KR20080114347A - Method and apparatus for forming an image - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming method and an apparatus thereof capable of performing various image forming works are provided to set up a plurality of image forming works about one image data and perform the work consecutively. The detail setting information of the successive image forming works and the work process order of successive image forming works about the same image data are set up(100). The successive image forming works are performed according to the set up work process order by using the detail setting information(102). The work process order and detail setting information are stored(104).

Description

Image forming method and apparatus {Method and apparatus for forming an image}

1 is a flowchart of an embodiment for explaining an image forming method according to the present invention.

2 is an example diagram illustrating a process of setting a scan job during an image forming job.

3 is an example diagram illustrating a process of setting a print job to be performed after a scan job.

4 is a diagram showing icons of image forming operations that can be performed after a print job.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the disappearance of the display of other icons when fax forwarding is selected as the job to be performed after the print job.

6 is a block diagram of an embodiment for describing an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

<Brief description of the major symbols in the drawings>

300: user interface unit 302: screen providing unit

304: work processing order setting unit 306: detail information setting unit

310: controller 320: memory

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, an image which enables a user to dynamically configure and determine setting information according to a user's intention while grasping a progress state of a plurality of jobs on one screen through a user interface. A method and apparatus are provided.

In the prior art, the user can select only one of the tasks (eg, COPY, SCAN, FAX, PRINT, etc.) selectable by the user interface of the image forming apparatus. When one job is selected, only detailed setting information corresponding to the selected job can be set on the user interface. Therefore, even if the user wants to send the copied data by E-mail, print the data, and fax the data again, this operation cannot be performed continuously. In addition, due to the complexity of functions for a multifunction device, etc., in which a plurality of functions exist, the user may not easily use these functions when the user does not know in detail about the multifunction device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an image forming method and apparatus for easily setting and continuously performing a plurality of image forming operations on one image data on one screen.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: setting a job processing sequence of successive image forming operations for the same image data and detailed setting information of the continuous image forming operations; And performing the continuous image forming operations using the detailed setting information according to the set job processing sequence.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a user interface unit for setting a job processing sequence of successive image forming tasks for the same image data and detailed setting information of the continuous image forming tasks; And a controller for controlling each of the successive image forming operations using the detailed setting information according to the set job processing sequence.

Hereinafter, an image forming method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a flowchart of an embodiment for explaining an image forming method according to the present invention.

The job processing order of successive image forming operations and the detailed setting information of successive image forming operations for the same image data are set (step 100). The job processing order refers to a rank that sequentially processes a plurality of image forming jobs, for example, a copy job, a print job, a fax transmission job, a scan job, and the like. The detailed setting information is information to be set for performing each of these image forming jobs, for example, information such as printing paper size, number of pages, and resolution that is set for a print job.

The present invention uses the job processing order and detailed setting information to successively perform a plurality of jobs on the same image data.

In particular, by setting icons representing successive image forming tasks in a user interface screen for setting the task processing sequence, the task processing sequence is set, and detailed setting information corresponding to each of the plurality of continuous image forming tasks is set. It is characterized by. 2 to 5, a process of setting the work processing order and the detailed setting information will be described.

2 is an example diagram illustrating a process of setting a scan job during an image forming job. The identification symbol 200 shown in FIG. 2 represents a user interface screen for setting the work processing sequence. When the icons which the user wants to work in are arranged in this user interface screen, the work processing order is set according to the arrangement order. In this case, a drag and drop method is used to arrange icons representing a plurality of image forming operations in the user interface screen. The icon for the scan job is placed in the user interface screen by a drag and drop method, thereby setting it as an image forming job to be performed.

After arranging an icon representing the image forming job, detailed setting information corresponding to the image forming job is set. The detailed setting information may be set according to the detailed setting information input through the setting window. The identification symbol 202 denotes detailed setting information for the scan job, and the identification symbol 204 represents an example of a setting window for setting the detailed setting information in a drop-down manner. As the detailed setting information of the scan job, it is possible to select whether to send a scan job result to a host or an e-mail, and to set the resolution, print paper size, and report.

3 is an example diagram illustrating a process of setting a print job to be performed after a scan job. If the print job is to be performed using the data on which the scan job has been performed, as shown in FIG. 3, an icon representing the scan job is disposed on the user interface screen, and then an icon representing the print job is disposed on the user interface screen. At this time, when arranging icons representing a plurality of image forming operations in the user interface screen, an error message is displayed instead of arranging icons of image forming operations that cannot be performed.

The present invention displays icons representing image forming operations that can be performed after any image forming operation, and sets a job processing sequence corresponding to a selected icon among the displayed icons. Also, only the selected icon is displayed among the icons representing image forming operations that can be performed after any image forming operation, and the display of other icons is removed. 4 is a diagram showing icons of image forming operations that can be performed after a print job. Icons corresponding to the identification symbol 210 are icons corresponding to jobs that can be performed after a print job, and refer to icons for report printing, fax forwarding, and data storage. As shown in Fig. 4, icons corresponding to jobs that can be performed after a print job are displayed. The user can select any one of these report printing, fax forwarding, and data storage. If the user selects fax forwarding, only the icon of the selected fax forwarding is displayed, and the icons of report printing and data storage disappear. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the disappearance of the display of other icons when fax forwarding is selected as the job to be performed after the print job. By doing this, the user can check information on a job that can be performed after any image forming job, and can easily select a desired job among these jobs.

On the other hand, when arranging icons representing a plurality of image forming operations in the user interface screen, if the user wants to place an icon of an image forming operation that cannot be performed, the user does not arrange it in the user interface screen, but instead an error message. Can be displayed. As the error message is displayed, the user may confirm that an operation corresponding to the icon selected by the user cannot be performed.

After operation 100, in accordance with a job processing sequence, continuous image forming operations are performed using the detailed setting information (step 102). The tasks are successively performed using the task processing order and detailed setting information determined in step 100. For example, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, if the job processing order is set in the order of a scan job, a print job, and a fax forwarding, the detailed image information set for each job is sequentially used for the same image data. To do each task.

After step 102, the job processing procedure and detailed setting information are stored (step 104). It provides the function to save the information about the user's work order and detailed setting information for later use. However, in the present invention, the job processing order and detailed setting information are described as being performed after the type of job execution, but such information may be stored even during the job execution.

On the other hand, the above-described image forming method is characterized in that it operates at any time during the image forming operation and waiting for the image forming operation. That is, even while the image forming job is in progress, additional work may be continuously performed by setting the job processing order and detailed setting information.

Meanwhile, the above-described method invention of the present invention may be implemented by computer readable codes / instructions / programs. That is, setting the work processing order of successive image forming operations for the same image data and the detailed setting information of the successive image forming operations; And a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the step of performing the successive image forming operations using the detailed setting information according to the set job processing procedure.

For example, it may be implemented in a general-purpose digital computer for operating the code / commands / program using a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium (eg, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, etc.), optical reading medium (eg, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.) and carrier wave (eg Storage media, such as through the Internet). In addition, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a medium (s) containing computer readable code, such that a plurality of computer systems connected via a network can be distributed and processing operations. Functional programs, codes and code segments for realizing the present invention can be easily inferred by programmers in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and includes a user interface 300, a controller 310, and a memory 320.

The user interface 300 sets the work processing order of successive image forming tasks and detailed setting information of the image forming tasks for the same image data, and outputs the set result to the controller 310. To this end, the user interface 300 is composed of a screen providing unit 302, a work processing order setting unit 304 and a detailed information setting unit 306.

The screen providing unit 302 provides a user interface screen for setting the work processing order. The identifier 200 shown in FIG. 2 represents a user interface screen. The screen providing unit 302 displays a user interface screen on which icons for image forming operations can be arranged.

The job processing order setting unit 304 arranges icons representing successive image forming jobs in the user interface screen, sets the job processing order, and outputs the set result to the controller 310. The job processing order setting unit 304 is arranged by using a drag and drop method when arranging icons representing a plurality of image forming jobs in the user interface screen.

The job processing order setting unit 304 displays icons representing image forming jobs that can be performed after an image forming job on a user interface screen, and sets a job processing order corresponding to the selected icon among the displayed icons. do. In addition, the job processing order setting unit 304 displays only the selected icon among the icons representing the image forming jobs that can be performed after any image forming job, and removes the display of other icons.

As shown in FIG. 3 described above, the job processing order setting unit 304 displays an icon representing the scan job on the user interface screen, and then displays an icon representing the print job on the user interface screen. In addition, as shown in Fig. 4, the job processing order setting unit 304 displays icons corresponding to the jobs that can be performed after the print job. The user can select one of these report printing, fax forwarding, and data storage. When the user selects fax forwarding, the job flow order setting unit 304 displays only the icon of the selected fax forwarding as it is. Remove the icons for report printing and data storage. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the disappearance of the display of other icons when fax forwarding is selected as the job to be performed after the print job.

On the other hand, when arranging icons representing a plurality of image forming tasks in the user interface screen, when the user wants to arrange an icon of an image forming task that is not feasible, the work processing order setting unit 304 is not executable. Instead of displaying an icon of an image forming operation, an error message is displayed. As the error message is displayed, the user can confirm that the operation corresponding to the icon selected by the user cannot be performed.

The detail information setting unit 306 sets detailed setting information corresponding to each of the plurality of image forming operations, and outputs the set result to the controller 310. The detailed information setting unit 306 may be set according to the detailed setting information input through the setting window of the drop-down method. When the icon representing the image forming job is placed on the user interface screen by the job processing sequence setting unit 304, the detail information setting unit 306 sets detailed setting information corresponding to the icon of the arranged image forming job. The detail information setting unit 306 displays a drop down setting window, and sets the information input through the setting window as the detailed setting information.

The controller 310 controls to successively perform a plurality of image forming jobs using the job processing order set by the job processing order setting unit 304 and the detailed setting information set by the detail information setting unit 306. For example, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the controller 310, if the job processing order is set in the order of scan job, print job, and fax forwarding, referring to the detailed setting information set for each job, Each operation is performed sequentially on the image data. In addition, the controller 310 controls to store the set work processing order and detailed setting information in the memory 320.

The memory 320 is a nonvolatile memory and stores work processing procedures and detailed setting information under the control of the controller 310.

The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it operates at any time during the execution of the image forming operation and waiting for the image forming operation. Even when an image forming job is in progress, the job processing order and detailed setting information can be set to perform additional jobs continuously, and a plurality of image forming jobs can be performed even while the job is waiting.

Such an image forming method and apparatus of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings for clarity, but these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art may various modifications and other equivalents therefrom. It will be appreciated that examples are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the appended claims.

In the image forming method and apparatus according to the present invention, a user can perform various image forming operations in one action, and the setting for each operation can be simplified. Therefore, if you need to scan a single picture, send a fax, send it by e-mail, and save it to a storage medium in the all-in-one without having to repeat the operation using the same image data many times, the user can scan and fax. Simply configure your image-forming tasks in the order of e-mail, e-mail, and save so that you can perform continuous tasks without additional repetitive tasks.

In addition, it is possible to easily use convenient functions of the image forming apparatus that performs various functions by providing an execution list for the next function that can be executed by the user.

In addition, the user may select another task or cancel the task itself when the task to be performed is impossible.

Claims (20)

Setting a job processing sequence of successive image forming operations for the same image data and detailed setting information of the successive image forming operations; And And performing the continuous image forming operations using the detailed setting information according to the set job processing procedure. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting of the work order is as follows. And arranging icons representing the continuous image forming operations in a user interface screen. The method of claim 2, wherein the setting of the work order is performed. And displaying icons representing image forming operations that can be performed next to any image forming operation, and setting a job processing sequence corresponding to the selected one of the displayed icons. The method of claim 3, And displaying only the selected icon among icons representing image forming operations that can be performed after the arbitrary image forming operation. The method of claim 2, And arranging the icons in the user interface screen using a drag and drop method. The method of claim 2, And an error message is displayed for the icon arrangement of the image forming operation which is not feasible when arranging the icons in the user interface screen. The method of claim 2, wherein the setting of the detailed setting information comprises: And setting detailed setting information corresponding to each of the successive image forming operations in the user interface screen. The method of claim 2, wherein the setting of the detailed setting information comprises: And determining according to the detailed setting information input through the setting window. The method of claim 1, wherein the image forming method is And storing the job processing sequence and the detailed setting information. The method of claim 1, wherein the image forming method is And an image forming operation which is performed at any one of the time of performing the image forming operation and waiting for the image forming operation. Setting a job processing sequence of successive image forming operations for the same image data and detailed setting information of the successive image forming operations; And And a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the step of performing the successive image forming operations using the detailed setting information in accordance with the set job processing sequence. A user interface unit for setting a job processing sequence of successive image forming operations for the same image data and detailed setting information of the successive image forming operations; And And a controller for controlling each of the successive image forming operations using the detailed setting information according to the set job processing sequence. The method of claim 12, wherein the user interface unit A screen providing unit providing a user interface screen for setting the work processing sequence; A job processing order setting unit for placing icons representing the continuous image forming jobs in the user interface screen to set the job processing order; And And a detail information setting unit for setting detailed setting information corresponding to each of the successive image forming operations. The work processing order setting unit according to claim 13, And an icon indicating image forming operations that can be performed next to an image forming operation on the user interface screen, and setting a job processing sequence corresponding to a selected icon among the displayed icons. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the work processing order setting unit And displaying only the selected icon among icons representing image forming operations that can be performed after the arbitrary image forming operation. The work processing order setting unit according to claim 13, And arranging the icons in the user interface screen using a drag and drop method. The work processing order setting unit according to claim 13, And an error message is displayed for the icon arrangement of the image forming operation which is not feasible when arranging the icons in the user interface screen. The method of claim 13, wherein the detail information setting unit The image forming apparatus, characterized in that the setting in accordance with the detailed setting information input through the setting window. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller And storing the job processing sequence and the detailed setting information in a memory. The image forming apparatus of claim 12, wherein the image forming apparatus is And an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is operated at any one of the time of performing the image forming operation and waiting for the image forming operation.

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