JP6904057B2 - Image formation system and image formation method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system and an image forming method .

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, there is known a technique of determining a setting error of a user by analyzing a setting tendency of the user. With this technique, it is possible to prevent the print job from being executed according to an incorrect setting.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, when the number of past print jobs executed by the user to be determined for the setting error is small, there is a problem that the setting tendency of the user cannot be analyzed accurately and the setting error cannot be determined accurately. It was.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately determine a setting error of a print job.

The image forming system according to one embodiment includes a job execution unit that executes print processing based on a print job that prints a print target, an analysis unit that analyzes the print target and acquires attribute information of the print target, and a target. An error determination unit that determines whether or not there is a setting error in the execution job based on the setting information and the attribute information of the execution job requested to be executed by the user and the setting information and the attribute information of the executed job. When the error determination unit determines that there is the setting error, the error determination unit includes a warning unit that warns the target user of the setting error, and the error determination unit includes the number of executed jobs of the target user. When is less than a predetermined value, a similar job having the attribute information similar to the attribute information of the execution job is selected from the executed jobs based on the attribute information of the execution job, and the similar job is selected. Based on the setting information of the job, it is determined whether there is the setting error, and when the number of the executed jobs of the target user is equal to or more than a predetermined value, it is based on the setting information of the executed job of the target user. Then, it is determined whether or not there is the above setting error .

According to each embodiment of the present invention, a print job setting error can be accurately determined.

The figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP. The figure which shows an example of the functional structure of the MFP. The figure which shows an example of the job information of the executed job. The figure which shows an example of the user information. The figure which shows an example of a warning screen. A sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the operation unit. The flowchart which shows an example of the determination process of a setting error. The figure which shows the setting information of the executed job and the executed job collectively. The flowchart which shows an example of the determination process of a setting error. The figure which shows an example of the image formation system 100. The figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of a server.

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regarding the description of the specification and the drawings according to each embodiment, the components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and the superimposed description will be omitted.

<First Embodiment>
The MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. The MFP 1 according to the present embodiment is an example of an image forming apparatus, and has various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function. The MFP1 determines whether there is a setting error in the print settings input by the user, and if it determines that there is a setting error, warns the user to that effect and suppresses the setting error. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the MFP, and may be any apparatus having a printer function.

First, the hardware configuration of MFP1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of MFP1. The MFP 1 of FIG. 1 includes a main body 10 capable of realizing various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function, and an operation unit 20 that accepts user operations. It should be noted that accepting a user's operation is a concept including accepting information (including a signal indicating a coordinate value of a screen) input according to the user's operation. The main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a dedicated communication path 300. The standard of the communication path 300 is, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), but the standard is not limited to this. As the standard of the communication path 300, any standard of wired and wireless can be used. The main body 10 can perform an operation according to the operation received by the operation unit 20. Further, the main body 10 can also communicate with an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer), and can perform an operation according to an instruction received from the external device.

The main body 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, a communication I / F (Interface) 15, and so on. A connection I / F 16 and an engine unit 17 are provided, and these are connected to each other via a system bus 18.

The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the main body 10. The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire main body 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 14 or the like using the RAM 13 as a work area (work area), and has the above-mentioned copy function, scanner function, fax function, printer function, etc. Realize various functions of.

The communication I / F 15 is an interface for connecting the main body 10 to the network 30. The connection I / F 16 is an interface for connecting the main body 10 to the operation unit 20 via the communication path 300. The engine unit 17 is hardware that performs general-purpose information processing and processing other than communication in order to realize a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function.

The operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, an external connection I / F25, a connection I / F26, an operation panel 27, and a communication I / F28, which are system buses. They are interconnected via 29.

The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 20. The CPU 21 controls the operation of the entire operation unit 20 by executing a program stored in the ROM 22 or the flash memory 24 using the RAM 23 as a work area (work area), and provides information (image) according to the input received from the user. ) Is displayed and other functions described later are realized.

The external connection I / F 25 is an interface for connecting the operation unit 20 to a peripheral device (an image processing device such as a camera, an audio input / output device such as a microphone or a speaker, a card reader, a card writer, or the like). The connection I / F 26 is an interface for connecting the operation unit 20 to the main body 10 via the communication path 300. The communication I / F 28 is an interface for connecting to the network 30.

The operation panel 27 accepts various inputs according to the user's operation and displays various information (for example, information according to the accepted operation, information indicating the operating status of the MFP 1, information indicating the setting state, etc.). .. The operation panel 27 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) equipped with a touch panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device equipped with a touch panel, but is not limited thereto. Further, the operation unit 20 may include an operation unit such as a hardware key and a display unit such as a lamp in addition to or in place of the touch panel.

Next, the functional configuration of the operation unit 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the MFP 1. The MFP 1 of FIG. 2 includes a job execution unit 101, a job history storage unit 102, a user information storage unit 103, an authentication processing unit 104, an analysis unit 105, an error determination unit 106, and a warning unit 107. .. Each of these functional configurations is realized by the CPU 21 executing a program and cooperating with other hardware configurations.

The job execution unit 101 executes a print job in response to a request from the user. A print job is a process of printing a print target on a print medium according to a print setting specified by a user. The print target includes image data and document data. Hereinafter, the information indicating the print setting is referred to as setting information.

The job history storage unit 102 stores job information of print jobs (hereinafter, referred to as “executed jobs”) that have been executed in the past. In the present embodiment, the job history storage unit 102 stores job information of executed jobs executed by a plurality of users in the MFP1. Job information is information about a print job. The job information includes a job ID, a user ID, attribute information, setting information, and error information.

The job ID is job identification information. The user ID is user identification information.

The attribute information is information related to the print target. In the present embodiment, the attribute information includes at least one of a file name to be printed, an extension (file type), the number of pages, metadata, and an image feature amount.

The metadata is additional data according to the extension (file type) of the print target. For example, when the print target is a doc file, the metadata includes information such as the creator. When the print target is a pdf file, the metadata includes information such as the creator and the presence / absence of encryption. When the print target is a jpg file, the metadata includes information such as the photographer, the camera name, the shooting date and time, and the shooting location. The image feature amount is a feature amount extracted from the print target converted into an image. The image feature amount includes an arbitrary feature amount such as a color histogram and an edge histogram.

As described above, the setting information is information indicating the print setting. The setting information includes at least one of the number of copies to be printed, the number of pages, the print color, and the aggregation of the print target. The set value of the number of faces includes one side and both sides. The print color setting values include color and monochrome. Aggregation settings include the presence or absence of aggregation and the number of aggregated pages.

The error information is information about a setting error. The error information includes a correction flag and a pre-correction setting value. The correction flag is a flag indicating the determination result of the setting error and the user's response when the setting error is warned. The pre-correction setting value is the setting value before correction when the user corrects the setting error in response to the warning of the setting error. The pre-correction setting value corresponds to the setting value of the setting information that is determined to be a setting error and is actually corrected by the user.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of job information of the executed job stored in the job history storage unit 102. Each record in FIG. 3 corresponds to the job information of each executed job. In the example of FIG. 3, the job information includes job ID, user ID, attribute information (file name, extension, number of pages, creator (metadata)), and setting information (number of copies, print) as information items. Color, number of faces, and aggregation) and error information (correction flag and pre-correction set value) are included.

A correction flag of 0 in FIG. 3 indicates that it was determined that there was no setting error (the setting error was not warned). The correction flag 1 indicates that it is determined that there is a setting error (a setting error is warned) and that the user has not corrected the warned setting error. That is, the correction flag 1 indicates that the setting error was erroneously determined. The correction flag 2 indicates that it is determined that there is a setting error (a setting error is warned) and that the user has corrected the warned setting error. That is, the correction flag 2 indicates that the setting error has been correctly determined.

For example, in the job information on the first line of FIG. 3, the job ID is J001, the user ID is U001, the file name is minutes, the extension is doc, the number of pages is 4, the creator is AAA, the number of copies is 6, and the print color. Is monochrome, the number of faces is double-sided, there is no aggregation, the correction flag is 1, and the pre-correction setting value is single-sided. This is a print job in which an executed job with a job ID of J001 is a print job executed by a user with a user ID of U001, and prints 6 copies of a 4-page document file named minutes created by AAA on both sides in monochrome. Indicates that it was a print job. Further, when executing the print job, the user sets the number of faces to one side (set value before correction), the operation unit 20 determines that the setting is a setting error, and the user responds to the warning of the setting error and sets the number of faces. Is shown to have been corrected on both sides. The job information is not limited to the above example. The job information may include information such as the execution date and time of the print job and the user name of the user who executed the print job.

The user information storage unit 103 stores user information of a plurality of users registered in the operation unit 20. User information is information about the user. The user information includes at least one of a user ID, a user name, an affiliation, an e-mail address, a telephone number, and a login password.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of user information stored in the user information storage unit 103. Each record in FIG. 4 corresponds to user information of each user. In the example of FIG. 3, the user information includes a user ID, a user name, and an affiliation as information items. For example, in the user information on the first line of FIG. 4, the user ID is U001, the user name is AAA, and the affiliation is the general affairs department. This indicates that the user name of the user whose user ID is U001 is AAA, and AAA belongs to the general affairs department. The user information is not limited to the above example.

The authentication processing unit 104 executes the authentication process based on the authentication information input from the user. The authentication information includes a user ID and a login password. When the authentication information is input, the authentication processing unit 104 confirms whether the user information matching the authentication information is stored in the user information storage unit 103. When the user information matching the authentication information is stored in the user information storage unit 103, the authentication processing unit 104 determines that the authentication is successful, logs the user into the operation unit 20, and uses the user ID of the logged-in user as a job. Notify the execution unit 101. On the other hand, if the user information matching the authentication information is not stored in the user information storage unit 103, the authentication processing unit 104 determines that the authentication has failed and refuses the user login.

The analysis unit 105 analyzes the print target of the print job (hereinafter referred to as “execution job”) requested to be executed by the user, and acquires the attribute information of the print target. Specifically, the analysis unit 105 acquires the file name, extension, and number of pages of the print target, and acquires the metadata added to the print target. Further, when the print target is image data, the analysis unit 105 extracts the image feature amount from the image data. When the print target is not image data, the analysis unit 105 converts the print target into image data and extracts the image feature amount from the image data. The attribute information acquired by the analysis unit 105 is stored in the job history storage unit 102 as a part of the job information.

The error determination unit 106 determines whether or not there is a setting error in the execution job based on the job information of the execution job and the job information of the executed job. A setting error means that a setting value different from the setting value intended by the user is specified as the setting value of the setting information. The method of determining the setting error will be described later.

When the error determination unit 106 determines that there is a setting error, the warning unit 107 warns the user of the setting error. Specifically, the warning unit 107 warns of a setting error by displaying a warning screen on the screen of the operation panel 27. On the warning screen, for example, a setting item determined to be a setting error and a setting value thereof are displayed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen. In the example of FIG. 5, it is assumed that the print color setting value (monochrome) is determined as a setting error. On the warning screen of FIG. 5, the message "Do you want to change the setting?", The setting item (print color) determined to be a setting error, the setting value (monochrome), and the setting value predicted to be correct (monochrome) are displayed. Color), YES button, and NO button are displayed.

The YES button is a button for accepting the change of the set value. The user touches the YES button to change the set value. Touching the YES button means that the setting error was correctly determined. When the YES button is touched, the operation unit 20 changes the set value and adds 1 as a correction flag to the execution job.

The NO button is a button for rejecting the change of the set value. The user touches the NO button when the set value is not changed. Touching the NO button means that a setting error has been erroneously determined. When the NO button is touched, the operation unit 20 does not change the set value and adds 2 as a correction flag to the execution job.

Next, the processing of the operation unit 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the operation unit 20 when a user requests execution of a print job. The user who requested the execution of the print job is called the target user. The request for execution of the print job is made by the target user touching the execution button or the like displayed on the operation panel 27. At the start of the sequence of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the target user has already logged in and the setting information has been input.

When the target user requests the execution of the print job (execution job), the job execution unit 101 requests the error determination unit 106 to determine the setting error (step S101). At this time, the job execution unit 101 passes the print target and setting information of the execution job input by the target user, the user ID of the target user notified from the authentication processing unit 104, and the error determination unit 106.

When the error determination unit 106 is requested to determine the setting error, the error determination unit 106 requests the analysis unit 105 to analyze the attribute information of the execution job (step S102). At this time, the error determination unit 106 passes the print target of the execution job to the analysis unit 105.

When the analysis unit 105 is requested to analyze the attribute information, the analysis unit 105 analyzes the print target of the execution job and acquires the attribute information of the print target (step S103).
As described above, as the attribute information, the file name to be printed, the extension, the number of pages, the metadata, the image feature amount, and the like are acquired. After that, the analysis unit 105 passes the acquired attribute information to the error determination unit 106 (step S104).

Upon receiving the attribute information of the execution job, the error determination unit 106 determines whether there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job based on the job information of the execution job and the job information of the executed job (step S105). ). The method of determining the setting error will be described later.

When the error determination unit 106 determines that there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job, the error determination unit 106 notifies the warning unit 107 to that effect (step S106). At this time, the error determination unit 106 notifies the warning unit 107 of the setting items and setting values determined to be setting errors and the setting values predicted to be correct.

When the warning unit 107 is notified that there is a setting error, the warning screen (see FIG. 5) is displayed on the operation panel 27 (step S107). As a result, the target user is warned of the existence of a setting error. When the warning screen is displayed, the target user touches the YES button or the NO button.

When the target user touches the YES button, the error determination unit 106 corrects the setting value determined to be a setting error to the setting value predicted to be correct. Further, the error determination unit 106 assigns 1 as a correction flag to the execution job, and stores the set value determined as the setting error as the pre-correction set value. On the other hand, when the target user touches the NO button, the error determination unit 106 does not correct the set value determined as the setting error, and adds 2 as a correction flag to the execution job.

After that, the error determination unit 106 passes the setting information of the execution job to the job execution unit 101 (step S108). Upon receiving the setting information, the job execution unit 101 executes an execution job according to the setting information (step S109). When the execution of the execution job is completed, the job execution unit 101 notifies the error determination unit 106 to that effect (step S110). When the error determination unit 106 is notified that the execution of the execution job is completed, the error determination unit 106 saves the job information of the execution job in the job history storage unit 102 as the job information of the new executed job (step S111).

In step S105, when the error determination unit 106 determines that there is no setting error in the setting information of the execution job, 0 is added to the execution job as a correction flag, and the setting information of the execution job can be passed to the job execution unit 101. It may be done (step S108).

By executing the above processing each time the operation unit 20 is requested to execute the execution job, the job information of the executed job as shown in FIG. 3 is accumulated in the job history storage unit 102.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the setting error determination process by the error determination unit 106. The flowchart of FIG. 7 corresponds to the internal processing of step S105 of FIG.

First, the error determination unit 106 acquires the job information of the executed job stored in the job history storage unit 102 (step S201). Specifically, the error determination unit 106 requests the job history storage unit 102 for job information of the executed job. The job history storage unit 102 passes the stored job information of the executed job to the error determination unit 106 in response to the request.

Next, the error determination unit 106 determines whether the number of executed jobs of the target user included in the executed jobs for which the job information has been acquired is equal to or more than a preset predetermined value (step S202).

When the number of executed jobs of the target user is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (YES in step S202), the error determination unit 106 selects the executed job of the target user from the executed jobs for which the job information has been acquired (YES in step S202). Step S203). Specifically, the error determination unit 106 selects an executed job that includes the user ID of the target user in the job information.

After that, the error determination unit 106 determines whether or not there is a setting error in the execution job setting information based on the job information of the executed job of the selected target user and the job information of the execution job (step S204).

On the other hand, when the number of executed jobs of the target user is less than a predetermined value (NO in step S202), the error determination unit 106 selects a similar job from the executed jobs for which job information has been acquired (step S205). .. A similar job is an executed job that has attribute information similar to that of the executed job. The method of selecting similar jobs will be described later.

After that, the error determination unit 106 determines whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job based on the job information of the selected similar job and the job information of the execution job (step S204).

Here, a method of selecting a similar job based on the attribute information of the execution job will be described. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the file name of the attribute information of the execution job is the conference material, the extension is ppt, the number of pages is 8, and the creator (metadata) is AAA. An executed job whose job ID is Jx is referred to as an executed job Jx.

The error determination unit 106 selects, for example, an executed job having a file name whose file name of the execution job is an exact match, a prefix match, a suffix match, or a partial match as a similar job. In this case, in the example of FIG. 3, the executed jobs J003 to J007 having the file names whose file names of the executed jobs match at the end are selected as similar jobs.

Further, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance (dissimilarity) between the file name of the executed job and the file name of each executed job, and resembles the executed jobs whose distance is less than a predetermined value. You may select it as a job. Any existing distance, such as the Levenshtein distance, can be used as the distance between the filenames.

Further, the error determination unit 106 may select an executed job having the same extension as the execution job as a similar job. In this case, in the example of FIG. 3, executed jobs J003 to J005 having the same extension as the execution job are selected as similar jobs.

Further, the error determination unit 106 may select an executed job having the same extension as the execution job extension and an executed job having an extension similar to the extension of the execution job as similar jobs. Good. Extension similarity is preset. For example, when ppt and pdf are set to be similar, in the example of FIG. 3, the executed jobs J003 to J005 and the executed jobs J006 and J007 having an extension similar to the extension of the executed job are similar. Selected as a job.

Further, the error determination unit 106 may select an executed job having the same number of pages as the number of pages of the executed job as a similar job. In this case, in the example of FIG. 3, the executed jobs J003 to J005 having the same number of pages as the number of pages of the executed job are selected as similar jobs.

Further, the error determination unit 106 may select an executed job having a number of pages included in a predetermined range based on the number of pages of the executed job as a similar job. For example, when the predetermined range includes two pages before and after the number of pages of the execution job, in the example of FIG. 3, the execution has been executed having the number of pages included in the predetermined range (6 pages or more and 10 pages or less). Jobs J002 to J005 are selected as similar jobs.

Further, the error determination unit 106 may select an executed job having the same metadata as the metadata of the execution job as a similar job. In this case, in the example of FIG. 3, the executed jobs J001 and J002 having the same metadata as the metadata (creator) of the executed job are selected as similar jobs.

Further, the error determination unit 106 may select an executed job having the same metadata as the execution job metadata and an executed job having metadata similar to the execution job metadata as similar jobs. Good. Metadata similarity is preset. For example, when AAA and CCC are set to be similar, in the example of FIG. 3, the executed jobs J001 and J002 and the executed jobs J006 and J007 having metadata similar to the metadata of the executed job are similar. Selected as a job.

Further, the error determination unit 106 may select an executed job having an image feature amount similar to the image feature amount of the execution job as a similar job. In this case, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance (dissimilarity) between the image feature amount of the executed job and the image feature amount of each executed job, and resembles the executed job whose distance is less than a predetermined value. You can select it as a job. The method of calculating the distance between the image feature amounts may be selected according to the type of the image feature amount.

Further, the error determination unit 106 may select a similar job by combining two or more of the file name, the extension, the number of pages, the metadata, and the image feature amount. For example, the error determination unit 106 determines whether each attribute information satisfies a predetermined condition for each executed job, and selects an executed job in which the number of attribute information satisfying the condition is equal to or greater than a predetermined value as a similar job. The above conditions can be used as the conditions for each attribute information. For example, when the file name conditions are exact match, prefix match, suffix match, or partial match, extension conditions are the same, page number conditions are the same, metadata conditions are the same, and the predetermined value is 3. In the example of 3, the executed jobs J003 to J005 that satisfy the conditions of the three attribute information are selected as similar jobs.

Next, a method of determining a setting error based on the job information of the selected executed job will be described. As described above, if the number of executed jobs of the target user is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the executed jobs of the target user are selected, and if the number of executed jobs of the target user is less than the predetermined value, similar jobs are selected. .. In either case, the error determination unit 106 can determine the setting error by the following method based on the job information of the selected executed job.

Hereinafter, it is assumed that the setting information of the execution job has 6 copies, the print color is monochrome, the number of sides is one side, and there is no aggregation. Further, it is assumed that the executed jobs J003 to J005 of FIG. 3 are selected by the error determination unit 106. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the setting information of the executed job and the executed jobs J003 to J005 together. As shown in FIG. 8, the executed job J003 has 1 copy, monochrome print color, double-sided number of faces, no aggregation, and 1 correction flag. The executed job J004 has 6 copies, a monochrome print color, both sides, 4in1 aggregation (4 page aggregation), and a correction flag of 0. In the executed job J005, the number of copies is 1, the print color is monochrome, the number of faces is one side, the aggregation is 4in1, and the correction flag is 2.

The error determination unit 106 compares the setting value of the execution job with the setting value of the selected executed job for each setting information, and determines whether the setting value of the execution job is a setting error.

The error determination unit 106 is, for example, when the number or ratio of executed jobs included in the selected executed job and having a number of copies matching the number of executed jobs is equal to or more than a preset predetermined value, the executed job. It is determined that the number of copies of is not a setting error. In other words, the error determination unit 106 executes the selected executed job when the number or ratio of the executed jobs having the same number of copies as the executed job is less than a preset predetermined value. The number of job copies is determined to be a setting error. When the predetermined value is 50%, in the example of FIG. 8, the ratio of executed jobs having the same number of copies as the number of executed jobs is about 33%, so that the error determination unit 106 sets the number of executed jobs. Judge as an error.

Further, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance (dissimilarity) between the number of copies of the execution job and the number of copies of each executed job, and when the total of the distances is less than a predetermined value, the execution job It may be determined that the number of copies is not a setting error. In other words, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance between the number of executed jobs and the number of executed jobs, and if the total of each distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the number of executed jobs is set as an error. It may be determined that. The sum of each distance is proportional to the probability that the number of executed jobs is a setting error. As the distance between the number of copies, the absolute value of the difference in the number of copies can be used. When summing each distance, the error determination unit 106 preferably weights each distance according to the correction flag. For example, it is conceivable to double the distance of the executed job with the correction flag of 1 and halve the distance of the executed job with the correction flag of 2. As a result, the set value of the executed job for which the setting error is correctly determined is emphasized, so that the determination system for the number of copies setting error can be improved.

Further, when the number or ratio of the executed jobs included in the selected executed jobs and having the print color matching the print color of the executed job is equal to or more than a preset predetermined value, the error determination unit 106 may perform the error determination unit 106. It may be determined that the print color of the execution job is not a setting error. In other words, when the error determination unit 106 includes the selected executed jobs and the number or ratio of the executed jobs having the print color matching the print color of the executed job is less than a preset predetermined value. , The print color of the execution job may be determined to be a setting error. When the predetermined value is 50%, in the example of FIG. 8, the ratio of the executed jobs having the print color matching the print color of the execution job is 100%, so that the error determination unit 106 determines the print color of the execution job. Judges that it is not a setting error.

Further, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance between the print color of the execution job and the print color of each executed job, and when the total of the distances is less than a predetermined value, the print color of the execution job is changed. It may be determined that it is not a setting error. In other words, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance between the print color of the execution job and the print color of each executed job, and when the total of the distances is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the print color of the execution job. May be determined to be a setting error. The sum of each distance is proportional to the probability that the print color of the executed job is a setting error. The distance between print colors is preset for each set value. When summing each distance, the error determination unit 106 preferably weights each distance according to the correction flag. For example, it is conceivable to double the distance of the executed job with the correction flag of 1 and halve the distance of the executed job with the correction flag of 2. As a result, the set value of the executed job for which the setting error is correctly determined is emphasized, so that the determination system for the print color setting error can be improved.

Further, when the number or ratio of the executed jobs included in the selected executed jobs and having the same number of faces as the number of executed jobs is equal to or more than a preset predetermined value, the error determination unit 106 is determined. It may be determined that the number of execution jobs is not a setting error. In other words, when the error determination unit 106 includes the selected executed jobs and the number or ratio of the executed jobs having the same number of faces as the number of executed jobs is less than a preset predetermined value. , The number of execution jobs may be determined to be a setting error. When the predetermined value is 50%, in the example of FIG. 8, the ratio of the executed jobs having the number of faces matching the number of faces of the execution job is about 33%, so that the error determination unit 106 determines the face of the execution job. The number is determined to be a setting error.

Further, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance between the number of executed jobs and the number of executed jobs, and when the total of the distances is less than a predetermined value, the number of executed jobs is calculated. It may be determined that it is not a setting error. In other words, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance between the number of executed jobs and the number of executed jobs, and when the total of the distances is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the number of executed jobs. May be determined to be a setting error. The sum of each distance is proportional to the probability that the number of execution jobs is a setting error. The distance between the number of faces is preset for each set value. When summing each distance, the error determination unit 106 preferably weights each distance according to the correction flag. For example, it is conceivable to double the distance of the executed job with the correction flag of 1 and halve the distance of the executed job with the correction flag of 2. As a result, the set value of the executed job for which the setting error is correctly determined is emphasized, so that the determination system for the number of faces setting error can be improved.

Further, the error determination unit 106 determines that the execution job is included in the selected executed jobs when the number or ratio of the executed jobs having the aggregation matching the aggregation of the execution jobs is equal to or more than a preset predetermined value. It may be determined that the aggregation of is not a setting error. In other words, the error determination unit 106 executes when the number or ratio of executed jobs included in the selected executed jobs that have an aggregation that matches the aggregation of the executed jobs is less than a preset predetermined value. Job aggregation may be determined to be a configuration error. When the predetermined value is 50%, in the example of FIG. 8, the ratio of the executed jobs having the aggregation matching with the aggregation of the execution jobs is about 33%, so that the error determination unit 106 sets the aggregation of the execution jobs. Judge as an error.

Further, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance between the aggregation of the execution jobs and the aggregation of each executed job, and if the total of the distances is less than a predetermined value, the aggregation of the execution jobs is a setting error. It may be determined that there is no such thing. In other words, the error determination unit 106 calculates the distance between the aggregation of the executed jobs and the aggregation of each executed job, and if the total of the distances is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the aggregation of the executed jobs is a setting error. It may be determined that. The sum of each distance is proportional to the probability that the execution job aggregation is a configuration error. The distance between aggregates is preset for each set value. When summing each distance, the error determination unit 106 preferably weights each distance according to the correction flag. For example, it is conceivable to double the distance of the executed job with the correction flag of 1 and halve the distance of the executed job with the correction flag of 2. As a result, the set value of the executed job for which the setting error is correctly determined is emphasized, so that the aggregation setting error determination system can be improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the job history storage unit 102 stores a predetermined number or more of the job information of the executed jobs of the target user, the job information of the executed jobs of the target user is used as the basis for the job information. It is determined whether there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job. Since the setting information of the execution job and the setting information of the executed job of the target user are set by the same target user, it is considered that they have the same tendency. Therefore, by using the setting information of the executed job of the target user, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the job history storage unit 102 stores less than a predetermined number of job information of the executed jobs of the target user, the setting information of the execution job is set based on the job information of similar jobs. It is determined whether there is a setting error. Since the execution job and the similar job have similar attribute information, there is a high possibility that the setting information of the execution job and the similar job also has a similar tendency. Therefore, by using the setting information of similar jobs, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job even when the number of executed jobs of the target user is small.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether there is a setting error in the execution job setting information based on the job information of similar jobs regardless of the number of executed jobs of the target user stored in the job history storage unit 102. It is also possible. Even in this case, as described above, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job.

<Second Embodiment>
The MFP 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the MFP 1 in which the error determination unit 106 determines a setting error by using an estimation model constructed by machine learning will be described. The hardware configuration and functional configuration of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Further, the processing of the operation unit 20 other than the method of determining the setting error is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a method for determining a setting error according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the setting error determination process by the error determination unit 106. The flowchart of FIG. 9 corresponds to the internal processing of step S105 of FIG.

First, the error determination unit 106 acquires the job information of the executed job stored in the job history storage unit 102 (step S301). Specifically, the error determination unit 106 requests the job history storage unit 102 for job information of the executed job. The job history storage unit 102 passes the stored job information of the executed job to the error determination unit 106 in response to the request.

Next, the error determination unit 106 determines whether the number of executed jobs of the target user included in the executed jobs for which the job information has been acquired is equal to or more than a preset predetermined value (step S302).

When the number of executed jobs of the target user is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (YES in step S302), the error determination unit 106 selects the executed job of the target user from the executed jobs for which job information has been acquired (YES in step S302). Step S303). Specifically, the error determination unit 106 selects an executed job that includes the user ID of the target user in the job information.

Next, the error determination unit 106 builds an estimation model that estimates the setting information according to the attribute information by machine learning based on the job information (setting information and correction flag) of the executed job of the selected target user. .. The error determination unit 106 can build an estimation model using any learning method such as a support vector machine (SVM), clustering, a neural network, and a decision tree. Further, the error determination unit 106 can use the correction flag for weighting when constructing the estimation model. In the present embodiment, the error determination unit 106 preferably includes a machine learning engine.

Subsequently, the error determination unit 106 inputs the attribute information of the target job into the constructed estimation model and estimates the setting information of the target job (step S305). That is, the error determination unit 106 acquires the setting information according to the attribute information of the target job.

After that, the error determination unit 106 determines whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job based on the estimated setting information and the setting information of the execution job (step S306). Specifically, the error determination unit 106 compares the estimated setting information with the setting information of the execution job, and if the setting information of the execution job is different from the estimated setting information, the setting information is a setting error. Is determined to be. For example, when the estimated number of copies is 6, the print color is color, the number of faces is one side, and there is no aggregation, in the example of FIG. 8, it is determined that the print color of the execution job is a setting error.

On the other hand, when the number of executed jobs of the target user is less than a predetermined value (NO in step S302), the error determination unit 106 selects a similar job from the executed jobs for which job information has been acquired (step S307). ..

Next, the error determination unit 106 builds an estimation model that estimates the setting information according to the attribute information by machine learning based on the job information (setting information and correction flag) of the selected similar job. The error determination unit 106 can build an estimation model using any learning method such as a support vector machine (SVM), clustering, a neural network, and a decision tree. Further, the error determination unit 106 can use the correction flag for weighting when constructing the estimation model. In the present embodiment, the error determination unit 106 preferably includes a machine learning engine.

Subsequently, the error determination unit 106 inputs the attribute information of the target job into the constructed estimation model and estimates the setting information of the target job (step S305). That is, the error determination unit 106 acquires the setting information according to the attribute information of the target job.

After that, the error determination unit 106 determines whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job based on the estimated setting information and the setting information of the execution job (step S306). Specifically, the error determination unit 106 compares the estimated setting information with the setting information of the execution job, and if the setting information of the execution job is different from the estimated setting information, the setting information is a setting error. Is determined to be. For example, when the estimated number of copies is 6, the print color is color, the number of faces is one side, and there is no aggregation, in the example of FIG. 8, it is determined that the print color of the execution job is a setting error.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the job history storage unit 102 stores a predetermined number or more of the job information of the executed jobs of the target user, the job history storage unit 102 is constructed based on the job information of the executed jobs of the target user. Using the estimated model, it is determined whether there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job. Since the setting information of the execution job and the setting information of the executed job of the target user are set by the same target user, it is considered that they have the same tendency. Therefore, by using the estimation model constructed based on the job information of the executed job of the target user, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the job history storage unit 102 stores less than a predetermined number of job information of executed jobs of the target user, an estimation model constructed based on the job information of similar jobs is used. Then, it is determined whether there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job. Since the execution job and the similar job have similar attribute information, there is a high possibility that the setting information of the execution job and the similar job also has a similar tendency. Therefore, by using the estimation model constructed based on the job information of similar jobs, even if the number of executed jobs of the target user is small, it is accurately determined whether there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job. be able to.

Further, as in the example of FIG. 9, by constructing the estimation model each time the setting error determination process is performed, the estimation model can always be constructed based on the latest job information. As a result, the estimation accuracy of the estimation model can be improved, and the setting error can be determined accurately.

In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job by using the same estimation model regardless of the number of executed jobs of the target user stored in the job history storage unit 102. It is also possible. In this case, as the estimation model, an estimation model constructed based on the job information of the executed jobs stored in the job history storage unit 102 may be used.

Moreover, the estimation model may be built in advance. As a result, the time required for the determination process can be shortened.

<Third Embodiment>
The image forming system 100 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the image forming system 100. The image forming system 100 of FIG. 10 includes an MFP 1 and a server 2.

The MFP 1 includes a job execution unit 101 and a warning unit 107. The functions of the job execution unit 101 and the warning unit 107 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Further, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the image forming system 100 includes a plurality of MFPs 1.

The server 2 is an example of an information processing device, and is connected to the MFP 1 via a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). In the present embodiment, the information processing device may be a PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 2. The server 2 of FIG. 11 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an HDD 204, an input device 205, a display device 206, a communication I / F 207, and a system bus 208.

The CPU 201 controls each configuration of the server 2 by executing the program, and realizes the function of the server 2.

The ROM 202 stores a program (such as a BIOS (Basic Input Output System)) executed by the CPU 201 and various data.

The RAM 203 provides the CPU 201 with a work area.

The HDD 204 stores a program (OS (Operating System) or the like) executed by the CPU 201 and various data.

The input device 205 inputs information according to the user's operation to the server 2. The input device 205 includes a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, hardware buttons, and the like.

The display device 206 displays a screen according to the operation of the user. The display device 206 may be a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, or the like.

The communication I / F 207 connects the server 2 to a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), and controls communication with an external device on the network. The server 2 communicates with an external device including the MFP 1 via the communication interface 7.

The system bus 208 connects the CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, HDD 204, input device 205, display device 206, and communication I / F 207 to each other.

As shown in FIG. 10, the server 2 according to the present embodiment includes a job history storage unit 102, a user information storage unit 103, an authentication processing unit 104, and an error determination unit 106. The functions of the job history storage unit 102, the user information storage unit 103, the authentication processing unit 104, and the error determination unit 106 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the job history storage unit 102 of the server 2 stores job information of executed jobs executed by a plurality of MFPs 1 connected to the server 2.

With the above configuration, the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment can execute the same processing as that of the first embodiment. That is, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job based on the setting information of the executed job of the target user and the setting information of the similar job.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the error determination unit 106 can use the job information of the executed jobs of the plurality of MFP1s stored in the job history storage unit 102 for the determination process of the setting error. That is, the error determination unit 106 can execute the setting error determination process by using a large amount of job information as compared with the first embodiment. Therefore, the error determination unit 106 can determine whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job with higher accuracy than that of the first embodiment.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the functions required for the MFP 1 are reduced as compared with the first embodiment, a low-performance and inexpensive MFP can be used as each MFP 1. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the same functions as those of the first embodiment can be provided to the low-performance and inexpensive MFP1.

The configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the example of FIG. At least one of the job history storage unit 102, the user information storage unit 103, the authentication processing unit 104, and the error determination unit 106 included in the server 2 of FIG. 10 may be provided in the MFP 1. For example, by providing the error determination unit 106 in the MFP 1, the processing of the server 2 can be reduced.

Further, the image forming system 100 may be capable of executing the same processing as in the second embodiment. In this case, the error determination unit 106 can build an estimation model based on the job information of the executed jobs of the plurality of MFPs 1, so that a highly accurate estimation model can be built. As a result, the error determination unit 106 can accurately determine whether or not there is a setting error in the setting information of the execution job.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations shown here, such as combinations with other elements in the configurations and the like described in the above embodiments. These points can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form thereof.

Further, each function of the embodiment described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in the present specification is a processor programmed to execute each function by software such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to execute each function described above. It shall include devices such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and conventional circuit modules.

1: MFP (image forming device)
2: Server 101: Job execution unit 102: Job history storage unit 103: User information storage unit 104: Authentication processing unit 105: Analysis unit 106: Error determination unit 107: Warning unit

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-21548

Claims (7)

A job execution unit that executes print processing based on a print job that prints the print target,
An analysis unit that analyzes the print target and acquires attribute information of the print target,
An error determination unit that determines whether or not there is a setting error in the execution job based on the setting information and the attribute information of the execution job requested to be executed by the target user and the setting information and the attribute information of the executed job. When,
When the error determination unit determines that there is the setting error, the warning unit that warns the target user of the setting error, and the warning unit.
Equipped with a,
When the number of executed jobs of the target user is less than a predetermined value, the error determination unit uses the attribute information of the executed job from among the executed jobs based on the attribute information of the executed job. A similar job having the attribute information similar to the above is selected, it is determined whether or not there is the setting error based on the setting information of the similar job, and the number of the executed jobs of the target user is equal to or more than a predetermined value. In the case, it is determined whether or not there is the setting error based on the setting information of the executed job of the target user.
Image formation system. The error determination unit constructs an estimation model that estimates the setting information according to the attribute information based on the attribute information and the setting information of the executed job, and the attribute information of the execution job and the setting information. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the setting information of the execution job is estimated based on the estimation model, and based on the estimated setting information, it is determined whether or not there is the setting error. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the attribute information includes at least one of the file name, extension, number of pages, metadata, and image feature amount to be printed. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the setting information includes at least one of the number of copies, the number of pages, the print color, and the aggregation. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the executed job includes the executed jobs of a plurality of users. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the executed job includes the executed jobs of a plurality of image forming devices. An image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus.
A step to execute a print process based on a print job that prints the print target, and
The step of analyzing the print target and acquiring the attribute information of the print target, and
A step of determining whether or not there is a setting error in the execution job based on the setting information and the attribute information of the execution job requested to be executed by the target user and the setting information and the attribute information of the executed job.
When it is determined that there is the setting error, the step of warning the target user of the setting error and
Equipped with a,
In the step of determining whether or not there is a setting error, when the number of executed jobs of the target user is less than a predetermined value, the executed jobs are selected from the executed jobs based on the attribute information of the executed jobs. A similar job having the attribute information similar to the attribute information of the execution job is selected, it is determined whether there is the setting error based on the setting information of the similar job, and the number of the executed jobs of the target user. Is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined whether or not there is the setting error based on the setting information of the executed job of the target user.
Image formation method .

Images