JP5667898B2 - Setting apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting device and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for inputting print settings.

  Nowadays, in an image forming apparatus or the like, various print settings (print orientation, enlargement / reduction, margin, used printing surface, page aggregation, etc.) are possible, and the user can input desired print settings by operating the operation device. . Also, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, the data file type used for printing by the user and the print settings used therefor are stored in the storage unit in association with each other, and the next user prints the data file. In this case, a printing apparatus that reads out print settings stored in association with the type of the data file in the storage unit and presents the print settings to the user is known as a print setting candidate used for printing. .

JP 2008-257383 A

  The printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 reduces the labor of operation when inputting print settings, but merely presents the user with print settings for data files or the like used in the past as print setting candidates. When inputting print settings, since various user print settings are input to the operation device, it is more suitable for user preference than presenting print setting candidates based on feature information such as the data file type. It is desirable to be able to set print settings.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and enables printing using print settings more suitable for user preference than before when inputting print settings without performing any special operation. For the purpose.

The invention described in claim 1 of the present invention includes a print setting acquisition unit that acquires print settings used when printing print target data;
A setting unit for setting a print setting acquired by the print setting acquisition unit for a printing operation;
A print setting storage unit for accumulating print settings set in the setting unit;
Of the setting items of each print setting stored in the print setting storage unit, pay attention to two predetermined setting items, and set the setting item having the setting value in common as the setting value. while analysis as a common print format together after analyzing the setting items towards the set value is changed as the target setting item, among the plurality of setting items stored in the print setting memory unit, the attention The setting content when the setting value of the setting item is the smallest is set as the reference setting content, and is different from the setting items analyzed as the common print format and the setting items other than the attention setting item compared with the reference setting content. printing the number of times that the set value has been selected as the maximum setting items are most likely to vary from set item, detecting a changed easily set items from said most changed easily set items in the order often the number And the expression analysis unit,
Judgment to determine whether or not the print format indicated by the print setting matches the common print format analyzed at the time of acquisition of the print setting when the print setting is acquired by the print setting acquisition unit With
When the determination unit determines that the print format indicated by the acquired print setting does not match the common print format, the setting unit displays the acquired print setting setting item as the common print Until the format matches, the setting items that are most easily changed are changed in order .

  According to this invention, the print setting storage unit stores the print settings set for the printing operation by the setting unit, and the print format analysis unit is commonly used for the stored setting items of each print setting. Analyzes the common print format that has been set. When the determination unit acquires the print setting in the print setting acquisition unit, the print format indicated by the acquired print setting matches the common print format analyzed when the print setting is acquired. When the determination is inconsistent, the setting unit changes the setting item of the acquired print setting to the content indicating the common print format. Accordingly, the user of the setting device can perform printing with the print setting indicating the common print format that is assumed to be suitable for the user's preference from the past history without performing a special operation.

Further , according to the present invention, the print format analysis unit is a print setting stored in the print setting storage unit when the common print format is analyzed, and the setting history of the print setting setting item indicating the common print format is changed. Further, the setting unit changes the acquired print setting setting item in accordance with the tendency, so that the acquired print setting setting item matches the common print format. In addition to the change, it is possible to perform printing with a print setting that is assumed to be more suitable for the user's preference according to the tendency indicated by the change history of the past setting items.
The invention according to claim 2 is the setting device according to claim 1 , further comprising an identification information input unit for inputting identification information unique to the user from the user,
The print format analysis unit analyzes the print format for each identification information input to the identification information input unit.

  According to the present invention, the user who has input the identification information without performing any special operation can use the print setting indicating the common print format that is assumed to be suitable for the user's own preference from the past history. Printing can be performed.

The invention according to claim 3 is the setting device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the print format analysis unit is a file format or a file name indicated by the print setting acquired by the print setting acquisition unit. Each time, the print format is analyzed.

  According to the present invention, printing is performed for each file format or file name with the above-described common print format assumed to be suitable for the user's preference from the past history without performing any special operation. It becomes possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit that performs image formation based on image data;
A setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The print setting accepting unit of the setting device is an image forming device that accepts an input as setting the image forming operation by the image forming unit as the print setting.

According to this invention, it is possible to obtain the same action as that of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform printing using print settings more suitable for the user's preference than before when inputting print settings without performing any special operation.

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation part. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the basic form of the process at the time of printing by an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment in a case where a common print format is analyzed in processing at the time of printing by the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of an initial screen. It is a figure which shows an example of each print setting memorize | stored in the print setting memory | storage part, and its setting item. It is a figure which shows an example of each print setting memorize | stored in the print setting memory | storage part, and its setting item. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment when a common print format is analyzed in processing at the time of printing by the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen of identification information. It is a figure which shows an example of each print setting memorize | stored in the print setting memory | storage part, and its setting item. It is a figure which shows an example of each print setting memorize | stored in the print setting memory | storage part, and its setting item. It is a figure which shows an example of each print setting memorize | stored in the print setting memory | storage part, and its setting item.

  A setting apparatus, an image forming apparatus including the setting apparatus, and a print setting input program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a digital multifunction machine having a color copy, a color printer, and a color facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 is a tandem system, and includes an apparatus main body 100 and an image reading unit 200 disposed on the apparatus main body 100.

  The image reading unit 200 reads an image (character, figure, photograph, etc.) with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like and outputs it as image data. The image reading unit 200 has a function of reading a color image. As a result, color copy and color facsimile can be transmitted.

  The apparatus main body 100 includes a sheet storage unit 110 and an image forming unit 130. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 130 will be described as including the fixing unit 160.

  The paper storage unit 110 is disposed at the lowermost part of the apparatus main body 100 and includes a paper tray 111 that can store a bundle of paper P. The paper tray 111 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100 and attached. When the paper P is replenished, the paper tray 111 is pulled out from the apparatus main body 100. In the bundle of sheets P stored in the sheet tray 111, the uppermost sheet P is fed out toward the sheet conveyance path 115 by driving the pickup roller 113. The paper P is transported to the image forming unit 130 through the paper transport path 115.

  The image forming unit 130 forms a toner image on the conveyed paper P. The image forming unit 130 includes a magenta unit 133M, a cyan unit 133C, a yellow unit 133Y, and a black unit 133K, which are arranged in the order in which the toner images are transferred to the transfer belt 131. These units have the same configuration, and a magenta unit 133M will be described as an example.

The magenta unit 133M includes a photosensitive drum 135 and an exposure device 137. Around the photosensitive drum 135, a charger 139, a developing device 141, and a cleaner 143 are arranged. The charger 139 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 135. The exposure device 137 generates light corresponding to magenta data among image data (image data output from the image reading unit 200, image data transmitted from a personal computer, image data received by facsimile, etc.), and uniformly. Irradiate the circumferential surface of the charged photosensitive drum 135. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a magenta pattern is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 135. In this state, by supplying magenta toner from the developing device 141 to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 135, a toner image having a magenta pattern is formed on the peripheral surface.

  The transfer belt 131 can move clockwise while being sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 135 and the primary transfer roller 145. A toner image having a magenta pattern is transferred from the photosensitive drum 135 to the transfer belt 131. The magenta toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 135 is removed by the cleaner 143. The above is the description of the magenta unit 133M.

  Above the magenta unit 133M, the cyan unit 133C, the yellow unit 133Y, and the black unit 133K, containers that store toner of corresponding colors, that is, a magenta toner container 147M, a cyan toner container 147C, and a yellow toner. A container for toner 147Y and a container for black toner 147K are arranged. Each color developing device 141 is supplied with toner from a corresponding container.

  As described above, a toner image having a magenta pattern is transferred to the transfer belt 131, and a toner image having a cyan pattern is transferred on the toner image. Similarly, a toner image having a yellow pattern and a toner having a black pattern are transferred. The image is transferred in layers. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the transfer belt 131. In this way, a color toner image is formed on the transfer belt 131 by transferring the toner image of each color pattern superimposed on the transfer belt 131. The color toner image is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 149 onto the paper P conveyed from the paper storage unit 110 described above.

  The sheet P on which the color toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing unit 160. The fixing unit 160 has a structure in which a fixing belt 165 is hung on a heating roller 161 and a fixing roller 163. The fixing belt 165 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 163 and the pressure roller 167. The paper P onto which the color toner image is transferred is sandwiched between these rollers. Accordingly, heat and pressure are applied to the color toner image and the paper P, and the color toner image is fixed to the paper P. The paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray 169.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 400 includes a display unit 406, a numeric keypad 402, various operation buttons 403 and 404, a start button 401, a function selection button 405, and the like. The display unit 406 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (Electronic Luminescent Display), or the like, and an input operation screen for various initial setting values of the image forming apparatus 1, selection of paper size selection, magnification selection, density selection, and the like. A predetermined operation screen such as an operation screen is displayed.

  The numeric keypad 402 is for the user to input, for example, the number of copies during the copy function operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and the telephone number of the transmission destination during the facsimile function operation. A start button 401 is a button for starting a copy operation or a scanner operation, and a stop / clear button 403 is a button for stopping the copy operation or the scanner operation or canceling an input operation. A reset button 404 is a button for setting the display of the display unit 406 and various settings to an initial state or a standard operation state. A function selection button 405 is a button for setting a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 has a configuration in which an apparatus main body 100, an image reading unit 200, a control unit 300, an operation unit 400, and a communication unit 500 are connected to each other by a bus. The apparatus main body 100 and the image reading unit 200 have been described with reference to FIG.

  The control unit 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an image memory, and the like. The CPU executes functions necessary for operating the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. The ROM stores the program necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The RAM is used as a temporary storage of data generated when the program is executed and a work area when the application software is executed.

  The control unit 300 includes a control unit 301, a display control unit 302, a setting unit 303, a print setting storage unit 304, a print format analysis unit 305, a determination unit 306, and an identification information storage unit 307. In the present embodiment, the CPU of the control unit 300 operates in accordance with a print setting input program stored in a data storage unit 600 (to be described later), whereby a control unit 301 for operations necessary for print setting input (to be described later), It functions as a display control unit 302, a setting unit 303, a print setting storage unit 304, and an identification information storage unit 307, and further functions as a print format analysis unit 305 and a determination unit 306.

  The control unit 301 governs overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 301 also performs control for causing each mechanism of the image forming apparatus 1 to perform an operation necessary for inputting print settings. The display control unit 302 performs display control for causing the display unit 406 to display a screen using various image data.

  The setting unit 303 sets print settings included in a print job received by a network I / F unit (print setting acquisition unit) 503 from a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 for a printing operation. If the determination unit 306 determines that the print format indicated by the print setting acquired in the network I / F unit 503 does not match the common print format, the setting unit 303 acquires the acquired print. The setting item of the setting is changed to a content indicating a common print format described later. The display unit 406 displays to the user that the print setting is changed or changed by the setting unit 303 under the control of the display control unit 302.

  The print setting storage unit 304 includes a non-volatile memory and the like. The setting items indicated by the print settings included in the print job received by the network I / F unit 503 and the content indicating the common print format by the setting unit 303 are displayed. Store the changed print settings. That is, the print setting storage unit 304 stores a log of each print setting used for printing executed by the image forming unit 130 in the past. The print setting storage unit 304 may function as a part of the control unit 300, or the data storage unit 600 may function as the print setting storage unit 304.

  The print settings include a plurality of setting items (for example, print orientation, enlargement / reduction printing, paper size, print quality, first page number, margin, page center, page / footer, duplex printing, page aggregation, font size, print range) , The number of print pages, the number of prints, the print title, the file format, etc.).

  The print format analysis unit 305 analyzes the common print format set in common by each print setting stored in the print setting storage unit 304. Details of this common printing format will be described later.

When the print setting is acquired in the network I / F unit 503, the determination unit 306 has already analyzed the print contents indicated by the print setting, that is, the print format, and the print format analysis unit 305 when the print setting is acquired. It is determined whether or not the common print format being matched.
The identification information storage unit 307 includes a nonvolatile memory or the like, and stores identification information (for example, a user ID) that is permitted to operate the image forming apparatus 1.

  The operation unit 400 accepts input of print settings for the image forming apparatus 1 from the user and accepts input of identification information unique to the user from the user.

  The communication unit 500 includes a facsimile communication unit 501 and a network I / F unit 503. The facsimile communication unit 501 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile and a modulation / demodulation circuit that modulates / demodulates a signal for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 501 is connected to the telephone line 505.

  A network I / F unit 503 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 507. A network I / F unit 503 is a communication interface circuit for executing communication with a terminal device such as a personal computer connected to the LAN 507.

  The data storage unit 600 stores various display screen data (operation screen data) to be displayed on the display unit 406.

  Next, a basic form of processing at the time of printing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a basic form of processing at the time of printing by the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the following is performed as a basic process at the time of printing. When the network I / F unit 503 receives a print job including data to be printed from a personal computer or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network (YES in S1), the control unit 301 indicates the print job. The printing operation of the image forming unit 130 is set according to the print setting (S2), and the image forming unit 130 is made to print the print target data with the print setting indicated by the print job (S3). Then, the control unit 301 causes the print setting storage unit 304 to store the print settings used for the printing, that is, the setting items constituting the print settings (S4). Note that either of the processes of S3 and S4 may be performed first. If the network I / F unit 503 does not receive the print job in S1 (NO in S1), the process of S1 is repeated (waiting for the print job).

  Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment in the case where a common printing format is analyzed in the processing at the time of printing by the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment in a case where a common print format is analyzed in a process during printing by the image forming apparatus 1. In the first embodiment, processing for analyzing a common print format is added to the basic form.

  In the first embodiment, although not particularly illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit 301 receives an instruction to execute a process of analyzing the common print format based on the operation of the operation unit 400 by the user. For example, the common print format setting button B1 is displayed on the initial screen G1 (see FIG. 6) that the display control unit 302 displays on the display unit 406 when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on. When the user presses, an instruction to execute a process of analyzing the common print format is input to the operation unit 400 by the touch panel function, and the control unit 301 receives the instruction. The control unit 301 stores a setting as to whether or not to execute a common print format analysis according to whether or not the instruction is accepted. The control unit 301 receives an instruction to execute a process for analyzing the common print format from a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network via the network I / F unit 503. The instruction may be accepted.

  When the network I / F unit 503 receives a print job including data to be printed from a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network (YES in S11), the control unit 301 displays the common print format. It is determined whether or not the setting for executing the analysis is stored (S12).

  When the control unit 301 determines that the setting for executing the analysis of the common print format is not stored (NO in S12), S2 and subsequent steps of the basic form shown in FIG. 4 are executed (S19). When the control unit 301 determines that the setting for executing the analysis of the common print format has been made (YES in S12), the print format analysis unit 305 stores each of the settings stored in the print setting storage unit 304. Based on the setting items indicated by the print settings, the common print format is analyzed (S13). The common print format indicates one print content that is stored in the print setting storage unit 304 and is commonly used in each print setting used by the user in the past. The analysis of the common print format is to identify one print content derived from the setting items of each print setting stored in the print setting storage unit 304 and detect the specified print content as the common print format. Say.

  The analysis of the common print format will be described by taking as an example the case where four print settings as shown in FIG. 7 are stored in the print setting storage unit 304. The four print settings stored in the print setting storage unit 304 are the print settings used by the user 1 such as “print orientation portrait”, “enlarged / reduced printing 100 (%)”, “paper size A4”, “print quality 600 ( dpi) ”,“ First page number Auto ”,“ Margin 2.5 (mm) ”,“ Horizontal center of page ”,“ No page / footer specified ”,“ Double-sided printing Single-sided ”,“ No page aggregation ”,“ Font size 10 (dot) ”,“ Print range 250 ” (mm) × 200 (mm) ”“ Number of printed pages 1 (page) ”“ Number of printed pages 1 (sheet) ”“ Print title technical manual_01 ”“ File format Word file ”. In addition, when describing a setting item below, each unit is abbreviate | omitted.

  In addition, the print settings used by User 2 are “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 50” “paper size A4” “print quality 600” “automatic first page number” “margin 2.5” “page center horizontal” “page / Footer not specified ”“ Double-sided printing Single-sided ”“ No page aggregation ”“ Font size 10 ”“ Print range 500 × 400 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Print title Technical description_02 ”“ File format Word file ". That is, the user 2 makes “enlarged / reduced printing 50” and “printing range 500 × 400” different from the print settings of the user 1. Note that “print title” and “file format” are not considered here because they are not involved in specifying the print contents.

  In addition, the print settings used by User 3 are “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 50” “paper size A4” “print quality 600” “automatic first page number” “margin 0.5” “page center horizontal” “page / Footer not specified ”“ Double-sided printing Single-sided ”“ No page aggregation ”“ Font size 10 ”“ Print range 600 × 500 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Print title Technical description_03 ”“ File format Word file ". That is, the user 3 makes “enlarged / reduced printing 50”, “margin 0.5”, and “printing range 600 × 500” different from the printing settings of the user 1.

  Also, the print settings used by user 4 are “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 50” “paper size A3” “print quality 600” “automatic first page number” “margin 0.5” “page center horizontal” “page / Footer not specified ”“ Double-sided printing Single-sided ”“ No page aggregation ”“ Font size 8 ”“ Print range 800 × 600 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Print title Technical description_05 ”“ File format Word file ". That is, the user 3 makes “enlarged / reduced printing 50” “paper size A3” “margin 0.5” “font size 8” “printing range 800 × 600” different from the print setting of the user 1.

  In this case, as a method of detecting one common print format by the common print format analysis unit 305, there is a method that pays attention to “print range” and “number of printed sheets”. In the case of paying attention to this “print range” and “number of prints”, the common print format analysis unit 305 adopts that there are a plurality of “print range” values different from each other and “print number 1”. That there is a tendency to Then, the common print format analysis unit 305 detects other items whose values are changed between print settings used by each user. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, “enlarged / reduced printing”, “paper size”, “margin”, “font size”, and “printing range” are items whose values are changed between print settings by the common print format analysis unit 305. Detected.

  Further, in the method of analyzing the common print format by paying attention to the “print range” and the “number of printed sheets”, the common print format analysis unit 305 sets “print range” for each setting item in which the change is seen. Analyze how these setting items change as they grow larger. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, the common print format analysis unit 305 examines each print setting in ascending order of the “print range”, and when the “print range” increases, “enlarged / reduced print” is changed first. Second, “margin”, third, “paper size” and “font size” are detected. Further, the common print format analysis unit 305 changes “enlarged / reduced printing” to “50”, which is changed to a lower limit (for example, in a direction of decreasing the value, and continues the same value twice or more, and then changed) If it is not, the continuous value is determined as the lower limit), and the “margin” is changed to “0.5” to detect the lower limit (the determination is the same as in the case of “enlarged / reduced printing”).

  Accordingly, when paying attention to “print range” and “number of prints”, the print format analysis unit 305 confirms that (1) “number of prints 1” is set in common, and (2) “print range” is When it becomes larger, it will be changed in the order of “enlarged / reduced printing”, second “margin”, third “paper size” and “font size”, and (3) “enlarged / reduced printing” The tendency shown by the said (1)-(4) that "50" is a minimum and (4) "margin" is "0.5" is a minimum is detected.

  As described above, when the print format analysis unit 305 detects the common print format and the above tendency (YES in S13), the determination unit 306 and the print format indicated by the print setting received in S11 and the common format analyzed in S13 above. It is determined whether the print format matches (S14).

  When the determination unit 306 determines that the print format indicated by the print setting received in S11 does not match the common print format analyzed in S13 (NO in S14), the setting unit 303 receives the print format in S1. The print setting of the print job is changed so as to match the tendency obtained in the analysis of the common print format (S15). The setting unit 303 sets the changed print setting for printing (S16), and the control unit 301 operates the image forming unit 130 to execute printing with the print setting (S17). When the print setting change shown in S15 is performed, the display control unit 302 displays the print setting received in S11 on the display unit 406 in the tendency obtained in the analysis of the common print format. You may make it display the message which shows that it was changed into the content which corresponds, or the said changed content. Further, in this case, the display unit 406 may cause the display unit 406 to continue to display the message for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) after the end of printing in S17. According to this, when a user who has transmitted a print job from a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 1 comes to the image forming apparatus 1 to retrieve the printed material, the printed material is the common print. The user can be made aware of the change to the content indicated by the format from the display content displayed on the display unit 406.

  Continuing with the above example, in the print settings indicated by the print job received in S11, the print range is “600 × 500”, and “enlarged / reduced print 100” “margin 2.5” “paper size A4” “font size 2.5” “ When the number of printed pages is 2 and the number of printed pages is 2, the determining unit 306 determines that the number of printed pages is contrary to the analyzed tendency of adopting one page regardless of the width of the print range. Therefore, the setting unit 303 changes “number of printed sheets 2” to “number of printed sheets 1” in accordance with the tendency. At the same time, the setting unit 303 detects the “enlargement / reduction” detected as the change target in the analysis of the common print format in order to enable the “print range 600 × 500” to be printed with the “number of prints 1”. For “Print”, “Paper Size”, “Margins”, and “Font Size”, change the values in the order of changing “Enlarged / Reduced Printing”, “Margins”, “Paper Size”, and “Font Size” as shown above, Make sure that "Number" is "1". In this example, the setting unit 303 first changes “enlarged / reduced printing” to “50” in accordance with the above tendency. With this change, “print range 600 × 500” can be printed with “number of print pages 1”, and the setting unit 303 ends the setting change here.

  Also, for example, the received print job is set to a printing range “800 × 600”, “enlarged / reduced printing 100” “margin 2.5” “paper size A4” “font size 2.5” “printed page number 1” “number of printed pages” 3 ”is contrary to the above-mentioned tendency of adopting one print number regardless of the print range, the setting unit 303 changes“ print number 3 ”to“ print number 1 ”. At the same time, in order to make it possible to print “print range 800 × 600” with “number of prints 1”, “enlarged / reduced printing” “paper size” detected as a change target in the analysis of the above common print format “Margins” and “Font size” are changed in the order of “enlarged / reduced printing”, “margin”, “paper size” and “font size” indicated by the above trend, and “number of printed pages” is set to “1” ". In this example, the setting unit 303 first changes “enlarged / reduced printing” to “50” in accordance with the above tendency. With this change, “print range 800 × 600” cannot be printed with “number of printed pages 1”, but since “50” is the lower limit value of “enlarged / reduced printing”, the setting unit 303 next sets “margin”. "Is changed to" 0.5 ". With this change, “print range 800 × 600” cannot be printed with “number of printed pages 1”. However, since “0.5” is the lower limit value of “margin”, the setting unit 303 subsequently selects “font size”. "Is changed to 8, and the paper size is further changed to A3. With this change, “print range 800 × 600” can be printed with “number of print pages 1”, so the setting unit 303 ends the setting change.

  When the print format analysis unit 305 does not detect the common print format and the above-described tendency (NO in S13), that is, the print item analysis unit 305 is specified by the setting item indicated by each print item stored in the print setting storage unit 304. If there is no common print format in the print contents, the setting unit 303 sets the print setting indicated by the print job received in S1 for printing (S16), and the control unit 301 sets the print setting. The image forming unit 130 is operated to execute printing (S17). Also, if the determination unit 306 determines that the print format indicated by the print setting received in S11 matches the common print format analyzed in S13 (YES in S14), the setting unit 303 receives the print format in S1. The print setting indicated by the print job is set for printing (S16), and the control unit 301 operates the image forming unit 130 with the print setting to execute printing (S17). Then, the control unit 301 stores the print settings set for the current printing in S16 (including any of the print settings changed in S15 and the print settings received in S11). The data is stored in 304 (S18).

  Here, another example of analysis of a common print format and print settings based on the common print format will be described. The setting items are the same as in the above examples.

  In another example shown in FIG. 8, the print setting used by the user 1 is “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 100” “paper size A4” “print quality 600” “automatic first page number” “margin 2.5”. "Horizontal page center" "No page / footer specified" "Double-sided printing Single-sided" "No page aggregation" "Font size 10" "Print range 250 x 200" "Number of printed pages 1" "Number of printed pages 1" "Print title Technical description Document_01 "" File format Word file ".

  Also, the print settings used by User 2 are: “Portrait Orientation” “Enlarged / Reduced Printing 100” “Paper Size A4” “Print Quality 600” “Automatic First Page Number” “Margin 2.5” “Page Center Horizontal” “Page / Footer not specified ”“ Double-sided printing Single-sided ”“ Page aggregation 2 ”“ Font size 10 ”“ Print range 500 × 400 ”“ Number of printed pages 2 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Print title Technical description_02 ”“ File format Word file ". That is, the user 2 makes “page aggregation 2”, “number of print pages 2”, and “print range 500 × 400” different from the print settings of the user 1.

  In addition, the print settings used by User 3 are “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 100” “paper size A4” “print quality 600” “automatic first page number” “margin 0.5” “page center horizontal” “page / Footer not specified ”“ Double-sided printing Duplex ”“ Page aggregation 2 ”“ Font size 10 ”“ Print range 600 × 500 ”“ Number of printed pages 3 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Print title technical manual _03 ”“ File format Word file ". That is, the user 3 makes “page aggregation 2”, “double-sided printing double-sided”, “number of printed pages 3”, and “printing range 600 × 500” different from the print setting of the user 1.

  Also, the print settings used by user 4 are “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 100” “paper size A3” “print quality 600” “automatic first page number” “margin 0.5” “page center horizontal” “page / Footer not specified ”“ Double-sided printing Single-sided ”“ Page aggregation 4 ”“ Font size 8 ”“ Print range 700 × 600 ”“ Number of printed pages 4 ”“ Number of printed pages 1 ”“ Print title Technical description_04 ”“ File format Word file ". That is, the user 3 makes “page aggregation 4”, “number of print pages 4”, and “print range 700 × 600” different from the print settings of the user 1.

  In this case, the print format analysis unit 305 uses another common print format detection method different from the above. First, the print format analysis unit 305 pays attention to the “print range” and the “number of prints” as in the above example. In this example, the print format analyzing unit 305 detects that there is a tendency that there are a plurality of “printing range” values and that there is a single “printing number”. Then, the common print format analysis unit 305 detects other items whose values are changed between print settings used by each user. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the common print format analysis unit 305 performs “enlargement / reduction printing”, “paper size”, “margin”, “font size”, “printing range”, “double-sided printing”, “page aggregation”, “printing page”. Focusing on “number” and “number of printed sheets”, “double-sided printing”, “page aggregation”, “number of printed pages”, and “printing range” are detected as items whose values change between print settings.

  Further, the common print format analysis unit 305 analyzes how “double-sided printing”, “page aggregation”, and “number of printed pages” change as the “printing range” increases. The common print format analysis unit 305 examines each print setting in ascending order of the “print range”. When the “print range” increases and the “number of print pages” increases, the “page aggregation” is changed first. Next, it is detected that “duplex printing” has been changed. In addition, the common print format analysis unit 305 determines that (i) in the relationship between “page aggregation” and “double-sided printing”, if “print range” increases and “number of printed pages” increases to “2”, “Page aggregation” is first changed to “2”, “Double-sided printing” is maintained as “Single-sided”, and (ii) “Print range” is increased and “Number of printed pages” is “3”. , “Page aggregation” remains “2”, “Double-sided printing” is changed to “Double-sided”, and (ii) “Printing range” becomes larger and “Number of printed pages” increases to “4”. Then, it detects that “page aggregation” is changed to “4” and “double-sided printing” is changed to “single-sided”.

  As a result, the print format analysis unit 305 confirms that (a) “print range” and “number of prints” are common to each user, and (b) “print” When the “range” and “number of printed pages” increase, “enlarged / reduced printing”, “margins”, “paper size”, “font size” remain unchanged, and “page aggregation” and “double-sided printing” start to change from “page aggregation”, (c) If both “Page aggregation” and “Double-sided printing” do not change to “Number of prints 1”, then change “Page aggregation”. In this case, set “Page aggregation” to “4”. The tendency to change to is detected.

  The print setting of the print job received in S11 is, for example, the print range “500 × 400”, “enlarged / reduced print 100” “margin 2.5” “paper size A4” “no page aggregation” “double-sided printing single-sided” “printing” When the number of pages is 2 and the number of printed sheets is 2, the determining unit 306 determines that the number of printed pages is against the tendency to adopt one regardless of the width of the print range. , “Printed number 2” is changed to “Printed number 1” and “Print range 500 × 400” is detected as the above-mentioned changed item to enable printing with “Number of printed pages 1” Paying attention to “page aggregation” and “double-sided printing”, in accordance with the above trend, first adopt “changed values obtained in the above analysis in order of“ page aggregation ”and then“ double-sided printing ”. The number of printed pages is 1 ”. In this example, the setting unit 303 first changes “page aggregation” to “2”. With this change, “print range 500 × 400” can be printed with “number of prints 1”, and the setting unit 303 ends the setting change here.

  As another example, the print job has a printing range of “600 × 500”, “enlarged / reduced printing 100” “margin 2.5” “paper size A4” “no page aggregation” “double-sided printing single-sided” “printing” When the number of pages is 3 and the number of printed sheets is 3, the setting unit 303 sets the number of printed sheets to 2 regardless of whether the printing range is wide or not. “Page aggregation” and “Double-sided printing” detected as the above changed items in order to enable “Print range 600 × 500” to be printed with “Number of prints 1”. The change values obtained by the above analysis are adopted in the order of “page aggregation” and “double-sided printing” indicated by the above tendency so as to be “number of printed pages 1”. In this example, the setting unit 303 first changes “page aggregation” to “2”. In this state, the number of printed sheets does not fit in 1, so the setting unit 303 further changes “double-sided printing” to “double-sided” in accordance with the above tendency. With this change, “printing range 600 × 500” can be printed with “number of prints 1”, and the setting unit 303 ends the setting change here.

  As a result, it is not only necessary to change the acquired print setting setting item so as to match the common print format, but it is more suitable for the user's preference according to the trend indicated by the past setting items of the print setting. Printing with the print settings assumed to be possible.

  Accordingly, the user can perform printing with the print setting indicating the common print format that is assumed to be suitable for the user's preference from the past print history by the print job without performing a special operation.

  In the embodiment and each example, the print format analysis unit 305 analyzes the common print format, analyzes the trend indicated by the past setting items of the print setting, and prints content according to the trend. As described above, each setting item of the print setting received in S11 is changed, but the print format analysis unit 305 stops until the common print format is analyzed, and the setting unit 303 determines that the print setting received in S11 If the determination unit 306 determines that the value is sufficient to realize the print content indicated by the common print format, the value of each setting item of the print setting received in S11 is not changed, while the value received in S11. When the determination unit 306 determines that the print setting does not match the analyzed common print format, the print setting setting item received in S11 indicates the analyzed common print format. It may be changed to the contents.

  Next, a second embodiment in the case where a common print format is analyzed in the processing at the time of printing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment in a case where a common print format is analyzed in the processing at the time of printing by the image forming apparatus 1. In the description of the second embodiment, the description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the print format analysis unit 305 analyzes the common print format for each user indicated by identification information unique to the user.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, after the power is turned on, the display control unit 302 causes the display unit 406 to display an input screen G2 for identification information (for example, user ID) as shown in FIG. 10 (S21). Here, by operating the numeric keypad 402 of the operation unit 400, for example, identification information (user ID, etc.) unique to each user consisting of a 4-digit number is input by the operator, and the OK button B2 displayed on the input screen G2 is pressed. Thus, when the identification information is received by the operation unit 400 as an identification information input unit by the touch panel function (YES in S22), the control unit 301 stores the input identification information in a built-in memory (data It is determined whether or not it matches the predetermined identification information (identification information permitted to operate the image forming apparatus 1) stored in another storage unit such as the storage unit 600). If yes (YES in S23), login to the image forming apparatus 1 is permitted for the identification information (S24). Note that if the control unit 301 determines that the input identification information does not match the predetermined identification information (NO in S23), the control unit 301 determines that the input identification information The process ends without permitting login to the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the network I / F unit 503 receives a print job including data to be printed from a personal computer or the like connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network (YES in S25), the control unit 301 uses the common print format. It is determined whether or not the setting for executing the analysis is made (S26).

  If the control unit 301 determines that the setting for executing the analysis of the common print format has been made (YES in S26), for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the print format analysis unit 305 displays the print setting storage unit 304. The print setting of the user (User 001) corresponding to the input identification information is extracted from the above, and the common print format is analyzed based on the setting items indicated by the extracted print settings (S26, S27).

  The common print format analysis performed by the print format analysis unit 305 for the setting items indicated by the extracted print settings is performed for the setting items indicated by the extracted print settings. This is done in the same way as format analysis.

  According to the second embodiment, the user who has input the identification information without performing any special operation prints the common print format assumed to be suitable for the user's own preference from the past history. It is possible to print with settings.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the print format analysis unit 305 stops until the common print format is analyzed for each input identification information, and the setting unit 303 receives the received print information. If the determination unit 306 determines that the setting is a value sufficient to realize the print content indicated by the common print format, the value of each setting item of the received print setting is not changed, whereas the received print When the determination unit 306 determines that the setting does not match the analyzed common print format, the received print setting setting item may be changed to content indicating the analyzed common print format. It may be performed.

  As another embodiment, for example, the common print format analysis and setting processing can be performed for each file format or file name. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  As in the second embodiment, when the network I / F unit 503 receives a print job including data to be printed from a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network (YES in S25), the control unit It is determined whether or not 301 is set to execute the analysis of the common print format (S26).

  In the other embodiment, when the control unit 301 determines that the setting for executing the analysis of the common print format is made (YES in S26), the print format analysis unit 305 displays the print setting storage unit 304. The print settings are extracted from each file format or file name, and the common print format is analyzed based on the setting items indicated by the extracted print settings (S27). The common print format analysis performed by the print format analysis unit 305 for the setting items indicated by the extracted print settings is performed for the setting items indicated by the extracted print settings. This is done in the same way as format analysis.

  The analysis of the common print format for each file format by the print format analysis unit 305 will be described by taking as an example the case where the print setting storage unit 304 stores the six print settings shown in FIG.

  When the file format of the print setting indicated by the print job received in S25 is, for example, “word (registered trademark) file”, the print format analysis unit 305 prints only the print setting having the “word file” as the file format. Extracted from the setting storage unit 304. The print setting storage unit 304 stores six print settings shown in FIG. 12 below, that is, four print settings whose file format is a word file and two print settings whose file format is an Excel (registered trademark) file. If so, the print format analysis unit 305 extracts four print settings having the “word file” as the file format. The print format analysis unit 305 analyzes the common print format for each setting item of the four print settings whose extracted file format is a word file in the same manner as the common print format analysis shown in the first embodiment. To do.

  Further, an example in which the print format analysis unit 305 performs the common print format analysis processing for each print title will be described. For example, taking the case where six print settings as shown in FIG. 13 are stored in the print setting storage unit 304 as an example, the analysis of the common print format for each file name will be described.

  When the “print title” of the print setting indicated by the print job received in S25 is “progress table”, the print format analysis unit 305 prints only four print settings having “progress table” as “print title”. Extracted from the storage unit 304.

  Here, user 1's print settings are “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 50” “paper size A4” “print quality 600” “first page number auto” “margin 2.5” “page center horizontal” “page / "No footer specified" "Double-sided printing Single-sided" "No page aggregation" "Font size 10" "Print range 250 x 200" "Number of printed pages 1" "Number of printed pages 1" "Print title progress table_01" "File format Excel file Is.

  User 3's print settings are “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 50” “paper size A4” “print quality 600” “first page number auto” “margin 2.5” “page center horizontal” “page / footer” “Not specified” “Double-sided printing” “Double-sided” “No page aggregation” “Font size 10” “Print range 500 × 400” “Number of printed pages 3” “Number of printed pages 2” “Print title progress table_02” “File format Excel file” It is.

  In addition, the print setting of user 5 is “print orientation vertical” “enlarged / reduced print 50” “paper size A4” “print quality 600” “automatic first page number” “margin 2.5” “page center horizontal” “page / footer” "Not specified" "Double-sided printing Double-sided" "No page aggregation" "Font size 10" "Print range 600 x 500" "Number of printed pages 4" "Number of printed pages 2" "Print title progress table_03" "File format Excel file" It is.

  In addition, the print settings of user 6 are “print orientation portrait” “enlarged / reduced print 50” “paper size A4” “print quality 600” “automatic first page number” “margin 2.5” “page center horizontal” “page / footer” "Not specified" "Double-sided printing Double-sided" "No page aggregation" "Font size 10" "Print range 800 x 600" "Number of printed pages 5" "Number of printed pages 3" "Print title progress table_04" "File format Excel file" It is.

  In this example, the common print format analysis unit 305 uses a method that pays attention to “print range” and “number of prints” as a common print format detection method. In this example, the common print format analysis unit 305 has a tendency that “print range” has a plurality of different values, and “enlarged / reduced print” has “50” in common. Detect that there is. Then, the common print format analysis unit 305 detects other items whose values are changed between print settings used by each user. In the case of the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the common print format analysis unit 305 focuses on “double-sided printing”, “printing range”, “number of printed pages”, and “number of printed pages”. The print format analysis unit 305 (i) in the relationship between “number of printed pages” and “double-sided printing”, when “printing range” increases and “number of printed pages” increases to “3”, “number of printed pages” Is first changed to “2”, and “double-sided printing” is changed to “double-sided” (“page aggregation” is “none”), and (ii) “printing range” is increased and “number of printed pages” is set to “ When the number increases to “4”, “Number of prints” is set to “2”, “Double-sided printing” is set to “Double-sided” (“Page aggregation” remains “None”), and (iii) “Print range” is When the number of printed pages increases to “5”, the “Number of printed pages” is set to “3” and “Double-sided printing” is set to “Double-sided” (“Page aggregation” remains “None”) , To detect the tendency. Further, the common print format analysis unit 305 adopts “double-sided printing single-sided” when “number of printed pages” is 1, and adopted “double-sided printing double-sided” when “number of printed pages” is 2 or more, The “number of printed sheets” detects a tendency that a value of a necessary number determined by increasing the “number of printed pages” and “double-sided printing” becomes “double-sided” is adopted.

  Here, the print setting of the print job received in S11 is, for example, the print range “800 × 600” of the print setting indicated by the print job, and “double-sided printing double-sided” “page aggregation 2” “number of printed pages 3” When “Number of printed sheets 1” is set (the other setting items are the same as those shown in FIG. 13), the setting unit 303 Change “Number of copies 1” to “Number of copies 2” and “No page aggregation”.

  According to these examples, the user can perform printing in the file format or the print setting indicating the common print format assumed to be suitable for the user's preference from the past history without performing any special operation. This can be done for each file name.

  In the other embodiments, similarly to the first embodiment, the print format analysis unit 305 stops until the common print format is analyzed, and the setting unit 303 indicates that the received print setting indicates the common print format. If it is determined by the determination unit 306 that the value is sufficient to realize the print contents, the value of each setting item of the received print setting is not changed, while the received print setting is analyzed in the common When the determination unit 306 determines that the print format does not match, the received print setting setting item may be changed to content indicating the analyzed common print format. In addition, the common print format may be analyzed for each input identification information, and the setting items of the print settings may be changed according to the common print format.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the print format analysis unit 305 performs the print setting analysis for each user identification information for all print settings stored in the print setting storage unit 304 for the analysis of the common print format. The print settings extracted from the storage unit 304 are targeted, and the print settings extracted from the print setting storage unit 304 are targeted by file format type or file name. The analysis of the common print format is not limited to this. For example, the print format analysis unit 305 extracts from the print setting storage unit 304 a print setting that has any two or more of the identification information, the file format type, and the file name, and the extracted print setting. It is also possible to analyze the common print format as a target.

  Further, when the print format analysis unit 305 analyzes the common print format for the print settings extracted for each file format type, the print setting “file” indicated by the print job received by the network I / F unit 503 is used. When it is determined that a print setting having the same “file format” as “format” is not stored in the print setting storage unit 304, the print format analysis unit 305 displays a plurality of prints stored in the print setting storage unit 304. The most frequently used “file format” is detected, and a common print format is analyzed in the same manner as in the first embodiment for a plurality of print settings having the detected “file format”. You may do it. In this case, the setting unit 303 changes each setting item of the print setting indicated by the received print job using the common print format and tendency obtained by this analysis.

  When the print format analysis unit 305 analyzes the common print format for print settings extracted for each file name, the “file name” of the print setting indicated by the print job received by the network I / F unit 503 is used. Multiple print settings including not only print settings having the same “file name” but also print settings having a “file name” similar to the “file name” of the print setting indicated by the received print job. As a target, the common print format may be analyzed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. For example, when the “file name” includes at least characters, and the symbol or number is also included in the “file name”, the print format analysis unit 305 displays the “file name” of the print setting indicated by the received print job. And the character portion of the “file name” of each print setting stored in the print setting storage unit 304, and the “file” of the print setting indicated by the received print job is determined. The print setting of the print setting storage unit 304 in which the character part of the “name” matches the character part is “print setting” having a “file name” similar to the “file name” of the print setting indicated by the received print job. Judge that there is. Also in this case, the setting unit 303 changes each setting item of the print setting indicated by the received print job using the common print format and tendency obtained by this analysis.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 130 Image forming part 300 Control unit 301 Control part 302 Display control part 303 Setting part 304 Print setting storage part 305 Print format analysis part 306 Judgment part 307 Identification information storage part 400 Operation part 406 Display part 503 Network I / F Part 600 Data storage part

Claims (4)

A print setting acquisition unit for acquiring print settings used when printing the print target data;
A setting unit for setting a print setting acquired by the print setting acquisition unit for a printing operation;
A print setting storage unit for accumulating print settings set in the setting unit;
Of the setting items of each print setting stored in the print setting storage unit, pay attention to two predetermined setting items, and set the setting item having the setting value in common as the setting value. while analysis as a common print format together after analyzing the setting items towards the set value is changed as the target setting item, among the plurality of setting items stored in the print setting memory unit, the attention The setting content when the setting value of the setting item is the smallest is set as the reference setting content, and is different from the setting items analyzed as the common print format and the setting items other than the attention setting item compared with the reference setting content. printing the number of times that the set value has been selected as the maximum setting items are most likely to vary from set item, detecting a changed easily set items from said most changed easily set items in the order often the number And the expression analysis unit,
Judgment to determine whether or not the print format indicated by the print setting matches the common print format analyzed at the time of acquisition of the print setting when the print setting is acquired by the print setting acquisition unit With
When the determination unit determines that the print format indicated by the acquired print setting does not match the common print format, the setting unit displays the acquired print setting setting item as the common print A setting device that changes in order from the setting item that is most easily changed until it matches the format. It further comprises an identification information input unit for inputting user-specific identification information from the user,
The setting device according to claim 1, wherein the print format analysis unit analyzes the print format for each identification information input to the identification information input unit.   The setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print format analysis unit analyzes the print format for each file format or file name indicated by the print setting acquired by the print setting acquisition unit. An image forming unit that performs image formation based on image data;
A setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The print setting accepting unit of the setting device is an image forming device that accepts an input as an image forming operation setting by the image forming unit as the print setting.

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