JP4628167B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints received data based on data received via a communication network, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that devised a printing process for data received by direct printing.

  In the conventional printing method, a user starts a necessary application on a personal computer, opens a file for printing, and sequentially executes, for example, “file”, “print”, and “execute” from the opened file data screen. By selecting, printing is started.

On the other hand, recently, a direct print function has been proposed in which data received from outside via a communication network is expanded as it is on the printer side and immediately printed out without opening such an application (for example, patents). Reference 1). In addition, a printer with a PDF (Portable Document Format) direct printing function connected to a communication network has been proposed in which a PDF file printing time is shortened in a combination of a network printer and a network terminal device (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-351537 A JP 2002-264440 A

  In conventional direct printing, received data is basically printed out immediately. However, a user using a printer having the direct printing machine function does not need to print out all received data unconditionally. Sometimes it is considered. Recently, there have been an increasing number of cases where direct mail and junk mail are sent using this direct print function. When such direct mail and junk mail are sent during business hours, Problems such as disrupting normal business operations occur. This problem is particularly serious for junk mail. In addition, when a large amount of direct mail or spam mail is transmitted at midnight or the like when there are no employees or managers, there is a problem that paper and ink are consumed wastefully.

  The present invention was devised to solve such problems, and its purpose is to receive various conditions such as print conditions and print forms of data transmitted as direct print via a communication network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that solves the above-described problems by enabling setting in the printing apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus with a direct print function that directly prints out data transmitted from the outside via a communication network, and is capable of printing received data. Is set in advance, and the received data is printed only when the setting means is set to enable printing of the received data. It is characterized by that. Specifically, it comprises setting means for presetting a day of the week and a time zone in which the received data can be printed, and a transmission source in which the received data can be printed. The received data is printed only when the data is received on the day of the week and the time zone set by (1) and when the data is received from the set transmission source. In addition, it is provided with a setting means for presetting the capacity of the data that allows the received data to be printed, and only when data less than the capacity set by the setting means is received. Print the data. In addition, the day of the week and the time zone in which the received data can be printed, the transmission source in which the received data can be printed, and the capacity of the data in which the received data can be printed are set in advance. Setting means, and when data is received on a day of the week and a time zone set by the setting means, and when data is received from the set transmission source, and further, the setting The received data is printed only when data less than the specified capacity is received. In addition, a day of the week and a time zone in which the received data can be printed, and a transmission source in which the received data can be printed are set in advance, and an output mode when printing the received data is set. It is provided with setting means for setting in advance for each format of data transmitted from the terminal device, and when the data is received on the day of the week and the time zone set by the setting means, and the setting is made Only when the data is received from the transmission source, the received data is printed in the output form set by the setting means. In addition, the data capacity that enables the received data to be printed is set in advance, and the output format when printing the received data is set in advance for each data format transmitted from the terminal device. The setting unit is provided, and the received data is printed in the output form set by the setting unit only when data less than the capacity set by the setting unit is received. In addition, the day of the week and the time zone in which the received data can be printed, the transmission source in which the received data can be printed, and the capacity of the data in which the received data can be printed are set in advance. And setting means for presetting the output form when printing the received data for each format of data transmitted from the terminal device, the day of the week and the time zone set by the setting means It is set by the setting means only when data is received and when data is received from the set transmission source, and when data less than the set capacity is received. The received data is printed in the output form. Furthermore, when the received data is received outside the setting condition by the setting means, the printing apparatus of the present invention confirms whether or not to hold the received data and is not set to hold. In this case, the received data is discarded, while if it is set to be held, the received data is held and notified that the data is being held, and the timer circuit unit is activated for a certain period of time. Starts measurement and performs print processing if a print instruction is input before the fixed time elapses. On the other hand, if the fixed time elapses without a print instruction being input, the received data held is discarded. It is characterized by doing.

  Here, the setting means displays a direct print setting screen, for example, on the display panel of the printing apparatus, and allows the user to set various conditions such as whether or not printing processing is possible by performing settings desired by the user. It is configured.

As described above, as a condition that can be set by the setting means , there is a condition setting for presetting an output form when printing received data. Here, the output form is an equal-sized print form in which data for one page is printed as it is as one page, a 2-in-1 print form in which data for two pages is divided into two pages and data for one page, and for four pages For example, a 4-in-1 printing mode in which data is divided into four pages as one page, and a double-sided printing mode in which data for two pages are printed on both sides of a sheet of paper, respectively.

  In the present invention, the setting means may be provided so that the output form can be set for each terminal device that transmits data. For example, the data transmitted from the external PC (terminal device) shown in FIG. 1 is divided into four prints, the data transmitted from the terminal device 32 is printed in two, and the output form is set for each terminal device. You may comprise so that it can do. As a result, for example, even when a large-capacity direct mail or spam mail is transmitted from the outside, it is possible to minimize the waste of paper and ink.

  In the present invention, the setting means may be provided so that the output form can be set for each form of data transmitted from the terminal device. For example, the output form can be set for each data format, for example, when the transmitted data is in the PDF format, the same size printing, and in the TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format, the printing is divided into two. You may comprise. As a result, for example, reference materials for meetings are created in TIFF format and divided into two parts, data such as reports is created in PDF and printed at the same magnification, and so on. It is possible to distinguish the output form according to the importance of the data by properly using it.

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to arbitrarily set the output form when printing the direct print data received via the communication network, so the output form of the data transmitted from the outside is, for example, If it is set to 4-split printing or the like, even if a large amount of direct mail or spam mail is sent by direct printing, it is possible to minimize the waste of paper and ink. Moreover, since an output form can be set for every terminal device, an optimal output form can be set according to the transmission situation of the terminal device on the transmission side. Furthermore, since the output form can be set for each data format, if the format created according to the importance of the data is properly used, the output form can be properly used according to this. In addition, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, since it is configured to notify the person in charge that the received data is being held in advance, it is data that should not be discarded originally In addition, the person in charge who has received the notification can go to the device and confirm this to determine whether or not to print.

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

  In the present embodiment, a case where the printing apparatus of the present invention is installed in a digital multi-function peripheral will be described. FIG. 1 shows an outline of the electrical configuration of such a digital multi-function peripheral and the connection relationship with peripheral devices.

  First, the electrical configuration of the digital multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes an image reading unit 2, an operation unit 4, an image forming unit 6, a device control unit 8, a FAX modem 9, a communication unit 10, a management unit 11, an erasing unit 12, a hard disk ( HD) 13, a clock unit 14, and a timer circuit unit 15. In other words, the digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a combined machine of a FAX and a network printer.

  The image reading unit 2 includes a CCD 2a, a document detection sensor 2b, and the like.

  The operation unit 4 includes an input unit 4a composed of various function buttons such as a touch panel and mechanical keys described later, and a display unit 4b composed of a display panel such as a liquid crystal. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the operation unit 4. The display unit 4b has a structure in which a transparent touch panel 42 is arranged on the upper surface of the display panel 41. Various function buttons 42 and a numeric keypad 43 are arranged next to the display unit 4b (right side in the figure). Yes. Further, a start button, a full release (CA) button, and a clear (C) button are arranged on the right side of the numeric keypad 43.

  The image forming unit 6 includes an image processing unit 6a having a working memory 6b for developing print data, and encrypts the data and temporarily saves (saves) the data to the hard disk 13 in order to protect the data coming from outside. And an encryption / decryption unit 6c that decrypts the data saved in the hard disk 13 and passes the decrypted data to the image processing unit 6a, a printing unit 6d having a laser scanning unit (LSU), and the like.

  The device control unit 8 is a part that manages operation control of the entire device, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The management unit 11 is a part that manages information necessary for the operation of the device. For example, in terms of transmission / reception, the management unit 11 manages a mail address, a FAX telephone number, and the like. In addition, it is necessary for the operation of the device, such as management of position information (address information) of data temporarily saved in the hard disk 13 and management of position information of data output to the printer when operating in the printer mode. Information is managed collectively. It also manages various setting conditions set by the user, such as whether or not direct print data can be printed.

  The communication unit 10 is a communication unit that performs bidirectional communication with the network 21. In this embodiment, the communication unit 10 is a printer board that includes a memory for expanding received data into data that can be handled by the device. Accordingly, the communication unit 10 sequentially transfers the received data to the working memory 6b while developing the data on the memory.

  The erasing unit 12 performs processing for deleting data temporarily saved in the hard disk 13 under the control of the device control unit 8. Further, the clock unit 14 measures the current time, and the timer circuit unit 15 measures a certain time, which will be described later.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral 1 having the above-described configuration, a facsimile machine 31 managed by, for example, an administrator can be connected to the FAX modem 9 via a telephone line 22, and a network 21 such as a LAN is connected to the communication unit 10. Terminal devices (personal computers) 32, 33 and the like are connected through the Internet, and an Internet FAX 34 and an external personal computer 35 can be connected through the Internet 23. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 of this embodiment is arranged in such a network environment.

  In addition, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of receiving an output instruction from a printer driver of each of the terminal devices 32 and 33 connected to the network 21 such as a LAN and performing a printing process, and outputting in a predetermined data format It has both functions of receiving an instruction and performing printing processing by direct printing. In the digital multi-function peripheral 1 of the present embodiment, settings such as whether to enable or disable the direct print function in an operating environment in which an output instruction from a printer driver is received and print processing in a local area is executed, It is possible to set print processing conditions when the direct print function is enabled.

<Description of the procedure for setting the print processing conditions for direct printing to the device>
Here, as a pre-process for automatically setting the print processing conditions for direct printing by the device control unit 8, a procedure for the user to set the printing conditions for direct printing in the device will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be specifically described.

  When setting the printing conditions for direct printing in the device, first, the user presses the function button 42a labeled “user setting” in the input unit 4a shown in FIG. As a result, the user setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 4b. This user setting screen is a screen for setting the operation of the device. “Total used number display”, “Screen contrast”, “Data list print”, “Date / time setting”, “Paper tray setting”, “ Various setting keys such as “register partner” are prepared. However, since these contents are not requirements of the present invention, description thereof is omitted here. The user setting screen also includes touch keys labeled “key operator program” for performing more detailed settings. Therefore, when the user touches the touch key 41a described as “key operator program”, the setting screen of the user setting / key operator program shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 4b. In this setting screen, for example, a 5-digit code is required to be input. As shown in FIG. 5, when the codes are sequentially input to the code input window 41b, the display unit 4b displays the toe shown in FIG. The operator program setting screen is displayed. However, this setting screen is a screen operated mainly by a device administrator (an administrator who has the authority to manage the device), a serviceman, and the like, and is not a screen handled by a general user.

  On this setting screen, “Department Management”, “Energy Saving Setting”, “Operation Setting”, “Device Setting”, “System Management Setting”, “Copy Setting”, “Fax / Image Transmission Setting”, “List / Report Print” Various setting keys such as “Change key operator code” and “Product key input” are prepared. However, in this embodiment, since direct print condition setting to be described later is performed, only “device setting” is used, and therefore description of operations other than “device setting” is omitted. Here, when the user touches the touch key 41c described as “device setting”, a device setting screen of the key operator program shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  On this device setting screen, “Document detection device settings”, “Double-sided function use prohibited”, “Mail pin stacker use prohibited”, “Document feed device use prohibited”, and “Paper disc use prohibited” In addition, various setting keys such as “direct print setting”, which is a feature of the present invention, are prepared. Here, when the user checks the horizontal check window 41d labeled “Direct print setting” and touches the “OK” button 41e at the upper right of the screen, the direct print setting screen of the key operator program shown in FIG. Is displayed.

  In the direct print setting screen, a selection button 41f for selecting whether or not to permit direct printing is prepared at the top of the screen. Accordingly, when the user selects the button 41f1 described as “Yes” and touches the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen, all the direct prints are set, and the button 41f2 described as “No” is selected. When the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen is touched, all direct printing is prohibited. As described above, a device having a direct print function has a function capable of invalidating direct print itself. For example, a user using this device prints out all received data unconditionally. This is useful when you think you don't need it.

  On the other hand, a day designation button 41h for designating each day of the week from Monday to Sunday is provided in the lower row. Therefore, for example, if the button 41f1 for permitting direct printing is selected, then the day of the week to be permitted is selected from the day of the week specifying button 41h, and finally the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen is touched, All direct printing is permitted. In other words, all direct prints are treated as invalid for days not selected. Here, when the permitted day of the week is touched, if the display color is reversed, the user can visually confirm which day of the week has been selected, so that selection mistakes can be eliminated. In this way, by setting the days of the week when direct printing is permitted, direct printing is permitted on days when employees or system administrators work (for example, from Monday to Friday). By prohibiting direct printing on holidays where there is no system administrator (for example, Saturday or Sunday), a large amount of data (for example, mischief emails) sent when there is no one is printed by direct printing. Such a problem can be avoided.

  Further, an input window 41i for inputting a permitted time zone is provided in the lower part of the day designation button 41h. Accordingly, for example, the button 41f1 for permitting direct printing is selected, and then the check window 41i1 at the left end of the input window 41i is checked, and then the start time and end time of permission are continuously input, and finally the screen is displayed. When the “OK” button 41g in the upper right is touched, all direct printing is permitted for the time zone designated by the designated start time and end time. In other words, all direct printing is treated as invalid outside the specified time period. For example, direct printing is permitted during the working hours of employees and system administrators, for example, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and direct printing is prohibited during other hours. It is possible to avoid a problem that a large amount of transmitted data (for example, mischievous mail) is printed by direct printing.

  It should be noted that the button 41f1 for permitting direct printing is selected, the day of the week to be permitted is selected from the day designation button 41h, the check window 41i1 at the left end of the input window 41i is checked, and then permission is started. When the time and the end time are continuously input and the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen is finally touched, all direct printing is permitted for the designated time zone on the selected day of the week. That is, direct printing on a specified day other than the specified time zone is treated as invalid.

  Next, when the user touches the downward cursor button 41j on the right end of the screen, the direct print setting screen of the key operator program shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit 4b.

  On the direct print setting screen, an input window 41k for inputting the IP address of a terminal device that permits direct print is provided at the top. Therefore, the user inputs the IP address of the terminal device that permits direct printing into the input window 41k, and then touches the “Register” button 41m below it, and finally clicks the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen. When touched, all direct printing is permitted for data transmitted from the registered IP address. When a plurality of terminal devices to be permitted are registered, the input of the IP address to the input window 41k and the touch of the “Register” button 41m are repeated a plurality of times, and finally the “OK” button 41g on the upper right of the screen is displayed. Touch it.

  In this case, regarding the input of the IP address of each terminal device, in the present embodiment, a display window 41n for displaying a list of IP addresses is provided in the lower stage of the input window 41k. You may select from a list of IP addresses.

  Here, the IP address shown in FIG. 9 is an IP address whose IP address class is C class. That is, out of four fields of 3 digits (8 bits) separated by periods, network numbers are assigned to the first three fields (three from the left), and the node number is assigned to the rightmost field. Assigned. In the example shown in FIG. 9, only the network number is input. If registration is performed in this state, direct printing is permitted from all terminal devices connected to the network. Of course, if the node number is entered, even terminal devices in the same group connected to the same network can be set separately from terminal devices that permit direct printing and terminal devices that do not.

  Next, when the user touches the downward cursor button 41j on the right end of the screen, the direct print setting screen of the key operator program shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 4b.

  In the direct print setting screen, a selection screen 41p for selecting a data format for which direct printing is permitted is prepared in the upper part. Accordingly, the user puts a check in the check window in front of the data format permitting direct printing from the data formats displayed on the selection screen 41p, and touches the “OK” button 41g on the upper right of the screen. As a result, only when the data of the selected data format is received, the direct print is permitted. In the example shown in FIG. 10, only the PDF format is checked. Therefore, with this setting, direct printing is not permitted if the received data is in the TIFF format. In this way, by enabling the setting of a data format that permits direct printing, for example, daily reports sent from a sales person outside the company via a communication network and data exchanged with other offices, By determining the data format in advance, the daily report of these salesmen and data from other businesses can be surely printed. On the other hand, for example, data sent in the TIFF format can be ignored (discarded).

  Also, a setting screen 41q for setting a data capacity permitting direct printing is prepared below the selection screen 41p. This setting screen 41q is provided with a check window 41q1 for selecting whether or not to restrict the data capacity, and an input window 41q2 for inputting the maximum capacity when the data capacity is restricted. It has been. Therefore, when the data capacity is also subject to restriction, the user checks the check window 41q1, inputs the maximum capacity (allowable limit amount) into the input window, and clicks the “OK” button 41g on the upper right of the screen. Touch. As a result, the setting is made to permit direct printing only when data having a data capacity equal to or smaller than the set data capacity is received. In the example shown in FIG. 10, since the maximum capacity is set to 2 MB, if the received data capacity is 2 MB or more, this is ignored (discarded) and the printing process is not performed.

  Next, when the user touches the downward cursor button 41j on the right end of the screen, the direct print setting screen of the key operator program shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 4b.

  In the direct print setting screen, a selection screen 41r for selecting an output form when direct printing is executed is prepared in the upper stage. Here, in the present embodiment, the output form is an equal-size print form in which data for one page is printed as it is as one page, and a 2-in-1 print form in which data for two pages is printed in two parts as one page, This is a 4-in-1 printing mode in which four pages of data are divided into four pages, and a double-sided printing mode in which two pages of data are printed on both sides of one sheet. Accordingly, the user selects an output form at the time of direct printing from the output forms displayed on the selection screen 41r, checks the check window in front of the output form, and clicks the “OK” button at the upper right of the screen. Touch 41g. As a result, the received data is set to be directly printed in the selected output form. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the same size printing form is checked. Therefore, with this setting, the received data is printed as it is at the same magnification.

  Next, when the user touches the downward cursor button 41j on the right end of the screen, the direct print setting screen of the key operator program shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display unit 4b.

  This direct print setting screen is a setting screen for setting how to handle data when direct print data is received. Specifically, a setting window 41s1 that is set to so-called conventional direct printing, which is printed together with reception, is temporarily held without printing, and then the user goes to the front of the apparatus to print by directly inputting a printing instruction. The setting window 41s2 is set to be set as described above, and the setting window 41s3 is set to be discarded without printing.

  Accordingly, when the user checks the setting window 41s1 and touches the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen, the setting is such that data received by direct printing is immediately printed as before. Further, when the user checks the setting window 41s2 and touches the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen, all the data received by direct printing is temporarily held, and then is set to print according to the user's print instruction.

  Further, when the user checks the setting window 41s3 and touches the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen, all the data received by direct printing is set to be discarded. Note that when direct printing is invalidated and all received data is discarded, the user (employee, system administrator, etc.) cannot grasp that the discarded data itself exists. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, in this embodiment, the communication history (reception log) of all received data may be stored in the management unit 11. In this case, the discarded data may be left with information indicating that it has been discarded.

  8 to 12 described above, the day setting shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, the IP address setting shown in FIG. 9, the data format setting shown in the upper part of FIG. The setting of the data capacity shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the setting of the output form shown in FIG. 11, and the setting of the handling of the direct print itself shown in FIG. 12 can be set independently and set in any combination. Is also possible.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a combination when the above settings are arbitrarily combined.

  For example, in the case of setting number 1, the button 41f1 for allowing direct printing in FIG. 8 is selected, then Monday to Friday is selected as the day of the week to be permitted from the day designation button 41h, and then the time zone input window Enter “9:00 to 17:00” in 41i, then enter “192.168.8.0” in the IP address input window 41k of FIG. 9, and finally enter the “OK” button 41g in the upper right of the screen. This is the setting content when touched.

  In the case of setting number 2, the button 41f1 for permitting direct printing in FIG. 8 is selected, and then Monday to Friday is selected as the day of the week to be permitted from the day designation button 41h, and then the IP address in FIG. "1928.0" is input to the input window 41k, and then the PDF format is selected from the data formats displayed on the selection screen 41p in the upper part of FIG. 10, and then the selection of FIG. This is a setting content when 2-split printing (2-in-1) is selected from the output forms displayed on the screen 41r and the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen is finally touched.

  Further, in the case of setting number 3, the button 41f1 that permits direct printing in FIG. 8 is selected, then “8: 00 to 20:00” is input to the input window 41i in the lower time zone, and then , “192.168.8.0” is input to the IP address input window 41k in FIG. 9, then 2 MB is input as the allowable data capacity in the data capacity setting screen 41q in the lower part of FIG. This is a setting content when the “OK” button 41g in the upper right is touched.

  In the case of setting number 4, the button 41f1 for allowing direct printing in FIG. 8 is selected, and then the month, Wednesday, and Friday are selected as the days to be permitted from the day designation button 41h, and then the time zone is selected. “8: 0 to 17:00” is input to the input window 41i, then the PDF format is selected from the data formats displayed on the selection screen 41p in the upper part of FIG. 4MB is input as an allowable data capacity on the lower data capacity setting screen 41q, and then 4-division printing (4-in-1) is selected from the output forms displayed on the selection screen 41r in FIG. This is a setting content when the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen is finally touched.

  Further, in the case of the setting number n, the button 41f1 for permitting direct printing in FIG. 8 is selected, and then “192.168.8.0 × xx” is input to the IP address input window 41k in FIG. Next, the PDF format is selected from the data formats displayed on the selection screen 41p in the upper part of FIG. 10, and then 2 MB is input as the allowable data capacity on the data capacity setting screen 41q in the lower part of FIG. Next, the setting contents when the same size printing (1 in 1) is selected from the output forms displayed on the selection screen 41r of FIG. 11 and the "OK" button 41g at the top right of the screen is touched at the end. It is.

  In the case of the setting number n + 1, the button 41f1 permitting direct printing shown in FIG. 8 is selected, and “192.168.8.0 × xxx” is then input to the IP address input window 41k shown in FIG. Next, the PDF format and the TIFF format are selected from the data formats displayed on the upper selection screen 41p in FIG. 10, and then the data allowed on the data capacity setting screen 41q in the lower portion of FIG. Enter 4MB as the capacity, then select 2-split printing (2-in-1) from the output forms displayed on the selection screen 41r in FIG. 11, and finally touch the "OK" button 41g on the upper right of the screen It is the setting contents when it is done.

  In the case of the setting number n + 2, the button 41f1 permitting direct printing in FIG. 8 is selected, and then “192.168.8.0 ×” is input to the IP address input window 41k in FIG. Next, select the TIFF format from the data formats displayed on the upper selection screen 41p in FIG. 10, and then input 6 MB as the allowable data capacity on the data capacity setting screen 41q in the lower portion of FIG. Next, the setting contents when the 4-division printing (4-in-1) is selected from the output forms displayed on the selection screen 41r in FIG. 11 and the “OK” button 41g at the upper right of the screen is touched at the end. is there.

  Further, in the case of the setting number n + 3, the button 41f1 permitting direct printing in FIG. 8 is selected, and then “192.168.8.0 · ΔΔ” is input to the IP address input window 41k in FIG. Next, the PDF format is selected from the data formats displayed on the upper selection screen 41p in FIG. 10, and then 1 MB is input as the allowable data capacity on the data capacity setting screen 41q in the lower portion of FIG. Next, the setting contents when the same size printing (1 in 1) is selected from the output forms displayed on the selection screen 41r of FIG. 11 and the "OK" button 41g at the top right of the screen is touched at the end. It is.

  That is, the case of setting numbers n to n + 3 is an example in which the data format, the data capacity, and the output form are set for each terminal device. In addition, it is possible to set the output form for each data format.

  In the above description, the data transmitted under conditions other than these setting conditions has been described as being configured to be ignored (discarded). However, if it is discarded uniformly, there will be a problem later. Therefore, for data transmitted under conditions other than the setting conditions, the data is temporarily held for a certain period of time (for example, 1 hour), and the data is discarded if no output instruction is input during that period. You may do it. In this case, the data sent by direct printing via the communication network may not be known by any user (employee, system administrator, etc.) receiving the data, so it is sent by direct printing. You may comprise so that the person in charge (for example, system administrator etc.) set beforehand may be notified that the received data is once held. As a result, when the data should not be discarded, the person in charge who has received the notification goes to the device and confirms it to determine whether or not to print.

<Description of processing when receiving direct print data>
Next, the processing operation of the device when direct print data is received when the printing conditions are set as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When receiving the direct print data, the device control unit 8 stores the reception log in the management unit 11 in order to leave a reception history such as the reception date and time (step S101). Thereafter, the presence or absence of the printing conditions set above is sequentially confirmed.

  First, it is checked whether or not the reception date is a permitted day of the week (steps S102 and S103). Here, the permitted day of the week includes the case where the day of the week is not designated at all in addition to the case where the day of the week is designated and set by the day of the week designation button 41h shown in FIG.

  As a result, when it is a permitted day of the week (when it is determined Yes in step S103), it is checked whether or not the reception time is a permitted time zone (steps S104 and S105). Here, the permitted time zone includes not only the case where the permitted time zone is input and set in the time zone input window 41i shown in FIG. 8, but also the case where the time designation here is not performed at all. It is.

  As a result, if the received data is received within the permitted time zone (if determined Yes in step S105), the terminal device that is the transmission source of the received data is then transmitted from the permitted terminal device. Is checked (steps S106 and S107). Here, the permitted terminal device (IP address) refers to the case where the IP address is not input at all in addition to the case where the IP address is input and set in the IP address input window 41k shown in FIG. included.

  As a result, in the case of reception from the permitted terminal device (when it is determined Yes in step S107), the format and / or capacity of the received data is then changed to the permitted data format and / or It is checked whether the data capacity is reached (steps S108 and S109). Here, the permitted data format includes not only the case where the data format is selected and set on the selection screen 41p shown in the upper part of FIG. 10, but also the case where no selection is made here. The permitted data capacity includes not only the case where the data capacity is input and set on the setting screen 41q shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, but also the case where the setting is not performed at all.

  As a result, if the format and / or capacity of the received data is an allowed data format and / or data capacity (if determined Yes in step S109), then the output format of the received data is set. It is checked whether it has been done (step S110). Here, the output form is the output form selected by the selection screen 41r shown in FIG. However, if it is not selected here, the normal output form, that is, the received data is set to be printed as it is at the same magnification.

  When the final output form is determined through the above processing (step S111), the printing unit 6d performs output (printing) processing in the output form (step S112).

  On the other hand, if it is determined No in each of the determination steps S103, S105, S107, and S109, that is, if the received data is received outside the set conditions, the received data is set to be temporarily held. (Step S113), and if it is not set to hold once (if NO is determined in step S113), the received data is discarded as it is (step S114). Exit.

  On the other hand, if it is set to hold once (if determined to be Yes in step S113), the received data is temporarily saved in the hard disk 13 and held (saved) and set in advance. A person in charge (for example, a system administrator or the like) is notified by e-mail or the like that the data sent by direct printing is being held (step S115). Thereafter, it is monitored whether or not an instruction to output the held data has been input (step S116), and the timer circuit unit 15 is activated to start measurement for a certain period of time (for example, 1 hour), and mail notification Thereafter, it is monitored whether or not a predetermined time has passed (step S117). If a print instruction is input from the operation unit 4 of the device before the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S116), the printing unit 6d is in a normal output form (same size printing). An output (printing) process is performed (step S112). On the other hand, if a predetermined time has passed without a print instruction being input (if determined as Yes in step S117), the held data is discarded (erased from the hard disk 13), and the process is terminated. .

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an outline of an electrical configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention and a connection relationship with peripheral devices. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an operation part. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations of the device when direct print data is received. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a procedure for setting print processing conditions for a printout in a device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a combination in a list format when direct print processing conditions are set in an arbitrary combination. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation of a device when direct print data is received when various print conditions are set.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital MFP 2 Image Reading Unit 2a CCD
2b Document detection sensor 4 Operation unit 4a Input unit 4b Display unit 6 Image forming unit 6a Image processing unit 6b Working memory 6c Encryption / decryption unit 6d Printing unit 8 Device control unit 9 FAX modem 10 Communication unit 11 Management unit 12 Erase Means 13 Hard Disk (HD)
14 Clock unit 15 Timer circuit unit 21 Network (LAN)
22 Telephone network 23 Internet 31 Facsimile device 33, 33 Terminal device (PC)
34 Internet FAX
35 External PC

Claims (6)

In a printing device that performs printing based on received data,
A setting means for setting in advance a day of the week and a time zone in which the received data can be printed, and a transmission source in which the received data can be printed ;
When data is received on the day of the week and time set by the setting means , and only when data is received from the set transmission source, the received data is printed,
When the received data is received outside the setting conditions by the setting means, it is confirmed whether or not the received data is to be held, and if it is not set to hold, the received data is discarded. On the other hand, if it is set to hold, the received data is held, notification of the hold is made, and the timer circuit unit is activated to start measurement for a certain period of time. When a print instruction is input before the elapse of time, a print process is performed, and when the predetermined time has elapsed without a print instruction being input, the held received data is discarded. Printing device to do. In a printing device that performs printing based on received data,
Comprising setting means for presetting the volume of data enabling printing processing of the received data;
Only when data less than the capacity set by the setting means is received, while printing the received data,
When the received data is received outside the setting conditions by the setting means, it is confirmed whether or not the received data is to be held, and if it is not set to hold, the received data is discarded. While
If it is set to hold, the received data is held and notified that the data is being held, and the timer circuit unit is activated to start measurement for a certain time, and the certain time has elapsed. A printing apparatus that performs a printing process when a print instruction is input before, and discards the held received data when the predetermined time has passed without a print instruction being input. . In a printing device that performs printing based on received data,
Settings that preset the day of the week and the time of the day when the received data can be printed, the sender that can print the received data, and the capacity of the data that can print the received data With means,
When data is received on the day of the week and time set by the setting means, and when data is received from the set transmission source, and further, data less than the set capacity is received. Only when the received data is printed,
When the received data is received outside the setting conditions by the setting means, it is confirmed whether or not the received data is to be held, and if it is not set to hold, the received data is discarded. While
If it is set to hold, the received data is held and notified that the data is being held, and the timer circuit unit is activated to start measurement for a certain time, and the certain time has elapsed. A printing apparatus that performs a printing process when a print instruction is input before, and discards the held received data when the predetermined time has passed without a print instruction being input. . In a printing device that performs printing based on received data,
The terminal device sets the day of the week and the time of the day when the received data can be printed, and the transmission source when the received data can be printed, and the output mode when printing the received data. It has setting means to set in advance for each format of data sent from
When the data is received on the day of the week and time set by the setting means, and only when the data is received from the set transmission source, the output form set by the setting means is set. While printing the received data,
When the received data is received outside the setting conditions by the setting means, it is confirmed whether or not the received data is to be held, and if it is not set to hold, the received data is discarded. While
If it is set to hold, the received data is held and notified that the data is being held, and the timer circuit unit is activated to start measurement for a certain time, and the certain time has elapsed. A printing apparatus that performs a printing process when a print instruction is input before, and discards the held received data when the predetermined time has passed without a print instruction being input. . In a printing device that performs printing based on received data,
A setting for preliminarily setting the capacity of data that allows printing processing of received data, and for setting the output form when printing the received data for each data format transmitted from the terminal device Means,
Only when data less than the capacity set by the setting means is received, while printing the received data in the output form set by the setting means,
When the received data is received outside the setting conditions by the setting means, it is confirmed whether or not the received data is to be held, and if it is not set to hold, the received data is discarded. While
If it is set to hold, the received data is held and notified that the data is being held, and the timer circuit unit is activated to start measurement for a certain time, and the certain time has elapsed. A printing apparatus that performs a printing process when a print instruction is input before, and discards the held received data when the predetermined time has passed without a print instruction being input. . In a printing device that performs printing based on received data,
The day of the week and the time zone in which the received data can be printed, the transmission source in which the received data can be printed, and the capacity of the data in which the received data can be printed are set in advance. And setting means for presetting the output form when printing the received data for each data format transmitted from the terminal device,
When data is received on the day of the week and time set by the setting means, and when data is received from the set transmission source, and further, data less than the set capacity is received. Only when the received data is printed in the output form set by the setting means,
When the received data is received outside the setting conditions by the setting means, it is confirmed whether or not the received data is to be held, and if it is not set to hold, the received data is discarded. While
If it is set to hold, the received data is held and notified that the data is being held, and the timer circuit unit is activated to start measurement for a certain time, and the certain time has elapsed. A printing apparatus that performs a printing process when a print instruction is input before, and discards the held received data when the predetermined time has passed without a print instruction being input. .

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