JP4273144B2 - Image forming system, image forming apparatus and control method therefor, and computer-readable memory - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system configured by connecting a server, an external apparatus, and an image forming apparatus to each other via a network line, an image forming apparatus, and a control method thereof.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus such as a printer, various settings for printing are usually described in a print job or set in the printer itself using a printer operation unit or the like in advance. Examples of the various settings include the following.

1) Print mode Specify whether to print in color or black and white, specify whether to print on both sides or one side, specify the paper feed stage or paper size including manual feed, specify the number of copies, etc. These designations are normally instructed in a print job, but if there is no designation, default data held by the printer is used.

2) Auxiliary image data Auxiliary image data such as default font data and form overlay image data. As these auxiliary image data, default data that is normally stored in the printer is used, or data set in advance using a utility or the like is used. In the print job, only the font data to be used or the instruction of which form overlay image data is described.

3) Other settings Settings such as whether to print a cover page, how to respond when there is no optimal paper, settings for the paper feed waiting time-out time for manual paper feeding, and the like. These settings are normally set in the printer itself using the printer operation unit or the like.

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus has the following problems.

  First, there are the following problems when various settings are described in a print job.

  1) If the number of setting items increases or the setting content includes auxiliary image data, the size of the print job increases, and accordingly, the time for restraining the transmission-side computer at the time of print job transmission becomes longer. In addition, each print job must have similar various setting data. Further, when spooling a plurality of print jobs in a spooler or the like, a large spooling area is required as the size of each print job increases.

  2) When reprinting an old print job, old data in the print job was used. For example, when the affiliation name is included as part of the user name, the old affiliation name in the old print job may be printed on a cover page or the like, and it may be difficult to identify who the print job is.

  3) Each sending computer had to have various setting utilities. Further, a computer that uses a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses must have various setting utilities for each model.

  4) When the previous setting data is held, various setting data must be held for each computer on the transmission side. In addition, for a computer using a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses, various setting data for each model must be held.

  5) Settings that can only be changed by the administrator cannot be specified in each user's print job.

  Further, when various settings are made on the printer itself by using the operation unit of the printer in advance, there are the following problems.

  6) Various settings are common to all users, and the preferences for each user cannot be reflected. Also, management settings that can be changed only by the administrator cannot be set differently for each user.

  7) When one user uses a plurality of printers, it is necessary to make the same setting for the plurality of printers. If the setting is different, the user may behave differently and obtain a result different from the user's intention.

  8) When using a plurality of printers, it is necessary to store setting data for each printer. For example, if a specific user uses a font, the font data must be installed on all the printers used.

  9) In order not to disappear even when the power of the device is turned off, it is necessary to take a configuration in which various settings are stored for each device using a relatively expensive non-volatile storage means. For this reason, it is difficult to store a large amount of settings and complex image data due to cost limitations.

  10) When replacing the device, various settings must be reset.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and in an image forming system configured by connecting a server, an external apparatus, and an image forming apparatus to each other via a network line, the operability is remarkably improved. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a control method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image forming system in which a server and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
At least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes :
Forming means for forming an image based on image forming information;
Accepting means for accepting a user ID capable of specifying a user;
User ID transmission means for transmitting the user ID received by the reception means to the server;
With
The server,
User ID receiving means for receiving a user ID transmitted by the user ID transmitting means from any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses ;
Setting information that is shared by the plurality of image forming apparatuses and that includes information indicating that at least use by a user is permitted for the function relating to the forming unit is associated with the user ID. Storage means for storing
A setting information transmitting unit that reads the setting information corresponding to the user ID received by the user ID receiving unit from the storage unit and transmits the setting information to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the user ID among the plurality of image forming apparatuses ; ,
With
Further, the at least one image forming apparatus includes :
Setting information receiving means for receiving the setting information transmitted by the setting information transmitting means;
Based on the setting information received by the setting information receiving means, it is determined whether or not the function relating to the forming means can be used, and on the basis of the determination result, a control means for controlling the forming means;
Is provided.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a communication unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus via the network.
The accepting unit receives and accepts the user ID together with the image formation information from the information processing apparatus via the communication unit.

  Preferably, the setting information includes the information indicating that use by the user is permitted for each of the plurality of functions related to the forming unit.

  Preferably, the function relating to the forming means is a color image forming function.

  Preferably, the function relating to the forming means is a monochrome image forming function.

  Preferably, the function relating to the forming means is a single-sided printing function.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is, an image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network,
Forming means for forming an image based on image forming information;
Accepting means for accepting a user ID capable of specifying a user;
Transmitting means for transmitting the user ID received by the receiving means to the server;
Setting information stored in association with a user ID transmitted by the transmission unit in the server and shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses , and at least a user is permitted to use a function related to the formation unit. Receiving means for receiving setting information including information indicating that;
Based on the setting information received by the receiving means, it is determined whether or not the function related to the forming means can be used, and based on the determination result, a control means for controlling the forming means;
Is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image forming apparatus connected to a server and an information processing apparatus via a network,
Receiving means for receiving image formation information and a user ID from the information processing apparatus via the network;
Forming means for forming an image based on the image forming information received by the receiving means;
Setting information including at least information indicating that the function related to the forming unit is permitted to be used by a user, stored in association with the user ID received by the receiving unit in the server, and configured to form a plurality of images Requesting means for requesting the first setting information shared by the apparatus to the server;
Second setting that can be used by a plurality of users without being associated with a specific user ID, the setting information including information indicating that at least use by the user is permitted for the function relating to the forming unit First storage means for storing information;
First determination means for determining whether execution of a request by the request means is instructed in the image formation information received by the reception means;
As a result of the determination by the first determination means, if execution of the request by the request means is instructed, the request means is made to execute the request, and the first setting information is acquired from the server. Control means for controlling to read out the second setting information from the first storage means without causing the request means to execute the request when the request means is not instructed to execute the request; With
The forming unit forms an image based on the image forming information in accordance with the first setting information or the second setting information.

Preferably, a second storage unit that stores the first setting information acquired from the server together with the user ID when the request unit executes the request;
When the reception unit newly receives image formation information and a user ID from the information processing apparatus, the newly received user ID matches the user ID stored in the second storage unit Second determination means for determining whether or not to do,
When the result of determination by the second determination means is that the newly received user ID matches the user ID stored in the second storage means, the control means Even if the determination unit determines that the request by the request unit is instructed in the newly received image formation information, the request unit does not execute the request from the second storage unit to the user. Control is performed to read the first setting information stored together with the ID.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image forming system in which a plurality of servers, information processing apparatuses, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes :
Generating means for generating image forming information including server specifying information capable of specifying any of the plurality of servers and a user ID capable of specifying a user;
Transmitting means for transmitting the image forming information generated by the generating means to at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses ;
With
The at least one image forming apparatus includes :
Receiving means for receiving the image formation information transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
Forming means for forming an image based on the image forming information received by the receiving means;
Setting information corresponding to the user ID received by the receiving means and including information indicating that at least the use of the function related to the forming means is permitted by the user is specified by the server specifying information. Request means for requesting the server,
With
Each of the plurality of servers is
Setting information including information indicating that at least use by a user is permitted for the function related to the forming unit, and setting information shared by the plurality of image forming apparatuses is associated with the user ID. Storage means for storing;
Notification means for notifying the image forming apparatus of the setting information stored in the storage means when the setting information is requested;
With
Further, the at least one image forming apparatus includes :
Control means for controlling the forming means according to the setting information notified from the server.

  Preferably, the server specifying information is network address information possessed by the server.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of servers and an information processing apparatus via a network,
Image forming information including server specifying information capable of specifying any of the plurality of servers and a user ID capable of specifying a user is received from the information processing apparatus via the network. Receiving means for
Forming means for forming an image based on the image forming information received by the receiving means;
The setting information corresponding to the user ID received by the receiving unit includes information indicating that at least a user is permitted to use a function related to the forming unit that is shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Requesting means for requesting setting information to the server specified by the server specifying information;
Control means for controlling the forming means in accordance with the setting information notified from the server.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming system configured by connecting a server, an external device, and an image forming apparatus to each other via a network line, an image forming system and an image forming apparatus capable of significantly improving operability And a control method thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a printer 1 and a personalization server 3 are connected via a network 2, and personalization information described later is exchanged via this network 2. In addition to the printer 1 and the personalization server 3, a copying machine 4, a facsimile machine 5, and another printer 6 can be connected to the network 2. These devices are also configured to be able to exchange personalized information with the personalized server 3 via the network 2. Further, a computer 17-1 and a computer 17-2 are also connected to the network 2 as external devices that generate a print job and send the print job to the printer 1.

  Next, the internal configuration of the printer 1 will be described.

  A print job sent from the computer 17-1, the computer 17-2, etc. via the network 2 and the external interface 7 is once held in the work memory 10-2 in the volatile RAM 10 by the CPU 8. The print job used in the first embodiment is assumed to be composed of PDL data described in a page description language (hereinafter referred to as PDL). Next, the PDL data read from the work memory 10-2 is expanded into raster image data and written to the full page image memory 10-1 in the volatile RAM 10. The developed image data is read from the full page image memory 10-1 and sent to the image forming unit 13 via the printer interface 11 to form an image.

  The ROM 9 is a non-rewritable memory whose contents do not volatilize even when the power is turned off. The ROM 9 is used to hold a program and fixed data, and processing by the CPU 8 is executed based on the program. The volatile RAM 10 is an inexpensive and rewritable memory whose contents are volatilized when the power is turned off, and is used to hold temporary data. In the case of the first embodiment, the volatile RAM 10 is used as an image memory 10-1 and a work memory area 10-2 that is a temporary work area.

  The nonvolatile RAM 18 is a relatively expensive rewritable memory whose contents do not volatilize even when the power is turned off, and is used to hold data that should be stored for a relatively long period of time. The printer communication unit 15 is for communicating with the image forming unit 13. The operation unit 14 is used by the operator to perform settings related to the printer 1 in front of the apparatus, and to display information for notifying the operator of the state of the apparatus. Reference numeral 17 denotes a CPU bus that connects the above-described components.

  The image memory 10-1 in the first embodiment is configured with 8 bits for each of RGB (Red, Green, Blue) per pixel, and a total of 24 bits. Further, it has a storage capacity capable of storing image data for one page of A3 size. When printing image data of A4 size, the storage capacity is two pages.

  The image forming unit 13 according to the first embodiment is a full-color electrophotographic copying machine, and forms an image based on raster image data 12 of RGB each having 8 bits for each pixel sent via the printer interface 11 and a total of 24 bits. However, since the image formation at this time is performed using four colors of toner of YMCK (Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, blackK), conversion from RGB to YMCK is performed inside the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 13 has a plurality of functions such as color printing / monochrome printing, single-sided printing / double-sided printing, printing at each paper size, and plain paper / transparency printing, although the description is omitted.

  Conventionally, various settings for receiving these print jobs, developing raster image data, and forming an image are those previously set in the printer 1 using the operation unit 14 or the like, or, for example, a computer What was instructed in each print job sent from 17-1 was used. In the present invention, in addition to these means, means for extracting various settings from the personalization server 3 to which the printer 1 described later is connected to the network is added. Based on these various settings, the CPU 8 controls the reception of a print job, the development of raster image data, and the image formation.

  Various settings using the operation unit 14 and the like are held in the nonvolatile RAM 18 so that they do not disappear even when the printer 1 is turned off. On the other hand, various settings instructed during each print job sent from the computer and various settings acquired from the personalization server 3 may be deleted when the printer 1 is turned off. It is held in the memory 10-2. At present, a small-capacity nonvolatile RAM is more expensive than a volatile RAM of the same size, so it is not preferable in terms of cost to increase the size of the nonvolatile RAM 18. Therefore, in the various settings using the conventional operation unit 14 or the like, settings that require large data cannot be performed. On the other hand, since various settings acquired from the personalization server 3 are held in a relatively inexpensive volatile RAM, settings requiring large data can be performed.

  Next, PDL data will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 to 7 are diagrams for explaining PDL data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, PDL (Page Description Language) represented by ADOBE's Post Script (registered trademark) language is that (i) an image description by a character code and (ii) an image by a graphic code. Description (iii) A language for combining and describing elements such as image description using raster image data. The data described by these image descriptions is PDL data.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of image description using character codes. L100 indicates that the color of the character is designated, and the parentheses indicate the luminance of Red, Green, and Blue in order. The minimum value of luminance is 0.0 and the maximum value is 1.0. Here, black is designated as the character color. L101 indicates that the character string “IC” is substituted for the String1 parameter. L102 indicates that the character is laid out. The first and second parameters in parentheses are the X and Y coordinates of the recording start position coordinates on the recording medium on which the character string is laid out, and the third parameter is the character size. The fourth parameter indicates the character spacing, and the fifth parameter indicates the character string to be laid out. Here, it is shown that the character string “IC” assigned to the String1 parameter is laid out from the coordinates (0.0, 0.0) with a character size of 0.3 and an interval of 0.1. .

  FIG. 4 is an example of an image description using a graphic code. L103, like L100, indicates that the line color is specified, and here, Red is specified. L104 indicates that a line is to be drawn. The first and second parameters in parentheses are the start and end coordinates of the line, the third and fourth parameters are the end coordinates, and the fifth parameter is the thickness of the line. Is shown. Here, it is shown that a line is drawn with a line thickness of 0.1 from the start end coordinates (0.9, 0.0) to the end coordinates (0.9, 1.0).

  FIG. 5 is an example of image description using raster image data. L105 indicates that the raster image data is substituted for the image1 parameter. The first parameter in brackets is the image type and the number of color components of the raster image data, and the second parameter is the number of bits per color component. The third and fourth parameters indicate the image size of the raster image data in the x and y directions. The fifth and subsequent parameters indicate raster image data. The number of raster image data is the product of the number of color components constituting one pixel and the image size in the X and Y directions. Here, since the raster image data is an RGB image and includes three color components (Red, Green, Blue), the number of raster image data is 3 × 5 × 5 = 75. L106 indicates that the raster image data is laid out. The first and second parameters in parentheses are the X and Y coordinates of the recording start position coordinates on the recording medium on which the raster image data is laid out, and the third parameter is Raster image data to be laid out is shown. Here, it is shown that the raster image data assigned to the image1 parameter with the size (0.5, 0.5) is laid out from the coordinates (0.0, 0.5).

  FIG. 6 shows how the image description shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is interpreted in one page and developed into raster image data. R100, 101, and 102 are rasterized image data of the PDL data shown in FIGS. These raster image data are actually developed in the full page image memory 10-1 for each RGB color component. Therefore, for example, in the portion of R100, all 0s are written in the memory area corresponding to each RGB color component. In the portion of R101, 255, 0, and 0 are written, respectively.

  As described above, the PDL data to be displayed on the image bulletin board 16 transmitted from the computer 17-1 or the computer 17-2 is expanded into raster image data and written in the full page image memory 10-1. .

  The PDL data according to the first embodiment also includes descriptions for instructing various settings when a print job is received, expanded, and formed.

  FIG. 7 is an example of the description of the various settings.

  L107 is an instruction to print this job in full color. L108 indicates an instruction to print this job in black. L109 and Ll10 indicate instructions for printing the job with A3 size plain paper and A4 size transparency, respectively. L111 indicates a double-sided print instruction. L112 indicates an instruction to print four copies of each page included in the job. L113 indicates an instruction to start printing. This is the page boundary.

  The above-described L107 to L113 are descriptions for instructing various direct settings when printing a print job. In addition, indirect various settings can be instructed as PDL data. L114 indicates an instruction to select type 2 as a response method when the print job ends abnormally. L115 indicates an instruction to select type 0 as a response method when the print job ends normally. Details of how to deal with these abnormal or normal conditions will be described later.

  L116 indicates a time-out value until manual paper is fed in a print job that uses manual paper. In the first embodiment, 0 means no time-out. L117 indicates the name of the user who created the print job. The printer 1 according to the first embodiment is used to display the user name on the operation unit 14 as described later. L118 indicates the user ID of the user who created the print job, and uniquely identifies each user. Further, this user ID is used as a personalization key for performing personalization as will be described later. L119 indicates an instruction for personalization, and personalization described later is performed based on this instruction.

  In the first embodiment, personalization is performed when there is a personalization instruction in the PDL data. However, the personalization is performed unconditionally, whether to perform the personalization in advance from the operation unit 14 or the like, or The personalization server 3 can also be configured to hold the setting of whether or not it is performed.

  Next, messages displayed on the operation unit 14 of the printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a message displayed on the operation unit of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 8A, 21 is a display indicating that the user name “Kadowaki” is executing a print job for one copy of four pages. As the user name, a user name described in a print job such as L117 in FIG. 7 or a user name obtained by personalization described later is used. The number of pages is determined from the number of print instructions in L113 in FIG. 7 in the print job. The number of copies is the number of copies instruction in L112 in FIG. Next, in FIG. 8B, 22 is a display message in English when a paper out error occurs. On the other hand, in FIG. 8C, reference numeral 23 denotes a display message in Japanese when a paper out error occurs. The printer 1 according to the embodiment is configured so that the message display language can be changed in this way, and which language is used can be personalized as described later.

  Next, a report printed when the print job ends normally or abnormally or sent by mail will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a report that is printed or sent by e-mail when the print job according to the first embodiment of the present invention ends normally or abnormally.

  Three types of processing, type 0 to type 2, can be selected as processing when the processing ends normally. First, type 0 is a process of doing nothing. Type 1 is a process of printing a normal completion report 24 as shown in FIG. The normal completion report 24 includes a date, a user name, the number of pages, the number of copies, and a print price, so that it can be understood who printed what pages and how many copies. The print price is calculated by the CPU 8 by a predetermined calculation based on the function used (color / monochrome, single side / double side, paper size), the number of pages, and the number of copies. Type 2 is a process of notifying the normal end report 24 shown in FIG. 9A via the network 2 to the computer that sent the print job by mail.

  On the other hand, five types of processing of type 0 to type 4 can be selected as processing in the case of abnormal termination. First, type 0 is a process of doing nothing. Type 1 is a process of printing an abnormal end report 25 as shown in FIG. Type 2 is a process of printing an abnormal end report 26 as shown in FIG. The abnormal end report 25 is a detailed type in which a print document name, an error name, and a reason for the error are described in addition to the date, the user name, the number of pages, the number of copies, and the print price. In this case, the number of pages is too large. This indicates that stapling could not be performed. On the other hand, the abnormal end report 26 is a simple type that does not include the print document name, the number of pages, the number of copies, etc., in order to reduce the amount of information seen by others. This indicates that the image was not printed.

  Type 3 is a process of notifying the abnormal end report 25 of FIG. 9B via the network 2 to the computer that sent the print job by mail. Type 4 is a process of notifying the abnormal end report 26 of FIG. 9C via the network 2 to the computer that has transmitted the print job by mail.

  A conventional facsimile machine or the like has a function of printing an abnormal end report. However, in the past, such settings for normal / abnormal end reports are common to all users, and it has not been possible to set whether or not to print normal / abnormal end reports according to one's preference. I couldn't use my favorite type of report when printing. On the other hand, in the case of the printer according to the first embodiment, when personalization is not performed, settings related to normal / abnormal end reports common to all users are used as usual, but when personalization is performed, normality for each user is performed. / The configuration related to the abnormal termination report is used. Thus, the use of the normal / abnormal end report for each user makes it easier for each user to identify the normal / abnormal end report for his print job.

  Next, various setting data in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining various setting data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 10A shows a state of holding default relationship data common to all users in the nonvolatile RAM 18.

  In FIG. 10A, reference numeral 31-1 denotes a storage area for storing the upper limit number of prints common to all users. Reference numeral 31-2 denotes a storage area for storing a usable function list common to all users. Reference numeral 31-3 denotes a storage area for storing settings related to a normal end report common to all users. Reference numeral 31-4 denotes a storage area for storing settings related to an abnormal end report common to all users. Reference numeral 31-5 denotes a storage area for storing user switch data common to all users. 31-6 is a storage area for storing a user name common to all users, for example, data such as “unknown user” is stored. Reference numeral 31-7 denotes a storage area for holding other registered data. Since the data in the non-volatile RAM 18 is not erased even when the printer is turned off, the contents of the default relation data are not erased.

  In the first embodiment, each data stored in the storage areas 31-1 to 31-6 is common to all users. Therefore, when personalization is not performed, such as immediately after the power is turned on, each common data stored in the storage areas 31-1 to 31-6 is copied to storage areas 32-1 to 32-6, which will be described later. Used as a setting value for the user. Each common data stored in the storage areas 31-1 to 31-6 can be changed using the operation unit 14. In this case, the common print upper limit sheet number and the common usable function list are protected by a password so that only the administrator can change, but other settings can be changed by a general user.

  FIG. 10B shows the holding status of various setting data in the work memory 10-2 in the volatile RAM 10.

  In FIG. 10B, reference numeral 32-1 denotes a storage area for storing the upper limit number of prints of the user who is currently using the printer (hereinafter referred to as the current user). 32-2 is a storage area for storing a list of available functions of the current user. Reference numeral 32-3 denotes a storage area for storing settings related to the normal end report of the current user. Reference numeral 32-4 denotes a storage area for storing settings relating to the abnormal end report of the current user. 32-5 is a storage area for storing user switch data of the current user. 32-6 is a storage area for storing the user name of the current user. 32-7 is a work area for work.

  Since the data in the volatile RAM 10 disappears when the printer is turned off, initial values are set in the respective areas when the power is turned on. Specifically, the storage areas 31-1 to 31-6 in the nonvolatile RAM 18 are copied to the corresponding storage areas 32-1 to 31-6 in the volatile RAM 10-2. Each value in the storage areas 32-1 to 32-6 can be personalized for each user. When personalization is performed, the data in this storage area is rewritten with data for each user. Further, when processing of one print job is completed and processing of another user's print job is started, the data in this storage area is replaced with each default data in the nonvolatile RAM 18 as in the case of power-on. It is initialized.

  FIG. 10C shows a specific example of components of the usable function list.

  In FIG. 10C, the usable function list includes a color print function usable setting 33-1, a monochrome print function usable setting 33-2, a transparency print function usable setting 33-3, and single-sided printing. It is composed of function availability settings 33-4 and the like. These settings are for limiting the functions that can be used for each user. For example, color printing is more expensive than black-and-white printing, so these settings can be used when only authorized users are allowed to print. Conversely, since monochrome printing with a color printer is more costly than monochrome printing with a monochrome printer, it can also be used when only authorized users are allowed to perform monochrome printing with a color printer. .

  FIG. 10D shows a specific example of the constituent elements of the user switch data.

  In FIG. 10D, the user switch data includes a display language setting 33-6, a manual feed timeout value setting 33-7, a setting for whether to attach a cover page 33-8, and the like. First, the display language setting 33-6 designates the display language for the operation unit 14 as described with reference to FIG. The setting 33-8 for whether or not to attach a cover page is for designating whether or not to add a cover page that can identify who the print job is at the top when printing a print job. The format of the cover page is the same as the normal end report 24 of FIG. 9A, except that the normal end report is printed at the end of the print job, whereas the cover page is printed first. is there. The print price is not described.

  Of the settings shown in FIG. 10, the upper limit number of prints 32-1 defines the upper limit number of prints per print job. Further, the normal end processing 32-3, abnormal end processing 32-4, user name 32-6, and manual time-out value 33-7 are respectively designated by L115, L114, L117, and L116 in FIG. Corresponding.

  In the first embodiment, among the various settings shown in FIG. 10B, the normal end processing 32-3, the abnormal end processing 32-4, and the like can be changed by an instruction in the print job. It has a configuration. On the other hand, the print upper limit sheet number 32-1 and the usable function list 32-2 cannot be changed by an instruction in the print job. This is because the usable function list 32-2 and the like are information that should be managed by the administrator and should not be allowed to be changed by each user. Management is facilitated by an administrator who sets such management information in a personalized server in an integrated manner.

  Next, the exchange of personalized information in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining exchange of personalized information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When a description instructing personalization is found in the print job, first, as shown in FIG. 11A, model group ID information 34-1 and user ID information 34-2 are transferred from the printer 1 to the personalization server 3. Sent. The model group ID information 34-1 is information for identifying a model group, for example, 1 for a copier, 2 for a facsimile machine, and 3 for a printer. The user ID information 34-2 is information for uniquely identifying the current user who is currently using the printer, and the information of L118 in FIG. 7 is used.

  When the model group ID information 34-1 and the user ID information 34-2 of the current user are sent from the printer 1, the personalization server 3 takes out personalized information stored for each model group and each user. Then, personalization information as shown in FIG. 11B is sent back to the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 11B, the personalized information of the first embodiment includes the upper limit print number 35-1, current user available function list 35-2, and setting 35- 3. Setting 35-4 regarding the abnormal end report of the current user, user switch data 35-5 of the current user, and user name 35-6 of the current user. The printer 1 realizes personalization by copying the sent personalization information to the storage areas 32-1 to 6 of the volatile RAM 18, respectively.

  As described above, by managing personalization information for each model group in the personalization server 3 and exchanging the personalization information with the model group ID information, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a printer can use a common personalization server. it can. Also, personalization information can be acquired in a form unique to the model group. Furthermore, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which personalized information is acquired using only a user ID as a personalized key without accompanying model group ID information.

  Next, processing executed by the printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in step S11, a print job is received. Next, in step S12, it is checked whether the user ID description and personalization instruction described in FIG. 7 are included in the print job. If there is a personalization instruction, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the model group ID information and the user ID information are sent to the personalization server 3 as described with reference to FIG. In step S14, personalization information is received from the personalization server 3 as described in FIG. Next, in step S15, various settings are personalized by writing the received localization information into the storage areas 32-1 to 6 in FIG. 10B. In step S16, the information in the storage areas 32-1 to 6 in FIG. 10B is updated based on various instructions in the print job described in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the initial values of the various settings are personalized based on the personalization information as described above, and if there are instructions for the various settings during the print job, those are given priority. On the other hand, a configuration in which current values of various settings are personalized, that is, a configuration in which personalized information is always prioritized is also possible. In addition, a configuration in which the rear one is prioritized according to the position where the personalization instruction of L119 in FIG. 7 exists and the position where the instruction for various settings exists is also possible.

  On the other hand, if there is no personalization instruction in step S12, the process proceeds to step S17, where the contents of all the user common data 31-1 to 31-6 in the nonvolatile RAM 18 are stored in each storage area 32-- in FIG. Write to 1-32-6. As a result, the various settings are set to the common settings, and then the information in the storage areas 32-1 to 6 in FIG. 10B is updated based on the various instructions in the print job described with reference to FIG.

  In step S18, the user name of the user of the print job being processed, the number of pages, the number of copies, and the like are displayed on the operation unit 14 as described in FIG. Next, in step S19, whether or not the function specified in the print job is usable is checked using the usable function list in FIG. If it is not usable, the process proceeds to step S23, and abnormal termination processing is performed. In this abnormal end process, since the process is performed according to the process setting at the time of the abnormal end in FIG. 10B, a personalized process can be instructed for each user. Specifically, nothing is done, or the abnormal end reports 25 and 26 shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C are printed, or the abnormal end reports 25 and 26 are mailed to the current user. Processing such as sending to a computer can be selected. In step S23, a message notifying that an error has occurred is further displayed on the operation unit 14 for a predetermined time. At this time, according to the setting of the display language of FIG. 10C, for example, an English message as shown in FIG. 8B is displayed, or a Japanese message as shown in FIG. Switch whether to display.

  Next, if the function specified in the print job is usable in step S19, the process proceeds to step S20, and whether or not the total number of prints of the print job currently being processed exceeds the upper limit number of prints is shown in FIG. Check using the upper limit number of prints of (b). If the upper limit number of prints has been exceeded, abnormal termination processing is performed in step S23.

  Next, in step 20, if the total number of prints of the print job currently being processed does not exceed the upper limit number of prints, the process proceeds to step S21, and printing is performed based on the currently set various settings. At this time, if the cover page setting 33-8 in FIG. 10C is present, the cover page is also printed. In the case of manual printing, the manual time-out value 33-7 shown in FIG. 10C is used. Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not the printing is normally completed. If the process ends abnormally, an abnormal end process is performed in step S23. On the other hand, if the process ends normally, a normal end process is performed in step S24.

  In this normal end process, since the process is performed according to the process setting at the normal end of FIG. 10B, a personalized process can be instructed for each user. Specifically, do nothing, or select a process such as printing the normal end report 24 shown in FIG. 9A or sending the normal end report 24 to the current user by e-mail. Can do.

  In the first embodiment, personalization information is acquired every time each print job is processed. However, in the case of a print job of the same user as the previous time, a method in which personalization information is not reacquired is also possible. is there. In this method, personal information of a certain user is left separately even after the print job is completed. If the current user and the previous user are the same in step S13 to step S15 in FIG. This can be realized by performing personalization based on the above. Further, it is possible to have a configuration in which not only personal information of users of the previous print job but also personal information of a plurality of users is cached.

  In the first embodiment, the normal / abnormal end report format can be personalized as normal / abnormal end processing, but other languages such as normal / abnormal end report may be personalized. Further, the output destination of the normal / abnormal end report can be selected to be printed or sent by e-mail, but display on the operation unit 14 may be selected in addition to this. Further, the destination when the normal / abnormal end report is notified by the network may be personalized.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the image forming apparatus, the number of personalization servers, user ID acquisition means, authentication means, personalization items, and the like, and the others are similar. Similar components are given the same numbers, and the description thereof is omitted, and only different portions are described.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  First, the first point different from the first embodiment is that the image forming apparatus is composed of two apparatuses, a printer controller 41 and a printer engine 42. The printer engine 42 corresponds to the image forming unit 13 of the first embodiment, and other components of the printer 1 of the first embodiment correspond to the printer controller 41. Also in the second embodiment, the printer engine 42 is a full-color electrophotographic copying machine, and can be used alone as a color copying machine. The printer function can be realized by adding the printer controller 41.

  Next, the second difference from the first embodiment is that there are a plurality of personalization servers instead of one. That is, for a certain user, personalization information is acquired from the personalization server 3-1, and for another user, personalization information is acquired from the personalization server 3-2. In the case of the second embodiment, the information indicating from which personalization server personal information is acquired is acquired as part of the user ID information described in the print job. However, this is configured such that, for example, the user ID information is broadcast to each device on the network, and the personalization server holding the personalization information corresponding to the user ID information returns the personalization information in response thereto. It is also possible to do.

  Next, a third point different from the first embodiment is that the nonvolatile RAM 18 is configured by a hard disk 43. Although the hard disk 43 has a minimum cost, the unit price per bit is low, so it is suitable for holding a large amount of data. The hard disk 43 includes a program area 43-1 corresponding to the ROM 9 of the first embodiment and a data area 43-2 corresponding to the nonvolatile RAM 18 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the personalized information is held in the volatile RAM 10. However, in the second embodiment, the unit price per bit of the hard disk 43 is generally lower than that of the volatile RAM. 43-2.

  Next, the fourth point different from the first embodiment is that in the first embodiment, personalization is performed based on the user ID information of the user who created the print job described in the print job. Personalization is performed based on the user ID information of the user who sent the print job. That is, when a print job is received, user ID information is also received from the transmitting computer. This is because the user who created the print job is not necessarily the same as the user who prints it, so that if different users print the same print job, it will be personalized for each sending user. Printing can be performed.

  Next, a fifth point different from the first embodiment is that the user ID information includes a password. In particular, in order to personalize billing, it is necessary to prevent printing using other user ID information. For this reason, when a print job is received, a password is also received in addition to the user ID.

  Next, a sixth point different from the first embodiment is that font data and auxiliary image data are personalized. The font data is data representing the shape of each character, and is used when printing character data in PDL data. There are a plurality of types of fonts. Generally, a font to be used in PDL data is specified, but the printer needs to have font data of the specified font. If there is no specified font data, or if there is no font specification itself, the default font data is used.

  Conventionally, a plurality of font data groups possessed by a printer are common to all users and are held for each printer. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a font data group for each user is stored in the personalization server, and based on the font data group, the font data group in the printer to be used is personalized. On the other hand, auxiliary image data is image data that is commonly used for printing. In the second embodiment, the auxiliary image data includes form overlay image data, font data, and cover sheet image data, which will be described later.

  Next, a form overlay function, which is a function for superposing and printing a standard form image and a general image according to the second embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the form overlay function according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 9A shows an example of a form image. This is superimposed on the general image shown in FIG. 9B, and a composite image shown in FIG. 9C is printed. 9A to 9C show a state in which a calendar character image 52 is synthesized on a background form image 51 and a calendar image 53 is printed. The character image 51 shown in FIG. 9B is a calendar for January. However, if the character part is replaced with that for February, a calendar for February can be created. In this way, a frequently used image is registered in the printer as a form image, and it is not necessary to send the form image from the computer every time it is combined and printed when printing. It is also possible to hold a plurality of types of form images and select one of them. Conventionally, these form images are common to all users and are held for each printer. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the form image for each user is held in the personalization server, and based on the form image, the form image in the printer to be used can be personalized.

  Next, cover sheet image data according to the second embodiment will be described.

  The cover sheet image data of the second embodiment is image data constituting the cover page described in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, it is possible to personalize only whether or not to print a cover page, but in the second embodiment, the image of the cover page itself can also be personalized. Further, the cover sheet image data of the second embodiment is described as PDL data, but may be described as raster image data. In addition to the form overlay image data, font data, and cover sheet image data, it is also possible to personalize image data for various reports such as a normal end report, an abnormal end report, and a log report representing the operation record of the apparatus.

  Next, various setting data in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining various setting data according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 15A shows a state of holding default-related data held in the hard disk 43.

  In FIG. 15A, reference numeral 61-1 denotes a storage area for storing the upper limit number of prints common to all users. Reference numeral 61-2 denotes a storage area for storing a usable function list common to all users. Reference numeral 61-3 denotes a storage area for storing a font data group common to all users. Reference numeral 61-4 denotes a storage area for storing cover sheet image data common to all users. Reference numeral 61-5 denotes a storage area for storing a form image data group for form overlay common to all users. Reference numeral 61-6 denotes a storage area for storing other registration data. Since the data in the hard disk 43 is not erased even when the printer is turned off, the contents of these default-related data are not erased.

  In the second embodiment, each data stored in the storage areas 61-1 to 61-5 is common to all users. Therefore, when personalization is not performed, such as immediately after the power is turned on, each common data stored in the storage areas 61-1 to 61-5 is copied to storage areas 62-2 to 62-6, which will be described later. Used as a setting value for the user. The common data stored in the storage areas 61-1 to 61-5 can be changed using the operation unit 14.

  FIG. 15B shows the holding status of various setting data for the current user held in the hard disk 43.

  In FIG. 15B, 62-1 is a storage area for storing the total number of prints of the current user. Reference numeral 62-2 denotes a storage area for storing the maximum number of prints of the current user. Reference numeral 62-3 denotes a storage area for storing an available function list of the current user. 62-4 is a storage area for storing the font data group of the current user. Reference numeral 62-5 denotes a storage area for storing the cover sheet image data of the current user. Reference numeral 62-6 denotes a storage area for storing a form image data group of the current user. 62-7 is a work area for work.

  When the power is turned on, initial values are set in the respective areas shown in FIG. Specifically, the contents of the storage areas 61-1 to 61-5 in FIG. 15A are respectively stored in the storage areas 62-2 to 62-6 in FIG. 15B for the current user. In addition, 0 is written in the storage area 62-1. Each value in the storage areas 62-1 to 62-6 can be personalized for each user. When personalization is performed, the data in this storage area is rewritten with data for each user. When processing of one print job is finished and processing of another user's print job is started, the data in this storage area is replaced with each default data and initialized as when the power is turned on.

  FIG. 15C shows an example of components of the font data group.

  In FIG. 15C, the font data group is composed of five types of font data 63-1 to 63-5. When the first font is designated in the PDL data, the font data 1 of 63-1 is used, and when the second font is designated, the font data 2 of 63-2 is used. . The font data 63-1 is used as default font data.

  FIG. 15D shows an example of components of the form image data group.

  In FIG. 15D, the form image data group includes four types of form image data 64-1 to 64-4. When the form overlay with the first form image is designated in the PDL data, the form image 1 of 64-1 is used, and when the form overlay with the second form image is designated, the form image 2 of 64-2 is used. Is configured to be used.

  The configuration for checking whether or not the upper limit number of prints in Embodiment 1 is exceeded is a configuration for checking whether or not the total print number of the print job does not exceed the upper limit number of prints for each print job. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15B, the total number of prints can be personalized, and the total number of prints 62-1 is compared with the upper limit number of prints 62-2. It is configured to check whether the maximum number of prints is exceeded. Since the total number of prints is sent to the personal server and updated after printing as will be described later, it is accumulated across different print jobs. Similarly, the total number of prints is accumulated across different print jobs printed by different printers sharing the same personalization information. Therefore, a certain user can print until the total number of print jobs of all print jobs in all printers sharing the same personalization information exceeds the upper limit, but cannot print when the number exceeds. ing.

  Next, the exchange of personalized information in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining exchange of personalized information according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  When a description instructing personalization is found in the print job, as shown in FIG. 16A, first, the printer controller 41 sends a personalization server 3-1 having a certain network address 64-1 to the printer controller 41. Device ID information 64-2, model ID information 64-3, model group ID information 64-4, user ID information 64-5, and password 64-6 are sent. As the network address 64-1 of the personalization server 3-1, the one acquired as part of the user ID information described in the print job is used. The device ID information 64-2 is information for uniquely identifying each device, and specifically, the network address of the printer controller 41 itself is used. The model ID information 64-3 indicates that the model of the same printer is 1, for example, 1 for a printer of model X of company A, 2 for a printer of model Y of company A, and 3 for a printer of model Z of company B. It is information to identify. The model group ID information 64-4 is information for identifying a model group, such as 1 for a copier, 2 for a facsimile machine, and 3 for a printer. The user ID information 64-5 is information for uniquely identifying the current user who has transmitted the print job currently being processed. The password 64-6 is information for authenticating whether or not the user who transmitted the print job is a valid user, and uses the password acquired as part of the user ID information described in the print job.

  Upon receiving the user ID information and the like from the printer controller 41, the personalization server 3-1 first checks the sent user ID information and password. When it is confirmed that the user is a valid user, personalized information stored for each user device managed by the personalization server 3-1 is extracted. Then, personalization information as shown in FIG. 16B is sent back to the printer controller 41. As shown in FIG. 16B, the personalization information of the second embodiment includes the current user's total print number 65-1, the current user's maximum print number 65-2, the current user's usable function list 65-3, It consists of a font data group 65-4 for the current user, cover sheet image data 65-5 for the current user, and form image data group 65-6 for the current user. The printer controller 41 realizes personalization by copying the sent personalization information to the storage areas 62-1 to 6-6 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the print job is completed, as shown in FIG. 16C, the printer controller 41 sends the device ID information 66-2 and the model ID information 66-3 to the personalization server 3-1 of the network address 66-1. , Model group ID information 66-4, user ID information 66-5, password 66-6, and the total number of prints 66-7 at that time are sent. Upon receiving these pieces of information from the printer controller 41, the personalization server 3-1 with the network address 66-1 rewrites and updates the personalization information for each device stored therein. However, the network address 64-1 and the network address 66-1 are the same.

  As described above, by exchanging personalized information with device ID information and managing personalized information for each device, it becomes impossible to share personalized information between multiple devices, but conversely for each device The advantage is that personalization is possible. For example, a familiar low-speed printer and a high-speed printer shared by a large number of people have different usages, so frequently used functions and usable functions may be different. In such a case, personalization was possible for each device. Is more convenient.

  As described above, the personalization server according to the first embodiment holds personalization information for each model group such as a copying machine and a facsimile machine, while the second embodiment holds personalization information for each apparatus. A configuration in which personalized information is held separately is also possible. This configuration is an intermediate between the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the same printer holds different personalization information for the model A and the model B, but the device A1 and the device A2 of the model A On the other hand, the same personalized information is held. This configuration has the advantage that personalized information can be shared between the same common models such as the device configuration, and different personalized information can be used between different models with different device configurations.

  As described above, by sending a plurality of ID information such as device ID information, model ID information, model group ID information, and user D information to the personalization server, it is left to the personalization server to determine what personalization information is sent. It is also possible. In other words, a personalization server that holds personalization information common to all devices by user only needs to make a determination based only on the user ID information. On the other hand, a personalization server that holds personalization information for each model group and for each user may make a determination based on model group ID information and user ID information. A personalization server that holds personalization information for each device and for each user may make a determination based on the device ID information and the user ID information.

  Next, processing executed by the printer controller 41 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the printer controller according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the description here will focus on differences from the flowchart of FIG. 12 of the first embodiment.

  First, in step S31, a print job is received. Next, in step S32, it is checked whether or not there is a personalization instruction. If there is a personalization instruction, the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, as described in FIG. 16A, the user ID information together with the device ID information and the password is sent to the personalization server of the network address designated in the print job. Next, in steps S34 and S35, personalization information including the total number of prints described with reference to FIG. 11B is received from the personalization server and written into each area for personalization. However, if the password sent in step S33 is not correct, the personalization information cannot be received and an error is notified instead. Therefore, in this case, the abnormal termination process in step S42 is performed. In the second embodiment, the process corresponding to step S16 in FIG. 12 is not performed. That is, the personalization item can be changed only by information from the personalization server, and cannot be changed during a print job.

  On the other hand, if there is no personalization instruction in step S32, the process proceeds to step S36, and the contents of the storage areas 61-1 to 61-5 in FIG. 15A are changed to the storage areas 62- in FIG. 2 to 62-6 and make each setting a common setting. In the second embodiment, in this common setting, restrictions such as permitting only black and white printing are made strict, and use in a non-personalized state is restricted, but this is not personalized. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that cannot be used at all. Next, in step S37, it is checked whether or not the function specified in the print job is compatible with the usable function list. If not, the abnormal termination process is performed in step S42. On the other hand, if it matches, the process proceeds to step S38.

  In step S38, the total number of print jobs to be printed is added to the total number of prints 62-1 shown in FIG. The total number of prints is compared with the print upper limit number 62-2 in FIG. 15B to check whether the upper limit is exceeded. If the upper limit is exceeded, abnormal termination processing is performed in step S31. On the other hand, if the upper limit is not exceeded, printing is performed in the set operation mode in step S39. At this time, when a font is designated, the designated font data in the font data group 62-4 in FIG. 15B is used. When form overlay printing is designated, the designated form image in the form image data group 62-6 is used. When printing of the cover sheet is designated, the cover sheet is printed using the cover sheet image data 62-5.

  In step S40, the number of actually printed sheets is added to the total number of printed sheets 62-1. Then, the total number of printed sheets 62-1 added with the number of printed sheets is sent to the personalization server as described with reference to FIG. 16C to update the total number of printed sheets in the personalization server. Next, in step S41, it is determined whether the printing has been normally completed. If the process ends abnormally, an abnormal end process is performed in step S42. On the other hand, if the process ends normally, a normal end process is performed in step S43.

  In the second embodiment, the plurality of personalization servers are dedicated servers, but a configuration in which a computer that transmits a print job also serves as a server is possible. In addition, a configuration in which each personal computer owned by each user serves as a personalization server for the user is also possible. In this case, each personalization server has only a single user's personalization information. As a result, there is no need to explicitly send user ID information to the personalized server, but since the personalized server identification information (for example, network address) itself represents the user ID information, it does not depart from the intention of the present invention. The configurations of the first and second embodiments have advantages that personalized information can be centrally managed, personalized servers are always present, and management information can be personalized. On the other hand, in the configuration of this other embodiment, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to create a dedicated personalization server, and each user can edit personalization information with his / her personal computer.

  In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, the I / F that receives the print job and the I / F that communicates with the personalization server have the same configuration. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a printer configured to receive a print job only from one external device through an I / F such as SCSI. In this case, a network I / F for communicating with the personalization server is required in addition to the SCSI-I / F that receives the print job.

  In the second embodiment, when personalization is instructed, all personalization information is acquired from the personalization server and personalized. However, this may be partially personalized only when necessary. Is possible. This configuration has the advantage that the communication time with the personalization server can be reduced by exchanging personalization information partially only when necessary. In particular, when image data such as a plurality of form image data is personalized as in the second embodiment, the amount of data is large. Therefore, the effect of shortening the processing time by not performing unnecessary personalization is great. Specifically, normally, as personalization information, image data such as form image data is not exchanged, and only when the form overlay print is instructed, only the instructed form image data is received from the personalization server. To do.

  In the second embodiment, a copy of all personalization information in the personalization server is also held on each printer side, and there is an advantage that it takes less time to access the personalization information. Can be configured to have only a part of all personalized information copies, or can be configured to have no copy at all. The former is a case where only the necessary amount is brought from the personalization server and held each time. With this configuration, a large amount of personalized information can be handled. That is, a large amount of personalization information only needs to exist in the personalization server, and each printer can receive only the necessary portion of personalization data when it is necessary, without being limited by the amount of memory in its own device. become. For example, the personalization server holds 100 types of font data, and the printer is configured to copy only 5 types of font data. In this case, the printer need only have areas for five types of font data. When new font data is required, the least used font data is deleted and new font data is copied to the area.

  On the other hand, the latter is a case where the personalized information is not stored in the memory in the own device, and the personalized information is obtained from the personalized server every time the personalized information is required. This configuration can also be realized, for example, by remotely mounting a file containing personalization information in the personalization server on the printer side and accessing the file from the printer side.

  In the second embodiment, the total number of prints itself, which is a part of the personalization information, is returned to the personalization server. However, it is also possible to return this increment and add it on the personalization server side. is there. That is, only the information necessary for updating may be sent to the personalization server and updated on the personalization server side. This method is necessary to accurately count the total number of prints, particularly when a print job for the same user is executed in parallel by a plurality of printers. In the second embodiment, the update is performed after the printing is completed. However, this is performed immediately after personalization, and the personalization server does not perform personalization for the current user of another printer until the update is performed. Is possible. In this configuration, particularly when a print job for the same user is executed in parallel by a plurality of printers, it is necessary to accurately check the upper limit number of prints.

Also, in the second embodiment, the total number of prints is personalized and the upper limit is checked as a personalized amount that can be used. The upper limit check is performed by personalizing the total print cost and the like. Is also possible.
[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the means for receiving a print job, the configuration of personalized keys for acquiring personalized information, personalized items, etc. The description is omitted by assigning the same number, and only the difference is described.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  First, the first point different from the first embodiment is that the image forming apparatus is not a printer but a facsimile apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is an image forming apparatus that receives and prints a print job sent from an external device connected many-to-many via the network 2, but the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment A facsimile apparatus 71 that receives and prints a facsimile job sent from another facsimile apparatus connected one-to-one via a public line.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the case of FAX reception, the facsimile modulation data sent via the public line 81 is returned to code data by the modem 80. The code data is once written in the image / code memory 76 by the CPU 8. Next, the CPU 8 performs decoding processing, and the raster image data is written again into the image / code memory 76. Next, the raster image data 77 read from the image / code memory 76 is sent to the image processing unit 74 where image processing such as resolution conversion is performed. The raster image data 78 subjected to the image processing is sent to the image forming unit 79 where image formation is performed.

  On the other hand, in the case of FAX transmission, raster image data 73 obtained by reading an original image by the image reading unit 72 is sent to the image processing unit 74 where various image processing such as resolution conversion is performed. The raster image data 75 subjected to the image processing is written in the image / code memory 76. Next, the raster image data in the image / code memory 76 is encoded by the CPU 8 using the MR method or the like, and is written again as code data in the image / code memory 76. Next, the code data read from the image / code memory 76 by the CPU 8 is written in the modem 80, modulated, and sent to another facsimile apparatus via the public line 81.

  Various settings for performing this image reading, image processing at the time of transmission, and transmission to another facsimile machine are performed by the user using the operation unit 14. On the other hand, various settings for reception from other facsimile machines, image processing at the time of reception, and image formation are performed by the user using the operation unit 8 or according to instructions in received facsimile data. It is set by personalization described later.

  Next, the second difference from the first embodiment is that the configuration of the personalization key for extracting personalization information is different. Also in the third embodiment, there are a plurality of personalized servers as shown in FIG. The personalized information is configured to exist as a personalized information file in each server. In the case of the first and second embodiments, the personalization key for extracting the personalization information is the user ID information and the related information, such as a password and device ID information. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, as a personalization key, a network address of a personalization server and a file name pair of files that hold personalization information existing in the personalization server are used.

  Next, a FAX print job and personalization key acquisition method will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a FAX print job and personalization key acquisition method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in the figure, before normal facsimile data 92 is transmitted, a personalize key 91 is sent as header information from the transmission side to the facsimile apparatus 71 which is a reception apparatus. As described above, the personalization key 91 is composed of a pair of a network address of a personalization server and a file name of a file that holds personalization information existing in the personalization server. The facsimile machine 71 accesses the personalization server based on the personalization key 91 and extracts personalization information.

  Next, the third point different from the first embodiment is that personalization is performed by script format information instead of personalization by list format information. In the first embodiment, personalization information including various setting values is obtained from a personalization server, and the operation of the image forming apparatus is changed based on the personalization information. That is, in the control program of the image forming apparatus, a plurality of control methods are prepared in advance, and one of them is selected and used according to the content of the personalized information. This method has an advantage that only a small amount of information of various setting values needs to be sent as personalized information. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, a script describing a personalized control method is received from the personalization server, and the control program interprets and executes the script to perform control. By adopting such a method, the control method itself can be personalized, and there is an advantage that the degree of freedom for personalization is increased.

  Next, the exchange of personalized information in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining exchange of personalized information according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  When a description instructing personalization is found in the received facsimile job, as shown in FIG. 20A, first, the facsimile apparatus 71 sends a personalization server 3 having the network address 93-1 indicated in the facsimile data. The personalized file name 93-2 designated in the facsimile data is sent. Next, the personalization server 3 that has received the personalized file name 93-2 from the facsimile apparatus 71 extracts the personalized information held in the personalized file. Then, as shown in FIG. 20B, personalization information is sent back to the printer controller 41. As shown in FIG. 20B, the personalized information according to the third embodiment includes a processing script 94-1 when the current user is normally terminated and a processing script 94-2 when the current user is abnormal. The facsimile machine 71 realizes personalization by copying the sent personalization information to each area (not shown) in the volatile RAM 10.

  Next, a processing script at the normal end and a processing script at the time of occurrence of an abnormality in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a processing script at the normal end and a processing script at the occurrence of an abnormality according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 21A shows a first example of a processing script at the normal end.

  L201 declares the start of the script. L202 is “kadowaki @ xxx. canon. co. This is an instruction to mail a normal end report to the user “jp”. L203 declares the end of the processing script during normal processing. In general, the facsimile apparatus is used to send image data to a remote place, and the connection is cut off as soon as the facsimile data is transmitted. Therefore, conventionally, it has been difficult to confirm whether or not the transmitted facsimile data has been printed normally. On the other hand, in the facsimile apparatus of the third embodiment, it is possible to confirm whether or not the printing is normally performed by describing the mail address of the sender as the destination to be described in L202.

  Next, FIG. 21B shows a second example of the processing script at the normal end.

  L211 declares the start of the processing script at the normal end. L212 is an instruction to send a normal end report by facsimile to the telephone number “03-999-9999”. L203 declares the end of the processing script during normal processing. As described above, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B, the normal end processing can be personalized in the form of a script for each user.

  Next, FIG. 21C shows an example of a processing script when an abnormality occurs.

  L221 declares the start of a processing script when an abnormality occurs. L222 instructs to determine whether or not a serious error has occurred. L223 and L224 describe processing when a serious error occurs. L223 is “admin @ xxx. canon. co. “jp” is an instruction to mail an abnormal end report to the administrator. L224 is an instruction to send an abnormal end report by facsimile to the telephone number “03-999-9999”. That is, L223 means a process of sending an error report to the administrator of the facsimile apparatus 71 by e-mail, while L224 means a process of sending the error report by facsimile to the sender of the facsimile data. On the other hand, L225 is an instruction to wait until the error is cleared when an error that is not a serious error has occurred, and continue printing after the error is cleared. L226 means that the range of the IF statement in L222 has ended. L227 declares the end of the processing script when an abnormality occurs. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21 (c), the processing when an abnormality occurs can be personalized in the form of a script for each user. By using the script format, a flexible instruction as shown in FIG. 21C is possible.

  In the third embodiment, the personalized script is received from the personalization server, and is interpreted and displayed by the control program on the facsimile apparatus side, and the control is performed. The control program itself personalized from the personalization server is used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which control is performed by receiving and executing it. In this case, the received control program is placed in the volatile RAM 10 and executed by the CPU 8. This configuration has an advantage that personalization can be performed with a higher degree of freedom than the script method of the third embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the script cannot be edited from a remote facsimile machine connected by the facsimile machine 71 and the public line 81, but can be edited if there is an appropriate input unit or transfer unit. Further, a method of editing on a personal server or a method of selecting from a group of ready-made patterns prepared in advance by a manufacturer may be used.

  Next, processing executed by the facsimile apparatus 71 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the facsimile apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Note that the description here will focus on differences from the flowchart of FIG. 12 of the first embodiment.

  First, in step S51, a facsimile job is received. Next, in step S52, it is checked whether there is a personalization instruction. If there is a personalization instruction, the process proceeds to step S53. In step S53, as described with reference to FIG. 20A, the personalized file name specified in the facsimile data is sent to the personalization server having the network address specified in the facsimile data. Next, in steps S54 and S55, personalization information composed of the personalized script described in FIG. 22B is received from the personalization server, and written into each storage area (not shown) in the volatile RAM 10 for personalization. I do.

  On the other hand, if there is no personalization instruction in step S52, the process proceeds to step S56, where a default script is copied to each area (not shown) in the volatile RAM 10, and each setting is made common. Next, in step S57, printing is performed in the set operation mode. In step S58, it is determined whether or not normal termination has been completed. In the case of normal termination, in step S59, processing is performed according to the processing script for normal termination as described with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, if an abnormality has occurred, processing is performed in step S60 according to the processing script upon occurrence of the abnormality as described with reference to FIG. Next, in step S61, it is determined whether or not an error release wait is instructed by the processing script when an abnormality occurs. If an error release wait is instructed, the process proceeds to step S62, waits for the error to be released, and then returns to step S57 to continue the printing process. On the other hand, if the error wait is not instructed, the process proceeds to step S51.

  In the third embodiment, as a personalization key, a pair of a network address of a personalization server and a file name of a file that holds personalization information existing in the personalization server is used. It is also possible to use a format such as (Resource Locator). It is also possible to use a single personalization server network address or a single file name of a file that holds personalization information in a single personalization server as a personalization key.

In the third embodiment, the facsimile job is sent from another facsimile apparatus connected one-to-one via the public line 81. On the other hand, the present invention can also be applied to a facsimile machine that can receive facsimile data from another facsimile machine 5 connected many-to-many via the network 2. In this case, facsimile data that has been encoded by the MR method or the like flows on the network 2, and a so-called LAN facsimile can be realized.
[Other Embodiments]
In the first to third embodiments described above, the color printer and the monochrome facsimile apparatus have been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a monochrome printer and a color facsimile apparatus. In general, a color apparatus has more functions and more setting items that can be personalized by the user, and thus the effect of the present invention is greater.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the raster image data is held in the image memory. However, for example, the compressed raster image data may be held and printed while being decompressed. Is possible.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the user ID information of the user who created the print job described in the print job and the user ID information of the user who transmitted the print job are obtained. Other information may be used as long as it can be uniquely identified. For example, the configuration may be such that the identification information of the computer that sent the print job is substituted for the user ID information, or the network address of the computer that sent the print job is substituted for the user ID information.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, a case has been described in which a normal image forming apparatus that forms an image on a paper-like recording medium is personalized based on a print job received from an external apparatus. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus having various modes. For example, the present invention can be applied to a film recorder that receives a print job and forms an image on a photographic film.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, each device is connected using a bus-type network. However, any other type may be used as long as a plurality of devices can be connected to the wired network. Instead of connecting with a wireless connection, a wireless connection may be used.

  In Embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the personalization server is configured by one dedicated server or a plurality of dedicated servers. However, in addition to this, a configuration in which one printer or facsimile is also used as the personalization server. Is also possible.

  As described above, according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention, various settings of the image forming apparatus are intensively held for each user in the personalization server outside the apparatus. When an apparatus uses an apparatus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of significantly improving the operability for the user by receiving various settings for the user from the personalization server and personalizing the settings of the apparatus. There is an effect that can be done.

  Specifically, the settings that can be instructed to each printer can be user-specific settings for each user, the setting values for different image forming apparatuses can be the same, and are difficult to store in the past. As a result, a large amount of setting data and image data can be stored.

  Note that the present invention can be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.) comprising a single device. You may apply to.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing 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. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  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.

  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. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  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 board is based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU of the function expansion unit or the like performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the PDL data which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the PDL data which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the PDL data which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the PDL data which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the PDL data which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the PDL data which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a message displayed on the operation unit of the printer according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a report that is printed when a print job according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention ends normally or abnormally or is sent by e-mail. It is a figure for demonstrating the various setting data which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating exchange of the personalization information which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the form overlay function which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the various setting data which concern on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating exchange of the personalization information which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the printer controller according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the acquisition method of the FAX print job and personalization key which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating exchange of the personalization information which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the processing script at the time of the normal end which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, and the processing script at the time of abnormality occurrence. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with the facsimile apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Network 3 Personalization server 4 Copy machine 5 Fax machine 6 Printer 7 External interface 8 CPU
9 ROM
10 Volatile RAM
10-1 Full page image memory 10-2 Work memory 11 Printer interface 12 Raster image data 13 Image forming unit 14 Operation unit 15 Printer communication unit 17 CPU bus 17-1, 17-2 Computer 18 Non-volatile RAM

Claims (28)

An image forming system in which a server and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
At least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses includes :
Forming means for forming an image based on image forming information;
Accepting means for accepting a user ID capable of specifying a user;
User ID transmission means for transmitting the user ID received by the reception means to the server;
With
The server,
User ID receiving means for receiving a user ID transmitted by the user ID transmitting means from any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses ;
Setting information that is shared by the plurality of image forming apparatuses and that includes information indicating that at least use by a user is permitted for the function relating to the forming unit is associated with the user ID. Storage means for storing
A setting information transmitting unit that reads the setting information corresponding to the user ID received by the user ID receiving unit from the storage unit and transmits the setting information to the image forming apparatus that has transmitted the user ID among the plurality of image forming apparatuses ; ,
With
Further, the at least one image forming apparatus includes :
Setting information receiving means for receiving the setting information transmitted by the setting information transmitting means;
Based on the setting information received by the setting information receiving means, it is determined whether or not the function relating to the forming means can be used, and on the basis of the determination result, a control means for controlling the forming means;
An image forming system comprising: The image forming apparatus further includes a communication unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus via the network.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the accepting unit receives and accepts the user ID together with the image forming information from the information processing apparatus via the communication unit. 3. The setting information includes the information indicating that use by a user is permitted for each of a plurality of functions related to the forming unit in association with each other. The image forming system described in 1. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the function related to the forming unit is a color image forming function. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the function related to the forming unit is a monochrome image forming function. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the function related to the forming unit is a single-sided printing function. An image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network,
Forming means for forming an image based on image forming information;
Accepting means for accepting a user ID capable of specifying a user;
Transmitting means for transmitting the user ID received by the receiving means to the server;
Setting information stored in association with a user ID transmitted by the transmission unit in the server and shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses , and at least a user is permitted to use a function related to the formation unit. Receiving means for receiving setting information including information indicating that;
Based on the setting information received by the receiving means, it is determined whether or not the function related to the forming means can be used, and based on the determination result, a control means for controlling the forming means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Further comprising communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus via the network;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the receiving unit receives and receives the user ID together with the image forming information from the information processing apparatus via the communication unit. 9. The setting information includes the information indicating that use by a user is permitted for each of a plurality of functions related to the forming unit, and the setting information includes the setting information. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the function related to the forming unit is a color image forming function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the function related to the forming unit is a monochrome image forming function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the function related to the forming unit is a single-sided printing function. A control method of an image forming system in which a server and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
In at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information;
An accepting step of accepting a user ID capable of specifying a user;
A user ID transmission step of transmitting the user ID received in the reception step to the server;
In the server,
A user ID receiving step of receiving the user ID transmitted in the user ID transmission step from any one of the plurality of image forming devices ;
Setting information shared by the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and including setting information including information indicating that at least use by a user is permitted for the function related to the forming process is associated with the user ID A storage step of storing in a storage medium;
A setting information transmitting step of reading the setting information corresponding to the user ID received in the user ID receiving step from the storage medium and transmitting the setting information to the image forming device that has transmitted the user ID among the plurality of image forming devices ; ,
In the at least one image forming apparatus,
A setting information receiving step for receiving the setting information transmitted in the setting information transmitting step;
Based on the setting information received in the setting information receiving step, it is determined whether or not the function related to the forming step can be used, and based on the determination result, a control step for controlling the forming step;
An image forming system control method comprising: A method for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network,
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information;
An accepting step of accepting a user ID capable of specifying a user;
A transmission step of transmitting the user ID received in the reception step to the server;
Setting information that is stored in association with the user ID transmitted in the transmission step in the server and shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses , and at least a user is permitted to use the function related to the formation step. A receiving step for receiving setting information including information indicating that the
Based on the setting information received in the receiving step, it is determined whether or not the function related to the forming step can be used, and based on the determination result, a control step for controlling the forming step;
An image forming apparatus control method comprising: A computer readable memory storing a program for causing a computer to execute control of an image forming system in which a server and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
In at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information;
An accepting step of accepting a user ID capable of specifying a user;
A user ID transmission step of transmitting the user ID received in the reception step to the server;
In the server,
A user ID receiving step of receiving the user ID transmitted in the user ID transmission step from any one of the plurality of image forming devices ;
Setting information shared by the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and including setting information including information indicating that at least use by a user is permitted for the function related to the forming process is associated with the user ID A storage step of storing in a storage medium;
A setting information transmitting step of reading the setting information corresponding to the user ID received in the user ID receiving step from the storage medium and transmitting the setting information to the image forming device that has transmitted the user ID among the plurality of image forming devices ; ,
In the at least one image forming apparatus,
A setting information receiving step for receiving the setting information transmitted in the setting information transmitting step;
Based on the setting information received in the setting information receiving step, it is determined whether or not the function related to the forming step can be used, and based on the determination result, a control step for controlling the forming step;
A computer readable memory comprising: A computer-readable memory storing a program for causing a computer to control an image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network,
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information;
An accepting step of accepting a user ID capable of specifying a user;
A transmission step of transmitting the user ID received in the reception step to the server;
Setting information stored in association with the user ID transmitted in the transmission step in the server and shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses , and at least use by the user is permitted for the functions related to the formation step. A receiving step for receiving setting information including information indicating that the
Based on the setting information received in the receiving step, it is determined whether or not the function related to the forming step can be used, and based on the determination result, a control step for controlling the forming step;
A computer readable memory comprising: An image forming apparatus connected to a server and an information processing apparatus via a network,
Receiving means for receiving image formation information and a user ID from the information processing apparatus via the network;
Forming means for forming an image based on the image forming information received by the receiving means;
Setting information including at least information indicating that the function related to the forming unit is permitted to be used by a user, stored in association with the user ID received by the receiving unit in the server, and configured to form a plurality of images Requesting means for requesting the first setting information shared by the apparatus to the server;
Second setting that can be used by a plurality of users without being associated with a specific user ID, the setting information including information indicating that at least use by the user is permitted for the function relating to the forming unit First storage means for storing information;
First determination means for determining whether execution of a request by the request means is instructed in the image formation information received by the reception means;
As a result of the determination by the first determination means, if execution of the request by the request means is instructed, the request means is made to execute the request, and the first setting information is acquired from the server. Control means for controlling to read out the second setting information from the first storage means without causing the request means to execute the request when the request means is not instructed to execute the request; With
The image forming apparatus, wherein the forming unit forms an image based on the image forming information according to the first setting information or the second setting information. Second storage means for storing the first setting information acquired from the server together with the user ID by the request means executing the request;
When the reception unit newly receives image formation information and a user ID from the information processing apparatus, the newly received user ID matches the user ID stored in the second storage unit Second determination means for determining whether or not to do,
When the result of determination by the second determination means is that the newly received user ID matches the user ID stored in the second storage means, the control means Even if the determination unit determines that the request by the request unit is instructed in the newly received image formation information, the request unit does not execute the request from the second storage unit to the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the first setting information stored together with the ID is controlled to be read out. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a server and an information processing apparatus via a network,
A receiving step of receiving image formation information and a user ID from the information processing apparatus via the network;
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information received in the receiving step;
A setting information including information indicating that the use by at least a user the function of the image formation in the forming step is permitted, the association with the user ID received in the reception step in the server are stored, a plurality A requesting process for requesting the first setting information shared by the image forming apparatus to the server;
The setting information includes information indicating that at least the use by the user is permitted for the function related to image formation in the forming step, and the function can be used by a plurality of users without being associated with a specific user ID. A first storage step of storing the setting information of 2 in a storage medium;
A first determination step for determining whether execution of a request in the request step is instructed in the image formation information received in the reception step;
If execution of the request in the request process is instructed as a result of the determination in the first determination process, the request in the request process is executed, and the first setting information is acquired from the server. If the execution of the request in the request process is not instructed, the second setting information stored in the storage medium in the first storage process is executed without executing the request in the request process. A control process for controlling to read,
The method of controlling an image forming apparatus, wherein the forming step forms an image based on the image forming information according to the first setting information or the second setting information. A computer readable memory storing a program for causing a computer to execute control of an image forming apparatus connected to a server and an information processing apparatus via a network,
A receiving step of receiving image formation information and a user ID from the information processing apparatus via the network;
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information received in the receiving step;
A setting information including information indicating that the use by at least a user the function of the image formation in the forming step is permitted, the association with the user ID received in the reception step in the server are stored, a plurality A requesting process for requesting the first setting information shared by the image forming apparatus to the server;
The setting information includes information indicating that at least the use by the user is permitted for the function related to image formation in the forming step, and the function can be used by a plurality of users without being associated with a specific user ID. A first storage step of storing the setting information of 2 in a storage medium;
A first determination step for determining whether execution of a request in the request step is instructed in the image formation information received in the reception step;
If execution of the request in the request process is instructed as a result of the determination in the first determination process, the request in the request process is executed, and the first setting information is acquired from the server. If the execution of the request in the request process is not instructed, the second setting information stored in the storage medium in the first storage process is executed without executing the request in the request process. A control process for controlling to read,
The computer-readable memory according to claim 1, wherein the forming step forms an image based on the image forming information according to the first setting information or the second setting information. An image forming system in which a plurality of servers, information processing apparatuses, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes :
Generating means for generating image forming information including server specifying information capable of specifying any of the plurality of servers and a user ID capable of specifying a user;
Transmitting means for transmitting the image forming information generated by the generating means to at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses ;
With
The at least one image forming apparatus includes :
Receiving means for receiving the image formation information transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
Forming means for forming an image based on the image forming information received by the receiving means;
Setting information corresponding to the user ID received by the receiving means and including information indicating that at least the use of the function related to the forming means is permitted by the user is specified by the server specifying information. Request means for requesting the server,
With
Each of the plurality of servers is
Setting information including information indicating that at least use by a user is permitted for the function related to the forming unit, and setting information shared by the plurality of image forming apparatuses is associated with the user ID. Storage means for storing;
Notification means for notifying the image forming apparatus of the setting information stored in the storage means when the setting information is requested;
With
Further, the at least one image forming apparatus includes :
An image forming system comprising: control means for controlling the forming means in accordance with setting information notified from the server. The image forming system according to claim 21 , wherein the server specifying information is network address information of the server. An image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of servers and an information processing apparatus via a network,
Image forming information including server specifying information capable of specifying any of the plurality of servers and a user ID capable of specifying a user is received from the information processing apparatus via the network. Receiving means for
Forming means for forming an image based on the image forming information received by the receiving means;
The setting information corresponding to the user ID received by the receiving unit includes information indicating that at least a user is permitted to use a function related to the forming unit that is shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Requesting means for requesting setting information to the server specified by the server specifying information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the forming means in accordance with setting information notified from the server. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the server specifying information is network address information of the server. A control method of an image forming system in which a plurality of servers, an information processing apparatus, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
In the information processing apparatus,
A generating step of generating image forming information including server specifying information capable of specifying any of the plurality of servers and a user ID capable of specifying a user;
A transmission step of transmitting the image formation information generated in the generation step to at least one of the plurality of image formation devices ;
In the at least one image forming apparatus,
A receiving step of receiving the image formation information transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information received in the receiving step;
Setting information including setting information corresponding to the user ID received in the receiving step and including information indicating that at least a user is permitted to use a function related to image formation in the forming step, A requesting process for requesting the server specified by
In each of the plurality of servers,
Setting information including information indicating that at least use by a user is permitted for a function related to image formation in the forming step, and setting information shared by the plurality of image forming apparatuses is set to the user ID. A storage step of storing the information in a storage medium in association with each other ;
A notification step of notifying the image forming apparatus of the setting information stored in the storage medium when the setting information is requested;
In the at least one image forming apparatus,
A control process for controlling the formation process according to the setting information notified from the server;
An image forming system control method comprising: A method for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of servers and an information processing apparatus via a network,
Image forming information including server specifying information capable of specifying any of the plurality of servers and a user ID capable of specifying a user is received from the information processing apparatus via the network. Receiving process to
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information received in the receiving step;
Setting information corresponding to the user ID received in the receiving step, which indicates that at least a user is permitted to use a function related to image formation in the forming step shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses. A requesting step for requesting setting information including information to the server specified by the server specifying information;
A control process for controlling the formation process according to the setting information notified from the server;
An image forming apparatus control method comprising: A computer readable memory storing a program for causing a computer to control an image forming system in which a plurality of servers, an information processing apparatus, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a network,
In the information processing apparatus,
A generating step of generating image forming information including server specifying information capable of specifying any of the plurality of servers and a user ID capable of specifying a user;
A transmission step of transmitting the image formation information generated in the generation step to at least one of the plurality of image formation devices ;
In the at least one image forming apparatus,
A receiving step of receiving the image formation information transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information received in the receiving step;
Setting information including setting information corresponding to the user ID received in the receiving step and including information indicating that at least a user is permitted to use a function related to image formation in the forming step, A requesting process for requesting the server specified by
In each of the plurality of servers,
Setting information including information indicating that at least use by a user is permitted for a function related to image formation in the forming step, and setting information shared by the plurality of image forming apparatuses is set to the user ID. A storage step of storing the information in a storage medium in association with each other ;
A notification step of notifying the image forming apparatus of the setting information stored in the storage medium when the setting information is requested;
In the at least one image forming apparatus,
A control process for controlling the formation process according to the setting information notified from the server;
A computer readable memory comprising: A computer-readable memory storing a program for causing a computer to execute control of an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of servers and an information processing apparatus via a network,
Image forming information including server specifying information capable of specifying any of the plurality of servers and a user ID capable of specifying a user is received from the information processing apparatus via the network. Receiving process to
A forming step of forming an image based on the image forming information received in the receiving step;
Setting information corresponding to the user ID received in the receiving step, which indicates that at least a user is permitted to use a function related to image formation in the forming step shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses. A requesting step for requesting setting information including information to the server specified by the server specifying information;
A control process for controlling the formation process according to the setting information notified from the server;
A computer readable memory comprising:

Images