JP5964669B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus installed at or near a place where a presentation or a meeting is held, and in particular, the image forming function can be automatically limited when there is a possibility of causing a problem in a presentation or a meeting. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a control method therefor.

  In recent years, an electronic blackboard that is one of touch-drawn image display devices and is used in conferences and the like has been put into practical use. In particular, an electronic blackboard device configured as a computer system in which an image display device having a large display screen and an input device for detecting two-dimensional position coordinates such as a touch panel are combined is used. Large electronic blackboard devices are also used for presentations and the like. In general, the electronic blackboard device sequentially reads position coordinates and movement amount information designated by a pen or the like, and displays an input locus on an image display device based on the read information. Thereby, the electronic blackboard device realizes operations as an electronic blackboard such as handwritten input.

  Also, an image forming apparatus (typically a copier) that forms an image on the surface of a recording medium (for example, recording paper) has been introduced in many offices (company, office, etc.). A multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)), which is a type of image forming apparatus, has a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a network compatible printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as facsimile) function. Prepare.

  Such an image forming apparatus may be installed in a conference room or the like in order to support a presentation or a conference. If the image forming apparatus is at or near the meeting place, necessary materials can be printed according to the progress of the meeting and distributed to the participants, which is efficient. For example, text information written on an electronic blackboard device or the like during a meeting can be printed and distributed to participants. In addition, the minutes created immediately after the meeting can be printed and distributed to participants.

  However, since it is inefficient to use an image forming apparatus installed in a conference room or the like only for a meeting or the like, usually, an image forming apparatus installed in a conference room or the like is also an in-house communication network (hereinafter, It is often connected to and shared with a network. That is, it is often possible to execute printing on an image forming apparatus installed in a conference room from a computer or the like outside the conference room.

  Even in the case of an image forming apparatus connected to a network and shared by a plurality of information processing terminals, the user may want to use it exclusively. Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique that can efficiently occupy (occupy) a shared image forming apparatus in such a case. In this technique, when an image forming apparatus connected to a network is shared by a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs), the user operates the PC to transmit a dedicated command to the image forming apparatus. After receiving the exclusive command, the image forming apparatus does not accept an output request from another PC. As a result, the user can occupy the image forming apparatus and perform printing and copying.

JP 2002-207584 A

  When the image forming apparatus installed in the meeting room is shared, the user instructs the image forming apparatus in the meeting room to print without knowing that the meeting is in progress, or the image forming apparatus outside the meeting room However, there is a case in which printing is instructed to the image forming apparatus in the conference room by mistake. As a result, during the meeting, printing starts regardless of the meeting, which hinders the meeting or causes discomfort to the meeting participants. Furthermore, the user who has instructed printing hesitates to go to the meeting room to pick up the printed material because he / she is in a meeting, or the same printing instruction is given to another image forming apparatus installed outside the meeting room. There is a problem that an inefficient situation occurs.

  With the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus installed in the conference room from operating independently of the conference during the conference. However, it is necessary for the user to operate the PC or the like before the start of the conference and transmit the exclusive command to the image forming apparatus, and after the conference ends, the user must operate the PC or the like to transmit the exclusive release command to the image forming apparatus. There is a problem that is complicated. Also, if the user forgets to send a dedicated command to the image forming device before the start of the conference, the image forming device installed in the conference room may operate independently of the conference during the conference. There is. Further, when the user forgets to send the exclusive release command to the image forming apparatus after the conference is finished, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus installed in the conference room cannot be shared even though the conference is not in progress.

  Therefore, the present invention is an image forming apparatus that is installed at or near a place where a presentation or a meeting is held, and can automatically restrict an image forming function when there is a possibility that the presentation or the meeting may be hindered. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and a control method thereof.

  The above object can be achieved by the following.

  That is, the image forming system according to the first aspect of the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a display unit that displays an image, and a transmission unit that transmits, to the image forming apparatus, a restriction command that restricts execution of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus when the display unit displays an image. The image forming apparatus includes: a job receiving unit that receives an image forming job; a command receiving unit that receives a restriction command; and an image forming unit that performs an image forming job according to the image forming job in response to the command receiving unit receiving the limiting command. And a control unit that restricts execution of processing.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus displays an image on the display unit by executing a predetermined application program, and the transmission unit transmits a restriction command in response to the activation of the application program, and the control unit Restricts execution of image forming processing according to an image forming job received from an apparatus other than the predetermined apparatus, and the predetermined apparatus includes an information processing apparatus.

  More preferably, the transmission unit transmits the restriction command in response to the display unit becoming ready to display an image.

  More preferably, the control unit prohibits or holds execution of an image forming process according to an image forming job received from a device other than the predetermined device, or an image forming job received from a device other than the predetermined device. Is transferred to another image forming apparatus to limit the execution of the image forming process.

  Preferably, even when the command receiving unit receives the restriction command, the control unit executes an image forming process according to the image forming job for an image forming job that satisfies a predetermined condition.

  A control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a control method for an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus that displays an image. In this control method, when the information processing apparatus displays an image, the information forming apparatus transmits a restriction command for restricting execution of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. , Receiving the restriction command, and restricting execution of the image forming process according to the image forming job in response to the image forming apparatus receiving the restriction command. Including.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming process in accordance with a received image forming job. The image forming apparatus includes: a command receiving unit that receives a restriction command that restricts execution of image forming processing from an information processing device that displays an image; and an image forming unit that responds to the command receiving unit receiving the restriction command. And a control unit that limits execution of image forming processing according to the job, and the restriction command is output to the image forming apparatus when the information processing apparatus displays an image.

  According to the present invention, a user can perform a special operation when there is a possibility that an image forming process performed by an image forming apparatus installed at or near a place where a presentation or a meeting will be performed may interfere with the presentation or the meeting. You can limit automatically without having to. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the presentation or conference from being hindered by the image forming apparatus operating independently of the presentation or conference.

  In addition, when the presentation or meeting is completed, sharing of the image forming apparatus installed at or near the place where the presentation or meeting is held can be automatically resumed without any special operation by the user. It becomes possible. Therefore, there is no problem that the state in which the image forming apparatus is not shared after the presentation or the meeting ends.

  In addition, with respect to a print job received from a predetermined apparatus, it is possible to generate a printed matter to be distributed to participants during a presentation or a meeting by enabling image forming processing by the image forming apparatus. As a result, presentations or meetings can be supported.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed by the 1st information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the data memorize | stored in the 1st information processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 5 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program different from that shown in FIG. 4 and executed by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program different from that shown in FIG. 3 and executed by the first information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on the 1st information processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program different from those shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 executed by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention, different from FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program different from FIG.3 and FIG.8 which are performed by the 1st information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 200, a display apparatus 300, and a first information processing apparatus 310. The image forming apparatus 200 and the first information processing apparatus 310 are connected to the network 330. In addition to the first information processing apparatus 310, a plurality of information processing apparatuses (typically represented by the second information processing apparatus 320) are connected to the network 330.

  The image forming apparatus 200 is, for example, a digital multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The display device 300 is, for example, a projector or a large-screen electronic blackboard device that can be drawn by a touch operation, and receives a video signal from the first information processing device 310 and displays an image. The first information processing device 310 and the second information processing device 320 are, for example, PCs.

  The image forming apparatus 200, the display apparatus 300, and the first information processing apparatus 310 are installed in a space 110 such as a conference room where a presentation or a meeting is held. The space 110 in which the image forming device 200, the display device 300, and the first information processing device 310 are arranged is not limited to a closed space such as a conference room, and is an open space that is not partitioned or partially partitioned. May be.

  The user executes a predetermined application program in the first information processing apparatus 310, displays an image or the like on the display apparatus 300, and makes a presentation or the like. The image forming apparatus 200 receives an image forming job (hereinafter also referred to as a print job) from the first information processing apparatus 310 or the second information processing apparatus 320, and forms an image on a recording sheet (hereinafter referred to as a print job) according to the received print job. , Also called printing). Although not shown in FIG. 1, information processing apparatuses other than the first information processing apparatus 310 may exist in the space 110 in a state of being connected to the network 330.

  Referring to FIG. 2, an image forming apparatus 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 202 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 200, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 204 for storing a program, and a volatile storage. It includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 206 that is a device, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 208 that is a non-volatile storage device that retains data even when power is turned off. The ROM 204 stores programs and data necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 200. The image forming apparatus 200 further includes a document reading unit 210, an image forming unit 212, an image processing unit 214, an operation unit 216, a communication interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a communication IF unit) 218, and a bus 220.

  The CPU 202, ROM 204, RAM 206, HDD 208, document reading unit 210, image forming unit 212, image processing unit 214, operation unit 216, and communication IF unit 218 are connected to the bus 220. Data (including control information) is exchanged between the units via the bus 220. The CPU 202 reads the program from the ROM 204 onto the RAM 206 via the bus 220, and executes the program using a part of the RAM 206 as a work area. That is, the CPU 202 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 200 according to a program stored in the ROM 204, and realizes each function of the image forming apparatus 200.

  In addition to these, the image forming apparatus 200 is connected to a paper feed unit that stores recording paper for forming an image, a paper discharge unit (discharge tray) that discharges the image-formed recording paper, and a telephone line. A FAX modem for FAX communication, a power supply unit for supplying power to each unit, and the like (none of which are shown) are provided.

  As will be described later, document reading unit 210 reads a document with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and generates image data (digital signal). Image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 206. The image processing unit 214 performs various image processing on the read image data. The image data is stored in the HDD 208 as necessary. The image forming unit 212 performs image data generated by performing various image processing on the read image data on the recording paper supplied from the paper feeding unit inside the image forming apparatus 200. Print (image formation).

  The operation unit 216 includes a display panel configured by a liquid crystal panel and the like, and a touch panel that is disposed on the display panel and detects a touched position. A screen for operating the image forming apparatus 200 is displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 216. A hardware key may be arranged on the operation unit 216.

  The operation unit 216 receives an input such as an instruction from the user to the image forming apparatus 200. Specifically, a screen (image) displayed on the display panel is generated by a screen generation unit (not shown) under the control of the CPU 202. The user confirms the state of the image forming apparatus 200 and the job processing status on the screen displayed on the display panel. The user selects a key displayed in the form of an icon or the like on the display panel on the touch panel overlaid on the display panel (touches a corresponding part on the touch panel), thereby setting the functions and operations of the image forming apparatus 200. Instructions can be given.

  The CPU 202 monitors user operations on the touch panel and hardware keys provided in the operation unit 216, and displays information to be notified to the user, such as information on the state of the image forming apparatus 200, on the display panel.

  The communication IF unit 218 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication IF unit 218 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 200 to communicate with an external device via the network 330.

  Hereinafter, each mode for executing the functions (printer function, copy function, scanner function, and facsimile function) installed in the image forming apparatus 200 will be briefly described.

(Printer mode)
When the image forming apparatus 200 is used as a printer, the image data received via the communication IF unit 218 is output from the image forming unit 212 via the RAM 206 or the like.

  For example, when the second information processing apparatus 320 instructs the image forming apparatus 200 to print, the image forming apparatus 200 sends a print job including image data from the second information processing apparatus 320 via the network 330 and the communication IF unit 218. Receive.

  The received image data is sent to the RAM 206 in units of pages as output image data, and then stored in the HDD 208. Thereafter, the image data stored in the HDD 208 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and sent to the RAM 206. Then, the image data is transmitted to the image forming unit 212 in synchronization with the image forming timing in the image forming unit 212.

  In the paper feeding unit, the recording paper is pulled out by a pickup roller and conveyed to the image forming unit 212 by a plurality of conveying rollers. The image forming unit 212 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum by exposing the charged photosensitive drum according to the input image data. After the toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image portion on the photosensitive drum, the toner image is transferred onto the conveyed recording paper via the transfer belt. Thereafter, the recording paper is heated and pressurized (this fixes the image on the recording paper), and is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

(Copy mode)
When the image forming apparatus 200 is used as a copying machine, the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 210 is output from the image forming unit 212 as a copy. An image of the original set at the reading position can be electronically read by the CCD provided in the original reading unit 210. The read image data is completed as output data (printing data) on the RAM 206 and then stored in the HDD 208. When there are a plurality of documents, this reading operation and storage operation are repeated. Thereafter, based on the processing mode instructed from the operation unit 216, the image data stored in the HDD 208 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and sent to the RAM 206. As in the printer mode described above, the image data is transmitted to the image forming unit 212 and image formation is performed.

(Scanner mode)
When the image forming apparatus 200 is used as a network scanner, for example, the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 210 is transferred from the communication IF unit 218 via the network 330 to a computer or the like (for example, the second information processing device 320). ). Also in this case, the original is electronically read by the CCD provided in the original reading unit 210. The read image data of the document is completed as output data on the RAM 206 and then stored in the HDD 208. Thereafter, the image data is sent again from the HDD 208 to the RAM 206, and after establishing communication with the transmission destination designated via the operation unit 216, is transmitted from the communication IF unit 218 to the designated transmission destination. .

(Facsimile mode)
The image forming apparatus 200 can perform FAX transmission / reception with an external facsimile apparatus via a FAX modem and a telephone line network. When the image forming apparatus 200 is used as a facsimile apparatus, data received by FAX from the facsimile apparatus is formed on the RAM 206 as image data, and stored in the HDD 208 and printed by the image forming unit 212 as described above. Can do. Further, the image forming apparatus 200 can read image data from the HDD 208, convert it to a data format for FAX communication, and transmit it to an external facsimile apparatus via a FAX modem and a telephone line network.

  Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the function of the image forming apparatus 200 is limited when a user performs a presentation or the like using the first information processing apparatus 310. The processing to be performed will be described. In the first information processing apparatus 310, a plurality of programs (tasks) can be executed in parallel by a multitasking function of an OS (Operating System). In the following, it is assumed that the space 110 is a conference room and a presentation is performed using the display device 300 and the first information processing device 310.

  Referring to FIG. 3, in step 500 of the control structure of the program executed by first information processing apparatus 310, the CPU of first information processing apparatus 310 has started some application program (hereinafter also simply referred to as an application). It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the application has been started, control proceeds to step 502. Otherwise control passes to step 510. When it is determined that the application is activated, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 acquires the program name of the activated application and stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM inside the first information processing apparatus 310.

  The CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 can execute another application in parallel with this program. In the first information processing apparatus 310, when the CPU executes a function of the OS, when starting the program, a resource necessary for executing the program is secured in a predetermined area on the RAM, and information on the program is stored. (Program name etc.) is stored in an area on the RAM (hereinafter referred to as “task management area”) for managing the program being executed. Therefore, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 refers to the task management area of the RAM, acquires the name of the program currently being executed, and compares it with the program name stored when the task management area was previously referenced. Thus, it can be determined whether or not a new application has been activated. Therefore, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 can acquire the program name of the newly started application.

  In step 510, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 determines whether or not an end instruction has been received. If a termination instruction is received, this program is terminated. If no termination instruction has been received, control returns to step 500. As a result, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 waits for some application to be activated.

  In step 502, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 determines whether or not the application newly determined to be started in step 500 is an application that restricts the printer function of the image forming apparatus 200. An application that restricts the printer function of the image forming apparatus 200 is an electronic blackboard application or a presentation application that is generally used in a presentation or the like. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the program names “program1.exe” and “program2.exe” of the corresponding application program are stored in advance in the storage unit (HDD or the like) 312 of the first information processing apparatus 310 in text format. Suppose that

  The CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 determines whether or not the program name (newly started application) acquired in step 500 matches “program1.exe” or “program2.exe”. It is determined whether the application restricts the printer function.

  In step 504, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 transmits a dedicated command to the image forming apparatus 200. The exclusive command is a command that causes the image forming apparatus 200 to restrict the printer function, as will be described later. Specifically, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 sends a dedicated command to the network address (hereinafter also simply referred to as an address) of the image forming apparatus 200 stored in the storage unit 312 of the first information processing apparatus 310. And predetermined address information is transmitted. The address is, for example, an IP address. The predetermined address information to be transmitted represents an address (hereinafter referred to as “permitted address”) that does not restrict the printer function of the image forming apparatus 200 even in the exclusive mode described later.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the name “MFP-A” of the image forming apparatus 200, the address “192.168..xx.21” of the image forming apparatus 200, the permission are stored in the storage unit 312 of the first information processing apparatus 310. Assume that addresses “192.168..xx.10” and “192.168..xx.11”, an exclusive command “exclusive”, and an exclusive release command “cancel” are stored. “192.168..xx.10” is the address of the first information processing apparatus 310, and “192.168..xx.11” is a conference room (space 110) separate from the first information processing apparatus 310. The address of the device used (not shown in FIG. 1). In this case, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 is addressed to “192.168..xx.21” as “exclusive” as the exclusive command, and “192.168..xx.10” and “192.168.” As the permitted addresses. .Xx.11 "is transmitted. The address of the second information processing apparatus 320 is different from any of “192.168..xx.10”, “192.168..xx.11”, and “192.168..xx.21”.

  In step 506, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 determines whether or not the application determined to have been started in step 500 is maintained in the activated state. Specifically, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 determines whether the corresponding program name exists in the task management area. If the program name does not exist in the task management area, the program is not in an activated state (in operation). If it is determined that it is in the activated state, the processing in step 506 is repeated. Otherwise, control passes to step 508.

  In step 508, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 transmits an exclusive release command to the image forming apparatus 200 that has transmitted the exclusive command in step 504. The exclusive release command is a command for causing the image forming apparatus 200 to stop the restriction of the printer function and to execute the printer function as usual, as will be described later. As shown in FIG. 5, if stored in the storage unit 312, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 transmits “cancel” as an exclusive release command to “192.168..xx.21”.

  Referring to FIG. 4, in step 600 of the control structure of the program executed by image forming apparatus 200, CPU 202 determines whether or not exclusive command “exclusive” has been received via communication IF unit 218. If it is determined that the exclusive command has been received, control proceeds to step 602. Otherwise, control passes to step 604.

  In step 602, the CPU 202 sets the printer function to the exclusive mode, and stores the address (permission address) received together with the exclusive command in a predetermined area of the RAM 206. Specifically, the CPU 202 sets a flag stored in advance in the RAM 206 to a value (for example, “1”) indicating the exclusive mode. The initial value of the flag is a value (for example, “0”) indicating a normal mode that is not the exclusive mode. The exclusive mode means a mode in which the printer function of the image forming apparatus 200 is limited. For example, in the exclusive mode, the image forming apparatus 200 does not execute a print job received from a device other than a device having a predetermined address.

  In step 604, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the exclusive release command “cancel” is received via the communication IF unit 218. If it is determined that the exclusive release command has been received, control proceeds to step 606. Otherwise, control passes to step 608.

  In step 606, the CPU 202 cancels the exclusive mode. Specifically, the CPU 202 sets the flag stored in the RAM 206 to a value (for example, “0”) indicating the normal mode. The normal mode means a state in which the exclusive mode is canceled. Therefore, in the normal mode, the image forming apparatus 200 does not necessarily execute a print job received from an arbitrary apparatus. In the normal mode, the image forming apparatus 200 may receive a restriction different from the restriction in the exclusive mode.

  In step 608, the CPU 202 determines whether a print job has been received. If it is determined that it has been received, control proceeds to step 610. Otherwise, control passes to step 618.

  In step 610, the CPU 202 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 200 is in the exclusive mode. That is, the CPU 202 reads the value of the flag from the RAM 206 and determines whether or not the read value is a value (for example, “1”) indicating the exclusive mode. If it is determined that the mode is the exclusive mode, the control proceeds to step 612. Otherwise control passes to step 614.

  In step 612, the CPU 202 determines whether the print job received in step 608 has been transmitted from the permitted apparatus. The CPU 202 acquires the transmission source address of the reception data from the reception data, and determines whether or not the transmission source address matches any of the permitted addresses stored in the RAM 206 in step 602. Here, it is determined whether or not the transmission source address matches “192.168..xx.10” or “192.168..xx.11” (see FIG. 5).

  If they match, the CPU 202 determines that the received print job has been transmitted from the permitted device, and control proceeds to step 614. If they do not match, the CPU 202 determines that the received print job has not been transmitted from the permitted apparatus, and control proceeds to step 616. For example, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives a print job from the first information processing apparatus 310, the control proceeds to step 614. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives a print job from the second information processing apparatus 320, the control proceeds to step 616.

  In step 614, the CPU 202 executes print processing as described above in accordance with the print job received in step 608.

  In step 616, the CPU 202 does not execute the print processing according to the print job received in step 608, and transmits predetermined error data to the transmission source address of the print job. The display unit of the device that has received the error data (for example, the second information processing device 320) displays that the instructed print has not been executed normally. A driver program (hereinafter simply referred to as a driver) for instructing printing to the image forming apparatus 200 installed in the apparatus that has transmitted the print job can display the state of the instructed printing. A predetermined error message may be displayed on the driver according to the received error data. For example, a message “Printing cannot be executed because the exclusive mode is currently set” may be displayed.

  In step 618, the CPU 202 determines whether or not an end instruction has been received. If an end instruction is received, the program ends. If no termination instruction has been received, control returns to step 600. The end instruction is, for example, that the power switch of the image forming apparatus 200 is turned off.

  As described above, if an application that is often used in a presentation or the like is stored in the first information processing apparatus 310 in advance, an image from the first information processing apparatus 310 is automatically received when the corresponding application is activated. A proprietary command for limiting the printer function is transmitted to the forming apparatus 200. When the image forming apparatus 200 receives the exclusive command, the image forming apparatus 200 enters the exclusive mode and does not execute the print job even when the print job is received. Therefore, during the presentation, it is possible to prevent the print process from being performed regardless of the progress of the presentation, thereby preventing the progress of the presentation.

  In addition, the first information processing apparatus 310 transmits a permission address together with a dedicated command, and the image forming apparatus 200 that has received the permission address executes a print job received from the apparatus having the permission address, thereby relating to a presentation or a meeting. The print process can be executed. Therefore, a presentation or a meeting can be effectively performed.

  In addition, upon completion of the predetermined application, an exclusive release command is automatically transmitted from the first information processing apparatus 310 to the image forming apparatus 200. When receiving the exclusive release command, the image forming apparatus 200 returns to the normal mode. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user forgets to release the exclusive mode of the image forming apparatus 200 after the presentation ends and the image forming apparatus 200 cannot be shared even after the presentation ends.

  The permitted address can be set arbitrarily. For example, if a PC brought by the participant is connectable to the network 330, the IP address of the PC may be stored in the storage unit of the first information processing apparatus 310 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 as a permitted address. . For example, when the IP address of a device connected to the network 330 is dynamically assigned by a server computer (not shown in FIG. 1), if the PC brought by the participant is connected to the network 330, the IP is assigned to the PC. Since an address is assigned, the assigned IP address may be input to the first information processing apparatus 310. In order to instruct the image forming apparatus 200 to print from the PC brought by the participant, the driver of the image forming apparatus 200 needs to be installed. For a PC on which an appropriate driver is not installed, a driver may be provided from a server computer.

  The permission address may be directly input from the operation unit 216 of the image forming apparatus 200 directly using a numeric keypad and stored in the RAM 206 or the HDD 208. In this case, even if a permission address is not transmitted together with the exclusive command from the first information processing apparatus 310, the image forming apparatus 200 executes the determination process in step 612 using the permission address stored in the RAM 206 or the HDD 208. be able to. For example, a screen as shown in FIG. 6 can be displayed on the display panel of the operation unit 216 of the image forming apparatus 200 to set the permitted address.

  In the screen 700 shown in FIG. 6, a set permitted address is displayed in an area 702. The user can select a cell in the area 702 and input an IP address using the key in the numeric keypad area 704. In the area 702, four IP addresses can be displayed. The user operates the scroll bar 706 to scroll the display of the area 702 and input five or more IP addresses.

  In the above description, the case where the image forming apparatus 200 cancels the exclusive mode when receiving the exclusive cancel command has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 200 releases the exclusive mode only when the exclusive release command is received from the apparatus that has received the exclusive command, and the exclusive mode is set when the exclusive release command is received from a device different from the apparatus that has received the exclusive command. May be maintained. This can be realized by changing the processing shown in FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 7 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 4 only in that step 620 is added. 4 and 7, the processes of the steps given the same reference numbers are the same, so the description will not be repeated.

  In step 620 of FIG. 7, the CPU 202 acquires the transmission source address of the data from the data including the exclusive command received in step 600, and from the data including the exclusive release command received in step 604. The source address of the data is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the addresses match. If they match, control proceeds to step 606. If not, control passes to step 608. The data (packet data) communicated via the network includes the address of the device that has output the data to the network.

  As a result, when the image forming apparatus 200 receives the exclusive release code from the apparatus that transmitted the received exclusive command, the image forming apparatus 200 cancels the exclusive mode in step 606, but the image forming apparatus 200 is exclusive from an apparatus different from the apparatus that transmitted the received exclusive command. Even if the release code is received, the exclusive mode is maintained. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 200 can be more reliably maintained in the exclusive mode.

  In the above, the first information processing apparatus 310 transmits an exclusive release command when a predetermined application is not in an activated state (if it is no longer subject to OS task management). For example, when a plurality of presenters make a presentation sequentially, if one presenter finishes the presentation and terminates the application, the exclusive release code is transmitted, and the image forming apparatus 200 returns to the normal mode. Therefore, when the next presenter starts a predetermined application, if the image forming apparatus 200 receives a print job, the print process is executed regardless of the progress of the presentation, even though the presentation is in progress. Will be. To cope with this, the processing shown in FIG. 3 can be realized, for example, by changing it as shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 8 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 3 only in that step 520 is added. In FIGS. 3 and 8, the processes with the same reference numerals are the same, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated.

  If it is determined in step 506 in FIG. 8 that the application determined to have been started in step 500 is not maintained in the activated state, control proceeds to step 520. In step 520, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 displays a screen related to transmission of the exclusive release command, waits for an instruction from the user, and determines whether transmission of the exclusive release command is instructed. If it is determined to transmit, control proceeds to step 508. Otherwise control passes to step 510. For example, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 displays a screen 720 illustrated in FIG. If the key 722 is selected, in step 508, an exclusive release command is transmitted. If the key 724 is selected, step 508 is not executed and the exclusive release command is not transmitted.

  Accordingly, even when a predetermined application is terminated in the first information processing apparatus 310 during the presentation, the exclusive release code is not transmitted, and the image forming apparatus 200 can be maintained in the exclusive mode. If a predetermined application is activated again, an exclusive command is transmitted in step 504, but the image forming apparatus 200 is not affected.

  In the above, the case where the exclusive mode does not execute a print job received from an apparatus other than the apparatus (permitted address) permitted by the image forming apparatus 200, that is, the case where execution of the print job is prohibited is described. It is not limited. During the presentation, the image forming apparatus 200 may not execute a print job from an apparatus other than the permitted apparatus. For example, in the exclusive mode, the image forming apparatus 200 may hold execution of a print job. This also prevents the print process from being executed during the presentation regardless of the progress of the presentation, thereby preventing the progress of the presentation from being hindered. In this case, after receiving the exclusive release command and releasing the exclusive mode, the image forming apparatus 200 executes the held print job. Further, if the image forming apparatus 200 transmits predetermined error data (for example, data indicating the hold state) to the apparatus that has instructed printing, the apparatus that has instructed printing can display the hold state. The viewing user can know that the presentation is in progress and can cancel the print instruction.

  In the exclusive mode, the image forming apparatus 200 may transfer the received print job to another image forming apparatus. This can be realized by changing the processing shown in FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 10 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 4 only in that step 630 is added. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 10, since the process of the step attached with the same reference number is the same, description is not repeated. In this case, an address of the transfer destination image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a transfer destination address) may be stored in advance in the RAM 206 or HDD 208 of the image forming apparatus 200.

  In step 630 in FIG. 10, the CPU 202 transmits the print job received in step 608 to the transfer destination address read from the RAM 206 or the HDD 208. In this case, for example, a message “The print instruction has been transferred to another printer” is displayed on the display device of the device that has received the error data transmitted in step 616 (the device that transmitted the print job). May be.

  If the transfer destination image forming apparatus is determined in advance, the user can obtain a print result from the transfer destination image forming apparatus. When there are a plurality of transfer destination image forming apparatus candidates, in step 616, the CPU 202 transmits error data together with the error data by transmitting information (address, printer name, etc.) of the transfer destination image forming apparatus. The receiving apparatus can display which printer has been transferred. Thus, the user can easily know the transfer destination image forming apparatus.

  Further, it may be possible to set what kind of restriction is executed in the exclusive mode of the image forming apparatus 200. For example, by displaying the setting screen 740 as shown in FIG. 11 on the operation unit 216, the restriction in the exclusive mode can be set in advance. When the administrator of the image forming apparatus 200 selects a check box in the area 742 on the left side of the character representing each restriction content on the setting screen 740, the image forming apparatus 200 receives the print job received during the exclusive mode. The corresponding process is executed for. In the setting shown in FIG. 11, a print job received during the exclusive mode is transferred to another image forming apparatus. When the transfer destination setting key 744 is selected on the setting screen 740, a screen for designating the address of the transfer destination image forming apparatus is displayed.

  Although the case where the display device 300 is not connected to the network 330 has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. If the display device 300 is a device that can be connected to the network 330 such as an electronic blackboard device, the display device 300 may be connected to the network 330 as shown in FIG. In this case, if the display apparatus 300 has a function of instructing the image forming apparatus 200 to print, the address of the display apparatus 300 can be transmitted as a permission address together with the exclusive command from the first information processing apparatus 310 during the presentation. Then, the display device 300 can instruct the image forming apparatus 200 to perform printing. That is, an image including characters drawn with a pen or the like can be printed on the display device 300 (electronic blackboard device).

  If the display apparatus 300 is an apparatus (such as an electronic blackboard apparatus) in which the display apparatus 300 and the first information processing apparatus 310 are integrated, the CPU of the display apparatus 300 executes the processing shown in FIG. That's fine. In that case, the first information processing apparatus 310 is unnecessary.

  In the above description, the case where the permitted address is transmitted from the first information processing apparatus 310 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Only the exclusive command may be transmitted from the first information processing apparatus 310, and the permission address may not be transmitted. In this case, the image forming apparatus 200 does not execute the print process even if it receives a print job from any apparatus. Therefore, during the presentation, the print process is executed regardless of the progress of the presentation, and the progress of the presentation is prevented. Can be prevented.

  In the above description, the case where a dedicated command for limiting the printer function is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 when a predetermined application is activated has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the first information processing apparatus 310 is used in a presentation or a meeting, a dedicated command may be transmitted from the first information processing apparatus 310. That is, the exclusive command and the exclusive release command may be transmitted from the first information processing apparatus 310 by the process shown in FIG. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 13, the processes of the steps given the same reference numbers are the same, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated.

  In step 540 of FIG. 13, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 determines whether or not the presentation is started. Whether or not the presentation is started can be determined based on whether or not the display device 300 is ready to display an image. For example, as described above, it may be determined whether a predetermined application is activated. In addition, for example, it may be determined whether or not the first information processing apparatus 310 is set to output a video signal to the display apparatus 300 that is an external apparatus. If the first information processing device 310 is a PC, it is normally set to display an image on a display unit equipped on the PC, and is set not to output a signal to an external output port of a video signal. When a PC is used for presentation, the PC is set so that a signal is also output to an external output port of a video signal. Therefore, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 can determine that the presentation is started when it is detected by the user that the signal is output to the external output port of the video signal.

  In presentations, a portable wireless operation device (wireless pointing device) for operating a displayed cursor is often used. In addition to a wireless cursor operation function, a portable operation device incorporating a laser pointer function is also known. Accordingly, the CPU of the first information processing device 310 is connected to the first information processing device 310 and a portable wireless operation device used for presentation in addition to being ready to display an image on the display device 300. It may be determined that the presentation is started when it is detected that the operation device is detected or when the operation device is actually operated.

  When it is determined that the presentation is started, in step 504, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 transmits a dedicated command.

  Thereafter, in step 542, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 determines whether or not the presentation is in progress. Step 542 is repeated until it is determined that the presentation is not in progress. The determination at step 542 depends on the determination at step 540. That is, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 determines that the presentation is in progress if there is still a cause determined to be the presentation start in step 540, and determines that the presentation is not in progress if there is no cause.

  When it is determined that the presentation is not in progress, in step 508, the CPU of the first information processing apparatus 310 transmits an exclusive release command.

  In the above description, a case has been described in which whether the presentation is started and whether the presentation is in progress is determined based on the state of the first information processing device 310 or the portable wireless operation device used in the presentation. However, it is not limited to this. You may determine from the state of the display apparatus 300. FIG. This can be realized, for example, by modifying step 540 and step 542 in FIG. 13 as follows.

  That is, in step 540 of FIG. 13, the CPU of the first information processing device 310 determines whether or not the display device 300 is in a state capable of displaying an image. Here, the state in which an image can be displayed includes a state where the power is simply turned on. This is because when the power of the display device 300 is turned on, a state in which an external input signal is displayed as an image (for example, an external input mode) can be achieved in a short time. For example, if transmission of a video signal (image data) from the first information processing apparatus 310 to the display apparatus 300 is performed by a cable capable of transmitting control data in addition to video data, the first information processing apparatus 310 is It is possible to determine whether or not the power of the 300 has been turned on, whether or not the video signal input from the cable can be displayed, and the like. For example, if an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable or a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) -D cable is used, the display apparatus 300 is connected to the first information processing apparatus 310 via the Hot Plug Detect line. It can be determined whether or not it is in a connected state (a state where the power is turned on and a signal can be received). In addition, if a predetermined command is transmitted using a DDC (Display Data Channel) line, the first information processing apparatus 310 can acquire more detailed information regarding the state of the display apparatus 300.

  In step 542, the CPU of the first information processing device 310 determines whether or not the display device 300 is maintained in a state in which an image can be displayed. Other processes are the same as described above.

  Although the case where the printer function is limited has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. The function of the image forming apparatus 200 that affects the presentation or the like may be limited, and functions other than the printer function may be limited. For example, in addition to the printer function restriction, the FAX reception function may be restricted. To restrict the FAX reception function, FAX reception is prohibited (not connected to the telephone line), received FAX data is held (reception data is stored and printout is not executed), or received FAX data is Processing such as transfer to another image forming apparatus via the network 330 is included.

  The present invention has been described above by describing the embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is implemented with various modifications. be able to.

100 Image forming system 200 Image forming apparatus 202 CPU
204 ROM
206 RAM
208 HDD
210 Document Reading Unit 212 Image Forming Unit 214 Image Processing Unit 216 Operation Unit 218 Communication IF Unit 220 Bus 300 Display Device 310 First Information Processing Device 320 Second Information Processing Device 330 Network

Claims (6)

An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Display means for displaying an image;
Transmitting means for transmitting, to the image forming apparatus, a restriction command for restricting execution of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus when the display means displays an image;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Job receiving means for receiving an image forming job;
Command receiving means for receiving the restriction command;
Responsive to said command receiving means receives the limitation command, see contains a control means for limiting the execution of the image forming processing according to the image forming job,
The image forming system , wherein the transmission unit transmits the restriction command in response to the display unit being ready to display an image. The information processing apparatus displays an image on the display unit by executing a predetermined application program,
In response to the application program being activated, the transmission means transmits the restriction command,
The control unit restricts execution of an image forming process according to an image forming job received from a device other than a predetermined device,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined apparatus includes the information processing apparatus. The control unit prohibits or holds execution of an image forming process according to an image forming job received from an apparatus other than a predetermined apparatus, or receives an image forming job received from an apparatus other than the predetermined apparatus as the image forming job. by transferring an image to another image forming apparatus and forming device, an image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to limit the execution of the image formation processing. The control means executes an image forming process according to the image forming job for an image forming job that satisfies a predetermined condition even when the command receiving means receives the restriction command. The image forming system according to any one of 1 to 3 . A control method of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus for displaying an image,
When the information processing apparatus displays an image, the image forming apparatus transmits a restriction command for restricting execution of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus receiving an image forming job;
The image forming apparatus receiving the restriction command;
The image forming apparatus, in response to receiving the limit command, see contains a step of restricting execution of the image forming processing according to the image forming job,
The information processing apparatus transmits the restriction command in response to being in a state where an image can be displayed . An image forming apparatus that executes image forming processing according to a received image forming job,
Command receiving means for receiving a restriction command for restricting execution of image forming processing from an information processing apparatus for displaying an image;
Control means for restricting execution of image forming processing in accordance with the image forming job in response to the instruction receiving means receiving the restriction instruction;
The restriction command is output to the image forming apparatus in response to the information processing apparatus displaying an image when the information processing apparatus displays an image. apparatus.

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