JP2018099837A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems that in an image forming apparatus for forcibly storing a printing job in an auxiliary memory device, a printing job which is sent by short-range radio communication is also stored forcibly, and for the purpose of prevention of printed matter leaving, the printing job which is sent by the short-range radio communication does not have to be necessarily stored forcibly, there is less convenience.SOLUTION: Printing is performed without storing forcibly a printing job which is sent by short-range radio communication, even when a job control mode of the image forming apparatus is a forcible storage mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of switching between print processing of a print job and storage processing in an auxiliary storage device.

  A general image forming apparatus not only prints a print job received from an information processing terminal but also stores a received print job in an auxiliary storage device such as a large-capacity hard disk and prints it at an arbitrary timing. I have.

  Further, there is an image forming apparatus having a forced storage mode in which a print job input from an information processing terminal is stored in an auxiliary storage device without performing printing for the purpose of suppressing the leaving of the printed material. In an image forming apparatus having such a forced storage mode, it is possible to switch whether or not to perform forced storage according to a specific condition as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, if the number of copies is less than a predetermined number, the image is forcibly saved, and if the number is greater than the predetermined number, a printing process is performed. It is also possible to switch between forced storage and print processing according to the job owner of the print job.

  On the other hand, a PC is generally used as the information processing terminal described above, but in recent years, mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet PCs have been widely used. Furthermore, some of these mobile terminals are equipped with a near field communication technology called Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) by Wi-Fi Alliance and NFC (Near Field Communication).

JP 2009-143081

  According to Patent Literature 1, it is possible to forcibly save a received job without printing depending on the number of copies of the received print job and the job owner, but the received job is received by short-range communication using a mobile terminal or the like. Even a print job is saved without printing. A print job submitted by short-range communication is desired to be printed without being forcibly saved from the viewpoint of convenience.

  An image forming apparatus provided by the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of receiving a print job input from an information processing terminal, a printing unit that prints out the input print job, and an image without printing out. Forced saving means for saving in an auxiliary storage device in the forming apparatus, processing method selection means capable of switching between the printing means and the forced saving means, and a processing method selected by the processing method selection means are forced saving means. Even if there is an exception condition specifying means that can specify a condition that does not apply the forced storage means as an exception condition, an exception indicating a case where a print job is received from an information processing terminal by a short-range communication protocol as the exception condition It is characterized by including conditions.

  Even if the image forming apparatus is operating in the forced storage mode, it is possible to directly print a print job received by short-range communication or the like, and convenience is improved.

System configuration Block diagram of information processing terminal Block diagram of image forming apparatus Module diagram of control program for image forming apparatus Basic processing flow of Wi-FiDirect User authentication screen Print job structure Job control mode setting screen Job control mode setting screen Job control mode setting screen Define job control mode Job control mode Flow chart of print control unit when receiving print job Job control mode setting screen

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
In this embodiment, print job storage processing in a system in which the image forming apparatus 102 forcibly saves a print job received from an information processing terminal will be described. In particular, a description will be given of a means for performing print processing without forcibly storing when the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus 102 and the job owner of the received print job matches the login user of the image forming apparatus 102. .

  FIG. 1 is an example of a printing system that includes an information processing terminal 101 and an image forming apparatus 102. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an information processing terminal equipped with a short-range wireless communication function (Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, etc.). Reference numeral 102 denotes an image forming apparatus 102 capable of printing a print job received from the information processing terminal 101. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the information processing terminal 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 are connected via wireless communication using Wi-Fi Direct.

  The present invention is a form in which the information processing terminal and the image forming apparatus 102 are connected by other wireless communication (Bluetooth, NFC, etc.) or wired communication (communication via a parallel cable, serial cable, USB cable, etc.). Is also applicable.

  FIG. 2 is an example of the internal configuration of the information processing terminal, and the internal configuration of the information processing terminal 101 in FIG. 1 is as described above. 201 is a CPU that performs information processing when controlling the present invention, 202 is a RAM that provides the work area of the CPU 201, 203 is an auxiliary storage device (hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM, etc.) that provides a control program in this embodiment ). Reference numeral 204 denotes an image display device (specifically, a liquid crystal display, a touch panel, etc.) used for the purpose of notifying a user of a message in the present invention.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a user command input device (specifically, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) for inputting a user command. The user command input device 205 and the screen display device 204 may be the same device such as a touch panel. A wireless LAN I / F 206 is used to exchange data with other information processing terminals via the wireless LAN 210. The NFC control unit 207 performs control for performing the NFC communication 211. The antenna 208 is an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves for performing the NFC communication 211. Reference numeral 209 denotes a main bus.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 102. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU that performs information processing when controlling the image forming apparatus 102. Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM for providing a work area for the CPU 301 and temporarily storing data. Reference numeral 303 denotes an auxiliary storage device (hard disk, CD-ROM, etc.) that is used for temporary storage of data and instead of the RAM 102. An image display device 304 such as a touch panel can be used to display the state of the image forming apparatus 102, an error message, and the like.

  Reference numeral 305 denotes a user command input device (such as a touch panel) that is used when the user uses various functions of the image forming apparatus 102. Reference numeral 306 denotes a NIC for bidirectionally exchanging data with other network devices via the LAN 320. Reference numeral 307 denotes a printing unit (print engine) for printing scanned image data or the like on a sheet. Reference numeral 308 denotes a reading unit (scanner) that reads a paper document placed on a document table and generates black-and-white binary or color multi-value image data. The read image data can be printed by the printing unit 307, can be stored in the auxiliary storage device 303, and can be printed at an arbitrary timing.

  A wireless LAN I / F 310 is used to exchange data with other information processing terminals via the wireless LAN 311. The NFC control unit 312 performs control for performing the NFC communication 314. The antenna 313 is an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves for performing the NFC communication 314.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a program module related to the present embodiment stored in the auxiliary storage device 303 of the image forming apparatus 102. The control modules 401 to 403 are assumed to be read and executed by the CPU 301 from the auxiliary storage device 303 to the RAM 302. Reference numeral 401 denotes a user authentication unit for specifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus 102. Although user authentication information can be input from the user command input device 305, an authentication system using an IC card reader or the like may be used. A print job storage unit 402 is provided when a print job input from the information processing terminal 101 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 303.

  Reference numeral 403 denotes a print job control unit that is used when receiving control of a print job input from the information processing terminal 101 and printing processing of a print job stored in the auxiliary storage device 303 using the print unit 307.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for briefly explaining the processing sequence of Wi-Fi Direct. Both the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 are assumed to support Wi-Fi Direct. First, the information processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 search whether there are other apparatuses that are attempting to establish wireless connection by Wi-Fi Direct in the vicinity and detect each other (501). When the other party is detected, it is determined which is the access point (GroupOwner) and which is the client (Client) (502).

  Here, in FIG. 5, it is assumed that as a result of the role determination, the image forming apparatus 102 becomes Group Owner and the information processing apparatus 101 becomes Client. Next, using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), parameters for wireless connection are provided from the image forming apparatus 102 as the Group Owner to the information processing apparatus 101 as the Client (503). Then, wireless connection is performed using the parameters (504). When the wireless connection is established, addressing for performing IP communication between the image forming apparatus 102 and the information processing apparatus 101 is performed (505).

  At this time, the image forming apparatus 102 that is a Group Owner serves as a DHCP server and assigns a predetermined IP address to the information processing apparatus 101 that is a Client. The above is the basic processing sequence of Wi-Fi Direct. By executing this processing sequence, the application service installed in the image forming apparatus 102 and the application service installed in the information processing apparatus 101 can directly communicate with each other.

  When the print job control unit 403 receives a print job from the information processing apparatus 101 and receives the print job via the wireless LAN I / F 310, the print job control unit 403 identifies that the print job control unit 403 has received the short distance communication protocol. At that time, the print job control unit 403 sets the IP address of the information processing apparatus 101 in the IP address 704 of the print job 700 described later, and sets Wi-Fi Direct in the protocol 705.

  Similar to Wi-Fi Direct, a wireless communication method in which the image forming apparatus 102 and the information processing apparatus 101 directly perform wireless communication may be applied instead of Wi-Fi Direct. For example, an access point mode in which the image forming apparatus 102 activates the soft AP may be applied instead of Wi-Fi Direct.

  FIG. 6 shows a user information input screen for the user authentication unit 401 to perform user authentication. In the image forming apparatus 102, the user authentication unit 401 displays a user authentication screen 400 on the image display device 304. In the user authentication screen 400, 401 is an area for inputting a user ID, 402 is an area for inputting a password, and the image forming apparatus 102 can be used when the user ID and the password are appropriate.

  In this embodiment, when the user logs in to the image forming apparatus, the logged-in user ID is held in the RAM 302 and can be referred to by the print job control unit 503 at an arbitrary timing. The details of the user authentication are not important in the present invention, so a detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the structure of a print job that the information processing apparatus 101 inputs to the image forming apparatus 102. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the print job 700 includes a JobOwner 701, a print setting 702, and image data 703. JobOwner 701 is an ID for identifying the user who has submitted the print job. A print setting 702 is a job setting for printing a print job, and includes, for example, a color attribute, a single side / double side attribute, a staple attribute, and the like. Image data 703 is image data to be printed.

  The IP address 704 and the protocol 705 are the IP address of the information processing apparatus 101 identified by the NIC 306 or the wireless LAN I / F when the image forming apparatus 102 receives the print job 700, and the network protocol that received the job. Information shall be added. When receiving the print job 700, the print job control unit 403 of the image forming apparatus 102 holds the print job 700 in the RAM 302 or the auxiliary storage device 303, and can refer to / control these pieces of information at an arbitrary timing.

  8, 9, and 10 are examples of setting screens for specifying the job control mode when the print job control unit 403 receives the print job 700 (800). In this embodiment, the job control mode includes a forced save ON mode and a forced save OFF mode. The forced save ON mode is a mode in which when the print job control unit 403 receives the print job 700, the print job storage unit 402 performs the save process without performing the print process. The forced saving OFF mode is a mode in which print processing is performed when the print job control unit 403 receives the print job 700.

  The forced storage ON mode is assumed to be used with the intention of preventing a print job submitted from the information processing terminal 101 from being left unprinted. Further, in the present embodiment, even in the forced save ON mode, it is assumed that an exceptional condition for printing a job or a canceling condition can be designated as an exception setting. The exception setting 809 can specify whether or not the print job control unit 403 applies the exception setting. Reference numeral 804 denotes a control for designating an exception type. In this embodiment, “user name”, “IP address”, and “protocol” can be designated.

  Reference numeral 806 denotes a control for specifying details when “user name” or “IP address” is specified in the exception type 804. In the present embodiment, the detailed control 806 inputs an arbitrary character string. In addition, when “protocol” is designated as the exception type 804, “LPR”, “RAW”, and “Wi-Fi Direct” can be designated as indicated by 1006 in FIG.

  When the user presses an OK button 808 in FIG. 8, the print job control unit 403 holds the job control mode 1200 designated on the screen in the auxiliary storage device 303 and closes the job control mode designation screen 800. The job control mode held in the auxiliary storage device 303 can be referred to by the print job control unit 403 at an arbitrary timing.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen when “user name” is specified as the exception type 804, “kaneko” is specified as the target user name 806, and “print” is specified as the exception operation 805. FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen when “IP address” is specified as the exception type 904, “192.168.181.2” is specified as the target IP address 906, and “Cancel” is specified as the exception operation 905. FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen when “Protocol” is specified as the exception type 1004, “Wi-Fi Direct” is specified as the target protocol 1006, and “Print” is specified as the exception operation 1005.

  FIG. 11 shows the job control mode setting definition 1100 set in FIGS. In the job control mode 1101, the forced save ON mode is defined as 1, and the forced save OFF mode is defined as 0. In the exception setting 1102, “Yes” is defined as “1” and “No” is defined as “0”. As the exception setting type 1103, the user name is defined as 1, the IP address is defined as 2, and the protocol is defined as 3. The exception setting character string 1104 is an item used when the exception setting type 1103 is the user name (1) or the IP address (2), and is specified by an arbitrary character string.

  The exception setting protocol 1105 is an item used when the exception setting type 1103 is protocol (3), and is defined as LPR (1), RAW (2), and Wi-Fi Direct (3). In the exceptional operation 1106, 1 is defined as printing and 0 is defined as canceling.

  FIG. 12 is an example of job control mode settings held in the auxiliary storage device 303. Since the job control mode 1201 is 1, it indicates that the forced storage ON mode is set. Since the exception setting 1202 is 1, it indicates that an exception is set. Since the exception setting type 1203 is 3, it indicates that the exception setting target is a protocol. Since the exception setting protocol 1205 is 3, it indicates Wi-Fi Direct. Since the exceptional operation 1206 is 1, it indicates that printing is performed.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a flowchart illustrating job control processing of the image forming apparatus 102 when the information processing apparatus 101 inputs a print job to the image forming apparatus 102. When the print job control unit 403 detects reception of a print job from the information processing apparatus 101 (S1302), the print job control unit 403 acquires the job control mode 1200 (S1303). Next, the print job control unit 403 determines whether the forced save ON mode is specified in the job control mode 1200 (S1304). If the print job control unit 403 determines in S1304 that the forced save ON mode is not designated, the job is printed (S1310), and the process ends (S1311).

  If the print job control unit 403 determines in S1304 that the forced save ON mode is designated, it determines whether to set an exception in the job control mode 1200 (S1305). If the print job control unit 403 determines in S1305 that an exception is set, the print job 700 is analyzed (S1307), and it is determined whether it matches the exception settings 1203, 1204, and 1205 set in the job control mode 1200 (S1307, S1308). ). If it is determined in S1307 and S1308 that the exception condition is met, the print job control unit 403 prints the job if printing is specified in the exception operation 1206 (S1310), and the process ends (S1311).

  If it is determined in S1309 that cancel is designated as an exceptional operation, the print job control unit 403 cancels the job (S1312) and ends the process (S1311). If the print job control unit 403 determines in S1305 that no exception is set, the print job is saved (S1313), and the process ends (S1311).

  According to this embodiment, even when the job control mode 1200 is forcibly saved ON, if an exception condition is set and the exception condition is met, the job can be printed or canceled without being forcibly saved. In particular, it is possible to control that “a job submitted by Wi-Fi Direct is printed without being saved even in the forced save mode”. That is, in an environment operated with forced storage ON to prevent the printed matter from being left unattended, printing can be performed without saving as an exception in the case of a short distance, which improves user convenience.

  In this embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption of the exception setting as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10. However, as indicated by 1410 in FIG. It may be possible to select whether an exception condition other than the set value is selected. When “other than the set value” is specified in 1410, it is also possible to perform control such that values other than the values specified in 1404 and 1406 are set as exceptions. In the example of FIG. 14, “Wi-Fi Direct” is specified. In this case, if “other than the set value” is applied, jobs submitted in “other than Wi-Fi Direct” are controlled as exception setting targets. Just do it.

  In the present embodiment, only one exception installation is specified, but this patent can be applied to a system that can specify a plurality of exception settings.

101 Information processing terminal 102 Image forming apparatus

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus capable of receiving a print job submitted from an information processing terminal,
Printing means for printing out the input print job;
Forced storage means for storing in an auxiliary storage device in the image forming apparatus without printing out;
A processing method selection unit capable of switching between the printing unit and the forced storage unit;
Even if the processing method selected by the processing method selection unit is a forced storage unit, an exception condition specifying unit that can specify a condition that does not apply the forced storage unit as an exception condition, and
An image forming apparatus comprising: an exception condition indicating a case where a print job is received from an information processing terminal by a short-range communication protocol as the exception condition.