JP5768606B2 - Image forming apparatus and output setting program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an output setting program, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an electronic pen and an output setting program for setting an output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen.

  In recent years, electronic pens having a data transmission function have become widespread. When this electronic pen is moved on a paper on which a position detection code represented by an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern is printed, the camera built in the electronic pen reads the position detection code and detects the position on the paper. The data indicating the movement trajectory of the electronic pen is output. The image forming apparatus that has received the data can analyze the data and print (direct print) information handwritten with an electronic pen on a sheet.

  As a system using such an electronic pen, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, written content written on a dedicated paper having a predetermined pattern is used as handwritten information in which the writing position is associated based on the pattern. The digital pen capable of acquiring and transmitting the handwritten information to the outside, the handwritten information transmitted by the digital pen are received, and the writing content and the writing position are based on the writing information in the handwritten information. A printing system including a computer that recognizes and reflects the written content in a predetermined file, and prints the print data based on the predetermined file and the pattern on the paper to make the dedicated paper A configuration provided with print output means for printing out as paper is disclosed.

JP 2006-268758 A

  When printing the position detection code on paper, the user needs to set printing conditions such as paper size. When directly printing information handwritten with an electronic pen on paper, the user needs to set printing conditions again. That is, since the data transmitted from the electronic pen does not include setting information that defines the printing conditions, the printing conditions must be set again during direct printing, which complicates the setting operation. was there.

  This problem occurs not only when information handwritten with an electronic pen is printed, but also when outputting in an arbitrary form, such as when transmitting by facsimile or when attached to an e-mail.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus and an output setting program capable of easily setting an output condition of data transmitted from an electronic pen. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an electronic pen that reads a specific pattern having unique position information, the specific pattern printed on a predetermined sheet, and the electronic pen A storage unit that associates and saves in a storage unit setting information that defines an output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen when moved on a predetermined paper, and analyzes data transmitted from the electronic pen A search for searching for the setting information associated with the identified specific pattern by referring to the data processing unit for identifying the specific pattern printed on the predetermined sheet and the information stored in the storage unit Based on the data transmitted from the electronic pen, the setting reflection unit that reflects the retrieved setting information in the output condition of the data transmitted from the electronic pen The write information, in which and an output unit for outputting in accordance with the output condition setting information is reflected that the search.

  The present invention is also an output setting program that operates in an apparatus capable of communicating with an electronic pen that reads a specific pattern having unique position information, the apparatus configured to print the specific pattern printed on a predetermined sheet, and the electronic A storage unit that associates and stores setting information that defines an output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen when the pen is moved on the predetermined paper, and stores the data transmitted from the electronic pen. Analyzing and referring to the information stored in the data processing unit and the storage unit for identifying the specific pattern printed on the predetermined paper, the setting information associated with the identified specific pattern is retrieved. The search unit functions as a setting reflection unit that reflects the searched setting information in an output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the output setting program of the present invention, it is possible to easily set the output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen.

  The reason is that when the image forming apparatus (output setting program) prints a position detection code (specific pattern) that can be detected by the electronic pen on a predetermined sheet of paper, the specific pattern and the data transmitted from the electronic pen are output. The setting information that defines the conditions is stored in association with it, the data acquired from the electronic pen is analyzed when the electronic pen is moved on a predetermined sheet, the specific pattern is recognized, and the stored information is referred to Search for setting information associated with the specific pattern, reflect the setting information in the output conditions of data transmitted from the electronic pen, and output the data according to the output conditions (printing, facsimile transmission, e-mail transmission) This is because control is performed.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic pen which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of an Anoto (trademark) pattern. It is a figure explaining handwriting operation using an electronic pen. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration example of a display / operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process (handwritten paper creation process) of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process (electronic pen data transmission process) of the electronic pen which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting information management table. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing (direct print processing) of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing (electronic pen data analysis processing) of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process (handwritten paper creation process) of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process (electronic pen data analysis process) of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing (operation panel setting processing) of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing (job setting processing) of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the background art, when a position detection code (specific pattern) that can be detected by the electronic pen is printed on the paper, the user sets the desired printing condition and then prints, but then sent from the electronic pen. When performing direct printing based on data, the user has to reset the printing conditions, and there is a problem that the setting operation becomes complicated. This problem is not limited to printing, and similarly occurs when an image handwritten with an electronic pen is output in an arbitrary form.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when printing a position detection code (specific pattern) on a sheet, setting information (for example, the specific pattern) that defines the output condition of the data transmitted from the specific pattern and the electronic pen is printed. The image forming apparatus outputs the data transmitted from the electronic pen (for example, direct print, FAX transmission, electronic information). When sending e-mail), the data sent from the electronic pen is analyzed to recognize the specific pattern, the setting information associated with the specific pattern is searched, and the searched setting information is sent to the data sent from the electronic pen. Control to reflect the output conditions.

  Thereby, even if a user does not perform special operation, since a user's favorite output condition is set automatically, a user's convenience can be improved significantly.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, the image forming apparatus and output setting program according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic pen of the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern, and FIG. 4 explains a handwriting operation using the electronic pen. It is a figure to do. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration example of a display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus. 7, 10, and 11 are flowcharts showing processing of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the electronic pen of the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is setting information management. It is a figure which shows an example of a table.

  The present invention can be applied to the case where data transmitted from an electronic pen is output in an arbitrary form. In the following embodiments, a case where printing is performed by an image forming apparatus will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 10 of the present embodiment is a paper (hereinafter referred to as handwritten paper) on which a position detection code represented by an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern (hereinafter referred to as a specific pattern) is printed. .) The electronic pen 20 that transmits data (hereinafter referred to as electronic pen data) including a plurality of position information indicating the movement locus of the upper pen tip, and the handwritten paper is printed and transmitted from the electronic pen 20. An image forming apparatus 30 such as a color printer or a color multifunction peripheral that prints an image handwritten with the electronic pen 20 on a sheet based on the electronic pen data. Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Electronic pen]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic pen 20, which includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a communication module 24, and a battery. 25, an image sensor 26, a pen pressure detection sensor 27, a writing module 28, a clock module 29, and the like.

  The CPU 21 is a data processing device that operates according to a program. The ROM 22 is an information storage unit that stores programs. The RAM 23 is an information storage unit that stores data. A control unit is configured by the CPU 21 and a memory such as the ROM 22 or the RAM 23.

  The communication module 24 communicates with the image forming apparatus 30 by short-range wireless communication represented by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wired communication. The battery 25 is a primary battery or a secondary battery that is a power source of the electronic pen 20. The image sensor 26 is a small CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) video camera for reading a pattern. The pen pressure detection sensor 27 is a piezoelectric element that detects the writing pressure of the electronic pen 20. The writing module 28 specifies the position of the electronic pen 20 on the handwritten paper based on the specific pattern read by the image sensor 26, and generates electronic pen data including a plurality of position information indicating the movement locus of the pen tip. The clock module 29 is a device that holds time information.

  The electronic pen 20 only needs to have a function of specifying a position on handwritten paper and transmitting electronic pen data including position information (coordinates) to the image forming apparatus 30. The configuration, shape, communication method, etc. Is not particularly limited. For example, the electronic pen 20 may be configured to identify the position by identifying the pattern configuration, density, density, and the like, or in conjunction with a device installed near the handwritten paper (for example, an angle or a distance to the device). The position may be specified based on the above. In this embodiment, an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern is used.

  FIG. 3 is an example of an Anoto (registered trademark) pattern. This Anoto (registered trademark) pattern is a dot pattern arranged in a grid pattern, and each dot is slightly shifted from the grid perpendicular to each other at intervals of 0.3 mm in either the upper, lower, left, or right direction. The data is read in a matrix unit of 6 dots vertically and 6 dots horizontally, for a total of 36 dots. Since this Anoto (registered trademark) pattern is a unique value at any point, if the layout of the Anoto (registered trademark) pattern to be combined with handwritten paper and handwritten paper is determined (that is, from which position in the pattern space) The electronic pen 20 can recognize an arbitrary position on the handwritten paper if the cut out Anoto (registered trademark) pattern is determined to be combined with the handwritten paper. (Registered trademark) patterns can be identified.

  FIG. 4 is an example in which an image is handwritten on handwritten paper on which a specific pattern is printed using the electronic pen 20 having the above configuration. In the case of directly printing an image handwritten with the electronic pen 20 with the image forming apparatus 30, the printing conditions are set by operating the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 30. Even when printing with the same setting, the setting must be performed again, and the setting operation becomes complicated.

  In addition, when performing the direct print setting, the operation panel of the image forming apparatus is operated. However, the language displayed on the operation panel is basically the native language (Japanese) of the office. When a foreigner who shares the image forming apparatus in the office performs direct print setting, it is necessary to understand what is displayed on the operation panel, and the print setting cannot be easily performed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, setting information for printing the specific pattern is stored in association with the specific pattern, and when the handwritten image based on the electronic pen data transmitted from the electronic pen 20 is directly printed, the specific pattern is stored. The setting information stored in association with is read, and the setting information is automatically reflected in direct printing. The image forming apparatus 30 having such a function will be described with reference to FIG.

[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32a, a RAM 32b, an HDD 33, a LAN I / F 34, an image processing unit 35, a printing unit 36, and a display. Consists of an operation unit 37, an electronic pen communication unit 38, a language analysis unit 39, a table storage unit 40, an electronic pen data processing unit 41, a table search unit 42, a setting reflection unit 43, etc., which are connected via a bus Has been.

  The CPU 31 is a data processing device that operates according to a program. The ROM 32a is an information storage unit that stores programs. The RAM 32b is an information storage unit that stores data. A control unit is configured by the CPU 31 and a memory such as the ROM 32a or the RAM 32b.

  The HDD 33 stores data of a specific pattern, print data received via the LAN I / F unit 34, electronic pen data received via the electronic pen communication unit 39, intermediate data generated from the print data and electronic pen data, intermediate data Bitmap data generated from the data, a setting information management table described later, and the like are stored.

  The LAN I / F unit 34 is an expansion card for connecting to a user's computer device or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network), and inputs print data transmitted from the user's computer device or the like. Data of handwritten images based on the electronic pen data transmitted from the electronic pen 20 is transmitted to a facsimile connected to the network, or attached to an electronic mail and transmitted to the user's computer device.

  The image processing unit 35 rasterizes the intermediate data created by the language analysis unit 38 and converts it into bitmap data that can be printed by the printing unit 36. At the same time, the specific pattern and bitmap data are synthesized.

  The printing unit 36 includes constituent elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and is designated based on the bitmap data created by the image processing unit 35. An image is formed on a sheet.

  The display / operation unit 37 includes a pressure-sensitive touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a lattice pattern on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and hard keys. FIG. 6 is a specific example of the display / operation unit 37. Functions can be set by the touch panel 37a, the mode switching key 37b, and the numeric keypad 37c. Further, the setting is returned to the initial setting value by the reset key 37d. In addition, operations such as copying, printing, and transmission are started by the start key 37e, and the operation state is stopped by the stop key 37f. The utility key 37g is used to perform system settings and adjustment functions of the image forming apparatus 30 main body.

  The electronic pen communication unit 38 communicates with the communication module 24 of the electronic pen 20 by short-range wireless communication or wired communication represented by the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication method, and receives electronic pen data from the electronic pen 20. And are held in the HDD 33 and the RAM 32b.

  The language analysis unit 39 includes a PJL processing unit 39a and a PDL processing unit 39b. The PJL processing unit 39a and the PDL processing unit 39b are functions generally provided in the language analysis unit of the image forming apparatus, and print data (PJL (Printer Job Language) input from a computer device or the like via the LAN I / F 34. ) Analyzing commands, page description languages (PDL) such as PS and PCLXL, or PDF (Portable Document Format) data) to create intermediate data.

  The table storage unit 40 includes information on a specific pattern to be printed on handwritten paper (for example, coordinates defined by the specific pattern), and setting information for printing the specific pattern (for example, paper size, type of single side / double side, staple Are stored in the HDD 33 or the like in association with each other.

  The electronic pen data processing unit 41 analyzes electronic pen data directly input from the electronic pen 20 through the electronic pen communication unit 38, creates intermediate data, and recognizes coordinates of a specific pattern.

  The table search unit 42 searches a table stored in the HDD 33 or the like using the coordinates of the specific pattern input from the electronic pen data processing unit 41 as a key, and reads setting information associated with the coordinates of the specific pattern.

  The setting reflection unit 43 reflects the setting information read out by the table search unit 42 in direct printing of electronic pen data.

  The table storage unit 40, the electronic pen data processing unit 41, the table search unit 42, and the setting reflection unit 43 may be configured as hardware, or the image forming apparatus 30 may be configured as the table storage unit 40 or the electronic pen data processing unit. 41. The output setting program may be configured to function as the table search unit 42 and the setting reflection unit 43, and the output setting program may be operated by the control unit.

  In addition, when a user's computer apparatus is connected to the printing system 10 and the image forming apparatus 30 is instructed to print using a printer driver installed in the computer apparatus, the output setting program is operated on the computer apparatus. It can also be. For example, when the image forming apparatus 30 prints handwritten paper in accordance with an instruction from the computer device, a table that associates the specific pattern with the setting information is stored in the storage unit of the computer device, and the electronic pen data received from the electronic pen 20 is stored. Analyzes and recognizes a specific pattern, searches the table using the coordinates of the specific pattern as a key, reads the setting information associated with the coordinates of the specific pattern, reflects the setting information to print the handwritten image, and instructs printing can do.

  Hereinafter, operations of the electronic pen 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Handwriting paper printing]
First, a procedure for printing handwritten paper to which a specific pattern is added will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When creating handwritten paper to which a specific pattern is added, the user operates the touch panel 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 to set printing conditions (for example, paper size, single side / double side, staple, etc.). Thereafter, the start button 37e is pressed to instruct printing.

  When the start button 37e is pressed, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 30 determines whether or not it is a handwriting paper creation instruction (S110). If it is not a handwriting paper creation instruction, normal print processing is performed (S150). On the other hand, in the case of a handwritten paper creation instruction, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 30 reads a specific pattern from the HDD 33 or the like, and creates handwritten paper print data to which the specific pattern is added (S120).

  Next, the table storage unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 30 collects setting information set before the start button 37e is pressed, and associates it with the coordinates of the specific pattern read in S120 as shown in FIG. A setting information management table is created (or registered in the setting information management table), and the setting information management table is stored in the HDD 33 or the like (S130).

  Thereafter, the printing unit 36 of the image forming apparatus 30 prints the handwritten paper to which the specific pattern is added based on the print data of the handwritten paper created in S120 (S140).

[Handwriting]
Next, the operation in the case of handwriting with the electronic pen 20 on the handwritten paper created in the above procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user moves the electronic pen 20 on the handwritten paper, the image sensor 26 of the electronic pen 20 detects a specific pattern printed on the handwritten paper, and the CPU 21 creates electronic pen data indicating the movement locus of the pen tip. Then, it is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 via the communication module 24 (S210). When all the electronic pen data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 30 (Yes in S220), the process is terminated.

[Direct print processing]
Next, an operation when direct printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 30 based on the electronic pen data transmitted from the electronic pen 20 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  The control unit of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the electronic pen data using the electronic pen communication unit 38 and stores it in the RAM 32b or the HDD 33 (S310). When all the electronic pen data are received (Yes in S320), the control unit determines whether the input data is electronic pen data (S330). When the input data is not electronic pen data (for example, in the case of a file that can be directly printed such as PDF or XPS (XML Paper Specification)), the language analysis unit 39 performs a normal language analysis process to obtain intermediate data. Create (S350). On the other hand, if the input data is electronic pen data, the electronic pen data is analyzed (S340).

  FIG. 11 shows details of the electronic pen data analysis processing. First, the electronic pen data processing unit 41 acquires the coordinates of a specific pattern from the electronic pen data, and the table search unit 42 uses the coordinates as a key. The setting information management table shown in FIG. 9 is searched (S410). When there is data in the setting information management table (setting information associated with the coordinates of the specific pattern is registered) (Yes in S420), the table search unit 42 refers to the setting information management table and specifies the specific pattern. The setting reflection unit 43 reflects the setting information as the setting of the direct print job (S430). On the other hand, when there is no data in the setting information management table (setting information associated with the coordinates of the specific pattern is not registered) (No in S420), the setting reflection unit 43 sets the default setting of the image forming apparatus 30 as follows. The setting is reflected as the setting of the direct print job (S440). Thereafter, the electronic pen data processing unit 41 analyzes the electronic pen data and creates intermediate data (S450).

  Returning to FIG. 10, after the language analysis process or the electronic pen data analysis process is completed and the electronic pen data is converted into intermediate data, the image processing unit 35 performs image processing in the same manner as the normal print processing ( After that, the printing process is performed by the printing unit 36 (S370).

  Thus, by storing the setting information for printing the specific pattern in association with the coordinates of the specific pattern, it is necessary to newly input the setting information when directly printing the handwritten image based on the electronic pen data. The convenience of the user can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the setting information management table is stored in the image forming apparatus 30. However, the setting information management table may be stored in the server and the search may be executed on the server. In this configuration, it is possible to reflect the setting information at the time of creating handwritten paper regardless of which image forming apparatus 30 in the network is used for direct printing.

  Next, an image forming apparatus and an output setting program according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15 are flowcharts illustrating processing of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  In the first embodiment described above, a case has been described in which handwritten images are directly printed by reflecting setting information when printing handwritten paper with a specific pattern added. You may want to print. Therefore, in this embodiment, setting information arbitrarily set by the user is stored in association with the coordinates of the specific pattern, and direct printing is executed according to the setting information.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. In this embodiment, the configurations of the electronic pen 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 are the same as those in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The operation of the electronic pen 20 is the same as that in FIG.

[Handwriting paper printing]
First, a procedure for printing handwritten paper to which a specific pattern is added will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As in the first embodiment (FIG. 7) described above, the user operates the touch panel 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 to set the print settings for handwritten paper to which a specific pattern is added (for example, paper size or single / double side). , Stapling, etc.), and then press the start button 37e to instruct printing.

  When the start button 37e is pressed, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 30 determines whether it is a handwritten paper creation instruction (S510). If it is not a handwritten paper creation instruction, normal print processing is performed (S560). On the other hand, in the case of a handwriting paper creation instruction, the control unit of the image forming apparatus 30 reads a specific pattern from the HDD 33 or the like, and creates handwritten paper print data to which the specific pattern is added (S520).

  Next, the user operates the touch panel 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 to directly print an image handwritten on handwritten paper with the electronic pen 20 (for example, paper size, single side / double side, staple, etc.). Is set (S530). Then, the table storage unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 30 creates the setting information management table as shown in FIG. 9 (or registers it in the setting information management table) by associating the printing condition setting information with the specific pattern read in S520. The setting information management table is stored in the HDD 33 or the like (S540).

  Thereafter, the printing unit 36 of the image forming apparatus 30 prints the handwritten paper to which the specific pattern is added based on the print data of the handwritten paper created in S520 (S550).

  Similarly to the first embodiment (FIG. 10), when the control unit of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the electronic pen data using the electronic pen communication unit 38, it is determined whether the input data is electronic pen data. Judging. If the input data is not electronic pen data, the language analysis unit 39 performs normal language analysis processing to create intermediate data. On the other hand, when the input data is electronic pen data, the electronic pen data is analyzed.

  Specifically, as in the first embodiment (FIG. 11), the electronic pen data processing unit 41 acquires the coordinates of a specific pattern from the electronic pen data, and the table search unit 42 uses the coordinates as a key. A setting information management table shown in FIG. If there is data in the setting information management table, the table search unit 42 reads the setting information stored in the setting information management table, and the setting reflection unit 43 reflects the setting information in the direct print job.

  On the other hand, when there is no data in the setting information management table, the setting reflection unit 43 reflects the default setting of the image forming apparatus 30 in the direct print job. Thereafter, the electronic pen data processing unit 41 analyzes the electronic pen data and creates intermediate data.

  Then, after the language analysis process or the electronic pen data analysis process is completed and the electronic pen data is converted into the intermediate data, the image processing unit 35 performs image processing in the same manner as the normal print processing, and then the printing unit At 36, a printing process is performed.

  In this way, when creating handwritten paper to which a specific pattern is added, the setting information set by the user is stored in association with the coordinates of the specific pattern, whereby the handwritten image is directly printed based on the electronic pen data. Sometimes it is not necessary to make print settings, and direct printing can be executed under printing conditions desired by the user.

  In the above flow, the direct print is executed according to the setting information set when instructing printing of handwritten paper. However, the setting information can be changed or added during direct printing. The operation of the image forming apparatus 30 in that case will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Since the basic operation of direct printing is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 10), the description thereof will be omitted, and the electronic pen data analysis process will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the electronic pen data analysis process, the control unit determines whether a predetermined key (for example, the STOP key 37f) is pressed (S610). Here, it is determined whether or not the STOP key 37f has been pressed after completion of the electronic pen data reception process. However, it may be configured to determine whether or not the STOP key 37f has been pressed during reception of the electronic pen data. .

  If the STOP key 37f has been pressed, an operation panel setting process is performed (S620). FIG. 14 shows details of the setting process of the operation panel. The electronic pen data processing unit 41 recognizes the coordinates of a specific pattern from the electronic pen data, and the table search unit 42 uses the coordinates as a key in FIG. The setting information management table shown is searched (S710). If there is data in the setting information management table (Yes in S720), the table search unit 42 reads the setting information associated with the coordinates of the specific pattern, and the setting reflection unit 43 sets the operation panel (sets printing conditions). The setting information is reflected on the screen and displayed (S730). On the other hand, when there is no data in the setting information management table (No in S720), the setting reflection unit 43 reflects and displays the default setting of the image forming apparatus 30 on the operation panel (S740). Thereafter, the job is interrupted until a predetermined key (for example, the START key 37e) is pressed (S750), and the user can perform editing such as changing or adding setting information during that time. Then, when the user presses the START key 37e, the job is continued, and print processing is executed according to the edited setting information.

  On the other hand, if the STOP key 37f has not been pressed, job setting processing is performed as in the first embodiment (S630). FIG. 15 shows details of the job setting process. The electronic pen data processing unit 41 acquires the coordinates of a specific pattern from the electronic pen data, and the table search unit 42 sets the coordinates shown in FIG. 9 as the keys. The information management table is searched (S810). When there is data in the setting information management table (Yes in S820), the table search unit 42 reads the setting information corresponding to the coordinates of the specific pattern, and the setting reflection unit 43 reflects the setting information in the direct print job. (S830). On the other hand, when there is no data in the setting information management table (No in S820), the setting reflection unit 43 reflects the default setting of the image forming apparatus 30 in the direct print job (S840).

  After that, returning to FIG. 13, the electronic pen data processing unit 41 analyzes the electronic pen data and creates intermediate data (S640).

  As described above, when the STOP key 37f is pressed, the preset setting information and the default setting information are reflected in the operation panel, so that the setting information can be changed or added, and the desired information can be edited. Direct print can be executed with print settings.

  In the above flow, it is determined whether or not to stop the direct print job depending on whether or not the STOP key 37f has been pressed. You may make it do.

  It is also possible to display the operation panel in a language that can be recognized by the user, including the operation panel display language in the setting information. By changing the display language of the operation panel according to the user, foreigners can easily change the setting information. Can be able to.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to description of the said Example, The structure and control can be suitably changed unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention. For example, although the first and second embodiments have been described on the premise of printing, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where data transmitted from the electronic pen is output in an arbitrary form. As an example, even when data transmitted from the electronic pen 20 is converted into a PDF or the like and transmitted, it can be used as a setting for creating a PDF.

  The present invention can be used for a printing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus and an output setting program for setting output conditions of the printing apparatus based on electronic pen data transmitted from the electronic pen.

10 Printing System 20 Electronic Pen 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 Communication Module 25 Battery 26 Image Sensor 27 Pen Pressure Detection Sensor 28 Writing Module 29 Clock Module 30 Image Forming Apparatus 31 CPU
33a ROM
33b RAM
34 LAN I / F
35 Image processing section 36 Printing section 37 Display / operation section 37a Touch panel 37b Mode switching key 37c Ten key 37d Reset key 37e Start key 37f Stop key 37g Utility key 38 Electronic pen communication section 39 Language analysis section 39a PJL processing section 39b PDL processing section 40 Table storage unit 41 Electronic pen data processing unit 42 Table search unit 43 Setting reflection unit

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an electronic pen that reads a specific pattern having unique position information,
The specific pattern printed on a predetermined sheet and the setting information that defines the output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen when the electronic pen is moved on the predetermined sheet are stored in the storage unit in association with each other. A storage unit to
A data processing unit for analyzing the data transmitted from the electronic pen and identifying the specific pattern printed on the predetermined paper;
A search unit that searches for the setting information associated with the identified specific pattern with reference to information stored in the storage unit;
A setting reflection unit that reflects the searched setting information in an output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen;
An output unit that outputs handwritten information based on data transmitted from the electronic pen according to the output condition in which the searched setting information is reflected;
An image forming apparatus. The setting information is setting information when the specific pattern is printed on the predetermined paper,
The output unit prints handwritten information based on data transmitted from the electronic pen under the same output conditions as when the specific pattern is printed on the predetermined paper.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The setting reflection unit reflects the searched setting information on a screen for setting an output condition, and enables the setting information to be edited on the screen.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The setting reflection unit reflects the default setting information of the image forming apparatus in the output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen when the search unit cannot search the setting information.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An output setting program that operates on a device capable of communicating with an electronic pen that reads a specific pattern having unique position information,
Said device,
The specific pattern printed on a predetermined sheet and the setting information that defines the output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen when the electronic pen is moved on the predetermined sheet are stored in the storage unit in association with each other. Saving part,
A data processing unit for analyzing the data transmitted from the electronic pen and identifying the specific pattern printed on the predetermined paper;
A search unit that searches for the setting information associated with the identified specific pattern with reference to information stored in the storage unit;
Causing the retrieved setting information to function as a setting reflection unit that reflects the output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen;
An output setting program characterized by that. The setting information is setting information when the specific pattern is printed on the predetermined paper,
The setting reflection unit sets the output condition of data transmitted from the electronic pen to the same setting as when the specific pattern is printed on the predetermined paper.
The output setting program according to claim 5. The setting reflection unit reflects the searched setting information on a screen for setting an output condition, and enables the setting information to be edited on the screen.
The output setting program according to claim 5. The setting reflection unit, when the search unit could not search the setting information, to reflect the default setting information of the device in the output condition of the data transmitted from the electronic pen,
The output setting program according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

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