JP2012003553A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving convenience of a user when the user changes image forming conditions and repeats image formation of an image which has been previously formed on a sheet using pre-registered image forming conditions.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has a registered conditions storage part for storing pre-registered image forming conditions, an image information storing part for storing image information of an image formed on a sheet using pre-registered image forming conditions, an instruction reception part for receiving an instruction of repeating image formation of an image on a new sheet, a display part for displaying image forming conditions when an instruction is received by the instruction reception part, a change reception part for receiving a change made by a user to image forming conditions displayed on the display part, and an image forming part for forming, on a new sheet, the image based on the image information stored in the image information storage part by applying the image forming conditions changed by the user.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of forming an image by applying pre-registered image forming conditions.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental protection and cost reduction, there are an increasing number of companies that limit printing conditions of image forming apparatuses such as printers and reduce consumption of toner and printing paper. In such a company, for example, printing conditions such as monochrome printing, toner save printing, and duplex printing are registered by the system administrator, and the user is allowed to print only under the printing conditions registered by the system administrator.

  However, in an environment where printing is performed by applying the printing conditions registered by the system administrator, the printing result desired by the user may not be obtained. For example, the toner save setting by the system administrator makes it difficult to see a particular color or ruled line of the table, and the person who distributed the printed material cannot determine the content of the printed material.

  If the desired print result cannot be obtained, the user, for example, asks the system administrator to temporarily remove the restrictions on the print conditions, and then reprints by changing the print conditions. Inconvenient. Therefore, in the environment where the printing conditions registered by the system administrator are applied and printing is performed, when the printing result desired by the user cannot be obtained, the convenience of the user who reprints by changing the printing conditions is improved. Improvement is desired.

  As a technique related to reprinting, a technique is known in which an executed print job is stored in a storage device, and a print job stored in the storage device is read and printed as necessary (Patent Document 1). , 2). According to this technique, the user does not need to open a file again on the PC (Personal Computer) side and set printing conditions. However, this technique reprints under the same printing conditions, and cannot improve the convenience of the user who performs reprinting by changing the printing conditions.

JP 2007-11578 A JP 2008-23736 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of the user when changing the image formation conditions and performing image formation again for an image formed on a sheet by applying pre-registered image formation conditions. An image forming apparatus and an image forming system are provided.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  (1) a registration condition storage unit that stores pre-registered image formation conditions; an image information storage unit that stores image information of an image formed on a sheet by applying the pre-registered image formation conditions; An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to re-form the image on a new sheet, a display unit that displays the image forming conditions when the instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit, and a display on the display unit A change accepting unit that accepts a change by the user of the image forming conditions that have been changed, and an image based on the image information stored in the image information storage unit on a new sheet by applying the image forming conditions changed by the user An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit formed on the image forming unit.

  (2) An image reading unit that reads the image from a sheet on which an image is formed by applying the pre-registered image forming conditions, and image information of the image read by the image reading unit from the image information storage unit An image information acquisition unit that acquires an image based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit by applying an image forming condition changed by the user. The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the image forming apparatus is formed on a sheet.

  (3) A code image including identification information for specifying image information of the image is added to the image formed on the paper by applying the pre-registered image forming conditions, and the image reading The unit reads the image to which the code image is added, and the image information acquisition unit acquires image information specified by the identification information included in the code image from the image information storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to (2) above.

  (4) An application condition storage unit that stores the pre-registered image formation conditions in association with the image information; and when the instruction is received by the instruction reception unit, the image formation conditions from the application condition storage unit An image forming condition acquisition unit that acquires the image forming condition, and the display unit displays the image forming condition acquired by the image forming condition acquisition unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

  (5) An image information storage unit for storing image information of an image formed on a sheet by applying pre-registered image forming conditions, and an instruction for receiving an instruction to re-form the image on a new sheet A receiving unit; a display unit that displays the image forming condition when the instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit; a change receiving unit that receives a change by the user of the image forming condition displayed on the display unit; An image forming unit configured to form an image based on the image information stored in the image information storage unit on a new sheet by applying an image forming condition changed by a user; system.

  (6) An image reading unit that reads the image from a sheet on which an image is formed by applying the pre-registered image forming condition, and image information of the image read by the image reading unit from the image information storage unit An image information acquisition unit that acquires an image based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit by applying an image forming condition changed by the user. The image forming system according to (5), wherein the image forming system is formed on a sheet.

  (7) A code image including identification information for specifying image information of the image is added to the image formed on the sheet by applying the pre-registered image forming conditions, and the image reading The unit reads the image to which the code image is added, and the image information acquisition unit acquires image information specified by the identification information included in the code image from the image information storage unit. The image forming system according to (6) above.

  (8) An application condition storage unit that stores the pre-registered image formation conditions in association with the image information; and when the instruction is received by the instruction reception unit, the image formation conditions from the application condition storage unit An image forming condition acquisition unit that acquires the image forming condition, and the display unit displays the image forming condition acquired by the image forming condition acquisition unit. The image forming system according to any one of the above.

  According to the present invention, the pre-registered image forming conditions are displayed on the display unit, and the user can change the image forming conditions, so that the pre-registered image forming conditions are applied to form the image on the paper. For the image, the convenience of the user when changing the image forming condition and performing image formation again is improved.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC shown by FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of printing condition registration processing executed in the MFP. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting selection screen displayed on the operation panel of the MFP. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print processing executed in the MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the job preservation | save process shown by step S202 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the job management information preserve | saved at a job management list. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the image data generation process shown by step S206 of FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image printed by an MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the reprint instruction information contained in the reprint instruction code image. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of reprint processing executed in the MFP. 13 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. It is a flowchart following FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of job deletion processing executed in the MFP.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming system according to the present embodiment includes PCs 100A and 100B as print instruction apparatuses and MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 200A and 200B as image forming apparatuses. The PCs 100A and 100B and the MFPs 200A and 200B are connected via a network 300 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The network 300 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) in which computers and network devices are connected according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Token Ring, and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), or LANs connected by a dedicated line. The network consists of various networks such as WAN (Wide Area Network). The type and number of devices connected to the network 300 are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PC shown in FIG. Since the PCs 100A and 100B have the same configuration, the PC 100A will be described below as a representative.

  The PC 100A includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a hard disk 104, a display 105, an input device 106, and a communication interface 107, which exchange signals. Are connected to each other via a bus 108.

  The CPU 101 performs control of each part and various arithmetic processes according to a program. The ROM 102 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area.

  The hard disk 104 stores various programs including an operating system (OS) and various data. The hard disk 104 also has a document file creation application for creating a document file and a document file that is converted into PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) that can be interpreted by the MFPs 200A and 200B. Printer driver is installed.

  The display 105 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information. The input device 106 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for performing various inputs. The communication interface 107 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the network 300, and standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI are used.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the MFP shown in FIG. Since the MFPs 200A and 200B have the same configuration, the MFP 200A will be described below as a representative.

  The MFP 200A includes a main CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, an operation panel 205, an image reading unit 206, a first image processing circuit 207, a second image processing circuit 208, a print engine 209, and a communication interface 210. Are mutually connected via a bus 211 for exchanging data. Of the above-described units of the MFP 200A, portions having the same functions as those of the above-described units of the PC 100A are not described in order to avoid redundant description.

  The main CPU 201 performs control of the above units and various arithmetic processes according to a program. Hard disk 204 stores jobs (print job and copy job) executed by MFP 200A. The hard disk 204 stores a saved job management list for managing stored jobs.

  The operation panel 205 includes elements such as a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, and a stop button, and is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions. The operation panel 205 accepts registration of print settings by the administrator of the image forming system and change of print settings by the user.

  The image reading unit 206 includes a scanner CPU 221, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor 222, an IR (Image Reader) / ADF (Auto Document Feeder) motor 223, and a motor driver 224. The scanner CPU 221 performs control of each unit and various arithmetic processes according to a program. The IR / ADF motor 223 is a motor that drives a reading device (IR) and an automatic document feeder (ADF), and the motor driver 224 controls the IR / ADF motor 223. The image reading unit 206 applies light to a document set at a predetermined reading position on the document table or a document conveyed to a predetermined reading position by an automatic document feeder with a light source such as a fluorescent lamp, and the reflected light is applied to the CCD image. The sensor 222 performs photoelectric conversion to generate image data from the electrical signal.

  The first image processing circuit 207 performs image processing on image data obtained by reading an original with the image reading unit 206. The first image processing circuit 207 detects a reprint instruction code image 610 (FIG. 10A) included in the document image.

  The second image processing circuit 208 performs image processing on the image data generated when the job is executed, and transfers the image data after the image processing to the print engine 209. The second image processing circuit 208 performs image processing according to a predetermined print setting.

  The print engine 209 forms an image based on the image data transferred from the second image processing circuit 208 on a recording medium such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process.

  Note that the PCs 100A and 100B and the MFPs 200A and 200B may include components other than the above-described components, or may not include some of the above-described components.

  In the image forming system configured as described above, from the viewpoint of reducing the consumption of toner and printing paper, print settings (hereinafter referred to as “print settings”) registered in advance by the administrator of the image forming system are used for the print processing executed by the MFP 200A. This is forcibly applied. In this specification, “print setting” is applied not only to the setting of image forming conditions applied when executing a print job transmitted from the PC 100A or 100B, but also when executing a copy job for copying an image of a document. Setting of image forming conditions to be performed is also included.

  When the forced printing setting registered by the administrator is applied and the printing process is performed, the printing result desired by the user may not be obtained. At this time, the user can change the print setting on the MFP 200 </ b> A to reprint an image for which a desired print result is not obtained. The operation of MFP 200A will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  First, with reference to FIG. 4, a process for registering forced print settings in the MFP 200A will be described. The forced print setting is selected by the administrator of the image forming system.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of printing condition registration processing executed in the MFP. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is stored as a program in the hard disk 204 of the MFP 200 </ b> A and executed by the main CPU 201.

  In the printing condition registration process, first, selection of forced printing setting is accepted (step S101). Specifically, selection of setting values by an administrator of the image forming system is accepted for a plurality of setting items for specifying printing conditions.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting selection screen displayed on the operation panel of the MFP. The print setting selection screen 400 is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 205. The print setting selection screen 400 includes setting items such as color selection settings, toner save settings, page division settings, and print type settings. When the administrator of the image forming system selects the setting value of the setting item on the touch panel, the forced print setting is selected. In FIG. 5, from the standpoint of reducing toner and printing paper consumption, color selection setting: “monochrome”, toner save setting: “ON”, page division setting: “2 in 1”, and print type setting: “duplex” Is selected.

  Subsequently, forced print settings are registered (step S102). In the present embodiment, the forced print setting selected in the process shown in step S <b> 101 is stored in the RAM 203.

  As described above, according to the processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the administrator of the image forming system selects the forced print setting of the MFP 200A, and the selected forced print setting is registered. Note that a plurality of types of such forced print settings may be registered for each user authority, and different forced print settings may be applied depending on the user.

  Next, a printing process executed in MFP 200A will be described. In the printing process, forced print settings are forcibly applied, and an image based on the forced print settings is formed on a sheet.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of print processing executed in the MFP. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is stored as a program in the hard disk 204 of the MFP 200 </ b> A and executed by the main CPU 201.

  In the printing process, first, a job is received (step S201). For example, a print job transmitted from the PC 100A is accepted. Alternatively, a copy job is accepted by setting a document on the image reading unit 206 of the MFP 200 </ b> A and reading the document.

  Subsequently, a job saving process is executed (step S202). In the present embodiment, the job accepted in the process shown in step S201 is stored in the hard disk 204 for the reprint process described later. At this time, job management information such as a job ID and a page ID is added to the job.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the job saving process shown in step S202 of FIG.

  In the job storage process, first, a job ID and a page ID are generated (step S301). In the present embodiment, a job ID for identifying the job accepted in the process shown in step S201 of FIG. 6 and a page ID for identifying the page of the job are generated. The page ID is generated for each page by analyzing the page configuration of the job.

  Subsequently, the job ID, page ID, and date / time information are stored in the stored job management list (step S302). In the present embodiment, the job ID and page ID generated by the processing shown in step S301 are saved as job management information in the saved job management list stored in the hard disk 204 together with date / time information indicating the job execution date / time. .

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of job management information stored in the stored job management list. The job management information 500 includes a job ID for identifying the job, a page ID for identifying the job page, and date / time information indicating the execution date / time of the job. If the job includes a file name, the job management information 500 includes file name information.

  Subsequently, the job is saved (step S303). In the present embodiment, the job accepted in the process shown in step S201 of FIG. When the job is a print job, PDL data is saved, and when the job is a copy job, image data is saved.

  After the job is saved in the process shown in step S202 of FIG. 6, the forced print setting is read (step S203). In this embodiment, in order to apply the forced print setting to the job received in the process shown in step S201, the forced print setting registered by the user in the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the content of the print setting of the job is changed to the content of the forced print setting (step S204). For example, when the job is a print job, the print setting content of the print job designated by the user on the printer driver side is changed to the forced print setting content.

  Subsequently, the print settings are saved (step S205). In the present embodiment, the print settings changed in the process shown in step S204 are stored in the hard disk 204 in association with the job for reprinting processes to be described later.

  Then, image data generation processing is executed (step S206). In the present embodiment, image processing is performed according to the print settings (that is, forced print settings) saved in the process shown in step S205, and image data for printing is generated. At this time, a reprint instruction code image 610 (FIG. 10A) used in a reprint process to be described later is added to each page of image data.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image data generation process shown in step S206 of FIG.

  In the image data generation process, first, a reprint instruction code image is generated (step S401). Specifically, reprint instruction code image data including information such as a job ID and a page ID is generated.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the job is a copy job (step S402). In this embodiment, it is determined whether the job accepted in the process shown in step S201 of FIG. 6 is a copy job or a print job.

  When it is determined that the job is a copy job (step S402: YES), the process proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if it is determined that the job is not a copy job (step S402: NO), it is determined that the job is a print job, and rasterization processing is executed on the PDL data (step S403). Image data is generated by executing the rasterization process.

  Subsequently, image processing according to print settings is executed (step S404). In the present embodiment, image processing according to the print settings saved in the processing shown in step S205 is performed on the image data by the second image processing circuit 208. Here, the applied print setting is a forced print setting set by the administrator. For example, when the toner save setting is set to “ON”, pixel thinning processing is executed.

  Subsequently, noise in the area of the image data to which the reprint instruction code image is added is removed (step S405). In the present embodiment, for example, the image in the upper right part of the image formed on the paper is removed so that the reprint instruction code image is accurately detected in the reprinting process described later.

  Subsequently, a reprint instruction code image is added to the image data (step S406). In the present embodiment, the data of the reprint instruction code image generated in the process shown in step S401 is added to the area of the image data from which noise has been removed in the process shown in step S405.

  Then, printing is performed in the process shown in step S207 of FIG. 6, and the process ends. Specifically, after it is confirmed that the status information obtained from the print engine 209 is in a print permission state, the image data generated in the process shown in step S206 is transferred to the print engine 209. The print engine 209 forms an image based on the image data on the paper.

  FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of an image formed on a sheet by applying the forced print setting. A reprint instruction code image 610 used in a reprint process to be described later is added to the upper right portion of the sheet 600a on which an image is formed by applying the forced print setting. The reprint instruction code 610 is, for example, a QR code image, and can be formed in an inconspicuous color (for example, yellow). The reprint instruction code image 610 includes reprint instruction information.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of reprint instruction information included in the reprint instruction code image. The reprint instruction information 700 includes machine information 710, job information 720, and print setting information 730. The machine information 710 is information for specifying the MFP that has executed the job, and includes name information, serial number information, IP address information, and Mac address information of the printing device. The job information 720 is information for specifying a job, and includes a job ID, a page ID, file name information, and date / time information. The print setting information 730 is information indicating print settings applied at the time of job execution, and includes setting value information of each setting item. In the reprint instruction information 700, the print setting information 730 can be omitted.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, an image is formed on the paper 600a by applying the forced print setting registered by the administrator. For example, when an image is formed in accordance with the toner save setting “ON”, it may be difficult to see a table or a graph formed on the paper 600a. In such a case, the user can cause the MFP 200A to reprint the image under different printing conditions by causing the image reading unit 206 to read the paper 600a on which the image to be reprinted is formed. Hereinafter, the reprinting process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a reprint processing procedure executed in the MFP. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is stored as a program in the hard disk 204 of the MFP 200 </ b> A and executed by the main CPU 201.

  In the reprint process, first, input of copy settings is accepted (step S501). For example, when a sheet 600a on which an image to be reprinted is formed is set in the image reading unit 206 and the sheet 600a is detected, input of copy settings is accepted.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the copy start key has been pressed (step S502). If it is determined that the start key is not pressed (step S502: NO), the process waits until the start key is pressed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the start key has been pressed (step S502: YES), the document is read (step S503).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the reprint instruction code image 610 has been detected (step S504). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the reprint code image 610 is recognized at a predetermined position of the image read by the image reading unit 206.

  If it is determined that the reprint instruction code image 610 is not detected (step S504: NO), it is determined that the current process is not a reprint process but a normal copy process, and the process proceeds to step S509. And the process shown to step S509-S514 is performed and a process is complete | finished. The processes shown in steps S509 to S514 are the same as the processes shown in steps S202 to S207 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process shown in step S504 that the reprint instruction code image 610 has been detected (step S504: YES), a selection screen is displayed (step S505). In this embodiment, a selection screen (not shown) that prompts the user to select whether to execute reprint processing or copy processing is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 205.

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction for reprinting (step S506). If “reprint” is selected on the selection screen displayed in the process shown in step S505 and an instruction to reprint the image is accepted, it is determined that there is an instruction to reprint.

  If it is determined that there is no reprint instruction (step S506: NO), it is determined whether there is a copy instruction (step S507). If “copy” is selected on the selection screen displayed in the process shown in step S505, it is determined that there is a copy instruction.

  When it is determined that there is a copy instruction (step S507: YES), the process proceeds to step S509. And the process shown to step S509-S514 is performed and a process is complete | finished.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no copy instruction (step S507: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S508). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S508: NO), the process returns to step S506. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed (step S508: YES), the processing shown in steps S509 to S514 is executed, and the processing is terminated, assuming that the copy processing is executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the process shown in step S506 that there is an instruction for reprinting (step S506: YES), the process shown in step S515 and subsequent steps in FIG. 13 is executed.

  First, it is determined whether or not the document is printed by the own machine (step S515 in FIG. 13). In the present embodiment, based on the machine information 710 included in the reprint instruction code image 610, the image read in the process shown in step S503 is an image printed by the MFP 200A or printed by another MFP. It is determined whether the image has been processed.

  If it is determined that the document is not printed by the own machine (step S515: NO), the process proceeds to step S529 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the document has been printed by the own machine (step S515: YES), the presence or absence of a job is confirmed against the saved job management list (step S516). Specifically, it is confirmed whether the same job ID and page ID as the job ID and page ID included in the reprint instruction code image 610 are in the saved job management list.

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is a job in the saved job management list (step S517). In the present embodiment, when a certain period has elapsed since the job was saved, the job is deleted from the saved job management list.

  If it is determined that there is no job in the saved job management list (step S517: NO), the user is notified that the job has not been found (step S518), and the process ends. For example, a message notifying that a job has not been found is displayed on the operation panel 205.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a job in the saved job management list (step S517: YES), the job is searched from the hard disk 204 (step S519). In the present embodiment, a job in which the same job ID and page ID as the job ID and page ID included in the reprint instruction code image 610 is associated is searched.

  Subsequently, the print setting is read (step S520). In the present embodiment, the print setting (forced print setting) stored in the hard disk 204 in association with the job searched in the process shown in step S519 is read.

  Then, the print setting is displayed (step S521). In the present embodiment, the print settings read out in the process shown in step S520 are displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 205. On the operation panel 205, for example, a print setting selection screen 400 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed in a state where a change in print settings by the user can be accepted. Therefore, the user can change print settings through the operation panel 205 so that a desired print result can be obtained. For example, the user can change the toner save setting from “ON” to “OFF” and the color selection setting from “monochrome” to “color”. Alternatively, the user can change the page division setting from “2 in 1” to “OFF” and the print type setting from “double-sided” to “single-sided”.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the print setting has been confirmed (step S522). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the execution of printing has been instructed after accepting a change in print settings or designation of the number of copies by the user. When it is determined that the print setting has not been determined (step S522: NO), it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S523). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S523: NO), the process returns to step S521. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed (step S523: YES), the process is terminated. As a result, for example, the process returns to step S502.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process shown in step S522 that the print setting has been confirmed (step S522: YES), a job storage process is executed (step S524). Then, the determined print setting is stored in the hard disk 204 in association with the job (step S525). Note that the processing shown in steps S524 and S525 is the same as the processing shown in steps S202 and S205 of FIG.

  Subsequently, an image data generation process is executed (step S526). In the present embodiment, image processing is performed according to print settings changed by the user, and image data for printing is generated. Note that the process shown in step S526 is the same as the process shown in step S206 of FIG.

  Then, printing is performed (step S527). In the present embodiment, an image based on the image data generated by the process shown in step S525 is formed on the paper. That is, an image is formed by applying print settings changed by the user. Thereby, the user can obtain a desired printing result.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether there is a next document (step S528). If paper remains in the ADF, it is determined that there is a next original. If it is determined that there is a next document (step S528: YES), the process returns to step S503. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no next original (step S528: NO), the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the processes shown in steps S515 to S528, the paper on which the image to be reprinted is formed is read, and the print settings applied at the time of printing the image are read. The read print setting is displayed on the operation panel 205 in a state in which a change by the user can be accepted. The user can reprint the image by changing the print setting displayed on the operation panel 205.

  In the above-described embodiment, the job and print settings corresponding to the image to be reprinted are specified based on the reprint instruction code image 610 added to the image to be reprinted. However, unlike the present embodiment, the reprint instruction code image 610 may be omitted. In this case, for example, image processing is performed on the image of the document read by the image reading unit 206, and the corresponding job and print settings are directly specified from the read image.

  In the above-described embodiment, the job and the print setting are stored in the hard disk 204 for the reprinted image, and the reprint instruction code image is added. However, in the reprint process, these processes may be omitted, and an image may be formed simply by applying the changed print settings.

  On the other hand, in the processing shown in step S515 in FIG. 13, if it is determined that the document is not printed by the own machine (step S515: NO), a network search is performed to determine whether there is an MFP that is the printing source of the document. It is determined whether or not (steps S529 and S530 in FIG. 14). In the present embodiment, an MFP specified by the IP address or Mac address included in the reprint instruction code image 610 is searched on the network 300. Then, it is determined whether or not the corresponding MFP is on the network 300.

  If it is determined that there is no MFP as a printing source on the network 300 (step S530: NO), the user is notified that the job has not been found (step S535), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an MFP that is the printing source on the network 300 (step S530: YES), the presence / absence of a job is confirmed against the saved job management list of the MFP that is the printing source (step S531).

  Then, it is determined whether or not there is a job in the saved job management list (step S532). If it is determined that there is no job in the saved job management list (step S532: NO), the user is notified that the job has not been found (step S535), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a job in the saved job management list (step S532: YES), the transmission of the job is requested (step S533). In this embodiment, the MFP that stores the job is requested to transmit the job to the MFP 200A. The MFP requested to transmit the job transmits the job to MFP 200A. At this time, the print setting (forced print setting) applied when the job is executed is transmitted together with the job.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a job has been received (step S534). For example, if the job cannot be received due to security problems (step S534: NO), the user is notified that the job was not found (step S535), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when a job is received (step S534: YES), the job is temporarily stored in the RAM 203 (step S536).

  Subsequently, the print setting is read and the print setting is displayed (steps S537 and S538). In the present embodiment, the print settings received with the job are displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 205. On the operation panel 205, for example, a print setting selection screen 400 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed in a state where a change in print settings by the user can be accepted. Therefore, the user can change print settings through the operation panel 205 so that a desired print result can be obtained.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the print setting has been confirmed (step S539). When it is determined that the print setting has not been confirmed (step S539: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step S540). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S540: NO), the process returns to step S539. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed (step S540: YES), the process is terminated. As a result, for example, the process returns to step S502.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process shown in step S539 that the print setting has been confirmed (step S539: YES), a job storage process is executed (step S541). The determined print setting is stored in the hard disk 204 in association with the job (step S542).

  Subsequently, an image data generation process is executed and printing is performed (steps S543 and S544). As a result, the user can obtain a desired print result.

  Subsequently, the job stored in the RAM 203 is deleted (step S545). In the present embodiment, the job stored in the RAM 203 in the process shown in step S536 is deleted.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a next original (step S546). If it is determined that there is a next document (step S546: YES), the process returns to step S503. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no next original (step S546: NO), the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the processing shown in steps S529 to S546, the job of the image to be reprinted and the print settings are acquired from the printing source MFP. The acquired print settings are displayed on the operation panel 205 in a state where a change by the user can be accepted. The user can reprint the image by changing the print setting displayed on the operation panel 205.

  Referring to FIG. 10 again, it may be difficult to see a table or a graph in an image formed on the paper 600a by applying the forced print setting set by the administrator (see FIG. 10A). When the user wishes to reprint such an image, when the MFP 200A reads the paper 600a on which the image to be reprinted is formed, the forced print setting applied at the time of forming the image to be reprinted is set. And displayed on the operation panel 205 in a changeable state. By changing the print setting through the operation panel 205, the user can form an image to be reprinted on the new paper 610b by applying the desired print setting.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when reprinting an image, the forced print setting set by the administrator is canceled and displayed on the operation panel 205 in a state where the setting can be changed. There is no need to ask the administrator to cancel the forced print setting. That is, the user can easily reprint an image printed by applying the forced print setting. As a result, the user can cope with a printing environment in which printing restrictions are applied to reduce consumption of toner and printing paper without feeling stress.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the image on the page unit can be reprinted by causing the image reading unit 206 of the MFP 200A to read the paper on which the image to be reprinted is formed. Therefore, the user can easily reprint an image for which a desired print result has not been obtained on a page-by-page basis.

  In this embodiment, since the reprint instruction code image 610 is added to the image to be reprinted, the job and print settings stored in the hard disk 204 are changed using the information included in the code image 610. It can be read quickly.

  Finally, processing for periodically deleting jobs stored in the MFP 200A will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of job deletion processing executed in the MFP. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is stored as a program in the hard disk 204 of the MFP 200A, and is executed by the main CPU 201.

  In the job deletion process, first, the date and time are confirmed at a predetermined timing (step S601). In the present embodiment, the current date and time are confirmed at a preset time interval.

  Subsequently, the save date and time of the job included in the saved job management list is confirmed (step S602), and it is determined whether there is a job that has passed for a certain period after saving (step S603).

  If it is determined that there is no job that has passed for a certain period after storage (step S603: NO), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a job that has passed for a certain period after saving (step S603: YES), the job that has passed for a certain period after saving is deleted from the hard disk 204 (step S604).

  Then, the job information is deleted from the saved job management list (step S605), and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, the job stored in the hard disk 204 in the printing process is periodically deleted.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the print setting is stored in the hard disk 204 of the MFP in association with the job, read out at the time of reprinting, and displayed on the operation panel 205. However, the print setting need not be stored in the hard disk 204 in association with the job. In this case, for example, the print setting information 730 included in the reprint instruction code image 610 can be acquired and displayed on the operation panel 205 during the reprint process. Alternatively, the forced print settings registered by the administrator of the image forming system can be read directly from the RAM 203 and displayed on the operation panel 205.

  In the above embodiment, an image to be reprinted in the reprint process is specified based on the reprint instruction code image 610, and the corresponding print setting is displayed on the operation panel 205. However, the method for specifying the image to be reprinted is not limited to this. For example, the user may specify the image to be reprinted by manually specifying the image to be reprinted using the operation panel 205.

  In the above embodiment, the forced printing setting registered in the MFP 200A by the administrator of the image forming system is applied, and the printing process is performed. However, the method for limiting the printing conditions is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, for a print job, it is possible to apply forced print settings in the printer driver.

  In the above embodiment, the MFP has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus that executes the reprinting process. However, the image forming apparatus that executes the reprinting process is not limited to the MFP, and can be applied to, for example, a printer or a copier.

  The means and method for performing various processes in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk and a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is normally transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the apparatus as a function of the image forming apparatus.

100A, 100B PC,
101 CPU,
102, 202 ROM,
103, 203 RAM,
104,204 hard disk,
105 display,
106 input devices,
107,210 communication interface,
108,211 bus,
200A, 200B MFP,
201 main CPU,
205 operation panel,
206 Image reading unit,
207 first image processing circuit,
208 second image processing circuit,
209 Print Engine,
300 network,
400 print setting selection screen,
500 Job management information,
600a, 600b paper,
610 Reprint instruction code image,
700 Reprint instruction information.

Claims (8)

A registration condition storage unit for storing pre-registered image forming conditions;
An image information storage unit that stores image information of an image formed on a sheet by applying the previously registered image forming conditions;
An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to form the image again on a new sheet;
A display unit that displays the image forming conditions when the instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit;
A change accepting unit that accepts a change by the user of the image forming conditions displayed on the display unit;
Applying an image forming condition changed by the user, and forming an image based on the image information stored in the image information storage unit on a new sheet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image reading unit that reads the image from a sheet on which an image is formed by applying the pre-registered image forming conditions;
An image information acquisition unit that acquires image information of an image read by the image reading unit from the image information storage unit;
The image forming unit forms an image based on the image information acquired by the image information acquiring unit on a new sheet by applying an image forming condition changed by the user. The image forming apparatus described in 1. A code image including identification information for specifying image information of the image is added to the image formed on the paper by applying the pre-registered image forming conditions,
The image reading unit reads an image to which the code image is added,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image information acquisition unit acquires image information specified by the identification information included in the code image from the image information storage unit. An application condition storage unit that stores the pre-registered image forming conditions in association with the image information;
An image forming condition acquisition unit that acquires the image forming condition from the application condition storage unit when the instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an image forming condition acquired by the image forming condition acquiring unit. An image information storage unit for storing image information of an image formed on a sheet by applying pre-registered image forming conditions;
An instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to form the image again on a new sheet;
A display unit that displays the image forming conditions when the instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit;
A change accepting unit that accepts a change by the user of the image forming conditions displayed on the display unit;
Applying an image forming condition changed by the user, and forming an image based on the image information stored in the image information storage unit on a new sheet;
An image forming system comprising: An image reading unit that reads the image from a sheet on which an image is formed by applying the pre-registered image forming conditions;
An image information acquisition unit that acquires image information of an image read by the image reading unit from the image information storage unit;
6. The image forming unit applies an image forming condition changed by the user and forms an image based on the image information acquired by the image information acquiring unit on a new sheet. The image forming system described in 1. A code image including identification information for specifying image information of the image is added to the image formed on the paper by applying the pre-registered image forming conditions,
The image reading unit reads an image to which the code image is added,
The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the image information acquisition unit acquires image information specified by the identification information included in the code image from the image information storage unit. An application condition storage unit that stores the pre-registered image forming conditions in association with the image information;
An image forming condition acquisition unit that acquires the image forming condition from the application condition storage unit when the instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit;
The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays an image forming condition acquired by the image forming condition acquiring unit.