JP2013178623A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need of a printer driver for image formation to further reduce management load.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: a user environment management unit 81 that provides an environment for executing a predetermined application, and an application to be executed in the environment for every plurality of users using a terminal device 200; a storage control unit 91 that creates image information from execution information created as the result of execution of the application by the terminal device 200; an information management unit 82 that stores the image information created by the storage control unit 91; and an image formation control unit 92 that forms an image on the basis of the image information stored in the information management unit 82.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image based on image information without providing a terminal device with a printer driver.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming system in which a terminal device such as a personal computer and an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction machine are connected via a communication network is known. In such an image forming system, it is necessary to install a printer driver in the terminal device in order to enable control of the image forming device by the terminal device. However, in such a method, the printer driver must be appropriately managed (installed, updated, etc.) by all of the plurality of terminal devices constituting the image forming system, and the management burden has been increased.

  Some devices have been devised for managing printer drivers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a printer driver is installed only on a server connected to a communication network. According to such a system, it is not necessary to manage the printer driver in each terminal device, and the management burden can be reduced.

JP 2003-108345 A

  However, even in the system described in Patent Document 1, the printer driver must be managed on the server. For example, when a new image forming apparatus is installed, a new printer driver is installed on the server. Need to do.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can reduce the management burden of a printer driver.

  The present invention is an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of terminal devices via a communication network, and an environment for executing a predetermined application for each of a plurality of users using the terminal device, and the environment is executed in the environment Image information relating to an image that can be formed by the image forming apparatus from the execution information generated as a result of execution of the application by the terminal device in the user environment management unit that provides the application A storage control unit that generates image information, an information management unit that stores the image information generated by the storage control unit, an image formation control unit that forms an image based on the image information stored in the information management unit, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, an image can be formed without the need for a printer driver, and the management burden can be further reduced.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction machine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the image forming system 300. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the multifunction peripheral 1 according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 300 is configured such that a multifunction peripheral 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus and a terminal device 200 are communicably connected via a communication network NW such as a local area network. The Although illustration is omitted, in the image forming system 300, a plurality of terminal devices 200 are communicably connected to one multifunction device 1.

Each of the terminal devices 200 is configured by a personal computer or the like having an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse, and communicates with the multifunction device 1 via the communication network NW. Here, the terminal device 200 is a so-called thin client terminal, and has at least a function of receiving an input from a user and a function of displaying a result of the input, while a function of executing a process based on the input and a result of the process. There is no function to store the generated information (data).
In the image forming system 300, the multifunction device 1 performs a process based on a user input using the terminal device 200, and the multifunction device 1 stores information generated as a result of the processing. That is, in the image forming system 300, the multifunction device 1 functions as a server for a plurality of terminal devices 200 as thin client terminals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and includes a document transport unit 10, a document reading unit 20, and a sheet transport unit 30. An image forming unit 40, a transfer unit 50, and a fixing unit 60.
The document transport unit 10 is an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and includes a document placement unit 11, a first feed roller 12, a guide 13, a timing roller pair 14, and a document discharge unit 15. The first feed roller 12 supplies the document G placed on the document placement unit 11 to the timing roller pair 14 one by one in order. The timing roller pair 14 is a timing at which the document reading unit 20 reads an image of the document G and a timing at which the document G is supplied to a position where the image of the document G is read by the document reading unit 20 (a position where the guide 13 is disposed). In order to match, the conveyance of the original G or the conveyance stop of the original G is performed. The guide 13 guides the conveyed document G to a first reading surface 21a described later. The document discharge unit 15 discharges the document G from which the image has been read by the document reading unit 20 (passed through the guide 13) to the outside of the multifunction machine main body 2.
A document stacking unit 16 is formed on the outside of the MFP main body 2 in the document discharge unit 15. In the document stacking unit 16, the documents G discharged from the document discharge unit 15 are stacked and stacked.

  The document reading unit 20 includes a first reading surface 21a and a second reading surface 22a. The first reading surface 21 a is formed along the upper surface of the first contact glass 21 disposed to face the guide 13 and serves as a surface for reading an image of the document G. The second reading surface 22a is disposed adjacent to the first reading surface 21a (in the case shown in FIG. 2, over the most right side of the first reading surface 21a). The second reading surface 22 a is used when reading an image of the document G without using the document transport unit 10. The second reading surface 22a is formed along the upper surface of the second contact glass 22 on which the document G is placed, and serves as a surface for reading an image of the document G.

  The document reading unit 20 includes an illumination unit 23, a first mirror 24, a second mirror 25, a third mirror 26, an imaging lens 27, and an imaging unit 28 inside the multi-function device main body 2. . The illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 move in the sub-scanning direction X, respectively. The second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are arranged on the left side of the illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 in FIG. Further, the second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are the first reading surface 21 a or the second reading surface 22 a through the first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, the third mirror 26, and the imaging lens 27. To the imaging unit 28 while moving in the sub-scanning direction X while keeping the distance (optical path length) constant.

  The illumination unit 23 is a light source that irradiates the original G with light. The first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, and the third mirror 26 are mirrors for guiding the light reflected by the document G to the imaging lens 27 while keeping the optical path length constant. The imaging lens 27 focuses the light incident from the third mirror 26 on the imaging unit 28. The imaging unit 28 is an imaging device for obtaining image data based on an imaged optical image by converting incident light into an electrical signal. For example, the imaging unit 28 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary). It is an image sensor such as Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

The paper transport unit 30 includes a second feed roller 31, a third feed roller 32, a registration roller pair 33, and a paper discharge unit 34. The second feed roller 31 supplies paper T (image forming medium) stored in the paper feed cassette 36 to the transfer unit 50. The third feed roller 32 supplies the paper T (image forming medium) placed on the manual feed tray 37 to the transfer unit 50. The registration roller pair 33 performs the conveyance of the paper T or the conveyance stop of the paper T in order to match the timing when the toner image reaches the transfer unit 50 and the timing when the paper T is supplied to the transfer unit 50. Further, the registration roller pair 33 performs skew (oblique feeding) correction of the paper T. The paper discharge unit 34 discharges the paper T on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the multi-function device main body 2.
A paper discharge stacking unit 35 is formed outside the multi-function device body 2 in the paper discharge unit 34. In the paper discharge stacking unit 35, the paper T discharged from the paper discharge unit 34 is stacked and stacked.

The image forming unit 40 is for forming a toner image. The image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, a cleaning unit 45, a toner cartridge 46, 1 A next transfer roller 47, an intermediate transfer belt 48, and a counter roller 49 are provided.
The photoconductor drum 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) functions as a photoconductor or an image carrier in order to form toner images of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Around each photosensitive drum 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, A cleaning unit 45 is disposed. The charging unit 42 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The laser scanner unit 43 is arranged apart from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 based on image data relating to the original G read by the original reading unit 20. As a result, the exposed portion of the charge is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 44 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The cleaning unit 45 removes toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 after the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is neutralized by a static eliminator (not shown).
The toner cartridge 46 stores toner of each color supplied to the developing device 44. The toner cartridge 46 and the developing device 44 are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  The primary transfer rollers 47 (47a, 47b, 47c, 47d) are arranged on the opposite sides of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, respectively. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is a belt that passes through the image forming unit 40 and the transfer unit 50. A part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d and the primary transfer rollers 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d, and the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d. The toner image formed on the surface is primarily transferred. The opposing roller 49 is a driving roller that is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 48 having an annular shape, and advances the intermediate transfer belt 48 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

  The transfer unit 50 includes a secondary transfer roller 51. The secondary transfer roller 51 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the opposing roller 49, and a part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the opposing roller 49. Further, the secondary transfer roller 51 secondarily transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 48 onto the paper T.

  The fixing unit 60 includes a heating rotator 61 and a pressure rotator 62. The heating rotator 61 and the pressure rotator 62 sandwich the paper T on which the toner image is secondarily transferred, melt and pressurize the toner, and fix the toner to the paper T.

Next, the functional configuration of the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction machine 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the multi function device 1 includes the above-described components (the document conveyance unit 10, the document reading unit 20, the sheet conveyance unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60). The engine unit 3 is configured by the paper transport unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60. The engine unit 3 forms an image on the paper T. Note that description of the components described with reference to FIG. 2 is omitted.
Furthermore, the multifunction device 1 includes an operation unit 70, a storage unit 80, an interface unit 100, and a control unit 90 in addition to the functional configuration described above.

  The operation unit 70 includes a numeric keypad (not shown), a touch panel (not shown), a start key (not shown), and the like. The numeric keypad is operated to input numbers such as the number of copies to be printed. The touch panel displays a plurality of keys to which various functions (for example, a function for setting a print magnification and a function for allocating a plurality of pages to one sheet of paper T (such as 2 in 1)) are assigned. The keys displayed on the touch panel are operated to cause the multifunction device 1 to execute any of various functions. The start key is operated to execute printing. When any key is operated, the operation unit 70 supplies a signal indicating that this key has been operated to the control unit 90.

The storage unit 80 includes a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 80 stores image data based on the document G read by the document reading unit 20. Furthermore, the storage unit 80 stores a control program used in the multifunction machine 1, data used by the control program, and the like.
The storage unit 80 includes a user environment management unit 81 and an information management unit 82 in order to realize a function as a server for the terminal device 200.
The user environment management unit 81 provides a user environment for each of a plurality of users who use the terminal device 200. The user environment includes at least a desktop environment for executing an application and a plurality of applications executed in the desktop environment. A user using the terminal device 200 accesses the multi-function peripheral 1 via the communication network NW, and creates and prints a document using a user environment managed (provided) by the user environment management unit 81.
The information management unit 82 stores information generated on the user environment in association with the generated user. As an example, the information management unit 82 stores execution information (file data) generated as a result of executing an application, image information (print description language) related to an image that can be formed by the multifunction device 1, and the like. .

  A communication network NW (see FIG. 1) is connected to the interface unit 100. Input information from the terminal device 200 using the user environment is supplied to the control unit 90 via the interface unit 100.

The control unit 90 controls the document conveying unit 10, the document reading unit 20, the engine unit 3, the operation unit 70, and the like.
The control unit 90 includes a storage control unit 91 and an image formation control unit 92.

  When the input information from the terminal device 200 using the user environment is supplied, the storage control unit 91 performs a process according to the input information. As an example, execution of an application selected by the user of the terminal device 200 and execution information generated as a result of executing the application are stored in the information management unit 82. The storage control unit 91 also performs processing for generating image information related to an image that can be formed by the multifunction device 1 from the execution information stored in the information management unit 82 and storing the execution information in the information management unit 82. . Note that the storage control unit 91 can generate and store image information at an arbitrary timing. As an example, the storage control unit 91 may generate and store image information at the same time as storing the execution information of the application in the information management unit 82. Image information may be generated based on the execution information stored in 82 and stored. In this regard, in the present embodiment, image information is generated at the timing when a print request for execution information is received. The print request includes at least a request based on an input from the terminal device 200 using the user environment and a request based on the start key of the operation unit 70.

  The image formation control unit 92 reads the image information generated by the storage control unit 91 based on the print request from the information management unit 82, and controls the engine unit 3 to form an image based on the image information on the paper T.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 1 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multifunction device 1.

  In step ST1, the control unit 90 provides a user environment to the terminal device 200 connected via the communication network NW.

  In step ST2, when input information from the terminal device 200 using the user environment is supplied, the storage control unit 91 performs a process according to the input information.

  In step ST3, the storage control unit 91 determines whether or not the supplied input information is a save instruction. If the input information is a save instruction (YES), the process proceeds to step ST4. If the input information is not a save instruction (NO), the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In step ST <b> 4, the storage control unit 91 stores the execution information of the application for which the save instruction has been performed in the information management unit 82.

  In step ST5, the storage control unit 91 determines whether or not the supplied input information is a print instruction. If the input information is a print instruction (YES), the process proceeds to step ST6. If the input information is not a save instruction (NO), the process ends.

  In step ST <b> 6, the storage control unit 91 generates image information from the execution information of the application for which a print instruction has been issued, and stores the image information in the information management unit 82.

  In step ST7, the image formation control unit 92 controls the engine unit 3 to form an image based on the image information generated in step ST6 on the paper T.

As described above, according to the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
That is, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment provides an environment for executing an application and an application to be executed to the terminal device 200 as a thin client terminal, and executes execution information generated as a result of executing the application. It is managed by the storage unit 80 of the multifunction device 1. As a result, since the generation of execution information to printing of execution information can be completed by the control of the multifunction device 1 without requiring control of other devices, a printer driver is not required. The management burden can be eliminated. Further, since the user environment is managed by the multi-function device 1, the upgrade work can be executed in a batch. In addition, since execution information generated as a result of application execution is stored inside the multifunction device 1, the execution information can be directly printed from the multifunction device 1 even when the terminal device 200 is not connected. it can.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can implement with a various form.
The multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment is a color multifunction device, but is not limited to this form and may be a monochrome multifunction device.
In the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment, the toner image is transferred to the paper T via the intermediate transfer belt 48 (indirect transfer method). However, the present invention is not limited to this mode, and is formed on the photosensitive drum. The transferred toner image may be directly transferred to the paper T (direct transfer method).
Further, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to print one side of the paper T, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to print both sides of the paper.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described multifunction device 1. That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a copier or a printer. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic system, and may be, for example, an inkjet recording system.
The image forming medium on which the toner image is fixed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the paper T, and may be a film sheet such as an OHP (overhead projector) sheet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP (image forming apparatus), 3 ... Engine part, 70 ... Operation part, 80 ... Storage part, 81 ... User environment management part, 82 ... Information management part, 90 ... Control part, 91 ... Storage control part, 92 ... Image formation control unit, 100 ... Interface unit

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of terminal devices via a communication network,
An environment for executing a predetermined application for each of a plurality of users using the terminal device, and a user environment management unit for providing an application to be executed in the environment;
A storage control unit that generates image information related to an image that can be formed by the image forming apparatus from the execution information generated as a result of the terminal device executing the application in the user environment management unit;
An information management unit for storing the image information generated by the storage control unit;
An image formation control unit that forms an image based on image information stored in the information management unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images