JP4505106B2 - Accumulation printing method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly, a method for temporarily storing a plurality of files to be printed and then printing the stored files in a specified order (referred to as storage printing or storage printing in this document) and The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using this method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as scanners (image reading apparatuses), copiers, facsimile apparatuses, and printers used for business processing have elements common to each other such as an image capturing function and a printing function. Devices that integrate (or all) have become commercially available. Since all of these apparatuses have a printing function but exceed the range of the printer, the apparatuses other than the single scanner are referred to as an image forming apparatus including the printer.
Such an image forming apparatus is connected to a host apparatus such as a personal computer that outputs image information via a parallel interface or a network, and is used as a printing terminal apparatus of a host apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as “host”). When a user issues a print command to a print target at the host, print information to be printed and print control information necessary for printing are sent from the host device to the image forming apparatus in response to this, and a storage device such as a hard disk The stored print information is printed on the transfer paper immediately or in the order of acceptance. Hereinafter, the print information and the print control information are collectively referred to as a print file.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that accumulates a plurality of print files to be printed input from a host or a scanner, and processes the accumulated print files as a series of images connected in a specified printing order (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-27492) )It has been known.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-139800 discloses that when a plurality of print files are continuously printed, a cover sheet is inserted in front of the printed transfer paper bundle of each print file to form a partition sheet, and printing is performed on the partition sheet. An image forming apparatus for printing date / time data of a file is disclosed.
However, it is difficult to understand the separation between print files when the same type of paper is used for ordinary transfer paper and slip paper. In addition, there is a case where information other than the date and time is desired to be printed on the partition paper, which is inconvenient.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which when a plurality of stored print files are printed in one print job, the type of partition paper to be attached before each print file can be selected by designating a transfer paper tray. The purpose is to provide. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which information to be printed on a partition sheet can be designated by an operation unit during printing.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a storage printing method in which a plurality of files to be printed are temporarily stored in an image forming apparatus and then printed in a designated order, and an original is read from a scanner unit. Storing the image data obtained in step 1 as the first print file and storing the print data input from the external device via the network as the second print file; the first print file and the second print file; A designation step for designating a printing order of a plurality of print files composed of a plurality of print files, and the plurality of print files.Setting whether to perform cover printing for the print files that make up the file, setting which file information to print among the file information related to each print file when performing cover printing,Feeding tray for normal transfer paper when performing cover printingAnd from which other paper feed trays the transfer paper is taken out.When printing the print file in the order designated by the cover print setting step and the plurality of print files in the designation step,Check whether or not the plurality of files are the target to be printed on the cover, and if the plurality of print files are not the target to be printed on the cover, perform printing without performing the cover printing,The plurality of print files areCoverIt is set as the target for printing.HadIfFor each print file including the plurality of print files, the file information set when printing is performed in the cover print setting step is transferred to the transfer paper fed from the paper feed stage set in the cover print setting step. Printing step to print,It is characterized by including. This makes it easy to distinguish between files because a cover sheet as a partition sheet can use a different type of transfer sheet from the transfer sheet used for normal printing.The Also,It becomes possible to print the contents as needed on the cover. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the file information includes at least a file name, a creation user name, an accumulated date and time, the number of pages, and a comment. A storage printing method according to a third aspect of the present invention is the storage printing method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the description capturing step includes a step of capturing from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus. A storage printing method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the storage printing method according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the description capturing step includes a step of capturing from a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus.
[0005]
  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, image data obtained by reading a document from a scanner unit is stored as a first print file, and print data input from an external device via a network is stored as a second print file. Storage means for specifying, a specifying means for specifying a printing order of a plurality of print files composed of the first print file and the second print file, and the plurality of print files.Setting whether to perform cover printing for the print files that make up the file, setting which file information to print among the file information related to each print file when performing cover printing,Feeding tray for normal transfer paper when performing cover printingAnd from which other paper feed trays the transfer paper is taken out.When printing the print file in the order designated by the cover print setting unit and the plurality of print files by the designation unit,Check whether or not the plurality of files are the target to be printed on the cover, and if the plurality of print files are not the target to be printed on the cover, perform printing without performing the cover printing,The plurality of print files areCoverIt is set as the target for printing.HadIfFor each print file included in the plurality of print files, the file information set when printing is performed by the cover print setting unit is transferred to the transfer paper fed from the paper feed stage set by the cover print setting unit. Printing means for printing,It is provided with.
  Claim6The image forming apparatus according to claim5The fetching means includes fetching means from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus. Claim7The image forming apparatus according to claim5 or 6In the invention, the fetching unit includes a fetching unit from a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.
In addition, when showing the same element in several drawing, the same referential mark is attached | subjected.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a part of a computer network including an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention is connected to a plurality of host computers 120 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 112 and a Centronics standard parallel IF (interface) 114. However, it is not always necessary to connect a plurality of hosts to the image forming apparatus 100. Even when there is only one host, it is possible to use the image forming apparatus 100 taking advantage of the features of the present invention.
The image forming apparatus 100 divides and stores a plurality of types of transfer paper used for printing in a scanner unit 50 that reads a document, a printing unit 57 that prints print information received from the scanner unit 50 or the host 120, and is stored in each tray. A paper supply unit 8 that supplies necessary transfer paper and an operation unit 38 that allows a user to operate the apparatus 100 are provided. Each host 120 includes a printer driver (not described) corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100.
[0007]
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an image processing system according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. The image processing system of the image forming apparatus 100 includes the scanner unit 50 described above; a LAN controller 52 that provides an interface with the LAN 112; a parallel IF controller 54 that provides an interface with the parallel IF 114; the scanner unit 50, the LAN controller 52, and the parallel IF described above. An image data management unit 60 that manages print image data generated from print information fetched from the controller 54 and stores it in an image memory; a central controller 20 that controls the entire image processing system; a printing unit 57 that prints image data; The unit 8 and the operation unit 38 are included. The image data management unit 60 includes an image memory 66 and a memory management unit 65. The central controller 20 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 68, a ROM (read only storage device) 69, and a RAM (random access memory) 70. The operation unit 38 includes a display unit 37 and input keys as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the input keys include at least the copy 32, stored copy 33, print 34, and start 35 keys. The copy 32, accumulated copy 33, and print 34 are one of three options, and only one of them can be turned on. In the initial state, it is assumed that the copy 32 is on.
[0008]
Hereinafter, operations related to the image forming apparatus 100 will be described.
As described above, each host 120 using the image forming apparatus 100 includes printer driver software (not shown) corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100. When the user issues a print command to a document created by some application in the host 100, the printer driver displays a dialog box as shown in FIG. A “print” button 122 and a “file registration” button 124 are displayed in the upper right part of the dialog box of FIG. After inputting necessary data in the dialog box, when the print 122 is clicked, the document is sent to the image forming apparatus 100 and immediately printed. When the file registration 124 is clicked, the document is sent to the image forming apparatus 100 and then stored in the image memory 66 of FIG. 2 for accumulated printing together with other print files. In addition, an input field 126 for entering a comment to be printed on the cover is provided at the bottom of the dialog box. As a result, the user can use, for example, “p. 15” as necessary on the cover of the document (which is used as a partition paper between the printed document and the document printed before the document). Any comment can be printed, such as “~ 17 is replaced later”.
Hereinafter, an operation of registering a plurality of print files in the image forming apparatus 100 and performing accumulation printing or accumulation printing will be described.
In order to register (or store) a print file in the image forming apparatus 100 for accumulation printing as described in the previous stage, in addition to registering the file from the host 120, an image is acquired from the scanner unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 100. But you can. If the image forming apparatus 100 includes a modem and has a facsimile function, the received facsimile image may be stored in the image memory 66 and registered as a print file.
[0009]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing various data used by the CPU 68 in the process of accumulated printing. In FIG. 5, the data indicated by the double-line frame is not data given from the outside by the image forming apparatus 100 but data automatically generated by the image forming apparatus 100 itself. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a structure of a print file information record generated from print control information of a registered print file each time a print file is registered in the image forming apparatus 100. A set of print file information records 130 forms a print file information table (not shown). Each print file information record 130 includes a print file number 131, a print file name 132, a user name 133, a registration date and time 134, the number of pages constituting the print file 135, and a user registering the file in the order received by the image forming apparatus 100. It includes a field such as a comment 126 input when the command is issued. FIG. 5B shows the number of print file information records 130 currently in the print file information table, that is, the number of registered files 140.
Next, actual print file registration processing will be described.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 68 when a command is received from the host 120. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of storing image information in the memory 66 when print information is received in the print file registration state. It is. In FIG. 6, when any command is received from the host 120, the CPU 68 determines whether it is a print file registration command (step 201).
If the print file registration command is, the print file information record 130 in which only the new print file number is written is added to the print file information table (step 202). The “new print file number” at this time is a number following the maximum print file number already registered in the print file information table. Next, a flag (not shown) is set to shift to a print file registration state (step 203). The print file registration state is a state for storing print information (image) from the host 120. A page counter (not shown) for counting the number of pages of print information is initialized (for example, cleared to 0) (step 204), and the number of registered files 140 is incremented (step 205).
If it is not a print file registration command in step 201, it is determined in step 207 whether it is a user name command (step 207). If it is a user name command, it is determined in step 208 whether the print file is registered, and if so, the user name Is stored in the user name field 133 of the print file information record 130. Ignored as an invalid command when not in the print file registration state. In the same manner, while confirming whether or not the print file is currently registered, print file information is registered such as file name registration (steps 210 to 212) and date and time (time) registration (steps 213 to 215). The record 130 is completed. When the print file registration end command is received (step 216), the print file registration state is canceled (step 217). With this cancel command, registration of the current print file in the print file information table is completed.
[0010]
In FIG. 7, if there is print information (image data) received from the host 120, the image for one page is developed so that it can be printed and stored in memory (steps 220 and 221). Then, it is determined whether or not the print file is registered (step 222). If it is in the print file registration state, the developed image data is stored in the image memory 66 as the print file name 132 of the print file information record 130 (steps 225 and 226), and the aforementioned page counter is incremented (step 227).
When the registration state is not set (step 222), a normal printing operation is executed (steps 223 and 224). In this embodiment, the same bitmap data as the image data at the time of printing is compressed and stored even when it is stored. When the printing operation is executed from the memory, the printing operation can be performed without taking the image development time, and the productivity at the time of printing can be improved. If this point is not taken into consideration, image data from the outside can be stored as it is.
[0011]
With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, an operation of reading an original from the scanner unit 50 and accumulating (or registering) it as a print file will be described. Since the original document taken in this way is accumulated once and then copied, it can be said that the original is “accumulated copy”.
When the accumulation copy key 33 of the operation unit 38 is pressed, a list of currently registered print files is displayed as shown in FIG. 9 in step 230 of FIG. Either “Read” 151 or “Cancel” 152 is selected. In step 231, when the user selects reading, a print file information record 130 in which only a new print file number is written in the same manner as in step 202 is added to the print file information table, and a scanner as shown in FIG. A screen for executing the accumulation operation is displayed (step 232). The user name and print file name of this file are automatically set to “SCANNER”, “SCAN01”, etc. as shown in FIG. If there are multiple files, they are named so that the file names can be distinguished. If the user wants to change the user name and file name set automatically in this way, the “read file information edit” display button 154 is pressed to edit the file information displayed in FIG. It may be possible to edit with (not shown). At this time, any text can be input as a comment. The read file information input in this way is managed as a print file information record 130 as in the case of the print file received from the host 120.
By setting each mode and pressing the start key 35, the reading operation (FIG. 11) is started.
Next, a flag (not shown) is set and the print file registration state is entered (step 233). The print file registration state is a state for storing print information (image) taken from outside. The above-mentioned page counter (not shown) is initialized (for example, cleared to 0) (step 234), and the number of registered files 140 is incremented (step 235). In step 236, it is determined whether or not the “end” display button has been pressed. If the button is pressed, in step 237, the scanner file (ie, print file) registration state is canceled and the routine is exited. When the judgment result at step 231 or 236 is NO, the routine exits as it is.
[0012]
When the start key 35 of the operation unit 38 is pressed while the scanner file registration screen of FIG. 10 is being displayed, in step 240 of FIG. 11, the CPU 68 determines whether there is a document on the document table (not shown) of the scanner 50. Judge whether. If not, exit this routine immediately. If there is a document, it is determined whether the scanner file is registered (241). If the scanner file is not registered, the routine exits immediately. If it is in the scanner file registration state, the scanner is operated to read the original, and the read image is stored in the memory (step 242). At this time, when the accumulation of the originals is completed (step 243), the page counter is incremented (step 244). As long as there is a document (step 245), the process returns to step 241, and when there is no document, the routine is exited.
In this case, since the display remains the scanner file registration screen of FIG. 10, at this point, when the “end” button 153 is pressed (or touched (hereinafter simply referred to as “press”)), FIG. Return to the print file list display screen. Further, if there is an original file to be read from the scanner, the same processing can be repeated by pressing the read button 151 again.
[0013]
Here, if you want to perform accumulated printing, you can specify the registered print files in the order of printing, so that the specified print file is highlighted and the “Order” at the right end of the selected print file is displayed. A number indicating the printing order is inserted in the column. In this case, it goes without saying that it can be specified regardless of whether the print file is sent from the host 120 or taken in from the scanner. Before making this designation, if there is a group of print files that have already been designated and are to be printed in a separate print job, such print file group includes a print job record 160 as shown in FIG. Are distinguished from each other by a serial number called a print job number 162. Therefore, as described above, when a print file is designated, a print job record 160 is generated, and a print file list 168 in which the print job number 162 and the print file number 131 are arranged in the printing order is automatically written.
In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present invention, each page in the print file is managed by a 2-byte image number in which the print file number is the upper 1 byte and the first page is 0 and the page number is the lower 1 byte. Access to the memory unit is controlled by this image number. For example, the image numbers of the first five pages of the print file with the print file number 2 are 512 (0200H), 513 (0201H), 514 (0202H), 515 (0203H), and 516 (0204H) from the front. Therefore, when printing a plurality of print files with one print job, the image number is determined from the print file number (upper 1 byte) and the number of pages (lower 1 byte) in the order specified in the print file list 168. The number of pages managed in the print file list 168 is printed or copied as one image group.
When the print button 150 is pressed after the print file is designated on the screen of FIG. 9, the screen changes to the display of FIG. When the “file cover” button 155 is pressed here, the screen changes to the cover print information / cover paper feed stage designation screen shown in FIG.
[0014]
In FIG. 13, when the user selects “Yes” or “No” for cover printing and selects “Yes”, “File name”, “User name”, “Accumulation date / time”, “Number of pages” are displayed. Any number of print items corresponding to the fields of the print file information record 130 such as “comment” can be selected. In the example of FIG. 13, only the print file name 132 is set to be printed on the cover (that is, selected). In accordance with this selection content, the cover print code 166 is written in the print job record 160 of FIG. The bits forming the cover print code 166 written at this time correspond to the fields starting from the second field (print file name 132) of the print file information record 130 in order from the LSB as shown in FIG. . Accordingly, the cover print code 166 is attached to each field after the print file name 132 of the print file information record 130, and the corresponding bit is set to 1 if the value of the field is printed, and the corresponding bit is set to 0 if not printed. It is generated by setting.
Next, the user selects whether to use the same cover sheet as the transfer sheet used for printing the print file. When using different transfer paper, a paper feed stage (that is, tray) in which the desired transfer paper is stored is selected. Here, the set contents are set in the cover sheet feed stage field 164 of the print job record 160. For example, zero is set when the same transfer paper is used, and a tray number is set when a tray is designated.
[0015]
FIG. 14 shows an operation example when the accumulated printing of the print job record 160 set as described above is executed. In FIG. 14, the print file pointer indicating the current file in the print file list 168 of the print job record 160 is set to 1 (step 259). It is determined whether the value of the cover sheet feed stage field 164 is 0 (step 260). If zero, the transfer paper is removed from the normal transfer paper feed stage (step 261). If it is not zero, the transfer paper is taken out from the paper feed stage associated with the value of the cover paper feed stage field 164 (step 262). Subsequent to step 261 or 262, the field value of the print file information 130 designated by the cover print code 166 of the print job record 160 is printed on the transfer paper in a predetermined format. This is inserted as a cover.
[0016]
Next, the print file number is read from the print file list 168 of the print job record 160 using the print file pointer (264). The page number 135 of the print file information record 130 specified by the read print file number is held as the number of print pages of the current print file (step 265). The print page counter for counting the number of printed pages is cleared to 0 (step 266). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the print page counter has reached the number of print pages (that is, whether or not they are equal) (step 267). If not reached (not equal), one page is printed (step 268). After incrementing the printed page counter (step 269), the process returns to step 267. If the decision result in the step 267 is YES, the process advances to a step 270 to increment the print file pointer. Then, it is determined whether all the print file numbers in the print file list 168 have been processed (step 271). If there is an unprocessed file number, the process returns to step 261. If all the processes have been processed, the accumulated printing process ends.
The above is merely an example of an embodiment for explaining the present invention. Accordingly, it is easy for those skilled in the art to make various changes, modifications, or additions to the above-described embodiments in accordance with the technical idea or principle of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as the embodiments described above, but should be construed according to the description of the claims.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
  If the cover print setting means is set to be the target for cover print, when printing multiple print files in the order specified by the specification means, the cover print setting is set for each print file included in the multiple print files. It is possible to perform printing by feeding paper from the cover printing paper feed stage.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a part of a computer network including an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
2 is a schematic block diagram showing an image processing system according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed by a printer driver in response to a print command issued by a host.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating various data used by a CPU in a process of accumulated printing.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a CPU when a command is received from a host.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of storing image information for one page in a memory when there is print information received from a host.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executed when an accumulated copy key of the operation unit is pressed.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print file list display screen displayed when an accumulated copy key of the display unit is pressed.
10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when a “read” display button on the print file list display screen in FIG. 9 is pressed.
11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executed when a start key is pressed while the screen of FIG. 10 is being displayed.
12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when a “print” display button is pressed after a print file is specified on the print file list display screen of FIG. 9;
13 is a diagram showing an example of a cover print information / cover sheet feed stage selection screen displayed when a “file cover” display button is pressed on the screen of FIG. 12;
14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation executed when an instruction for accumulated printing is issued from the cover printing information / cover paper feed stage selection screen in FIG. 13;
[Explanation of symbols]
8 Feeding unit, 20 Central controller, 32 to 34 Input key, 35 Start key, 37 Display unit, 38 Operation unit, 50 Scanner unit, 52 LAN controller, 54 Parallel IF controller, 57 Printing unit, 60 Image data management unit, 65 memory management unit, 66 image memory, 68 CPU, 69 ROM, 70 RAM, 100 image forming apparatus, 112 LAN (local area network), 114 parallel interface, 120 host computer.

Claims (7)

A storage printing method in which a plurality of files to be printed are temporarily stored in an image forming apparatus and then printed in a specified order.
An accumulation step of accumulating image data obtained by reading an original from the scanner unit as a first print file and accumulating print data input from an external device via a network as a second print file;
A designation step for designating a printing order of a plurality of print files composed of the first print file and the second print file;
Setting of whether to print cover the print file constituting the plurality of print files, settings and whether to print any file information of the file information about each print file when performing print cover, the cover A cover print setting step for performing setting of which paper feed stage is to be taken out of a normal paper feed stage and other paper feed stages when performing printing;
When printing the plurality of print files in the order specified by the specifying step, it is confirmed whether or not the plurality of files are the targets for the cover printing, and the plurality of print files are not the targets for the cover printing. If performs printing without print cover, when the plurality of print file was set to be the subject of printing the front cover is printed on each file, the cover print setup steps included of the plurality of print files A printing step for printing the file information set to perform printing on the transfer paper fed from the paper feed stage set in the cover print setting step;
A storage printing method comprising:   2. The storage printing method according to claim 1, wherein the file information includes at least a file name, a creation user name, an accumulated date and time, the number of pages, and a comment.   3. The storage printing method according to claim 1, wherein the capturing step includes a step of capturing from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus.   The accumulation printing method according to claim 1, wherein the capturing step includes a step of capturing from a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus. Storage means for storing image data obtained by reading an original from a scanner unit as a first print file and storing print data input from an external device via a network as a second print file;
Designating means for designating a printing order of a plurality of print files composed of the first print file and the second print file;
Setting of whether to print cover the print file constituting the plurality of print files, settings and whether to print any file information of the file information about each print file when performing print cover, the cover A cover print setting means for performing setting of which paper feed stage is to be taken out of a normal paper feed stage and other paper feed stages when performing printing;
When printing the plurality of print files in the order designated by the designation unit, it is confirmed whether or not the plurality of files are the targets for the cover printing, and the plurality of print files are not the targets for the cover printing. performs printing without print cover case, when the plurality of print file was set to be the subject of printing the cover page, the print each file contained of the plurality of print files, said cover print setup means An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit configured to print file information set to perform printing on a transfer sheet fed from a paper feed stage set in the cover printing setting unit ; . 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the fetching unit includes a fetching unit from a host computer connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the capturing unit includes a capturing unit from a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus.

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