JPH10336375A - Combined terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a network document server system to be effectively functioned, and to reduce the burden of a user load by storing printing jobs including picture data transmitted from a host device, and selecting arbitrary one from among the stored printing jobs and executing printing at a combined terminal equipment side. SOLUTION: A user prepares printing data on a work station, confirms the state of a composite terminal equipment, and selects the printing parameter of a job. The composite terminal equipment stores printing jobs transmitted from the work station, and manages them as a file. The jobs to be printed are preliminarily transmitted, sheets or the like are prepared, the jobs are selected from the stored files, and printing is executed once at the composite terminal equipment side. The printing parameter can be arbitrarily changed at the composite terminal equipment side so that the load of the user can be saved. At the time of confirming the state of the composite terminal equipment by the work station, the stored jobs/instantaneous execution jobs can be separately used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a composite terminal device connected to a network system such as a LAN and shared by a plurality of host devices (workstations).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A scanner as an image reading apparatus, an image memory as storage means for storing image data read by the scanner, and a recording medium based on the image data read by the scanner or the image data stored in the image memory. A digital copier is configured by combining with a printer, which is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper, and a multi-function device (e.g., a multifunction device having functions as a plurality of devices such as a copier, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile machine) MFPs) have been developed and are being widely used.

[0003] Such a multifunction peripheral is connected to a large number of host devices (workstations) by a network system such as a LAN, and is used as a shared multifunction terminal device (mainly a printer). Network environments are an area of great development in the future. It is desired to use an existing network environment as it is and to construct an environment for a multi-terminal device that does not disturb the use environment.

In general, in a multi-function terminal device, which is a digital multi-function device having a printer function, print data or image data sent from a host device can be stored in a memory. By storing one set of print data (job) in a memory and reading the print data from the memory, it is possible to print the required number of copies of the image when needed. Also, printing can be performed with the page order reversed as necessary.

However, the execution of a print job and the setting of job parameters depend on settings or instructions from the host device, and the multifunction terminal executes page designation, reverse printing, and printing of multiple copies in the job according to the parameters. Was only.

[0006]

In the conventional multi-terminal apparatus, since it is basically assumed that the multi-terminal apparatus is used in an environment connected to the host machine on a one-to-one basis, the setting of printing conditions and the like are always performed. This is done from a host device that is online. Therefore, the user interface related to the change of the setting of the printing condition on the multi-function terminal has not been considered at all, nor has it been necessary.

However, in an environment where a multi-terminal device is connected on a network and used as a common high-speed and large-size printing press, the multi-terminal device is not always located near the user, but rather is isolated. Often located in areas such as office machine corners.

[0008] The state of the multi-terminal device can be confirmed as necessary from a user's host device (workstation) via a back channel of a network already used in many environments. The state of the multifunction device is not always the state desired by the user.

[0009] For example, it is conceivable that paper of a paper size required by the user does not exist in the tray of the multifunction terminal. In such a case, in the conventional apparatus, the user goes to the side of the multi-terminal apparatus, replenishes the necessary paper to the tray, returns to the front of the host apparatus, and instructs to execute the necessary print job. After that, it was necessary to go to the multifunction terminal to get the print result.

[0010] The operation of the multifunction terminal via such a network differs from the operation of the multifunction terminal which takes in image data in an environment adjacent to a conventionally existing host device, and is wasteful and inconvenient as described above. In order to solve the problem, it is necessary to consider an application and an operation procedure in consideration of an environment shared by a plurality of users and use of an operation panel under limited conditions.

According to the present invention, in positioning the multifunction terminal device as a document server device in a network environment, the above-mentioned useless work and inconvenience are eliminated, and the network document server system is made to function effectively. It is a first object of the present invention to make it possible to improve work efficiency.

Further, an electronic mail box function for ensuring document security individually required by a user sharing a multifunction terminal device and not impairing space saving and cost reduction of the device itself is realized. As a second object.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image reading means for reading a document image, a storage means for storing image data read by the image reading means, and an image data or storage means read by the image reading means. Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on accumulated image data, connecting means for connecting to a plurality of host devices via a network, and operation / control means for controlling each of these means In order to achieve the first object, the following means are provided.

A print job storage unit for storing one or more print jobs including image data sent from the host device; and an image forming unit for selecting an arbitrary print job from the print jobs stored by the unit. And a selection execution unit for executing the image formation.

Further, it is desirable to provide means for displaying print parameters of the print job selected by the selection execution means, and means for changing the displayed print parameters by a user operation. Further, when a print job is received from the host device, it is determined whether a job to be stored or a job to be executed immediately is specified, and only when the job is determined to be stored, the print job is stored in the print job storage unit. Means for accumulating may be provided.

When executing image formation based on the print job stored in the print job storage means, it is preferable to provide a means for giving priority to the execution and displaying the status on a host device connected via a network. Means may be provided for erasing the print job stored in the print job storage unit after performing image formation by the print job.

Next, in order to achieve the above-mentioned second object in these multi-terminal devices, the print job stored in the print job storing means is only transmitted when a specific password is input. Is provided to enable execution of image formation or change of print parameter settings by designating a password. Further, a security unit may be provided which enables display of the print job only when a specific password is input to the print job stored in the print job storage unit.

Further, a means for managing information for releasing security by the security means on a print job basis may be provided. Further, it is preferable to provide a means for the user to specify activation of the security function for each print job.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows the basic configuration of the entire network system including the composite terminal device according to the present invention.

The network system shown in FIG.
Servers such as a workstation (WS) which is a plurality of host devices such as Windows PC (personal computer) 1, Macintosh 2, UNIX machine 3, DOS PC machine 4, etc. and a file server 5, and a composite terminal device 10 ( LAN (local area network) 6
And a network OS (not shown) required by the LAN system. However, since the network-OS is generally known and its type does not affect the present invention, the network-OS is used here.
No mention is made of the OS.

In this network system, at least, there is a physical LAN configuration, and some network-OS is incorporated. By using them, an arbitrary workstation or server and the composite terminal device 10 according to the present invention can be used. It is configured to allow two-way communication.

The software of the Windows PC 1 shown in FIG. 2 is configured as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, Macintosh 2 software is DOS
The software of the PC machine 4 is configured as shown in FIG. The software of the controller unit 11, which is the controller of the multifunction terminal 10, is configured as shown in FIG.

Of these, Macintosh 2, file server 5, UNIX machine 3, and DOS PC
Since the machine 4 is a known machine, a detailed description is omitted. FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the Windows PC 1.
The image file handler is utility software that receives image data sent from the multifunction terminal and sends out image data to be sent to the printer. The condition file handler is utility software that sends read condition data to a printer or multifunction terminal. Others are well-known and need not be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the entire multifunction device 10 is roughly divided into a scanner unit 12 as an image reading unit, a printer unit 13 as an image forming unit, an image processing unit 14, and control of these units. Base engine
It can be divided into a base engine unit composed of the controller 15 and the controller unit 11 which is the above-described composite terminal / controller.

The base engine section is a copying apparatus completed by itself, and includes a scanner section 12 having an ARDF (automatic reversing document feeder) and a variety of paper handling apparatuses (paper feed tray, double-sided apparatus, paper discharge apparatus, etc.). ), The scanner unit 12 and the printer unit 1
3, an engine unit comprising an image processing unit (IPU) 14 for executing image processing of video data, an operation panel 16 serving as a man-machine interface unit of the apparatus, and a base engine It consists of a controller 15.

The operation panel 16 includes an operation unit having a display, switches (mechanical keys), a touch panel, an LCD, and the like, and an operation panel unit. The user sets a copy function, a printer function, and a scanner function while interacting with the user. Can be set. Further, a status message required by the scanner / printer function can be displayed.

The control of the engine unit by the base engine controller 15 includes checking the configuration of the scanner unit 12 and the printer unit 13 (checking the connected options), the status of each paper feed tray, and the status of the duplex device. Check the status of the paper output device, the status of the document feeder, etc.
This means setting the paper path, starting the print / scan operation, checking the progress of the process, and checking the status in detail when an error occurs. The base engine controller 15 also controls the image processing unit 14 and peripheral devices 17 such as a sorter, a finisher, and a large-volume sheet feeding device.

A controller unit 11 serving as a scanner / printer controller performs input of read image data of a document from a scanner unit 12 serving as image reading means, and output of image data to a printer unit 13 serving as image forming means. A video interface (interface A) for performing the operation, a command for displaying an operation control command of the base engine unit and a display command on the operation panel 16, and a command / status for exchanging a status transition notification and an operation notification from the base engine unit as a command / status. The status engine (interface B) is connected to the base engine controller 15.

The controller unit 11 is connected to the LAN 6 shown in FIG. 2 by a network interface card (NIC), and controls the data stream of the printer unit 13, the operation / edit command of the scanner unit 12, and the read image data. It is transferred. The controller unit 11 has a general parallel / serial interface as a printer connection interface, and also has a SCSI-2 interface as a scanner connection interface.

Accordingly, although it can be used as a normal one-to-one connection printer and scanner, these are well-known and many related products have been issued, so that the one-to-one connection interface will not be described here. . Hereinafter, description will be given on the assumption that all data input / output of the printer / scanner is performed through a network.

FIG. 7 shows a hardware configuration of the controller section 11. As shown in FIG. That is, the ASIC 20 and the hard disk unit 21, SCSI-2 interface 22, command interface 23, video interface 24, compression chip 25, CPU 26, boot ROM 27, code ROM 28, font ROM 2
9, Network I / F 30, DRAM 31, EEPR
It is composed of an OM 32, a serial port 33, and a parallel port. Then, there are functions of scanner data input / output and printer data input / output centering on the page buffer memory.

The code ROM 28 stores a printer / scanner interface OS, device drivers, and application software. The boot ROM 27 performs initial settings at startup and also stores a self-diagnosis program. Various font data is stored in the font ROM 29, and the 32-bit CPU 26 controls the entire controller according to the software. DRAM
31 is used as a working memory of the CPU 26 and EE
The PROM 32 is used for storing user data.

The network interface 30 is an interface when the apparatus is connected to any network. The hard disk unit 21 is a storage location of the image data and is compressed and stored by the compression chip 25. When the compressed data is used, it is expanded and used by the compression chip 25.

It is the command interface 23 that actually issues an operation command to the base engine that controls the scanner and the printer and receives status information from the base engine. The exchange of image data is performed through the video interface 24.

The ASIC 20 controls the exchange of signals including image data and various commands, and is directly connected to all devices. SCSI-2 interface 22
When the present apparatus is used as a one-to-one scanner, the serial port 33 and the parallel port 34
When used as printers, they are used as host interfaces.

From input of print data on a workstation in a system including the multi-terminal device, confirmation of the status of the printing device, execution of a job, designation of a job, change of parameters, and execution of a job on the multi-terminal device A first embodiment of the operation and operation sequence up to completion will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 10 and display examples of FIGS. 11 to 16. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 10, the steps shown by the broken-line frames are operations performed by the operator.

First, when the process is started in FIG. 8, print data is created on a workstation which is a host device connected to the network. This operation is performed by an application such as a normal word processor.
Then, after the print data is created, the state of the multifunction terminal device (used as a printing device) is confirmed on the same workstation. It does so using a known driver / utility that displays printer status on a workstation using a back channel on a network or parallel port.

Thereafter, the operator sets print parameters (paper size, single / double-sided, necessity of stapling, number of copies, etc.), further checks the state of the multifunction terminal, and immediately executes his / her job or temporarily stores the job. In the case of deciding whether or not to store the information, the user touches a “Job Storage” button 41 on a driver screen (a screen in which a touch panel is overlaid on a liquid crystal display) 40 of a workstation as shown in FIG. As a result, the print job accumulation function is turned on. Print job accumulation function OFF when executing immediately
Then, a normal printing operation is executed, but since the operation is the same as that of the conventional printer, hereinafter, only the case of accumulation will be described.

Next, on the “Job Storage” screen (in the lower frame 42 of the screen in FIG. 11), for this job, either “automatic deletion after execution” or “hold after execution” is set to “ Job Au
Touch "ON" or "OFF" of the "toErase" button to specify. When "ON" is designated, the automatic erasing function is turned on, and the auto-lease flag is turned on. These information are Job Storage = ON, Auto Erase = ON or OF
By the command of F, it is described in the print job file as the job control parameter of the printer.

Thereafter, after executing a printing operation on the workstation, the created print job file is sent from the workstation, which is the host device, to the multifunction terminal.
The job is temporarily stored in the storage device (the hard disk unit 21 shown in FIG. 7) as a print file in job units.

The data stored at this time may be, for example, a printer language state, image data, or an intermediate language such as a display list. However, the job control data, the image data, and the job management information must be held as one job file in a linked state. Thus, the operation on the host device (workstation) side is completed.

In FIG. 7, the print code data sent from the workstation is input from the network interface 30 to the composite terminal device, and the
Enter the upper buffer memory. If the Job Storage flag is OFF, the normal printing operation is performed. If the Job Storage flag is ON, the print code data is expanded into image data, and then compressed using the compression chip 25 for each page. To be stored temporarily. The job control data and the job management information are managed together with each job file, and the entire management information is separately managed. The system for storing the file, image expansion, compression process, and the like are publicly known, and thus will not be described in detail here.

The subsequent operations and operations are as shown in the flowchart from A shown in FIG. After the input of the print data from the host device is completed, the user goes to the front of the multifunction device when he / she wants to obtain a print result, and operates the local key on the operation panel 16 on the multifunction device as shown in FIG. 51 to select a local print (priority job print by panel operation) mode "to set the apparatus to a local print (priority job print) mode.

If the user does not have this priority mode, and if a user is preparing for printing in front of the multi-terminal apparatus and a large number of print jobs are received remotely from another host apparatus, the multi-terminal apparatus is not required. Is required to wait for the completion of printing of the remote job.

If another job is being input when the "local print mode" is set, the input of the input job is continued until the job input is completed. In the meantime, a message “Transition to Local Print Mode. Please wait a moment” is displayed on the display screen 52 of the operation panel 16 shown in FIG.

When another job is not being input or is being input, when the input of the job is completed, the input of the subsequent job is prohibited, and when data to be printed remotely is input thereafter, it is automatically spooled. Is done. Then, when there is a status inquiry from the host device,
This state is notified to the host via the back channel.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, "the job is currently being executed in the Local Print Mode." Is displayed on the driver screen 40 'of the workstation which is the host device of the user who intends to remotely use the composite terminal device. The print job data is spooled. "
Message is displayed.

If another job is being printed when the "local print mode" is set, the printing of that job is continued until the printing of the page being output is completed. Meanwhile, the operation panel 1 shown in FIG.
The message “Transition to LocalPrint Mode. Please wait” is displayed on the display screen 52 of No. 6.

When the shift to the “local print mode” is completed, a list of the stored job data is displayed on the display screen 52 of the operation panel, for example, as shown in FIG. Then, the user selects the job number (Job No.) of the file to be printed from the list using the numeric keys (numeric keys) 53 shown in FIG. Thus, the display screen 52 becomes, for example, a "print parameter setting" screen shown in FIG. 15, and displays the print parameters of the selected job.

From here, the operation and operation of the flowchart from B in FIG. 10 are performed. The user confirms the set print parameters such as page size, paper feed tray selection, necessity of job separation, necessity of stapler, number of copies, necessity of double-sided printing, etc. by this display. These print parameters are changed and set on the operation panel 16. The changed parameters are updated and displayed on the display screen 52.

That is, the display screen 52 of the operation panel 16
When any of the parameters is changed when the “print parameter setting” shown in FIG. 15 is displayed,
Touch the change key corresponding to the parameter. For example, if you want to change the paper tray, select "Paper Tray"
Is touched, the display screen 52 changes to the display of "paper feed tray designation" shown in FIG.

Auto (automatic), LC
One of T (mass feeder), Manual (manual feed), and the first to fourth trays can be designated by touching the corresponding selection button. The designation of the type of the print parameter to be changed and the specification of the content of the change of the parameter are indicated by giving a number to the menu, and the number is displayed on the numeric key 53 on the operation panel 16 shown in FIG.
May be selected.

A normal printer has only a character LCD and a few keys. However, since a multifunction terminal has the functions of a copying machine, the operation panel is enriched. Although various forms are conceivable as the designation means, the present invention does not depend on the designation means.

In a system using a shared printing device on a network, the workstation and the printing device are often distant from each other. In this way, by allowing the composite terminal device to change the print parameters, Even if the state of the terminal device (printing device) does not necessarily match the condition that each user wants to use, there is no need to set the state of the composite terminal device and return to the workstation again to set the printing parameters.

After setting the print parameters, the user operates the print start button 5 on the operation panel 16 shown in FIG.
Press 4. Then, the printing of the selected job is started, and when the printing is completed for all pages, the display screen 52 returns to the display of the job list shown in FIG. Thereafter, when printing another job, the user selects a job to be printed from the job list display screen and executes the above-described operation again.

If another job is not to be printed, the operation is completed as it is unless the automatic release flag is ON.
The print data is retained. If the automatic release flag is ON, the job to be deleted is
Is displayed on the display screen 52. When the user presses the OK button, the data of the print completed job is deleted, and the operation is completed.

It is preferable that the number of files stored for each transmission source host device be managed to limit the data retained after printing is completed to a certain file capacity. Such management can be performed by an application of ordinary server management.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, a multi-terminal device stores a print job sent from a host device (workstation) connected via a network, and stores the print job at an arbitrary time. Since printing can be executed by selecting from the stored print jobs, a job to be printed can be transmitted in advance from the host device, and preparation and execution of printing can be performed at a time on the multi-terminal device side. The burden is reduced.

Further, since the printing parameters of the selected job can be arbitrarily changed on the composite terminal device, the burden on the user when changing the printing parameters is reduced, and when the print job data is transmitted from the host device. To
Since an immediate execution job or a stored job can be designated, the function can be properly used according to the state of the multifunction terminal device.

Further, in the local print mode for printing a stored job, priority is given to printing of a job stored in the multi-function device over a remote job, and the status is notified to the host device requesting the job. Therefore, when the user is preparing for printing in front of the multi-terminal device, a large number of print jobs are received remotely from another host device,
No more waiting. Since the stored print job has a function of automatically erasing the print job after the completion of the printing, the executed unnecessary job is not stored, and the storage device of the multifunction device can be effectively used.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 20 and display screens shown in FIGS. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment already described only in part of the operations and operations, and has exactly the same hardware configuration and the like.

In the operation and operation, the portion shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 is quite common to the portion shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 in the above-described embodiment. Instead of the above-mentioned judgment, a judgment of "security function OFF?" For example, after touching the “Job Storage” button 41 on the driver screen 40 of the workstation as shown in FIG. 21 and selecting the print job accumulation function ON, on the lower frame 43 of this screen, Touch “ON” or “OFF” of the “Job Security” button to specify whether a security function is required for this job. When "ON" is specified, the Security flag is turned ON.

Then, Job Storage = ON, Security =
The ON command and password are described in the print job file as printer job control parameters. After that, the operation and operation up to (A) until a print operation is executed on the workstation, the print job is stored in the multifunction terminal device, and managed as a file (FIG. 8)
Is the same as that of the flowchart of FIG.

However, in this embodiment, before the user selects the local print mode, the multi-terminal device performs the processing relating to the personal mailbox shown in FIG. In this process, first, the security flag is turned on.
(Security = ON) is determined, and if ON, a job list display prohibition flag is attached to the job file.
Also, a shared password is set as a default password.

Next, it is determined whether or not the personal mailbox is to be used. If not, the print file is stored in the directory of the shared box. Where Security =
For a file that is ON, the display inhibition flag is turned ON. When using a personal mailbox, it is then determined whether or not a personal mailbox has been registered.
After notifying the registration request to the user's workstation via the back channel, it is determined whether or not the mailbox automatic registration is to be executed. If not, the job is stopped.

If automatic mailbox registration is to be performed, a password is requested from the user's workstation, and when the password is notified, a new mailbox directory is created. When the personal mailbox has been registered, or after creating a new mailbox directory as described above, it is determined whether or not the personal mailbox has exceeded the capacity. If the capacity is over, the user workstation is notified of the capacity over via the back channel.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the job is forcibly executed.
If the job is not forcibly executed, the job is stopped. If the job is forcibly executed, the oldest jobs are deleted in order until the over-capacity state is released. Then, the password is rewritten from the default value to the password for the personal mailbox.

Thereafter, B in the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the user wants to obtain a print result, the user goes to the front of the multifunction terminal, and presses the local key 51 on the operation panel 16 on the multifunction terminal shown in FIG. Job print mode)
Select As a result, the operations and operations according to the flowchart of FIG. 9 in the first embodiment are performed until the shift to the local print mode is completed and the job list is displayed on the display screen 52 of the operation panel 16 as shown in FIG. Is the same.

However, in this embodiment, only a list of unprotected (unspecified and generally open) jobs among the stored jobs is displayed on the display screen 52 of the operation panel 16. I do. Therefore, when printing a job in the initially displayed list, a normal accumulation printing operation (the operation of the first embodiment) is performed, and thus the description is omitted.

If the job in the initially displayed list is not to be printed, it is determined whether or not the job is to be printed for a personal mailbox. Then, when the user sets the display screen 52 shown in FIG.
Touching the above “personal mailbox” button 55 brings up a screen requesting the input of a personal password as shown in FIG. 22, for example. When the user inputs the correct password using the numeric keys 53, the password is attached. A print job list of the personal management of the user in the personal mailbox is also displayed, and the process proceeds to D in the flowchart of FIG. If the correct password is not entered, cancel the job.

If the job is not the job printing of the personal mailbox, a screen for requesting the input of the shared "secret" password is displayed. When the password is input, the process proceeds to C in the flowchart of FIG. If the entered password is correct, a job list in the shared "secret" box is displayed. If not, cancel the job.

Thereafter, a job to be printed is selected from the list, print parameters are set, and a print start button is pressed. When printing of the selected job has been completed for all pages, the display returns to the job list display until another job is printed. The operation and operation of FIG. 9 are the same as those in FIG.
10 is the same as the operation and operation described in the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, the operation is completed without automatically deleting the print file.

It is desirable that the setting of the password of the multifunction terminal device in this embodiment can be set by using a utility from a workstation as a host device.

According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained (except for automatically erasing the print job data after printing is completed), and the print result of each person is not correct. It has a security function that can easily prevent others from seeing it. For that reason, information for security release is managed on a job basis, so there is no need to provide a mechanical mailbox,
It hardly increases the cost and does not require a large space. Further, since the user can specify the security function for each print job, it is possible to use shared data for a bulletin board-like purpose and a personal mailbox properly.

[0075]

As described above, the composite terminal device according to the present invention accumulates a print job sent from a host device (workstation) connected via a network and accumulates the print job at an arbitrary time. Since printing can be executed by selecting from a print job, a job to be printed can be transmitted from the host apparatus in advance, and preparation and execution of printing can be performed at once on the multi-terminal apparatus side. This eliminates the need for the user to go back and forth between the host device and the multifunction terminal device (printing device) many times in order to set printing conditions and obtain a printing result, thereby reducing the burden on the user. .

Further, by providing the security function, it is possible to prevent a print result of the stored print job from being inadvertently seen by another person. In addition, since there is no need to provide a mechanical mailbox for this purpose, the cost is hardly increased and a large space is not required. Further, since the user can specify the security function for each print job, it is possible to selectively use shared data for a bulletin board-like purpose and a personal mailbox.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a multifunction terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an entire network system including a multifunction terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a Windows PC in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the Macintosh in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the DOS PC machine in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a controller unit of the composite terminal device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a controller unit 11 in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a first embodiment of a printing operation and an operation sequence on a network system including the multifunction peripheral device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the same.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the flowchart.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for selecting a job accumulation function and an automatic deletion function on a workstation side.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating an example of an operation panel of the multifunction terminal.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for notifying another workstation that the multifunction device is executing a job in the local print mode.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a print job list is displayed on a display screen of an operation panel of the multifunction terminal.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which the setting state of print parameters is displayed on the display screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which a menu for specifying a paper feed tray is displayed on the display screen.

FIG. 17 is a second diagram illustrating a printing operation and an operation sequence on a network system including the multifunction peripheral device according to the present invention;
It is a flowchart for demonstrating embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a continuation flowchart of the same.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the continuation of the flow.

FIG. 20 is a continuation flowchart of the same.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for selecting a job accumulation function and a security function on the workstation side.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen requesting a workstation to input a password.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Windows PC 2: Macintosh 3: UNIX machine 4: DOS PC machine 5: File server 6: LAN 10: Composite terminal device 11: Controller unit (control unit) 12: Scanner unit (image reading unit) 13: Printer unit ( 14: Image processing unit 15: Base engine controller 16: Operation panel 17: Peripheral equipment 20: ASIC 21: Hard disk unit (storage means) 25: Compression chip (compression / expansion means) 26: CPU (central processing) Device) 30: network interface (connection means) 31: DRAM (working memory of CPU) 32: EEPROM (memory for storing user data) 40, 40 ': driver screen of workstation 51: local key 52: display screen 53 : Numeric keys (numeric keypad) 54: print start button 55: Button of "personal mail box."

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/21 H04N 1/21 1/44 1/44

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image reading means for reading a document image; a storage means for storing image data read by the image reading means; and an image data read by the image reading means or based on image data stored in the storage means. An image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, a connecting means for connecting to a plurality of host devices via a network, and an operation / control means for controlling each of these means. A print job storage unit for storing one or more print jobs including image data sent from the host device, and selecting an arbitrary print job from the print jobs stored by the unit to form an image by the image forming unit And a selection execution means for executing the operation. 2. The composite terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for displaying print parameters of the print job selected by the selection execution means; and means for changing the displayed print parameters by a user operation. A composite terminal device, comprising: 3. The composite terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when a print job is received from the host device, a designation of a job to be stored or a job to be executed immediately is discriminated and stored. A composite terminal device comprising means for storing the print job in the print job storage means only when the print job is determined to be a job. 4. The composite terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when executing image formation based on the print job stored in the print job storage unit, the execution is prioritized, and the state is determined. Characterized in that a means is provided for displaying on a host device connected via a network. 5. The composite terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that deletes the print job stored in the print job storage unit after executing image formation using the print job. A composite terminal device, characterized in that: 6. The composite terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the password is input only when a specific password is input to the print job stored in the print job storage unit. A composite terminal device provided with security means for enabling execution of image formation or change of print parameter setting by designating a print job. 7. The multifunction terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the password is input only when a specific password is input to the print job stored in the print job storage unit. A composite terminal device comprising security means for enabling display of a print job. 8. The composite terminal device according to claim 6, further comprising means for managing information for releasing security by said security means in print job units. 9. The compound terminal device according to claim 6, further comprising means for allowing a user to specify activation of said security function for each print job.