JP5814904B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming processing system - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described in this specification include an image forming apparatus and an image forming processing system that execute an image forming process with an image forming process setting desired by a user in an image forming process using a cloud or an image forming process from a mobile terminal. About.

  When image forming processing is performed in a network environment in which a client terminal PC and an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) are connected, a print job is usually created using a printer driver. When the image forming apparatus acquires a print job, an image forming process is performed based on the print job. By using a printer driver for an image forming apparatus that performs printing, a print result in which print setting conditions are faithfully reflected can be obtained.

  On the other hand, there are increasing cases in which printing is instructed to an image forming apparatus without using a printer driver. For example, in many cases, a personal computer printer driver cannot be used on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or other mobile phone. Therefore, when printing is instructed from these portable terminals to the image forming apparatus, it is instructed without using a printer driver.

  Also, there are cases where the printer driver is not used when printing using cloud computing. For example, when application software provided as SaaS (Software as a Service), which is a type of cloud computing, is used from a terminal device, application software data is stored in a server of the SaaS provider. When printing the data of this application software, the data can be converted into a format that can be printed by a print server on the cloud, and output to the image forming apparatus for printing. In this case, printing may be instructed without using the printer driver of the image forming apparatus.

  In printing from a portable terminal that does not use a printer driver as described above or printing when using cloud computing, it is not possible to make print settings in the same way as when using a printer driver. In such a case, in printing using a mobile terminal or printing using cloud computing, a default print setting or the like may be applied to an unset print setting, and a user's desired print result may not be obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming processing system that can obtain a user-desired image forming processing result.

The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment includes a job acquisition unit, a pre-conversion data acquisition unit, a data format determination unit, a print mode change unit, and an image formation processing control unit. The job acquisition unit acquires a print job generated by an instruction from the client device via a network. The pre-conversion data acquisition unit acquires, from the server, data to be printed before being generated as a print job when the job acquisition unit acquires a print job from the server. The data format determination unit determines whether the data to be processed in the print job acquired by the job acquisition unit matches the data format of the data to be printed acquired by the pre-conversion data acquisition unit. When the data format determination unit determines that the data formats do not match, the print mode change unit retains the print processing method of the print job acquired by the job acquisition unit without executing the print job and instructs the print execution Switch to the hold printing method that executes printing when an operation input is made. Image forming process control unit, when switched to hold printing method by the print mode change section, when an operation input that instructs the printing execution is in accordance with the print job by the job acquiring unit acquires, the image forming process To control.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming processing system. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a portable terminal and PC. It is a figure which shows the structure of each apparatus of the system by the side of a cloud service provider. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of a print server. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the image forming apparatus. FIG. An example of the data table stored in a setting value database is shown. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing performed in the image forming processing system. 6 is an example of a printer selection screen displayed on the screen of a client terminal that instructs printing in the image forming processing system. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a printing process executed by the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine executed by the image forming apparatus when there is a print job reception request. 6 is a filter data table showing the contents of a filter held by the image forming apparatus. 10 is a print service filter table in which print service types and filter types are associated with each other. Shows an application-specific filter table, which is an example of a table used when setting filters according to application software It is a filter table classified by character string that is a table for setting a filter according to a character string included in a file name. 4 is an example of a job list screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. It is a conversion precision data table. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functional blocks of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. FIG. The preview screen which is an example of the screen displayed when the preview button is pressed is shown. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when the image forming apparatus acquires a print job. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when preview display or data conversion processing is performed after a job list screen for hold printing is displayed. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing executed by a function realized by a control unit or the like of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing executed by a function realized by a control unit or the like of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing executed by a function realized by a control unit or the like of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing executed by a function realized by a control unit or the like of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing executed by a function realized by a control unit or the like of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing executed by a function realized by a control unit or the like of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming processing system of the present embodiment. The image forming processing system of the present embodiment is a system that performs image forming processing by the image forming apparatus 1 based on a print instruction from a mobile terminal or a print instruction using cloud computing (cloud). Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a process for instructing printing directly from the portable terminal 100 to the image forming apparatus 1 and a printing instruction from the portable terminal 100 (or 100 ′) or PC 150 (or PC 150 ′) via the cloud. 1 shows an image forming processing system. In either case, the printer driver used when instructing printing from the PC to the image forming apparatus is not used, and printing is instructed to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming processing system shown in FIG. 1 is a system in which devices in an office, outside the office, and a provider of a service using a cloud (cloud service) are connected via the Internet, a wired network, or a wireless network. is there.

  The office includes the image forming apparatus 1, the mobile terminal 100, the PC 150, the access point 200, and the network 250.

  Outside the office, a mobile terminal 100 ′, a PC 150 ′, and an antenna 300 are included.

  On the provider side of the cloud service, there are a server 400 and a print server 450, which are connected to each other via a network 500. Hereinafter, the configuration of each apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having a plurality of functions such as copying, scanning, and FAX. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 2, an auxiliary storage device 8, a printer unit 10, a scanner unit 12, an operation panel 14, a communication interface (communication I / F) 16, and a facsimile control unit (FCU) 18. And comprising. Each component of the image forming apparatus 1 is connected via a bus 20.

  The control unit 2 controls various processes of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 2 functions by an OS (Operating System) stored in the processor 4, the memory 6, and the auxiliary storage device 8. The processor 4 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The memory 6 is a semiconductor memory, for example. The memory 6 includes a ROM 6 a that stores a control program for the processor 4 and a RAM 6 b that provides a temporary work area for the processor 4.

  The control unit 2 controls the printer unit 10, the scanner unit 12, the operation panel 14, the communication I / F 16, the FCU 18, and the like based on a control program stored in the ROM 6 a or the auxiliary storage device 8. The control unit 2 may further have various image processing functions. The control unit 2 may include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that realizes part or all of the functions of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The auxiliary storage device 8 stores application programs, various programs such as an OS, image processing target data, and other information handled by the image forming apparatus 1. The application program includes a program that executes functions of the image forming apparatus 1 such as a copy function, a print function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a network file function. The application program further includes an application for a Web client (Web browser) and other applications. The auxiliary storage device 8 stores image data generated by reading a document with the scanner unit 12, data acquired from an external device connected to the communication I / F 16, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 8 temporarily stores a job as a unit of image processing in the image forming apparatus 1 until the job is executed. The job includes a print job instructing printing output from a client terminal or the like, a copy job instructing copy processing, and a fax job instructing printing of an image received by fax.

  Further, the auxiliary storage device 8 of the present embodiment stores a set value database (DB) 8a. The setting value DB 8a is a database in which setting values of print setting items are registered in association with conditions for setting the setting values. The image forming processing method of the present embodiment using the setting values stored in the setting value DB 8a will be described later.

  The auxiliary storage device 8 may be, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive, an optical storage device, a semiconductor storage device (flash memory, etc.), or any combination of these storage devices. The auxiliary storage device 8 appropriately stores software updates, protected electronic documents, text data, account information, policy information, and the like.

  The printer unit 10 outputs, for example, an image obtained by reading a document with the scanner unit 12, a print job sent from a computer such as the mobile terminal 100 via the network 250, or a print server 450 on the cloud described later. An image is formed on a sheet based on the printed job. The printer unit 10 includes, for example, a process unit, a transfer unit for transferring a toner image onto a sheet, a fixing device, and the like.

  The scanner unit 12 includes a scanning reading unit, a document placing table, and an automatic document feeder that transports a document to a reading position. The scanning reading unit reads a document set on a document table or an automatic document feeder.

  The operation panel 14 includes a display unit 14a and various operation keys 14b. The display unit 14a displays, for example, setting contents related to printing conditions such as paper size, number of copies, print density setting, Nin1 setting, or finishing such as binding and folding. The display unit 14a is a touch panel that can be input by a touch operation. The operation keys 14b are, for example, a numeric keypad, a reset key, a stop key, and a start key. For example, the user can perform an operation input instructing execution of various processes such as copying, a print condition setting operation, or a change operation by the touch panel 14a or the operation key 14b. The display unit 14a may be a normal liquid crystal screen that is not a touch panel.

  The communication I / F 16 is an interface that connects an external device and the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 250. The communication I / F 16 may be an interface that directly connects an external device such as a flash memory. The communication I / F 16 is connected to an external device by appropriate wireless communication conforming to IEEE802.15, IEEE802.11, IEEE802.3, IEEE1284 or the like such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared connection, or optical connection, or wired communication such as USB. Connecting. The communication I / F 16 includes a buffer, and temporarily or partially holds data received via the network 250 in the buffer. The control unit 2 communicates with an external device such as the PC 150 via the communication I / F 16 and the network 250.

  A facsimile control unit (FCU) 18 performs facsimile transmission processing and reception processing in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The above is the apparatus configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing configurations of the mobile terminal 100 and the PC 150.

  First, the mobile terminal 100 is a communication device capable of data communication using a mobile phone line, a wireless LAN, or the like. Specifically, the mobile terminal 100 is a smartphone (multifunctional mobile phone), a mobile phone, or the like. In this embodiment, the portable terminal 100 is demonstrated as a smart phone. The mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 3 can be instructed to print to the image forming apparatus 1 by connecting to the network 250 from the access point 200 in the office, and further connected to the Internet. The mobile terminal 100 can also be connected to the Internet from a mobile phone network. In addition to the method of instructing the image forming apparatus 1 to print via the network 250, the print instruction from the portable terminal 100 to the image forming apparatus 1 can be performed using a cloud service. When using the cloud service, a print instruction is issued from the portable terminal 100 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the print server 450.

  A configuration of the mobile terminal 100 will be described. The portable terminal 100 includes a control unit 102, an auxiliary storage device 108, an input interface (input I / F) 110, an input unit 112, a display interface (display I / F) 114, a display unit 116, and a communication I. / F118, antenna 120, and the like. These components are connected to each other via a bus 140.

  The control unit 102 controls various processes in the mobile terminal 100. The control unit 102 functions by the processor 104, the memory 106, and the OS 108a.

  The processor 104 controls the portable terminal 100 by executing a control program (for example, firmware such as BIOS) stored in the memory 106 and an OS 108 a stored in the auxiliary storage device 108. The processor 104 is, for example, a CPU or MPU.

  The memory 106 stores a control program and provides a temporary work area to the processor 104. The memory 106 is a semiconductor memory, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 106 a that stores a control program for the processor 104, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 106 b that provides a temporary work area for the processor 4, and the like.

  Note that the control unit 102 may include an ASIC that realizes some or all of the functions of the mobile terminal 100.

  The auxiliary storage device 108 is a storage device that stores the OS 108a and other programs, and stores various data such as image data, audio data, and application software data. The auxiliary storage device 108 is a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory. As the auxiliary storage device 108, a hard disk drive, other magnetic storage device, optical storage device, or the like may be used, or any combination thereof may be used.

  The input I / F 110 is an interface for connecting the input unit 112. The input unit 112 is an input device such as an operation key or a touch panel. The input unit 112 may include any one of them or a plurality of types.

  The display I / F 114 is an interface for connecting the display unit 116. The display I / F 114 receives data to be displayed on the display unit 116 from other components connected to the bus 140. The display I / F 114 outputs display data to the display unit 116. The display unit 116 displays the output display data. When the display unit 116 is a touch panel, the display unit 116 also serves as an input unit.

  The communication I / F 118 is an interface connected to an external device. The communication I / F 18 is, for example, an external device by appropriate wireless communication conforming to IEEE802.15, IEEE802.11, IEEE802.3, IEEE1284, etc. such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared connection, optical connection, or wired communication such as USB. Communicate with. In the case of wireless communication, data is transmitted / received via the antenna 120. The control unit 102 controls communication with the outside via the communication I / F 118 and the antenna 120.

  The above is the device configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

  Next, the configuration of the PC 150 will be described. The PC 150 is a computer connected to the network 250. The PC 150 can directly instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to print via the network 250, or can instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to print via the print server 450 using the cloud service. Note that when printing is directly instructed to the image forming apparatus 1 within the network 250, this is a normal printing process in which a print job is generated using the printer driver and is printed by the image forming apparatus 1.

  The configuration of the PC 150 is basically the same as that of the portable terminal 100, and includes a control unit 152, an auxiliary storage device 158, an input I / F 160, an input unit 162, a display I / F 164, a display unit 166, and communication. I / F168 etc. are provided. Each component is connected to each other by a bus 170. Each component is obtained by replacing a configuration for a portable terminal with a configuration for a normal personal computer. For example, the input unit 162 is a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch pad, and a processor 154, a memory 156, an auxiliary storage device 158, and the like that are suitable for a personal computer are used. Since the configuration of each component is the same as the configuration of the mobile terminal 100, detailed description is omitted.

  Next, the access point 200 is a relay device for connecting to the network 250 by wireless communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a portable terminal 100 in an office that is a space capable of wireless communication with the access point 200 is connected to a network 250 by performing wireless communication with the access point 200.

  The network 250 connects the image forming apparatus 1, the PC 150, and the mobile terminal 100 connected by wireless communication so that they can communicate with each other. The network 150 may be configured by, for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the network 250 is a communication network in an office where the image forming apparatus 1 is arranged.

  Next, equipment outside the office will be described with reference to FIG. Outside the office means a general environment outside the network 250 that cannot directly access the network 250 to which the image forming apparatus 1 is connected. From outside the office, for example, the mobile terminal 100 ′ accesses the print server 450 using the cloud computing from the mobile phone network, and instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to print using the cloud service from the print server 450. be able to. In addition, the PC 150 ′ can connect to the Internet and use the cloud service, and can also issue a print instruction from the print server 450 to the image forming apparatus 1.

  In FIG. 1, a mobile terminal 100 ′, a PC 150 ′, and an antenna 300 are shown outside the office. Since the configuration of the mobile terminal 100 ′ is the same as that of the mobile terminal 100 in the office and the configuration of the PC 150 ′ is the same as that of the PC 150, description thereof is omitted.

  The antenna 300 communicates with a device having a wireless communication function and relays connection to the Internet. The communication network connected from the antenna 300 is not particularly limited as long as the wireless communication terminal can be connected to the Internet or the like. The antenna 300 is, for example, a base station of a cellular phone line network or a wireless LAN access point.

  Since the portable terminal 100 ′ and the PC 150 ′ outside the office are not connected to the network 250 to which the image forming apparatus 1 is connected, it is not possible to directly instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to print from outside the office. By using this, it is possible to instruct the image forming apparatus 1 to print via the print server 450.

  Next, a system configuration on the provider side that provides the cloud service shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, “cloud service” indicates that computer resources stored in a data center or the like are provided to a user as a service via the Internet.

  FIG. 1 shows a system in which a server 400 and a print server 450 are included as a system configuration for providing a cloud service, and these devices are connected via a network 500. Among the cloud services that can be provided by the system having such an apparatus configuration, the target in the present embodiment is a cloud service including at least processing for issuing a print instruction from the client terminal to the image forming apparatus 1 via the Internet. Therefore, at least the print server 450 (or a system capable of realizing the functions of the print server 450 described below) is included in the cloud-side apparatus. Since the server 400 may not be involved in the processing depending on the contents of the cloud service, it is not an essential configuration in the present embodiment.

  The form of the target cloud service in this embodiment is not limited. For example, (1) data held by the client terminal is transmitted (uploaded) to the print server 450 on the cloud service providing side via the Internet, and the print server 450 is (2) There is a storage for storing files on the cloud side, and a file on the storage is printed on the image forming apparatus 1 via the print server 450 by an operation from a client terminal. (3) A case where an application is provided to a client terminal as SaaS (Software as a Service), and data such as a file created by using the application is printed on the image forming apparatus 1 via the print server 450. Can be mentioned.

  In the case of (1), the print target data exists in the client terminal such as the portable terminal 100 (100 ′) or the PC 150 (150 ′), and the print target data is converted into data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the converted data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the Internet, and the image forming apparatus 1 is printed. Therefore, in the case (1), only the processing performed by the print server 450 is performed on the cloud side.

  In the case of (2), data to be printed is managed on the cloud side. Then, in response to an instruction from the client terminal, the print target data stored on the cloud side is converted into data that can be printed by the print server 450, and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the Internet for printing. . Data storage / management may be performed by the server 400, for example. However, the combination of the server 400 and the print server 450 is an example, and the data storage function and the function of the print server 450 may be realized by any device configuration. Further, the server 400 for storing data and the print server 450 do not need to exist in a specific network such as the network 500 (for example, in one data center). It may be connected with other networks. Further, the data storage / management service and the provision of the print server 450 may be provided by different providers (service providers).

  In the case of (3), the application executed on the client terminal itself is also provided from the cloud side. For example, word processing software is provided as SaaS from the cloud side to the client terminal via the Internet, and a document is created using the word processing software on the client terminal. This is the case when the document is printed. In this case, the word processing software as an application and the created document file exist on the cloud side, and the created document file is converted by the print server 450 and output to the image forming apparatus 1 via the Internet for printing. Processing is performed. The process of providing the application as SaaS via the Internet may be performed by the server 400, for example. In the case of (3), the server 400 that provides the application and the print server 450 do not have to exist in one network, and may be connected to the Internet and can communicate with each other. The provision of the application as SaaS and the provision of the function of the print server 450 may be provided by one provider or may be provided by different providers.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each device of the system that provides the cloud service will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of each device of the system on the cloud service provider side.

  The server 400 is a server for providing a cloud service related to cloud printing processed by the print server 450 as described above. The function of the server 400 varies depending on the service provided by the provider as described above. The configuration included in the server 400 is basically the same as the configuration included in the mobile terminal 100 or the PC 150 that is the computer illustrated in FIG. 3, but a device suitable for the server device is used. The auxiliary storage device 408 stores a cloud service processing program 408b corresponding to the cloud service provided by the server 400. The processor 404 executes the cloud service processing program 408b and performs predetermined processing according to the service provided as the cloud service. The cloud service program 408b is a program for providing an application if the application is provided as SaaS, for example, and if the server 400 provides a service for storing and managing a document file or the like as a cloud service. It is the management program. A part or all of the functions for realizing the cloud service processing may be realized by a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC. When the server 400 provides a file storage / management service, the auxiliary storage device 408 includes a storage area for storing files, a database for file management, and the like.

  The print server 450 performs processing (cloud print) for causing the image forming apparatus 1 to print via the Internet based on an instruction from a client terminal (such as the portable terminal 100 (100 ') or the PC 150 (150')). The processing performed by the print server 450 also varies depending on the service content provided as a cloud service. As described above, when both the print target data and the print instruction are acquired from the client terminal, or when the print target data is stored on the cloud side such as the server 400, the client terminal instructs to print the data. And when the server 400 provides an application as SaaS to the client terminal, the print target data and the print instruction are acquired from the server 400 based on the instruction from the client terminal. In any case, the print server 450 obtains a print instruction and print target data, converts the print target data into a format printable by the image forming apparatus 1 based on the print instruction, and outputs the print target data to the image forming apparatus 1. Run.

  Since the configuration of the print server 450 is basically the same as that of the server 400, detailed description thereof is omitted. The auxiliary storage device 458 stores a cloud print processing program 458b provided by the print server 450. The processor 454 executes the cloud print processing program 458b to execute cloud print processing. A part or all of the functions for realizing the cloud print processing may be realized by a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC. The functions realized by the processor 454 (or ASIC) vary depending on the contents of the cloud service provided by the print server 450.

  Next, a printing process performed by the system of the present embodiment will be described. First, the function of each device constituting the system will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the print server 450. The print server 450 includes a print instruction acquisition unit 480, a conversion unit 482, and an output unit 484.

  The print instruction acquisition unit 480 acquires a print instruction via the network 500 or the like. Specifically, in the cloud service form (1) described above, the print instruction acquisition unit 480 prints from a client terminal such as the mobile terminal 100 (100 ′) or the PC 150 (150 ′) via the Internet. A print instruction including target data and print setting information is acquired. In the cloud service form (2), the print instruction acquisition unit 480 acquires a print instruction from the client terminal, and acquires data to be printed designated in the print instruction from a storage area (for example, the server 400) on the cloud side. To do. In the cloud service form (3), the print instruction acquisition unit 480 acquires data to be printed and a print instruction related to the application from an apparatus that provides the application (for example, the server 400) based on an operation from the client terminal. . The print instruction includes information for specifying print settings and an image forming apparatus that performs printing. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the instruction is to print in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The conversion unit 482 converts the data to be printed acquired by the print instruction acquisition unit 480 into a data format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1 based on the print instruction. Note that cloud printing using the print server 450 does not go through a printer driver. For this reason, there are cases where the print target data and the print instruction are not set for all print setting items that need to be set for printing in the image forming apparatus 1. In that case, data may be converted by applying a default value provided in advance by the print server 450 to an item that needs to be set. The default value may be stored in advance in a predetermined storage area such as the auxiliary storage device 458 of the print server 450.

  The output unit 484 outputs a final print instruction (print job) including the data converted by the conversion unit 482 and print setting information to the designated image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the output unit 484 transmits data from the communication I / F 450 and is acquired by the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 500, the Internet, and the network 250.

  The above is the function of the print server 450. These functions are realized by the processor 454 executing a program such as the cloud print processing program 458b (or part or all of the functions by the ASIC).

  Next, functions of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a print job acquisition unit 30, an analysis unit 32, a determination unit 34, a setting unit 36, a RIP unit 38, and an image formation processing control unit 40.

  The print job acquisition unit 30 acquires a print job output from the print server 450 to the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the print job acquisition unit 30 also acquires a print job directly transmitted from the client terminal to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 250.

  The analysis unit 32 analyzes the print job acquired by the print job acquisition unit 30 and specifies what data to be printed and the contents of the print settings. For example, the content type (image, application, etc.) of the data to be printed, the file format (JPEG, TIFF, PPT, etc.), the setting value of the print setting such as the color / monochrome setting value and the number of copies to be printed.

  The determination unit 34 refers to the setting value DB 8a to determine which condition is satisfied for a predetermined print setting item in order to set a setting value for the predetermined print setting item. Here, FIG. 7 shows an example of the data table of the setting value database DB8a. For example, there are three types of setting values set as the print mode: “normal printing”, “trial printing”, and “hold printing”. Then, the determination unit 34 determines which setting value the print job corresponds to from the information such as the print setting included in the print job. Regarding the print mode, in the data table of FIG. 7, (i) the condition “IP address of client terminal = 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254” and the condition “number of copies <3 sheets”. If the condition is satisfied, “normal printing” is set, and (ii) “IP address of the client terminal = 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254” and “the number of copies ≧ 3” If the above condition is satisfied, “trial printing” is set. (Iii) In other cases, “hold printing” is set.

  The IP address is used to determine whether or not the client terminal is located near the image forming apparatus 1. The number of print copies is used to determine whether or not to perform trial printing. Specifically, for example, when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to the network 250 via the access point 200, a predetermined IP address (private IP address) is given from the access point 200. The IP address in the network 250 is, for example, one of 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254 as described above. When direct printing is instructed from the client terminal via the network 250, the assigned IP address is held in the print instruction information as the position information of the print instruction source. Therefore, the determination unit 34 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the IP address of the print instruction source included in the target print job is an IP address that can be assigned when the network 250 is used. It is possible to identify whether the instructing client terminal is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 1 that can be connected to the network 250 or in a position away from the image forming apparatus 1 outside the network 250.

  If the print job acquired by the image forming apparatus 1 does not include an IP address used in the network 250, hold printing is set as a print instruction from outside the network 250. “Hold printing” is a printing mode in which, when the image forming apparatus 1 acquires a print job, printing execution is temporarily suspended, and printing is executed when printing is instructed by an operation input from the operation panel 14 or the like. For example, when the client terminal is outside the network 250, even if printing is performed immediately, the user cannot collect the document immediately, and the document is left for a long time. Therefore, by switching between normal printing and hold printing using information such as an IP address that indicates the positional relationship between the client terminal and the image forming apparatus 1 that is the print instruction target, the output document is prevented from being left unattended. Leakage can be suppressed.

  Also, if the printing result desired by the user cannot be obtained when the number of copies is large, a large amount of paper is wasted. Therefore, when the determination unit 34 determines that a document to be printed is printed by a predetermined number of copies (three copies in the above example), the trial print mode is set as the print mode. Note that “trial printing” means that only one copy of a print job in which printing of a plurality of copies is set is printed, and after the user confirms the print result, an operation for instructing execution of the remaining number of copies is performed. In this mode, the remaining printing is executed. Since one copy can be printed and the print result can be confirmed, useless printing can be suppressed.

  In the data table of FIG. 7, the “paper type” is set to “thick paper” suitable for color printing when the “color mode” of the print setting item is “color”, and otherwise. A setting value is registered so that “plain paper” is set. Similarly, the “image quality setting” is determined by the determination unit 34 that “content type is JPEG format, TIFF format, BMP format” based on information identifying the application that created the data to be printed, the extension of the file name, and the content type. When the determination is made, the setting value is registered as “photograph”, when the “content type is PPT format”, the setting value is “presentation”, and otherwise the setting value is “standard”.

  Next, the setting unit 36 sets a setting value corresponding to the determination result of the determination unit 34 for each print setting item. For print setting items that require setting values for printing, usually some setting values are set in the print server 450 or the client terminal. Therefore, the setting unit 36 is configured to obtain a print result desired by the user for the print setting item that is the setting value setting target (replacement target) in the data table based on the determination result of the determination unit 34. Perform processing to replace with a value. For example, the setting unit 36 determines that the above (ii) is satisfied among the conditions corresponding to the setting items of the print mode, “color mode = color” is satisfied for the paper type, and “content type = PPT” is satisfied for the image quality setting. In this case, even if setting values have already been set for these setting items, the setting items are set by replacing printing mode: trial printing, paper type: thick paper, image quality setting: presentation. The same applies when there are other print setting items. For print setting items for which no setting value is set, the setting unit 36 simply sets the corresponding setting value.

  The RIP unit 38 generates a raster image to be printed based on the print job in which the setting value is set by the setting unit 36 for the print setting item to be set.

  The image forming treatment control unit 40 uses the raster image generated by the raster image generating process of the RIP unit 38 to control processing for causing the printer unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 to perform printing. In the printing process, a print result is obtained by applying the print setting set by the setting unit 26 or the preset print setting.

  The above is the function of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  Next, a processing flow of the image forming processing system of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of printing processing performed in the image forming processing system. In FIG. 8, the flow of processing in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

  First, the print job acquisition unit 30 acquires a print job (Act 101). The print job is output from a client terminal in the network 250 or from the print server 450 via the Internet. Then, the print job acquisition unit 30 acquires a print job via the network 250 and the communication I / F 16 of the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, the analysis unit 32 analyzes the print job acquired by the print job acquisition unit 30 (Act 102). Specifically, information (IP address, number of copies, color mode, data type, etc.) that is a determination target in the data table of the setting value DB 8a shown in FIG. 7 is extracted by analyzing the print job.

  Next, for the print job analyzed by the analysis unit 32, the determination unit 34 determines which setting value is satisfied for the print setting item defined in the setting value DB 8a (Act 103). Specifically, for example, for the print setting item of the print mode, the determination unit 34 determines whether the IP address of the transmission source of the print job analyzed by the analysis unit 32 is included in 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254, and It is determined whether the number of print copies is 3 or more. The same applies to other items.

  Next, the setting unit 36 sets a setting value for each print setting item based on the setting value DB 8a based on the determination result of the determination unit 34 (Act 104). If a default value registered in the print server 450 at the stage of the print job acquired by the image forming apparatus 1 is set for the print setting item set by the setting unit 36, the setting unit 36 sets the set value. For setting items that are not set, new setting values are set.

  For print jobs generated by the printer driver function from the PC 150 or the like connected in the network 250, the setting values originally set may be used as they are without replacing the setting values of the print setting items. .

  Next, the RIP unit 38 generates a raster image based on the print job (Act 105). Then, the image formation processing control unit 40 controls the printer unit 10 to perform image formation processing based on the generated raster image and the set print settings (Act 106). The above is the flow of processing by the image forming processing system of this embodiment.

  According to the above-described embodiment, even if a print instruction is issued without using a printer driver, appropriate print settings are set according to the status of the client terminal and the content of the print data. The optimum print processing result according to the above can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The image forming processing system of the present embodiment is a system in which a plurality of virtual printers that match the purpose of printing can be set and selected from a client terminal. Specifically, a plurality of data tables in which setting conditions and setting values are set in advance according to the purpose of printing are prepared and registered in the setting value database, and a name indicating the purpose of printing is assigned to each data table. The attached virtual printer is associated. And when printing is instructed from a client terminal, this is a system in which any virtual printer is selected and printing is instructed. There are differences in the print settings that are set when a plurality of virtual printers in this system are selected. Regardless of which print setting is selected, printing is instructed to a predetermined image forming apparatus (the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment). This is a virtual printer that executes printing. With such a system, the data table used for setting the print settings can be easily switched according to the purpose of printing, etc., so that the print result desired by the user can be obtained more easily. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a printer selection screen 180 displayed on the screen of the client terminal that instructs printing in the image forming processing system of this embodiment. The printer selection screen 180 is an example of a screen that is displayed as a screen for selecting a virtual printer when printing is instructed from a client terminal such as the mobile terminal 100 (100 ') or the PC 150 (150'). In the present embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which virtual printers named “standard printer”, “cost priority setting”, and “customer distribution setting” are registered.

  First, the standard printer 182 is a virtual printer that gives priority to the setting values set in the print job acquired in the image forming apparatus 1 and does not change or replace the setting values. Therefore, when the standard printer 182 is selected, the analysis unit 32, the determination unit 34, and the setting unit 36 of the image forming apparatus 1 do not perform processing, and the print job acquired by the print job acquisition unit 30 is processed by the RIP unit 38. The RIP process is performed, and the image forming process control unit 40 causes the printer unit 10 to print as it is. If there is a print setting item that is not set in the acquired print job, the setting unit 36 may set a default value preset in the image forming apparatus 1 as the print setting.

  Next, the cost priority setting 184 is a virtual printer that uses a data table in which setting conditions and setting values are set so as to give priority to cost reduction. Specifically, the determination unit 34 and the setting unit 36 perform determination processing and setting value setting processing based on a cost-priority data table. In the cost-prioritized data table, conditions and setting values that can be printed with priority given to cost reduction over printing quality are registered. As an example of the data table corresponding to the cost priority setting 184, for example, for a print setting item of Nin1 printing (assignment printing), 2in1 printing is performed when the number of printed pages is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pages, and 3in1 when the number of pages exceeds There are cases where printing or 4-in-1 printing is set.

  Next, the customer distribution setting 186 is a virtual printer in which print settings are set so as to obtain a print result suitable as a document to be distributed to customers. For example, the setting value is set so that the print quality is high. When the customer distribution setting 186 is selected, a print setting process is performed by the determination unit 34 and the setting unit 36 based on a data table in which setting conditions and setting values suitable for customer distribution are registered. For example, a stapling process that stops by stapling when a predetermined number of pages is exceeded is set as a set value. Also, color / monochrome is set to color by default.

  According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to make detailed print settings when the printer driver cannot be used by creating and selecting a plurality of virtual printers to which setting conditions and setting values suitable for the purpose are applied. Even if it is not, it is possible to provide a system that can obtain a printing result more in accordance with the user's request. The contents of the virtual printer and the corresponding data table described above are examples, and various virtual printers corresponding to the desired print result can be set.

  Note that the printer selection screen 180 is stored in advance in the mobile terminal as a screen to be displayed when a print instruction is issued, and the operation for selecting a virtual printer is performed when the print instruction is issued. You can make it happen. In the case of a print instruction using a cloud service, the provider side of the cloud service may display a printer selection screen 180 on the client terminal so that any virtual printer is selected when the print instruction is issued.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1 in the system that executes the processing of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described more specifically.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the main routine of the printing process executed by the function realized by the control unit 2 or the like of the image forming apparatus 1.

  First, when the power of the image forming apparatus 1 of the image forming processing system is turned on, the control unit 2 performs an initialization process (Act 201), and a personal authentication process for a user who uses the image forming apparatus 1 as necessary. (Act 202, Act 203, Act 208 to 215).

  When performing authentication processing, it is first determined whether or not authentication has been performed (Act 202), and when authentication has not been performed (No in Act 202), it is determined whether or not an input requesting to perform authentication processing has been made (Act 203). . When an authentication request is made (Yes in Act 203), the control unit 2 displays an authentication screen on the display unit 14a of the operation panel 14 (Act 208). The control unit 2 acquires user identification information by inputting an ID or the like or reading an ID card (Act 209), and transmits the identification information to an authentication server that performs the authentication process to perform the authentication process (Act 210). . The apparatus that performs the authentication process is not limited to the authentication server, and may be the image forming apparatus 1 or another server. As a result of the authentication process by the authentication server, if the authentication process is successful (Yes in Act 211), information of the authenticated user is recorded (Act 212), and the control unit 2 sets the user authority of the user who has performed the authentication process. In response, the menu screen is displayed on the display unit 14a (Act 213), and the process returns to Act 202. If the authentication process is not successful (No in Act 211), the control unit 2 displays an error message on the display unit 14a (Act 214). When the authentication process is terminated (Yes in Act 215), the process returns to Act 202. On the other hand, when the authentication process is continued, such as when the authentication process is performed again, the process returns to Act 208 and the authentication process routine is performed again.

  After the authentication process is completed (after the initialization process when the authentication process is not performed), the control unit 2 determines whether or not a print job acceptance request has been received (Act 204). The print job is a job output from a client terminal in the network 250 or from the print server 450 via the Internet. The routine when there is a print job reception request will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. If there is no print job acceptance request (No in Act 204), the control unit 2 determines whether there is a job that is requested to be executed in the print execution queue (Act 205).

  If there is a print job that is requested to be executed (Yes in Act 205), the control unit 2 extracts data to be printed from the print execution queue (Act 216). Then, the function of the RIP unit 38 of the control unit 2 performs the RIP process on the extracted target data (Act 217), and the print target image data generated by the RIP process is output to the printer unit 10 to generate an image. A formation process is performed (Act 218). The control unit 2 executes a process that needs to be executed when a print job is executed, such as a billing process to the user for the completion of printing (Act 219). Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the job still exists in the print execution queue (Act 220). If there is a job (the print execution queue is not empty) (No in Act 220), the process returns to Act 216 and the process is repeated. If there is no job (the print execution queue is empty) (Yes in Act 220), the process returns to Act 202.

  If there is no job requested to be executed in the print execution queue (No in Act 205), the control unit 2 executes processing of an event to be processed by the other image forming apparatus 1 (Act 206).

  If the image forming apparatus 1 is shut down and terminated (Yes in Act 207), the process is terminated. If the operation state is not terminated (No in Act 207), the process returns to Act 202.

  Next, the flow of the print setting replacement process performed by the image forming apparatus 1 when there is a print job reception request to the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment (Yes in Act 204) will be described with reference to FIG. To do. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing routine executed by the image forming apparatus 1 when there is a print job reception request.

  First, based on the print job reception request, the control unit 2 acquires a print job including print setting information and print target data (Act 301). Next, the control unit 2 analyzes the acquired print job, and determines whether the print job is a print job output from the terminal by selecting the virtual printer described in the second embodiment ( Act 302). If the print job is selected and output from any of the virtual printers (Yes in Act 302), the control unit 2 acquires a setting value data table corresponding to the designated virtual printer from the setting value DB 8a. (Act 303). The control unit 2 analyzes and determines the print job using the functions of the analysis unit 32 and the determination unit 34 (Act 304). When there is a print setting item that satisfies the condition in the print job to be processed (Yes in Act 305), the control unit 2 replaces the setting value of the corresponding print setting item by the function of the setting unit 36 (Act 306).

  If the virtual printer is not the selected print job (No in Act 302) and if there is no print setting item that satisfies the determination processing result (No in Act 305), the process proceeds to Act 307.

  Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the acquired print job to be processed includes identification information (user information) of the user who has output the print job (Act 307). If user information is included, it is determined whether there is a data table associated with the user (whether there is a replacement setting for replacing the setting value corresponding to the user) (Act 308).

  When there is a data table associated with the user, the control unit 2 acquires a data table of setting values corresponding to the user from the setting value DB 8a (Act 309).

  Then, the control unit 2 analyzes the print job to be processed (or based on the analysis result in Act 304) (Act 310), and determines whether there is a print setting item that satisfies the condition in the print job to be processed (replacement). It is determined whether there is an item that matches the condition (Act 311). If there is a print setting item that matches the condition (Yes in Act 311), the control unit 2 replaces the setting value of the corresponding print setting item (Act 312).

  When the user information is not included in the print job (No in Act 307), when there is no data table corresponding to the user specified in the user information (setting setting value replacement for the print setting item) (No in Act 308), and If there is no print setting item that satisfies the conditions registered in the data table in the target print job (No in Act 311), the process proceeds to Act 313.

  Next, the control unit 2 determines whether there is a data table (replacement setting corresponding to the terminal) associated with the terminal that has output the print job (Act 313). A data table associated with a terminal (replacement setting corresponding to the terminal) is a data table in which conditions and setting values for replacing setting values are registered for each terminal or the type of the terminal. Specifically, there is a data table associated with information for identifying a specific terminal, a data table corresponding to a mobile terminal, a data table corresponding to a PC, or a table corresponding to a terminal model. Can be mentioned.

  When the control unit 2 determines that there is a data table (replacement setting) corresponding to the terminal that has output the acquired print job (Yes in Act 313), the control unit 2 acquires the corresponding data table from the setting value DB 8a. (Act 314) When the condition specified in the data table from which the target print job is acquired is satisfied, the setting value of the corresponding print setting item is replaced based on the data table (Act 315 to 317).

  On the other hand, when there is no data table corresponding to the terminal that has output the print job (No in Act 313) and there are no items that satisfy the conditions specified in the data table (No in Act 316), respectively. Proceed to Act 318.

  Then, the control unit 2 registers the replaced setting value and the print target data for the print job in which the setting value is replaced in the print execution queue, and acquires the print job in which the setting value is not replaced. The print settings in the state and data to be printed are registered in the print execution queue (Act 318). The print job registered in the print execution queue is subjected to a determination process in Act 205, and the print process is executed by the processes in Acts 216 to 219. The above is the processing flow of this embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the image forming processing system according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 holds a plurality of filters that are sets of setting values (setting value sets) in which setting values are variously set for each print setting item. This is a system that performs printing by applying print settings by applying an appropriate filter according to conditions, attributes of a print object, and the like.

  FIG. 12 is a filter data table 300 which is an example of a data table in which the setting value contents of each filter held by the image forming apparatus 1 are registered. The filter data table 300 may be registered in the set value DB 8a stored in the auxiliary storage device 8.

  The filter data table 300 is a data table in which setting values of print setting items are associated with each filter. For example, in the filter 1, the paper orientation is set to horizontal, Nin1 is set to 2in1, the number of copies is set to 1, and the default values of the image forming apparatus 1 are set for the items of print mode, paper size, paper type, color mode, duplex designation, and enlargement / reduction Is a filter to which is applied. For filter 3, the print mode is hold printing, the paper type is plain paper, the color mode is monochrome, duplex specification is set to duplex, Nin1 is set to 2in1, and the items of paper size, paper orientation, enlargement / reduction, and number of copies are specified. Is the filter to which the default value is applied.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is a filter determination table in which which of the filters registered in the filter data table 300 is to be applied is associated with a printing condition, an attribute of a printing object, and the like for each user. Have Similarly, the filter determination data table may be stored in the setting value DB 8a of the auxiliary storage device 8.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a filter determination data table, which is a print service filter table 302 that associates which filter is applied to which print service. The print service is information indicating how the print job is output to the image forming apparatus 1, and specifically, the protocol of the print instruction given to the image forming apparatus 1 is different for each print service. For example, the LPR printing service is instructed to print by LPR (Line Printer Daemon protocol), and the IPP printing service is instructed to print by IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). If printing is performed using a cloud service, the cloud printing service of FIG. 13 is used. When the client terminal is a portable terminal and a print instruction is directly given to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 250, the mobile print service is used.

  In the print service filter table 302, a filter to be applied to each print service can be registered for each user. For example, in the table 302, in the case of the LPR printing service, the filter 1 is applied to the user 1 but the filter 5 is applied to the user 2. In addition, a specific filter is applied to a job of an unregistered user who is not registered as a user or a user whose user information is unknown.

  When determining a filter for setting print settings in the present embodiment, the function analysis unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 6 analyzes the print job, and the determination unit 34 based on the analysis result. It is determined which print service the target print job used and which user's print job, and the setting unit 36 refers to the print service filter table 302 to set a filter corresponding to the print service and the user. can do.

  The application of the filter may be performed based on information of a type other than the print service. For example, it may be changed according to the application software corresponding to the data to be printed, may be changed according to the file name of the file to be printed, or the position of the client that issued the print instruction is relative to the image forming apparatus 1. It may be changed accordingly.

  FIG. 14 shows an application filter table 304 which is an example of a table used when setting a filter according to application software. In this table 304, for example, when the user 1 instructs printing using the application 1, the filter 8 is applied, and when the user 1 uses the application 2, the filter 9 is applied. Further, the filter is determined so that the filter 2 is applied to the user 2 in any of the applications 1 to 3. Further, when an unregistered user or user information is unknown, the default setting value is registered without applying the filter.

  FIG. 15 is a character string filter table 306 which is an example of a table for setting a filter in accordance with a character string included in a file name. For example, if the file name to be printed includes the file name “_2in1.”, The filter 2 is applied to the user 1 and the filter 3 is applied to the user 2. For example, the file name of a file to be printed in 2in1 should be set to include “_2in1.” In the file name and registered in the table 306 so that the filter in which 2in1 is set in the filter data table 302 is set. For example, 2in1 printing can be performed without setting 2in1 or without setting 2in1 at the client terminal. In addition, when the file name includes “_col.”, A filter for setting color printing is applied, and when the file name includes “_f1.”, The filter 1 is applied. It can also be made. Decide the rule for the character string to be included in the file name and the print setting you want to set, and if the filter to be applied is associated with the character string in the file name, the desired print setting can be obtained by putting a specific character string in the file name Can be printed.

  In addition, when information about the position of the client terminal that issued the print instruction is obtained by analyzing the acquired print instruction, a filter may be set according to the content of the information about the position. For example, it is determined whether the client terminal that issued the print instruction is in the office where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed or outside the office from the positional information given to the client terminal that issued the print instruction. Alternatively, even in the same office, it may be determined whether the position is near or far from the image forming apparatus 1, and a filter may be set according to each section.

  In any case, the analysis unit 32 first analyzes the print job acquired by the image forming apparatus 1 and acquires necessary information (print service, application, file name, user, etc.) according to the table to be applied. . Then, the determination unit 34 determines which frame of the table the print job corresponds to based on the acquired information, and the setting unit 36 sets the print setting of the corresponding filter registered in the filter data table 300. Thus, print settings can be set for the print job to be processed.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated as setting a filter for every user, it does not need to be divided for every user and the same filter may be set with respect to all the users.

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to perform printing with appropriate print settings according to the contents of a print job even when the print settings are not set in detail, such as when the printer driver cannot be used.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the print processing method performed by the printing system described in the above-described embodiment particularly relates to a case where printing is performed using a cloud service.

  Specifically, when printing is first performed using a cloud service, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not conversion processing has been performed on print target data in the print server 450, and the conversion processing is performed. The print job is switched to hold printing. Further, the accuracy of the conversion processing performed by the print server 450 when the print job whose data has been converted by the print server 450 and switched to hold printing is displayed on the image forming apparatus 1 as a list of hold print targets. In addition to displaying conversion accuracy, preview display is possible.

  Here, the conversion accuracy in the present embodiment refers to the number of times a print job that has been subjected to the same conversion process is finally printed in the image forming apparatus 1 (that is, the number of times printing is completed without canceling the job). Divided by the total number of print jobs that have been subjected to the same conversion process by the image forming apparatus 1 (that is, the total number of print jobs that have undergone the conversion process, regardless of whether or not the printing process is finally completed) It is a numerical value. In the present embodiment, the larger the numerical value, the higher the conversion accuracy, and the smaller the value, the lower the conversion accuracy.

  This is because the case where printing is not finally performed by hold printing as described above is because it is considered that it is determined that the desired printing result cannot be obtained by confirming the printing result in the preview display. As described above, in the case of hold printing, the print result can be confirmed in advance by displaying a preview of the target print job. If the user confirms that the preview does not yield a desired print result, there is a possibility that printing will not be performed. Therefore, if the ratio of the number of times of final printing with respect to the total number of print jobs acquired for a certain conversion process is low, the user often does not print because he / she thinks that the desired print result cannot be obtained. Conceivable. Therefore, when the numerical value mentioned above is small, it can be said that it is a conversion process in which data tends not to be converted accurately. On the other hand, when the above-described numerical value is large, it can be said that the conversion process tends to convert the data accurately.

  As an example, data converted from JPEG to pdf by the print server 450 will be described. If the number of jobs acquired by the image forming apparatus 1 after being converted from JPEG to pdf in the print server 450 is 165, and the number of times that the image forming apparatus 1 has finally printed is 160 times, the number of jobs printed from the JPEG is The conversion accuracy of the conversion process to pdf is 160/165 = 0.97 (97%). That is, a print job in which the original data is converted into pdf in the print server 450 in JPEG and output to the image forming apparatus 1 is held by hold printing, but 97% is finally printed. .

  In this embodiment, the conversion accuracy is divided into three levels and displayed on the job list screen for hold printing based on the conversion accuracy obtained as described above. Specifically, the conversion accuracy is displayed as “◎”, “◯”, “Δ” from the higher conversion accuracy.

  FIG. 16 shows a job list screen 308 displayed on the display unit 14a in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment as an example of the job list screen. When the user instructs printing using the cloud service and the job is switched to hold printing, the conversion accuracy displayed in three stages, which is one item of the job list 308a displayed on the job list screen 308, is set. It is possible to determine whether or not to execute printing. If the conversion accuracy of the target job is “◎” or “○”, it can be considered that the conversion processing pattern has a relatively high conversion accuracy from the processing results so far. Further, if “Δ”, this is a process with a low probability that printing is finally executed, and therefore it is possible to prompt the user to confirm the print result in advance in a preview display before printing.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be specifically described. First, the system configuration and the device configuration of each device are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are the same as those shown in FIGS. However, the storage device such as the auxiliary storage device 8 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a conversion accuracy database (DB) in which data regarding conversion accuracy for each type of conversion processing is stored. FIG. 17 shows a conversion accuracy data table 312 as an example of a data table stored in the conversion accuracy DB. The conversion accuracy data table 312 shows the number of times conversion processing has been performed by the print server 450 for each process converted from one data format before conversion to another data format (the image forming apparatus 1 has performed each conversion process). The number of times the print job has been acquired) and the number of times of printing have been counted and registered. Then, three-level evaluations (◎, ○, Δ) obtained from the numerical values of the conversion accuracy of the respective conversion processes are also registered in association with each other. The conversion accuracy information is acquired from the conversion accuracy data table 312 by the function of the image forming apparatus 1 described later, and the three levels of conversion accuracy are displayed on the job list screen 308.

  Next, functions of the image forming apparatus 1 that performs the processing of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram showing functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a print job acquisition unit 30, an analysis unit 32, a determination unit 34, a setting unit 36, a RIP unit 38, an image formation processing control unit 40, a pre-conversion data acquisition unit 42, data A format determination unit 44, a print mode change unit 46, a conversion accuracy information acquisition unit 48, a display control unit 50, an operation input acquisition unit 52, and a data conversion unit 54 are provided.

  Since the print job acquisition unit 30, the analysis unit 32, the determination unit 34, the setting unit 36, and the RIP unit 38 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  When the print job acquisition unit 30 acquires a print job for the cloud service from the print server 450, the pre-conversion data acquisition unit 42 requests the print server 42 to acquire data before conversion processing for the print job. To do.

  In this embodiment, since it is necessary to acquire the data before conversion in the print server 450 from the print server 450, the print server 450 of this embodiment uses the data before conversion for a print job that has been converted. Must be stored at least temporarily in the storage area.

  The data format determination unit 44 compares the acquired data before conversion processing with the converted data to determine whether the data formats match. If the print server 450 is performing data conversion processing so that the data format changes, the data format determination unit 44 determines that the data formats do not match.

  The print mode changing unit 46 holds the print mode of the print job from the normal print mode when the data format determining unit 44 determines that the data format of the data before the conversion process and the data after the conversion do not match. Change to print mode. As described above, if the conversion formats do not match, the desired print result may not be obtained. Therefore, the user switches to hold printing once, and the user confirms the conversion accuracy on the job list screen 308 or displays a preview. This is because the print result can be confirmed with the button. The print job whose print mode is switched to hold printing is stored in a predetermined storage area such as the auxiliary storage device 8. Further, the data before the conversion process in the print server 450 acquired by the pre-conversion data acquisition unit 42 is also stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the corresponding print job.

  The conversion accuracy information acquisition unit 48 specifies a conversion processing method for a print job that is a target of hold printing when performing processing for displaying the conversion accuracy, and converts the information about the conversion accuracy of the processing method into the conversion accuracy. Obtained from the data table 312. For example, when a print job converted from JPEG image data to pdf is included in the print server 450 as a print job to be subjected to hold printing, the conversion accuracy information acquisition unit 48 reads from the conversion accuracy data table 312. Information indicating that the conversion accuracy is “◎” is acquired. Of course, instead of the three-stage conversion accuracy information, the conversion accuracy percentage may be acquired as it is.

  The display control unit 50 controls screen display processing on the display unit 14a. In this embodiment, the display control unit 50 performs display control of a job list screen 308 for hold printing and a preview display screen for previewing print data to be held.

  The operation input acquisition unit 52 acquires various operation inputs input to the image forming apparatus 1 from the operation panel 14 or the like. In this embodiment, in particular, an operation input to the job list screen 308 for hold printing and the preview display screen is acquired. The operation input is a touch operation on the display unit 14a which is a touch panel or an operation input on the operation keys 14b. The operations on the job list screen 308 include an operation for selecting any job from the job list 308a displayed on the job list screen 308a, an operation for pressing the preview button 308b, and an operation for pressing the print button 308c for instructing printing.

  Here, FIG. 19 shows a preview screen 312 which is an example of a screen displayed when the preview button 308b is pressed. On the preview screen 312, a preview display 312a that displays the print result of the selected print job is displayed in the center portion, and buttons for performing various operations are arranged around the preview display 312a. On the right side, a conversion method selection button 312b is displayed. The conversion method selection button 312b is a button for inputting an instruction to select and execute conversion processing to be performed on pre-conversion data before data conversion processing by the print server 450. For example, when the user determines that the data converted by the print server 450 is confirmed on the preview screen 312 and a desired print result cannot be obtained, the conversion method selection button 312b is pressed to determine the current data conversion method. The conversion method can be switched by selecting another conversion method. When the conversion method selection button 312b is pressed and the conversion method is switched, the converted image converted by the selected conversion method is displayed on the preview display 312a.

  When the operation of pressing the conversion method selection button 312b is performed on the above-described preview screen 312, the data conversion unit 54 performs a process of converting data by the selected conversion method. Specifically, data conversion is performed again on the pre-conversion data acquired by the pre-conversion data acquisition unit 42 using the conversion method selected by pressing the conversion method selection button 312b. The display control unit 50 performs a preview display on the preview screen 312 based on the data newly converted by the data conversion unit 54. Since the user can check the print result in the preview display 312a while changing the conversion method, it becomes easier to obtain a desired print result.

  The above is the function of the image forming apparatus 1 of the print processing system of the present embodiment.

  Next, the flow of processing of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the image forming apparatus 1 acquires a print job among the processes of the image forming apparatus 1 in the print processing system of the present embodiment.

  First, the print job acquisition unit 30 acquires a print job (Act 401). In this embodiment, since the print job converted by the print server 450 is a target, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the print job from the print server 450 via the Internet and the network 250.

  Next, the pre-conversion data acquisition unit 42 requests the print server 450 for data before conversion processing of the print job, and acquires the data (Act 402).

  Next, the data format determination unit 44 determines the data format of the data to be printed in the print job acquired by the print job acquisition unit 30 and the data format of the pre-conversion data acquired by the pre-conversion data acquisition unit 42 in Act 402. It is determined whether or not they match (Act 403).

  If the data formats match (Yes in Act 403), it is unlikely that a problem such as layout corruption will occur, so printing is executed based on the print job acquired by the image forming apparatus 1 (Act 404). Note that the printing process may be executed by the functions of the analysis unit 32 to the image forming process control unit 40 described in the first embodiment and the like.

  If the data formats do not match (No in Act 403), the print mode of the print job acquired by the print mode change unit 46 is switched to hold printing (Act 405). When the print job is switched to hold printing, printing execution of the print job is suspended and the print job is stored in a predetermined storage area such as the auxiliary storage device 8 of the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the pre-conversion data acquired by the pre-conversion data acquisition unit 42 is also used in data re-conversion, so it may be stored in a predetermined storage area in association with the corresponding print job, but is acquired from the print server 450 again. If you do, you do not need to remember.

  The above is the flow of processing from when the image forming apparatus 1 acquires a print job until it is switched to hold printing.

  Next, the flow of processing when printing a print job for hold printing will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when preview display or data conversion processing is performed after the job list screen for hold printing is displayed.

  First, when an operation for instructing display of the job list screen 308 for hold printing is performed on the display unit 14a or the operation key 14b of the touch panel, the operation input acquisition unit 52 acquires the operation input, and the display control unit 50 Displays the job list screen 308 on the display unit 14a (Act 501). At this time, the conversion accuracy information acquisition unit 48 acquires the conversion accuracy of the corresponding conversion format for the print jobs included in the job list for hold printing from the conversion accuracy database, and the display control unit 50 displays the conversion accuracy on the job list screen 308. Is displayed.

  Next, the operation input acquisition unit 52 selects a print job displayed in the list, and determines whether an operation input for displaying the selected job on the preview screen 312 has been acquired (Act 502). The selection operation is performed by a touch operation on the display unit 14a which is a touch panel or an operation by the operation key 14b. An operation input for displaying the preview screen 312 is performed by pressing a preview button 308b displayed on the job list screen 308. It's fine.

  When an operation for displaying on the preview screen 312 is performed (Yes in Act 502), the display control unit 50 reads the designated print job from a predetermined storage area and reflects the print settings and the like on the preview screen. A preview is displayed on 312 (Act 503).

  Next, the operation input acquisition unit 52 determines whether or not an operation input for switching the conversion method from the current method has been performed by pressing the conversion method selection button 312b on the preview screen 312 (Act 504).

  When the conversion method selection button 312b is pressed and the conversion method needs to be changed (Yes in Act 504), the data conversion unit 54 acquires data before conversion of the print job to be processed from a predetermined storage area, The data is converted again by the designated conversion method, and the display control unit 50 displays a preview on the preview display 312a of the preview screen 312 based on the converted data (Act 505).

  When the preview display process is not instructed (No in Act 502), it is determined whether or not the operation input unit 52 has performed an operation input instructing the print process (Act 506). When an operation input for instructing printing is performed (Yes in Act 506), the printing process is executed based on the target print job by the functions of the analysis unit 32 to the image forming process control unit 40 that perform the printing process. (Act 507), the process ends. Further, even when an operation for changing the conversion method is not performed (No in Act 504), it is determined whether there is an operation input for a print instruction (Act 508), and when a print execution is instructed, the print is performed (Act 507). ).

  If the print execution instruction is not issued in Act 506 (No in Act 506), the process returns to Act 502. If the print execution instruction is not issued in Act 508 (No in Act 508), the process returns to Act 504.

  The above is the flow of processing when printing a hold print job.

  According to the present embodiment described above, when the data format is converted by the print server 450, it is temporarily switched to hold printing, and the conversion accuracy and the preview display can be confirmed. Therefore, when the user thinks that a desired printing result cannot be obtained, printing can be stopped and useless printing can be suppressed. In addition, a print job switched to hold printing can be switched to another conversion method in the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, even when the user thinks that the desired print result cannot be obtained as it is, the processing method can be changed so that the desired print result can be obtained, so that the desired print result can be obtained more. A simple print processing system can be provided.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment. 22 and 23 are flowcharts showing the flow of printing processing executed by functions realized by the control unit 2 and the like of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

  Since there is an overlapping part with the third embodiment, the flow will be briefly described below. First, the MFP apparatus performs an initialization process, and checks whether there is a process request for authenticating the user who operates the MFP apparatus. Next, it is checked whether there is a print job acceptance request, and then it is checked whether there is an execution request job in the print execution queue. Thereafter, event processing of other functions of the MFP apparatus is performed. When there is a user authentication request, an authentication screen is displayed and personal information is input. An inquiry is made to the authentication server based on the input information, and if authentication fails, an error message is displayed to prompt re-input. If successful, the authenticated user is stored and a menu screen corresponding to the user authority is displayed. When there is a print job acceptance request, user information and print service information are acquired, and print settings and print data are received. If location information, application type information, file name information, and terminal type information can be acquired from the print data, print settings, and accompanying data, acquisition processing is performed, and then spool processing is performed. When spool processing is completed and a job is registered in the print execution queue, a filter to be used is determined using meta information acquired during spool processing. Thereafter, the target print data is extracted from the spool, and the processing contents (replacement and deletion) set in the filter are performed for each item of the print setting. Thereafter, RIP processing is performed, and when the image data for printing is generated, the generated image is sent to the printing apparatus and printing is performed. The above is the processing flow of the present embodiment.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is an example of a more specific process executed by the image forming apparatus 1 in a system that executes the process of the fifth embodiment. 24 to 27 are flowcharts showing the flow of printing processing executed by functions realized by the control unit 2 and the like of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1 Image forming apparatus 100, 100 ′ mobile terminal 150, 150 ′ PC
250, 500 Network 400 Server 450 Print server 30 Print job acquisition unit 32 Analysis unit 34 Determination unit 36 Setting unit 38 RIP unit 40 Image formation processing control unit 42 Pre-conversion data acquisition unit 44 Data format determination unit 46 Print mode change unit 48 Conversion Accuracy information acquisition unit 50 Display control unit 52 Operation input acquisition unit 54 Data conversion unit

Claims (5)

A job acquisition unit that acquires a print job generated by an instruction from a client device via a network;
A pre-conversion data acquisition unit that acquires, from the server, data to be printed before being generated as a print job when the job acquisition unit acquires a print job from the server;
A data format determination unit that determines whether or not the data to be processed in the print job acquired by the job acquisition unit matches the data format of the data to be printed acquired by the pre-conversion data acquisition unit;
When the data format determination unit determines that the data formats do not match, an operation input for holding the print processing method of the print job acquired by the job acquisition unit without executing the print job and instructing print execution is received. A print mode change unit that switches to a hold print method that executes printing when
Wherein when switched to hold printing method by the print mode change section, when an operation input that instructs the printing execution is based on the print job the job acquiring unit acquires, the image forming for controlling the image forming process A processing control unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Among the print setting items for which setting values have already been set in the print job, at least the setting value set for the print setting item to be replaced that replaces the setting value is associated with the application condition for applying the setting value. The database section,
A determination unit that determines whether the print job acquired by the job acquisition unit satisfies the application condition;
A setting unit that sets a setting value registered in the database unit for at least the print setting item to be replaced based on the determination result of the determination unit;
The image forming process control unit controls the image forming process based on the print setting in which the setting value is set by the setting unit and the print job acquired by the job acquiring unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. In the database unit, a set value set in which a set value is set for each of a plurality of print setting items is associated with an application condition for applying the set value set,
The determination unit determines an application condition for applying the set value set,
The setting unit based on a determination result of the determination unit, by applying the application satisfies the condition setting value set in the print setting of the print job to be processed, according to claim 2 which sets the setting values for the print setting items Image forming apparatus. An accuracy information acquisition unit that acquires accuracy information about the conversion processing accuracy from the data format of the data to be printed before generating the print job to the data to be processed in the print job for the print job that is the target of hold printing;
A display control unit that displays a print job to be held on the screen of the image forming apparatus in association with the accuracy information acquired by the accuracy information acquisition unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: 5. A print instruction is acquired from the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 and a client apparatus, and a print job is set by setting a set value in a predetermined print setting item for data to be printed based on the acquired print instruction. An image forming processing system comprising: the server that generates and outputs the print job to the image forming apparatus;
The determination unit determines whether or not the application condition is satisfied for a print setting item for which a setting value is set in the server;
The image forming processing system, wherein the setting unit replaces a setting value set in the server with a different setting value based on a determination result.