JP2014237297A - Image formation device, control program, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time until image formation output is completed even in a case where the set information of image formation output is changed after an output image is generated in advance together with a preview image.SOLUTION: Set history information representing the history of the set condition that is set at the time of image formation output is made to be stored in a condition set history DB133. A preview image of the image data which is an object for image formation output is generated. According to generation of the preview image, a print image is generated by using set information of the image formation output which the set history information represents, being stored in the condition set history DB133, based on the image data. A print request of the image data which is an original of the generated preview image is accepted. In a case where a print condition used for the generated print image is identical with a print condition set at the time of accepted print request, the generated print image is obtained and transmitted to an image formation output part in response to the accepted print request.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control program, and a control method, and more particularly, to generation of an image forming output image corresponding to setting information of image forming output.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. Many.

  Then, image data is transmitted to such an image processing apparatus from a portable information processing terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone or a tablet terminal having an information processing function according to the PC, and at the time of image formation output. A mode of generating a preview image and outputting an image is known. In such an image processing apparatus, the generated preview image is displayed, and after confirming the form of the image formation output, an output image for image formation output is generated and output. It takes time from confirmation to completion of image formation output.

  Therefore, in such an image processing apparatus, an output image for image formation output is generated in advance at the time of preview image generation, thereby shortening the time from confirmation of the form of image formation output to completion of image formation output. A method has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, even if an output image for image formation output is generated in advance at the time of preview image generation, if the setting information of the image formation output is changed thereafter, the output image generated in advance cannot be used, Since it is necessary to regenerate the output image based on the changed setting information, the time until the completion of the image formation output is delayed.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. Even when the output information is generated together with the preview image and the setting information of the image formation output is changed, the image formation output is performed. The purpose is to shorten the time to completion.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs image formation output in response to an image formation request, and a setting history that indicates a history of setting information that is set at the time of image formation output Based on the output target information, a setting history information storage processing unit that stores information in a storage medium and an output result confirmation image for confirming an output result of output target information that is information on an image to be imaged and output Generating a confirmation image generating unit, and generating an output image that is information on an image generated based on the output target information in order to cause the image forming output unit to execute image forming output of the target image. An output image generation unit that starts in response to generation of a result confirmation image; a request reception unit that receives an image formation request for the output target information that is the basis of the generated output result confirmation image; An output image acquisition unit that acquires the generated output image and transmits the generated output image to the image formation output unit in response to the image formation request, and the output image generation unit stores the setting stored in the storage medium The output image is generated using setting information of the image formation output indicated by the history information, and the output image acquisition unit receives the setting information used for the generated output image and the received image formation request. When the setting information set at this time is the same, the generated output image is acquired and transmitted to the image forming output unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for controlling an image forming apparatus that performs image formation output in response to an image formation request, wherein the setting history indicates a history of setting information set at the time of image formation output. A step of storing information in a storage medium, and a step of generating an output result confirmation image for confirming an output result of output target information which is information of an image to be imaged and output based on the output target information; In response to the generation of the output result confirmation image, the generation of an output image that is image information generated based on the output target information in order to cause the image formation output unit to execute the image formation output of the target image. Starting with the setting information of the image forming output indicated by the setting history information stored in the storage medium, and the output target information that is the basis of the generated output result confirmation image Receiving the image forming request, the setting information used for the output image generated in response to the received image forming request, and the setting information set at the time of the received image forming request And the step of acquiring the generated output image and transmitting the generated output image to the image forming output unit.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of an image forming apparatus that performs image formation output in response to an image formation request, and setting history information indicating a history of setting information set at the time of image formation output And generating an output result confirmation image for confirming an output result of output target information, which is information of an image to be imaged and output, based on the output target information, and an image forming output unit Generating an output image, which is information on an image generated based on the output target information, in order to cause the image forming output of the target image to be executed in the storage medium according to the generation of the output result confirmation image Started using the setting information of the image formation output indicated by the setting history information, and received the image formation request of the output target information that is the basis of the generated output result confirmation image, and the received The output generated when the setting information used for the generated output image and the setting information set at the time of the accepted image formation request are the same in response to the image formation request An image is acquired and transmitted to the image forming output unit.

  According to the present invention, even when the setting information of the image forming output is changed after the output image is generated together with the preview image, the time until the image forming output can be shortened.

It is a figure which shows the operation | use form of the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the mobile terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the conventional image formation output process. It is a sequence diagram which shows the conventional image formation output process. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the image process part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the setting history information table of the printing conditions concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the print image information table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the print image generation process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing condition list generation process according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the print image acquisition process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the setting history information table of the printing conditions concerning embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, output target information (hereinafter referred to as “image data”), which is information on an image formation output target, is transmitted from a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal to the image forming apparatus, and image formation output is performed. An example of an image processing system that executes the above will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation mode of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting an image forming apparatus 1 and a mobile terminal 2 via a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer by providing an image forming function. The mobile terminal 2 is an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The mobile terminal 2 according to the present embodiment has a function of transmitting a print job for causing the image forming apparatus 1 to execute image formation output (print output).

  Next, hardware constituting the information processing apparatus such as the image forming apparatus 1 and the mobile terminal 2 included in the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as that of a general server or PC.

  That is, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. Connected through. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60 and an operation unit 70 are connected to the I / F 50. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an engine that executes an image forming output.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 80 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the information processing apparatus. The operation unit 70 is a user interface for a user to input information to the information processing apparatus, such as a keyboard, a mouse, various hard buttons, and a touch panel.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and the software control unit is configured by the CPU 10 performing calculations according to those programs. . A combination of the software control unit configured in this way and hardware constitutes a functional block that realizes the function of each device configuring the image processing system according to the present embodiment.

  Next, functions of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 110, a scanner unit 111, a paper discharge tray 112, a display panel 113, and a paper feed table. 114, a print engine 115, a paper discharge tray 116, a network I / F 117, and a near field communication I / F 118.

  The controller 100 includes a main control unit 101, an engine control unit 102, an input / output control unit 103, an image processing unit 130, and an operation display control unit 104. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner unit 111 and a print engine 115. In FIG. 3, the electrical connection is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of paper is indicated by broken arrows.

  The display panel 113 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and is an input when the user directly operates the image forming apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image forming apparatus 1 as a touch panel. It is also an interface (operation unit). The network I / F 117 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices such as an administrator terminal via the network, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB interface is used.

  The near field communication I / F 118 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices by near field wireless communication, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), FeliCa (registered trademark), and the like. The interface is used.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a software control unit and an integrated circuit configured by loading a control program such as firmware stored in a non-volatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 or the HDD 40 into the RAM 20 and performing an operation by the CPU 10 according to the program. The controller 100 is configured by hardware such as the above. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.

  The main control unit 101 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. The engine control unit 102 serves as a driving unit that controls or drives the print engine 115, the scanner unit 111, and the like. The input / output control unit 103 inputs a signal and a command input via the network I / F 117 and the short-range communication I / F 118 to the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 also controls the input / output control unit 103 to access other devices via the network I / F 117, the near field communication I / F 118, and the network.

  The image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on image information to be printed and output under the control of the main control unit 101. The drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 115 as the image forming output unit. Further, the image processing unit 130 processes image data input from the scanner unit 111 and generates image data. This image data is information stored in the image forming apparatus 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to another device via the network I / F 117 or the short-range communication I / F 118. The operation display control unit 104 displays information on the display panel 113 or notifies the main control unit 101 of information input via the display panel 113.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 103 receives a print job via the network I / F 117. The input / output control unit 103 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 101. When receiving the print job, the main control unit 101 controls the image processing unit 130 to generate drawing information based on document information or image information included in the print job. When drawing information is generated by the image processing unit 130, the engine control unit 102 executes image formation on a sheet conveyed from the paper feed table 114 based on the generated drawing information. As a specific mode of the print engine 115, an image forming mechanism using an ink jet method, an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used. A document on which an image is formed by the print engine 115 is discharged to a discharge tray 116.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a scanner, that is, as an image reading control device, operation display control is performed in accordance with a user operation on the display panel 113 or a scan execution instruction input from an external device via the network I / F 117. The unit 104 or the input / output control unit 103 transfers a scan execution signal to the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 controls the engine control unit 102 based on the received scan execution signal. The engine control unit 102 drives the ADF 110 and conveys the document to be imaged set on the ADF 110 to the scanner unit 111. Further, the engine control unit 102 drives the scanner unit 111 and images a document conveyed from the ADF 110. If no original is set on the ADF 110 and the original is directly set on the scanner unit 111, the scanner unit 111 captures the set original under the control of the engine control unit 102. That is, the scanner unit 111 operates as an imaging unit.

  In the imaging operation, an imaging element such as a CCD included in the scanner unit 111 optically scans the document, and imaging information based on the optical information is generated. The engine control unit 102 transfers the imaging information generated by the scanner unit 111 to the image processing unit 130. The image processing unit 130 generates image information based on the imaging information received from the engine control unit 102 according to the control of the main control unit 101. Image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is stored in a storage medium attached to the image forming apparatus 1 such as the HDD 40. The image information generated by the image processing unit 130 is stored in the HDD 40 or the like as it is according to a user instruction, or is transmitted to an external device by the input / output control unit 103 via the network I / F 117 and the short-range communication I / F 118. Sent.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on the imaging information received by the engine control unit 102 from the scanner unit 111 or the image information generated by the image processing unit 130. To do. Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 102 drives the print engine 115 as in the case of the printer operation.

  Next, the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 2 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 200, a network I / F 210, and a short-range communication I / F 220 in addition to the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 described in FIG. The controller 200 includes an input / output control unit 201, an operation control unit 202, a display control unit 203, and a client application 204.

  The network I / F 210 is an interface for the mobile terminal 2 to communicate with other devices via the network, and an interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) is used. The short-range communication I / F 220 is an interface for the mobile terminal 2 to communicate with other devices, and an interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), or FeliCa (registered trademark) is used. The interface I / F 210 and the short-range communication I / F 220 are realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG.

  The controller 200 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. The controller 200 is a control unit that controls the entire mobile terminal 2. The input / output control unit 201 acquires information input via the network I / F 210 and the short-range communication I / F 220 and sends information to other devices via the network I / F 210 and the short-range communication I / F 220. Send.

  The operation control unit 202 acquires a signal of an operation content by the user with respect to the operation unit 70 and inputs it to a module operating in the mobile terminal 2 such as the client application 204. The display control unit 203 causes the LCD 60 to display the state of the mobile terminal 2 such as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the client application 204. The client application 204 is configured by a software program that is installed and operates in the mobile terminal 2 in order to use the functions of the image processing system according to the present embodiment in the mobile terminal 2.

  Here, conventional image formation output processing (printing output processing) in such a system configuration will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a print output process using a print image generated when generating a preview image. The user gives an instruction via the mobile terminal 2 to display a preview of the image data to be printed before the image forming apparatus 1 prints it out. As shown in FIG. 5, upon receiving a preview display instruction from the user, the mobile terminal 2 transmits image data to the image forming apparatus 1 to request generation of a preview image (S500). Note that the preview image indicates an output result confirmation image of image data to be displayed on the LCD 60 or the like of the mobile terminal 2 before image formation output.

  Upon receiving the image data transmitted from the mobile terminal 2, the image forming apparatus 1 generates a preview image and transmits the generated preview image to the mobile terminal 2 (S501). The mobile terminal 2 displays the preview image transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 (S502). On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 generates a print image from image data transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 based on a print condition that is set in advance as an initial value while the preview image is displayed on the mobile terminal 2. (S503). The print image indicates an output image for executing print output, that is, a bitmap image generated based on the image data. The print condition indicates, for example, print output setting information for designating a color mode (monochrome or color) and a print surface (single-sided print or double-sided print) at the time of printout.

  When the user confirms the preview displayed by the mobile terminal 2 and confirms that printing can be performed with this drawing content, the user instructs to perform print output via the mobile terminal 2. In response to a print output instruction from the user, the mobile terminal 2 requests the image forming apparatus 1 to perform image data print processing (S504). The image forming apparatus 1 requested to perform image data print processing from the mobile terminal 2 executes print output using the print image generated in S503 (S505). As described above, in the print output process shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 1 generates a print image in advance when generating a preview image, and therefore generates a print image after receiving a print request from the mobile terminal 2. There is no need to do this, and the time to complete the print output is shortened.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the print output process when the print condition is changed at the time of the print request in such a print output process. In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 6, the same processing as in FIG. 5 is performed until the print request. The user instructs via the mobile terminal 2 to change the print condition from the print condition used when the print image is generated in advance and to perform print output. In response to a print output instruction with a change in print conditions from the user, the mobile terminal 2 requests the image forming apparatus 1 to perform image data print processing (S600).

  Unlike the case of the processing shown in FIG. 5, the print conditions in the print request transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 are different from the print conditions used when the print image is generated in advance. No. 1 cannot execute a printing process using a print image generated in advance. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 needs to regenerate a print image based on the print condition in the print request transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 (S601).

  The image forming apparatus 1 that has regenerated the print image using the changed print condition executes print processing using the regenerated print image (S602). Therefore, in the conventional print output process, when the print condition is changed at the time of the print request from the mobile terminal 2, it is necessary to regenerate the print image based on the changed print condition. Time to completion is delayed.

  Therefore, the image forming system according to the present embodiment generates a print image in advance based on the print condition setting history set at the time of print output so far, while the user confirms the preview image, If the generated print image includes a print image generated based on the print condition set at the time of the print request, the print processing is executed using the print image. As a configuration according to the present embodiment, a functional configuration of the image processing unit 130 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing unit 130 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the image processing unit 130 according to the present embodiment includes a preview request receiving unit 131, a preview generating unit 132, a condition setting history DB 133, a print image generating unit 134, a print image information DB 135, and a print request receiving unit 136. And a print image acquisition unit 137.

  The preview request receiving unit 131 receives a preview request input from the mobile terminal 2 via the network I / F 117 and acquires image data for preview display. The preview generation unit 132 generates a preview image from the image data input from the preview request reception unit 131. That is, the preview generation unit 132 functions as a confirmation image generation unit that generates an output result confirmation image that is a preview image.

  Also, the preview generation unit 132 transmits the generated preview image to the mobile terminal 2 via the network I / F 117. As a result, the preview image generated on the LCD 60 of the mobile terminal 2 is displayed. In addition, the preview generation unit 132 outputs image data that is the source of the generated preview image to the print image generation unit 134.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a print condition setting history information table stored in the condition setting history DB 133. As shown in FIG. 8A, the setting history information table includes the number of times print output has been performed so far (total number of prints) and the print conditions changed at the time of print output performed so far. The number of changes for each set value is information aggregated for each user who uses the image forming apparatus 1.

  The user who uses the image forming apparatus 1 is identified by transmitting user authentication information (for example, a user ID and a password) from the mobile terminal 2 to the image forming apparatus 1 when the image forming apparatus 1 is used. It is assumed that the device 1 is authenticated and stored in a storage medium such as the RAM 20 until logout processing is performed. In addition, when a preview request is output from the mobile terminal 2 to the image forming apparatus 1, information on a user who requests the preview may be output.

  The setting value of the printing condition changed at the time of printing output is the value changed from the setting value (setting contents) of the item of the printing condition (hereinafter referred to as “default printing condition”) predetermined as the initial value. It is. For example, the number of “double-sided” shown in FIG. 8A indicates the number of times of changing from “single-sided”, which is the setting value of the “printing side” item of the default printing condition, to “double-sided”.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the total number of prints that user A has printed so far is 10 times, and among these print outputs, the number of times that the print condition is set to “both sides” is 9 times. The number of times set to “black and white” is 1, and the number of times “aggregation” is set is 1. Here, when the user A sets the printing conditions to “double-sided” and “monochrome” in the eleventh printout, the total number of printing, double-sided, and monochrome items are counted up as shown in FIG. 8B. , 11 times, 10 times and 2 times respectively.

  The print image generation unit 134 generates a print image based on the default print conditions from the image data input from the preview generation unit 132 until a print request is received via the mobile terminal 2, and stores the print image in the condition setting history DB 133. A print image is generated based on the stored setting history information (details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11). That is, the print image generation unit 134 functions as an output image generation unit that starts generating an output image that is a print image in response to generation of a preview image. Further, the print image generation unit 134 causes the print image information DB 135 to store the print image generated based on the setting history information.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a print image information table stored in the print image information DB 135. As shown in FIG. 9, the print image information table has been changed from the setting value of the default print condition among the storage destination of the print image generated by the print image generation unit 134 and the print condition when the print image is generated. This is information for each user associated with a set value. For example, the print image information table shown in FIG. 9 is a print image generated when a print request is made by the user A, and is generated based on a print condition in which the setting value of the print surface is changed to “both sides”. The print image is stored at a storage address “AAAA”.

  The print request reception unit 136 receives a print request input from the mobile terminal 2 via the network I / F 117 and acquires a print condition used for print output. In other words, the print request receiving unit 136 functions as a request receiving unit that receives an image formation request that is a print request. In addition, the print request receiving unit 136 counts up the total number of printings stored in the condition setting history DB 133. In addition, when there is a set value that has been changed from the set value of the default print condition among the set values of the acquired print condition, the print request reception unit 136 stores the setting history information stored in the condition setting history DB 133. Change the number of corresponding set values. That is, the print request receiving unit 136 functions as a setting history information storage processing unit that stores setting history information in a storage medium such as the condition setting history DB 133.

  The print image acquisition unit 137 corresponds to the print image information stored in the print image information DB 135 or the print generated by the print image generation unit 134 according to the print conditions input from the print request reception unit 136. An image is acquired and output to the engine control unit 102 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 12). As a result, the engine control unit 102 executes print output based on the print image input from the print image acquisition unit 137. That is, the print image acquisition unit 137 functions as an output image acquisition unit that acquires an output image that is a generated print image.

  Next, print image generation processing by the print image generation unit 134 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating print image generation processing by the print image generation unit 134, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating specific processing of print condition generation target print condition list acquisition processing (S1002) in FIG. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the image data is input from the preview generation unit 132, the print image generation unit 134 acquires the default print conditions stored in the storage medium such as the ROM 30 (S1000). The print image generation unit 134 that has acquired the default print condition generates a print image from the image data input from the preview generation unit 132 based on the acquired default print condition (S1001).

  After generating the print image based on the default print conditions, the print image generating unit 134 generates a list of print conditions used when generating the print image in advance from the setting history information stored in the condition setting history DB 133. Generate (S1002). A specific print condition list generation process will be described below with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the print image generation unit 134 acquires setting history information of the user who has requested the preview generation from the condition setting history DB 133 (S1100). The print image generation unit 134 that has acquired the setting history information calculates the change frequency (setting frequency) of each setting value included in the setting history information (S1101). The change frequency indicates the ratio of the set number of each set value to the total number of prints. For example, the change frequency from the setting history information of the user A shown in FIG. 0.9, the change frequency to “monochrome” is 1/10 = 0.1, and the change frequency to “aggregation” is 1/10 = 0.1.

  The print image generation unit 134 that has calculated the change frequency of each set value has a threshold value when there is a print condition including a set value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 0.5) (S1102 / YES). A list of printing conditions including the above set values is generated (S1103). That is, the list of print conditions includes setting values that are considered to be frequently changed, that is, likely to be changed when a print request is made in the future. On the other hand, if there is no print condition including a set value whose change frequency is equal to or higher than the threshold (S1102 / NO), the process is terminated.

  The print image generation unit 134 that has generated the list of print conditions, if the print condition exists in the generated list of print conditions (that is, there is a setting value with a high change frequency) (S1003 / YES), from the print condition list. Then, the printing condition including the setting value with the highest change frequency is acquired (S1004). On the other hand, if there is no print condition in the list of generated print conditions (S1003 / NO), the print image generating unit 134 ends the process. In other words, in this case, the change frequency of any setting value is lower than a certain value, and the print condition is unlikely to be changed at the time of a print request. Therefore, the print image generation unit 134 performs printing based on the changed print condition. The process ends without generating an image in advance.

  The print image generation unit 134 that has acquired the print conditions generates a print image based on the acquired print conditions (S1005). When the print request reception unit 136 receives a print request (S1006 / YES), the print image generation unit 134 ends the pre-generation of the print image. On the other hand, when the print request reception unit 136 has not yet received a print request (S1006 / NO) and there is a memory capacity for storing a print image (S1007 / YES), the print image generation unit 134 The processing after S1003 is repeated. In other words, when there is a print condition other than the print condition used for the print image already generated in the list of print conditions (S1003 / YES), the print image generation unit 134 sets the highest change frequency among the print conditions. Print conditions including values are acquired (S1004), and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, even if the print request reception unit 136 has not yet received a print request (S1006 / NO), if the memory capacity for storing the print image is insufficient (S1007 / NO), the print image The generation unit 134 terminates the process because it cannot be stored even if a print image is generated any more. The change frequency threshold may be set in advance as a setting in the image forming apparatus 1 or may be set by the user. Different threshold values may be set for each set value.

  Next, print image acquisition processing by the print image acquisition unit 137 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating print image acquisition processing by the print image acquisition unit 137. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the print image acquisition unit 137 acquires the print conditions input from the print request reception unit 136 (S1200).

  The print image acquisition unit 137 that has acquired the print condition compares the acquired print condition with the default print condition stored in the storage medium such as the ROM 30, and if there is no change in the set value (S1201 / NO), the print is performed. A default print image based on the default print condition generated by the image generation unit 134 is acquired, and the process ends (S1205). On the other hand, when the setting value is changed (S1201 / YES), the print image acquisition unit 137 acquires the print image information stored in the print image information DB 135 (S1202).

  The print image acquisition unit 137 that has acquired the print image information has the same print condition as that acquired in S1200 among the print conditions of the acquired print image information (S1203 / YES). A pre-generated print image stored in the storage destination associated with the print condition is acquired, and the process ends (S1204). For example, when the print condition setting value acquired by the print image acquisition unit 137 has been changed to “double-sided”, the print image information illustrated in FIG. 9 includes the print condition in which the setting value has been changed to “double-sided”. Since the print image generated based on the information stored in “AAAAA” is included, the print image acquisition unit 137 acquires the print image stored in “AAAAA”.

  On the other hand, if the same print condition as the print condition acquired in S1200 does not exist (S1203 / NO), the print image acquisition unit 137 outputs the print condition acquired in S1200 to the print image generation unit 134 to perform printing. An image generation is requested (S1206). Then, the print image acquisition unit 137 acquires the print image generated by the print image generation unit 134 in response to the print image generation request, and ends the processing (S1207).

  Next, the operation of the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, upon receiving a preview display instruction from the user, the mobile terminal 2 transmits image data to the image forming apparatus 1 to request generation of a preview image (S1300). Upon receiving the image data transmitted from the mobile terminal 2, the image forming apparatus 1 generates a preview image and transmits the generated preview image to the mobile terminal 2 (S1301).

  The mobile terminal 2 displays the preview image transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 (S1302). On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 generates a default print image based on the default print condition from the image data transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 while the preview image is displayed on the mobile terminal 2 (S1303).

  The image forming apparatus 1 that generated the default print image generates a print image based on the print condition that is likely to be set based on the print condition setting history information until a print request is received from the mobile terminal 2 ( S1304). In response to a print output instruction whose print conditions have been changed from the user, the mobile terminal 2 requests the image forming apparatus 1 to perform image data print processing (S1305). When there is a print image generated in advance based on the changed print condition, the image forming apparatus 1 that has received the print process request executes the print process using the print image (S1306).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after a preview image is generated, a print image in which the print condition is changed in accordance with the print condition setting history is generated in advance until a print request is made by the user. If there is a print image generated in advance based on the print conditions set at the time of printing, print output is executed using the print image. As a result, since the print image is generated in advance based on the print conditions that are likely to be changed, even if the print conditions are changed at the time of the print request, the changed print conditions are set. If a print image based on the print request has already been generated, it is not necessary to regenerate the print image based on the print conditions changed after the print request, and the print output is immediately executed based on the print image generated in advance. It is possible to shorten the time until the printing is completed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the print image is a bitmap image generated based on the image data has been described as an example. However, this is only an example, and the print image may be intermediate data that is image information generated based on the image data in order to execute print output. The intermediate data indicates, for example, a drawing command list for causing the print engine 115 to draw an image to be printed out. Even in this case, if intermediate data based on the changed printing conditions has already been generated, it is not necessary to generate a print image from scratch, and print output is performed based on the intermediate data generated in advance. Since the image to be generated is generated and the print output is executed, it is possible to shorten the time until the printing is completed.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case where a print image is generated based on a print condition in which a setting value of one item of the print conditions is changed is described as an example. However, when there are two or more setting values whose change frequency is higher than a predetermined threshold, a print image may be generated based on a printing condition in which two or more of these setting values are combined. For example, in the setting history information of the user C illustrated in FIG. 8A, the change frequency of the setting values of “double-sided” and “monochrome” is higher than a threshold value (for example, 0.5). Print images based on the printing conditions in which the setting value has been changed to “duplex”, the printing conditions in which the setting value has been changed to “monochrome”, and the printing conditions in which the setting value has been changed to “double-sided” and “monochrome”, respectively. Generate. Thereby, it becomes possible to generate in advance a print image corresponding to a change in various printing conditions.

  In the above-described embodiment, until the memory for receiving the print request or storing the print image is insufficient, the print condition is acquired from the list of print conditions in order of frequency of change, and the print image is obtained based on the acquired print condition. As an example, the case of generating the above has been described. In addition, the order of the printing conditions used for generating the print image may be the order of priority predetermined for the set value. For example, when the priority is determined in the order of “black and white”, “double-sided”, and “combined”, before the print request by the user C, the printing condition changed to “monochrome” is changed to “double-sided”. It is used for generating print images in the order of the print conditions.

  In the case of a printing condition that combines two or more setting values, the printing conditions may be used in descending order of the total change frequency of the combined setting values, or include a large number of high priority setting values. May be used in this order. Also, when the print condition list includes a print condition including one set value and a print condition in which two or more set values are combined, the print image generating unit 134 conforms to a predetermined rule. A print image is generated using the print conditions in the same order.

  Further, the print condition setting history information in the above-described embodiment is described as an example in which the number of times set for each set value is tabulated. Therefore, even if two or more set values are changed in one print output, the number of times is counted for each set value. In addition, the number of times may be totaled using a combination of set values as one printing condition. That is, when the printing condition changed to “double-sided” and “monochrome” is set in one printing output, the set number of times is totaled using “double-sided + monochrome” as one printing condition.

  In this case, for example, in the setting history information shown in FIG. 8A, when the user A sets the printing conditions to “both sides” and “monochrome” in the 11th print output, as shown in FIG. In addition, the double-sided / monochrome item is not counted up, but the “double-sided + monochrome” item is counted up as shown in FIG. In this case, also when generating the list of printing conditions, the change frequency of the printing condition “double-sided + monochrome” is calculated, and when the change frequency is higher than the threshold, the list of printing conditions includes “double-sided + monochrome”. Black and white "printing conditions are included.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the number of changes for each set value changed from the default print condition is used as the print condition setting history information. In addition, the number of times of setting for each combination of all the setting values of the printing conditions may be used as the printing condition setting history information. That is, the default printing condition “single side + color + no aggregation” is also one printing condition, and other combinations such as “double side + color + no aggregation” and “double side + monochrome + aggregation” are also included. This is a printing condition, and the number of times each printing condition is set is counted separately. In this case, the print image information is also associated with all combinations of setting values of the print conditions and the image storage destination, and the print image acquisition unit 137 is set at the time of the print request with reference to the print image information. A print image generated based on the print condition is acquired.

  Further, the print condition setting history information in the above embodiment is an example in which the setting history information is aggregated for each user who uses the image forming apparatus 1, but may be aggregated for each group to which a plurality of users belong. The image forming apparatus 1 may be totaled.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the preview image and the default print image are generated based on the default print condition is described as an example. In addition, these images may be generated based on the printing conditions used for the previous print output by the user who makes the print request. Further, when printing conditions are set when a preview generation request is made, these images may be generated based on the set printing conditions.

  In the above embodiment, a preview generation request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 to the image forming apparatus 1, and a preview image generated in response to the request is displayed on the LCD 60 of the mobile terminal 2. The image processing system in which a print request is transmitted to 1 has been described as an example. However, such a configuration is merely an example, and a preview generation request, a preview image display, a print request, and the like may be performed via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and the display panel 113 serving as a display unit.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Mobile terminal 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 I / F
60 LCD
70 Operation Unit 80 Bus 100 Controller 101 Main Control Unit 102 Engine Control Unit 103 Input / Output Control Unit 104 Operation Display Control Unit 110 ADF
111 Scanner Unit 112 Paper Discharge Tray 113 Display Panel 114 Paper Feed Table 115 Print Engine 116 Paper Discharge Tray 117 Network I / F
118 Short range communication I / F
130 Image Processing Unit 131 Preview Request Accepting Unit 132 Preview Generating Unit 133 Condition Setting History DB
134 Print Image Generation Unit 135 Print Image Information DB
136 Print Request Reception Unit 137 Print Image Acquisition Unit 200 Controller 201 Input / Output Control Unit 202 Operation Control Unit 203 Display Control Unit 204 Client Application 210 Network I / F
220 Short range communication I / F

JP 2005-144780 A

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus that performs image formation output in response to an image formation request,
A setting history information storage processing unit for storing setting history information indicating a history of setting information set at the time of image formation output in a storage medium;
A confirmation image generating unit that generates an output result confirmation image for confirming an output result of output target information, which is information of an image to be subjected to image formation output, based on the output target information;
In response to the generation of the output result confirmation image, generation of an output image, which is image information generated based on the output target information, is executed in order to cause the image formation output unit to execute image formation output of the target image. An output image generation unit to
A request receiving unit that receives an image formation request for the output target information that is a source of the generated output result confirmation image;
An output image acquisition unit that acquires the generated output image and transmits it to the image formation output unit in response to the accepted image formation request;
The output image generation unit generates the output image using setting information of image formation output indicated by the setting history information stored in the storage medium,
The output image acquisition unit generates the output when the setting information used for the generated output image is the same as the setting information set at the time of the accepted image formation request. An image forming apparatus, wherein an image is acquired and transmitted to the image forming output unit. The output image generation unit generates the output image using predetermined image formation output setting information, and generates the output image using the image formation output setting information indicated by the setting history information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The setting history information storage processing unit stores the setting count for each setting content of the setting information set at the time of the image formation output as the setting history information in the storage medium,
The output image generation unit
Calculating the setting frequency of the setting information based on the set number of times, and obtaining the setting information in which the calculated setting frequency is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output image is generated using the acquired setting information. The output image generation unit uses the setting information in descending order of the setting frequency until the image forming request is accepted when the setting frequency is a predetermined value or more and there are a plurality of the setting information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The setting history information storage processing unit causes the storage medium to store, as the setting history information, the number of changes for each setting value changed from the setting value included in the predetermined setting information of the image forming output.
The output image generation unit
Calculating a change frequency of the set value based on the number of changes, and obtaining the set value in which the calculated change frequency is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output image is generated using setting information including the acquired setting value. The output image generation unit generates the output image based on setting information obtained by combining the setting values when the change frequency is a predetermined value or more and there are a plurality of setting values. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to Item 5. The output image generation unit uses setting information including the setting values in order of the change frequency until the image formation request is accepted when the change frequency is a predetermined value or more and there are a plurality of set values. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the output image is generated. The output image generation unit, when the change frequency is a predetermined value or more, a plurality of setting values, until the image formation request is accepted, in order of higher priority predetermined for each setting value, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the output image is generated using setting information including the setting value. A control program for controlling an image forming apparatus that performs image formation output in response to an image formation request,
Storing setting history information indicating a history of setting information set at the time of image formation output in a storage medium;
Generating an output result confirmation image for confirming an output result of output target information, which is information of an image to be imaged and output based on the output target information;
In order to cause the image formation output unit to perform image formation output of the target image, generation of an output image that is information of an image generated based on the output target information is performed according to generation of the output result confirmation image. Starting with setting information of image formation output indicated by the setting history information stored in the storage medium;
Receiving an image formation request for the output target information that is a source of the generated output result confirmation image;
Generated when the setting information used for the generated output image and the setting information set at the time of the received image formation request are the same according to the accepted image formation request And a step of causing the information processing apparatus to execute the step of acquiring the output image and transmitting the output image to the image forming output unit. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus that performs image formation output in response to an image formation request,
Setting history information indicating a history of setting information set at the time of image formation output is stored in a storage medium;
An output result confirmation image for confirming an output result of output target information that is information of an image to be imaged and output is generated based on the output target information,
In order to cause the image formation output unit to perform image formation output of the target image, generation of an output image that is information of an image generated based on the output target information is performed according to generation of the output result confirmation image. Start using the setting information of the image forming output indicated by the setting history information stored in the storage medium,
Accepting an image formation request for the output target information that is the source of the generated output result confirmation image,
Generated when the setting information used for the generated output image and the setting information set at the time of the received image formation request are the same according to the accepted image formation request The obtained output image is acquired and transmitted to the image forming output unit.