JP3625364B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an image forming system for printing out image information input from an information processing device, and in particular, a Nin1 function for laying out N pages of a document on one page with respect to image information input from the information processing device. The present invention relates to an image forming system that achieves the above.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some copying machines that print out read images have a function of laying out and printing a plurality of originals on one sheet. Hereinafter, such a function of laying out N documents on one sheet is referred to as “Nin1”. Nin1 includes, for example, “2in1” for laying out two original documents on one sheet, “4in1” for laying out four documents on one sheet, and the like.
[0003]
In recent years, some copiers have a function of connecting to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) and printing out data from the PC, that is, one that can be used as a printer. In general, when a copying machine is used as a printer, an option is required for the copying machine. Normally, as shown in FIG. 19, the option includes a controller 60 connected between the PC 50 and the copier 70, and a printer driver (software) 50a installed in the PC 50. The image data from the PC 50 is converted into a data format that can be printed by the copying machine 70 through this option, and then transmitted to the copying machine 70 for printing.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the copier is used as a PC printer using such an option, the above-described Nin1 function cannot be used. The reason is as follows. When Nin1 is executed by the copying machine, the copying machine reads the original in a state optically reduced to 1 / N, and executes Nin1 by combining N images. On the other hand, only images in the same magnification state are transmitted from the PC. In general, a copying machine employs the above-described optical scaling in order to avoid image deterioration due to electronic scaling, and does not have a function of reducing an image received from a PC. For this reason, Nin1 cannot be executed on image data from the PC. Therefore, there is a demand for means for realizing the Nin1 function for laying out N documents on one page even when the copying machine is used as a printer.
[0005]
Further, as a method for solving the above problem, a method of giving an Nin1 function to an option can be considered. In this case, in the display on the copying machine, the output displayed on the display panel of the copying machine when printing after Nin1 processing on the copying machine and when printing from the PC with optional Nin1 processing. It is necessary to prevent the number of pages from differing.
[0006]
For example, a page for displaying the status of a print job on the copier display panel when copying 10 originals with 2 in 1 settings and when requesting printing of 10 sheets of image data from a PC with 2 in 1 settings Both numbers need to be displayed as 10 pages.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to lay out N pages of a document on one page by using an image forming apparatus that prints out an image input from an information processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that realizes the Nin1 function.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming system according to the present invention inputs image information including image data and page information, prints out an image based on the input image information, and inputs image information from an information processing terminal. , An image forming system comprising a printer option for outputting the input image information to the image forming apparatus after predetermined processing. In the image forming system, the printer option is obtained from the information processing terminal. of Image input means for inputting image data, Nin1 processing means for performing Nin1 processing, which is processing for arranging image data of a plurality of pages input from the information processing terminal into output image data of one page, and the information processing terminal Output means for outputting to the image forming apparatus together with the output image data, the total number of pages before the Nin1 processing of the image data input from N as the page information. The image forming apparatus includes display means for displaying page information input from the printer option.
[0009]
The printer option according to the present invention is interposed between an information processing terminal and an image forming apparatus that inputs image information including image data and page information and prints out an image based on the input image information. Image information from the information processing terminal is output to the image forming apparatus after predetermined processing. Printer options are available from the information processing terminal of From image input means for inputting image information, Nin1 processing means for performing Nin1 processing, which is processing for arranging a plurality of pages of image data input from the information processing terminal into one page of output image data, and from the information processing terminal The image forming apparatus includes an output unit that outputs the total number of pages of input image data before Nin1 processing as the page information to the image forming apparatus together with the output image data.
[0010]
The recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium that records a computer-readable program, From information processing terminal Image information including image data and page information input Performing Nin1 processing, which is a process of arranging a plurality of pages of image data included in the received image information in one page of output image data, input The total number of pages of the image data before Nin1 processing is used as the page information in the image forming apparatus together with the output image data. output Recording a program comprising:
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of printer options of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a system including a digital copying machine 10, a printer server computer 20 (hereinafter referred to as “printer server”), and client computers (hereinafter referred to as “client PCs”) 30 to 32. . The printer option of the present embodiment is for enabling the digital copying machine 10 to print the image data transmitted from the client PCs 30 to 32. Further, the printer option is Nin1 for the image data from the client PCs 30 to 32. It is what makes the function possible. The printer option includes a printer server 20 and a printer driver (software) installed on the client PCs 30 to 32.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer server 20 and client PCs 30 to 32 are connected to a network 40, and the digital copying machine 10 is connected to the network 40 via the printer server 20. The digital copying machine 10 selectively performs a copy operation for printing the read image and a printer operation for printing image data from the client PCs 30 to 32.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows a control block diagram of the printer server 20. The printer server 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls each processing unit in the printer server 20, a memory 22 that stores information such as image data and processing status, and an interface 23 that exchanges data with external devices. And a communication interface 24 for exchanging data with the network 40, an image processing unit 25 for processing input image data, a display unit 26 for displaying various setting information and processing status, and a user operation. An operation unit 27, a hard disk 28 that stores a program executed by the control unit 21, and a medium reading unit 29 that reads information from an information recording medium 29 a such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or another optical disk. The printer server 20 is connected to the digital copying machine 10 via the interface 23 and to the network 40 via the communication interface 24.
[0015]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control block of the digital copying machine 10. The digital copying machine 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire operation of the digital copying machine 10, a memory 12 that stores information such as image data, a printer unit 13 that prints a read image on a predetermined sheet, and a document. An image reader unit 14 that scans and reads the information, an external interface unit 15 that exchanges data with an external device, an operation panel 16 that is operated by a user, and a hard disk 17 that stores image data and the like. Become. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 16 includes a display panel unit 16a for displaying a printing status, a switch button 16b for switching between a copy operation and a print operation, a start key 16c for starting a copy operation, and other operation keys 16e to 16e. 16h.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, the digital copying machine 10 is connected to the printer server 20 via the external interface unit 15, whereby the digital copying machine 10 receives image data from the client PCs 31 to 33 via the printer server 20. The printer unit 13 prints out. Further, the digital copying machine 10 of this embodiment has a function of Nin1 that reads a plurality of originals in an optically reduced state and lays out and copies these images on one sheet by combining N images. Yes.
[0017]
In such a digital copying machine 10, image data read by the image reader unit 14 or image data from a terminal received via the external interface unit 15 is temporarily stored in the memory 12, and then the printer unit 13. Sequentially processed (printed).
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 5, the memory 12 of the digital copying machine 10 includes an image storage unit 12a that stores image data to be printed, and a storage area of a management table 12b that manages information such as the print mode and the current processing status. Have FIG. 6 shows an example of the management table 12b. In the management table 12b, “job ID”, “job type”, “number of originals”, “number of copies”, “paper cassette”, “owner”, “printing surface”, “sort”, “Nin1 setting”, etc. Information is managed for each job. Here, the “job ID” is an identification number for identifying a print job, and the “job type” is a copy job (Copy) or a print request (Print) from the terminal. Is stored. For “sort” and “Nin1 setting”, information indicating the presence / absence of each setting is stored, and for “Nin1 setting”, setting type information is also stored. “Number of originals” stores the number of originals. In FIG. 6, when viewing the first job, this job is a print request from the terminal, and it is displayed that the job is requested to be printed in 2in1.
[0019]
The printer server 20 also has an image storage unit 22a and a management table 22b in the memory 22 as shown in FIGS. The image storage unit 22a stores image data sent from the client PC for printing. In the management table 22b, information such as “number of originals”, “number of copies”, “Nin1 setting”, and the like is stored for each job.
[0020]
In each of the client PCs 30 to 32, application software for creating and editing a document, an image, and the like, and a printer driver corresponding to the digital copying machine 10 connected via the network 40 are installed. The printer driver is dedicated software for controlling the printer in accordance with a print request from application software. These application software and printer driver may be provided to the client PCs 30 to 32 via an information recording medium 29a such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM (see FIG. 1).
[0021]
In the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, a series of processes when a user creates a document created on the client PC 30 from the digital copying machine 10 via the network 40 will be described with reference to a print sequence shown in FIG. 9.
[0022]
<Print sequence>
(1) Document creation
First, the user creates and edits a target document on the client PC 30 using the document creation application 30a.
[0023]
(2) Starting the printer driver
Next, the user loads the printer driver 30b corresponding to the digital copying machine 10 into the memory of the client PC 30 and starts it. Here, the printer driver 30b translates the document created by the document creation application 30a into a predetermined page description language so that it can be rasterized, and sets the print mode of the digital copying machine 10 such as paper designation. And stored in the hard disk of the client PC 30.
[0024]
(3) Acquisition of status information
When the printer driver 30b is activated, it acquires the mechanical status of the digital copying machine 10 and the status information of the registered job via the printer server 20. At this time, the printer server 20 communicates with the digital copying machine 10 to obtain the status of the digital copying machine 10, and further adds the status of the print job stored in the memory 22 or the like in the printer server 20 to add the client PC 30. Notify
[0025]
(4) Print mode setting
On the screen displayed by the printer driver 30b as shown in FIG. 10, the user sets various print modes such as the paper size, paper feed port, number of copies, whether or not to sort, whether or not double-sided printing, and whether or not Nin1 is present. To do. However, for the print mode that cannot be set based on the status information acquired in (3), the input is prohibited so that the print mode is not set.
[0026]
(5) Start printing
After setting the print mode, the user issues a print start instruction on the document creation application 30a. In response, the document creation application 30a instructs the printer driver 30b to start printing. The printer driver 30b starts transmitting the print mode information and image data (document data) set in (4) above via the network 40.
[0027]
(6) Rasterization and image layout
The image data output from the printer driver 30b is usually described in a page description language instead of a bitmap image. Therefore, it is necessary for the printer server 20 to convert the data into a bitmap data format that is a data format that can be printed by the digital copying machine 10 and to transfer it to the digital copying machine 10. At this time, if any layout processing such as Nin1 setting is set in the print mode, the printer server 20 performs rasterization considering the layout. The printer server 20 receives data such as print mode information from the client PC 30, analyzes it, and draws it on the memory 22 in the printer server 20.
[0028]
(7) Image spool
After the rasterization is completed, the image data is spooled (stored) on the hard disk 28 in the printer server 20. By spooling the image data in this way, it is possible to accept a print job from the client PC 30 regardless of the operating state of the digital copying machine 10. For example, a new print job from the client PC 30 can be accepted even when another print job is being executed.
[0029]
(8) Launching the status display application
In the client PC 30, the printer driver 30b transfers all print data from the document creation application 30a to the printer server 20, and then activates an application program (hereinafter referred to as "status display application") 30c for displaying the status. deep. The status display application 30c is preinstalled on the hard disk of the client PC 30, and is loaded from the hard disk into the memory at the time of execution.
[0030]
(9) Transfer print job to digital copier
The printer server 20 transfers the spooled print job to the digital copying machine 10 at an appropriate timing. The digital copying machine 10 performs printing according to the received print mode.
[0031]
(10) Notification of print completion
When the digital copying machine 10 completes printing of the print job transferred from the printer server 20, the digital copying machine 10 notifies the printer server 20 of the completion of printing with status information. The printer server 20 updates the information in the management table 22b, and further notifies the client PC 30 of the end of printing.
[0032]
(11) Status display
When the client PC 30 receives status information notifying completion of the print job that has issued the print request, the status display application 30c activated on the client PC 30 displays the status on the display as shown in FIG.
[0033]
As described above, when a print instruction is issued from the client PC 30, this information is transmitted to the digital copying machine 10 via the printer server 20, and printing is executed by the digital copying machine 10. The end of printing is notified.
[0034]
The operation of the digital copying machine 10 will be described below.
<Operation of digital copier>
FIG. 12 is a main flowchart of the control unit 11 of the digital copying machine 10. The controller 11 starts an internal timer (S2) after a predetermined initial setting (S1). Thereafter, an input data analysis process for checking input data to the control unit 11 is performed (S3), a print mode is set based on the contents set on the operation panel 16 (S4), and a read process for reading the print data is performed. (S5) A print process (S6) for printing the read data based on the print mode is performed. The print process (S6) will be described later. Next, an output data set process for waiting for a command in the communication port is performed (S7). Thereafter, the print mode of the stored print job is changed (S8), and it is determined whether or not the internal timer has expired (S9). When the internal timer expires, the process returns to step S2 and the above process is repeated.
[0035]
Here, when starting a print job received via the external interface unit 15, the digital copying machine 10 waits for the start of printing during a waiting time which is one of the print mode information. The digital copying machine 10 starts printing after the waiting time has elapsed or when the start key 16c on the operation panel 16 is pressed. The reason for providing such a waiting time is to ensure time for the user to change the print mode on the operation panel 16.
[0036]
Next, the reading process (step S5) during the copying operation of the digital copying machine 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the digital copying machine 10 is switched to the copy operation mode by the switch button 16b.
[0037]
It is detected whether there is a copy document on the tray of the document feeder (hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) of the digital copying machine 10 (S501). Step S501 is repeated until a copy document is detected. When a copy document is detected, a counter for counting the documents is initialized (S502). It is detected whether or not the start key 16c on the operation panel 16 has been pressed (S503). If the start key 16c has not been pressed, the process returns to step S501. When the start key 16c is pressed, copy originals are sent one by one to the image reader unit 14 (S504), and the counter is incremented (S505). The document size of the copy document is read (S506), the image data of the document is read (S507), and registered in the image storage unit 12a (S508). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there are more documents on the ADF (S509). If there is a document, the process returns to step S504, and processing such as image reading and registration in the image storage unit 12a is performed until there is no copy document on the ADF (S504 to S509). If no further copy original is detected on the ADF, the print job information corresponding to the image data is registered in the management table 12b (S510). At this time, the counted value of the number of original documents is stored in “number of documents” of the management table 12b.
[0038]
As described above, when the digital copying machine 10 is used as a copying machine, a value obtained by counting originals one by one is registered in “number of originals” of the management table 12b. In the status display on the display panel unit 16a of the digital copying machine 10, the value of “number of documents” in the management table 12b is referred to. For this reason, in the copy operation, the number of original documents counted at the time of reading the document is displayed as the number of pages. When copying with the Nin1 setting, the counted number of documents, that is, the number of original documents is registered in “number of documents” in the management table 12b. For example, when four original documents are copied with the 2-in-1 setting, four pages are registered as the number of documents instead of two pages as the number of output pages.
[0039]
Next, the print process (step S6) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this step, the digital copying machine 10 prints the print job stored in the memory 12 by the printer unit 13. At this time, for a print job received via the external interface unit 15, printing is started after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed.
[0040]
In the digital copying machine 10, first, it is determined whether or not there is a print job being executed (S601). If there is a print job being executed, the process ends. If there is no print job being executed, it is determined whether there is a print job to be printed (S602). When there is a print job to be printed, information on the content of the print job is acquired with reference to the management table 12b (S603). Thereafter, the order of the waiting print job is advanced (S604). Referring to the management table 12b, the status of the print job being executed and waiting is displayed on the display panel unit 16a (S605). FIG. 15 shows an example of this display. Each item such as “status” displayed in FIG. 15 is displayed with reference to the management table 12b. Here, the value stored in the “number of originals” of the management table 12b is displayed in the “page count” display item.
[0041]
Next, measurement of the elapsed time is started (S606), and it is determined whether or not the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined standby time (S607). If the elapsed time does not exceed the standby time, it is determined whether or not the start key 16c on the operation panel 16 has been pressed (S608). After the elapsed time exceeds the standby time or when the start key 16c is pressed, the output image is processed according to the contents of the print mode set for the print job (S609), and the processed image is stored in the image. It is spooled in the queue of the part 12a (S610). Thereafter, a printing process is performed (S611), and the process ends.
[0042]
Next, the printing process (step S611) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether output data is set in the queue of the image storage unit 12a (S6111). Step S6111 is repeated until output data is set in the queue of the image storage unit 12a. When the output data is set in the queue of the image storage unit 12a, the status of the queue is displayed on the display panel unit 16a with reference to the management table 12b (S6112). The image data is loaded from the image storage unit 12a (S6113). The loaded image data is printed by the printer unit 13 (S6114). The management table 12b is updated, the latest status is displayed on the display panel unit 16a (S6115), and the process ends.
[0043]
<Operation of the printer driver when the digital copying machine operates as a printer>
When the digital copying machine 10 is operated as a printer, image data is input to the digital copying machine 10 from a client PC via a printer option. The printer option includes a printer server 20 interposed between the network 40 and the digital copying machine 10, and a printer driver 30b that operates on the client PC 30. Below, each operation | movement at this time is demonstrated.
[0044]
First, the processing of the printer driver 30b will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Here, processing relating to the printing mode and image data transfer from the printer driver 30b to the printer server 20 will be described. This process is started when the printer driver 30b is activated on the client PC 30 in accordance with a user instruction. First, the printer driver 30b issues a status request to the printer server 20 in order to acquire the status of the digital copying machine 10 (S1201). Based on this status request, the printer server 20 acquires the status of the digital copying machine 10 and then transfers this information to the printer driver 30b. When the printer driver 30b acquires the status of the digital copying machine 10 from the printer server 20 (S1202), the printer driver 30b acquires print mode information such as paper size and magnification set on the setting screen (see FIG. 10) (S1203). Then, the print mode information is transferred to the printer server 20 (S1204). Thereafter, an acceptance permission is received from the printer server 20 (S1205), the print image data is transferred to the printer server 20 (S1206), and the process ends.
[0045]
<Operation of printer server when digital copier operates as printer>
Next, processing of the printer server 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The printer server 20 processes (rasterizes) the print mode information and image data received in response to a print request from the client PC 30 and spools them in the image storage unit 22 a in the memory 22. At this time, if the digital copying machine 10 is in a printable state, the spooled data is sequentially transmitted to the digital copying machine 10.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 18, when the printer server 20 receives print mode information from the client PC 30 (print driver 30b) (S1301), the printer server 20 notifies the client PC 30 that print acceptance is permitted (S1302). Thereafter, image data is received from the client PC 30 (S1303). The received image data is stored in the image storage unit 22a. At this time, the page number of the image data is also transmitted together with the image data. Here, there are two ways of sending the number of pages of transmission image data. One is a case where the number of pages obtained by multiplying the number of pages per copy by the number of copies is sent, and the other is a case where only the number of pages per copy is sent. In the latter case, the required number of copies is printed in linkage with the number of copies information included in the print mode information received in advance.
[0047]
After receiving the image data (S1303), the image data is rasterized according to the print mode (S1304). It is determined whether or not Nin1 is set (S1305). If Nin1 is not set, image data is processed according to other settings (S1313). If Nin1 is set, the number of originals before Nin1 processing is registered in “number of originals” of the management table 22b (S1306), and the received image is processed into Nin1 images (S1307). Here, the processing of Nin1 is performed as follows.
[0048]
The printer server 20 thins out the image data stored in the image storage unit 22a as bitmap data based on the setting contents of Nin1 and the setting value of the output paper size, and performs layout processing. For example, when the stored data is bitmap data of A4 paper size of 2 pages and the output paper size is set to 2 in 1 with A4 size, each image data is reduced to A5 size. The data is thinned out, laid out so that the long sides of the thinned A5 size data are adjacent to each other, and output as an image of one page. At this time, if the output paper size is set to A3, the bitmap data is not reduced (decimated), only the layout is performed as described above, and an image of one page is output. As described above, processing is performed based on the Nin1 setting and the output paper size.
[0049]
Thereafter, the image data after Nin1 processing and the print mode information are spooled in the image storage unit 22a and the management table 22b of the memory 22 in the printer server 20 (S1308). Next, a job registration request is issued to the digital copying machine 10 to wait for registration permission from the digital copying machine 10 (S1309 to S1310). When registration permission is received, print mode information including information on the number of pages is transmitted to the digital copying machine 10 (S1311). At this time, the printer server 20 transmits the value stored in the “number of originals” in the management table 22b as the number of pages to be output, and the digital copying machine 10 uses this value as “originals” in the management table 12b of the digital copying machine 10. Stored in the “Number of sheets” field. The digital copying machine 10 displays the value of the “number of originals” field of the management table 12b as the number of output pages. Finally, the spooled image data is transmitted to the digital copying machine 10 (S1312), and the process ends.
[0050]
As described above, when the digital copying machine 10 is operated as a printer, when Nin1 is set, the printer server 20 processes a plurality of pages of images input from the client PC into Nin1 to form one page, and together with this image, the original before Nin1 processing. The number of pages is transmitted to the digital copying machine 10 as the number of output pages.
[0051]
The digital copying machine 10 displays the number of output pages with reference to the “number of documents” in the management table 12b on the display panel unit 16a. Therefore, in both the copy operation and the printer operation, when Nin1 is set, the number of original pages is registered as “number of originals”, so that the number of output pages is displayed in the same manner in both cases.
[0052]
A program for controlling the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18 is provided to the printer server and the client PC via an information recording medium 29 such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or another optical disk. May be executed.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the Nin1 function is applied to image data from the client PC on the digital copying machine by interposing an option including a printer driver and a printer server between the client PC and the digital copying machine. However, combinations of printer options are not limited to the above combinations. For example, all the Nin1 functions may be provided in the printer driver, and the Nin1 processing function and the function of outputting page information before Nin1 processing may be realized by using only the printer driver. Or conversely, the printer server may have all Nin1 functions. In this case, it can be realized by installing a program for controlling the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0054]
In this embodiment, the digital copying machine is used as the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and has a function of forming and outputting an image based on image information input from the outside. For example, a printer may be used.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
According to the image forming system or printer option of the present invention, the printer option receives image data from the information processing terminal and lays out a plurality of received image information on one page when a predetermined request is made. Nin1 processing is performed and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. As a result, it is possible to print out an image that has been Nin1 processed by the image forming apparatus with respect to the image data transmitted from the information processing terminal. At this time, in the printer option, the number of original documents before processing Nin1 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus together with the image data. In the image forming apparatus, by displaying the number of original documents as the number of pages, it is displayed when Nin1 is set between the copy operation for outputting the read image and the print operation for outputting data from the information processing terminal. Can solve the problem of different number of pages.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including a digital copying machine, a printer server, and a client PC.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a printer server.
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the digital copying machine.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of an operation panel of a digital copying machine.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory configuration of a digital copying machine.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management table of a digital copying machine.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a memory of a printer server.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management table of the printer server.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a print sequence of the system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver setting screen.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a status display screen.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of main processing of the digital copying machine.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of reading processing during a copying operation in a digital copying machine.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of print processing of a digital copying machine.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of status on the display panel of the digital copying machine.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of print processing in print processing of a digital copying machine.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of processing of a printer driver.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of processing of a printer server.
FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a system including a conventional digital copying machine, a controller, and a PC.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Digital copier
11, 22 ... control unit
12, 22 ... Memory
12a, 22a ... Image storage unit
12b, 22b ... management table
13 ... Printer section
14 ... Image reader
15 ... External interface unit
16 ... Control panel
16a ... display panel
17, 28 ... Hard disk
20 ... Printer server
23 ... Interface
24. Communication interface
25. Image processing unit
26 ... Display section
27. Operation unit
29 ... Medium reading unit
29a ... Information recording medium
30-32 ... Client terminal
40 ... Network.

Claims (6)

Inputs image information including image data and page information, prints out an image based on the input image information, and inputs image information from an information processing terminal. The input image information is subjected to predetermined processing. In an image forming system comprising a printer option that outputs to the image forming apparatus after
(A) The printer option is an image input means for inputting image data from the information processing terminal, and a process of arranging a plurality of pages of image data input from the information processing terminal in one page of output image data. Nin1 processing means for performing certain Nin1 processing, and output means for outputting to the image forming apparatus together with the output image data, the total number of pages before the Nin1 processing of the image data input from the information processing terminal as the page information. Prepared,
(B) The image forming apparatus includes a display unit that displays page information input from the printer option. The image information from the information processing terminal is interposed between the information processing terminal and an image forming apparatus that inputs image information including image data and page information and prints out an image based on the input image information. In a printer option for outputting to the image forming apparatus after predetermined processing,
Image input means for inputting image information from the information processing terminal;
Nin1 processing means for performing Nin1 processing, which is processing for arranging image data of a plurality of pages input from the information processing terminal into output image data of one page;
A printer option comprising: output means for outputting to the image forming apparatus together with the output image data, the total number of pages before Nin1 processing of the image data input from the information processing terminal as the page information. In a recording medium recording a computer-readable program,
Inputting image information including image data from the information processing terminal and page information;
Performing Nin1 processing, which is a process of arranging a plurality of pages of image data included in the received image information in one page of output image data;
Wherein the total number of pages of Nin1 unprocessed input image data as the page information recording medium recording a program, characterized in that a step of outputting to an image forming apparatus together with the output image data. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a digital copying machine. 3. The printer option according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a digital copying machine. 4. The recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a digital copying machine.

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