JP2019093616A - Image formation apparatus, sample printing control method and sample printing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a sample printing result to be confirmed in a wider range while suppressing reduction of the printing speed when executing sample printing of a confidential document.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: an image processing unit which generates image data for image formation; an image formation unit which forms an image on a print sheet on the basis of the generated image data; and an output unit which discharges the print sheet formed with the image, calculates the time that can be used for concealment processing of a sample print page from the total time of rasterization processing predicted from the present to printing of the sample print page and the total time of print processing when the sample printing is instructed during printing of a confidential document, calculates the ratio of a concealment region in the sample print page and the time required for the concealment processing of the sample print page for each predetermined concealment processing, and selects the concealment processing having the smallest ratio of the concealment region from the concealment processing in which the time required for the concealment processing falls within the time that can be used for the concealment processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a sample printing control method, and a sample printing control program, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus that performs sample printing, and sample printing control that controls sample printing during confidential document printing in a system including the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a method and a print control program operating on an apparatus in a system including the image forming apparatus.

  In a printing apparatus such as a printer or digital multi-functional peripheral (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus), a toner image is formed on a photosensitive member based on image data, and the toner image is transferred to paper, and then a fixing roller or The sheet is passed through a pressure belt or the like, and the toner image on the sheet is fixed by heating, pressing or the like. At this time, the photosensitive member, the fixing member, etc. may be stained with toner, the image forming position may be displaced, or the image density may change with time. The image quality of the image forming apparatus in recent years is provided with a function called sample printing, because these stains, positional deviations, changes in image density, etc. cause the printing quality to be degraded as an image abnormality depending on the degree. This sample printing is a function of duplicating an arbitrary page of a job and discharging it to a sub tray or the like in order to visually check the status of the print image of the job being printed. For example, the number of printed sheets has reached a fixed value When sample printing is performed.

  Here, the document printed by the image forming apparatus includes a document (usually called a document) that can be browsed by any user, a document including confidential information that can be browsed only by a specific user (a confidential document If a sample print is performed while printing a confidential document, the confidential document is printed as a sample. In this case, if the user leaves the printed matter unaware of the output of the sample print, confidential information may be leaked.

  Therefore, when sample printing of a confidential document is performed, a concealing process such as filling in a part to be classified with an image is performed so that confidential information is not leaked. There are various types of concealment processing according to the concealment ratio (area ratio of concealed area), and if concealment processing with a high concealment ratio is selected, leakage of confidential information can be surely prevented, but confirmation of the content of the document is It becomes difficult, while selecting a concealment process with a low concealment ratio makes it easy to check the content of the document but increases the risk of leakage of confidential information. Therefore, when sample printing confidential documents, it is important to select an appropriate concealment process.

  As a technique relating to printing of such confidential documents and sample printing, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, a print job is divided into printing processes in units of one transfer member, and execution of print output in the print job is performed. In response to the print control means to control and the request for sample print output, the print setting of the print job is determined, and when the print job has security restrictions attached, execution of the sample print output of the request Sample print output control means for causing the print control means to interrupt duplication of a predetermined print process in the print job and to execute the sample print output of the request when the print control means is not attached. And an image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, an image forming unit for forming an image on a print medium, a first request receiving unit for receiving a first request for requesting the image formation, and a reception by the first request receiving unit A first image forming execution unit that sequentially executes the first request by the image forming unit, and at least a part of the image formation according to the first request being executed by the image forming execution unit The second request acceptance unit for accepting a second request, and the second request accepted by the second acceptance unit are executed by the image forming unit, and the print medium after the execution is used as the first request. A second image forming execution unit for discharging to a second discharge unit which is a discharge destination other than the first discharge unit which is a discharge destination of the print medium after the image formation; Specifying means for specifying the person who made the request Authority registration means for registering the range of the authority for making the second request for the first request for each user, and a person who has made the second request by the identification by the identification means A first determination unit that determines based on the authority registration unit whether or not the user has the authority to make the first request according to the second request, and the second image formation execution The means is provided that the second judging means judges that the person making the second request has the authority to make the first request according to the second request. An image forming apparatus is disclosed in which the image forming means carries out the following requirements.

  Further, according to Patent Document 3 listed below, a reading unit for reading an identifier added to a printed recording medium for determining a filled portion and an identifier read by the reading unit for the printed recording medium are used. A printing apparatus is disclosed, comprising: determination means for determining a filling place; and filling means for filling the filling place determined by the determination means by printing on the printed recording medium.

  Further, in Patent Document 4 below, a host computer and a PDL description print data from the host computer are developed into a bitmap, and an image is formed by an image forming unit based on the bitmap data, and the image is transferred onto a sheet. In an image forming system provided with a forming apparatus, the host computer extracts a character code from the print data by storing secret information identification keywords and storage means in which the print data is stored, and generates document data. The data is searched for the secret information identification keyword, and if it is hit, a portion including secret information corresponding to the secret information identification keyword in the document data is estimated, and the result of the search and estimation is sent to the image forming apparatus. The print data is transmitted in parallel with the processing by the secret information estimation processing means to be transmitted and the secret information estimation processing means. Print data transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus storing the storing means in which the concealed character code is stored, and storing the print data received from the image forming apparatus in the storing means; If the result received from the image forming apparatus indicates a hit, the character code in the print data corresponding to the portion including the secret information is replaced with the concealed character code, and the replaced print data is And an image forming system having image processing means for developing a bitmap.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2009-061694 JP 2009-200547 A JP 2009-159570 A JP 2007-213382 A

  Although Patent Document 1 discloses that sample printing is not performed when printing a confidential document, this technique has a problem that the sample can not be executed when the confidential document continues. Further, Patent Document 2 is an invention that allows only a user who is printing a confidential document to instruct sample printing. However, in this technology, a user other than a user who is printing a confidential document can use sample printing. There is a problem that the user can not give instructions and the user's convenience is bad. In addition, as an image processing method for concealing a confidential image, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, an invention for specifying a confidential part and filling in the area, or as in Patent Document 4, an invention for replacing a confidential word with another character code However, when the image processing is applied to sample printing, the printing speed may be reduced depending on the printing speed of the engine and the image processing time, and there is a problem that the processing of the job may be disturbed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main object is to confirm the sample printing result more widely while suppressing the decrease in printing speed when performing sample printing of a confidential document. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, sample printing control method and sample printing control program that can be enabled.

  One aspect of the present invention includes an image processing unit that generates image data for forming an image, an image forming unit that forms an image on a printing sheet based on the image data generated by the image processing unit, and the image forming unit An output unit for discharging a print sheet on which an image has been formed, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to print a sample print page from now when sample printing is instructed during printing of a confidential document The concealment processing time calculation unit which calculates the time that can be used for the concealment processing of the sample print page from the total time of the rasterization processing predicted to the total of the rasterization processing and the total processing time of the print processing A concealment ratio that defines the ratio of the area of the concealed area to the total area of the sample print page and the time required for the concealment process of the sample print page are calculated, and it is necessary for the concealment process. A concealment processing determination unit that selects the concealment processing with the smallest concealment ratio from among the concealment processing whose time is within the time that can be used for the concealment processing; The image data is subjected to the concealment process selected by the concealment process determining unit, and the image forming unit is configured to print paper based on the image data of the sample print page subjected to the concealment process by the image processing unit. Forming an image on the recording medium, and outputting the printing paper of the sample print page on which the image forming unit has formed the image.

  One aspect of the present invention is an image processing unit that generates image data for forming an image, an image forming unit that forms an image on a printing sheet based on the image data generated by the image processing unit, and the image formation A sample printing control method in a system including an image forming apparatus comprising: an output unit that discharges a printing sheet on which an image has been formed, the sample being printed from now when sample printing is instructed during printing of a confidential document A concealment processing time calculating step of calculating a time which can be used for concealment processing of the sample print page from a total time of rasterization processing predicted before printing a print page and a total time of print processing; A concealment ratio defining the ratio of the area of the concealed area to the total area of the sample print page for each of the concealment processing and the sample print page A concealment process determining step of calculating the time required for the concealment process and selecting the concealment process having the smallest concealment ratio from among the concealment processes whose time required for the concealment process falls within the time available for the concealment process; A concealment processing execution step of causing the image processing unit to execute the selected concealment processing on the image data of the sample print page; and the sample in which the selected concealment processing is performed in the image forming unit Performing an image forming step of forming an image on a print sheet based on image data of the print page; and an output step of discharging the print sheet of the sample print page on which the image is formed on the output unit. It is characterized by

  One aspect of the present invention includes an image processing unit that generates image data for forming an image, an image forming unit that forms an image on a printing sheet based on the image data generated by the image processing unit, and the image forming unit A sample printing control program operating on an apparatus in a system including an image forming apparatus including an output unit for discharging a printing sheet on which an image has been formed, wherein the apparatus instructs sample printing while printing a confidential document Calculation processing time to calculate the time that can be used for the concealment process of the sample print page from the total time of the rasterization process and the total time of the print process which are predicted from now until printing the sample print page And a concealment ratio defining the ratio of the area of the concealed area to the total area of the sample print page for each of a plurality of predetermined concealment processes. The time required for the concealment process of the sample print page is calculated, and the concealment process having the smallest concealment ratio is selected from among the concealment processes in which the time required for the concealment process falls within the time available for the concealment process. And causing the image processing unit to execute a concealment process determination step of instructing the selected concealment process.

  According to the image forming apparatus, the sample printing control method, and the sample printing control program of the present invention, when performing sample printing of a confidential document, it is possible to confirm the sample printing result more widely while suppressing the decrease in printing speed. can do.

  The reasons are as follows: an image processing unit that generates image data for forming an image, an image forming unit that forms an image on a printing sheet based on the generated image data, an output unit that discharges the printing sheet on which the image is formed; In the image forming apparatus having the above, when sample printing is instructed during printing of the confidential document, the sample is calculated from the total time of the rasterization process and the total time of the printing process which are predicted from now to the printing of the sample print page. The time that can be used for the concealment process of the print page is calculated, the ratio of the concealed area in the sample print page and the time required for the concealment process of the sample print page are calculated for each predetermined concealment process, and the time required for the concealment process Among the concealment processes that can be used in the concealment process, the concealment process having the smallest ratio of concealment areas is selected.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is an example of print job information. It is a schematic diagram explaining sample printing. It is an example of a sample print setting screen concerning a 1st example of the present invention. It is a timing chart figure explaining time which can be used for concealment processing. It is an example of an apparatus information table. It is an example of the concealment process table (table for determining concealment process based on the processing time and concealment ratio with respect to each concealment process) which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. It is an example of the concealment ratio approximate table according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of each concealment process which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the sample printing setting screen concerning a 2nd example of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the sample printing setting screen concerning a 3rd example of the present invention. It is an example of concealment processing of each sensitivity according to the 3rd example of the present invention. It is an example of the concealment process table (table which shows the concealment process and process time according to each secrecy) which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 4th Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 4th Example of this invention. It is an example of the sample printing setting screen concerning a 2nd example of the present invention.

  As described in the background art, the image forming apparatus is provided with a sample print function of duplicating an arbitrary page of a job and discharging it to a sub tray or the like in order to visually confirm the status of the print image of the job being printed. However, when printing a confidential document, sample printing is performed to copy the confidential document, and if the user leaves the printed matter unaware of the output of the sample printing, confidential information may be leaked. Therefore, when sample printing of a confidential document is performed, a concealing process such as filling in a part to be classified with an image is performed so that confidential information is not leaked.

  If sample printing is not performed while printing a confidential document as in Patent Document 1 at the time of this sample printing, sample printing can not be performed when the confidential document continues. Further, as in Patent Document 2, when only a user who is printing a confidential document can instruct sample printing, no other user can issue a sample printing instruction. Further, when the image processing as described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 is applied to sample printing, the printing speed may be reduced depending on the printing speed of the engine and the image processing time.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when sample printing is instructed during printing of a confidential document, the total time of the rasterization process and the total time of the printing process predicted from the present to the printing of the sample print page And the time available for the concealment process of the sample print page is calculated, and for each of the plurality of concealment processes, the ratio of the concealed area in the sample print page and the time required for the concealment process of the sample print page are calculated. Among concealment processes in which the time required for the process takes place within the time available for concealment processing, the concealment process with the smallest ratio of concealment areas is selected.

  Also, when the ratio of concealment areas is specified, even if the time required for concealment processing does not fall within the time available for concealment processing, the concealment processing whose ratio of concealment areas is equal to or less than the designated ratio is selected. When a secrecy level defining an object to be concealed is specified, the concealment process capable of concealing an object defined at the designated secrecy level even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for concealment processing If the concealment processing with the smallest ratio of concealment area is selected from among the above, or if the sample printing is instructed at an interval shorter than the designated time interval when the sample printing time interval is designated, the concealment is performed. Even if the time required for the process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process, the concealment process with the smallest ratio of concealment areas is selected.

  As described above, by selecting the concealment process with a small ratio of the concealed area within the time available for concealment process of the sample print page, the user can confirm the sample print result widely while suppressing the decrease of the printing speed. Can. In addition, regardless of the time available for the concealment process, the user can confirm the sample print result in a wider range by enabling the user to select the sample print in which the concealed part is more limited.

  The image forming apparatus, the sample print control method, and the sample print control program according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 in order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in further detail. Explain. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an example of print job information. FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining sample printing, and FIG. 6 is an example of a sample printing setting screen. FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining time which can be used for the concealment process, and FIGS. 8 to 10 respectively show an example of the device information table, the concealment process table, and the concealment ratio estimation table. Moreover, FIG. 11 is an example of each concealment process of a present Example.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripherals) or the like that forms an image on a printing sheet (recording medium) based on a print job, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. The control unit 20, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 30, an image reading unit 40, a display operation unit 50, sheet feeding units 61 to 65, an image forming unit 70, a post-processing unit 80, and the like.

  The control unit 20 controls each component, and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a memory 22 such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or an SSD (hard disk drive). A storage unit 23 such as a solid state drive) and an I / F unit 24 are connected via a bus.

  The CPU 21 performs control of each unit, image processing, and the like. The memory 22 is a portion for temporarily storing various data read from the image reading unit 40 and the I / F unit 24. The stored image data is processed by the CPU 21 and transferred to the image forming unit 70. The print job is rasterized on the memory 22 to generate bitmap data of each color of CMYK for printing. Concealment processing of confidential information is also performed on this memory 22. The storage unit 23 is a program for the CPU 21 to control each unit, information on processing functions of its own device, and various data (print job information, a device information table to be described later, a concealment processing table, and a concealment ratio approximation table) The contents are stored, read out by the CPU 21 as needed, and executed on the memory 22. The I / F unit 24 is connected to the network via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable or the like, establishes connection with a client terminal (not shown), a printer controller or the like, and transmits and receives data such as print jobs and various statuses. Do.

  The control unit 20 also functions as a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 20a, a concealment processing time calculation unit 20b, a concealment processing determination unit 20c, and the like, as shown in FIG. 2B.

  The RIP unit 20a is an image processing unit, and is PDL (Page Description Language) data described in a page description language such as PJL (Printer Job Language), PS (PostScript), PCL (Printer Control Language), or PDF ( Analyze print jobs such as Portable Document Format data, rasterize each page included in the print job to generate image data, and perform image processing (processing such as color adjustment, density adjustment, size adjustment) as needed Perform screening. Further, the RIP unit 20a executes the concealment process determined by the concealment process determining unit 20c on the image data of the sample print page.

  The concealment processing time calculation unit 20b calculates the total rasterization time from the present to the printing of the sample print page based on the print job information when the sample print is instructed during the printing of the confidential document (hereinafter, the total RIP time ), And referring to the maximum printing speed of the image forming unit 70 (engine) described in the device information table, the total printing time until printing the sample print page from the present (hereinafter, total Calculated as printing time). Then, the total RIP time is subtracted from the total printing time to calculate the time available for the concealment process.

  The concealment processing determination unit 20 c determines the object with reference to the print page information of the sample print page, and calculates the time required for each of the concealment processings determined in advance (hereinafter referred to as the approximate concealment processing time). Further, the concealment processing determination unit 20c refers to the concealment ratio approximation table to calculate the ratio of the area of the concealed area to the entire area of the sample print page in each concealment processing (hereinafter referred to as the approximate concealment ratio). . Then, priority is set for the concealment processing in ascending order of the approximate concealment ratio, and it is determined whether the approximate concealment processing time falls within the time that can be used for the concealment processing for each priority. Choose a small concealment process and determine the concealment process to apply to the sample print page.

  The RIP unit 20a, the concealment processing time calculation unit 20b, and the concealment processing determination unit 20c may be configured as hardware, or the control unit 20 may be a RIP unit 20a, a concealment processing time calculation unit 20b, and a concealment processing determination unit 20c. It may be configured as a sample print control program to function as the CPU 21 to cause the CPU 21 to execute the sample print control program.

  The ADF 30 automatically conveys one or more original sheets to the image reading unit 40. In the present embodiment, the ADF 30 is not essential.

  The image reading unit 40 is a portion that optically reads image data from a document placed on a document table, and a light source that scans the document and a CCD (Charge Coupled) that converts light reflected from the document into an electrical signal. Devices) and an A / D converter for A / D converting an electric signal. In the present embodiment, the image reading unit 40 is not essential either.

  The display operation unit 50 is a touch panel or the like provided with a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch sensor) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid on the display unit, and various screens (such as a sample print setting screen to be described later) And enables various operations related to print processing (such as setting of the sample interval and output unit on the sample print setting screen). The operation function is not limited to that on the touch panel, and may be anywhere as long as the operation function can be provided.

  The sheet feeding units 61 to 65 are sections for storing sheets, and include a section for feeding the stored sheets to the image forming section 70. Although FIG. 1 illustrates five sheet feeding units 61 to 65, the number of sheet feeding units is arbitrary.

  The image forming unit 70 is configured by components necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method. That is, it comprises the photosensitive drum 71, the transfer roller 72, the fixing device, the reversing mechanism 73, various conveyance belts and the like. Then, based on the image data read from the image reading unit 40 or the print job received via the I / F unit 24, an image is formed on the printing sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding units 61 to 65, and inverted as necessary. The front and back sides of the sheet are inverted using a mechanism 73 and sent to the post-processing unit 80.

  The post-processing unit 80 requests the user such as punching, stapling, folding, cutting, bookbinding, pasting with glue, etc. according to an instruction from the control unit 20 on the sheet conveyed from the image forming unit 70 as necessary. Add the finishing process to output. The post-processing unit 80 includes output units 81 to 82. The output units 81 to 82 discharge and stack the printed matter. Specifically, the thin solid line in FIG. 1 indicates the sheet conveyance path, the thick broken line indicates the conveyance path of the normal print page discharged to the output unit 82, and the thick solid line indicates the conveyance path to the output unit 81. 6 shows the transport path of the sample print page to be printed. In this embodiment, a plurality of output units are used to separate sample print pages separately from normal print pages, but the output units may output the same.

  1 and 2 show an example of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, and the configuration and control can be changed as appropriate as long as the sample print control of the present embodiment can be executed. For example, in the present embodiment, the post-processing unit 80 is included in the image forming apparatus 10, but the post-processing unit 80 may be omitted and the image forming unit 70 may be configured to include an output unit. In the present embodiment, the control unit 20, the image forming unit 70, and the post-processing unit 80 are included in the image forming apparatus 10. However, an apparatus in which each unit is independent (control device, printing device, and post-processing device) The image forming system may be an image forming system to which these are connected, or an image forming system in which the control device is included in any device (preferably, a printing device). Further, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the print job from the client terminal, but the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the printer controller, and the printer controller receives the print job and executes rasterization processing. Alternatively, the rasterized image data may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described. The CPU 21 develops the above-described sample print control program in the memory 22 and executes the program to execute the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3 is divided for convenience of drawing, and shows a series of processes.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the control unit 20 determines whether sample printing has been instructed (S101). Since this sample print instruction is not shown in the flowchart because it occurs during printing, the flow of printing will be described below.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print job from a client terminal or the like connected to the network via the I / F unit 24, the image forming apparatus 10 analyzes print job information included in the print job on the memory 22. This print job information is print settings for the entire print job such as job ID, job type, user name, job name, number of pages, number of copies, finishing setting such as collation / stapling / folding, as shown in FIG. It consists of “print job information” and “print page information” which is a print setting for each print page such as paper size, paper type, amount of paper, paper feed tray, paper discharge tray, color / monochrome, single-sided / double-sided, and the like. According to the “print job information” and the “print page information”, the image forming apparatus 10 feeds the sheet designated from the designated sheet feeding units 61 to 65, and the image forming unit 70 executes the image formation. The post-processing designated by the post-processing unit 80 is executed, and the print sheet is discharged to the output units 81 to 82. In the present embodiment, the print page information of the print job information includes setting information of “sensitive document = Yes / No” indicating whether or not the document is a confidential document for each page, and the user An attribute of confidential document = Yes / No is set in advance. Then, when the document file is read by a printing utility such as a printer driver and sent to the image forming apparatus 10, information of “secrecy document = Yes / No” is set in print page information of the print job information.

  In the above, the case where the information of “confidential document = Yes / No” is embedded in the document file is shown, but the above information is not embedded in the document file itself, and “sensitive document = Yes in a printing utility such as a printer driver. The user may be able to execute the setting of “/ No”. When specifying “Confidential document = Yes” for the entire print job without setting “Confidential document = Yes / No” for each page in the print utility, all pages in the print page information of the print job information The information of “confidential document = Yes” is set for

  Next, sample printing will be described. Sample printing is a function of duplicating an arbitrary page and discharging it to a different tray such as a sub tray in order to visually confirm the status of a print image of a job being printed, without pausing printing. There are several types of sample printing, one of which is batch setting by the administrator that executes sample printing when the number of printed sheets reaches a certain value in the accumulation of all print jobs.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining sample printing. The sample printing count on the figure indicates the cumulative number of printed sheets of all the above-described print jobs, and it is assumed that the interval for performing sample printing is set to 1000 sheets. For example, when processing of a print job of 2000 pages shown in the print page information in the center of the figure is started with the sample print count being 997, the cumulative number of printed sheets on the fourth page of the print job is 1000. Sample printing is performed. The lower left of the figure is the image of the 4th page of the print job, and the image of this 4th page is duplicated in sample printing, but if the 4th page is a confidential document (in the case of “sensitive document = Yes”) The image is subjected to predetermined concealment processing (here, image processing in which a part of a document is replaced with a predetermined character such as a white square, and a part of a photo is replaced with a predetermined figure such as a gradation pattern) A sample print image (see the bottom right of the figure) is generated.

  Note that how many sheets are to be printed (sample interval) can be set on the sample print setting screen 90 as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In the sample print setting screen 90, an output unit for outputting a sample print page can be set in addition to the sample interval, and in this embodiment, an output unit for outputting the page of the original print job as an output unit. An output unit 81 (sub tray) different from the one 82 (main tray) is set. The setting information on the sample printing is held in the storage unit 23 or the like. Further, as another type of sample printing, there is a function of immediately executing sample printing when the “sample printing” button is pressed on the display operation unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Referring back to the flowchart, when the sample print is instructed (Yes in S101), the print page information and print image of the print page (here, the fourth page of the print job) which is the source of the sample print page are stored in the memory 22. Be expanded. Then, the control unit 20 analyzes print page information of the sample print page (S102), and determines whether the sample print page is a confidential page (whether the setting of the confidential document is Yes or No) (S102) S103). If the sample print page is not a confidential page (No in S103), the control unit 20 performs normal sample print processing. That is, the printing process is performed according to the print page information and the print image of the original print page.

  On the other hand, if the sample print page is a confidential page (Yes in S103), the control unit 20 (the concealment processing time calculation unit 20b) calculates the time that can be used for the concealment processing. As the preparation, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing time calculation unit 20b) calculates the total RIP time from the present to the sample print page (excluding the concealment processing time) (S104). FIG. 7 is a timing chart of the RIP time and the printing time, and shows the timing when the print job shown in the print page information of FIG. 5 is printed from the first page. The concealment processing time calculation unit 20b calculates the RIP time of each page using a known method. The portion described as "P. 4 sample" in FIG. 7 is a sample print page. The portion of “P. 4 sample” on the left side is the RIP time which does not include the concealment process, and the process before the concealment process can not proceed to the concealment process unless it is RIPed. In the present embodiment, it is 4000 msec.

  As the next preparation, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing time calculation unit 20b) acquires the maximum printing speed information of the engine (S105), refers to the information, and prints the total from the present to the start of printing of the sample print page The time is calculated (S106). The maximum printing speed information of the engine is information unique to the model, and is stored in the storage unit 23 or the like as a device information table as shown in FIG. Printing starts when the RIP process for each page is completed, but the printing speed can be known from the maximum printing speed information of the engine. You will see when the printing up to 4 is complete.

  Next, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing time calculation unit 20b) sets a time obtained by subtracting the total RIP time from the total printing time as a time that can be used for the concealment processing (S107). In FIG. 7, it is a part of "P. 4 sample" in a thick frame, and 700 msec is a time which can be used for the concealing process in this embodiment.

  Next, the control unit 20 (the hiding process determining unit 20c) performs an object determining process of determining an object included in the sample print page by referring to the analysis result when the CPU 21 executes the rasterizing process. The number of texts / number of image dots is acquired (S108). Then, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing determination unit 20c) calculates the approximate processing time of the concealment processing (in the present embodiment, the concealment processing 1 to 6) of the preset patterns (S109), the concealment processing 1 to An approximate concealment ratio of 6 is calculated (S110). Then, the control unit 20 (the concealment process determination unit 20c) sets the priorities to the concealment processes 1 to 6 in ascending order of the approximate concealment ratio (S111).

  A method of calculating the approximate concealment processing time and the approximate concealment ratio of the concealment processes 1 to 6 will be specifically described. FIG. 9 is an example of the concealment processing table that defines the concealment contents of the concealment processing 1 to 6 of the present embodiment. Only one processing method is selected from the processing numbers 1 to 6 and executed. FIG. 11 shows actual concealment processing results of the sample print page and the concealment processing 1 to 6, respectively. In this embodiment, the sample print page has 10 objects, 40000 dots on the entire surface, 100 characters of the entire text, 20 characters of the confidential text, 10000 dots of the entire image area, 1000 dots of the text in the image (10 characters), the confidential text There are 500 dots (five characters) and 1000 dots in the image.

  In the concealment process 1, the entire surface of the sample print page is overwritten with the fixed chart. For example, a gradation pattern of CMYK can be used as the fixed chart, and by using the gradation pattern, toner leakage of each color of CMYK does not occur, or an abnormal image such as gradation abnormality occurs You can check if it is not. In the concealment process 1, since the chart image is only overwritten on the entire surface without performing the determination of the image object, the concealment process time is shortest.

  In the concealment process 2, it is determined whether all objects included in the sample print page are text objects or image objects. Then, after the determination, for the text object, processing is performed to replace the entire text with another character (here, a white square). This process can be realized by changing the character code. In addition, for image objects, processing for overwriting the entire object with a fixed chart is performed. As the fixed chart, the same CMYK gradation pattern as the concealment processing 1 can be used, and this gradation pattern is reduced according to the size of the object. In the concealment process 2, since the determination of the object is performed, the object arrangement of the original document can be reproduced, and the print result closer to the original image is obtained as compared with the concealment process 1.

  In the concealment process 3, it is determined whether the text in the text object is confidential text. Whether or not it is a confidential text can be determined based on whether it is personal information such as an address or a name, or whether it corresponds to a confidential keyword. The confidential keyword may refer to a database in the image forming apparatus 10 (in the storage unit 23) or outside the image forming apparatus 10, or may refer to one registered in advance as a confidential keyword by the user. Similar to the concealment processing 2, the text corresponding to the confidential text is replaced with another character (here, a white square). Since the text other than the confidential text is printed as it is, the printing result is closer to the original image than in the concealment processing 2. Further, for the image object, processing of overwriting with the fixed chart is performed as in the concealment processing 2.

  In the concealment process 4, for the text object, as in the concealment process 3, the confidential text is replaced. For image objects, it is determined whether there is a text image in the image. If there is a text image in the image, processing is performed to replace all text images with another text image (here, a filled square).

  In the concealment process 5, as compared with the concealment process 4, when there is a text image in the image, it is further determined whether or not there is confidential text, and another text image (here, only for the text image corresponding to the confidential text) , Replace black squares).

  In the concealment process 6, in addition to the concealment process 5, it is determined whether or not there is a person image in the image, and a process of overwriting only the person image (or the face image in the person image) with a fixed chart is performed. Images other than the original image.

  As described above, since concealment processing 1 to concealment processing 6 are carried out stepwise more detailed discrimination processing and concealment processing, although the concealment processing time becomes longer, a print result closer to the original image can be obtained. The time of each discrimination process, text replacement process, and image overwrite process is defined by the process time of the concealment process table of FIG. 9, and the concealment process time of concealment processes 1 to 6 is calculated based on the concealment process table. be able to. The concealment ratio is calculated by the following equation: concealment area area / total page area area × 100 (%). The smaller the concealment ratio is, the index indicating that the concealed image is closer to the original image. This concealment ratio can also be calculated by determining the concealment process. Since the actual accurate concealment processing time and concealment ratio can not be calculated unless the final classified area is determined by repeating the determination as to whether or not the information is confidential information, in this embodiment, it is roughly calculated.

  The concealment processing time is calculated up to the time required for the secrecy judgment processing, and is not added up to the actual secrecy judgment processing (the portion enclosed by a thick frame in FIG. 9). The reason is that the security determination process takes the longest time, and the text replacement process and the image overwrite process after the security determination have an error level because they can be performed for a short time as compared with the security determination process time. Also, by calculating the worst value assuming that all the text / image after the discrimination of the classified information is classified information, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the time which can be used for the concealment process is exceeded. The calculation of the approximate concealment processing time can be performed in a short time in object discrimination.

  Also, with regard to the concealment ratio, a table showing the relationship between the number of texts / dots in each concealment process and the concealment ratio, generated from a database in which past data is accumulated, in order to calculate the concealment ratio in a short time An estimate can be calculated from (see the concealment ratio estimation table in FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, since the concealment ratio decreases stepwise in the order of the concealment processes 1 to 6, the priorities can be set in that order. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the priority 1 has the highest priority, and the priority decreases as the priority number increases.

  Returning to the flowchart, as shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing determination unit 20c) obtains the approximate concealment processing time of the concealment processing of the priority N in S107 in order from the priority 6 It is determined whether or not it can be used within the time available for the concealment process, and the estimated concealment process time of the priority N concealment process falls within the time available for the concealment process (ie, there is more time available for concealment). The same process is repeated for the concealment process having the next highest priority (smaller concealment ratio) (S112 to S114). Then, if the estimated concealment processing time of the concealment processing of the priority N does not fall within the time that can be used for the concealment processing (No in S113), if the priority N is 5 or less, 1 is added to N and the previous one The contents of priority N are set in the concealment process (S116). That is, the concealment process with the highest priority (small concealment ratio) is selected while it falls within the time available for the concealment process. In this embodiment, since the time available for the concealment process is 700 msec from the timing chart of FIG. 7, concealment process 3 of priority 4 is selected with reference to the total process time of the concealment process table of FIG. Ru.

  Thereafter, the control unit 20 (RIP unit 20a) executes the concealment process determined above for the sample print page (S117), and the image forming unit 70 performs image formation of the sample print page (S118). The sheet is discharged to the output unit 81 designated by the print page information (S119).

  As described above, when the sample print page is a confidential page, the time available for the concealment process is calculated based on the total RIP time and the total print time calculated based on the maximum printing speed of the engine, and the concealment process is performed. By selecting the concealment process with the smallest concealment ratio among the concealment processes that fall within the available time, it is possible for the user to confirm the sample print result more broadly while suppressing the decrease in printing speed. Can.

  Next, an image forming apparatus, a sample print control method, and a sample print control program according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 13 is an example of the sample print setting screen.

  In the first embodiment described above, among the concealment processes that fall within the time available for concealment process, the concealment process having the smallest concealment ratio is selected, but the range of the concealment ratio can also be designated by the user. In that case, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, the user can specify the range (maximum value of the concealment ratio) of the concealment ratio of confidential documents on the sample print setting screen. If the concealment ratio is specified, the concealment process determining unit 20c selects the concealment process equal to or less than the concealment ratio designated by the user even if the estimated concealment process time does not fall within the time that can be used for the concealment process. .

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described below. The CPU 21 develops the print control program described above in the memory 22 and executes the program to execute the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). FIG. 12 is divided for convenience of drawing, and shows a series of processes. Further, since S201 to S211 in FIG. 12A are the same as S101 to S111 in FIG. 3A of the first embodiment, the description will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown on the sample print setting screen 91 of FIG. 13, an item for designating “hiding ratio of confidential document” is provided in the sample print setting items. Here, it is assumed that the “secret document concealment ratio” is specified to 35% or less by the user administrator and stored in the storage unit 23 or the like.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), the control unit 20 (the concealment processing determination unit 20c) reads the concealment ratio designated by the user from the storage unit 23 or the like (S212). The processing of (S213 to S216) is performed. Specifically, the approximate concealment ratio of each concealment process calculated in S210 is compared with the concealment ratio designated by the user (S214), and the approximate concealment ratio of the concealment process with priority N indicates the concealment ratio designated by the user. If it exceeds (No in S214), the same process is repeated for the concealment process having the next highest priority (the concealment ratio is smaller). When the estimated concealment ratio of the priority N concealment process is equal to or less than the concealment ratio designated by the user (Yes in S214), the estimated concealment process time of the priority N concealment process is the same as the concealment process obtained in S207. It is determined whether it is within the usable time (S215). If the estimated concealment processing time of the priority N concealment processing falls within the time available for concealment processing (that is, there is more time available for concealment) (Yes in S215), the next highest priority (the concealment ratio is The same process is repeated for the smaller concealment process. Then, if the estimated concealment processing time of the concealment processing with priority N is not within the time that can be used for the concealment processing (No in S215), the content of the priority N is set in the concealment processing (S217). That is, although the estimated concealment processing time slightly exceeds the time available for concealment processing, the condition of the concealment ratio (35% or less) specified by the user is satisfied, and the priority is relatively high (the concealment ratio is relative Small) concealment process will be selected.

  After that, the control unit 20 (RIP unit 20a) executes the concealment process determined above for the sample print page (S218), and the image forming unit 70 performs image formation of the sample print page (S219) The sheet is discharged to the output unit 81 designated by the print page information (S220).

  As described above, even if the time is not within the time that can be used for the concealment process, it is possible to select sample printing with more concealed parts by selecting the concealment process that satisfies the concealment ratio conditions specified by the user. The user can check the sample print result more widely.

  Next, an image forming apparatus, a sample print control method, and a sample print control program according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17. FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 15 is an example of the sample print setting screen. 16 is an example of concealment processing of each sensitivity, and FIG. 17 is an example of a concealment processing table showing the concealment processing and processing time according to the designated sensitivity.

  In the second embodiment described above, the concealment process is selected based on the concealment ratio, but the concealment process can also be selected based on the secrecy which designates the target to be concealed. In that case, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, the user can specify the concealment machine density of the confidential document on the sample print setting screen. If the concealment machine density is specified, the concealment ratio is selected from among the concealment processes capable of concealing the area of the designated concealment machine density even if the estimated concealment process time does not fall within the time available for the concealment process. Choose the smallest concealment process.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described below. The CPU 21 develops the print control program described above in the memory 22 and executes the program to execute the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b). FIG. 14 is divided for convenience of drawing, and shows a series of processes. Further, since S301 to S311 in FIG. 14A are the same as S101 to S111 in FIG. 3A of the first embodiment, the description will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as shown on the sample print setting screen 92 of FIG. 15, an item for designating “mask density of confidential document” is provided in the sample print setting item, and this is at least the user administrator It is the setting of the necessary secrecy to be concealed. Then, it is checked whether or not the area of the specified concealer density is concealed, and the concealment processing of the sample print page is performed. Here, it is assumed that the “secret document confidentiality probability” is set to “B” by the user administrator and stored in the storage unit 23 or the like.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 14B, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing determination unit 20c) reads the concealment machine density specified by the user from the storage unit 23 or the like, and inputs it to the secrecy S (S312) . Then, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing determination unit 20c) performs the following processing in order from the priority 6 (S313 to S316). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the area of the secrecy S is concealed by the concealment process of the priority N (S314). When the area of the secrecy S is not concealed by the concealment process of the priority N (No in S 314), if the priority N is 5 or less, 1 is added to N and the previous priority is restored (S 317) The contents of priority N are set in the concealment process (S318). If the area of the secrecy S is concealed by the concealment process with priority N (Yes in S 314), the approximate concealment processing time of the concealment process with priority N is within the time that can be used for the concealment process obtained in S 307. It is determined whether or not it fits in (S315). If the estimated concealment processing time for the concealment processing with priority N falls within the time available for concealment processing (that is, there is more time available for concealment) (Yes in S315), the next highest priority (the concealment ratio is The same process is repeated for the smaller concealment process. Then, if the estimated concealment processing time of the concealment processing with priority N is not within the time that can be used for the concealment processing (No in S315), the content of the priority N is set in the concealment processing (S317).

  Since sensitivity information is included in each object of the print page, it is determined whether the area of sensitivity S is concealed by reading the sensitivity information when performing object determination in S308. be able to. In addition, what kind of processing is required to identify an object for which a sensitivity is specified can be identified with reference to the column of “sensitivity” in FIG.

  After that, the control unit 20 (RIP unit 20a) executes the concealment processing determined above for the sample print page (S319), and the image forming unit 70 performs image formation of the sample print page (S320). The sheet is discharged to the output unit 81 designated by the print page information (S321).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the target (text and / or image) of secrecy A to C is set, and secrecy A is designated as "hiding machine density of confidential document", the subject of secrecy A Is concealed, and when the secrecy B is designated, the target of secrecy A + B is concealed, and when the secrecy C is designated, the target of secrecy A + B + C is concealed. When secrecy A is specified as "hiding machine density of confidential documents", at least secrecy A is concealed, but if there is enough time available for concealment, secrecy B is concealed and further concealed If there is enough time to use it, the target of the sensitivity C is also concealed. In addition, when the secrecy B is specified as the “confidential machine concealment machine density”, even if the time available for concealment is only the time to conceal the secrecy A target, in addition to the secrecy A target It also hides objects of density B.

  FIG. 17 is a concealment processing table showing the processing time required to conceal each sensitive text / image area. In this embodiment, in order to simultaneously determine whether or not the area of the designated secrecy level is to be concealed, and whether or not the approximate concealment processing time of the concealment processing falls within the time that can be used for concealment, FIG. It is not necessary to prepare the concealment processing table as shown, but it is necessary to calculate the time for concealing each secrecy area and determine whether the calculated time falls within the time that can be used for concealment. It may be adopted.

  As described above, by selecting a concealment process with the smallest ratio of concealment areas from among concealment processes in which the area of the designated concealer density can be concealed even if it does not fall within the time available for concealment process. It is possible to select sample printing with a limited hidden area, and to allow the user to confirm the sample printing result more broadly.

  Next, an image forming apparatus, a sample printing control method, and a sample printing control program according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 19 is an example of the sample print setting screen.

  In the first embodiment described above, although control is made to execute sample printing when the number of printed sheets reaches a predetermined number, the user may instruct sample printing again in a short time, and such a case It is considered that the cause is that the concealment ratio is large and the document can not be confirmed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the sample printing is instructed within a predetermined time, the concealment processing with the concealment ratio lowered immediately is performed. In that case, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but in this embodiment, the user designates the sample time (time interval of sample printing) for changing the concealment ratio on the sample print setting screen. When the sample time is specified, if the sample printing is instructed at an interval shorter than the sample time, the concealment process determination unit 20c fits the estimated concealment time within the time that can be used for the concealment process. Even if not, the concealment process with the smallest concealment ratio is selected so that the concealment process is immediately performed.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described below. The CPU 21 develops the print control program described above in the memory 22 and executes the program to execute the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b). FIG. 18 is divided for convenience of drawing, and shows a series of processes.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the sample print setting screen 93 of FIG. 19, an item for setting “sample time for changing the concealment ratio” is provided in the sample print setting items. Here, it is assumed that the “sample time for changing the concealment ratio” is set within 30 seconds by the user administrator and stored in the storage unit 23 or the like.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 18A, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing determination unit 20c) reads the sample time set by the user from the storage unit 23 or the like at the time of activation (S400). Thereafter, similarly to the first embodiment, the process of outputting the first sample print page is executed (S401 to S419).

  Next, the control unit 20 (the concealment processing determination unit 20c) determines whether sample printing is instructed at an interval shorter than the sample time designated by the user (S420). If sample printing is not instructed at intervals shorter than the sample time designated by the user (No in S420), the process returns to S402 to perform sample printing as usual. On the other hand, when sample printing is instructed at intervals shorter than the sample time designated by the user (Yes in S420), the control unit 20 (the concealment processing determination unit 20c) has the highest priority (the concealment ratio is the smallest). The concealing process of priority 1 is selected, the control unit 20 (RIP unit 20a) executes the process of priority 1 (S421), and the image forming unit 70 forms an image of the sample print page (S422), The sheet is discharged to the output unit 81 designated by the job information (print page information) (S423).

  In this way, when sample printing is instructed at intervals shorter than the specified sample time, the user can execute the concealment process with the smallest concealment ratio, even if it does not fall within the time available for concealment process. Sample print results can be confirmed with certainty.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration and control can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, although six concealment processes 1 to 6 have been exemplified as concealment processes in the above embodiments, the present invention only needs to include a plurality of concealment processes, and the contents and number of concealment processes are described in the embodiments. It is not limited to.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for performing sample printing, a sample printing control method for controlling sample printing during confidential document printing in a system including the image forming apparatus, and print control operating in an apparatus including the image forming apparatus. The present invention can be used as a program and a recording medium storing the print control program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 image forming apparatus 20 control part 20a RIP part 20b concealment processing time calculation part 20c concealment processing determination part 21 CPU
22 Memory 23 Storage Unit 24 I / F Unit 30 ADF
40 image reading unit 50 display operation unit 61 to 65 sheet feeding unit 70 image forming unit 71 photosensitive drum 72 transfer roller 73 reversing mechanism 80 post-processing unit 81 to 82 output unit 90 to 93 sample print setting screen

Claims (12)

An image processing unit that generates image data for image formation;
An image forming unit that forms an image on printing paper based on the image data generated by the image processing unit;
An output unit that discharges a printing sheet on which the image forming unit has formed an image;
And a control unit,
The control unit
When sample printing is instructed during printing of a confidential document, the process of concealing the sample print page is performed from the total time of the rasterization process and the total time of the print process which are predicted from now to the printing of the sample print page. A concealment processing time calculation unit that calculates a usable time;
For each of a plurality of predetermined concealment processes, the concealment ratio that defines the ratio of the area of the concealed area to the total area of the sample print page and the time required for the concealment process of the sample print page are calculated. And a concealment processing determination unit which selects the concealment processing with the smallest concealment ratio from among concealment processings in which the required time falls within the time available for the concealment processing,
The image processing unit executes the concealment process selected by the concealment process determination unit on the image data of the sample print page.
The image forming unit forms an image on a print sheet based on image data of the sample print page on which the image processing unit has performed the concealment processing.
The output unit discharges a print sheet of the sample print page on which the image forming unit has formed an image.
An image forming apparatus characterized by When the concealment ratio is designated, the concealment process determining unit selects the concealment process having the designated concealment ratio or less even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process. Do,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, When the secrecy processing determination unit specifies a secrecy degree defining an object to be concealed, the secrecy process may be performed at the designated secrecy degree even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process. Among concealment processes capable of concealing an object to be defined, the concealment process having the smallest concealment ratio is selected.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, When the time interval for sample printing is specified, the time required for the concealment process is set for the concealment process when the time interval required for sample printing is specified and the sample print instruction is instructed at an interval shorter than the specified time interval. Select the concealment process with the smallest concealment ratio even if it does not fit within the available time,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, An image processing unit that generates image data for image formation;
An image forming unit that forms an image on printing paper based on the image data generated by the image processing unit;
A sample printing control method in a system including an image forming apparatus including: an output unit that discharges a printing sheet on which the image forming unit has formed an image;
When sample printing is instructed during printing of a confidential document, the process of concealing the sample print page is performed from the total time of the rasterization process and the total time of the print process which are predicted from now to the printing of the sample print page. Concealment processing time calculation step for calculating available time;
For each of a plurality of predetermined concealment processes, the concealment ratio that defines the ratio of the area of the concealed area to the total area of the sample print page and the time required for the concealment process of the sample print page are calculated. A concealment process determining step of selecting the concealment process having the smallest concealment ratio from among concealment processes in which the required time falls within the time available for the concealment process;
A concealment processing execution step of causing the image processing unit to execute the selected concealment processing on the image data of the sample print page;
An image forming step of causing the image forming unit to form an image on printing paper based on the image data of the sample print page subjected to the selected concealment processing;
Performing an output step of discharging a print sheet of the sample print page on which the image is formed on the output unit;
A sample print control method characterized in that. Further executing a concealment ratio specification step of specifying the concealment ratio;
In the concealment process determination step, even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process, the concealment process having the designated concealment ratio or less is selected.
The sample print control method according to claim 5, wherein: Further execute a secrecy designation step of designating a secrecy defining an object to be concealed;
In the concealment process determination step, the concealment process is capable of concealing an object defined by the designated secrecy, even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process. Choose the concealment process with the lowest concealment ratio,
The sample print control method according to claim 5, wherein: Execute an interval specifying step to specify a time interval for sample printing,
In the concealment process determination step, when sample printing is instructed at an interval shorter than the designated time interval, the concealment process is performed even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process. Select the concealment process with the smallest ratio,
The sample print control method according to claim 5, wherein: An image processing unit that generates image data for image formation;
An image forming unit that forms an image on printing paper based on the image data generated by the image processing unit;
And a sample print control program operating on an apparatus in a system including an image forming apparatus including: an output unit that discharges a printing sheet on which the image forming unit has formed an image;
In the device,
When sample printing is instructed during printing of a confidential document, the process of concealing the sample print page is performed from the total time of the rasterization process and the total time of the print process which are predicted from now to the printing of the sample print page. Concealment processing time calculation step which calculates usable time,
For each of a plurality of predetermined concealment processes, the concealment ratio that defines the ratio of the area of the concealed area to the total area of the sample print page and the time required for the concealment process of the sample print page are calculated. A concealment process determining step of instructing the image processing unit to select the concealment process having the smallest concealment ratio from among concealment processes in which the required time falls within the time available for the concealment process; To run
A sample print control program characterized by Further to the device,
Execute a concealment ratio specification step of specifying the concealment ratio;
In the concealment process determination step, even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process, the concealment process having the designated concealment ratio or less is selected.
The sample print control program according to claim 9, characterized in that: Further to the device,
Execute a secrecy designation step to specify the secrecy that defines the object to be concealed,
In the concealment process determination step, the concealment process is capable of concealing an object defined by the designated secrecy, even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process. Choose the concealment process with the lowest concealment ratio,
The sample print control program according to claim 9, characterized in that: Further to the device,
Execute an interval specification step to specify a time interval for sample printing,
In the concealment process determination step, when sample printing is instructed at an interval shorter than the designated time interval, the concealment process is performed even if the time required for the concealment process does not fall within the time available for the concealment process. Select the concealment process with the smallest ratio,
The sample print control program according to claim 9, characterized in that:

Images