), and then the command file searched in step S120 is deleted by the data processing unit 10F (step S127). Through the above processing, the print data corresponding to the paper document is identified and deleted using the QR code printed on the paper document.

  It should be noted that processing such as addition and replacement of print data is executed in substantially the same procedure as the deletion processing described above. More specifically, when adding or replacing print data, the user attaches a paper document to be added or a paper document to be replaced to the network multifunction peripheral 1 after the paper document to which the QR code is attached. Then, an addition instruction or replacement instruction is input from the operation unit 11. Then, in step S110 described above, an addition instruction or replacement instruction is accepted instead of a deletion instruction, and in step S111, a paper document to be added or a paper document to be replaced is read in addition to the paper document to which the QR code is attached. . Thereafter, when the user inputs to perform addition or replacement (step S113), the above-described processing of steps S114 to S124 is executed. Subsequently, in steps S125 and S126, instead of deleting the specified print data, a newly read paper document is added to the print data, or the print data and the newly read paper document data are added. Replacement is performed.

  According to the network multifunction device 1 described above, the stored print data can be specified using the QR code printed on the paper together with the print data, and the stored print data can be processed. Therefore, more applied functions can be provided. In addition, since print data printed on paper using a QR code is specified, when processing the print data, the user does not check the contents of the print data on the display, and the print data is printed on the paper at hand. The contents of can be easily confirmed.

  Also, according to the network multifunction device 1, when a print data processing instruction is received from a user, the print data can be processed in accordance with the instruction.

  Furthermore, according to the network multifunction peripheral 1, it is possible to specify print data stored using a QR code printed on a sheet and delete the specified print data. As a result, the user can easily confirm the contents of the print data with the paper at hand and then delete the print data. Further, since the print data is deleted, the memory can be used effectively.

  Further, according to the network multifunction device 1, print data stored using a QR code printed on a sheet can be specified, and the specified print data can be replaced, added, specially printed, and the like. Therefore, the stored print data can be used effectively.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, only the specified print data is deleted as the deletion process performed by the data processing unit 10F, but is not limited thereto. For example, when a unique ID is assigned to print data, the print data is assigned in order from the smallest number, and print data equal to or less than the unique ID number of the QR code from which the unique ID number is read when the print data is deleted. It is good also as a structure which deletes all. In this way, print data older than the specified print data can be efficiently deleted at once.

  Further, the data processing unit 10F may automatically replace the print data read by the reading unit 13 with the print data stored in the storage folder. In addition, the data processing unit 10F may automatically add the print data read by the reading unit 13 to the print data stored in the storage folder. Specifically, when the reading unit 13 reads a QR code from the first page among a plurality of pages of a paper document and the QR code cannot be read from the next page onward, the data processing unit 10F performs a print data replacement process. Or, additional processing is automatically performed.

  The data processing unit 10F may be configured to display the specified print data on the display unit 12.

1 Network MFP 3 PC
4 file server 10 control unit 10A ID generation unit 10B document management unit 10C path storage unit 10D ID acquisition unit 10E data search unit 10F data processing unit 11 operation unit 12 display unit 13 reading unit 14 printing unit 31 printer driver 41 storage folder

Claims (3)

Reading means for reading a code image printed together with print data on paper;
An acquisition unit that analyzes the code image read by the reading unit and acquires specific information for specifying the print data;
Search means for searching print data specified by the specific information acquired by the acquisition means from a storage folder;
Data processing means for processing the print data searched by the search means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Comprising a receiving means for receiving a processing instruction from a user;
The acquisition means analyzes the code image to acquire an identification character string indicating that the code image includes the specific information,
The data processing unit performs processing according to the instruction on the print data when the instruction is received by the receiving unit and the identification character string is acquired by the acquiring unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing on the print data by the data processing unit is deletion of the print data.

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