JP6972281B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes a printing process of a print target file transmitted from a client apparatus via a network.

Conventionally, a mechanism of a hot folder is known as a means for causing an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer to execute a printing process (Patent Document 1). This mechanism prepares a hot folder application in the client device, and when a file is stored in the hot folder, the print data is transferred to the printer and the print process is executed.

By using the hot folder of the client device, it is possible to instruct the printing process of the file to be printed by a relatively simple operation of storing the file. Therefore, for example, when the operator wants to print a large amount of print data (file) with the same settings, it is possible to eliminate the complexity of instructing printing to individual files by the print driver application. As a result, the efficiency can be improved in the standard printing business.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-118736

In the mechanism of the hot folder by the conventional technology, it is necessary to prepare a high-performance application, that is, a hot folder application on the client device side. This is because a program is required to add print settings to the file to be printed, convert it to a unique data format that can be interpreted by the copier or printer as necessary, and send the converted file to the copier or printer. Because it is. Such programs must be specific to the operating system on which they run, or the application platform provided on that operating system.

Further, the printing system using the hot folder on the client device is of a nature that depends on the operating system in the client device. Also, as the operating system version is updated, it may be necessary to provide users with an updated version of the hot folder application.

Furthermore, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for mobile terminals called tablets, smartphones, etc. as client devices. Each of these mobile terminals is also provided with a program operating environment by its own operating system. There is also an increasing demand for printing from these mobile terminals to copiers or printers. However, providing a print client program for these mobile terminals requires a lot of development cost for a vendor who develops a copier or a printer from the mobile terminal.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. That is, the image is set so that the image forming apparatus can be easily instructed to perform printing processing without requiring a high-performance application or an apparatus other than the client apparatus and the image forming apparatus on the client apparatus side. Provide a technique that can be set in a forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention displays a reception screen for accepting registration as a monitored folder for a folder in the image forming apparatus accessible from an external device. A reception means that accepts registration as a monitored folder for a folder in the image forming apparatus that can be accessed from the external device via the display means and the reception screen, and the image that can be accessed from the external device. A first folder that is a folder in the forming device and is associated with print settings and is registered as a monitored folder by the receiving means, and a folder in the image forming device that can be accessed from an external device. It is transmitted from the external device based on a storage means having a plurality of folders including at least a second folder not registered as a monitored folder by the receiving means and an instruction from the external device. A control means for controlling the storage of the file in any of the plurality of folders, and when the file is stored in the first folder by the control means, the file is associated with the first folder. It has a generation means for generating a print job in the image forming apparatus based on the print setting, and an image forming means for forming an image based on the print job, and the control means puts the second folder into the second folder. When the file is stored, the processing for the file is not performed with the trigger that the file is stored in the second folder.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily instruct the image forming apparatus to perform printing processing without requiring a high-performance application on the client apparatus side or an apparatus other than the client apparatus and the image forming apparatus. The setting can be set in the image forming apparatus.

It is a block diagram which shows the print processing system. It is a block diagram explaining the hardware configuration of a multifunction device. It is a block diagram explaining the hardware configuration of a client apparatus. It is a software configuration diagram explaining the software configuration of a client apparatus. It is a figure for showing the structure of the operation part. It is a software configuration diagram explaining the software configuration of a multifunction device. It is a figure which shows an example of the function selection screen of a multifunction device displayed in the operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen displayed in the operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for creating a hot folder. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for selecting a print condition. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which is displayed after the completion of making a hot folder. It is a figure which shows an example which displayed the information in a hot folder using the file browser of a client apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the print specification file which describes the print condition corresponding to a hot folder. It is a figure for demonstrating the state which copied the print target file from a client apparatus to a hot folder. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation part after performing the operation of FIG. 14 in a client apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the hierarchy of a file system. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation at the time of printing in a multifunction device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the means for solving the invention.

(First Embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing processing system according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, a multifunction device (mFP, an abbreviation for Multifunction Peripheral) 200 will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus, and a PC 101, PC 102, and a portable terminal 103 will be described as an example of a client device or an external device. The multifunction device 200 and the PC 101 are communicably connected via the network 100.

Further, PC 102, which is a different client device, is connected to the network 100 so as to be able to communicate with each other, and is connected to the multifunction device 200 in the same manner as the PC 101. PC 102 and PC 101 may be systems operated by different operating systems. Alternatively, it may be a system with different versions of the same operating system. This embodiment assumes such a printing system environment in which the types of application execution environments of client devices are mixed.

Further, a wireless LAN access point 104 is connected to the network 100. The wireless LAN access point 104 is configured to be able to communicate with the mobile terminal 103 shown in the figure and various other types of devices (not shown) by wireless LAN. In other words, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide a printing environment for a type of device such as a mobile terminal in the same line as a client device such as PC 101 and 102.

Such mobile terminals are rapidly becoming widespread, and the diversification of products is remarkable. Further, with the spread of such highly portable terminals, for example, the client device of a user who requests printing to the multifunction device 200 arranged on the network 100 shown in the figure is a device brought in from a public environment. It can also be assumed that the case is.

The conversion server 106 arranged on the cloud environment is also communicably connected to the network 100 via the outside of the LAN, for example, the Internet 105. The conversion server 106 is a device having a function of converting a print target file that is not a file format that can be directly printed by the multifunction device 200 into a file format that can be directly printed. Based on the request from the multifunction device 200, the conversion server 106 converts the file into a file in a format that can be printed by the multifunction device 200, and transmits the converted file to the multifunction device 200.

Note that FIG. 1 shows an example in which the conversion server 106 is arranged outside the network 100 via the Internet 105. However, of course, the conversion server 106 may be directly connected to the network 100.

First, the client devices PC 101, PC 102, and mobile terminal 103 will be described. It is assumed that the PC 101, 102, and the mobile terminal 103 have a network file sharing means using a file sharing protocol such as SMB or WebDAV, which is usually possessed by a modern operating system. The SMB and WebDAV protocols are examples of file sharing protocols.

The PC 101, PC 102, and mobile terminal 103 can send, receive, and share files between devices connected to the network 100 by using a file sharing protocol such as SMB or WebDAV. Therefore, the PC 101, the PC 102, and the mobile terminal 103 can transmit the file to be printed to the multifunction device 200 by using the network file sharing protocol. As a result, the multifunction device 200 can be made to perform printing without preparing an application having a property strongly dependent on the operating system in the client device.

The PC 101, 102, and the mobile terminal 103 may have these printing application programs.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction device 200. The multifunction device 200 has a reading function for reading an image on a sheet and a printing function for printing an image on the sheet. Further, the multifunction device 200 has a post-processing function of binding a plurality of sheets on which an image is printed, aligning the plurality of sheets, and dividing the ejection destinations of the plurality of sheets into a plurality of trays. The sheet includes paper such as plain paper and thick paper, an OHP sheet, and the like.

Further, the multifunction device 200 has a file sharing function accessible from client devices such as PC 101, PC 102, and mobile terminal 103. The file sharing function will be described later.

The printer unit 203 is a device for transporting the developed image image data to the media stored in the paper feed unit 220 and forming an image on the media using toner. The general configuration and operating principle of the printer unit 203 are as follows.

A rotating multi-sided mirror (polygon mirror or the like) incidents a light beam such as a laser beam modulated according to the image data, and irradiates the photosensitive drum as reflected scanning light through the reflection mirror. The latent image formed by the laser beam on the photosensitive drum is developed by the toner, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet material, that is, the medium, which is attached on the transfer drum. A full-color image is formed by sequentially executing this series of image forming processes on the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. Further, in addition to these four colors, a toner called a special color, a transparent toner, or the like may be transferred.

The sheet material on the transfer drum on which the full-color image is formed is transferred to the fuser. The fuser is composed of a combination of rollers and belts, has a built-in heat source such as a halogen heater, and melts and fixes the toner on the sheet material to which the toner image is transferred by heat and pressure.

The multifunction device 200 in this embodiment is provided with a scanner unit 201 and an operation unit 204. The operation unit 204 is arranged on the upper surface of the multifunction device 200. The operation unit 204 provides various interfaces when the operator performs various settings and operations of the multifunction device 200.

The multifunction device 200 is configured so that various accompanying devices can be attached. A sheet processing apparatus is shown in this embodiment as an example of the accompanying apparatus.

The sheet processing device 250 is a device for obtaining a product obtained by performing various processing on the media after the image is formed by the printer unit 203. The various processes here include a needle binding process for closing the end of a bundle of media conveyed to the sheet processing device 250 with a needle. Similarly, a bookbinding process is included in which the central portion of the bundle of media conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 250 is bound with a needle and bent along the needle. Further, a needle-free binding process is included in which the end portion of the bundle of media conveyed to the sheet processing device 250 is closed by applying pressure with a tooth mold. Further, a punching process for drilling a hole in the end portion of the media conveyed to the sheet processing device 250 is included.

The sheet processing device 250 is configured to include an inserter 251. The inserter 251 is a unit having a function of inserting the media held in the inserter 251 at an appropriate timing based on the setting into the media sent from the printer unit 203. The inserter 251 makes it possible to insert media that does not require printing between printed media.

The output tray 252 forms a tray portion for discharging and loading the output material processed by the sheet processing device 250.

The multifunction device 200 includes a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk 209 (hereinafter, also referred to as an HDD) capable of storing data of a plurality of jobs to be processed inside the own device. Although a hard disk is used in this embodiment, the storage device is not limited to the hard disk as long as it has the same large capacity and non-volatile storage device.

Further, it has a copy function for printing the job data received from the scanner unit 201 included in the multifunction device 200 by the printer unit 203 via the HDD 209. It also has a printing function for printing job data received from the client device via the network via the network I / F 202 by the printer unit 203 via the HDD 209. That is, the multifunction device 200 is an MFP type device having such a plurality of functions.

The multifunction device 200 may be a printing device capable of color printing or a printing device capable of monochrome printing, and may have any configuration as long as it can execute various controls described in the present embodiment.

The multifunction device 200 includes a scanner unit 201 that reads an original image and processes the read image data. Further, it is provided with a network I / F 202 for transmitting and receiving image data and the like with a device connected to the network. Further, the HDD 209 capable of storing image data of a plurality of jobs to be printed received from either the scanner unit 201 or the network I / F 202 is provided.

The HDD 209 also stores various management information that is permanently stored, changed, and managed by the multifunction device 200.

Further, the printer unit 203 is provided with a printer unit 203 that executes a printing process of data of a job to be printed stored in the HDD 209 on a print medium. The multifunction device 200 also includes an operation unit 204 having a display unit, which corresponds to an example of the user interface unit.

The controller unit (also referred to as a CPU) 205 comprehensively controls the processing and operation of various units included in the multifunction device 200. The ROM 207 stores various control programs required in the present embodiment, including a program for executing various processes of the flowchart of FIG.

Further, the ROM 207 also stores a display control program for displaying various UI screens on the display unit of the operation unit 204, including the user interface screen (hereinafter referred to as a UI screen) shown in the figure.

The controller unit 205 reads and executes the program of the ROM 207, so that the multifunction device 200 executes various operations described in the present embodiment. For example, the PDF print function program is stored in the ROM 207. This program is a program that interprets PDL (Page Description Language) code data received from an external device via the network I / F202 and executes an operation of expanding it into raster image data (bitmap image data).

The ROM 207 is a read-only memory in which programs such as boot sequences and font information and various programs such as the above programs are stored in advance. Details of various programs stored in the ROM 207 will be described later. The RAM 208 is a readable and writable memory, and stores image data sent from the scanner unit 201 and the network I / F 202, as well as various programs and setting information.

The HDD (hard disk) 209 is a large-capacity storage device that stores image data compressed by the compression expansion unit 210. The HDD 209 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of data such as print data of a job to be processed. The controller unit 205 controls the printer unit 203 to print data of the job to be processed, which is input via various input units such as the scanner unit 201 and the network I / F 202, via the HDD 209. It also controls so that it can be transmitted to an external device via the network I / F 202. In this way, the controller unit 205 controls various output processes of the data of the job to be processed stored in the HDD 209 so as to be able to be executed. Further, the file system built in the HDD 209 is configured so that functions such as file sharing and transmission / reception to an external device can be realized by the controller unit 205 reading and executing the program of the ROM 207.

The compression / decompression unit 210 performs a compression / decompression operation of image data and the like stored in the RAM 208 and the HDD 209 by various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG. Under the above configuration, the controller unit 205 as an example of the control unit included in the printing system also controls the operation of the sheet processing device 250.

The sheet processing device 250 corresponds to the sheet processing device 250 described in FIG. The media management unit 211 is a module for managing information regarding media types that can be processed by the multifunction device 200.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client device according to the first embodiment, that is, the PC 102, the PC 102, and the mobile terminal 103 in FIG.

In the figure, the CPU 301 executes a program of an OS or a general application stored in the program ROM of the ROM 303 or loaded from the HDD 311 into the RAM 302. Further, the ROM 303 has a font ROM and a data ROM. The RAM 302 functions as the main memory of the CPU 301, a work area, and the like. The keyboard controller (KBC) 305 controls input from the keyboard 309 and a pointing device (not shown). The display controller 306 controls the display on the display unit 310. The disk controller (DKC) 307 controls access to a boot program, various applications, an HDD 311 for storing font data, and the like. The network controller (NC) 312 is connected to the network 100 and executes communication control processing with other devices connected to the network 100. The bus 304 connects the CPU 301 to the RAM 302, the ROM 303, and various controllers to convey data signals and control signals.

In the case of the mobile terminal 103, a touch panel controller may be included in the configuration instead of the keyboard controller (KBC). In addition, a large-capacity storage device that replaces the HDD 311 may be provided. Further, the internal configuration of the network controller (NC) 312 is different depending on whether the device provided is a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or both. However, the difference due to these internal configurations is concealed inside the network controller (NC) 312, and is configured so that the system can be controlled as equivalent to the other modules shown in the figure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a program possessed by the client devices PC 101, PC 102, and mobile terminal 103.

The boot loader 401 is a program executed immediately after the power of the PC 101, PC 102, and mobile terminal 103 is turned on. These programs include programs for executing various boot sequences required to boot the system.

The operating system 402 is a program for the purpose of providing an execution environment for various programs that realize the functions of the PC 101, PC 102, and mobile terminal 103. This provides functions such as resource management of the memory of the PC 101, PC 102, and the mobile terminal 103, that is, the ROM 303, the RAM 302, the HDD 311 and the like.

The file system 403 is a program that realizes various file management functions such as management of various files stored in HDD 311, transmission / reception with an external device, and sharing. The file system provided by an external device connected to the network 100 is accessed via the network controller (NC) 312 to enable transmission / reception, copying, and the like of files.

The network control program 404 is a program executed when transmitting / receiving data to / from a device connected via the network 100. The network control program 404 can be used when the file system 403 executes transmission of a file to be printed.

The other programs 405 include a group of programs that do not fall under any of the above, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The file system 403 and the network control program 404 described above may be provided as a part of the operating system 402. However, even in such a case, the operating system merely replaces the means equivalent to the functions provided by the various programs described above as a result. In other words, it goes without saying that this embodiment is applied as long as the client device has these functions, regardless of whether or not the operating system 402 includes the various means described above as its own functions.

FIG. 5 is an external view showing an operation unit 204 included in the multifunction device 200. The operation unit 204 includes a panel 501 for displaying an operation screen described later and a hard key input unit 502. The panel 501 is, for example, a touch panel display. The hard key input unit 502 has various hard keys such as a start button 512. The user touches the key displayed on the panel 501 or presses various hard keys of the hard key input unit 502 to input an instruction. The panel 501 may be a display that does not have a touch panel function. In this case, instead of key input by touch operation, a scroll key for selecting a key displayed on the display and a determination key for determining the key may be provided as a hard key input unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a program of the multifunction device 200 according to the first embodiment. These programs are stored in the ROM 207, read by the controller unit 205 of the multifunction device 200, and executed.

The boot loader 601 is a program executed immediately after the power of the multifunction device 200 is turned on. These programs include programs for executing various boot sequences required to boot the system. The operating system 602 is a program for the purpose of providing an execution environment for various programs that realize the functions of the multifunction device 200. This mainly provides functions such as resource management of the memory of the multifunction device 200, that is, ROM 207, RAM 208, HDD 209, etc., and basic input / output control of each part shown in FIG.

The file system 603 is a program that realizes various file management functions such as management of various files stored in HDD 209, transmission / reception with an external device, and sharing. It is accessed from a file system provided by an external device connected to the network 100 via the network I / F 202, and files can be transmitted / received, copied, and the like. This is a program for creating, duplicating, and transmitting / receiving a file from an external device to the file system of the multifunction device 200.

The data transmission / reception program 604 performs transmission / reception processing performed when a data input / output request is generated via the network I / F 202. Specifically, it includes a protocol stack such as TCP / IP and controls communication of various data exchanged with an external device or the like connected via the network 100. The communication process performed here is a process specialized for the transmission / reception level of the data packet and the communication process of the HTTP server, etc., and does not include the analysis process regarding the content of the received data described later. The data analysis process is executed by the controller unit 205 based on the description content of another program.

The JDF function program 605 is a program that executes the JDF print function executed by the controller unit 205 according to the instruction of the network I / F202 when the JDF job data is received by the multifunction device 200 via the network I / F202. In the JDF print function, the controller unit 205 sequentially instructs the operation of each device in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the JDF function program 605. As a result, the JDF print process is finally controlled to be executed. Each device includes a sheet processing device 250, a printer unit 203, an HDD 209, a compression expansion unit 210, a RAM 208, and the like. In addition, the analysis process of the JDF job data received via the network I / F202, the process of determining whether or not the JDF contains incorrect settings as a result of the analysis process, and the setting change to eliminate the incorrect settings. A program to do such things is also included.

The copy function program 606 is a program for executing the copy function executed by the controller unit 205 according to the instruction from the operation unit 204 when the user of the multifunction device 200 instructs the execution of the copy function from the operation unit 204. Is. In the copy function performed by the controller unit 205, the resources of the multifunction device 200 are sequentially instructed by the controller unit 205 in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the copy function program 606. .. As a result, the copy process is finally controlled to be executed. Each of these devices includes a scanner unit 201, a printer unit 203, a sheet processing device 250, an HDD 209, a compression expansion unit 210, a RAM 208, and the like.

The scan function program 607 is a program for executing the scan function executed by the controller unit 205 according to the instruction from the operation unit 204 when the user of the multifunction device 200 instructs the operation unit 204 to execute the scan function. .. Modules such as the scanner unit 201, HDD 209, compression expansion unit 210, and RAM 208 are controlled by the controller unit 205 according to the processing order and processing conditions described in the scan function program 607. At that time, by sequentially instructing the operation of each of these devices in an appropriate order, the scan process is finally controlled to be executed.

The PDL print function program 608 executes the PDL print function executed by the controller unit 205 when the PDL data (print job data) is received by the multifunction device 200 via the network I / F 202. In the PDL print function performed by the controller unit 205, the controller unit 205 sequentially instructs the operation of each device in an appropriate order based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the PDL print function program 608. As a result, the PDL print process is finally controlled to be executed. Each of these devices includes a sheet processing device 250, a printer unit 203, an HDD 209, a compression expansion unit 210, a RAM 208, and the like.

The BOX function program 609 executes the BOX function executed by the controller unit 205 according to the instruction from the operation unit 204 when the user of the multifunction device 200 instructs the operation unit 204 to execute the BOX function. In the BOX function, the BOX process is executed by sequentially instructing the operation of each of these devices in an appropriate order by the controller unit 205 based on the process order and the process conditions described in the BOX function program 609. These devices include a scanner unit 201, a printer unit 203, a sheet processing device 250, an HDD 209, a compression expansion unit 210, a RAM 208, and the like. Further, the job data stored in the HDD 209 by the BOX function can be executed by changing the setting of the job at the time of storage.

The UI function program 610 is a control program for the operation unit 204. The UI function program 610 identifies the content input from the operation unit 204 by the user of the multifunction device 200, and issues an appropriate screen transition and a processing request instruction to the controller unit 205.

The media management program 611 is a program for executing a management function related to a sheet that can be used by the multifunction device 200. The sheet-related information managed by the UI function program 610 is stored in the HDD 209.

The job hold function program 612 is a program executed by the controller unit 205 when the user of the multifunction device 200 instructs the operation unit 204 to execute the job hold function. The job hold function is a function of storing data to be printed in the HDD 209 of the multifunction device 200 until a print instruction is given by the user, and then executing printing according to the data for which the print instruction is received from the user. In the job hold function, the print processing by job hold is executed by sequentially instructing the operation of each of these devices in an appropriate order by the controller unit 205 based on the processing order and processing conditions described in the job hold function program 612. .. These devices include a printer unit 203, a sheet processing device 250, an HDD 209, a compression expansion unit 210, a RAM 208, and the like. It is possible to change the settings at the time of storage for the stored job data and execute it.

It is not necessary to include all of the functional programs shown in FIG. 6, and a configuration may include a part thereof or a functional program other than those described above.

The stored document storage area 613 is a storage area for stored job data managed by the job hold function program 612. The job data to be saved received from the client devices 101 to 103 and other external devices is stored in the saved document storage area 613 together with the print settings.

The International HOTFOLDER program 614 is a characteristic program included in the multifunction device 200 of the present embodiment. The International HOTFOLDER program 614 detects file storage from client devices 101-103 connected to the network 100 by the file system 603. Then, when the detected file is in a file format that can be printed by the multifunction device 200, the program is configured to execute the print job based on the print conditions specified in advance. The International HOTFOLDER program 614 makes it possible to replace a file transmission operation from an external device with a print operation. That is, in the prior art, the program for executing the printing process needs to be provided on the client device side, but in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the printing program on the client device side. The reason is that if you have a file system, you can send files to the file system of the multifunction device. Then, this file transmission operation is processed by the International HOTFOLDER program 614 as a print operation. And if it is a modern operating system or its application execution environment, a file system with a shared function is usually provided. The details of the processing of the program will be described later.

The free area 615 refers to an area in the HDD 209 that does not belong to any of the above-mentioned programs and various areas.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the selection screens of the various functional programs shown in FIG. 6 displayed on the operation unit 204 by the controller unit 205. The setting button 701 of the International HOTFOLDER program 614 is also arranged in the figure.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the setting screen 801 of the International HOTFOLDER program 614. The screen of FIG. 8 is displayed immediately after the setting button 701 of the International HOTFOLDER program 614 is touch-operated on the selection screen of FIG. 7. Hereinafter, the components of the setting screen of FIG. 8 will be described individually.

The information indicated by reference numeral 802 is a file hierarchy display area in the file system of the multifunction device 200 currently being operated. When accessing the file system of the multifunction device 200 from a client device such as PC 101, PC 102, or a mobile terminal 103 connected via the network 100, this is performed based on such hierarchical information. Further, the setting screen shown in FIG. 8 shows the hierarchy of folders to be set and operated. In the example shown in the figure, it is shown that the hierarchy "/ share / folder /" is the operation target.

The file list 803 is an area for displaying entries on the file system arranged in the hierarchy shown in the file hierarchy display area 802. In other words, the entries on the file system located in the "/ share / folder /" hierarchy are displayed. An entry on the file system is either a folder or a file. In the example in the figure, the case where one folder indicated by the reference numeral 805 "tpFolder" is arranged is shown. Note that "move to upper hierarchy" indicated by reference numeral 804 is a button operated when moving to a higher hierarchy of "/ share / folder", that is, "/ share". When the button is touched in the state shown in FIG. 8, the file hierarchy display area is controlled to be "/ share". That is, the folder hierarchy to be operated is raised one step.

Similarly, the "tpFolder" indicated by the reference numeral 805 is also a button, and by touching the button indicated by the same reference numeral, the hierarchy of "/ share / folder / tpFolder" becomes the operation target hierarchy. After pressing the button, the display information of the file hierarchy display area 802 indicated by reference numeral 802 becomes "/ share / folder / tpFolder". That is, the folder hierarchy to be operated is lowered by one step.

Filelist 803 in the figure provides a way to move up or down such a hierarchy. If an entry on a file system other than a folder, that is, a file is placed in the file list shown in FIG. 8, even if the button corresponding to the file is touched, the hierarchy is not moved. Is controlled. Further, if the number of entries on the file system arranged in the hierarchy of "/ share / folder" is large and cannot be displayed in the file list 803 of the figure, the scroll button 809 is touch-operated. As a result, entries that cannot be displayed in the display area can be displayed by switching screens.

The job status button 806 is a button for transitioning to the status confirmation screen of the print job executed by printing by using the International Hotfolder function.

The registration button 807 is a button for instructing the folder in the hierarchy currently being operated to be registered as a monitored folder by the International Hotfolder program.

The release button 808 is a button for instructing to exclude the folder in the hierarchy currently being operated from the folders to be monitored by the International Hotfolder program.

The registration button 807 and the release button 808 enable / disable button operations so that meaningless operations such as double registration operations for folders that have already been registered and cancellation of folders that have not been registered are not performed. Is controlled to do. In the example shown in FIG. 8, "/ share / folder" is an example of a state in which "/ share / folder" is not monitored by the International HOTFOLDER program 614. Therefore, the registration button 807 is controlled to be valid, while the release button 808 is controlled to be invalid.

The button 811 created here is a button for creating a new folder to be used as a hot folder in the hierarchy currently being operated. The button 810 for creating a set is a button for collectively creating a plurality of preset folders in the hierarchy currently being operated. When the button 810 is touch-operated, a plurality of hot folders are created, and a print specification file in which preset print conditions are defined is arranged in each of the plurality of hot folders. Then, those folders are registered as the monitored folders of the International Hotfolder function program. This is provided for the purpose of improving convenience when a plurality of International Hotfolders linked to a print specification file in which frequently used print conditions are described are collectively created when the multifunction device 200 is installed. The number of preset folders and the number of print specification files associated with each folder are arbitrary.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed immediately after a touch operation of the button 811 created here in the state of the screen shown in FIG. Shown in the figure is a soft keyboard for entering the name of a newly created folder. That is, input is performed using the soft key 902 in the folder name input area 901 to be created. When the OK button 903 is touch-operated, a folder with the entered name is created, and when the cancel button 904 is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG. 8 without creating anything. When the screen state shown in FIG. 9 is changed to the screen state shown in FIG. 9 and the OK button 903 is touch-operated, the folder "/ share / folder / myfolder" is controlled to be created.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a selection screen for setting print conditions in the created folder, which is a screen that transitions immediately after the OK button 903 is touch-operated on the screen shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in the figure, the areas indicated by reference numerals 1001 are displayed in a list, and a plurality of print specifications are given names. Each item part on the list is a button and is configured to be controllable so that it can be selected by touch operation. The figure shows an example in which the printing specification "A4 single-sided" is selected.

When the registration button 807 is touch-operated on the screen shown in FIG. 8, it is a button for monitoring the folder selected in the figure as the monitoring target of the International Hotfolder program. Therefore, when the registration button 807 is touched, the soft keyboard screen at the time of creating the folder shown in FIG. 9 is skipped, and the screen directly transitions to the print specification setting screen as shown in FIG.

When the cancel button 1000 is touch-operated while the screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, the setting process ends without setting the print specifications in the created folder. That is, in that case, the folder created in FIG. 9 or selected in FIG. 8 is not monitored by the International Hotfolder program 614. On the other hand, when the OK button 1003 is touch-operated, the folder created in FIG. 9 or selected in FIG. 8 is associated with the print specifications selected in FIG. Set to. That is, "/ share / folder / myfolder" is registered as an International Hotfolder, and a printing specification of A4 single-sided is associated with it. That is, the file to be printed is copied or transferred from the client devices PC 101, PC 102, mobile terminal 103, etc. to the folder "/ share / folder / myfolder" published by the multifunction device 200. The file transfer process itself is performed via the file system 403 operating on the operating system 402 on the client device side. In other words, the program that operates when copying a file from the client device to the multifunction device 200 is a general-purpose program that operates on the client device, and is a special program provided for printing a desired file on the multifunction device 200. is not it. Using the file system 403, which is a general-purpose program provided by each operating system, it is only possible to transfer the file to be printed to the multifunction device 200, and a mechanism for bringing the printing effect to the multifunction device 200. Is. The purpose of providing the International Hotfolder program 614 is achieved here.

The hold button 1004 in FIG. 10 is a button to be selected when it is desired to execute the storage process in the hold instead of the print process when the print target file is transferred or copied to the International Hotfolder. The hold function refers to the function described in the job hold function program 612 in FIG. Depending on whether it is held or not, there is a difference in behavior such as whether the product printed on the sheet is output, or the expansion process is performed but the sheet is not output. However, in the following description, even if the hold is specified, it will be described as being included in the printing process in a broad sense.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that transitions immediately after the OK button is touched while the screen of FIG. 10 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 11, it is confirmed that three subfolders are automatically created under the folder created on the screen of FIG. 9, which is "/ share / folder / myfolder". The three folders are "IHF_completed" (printing completed folder 1104), "IHF_error" (error folder 1105), and "IHF_printing" (printing folder 1106).
The subfolders 1104-1106 are automatically created by the International Hotfolder program 614 when the registration of the International Hotfolder is successful. The subfolders 1104-1106 are ordinary folders for control and management by the file system 603. However, the International HOTFOLDER program 614 identifies and uses these folders as special folders. That is, in these subfolders arranged under the International Hotfolder, the print target files copied or transferred are moved to these subfolders in the process of printing by the International HOTFOLDER program 614. The name of the folder indicates what the processing status of the print target file being processed at that time is by the International HOLDER program 614 of the multifunction device 200. In other words, by monitoring the contents of these subfolders from the client devices such as PC101, PC102, and mobile terminal 103, it is possible to confirm the print status of the file desired to be printed.

That is, also here, only the function of the general-purpose program of confirming the entry of the folder published by the multifunction device 200 via the file system 403 of the client device is used. Nevertheless, the function of monitoring the status of print jobs, which in the prior art required a program specialized for each client device, is realized by the function of a general-purpose program only.

FIG. 12 is for explaining an example of a file browser screen, which is a part of the function of the file system 403 that the client devices PC 101, PC 102, and mobile terminal 103 have as standard functions. The file browser has a function of displaying the contents of the file system of the client devices 101 to 103 itself, and also has a function of displaying the contents of the file system of another network device shared by the network 100. The area indicated by reference numeral 1204 is an area for displaying the contents of the file system. The area indicated by reference numeral 1203 is an area for displaying the contents of the file system of the external device connected via the network 100. Here, an example is shown in which the network address "172.24.123.123" is set in the multifunction device 200. That is, it is an example of displaying the International Hotfolder shown in the explanations of FIGS. 8 to 11 in the multifunction device 200 connected via the network 100 by the client devices 101 to 103. As shown in the figure, folders corresponding to reference numerals 1104, 1105, and 1106 in FIG. 11 are displayed in the area indicated by reference numeral 1202. In addition, there is a file named "template.jdf" indicated by reference numeral 1204. This is a print specification file that stores the substance of the print specification associated with the International Hotfolder described in FIG. In this embodiment, an example of a print specification file in which print specifications are described in JDF format is shown. JDF is described in text format.

The file named "emplate.jdf" is not displayed on the screen shown in FIG. On the other hand, it is displayed in FIG. This is a result of the fact that the International Hotfolder according to this embodiment requires only the function of the general-purpose file system from the client device. That is, the screen shown in FIG. 11 is a part of the International HOTFOLDER program 614 operated by the multifunction device 200. Therefore, it is not always necessary to display the associated file. Rather, it may be complicated, so the control is performed so that the print specification file is not displayed. On the other hand, when the contents of the International Hotfolder are displayed on the client device side by using the function of the file system, the user can confirm the print specification file as well as the folder as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the print specification file can be edited, deleted, and added as appropriate by the user using the file browser of the client device. As a result, once an Internal Hotfolder associated with an arbitrary print specification with an arbitrary name is created, the user can edit the print specification file to any one.

When editing, deleting, or adding a print specification file, a command or application such as a text editor that is used for general purposes may be used for the operating system on which the client device operates or the application execution environment.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to set print settings by a general-purpose file system and a general-purpose text editing means operating in each device. On the other hand, in the prior art, the print specifications have been set or changed by using a print driver, a hot folder management application, or the like. Therefore, in the prior art, editing of print specifications requires a non-general-purpose program provided for each client device. This point shows the effect that is possible only by the general-purpose mechanism in setting or changing the printing specifications in the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the contents of the file "emplate.jdf" that defines the printing specifications shown in FIG. At the time of the operation of FIG. 10, the printing specification of "A4 single-sided" was assigned to "/ share / folder / myfolder". The printing specifications in the JDF format shown in FIG. 13 include the setting that the paper size is A4 and the printing side is one side.

As described in the description in FIG. 12, the file can be changed by an editing program such as a text editor used for general purposes running on the client device. It is possible to give an arbitrary setting to the created International Hotfolder in JDF format.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen displayed when a print target file is copied to a predetermined International Hotfolder of the multifunction device 200 by using a file browser in the client device. The file "Sample.pdf" indicated by reference numeral 1401 shown in the figure is a print target file in which the user of the client device instructs the multifunction device 200 to print using the mechanism of the present embodiment. However, since the print instruction in this case uses the file copy or transfer function of the file system as described above, it is performed without depending on a non-general-purpose program peculiar to the client device. In other words, the operator can instruct printing simply by performing a drag-and-drop operation or a copy-paste operation on the client device.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the screen display of the operation unit 204 of the multifunction device 200 after the operation as shown in FIG. 14 is performed on the client device. The area indicated by reference numeral 1501 is a status line. That is, the operating status of the multifunction device 200 is simply displayed. In the example shown in the figure, "Printing is in progress ..." is displayed to indicate that the multifunction device 200 is executing the printing process. This indicates that the file "Sample.pdf" shown in FIG. 14 produced the printing effect only by the file copy processing by the mechanism provided by the International Hotfolder of the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a hierarchical diagram showing the hierarchy of the file system in the multifunction device 200 after performing a series of operations as shown above. The symbol indicated by reference numeral 1601 means that the entry on the file system of the corresponding hierarchy is a folder. On the other hand, the symbol indicated by reference numeral 1603 means that the entry on the file system of the corresponding hierarchy is a file.

A folder named "share" is arranged in a lower folder of the root folder of FIG. This corresponds to a shared folder. Then, it is possible to confirm the International Hotfolder "share / folder / myfolder" created by the processes of FIGS. 8 to 11 (reference numeral 1609). Further, the folders used by the International HOTFOLDER program 614 for the purpose of confirming the status of the print process described with reference to FIG. 11 are also confirmed (reference numerals 1616, 1607, 1608).

Further, in FIG. 8, "emplate.jdf", which is a print specification file associated with the International Hotfolder, can also be confirmed by reference numeral 1603. Further, the file "Sample.pdf" (reference numeral 1401) j, which is the file instructed to print shown in the example in FIG. 14, is moved under "IHF_completed" (print completion folder 1607) as a result of the printing process. You can also confirm that it is there. In this move process, in the multifunction device 200, the International HOTFOLDER program 614 performs a folder move process as the print process progresses. If the printing is finally successful, it is moved under "IHF_completed" (printing completed folder 1607). On the other hand, if printing fails for some reason, it is moved to "IHF_error" (error folder 1606). During the execution of the printing process, it is moved under "IHF_printing" (printing folder 1608). By checking any of these folders via the file browser that the client device has for general purposes, it is possible to check the status of the print process of the file for which the print process is requested only by the function of the file system.

As already mentioned, the International Hotfolder makes it possible to configure a printing system using only the general-purpose functions of the file system. The folder set as the International Hotfolder is the folder itself in the true sense of the file system. In other words, it does not require any special program from the client device side. For example, in FIG. 16, a folder called “bbb” (reference numeral 1605) is arranged under “myfolder” (reference numeral 1607). Such a folder can be easily created by using, for example, a file browser as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it is also possible to execute the folder creation command via the terminal application to create the folder. Further, for example, in the figure, it can be confirmed that a folder named "aaa" (reference numeral 1604) exists under "IHF_error" (error folder 1606). This folder can also be easily created by using a file browser or the like.

These "aaa" (reference numeral 1604) and "bbb" (reference numeral 1605) were created under the International Hotfolder, but the International HOTFOLDER program 614 does not require the existence of these folders. However, the International Hotfolder "/ share / folder / myfolder" is the folder itself of the general-purpose file system when viewed from the client device. Therefore, it is not possible to distinguish between a folder treated as an International Hotfolder and a folder not treated as an International Hotfolder. Or there is no need to make a distinction. Therefore, it is naturally possible to adopt the folder structure shown by the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the printing process executed in the multifunction device 200. The process shown in FIG. 6 is performed by the controller unit 205 integrally executing the program shown in FIG.

The flowchart shown in the figure is started with a process of detecting data reception from the client devices 101 to 103 as a trigger (step S1701).

In step S1702, the data transmitted from the client devices 101 to 103 via the network 100 is analyzed, and it is determined whether or not the instruction from the client device is the file storage process in the shared folder.

If the result of the determination in step S1702 is true, the process proceeds to step S1704. On the other hand, if the determination result of the same step is false, the process proceeds to the process of step S1718 and subsequent steps.

In step S1718, it is determined whether or not the content of the data reception process executed in step S1701 is the reception of the PDL print job. If it is determined that the job is a PDL job as a result of the determination, the process proceeds to step S1719, and the received PDL job is executed. The PDL job executed in the same step is performed by the controller unit 205 executing the PDL print function program 608 in FIG. When the processing of the PDL print job in the same step is completed, the flow in the figure is terminated.

If, as a result of the determination in step S1718, it is determined that the content of the data reception process executed in step S1701 is not the reception of the PDL print job, the process proceeds to step S1720 and further determination is performed.

In step S1720, a process of determining whether or not the content of the data reception process executed in step S1701 is the reception of a JDF job is performed. If it is determined that the job is a JDF job as a result of the determination, the process proceeds to step S1721 to execute the received JDF job. The JDF job executed in the same step is performed by the controller unit 205 executing the JDF function program 605 in FIG. When the processing of the JDF print job in the same step is completed, the flow in the figure is terminated.

If, as a result of the determination in step S1720, it is determined that the content of the data reception process executed in step S1701 is not the reception of the JDF job, the process proceeds to step S1722. In step S1722, a predetermined process that does not belong to any of the copy of the file to the folder, the execution of the PDL job, and the execution of the JDF job is executed, and the flow of the figure is terminated. Any function belonging to step S1722 is not important in explaining the effect of the present embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S1704, it is determined whether or not the placement folder of the file copied from the client device executed by step S1703 to the shared folder of the multifunction device 200 is the International Hotfolder. Whether or not the copy destination folder is an International Hotfolder depends on whether or not the folder is a folder that has been registered in the multifunction device 200 according to the procedure described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

If, as a result of the determination in step S1704, it is determined that the copy destination folder is an International Hotfolder, the process proceeds to steps S1705 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, in the same step, when it is determined that the copy destination folder is not the International Hotfolder, it is merely a file copy process for the public folder. Therefore, since it is not necessary to execute the process specific to the International Hotfolder after step S1705, the process shown in the flow chart is terminated.

In step S1705, it is determined whether or not the print specification file is arranged in the International Hotfolder in which the copy process was executed in the steps up to immediately before. As described, it has been described in the explanations of FIGS. 12 to 15 that the printing process is achieved based only on the mechanism of the file system without using any special mechanism in the International Hotfolder in the present embodiment. At that time, an example in which the print specifications themselves applied at the time of printing are also arranged in the International Hotfolder as a file is shown in the description of FIG. In the determination process of the same step, if the print specification file is arranged in the copy destination International Hotfolder as expected, the condition that normal print process can be executed is satisfied. Therefore, in that case, the process proceeds to step S1706 or later. On the other hand, in the determination process of the same step, if the print specification file is not arranged in the copy destination International Hotfolder as expected, the condition for executing the normal print process is not satisfied. For example, the case where the print specification file is deleted via the file browser of the client device is applicable. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1717. In step S1717, the file copied to the International Hotfolder is copied to the "IHF_error" folder (error folder). Then, the printing process by the International Hotfolder is terminated as an error termination state.

In step S1706, it is determined whether or not the file copied to the International Hotfolder is a file in a format that can be printed and is directly supported by the multifunction device 200.

As a result of the determination in step S1706, if the print data is printable and the print data is in a format directly supported by the multifunction device 200, the process proceeds to step S1709. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1706, if it is determined that the print data is in a format that can be printed but is not directly supported by the multifunction device 200, the process proceeds to step S1707.

An example is shown of what kind of print data is printable, but is not directly supported by the multifunction device 200. For example, data in an application-specific format such as a word processor or a spreadsheet that operates on a client device corresponds to the data. These applications are widespread and come in a wide variety of versions and variations. In addition, many of them are in a format (predetermined format) that the application vendor decides independently. Therefore, when printing data in such a format, it is common to operate the application on a client device and use a function such as a print driver possessed by the application. Since there are many such applications, it is not impossible, if not impossible, to configure the multifunction device 200 to print data in a unique application format such as a word processor or a spreadsheet. Needless to say. Therefore, it is difficult to print the data in such a format by the mechanism of the International Hotfolder. Therefore, by using the conversion server 106 shown in FIG. 1, even if the multifunction device 200 does not directly support such application-specific format data, printing processing can be performed by entrusting only the conversion unit to a system having a conversion function. It becomes. Such a data format conversion server may be provided by the application vendor to be converted, or may be provided by another vendor. Called cloud conversion services, services that convert data in these vendor-specific application formats are becoming widespread. Therefore, if the printing system can capture the functions of these cloud conversion services, printing is possible, but it is also possible to print data in a format that is not directly supported by the multifunction device 200. In other words, the flow chart of the printing process of the International Hotfolder may include the discrimination process of S1706, the data transmission and conversion request process to the cloud conversion server of S1707, and the converted file acquisition process (S1708). Since the converted file is a file of a predetermined format directly supported by the multifunction device 200, the subsequent processing is the same as when the determination result in step S1706 is true.

If the file stored in the Internal Hotfolder is a file that cannot be printed by the multifunction device 200 (YES in S1706) and cannot be printed by the conversion server 106, the process may proceed to S1717.

In step S1709, the print target file (including the converted file acquired from the conversion server 106) is integrated with the print specification file. The print specification file is in the JDF file format as shown in FIG. 13, for example. The print specification file and the print target file are integrated so that they can be executed as a print job inside the multifunction device 200. In other words, the International Hotfolder internally generates a print job, and uses the JDF file associated with the folder as the print specification used at that time, and the file copied to the folder as the print target file.

In step S1710, processing of the print job data created up to the previous step is started. The process in the same step corresponds to executing the JDF function program 605 shown in FIG. 6 with the data created in step S1709.

Next, the International HOTFOLDER program 614 determines whether the multifunction device 200 is currently ready for printing. Then, based on the determination that the file is ready for printing, the file to be printed is moved from directly under the International Hotfolder to under the "IHF_printing" folder (printing folder 1106) (step S1711).

That is, when confirmed by the file browser (FIG. 12) of the client device after the process of the same step, it can be seen that the folder has been moved from directly under the International Hotfolder to the "IHF_printing" folder (printing folder 1106). With this, the operator can confirm that the printing process for the file stored in the International Hotfolder has started by the general-purpose file system function.

The steps from step S1712 to step S1714 are actual printing processes by the JDF function program 605 executed inside the multifunction device 200. The International HOTFOLDER program 614 only waits for the end of the printing process executed by these JDF function programs, and the actual data processing and job execution processing are executed by the JDF function program 605.

In step S1715, the processing results from steps S1712 to S1714 processed by the JDF function program 605 are determined. If it is determined by the JDF function program 605 that the deliverable is correctly output, the process proceeds to step S1716. On the other hand, if it is determined by the JDF function program 605 that the deliverable is not output correctly (that is, printing failure), the process proceeds to step S1717.

Step S1716 is executed when the print process of the print target file arranged in the International Hotfolder of the multifunction device 200 is correctly performed by the file browser operating on the client device. Since the output is correct, the print target file is moved under the "IHF_coupled" (print completion folder 1104) folder.

Step S1717 is executed when the print process of the print target file arranged in the International Hotfolder of the multifunction device 200 is not correctly performed by the file browser operating on the client device. Since the output is not correct (because printing has failed), the print target file is moved to the bottom of the "IHF_error" (error folder 1105) folder.

The operator can check the print status of the print target file by checking which status folder the print target file has moved to via the file browser of the client device. At that time, a file browser used for general purposes is used. Therefore, even when checking the print status, it is not necessary to set restrictions derived from the operating system operating on the client device, and it is possible to check the status using only a general-purpose mechanism.

When the folder movement process of step S1715 or S1716 is completed, the print process by the International Hotfolder shown in the flow chart is completed.

(Second embodiment)
In the description of the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 17, the format is such that the printing process of the next file is not started until the output process of the print target file arranged in the International Hotfolder is completed. However, it is also possible to configure the monitoring process of the print target file and the print process by the actual JDF function program to be processed in parallel. In the case of adopting such a configuration, the second embodiment includes a mechanism for managing the upper limit number generated inside the multifunction device 200 in the internal job generation processing performed in step S1708 and step S1709. Specifically, when the number of internally generated jobs reaches the threshold value, the job generation of the succeeding file is suppressed, and when the preceding output is completed, the job generation processing of the succeeding file is restarted. Will be done. This mechanism is derived from the fact that the print job queue that can be held internally by the multifunction device 200 is finite. In other words, for example, it is assumed that a huge number of files to be printed are collectively selected on the client device side and copied to the International Hotfolder at once. Since it is not assumed that the multifunction device holds such a huge number of print job queues, there is a risk of queue overflow. In order to prevent such a situation, the International Hotfolder function program according to the second embodiment has a flow control based on the upper limit value as described above.

(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, an example is shown in which the print specification file (reference numeral 1204) is arranged as one file on the file system. In the third embodiment, the print specification associated with the folder is concealed by the International Hotfolder application instead of the file system. The association information itself is managed by the International Hotfolder itself in accordance with the operations shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. However, the difference is that the internal HOTFOLDER program 614 itself manages the print specification file instead of arranging it on the file system.

The purpose of adopting such an embodiment is to prevent the following situations. That is, if the print specification file is placed in the shared folder of the file system, the print specification file may be deleted (deleted) or moved to another folder by the user of the client device who can access the shared folder. In this way, if the print specification file is deleted or moved, even if the association information exists, the actual print specification file does not exist, so there is a risk that the print process cannot be executed.

According to the third embodiment in which the print specification file is not directly placed in the file system, such a situation can be prevented in advance. However, in the case of this configuration, when the user changes the printing specifications as described in the first embodiment, the convenience of using a program such as a text editor provided for general-purpose use is rather inconvenient. Lost.

(Fourth Embodiment)
The fourth embodiment enables a combination of the third embodiment and the first or second embodiment. That is, it is configured so that it can be selected at the time of registration whether the print specification file is directly placed on the file system or the International Hotfolder application internally associates and manages the print specification file for each International Hotfolder. This allows the user to edit the print specification file, but can also configure the folder so that the print specification file is not operated for a folder that may be mistaken. By leaving such an operational choice to the system setter, it is possible to provide the user with both the risk of erroneous operation and the convenience of being editable.

In addition, the file system also has specifications that allow access rights to be set for each folder. If such a function is available, it is possible to further improve convenience. For example, when a mobile terminal 103 or the like is brought in from the outside of the network 100, a folder called "public" is created and printing is literally permitted as a public folder. conduct. On the other hand, it is assumed that a folder called "private" is created, access is permitted only from a known client device directly connected to the network 100, and print specifications are set by file arrangement. The fourth embodiment also enables an operation in which both are performed based on the setting of the access right of the folder possessed by the file system. In this case as well, no special program or the like is required for the operation as shown on the left on the client device side.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications are made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. And can be changed.

101, 102 PC
103 Mobile terminal 106 Conversion server 200 Multifunction device 202 Network I / F
203 Printer section 205 Controller section 207 ROM
208 RAM
209 HDD

Claims (13)

It is an image forming device
A display means for displaying a reception screen for accepting registration as a monitored folder for a folder in the image forming apparatus accessible from an external device.
A reception means that accepts registration as a monitored folder for a folder in the image forming apparatus that can be accessed from an external device via the reception screen.
A folder in the image forming apparatus accessible from an external device, the first folder associated with the print settings and registered as a monitored folder by the receiving means, and accessible from the external device. A storage means having a plurality of folders including at least a second folder which is a folder in the image forming apparatus and which is not registered as a monitored folder by the receiving means.
A control means for controlling the storage of a file transmitted from the external device in any of the plurality of folders based on an instruction from the external device.
When a file is stored in the first folder by the control means, a generation means for generating a print job in the image forming apparatus based on the print setting associated with the file and the first folder, and a generation means.
It has an image forming means for forming an image based on the print job, and has an image forming means.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that when a file is stored in the second folder by the control means, no processing is performed on the file triggered by the storage of the file in the second folder. The reception screen is a screen for confirming the status of print jobs generated and executed in the image forming apparatus based on the files stored in the first folder and the print settings associated with the first folder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a button for transitioning to. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display means displays at least a main menu screen including a button capable of selecting a copy function and a button capable of transitioning to the reception screen. Even if the file is stored in the first folder, the generation means prints the stored file if it determines that the file type of the stored file is not subject to print processing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein no job is generated. The storage means stores a print specification file indicating the print setting associated with the first folder, and stores the print specification file.
The generation means 1 to 3 is characterized in that a file stored in the first folder and a print specification file indicating the print setting are integrated to generate a print job in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to. It has a determination means for determining whether or not there is the print specification file related to the folder in which the file is stored.
When the determination means determines that the print specification file exists, the generation means generates the print job based on the print settings described in the print specification file.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the determination means determines that the print specification file does not exist, printing of the file ends with an error. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first folder and the second folder are shared folders. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shared folder is accessed from a plurality of external devices by using a file sharing protocol. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the file sharing protocol is SMB or WebDAV. One of claims 1 to 9, wherein the stored file is moved to a storage area different from that of the folder, at least in accordance with the detection that the file is stored in the first folder. The image forming apparatus according to the section. It is determined whether or not the file stored in the first folder can be printed, and based on the determination that the file can be printed, the file stored in the first folder is selected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is moved to a folder for managing a file being printed. It is determined whether or not the format of the file stored in the first folder is a predetermined file format, and based on the determination that the file format is not the predetermined file format, the predetermined file stored in the first folder is determined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a file determined to be not in a file format is moved to a folder indicating an error. A program for functioning as each means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images