JP4675861B2 - Printing apparatus, computer program for controlling printing apparatus, and method for controlling printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that inputs a print job from an external terminal apparatus and executes or saves the print job, a computer program for controlling the printing apparatus, and a control method for the printing apparatus.

There exists a thing of patent document 1 as this kind of conventional apparatus. In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, a print job from an external terminal apparatus is received and input, the print job is stored in a hard disk, the print job is read out from the hard disk, and an image included in the print job is recorded on a recording sheet. Printing. Also, it displays whether the image of the print job is a color image, a black and white image, or a mixed image. If the image is a color image or a mixed image, the color image is displayed in response to an operation input instruction. When a certain period of time elapses after conversion to a black-and-white image or after saving a print job, the color image is automatically converted to a black-and-white image to reduce the amount of data stored on the hard disk and save the print data. After a long period of time, print jobs stored on the hard disk are deleted to effectively use the hard disk capacity.
JP 2001-309138 A

  However, the apparatus of Patent Document 1 is not convenient when a print job is temporarily recorded on a hard disk and then an image of the print job is reprinted.

  For example, when printing an image or the like of a print job in a hard disk, printing conditions such as double-sided printing and recording paper size are not displayed. Therefore, an image or the like is printed on a recording paper without knowing the printing conditions. Thus, there are cases where printing is performed against the user's intention. In addition, changing the printing conditions requires resetting the printing conditions from the external terminal device, which is troublesome.

  Alternatively, when it is necessary to distribute printed materials, use color images and monochrome images, use tray sources or media types, etc., it is necessary to reset printing conditions from the external terminal device.

  Whether the image of the print job is a color image, a black and white image, or a mixed image is written in the header of the print job. There is no need to analyze. On the other hand, the number of pages of the color image and the monochrome image, the print setting of each page (A4 paper for the first page, A5 paper for the second page, etc.) must be analyzed without analyzing the entire contents of the print job.

  However, since the apparatus of Patent Document 1 does not analyze the entire contents of the print job, the analysis result is not displayed and the details of the printing conditions cannot be known at all.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is a printing apparatus capable of confirming or resetting print setting conditions of a print job input and stored from a terminal apparatus, and a control computer for the printing apparatus An object of the present invention is to provide a program and a control method for a printing apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention receives a print job from an external terminal device, a printing device that performs or save this print job, the print data and the print data from the print job printing An extraction unit for extracting setting conditions ; a storage unit for storing the print data and the print setting conditions in association with each other; and reading the print data and the print setting conditions from the storage unit before executing a print job. a control means for displaying the print setting conditions to the display screen, and an input operation unit performing an input operation with respect to the print setting conditions displayed on the display screen, said control means, said by the input operation means When the print setting condition on the display screen is designated, a dialog for changing the designated print setting condition is displayed on the display screen. And, wherein the print setting conditions of dialog is changed, and updating the changed print setting conditions stored in said storage means by said input operation means.

Further, the control means divides a plurality of print setting conditions of the print job into a plurality of groups and displays them on a display screen, and when any of the groups on the display screen is instructed by the input operation means. A dialog for changing the print setting condition of the designated group is displayed on the display screen, and when the print setting condition of the dialog is changed by the input operation means, the changed print setting condition is It is stored and updated in the storage means.

The printing device control computer program of the present invention is a printing device control computer program that inputs a print job from an external terminal device and executes or saves the print job. An extraction step for extracting print setting conditions for the print data; a storage step for storing the print data and the print setting conditions in association with each other; and reading the print data and the print setting conditions from the storage unit Before executing a print job , the print setting conditions are displayed on the display screen. When the print setting conditions on the display screen are instructed by an input operation, the instructed print setting conditions are changed. A display step for displaying the dialog on the display screen, and the print setting condition of the dialog is determined by an input operation. When exposed, and a step of updating by storing the changed print setting condition in the storage unit.

Furthermore, the control method of the printing apparatus of the present invention receives a print job from an external terminal device, a control method for a printing apparatus for performing or save this print job, the print data and the print data from the print job printing An extraction step for extracting setting conditions , a saving step for associating the print data and the print setting conditions with each other and saving them in a storage unit, and reading the print data and the print setting conditions from the storage unit to execute a print job The print setting conditions are displayed on the display screen before the print setting conditions are designated on the display screen by an input operation, and a dialog for changing the designated print setting conditions is displayed on the display screen. If the print setting conditions of the dialog are changed by the display step and the input operation, the changed print setting conditions are Stored in the storage unit and a step of updating.

According to the printing apparatus of such a present invention, when inputting a print job from an external terminal device, extracts the print setting conditions of the print data and the print data from the print job, these print data and the print setting conditions When the print job is executed in association with the print job, the print setting condition corresponding to the print job is read and displayed. For this reason, prior to execution of a print job, the print setting conditions can be confirmed, printing contrary to the user's intention can be avoided, and useless printing can be prevented.

In addition, since the displayed print setting conditions can be changed by an input operation, a print job can be executed after promptly setting the print setting conditions according to the user's intentions. There is no need for troublesome work such as resetting print setting conditions.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the printing apparatus, but also includes a computer program for controlling the printing apparatus and a method for controlling the printing apparatus. The computer can implement the present invention by reading the program from the recording medium, receiving the program through a communication network, receiving the program, and executing the program.

  Examples of the recording medium include semiconductor storage elements such as mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and flash ROM, IC cards, hard disks, floppy disks, optical disks such as MO, CD, MD, and DVD, magnetic tapes, and the like. Other types of recording media may be used as long as they can be recorded.

  Further, in a system composed of a plurality of computers and the Internet, a plurality of processes can be distributed to a plurality of terminal devices. Therefore, the program can be applied not only to a single terminal device such as a computer but also to a system.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention. The printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can be broadly classified into a configuration, a print control unit 102 that records an image or the like indicated by print data, an operation panel unit 101 that performs operation input and display, and input / output of image data. Printer controller 110 that performs storage, processing, and the like.

  The print control unit 102 includes a transport mechanism that transports recording paper, a scan engine that reads a document image and generates print data indicating the document image, print data output from the scan engine, and print input from an external terminal device A print engine or the like that records an image or the like indicated by data on a recording sheet is provided, and plays a major role as a copier, printer, or the like.

  The operation panel unit 101 includes a plurality of operation keys, a display screen of a liquid crystal display device, etc., a touch panel superimposed on the display screen, and generates and outputs input instructions according to operation of the operation keys and the touch panel. Display setting information on the display screen.

  The printer controller 110 includes a CPU 117 serving as a control computer for the printing apparatus 100, a RAM 116 for storing various data and used as a work area, a ROM 115 for storing various data and programs, and the RAM 116 and the ROM 115. A memory control unit 114 that performs writing or reading control, an image processing unit 113 that processes print data, a command analysis unit 112 that analyzes various commands, and external terminal devices 151 and 152 such as personal computers via a network 150 A network interface 111 that performs data communication between them, a hard disk 118 that stores a print job, an HDD control circuit unit 119 that controls the hard disk 118, a print control unit 102, and an operation panel And an engine the interface circuit unit 120 for inputting data to and outputting data 101.

  The printing apparatus 100 having such a configuration is used as a copying machine or a printer. When used as a copying machine, a copy operation is mainly performed by the print control unit 102 in response to a print request by an input operation of the operation panel unit 101. In the print control unit 102, when there is a print request from the operation panel unit 101, the transport mechanism unit, the scan engine, and the print engine are activated. The scan engine reads an original image, generates print data indicating the original image, and outputs the print data. This print data is once taken into the print controller 110 side, subjected to image processing and the like, and then returned to the print control unit 102 and given to the print engine. The print engine prints an image indicated by the print data on a recording sheet.

  When the printing apparatus 100 is used as a printer, a print job from the external terminal apparatuses 151 and 152 is received and input to the printer controller 110 via the network 150. The printer controller 110 analyzes the print job, creates print job analysis data, temporarily stores the print job analysis data in the hard disk 118, and outputs the print job analysis data to the print control unit 102. The print control unit 102 prints an image or the like on a recording sheet based on the print setting information and print data included in the print job analysis data. The print setting information is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel 101 and may be changed by an input operation of the operation panel 101.

  Next, a control procedure when the printing apparatus 100 serves as a printer will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a print job input from the external terminal devices 151 and 152 to the printer controller 110. The print job 200 includes a print job instruction unit 201, page data 205 set for each page, and a print end instruction unit 206.

  The print job instruction unit 201 includes a user name and a print job name. In addition, the print job instruction unit 201 issues a command to issue a print instruction for the entire print job such as start of print job, single-sided or double-sided printing, number of copies, color mode, and monochrome mode. Contains.

  The page data 205 is set for the number of pages, and each page data 205 includes a page instruction unit 203 and print data 204. The page instruction unit 203 instructs a paper size and the like, and the print data 204 indicates an image of the page.

  A print end instruction unit 206 is provided following the page data 205 of the last page, and instructs the end of the print job 200.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of print job analysis data created by the print job analysis of FIG. The print job analysis data 300 includes a print job instruction unit 301, page data 305 set for each page, and a print end instruction unit 306.

  Similar to the print job instruction unit 201 of the print job 200, the print job instruction unit 301 includes a user name and a print job name. The print job instruction unit 301 is different from the print job instruction unit 201 of the print job 200 in that it includes a print setting condition table 310. The print setting condition table 310 indicates print setting conditions including the number of copies, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, color mode, monochrome mode, paper size information, paper type information, and the like. The print setting conditions include those extracted from the print job instruction unit 201 or the page instruction unit 203 of the print job 200.

  Similar to the page data 205 of the print job 200, the page data 305 is set for the number of pages, and each page data 305 includes a page instruction unit 303 and print data 304. Similar to the page instruction unit 203 of the print job 200, the page instruction unit 303 instructs a paper size and the like, and instructs the type of the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 100. The print data 304 is print data of the page, and is obtained by converting the print data 204 of the print job 200 into print data in a format used by the printing apparatus 100. For example, if the print data 204 of the print job 200 has a format corresponding to the display color of the display such as RGB, the print data 204 is converted into a format corresponding to the print color such as CMYK used in the printing apparatus 100. Thus, print data 304 is obtained. Alternatively, if the print data 204 is multi-value data, the multi-value data is binarized by dither conversion processing or the like, and print data 304 is obtained.

  The print end instruction unit 306 is the same as the print end instruction unit 206 of the print job 200.

  The external terminal devices 151 and 152 such as personal computers generate the print job 200 shown in FIG. 2 and transmit the print job 200 to the printing device 100 via the network 150.

  In the printing apparatus 100, the print job 200 is received by the network interface 111 and the print job 200 is input to the command analysis unit 112. The command analysis unit 112 analyzes the print job 200, extracts the print job instruction unit 201, the page instruction unit 203 and print data 204 of the page data 205, and the print end instruction unit 206 from the print job 200 and separates them.

  Then, the command analysis unit 112 converts the print job instruction unit 201, the page instruction unit 203 of the page data 205, and the print end instruction unit 206 into a communication command format between the printer controller 110 and the print control unit 102, as shown in FIG. The print job instruction unit 301 of the print job analysis data 300, the page instruction unit 303 of the page data 305, and the print end instruction unit 306 are stored in the RAM 116. At this time, the command analysis unit 112 extracts the number of copies, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, color mode, monochrome mode, paper size information, paper type information, and the like from the print job instruction unit 201 and the page instruction unit 203 of the page data 205. Then, a print setting condition table 310 in which these are arranged and registered is generated, and this print setting condition table 310 is added to the print job instruction unit 301.

  Further, the command analysis unit 112 gives the print data 204 of the page data 205 to the image processing unit 113. The image processing unit 113 converts the print data 204 of the page data 205 into print data 304 in a format used by the printing apparatus 100, and stores the print data 304 in the RAM 116. For example, the print data 204 in a format such as RGB is converted into print data 304 in a format such as CMYK, or the print data 204 in multi-value data is binarized and converted into print data 304.

  The conversion from the print data 204 to the print data 304 is repeated for the number of pages, and the print data 204 of all pages is converted into the respective print data 304.

  Then, the image processing unit 113 determines, for each page, whether the print data 304 is printed in the color mode or the monochrome mode, and the determination result for each page is used as the print setting condition table 310. Register with. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, for each page, it is registered whether to print in color mode or monochrome mode, or the number of pages printed in color mode and the number of pages printed in monochrome mode. Register.

  As a result, the print job analysis data 300 in FIG. 3 is generated in the RAM 116. The print job analysis data 300 is stored in the hard disk 118 through the HDD control circuit unit 119.

  On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 100, if the print job instruction unit 201 of the print job 200 received and input from the external terminal apparatuses 151 and 152 includes a print job start command, the print job analysis data 300 stored in the hard disk 118 is stored. Immediately start printing based on.

  The printing apparatus 100 reads the print job analysis data 300 from the hard disk 118 in response to a print job start command of the print job 200, and sets the print setting conditions and print data of the print job analysis data 300 to the engine interface circuit unit 120. To the print control unit 102. When the print setting condition and the print data of the print job analysis data 300 are input, the print control unit 102 records an image or the like indicated by the print data on a recording sheet based on the print setting condition.

  Such image recording control based on the print job analysis data 300 is performed by the CPU 117 reading and executing a control program for image recording in the ROM 115.

  In addition, after the print job analysis data 300 is temporarily stored in the hard disk 118, printing based on the print job analysis data 300 can also be started by an input operation of the operation panel 101.

  In this case, assuming that one or a plurality of print job analysis data 300 is already stored in the hard disk 118, first, all the print job analysis data 300 are displayed in a list on the display screen of the operation panel 101. After that, arbitrary print job analysis data 300 is selected, and the print setting conditions of the selected print job analysis data 300 are displayed. For this reason, the print setting conditions can be confirmed.

  In addition, such a selection operation and the like are performed by operating a touch panel superimposed on the display screen of the operation panel 101, which is easy to use.

  Controls such as displaying a list of print job analysis data 300 and displaying print setting conditions are also performed by the CPU 117 reading out and executing a control program in the ROM 115.

  For example, when a list display of the print job analysis data 300 is instructed by an input operation on the operation panel 101, in response to this, the CPU 117 refers to all the print job analysis data 300 in the hard disk 118 and is shown in FIG. Similarly, a list 400 of a plurality of print job analysis data 300 is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel unit 101.

  In this list 400, a serial number 405, a user name 406 included in the print job instruction unit 301, a print job name 407, and a page number 408 are displayed for each column 401 to 403 of the print job analysis data 300. In the page number 408, the number of print pages in the color mode and the number of print pages in the monochrome mode registered in the print setting condition table 310 are displayed. Further, a print key 409, a cancel key 410, and a scroll key 411 are displayed.

  The scroll key 411 is operated to sequentially switch and display the display of the print job analysis data 300 in the list 400 when all the print job analysis data 300 cannot be displayed on the list 400 at once.

  In the list 400, when the user designates the print key 409 corresponding to the serial number “3”, this is detected by the touch panel and notified to the CPU 117. In response to this, the CPU 117 retrieves the print job analysis data 300 corresponding to the serial number “3” from the hard disk 118 and refers to the print setting condition table 310 of the print job analysis data 300 as shown in FIG. A print confirmation dialog 500 reflecting the contents of the print setting condition table 310 is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel unit 101.

  In the print confirmation dialog 500, a column 501 of the print job analysis data 300 and a print setting condition display unit 502 indicating the contents of the print setting condition table 310 are displayed. In a column 501 of the print job analysis data 300, a serial number, a user name, a print job name, a page number, a print key 503, and a close key 504 of the print job analysis data 300 are displayed. The print setting condition display section 502 displays the number of print pages in the color mode, the number of print pages in the monochrome mode, the paper size, the paper tray, the paper type, and the like.

  The user can confirm the print setting conditions of the print job analysis data 300 by viewing the display of such a print confirmation dialog 500.

  After the user confirms the print setting conditions of the print job analysis data 300, when the print key 503 in the print confirmation dialog 500 is selected and instructed, this is detected by the touch panel and notified to the CPU 117. In response to this, the CPU 117 retrieves the print job analysis data 300 corresponding to the serial number “3” from the hard disk 118, reads the print setting condition table 310 and the page data 305 of the print job analysis data 300, and print settings. The condition table 310 and page data 305 are output to the print control unit 102. When the print setting condition table 310 and the page data 305 are input, the print control unit 102 records an image or the like indicated by the print data of the page data 305 on a recording sheet based on the print setting conditions of the print setting condition table 310.

  When the close key 504 in the print confirmation dialog 500 is selected and instructed, this is detected by the touch panel and notified to the CPU 117. In response to this, the CPU 117 deletes the print confirmation dialog 500 without printing the print job analysis data 300 corresponding to the serial number “3”, and returns to the list 400 of FIG.

  As described above, in the printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, when the print job 200 is received from the external terminal apparatuses 151 and 152, the print job 200 is converted into the print job analysis data 301, and the print job instruction unit 201 and the page instruction unit 203 are converted. The number of copies, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, color mode, monochrome mode, paper size information, paper type information, and the like are extracted, and a print setting condition table 310 that is organized and registered is generated. The determination result of the print data 204 is registered in the print setting condition table 310, and this print setting condition table 310 is added to the print job instruction unit 301. When printing based on the print job analysis data 300 is instructed by an input operation on the operation panel 101, the contents of the print setting condition table 310 are displayed on the display screen of the operation panel unit 101, and the user confirms the print setting conditions. So that you can do it. For this reason, the user can perform printing in accordance with his / her intention, and cancel printing if the printing is contrary to the intention, thereby preventing unnecessary printing.

  Next, a second embodiment of the printing apparatus of the present invention will be described. The printing apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the printing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, and receives the print job 200 from the external terminal apparatuses 151, 152, etc., as in the printing apparatus 100, and executes the print job 200. The print job analysis data 300 is converted into print job analysis data 300 and stored in the hard disk 118. However, the print setting condition display method after storing the print job analysis data 300 is different, and the print setting condition can be changed.

  When a list display of the print job analysis data 300 is instructed by an input operation on the operation panel 101, the CPU 117 refers to all the print job analysis data 300 in the hard disk 118 in response to this, and is shown in FIG. Similarly, a list 400 of a plurality of print job analysis data 300 is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel unit 101.

  When the user designates the print key 409 corresponding to the serial number “3”, this is detected by the touch panel and notified to the CPU 117. In response to this, the CPU 117 retrieves the print job analysis data 300 corresponding to the serial number “3” from the hard disk 118 and refers to the print setting condition table 310 of the print job analysis data 300, as shown in FIG. A print confirmation dialog 600 reflecting the contents of the print setting condition table 310 is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel unit 101.

  In the print confirmation dialog 600, as in the print confirmation dialog 500 of FIG. 5, a column 501 of the print job analysis data 300 and a print setting condition display unit 502 indicating the contents of the print setting condition table 310 are displayed. The difference is that the display items of the print setting condition display section 502 are grouped.

  In the print setting condition display unit 502, the number of print pages in the color mode and the number of print pages in the black and white mode are displayed as one group in the display area 601, and the paper size, paper tray, and paper type are displayed as one group. In the area 602, the cover designation and paper type are displayed as one group in the display area 603, the double-sided printing and the double-sided style are displayed as one group in the display area 604, and the page assignment and frame line are displayed as one group. This is displayed in the display area 605.

  The display areas 601 to 605 may be distinguished by display colors, by boundary lines, or by other methods.

  In the print confirmation dialog 600, after the user confirms the print setting conditions of the print job analysis data 300, when the display area 601 is selected and instructed, this is detected by the touch panel and notified to the CPU 117. Since the notified display area 601 is an area for displaying the number of printed pages in the color mode and the number of printed pages in the monochrome mode, the CPU 117 determines that the setting is related to the color mode and the monochrome mode. Each image indicated by the print data of all the page data 305 of the print job analysis data 300 is reduced, and a change dialog 700 including each reduced image as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel unit 101. To do.

  At the same time as this display, the CPU 117 stores the print setting conditions displayed in the print setting condition display unit 502 of the print confirmation dialog 600, that is, the contents of the print setting condition table 310 in the RAM 116.

  In the change dialog 700, the reduced image 701, the scroll key 702, and the close key 703 are displayed.

  The scroll key 702 is operated to sequentially switch and display the reduced images 701 when all the reduced images 701 cannot be displayed at once.

  When an arbitrary reduced image 701 is designated by the user in the change dialog 700, a confirmation dialog 705 as shown in FIG. In the confirmation dialog 705, if the reduced image 701 instructed by the user is color, two keys 703 and 704 for inquiring whether or not to convert to black and white are displayed. If the reduced image 701 designated by the user is black and white, two keys 703 and 704 are displayed asking whether or not conversion to color is to be performed.

  When a negative key 704 is designated by the user, in response to this, the CPU 117 deletes the confirmation dialog 705 and returns to displaying only the change dialog 700.

  When the user gives an affirmative key 703, in response to this, the CPU 117 deletes the confirmation dialog 705 and updates the change dialog 700 as shown in FIG. In the updated change dialog 700, a reduced image 701 converted from color to black-and-white and the effect of the conversion are displayed. Furthermore, as the reduced image 701 is converted from color to black and white, the original image of the reduced image 701 is also converted in the same manner. Therefore, the CPU 117 prints the contents of the conversion stored in the RAM 116 in advance. It is reflected in the contents of the condition table 310. That is, in the print setting condition table 310 in the RAM 116, the color mode printing or the monochrome mode printing registered for each page, the number of print pages in the color mode, and the number of print pages in the monochrome mode are updated.

  After the contents of the print setting condition table 310 stored in the RAM 116 are updated in this way, the CPU 117 changes the contents of the updated print setting condition table 310 to the print confirmation dialog 600 and each print job analysis data 300 in FIG. It is reflected in the list. For example, when the close key 703 of the change dialog 700 is instructed by the user, the display returns to the print confirmation dialog 600 shown in FIG. 6, so the color mode in the display area 601 of the print setting condition display unit 502 of the print confirmation dialog 600 is displayed. The number of printed pages and the number of printed pages in the monochrome mode are updated. Further, when the close key 504 of the print confirmation dialog 600 is instructed by the user, the process returns to the list of each print job analysis data 300 in FIG. 4, and the page number 408 of the corresponding print job analysis data 300 is updated.

  Next, in the updated change dialog 700 of FIG. 8, when the user designates the close key 703, in response to this, the CPU 117 deletes the change dialog 700 and displays the print confirmation dialog 600 of FIG. Return to.

  Subsequently, when the user designates the print key 503 in the print confirmation dialog 600 of FIG. 6, in response to this, the CPU 117 prints the print job analysis data 300 displayed in the column 501 of the print confirmation dialog 600. The setting condition table 310 is read from the hard disk 118, and the print setting condition table 310 is compared with the updated print setting condition table 310 in the RAM 116, and the color is converted from black and white or from black and white by this comparison. An image is obtained, and print data indicating the image is given from the hard disk 118 to the image processing unit 113. The image processing unit 113 performs image processing on the print data, converts the image from color to black and white, converts from black and white to color, and creates print data indicating the converted image.

  Further, the CPU 117 reads out all the page data 305 of the print job analysis data 300 displayed in the column 501 of the print confirmation dialog 600 from the hard disk 118, copies it to the RAM 116, and then converts it by the image processing unit 113. The print data is written in place of the print data before conversion included in all the copied page data 305, and the page data 305 is updated.

  Then, the CPU 117 outputs the updated print setting condition table 310 in the RAM 116 and all the page data 305 to the print control unit 102. The print control unit 102 prints an image or the like on a recording sheet based on the print setting information and print data.

  As described above, in the printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment, when printing based on the print job analysis data 300 is instructed by an input operation on the operation panel 101, the contents of the print setting condition table 310 are displayed on the display screen of the operation panel unit 101. Since the user can not only check the print setting conditions but also change the print setting conditions by operating the mark operation panel unit 101, the print setting conditions can be changed by the external terminal devices 51, 152, etc. It is not necessary to perform an operation for performing printing, and printing according to the user's intention can be performed promptly.

  In each of the above embodiments, the print data 204 included in the print job 200 is multi-value image data, and the print data 304 included in the converted print job analysis data 300 is binary image data. The print data 304 included in the subsequent print job analysis data 300 may be the same multivalued image data as the print data 204 of the print job 200. However, in this case, when the print data is given to the print control unit 102, the multi-value image data is binarized by the image processing unit 113, and this binary image data is given. Although this is generally known, the image quality is higher than the image conversion from the binary image data, although the image conversion from the multi-value image data increases the storage capacity to the hard disk. .

  Also, although conversion of print data is illustrated, any content of the print setting condition table 310 of the print job analysis data 300 is displayed and changed in the same procedure, and then displayed by the print data. Images can be printed.

  Further, the contents of the print setting condition table 310 are not limited to those extracted from the print job 200 but may be uniquely added on the printing apparatus 100 side.

  Further, the display format of the display screen may be changed as appropriate. For example, when a graphic icon or the like is displayed instead of various keys, usability can be further improved.

  Furthermore, the print data may indicate not only images but also texts, figures, or a printed matter that is a combination thereof.

  The present invention is not limited to a printing apparatus, but also includes a computer program for controlling the printing apparatus and a method for controlling the printing apparatus. The computer can implement the present invention by reading the program from the recording medium, receiving the program through a communication network, receiving the program, and executing the program.

  Examples of the recording medium include semiconductor storage elements such as mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and flash ROM, IC cards, hard disks, floppy disks, optical disks such as MO, CD, MD, and DVD, magnetic tapes, and the like. Other types of recording media may be used as long as they can be recorded.

  Further, in a system composed of a plurality of computers and the Internet, a plurality of processes can be distributed to a plurality of terminal devices. Therefore, the program can be applied not only to a single terminal device such as a computer but also to a system.

1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a printing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print job that is input from an external terminal device by a printer controller in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of print job analysis data created by analyzing the print job of FIG. 2 in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a list of print job analysis data displayed on a display screen of an operation panel unit in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print confirmation dialog displayed on a display screen of an operation panel unit in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a print confirmation dialog displayed on the display screen of the operation panel unit in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a change dialog displayed on a display screen of an operation panel unit in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an update example of a print confirmation dialog in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Printing apparatus 101 Operation panel part 102 Print control part 110 Printer controller 111 Network interface 112 Command analysis part 113 Image processing part 114 Memory control part 115 ROM
116 RAM
117 CPU
118 Hard Disk 119 HDD Control Circuit Unit 120 Engine Interface Circuit Unit 150 Network 151, 152 External Terminal Device

Claims (4)

In a printing apparatus that inputs a print job from an external terminal device and executes or saves the print job,
Extraction means for extracting print data and print setting conditions of the print data from the print job;
Storage means for storing the print data and the print setting condition in association with each other;
Control means for reading the print data and the print setting condition from the storage means and displaying the print setting condition on a display screen before executing a print job ;
Input operation means for performing an input operation for the print setting condition displayed on the display screen,
When the print setting condition on the display screen is instructed by the input operation means, the control means displays a dialog for changing the instructed print setting condition on the display screen, and the input operation means When the print setting condition of the dialog is changed by the above, the changed print setting condition is stored in the storage unit and updated . The control unit divides a plurality of print setting conditions of the print job into a plurality of groups and displays them on a display screen, and when one of the groups on the display screen is instructed by the input operation unit, A dialog for changing the print setting condition of the instructed group is displayed on the display screen, and when the print setting condition of the dialog is changed by the input operation means, the changed print setting condition is stored in the storage means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is stored and updated . In a computer program for controlling a printing apparatus that inputs a print job from an external terminal apparatus and executes or saves the print job,
An extraction step for extracting print data and print setting conditions of the print data from the print job;
A storage step of storing the print data and the print setting condition in association with each other in a storage unit ;
Before the print data and the print setting conditions are read from the storage unit and a print job is executed , the print setting conditions are displayed on a display screen, and the print setting conditions on the display screen are instructed by an input operation. Then, a display step for displaying a dialog for changing the instructed print setting condition on the display screen;
A computer program for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: a step of storing and updating the changed print setting condition in the storage unit when the print setting condition of the dialog is changed by an input operation . In a printing apparatus control method for inputting a print job from an external terminal apparatus and executing or saving the print job,
An extraction step for extracting print data and print setting conditions of the print data from the print job;
A storage step of storing the print data and the print setting condition in association with each other in a storage unit ;
Before the print data and the print setting conditions are read from the storage unit and a print job is executed , the print setting conditions are displayed on a display screen, and the print setting conditions on the display screen are instructed by an input operation. Then, a display step for displaying a dialog for changing the instructed print setting condition on the display screen;
And a step of storing and updating the changed print setting condition in the storage unit when the print setting condition of the dialog is changed by an input operation .

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