JP6237550B2 - Image forming apparatus and program for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus program, and a printing program that execute printing based on a compressed file including a plurality of direct printing data.

  Conventionally, when printing based on a compressed file including a plurality of printing data is instructed to a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), the printing data in the compressed file decompressed by the computer is sent from the computer one by one. A system is known in which printing is sequentially performed based on printing data transmitted to an image forming apparatus and received from a computer in the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-140070 A

  However, the system described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is necessary to transmit print data in the compressed file one by one from the computer to the image forming apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus program, and a printing program capable of executing printing based on a plurality of printing data by receiving one file. .

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication device that performs communication, a printing device that performs printing, and a compressed file that decompresses the compressed file when a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data is received by the communication device. And a decompression unit; and a print execution unit that causes the printing device to perform printing based on the direct print data in the compressed file decompressed by the compressed file decompression unit.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention decompresses the received compressed file and executes printing based on the direct print data in the decompressed compressed file. Printing based on the direct printing data can be executed.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus of the present invention performs a preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file before printing based on the direct print data in the compressed file is executed by the print execution unit. Preview execution means for executing, wherein the print execution means causes the printing device to execute printing based only on the direct print data selected in the preview from the direct print data in the compressed file. good.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention executes a preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file, so the direct print data that is actually used for printing out of the direct print data in the compressed file. Can be selected by the user.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the preview execution unit executes the preview based on the setting in the preview header data when the header file for preview indicating the setting of the preview is included in the compressed file. You may do it.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention executes the preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file based on the setting in the preview header data of the compressed file. Specification of the setting of the preview based on can be facilitated.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the preview execution unit may display the preview image on a display destination included in the setting in the preview header data.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can display the preview image on the display destination included in the setting in the preview header data of the compressed file, that is, the display destination designated by the user.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the print execution unit may include direct print data in the compressed file when print header data indicating print settings by the printing device is included in the compressed file. The printing device may execute the printing based on the setting in the print header data.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention performs printing based on the direct print data in the compressed file based on the setting in the print header data of the compressed file. Specification of print settings based on this can be facilitated.

  An image forming apparatus program according to the present invention is a program for an image forming apparatus that is executed by an image forming apparatus including a communication device that performs communication and a printing device that performs printing, and includes a plurality of direct printing data. A compressed file decompressing means for decompressing the compressed file when the file is received by the communication device; and printing based on the data for direct printing in the compressed file decompressed by the compressed file decompressing means The image forming apparatus is caused to function as a print execution unit to be executed by a device.

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus program of the present invention decompresses the received compressed file and executes printing based on the direct print data in the decompressed compressed file, so by receiving one compressed file Printing based on a plurality of direct printing data can be executed.

  The printing program of the present invention shows a compressed file transmission unit that transmits a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data to the image forming apparatus, and a preview setting based on the direct print data in the compressed file. A computer is caused to function as preview header data generation means for generating preview header data in the compressed file.

  With this configuration, the printing program of the present invention realizes the preview setting executed by the image forming apparatus based on the direct printing data in the compressed file by using the header data for previewing the compressed file. It is possible to facilitate the designation of the preview setting executed by the image forming apparatus based on the direct printing data.

  The printing program according to the present invention includes a compressed file transmission unit that transmits a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data to an image forming apparatus, and print header data that indicates print settings by the image forming apparatus. The computer is caused to function as a print header data generation means for generating the print data.

  With this configuration, the print program of the present invention realizes the print setting executed by the image forming apparatus based on the direct print data in the compressed file by the print header data of the compressed file. It is possible to facilitate the designation of print settings executed by the image forming apparatus based on the direct printing data.

  The image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus program, and the printing program of the present invention can execute printing based on a plurality of printing data by receiving one file.

1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of the computer shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the ZIP file of the transmission object by the computer shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer shown in FIG. 3 when transmitting a ZIP file to the MFP. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen displayed on the display unit illustrated in FIG. 3. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when executing printing. It is a flowchart of the operation | movement following the operation | movement shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when printing is performed after preview execution.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 10 includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 20 as an image forming apparatus, and a computer 30 for transmitting printing data such as direct printing data directly printed by the MFP 20 to the MFP 20. It has. The MFP 20 and the computer 30 are communicably connected via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  Here, as an example of the data for direct printing, for example, “PDF (Portable Document Format) file”, “XPS (XML (Extensible Markup Language) File Special Specification) file”, “Microsoft Office document”, etc. There is electronic document data. As an example of the “Microsoft Office document file”, “Microsoft Word file (hereinafter simply referred to as“ Word file ”)”, “Microsoft Excel (registered trademark) file (hereinafter simply referred to as“ Excel file ”)”. There are document files. Examples of direct printing data include image data such as “TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) file” and “JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file”.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 22 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A scanner 23 that reads an image from a document, a printer 24 that prints on a recording medium such as paper, and an external facsimile apparatus (not shown) and a communication line such as a public telephone line A fax communication unit 25 that is a fax device that performs fax communication, and a communication unit 26 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device such as a computer 30 (see FIG. 1) via the network 11 (see FIG. 1). EEPROM (Electrically) that stores various data A storage unit 27 that is a storage device such as an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (HDD) or a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a control unit 28 that controls the entire MFP 20 are provided.

  The storage unit 27 stores an image forming apparatus program 27 a for controlling the operation of the MFP 20. The image forming apparatus program 27a may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from a storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. 11 may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from above.

  The control unit 28 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. Yes. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 27.

  The control unit 28 executes the image forming apparatus program 27 a stored in the storage unit 27, and when the compressed file is received by the communication unit 26, the compressed file decompressing unit 28 a that decompresses the compressed file and the printer 24. It functions as a print execution unit 28b for executing printing and a preview execution unit 28c for executing a preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file.

  The print execution unit 28 b corresponds to printing based on general print data converted by the printer driver of the computer 30 into contents interpretable by the MFP 20. The print execution unit 28b also supports direct printing of data in some file formats such as a PDF file, an XPS file, a Word file, an Excel file, a TIFF file, and a JPEG file.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the computer 30.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the computer 30 includes an operation unit 31 that is an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard to which various operations are input, a display unit 32 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various types of information, A communication unit 33 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device such as the MFP 20 (see FIG. 1) via the network 11 (see FIG. 1), and a storage device such as an HDD that stores programs and various data. And a control unit 35 that controls the entire computer 30. The computer 30 is configured by an electronic device such as a PC or a portable device.

  The storage unit 34 stores a printing program 34 a for controlling the MFP 20. The printing program 34a may be installed in the computer 30 at the manufacturing stage of the computer 30, or may be additionally installed in the computer 30 from a storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB memory. Alternatively, it may be additionally installed on the computer 30 from the network 11.

  The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 34.

  The control unit 35 executes a print program 34a stored in the storage unit 34, thereby transmitting a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data to the MFP 20, a compressed file transmitting unit 35a, and direct printing in the compressed file. Preview header data generating means 35b for generating preview header data indicating the setting of preview based on the data for use in the compressed file, and printing header for generating print header data indicating the setting of printing by the MFP 20 in the compressed file It functions as the data generation means 35c.

  Next, the operation of the printing system 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the computer 30 when transmitting a compressed file to the MFP 20 will be described.

  For example, the user instructs the computer 30 via the operation unit 31 of the computer 30 to start processing for transmitting the ZIP file 40 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a ZIP file 40 to be transmitted by the computer 30.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ZIP file 40 is a compressed file including a PDF file 41, an XPS file 42, a Word file 43, and an Excel file 44.

  When the user instructs the computer 30 to start processing for transmitting the ZIP file 40 to the MFP 20 via the operation unit 31 of the computer 30, the control unit 35 of the computer 30 is for the image forming apparatus stored in the storage unit 27. The operation shown in FIG. 5 is started by executing the program 27a.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the computer 30 when transmitting the ZIP file 40 to the MFP 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 35 of the computer 30 displays the print setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 32 (S101).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print setting screen 50 displayed on the display unit 32.

  A print setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 6 includes a drop-down list 51 for designating the number of prints based on the direct print data in the ZIP file 40, and printing based on the direct print data in the ZIP file 40. A drop-down list 52 for designating a paper supply source, a drop-down list 53 for designating whether printing based on the direct printing data in the ZIP file 40 is to be performed by double-sided printing or single-sided printing, and ZIP A drop-down list 54 for designating a print discharge destination based on the direct print data in the file 40 and a print result based on the direct print data in the ZIP file 40 are designated to be displayed. Printing based on the area 55a and the direct printing data in the ZIP file 40; And area 55b for specifying not to display the results, and a drop-down list 56 for designating the result of the display destination of the print based on the direct printing data in the ZIP file 40.

  In the print setting screen 50, general print settings can be set in addition to the number of printed sheets, the paper supply source, the duplex setting, and the discharge destination as shown in the drop-down lists 51 to 54. The control unit 35 displays the setting items according to the performance of the MFP 20 notified from the MFP 20 on the print setting screen 50. Further, the control unit 35 determines a value that can be specified in each setting on the print setting screen 50 according to the performance of the MFP 20.

  Only one of the region 55a and the region 55b can be selected. The control unit 35 reversely displays the selected one of the region 55a and the region 55b.

  The control unit 35 displays the drop-down list 56 only when the area 55a is selected. As a value that can be selected in the drop-down list 56, as long as it indicates an apparatus having a display device that allows a user to visually recognize a printing result based on the direct printing data in the ZIP file 40. For example, there are “MFP” indicating the MFP 20 and “host computer” indicating the computer 30. If the MFP 20 has not been notified that the MFP 20 includes a display device, the control unit 35 does not include “MFP” as a selectable value in the drop-down list 56.

  The user can change the contents of each setting on the print setting screen 50 via the operation unit 31 of the computer 30.

  As shown in FIG. 5, control unit 35 determines that an operation for instructing execution of transmission of ZIP file 40 to MFP 20 (hereinafter referred to as “transmission execution operation”) is input via operation unit 31. Then, it is determined whether or not a transmission execution operation has been input via the operation unit 31 (S102).

  When the preview header data generation unit 35b of the control unit 35 determines in S102 that the transmission execution operation has been input, the preview header data indicating the preview setting by the region 55a, the region 55b, and the drop-down list 56 is stored in the ZIP file 40. Generate (S103). In other words, the preview header data generation unit 35 b adds the preview header data to the top of the ZIP file 40. Here, the preview header data is a command group that can be interpreted by the MFP 20. When the area 55a is selected, preview execution is set in the header data for preview. On the other hand, when the area 55b is selected, the preview header data is set not to be previewed. In the preview header data, the display destination selected from the drop-down list 56 is set as the display destination of the preview image.

  After the process of S103, the print header data generating unit 35c of the control unit 35 generates print header data indicating the print settings by the drop-down lists 51 to 54 in the ZIP file 40 (S104). That is, the print header data generating unit 35 c adds the print header data to the head of the ZIP file 40. Here, the print header data is a command group that can be interpreted by the MFP 20.

  After the process of S104, the compressed file transmission unit 35a of the control unit 35 transmits the ZIP file 40 with the header data added in S103 and S104 to the MFP 20 via the communication unit 33 (S105), as shown in FIG. End the operation.

  As described above, the computer 30 can not only transmit a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data to the MFP 20 in response to a user instruction, but also include the direct print data itself in the compressed file. Instead, it can be transmitted to the MFP 20 in accordance with a user instruction. Further, the computer 30 can also send general print data converted by the printer driver into contents interpretable by the MFP 20 instead of direct print data, to the MFP 20 in accordance with a user instruction.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when executing printing will be described.

  When the MFP 20 receives data via the communication unit 26, the MFP 20 executes the operation shown in FIG.

  When receiving the data, the MFP 20 can communicate with the computer 30 to receive the data, but the data is attached as an attached file of the e-mail transmitted to the e-mail address given to the MFP 20 itself. Can also be received. A compressed file including a plurality of data for direct printing can include header data as described above when transmitted from the computer 30 to the MFP 20 while the MFP 20 and the computer 30 are communicating with each other. In the case of being transmitted as an attached file of an e-mail, there is a high possibility that the header data is not included.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when executing printing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation subsequent to the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the print execution unit 28b of the MFP 20 determines whether or not the header data is included in the data received via the communication unit 26 (hereinafter referred to as “target data”) (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). S131).

  When the print execution unit 28b determines in S131 that header data is included, the print execution unit 28b determines whether the header data for printing is included in the target data as header data (S132).

  If the print execution unit 28b determines in S132 that print header data is included, the print execution unit 28b acquires settings in the print header data included in the target data (S133).

  The print execution unit 28b determines in step S132 that print header data is not included, or determines whether preview header data is included in the target data as header data when the processing in step S133 ends (S134). .

  If the print execution unit 28b determines in step S134 that preview header data is included, the print execution unit 28b acquires settings in the preview header data included in the target data (S135).

  When the print execution unit 28b determines in S131 that the header data is not included, determines in S134 that the header data for preview is not included, or when the process in S135 is completed, the print execution unit 28b determines whether the target data is a ZIP file. Is determined (S136). Here, when the first character string of the target data is “0x 50 4B 03 04”, which is the first character string of the ZIP file, the print execution unit 28b determines that the target data is a ZIP file. On the other hand, when the first character string of the target data is not “0x 50 4B 03 04” that is the first character string of the ZIP file, the print execution unit 28b determines that the target data is not the ZIP file.

  If the print execution unit 28b determines that the file is not a ZIP file in S136, the print execution unit 28b executes a known general print process based on the target data (S137). That is, the print execution unit 28b generates drawing data based on the target data, and causes the printer 24 to execute printing based on the generated drawing data. The print execution unit 28b ends the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 after the process of S137.

  When it is determined in S136 that the file is a ZIP file, the compressed file decompressing means 28a decompresses the target data (S138).

  Next, the print execution unit 28b determines whether or not there is a file with the extension “.ppml” in the target data decompressed in S138 (S139). When a file having an extension of “.ppml” exists, the target file is not a ZIP file including direct printing data but PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language) data. The PPML data is print data specialized for variable data printing in which print contents are replaced with the same layout for each page to be printed, and is data compressed in the ZIP format. When the PPML data is decompressed, a file with an extension “.ppml” exists one layer below.

  If the print execution means 28b determines in S139 that there is a file with the extension “.ppml”, the print execution means 28b executes print processing with the target data as PPML data (S140). That is, the print execution unit 28b generates drawing data based on PPML as target data, and causes the printer 24 to execute printing based on the generated drawing data. The print execution unit 28b ends the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 after the process of S140.

  If the print execution unit 28b determines in S139 that there is no file with the extension “.ppml”, whether there is a file with the name “[Content_Types] .xml” in the target data decompressed in S138. It is determined whether or not (S141). When there is a file whose name is “[Content_Types] .xml”, the target file is not a ZIP file including direct print data but an XPS file. The XPS file is data compressed in the ZIP format. When the XPS file is decompressed, a file whose name is “[Content_Types] .xml” exists one layer below.

  If the print execution unit 28b determines in S141 that there is a file whose name is “[Content_Types] .xml”, the print execution unit 28b executes print processing using the target data as an XPS file (S142). That is, the print execution unit 28b generates drawing data based on the XPS file as target data, and causes the printer 24 to execute printing based on the generated drawing data. The print execution unit 28b ends the operations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 after the process of S137.

  If the print execution unit 28b determines in S141 that there is no file whose name is “[Content_Types] .xml”, the print execution unit 28b generates drawing data based on each of the direct printing data in the target data (S161). In the process of S161, the setting acquired in S133 is applied. For example, if the target data includes an XPS file as data for direct printing, the XPS file can be individually set for printing in a print ticket or the like. Also, the setting acquired in S133 is applied with priority.

  Next, the preview execution unit 28c determines whether or not the setting acquired in S135 includes execution of the preview (S162).

  If it is determined in step S162 that the preview execution is not included, the printing execution unit 28b causes the printer 24 to execute printing based on each of the drawing data generated in step S161 (S163), and FIG. And the operation | movement shown in FIG. 8 is complete | finished.

  When the preview execution means 28c determines in S162 that the execution of the preview is included, the preview execution means 28c generates the respective thumbnail images of all the drawing data generated in S161 (S164).

  Next, the preview execution unit 28c executes a preview using the thumbnail image generated in S164 (S165). Here, the preview execution unit 28c displays the thumbnail image generated in S164, that is, the preview image, on the display destination included in the setting acquired in S135. For example, when the display destination included in the setting acquired in S135 is “MFP”, the preview execution unit 28c displays the thumbnail image generated in S164 on the display unit 22. When the display destination included in the setting acquired in S135 is “host computer”, the preview execution unit 28c transmits the thumbnail image generated in S164 to the transmission source of the target data via the communication unit 26. Send to. Therefore, when the transmission source of the target data is the computer 30, the control unit 35 of the computer 30 displays the thumbnail image transmitted from the MFP 20 on the display unit 32.

  After the process of S165, the print execution unit 28b stores all the drawing data generated in S161 in the storage unit 27 (S166), and ends the operations shown in FIGS.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when printing is executed after preview execution will be described.

  The MFP 20 executes the operation shown in FIG. 9 after executing the preview in S165.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when printing is executed after the preview is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the preview execution unit 28c determines that there is a preview image, that is, direct print data selected by a thumbnail image in the direct print data in the target data. It is determined whether or not the direct print data selected by the thumbnail image exists in the direct print data (S191).

  Note that, when a thumbnail image is displayed on the display unit 22, the user can select a thumbnail image of an image desired to be printed via the operation unit 21. Then, when a thumbnail image is selected via the operation unit 21, the preview execution unit 28c determines the direct print data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image as the direct print data selected by the thumbnail image.

  Further, when a thumbnail image is displayed on the display unit 32 of the computer 30, the user can select a thumbnail image of an image desired to be printed via the operation unit 31 of the computer 30. When a thumbnail image is selected via the operation unit 31, the control unit 35 of the computer 30 notifies the MFP 20 of identification information of the selected thumbnail image via the communication unit 33. Then, when the identification information of the thumbnail image is notified from the computer 30 via the communication unit 26, the preview execution unit 28c of the MFP 20 outputs the data for direct printing corresponding to the thumbnail image to which the notified identification information is assigned. Then, it is determined as the data for direct printing selected by the thumbnail image.

  If it is determined in S191 that the direct print data selected by the thumbnail image exists in the direct print data in the target data, the print execution unit 28b stores the drawing data corresponding to the selected direct print data in the storage unit. 27 is called (S192).

  Next, the print execution unit 28b causes the printer 24 to execute printing based on the drawing data called in S192 (S193), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  As described above, the MFP 20 decompresses the received compressed file (S138), and executes printing based on the direct print data in the decompressed compressed file (S163 or S193). By receiving the data, printing based on a plurality of data for direct printing can be executed. Therefore, the MFP 20 can print a plurality of direct printing data compressed into one file by one transmission from the computer 30.

  Since the MFP 20 executes a preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file (S165), the MFP 20 allows the user to select the direct print data actually used for printing from the direct print data in the compressed file. be able to. Therefore, the MFP 20 can cause the user to confirm the content that has been subjected to the drawing processing based on the direct printing data before actually executing printing based on the direct printing data on the recording medium.

  Since the MFP 20 executes the preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file (S165), the MFP 20 generates and generates drawing data based on the “dedicated software for decompressing the compressed file” and the “direct print data”. The computer 30 may not include “dedicated software that performs display based on the drawn data”. In particular, when the computer 30 is a portable device, it is highly possible that the software is not provided as a standard, and it may be difficult to newly install it, which is useful.

  The MFP 20 executes the preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file based on the setting in the preview header data of the compressed file (S162, S164, and S165), and thus based on the direct print data in the compressed file. Specification of preview settings can be facilitated. In addition, since the computer 30 realizes the preview setting executed by the MFP 20 based on the direct print data in the compressed file by the preview header data of the compressed file, the computer 30 is based on the direct print data in the compressed file. The setting of the preview setting executed by the MFP 20 can be facilitated.

  The MFP 20 can display the preview image at the display destination included in the setting in the preview header data of the compressed file, that is, the display destination designated by the user.

  Since the MFP 20 executes printing based on the direct print data in the compressed file based on the setting in the print header data of the compressed file (S161), the print setting based on the direct print data in the compressed file is performed. Specification can be facilitated. In addition, since the computer 30 realizes the print setting executed by the MFP 20 based on the direct print data in the compressed file by the print header data of the compressed file, it is based on the direct print data in the compressed file. Specification of print settings executed by the MFP 20 can be facilitated.

  Note that the MFP 20 includes a ZIP file as a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data and data compressed in the ZIP format, such as PPML data and XPS file. Based on the name of the file, it can be distinguished and recognized (S139 and S141), and processing suitable for each can be executed (S140, S142 and S161 to S166). In addition to PPML data and XPS files, the MFP 20 adds to the unique data compressed in the ZIP format by adding a condition for detecting the name of the unique file included in the data compressed in the ZIP format. Can respond.

  When the MFP 20 receives direct print data not supported by the MFP 20 or receives a compressed file including direct print data not supported by the MFP 20 itself, the MFP 20 itself does not support the direct print data. For print data, an error report indicating that printing cannot be performed may be output. Examples of the error report output method include printing by the printer 24 and display by the display unit 22. Further, when executing the preview, the MFP 20 does not display a preview image for direct printing data that the MFP 20 itself does not support.

  Note that the preview execution setting is specified in the preview header data in the present embodiment. However, the preview execution setting may not be specified in the preview header data. That is, the fact that the preview header data is attached to the compressed file itself may indicate the setting for executing the preview. In this case, if preview header data is not attached to the compressed file, it indicates that execution of preview is not set.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment. However, as long as the image forming apparatus executes printing based on a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data, a printer dedicated machine or the like can be used. An image forming apparatus may be used.

  In the above, ZIP has been described as a compression method. However, the present invention can deal with compression methods other than ZIP, as with ZIP.

20 MFP (image forming apparatus)
24 Printer (printing device)
26 Communication unit (communication device)
27a Image forming apparatus program 28a Compressed file decompression means 28b Print execution means 28c Preview execution means 30 Computer 34a Print program 35a Compressed file transmission means 35b Preview header data generation means 35c Print header data generation means 40 ZIP file (compressed file) )
41 PDF file (Direct printing data)
42 XPS file (data for direct printing)
43 Word file (Direct printing data)
44 Excel file (Direct printing data)

Claims (3)

A communication device for communication;
A printing device for printing;
Compressed file decompression means for decompressing the compressed file when a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data is received by the communication device;
Print execution means for causing the printing device to execute printing based on the data for direct printing in the compressed file decompressed by the compressed file decompression means ;
Preview execution means for executing a preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file before printing based on the direct print data in the compressed file is executed by the print execution means ;
The preview execution means executes the preview based on the setting in the preview header data when the header file for preview indicating the setting of the preview is included in the compressed file,
The preview execution means displays the preview image on the display destination included in the setting in the preview header data,
The image forming apparatus , wherein the printing execution unit causes the printing device to execute printing based only on the direct printing data selected in the preview from the direct printing data in the compressed file .   The print execution unit performs printing based on the direct print data in the compressed file in the print header data when print header data indicating print settings by the printing device is included in the compressed file. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus causes the printing device to execute based on a setting.   An image forming apparatus program executed by an image forming apparatus including a communication device for performing communication and a printing device for performing printing,
  Compressed file decompression means for decompressing the compressed file when a compressed file including a plurality of direct print data is received by the communication device;
  Print execution means for causing the printing device to execute printing based on the data for direct printing in the compressed file decompressed by the compressed file decompression means; and
  The image forming apparatus as a preview execution unit that executes a preview based on the direct print data in the compressed file before printing based on the direct print data in the compressed file is performed by the print execution unit. Function
  The preview execution means executes the preview based on the setting in the preview header data when the header file for preview indicating the setting of the preview is included in the compressed file,
  The preview execution means displays the preview image on the display destination included in the setting in the preview header data,
  The program for image forming apparatus, wherein the printing execution unit causes the printing device to execute printing based only on the direct printing data selected in the preview from the direct printing data in the compressed file. .

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