JP2017164995A - Image formation device, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device that can inhibit an increase in occupancy time of an image formation device due to inexecutable printing job and inhibit an unnecessary increase in output result that is different from user's intention.SOLUTION: When a job is determined to be inexecutable in accordance with a designated configuration based on device information from the image formation device, the image formation device controls execution of the job depending on a determination result whether a user instruction operation is required or not on the image formation device in executing the job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes a job, a control method, and a program.

  Multifunction machines and printers that process print jobs received from multiple PCs and print servers connected to the network are designed to be used simultaneously by multiple users, so they are designed to avoid print output interruptions due to errors. There are many. For example, for a combination of print settings that cannot be executed depending on the device configuration of the image forming apparatus, whether to continue the process by invalidating any conflicting print settings without interrupting the process and allowing the user to select an operation Or, the print job may be canceled.

  On the other hand, as an example of print settings, there is known an image forming apparatus having a rotation sort function that alternately switches the transport direction of output paper for each copy when sorting and outputting a plurality of copies of a print job. By using the rotation sorting function, even when a finisher having a mechanical shift function is not mounted, the user can easily recognize the division of the parts.

  In recent years, in a printing environment such as an office, output of printed matter is performed after performing user authentication with an IC card reader or the like provided in the image forming apparatus for the purpose of preventing forgetting to take a printed matter or preventing leakage of confidential documents. Authenticated prints are widely used. In the authentication print, the input print job is retained in the HDD of the image forming apparatus, and the reserved print job is received by accepting the designation of the print job of the corresponding user listed on the operation panel at the time of user authentication. Job output starts.

  At the start of printing of the authentication print, the user exists near the image forming apparatus and performs an instruction operation on the operation panel. Other printing modes in which printing is started in accordance with an instruction from the operation panel in this way include secure printing that performs authentication using a password and box storage printing that stores a print job in a folder included in the image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that controls output of image data depending on whether or not the image forming apparatus is in a manned operation state.

JP 2010-76268 A

  In an image forming apparatus that assumes a multi-user environment, output is performed according to print settings specified by the user in order to prevent output from being stopped in a state in which user operation is prompted due to an error caused by a print job output by another user. There are things that do not. For example, when rotating sort is specified as the print setting, if only one of the vertical feed and horizontal feed is installed in the cassette that matches the paper size used in the print job, the rotary sort specification is ignored. Depending on the transport direction, all numbers are output. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the occupation time of the image forming apparatus due to the impossibility of executing a print job during unattended operation.

  However, in the case of a print job in which the user is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus, even if the user runs out of paper or the like, there is a high possibility that the process will be resumed immediately if notification is made. Therefore, if the operation is performed as described above in spite of such a print job, an output result different from the user's intention is unnecessarily generated.

  On the other hand, according to Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent image data that requires user operation from remaining during unmanned operation by preferentially printing image data that requires user operation during manned operation.

  However, Patent Document 1 does not mention that output is not performed in accordance with print settings designated by the user in order to suppress an increase in the occupation time of the image forming apparatus due to a print job that requires user operation during unattended operation. .

  In an image forming apparatus in a multi-user environment, it is required to satisfy both of the above points. That is, one point is to suppress an increase in the occupation time of the image forming apparatus due to the inability to execute a print job during unattended operation. Another point is to suppress an unnecessary increase in output results different from the user's intention.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such conventional problems. In view of the above, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in the occupation time of the image forming apparatus due to the inability to execute a print job and suppressing an unnecessary increase in output results different from the user's intention. It is an object to provide a control method and a program.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus, and an acquisition unit that acquires a job, and execution of the job acquired by the acquisition unit is performed on the image forming apparatus. The job acquired by the acquisition unit can be executed according to the specified setting based on the first determination unit that determines whether or not the user instruction operation is required and the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus. A second determination unit that determines whether or not the job is not executable according to the specified setting by the second determination unit, according to a determination result by the first determination unit And a control means for controlling the execution of the job.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the occupation time of the image forming apparatus due to the inability to execute a print job, and it is possible to suppress an unnecessary increase in output results different from the user's intention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration including an image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the block configuration of a control program. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an output result when a necessary sheet is not set in a sheet feed tray. It is a flowchart which shows the process which controls execution of a job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a print job. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a display part. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a print job. It is a flowchart which shows the process which controls execution of a job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a print job. It is a flowchart which shows the process which controls execution of a job. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on a display part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. . The same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system including an image forming apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment and a PC 101 that is an information processing apparatus capable of giving a job execution instruction to the image forming apparatus 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 are connected via a network 103 so that they can communicate with each other.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 102 includes a display unit 105 formed of an LCD or the like, and forms an image on a recording medium such as a printing paper by an electrophotographic method, an ink jet recording method, or the like. In the present exemplary embodiment, an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral) capable of executing a plurality of functions such as printing and faxing is used as the image forming apparatus 102. However, if the user authentication function and the display unit 105 described below are provided, an SFP (Single Functional Peripheral) may be used instead of the MFP. The display unit 105 in the present embodiment is, for example, a touch panel display, and is configured to function as an operation unit that receives various instructions for a print job in addition to displaying an operation menu (user mode) for setting a printing environment. Has been. Further, the MFP 102 includes a plurality of cassette paper feed stages 106, 107, and 108 so that a plurality of papers having different paper sizes and types can be fed simultaneously, and the fed paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 104. It is configured to be paper.

  The MFP 102 has a function of an authentication server that performs user authentication based on information read by a card reader (not shown) connected to the MFP 102. The MFP 102 also has a bibliographic server function for storing a print job created based on an instruction from application software running on the PC 101. The MFP 102 manages various job attributes such as user information, document name, and color mode of the input print job as bibliographic information, and has an authentication print function. In this embodiment, the MFP 102 is configured to have the functions of an authentication server and a bibliographic server. However, each server function may be configured to be realized by separate devices.

  In response to a print instruction from the application software, the PC 101 generates a print job reflecting various print settings designated from the user interface (UI) of the printer driver, adds information for identifying the user, and inputs the print job to the MFP 102. . On the other hand, after user authentication by the IC card, the MFP 102 specifies a print job that matches the user information acquired from the IC card based on the bibliographic information stored in the HDD of the MFP 102, and displays the print job on the display unit 105. Display a list. The user can acquire a printed matter by selecting a desired print job from the list of print jobs displayed on the display unit 105 of the MFP 102 and giving a print instruction.

  In FIG. 1, for the sake of explanation, only one PC 101 is shown as being connected. However, a plurality of PCs 101 may be connected to the same network. In this embodiment, a print job is input from the PC 101. However, the print job may be input from a mobile terminal such as a tablet terminal or a mobile phone instead of from the PC 101 having a general-purpose PC configuration.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main hardware configuration of the MFP 102. The controller unit 201 is a board base that comprehensively controls the MFP 102, and includes a CPU 202, a flash ROM 203, a RAM 204, an external storage device (HDD) 211 that stores a control program, a print job, and the like. Here, the CPU 202 loads and executes an OS that is a part of the control program stored in the flash ROM 203 and other control programs stored in the HDD 211, thereby executing each process of the flowchart described below. The MFP 102 is comprehensively controlled. Note that the control program constitutes each block of the control unit 301 shown in FIG. 3 described later. The HDD 211 is connected to the bus of the controller 201 via the external storage device I / O 210, and stores a print job received from the PC 101, bibliographic information about the print job, and the like.

  The network I / F 208 communicates with an external device connected via the network 105 according to a protocol, and performs transmission / reception control of various data. A RAM 204 is a volatile memory used by the CPU 202 when a print job is analyzed. The RAM 204 includes a drawing memory 205 that stores drawing objects generated by the PDL data analysis unit 304 of FIG. 3 analyzing a print job. The RAM 204 also includes a rendering buffer 206 that is used when the page image generation unit 305 in FIG. 3 generates a page image by rendering a drawing object. Further, the RAM 204 includes a load area for a control program loaded from the HDD 211 by the OS, a work memory 207 allocated as a heap area that is a work area of the CPU 202, and the like.

  The printer engine 215 is connected to the controller unit 201 via the video I / F 214. Based on the page image generated by the page image generation unit 305 in FIG. An image reflecting the above is formed. A card reader 213 is connected to the controller 201 via a card reader I / F 212. Based on the result of reading the user information stored in the non-contact IC card, the CPU 202 User verification is performed by checking.

  Next, the operation of each block realized by the control program executed by the CPU 202 of the MFP 102 and the data configuration managed by each block will be described with reference to FIG.

[Operation mode setting]
The MFP 102 selects, depending on the operation mode setting on the operation menu of the user mode managed by the UI control unit 307, whether the input print job is to be retained and output as an authentication print or not. Accept as possible. Further, when the operation mode is authentication print, the detailed condition can be set by the operation menu of the user mode. For example, it is possible to perform control such that a specific IP address or user ID is output without being retained, or output is prohibited. The operation when the operation mode is set to authentication printing will be described below.

[Submit print job]
A print job receiving unit 309 receives a print job input from the PC 101 and requests the print job management unit 302 to store the print job. In the print job storage unit 303, a part of the HDD 211 is assigned as a storage area, and the input print job 311 is temporarily stored. Then, when storing the print job, the print job management unit 302 requests the print data analysis unit 304 to analyze the print job 311 and acquires job attribute information (described later) and page information in the print job. Then, the print job management unit 302 stores job attribute information and page information as bibliographic information 310 in an area in the job storage unit 303.

[Print processing for submitted print jobs]
Next, a process until the already-printed print job is printed from the MFP 102 will be described. The authentication management unit 308 performs user authentication by comparing user information registered in advance with user information read by the card reader 213. After the user authentication by the authentication management unit 308 is established, the print job management unit 302 acquires the bibliographic information 310 of the print job including the user information from the HDD 211, and generates print job list information based on the bibliographic information 310. The print job management unit 302 requests the UI control unit 307 to perform display processing on the display unit 105 based on the print job list information.

  Here, the bibliographic information 310 includes information for specifying the owner (job owner) of the print job, job attribute information including various print settings such as a color mode and Nup setting, and analysis by the print data analysis unit 304. It is comprised including the page information acquired by. The page information includes, for example, the total number of pages of the print job, the paper size of each page, and the like.

  The UI control unit 307 displays print job list information on the display unit 105 and accepts instructions such as changing print settings and printing or deleting a print job in response to a user's panel operation. Upon receiving a print instruction for a print job, the UI control unit 307 requests the print job management unit 302 to perform print processing for the print job.

  The print job management unit 302 checks the bibliographic information when starting the print processing, and determines whether an output result according to the print settings set in the print job can be obtained. At this time, the print job management unit 302 calls the device configuration management unit 312 to check the device configuration information including the configuration information of the paper supply / discharge stage included in the MFP 102. Then, the print job management unit 302 determines whether the print setting indicated by the job attribute information and the page information can be executed based on the device configuration indicated by the device configuration information.

  If the print job management unit 302 determines that the print settings indicated by the job attribute information and the page information can be executed, the print job management unit 302 calls the print data analysis unit 304 and the page image generation unit 305 to generate a page image. Thereafter, the engine control unit 306 outputs a page image to the printer engine 215 as a video signal, thereby executing a printing process. On the other hand, if the print job management unit 302 determines that the print settings indicated by the job attribute information and the page information cannot be executed in the device configuration of the MFP 102, the print job management unit 302 notifies the UI control unit 307 of the determination result. Along with the notification, the print job management unit 302 requests the UI control unit 307 to display the operation screen on the display unit 105 for selecting print setting change, device configuration update, or print cancel. To do. Then, the print job management unit 302 performs processing according to the user response result to the operation screen.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an output result when a sheet necessary for the rotation sort is not set in the cassette paper feed stage of the MFP 102 when the print rotation sort (hereinafter referred to as “rotation sort”) is designated as an example of the print setting. FIG. Here, the A4 size is specified as the paper size, the first copy 401 is laterally fed (long edge feed), the second copy 402 is vertically fed (short edge feed), and these are repeated for the third and subsequent minutes. Is shown. In particular, FIG. 4B shows a case where a cassette in which A4R as a required paper size is set is not mounted.

  FIG. 4A shows a case where an expected output result is obtained. When the operation mode of the MFP 102 is set to authenticated printing, when printing is started, it is detected that a necessary A4R cassette does not exist, and a paper replacement request is made to the user. This is because in the case of authenticated printing, there is a user near the MFP 102. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the sheet transport direction is switched between horizontal feed and vertical feed in units of copies, and an expected output result can be obtained.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4B shows a case where an expected output result cannot be obtained. When the operation mode of the MFP 102 is set to other than authentication printing (for example, the normal print mode), the output is performed while ignoring the designation of the rotation sort when it is detected that the necessary A4R cassette does not exist. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the second copy 403 is also output in the lateral feed.

  However, as will be described later, even when the operation mode of the MFP 102 is other than the authentication print, when secure print or box storage print is set as the output method, as shown in FIG. Output results as expected. This is because secure prints and box-storing prints, like authentication prints, have a user in the vicinity of the MFP 102, and an expected output result is obtained when a user requests paper replacement.

  Next, an example of the data configuration of the print job 311 input in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The data of the print job 311 in this embodiment includes job attribute information including information for specifying a print job and print settings reflected in the entire print job, and PDL data described based on a page description language (PDL). And a document included as one document. In FIG. 6, elements 601 to 608 and 617 correspond to job attribute information, and elements 609 to 616 indicate one document, but a configuration in which a plurality of documents are included in one print job may be possible.

  In the present embodiment, job attribute information and a format for expressing a document include, for example, an operator (OPP), an attribute (ATT), and a parameter (PALM). As an operator for a print job, for example, there is “JobStart” of an element 601 indicating the start of the print job, “SetJobOption” of an element 605 indicating the start of specifying print settings, and “JobEnd” of an element 617 indicating the end of the print job. . Similarly, as an operator for a document, there are, for example, “DocumentStart” of an element 609 indicating start, “SendData” of an element 613 indicating transmission of PDL data, and “DocumentEnd” of an element 616 indicating end.

  Each operator is added with a set of attributes (ATT) and parameters (PALM) for expressing instruction contents and attribute information. However, depending on the type, there are operators that do not have attributes such as elements 609 and 617, and attributes that are not essential may be variable.

  Examples of attributes associated with the “JobStart” operator of element 601 include “job_name” of element 603 indicating a print job name, and “job_owner” of element 604 for specifying a user at the time of authentication. They are generated from the instruction contents of the application software and the login information of the PC.

  In addition to the above, in the present embodiment, the following attributes are added to the “SetJobOption” operator of the element 605 in order to specify the rotation sort. That is, “2” is added to the “copies” attribute of the element 606 indicating the number of copies. Further, “group” indicating a group is added to “output_mode” of the element 607 indicating the sort mode. Then, “rotate” indicating rotation is added to “output_partition” of an element 608 indicating how to divide a part.

  Note that the “SetDocumentOption” operator of the element 610 indicating the attribute of the document includes an element 611 indicating the type of PDL describing the document and an element 612 indicating the color mode. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. . Further, the PDL data can be described by being divided into arbitrary blocks, and “SendData” operators are added as many as the number of divisions, and each operator has “size” of element 614 indicating the size information of the PDL data included in each block. "Is added as an attribute.

  In the present embodiment, the print data analysis unit 304 analyzes the data configuration of the print job when the print job is input, and stores the analysis result as the bibliographic information 310.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure until the MFP 102 receives (inputs) and outputs a print job designated for rotation sort will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7. Each process illustrated in FIG. 5 is realized by, for example, loading and executing a program configuring each block in FIG. 3 by the CPU 202.

  In FIG. 5, the print job receiving unit 309 receives a print job transmitted from the PC 101 via the network I / F 208 (S501). Then, the print job management unit 302 inquires the UI control unit 307 about the operation mode setting of the operation menu, and determines whether or not the print job holding mode is set by the authentication print (S502). If a detailed condition is set in the reservation mode, the detailed condition is also checked to finally determine whether or not the received print data is in a reservation mode.

  If it is determined in S502 that the received print data is not set to the mode in which the print data is retained, that is, it is determined to print without retaining (No in S502), the print job management unit 302 is included in the bibliographic information 310. The job attribute information is read (S511). Then, the print job management unit 302 determines whether output is possible according to the print setting (S512). For example, when rotation sort is designated as the print setting and a cassette having both vertical and horizontal paper sizes is mounted on the MFP 102, it is determined that output is possible according to the print setting. If it is determined that output is possible according to the print settings, the print job management unit 302 calls the print data analysis unit 304 to analyze the PDL data, and performs print output reflecting the job attribute information (S513). On the other hand, if it is determined that output is not possible according to the print settings, the print job management unit 302 writes the description of the element 608, which is the job attribute information of the print job, in a value meaning no rotation sort designation, for example, “none”. Change. Then, the print job management unit 302 starts print processing based on the rewritten print job (S514).

  As described above, when the print job does not require a user instruction operation and it is determined that output is not possible, the print setting is invalidated and printing is performed. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the occupation time of the MFP 102 due to the stop of execution of the print job in the MFP 102 in the multi-user environment.

  If it is determined in step S <b> 502 that the received print data is set to the mode for retaining the print data (Yes in step S <b> 502), the print job management unit 302 stores the print job 311 in the print job storage unit 302. Along with the storage, the print job management unit 302 requests the print data analysis unit 304 to analyze the print job. Then, the print job management unit 302 stores the analysis result as bibliographic information 310 in an area in the job storage unit 303 (S503).

  Next, the print job management unit 302 determines whether or not user authentication has been established by the authentication management unit 308 and a print job print instruction has been received via the UI control unit 307 (S504). Here, a screen shown in FIG. 7 to be described later is displayed. If it is determined that a print instruction has been received, the process proceeds to S505. If it is determined that a print instruction has not been received, the process of S504 is repeated.

  When receiving the print instruction, the print job management unit 302 reads the job attribute information included in the bibliographic information 310 (S505), and determines whether or not the rotation sort is specified (S506). For example, the print job management unit 302 determines whether “group” indicating a group is set in “output_mode” indicating the sort mode, and “rotate” indicating rotation is set in “output_partition” indicating how to separate the copies. To do. If it is determined in S506 that the rotation sort is not designated (No in S506), the process proceeds to S513, and the printing process is performed in the same manner as in the case of processing without leaving.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S506 that rotation sorting is designated (Yes in S506), the print job management unit 302 calls the device configuration management unit 312 to configure the configuration information of the paper supply / discharge stages included in the MFP 102. The device configuration information (device information) indicating is acquired and checked. Then, the print job management unit 302 determines whether or not the paper feed stage configuration allows output by rotational sorting (S507). Here, when it is determined that the paper feed stage configuration is capable of output by rotational sorting, that is, rotational sorting can be performed as specified without performing paper replacement (determination in S507 is Y), S513. The printing process is performed in the same manner as in the case where the reservation printing is not set. If it is determined in step S507 that the paper feed stage configuration is not capable of output by rotational sorting (NO in step S507), the print job management unit 302 causes the UI control unit 307 to accept an operator notification screen. Is displayed on the panel display unit 105 (S508).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen configuration displayed on the display unit 105 in the present embodiment. FIG. 7A shows an example of a print job list displayed in step S504 after user authentication, and FIG. 7B shows an example of an operator notification screen displayed in step S508.

  A display area 701 in FIG. 7A displays the user name authenticated based on the user information read by the card reader. A display area 702 is an area for displaying a list of print jobs of authenticated users. In FIG. 7A, one print job “design document 1” 703 is selected. The contents of the list display are based on the bibliographic information 310 acquired by the print job management unit 302. In this embodiment, in addition to the print settings such as the document name, color mode, and print surface of the print job, the number of pages, Contains information such as the date and time when the job was submitted.

  A display area 704 displays scroll buttons that can be operated when the print job list does not fit on one screen, and a display area 705 represents a setting change button for changing the print settings of the selected print job. A display area 706 displays a detailed information button for displaying detailed information of the print job on another screen. The display area 707 displays a print start button for instructing printing of the selected print job. When the UI control unit 307 detects pressing of this button, it is determined in S504 that a print instruction has been received. The display area 708 displays a logout button for returning to the state before authentication.

  FIG. 7B is an example of the operator notification screen 710 displayed in S508, and includes a message indicating that paper replacement is required because the rotation sort specified as the print setting cannot be executed, and a button for accepting a user instruction operation. it's shown. On the operator notification screen 710, processing is continued by exchanging sheets necessary for performing rotation sorting with the button 711, processing is ignored with the button 713, or processing is interrupted with the button 712. Can be selectively received from the user.

  In the present embodiment, in the case of a print job that requires a user instruction operation, if it is not output according to the user's designation, the screen of FIG. 7B is displayed in S508. With such a configuration, for a print job that exists in the vicinity of the MFP 102, the user does not perform printing with the print settings invalidated. As a result, if the user is a print job that exists in the vicinity of the MFP 102, the output result of such a print job can be prevented from differing from the user's intention.

  In S509 of FIG. 5, the UI control unit 307 determines whether there is a response from any of the operation buttons 711, 712, and 713 on the operator notification screen 710. If it is determined that any of the responses of the operation buttons 711, 712, and 713 has been received, the UI control unit 307 notifies the print job management unit 302 of the response content, and the process proceeds to S510. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no response, the processing from S508 is repeated.

  Upon receiving the notification from the UI control unit 307, if the notification is a cancel instruction, the print job management unit 302 discards the print job and ends the processing in FIG. When the notification indicates a response from the button 711, the print job management unit 302 continues the printing process by switching the paper feed stage having a different conveyance direction for each copy after detecting the setting of the sheet in the cassette. . If the notification indicates a response from the button 713, the print job management unit 302 feeds all copies from the same sheet feed tray and starts print processing. For example, the print job management unit 302 rewrites the description of the element 608 that is the job attribute information of the print job to be printed into a value (for example, “none”) that means “rotation sort designation = none”, and performs print processing. To start.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a user operation is prompted only when the received print job is temporarily reserved and set to start printing after authentication. As a result, if the user is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus and the user can immediately respond on the image forming apparatus, the process can be interrupted and the user can select the print processing method. If it is determined that the print is not a reserved print and cannot be output, the print setting is invalidated and print processing is performed. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the occupation time of the image forming apparatus due to the inability to execute a print job, and it is possible to suppress an unnecessary increase in output results different from the user's intention.

  In FIG. 5, the print job for performing the deferred printing is described. However, for example, if the job instructs the job execution start on the touch panel on the image forming apparatus, the print job for the deferred print is used. It is not necessary. The form instructing the job execution start on the image forming apparatus in step S504 is not limited to the touch panel and the hardware key on the image forming apparatus, and is an instruction form in which the user exists in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus. Also good. For example, the user may instruct execution of a job by bringing the mobile terminal close to the image forming apparatus via short-range wireless communication.

  In S506, it is determined whether or not the rotation sort is specified. However, if the type of job to be executed in relation to the configuration of the image forming apparatus is determined, the rotation sort is specified. It is not limited to judgment. For example, it may be determined whether or not the printing is to switch the medium type of the printing paper for each page. In that case, in S507, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus is provided with a paper feed tray of a medium type necessary for execution of the print job. In S508, a message prompting to set a recording medium of a predetermined medium type. Will be notified.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the case of authentication printing that outputs a print job reserved after user authentication has been described. In the present embodiment, a case of a stored print in which an input print job is held in the HDD 211 of the MFP 102 will be described. Saved prints are stored in a predetermined folder (box) in the HDD 211 without being printed out immediately even when the authentication print setting is OFF, and in response to an instruction from the panel display unit 105. This function performs print output. In this embodiment, when “Save” is selected as the output method from the user on the print setting screen provided by a printer driver (not shown), a parameter for instructing to save print is set in the print job, as will be described later. The

  Hereinafter, an example of the data configuration of the print job 311 generated by the printer driver in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the same points as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and the first different point will be described.

  In the present embodiment, “exec_mode” of the element 801 indicating the print execution mode is added to “job_name” of the element 603 and “job_owner” of the element 604 as attributes associated with the “JobStart” operator of the element 601. . Then, “job_store” is designated as a PALM indicating that the print execution mode is stored printing. If the print execution mode is stored print, “container_no” of an element 802 that designates a storage destination folder by number, and “password” of an element 803 that indicates a password for restricting access to the print job. Is also specified. FIG. 8 shows the data structure of a print job in which a blank (NULL) is designated in the element 803, and shows an example in which a print job that does not require a password is stored in the folder of number 1.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure until the MFP 102 receives and outputs a print job designated as a storage print will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9. Here, each processing shown in FIG. 9 is realized by, for example, loading and executing the program that configures each block of FIG. 3 by the CPU 202, but the same processing procedure as that of the first embodiment Detailed explanation will be omitted. That is, S901 corresponds to each process of S501, S905 to S911 correspond to S504 to S510, and S912 to S915 correspond to S511 to S514. In the present embodiment, a case of a storage print operation will be described as an example of a job in which a user exists in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the card reader 213 and the authentication management unit 308 that function only with authentication printing are not necessary. However, the MFP 102 may be able to execute both the operations of the first embodiment and the present embodiment by switching the mode or the like by having the configuration of FIG.

  In FIG. 9, the print job management unit 302 calls the print data analysis unit 304, analyzes the PDL data, and acquires the attribute associated with the “job_start” operator as job attribute information (S902). Then, the print job management unit 302 determines whether or not “exec_mode” of the element 801 indicating the print execution mode is “job_store” indicating the box storage print (S903). If “exec_mode” does not exist or the value is not “job_store” (No in S903), it is determined that the job is not a saved job, and the process proceeds to S912.

  Note that, for example, in step S511 of the first embodiment, the print job management unit 302 reads job attribute information included in the bibliographic information 310. However, since the bibliographic information is not generated in the present embodiment, in the process of FIG. 9, for the process in which the bibliographic information is acquired in the first embodiment, in the present embodiment, the print data analysis unit 304 performs a print job. Directly refer to the job attribute information included in.

  If it is determined in step S903 that “exec_mode” is “job_store” indicating a box-stored print, the print job management unit 302 calls the print data analysis unit 304 to analyze the PDL data. Then, the page image generation unit 305 generates a page image based on the analysis result of the PDL data. In the case of saved printing, the generated page image is not output to the engine control unit 306 but is stored in a box designated by job attribute information. At this time, information corresponding to the job attribute information is stored together with the page image as information for managing the saved print job (S904).

  Next, the print job management unit 302 determines whether or not a print job print instruction has been received via the UI control unit 307 (S905). If it is determined that a print instruction has been received, the process advances to step S906. If it is determined that a print instruction has not been received, the process of step S905 is repeated. On the screen displayed in S905, for example, a list of combinations of folders and image data stored in the folders is displayed so as to be selectable by the user. When the print start button displayed on the screen is pressed for the folder or image data selected by the user, the process proceeds to S906. Since the subsequent processing is the same as the processing after S505 in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the print instruction in step S <b> 905 is intended only for input from the panel display unit 105 provided in the MFP 102. For example, in a case where the remote UI provided in the MFP 102 is accessed from the Web browser of the PC 101 and a print instruction for a stored print job can be issued, the processing from step S906 is not performed on the print instruction from the remote UI. In that case, when there is a print instruction from the remote UI, if it is not a storage print, that is, the processing after S912 may be executed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the print execution mode is the storage print, if the user is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus and the user can immediately respond on the image forming apparatus. The processing can be interrupted and the user can select the print processing method. If it is determined that the print is not a storage print and cannot be output, the print setting is invalidated and print processing is performed. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the occupation time of the image forming apparatus due to the inability to execute a print job, and it is possible to suppress an unnecessary increase in output results different from the user's intention.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the case where the print execution mode is the storage print has been described. In the present embodiment, for example, a case of secure printing in which a print job that has been input is temporarily retained in the HDD 211 of the MFP 102 and printing is permitted by matching the password will be described. In this embodiment, when “Secure Print” is selected as an output method on a print setting screen provided by a printer driver (not shown), a parameter for instructing secure print is set in a print job, as will be described later. .

  Hereinafter, an example of the data configuration of the print job 311 generated by the printer driver in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the same points as in the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and different points from the first and second embodiments will be described.

  In this embodiment, “job_start_mode” of the element 1001 indicating the print start mode is added to “job_name” of the element 603 and “job_owner” of the element 604 as attributes associated with the “JobStart” operator of the element 601. Then, “with_password” is designated as PALM indicating that the print start mode is secure printing. Note that “print_mode” of the element 602 specifies “print” which is the same as in the normal print mode.

  In addition, when the print execution mode is secure print, “password” of the element 1102 indicating that a password requested at the time of print execution is set is designated as an essential item. FIG. 10 shows the data structure of a print job in which “9876” is set in the element 1102. The password is set to a value entered on the print setting screen of the printer driver.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure until the MFP 102 receives and outputs a print job in which secure printing is designated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, each process shown in FIG. 12 is realized, for example, by loading and executing a program that configures each block of FIG. 3 by the CPU 202. The same processing procedure as that of the second embodiment is described in FIG. Detailed explanation will be omitted. That is, S1101 to S1102 correspond to S901 to S902, and S1105 to S1115 correspond to S905 to S915.

  In step S1103 of FIG. 11, the print job management unit 302 determines whether the print job is a secure print print job. For example, the print job management unit 302 determines whether the attribute of “exec_mode” indicating the print execution mode is “print” and “with_password” is specified in the element 1101 indicating the print start mode. If “with_password” is specified, the process proceeds to S1104. If “with_password” is not specified, the process proceeds to S1112.

  If it is determined in S1103 that the print job is a secure print print job, the print job management unit 302 spools the print job in the print job storage unit 303 as a secure print print job (S1104). However, unlike the second embodiment, the PDL data is not analyzed here.

  Next, the print job management unit 302 determines whether or not a print job print instruction has been received via the UI control unit 307 (S1105). On the screen displayed in S1105, for example, a list similar to the display area 702 in FIG. 7A is displayed. Then, the print start button displayed on the screen is pressed for the print job selected by the user. However, unless the password input by the user from the panel display unit 105 matches the password in the job attribute information indicated by the element 1002, it is not determined that the print instruction has been accepted. If it is determined that the print instruction has been received, the process proceeds to S1106. If it is determined that the print instruction has not been received, the process of S1105 is repeated. Since the subsequent processing is the same as the processing after S906 in the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Note that in the printing process in S1111, PDL data analysis by the print data analysis unit 304 and page image generation processing by the page image generation unit 305 are performed, as in S904.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the print execution mode is secure printing, if the user is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus and the user can immediately respond on the image forming apparatus. The processing can be interrupted and the user can select the print processing method. If it is determined that the print is not secure print and cannot be output, the print setting is invalidated and print processing is performed. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the occupation time of the image forming apparatus due to the inability to execute a print job, and it is possible to suppress an unnecessary increase in output results different from the user's intention.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments, the case where the rotation sort is designated as the print setting has been described. However, the operation of each embodiment can be applied to exclusive control of restrictions caused by the printer engine 215 with respect to finishing designation such as stapling as well as designation of rotational sorting.

  For example, in the case of stapling setting in which a bundle of printed sheets is bound in units of copies, stapling to a paper type such as thick paper may not be possible as a restriction item due to the mechanical mechanism. Even for such a print job, the process can be interrupted and the user can select a print processing method only when there is a user in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus and an immediate response is possible.

  In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a print job in which stapleless stapling is designated is input to the MFP 102 in which the authentication print is set to ON. Here, the configuration of the control unit 301 and the processing executed by each block of FIG. 3 are the same as those described in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, it is determined whether the configuration of the paper feed stage of the MFP 102 is appropriate for the rotation sort specification. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, whether or not a paper type capable of stapleless staple is specified for the stapleless staple specification based on the job attribute information is determined as an outputable condition. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the print data analysis unit 304 analyzes the PDL data when a print job is held, acquires the paper type specified on each page in advance, and performs the processing in S503 of FIG. And stored together with the bibliographic information 310.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operator notification screen 1201 displayed on the display unit 105 by the UI control unit 307 in S508 of FIG. 5 when a paper type that cannot be stapled without staple is specified.

  In FIG. 12, a message indicating that the paper type needs to be changed because a stapleless staple specified as the print setting cannot be executed, and a button for accepting a user operation are displayed. The operator notification screen 1201 continues the processing by exchanging sheets necessary to perform stapleless stapling with the button 1202, ignores stapleless stapling with the button 1203, or continues processing with the button 1204. Can be selectively received from the user.

  In response to pressing of the setting button 1202, the UI control unit 307 displays another screen for selecting a paper type on which stapleless stapling can be performed. The print job management unit 302 receives a paper type selected on another screen and capable of executing stapleless stapling. Then, the print job management unit 302 rewrites the paper type information in the bibliographic information 310 and the parameter for designating the paper type in the PDL data of the print job 311 to the received paper type information.

  As described above, the present invention is not limited to the rotation sort setting, and even when the finishing setting and the job setting are in conflict, if there is a user in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus and an immediate response is possible on the image forming apparatus, The processing can be interrupted and the user can select a print processing method.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  102 Image forming apparatus: 202 CPU: 203 ROM: 204 RAM

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus,
An acquisition means for acquiring a job;
First determination means for determining whether execution of the job acquired by the acquisition means requires a user instruction operation on the image forming apparatus;
Second determination means for determining whether or not the job acquired by the acquisition means can be executed in accordance with specified settings based on device information of the image forming apparatus;
Control means for controlling execution of the job according to a determination result by the first determination means when the second determination means determines that the job is not executable according to the designated setting;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   When it is determined by the first determination unit that the user instruction operation is required, the control unit executes the job according to the specified setting through a user operation, or according to a user instruction The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is not executed according to designated settings.   The control means displays a screen indicating that the job cannot be executed according to the designated setting when the first determination means determines that the user instruction operation is required. Item 3. The image forming apparatus according to Item 2.   The said screen can selectively receive the instruction | indication of cancellation of the said job execution, and the instruction | indication of the said job execution by the setting different from the said designated setting, The said screen can selectively accept | permit Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designated setting includes a rotation sort setting.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the designated setting includes a setting related to a finisher.   The second determination unit is configured to determine whether the job acquired by the acquisition unit is based on the device information based on the device information indicating whether the image forming apparatus has a paper feed stage that can perform the rotation sort. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not execution is possible according to the set setting.   When it is determined by the first determination means that the user instruction operation is not required, and when it is determined by the second determination means that execution is not possible according to the designated setting, the control means, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job is executed with the designated setting invalidated.   9. The job according to claim 1, wherein the job includes at least one of a job for executing reservation printing, a job for executing box storage printing, and a job for executing secure printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A control method executable in an image forming apparatus,
An acquisition process for acquiring a job;
A first determination step of determining whether execution of the job acquired in the acquisition step requires a user instruction operation on the image forming apparatus;
A second determination step of determining whether the job acquired in the acquisition step can be executed according to a specified setting based on device information of the image forming device;
A control step for controlling execution of the job according to a determination result in the first determination step when it is determined in the second determination step that the job is not executable according to the designated setting;
A control method characterized by comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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