JP2020055204A - Image formation apparatus and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To make a technique of setting variables to printing setting items at the time of printing image data of a printing object more user-friendly.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: a printing setting unit which receives from a user a setting request of variables to printing setting items at the time of printing image data of a printing object and sets the variables to the printing setting items; a cost prediction unit which predicts the cost of printing the image data with the variables set to the printing setting items every time the printing setting unit sets the variables and presents the predicted cost to the user; and a printing control unit which controls an image formation unit to print the image data with the variables set to the printing setting items for which the cost is predicted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an information processing program for setting a variable for a print setting item when printing image data to be printed.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image forming apparatus that sets variables for print setting items when printing image data to be printed.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0078522 JP 2014-059789 A

  It is desirable that a technique for setting variables for print setting items when printing image data to be printed be more user-friendly.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
A print setting unit that receives a request for setting a variable for a print setting item from a user when printing image data to be printed, and sets a variable for the print setting item;
Each time the print setting unit sets the variable, predicts the cost of printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item, and presents the predicted cost to the user. A cost estimator,
A print control unit that controls an image forming unit to print the image data with the variable set for the print setting item that predicted the cost.

  Thus, the cost can be predicted until the user is satisfied with the cost, and when the user is satisfied with the cost, the image data can be printed with the variable set for the print setting item whose cost has been predicted.

The print setting items include print setting items related to print quality,
The print setting items related to the print quality include at least one of color, font size, margin, density, image quality, resolution, sharpness, enlargement / reduction ratio, and N-up,
The cost estimating unit includes:
When printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item related to the print quality, determine the number of dots of each color included in the image data,
The cost is predicted based on the number of dots of each color and the unit price of the toner of each color.

  Accordingly, the cost estimating unit can estimate the cost in extremely detail based on the number of dots of each color and the unit price of the toner of each color.

The print setting items include print setting items for paper,
The print setting items for the paper include at least one of a paper type, a paper size, and a duplex,
The cost estimating unit includes:
The cost when printing the image data on a sheet defined by the variable set for the print setting item related to the sheet is predicted based on a unit price of the sheet.

  Accordingly, the cost estimating unit estimates the cost based on not only the print setting items related to the print quality but also the variables set for the print setting items related to the paper, so that the cost can be estimated in more detail.

  The cost estimating unit estimates the cost in the future based on the actual cost incurred when printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item.

  This allows the cost prediction unit to more accurately predict the cost in the future.

An information processing program according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
The control circuit of the image forming apparatus
A print setting unit that receives a request for setting a variable for a print setting item from a user when printing image data to be printed, and sets a variable for the print setting item;
Each time the print setting unit sets the variable, predicts the cost of printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item, and presents the predicted cost to the user. A cost estimator,
The print control unit controls the image forming unit to print the image data with the variable set for the print setting item for which the cost is predicted.

  According to the present invention, the technique of setting variables for print setting items when printing image data to be printed can be made more user-friendly.

  Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present invention.

1 shows a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. 4 shows an operation flow of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1. Hardware configuration of image forming apparatus

  FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control circuit 11. The control circuit 11 includes a CPU 11a (Central Processing Unit) as a processor, a RAM 11b (Random Access Memory), a ROM 11c (Read Only Memory) as a memory, a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like. Controls motion control. The CPU 11a loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 11c into the RAM 11b and executes it. The ROM 11c stores programs and data executed by the CPU 11a in a fixed manner. The ROM 11c is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

  The control circuit 11 includes an image reading unit 12 (image scanner), an image processing unit 14, an image memory 15, an image forming unit 16 (printer), an operation unit 17 (touch panel) including a display unit 17a, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), It is connected to a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device 18 such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), a facsimile communication unit 19, a network communication interface 13, and the like. The control circuit 11 controls the operation of each of the above-described units connected thereto, and transmits and receives signals or data to and from each unit.

  2. Functional configuration of image forming apparatus

  FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  In the control circuit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10, the CPU 11a loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 11c into the RAM 11b and executes the information processing program, so that the print setting unit 101, the cost estimation unit 102, the preview control unit 103, and the print control unit 104 Works as

  The print setting unit 101 sets variables for print setting items when printing image data to be printed.

  The cost estimating unit 102 estimates the cost when printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item by the print setting unit 101, and presents the estimated cost to the user (for example, the cost is displayed on the display unit 17a). ).

  The preview control unit 103 displays, on the display unit 17a, a preview of the image data when printing the image data using the variable set for the print setting item for which the cost prediction unit 102 has predicted the cost.

  The print control unit 104 controls the image forming unit 16 to print image data using the variables set for the print setting items determined by the print setting unit 101.

  3. Operation flow of the image forming apparatus

  FIG. 3 shows an operation flow of the image forming apparatus.

  The image reading unit 12 scans an original document set by a user and reads image data to be printed (step S101).

  The print setting unit 101 sets variables for the print setting items when printing the image data to be printed (step S102). The variable set first (in the first loop) by the print setting unit 101 is, for example, a default value.

  The “print setting item” may include, for example, a print setting item regarding print quality and a print setting item regarding paper. The “print setting items related to print quality” may include, for example, at least one of color, font size, margin, density, image quality, resolution, sharpness, enlargement / reduction ratio, and N-up. The “print setting item related to paper” may include, for example, at least one of paper type, paper size, and duplex. For example, the “variable” for the print setting item “color” is full color, gray scale, monochrome two gradation, and the like. For example, the “variable” for the print setting items “font size, margin, density, image quality, resolution, sharpness, enlargement / reduction ratio, N-up” is a numerical value in a specific range. For example, the “variable” for the print setting item “paper type” is plain paper, high-quality paper, or the like. For example, the "variable" for the print setting item "for example, the print setting item" paper size "is A5, A4, or the like. For example, the “variable” for the print setting item “duplex” is double-sided, single-sided, or the like.

  The cost estimating unit 102 estimates the cost when printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item by the print setting unit 101, and presents the estimated cost to the user (for example, the cost is displayed on the display unit 17a). ) (Step S103). In the present embodiment, “cost” means, for example, a fee charged to a user.

  Specifically, for example, the cost estimation unit 102 calculates the number of dots of each color (for example, CMYK) included in the image data when printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item related to the print quality. Judgment is made, and the cost related to print quality is predicted based on the number of dots of each color and the unit price of the toner of each color (for example, stored in the storage device 18). For example, the cost estimation unit 102 prints the image data on a sheet defined by the variable set for the print setting item when the image data is printed using the variable set for the print setting item related to the sheet. The cost for the paper at that time is predicted based on the unit price of the paper. The cost estimation unit 102 may estimate the cost related to printing by adding the estimated cost related to print quality and the estimated cost related to paper. Alternatively, the cost prediction unit 102 may predict at least one of the predicted cost related to the print quality and the predicted cost related to the paper as the cost related to the printing.

  The preview control unit 103 previews the image data when printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item whose cost has been predicted by the cost prediction unit 102 on the display unit 17a (step S104).

  The user refers to the predicted cost (Step S103) and the preview image (Step S104) displayed on the display unit 17a. Typically, when the user is satisfied with the cost and the preview image, the user operates the operation unit 17 to issue a print setting item determination request for determining a variable set for the print setting item whose cost is predicted. input. On the other hand, if the user is not satisfied with the cost and the preview image, the user operates the operation unit 17 to input a print setting item change request for changing a variable set for the print setting item whose cost is predicted. .

  The print setting unit 101 detects the input print setting item confirmation request or print setting item change request (step S105). When detecting the print setting item confirmation request (step S105, YES), the print setting unit 101 determines the variable set for the print setting item whose cost has been predicted.

  On the other hand, when the print setting unit 101 detects a print setting item change request (step S105, NO), the print setting unit 101 receives from the user a request for setting a variable for the print setting item when printing the image data to be printed, and A variable is set (step S102). For example, the user refers to the predicted cost (step S103) and the preview image (step S104) displayed on the display unit 17a and manually resets the variables for the print setting items in order to save costs.

  The cost estimating unit 102 estimates the cost when printing the image data with the variable reset for the print setting item by the print setting unit 101, and presents the estimated cost to the user (step S103). In other words, each time the print setting unit 101 sets a variable (the loop of the flowchart), the cost estimation unit 102 prints the image data using the variable set for the print setting item by the print setting unit 101. The cost is predicted, and the predicted cost is presented to the user (step S103).

  The preview control unit 103 previews the image data when printing the image data with the variable reset for the print setting item whose cost has been predicted by the cost prediction unit 102 on the display unit 17a (step S104).

  The loop of steps S102 to S104 is repeated until the print setting unit 101 detects a print setting item confirmation request (step S105, YES).

  When the print setting unit 101 detects the print setting item confirmation request (step S105, YES), the print control unit 104 prints the image data using the variable set for the print setting item determined by the print setting unit 101. The image forming unit 16 is controlled (Step S106). The image forming unit 16 prints the image data using the variables set for the print setting items determined by the print setting unit 101.

  The print setting unit 101 stores in the storage device 18 the variables set (confirmed) for the print setting items and the actual costs incurred when printing with the variables set for the print setting items. (Step S107). Accordingly, the cost estimation unit 102 can estimate the cost in the future based on the actual cost incurred when printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item.

  4. Conclusion

  According to the present embodiment, each time the print setting unit 101 sets a variable, the cost estimating unit 102 estimates the cost of printing image data with the variable set for the print setting item. Present the cost to the user. The print control unit 104 controls the image forming unit to print the image data with the variable set for the print setting item whose cost has been predicted.

  Thus, the cost can be predicted until the user is satisfied with the cost, and when the user is satisfied with the cost, the image data can be printed with the variable set for the print setting item whose cost has been predicted.

  According to the present embodiment, the cost estimation unit 102 determines the number of dots of each color included in the image data when printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item related to print quality, and The cost is predicted based on the number of dots and the unit price of the toner of each color.

  Thus, the cost estimating unit 102 can estimate the cost in extremely detail based on the number of dots of each color and the unit price of the toner of each color.

  According to the present embodiment, the cost estimating unit 102 estimates the cost of printing image data on paper defined by a variable set for a print setting item for paper based on the unit price of paper.

  Accordingly, the cost estimation unit 102 estimates the cost based on not only the print setting items related to the print quality but also the variables set for the print setting items related to the paper, so that the cost can be estimated in more detail. .

  According to the present embodiment, the cost estimating unit 102 estimates the cost in the future based on the actual cost incurred when printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item.

  Accordingly, the cost prediction unit 102 can more accurately predict the cost in the future.

  Although each embodiment and each modification of the present technology have been described above, the present technology is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, and it is possible to make various changes without departing from the gist of the present technology. Of course.

Image forming apparatus 10
Print setting unit 101
Cost estimation unit 102
Preview control unit 103
Print control unit 104

Claims (5)

A print setting unit that receives a request for setting a variable for a print setting item from a user when printing image data to be printed, and sets a variable for the print setting item;
Each time the print setting unit sets the variable, predicts the cost of printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item, and presents the predicted cost to the user. A cost estimator,
A print control unit that controls the image forming unit to print the image data with the variable set for the print setting item that predicted the cost. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The print setting items include print setting items related to print quality,
The print setting items related to the print quality include at least one of color, font size, margin, density, image quality, resolution, sharpness, enlargement / reduction ratio, and N-up,
The cost estimating unit includes:
When printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item related to the print quality, determine the number of dots of each color included in the image data,
An image forming apparatus for predicting the cost based on the number of dots of each color and the unit price of the toner of each color. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The print setting items include print setting items for paper,
The print setting items for the paper include at least one of a paper type, a paper size, and a duplex,
The cost estimating unit includes:
An image forming apparatus for predicting the cost when printing the image data on a sheet defined by the variable set for a print setting item for the sheet based on a unit price of the sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image forming apparatus, wherein the cost prediction unit predicts a cost in the future based on an actual cost incurred when the image data is printed with the variable set for the print setting item. The control circuit of the image forming apparatus
A print setting unit that receives a request for setting a variable for a print setting item from a user when printing image data to be printed, and sets a variable for the print setting item;
Each time the print setting unit sets the variable, predicts the cost of printing the image data with the variable set for the print setting item, and presents the predicted cost to the user. A cost estimator,
An information processing program that operates as a print control unit that controls an image forming unit to print the image data with the variable set for the print setting item that predicted the cost.

Images