JP2016192174A - Image forming apparatus and report output system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a report output system that can print characters to be blank due to insufficiency of fonts when outputting display of support information as a report.SOLUTION: When a "report" point area 521 on a menu map screen 520 is pointed, an image forming apparatus takes out a font of characters not on fonts for a report from fonts for a display operation panel, creates report data of a menu map, and displays a menu map report preview screen 530. When a user points a "switching" point area 531, the image forming apparatus takes out another font of the same characters not on the fonts for a report from the fonts for a display operation panel, creates report data of a menu map again, and displays the data on the menu map report preview screen 530 again. When an "OK" point area 532 is pointed, the image forming apparatus prints a report data of the menu map report preview screen 530 and outputs a menu map report 540.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that outputs a report in which various types of information are printed on a sheet, and a report output system.

  An image forming apparatus that is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) such as a printer, a multi-function printer, a multi-function peripheral device, or a multi-function peripheral has a setting or operation guide and information on setting or operation history (hereinafter referred to as “support information”). ) Can be displayed on a display such as a liquid crystal panel, and a report in which the displayed support information is printed on paper can be output. However, when a report is output using a display font, the characters in the report may become thick and the characters may be difficult to read. For this reason, if the display font and report font are different from each other when the display font and report font are different, the character code displayed on the display unit does not exist in the report font. Is blank and is not printed on the report. As a countermeasure for preventing such a font shortage, for example, in the facsimile apparatus of Patent Document 1, character font data used for creating character information is stored inside the facsimile apparatus, and character font data stored therein is also stored. Character font data different from the above is stored in a CD-ROM device outside the facsimile apparatus. Then, by making it possible to take out the character font data from the outside, the character font is switched according to the character information so that all characters having no blank can be printed.

JP-A-9-18615

  In the facsimile apparatus of Patent Document 1, character font data different from the character font data stored therein must be stored in an external apparatus such as a CD-ROM apparatus, and this external apparatus must be connected to the facsimile apparatus. For this reason, it is necessary to purchase an external storage device and to store character font data in the external storage device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus and a report output system that can solve the above-described problems.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that outputs a report in which various information displayed on the display unit is printed on a sheet using a display font when a report output operation is received, and is used for printing. Report creation for creating report data used for printing the report based on the print font storage unit for storing the print font, the character code of the various information displayed on the display unit, and the print font And a report output unit that converts the report data created by the report creation unit into a printable image and prints it on the paper, the report creation unit corresponding to the character code of the various information If the print font is not stored in the print font storage unit, the display font is used to generate the report. It is characterized in that to create the data.
The report creating unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention may select a font selected from the plurality of types of display fonts when there are a plurality of types of display fonts corresponding to the character codes of the various types of information. The character code font is used.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes a report preview creating unit that creates a preview of the report data, and the report preview creating unit is configured to print the report data before the report output unit prints the report data on a sheet. It is characterized by creating and displaying a data preview.
The report preview creating unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention displays a preview of the report data in which characters are enlarged to a preset enlargement ratio.
Further, the report preview creating unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention displays the characters of the display font so as to be distinguishable from the characters of the print font.
The report output system of the present invention is a report output system having a terminal device that accepts a report output operation of various types of information and an image forming device that outputs a report in which the various types of information are printed on paper. A display font storage unit for storing display fonts used for the display and a display unit for displaying various information using the display fonts, and the image forming apparatus stores the print fonts used for printing A print font storage section; a report creation section for creating report data used for printing the report based on the character codes of the various information displayed on the display section and the print font; and the report creation A report output unit that converts the report data created by the unit into a printable image and prints it on the paper. The report creation unit of the image forming apparatus stores the print font corresponding to the character code of the various information in the display font storage unit when the print font is not stored in the print font storage unit. The report data is created using a font that is used.

  The image forming apparatus and the report output system of the present invention can easily print a character that is blank due to a lack of fonts when the support information display is output as a report.

1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure from the display of the menu map of the support information which concerns on embodiment of this invention to report output. It is a figure which shows an example of the support information list screen, menu map screen, menu map report preview screen, and menu map report which concern on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, a map format menu (hereinafter referred to as “menu map”) of setting or operation for the image forming apparatus is displayed on a display device, and the displayed menu map is output as a report. In such a menu map report output, when the display font of the display unit is different from the report output report font, the report output can use the display font. There is no report output.

  A functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. An image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a control unit 110, an auxiliary storage unit 120, a storage unit 130, a display operation panel 140, a display operation panel processing unit 150, a document reading unit 160, an image forming unit 170, a printing unit 180, and a network. A communication unit 190 is provided. Each of these units is connected by a bus or the like. The control unit 110 includes a report creation processing unit 110a, a report preview creation processing unit 110b, and a report output processing unit 110c. The auxiliary storage unit 120 is provided with a report font storage area 120a and a report supplement font storage area 120b. The storage unit 130 is provided with an image data storage area 130a. The display operation panel processing unit 150 is provided with a display operation panel font storage area 150a.

The control unit 110 includes main storage means such as RAM and ROM, and control means such as MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 110 also has controller functions related to various I / O, USB (Universal Serial Bus), bus, and other hardware interfaces, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 100.
The report creation processing unit 110a creates report data for printing the menu map displayed on the display / operation panel 140 on paper.
The report preview creation processing unit 110b creates preview data from the report data of the menu map.
The report output processing unit 110 c converts the report data of the menu map into report data of a printable image, and outputs the report by printing the report data by the printing unit 180.

The auxiliary storage unit 120 is an auxiliary storage device made up of a flash memory or the like, and stores programs and data for processing executed by the control unit 110.
The report font storage area 120a stores in advance print fonts used by the report output processing unit 110c for printing.
The report supplement font storage area 120b stores display fonts used by the report output processing unit 110c extracted from the display operation panel font storage area 150a.

The storage unit 130 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, and stores programs and data for processing executed by the control unit 110.
The image data storage area 130a stores image data of a document read from the document reading unit 160, image data received by the network communication unit 190, and the like.

  The display operation panel 140 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and receives a user operation from the display operation screen display and the display operation screen.

The display operation panel processing unit 150 displays a display operation screen on the display operation panel 140, and inputs an operation performed by the user from the display operation screen from the display operation panel 140.
The display operation panel font storage area 150a stores in advance display fonts used by the display operation panel processing unit 150 for display. The display / operation panel font storage area 150a is a display font that is held in the display / operation panel processing unit 150, and is accessible only by the display / operation panel processing unit 150.

  The document reading unit 160 reads a document set on the document table of the image forming apparatus 100, and reads a document set on the document table when a user issues a read request from the display operation panel 140. be able to.

  The image forming unit 170 converts the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 160 into image data that can be printed or image data that can be transmitted by FAX or mail.

  The printing unit 180 prints image data requested to be printed by the user and report data such as a menu map displayed on the display operation panel 140 on a sheet.

  The network communication unit 190 includes a detachable LAN interface for connecting to the network 400. The image forming apparatus 100 can communicate with apparatuses such as the PC 200 and the mobile terminal 300 connected to the network 400 through the network communication unit 190.

  Next, the procedure from display of the support information menu map to report output will be described with reference to FIGS. The steps will be described in the order of steps with reference to the flowchart of the procedure from the display of the support information menu map to the report output shown in FIG.

(Step S101)
First, the user displays the support information list screen 510 shown in FIG. 3A on the display / operation panel 140 and points to the “menu map” point area 511 of the support information list screen 510.

(Step S102)
Next, when the “menu map” point area 511 is pointed, the display operation panel processing unit 150 displays a menu map screen 520 shown in FIG.

(Step S103)
The user then points to the “Report” point area 521 of the menu map screen 520.

(Step S104)
Next, when the “report” point area 521 is pointed, the display operation panel processing unit 150 converts the data in the format displayed on the menu map screen 520 (hereinafter referred to as “display format data”) to the report creation processing unit 110a. Output to.

(Step S105)
Next, when the report creation processing unit 110a inputs the display format data of the menu map screen 520 from the display operation panel processing unit 150, the fonts corresponding to all the character codes existing in the display format data are displayed in the report font storage area 120a. It is judged whether it is memorized. When fonts corresponding to all the character codes are stored (Yes in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106. Further, when the fonts corresponding to all the character codes are not stored (No in step S105), the process proceeds to step S108.

(Step S106)
In Yes in step S105, the report creation processing unit 110a takes out the font corresponding to the character code existing in the display format data on the menu map screen 520 from the report font storage area 120a, and creates the report data of the menu map. The menu map report data is output to the report output processing unit 110c.

(Step S107)
Next, when the report data of the menu map is input, the report output processing unit 110c prints the report data of the menu map by the printing unit 180, and outputs the menu map report 540 shown in FIG.

(Step S108)
In step S105, the report creation processing unit 110a outputs the character code of the font not stored in the report font storage area 120a (hereinafter referred to as “character code without report font”) to the display operation panel processing unit 150. To do. For example, when the font “滾” on the menu map screen 520 is not stored in the report font storage area 120a, the character code “滾” becomes the character code without the report font.

(Step S109)
Next, when the display operation panel processing unit 150 receives the character code without report font from the report creation processing unit 110a, the display operation panel processing unit 150 extracts a plurality of different fonts corresponding to the character code without report font from the display operation panel font storage area 150a. And output to the report creation processing unit 110a. For example, a plurality of different fonts of “の” such as HGS Creative English Pop, HGS Creative English Gossip UB, and HGS Gothic E corresponding to “滾” of the character code without font for report are taken out, and a report creation processing unit 110a.

(Step S110)
Next, when a plurality of different fonts corresponding to the character code without report font are input from the display operation panel processing unit 150, the report creation processing unit 110a stores the font in the report supplement font storage area 120b. A unique ascending order number is added to each of a plurality of different fonts stored in the report supplement font storage area 120b.

(Step S111)
Next, the report creation processing unit 110a outputs the display format data of the menu map screen 520 to the report preview creation processing unit 110b.

(Step S112)
Next, when the display format data is input, the report preview creation processing unit 110b takes out the font corresponding to the character code existing in the display format data from the report font storage area 120a. Next, the report preview creation processing unit 110b takes out the font to which the number 1 is added from the report supplement font storage area 120b for the font of the character code that is not stored in the report font storage area 120a. Create report data. For example, a plurality of different fonts are stored in the supplementary font storage area 120b for the report, such as HGS creative horn pop body of “滾”, HGS creative horn gossip UB, and HGS Gothic E, and the first in the HGS creative horn pop body. When the number 2 is added to the HGS creative angle gossip UB and the number 3 is added to the HGS gothic E, the font “Ｈ” of the number 1 HGS creative angle pop body is taken out.

(Step S113)
Next, when the report preview creation processing unit 110b creates the data of the menu map report preview screen 530 shown in FIG. 3 (3) from the report data of the menu map (hereinafter referred to as “menu map report preview data”), the menu map Report preview data and an enlarged display request notification storing a preset enlargement ratio are output to the display operation panel processing unit 150.

(Step S114)
Next, when the display data of the menu map report and the enlarged display request notification are input, the display operation panel processing unit 150 enlarges the characters of the preview data of the menu map report by the enlargement ratio stored in the enlarged display request notification. A menu map report preview screen 530 created from the preview data of the menu map report of the written character is displayed on the display operation panel 140. The font characters in the display / operation panel font storage area 150a are distinguished from the font characters in the report font storage area 120a by enclosing or marking them with a line on the menu map report preview screen 530. Displayed as you can.

(Step S115)
Next, the user points to the “switch” point area 531 of the menu map report preview screen 530.

(Step S116)
Next, when the “switch” point area 531 is pointed, the display operation panel processing unit 150 outputs a font switching notification to the report preview creation processing unit 110b.

(Step S117)
Next, when the font preview notification is input, the report preview creation processing unit 110b extracts the second font from the report supplement font storage area 120b and replaces the first font on the menu map report preview screen 530 with the second font. Recreate the preview data of the menu map report. Thereafter, the fonts are sequentially switched every time the “switch” point area 531 is pointed, and when the “switch” point area 531 is pointed when the last font is displayed, the font is replaced with the first font. Menu map report data is recreated.

(Step S118)
Next, when the report preview creation processing unit 110b re-creates the preview data of the menu map report from the report data of the menu map, the preview data of the menu map report, and an enlarged display request notification storing a preset enlargement ratio, Is output to the display / operation panel processing unit 150.

(Step S119)
Next, when the display data of the menu map report and the enlarged display request notification are input, the display operation panel processing unit 150 enlarges the characters of the preview data of the menu map report by the enlargement ratio stored in the enlarged display request notification. The menu map report preview screen 530 re-created from the preview data of the menu map report of the written characters is displayed again on the display operation panel 140.

(Step S120)
Next, the user points to the “OK” point area 532 of the menu map report preview screen 530.

(Step S121)
Next, when the “OK” point area 532 is pointed, the display operation panel processing unit 150 outputs an OK notification to the report preview creation processing unit 110b.

(Step S122)
Next, when an OK notification is input, the report preview creation processing unit 110b outputs the report data of the menu map of the redisplayed menu map report preview screen 530 to the report output processing unit 110c.

(Step S123)
Next, when the report data of the menu map is input, the report output processing unit 110c prints the report data of the menu map by the printing unit 180, and outputs the menu map report 540 shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the image forming apparatus 100 outputs the menu map report displayed on the menu map screen 520, if the font of the character code is not stored in the report font storage area 120a, the display operation is performed. A font extracted from the panel font storage area 150a can be used. In this way, using the font stored in the font memory area 150a for the display / operation panel may result in a thicker character than the other characters in the report. However, each time the “switch” point area 531 of the menu map report preview screen 530 is pointed, the user can select a font that looks better by switching the font of the character. Further, since the preview of the enlarged menu map report is displayed on the menu map report preview screen 530, the user can easily select a font that looks good while pointing to the “switch” point area 531. it can.

  In the embodiment, the report creation processing unit 110a outputs a character code without report font to the display operation panel processing unit 150, and a plurality of different fonts corresponding to the character code without report font input from the display operation panel processing unit 150. Is stored in the report supplement font storage area 120b, but is not limited thereto. For example, the report creation processing unit 110a inputs all display operation panel fonts stored in the display operation panel font storage area 150a from the display operation panel processing unit 150, and is provided in the auxiliary storage unit 120. It is also possible to store in the temporary storage area. In such a case, it is not necessary to input a font for the character code without a report font from the display operation panel processing unit 150 each time a report is output. Even when a plurality of different reports are output, fonts not stored in the report font storage area 120a can be easily taken out from the display operation panel font temporary storage area.

  In the embodiment, the example in which the menu map of the support information list is output as a list has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. This can be applied to outputting various other information and other various information in the support information list.

  In the embodiment, the example in which the one-character font “滾” on the menu map screen 520 is not stored in the report font storage area 120a is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when fonts of a plurality of characters are not stored in the report font storage area 120a, they can be similarly extracted from the display / operation panel font storage area 150a.

  In the embodiment, the support information list screen 510, the menu map screen 520, and the menu map report preview screen 530 are displayed on the display operation panel 140 of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the support information list screen 510, the menu map screen 520, and the menu map report preview screen 530 can be displayed on the display unit of the PC 200 or the portable terminal 300 (terminal device) connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 400. It is. In such a case, the display unit of the PC 200 or the portable terminal 300 stores the data by the image forming apparatus 100 and the terminal device PC 200 or the portable terminal 300 using the communication protocol of the network 400 to transmit and receive data. The image forming apparatus 100 can use the existing font.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the report output system of the present invention, when the support information display is output as a report, it is possible to easily print characters that are blank due to lack of fonts.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by specific embodiment, it cannot be overemphasized that the said embodiment is an illustration of this invention and is not limited to this embodiment.

  The present invention is suitable for an image forming apparatus and a report output system, but is not limited to an image forming apparatus and a report output system, and can be applied to an apparatus and a system for outputting a report from a screen in general.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image forming apparatus 110 ... Control part 110a ... Report creation processing part 110b ... Report preview creation processing part 110c ... Report output processing part 120 ... Auxiliary storage unit 120a ... Report font storage area 120b ... Report supplemental font storage area 130 ... Storage unit 130a ... Image data storage area 140 ... Display operation Panel 150... Display operation panel processing unit 150 a... Display operation panel font storage area 160... Original reading unit 170. 190: Network communication unit 200: PC
300 ... Mobile terminal 400 ... Network 510 ... Support information list screen 511 ... "Menu map" point area 520 ... Menu map screen 521 ...・ ・ “Report” point area 530... Menu map report preview screen 531 .. “Switch” point area 532... “OK” point area 540.

Claims (6)

When receiving a report output operation, an image forming apparatus that outputs a report in which various information displayed on a display unit is printed on a sheet using a display font,
A print font storage unit for storing a print font used for printing;
Based on the character code of the various information displayed on the display unit and the font for printing, a report creation unit that creates report data used for printing the report;
A report output unit that converts the report data created by the report creation unit into a printable image and prints it on the paper;
The report creation unit creates the report data using the display font when the print font corresponding to the character code of the various information is not stored in the print font storage unit. An image forming apparatus.   When there are a plurality of types of display fonts corresponding to the character codes of the various information, the report creation unit sets a font selected from the plurality of types of display fonts as the font of the character code. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A report preview creation unit for creating a preview of the report data;
3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the report preview creation unit creates and displays a preview of the report data before the report output unit prints the report data on a sheet. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the report preview creation unit displays a preview of the report data in which characters are enlarged at a preset enlargement ratio.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the report preview creation unit displays characters of the display font so as to be distinguishable from characters of the print font. A report output system having a terminal device that accepts a report output operation of various information and an image forming apparatus that outputs a report in which the various information is printed on paper,
The terminal device
A display font storage unit for storing display fonts used for display;
A display unit that displays various information using the display font,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A print font storage unit for storing a print font used for printing;
Based on the character code of the various information displayed on the display unit and the font for printing, a report creation unit that creates report data used for printing the report;
A report output unit that converts the report data created by the report creation unit into a printable image and prints it on the paper;
The report creation unit of the image forming apparatus stores the print font corresponding to the character code of the various information in the display font storage unit when the print font is not stored in the print font storage unit. A report output system characterized in that the report data is created using a font.

Images