JP4631265B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that receives a print job via a network and forms an image.

In recent years, there have been remarkable developments in services using information equipment, and color image forming apparatuses having a facsimile function have been installed in many convenience stores. In addition, a mobile phone with a camera has appeared, and a photographed image is transmitted to another mobile phone with a camera, or is transmitted to a personal computer via the Internet.
Therefore, in the future, it is expected that a service such as printing an image transmitted to the image forming apparatus using an Internet fax mechanism on a paper medium by being photographed by the mobile phone and attached to an e-mail will be expected. According to this service, it is possible to print, for example, a landscape photographed at a travel destination.
JP-A-6-268845 JP-A-8-70381

  By the way, when the above service is implemented, it is expected that the user will make a request for collecting and printing some of the captured images on one sheet of paper. However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when a plurality of images are included in one transmission, it is possible to collect and print these images on one sheet (for example, Patent Document 1, 2), images transmitted over a plurality of times cannot be collected and printed on a single sheet of paper. This is because one print job is completed by one reception. Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, for example, it is not possible to collect and print images transmitted every time shooting is performed on one sheet.

This problem is not limited to the above case where an image is transmitted from a camera-equipped mobile phone to the image forming apparatus and printed. For example, this also occurs when a document created by a personal computer in an office is printed by an image forming apparatus connected via a LAN (Local Area Network).
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can collect and print separately received print job images on a single sheet of paper.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that receives a print job including image data via a network and prints an image on a recording sheet based on the received image data. Depending on whether or not the first code is present in the code group included in the print job, whether or not the print job is an aggregate print job that aggregates and prints a plurality of images on one recording sheet. An aggregated print discriminating unit for discriminating between them and a print job that has been discriminated to be an aggregated print job based on the second code included in the code group in association with each second code ; When a plurality of second codes are included in a print job that is determined to be an aggregate print job, the print job A job storage unit that stores in association with each of the two codes, the number of print images to be included in the print jobs stored associated with each same second code, an integral multiple of the predetermined aggregation number , The aggregate print instructing unit for instructing to print the corresponding image on one recording sheet for each aggregated number of sheets, and the print stored in association with each second code in the job storage unit A job deletion unit that deletes all print jobs that have not been printed when no print instruction is given even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last received print job in the print job. .

Also, a code acceptance portion for accepting a code input from the user, when the second code associated with the stored print jobs in the job storage unit, which matches the received code of the code acceptance portion, The print job includes a print permission unit that permits printing even if the number of images to be printed does not reach an integral multiple of the aggregate number.

In addition, when a third code as layout information is included in the code group of the print job received via the network , a plurality of images are displayed on one recording sheet according to the third code. It is characterized by having a layout changing unit that changes the layout when printing in a consolidated manner.

Further, the aggregate print instruction unit has a transmission completion code indicating that transmission of a series of print jobs is completed in one of the print jobs stored in association with each second code in the job storage unit. If it does, the number of print images to be included in the print job even if not reached the aggregation number, and instructs to print all of the image to be the print on one recording sheet It is characterized by that.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the number of images to be printed is determined in advance for a print job associated with the second code included in the print job even if the print job is received separately. Only after reaching an integral multiple of the aggregated number of sheets, it is instructed to print the corresponding images on one recording sheet for each aggregated number of sheets. It becomes possible to print every time.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image transfer system 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as “system 2”) based on the Internet fax standard.
In the system 2, mobile phones 4 and 6, personal computers 8 and 10, mail servers 11 and 12, and MFPs (Multiple Funtion Peripherals) 14 and 16 are configured to be connectable via the Internet 18. The MFP is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile. The MFPs 14 and 16 of this embodiment also have an Internet fax function.

For example, an e-mail addressed to the MFP 16 to which an image is attached is transmitted from the mobile phones 4 and 6, the personal computers 8 and 10, and the MFP 14 to the mail server 12. The mail server 12 performs Internet mail format data transfer to the destination MFP 16.
Internet fax transmission is generally performed using a dedicated fax machine compatible with the Internet fax transmission function. Here, a case where transmission is performed from the personal computers 8 and 10 will be described as an example. From the personal computers 8 and 10, an e-mail attached with an image file (image data) is transmitted as a print job. The image file to be transmitted is created according to the Internet fax format. Specifically, the image size, compression method, and the like are created in a form compliant with the RFC2301 standard.

  When the print job is an aggregate print job in which a plurality of images are aggregated and printed on a single recording sheet, a description according to a predetermined format is made in the body (body part) of the e-mail. In the Internet fax standard, there is no particular restriction on the description of the body part, so the body part can be used freely. Therefore, it can be used as a description column according to a format that is uniquely determined. In the present embodiment, it is used as a description column relating to aggregate printing.

The above format for a consolidated print job is
"(Consolidation specification), (Consolidation code), (Recording sheet size), (Consolidation number), (Transmission completion specification)"
The code groups are separated by commas [,].
As a first code, a character string “combine” is described in the first (aggregation designation) as an identifier indicating that the print job is an aggregate print job.

  As the second code, in the second (aggregation code), a 4-digit number is described as an identifier for identifying a print job for each job to be aggregated. The identifier is determined by the user, and print jobs to which the same aggregation code is assigned are regarded as a series of print jobs. Note that a plurality of aggregate codes can be described in one print job. In this case, the aggregate codes are separated by a slash “/”. The reason why a plurality of aggregate codes can be specified will be described later.

  As the third code, layout information (recording sheet size) and (aggregated number of sheets) are described in the third and fourth. Specifically, a character string “A4” or “A5” indicating the size of the recording sheet is described in (Recording sheet size). In (aggregated number), the number N of images simultaneously formed on one recording sheet (N is an integer of 2 or more) is described. Either can be omitted, and if omitted, the default value (A4, 4 (= N)) prepared by the MFP is used. Note that in this specification, N images are collectively referred to as “Nin1” to print N images on a single recording sheet.

  As the fourth code, a character string “End” is described in the fifth (transmission completion designation) as an identifier indicating that transmission of a series of print jobs designated by the same aggregation code is completed. Of course, the character string “End” is not described when the transmission of a series of print jobs associated with the aggregation code designated by the print job is not ended with the print job.

In the above format, for example, if “combine, 1122, A4, 8”, the print job is “combine” to indicate that the print job is an aggregate print job, and “1122” to indicate that the aggregation code is 1122. It is specified that printing is performed in an 8in1 mode on an A4 size recording sheet.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the MFP 16 that functions as an Internet fax machine. Since the MFP 14 has the same configuration as the MFP 16, the MFP 16 will be described as a representative here.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 16 includes a network control unit 20, a mail reception unit 22, a received job storage unit 24, a job management unit 26, an image printing unit 28, an image reading unit 30, a mail transmission unit 32, and a user interface unit 34. Etc.
The network control unit 20 performs transmission / reception processing according to the TCP / IP protocol.
The mail receiving unit 22 performs a receiving process according to, for example, a POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) protocol.

The received job storage unit 24 extracts necessary information from the received e-mail and stores (stores) it as a print job in a storage area (not shown in FIG. 2) on the RAM of the job management unit 26.
The job management unit 26 has a job table 36 shown in FIG. 3 and a box table 38 shown in FIG.

The job table 36 includes a job number. Are stored in columns for storing “application type”, “reception date / time (registration date / time)”, “aggregation code”, “number of pages”, “owner”, and “storage location”.
The “application type” column stores the type of application of a received job or a job registered for transmission.

The “reception date / time (registration date / time)” field stores the reception date / time for a received job, and the registration date / time for a job registered for transmission.
The “aggregation code” column stores an aggregation code when the received job is an aggregate print job.
The “number of pages” column stores the number of images (number of pages) to be formed or transmitted in the received or registered job.

In the “Owner” column, in the case of a job received in the email format, the sender of the email (email address), and in the case of a job sent in the email format, the recipient of the email (email address) ) Are stored respectively.
The “storage location” column stores a storage address on a RAM (not shown) of image data included in each job.

  The received job storage unit 24 extracts information necessary for each column of the job table 36 from the received electronic mail, and stores the extracted information in the corresponding column. The attached image data is stored in the RAM, and the storage location (address) is stored in the “storage location” column of the job table. In one print job, image data is stored in page order in units of pages (that is, in units of images).

The reception job storage unit 24 also performs a search to determine whether or not the code group starting with “combine” exists in the body of the received e-mail. If there is, the print job is an aggregate print job. The group information is stored in the box table 38.
As shown in FIG. Correspond to the fields “Aggregation Code”, “Latest Job Received Date / Time”, “Number of Received Pages”, “Number of Printed Pages”, “Size”, “Nin1 Information”, and “Reception Completed”. ing.

The box table 38 is a table for centrally managing (integrated management) information related to the aggregate print job for each identical aggregation code.
The “aggregation code” column stores the aggregation code of the received print job. If the same aggregation code as that of the received print job has already been stored, as will be described later, the information related to the print job received later is a column corresponding to the already stored aggregation code. Will be stored.

In the “latest job reception date and time” column, the reception date and time of the latest received print job among the print jobs with the same aggregation code is stored.
The “number of received pages” column stores the total number of received images (total number of pages) in the print job for each identical aggregate code.
In the “number of printed pages” column, the number of printed images (number of pages) among the number of received pages is stored.

The “size” column stores the size of the recording sheet to be collectively printed. The default value is “A4”, and if the received print job has “size” designation, it is updated with the designated “size”.
In the “Nin1” column, the number of images “N” to be formed on one recording sheet is stored. The default value is “4”, and if the received print job has an aggregate number “N” designation, the default value is updated with the aggregate number “N”.

In the “reception completed” column, a check “O” is entered when the transmission completion code “End” is included in the print job.
Next, processing when the print job is received by the received job storage unit 24 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
The received job storage unit 24 stores the image attached to the received e-mail and extracts necessary information from the e-mail. Among the job numbers of the youngest number, The above-mentioned information is stored in each column corresponding to (step S2).

If there is no character string “combine” in the body of the received electronic mail, that is, if the print job is not designated to be consolidated (NO in step S4), the process ends.
On the other hand, if there is a character string “combine” in the body of the received e-mail, that is, if the print job is specified to be consolidated (YES in step S4), the process proceeds to step S6, where the specified aggregation of the received print job is specified. It is checked whether or not the code is registered in the box table 38 (step S6). As described above, by executing step S4, the received job storage unit 24 functions as an aggregate print determination unit that determines whether or not the received job is an aggregate print job.

As a result of the check in step S6, if it is determined that it is not registered (YES in step S6), the box No. that is blank in the box table 38 is displayed. Of the box No. The designated aggregate code is registered (stored) in the “aggregate code” field corresponding to (step S8).
If registered (NO in step S6), step S8 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S10 to check whether layout information is included in the received print job (step S10).

If there is layout information (YES in step S10), the process proceeds to step S12 and the layout information is updated (step S12).
Here, the layout information update processing will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
If the paper size is specified in the layout information (YES in step S122), the “size” column of the box table 38 is updated with the specified size (step S124).

  If the aggregate number N is specified in the layout information (YES in step S126), the box table “Nin1” column is updated with the specified aggregate number (step S128). As described above, by executing step S12 (steps S122 to S128), the received job storage unit 24 functions as a layout changing unit that changes layout information. Through the above processing, the layout desired by the user can be set.

  Returning to FIG. 5, if the layout information update process (step S12) is completed or there is no layout information (NO in step S10), the process proceeds to step S14, where the page information is updated. In step S14, the number of pages (number of pages) attached to the print job received this time is added to the number of pages stored in the “number of received pages” column of the box table 38.

Subsequently, the “latest job reception date and time” column of the box table 38 is updated with the reception date and time of the print job received this time (step S16).
Then, it is checked whether or not the “End” code is included in the print job (step S18). If it is included (YES in step S18), a check “O” is entered in the “reception completed” column ( If not included (NO in step S18), step S20 is skipped and the process is terminated.

Returning to FIG. 2, the job management unit 26 manages print jobs while checking the box table 38.
The job management process will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, check the box No. to be checked. Is initialized to “0” (step S22), and the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the check box No. The value obtained by subtracting the number of pages in the “number of printed pages” column from the number of pages in the “number of received pages” column corresponding to, that is, whether the number of unprinted pages is less than the aggregate number “N” in the “Nin1” column. Check that.
If the number of unprinted pages is equal to or greater than the aggregate number “N” (NO in step S24), the job management unit 26 instructs the image printing unit 28 (FIG. 2) to print the target image (step S26). ). The images to be printed are images for N pages from the (number of printed pages + 1) page. That is, the job management unit 26 executes step S24 and step S26, so that the number of images to be printed included in a print job stored in association with the same aggregation code is set to a predetermined aggregation number N. Each time it arrives, it functions as an aggregate print instruction unit that instructs to print the corresponding image on one recording sheet. The job management unit 26 sets the “No. The check is made in order, that is, in the order of reception, and the number of received pages of the corresponding aggregate code is counted. Then, N pages from the page whose count value is (number of printed pages + 1) are set as print target images. The job management unit 26 instructs the image printing unit 28 (FIG. 2) to perform Nin1 printing of the print target image with the aggregated number N read from the corresponding “Nin1” field of the box table 38. Receiving the instruction, the image printing unit 28 forms the print target image on the recording sheet in the designated Nin1 mode.

  For example, when the box table 38 is in the state shown in FIG. When “0” is “0”, the number of unprinted pages obtained by subtracting the number of printed pages “0” from the number of received pages “5” is “5”. The images to be printed are for four pages from the (0 + 1) th page. In this case, from the job table 36 (FIG. 3), the job No. 1 page 2, job no. 1 page 3, job no. 1 page 4 and job no. The first page of No. 6 is to be printed, and as shown in FIG. 10, the images A, B, C, and D of these pages are printed on the “A4” size recording sheet 39 in a 4-in-1 manner.

  As described above, according to the MFP 16, even if the print job is received separately (job Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 6), the print job associated with the aggregation code “1122” included in the print job is Only when the number of images to be printed reaches an integer multiple of the predetermined aggregate number “4 = N” (in this example, 1 times), one image is recorded for every four aggregated sheets. Since it is instructed to print on a sheet, it is possible to print images of print jobs related to different receptions for each aggregated number on one recording sheet.

Returning to FIG. 7, if the number of unprinted pages is less than the aggregated number “N” (YES in step S24), the process proceeds to step S28, and it is determined whether or not the “reception completed” column of the box table 38 has been checked.
If checked (if not checked) (NO in step S28), even if the number of unprinted pages is less than N, the job management unit 26 prints an image for the unprinted page. 28. That is, when the job management unit 26 executes step S28 and step S26 and the code group includes an “End” code indicating completion of transmission, the job management unit 26 is included in the code group. The print job stored in association with the aggregate code functions as an aggregate print instruction unit that instructs to print all remaining unprinted images even if the aggregate number N has not been reached. Upon receiving the instruction, the image printing unit 28 forms an image of the unprinted page on the recording sheet in the Nin1 mode. In this case, although “N− (number of unprinted pages)” of blank space is generated on the recording sheet, the total number of images transmitted by the user (images received by the MFP) cannot be divided by the aggregate number N. Even if it exists, the remaining image can be formed on the recording sheet.

If it is not checked (YES in step S28), the process proceeds to step S30, and the "latest job reception date" column in the box table 38 is referred to determine whether or not 24 hours have elapsed since the latest job was received. (Step S30).
If 24 hours have elapsed since the latest job was received (if it is not within 24 hours) (NO in step S30), the job management unit 26 checks the box No. to be checked. The print job associated with the aggregation code corresponding to is deleted (step S32). In other words, the job management unit 26 executes step S30 and step S32, thereby performing a predetermined time (24 in this example) from the time when the last received print job is received among the print jobs stored for each aggregated code. When a print instruction is not given after a lapse of time, it functions as a job deletion unit that deletes a print job stored in association with the aggregate code. With the above processing, it is possible to prevent a part of the storage (storing) area of the MFP 16 from being continuously occupied by a neglected print job.

  Specifically, the box number to be checked is checked from the box table 38. Delete the stored contents from the “Aggregation Code” field to the “Reception Complete” field. Further, referring to the “aggregation code” column of the job table 36, in principle, all print jobs corresponding to the corresponding aggregation code are deleted. As an exception, when an aggregate code other than the aggregate code to be deleted is also stored in the “aggregate code” column (for example, in the case of job No. 3 in FIG. 3), that is, in one print job. When a plurality of (two in this example) aggregation codes are specified, the print job is not deleted, but only the aggregation code to be deleted is deleted. A case where a plurality of aggregation codes are designated in one print job is a case where a plurality of aggregation prints are desired. If it is desired to obtain an aggregate print of a plurality of copies, it is sufficient to send the print job as many times as the required number of copies, but this increases the transmission cost. Therefore, by using printing for each aggregate code, a plurality of aggregate codes can be specified by one print job (that is, by one transmission).

If it is within 24 hours from the time of receiving the latest job (YES in step S30), the check box No. Is incremented by one (step S34), and it is checked whether information is stored (step S36).
If stored (NO in step S36), the process returns to step S24 and the above-described processing is repeated. If not stored (YES in step S36), the process ends.

The image printing unit 28 that has printed the image in accordance with the instruction in step S26 notifies the job management unit 26 that the printing has been completed. Upon receiving the notification, the job management 26 performs print completion processing.
The completion process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
If there is a notification from the image printing unit 28 that printing of the aggregate print has been completed (YES in step S40), the job management unit 26 adds the number of pages that have been printed this time to the number of printed pages in the box table 38. (Step S42).

Then, the number of received pages and the number of printed pages are compared. If the number is the same (YES in step S44), the print job of the corresponding aggregate code is deleted (step S46). The print job deletion process in step S46 is the same as the print job deletion process in step S26 (FIG. 7).
If the number of received pages is different from the number of printed pages (NO in step S44), step S46 is skipped and the process is terminated.

  As described above, as a general rule, an aggregate print job starts printing when the number of unprinted pages reaches the aggregate number, and when all received pages are printed (that is, the number of received pages is an integral multiple of N, Once all these pages have been printed, they are deleted. Also, as an exception, if there is an instruction from a terminal (such as a personal computer), the remaining unprinted images are forcibly printed even if the number of unprinted pages has not reached the aggregated number, and the latest print job When 24 hours have elapsed from the time of reception, the print job of the corresponding aggregate code is deleted.

The above-described exception processing start instruction can also be made via the operation panel 40 of the MFP 16. The above process performed by the user interface unit 34 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The user interface unit 34 includes the operation panel 40 illustrated in FIG. 11, and a program corresponding to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9 is activated when the aggregate print key 46 of the operation panel 40 is pressed.

First, the user interface unit 34 switches a liquid crystal display with a touch panel (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 44 from an initial screen to an aggregate code reception screen (not shown) (step S50), and a four-digit number from the user. Waiting for input of a number (step S52).
If the clear key 52 is pressed without entering a number (NO in step S52) (YES in step S54), the user interface unit 34 returns the LCD 44 to the initial screen (step S74) and ends the process.

When a four-digit number is input from the user via the numeric keypad 42 (YES in step S52), the user interface unit 34 acquires a list of aggregate codes registered in the box table 38 from the job management unit 26. (Step S56).
The user interface unit 34 checks whether there is an aggregation code corresponding to the received 4-digit number in the acquired aggregation code list (step S58).

If there is not (NO in step S58), after a predetermined time (step S60) is displayed that “there is no corresponding aggregated code”, the screen is returned to the initial screen (step S74), and the process is terminated.
If there is (YES in step S58), the information in the box table 38 associated with the corresponding aggregation code is displayed (step S62). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the “number of received pages”, “number of printed pages”, “(recording sheet) size”, “Nin1 (aggregated number of sheets)”, and “reception completion check state” is there. Along with these displays, a “print” key 48 and a “delete” key 50 are displayed.

  When the “print” key 48 is pressed (YES in step S64), the user interface unit 34 presents the aggregation code received in step S52 to the job management unit 26 and that there is a print instruction. Is notified (step S66). Upon receiving the notification, the job management unit 26 instructs the image printing unit 28 to print a print job for the corresponding aggregate code. Since the processing related to the print instruction by the job management unit 26 is the same as that in step S26 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the “delete” key 50 is pressed (YES in step S68), the user interface unit 34 presents the aggregation code received in step S52 to the job management unit 26 to notify that there is a deletion instruction. (Step S70). Upon receiving the notification, the job management unit 26 performs a deletion process for the print job corresponding to the aggregate code. Since the print job deletion process by the job management unit 26 is the same as that in step S32 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted.

Either the process of step S66 or S70 ends, or the clear key 52 is pressed while neither the “print” key 49 nor the “delete” key 68 is pressed (NO in steps S64 and S68). (YES in step S72), the user interface unit 34 returns the LCD 44 to the initial screen and ends the process.
As described above, the user interface unit 34 functions as a code receiving unit that receives a 4-digit code input from the user by executing Step S50 and Step S52. In addition, by executing step S58, step S62, step S64, and step S66, it is determined whether or not there is an aggregate code that matches the received 4-digit code. The print job stored in association with each other functions as a print permission unit that permits printing even when the aggregate number N has not been reached.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the image reading unit 30 reads a document image according to an instruction given from the user via the operation panel 40, generates image data, and transmits the image data to the job management unit 26. The job management unit 26 stores the received image data and registers the destination information (owner) received via the operation panel 40 in the job table 36. The job management unit 26 outputs the registered transmission job to the mail transmission unit 32 at a predetermined timing. The mail transmission unit 32 performs an electronic mail transmission process according to the SMTP protocol. The above is a series of processes in the case where the MFP 16 functions as an Internet fax transmitter. Since this process is not the main point of the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described form, and for example, the following form is also possible.
(1) In the above embodiment, every time the number of unprinted images reaches the consolidated number (YES in step S24 in FIG. 7), the job management unit 26 performs aggregate printing of the aggregated number of images. The image printing unit 28 is instructed (step S26). However, there may be a case where the number of unprinted images is more than twice the aggregated number N at the time of determination in step S24 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In such a case, it is preferable to print the number of images divisible by the aggregated number N among the unprinted images. Therefore, if it is determined in step S24 in FIG. 7 that the number of unprinted images (the number of unprinted pages) is equal to or greater than the aggregate number, the job management unit 26 in step S26 in FIG. Among them, the image printing unit 28 may be instructed to print an image corresponding to an integral multiple of the aggregated number on one recording sheet for each aggregated number (that is, to perform aggregated printing). Absent.
(2) In the above embodiment, the case where a print job is transmitted from the personal computer to the MFP in the e-mail format has been described as an example, but the transmission source is not limited to the personal computer. The transmission source may be an MFP with an Internet fax function or a mobile phone with a camera. In short, any terminal device that can send an image to be printed attached to an e-mail may be used.
(3) It goes without saying that the expression of each code in the code group used as information relating to the aggregate print job is not limited to that of the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the code indicating that the print job is an aggregate print job is expressed as a character string consisting of “combine”, but as a different character string, symbol, number, or a combination of these. It doesn't matter.
(4) In the above embodiment, a print job from a personal computer is transmitted to the MFP via the Internet. However, a personal computer serving as a transmission terminal and an MFP serving as an image forming apparatus are connected to a local network (LAN). The present invention is also applicable when a print job is transmitted from the personal computer to the MFP via the LAN. In this case, the code group relating to the aggregate print job is described in the header part that constitutes the print job together with the image data, and the received job storage part searches the header part to search for the header part in the above embodiment. The same processing as in the case will be performed.

  The present invention can be suitably used for an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile machine having a function of collecting and printing a plurality of images on one recording sheet.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image transfer system. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP. It is a figure which shows a job table. It is a figure which shows a box table. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print job reception processing performed by a reception job storage unit. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the layout information update process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the job management process performed by the job management part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a print completion process performed by a job management unit when printing of an aggregate print job is completed. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the forced printing instruction | indication and forced deletion instruction | indication process performed by a user interface part. It is a figure which shows an example of a consolidated print. It is a figure which shows the operation panel which a user interface part has.

Explanation of symbols

14,16 MFP
24 Received Job Storage Unit 26 Job Management Unit 34 User Interface Unit 40 Operation Panel

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus that receives a print job including image data via a network and prints an image on a recording sheet based on the received image data,
Depending on whether or not the first code is present in the code group included in the print job, whether or not the print job is an aggregate print job that aggregates and prints a plurality of images on one recording sheet. An aggregate print discriminating unit for discriminating;
The print job determined to be an aggregate print job is stored in association with the same second code based on the second code included in the code group, and the print determined to be an aggregate print job A job storage unit that stores the print job in association with each of the plurality of second codes when the job includes a plurality of second codes ;
When the number of images to be printed included in a print job stored in association with the same second code reaches an integral multiple of a predetermined aggregated number, the number of images is incremented for each aggregated number. An aggregate print instruction section for instructing to print on a recording sheet of
Even if all of the unprinted print jobs stored in association with each second code in the job storage unit have been received for a predetermined time from the last received print job in the print job A job deletion section to be deleted when no print instruction is given;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A code receiving unit for receiving a code input from a user;
When the second code associated with the print job stored in the job storage unit matches the code received by the code reception unit, the number of images to be printed for the print job is the aggregation. A print permission section that permits printing even if the number of sheets does not reach an integral multiple of the number of sheets;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   When a third code, which is layout information, is included in the code group of the print job received via the network, a plurality of images are collected on one recording sheet according to the third code. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a layout changing unit that changes a layout at the time of printing.   The aggregate print instruction unit includes a transmission completion code indicating that transmission of a series of print jobs is completed in one of the print jobs stored in association with each second code in the job storage unit. If the number of images to be printed included in the print job does not reach the aggregated number, an instruction to print all the images to be printed on one recording sheet is given. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

Images