JP4006121B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method in the apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of accessing a server connected to a network, and an image forming method in the apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a WWW server loaded with various information and a computer equipped with dedicated software (hereinafter referred to as a browser) for accessing the server using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) are connected via a network. Information held by the server can be referred from a computer. As a result, information held by a specific WWW server can be referred to from a plurality of computers, and the information can be shared. Further, the browser can transfer information stored in the WWW server to a computer and store it therein. As a result, the user of the computer can print the information held by the WWW server by outputting the stored information to an information device having a printing function and instructing printing. It was.
[0003]
In addition, it has become possible for an information device itself having the printing function to have an access function to a WWW server so that the information device can directly acquire information from the WWW server and perform printing. Such an instruction can be given from another terminal connected to the network, the operation panel of the information device, or the like.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when an information device accesses a specific WWW server and prints information acquired from the server, information from the same URL is printed each time the information device is accessed. However, if the content of the information held by the specific WWW server specified by the URL has not been updated at all, the same information is acquired and printed every time it is accessed. In this case, only the printing paper is wasted, and the printing itself is completely meaningless.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, The registered schedule indicates At the timing WWW The data obtained from the server Has been updated If it is determined that From a WWW server It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming method and apparatus for forming an image based on acquired data.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An image forming apparatus connected to a WWW server via a network,
Data acquisition means for accessing the WWW server and acquiring data corresponding to the URL;
Image forming means for forming an image based on the data acquired by the data acquiring means;
Determining means for determining whether the data acquired by the data acquiring means has been updated since the previous acquisition;
Storage means for storing a URL corresponding to data stored in the WWW server;
Instruction to form an image of data corresponding to the URL stored in the storage means The From user Receive based on instructions In this case, the first image forming unit performs image formation based on the data acquired by the data acquiring unit without causing the determining unit to determine whether the data corresponding to the URL has been updated. Control means;
Registration means for registering a schedule indicating a timing for accessing the URL stored in the storage means;
At the access timing indicated by the schedule registered by the registration means Received image formation instruction based on In this case, the determination unit determines whether or not the data corresponding to the URL in which the schedule is registered is updated, and when the determination unit determines that the data is updated, the data acquisition unit acquires the data. If the image forming unit is caused to perform image formation based on data and the determination unit is determined not to be updated Acquired by the data acquisition means Second control means for controlling the image forming means not to perform image formation based on data;
It is characterized by having.
[0008]
In order to achieve the above object, the image forming method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is,
An image forming method in an image forming apparatus connected to a WWW server via a network,
A data acquisition step of accessing the WWW server and acquiring data corresponding to the URL;
An image forming process for forming an image based on the data acquired in the data acquiring process;
A determination step of determining whether the data acquired in the data acquisition step has been updated since the previous acquisition;
A storage step of storing a URL corresponding to the data stored in the WWW server;
Instruction for image formation of data corresponding to URL stored in the storing step The From user Receive based on instructions In this case, the image forming process controls the image formation based on the data acquired in the data acquisition process without determining whether the data corresponding to the URL has been updated in the determination process. A first control step to
A registration step of registering a schedule indicating the timing of accessing the URL stored in the storage step;
The schedule registered in the registration process shows access To timing Based on the image formation instruction received If it is determined that the data corresponding to the URL in which the schedule is registered is updated in the determination step, and if it is determined that the data is updated in the determination step, the image formation step When image formation based on the data acquired in the data acquisition process is performed and it is determined that the image is not updated in the determination process, Acquired in the data acquisition process A second control step for controlling to prevent image formation based on data;
It is characterized by having.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a digital copying machine 1 is connected to a network, and data is transmitted between a server 10 and a client 9 via the network. Communication is possible. In FIG. 1, only one client and server are shown, but it goes without saying that there may be a plurality of them.
[0011]
A digital copying machine 1 that plays a central role in the image forming system of this embodiment includes a hard disk 3 for storing image data and various programs, and a network for communicating with external devices via a network. The interface unit 4, the operation unit 5 for instructing operation on the digital copying machine 1, and the print data sent from the external device via the network into a format that can be printed by the digital copying machine 1. A formatter unit 6 for conversion, a digital image reading unit (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit) 7, a digital image printing unit (hereinafter referred to as a printer unit) 8 for printing out a digital image arranged thereunder, and A core unit 2 is provided for integrating all the constituent elements for cooperative operation. Also connected to this network are a client terminal 9 for instructing the digital copying machine to operate and a WWW (World Wide Web) server 10.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the reader unit 7 and the printer unit 8 of the present embodiment.
[0013]
The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 7 feeds the placed documents one by one on the platen glass 102 sequentially from the last page (bottom), and after the document reading operation is completed, The original is ejected. When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the movement of the reader unit 104 is started to expose and scan the original. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as a CCD) 109 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108. The original image scanned in this manner is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD 109, subjected to predetermined image processing, and then transferred to the printer unit 8 and the core unit 2.
[0014]
The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 8 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image signal output from the reader unit 7. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. Developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing unit 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. . Thus, the recording paper to which the developer has been applied is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed to the image recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper passing through the fixing unit 207 is discharged as the discharge roller 208 rotates, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper. If no sort is set in the sorter 220, the recording paper is stored in the uppermost bin.
[0015]
If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, and then the image transfer direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path by the flapper 209. When multiple recording is set, the flapper 209 guides the recording sheet to the refeed conveyance path so that the recording sheet is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording sheet thus guided to the refeed conveyance path is again fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the core unit 2 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
[0017]
The core unit 2 is connected to the reader unit 7 via a digital interface, and is connected to the hard disk 3, the network interface unit 4, the operation unit 5, and the formatter unit 6 via a bus.
[0018]
Image data read by the reader unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 124 via the I / F 121, and a control command from the reader unit 7 is transferred to the CPU 122. The data processing unit 124 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 7 to the data processing unit 124 corresponds to a control command transferred simultaneously with the image data. Then, the data is transferred to the hard disk 3 and the network interface unit 4 via the I / F 120. When a print request command is sent from the external client 9 via the network interface unit 4, the CPU 122 transfers the PDL data sent together with the request command to the formatter unit 6. As a result, the PDL data is developed into image data by the formatter unit 6 and finally transferred to the data processing unit 124, and then transferred to the printer unit 8 for printing. The CPU 122 performs such control according to the control program stored in the memory 123 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 7. The memory 123 is also used as a work area for the CPU 122.
[0019]
As described above, the core unit 2 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 7, the hard disk 3, the network interface unit 4, and the formatter unit 6, and reads a document image, prints an image, It is possible to perform processing that combines functions such as data input / output between the two.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the program configuration of the network interface unit 4 according to the present embodiment.
[0021]
IP (Internet Protocol) is an Internet protocol that provides a service for sending a message from a source host to a destination host in cooperation with a relay node such as a router, and 405 is a program for controlling the IP. The most important information for sending and receiving a message is a source address and a destination address, which are managed by this IP 405. This IP 405 is used to route the message to be sent to the destination host through the Internet system according to the address information.
[0022]
404 (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) 404 are programs for controlling the transport layer, and provide a service for sending a message from a transmission application process to a reception application process. TCP is a connection type service and guarantees a high level of communication reliability. However, since UDP is a connectionless type service, reliability is not guaranteed.
[0023]
A program 401 controls the protocol of the application layer. This protocol includes TELNET as a remote login service, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) as a file transfer service, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) as a network management protocol, and LPD (Line Printer Deamon as a server protocol for printer printing). ), HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), which is a WWW (World Wide Web) server protocol.
[0024]
The application program includes an HTTP client 403 that acquires data from the WWW server, and an HTML parser 402 that converts the acquired HTML format data and image data into a data format for printing on paper.
[0025]
In the present embodiment, the function that the digital copying machine 1 actively accesses the external WWW server 10, acquires the HTML data of the WWW server 10, and prints with its own printer unit 8 is called “Web Pull Print”. Call.
[0026]
There are the following two methods for the user to request “Web Pull Print” from the digital copying machine 1. One is a request method using a dedicated program (hereinafter referred to as “print utility”) running on the external client 9, and the other is a request using the operation unit 5 of the digital copying machine 1. It is a method to do. Hereinafter, these two methods will be described in detail.
(1) How to operate the print utility
First, a method for requesting “Web Pull Print” using the print utility will be described.
[0027]
The user of the client 9 performs various settings regarding “Web Pull Print” using this print utility, and transmits the setting contents from the client 9 to the digital copying machine 1 via the network using a packet to be described later. Can do. Upon receiving this packet, the digital copying machine 1 analyzes the content of the packet and starts the “Web Pull Print” operation according to the instruction content.
[0028]
The digital copying machine 1 has a function of spooling a plurality of “Web Pull Print” requests received from the print utility in the form of jobs. The print utility can communicate with the digital copying machine 1 using a packet, which will be described later, to acquire information related to the job spooled inside, or to delete a specific job.
[0029]
FIG. 12 is a list of items that can be set by the user using the print utility. The contents of each setting item are as follows.
(1) "Print document title"
Set the document title to be printed in the header part of the print result. User editable.
(2) “URL”
Specify the domain name of the WWW server where the homepage you want to print is stored, and the file name of the HTML format data to be acquired.
(3) "Printer address"
Specifies the network address of the digital copying machine 1 to which the “Web Pull Print” request is sent.
(4) "User name"
You can enter any username. The digital copying machine 1 specifies the sender of the “Web Pull Print” request from this user name.
(5) "Option file"
Specify the file where all the contents set by this print utility are saved. By creating this “option file” for each user in advance and designating any one of these setting items, it is possible to set all the setting items at once.
(6) "Link level"
In the digital copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, a hyperlink is set on a print-designated homepage, and it is possible to designate how many levels (here, 0 to 10) follow the link.
(7) "Maximum number of printed pages"
When the homepage to be printed extends over a plurality of pages, the maximum number of pages to be printed (here, 0 to 100) is set.
(8) `` Print exceeding the maximum number of printed pages ''
When one home page to be printed spans a plurality of pages and the halfway page corresponds to the “maximum number of printed pages”, whether to print to the end of the home page is designated.
(9) "Printing on other sites"
When the “link level” setting is “1” or more and the link destination is another site, it is specified whether or not the link destination is also printed.
(10) Print link map
In the digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when a homepage is printed by following a link, a link map representing the link relationship can be created / printed. Specify whether to print this link map as the last page of the home page.
(11) "Page number printing"
Specifies whether or not to print the page number in the footer part of the print result.
(12) "Date printing"
Specifies whether or not to print the date of printing in the footer part of the print result.
(13) "URL printing"
Specifies whether or not to print the URL in the footer part of the print result.
(14) `` Print document title ''
Specify whether to print the “print document title” in the header part of the print result.
(15) "Contents of header to be printed"
Set an arbitrary character string to be printed in the header part of the print result.
(16) "Location of header to print"
Specify the position to print the character string specified in “Contents of header to print”.
(17) "Background printing"
If an image for background drawing is specified in the home page, specify whether to print it. When the background of the home page is set to black, etc., when displaying on a color display, even if there is no problem, when printing with a black and white printer, the text part will be black and the background will be black, so that the text can not be judged This is the setting.
(18) "Numbering <H>tags"
Specifies whether or not to add a heading number to the head of the heading sentence on the home page.
(19) "Print linked document first"
When a link level of “2” or higher is designated, it is designated whether to print in the order of the read links or to print the same link level first.
(20) “Enlargement ratio / reduction ratio”
An enlargement ratio / reduction ratio (here, 50 to 200) is set when the homepage is enlarged / reduced and printed. .
(21) "Reduction ratio at page boundary"
In the digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when an image on a home page falls on a page boundary, the image can be reduced and printed so as to fit within the page. The reduction ratio (20 to 100 in this case) at this time is designated.
(22) `` Font name ''
Specifies the font to be used when printing HTML text data.
(23) Font size
Specify the font size to be used when printing the header text in the homepage (set here to large, medium, or small).
(24) `` Font thickness ''
Specify the font thickness to be used when printing the header text in the homepage (in this case bold, normal, thin).
(25) "Using style sheets"
Specify whether to use the file specified in "Style Sheet Name".
(26) `` Style sheet name ''
When a file (style sheet) storing the setting contents of “font name”, “font size”, and “font thickness” exists in advance, the file name is designated. As a result, the user can make settings for these fonts without setting individual items.
(27) "Print paper size"
Specify the paper size to use when printing.
(28) "Print paper orientation"
Specify either Portrait or Landscape as the paper direction for printing.
(29) "Left / Right / Top / Bottom margin"
A margin (here, 0 to 10) from the paper edge when printing is set.
(30) `` Number of copies ''
The number of copies to be printed (here, 1 to 99) is set.
(31) Sorter
The operation mode of the sorter connected to the digital copying machine 1 of this embodiment is designated. This operation mode includes normal sort, staple sort, and group sort. When normal sort is selected, a plurality of copies are sorted and discharged for each bin of the sorter (220 in FIG. 2). When the staple sort is selected, the sorted print is set to be stapled. When the group sort is selected, it is set so that a plurality of copies of the original are printed on the same page in the same bin.
(32) Resolution
The print resolution is set (300/400/600 can be set here).
(33) "Double-sided printing"
Specify whether to perform duplex printing.
(34) Schedule printing
In the digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the “Web Pull Print” operation can be started at a designated time, or the “Web Pull Print” request from the user can be periodically repeated. This is called schedule printing. Here, whether or not to perform this scheduled printing is set (here, “No”, “Once”, “Weekly”, “Monthly”, and “Repeat” can be set).
[0030]
The printing mode in this “schedule printing” is set in (35) to (39). That is, the “schedule printing” includes an immediate execution mode / time designation mode / periodic patrol mode (day designation / date designation / interval designation), and any of these modes is designated in this item.
(35) `` Day of week designation ''
When the regular patrol mode (day designation) is designated in the “schedule print mode”, the day of the week on which the printing is executed is designated.
(36) Date specification
When the time designation mode / periodic patrol mode (date / interval designation) is designated in the “schedule print mode”, the date (year / month / day) to start execution is designated.
(37) Time specification
When the time designation mode / periodic patrol mode is designated in the “schedule print mode”, the time (hour and minute) for starting execution is designated.
(38) `` Specify interval ''
When the regular patrol mode (interval specification) is specified, the execution time interval is specified by date and time.
(39) "Print updated documents only"
When executing in the regular patrol mode, specify whether to print only the home page updated since the previous printing.
[0031]
FIGS. 5 to 11 are diagrams for explaining an operation screen of the print utility in the client 9 according to the present embodiment.
[0032]
When the print utility is activated on the client 9, the operation screen shown in FIG. 5 is first displayed. When the setting items (6) to (39) are set, the operation screen of FIG. 6 is newly displayed by pressing the “Print Setup” button 500 on the operation screen. Furthermore, it is possible to move to the operation screens of FIGS. 7 to 9 by designating the tag at the top of the operation screen. Further, the user can return to the operation screen of FIG. 5 by instructing the “OK” or “Cancel” button on the operation screens of FIGS.
[0033]
Fig. 6 shows an example of the "HTML Print Option" screen in "HTML Print Property". Specify the link level, maximum print page, data to be printed on the header, etc. (setting items (6) to (16) described above). can do. FIG. 7 shows a screen example of “HTML Print Style” in “HTML Print Property”, and the setting items (17) to (26) described above can be designated. FIG. 8 shows a screen example of “PostScript Option” in “HTML Print Property”, and the setting items (27) to (33) described above can be designated. Further, FIG. 9 shows a screen example of “Schedule” in “HTML Print Property”, and the setting items (34) to (39) described above can be designated.
[0034]
Further, by instructing the “Bookmark” button 501 at the upper right of the operation screen of FIG. 5, the bookmark screen of FIG. 10 is newly displayed. The bookmark is a list of URLs and titles of home pages. When there is a bookmark already registered, the contents of the list are displayed on the screen shown in FIG. When a URL is specified from this list, the target URL (1001 in FIG. 10) is selected and highlighted, and the “OK” button is designated to display 502, 503 on the operation screen in FIG. As shown, the selected title (Document Title) and URL (Document Location) are reflected. When a new title and URL are to be added here, the title and URL are input to 502 and 503 on the operation screen of FIG. They are added to the list.
[0035]
Here, the setting method on the operation screen of FIG. 9 will be described in detail. When setting the schedule, the user first checks the “Enable Schedule” check box 34. At the initial setting, this check box is not checked, and no schedule can be set in this state. When the check box 34 is checked, the setting items 35 to 40 can be set. Subsequently, the user selects one of 35 “Once” / “Weekly” / “Monthly” / “Repeat” modes.
[0036]
When “Once” mode is selected, only the setting items 37 and 38 can be set, and the user can start execution time of “Web Pull Print” (Year / Month / Day) Enter / Hour / Minutes). With this designation, the digital copying machine 1 performs “Web Pull Print” only once at the designated date and time.
[0037]
When “Weekly” mode is selected, the setting items 36 and 38 are settable, and the user can execute the “Web Pull Print” execution day (Weekly of Days) and execution start time (hour (Hour) / minute ( Minutes)). A plurality of execution days can be specified at the same time. With this designation, the digital copying machine 1 repeatedly performs “Web Pull Print” every week at the designated time on the designated day of the week.
[0038]
In addition, when “Monthly” mode is selected, 37 “Day” and 38 setting items are settable, and the user can execute the “Web Pull Print” execution date and execution start time (hour (Hour) / minute). (Minutes)). With this designation, the digital copying machine 1 performs “Web Pull Print” repeatedly every month at the designated date and time of each month.
[0039]
Furthermore, when “Repeat” mode is selected, the setting items 37, 38 and 39 are settable, and the user can execute the “Web Pull Print” execution start time, execution start time (hour / minute), and execution interval. Enter (Cycle Day / Hour). With this designation, the digital copying machine 1 repeatedly performs “Web Pull Print” at the designated execution interval from the designated execution start date and time.
[0040]
Further, when any one of the “Weekly” / “Monthly” / “Repeat” mode is selected, the “Modified Only” check box 40 becomes checkable. When this box 40 is checked, when “Web Pull Print” is periodically performed on the information on the WWW server indicated by the same URL, the information is updated as compared with the time when the previous printing was performed. Print only if.
[0041]
The user can open the operation screens shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 by the above-described method, and set necessary items. When the “Print” button 505 on the operation screen in FIG. 5 is instructed after all the settings are completed, the print utility transmits the setting contents to the digital copying machine 1.
[0042]
Furthermore, when the “Monitor” button 506 is designated on the operation screen of FIG. 5, the operation screen of FIG. 11 is displayed. At this time, the print utility communicates with the digital copying machine 1 to acquire information on the job spooled in the digital copying machine 1 and display it on the operation screen. The user can grasp the processing progress of the spooled job by referring to this display content. The user can also delete spooled jobs. In this case, the user selects a job to be deleted from the job information displayed on the operation screen, highlights it (1101 in FIG. 11), and designates a “Delete” button 1102. As a result, the print utility transmits a deletion request including the job number of the designated job to the digital copying machine 1. Upon receiving this deletion request, the digital copying machine 1 deletes spooled jobs that have the same job number.
[0043]
This completes the description of the operation method of the print utility.
(2) How to operate the operation unit
Next, a method for requesting “Web Pull Print” using the operation unit 5 will be described.
14 to 17 are flowcharts showing processing for printing the home page of the WWW server 10 by using the digital copying machine 1 using programs such as the HTML parser 402 and the HTTP client 403 (FIG. 4). The overall processing flow will be described below using this flowchart.
[0044]
The print utility of the client 9 and the digital copying machine 1 communicate with each other using the LPR protocol, which is an upper protocol of TCP / IP. In the network interface unit 4 of the digital copying machine 1, LPD (Line Printer Deamon) is operating, and various commands such as “Web Pull Print” request / job information request / job deletion request from the print utility are sent to the client 9. (S501), an LPD is received as an LPR command / LPQ command / LPRM command in step S502.
[0045]
At this time, each parameter set by the print utility is stored as character string data in the data file in the LPR command packet and sent to the LPD.
[0046]
FIG. 13 shows an example of this data file. As can be seen from the figure, the string data starts with “START_OF_NETRETRIEVER_PARAMETERS” and ends with “END_OF_NETRETRIEVER_PARAMETERS”. Each parameter is described in the format of “parameter name = value”. Note that the numbers on the right side in FIG. 13 are associated with the serial numbers in the description of the contents of the print utility setting items described above, and are not described in the actual data file.
[0047]
However, among the parameters set by the print utility, only “print document title” and “user name” are stored in the control file in the LPR command packet.
[0048]
FIG. 18 shows an example of this control file.
[0049]
Since the data that flows on the network as an LPR command packet is only the setting parameters necessary for printing, the data is compared with the case where the data converted into the printable format is sent to the network as in the conventional example. The amount is very small.
[0050]
On the other hand, in the core unit 2, command reception processing for receiving a request command from the LPD is always in operation. The LPD converts the LPR command / LPQ command / LPRM command from the print utility into the format shown in FIG. Send to receipt process. An identifier representing the command type (LPR / LPQ / LPRM) is added to the head of this format, and the command receiving process refers to the identifier to determine the command type, and the contents of the command are matched to each format. Is analyzed (S502 in FIG. 14). Incidentally, the request command is also issued from a scheduled job process described later (S543).
[0051]
This completes the description of the method for requesting “Web Pull Print” using the print utility.
[0052]
Next, a method for requesting “Web Pull Print” using the operation unit 5 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0053]
20 and 21 are diagrams showing display examples on the liquid crystal display unit 330 of the operation unit 5 when the “copy” mode is instructed.
[0054]
Reference numeral 300 denotes a window for displaying the current status, which currently indicates “copying status”, “A4 size”, an enlargement ratio of “100%”, and “one copy” printing. A guide key 301 displays an appropriate advice when the user does not know the operation. Reference numerals 302 to 304 denote mode change keys. When the copy key 302 is pressed, the mode is changed to the copy mode, and the Web key 304 is changed to the Web print mode. Reference numeral 305 denotes a key for displaying a mode key that cannot be displayed at present. When this button 305 is designated, a printer mode key is displayed.
[0055]
Reference numeral 306 denotes a paper selection key. When the key 306 is designated, a display as shown in FIG. 21A is made, and the paper size stored in the paper cassettes 204 and 205 can be selected. Reference numeral 307 denotes a button for displaying a processing menu for performing settings related to image processing, and settings such as trimming, masking, negative / positive reversal, and shadow processing can be performed. A button 308 is used to set processing relating to double-sided printing, and can be set by selecting one of three types of copying from a single-sided original to a single-sided original, from a single-sided original to a double-sided original, and from a double-sided original to a double-sided original. . The applied zoom 309 is a key for displaying a menu screen for changing the vertical and horizontal enlargement ratios. Reference numeral 310 denotes a sorter key. By instructing the key 310, a menu related to the sorter 220 as shown in FIG. When “sort” is selected in FIG. 21B, a plurality of copies are sorted and discharged one by one for each bin of the sorter 220. When “staple sort” is selected, the sorted print is set to be stapled. Further, when “group sort” is selected, a plurality of copies of the document are set so that printed matter of the same page is discharged to the same bin.
[0056]
A document mixed load 311 is a button for setting whether a document of a different size is mixed or only a document of the same size. If document mixed loading is specified, the document size is checked each time scanning is performed, and document mixed loading is designated. If not, the document size is set to be checked only on the first page. The same size button 314 is a key for returning the enlargement ratio to 100%, and the reduction 315 and the enlargement 316 are buttons for displaying a menu for setting the enlargement ratio and the reduction ratio, respectively. The numeric keypad 318 is a button for setting the number of copies in the screen example of FIG. By instructing the reset key 320, parameters required for copying are returned to their default values. After setting the necessary parameters before copying, when the start key 319 is instructed, the copying operation is started. When the STOP key 321 and the reset key 320 are instructed after the start of copying, the copying operation is interrupted.
[0057]
FIGS. 22 to 28 are diagrams showing examples of display screens on the liquid crystal display unit 330 in the “Web Pull Print” mode by instructing the “Web Pull Print mode” button 304 of the operation unit 5.
[0058]
In the window 300 of FIG. 22, it is displayed that the current mode is “Web Pull Print” mode, where “A4 size, enlargement rate“ 100% ”and“ one copy ”printing are indicated. . The URL button 331 displays the domain name (abcdedg.co.jp) of the accessed WWW server and the file name (index) of the HTML format data to be acquired. Here, by instructing the URL button 331, an alphabet keyboard (not shown) is displayed, and a character string can be input using the keyboard to designate a new URL.
[0059]
The print time button 332 is a button for opening a window (FIG. 23) for setting a date, time, and the like for starting “Web Pull Print”. Since the contents of the parameters set in this window are the same as those in the case of FIG. 9 described above, the detailed description thereof is omitted. When the “Book Mark” key 334 is designated, a BOOK MARK window shown in FIG. 24 is displayed.
[0060]
When the time designation list button 335 is designated, a “time designation list” window shown in FIG. 25 is displayed.
[0061]
When the standby job list key 336 is designated, the “standby job list” window shown in FIG. 26 is displayed.
[0062]
Further, when the log button 337 is instructed, the “log list” window of FIG. 27 is displayed.
[0063]
The detailed setting button 338 is a key for displaying a menu window for setting detailed parameters regarding “Web Pull Print”. The parameters set in this window are all except for the print paper size / double-sided printing / sorter / URL / schedule print setting / day designation / date designation / time designation / interval designation from the list of FIG.
[0064]
In the BOOK MARK window of FIG. 24, a list of already registered URLs 350 to 354 is displayed. When the up arrow key 356 is designated, the URL list is scrolled upward, and when the down arrow key 357 is designated. The URL list is scrolled downward. When the registration key 355 is pressed, the URL displayed on the URL button 331 in FIG. 22 is additionally registered in this list. Further, after selecting any of the URLs 350 to 354 and highlighting them, the “OK” button 359 is designated, and the selected URL is set in the URL button 331. Similarly, after highlighting, the user designates a delete button 358 to delete the selected URL from the URL list.
[0065]
In the “time designation list” window of FIG. 25, a list of jobs for which the printing time has been designated in the printing time designation window (FIG. 23) is displayed. This display content includes a URL 366, a print date 367, and a print time 368. Jobs on this list can be deleted from the list by the same operation method as in FIG.
[0066]
In the “standby job list” window of FIG. 26, a list of jobs waiting to be executed because an HTTP client process (S504) and an HTML parser process (S506) described later are already executing other jobs. Is displayed. Jobs on this list can be deleted from the list by the same operation method as in FIG.
[0067]
In the “log list” window of FIG. 27, the execution result of each job is displayed. Here, the execution times are displayed in order, and when the maximum number of displays is exceeded, the oldest ones are automatically deleted from the list. This display content includes URL 393, date 394, time 395, and result display 396. URL 393 is the URL of the accessed WWW server, and date 394 and time 395 indicate the date and time when the WWW server was accessed. The result 396 of the jobs 388, 391, and 392 in which the access to the WWW server and the printing has been normally performed is described as “normal end”, and the result 396 of the job 389 in which the user interrupted the printing with the reset key is “ “Reset end” is described, and “error end” is described in the result 396 of the job 432 that could not be printed normally due to the state of the network or the WWW server.
[0068]
After setting the necessary parameters in each setting window related to “Web Pull Print” described above, the user finally receives a command from the operation unit 5 by pressing the start button 319 of FIG. Is issued to the network. The above is the description of the operation method in the operation unit 5.
[0069]
Next, returning to the flowchart of FIG.
[0070]
When the print instruction instruction from the operation unit 5 and the print instruction instruction from the schedule job process are input as described above, these are in the same data format as the print instruction instruction from the client 9 (see FIG. 19). In the command receiving process in step S502, print request instruction commands from these three locations can be handled in a unified manner. In addition to the print instruction command, the client 9 and the operation unit 5 issue a job inquiry command, a schedule job deletion command, an immediate job deletion command, and the like.
[0071]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the command receiving process in step S502 of FIG.
[0072]
When the core unit 2 receives the command, first, in step S520, it is determined whether or not it is a job inquiry command. If the command is a job inquiry command, the process proceeds to step S521 to acquire a job list. In step S524, the acquired job list is transmitted as a message to the destination that transmitted the inquiry command. At this time, if the command transmission source is the print utility (from S501), the received job list data is displayed on the operation screen (FIG. 11) of the print utility.
[0073]
If it is determined in step S520 that the received command is not a job inquiry command, the process advances to step S522 to determine whether the received command is a scheduled job deletion command. If it is a scheduled job deletion command, the process advances to step S523 to delete job information corresponding to the designated job number from the schedule list. In step S524, the deleted schedule command is used as a message. Send to the destination.
[0074]
If it is determined in step S522 that the command is not a scheduled job deletion command, the process advances to step S525 to determine whether the command is an immediate job deletion command. If so, the process proceeds to step S526, where it is determined whether the designated job is being executed by the HTTP client or the HTML parser. If not, the process proceeds to step S527, where the designated job number is designated. The job information corresponding to is deleted from the immediate job list. In step S524, the deleted job list is transmitted as a message to the destination that has transmitted the immediate job deletion command.
[0075]
If it is determined in step S526 that the job to be deleted is being executed by the HTTP client or the HTML parser, the process proceeds to step S529, a cancel flag is set, and the process ends.
[0076]
If it is determined in step S525 that the command is not an immediate job deletion command, the process advances to step S528 to determine whether the command is an immediate job print command. If it is not an immediate job print command, the process proceeds to step S530, and since this is a print command for a schedule job, this schedule job is registered in the schedule job list, and the process ends (S531).
[0077]
If it is an immediate job print command in step S528, the process proceeds to step S504, and the process proceeds to the HTTP client.
[0078]
Here, the HTTP client and HTML Parser do not process a plurality of jobs in parallel at the same time. If another job processing is already in operation, the received job is registered in the immediate job list. It will be executed as soon as the currently running process is finished.
[0079]
Here, the scheduled job registration process in step S530 will be described in more detail.
[0080]
The core unit 2 first detects the schedule print mode in the received print command, and determines the actual start date and time of “Web Pull Print” according to each mode. That is, in the “Once” mode, the date / time specified in the command is used as the actual start date of “Web Pull Print”. In the case of the “Weekly” mode, the actual start date and time of “Web Pull Print” is the date and time corresponding to the nearest specified day of the week after the date / time at the time of registration. For example, if the date / time at the time of registration is 15:00 on the first day (Saturday) and the specified day / time is 12:00 on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday, the actual start date and time of “Web Pull Print” Is 12:00 on Monday (Monday).
[0081]
In the “Monthly” mode, the actual start date / time of “Web Pull Print” is the closest specified date / time after the date / time at the time of registration. For example, if the date / time at the time of registration is 15:00 on November 1 and the designated date / time is 12:00 on the first day, the actual start date and time of “Web Pull Print” is December 1 It will be 12:00 hours on the day.
[0082]
Furthermore, when in “Repeate” mode, the actual start date and time of “Web Pull Print” is after the date / time of the registration time among multiple start timings calculated from the specified start date / time and the specified interval. It shall be the closest. For example, if the date / time at the time of registration is 15:00 on November 1, the designated start date / time is 12:00 on November 1, and the designated interval is 3 days and 12 hours, The start date and time of “Web Pull Print” is 0:00 on November 5th.
[0083]
In this way, after determining the actual start date and time of “Web Pull Print” in accordance with each mode, it is registered in the scheduled job list while sorting so that the start date and time are arranged in order from the earliest.
[0084]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the characteristic part of this embodiment, and shows the processing of the HTTP client in step S504 of FIG.
[0085]
Upon receiving the job execution request, the core unit 2 first acquires HTML data, image data, and the like, which are homepage data, from the WWW server 10 in accordance with the specified URL in step S550. Next, the process proceeds to step S551, where it is determined whether or not this job is a job to be executed periodically. If not, the process proceeds to step S505 (FIG. 14). This determination is performed using the value of the “Schedule” parameter of the job execution request command (see FIG. 13), and is periodically only when this value is “weekly”, “monthly”, or “repeate”. It is determined that the job is to be executed.
[0086]
If the job is to be executed periodically, the process proceeds to step S552, where the URL of the cache list (FIG. 28) is searched to determine whether the instructed URL exists. If the URL does not exist, the process proceeds to step S554, where the instructed URL and the acquired data size are added to the cache list, and the process proceeds to step S505.
[0087]
If a URL exists in step S552, the process advances to step S553 to determine whether or not the data size corresponding to the URL in the cache list matches the acquired data size. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S554, where the data size in the cache list is rewritten with the acquired data size, and the process proceeds to step S505. If they match in step S553, the process proceeds to step S554, where it is determined that the acquired data has not been updated, the process is terminated, and a new job execution request is awaited.
[0088]
In step S554, the acquired information regarding these data is stored in a cache list as shown in FIG. This information includes the instructed URL 2800 and the data size (byte unit) 2801 acquired from the URL. In addition, this cache list is a list that is always held in the memory 123 in order to store such information, and can be written / read from the core unit 2.
[0089]
Returning to FIG. 14 again, after the operation of the HTTP client in step S504 is completed, it is confirmed in step S505 whether a cancel flag is set. If the cancel flag is set, the process advances to step S509 to execute print cancel processing. In step S510, a message indicating that printing has been canceled is transmitted to the issuer of the canceled print job, and the process ends (S511).
[0090]
If the cancel flag is not set in step S505, the process proceeds to step S506, and the process moves to HTML Parser. The HTML parser is a program that creates an image so that the printer unit 8 can perform printing based on data acquired from the WWW server 10.
[0091]
After the processing by the HTML parser is completed, the process proceeds to step S507 and it is confirmed whether a cancel flag is set. If the cancel flag is set, the process advances to step S509 to execute the print cancel process as described above, and a message indicating that the print is canceled is transmitted to the print job issuer (S510). Is finished (S511).
[0092]
If the cancel flag is not set in step S507, the process proceeds to step S508, and the image data created by the HTML parser is transmitted to the core unit 2. As a result, the core unit 2 that has received the image data transfers the image data to the printer unit 8, prints on the paper stored in the cassette 204 or 205, and completes the execution of “Web Pull Print”. To do.
[0093]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a schedule job process.
[0094]
This scheduled job process is periodically started once every minute. First, in step S541, it is checked whether or not there is a scheduled job in the scheduled job list. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S542, and the current date / time reaches the designated start date / time of the first job in the list. Check if it is. If the designated start date / time of the first job has been reached, the process proceeds to step S543, where a print instruction command is transmitted to the command receiving process (S502 in FIG. 14). If the time has not been reached, the process is terminated as it is (S545). ).
[0095]
As described above, the command transmitted to the command receiving process (S502) is processed as an immediate job and transferred to the HTTP client process (S504). Thereafter, the same process as described above is performed.
[0096]
After transmitting the print instruction command in step S543, the core unit 2 determines the start date and time of “Web Pull Print” next to the job instructed to print, and registers the job in the scheduled job list again (S544). Then, the process returns to step S542 again to check whether or not the current date / time has reached the designated start weight / time of the first job in the list. In this way, by repeating the processing from step S542 to step S544, it is possible to reliably execute all the scheduled jobs that have reached the execution time.
[0097]
Although the present embodiment has been described using TCP / IP as the network communication protocol, the present invention is not limited to this, and other communication protocols such as IPX / SPX, Apple Talk, etc. may be used. Even if it is used, the same effect can be obtained. Further, although LPR / LPD has been described as the communication protocol between the client 9 and the digital copying machine 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and a communication protocol such as HTTP or FTP may be used.
[0098]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device even if it is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer). May be.
[0099]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.
[0100]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0101]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0102]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
[0103]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0104]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when data is repeatedly obtained from a predetermined WWW server and printed, only the data whose data content has been changed is printed, so that print paper is wasted. Can be prevented.
[0105]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, The registered schedule indicates At the timing WWW The data obtained from the server Has been updated If it is determined that From a WWW server Since an image is formed based on the acquired data, useless image formation can be omitted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a reader unit and a printer unit of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a software configuration of a network interface according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen (top window) in the client of the image forming system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen (HTML Print Option window) in the client.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen (HTML Print Style window) in the client.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen (PostScript Option window) in the client.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen (Schedule window) in the client.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen (Book Mark window) in the client.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen (Monitor window) in the client.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a list of items that can be set from a client.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data file.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the entire image forming system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing command reception processing in S502 of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing of the HTTP client in S504 of FIG.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing schedule job processing;
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a format example of a control file.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating each format of an LPR / LPQ / LPRM command packet.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state of an operation unit in a copy mode in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of paper selection (A) and sorter selection (B) in the operation unit.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state of the operation unit in the “Web Pull Print” mode in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “print time designation” screen displayed on the operation unit.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “Book Mark” screen displayed on the operation unit.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a “time designation list” displayed on the operation unit.
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a “standby job list” displayed on the operation unit.
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a “log list” displayed on the operation unit.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a cache list.

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus connected to a WWW server via a network,
Data acquisition means for accessing the WWW server and acquiring data corresponding to the URL;
Image forming means for forming an image based on the data acquired by the data acquiring means;
Determining means for determining whether the data acquired by the data acquiring means has been updated since the previous acquisition;
Storage means for storing a URL corresponding to data stored in the WWW server;
When an image formation instruction for data corresponding to the URL stored in the storage unit is received based on an instruction from a user, the determination unit determines whether the data corresponding to the URL has been updated. Without causing the image forming unit to form an image based on the data acquired by the data acquiring unit,
Registration means for registering a schedule indicating a timing for accessing the URL stored in the storage means;
When the image forming instruction based on the access timing indicated by the schedule registered by the registration unit is received, the determination unit determines whether the data corresponding to the URL in which the schedule is registered has been updated. When the determination means is determined to be updated, the image formation means is caused to perform image formation based on the data acquired by the data acquisition means, and when the determination means is determined not to be updated, the data A second control unit that controls the image forming unit not to perform image formation based on the data acquired by the acquiring unit ;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The determination means determines whether or not the data has been updated by comparing the size of data stored in the WWW server with the size of previously acquired data. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   The schedule registered by the registration unit includes at least information regarding the day of the week and the date and time of each month, and the data acquisition unit periodically accesses the WWW server according to the schedule. The image forming apparatus according to 2.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first display unit that displays a list of URLs stored in the storage unit.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second display unit configured to display a list of URLs registered in the registration unit along with the schedule. 6. An image forming method in an image forming apparatus connected to a WWW server via a network,
A data acquisition step of accessing the WWW server and acquiring data corresponding to the URL;
An image forming process for forming an image based on the data acquired in the data acquiring process;
A determination step of determining whether the data acquired in the data acquisition step has been updated since the previous acquisition;
A storage step of storing a URL corresponding to the data stored in the WWW server;
When an image formation instruction for data corresponding to the URL stored in the storage step is received based on an instruction from the user, the determination step determines whether the data corresponding to the URL has been updated. A first control step for controlling the image forming step to form an image based on the data acquired in the data acquisition step;
A registration step of registering a schedule indicating the timing of accessing the URL stored in the storage step;
When receiving an image formation instruction based on the access timing indicated by the schedule registered in the registration step, the determination step determines whether data corresponding to the URL in which the schedule is registered is updated, If it is determined in the determination step that the image is updated, the image formation step causes the image formation based on the data acquired in the data acquisition step. A second control step of controlling the image formation step so as not to perform image formation based on the data acquired in the data acquisition step ;
An image forming method comprising:   The determination step determines whether or not the data is updated by comparing the size of data stored in the WWW server with the size of previously acquired data. The image forming method described in 1.   The schedule registered in the registration step includes information on at least a day of the week and a date and time of each month, and the data acquisition step periodically accesses the WWW server according to the schedule. 8. The image forming method according to 7.   9. The image forming method according to claim 6, further comprising a first display step of displaying a list of URLs stored in the storage step.   The image forming method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a second display step of displaying a list of URLs registered in the registration step together with the schedule.

Images