JP4862637B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program capable of printing image data of a read original on a printing recording medium such as paper or a paper-like medium and writing on electronic paper.

  In addition to paper media such as plain paper used for printing, electronic paper that can be erased and overwritten is set in the paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus, and depending on the content of the document to be copied, etc. Some image forming apparatuses are set so that they can be used properly. While this electronic paper has the above-mentioned features, it cannot be stamped or written on the electronic paper by the user. Therefore, after output, such as a receipt or an estimate, the electronic paper is stamped and signed. When printing a manuscript that is edited by a user, it is necessary to print not on electronic paper but on a paper medium such as plain paper conventionally used. In such a case, the user is required to select and operate a paper feed tray in which plain paper is set in advance through a touch panel type operation / display unit of the image forming apparatus.

  However, the image data of the manuscript may be printed not on plain paper but on electronic paper due to an operation error when the user selects paper. In such a case, printing on plain paper is necessary again. There is a problem of time loss and the trouble of performing output processing twice.

  In addition, when printing a document in which a manuscript to be printed on plain paper and a manuscript to be written on electronic paper are printed, the user selects the manuscript to be printed on plain paper. There is a problem that it is necessary to divide the document into the originals to be written on the electronic paper, and after each printing and writing, it is necessary to collect the divided documents again, and the time for creating the user's document becomes longer. is there.

  Therefore, a technique is provided in which a user designates a sheet to be printed for each printing mode designated (for example, a color printing mode, a monochrome printing mode, etc.) and performs printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

There is also provided a technique for determining whether a read original is a color original or a monochrome original, and automatically selecting a paper to be printed according to the determination result (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-125156 A JP 11-138952 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since a sheet to be printed is specified for each mode, for example, when a document to be edited is to be written on electronic paper, the document to be edited is directly processed. There is a problem that original data is written on electronic paper.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, since the paper to be printed is specified depending on whether the read original is a color original or a monochrome original, for example, a specification for writing from a monochrome original to electronic paper has been made. In this case, there is a problem that even when a monochrome original is an original to be edited, writing to electronic paper is executed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can determine whether or not a read original is an original to be edited and can read the original based on the determination result. An image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program capable of controlling selection of whether to print image data on a paper-like medium such as plain paper or write on electronic paper .

  The above problem is solved by the following means.

  (1) Reading means for reading an original, printing means for printing image data of an original read by the reading means on a printing recording medium including paper or a paper-like medium, and an image of the original read by the reading means A writing unit for writing data on the electronic paper; a determination unit for determining whether or not the document read by the reading unit is a document to be edited; and based on a determination result of the determination unit, An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for performing control relating to selection of whether image data is printed on a printing recording medium or written on electronic paper.

  (2) The determination means determines whether the document is the document to be edited and processed based on whether or not the image data of the document includes at least one of a keyword indicating the document to be edited and layout data. The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the image forming apparatus determines whether or not.

  (3) When it is determined that the document is a document to be edited, the control unit performs control so that the writing unit does not write the image data of the document onto the electronic paper (1) The image forming apparatus described in 1.

(4) a selection unit that allows the user to select whether the image data is printed on a printing recording medium or written on electronic paper when the determination unit determines that the document is an editing target document ; before SL control means when said document is determined not to be a document editing processing object by determining means, wherein to perform the write to the electronic paper to write means, the original of the document is edited machining target by the determination means (1) or (2) for performing control relating to selection of whether to print the image data of the document on the printing recording medium or to write on the electronic paper according to the selection result by the selection unit. The image forming apparatus described in 1.

  (5) When it is determined that the document is a document to be edited and processed, the image forming apparatus according to the above item (4) is provided with warning means for giving a warning to that effect before the selection operation of the selection means by the user. apparatus.

(6) The image forming apparatus according to (5), wherein when the user does not perform a selection operation for a certain period of time after the warning, printing on the printing recording medium and writing on the electronic paper are stopped.

(7) If the document is determined to be a document edit processing target by the determination means, a detection means for detecting whether the printing recording medium in the sheet feeding means is set, the pre-Symbol detection means If it is detected that the print recording medium is set, the control means, without performing warning by selection and the alarm means by said selecting means, the print image data of the document to the printing means The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to perform printing on a recording medium for printing .

(8) A selection unit that allows a user to select whether image data is printed on a printing recording medium or written on electronic paper. When writing to the electronic paper is selected, the determination unit is a reading unit. And determining whether or not the document read by the editing process is a document to be edited and processed, and if it is determined that the document is the document to be edited and processed, the control means is an electronic paper of the image data of the document. The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2) , wherein the writing to the recording medium is stopped.

(9) The printing recording medium includes plain paper, and the user can select whether to print the image data on plain paper, on a printing recording medium other than plain paper , or to write on electronic paper comprising a Do selecting means, wherein, when printing on plain paper of the image data of the document is selected by said selecting means, to perform printing on plain paper without a determination by the determining means If the selection means selects printing of the original image data on a printing recording medium other than plain paper or writing to electronic paper, the image data of the original is determined based on the determination result of the determination means. The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2) , wherein control is performed regarding selection of whether to print on a printing recording medium other than plain paper or to write on electronic paper .

(10) The printing recording medium includes OHP paper , and the selection means can select OHP paper as a printing recording medium other than plain paper, and when the OHP paper is selected by the selection means. If the determination unit determines that the document is a document to be edited, a warning unit that warns the user and prints the image data of the document on OHP paper after the warning. An image forming apparatus according to (9) , further comprising: a receiving unit that receives a user instruction as to whether or not.

  (11) A step of reading an original, a step of printing image data of the original read in the reading step on a printing recording medium including paper or a paper-like medium, and an image data of the original read by the reading unit A step of writing on the electronic paper; a step of determining whether or not the document read in the reading step is a document to be edited; and based on the determination result, the image data of the document is stored on the print recording medium. An image forming method comprising: a step of controlling whether to print or write on electronic paper.

(12) a step of reading a document, a step of printing the image data of the document read in the reading step on a printing recording medium including paper or a paper-like medium, and the image data of the document read by the reading unit A step of writing on the electronic paper; a step of determining whether or not the document read in the reading step is a document to be edited; and based on the determination result, the image data of the document is stored on the print recording medium. An image forming program for causing a computer of an image forming apparatus to execute a step of controlling whether to print or write on electronic paper.
(13) When it is determined that the document is a document to be edited and processed, in the step of performing the control, the image data of the document is controlled not to be written on the electronic paper. Image forming method.
(14) If it is determined that the document is a document to be edited and processed, in the control step, the computer performs a process of controlling the image data of the document not to be written on the electronic paper. 13. The image forming program according to item 12 to be executed.

  According to the invention described in item (1) above, since it is determined whether or not the read original is an object to be edited, whether or not the user himself / herself is an object to be edited is determined. There is no need to make a decision. In addition, since it is possible to control whether the image data read based on the determination result is printed on the printing recording medium or written on the electronic paper, the user is not bothered about the selection. To be released.

  According to the invention described in the above item (2), it is possible to determine whether or not the read document is an object to be edited based on whether or not a specific keyword or layout data is attached.

  According to the invention described in (3) above, when it is determined that the original read by the determination means is an object to be edited, the apparatus can be configured to prohibit writing of image data of the original on the electronic paper. .

According to the invention described in (4) above, when it is determined that the document is a document to be edited, the user prints image data of the read document on a printing recording medium , or electronic It is possible to select whether to write on paper. Further, when it is determined that the document is not the document to be edited, writing on the electronic paper is performed.

According to the invention described in item (5) above, when it is determined that the read original is an object to be edited, the user prints on a printing recording medium such as plain paper or writes on electronic paper. Before the selection is made, it can be known that the read original is the object to be edited.

  According to the invention described in item (6) above, if there is no instruction from the user within a certain period of time, the processing is stopped, so that the execution of processing such as a print job from another user takes a long time. It can be prevented from being left.

According to the invention described in item (7), when it is determined that the read original is an object to be edited, the printing recording medium is set in the paper feeding unit installed in the image forming apparatus. when There is detect, since the execution of printing on the print recording medium for image data is performed without performing warning by selecting and warning means according to the selection means can without a reducing apparatus capable of printing time .

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (8), even when the user gives an instruction to write on the electronic paper, if it is determined that the read original is an object to be edited, the original on the electronic paper Therefore, even if the user selects the electronic paper by mistake, it is possible to prevent the writing of the image data to the electronic paper.

According to the invention described in the preceding item (9), when the user selects the printing of the image data of the read original on the plain paper, the printing on the plain paper is performed without performing the judgment by the judging means. If printing on a printing recording medium other than plain paper or writing on electronic paper is selected, printing is performed on a printing recording medium other than plain paper or electronically based on the determination result of the determination means. Written on paper.

  According to the invention described in the above item (10), when the user gives an instruction to print on OHP paper and it is determined that the read original is an original to be edited after output, Since it is possible to accept a warning to that effect and a print instruction from the user, it is possible to prevent printing on OHP paper due to errors.

  According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (11), it is determined whether the read original is an object to be edited, and whether to print on paper or paper-like medium or write on electronic paper according to the determination result. Therefore, the user does not need to determine whether to print on a paper or the like or to write on electronic paper for each document, and the printing time can be shortened.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (12), reading of an installed document, determination of whether or not the read document is a specific document, and printing on a printing recording medium according to the determination result, Alternatively, it is possible to cause the computer of the image forming apparatus to execute a series of operations such as control related to selection of writing on electronic paper.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus refers to an MFP that is a multi-function multifunction peripheral, but in the following description, this is also simply referred to as a printing apparatus.

  In this printing system, a terminal device 1 composed of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) and a printing device 2 are connected via a network 3.

  The terminal device 1 is composed of a personal computer as described above, and stores various software including document creation software used when a user creates a document / image and the like and a printer driver corresponding to the printing device 2. When an instruction to output a created document or the like is made after a user has created an image / document or the like using the document creation software, the printer driver creates a print job and sends the print job through the network 3. Is transmitted to the printing apparatus 2.

The printing device 2 is capable of writing on electronic paper and printing on paper-like media including OHP paper and plain paper, and executes a print job sent from an external device such as the terminal device 1 through the network 3. Or by reading an original set on an automatic document feeder or a platen glass according to an instruction by a direct operation from a user, the original is printed.
[Configuration of printing device]
Here, the configuration of the printing apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus 2 shown in FIG.

  The printing apparatus 2 includes a control unit 9, an operation display unit 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an image reading unit 14, an image processing unit 15, an image forming unit 16, an electronic paper writing unit 17, a document determination unit 18, a data storage unit 19, and a communication. The interface (communication I / F) unit 20 is configured.

  The control unit 9 includes a CPU 10 and controls the entire printing apparatus 2 as a whole. In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 9 performs control related to paper selection during printing. Specific control contents will be described later.

  The operation display unit 11 is used to display various messages and an input reception screen for a user, a selection screen, and the like, and is used when the user performs operation settings for various functions of the printing apparatus 2. A key input unit and a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit are provided.

  The ROM 12 stores a program executed by the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 and other data.

  The RAM 13 is a temporary storage medium and serves as a work area when the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 executes, and temporarily stores a program, data when the program is executed, and the like.

  The image reading unit 14 includes, for example, a scanner, and reads a document set by a user and converts it into image data that is electronic data.

  The image processing unit 15 performs predetermined known image processing such as gamma correction on the image data output from the image reading unit 14.

  The image forming unit 16 forms a print image from the image data that has been subjected to a known process by the image processing unit 15, and prints the print image on a paper medium such as plain paper or OHP paper.

  The electronic paper writing unit 17 writes the image data that has been subjected to a known process by the image processing unit 15 on the electronic paper.

  The document determination unit 18 includes a determination including whether or not the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 14 includes a character / layout having a certain attribute (hereinafter referred to as a specific keyword). By performing this process, it is determined whether or not the read original is an original that is subjected to processing such as stamping, writing, and cutting by the user (hereinafter referred to as editing processing) after output.

  For example, an application document 30 shown in FIG. 3 can be cited as an example of a document that is edited and processed by the user after output. Specific keywords include an authentication field 31, a stamp field 32, or a document name shown in FIG. Column 33 is mentioned. That is, the document determination unit 18 determines that the authentication column 31, the stamp column 32, or the document name column 33 is a specific keyword, and is thus a document that is edited by the user after the application form 30 is output. judge.

  In addition to the application 30, the manuscript that is edited and processed by the user after output includes a document that requires a signature, an answer sheet, an estimate, a receipt, a mark sheet, and a postal code / address column. Examples include manuscripts, memo papers, questionnaire papers, manuscripts with cut lines, etc., and characters and images peculiar to these (for example, layouts of receipts, signature fields, seal fields, questionnaire fields, cut lines, etc.) Is used as a specific keyword to be determined.

  The data storage unit 19 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk, and stores various data including a document read by the image reading unit 14, a specific keyword serving as a determination criterion of the document determination unit 18, layout data, and the like.

The communication interface unit 20 transmits / receives data to / from an external device including the personal computer 1 through the network 3.
[Electronic paper]
Next, the principle of electronic paper will be described. Since this principle is a known technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted and only an outline will be described.

  There are various types of electronic paper, but the structure is generally a sandwich structure of filter layer / ink layer / driver layer / filter layer.

  The filter layer protects the ink layer and the driver layer. The ink layer is a “microcapsule” containing liquids of two colors, white and blue, or “charged beads” separately applied in two colors at the top and bottom. In both cases, the surface is usually in a state of expressing “white”.

  The driver layer applies a negative electric field to the necessary portion of the ink layer according to the content to be displayed. Then, in the case of a microcapsule, particles of white liquid are attracted to the back surface by the electrophoresis phenomenon, and only the blue liquid is collected on the surface. This is displayed as “black” on the electronic paper. Similarly, in the case of a charged bead, the bead rotates according to the electric charge to express white and black. For the purpose of cost reduction and freedom of shape / size, a type that eliminates the driver layer and rewrites it with an external device has been devised.

In the present embodiment, external rewritable electronic paper having no driver layer is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and self-writing electronic paper may be used.
[Printer operation]
In the first embodiment, printing on plain paper or writing on electronic paper is performed according to the determination result of whether or not a specific keyword is attached to the read document. The operation of the printing apparatus 2 at the time of performing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is realized by the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 12, and only plain paper and electronic paper are set in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 2. It is assumed that

  In response to an instruction from the user, the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 reads an original set by the user via the image reading unit 14 (step S51), and a specific keyword is assigned to the read original via the original determination unit 18. It is determined whether or not it is attached (step S52).

  If it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the read document (YES in step S52), the document is edited and processed by the user after output. Etc. can not be done. For this reason, the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 forms a print image from the image data of the image processing unit 15 via the image forming unit 16, and then prints on plain paper (step S53), and ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined that a specific keyword is not attached to the read document (NO in step S52), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 writes the electronic paper because the document is not edited by the user after output. The image data of the image processing unit 15 is written on the electronic paper via the unit 17 (step S53), and the process is terminated.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is determined whether or not a specific keyword is attached to the read document, and the sheet is automatically selected according to the determination result. That is, when it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the read original, the image data of the read original is printed on plain paper, and it is determined that the specific original is not attached to the read original. In this case, the image data of the read original is written on the electronic paper. This eliminates the need for the user to determine whether or not the document to be read is a document to be edited and eliminates the need for paper selection, thereby improving document creation efficiency. It becomes.
[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  This second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it receives a print paper selection instruction from the user when it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the read document.

Note that the system configuration, the configuration of the printing apparatus 2, and the like for carrying out this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted here. The types of paper set in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 2 are only plain paper and electronic paper.
[Printer operation]
In this second embodiment, when it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the read document, a print paper selection instruction is received from the user, and then printing or writing is performed. The operation of the printing apparatus 2 at the time of performing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is realized by the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 12.

  In response to an instruction from the user, when the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 reads a document set by the user via the image reading unit 14 (step S61), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 specifies a specific keyword for the read document via the document determination unit 18. Whether or not is attached is determined (step S62).

  When it is determined that the specific keyword is not attached (NO in step S62), since the document is not edited by the user after the output, the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 passes the electronic paper writing unit 17 through the electronic paper writing unit 17. The image data of the image processing unit 15 is written on the electronic paper (step S66), and the process ends after the output. On the other hand, if it is determined that a specific keyword is attached (YES in step S62), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 displays the operation display unit 11 in FIG. Is displayed and a warning is issued (step S63), and the user waits for output paper selection (step S64). Thereby, the user can select the sheet to be output. On the first confirmation screen 70, a “print with electronic paper” button 71 and a “print with plain paper” button 72 are displayed together with a message prompting printing on plain paper.

  When the “print with electronic paper” button 71 is pressed on the first confirmation screen 70 (NO in step S64), the user has instructed the output to the electronic paper. The image data of the image processing unit 15 is written on the electronic paper via the paper writing unit 17 (step S66), and the process is terminated after the output. On the other hand, when the “print on plain paper” button 72 is pressed (YES in step S64), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 forms a print image from the image data of the image processing unit 15 via the image forming unit 16. Thereafter, printing is performed on plain paper (step S65), and the process ends after output.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when a specific keyword is added to the read document, the user can select a sheet to be printed.
[Embodiment 3]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the third embodiment, when a specific keyword is detected from the read original, a confirmation screen is displayed and an instruction for an output sheet from the user is awaited. If there is no instruction | indication, it differs from 2nd Embodiment by the point which stops the execution of the said process at the time.

Note that the system configuration and the configuration of the printing apparatus 2 for carrying out the present embodiment are also the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted here. Further, it is assumed that only plain paper and electronic paper are set in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 2.
[Printer operation]
In the third embodiment, when it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the document, a confirmation screen is displayed on the operation display unit 11, and an instruction from the user is waited. However, the operation of the printing apparatus 2 when performing this series of processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is realized by the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 12.

  In response to an instruction from the user, when the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 reads a document set by the user via the image reading unit 14 (step S81), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 specifies a specific keyword for the read document via the document determination unit 18. Whether or not is attached is determined (step S82).

  If it is determined that a specific keyword is not attached (NO in step S82), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 via the electronic paper writing unit 17 is an original that is not edited by the user after output. The image data of the image processing unit 15 is written on the electronic paper (step S86), and the process ends after the output. On the other hand, if it is determined that a specific keyword is assigned (YES in step S82), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 displays the operation display unit 11 in FIG. The same first confirmation screen 70 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed and a warning is issued (step S83), and an output paper selection instruction from the user is awaited (step S84). Thus, the user can select a sheet on which image data of the read original is output.

  When a paper selection from the user is accepted (YES in step S84), since the user has issued an output instruction, the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 outputs the image data of the image processing unit 15 to the paper instructed by the user. (Step S88), and the process ends. On the other hand, when there is no paper selection instruction from the user (NO in step S84), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 determines whether or not a predetermined set time has elapsed (step S85).

  If it is determined that the predetermined set time has not elapsed (NO in step S85), the process returns to step S84, and steps S84 to S85 are repeated until the predetermined set time elapses. On the other hand, if it is determined that a predetermined set time has elapsed (YES in step S85), the print instruction is not issued due to the user's forgetting or the like. The process is stopped (step S87), and the process is terminated.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when a process execution instruction is not given for a certain period of time, the execution of the process is automatically stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent interruption, and smooth job processing is possible.
[Embodiment 4]
Next explained is the fourth embodiment of the invention.

  In the fourth embodiment, when it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the read original, printing is performed on plain paper, but plain paper does not exist in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus. Is different from the first embodiment in that a warning is given to the user.

Note that the configuration of the system and the printing apparatus 2 for carrying out the present embodiment are also the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. Further, it is assumed that only plain paper and electronic paper are set in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 2.
[Printer operation]
In this fourth embodiment, when it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the read document, a warning is given to the user when no plain paper is present in the paper feed tray. The operation of the printing apparatus 2 when executing the process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is realized by the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 12.

  The CPU 10 of the control unit 9 reads a document set by the user via the image reading unit 14 (step S91), and whether or not a specific keyword is attached to the read document via the document determination unit 18. Is determined (step S92).

  If it is determined that a specific keyword is not attached to the read document (NO in step S92), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 causes the electronic paper writing unit 17 because the document is not edited by the user after output. Then, the image data of the image processing unit 15 is written on the electronic paper (step S97), and the process ends after the output. On the other hand, if it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the read document (YES in step S92), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 does not edit the document in the apparatus because the document is edited by the user after output. Whether plain paper is present in the paper feed tray is checked (step S93). As a result, whether or not plain paper is present in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 2 is automatically confirmed, so that it is not necessary for the user himself / herself to check and the efficiency of document processing is improved. Can do.

  Next, when the presence of plain paper is confirmed in the paper feed tray (YES in step S93), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 sends a print image from the image data of the image processing unit 15 via the image forming unit 16. After forming and printing on plain paper (step S98), the process ends after output. On the other hand, when the presence of plain paper is not confirmed in the paper feed tray (NO in step S93), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 displays the same first confirmation screen 70 as shown in FIG. A warning is displayed (step S94), and the user waits for selection of an output sheet (step S95). As a result, the user can know that there is no plain paper in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 2 and can select the paper to be printed.

  Next, when the “print with electronic paper” button 71 is pressed (NO in step S95), since the user has instructed printing on the electronic paper, the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 performs the electronic paper writing unit. The image data of the image processing unit 15 is written on the electronic paper via the step 17 (step S97), and the process is terminated after the output. On the other hand, when the “print on plain paper” button 72 is pressed (YES in step S95), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 instructs the user shown in FIG. A plain paper replenishment warning screen 89 for prompting the supply of plain paper is displayed on the operation display unit 11 (step S96), and when the supply of plain paper is received from the user (step S99), image processing is performed via the image forming unit 16. A print image is formed from the image data of the section 15, printing on plain paper is executed (step S100), and the process ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when outputting a document including a specific keyword, if plain paper does not exist in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 2, the user prints that fact. It is possible to know through the operation display unit of the apparatus, and it is possible to select a sheet on which the read original is output.
[Embodiment 5]
Next explained is the fifth embodiment of the invention.

  In the fifth embodiment, three types of paper (plain paper, OHP paper, and electronic paper) are set in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus, and the first embodiment is capable of receiving output paper from the user. Different from form.

Note that the configuration of the system and the printing apparatus 2 for carrying out the present embodiment are also the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.
[Printer operation]
In the fifth embodiment, the operation of the printing apparatus 2 when three types of paper, that is, plain paper, OHP paper, and electronic paper are set in the paper feed tray will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is realized by the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 executing a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 12.

  The CPU 10 of the control unit 9 accepts selection of output paper from the user via the operation display unit 11 (step S101), and determines whether or not the selected paper is plain paper (step S102). When it is determined that the paper selected by the user is plain paper (NO in step S102), since the user has instructed printing on plain paper, the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 causes the image forming unit 16 to operate. Then, a print image is formed from the image data of the image processing unit 15 and printed on plain paper (step S111), and the process ends after output. On the other hand, if it is determined that the selected paper is other than plain paper (YES in step S102), since the user has instructed printing on paper other than plain paper, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not the selected paper is OHP paper. If it is determined that the selected paper is OHP paper (YES in step S106), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, when it is determined that the selected paper is not OHP paper (NO in step S106), the process proceeds to step S104.

  Next, in step S107, it is determined whether or not a specific keyword is attached to the read document.

  If it is determined that a specific keyword is not attached to the read document (NO in step S107), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 controls the image forming unit 16 because the document is not edited by the user after output. Then, a print image is formed from the image data of the image processing unit 15 and printed on OHP paper (step S112), and the process ends after output. On the other hand, if it is determined that a specific keyword is attached to the read document (YES in step S107), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 determines that “print execution” because the document is edited by the user after output. The second confirmation screen 120 shown in FIG. 11 having the “” button 121 and the “print cancel” button 122 is displayed on the operation display unit 11 to give a warning (step S108), and wait for a print instruction from the user (step S109).

  When the “execute printing” button 121 is pressed on the second confirmation screen 120 (YES in step S109), the user has issued a print instruction. Therefore, the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 passes through the image forming unit 16. Then, a print image is formed from the image data of the image processing unit 15, printing is performed on the OHP paper (step S110), and the process is terminated after the output. On the other hand, when the “print cancel” button 122 is pressed (NO in step S109), since the user has instructed the print cancel, the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 cancels the print (step S105), and the process Exit. Accordingly, since the user can confirm that the selected paper is OHP paper through the second confirmation screen, it is possible to prevent an erroneous selection of the printing paper due to an operation error when instructing the printing paper, and to read the paper. It is possible to select whether to print the original on OHP paper or to cancel printing.

  On the other hand, in step S104, it is determined whether or not a specific keyword is attached to the read document.

  When a specific keyword is attached to the read document (YES in step S104), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 stops outputting (step S105) because the document is edited by the user after output. The process ends. On the other hand, when a specific keyword is not attached to the read document (NO in step S104), the CPU 10 of the control unit 9 passes the electronic paper writing unit 17 because the document is not edited by the user after output. Then, the electronic image data of the image processing unit 15 is written on the electronic paper (step S103), and the process is terminated after the output. As a result, it is possible to prevent a document with a specific keyword from being printed on the electronic paper.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, even when three types of paper (plain paper, OHP paper, and electronic paper) are present in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus, the user can normally copy a document having a specific keyword. It is possible to print on paper and to prevent image data of the original from being printed on electronic paper.

1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the original document to which the specific keyword is attached | subjected. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 1st confirmation screen which receives the printing paper selection from a user. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the plain paper supply warning screen which prompts the user to supply plain paper. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd confirmation screen which receives from a user whether it prints on OHP paper.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal device 2 ... Image forming apparatus 3 ... Network 9 ... Control part 10 ... CPU
11 ... Operation display 12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Image reading part 15 ... Image processing part 16 ... Image formation part 17 ... Electronic paper writing part 18 ... Original determination part 19 ... Data storage part 20 ... Communication interface

Claims (14)

Reading means for reading a document;
Printing means for printing image data of a document read by the reading means on a printing recording medium including paper or paper-like medium;
Writing means for writing image data of a document read by the reading means on electronic paper;
Determining means for determining whether or not the document read by the reading means is a document to be edited;
Control means for performing control relating to selection of whether to print image data of a document on a printing recording medium or to write on electronic paper based on a determination result of the determination means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The determination means determines whether or not the document is the document to be edited by determining whether or not the image data of the document includes at least one of a keyword indicating the document to be edited and layout data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made.   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the document is a document to be edited, the control unit performs control so that the writing unit does not write the image data of the document on the electronic paper. Forming equipment. A selection unit that allows a user to select whether to print image data on a printing recording medium or to write on electronic paper when the determination unit determines that the document is an editing target document ;
Before SL control means when said document is determined not to be a document editing processing object by determining means, wherein to perform the write to the electronic paper to write means, the original of the document is edited machining target by the determination means If it is determined that, in accordance with a selection result by said selection means, according to claim 1 or 2 performs control regarding the selection is written to or the electronic paper to print the image data of the document to the print recording medium Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a warning unit that issues a warning to the user before the selection operation of the selection unit by the user when it is determined that the document is an editing target document. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein after the warning, when the selection operation by the user is not performed for a certain period of time, printing on the printing recording medium and writing on the electronic paper are stopped. A detection unit that detects whether a recording medium for printing is set in the paper supply unit when the determination unit determines that the original is an original document to be edited ;
If the fact that the print recording medium is set detected by the pre-Symbol detection means, the control means, without performing warning by selection and the alarm means by said selecting means, said document to said printing means The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image data is controlled to be printed on a printing recording medium . Comprising a selection means that allows a user to select whether image data is printed on a printing recording medium or written on electronic paper;
When writing to the electronic paper is selected, the determination unit determines whether or not the document read by the reading unit is the document to be edited, and is determined to be the document to be edited. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination is made, the control unit stops writing the image data of the document on the electronic paper. The recording medium for printing includes plain paper,
A selection unit that allows a user to select whether to print image data on plain paper, print on a recording medium other than plain paper , or write on electronic paper;
The control unit, when printing on plain paper of the image data of the document is selected by said selecting means, to perform printing on plain paper without performing determination by the determination means, said by the selection means When printing on a recording medium for printing other than plain paper or writing on electronic paper is selected for the original image data, the original image data is printed on a paper other than plain paper based on the determination result of the determination unit. the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 performs control regarding the selection is written to or the electronic paper to print the use recording medium. The recording medium for printing includes OHP paper,
The selection means can select OHP paper as a recording medium for printing other than plain paper,
A warning means for giving a warning to the user when the OHP paper is selected by the selection means, and when the determination means determines that the document is a document to be edited;
Accepting means for accepting a user instruction as to whether or not to print the image data of the document on OHP paper after the warning;
An image forming apparatus according to claim 9 . Scanning the document,
Printing the image data of the original read in the reading step on a printing recording medium including paper or paper-like medium;
Writing image data of a document read by the reading means on electronic paper;
Determining whether or not the document read by the reading step is a document to be edited;
A step of performing control related to selection of whether to print image data of a document on a printing recording medium or to write on electronic paper based on the determination result;
An image forming method comprising: Scanning the document,
Printing the image data of the original read in the reading step on a printing recording medium including paper or paper-like medium;
Writing image data of a document read by the reading means on electronic paper;
Determining whether or not the document read by the reading step is a document to be edited;
A step of performing control related to selection of whether to print image data of a document on a printing recording medium or to write on electronic paper based on the determination result;
An image forming program for causing a computer of the image forming apparatus to execute the program. 12. The image formation according to claim 11, wherein when it is determined that the document is a document to be edited and processed, in the step of performing the control, the image data of the document is controlled not to be written on the electronic paper. Method. When it is determined that the document is a document to be edited and processed, the step of performing the control causes the computer to execute a process of controlling the image data of the document not to be written on the electronic paper. Item 13. The image forming program according to Item 12.

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