JP2011186813A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system for combining documents stored in different apparatuses by a single operation. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system comprises an information processor and an image forming apparatus. The information processor includes: a first storage means storing a first document; an instruction input means receiving an input of an instruction to combine the first document with one of a plurality of second documents stored in the image forming apparatus; and a first transmission means transmitting the first document stored in the storage means and an identifier of one of a plurality of second documents to the image forming apparatus when receiving an input of the instruction from the instruction input means. The image forming apparatus includes: a second storage means storing a plurality of second documents; a first reception means receiving the first document and the identifier from the information processor; and a combination means combining the first document received by the first receiving means with the second document of the identifier received by the reception means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system for combining documents.

  There is a bookbinding method called case binding. This bookbinding method is a bookbinding method in which bookbinding is performed by gluing the back portion of the text and wrapping it with a cover. For this reason, the text and the cover are normally created separately and stored separately. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of binding a cover and a text stored in a printer by adding an identifier, using the identifier, associating the cover with the text, combining the cover and the text, and binding. It is disclosed.

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is for the case where both the cover and the text are stored in the printer. In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the cover and the text are stored in different devices, two operations are required when binding the cover and the text and performing bookbinding printing. For example, when a cover is stored on the printer side and the text is stored on the host PC, first, an operation for saving the text stored on the host PC to the printer is performed, and then the cover and the text are combined in the printer. I have to do the operation.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming system capable of combining documents stored in different devices with a single operation.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system configured to include an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and the information processing apparatus stores a first document. A first storage unit; an instruction input unit that receives an input of an instruction to combine the first document with one of a plurality of second documents stored in the image forming apparatus; and the instruction input A first document stored in the storage unit and an identifier of one of the plurality of second documents and a first document to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus when the instruction is input by the unit; A first storage unit configured to receive a second storage unit that stores the plurality of second documents, and the first document and the identifier from the information processing apparatus. Receiving means and the first receiving means. It said first document received, and having a coupling means for coupling the second document, the said identifier received by the receiving means.

  The image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system including an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and the information processing apparatus stores a first document. An instruction input means for receiving an instruction for combining the first document and a plurality of second documents stored in the image forming apparatus; and when the instruction input is received by the instruction input means A first transmission means for transmitting information requests for the plurality of second documents to the image forming apparatus; and a second transmission section for receiving information about the plurality of second documents transmitted from the image forming apparatus. A receiving unit; a display unit that displays a list of information on the plurality of documents when the second receiving unit receives information on the plurality of second documents; and a list of the plurality of second documents. Receive input to select one document Selection input means, and the first transmission means receives the selection input by the selection input means and the first document stored in the storage means and the selected one An identifier of the document and the image forming apparatus are transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus stores a second storage unit that stores the plurality of second documents, the request, the first document, and the identifier. When the request is received by the first receiving means that receives from the processing device and the first receiving means, the information on the plurality of second documents stored in the second storage means is processed as the information processing. A second transmitting means for transmitting to the apparatus; a combining means for combining the first document received by the first receiving means and the second document of the identifier received by the receiving means; It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to combine documents stored in different devices in one operation.

1 is a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a processing operation example in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the display screen in the display part of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the display screen in the display part of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the display screen in the display part of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the display screen in the display part of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the display screen in the display part of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data transmitted from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  Next, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration example of image forming system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 100 and an image forming apparatus 200.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a storage unit 110, an application 120, a display unit 130, and a communication unit 140. The storage unit 110 stores text data 111. In addition, the application 120 receives an instruction or selection input from the user, and performs processing corresponding to the instruction. Also, a screen as a user interface that receives an instruction and selection input from the user is generated and output to the display unit 130. The display unit 130 displays the screen output by the application 120. The communication unit 140 transmits information to the image forming apparatus 200. In addition, the communication unit 140 receives information from the image forming apparatus 200. The information processing apparatus 100 is, for example, a PC (personal computer).

  The image forming apparatus 200 includes a storage unit 210, a communication unit 220, and a printing unit 230. The storage unit 210 stores a plurality of cover data. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of cover data 211 to 213 is stored. The cover data includes a thumbnail image, a size, color information, and the like in addition to the cover image data. In addition, an identifier (ID) is added to the image data of the cover. For example, IDs: 1 to 3 are added as identifiers to the data 211 to 213 shown in FIG. The communication unit 220 transmits the requested information from the information processing apparatus 100 to the information processing apparatus 100. Further, the communication unit 220 receives information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 100. The printing unit 230 generates print data based on the information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 100 received by the communication unit 220, prints the print data, and binds the printed data. That is, the printing unit 230 performs bookbinding by combining the cover and the text.

<Example of processing operation in image forming system>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a processing operation in the image forming system according to the present embodiment. In this processing operation, the user instructs the information processing apparatus 100 to print a text, and the data 111 (text) stored in the information processing apparatus 100 and the data 212 (cover) stored in the image forming apparatus 200 are combined. Processing operation.

  The information processing apparatus 100 activates the application 120 by a user operation (S101). When the application 120 is activated, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 may be displayed on the display unit (display) 130 of the information processing apparatus 100.

  The application 120 receives a print setting input from the user (S102). For example, when the user selects the “printer” button on the screen illustrated in FIG. 3, the application 120 acquires information about the image forming apparatus 200 (printer) such as printable paper size and toner presence from the network. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the acquired information is displayed so that the user can confirm. Then, the user uses the application 120 to make settings such as which image forming apparatus 200 (printer) performs printing and which paper size to print. For example, the user performs these setting operations on the screen shown in FIG. Then, after the setting is completed, the user may return to the screen display shown in FIG. 3 by, for example, selecting the “Return” button in FIG.

  The application 120 receives an instruction to combine with the cover from the user (S103). That is, there is an input from the user instructing the combination with the cover stored in the image forming apparatus 200 selected in step S102. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to display a “combine with cover” button so that the user can instruct the combination with the cover by selecting this button.

  The application 120 acquires information on the cover data from the image forming apparatus 200 via the network, and displays the information (S104). For example, the application 120 acquires the identifier (ID), thumbnail image, size, and color information of each of the data 211 to 213 as the cover from the image forming apparatus 200 via the network, and displays the thumbnail image. (S104). At this time, for example, the acquired thumbnail images may be displayed in a list as shown in FIG. 5 so that the user can select which cover to combine with. By doing in this way, it is possible to select an arbitrary cover from many covers, and it is possible to perform combined printing of an arbitrary cover selected from many and the text.

  At this time, for example, in order to make it easier for the user to select a cover having a size suitable for the text, the application 120 uses the size of the data 111 (text) and the data 211 acquired from the image forming apparatus 200 via the network. It is preferable that the information on the data with the matching size is emphasized by comparing the data with the size of .about.213 (cover) and displaying the information on the data with the matching size at the head. Alternatively, only information on data (cover) having the same size may be displayed. By doing so, it is possible to easily select a cover having the same size as the body, and it is possible to prevent a mismatch between the size of the body and the cover.

  The application 120 receives an input for selecting cover data from the user (S105). Here, for example, it is assumed that the data 212 is selected by the user. For example, on the screen shown in FIG. 5, after the user inputs the selection of cover data, the screen may return to the screen shown in FIG. 3. Further, it is preferable that the screen shown in FIG. 5 can be returned to the screen shown in FIG. 3 by selecting a “Return” button.

  Here, when a cover different from the main text is selected by the user, a warning may be given to the user. For example, a warning may be given by displaying a screen as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the selection of the cover selected by the user may be canceled.

  In this way, the information processing apparatus 100 can recognize the size mismatch before issuing an instruction to combine and print the text stored in the information processing apparatus 100 and the cover stored in the image forming apparatus 200. Become. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform bookbinding printing in which the print paper sizes of the main text and the cover are the same.

  Here, it is preferable that the front cover and the back cover can be selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a cover list display, a key 301 and a key 302 may be displayed. For example, when the user wants to use the selected cover as the front cover, the user selects the key 301. When the user wants the selected display as the back cover, select the key 302. It is good to do. By doing so, the front cover stored in the image forming apparatus 200 can be used as a front cover or a back cover, and the front cover stored in a different device can be used. It is possible to perform combined printing of the body and back cover.

  In addition, it is selected with a key 301 and a key 302 whether to combine a document stored in the image forming apparatus 200 before or after the document stored in the information processing apparatus 100, and the image forming apparatus It is preferable to select which of the documents stored in 200 is to be combined. By doing this, combined printing of all documents stored in the information processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 200 becomes possible.

  The application 120 receives a print instruction from the user (S106). For example, a user may select a “print” button shown in FIG. 3 to input a print instruction.

  The application 120 informs the image forming apparatus 200 via the network of information on the identifier (ID) of the data 111 (text), data 212 (cover), and print settings (paper size, information that combines the text and the cover, etc.). (S107). That is, the application 120 transmits the body data, the identifier of the cover data selected by the user, and the print setting information set by the user to the image forming apparatus 200. The information transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 8, for example. For example, when the front cover and the back cover are selected as the front cover, for example, information having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200. In step S105, when the document 301 stored in the image forming apparatus 200 is selected to be combined before or after the document stored in the information processing apparatus 100 using the keys 301 and 302. The information configured as shown in FIG. 10 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200.

  The image forming apparatus 200 acquires cover data based on the identifier included in the sent information (S108). For example, the image forming apparatus 200 refers to the ID: 2 that is the identifier of the data 212 included in the transmitted information, and acquires the data 212 from the storage unit 210.

  Then, the acquired data and the data included in the sent information are combined (S109). For example, the acquired data 212 and the data 111 included in the transmitted information are combined. Then, the combined document is printed according to the print settings included in the received information (S110).

  By performing such a processing operation, only the operation of combining and printing the cover stored in the image forming apparatus 200 and the text stored in the information processing apparatus 100 is performed like the image forming apparatus 200 and the information processing apparatus 100. It is possible to perform combined printing of the text and cover that are stored separately.

  The processing operation in the above-described embodiment can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  When processing by software is executed, the program is loaded from a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program recording a processing sequence to a memory (RAM) in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. The program can be read and executed, or the program can be installed and executed on a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processes.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or ROM as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program is stored on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a magneto-optical disk such as an MO (Magneto Optical) disk. It is possible to store (record) temporarily or permanently.

  Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

  The program is installed on the computer from the above-described removable recording medium, transferred wirelessly from the download site to the computer, or transferred to the computer via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. On the other hand, the computer can receive the transferred program and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  In addition to being executed in time series in accordance with the processing operations described in the above embodiment, the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processing, or a configuration to execute in parallel or individually as necessary Is also possible.

  In addition, the system described in the above embodiment can be configured to have a logical set configuration of a plurality of devices or to mix the functions of each device.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. is there.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes a comparison unit that compares the size of the first document stored in the first storage unit with the sizes of the plurality of second documents. The display unit may highlight and display a document having the same size as the first document among the plurality of second documents based on the comparison by the comparison unit.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the display unit displays only a document having the same size as the first document among the plurality of second documents based on the comparison by the comparison unit. Anyway.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes an order input unit that receives an input of an order of combining the document selected by the input by the selection input unit and the first document, The first transmission means also transmits the order input by the order input means, the first reception means of the image forming apparatus receives the order from the information processing apparatus, and the combination means Based on the order received by one receiving means, the first document received by the first receiving means may be combined with the second document of the identifier received by the receiving means. good.

100 Information processing device 110 Storage unit 111 Data (text)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Application 130 Display part 140 Communication part 200 Image forming apparatus 210 Memory | storage part 211,212,213 Data (cover)
220 Communication unit 230 Printing unit

JP 2008-117285 A

Claims (5)

An image forming system including an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
First storage means for storing a first document;
An instruction input means for receiving an input of an instruction for combining the first document and one of a plurality of second documents stored in the image forming apparatus;
When receiving the instruction input by the instruction input unit, the first document stored in the storage unit and an identifier of one of the plurality of second documents and the image forming apparatus are transmitted to the image forming apparatus. First transmission means,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Second storage means for storing the plurality of second documents;
First receiving means for receiving the first document and the identifier from the information processing apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: a combining unit that combines the first document received by the first receiving unit and the second document having the identifier received by the receiving unit. An image forming system including an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
First storage means for storing a first document;
Instruction input means for receiving an instruction to combine the first document and a plurality of second documents stored in the image forming apparatus;
A first transmission unit configured to transmit a request for information on the plurality of second documents to the image forming apparatus when receiving the instruction input by the instruction input unit;
Second receiving means for receiving information of the plurality of second documents transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
Display means for displaying a list of information of the plurality of documents when the information of the plurality of second documents is received by the second receiving means;
Selection input means for receiving an input for selecting one document from the plurality of second documents,
The first transmission means includes
When the selection input unit receives the selection input, the first document stored in the storage unit, the identifier of the selected one document, and the image forming apparatus are transmitted.
The image forming apparatus includes:
Second storage means for storing the plurality of second documents;
First receiving means for receiving the request, the first document, and the identifier from the information processing apparatus;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit information of the plurality of second documents stored in the second storage unit to the information processing apparatus when the request is received by the first reception unit;
An image forming system comprising: a combining unit that combines the first document received by the first receiving unit and the second document having the identifier received by the receiving unit. The information processing apparatus includes:
Comparing means for comparing the size of the first document stored in the first storage means with the size of the plurality of second documents;
The display means emphasizes and displays a document having the same size as the first document among the plurality of second documents based on the comparison by the comparison means. The image forming system according to 3.   6. The display unit according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays only a document having the same size as the first document among the plurality of second documents based on the comparison by the comparison unit. Image forming system. The information processing apparatus includes:
Order input means for receiving an input of an order for combining the document selected by the input by the selection input means and the first document;
The first transmission means also transmits the order input by the order input means,
A first receiving unit of the image forming apparatus also receives the order from the information processing apparatus;
The combining means includes the first document received by the first receiving means based on the order received by the first receiving means; the second document of the identifier received by the receiving means; The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is combined.

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