JP2013046099A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow print material once printed and output to be recopied in the form according to print setting preferred by a user.SOLUTION: Document data is read from a recording medium in which the document data including attribute information including output setting information to the recording medium is recorded and the attribute information included in the read document data is extracted. Determination whether first output setting information included in the extracted attribute information and second output setting information preferred by a user match with each other is performed. When the first output setting information and the second output setting information do not match with each other, selection whether to output by the first output setting information or by the second output setting information is received. When outputting by the first output setting information is selected, the read document data is output to the recording medium as it is. On the other hand, when outputting by the second output setting information is selected, control is performed so that the read document data is changed to an output layout which becomes the second output setting information and output to the recording medium.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control method for changing to a preferred print setting when copying a document.

  Conventional copying machines include a copying machine having a Nin1 copy function for copying a plurality of pages (N pages) on one sheet of paper, and a copy function for double-sided printing a single-sided printing material. Further, Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming apparatus that can easily re-copy originals printed with a plurality of Nin1, such as 2in1 and 4in1, to a unified copy of Nin1.

JP 2004-304546 A

  However, Patent Document 1 detects that the printed material is 2in1 or 4in1 by detecting the boundary line of the material printed in 2in1, 4in1, or the like, and the printed material is printed in full 2in1. In the case of a 4in1 document or when there are many margins and it is difficult to understand the boundary of the document, it may be difficult to detect the borderline of Nin1 printing.

  For this reason, in the case of a document in which it is difficult to detect the boundary line of Nin1 printing, the user preference print setting and the Nin1 print setting are covered, and a copy result unintended by the user may be obtained.

  For example, when the user preference print setting is 2in1, when copying a 2in1 material, if a 2in1 boundary cannot be detected, the 2in1 material will be a 2in1 copy, resulting in a 4in1 copy. Printing is not possible, and time and resources are wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to recopy a printed material that has been printed once in a form that conforms to user-preferred print settings.

  The present invention provides document data reading means for reading the document data from a recording medium on which document data including attribute information including output setting information to the recording medium is recorded, and a document read by the document data reading means Attribute information extraction means for extracting the attribute information included in the data, first output setting information included in the attribute information extracted by the attribute information extraction means, and second output setting information of user preference. When the first output setting information and the second output setting information do not match by the output setting determining means for determining whether or not the output setting determining means and the output setting determining means, the first output setting information Selection accepting means for accepting the selection of whether to output at the second output setting information, or when selecting to output with the first output setting information by the selection accepting means, A first output control unit that controls to output the document data read by the document data reading unit as it is to a recording medium; and when the selection receiving unit selects to output the second output setting information, And second output control means for controlling the document data read by the document data reading means to be changed to an output layout serving as the second output setting information and to be output to a recording medium. .

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to re-copy the printed material once printed and output in a form according to the print setting of the user's preference.

1 is a software block diagram of a printing system illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a hardware block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an image diagram obtained by reading 4in1 printed document data in which four logical pages 501 to 504 are arranged on one physical page 500. FIG. It is a data block diagram which showed the example of the attribute information of the document data memorize | stored in the two-dimensional barcode in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is an image diagram obtained by reading 2-in-1 printed document data in which two logical pages 701 and 702 are arranged on one physical page. 4 is an example of an operation button displayed on an operation unit 208 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a data block diagram which showed the example memorize | stored as the output layout setting of recommendation copy in embodiment of this invention. 4 is an example of an operation button displayed on an operation unit 208 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an example of a diagram illustrating a determination as to whether or not a logical page needs to be divided for output in recommended copy output layout setting. FIG. 10 is a data configuration diagram for determining whether to change a page order by dividing a logical page of an output result in recommended copying in the embodiment of the present invention.

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

  FIG. 1 is a software configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system to which the image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention can be applied.

  A document data reading unit 101 reads document data by a scanner unit (214 in FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes an attribute information extraction unit that outputs the output attribute information (first output setting information: whether the output layout is 2in1 or 4in1) from the data read by the document data reading unit. In the case of 4 in 1, information indicating whether the arrangement order is from the upper left to the right or from the upper left to the lower) is extracted.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes an output setting determination unit, which includes a preference output setting (output layout) input from the user by the preference setting input receiving unit 107 and an output setting of output attribute information of the document data extracted by the attribute information extraction unit 102. Determine if they match.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a selection reception unit, which selects which output setting is used when the preference output setting input by the user in the output setting determination unit 103 is different from the output setting of the output attribute information of the document data. Accept.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a first output control unit, which controls to output with the output setting of the output attribute information of the document data when outputting with the output setting of the output attribute information of the document data (that is, simply copy).

  On the other hand, 106 is a second output control unit which outputs the document data after being processed by the document data dividing unit 108 and the divided document data arranging unit 109 so as to be output with the preference output setting input by the user. Control.

  A preference setting input receiving unit 107 receives output layout setting information (second output setting information) desired by the user from the user. In this example, the preference setting input reception unit is set to the recommended copy output layout setting by the recommended copy button. However, the user may arbitrarily set the output layout, or the output layout is set by the department or job title. May be.

  A document data dividing unit 108 divides the document data into logical pages (respective pages 501 to 504 in FIG. 5) in order to output the document data with the preference output setting input by the user.

  A divided document data arrangement unit 109 arranges the logical pages divided by the document data division unit 108 in the arrangement order according to the preference output setting in order to output the document data with the preference output setting input by the user.

  An attribute information determination unit 110 determines whether output layout information is included in the document data read by the document data reading unit.

  A document data division determination unit 111 determines whether the document data needs to be divided for each logical page.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes an attribute information creation unit that creates information changed to preference output setting by the second output control unit as attribute information, and adds the attribute information created when output control is performed by the second output control unit.

Reference numeral 113 denotes an attribute information deletion unit that deletes the attribute information read by the document data reading unit from the document data.
Note that all the above components are implemented by the CPU 201 in FIG.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 216 denotes a print control unit which is connected to a scanner 214 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 212 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a network 600 (for example, a local area network: LAN) or a public line ( By connecting to a wide area network (WAN) (for example, PSTN or ISDN), input / output of image data and device information is performed.

  In the print control unit 216, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 202 is a system work memory for the CPU 201 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 203 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 204 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 207 is an interface unit with the operation unit (keyboard) 208. Further, the operation unit I / F 207 serves to transmit the key information (for example, pressing of the start button) input from the operation unit 208 to the CPU 201.

205 is a network interface (Network)
I / F) is connected to a network (LAN) 600 to input / output data. Reference numeral 206 denotes a modem (MODEM) which is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  An external interface (external I / F) 218 is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, an image forming apparatus port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, a portable terminal required for authentication is used. A card reader 219 for reading an IC card (storage medium) is connected to the external I / F unit 218. The CPU 201 can control reading of information from the IC card of the mobile terminal by the card reader 219 via the external I / F 218, and can acquire information read from the IC card of the mobile terminal. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 209.

220 is an image bus interface (IMAGE).
BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects a system bus 209 and an image bus 215 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure.

  The image bus 215 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 215.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 210 expands vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. An image forming apparatus interface (image forming apparatus I / F) 211 connects the printer unit 212 and the print control unit 216, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 213 connects the scanner 214 and the print control unit 216 to perform synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 217 corrects, processes, and edits input image data, and performs image forming apparatus correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 217 performs rotation of image data and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for binary image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 214 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 208, the CPU 201 gives an instruction to the scanner 214, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 212 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 201. Note that the printer unit 212 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there is a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 208 includes an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 208 displays an operation screen of the system, and when a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 207. To the CPU 201. The operation unit 208 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  The display unit has different display performance depending on the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus can be operated via a touch panel. The display unit simply includes a liquid crystal screen and displays a character string (displays the print status and the name of the file being printed). The present invention is constituted by an image forming apparatus.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 208 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 208 serves to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 208 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 219 reads information stored in an IC card provided in the portable terminal under the control of the CPU 201 and notifies the CPU 201 of the read information via the external I / F 218.

  With the configuration described above, the image forming apparatus 100 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 214 to the network 600 and print out the print data received from the network 600 by the printer unit 212.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner 214 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 206, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 212.

  Next, an example of processing of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  3 is realized by the CPU of the image forming apparatus 100 executing a program stored in the external memory or ROM on the RAM.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, processing is started when the user performs a login operation in the image forming apparatus 100 to copy document data. In the following example, processing is described as an example of processing in one image forming apparatus. However, even if not one image forming apparatus, a scanner, a printer, and an information processing apparatus are linked to form a single system. It may be configured as, or a single multifunction device and an information processing apparatus may be linked.

  In step S301, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 accepts input of login information from the user on an input screen (not shown) and performs login authentication.

  After login authentication, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 displays a recommended copy button 801 as shown in FIG. 8 on the operation unit 208 in step S302.

  FIG. 8 is an example of operation buttons displayed on the operation unit 208 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 800 denotes a screen image displayed on the operation unit 208 of the image forming apparatus 100, which is a screen image displayed when attempting to copy a recording medium.

  In FIG. 8, when a normal copy button 802 is pressed, a recording medium (paper) placed on a document table (not shown) is copied as it is without being processed. On the other hand, when the recommended copy button 801 is pressed, after scanning a recording medium (not shown), the scanned document data is processed and output according to the recommended copy output layout setting (layout and arrangement order). The recommended copy output layout setting will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a data configuration diagram showing an example stored as recommended copy output layout settings in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 901 denotes a name corresponding to the recommended copy button 801. This name may be anything as long as it is a unique ID with the operation unit 208. Reference numeral 902 denotes a recommended copy output layout. In the case of 902, “2 in 1” is set, so when the recommended copy button is pressed, a recording medium recorded in 1 in 1 or 4 in 1 is output with the 2 in 1 output layout setting. Reference numeral 903 denotes an arrangement order of logical pages within one page when Nin1 is output. Reference numeral 904 denotes a printing method that stores single-sided printing output or double-sided printing output. Reference numeral 905 denotes a binding direction, in which a value specifying a printing direction and a binding position is stored. Note that the data in FIG. 9 is stored in the HDD 204 or the ROM 203 of the image forming apparatus 100. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 303, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the recommended copy button 801 of the operation unit 208 has been pressed.

  If the recommended copy button 801 of the operation unit 208 is pressed in step S303, the recommended copy output layout setting as shown in FIG. 9 is acquired from the HDD 204 or ROM 203 and stored in the RAM 202 or the like, and the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 scans a recording medium placed on a document table (not shown) by the scanner unit 214 and stores the read document data in the HDD 204 or the like (document data reading unit 101). The process proceeds to S305.

  On the other hand, if a button such as the normal copy button 802 of the operation unit 208 is pressed in step S303, the process proceeds to step S312. In step S312, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 scans a recording medium placed on a document table (not shown) by the scanner unit 214, stores the read document data in the HDD 204 or the like, and proceeds to step S311.

  On the other hand, in step S305, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the document data read by the document data reading unit has information including output layout information (attribute information determination unit 110). If it is determined that the output layout information is included, the process proceeds to step S306. On the other hand, if it is determined that the output layout information is not included, the process proceeds to step S311. An example of output layout information will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of image data read by the document data reading unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is an image diagram in which 4-in-1 printed document data in which four logical pages 501 to 504 are arranged in one physical page 500 is read.

  A two-dimensional barcode 505 having attribute information of the document data 500 has output layout information, document information, and the like.

  Whether or not the document data has output layout information is determined by whether or not the document data has a two-dimensional bar code such as 505 in FIG. Whether or not the output layout information is present is determined by whether character information or a predetermined symbol exists somewhere in the document data, even if it is not a two-dimensional barcode such as 505. good. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S306, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 reads attribute information existing on the document data and extracts output layout information (attribute information extraction unit 102). The result of extracting the output layout information will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of attribute information of document data stored in a two-dimensional barcode in the embodiment of the present invention.

  601 in FIG. 6 is a document name of the document data 500, and the document name is “presentation material”. Reference numeral 602 denotes an output layout of the document data 500. In the case of FIG. 6, it is an image of document data printed in 4in1 as shown in the document data 500 of FIG. 5, and is stored as a “4in1” layout as indicated by 602. Reference numeral 603 denotes an arrangement order of logical pages in the case of a Nin1 print image. For example, in the case of a 4in1 print image, whether the logical pages are arranged “from the upper left to the right” (in order of A → B → C → D in FIG. 5). ), Information such as whether the logical page is arranged from “upper left to down” (in order of A → C → B → D in FIG. 5) is stored. Reference numeral 604 denotes information relating to a reading method, which stores information on whether the recording medium is “double-sided printing” or “single-sided printing”, and determines whether to scan both sides or only one side when scanning the recording medium. Reference numeral 605 denotes information regarding the binding direction of a plurality of copies in the case of double-sided printing. In the case of “long side binding (upper)”, the recording medium binding the long side of the rectangle with the upper side is document data information. Is remembered.

  Attribute information including output layout information as shown in FIG. 6 is recorded as a two-dimensional barcode on a recording medium (paper or the like) 505, and as a result of reading the recording medium as document data, as shown in FIG. Output layout information is extracted. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the output layout information is extracted in step S306, in step S307, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether the recommended copy output layout setting matches the output layout information setting extracted in step S306. (Output setting determination unit 103).

  In step S307, if the recommended copy output layout setting matches the output layout information setting extracted in step S306, the process proceeds to step S311 (first output control unit 105). On the other hand, in step S307, if the recommended copy output layout setting does not match the output layout information setting extracted in step S306, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S <b> 308, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 displays a button that allows the operation unit 208 to select whether to output with the recommended copy output layout or to copy without changing the hand. The display image of the operation unit 208 in step S308 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is an example of operation buttons displayed on the operation unit 208 in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1000 denotes a screen image displayed on the operation unit 208 of the image forming apparatus 100. After the recommended copy button 801 in FIG. 8 is pressed, the recommended copy output layout setting and the output layout information setting extracted in step S306 (that is, the output layout information are set). The screen image displayed when the layout setting output to the recording medium is different.

  In FIG. 10, a “copy as it is” button 1001 and a “recommended copy” button 1002 are displayed on the screen image 1000.

  The “copy as is” button 1001 displays the setting of the output layout information extracted in step S306. In the example of 1001, since the output layout information as shown in FIG. 6 is extracted in step S306, the output layout setting “(4 in 1 both sides)” which is the setting of the output layout is displayed.

  The “recommended copy” button 1002 displays the recommended copy output layout setting acquired in step S303. In the example of 1002, since the output layout setting as shown in FIG. 9 is acquired in step S303, the output layout setting “(2 in 1 single side)” which is the setting of the output layout is displayed. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the screen image as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the operation unit 208 in step S308, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 determines in step S309 whether the “recommended copy” button 1002 of the operation unit 208 has been pressed (selection). Reception unit 104).

  In step S309, when the “recommended copy” button 1002 on the operation unit 208 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 sets document data in the output layout setting for recommended copy. Arrange (second output control unit 106). Details of step S310 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The processing of the flowchart in FIG. 4 is realized by the CPU of the image forming apparatus 100 executing a program stored in the external memory or ROM on the RAM.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, in the image forming apparatus 100, the recommended copy output layout setting does not match the output layout information setting extracted in step S <b> 306, and the user wants to output with the recommended copy output layout setting. Processing is started when there is an instruction. In the following example, processing is described as an example of processing in one image forming apparatus. However, even if not one image forming apparatus, a scanner, a printer, and an information processing apparatus are linked to form a single system. It may be configured as, or a single multifunction device and an information processing apparatus may be linked.

  In step S401, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 needs to divide the document data read in step S304 into logical pages based on the relationship between the recommended copy output layout setting and the output layout information setting extracted in step S306. Determine if there is. With reference to FIG. 11, the determination as to whether or not it is necessary to divide into logical pages will be described.

  FIG. 11 is an example of a diagram for explaining whether it is necessary to divide each logical page when output is performed with the recommended copy output layout setting.

  In FIG. 11A, the output layout information setting extracted in step S306 is a 4-in-1 print setting on the print surface of the recording medium (paper surface) (material on which four logical pages have been output on one page). This is an example 1101 in which the display order of one page is output in the order of Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, and Page 4 from the upper left to the right. In the case of (a), when the recommended copy output layout setting is 2 in 1, if only the dotted line portion 1104 of the 4 in 1 paper is enlarged to double the area and copied, the copy is made in 2 in 1 according to the recommended copy output layout setting. Is possible. However, although Page 1 and Page 2 should be printed continuously, if only the dotted line portion 1104 is enlarged and copied (1108) by double the area, Page 3 (1111) is placed on the second page of 2in1. , They are output in an unintended order. As described above, in order to prevent output in an unintended page order, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the page order is changed by simple enlargement or reduction copy.

  In the case of FIG. 11A, if the page order is not changed, the pages are output in an unintended page order.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 11C, the output layout information extracted in step S306 is a 4-in-1 print setting on the print surface of the recording medium (paper surface), and the display order of the four pages is from the upper left to the lower page 1 , Page 2, Page 3, and Page 4 are output in the order 1103. In the case of (c), when the recommended copy output layout setting is 2 in 1, if only the dotted line portion 1107 on the 4 in 1 paper is enlarged to double the area and copied, it is copied in 2 in 1 according to the recommended copy output layout setting. The page 2 (1113) is output on the paper surface 1110 as possible and the page order is also intended.

  The case of FIG. 11C is an example in which the page order is output without changing the page order. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S401 in FIG. 4, when the document data read in step S304 has a plurality of logical pages in one physical page, it is determined whether the logical page needs to be divided (document data division determination unit 111). With reference to FIG. 12, a description will be given of whether to change the page order as shown in FIG. 11 by dividing logical pages.

  FIG. 12 is a data configuration diagram for determining whether to change the page order by dividing the logical page of the output result at the recommended copy in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 12, for example, the layout of the output layout information setting (copy target 1201) extracted in step S306 is 4in1, the arrangement order is from the upper left to the right, and the layout of the recommended copy output layout setting (recommended copy setting 1203). Is 2 in 1 and the arrangement order is from the top to the bottom (1202), the logical page described in 4 pages per page is divided by the output result 1205 for changing the page order (document data dividing unit 108). The data is stored in the HDD 204 (step S402).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S403, and the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 arranges the divided document data divided and stored in step S402 in the layout and arrangement order of the recommended copy output layout setting (divided document data arrangement unit). 109). Specifically, in the case of 1202 in FIG. 12, the logical pages described in 4 pages of 4 in 1 are divided into four in step S402, and A (501), B (502), C (503) in FIG. The data is divided and stored as D (504). Then, it is divided and arranged as shown in A (701) and B (702) in FIG. Note that when outputting to the same paper size, the enlargement / reduction ratio 1204 is approximately twice as large as the area ratio.

  In step S <b> 404, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 creates two-dimensional barcode information that has been changed to information for output with recommended copy output layout settings (attribute information creation unit 112).

  Next, in step S405, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 deletes the two-dimensional barcode information of the document data read in step S304 (attribute information deletion unit 113), and uses the two-dimensional barcode information created in step S404. Then (attribute information creation unit 112) is added, and the flowchart of FIG. 4 ends. The attribute information deletion unit 113 and the attribute information creation unit 112 can have layout information reflecting the changed output layout setting even when the output layout setting of the document data is changed. This will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  The document data as shown in FIG. 5 has a two-dimensional barcode 505 storing output layout information, document information, and the like. However, when storing divided document data, the two-dimensional barcode 505 is used as the attribute information deletion unit 113. Delete with.

  Subsequently, the attribute information creation unit 112 creates a two-dimensional barcode 703 as two-dimensional barcode information storing new output layout information, document information, and the like. Control is performed so that a two-dimensional barcode 703 different from the generated two-dimensional barcode 505 is output to a predetermined position on the output layout as indicated by 703. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, in step S311, the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 prints the document data arranged in step S310 or the document data scanned in step S304 or step S312 and ends the process.

  As described above, the present invention has an effect that it is possible to re-copy the printed material once printed out in a form according to the print setting of the user's preference.

  The two-dimensional barcode information may be present on each page of the recording medium to be read, or only one sheet may exist on the cover. If each page has a two-dimensional barcode, the output layout setting can be unified even if the output layout setting is different for each page.

  Although the above embodiments have been described, the present invention can take, for example, an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. As an example, this configuration may be provided.

  Although not shown in particular, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Document data reading part 102 Attribute information extraction part 103 Output setting judgment part 104 Selection reception part 105 1st output control part 106 2nd output control part 107 Preference setting input reception part 108 Document data division part 109 Division | segmentation Document data arrangement unit 110 Attribute information determination unit 111 Document data division determination unit 112 Attribute information creation unit 113 Attribute information deletion unit

Claims (8)

Document data reading means for reading the document data from a recording medium on which document data including attribute information including output setting information to the recording medium is recorded, and the document data read by the document data reading means Attribute information extraction means for extracting attribute information;
Output setting determination means for determining whether the first output setting information included in the attribute information extracted by the attribute information extraction means matches the second output setting information of user preference;
When the first output setting information does not match the second output setting information by the output setting determining means, the first output setting information is output or the second output setting information is output. Selection accepting means for accepting selection of whether or not to output,
First output control means for controlling to output the document data read by the document data reading means as it is to a recording medium when the selection accepting means is selected to output with the first output setting information;
When the selection receiving unit selects to output with the second output setting information, the document data read by the document data reading unit is changed to an output layout serving as the second output setting information, and a recording medium Second output control means for controlling to output to
An image forming apparatus comprising: The first output setting information includes information in which an output layout of the document data is set,
Document data dividing means for dividing the document data read by the document data reading means for each logical page of the output layout included in the first output setting information;
Divided document data arrangement means for changing the document data for each logical page divided by the document data dividing means to the output layout of the second output setting information and arranging logical pages;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: :   When the selection accepting unit accepts a selection of whether to output with the first output setting information or to output with the second output setting information, information on the output layout included in the first output setting information 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display control is performed on the output layout information included in the second output setting information. Document data division determination means for determining whether to divide the document data into logical pages according to the logical page arrangement order of the first output setting information and the second output setting information;
4. The output control unit according to claim 1, wherein the second output control unit performs output control by the first output control unit when it is determined by the document data division determination unit that the document data division determination unit does not divide each logical page. The image forming apparatus described. The second output control means includes:
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising attribute information deletion means for deleting and outputting the attribute information extracted by the attribute information extraction means. The second output control means includes:
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising attribute information creating means for creating attribute information based on the second output setting information and adding the attribute information to the recording medium. The document data reading step for reading the document data from the recording medium on which the document data including the attribute information including the output setting information to the recording medium is recorded, and the document data read in the document data reading step An attribute information extraction step for extracting attribute information;
An output setting determination step for determining whether the first output setting information included in the attribute information extracted by the attribute information extraction step matches the second output setting information of user preference;
When the first output setting information and the second output setting information do not match in the output setting determination step, the first output setting information is output, or the second output setting information is output. A selection acceptance process for accepting selection of whether to output in
A first output control step for controlling to output the document data read in the document data reading step as it is to a recording medium when it is selected to output in the first output setting information in the selection receiving step;
When it is selected that the second output setting information is output in the selection receiving step, the document data read in the document data reading step is changed to an output layout serving as the second output setting information. A second output control step for controlling to output to
An image forming method comprising: The image forming apparatus
Document data reading means for reading the document data from a recording medium on which document data including attribute information including output setting information to the recording medium is recorded, and the document data read by the document data reading means Attribute information extraction means for extracting attribute information;
Output setting determination means for determining whether the first output setting information included in the attribute information extracted by the attribute information extraction means matches the second output setting information of user preference;
When the first output setting information does not match the second output setting information by the output setting determining means, the first output setting information is output or the second output setting information is output. Selection accepting means for accepting selection of whether or not to output,
First output control means for controlling to output the document data read by the document data reading means as it is to a recording medium when the selection accepting means is selected to output with the first output setting information;
When the selection receiving unit selects to output with the second output setting information, the document data read by the document data reading unit is changed to an output layout serving as the second output setting information, and a recording medium A program which functions as a second output control means for controlling to output to a computer.

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