JP6557969B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, with the growing awareness of cost reduction in the market, a printing system that suppresses erroneous printing when using an image forming apparatus, specifically, print data that has been output as is when a print instruction is issued from a client terminal, There has been a demand for a printing system that stores in an HDD (storage unit) in a forming apparatus and executes printing in accordance with a user's final printing instruction.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-253274

  For example, in Patent Document 1, print data transmitted to an image forming apparatus when a user issues a print instruction at a client terminal is not directly printed, but is stored in the image forming apparatus and a user for each user on the image forming apparatus. A so-called pull print technique is disclosed in which an icon is displayed and a list of print data of the user is displayed by accepting pressing of the user icon, and printing is performed.

  Here, by sorting the display order of the user icons in the order of the storage date and time of the print data stored in the image forming apparatus, it is quick to check the display screen of the image forming apparatus after a print instruction is issued at the client terminal. The user can easily find his / her user icon.

  On the other hand, there is print data that is left unprinted due to reasons such as the user icon being pressed and the print data being confirmed, but the number of copies, setting, etc. are incorrect. If there is a lot of print data left, the display order of the user icons of the user who is the job owner of the print data instructed to print before the left print data will be lowered, making it difficult to find it. There was a problem.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program that allow a user to easily operate a selection unit .

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that displays a plurality of selection units that can specify a user on a display unit, and a selection receiving unit that receives selection of the selection unit displayed on the display unit, storage means for storing information about the date and time of the action for the user's job, and the date and time of accepting the selection of the user selecting unit by the selection receiving unit, the action for the user of the job stored in the storage means Display means for displaying the selection part of the user on the display part in a display order determined based on the date and time.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the user can easily operate the selection unit.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of client PC in embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a data table stored in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a data table stored in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the user icon list screen in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the print data list screen in embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of processing of the image forming system in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of print data storage processing according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the display process of the user icon list screen in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the bibliographic information in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the newest operation date table structure in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of a print system to which a client PC and an image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 100 and the client PC 200 are connected by the local area network 1.

  A printer driver 250 is installed in the client PC 200 (information processing apparatus). The printer driver 250 can create print data (print job) based on data received from the application program, and can transmit the print data to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming apparatus 100 that has received the print data stores the print data in the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100. An application for managing printing operates on the image forming apparatus 100, acquires bibliographic information of print data stored in the image forming apparatus 100, and manages it in the memory.

  In an environment where the authentication application does not operate on the image forming apparatus 100, user information is searched from the user name in the acquired bibliographic information, the user's icon is displayed on the image forming apparatus 100, and the user's icon selection is the first time. A list of documents of the user is displayed. In an environment where the authentication application operates, a document list of logged-in users is displayed at the timing of user login to the image forming apparatus 100. In the document list, print data is printed in accordance with a user output instruction.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 200 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 200 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (BaSic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Stores various programs to be described later.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A main controller 207 is connected to an HDD, a flexible disk (FD), or a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. The access to the external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing, for example, outline font development (rasterization) processing on a display information area in the RAM 203. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the controller unit that controls the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the controller unit of the image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner unit 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN or a public line (WAN) (for example, PSTN or ISDN). To input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM, which is a system network memory for operating the CPU 301, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, for reading an IC card required for authentication Card reader 319 is connected to the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. Perform the action.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (for example, Sony FeliCa (registered trademark)) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 is notified.

  With the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 100 can transmit the image data read from the scanner unit 314 to the LAN 1 and print out the print data received from the LAN by the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 314 can be fax-transmitted on the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by FAX from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Next, functional configurations of the image forming apparatus 100 and the client PC 200 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since the operation | movement detail in each flow is mentioned later, description of the functional block diagram currently described in various terminals is described here.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an authentication application 110 and a print application 120. The authentication application 110 operates on the image forming apparatus 100 and holds an authentication table shown in FIG. The authentication application 110 manages login / logout of the image forming apparatus 100 based on authentication information from a user received by the image forming apparatus 100.

  The authentication application 110 includes an authentication unit 111. The authentication unit 111 accepts input of authentication information from the user. The authentication information here can be in various forms depending on the authentication method. For example, in the case of card authentication, it may be a card production number, or in the case of a user ID input type authentication method, a user ID and password may be considered. In the present embodiment, the format of authentication information from the user is not particularly limited.

  Upon receiving authentication information from the user, the authentication unit 111 searches from an authentication table as shown in FIG. The authentication table in FIG. 6 is read by the authentication application 110 that is started up when the image forming apparatus 100 is started up, and is managed in a volatile memory (such as the RAM 203). When card authentication is used as the authentication means, the authentication table in FIG. 6 includes a card manufacturing number held by each user as a record. In the case of an ID number input type authentication method, the ID number of each user and a password (identification character string) registered in advance by each user are provided as a record (password setting means).

  When there is no user corresponding to the authentication table in FIG. 6 at the time of authentication, an authentication error warning or a voice error warning is given to the display (hereinafter referred to as UI) of the image forming apparatus 100. At the time of authentication, if the user information exists in the authentication table, the user login process is performed. During the user login process, the user login is notified by closing the authentication screen and notifying the other application operating on the image forming apparatus 100 of the user information of the user.

  Next, the print application 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives the print data transmitted from the client PC 200 and stores it as a print job in the HDD in the image forming apparatus 100. When print data is received from the client PC 200, the bibliographic information shown in FIG. 13 is analyzed from the print data and stored in the memory.

  Whether the print application 120 displays the user icon list screen shown in FIG. 7 or the print job list screen shown in FIG. 8 according to the operation status of the authentication application 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 at startup. to decide. When the authentication application 110 is activated, that is, when the image forming apparatus 100 is in an activated state in which user authentication is possible, the user authentication is permitted, and when the user logs in, the print job list screen in FIG. Display. If the authentication application 110 is not activated, a user icon list screen shown in FIG. 7 to be described later is displayed once, and a user (icon) waiting to select a print job list is awaited.

  The print data receiving unit 121 of the print application 120 is a functional module that operates in the print application 120 and monitors the RAW port (9100) number on the image forming apparatus 100 when the print application 120 is activated. The print data reception unit 121 receives print data generated by the print data generation unit 251 of the printer driver 250 of the client PC 200. The received print data is stored in the HDD (storage unit) of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the stored print data is analyzed, and the bibliographic information shown in FIG. 13 is acquired and stored in the memory. Further, the user information management table of FIG. 5 held in the memory is updated based on the user name which is the value of the acquired bibliographic information.

  The print data management unit 122 operates within the print application 120. The print data management unit 122 determines whether to display the user icon list screen shown in FIG. 7 or immediately display the print job list screen shown in FIG.

  In an environment where the authentication application 110 does not operate, information to be displayed on the user icon is acquired from the user information management table based on the user name among the bibliographic information values analyzed from the print data received from the client PC 200, and FIG. Displays the user icon list screen. Only when the user selects an icon, the print job list is extracted from the bibliographic information on the memory, and the print job list of the target user is displayed.

  In an environment where the authentication application 110 operates, a user login information notification notified from the authentication application 110 is waited for. When the login information notification is detected, the print data management unit 122 extracts the print job whose login user is the job owner based on the value of the “user name” of the bibliographic information, and displays the print job list of the target user. indicate.

  The print data management unit 122 executes printing of a print job by receiving a print instruction from the user on the print job list screen of FIG. The print job list screen also has a personal setting button that allows the user to display various names such as the display name displayed on his / her icon and a password for opening the document list so that other users cannot view his / her document list. Personal settings can be set.

  The latest saved date storage unit 123 stores the latest date and time when the print data is stored in the image forming apparatus (printer) for each user. For example, by receiving and storing the print data, the latest print date and time 504 of the print data corresponding to the user ID 501 of the job owner acquired from the bibliographic information of the print data in the user information management table of FIG. Store and update the storage date and time (storage date and time).

  The latest operation date storage unit 124 stores information on the date and time when the user icon was operated (pressed) for each user (for each user icon). For example, when the user icon is pressed, the latest operation date 1402 for the user icon of the user with the user ID 1401 is stored and updated in the latest operation date table 1400 of FIG.

  Next, the functional configuration of the client PC 200 will be described. The client PC 200 includes a printer driver 250. The printer driver 250 is called from various applications operating on the client PC 200, and converts the data of the target application into data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus. After the conversion, the generated print data is transmitted to the target image forming apparatus 100.

  Further, the printer driver 250 includes a print data generation unit 251. The print data generation unit 251 operates in the printer driver 250 and displays a print setting screen in response to a call from various applications. Various settings for output can be made on the print setting screen. Further, it receives a print instruction from the user and generates print data for the application according to the settings set on the print setting screen. The generated print data is printed on the image forming apparatus 100. The above is the description of FIG.

  Next, the authentication table in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 illustrates an authentication table held by the authentication application 110. The authentication application 110 reads an authentication table at the time of activation, and stores information on each user in a memory. In response to an authentication request from the user, the target user is searched from the user authentication information stored in the memory, and login processing is performed.

  The authentication table in FIG. 6 includes a user ID 601, a user name 602, and a user mail address 603. The user ID 601 is an identification character string for uniquely identifying each user. The user name 602 can be arbitrarily set by the user, and is displayed together with a user icon (705 in FIG. 7) displayed on the panel of the image forming apparatus 100. When card authentication is used as an authentication method, the authentication table in FIG. 6 includes a card manufacturing number held by each user as a record. In the case of an ID input type authentication method, a password (identification character string) registered in advance by each user is provided as a record.

  Next, FIG. 7 illustrates a user icon list screen that the print application 120 displays on the image forming apparatus 100. Hereinafter, each item of the user icon list screen will be described.

  Reference numeral 701 denotes an update button. When the update button 701 is pressed, the image forming apparatus 100 updates the user icon list screen to the latest state. By updating, the icon screen is displayed by reflecting the information updated from the last update time. The process of the print application 120 that detects that this button has been pressed will be described in detail with reference to the user icon list display process shown in FIG.

  A usage amount bar 702 indicates the storage capacity of print data stored in the HDD (storage unit) of the image forming apparatus 100. This usage amount bar 702 is initialized by calculating the total amount of all print data stored in the HDD when the print application is activated. It is also updated when print data is saved / deleted.

  The administrator setting button 703 displays an administrator setting screen (not shown). When the administrator setting button 703 is pressed by the administrator user, an administrator setting screen is displayed, and various settings of the print application 120 can be performed. Regarding the setting, it is possible to set the arrangement order of the user icons, the document expiration date, and the like.

  A page transition button 704 moves the page of the user icon list back and forth. When the number of users storing print data in the image forming apparatus 100 exceeds the number of users that can be displayed at one time on the user icon list screen, the user presses the page transition button 704 to change the page of the icon list. Let

  A user icon 705 is a user icon of a user who has generated print data on the client PC 200 and has input the print data to the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100. The icon can display the display name set in the personal setting, the presence or absence of a password, and the like. For example, the user icon 705 is a user icon for which a password is not set. Upon accepting the user icon 705, anyone can view the print job list screen (FIG. 8) submitted by the user corresponding to the icon (even if there is no authority). ) Can be displayed.

  A user icon with password 706 indicates a user icon in which a password for displaying a print job list is set, as can be understood from the fact that a key mark is attached. The user icons 705 and 706 are updated when the update button 701 is pressed. The arrangement of the user icons 705 and 706 may be configured in such a way that the new order of the date and time when the print data is stored, the capacity order in which the print data is stored, the character string order of the icon display name, and the like can be set from the administrator setting screen. .

  The user icon list screen of FIG. 7 displays icons for only users who store print data in the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100 in the user information management table (FIG. 5) stored in the memory of the print application 120. The By displaying only the saved users, users who will not use the printing application are not displayed, so the screen construction time when updating the screen is shortened, and the user who uses it can easily find its icon. Has the effect of becoming possible.

  Whether or not to display the user's icon on the user icon list screen is determined when the image forming apparatus 100 reads the user information management file in FIG. 5 (eg, “True”). "False" value) is determined. If "True", the corresponding user icon is displayed on the user icon list screen of FIG. If the value is “FalSe”, the user icon is not displayed at the time of update.

  Next, a print job list screen (print data list screen) displayed by the print application 120 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a document list display screen displayed on the display of the image forming apparatus 100. The configuration of the print job list screen will be described below.

  The icon display name 801 displays the icon display name of each user set on the personal setting screen (not shown). An update button 802 updates the print job list displayed when the press is received to the latest state. The print application that detects that the update button 802 is pressed acquires the print data information of the target user from the print data held in the memory when starting or saving the print data, and displays the list (print data display). means).

  The number of documents 803 displays the total number of print jobs (print data) saved by the user displayed in 801. A usage amount bar 804 indicates the storage capacity of the print data stored in the image forming apparatus 100 as in the case of 702 in FIG. The numerical value of the used amount is initialized by calculating the total amount of all print data stored in the HDD when the print application is activated. It is also updated when print data is saved / deleted.

  The personal setting button 805 displays a personal setting screen (not shown). When the pressing of the personal setting button 805 is accepted, a personal setting screen is displayed and various settings can be made for each individual. Regarding the setting, it is possible to set an icon display name, a password for requesting a password when the user's own icon is pressed on the icon list screen, and the like. The password and icon display name set on this personal setting screen are stored in the user information management table of FIG.

  The print job list 806 displays a list of print jobs (print data) saved by the target user, together with bibliographic information of each print job. By displaying the detailed print settings in the print job list, the user can check the print settings of each print job again before output, which is effective for suppressing misprinting and resetting to efficient print settings. Connected.

  A page transition button 807 shifts the document list page forward and backward. When the number of print data stored in the image forming apparatus 100 exceeds the number of documents that can be displayed at one time on the print job list screen, the user presses a page transition button 807 to change the page of the document list. The all selection button 808 selects all the displayed document lists.

  A delete button 809 deletes the print job selected in the print job list 806 from the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100. Upon detecting that the delete button 809 has been pressed, the print application 120 deletes the selected print job from the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100 and updates the user information and usage amount stored in the memory.

  A print start button 810 prints the print job selected in the print job list 806. Upon detecting that the print start button 810 has been pressed, the print application 120 reads the print data stored in the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100 and executes printing.

  FIG. 5 shows a user information management table that can be set for each user on the print job list screen. This personal setting is set by adding a record based on the user name in the bibliographic information acquired by the print data management unit 122 from the print data when the user first saves the document in the image forming apparatus 100. When a document is added for the first time, settings other than the user name are set in the initial settings of the print application 120.

  The user information management table in FIG. 5 includes values of a user name 501, a password 502, an icon display name 503, the latest save date and time 504 of print data, and the presence / absence of print data 505.

  A user name 501 is associated with a user name in bibliographic information to be analyzed when print data is received from the client PC 200.

  The password 502 and the icon display name 503 can be changed from the default settings. In the setting screen (not shown) displayed by accepting pressing of the personal setting button 805 in FIG. It is possible to change presence / absence, a password character string when a password is required, and an icon display name (corresponding to password storage means).

  The latest save date and time 504 of the print data stores the value of the date and time when the print data was last received from the client PC 200.

  The print data presence / absence 505 is information indicating whether the print job transmitted from the client PC 200 by the target user is currently stored in the image forming apparatus.

  Next, an outline of processing according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 9 is a flowchart relating to processing at the time of starting a print application according to the present invention. Each process will be described together with the number of steps.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control processing procedure in the image forming system of the present invention, and corresponds to the processing of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 100 executing a program read from the ROM 303 or a program read from the HDD 304 onto the RAM 302. In the figure, S901 to S922 indicate each step.

  First, in step S901, the print data management unit 122 of the print application 120 generates and initializes a print job list that stores print job information used when displaying a print job list. Specifically, an empty list for storing multiple document information is held on the memory.

  In step S <b> 902, the print data management unit 122 displays the total storage capacity of print data used for displaying the usage amount displayed on the user icon list screen illustrated in FIG. 7 and the print job list screen illustrated in FIG. 8. The area to be stored is held on the memory.

  In step S <b> 903, the print data management unit 122 acquires a list of print data stored in the HDD (storage unit / external memory) of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In steps S904 to S908, the processing in steps S905 to S907 is repeated for the number of print data acquired in step S903 to build a document information list on the memory.

  In step S <b> 905, the print data management unit 122 analyzes the print data stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and acquires bibliographic information illustrated in FIG. 13.

  FIG. 13 illustrates a bibliographic information table acquired by the print data management unit 122 from print data generated and transmitted by the client PC 200. The print data management unit 122 analyzes the bibliographic information (identifier, user name etc) included in the header part of the transmitted print data, and generates bibliographic information. For example, when the print data is described in PostScript (PoStScript), the bibliographic information may be extracted from the tag information of the Postscript, and the bibliographic information table may be generated based on the bibliographic information.

  In addition, when the image forming apparatus is restarted, the information on the memory is discarded. Therefore, the bibliographic information is analyzed again from all the print data stored in the image forming apparatus 100 when the print application 120 is started. The bibliographic information table is held in the memory.

  The bibliographic information table includes, for example, information of a user 1301, a document name 1302, the number of copies 1303, a page number 1304, a printing method 1305, a paper size 1306, a color setting 1307, a page layout setting 1308, a storage date and time 1309, and a job size 1310. It shall be.

  Returning to the description of FIG. After S905, the latest save date storage unit 123 acquires the user name (user ID) and save date information in the bibliographic information (S923), and stores the user management information (FIG. 5) stored in the external memory. The date and time of the latest storage date and time 504 of the print data having the user name (user ID) of the bibliographic information as the user ID 501 is updated and stored by overwriting the storage date and time of the print data (S924). If the latest saved date and time 504 that has already been inserted is newer, the update process is not performed.

  In step S906, the print data management unit 122 stores the bibliographic information table acquired in step S905 in the document information list initialized in step S901.

  In step S907, the print data total storage capacity initialized in step S902 is updated based on the job size in the bibliographic information acquired in step S905.

  In step S908, the document information list generated in steps S905 to S907 is sorted according to display conditions. The condition may be the oldest or newest order of the storage date or the size order. This display condition can be changed by administrator settings or the like.

  In step S <b> 909, the print application 120 issues a request for confirming whether the authentication application is operating to the authentication application 110.

  In step S910, when the authentication application 110 receives a confirmation request for the presence / absence of an operation from the print application 120, in step S911, the authentication application 110 determines whether the operation is performed or not depending on whether the authentication application 110 itself is operating. Notify

  In step S <b> 912, the print application 120 receives a response indicating whether or not the authentication application is operating notified from the authentication application 110.

  In the description from S909 to S912, it has been described that data is exchanged between the print application 120 and the authentication application 110. However, when the authentication application is not actually operating, the confirmation request for the presence / absence of the operation performed in S909 is performed. May not be received. In such a case, communication with the request issue destination cannot be established. If the print application 120 cannot communicate with the authentication application 110 for a certain period of time, the print application 120 may time out and determine that the authentication application 110 is not operating.

  In S913, when the print data management unit 122 reads the user information management file shown in FIG. 5, in S914, the print data management unit 122 holds the information read in the previous step on the memory.

  In S915, the subsequent UI processing is branched depending on whether the authentication application received in S912 is operating. First, when the authentication application 110 is operating, the processing of S916 to S917 is performed, and the user's document list is displayed for the first time when the user logs in.

  If it is determined in S915 that the authentication application 110 is operating, in S916, the print application 120 is in a standby state until a login notification notified from the authentication application 110 is detected.

  The print data management unit 122 detects that the user has logged into the image forming apparatus 100. Actually, the user inputs authentication information to the authentication application 110 on the image forming apparatus 100, and the authentication unit 111 based on the authentication information based on the authentication information input above from the authentication table shown in FIG. Search for a user. Various information can be considered as user information input by the user depending on the authentication method. For example, in the case of card authentication, it may be a card manufacturing number, or in the case of a user ID input type authentication method, it may be a user ID and a password.

  The authentication unit 111 searching for the user from the authentication table shown in FIG. 6 notifies the various applications operating on the image forming apparatus 100 that the user has logged in based on the user information.

  The print data management unit 122 of the print application 120 detects the login information notified from the authentication unit 111.

  The print data management unit 122 that has detected the user login in S916 acquires the user name from the login information in S917.

  In S915, when the authentication application 110 is not operating, the processing of S918 to S920 is performed, the user icon list screen is displayed, and the user's document list is displayed for the first time after the user selects an icon.

  If it is determined in S918 that the authentication application is not operating in S915, the print application 120 displays a user icon list on the UI on the image forming apparatus 100 based on the user information list stored in the memory in S914. To do. Details regarding the display processing of the user icon list will be described with reference to the flow details of FIG.

  In step S919, the print data management unit 122 that has displayed the user icon list in step S918 waits until the user presses an icon (corresponding to a selection receiving unit). Upon detecting that the user has pressed the icon, the print data management unit 122 acquires user information associated with the pressed icon from the user information list held in S914.

  The latest operation date and time storage unit 124 identifies the date and time when the user icon pressing operation (selection operation) is received, and the date and time information is the latest corresponding to the user ID 1401 indicated by the user information (user icon user information). By overwriting the operation date 1402, the latest operation date 1402 is stored and updated. It is assumed that the latest operation date / time table 1400 is stored in advance in an external memory of the image forming apparatus. If the record of the selected user icon is not generated in the latest operation date table 1400, a new user ID record of the user is generated and stored in step S925.

  If a password is set in the user information of the pressed icon, a password confirmation screen (not shown) is displayed. If password authentication is successful, the print job list screen of FIG. 8 is displayed in S921. If no password is set in the user information, the print job list screen is displayed without password authentication.

  In step S921, the print data management unit 122 acquires a document list corresponding to the user name in the user information acquired in step S917 or S919 from the document information list generated in step S908. The acquired document information is displayed on the UI on the image forming apparatus 100 in a document list configuration as shown in FIG.

  In step S922, the print application 120 receives a print job selection from the user on the print job list screen, and issues a print execution instruction. When the print data management unit 122 detects that the print start button 810 in FIG. 8 is pressed, the print data management unit 122 acquires information about the print job in the selected state from the print job list, and sends the corresponding print data to the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 performs printing. Details of the printing process will be described in the description of the flow of FIG.

  According to the process of FIG. 9, when authentication is possible, the print job list screen of the user who accepted the login is displayed, and when authentication is not possible, the user icon of the user who transmitted the print data to the image forming apparatus is displayed. A secure login method can be realized by switching the processing when the user accesses the image forming apparatus depending on whether the authentication application is activated on the image forming apparatus.

  Next, processing for transmitting print data from the client PC to the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each process will be described together with the number of steps.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the second control processing procedure in the image forming system of the present invention, and corresponds to the processing of the image forming apparatus 100 and the client PC 200 shown in FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the client PC 200 executing a program read from the ROM 202 or a program read from the HDD 211 onto the RAM 203. In the figure, S1001 to S1011 indicate steps.

  First, in step S1001, the printer driver 250 of the client PC 200 is called when the user displays a print menu on various applications, and displays a print setting screen. Upon receiving a print instruction from the user on the print setting screen, the print data generation unit 251 converts application data into data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 100 and generates print data.

  In step S <b> 1002, the print data generation unit 251 of the printer driver 250 transmits the print data generated in step S <b> 1001 to the image forming apparatus 100.

  In step S <b> 1003, the print data receiving unit 121 of the print application 120 on the image forming apparatus 100 receives print data transmitted from the client PC 200. Specifically, the communication port 9100 of the image forming apparatus 100 is monitored, and connection is started when data is transmitted from the outside.

  In step S1004, the print data receiving unit 121 stores the print data received from the client PC 200 in step S1003 in a predetermined folder on the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100 (corresponding to a print data storage unit).

  Next, in S1005, when the storage of the print data received by the print data receiving unit 121 in S1004 is completed, the print data management unit 122 analyzes the print data, acquires the bibliographic information shown in FIG. 13, and stores it in the memory. .

  In step S1006, the print data management unit 122 that has acquired the bibliographic information in step S1005 adds information as a new job to the job information list generated in step S908 (corresponding to the bibliographic information storage unit).

  In step S1007, the print data management unit 122 checks whether the user name in the bibliographic information acquired in step S1005 exists in the user information management table stored in the memory in step S914. If it is determined that the user name of the user who is the job owner of the stored print job does not exist in the user information management table (NO in S1007), it is determined that the new user has stored the print data, and authentication is performed by default setting. User information is added to the table (S1008). Further, the user ID of the user added to the authentication table in S1008 is associated with the storage date and time of the print data stored in S1004 and stored in the latest storage date and time 504 of the print data in FIG. If it is determined in S1007 that the user name of the user who is the job owner of the print job stored in the user information management table exists (YES), the process proceeds to S1009.

  In step S1009, the latest save date storage unit rewrites the latest save date 504 to the save date of the print data saved this time. Also, the value of the print data presence / absence 505 in FIG. 5 is updated to “true”.

  In step S1010, the print application 120 adds the user information newly added to the user information management table in step S1008 to the user information management table in step S914. Alternatively, the user information updated in S1009 is updated in the user information on the memory held in S914.

  Next, in S1011, based on the value of the job size 1310 in the bibliographic information acquired in S1005, the values of the usage amount bars 702 and 804 generated in S902 and S907 are updated.

  According to the processing of FIG. 10, when the image forming apparatus receives print data from the client PC 200, it is determined based on the bibliographic information to be extracted whether there is a print job transmitted by the user in the past, If not, a new user icon is displayed on the user icon list screen. If there is, the existing user information stored in the image forming apparatus can be updated to update the user icon list screen. .

  Next, the user icon list display process in step S916 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Each process will be described together with the number of steps.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a third control processing procedure in the image forming system of the present invention, and corresponds to the processing of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 executing a program read from the ROM 202 or a program read from the HDD 211 onto the RAM 203. In the figure, S1101 to S1114 indicate the respective steps.

  First, in step S1101, the print data management unit 122 of the print application 120 holds an empty list for storing user information to be displayed on the user icon list screen illustrated in FIG.

  In step S1102, the print data management unit 122 acquires the user information management table stored in the memory in step S914.

  In steps S1103 to S1105, the print data management unit 122 repeats the processing in steps S1104 to S1105 for the number of records stored in the user information management table acquired in step S1102.

  First, in step S <b> 1104, the print data management unit 122 confirms whether the print job of the target user is stored in the image forming apparatus 100. Specifically, from the list of print jobs stored in the image forming apparatus 100 generated in S903 and S906 in FIG. 9 and the bibliographic information list of the stored print jobs, the print data information of the target user for each job. Confirm. That is, the user information management table of FIG. 5 is not displayed on the user icon list screen even if it exists in the user information management table for users who have not saved the print data.

  In step S1105, if it is determined in step S1104 that the target user stores print data, the user information of the target user is added to the display target user list generated in step S1101.

  In step S <b> 1106, the print application 120 sorts the display target user list generated in steps S <b> 1104 to S <b> 1105 in the order of the latest storage date and time 504 of the print data.

  In step S1107, the processing in steps S1108 to S1111 is repeated for the number of display target users generated in step S1106.

  In step S1108, the print application 120 acquires one user ID having the newest saved date / time 504 from the display target user list sorted in step S1106 (corresponding to a storage date / time specifying unit). That is, the storage date and time of the latest print data of the user is specified. In step S1109, the latest operation date 1402 (of the user icon) of the user ID acquired in step S1108 is acquired.

  In step S1110, the print application 120 determines whether the latest operation date / time acquired in step S1109 is later (newer) than the latest save date / time acquired in step S1108.

  When the latest operation date / time is newer than the latest save date / time, for example, the user who saved the print data in the image forming apparatus selected the user icon and checked his / her print data list, but the user did not print. This is a case where print data is left in the image forming apparatus.

  If the latest operation date / time is newer than the latest saved date / time in step S1111, the print application 120 performs sort processing to move the information of the user ID to the end of the display target user information list. If the latest operation date / time is earlier (older) than the latest save date / time, the processing of S1111 is not performed. And the process of S1108-S1111 is performed with respect to the user information of all the display object user lists. In other words, the user in the display target user list is given priority so that the user whose latest operation date and time is older than the latest save date and time (the user whose user icon is not selected after saving print data) is given priority over the user whose latest operation date and time is newer than the latest save date and time. Sort information.

  Next, in step S1112, the print application 120 acquires the total storage capacity of the job on the memory generated in step S907.

  In S1113, the maximum number of pieces of user information that can be displayed on the screen are acquired in order from the top of the display target user list, and a user icon list screen is displayed in which user icons are displayed in order from the top user information. (S1114). In step S1114, the usage amount bar 804 on the user icon list screen is updated and displayed based on the total storage capacity of the print job acquired in step S1112.

  According to the processing in FIG. 11, a print job is transmitted from the client PC 200 to the image forming apparatus 100, and only the job owner icon of the print job stored in the image forming apparatus 100 is extracted. It can be displayed on the icon list screen.

  Even if the icon is no longer displayed due to the update of the user icon list screen in this process, the user information is once recorded in the user information management table of FIG. When accepting the input of a print job and displaying a user icon, the user icon can be generated based on this record and displayed on the icon list screen.

  In other words, the user icon of a user whose latest operation date and time is older than the latest save date and time (a user whose user icon is not selected after saving print data) has priority over the user icon of the user whose latest operation date and time is newer than the latest save date and time. As described above, the user icon list screen can be generated and displayed.

  Next, FIG. 12 is a flowchart relating to processing for executing a print job stored on the image forming apparatus 100 by using FIG. Each process will be described together with the number of steps.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth control processing procedure in the image forming system of the present invention, and corresponds to the processing of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Note that the processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 100 executing a program read from the ROM 202 or a program read from the HDD 211 onto the RAM 203. In the figure, S1201 to S1217 indicate steps.

  First, in step S1201, the print application 120 waits until it detects a print instruction from the user. Specifically, the user selects a document to be printed from the list on the print job list screen shown in FIG. 8, and presses a print start button. The print data management unit 122 of the print application 120 detects that the print start button has been pressed (corresponding to a print operation reception unit).

  The print application 120 that has detected the print instruction from the user in step S1201 acquires the bibliographic information of the print job selected in the print job list.

  In step S1202, print job information (print data) to be printed stored in the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100 is acquired based on the bibliographic information of the print data acquired in step S1201. In step S1203, the acquired print data is printed on the image forming apparatus 100.

  Since the print data receiving unit 121 monitors the RAW port (9100) on the image forming apparatus 100, printing cannot be executed if the RAW port (9100) is transmitted to the RAW port (9100) as it is, and printing is executed by a printing unit other than RAW printing. For example, LPR which is a print command of Windows S, FTP printing or IPP printing prepared as a general printing protocol may be used.

  In step S1204, the print data management unit 122 acquires the result of printing executed in step S1203, and determines whether printing is successful. If printing is successful (YES in step S1204), the process advances to step S1205, and the target print data of the print job that has been successfully printed is deleted from the HDD of the image forming apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, a print job that has been successfully printed is deleted from the HDD, but there is also a desire to print a document that has been printed once. In order to enable reprinting, there is a setting that does not delete the print job after successful printing in the administrator settings etc. The presence or absence may be selectable.

  Next, if the printing is not successful (NO in S1204), the process proceeds to S1208, and the printing execution error and the reason thereof are displayed on the UI of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Next, in S1206, when printing of the print data in S1203 is completed and the target print data is deleted, the HDD storage capacity changes, so the total storage capacity of the job acquired in S907 is calculated again, and the usage amount bar 702 is displayed. And 804 update.

  In step S <b> 1207, the print data management unit 122 checks whether other print data of the user who is the job owner of the print job that has been printed exists (stores) in the image forming apparatus 100. If no other print data is stored, in step S1209, the user information management table shown in FIG. Specifically, since there is no print data in the image forming apparatus 100, the flag of the print data presence / absence 505 in the user management information table in FIG. 5 is changed to “False”. After updating the user information management table, the user information stored in the memory is also updated in S914. If it is determined in step S1209 that another print job is still stored, the processing of this flowchart is terminated as it is. If the flag is “False”, the icon of the user is not displayed when the user icon list screen is displayed next time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for appropriately determining the display order of user icons using information on the operation date and time of the image forming apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the user icon is pressed, the latest operation date / time is stored in 1402 in S925. That is, even when a user icon is accidentally pressed by a user other than the user of the pressed user icon, there is a possibility that the display order of the user icon is lowered by the processing of FIG.

  Thus, for example, when the print application receives a user icon selection operation (press) and is instructed to print the print data (S1201), the job owner (user name) of the print data that has received the print instruction. ) May be stored and updated by inserting the date and time when the print instruction is accepted into the latest operation date and time 1402 corresponding to the user ID 1401.

  This is based on the premise that the user who prints the print data (instructs printing) is the user himself / herself corresponding to the user icon.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a mechanism for appropriately determining the display order of the user icons using the information on the operation date and time when the image forming apparatus is operated by the user himself / herself.

  If the user icon is pressed but the list of print data is not displayed (for example, if it is not displayed due to a system error or the like), the user can print the print data on the image forming apparatus even though it can be printed. It is thought that printing was not possible even if he wanted to print.

  Therefore, when the user icon is simply pressed down, the latest operation date / time is not stored in 1402 in S925, but when the user icon is pressed down and the print data list screen is displayed (S921), for example, with a password. Regarding the user icon, when the printing application accepts the pressing of the user icon and the password is released, the latest corresponding to the user ID 1401 of the user icon that has received the password release instruction (release operation / input operation). The operation date 1402 may be stored / updated by inserting the date and time when the cancellation was successful.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a mechanism for appropriately determining the display order of the user icons using information on the operation date and time of the image forming apparatus whose print data has been confirmed by the user.

  Also, for example, for a user icon with a password, the password is canceled = the user icon seems to have been pressed by the user himself / herself.

  Therefore, when the user icon is simply pressed down, the latest operation date and time is not stored in 1402 in S925, but when the print application receives the user icon pressed down and the password is released, The date / time at which the print instruction is received may be inserted into the latest operation date / time 1402 corresponding to the user ID 1401 of the user icon that has received the cancellation instruction, and stored / updated.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a mechanism for appropriately determining the display order of the user icons using information on the operation date and time of the image forming apparatus whose print data has been confirmed by the user himself / herself.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for appropriately determining the display order of user icons using information on the operation date and time of the image forming apparatus.

  As described above, the program according to the present invention is a program that can be executed by the computer as the image forming apparatus 100 (print application 120) and the client PC 200 in accordance with the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 12 and FIG. The medium stores a program that allows the image forming apparatus 100 (print application 120) and the client PC 200 to execute the processing methods of FIGS. Note that the program in the present invention may be a separate independent program for each processing method of each apparatus in FIGS.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the image forming apparatus 100 (print application 120) and the client PC 200, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the computer operates based on the instructions of the program. It goes without saying that the OS (operating system) or the like that performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

  In addition, each process realized by the above-described software can be realized as firmware or hardware configuration, and each process can be realized as each means. The technical scope of the present invention is realized by such firmware or hardware configuration. Is also included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Authentication application 111 Authentication part 120 Print application

Claims (11)

An image forming apparatus that displays a plurality of selection units that can identify a user on a display unit,
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of the selection unit displayed on the display unit;
Storage means for storing information about the date and time of the action for the job of the user,
And date and time of accepting the selection of the user selecting unit by the selection receiving unit, the display order determined based on the date and time of the action for job stored the user in the storage means, the display and selection of the user Display means for displaying on the section;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In the display unit, wherein when date and time of the action for the job than the new receives a selection of the selection unit time, the display order determined based on the date and time of the action for the job, the display the selection unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus displays the image on a screen. Wherein the storage unit, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that information about the date and time of the action for the latest job of the user is stored. Information about the date and time of the action for job includes information about when accepting the job,
In the display means, when the date and time when the job is received is newer than the date and time when selection of the selection unit is received, the selection unit is displayed on the display unit in a display order determined based on the date and time when the job is received. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the date and time when the selection unit accepts the selection is the latest date and time when the selection unit accepts the selection. . The selection unit, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an icon.   The date and time when selection of the selection unit in the display unit is received is the date and time when selection of the selection unit is received and authentication is performed with a password for the selection unit. The image forming apparatus according to Item. Action for job of the user, references to the job, print instruction of the job, or an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a deletion of the job. An image forming apparatus that displays a plurality of selection units that can identify a user on a display unit,
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of the selection unit displayed on the display unit;
Storage means for storing information about the date and time of the action for the job of the user,
Display means for giving priority to other selection units on the display unit over the selection unit of the user of the job processed before the date and time when selection of the selection unit of the user was received by the selection receiving unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A method of controlling an image forming apparatus that displays a plurality of selection units that can identify a user on a display unit,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A selection receiving step for receiving selection of the selection unit displayed on the display unit;
A storage step of storing information about the date and time of the action for the job of the user,
And date and time of accepting the selection of the user selecting unit by the selection accepting step, the display order determined based on the date and time of the action for job stored the user in said storage step, said displaying a selection of the user Display steps to be displayed on the part,
And a control method for an image forming apparatus. The computer of the image forming apparatus
Selection accepting means for accepting selection of a selection unit capable of specifying a user displayed on the display unit;
Storage means for storing information about the date and time of the action for the job of the user,
And date and time of accepting the selection of the user selecting unit by the selection receiving unit, the display order determined based on the date and time of the action for job stored the user in the storage means, the display and selection of the user Display means for displaying on the section;
Program to make it function.

Images