JP4977501B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program for detecting a marking obtained by encoding an ID of a printing paper and reprinting an image corresponding to the ID.

  In recent years, a scanner that reads a document image, a copier that prints a document image read by the scanner, a printer or facsimile machine that prints image data input from the outside, or a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that combines these functions A multi-function machine called is used. Further, a technique is known in which a marking such as a two-dimensional barcode in which various types of information are embedded is read from a document, and subsequent printing processing and the like are controlled based on the embedded information.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a two-dimensional barcode added to a document is detected, command information encoded in the detected two-dimensional barcode is decoded, and processing on the read document is performed according to the decoded command information. A technique to determine is proposed.

  In Patent Document 2, when the read image data includes two-dimensional code information, access information to the web server is decoded from the two-dimensional code information, and content data is acquired and printed according to the decoded access information. Techniques to do this have been proposed.

  When an image corresponding to the detected barcode or the like is acquired and reprinted using the method described in the above document, the image printed at the time of initial printing is usually acquired and printed again. That is, in the conventional method, it is possible to reproduce the same contents as the original by referring to information such as a barcode added to the original.

  On the other hand, there is also a demand for reproducing a print in document units by capturing a print original as one document and reading the original with a barcode or the like added thereto. In particular, there may be a case where it is desired to be able to output the latest document after the change even if the content of the document is changed after execution of printing.

JP 2006-80939 A JP 2006-1115020 A

  However, since the conventional method reproduces the image at the time of printing for each page, even when the image included in the document is changed after printing, the printing of the document including the latest image is reproduced. There was a problem that I could not.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program capable of managing and reprinting a printed image in document units. .

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 identifies an input image and an image storage means for storing the image in association with the image ID for identifying the image, and identifying the document. A document information storage unit that stores the document ID to be associated with the image ID of the image included in the document, the document ID of the printed document, and a record obtained by printing the image included in the document ID storage means for storing ID information in association with a medium ID for identifying the medium, scanner means for reading a code image obtained by encoding the medium ID from the recording medium, and the medium ID from the read code image Detecting means for detecting the medium ID by decoding the document ID, and acquiring the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage means. An ID acquisition unit that acquires the corresponding image ID from the document information storage unit, an image acquisition unit that acquires all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from the image storage unit, and the acquired image The ID storage means further associates a unit ID for identifying a printing unit composed of the image at the time of printing and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit. Storing the ID information, specifying means for specifying whether or not to store the document ID in the ID storage means, and storing the document ID in the ID storage means when storage of the document ID is specified And a storage unit that performs detection, and the ID acquisition unit detects the detected document ID when the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID is not stored in the ID storage unit. Obtaining the image ID of all the images included in the print unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the body ID from the ID storage unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided image storage means for storing an input image and an image ID for identifying the image in association with each other, a document ID for identifying a document, and the image included in the document. Document information storage means for storing the image ID in association with each other, the document ID of the printed document, and a medium ID for identifying the recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed ID storage means for storing ID information; scanner means for reading a code image obtained by encoding the medium ID from the recording medium; and detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the read code image. A detecting unit that acquires the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit, and stores the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID in the document information storage; It includes an ID acquisition means for acquiring from the stage, an image acquisition unit for acquiring all of the image corresponding to the acquired image ID from the image storage means, and printing means for printing the image obtained, and The ID storage means stores the ID information that further associates a unit ID for identifying a printing unit composed of the image at the time of printing and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit, and the ID The obtaining unit obtains the image ID of all the images included in the print unit identified by the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID and the unit ID corresponding to the detected medium ID. The image ID acquired from the ID storage unit, the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID is acquired from the document information storage unit, and the number of the image ID acquired from the ID storage unit And the number of the image ID acquired from the document information storage unit, and the number of the image ID acquired from the ID storage unit matches the number of the image ID acquired from the document information storage unit. A display control unit that displays on the display unit a selection screen that can select whether or not to continue printing when the printing is not performed, and the image acquisition unit is configured to display the document information storage unit when printing is to be continued. all of the image corresponding to the image ID obtained from you acquired from the image storage means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect , the display control means includes the number of the image IDs acquired from the ID storage means and the image ID acquired from the document information storage means. When the number does not match, the selection screen on which the printing condition for the printing unit can be changed is further displayed on the display unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided image storage means for storing an input image and an image ID for identifying the image in association with each other, a document ID for identifying a document, and the image included in the document. Document information storage means for storing the image ID in association with each other, the document ID of the printed document, and a medium ID for identifying the recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed ID storage means for storing ID information; scanner means for reading a code image obtained by encoding the medium ID from the recording medium; and detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the read code image. A detecting unit that acquires the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit, and stores the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID in the document information storage; Authentication and ID acquisition means for acquiring from the stage, an image acquisition unit for acquiring all of the image corresponding to the acquired image ID from the image storage means, and printing means for printing the image acquired, the user Authentication means for determining the authority of the user , wherein the ID storage means identifies a unit ID for identifying a printing unit comprising the image at the time of printing, and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit. And the ID information that is associated with the detected medium ID when the user has the specific authority. get the picture ID of all the images included in the unit from the ID storage unit.

The invention according to claim 5, the scanner means comprises a reading step of reading a code image media ID identifying a coded recording medium printed with image contained in the document from the recording medium, the detecting means, Tsu reading said detection step of detecting said medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the code image, the ID acquisition means, and print the images included a printed the document to the document ID and the document identifying The document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID is acquired from an ID storage unit that stores ID information in which the medium ID of the recording medium is associated, and the document ID and the image included in the document are identified. An ID acquisition step of acquiring the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID from the document information storage means for storing the image ID in association with the image ID; Statue acquiring unit, the image input from the image storage means stores an association with the image ID of the image, an image acquisition step of acquiring all of the image corresponding to the acquired image ID , the printing unit, a printing step of printing the image obtained, designated means, and the unit ID identifying the printing unit consisting of the image at the time of printing, and the image ID of the image included in the print unit , A designation step for designating whether or not to save the document ID in the ID storage means for storing the ID information, and when the storage means designates saving of the document ID, the ID A storage step of storing the document ID in a storage unit, wherein the ID acquisition step stores the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID in the ID storage unit. If not, obtains the image ID of all the images included in the print unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the detected the medium ID from the ID storage unit.

In the invention according to claim 6 , the scanner unit reads from the recording medium a code image obtained by encoding a medium ID for identifying the recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed, and the detection unit reads the code image. A detection step of detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the code image, and an ID acquisition unit printing the document ID for identifying the printed document and the image included in the document The document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID is acquired from an ID storage unit that stores ID information in which the medium ID of the recording medium is associated, and the document ID and the image included in the document are identified. An ID acquisition step of acquiring the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID from the document information storage means for storing the image ID in association with the image ID; An image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from an image storage unit that stores the input image and the image ID of the image in association with each other. , the printing unit, a printing step of printing the image acquired, the image ID of the image said ID acquisition means, contained in the printing unit as ID for identifying the printing unit consisting of the image during printing The printing unit identified by the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID and the unit ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage means for storing the ID information further associated with The image IDs of all the images included in a unit are acquired, the image IDs corresponding to the acquired document IDs are acquired from the document information storage unit, and the I And the number of the image ID acquired from the storage means, a comparison step of comparing the number of the image ID acquired from the document information storage means, display control means, the number of the image ID obtained from the ID storage unit If, in the case where the number of the image ID acquired from the document information storage unit do not match, comprising: a display control step of displaying a selectable selection screen whether or not to continue printing, the said image acquisition step, if the print continuation is selected, you get all of the image corresponding to the image ID that has been acquired from the document information storage means from said image storage means.

In the invention according to claim 8 , the scanner unit reads the code image obtained by encoding the medium ID for identifying the recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed from the recording medium, and the detection unit reads the code image. A detection step of detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the code image, and an ID acquisition unit printing the document ID for identifying the printed document and the image included in the document The document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID is acquired from an ID storage unit that stores ID information in which the medium ID of the recording medium is associated, and the document ID and the image included in the document are identified. An ID acquisition step of acquiring the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID from the document information storage means for storing the image ID in association with the image ID; An image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from an image storage unit that stores the input image and the image ID of the image in association with each other. , the printing unit, a printing step of printing the image acquired, the authentication means, and an authentication step of authenticating the user to determine the rights of the user, the ID obtaining step, said user specific The ID storage for storing the ID information that further associates the unit ID for identifying the printing unit composed of the image at the time of printing and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit from the means, you get the picture ID of all the images included in the print unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the detected the medium ID.

The invention according to claim 9 is an image forming program for causing a computer to execute the image forming method according to any one of claims 5 to 8 .

  According to the present invention, since it is possible to specify and print a document corresponding to the marking detected from any marking-printed paper, the printed image can be managed and reprinted in document units. Play.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not a document is updated, and to allow the user to select whether or not to print when the document is updated. Therefore, it is possible to avoid unnecessary printing that is not intended by the user. Play.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since it is possible to specify and print an image at the time of printing corresponding to the detected marking for a user having a specific authority, management is possible even when the document is edited. There is an effect that the printing results can be appropriately managed by a person or the like.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
When the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment prints a document including an image, the image forming apparatus prints a code image (hereinafter, referred to as marking) obtained by encoding the identification information of the print paper on each print paper. As a premise, the related document can be reprinted by rereading the marking on the printing paper with a scanner.

  The printed image is stored in a predetermined storage unit, and at the time of reprinting, a printing process is performed based on the image stored in the storage unit. As a result, image deterioration can be prevented as compared with the case where normal copy processing is executed on printed paper.

  First, marking printing processing by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a sheet printed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, when a document A composed of a plurality of sheets is copied or printed, a marking obtained by encoding identification information (hereinafter referred to as PID) that uniquely identifies the sheet is output on each sheet. For example, PID = A1 is marked on the first sheet, and PID = A2 and A3 are marked on the first and second sheets, respectively.

  In the marking generation process, any conventional code generation method such as a QR code obtained by encoding a PID or a method of generating another two-dimensional barcode as a marking can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining reprinting processing by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, for example, one of the sheets printed in FIG. 1 is printed, and reprinting is performed by scanning a sheet marked with PID = A1. When designated, not only the paper with PID = A1, but also all the papers included in the document A, which is the printing source document, can be printed at once.

  That is, not only the scanned PID = A1 sheet but all images including sheets corresponding to PID = A2 and A3 in FIG. 1 are reprinted. In addition, the marking which encoded each new PID (B1, B2, B3) is printed on the paper at the time of reprinting.

  Further, in the present embodiment, even when the document A is changed and an image is added to the fourth page, for example, all four images included in the latest document A after the change can be reprinted. it can.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 that is the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, an MFP 100 according to the first embodiment includes an image storage unit 121, a document information storage unit 122, an ID storage unit 123, an operation panel 130, a printer engine 140, and a scanner engine. 150, a display input control unit 101, a print control unit 102, a scanner control unit 103, an ID management unit 104, a detection unit 105, an ID acquisition unit 106, and a document management unit 107.

  The image storage unit 121 stores an image read by the scanner, and stores an image and an image ID (hereinafter referred to as EID) that uniquely identifies the image in association with each other. Note that an image input by an external image forming apparatus or the like may be captured by a network interface (I / F) (not shown) and stored in the image storage unit 121.

  The document information storage unit 122 stores information for managing document information constituted by the read image. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the document information stored in the document information storage unit 122 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the document information stores the latest document reflection flag, the FID, the EID of each image included in the document, and the update date / time in association with each other.

  The latest document reflection flag represents information for designating whether to reproduce the latest document image or the printed image at the time of marking printing. Specifically, in the latest document reflection flag, “◯” is set when the latest document is reproduced, and “X” is set when the image at the time of printing is reproduced.

  As will be described later, when the image of the latest document is reproduced, the FID of the document is stored in the ID storage unit 123. Accordingly, it can be said that the latest document reflection flag means information for designating whether or not to store the FID in the ID storage unit 123.

  The FID is identification information for identifying a document, and a unique value is assigned in the apparatus when the document is stored. In the EID, the EID of the latest image group belonging to the FID document is set. The EID is updated every time an image group belonging to a document is changed by editing or the like. In the change date and time, the last date and time when the document content was changed is recorded.

  Note that document editing methods such as a method of deleting an image designated from the operation panel 130, a method of adding an image newly read by a scanner to a document, and a method of editing by an external program are conventionally used. You can apply any way you are. Regardless of which method is applied, the EID of the image included in the latest document is set as the EID of the document information storage unit 122.

  The ID storage unit 123 stores ID information such as an image ID (EID) associated with various types of identification information necessary for image reprinting. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the ID information stored in the ID storage unit 123 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the ID information associates the PID of the paper, the EID of the image printed on the paper, the parent PID, the BID, the copy cancel flag, the JID, and information for each JID. Storing. As information for each JID, the FID of the document for reflecting the latest document, the printing date and time, and the printing conditions are stored in association with each other.

  Here, each ID included in the ID information will be described. First, assuming that one job is a print job for a series of input document images, an ID uniquely assigned in the device for each job is called a JID.

  In addition, when a plurality of copies are printed out by the print output, an ID uniquely assigned in the device for each copy is set as a BID. Since a plurality of copies can be designated in one job, a plurality of BIDs can correspond to one JID.

  Further, image data is stored in the image storage unit 121 for each page of the input image, and an ID uniquely assigned in the device to the stored image is assumed to be EID (ID for each electronic image).

  As described above, the PID is an ID for each sheet that is uniquely assigned in the apparatus to the sheet to be printed out. The parent PID is set in the case of reprinting processing, and represents the PID of the paper that is the source of reprinting.

  The copy cancel flag is information indicating whether printing of a copy to which an image to be printed belongs has been interrupted. The copy cancel flag is set to 1 when printing is interrupted due to user designation or occurrence of a jam, and is set to 0 when printing is completed normally.

  The copy cancel flag is determined to determine whether or not printing for each copy is interrupted, and when reprinting of the interrupted copy is designated, the copy cancel flag is referred to obtain an appropriate EID by following the parent PID.

  The FID included in the information for each JID is set when reproduction of the latest document is designated. If reproduction of the latest document is not designated, the FID is not set (“None” is set in the figure). The print date / time stores the execution date / time of the corresponding print job. In the printing conditions, printing conditions at the time of job execution are stored.

  By storing such information in association with each other in the ID storage unit 123, by simply detecting the PID of an arbitrary sheet, the corresponding document can be specified by the FID, and all images included in the document can be reprinted. It becomes possible. When reproduction of the latest document is not designated, it is possible to specify a job corresponding to the detected PID and reprint all images included in the job.

  The image storage unit 121, the document information storage unit 122, and the ID storage unit 123 are stored in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 120. In addition to the HDD 120, the image storage unit 121, the document information storage unit 122, and the ID storage unit 123 are configured by any commonly used storage medium such as an optical disc, a memory card, and a RAM (Random Access Memory). be able to. In order to read the stored image information even after the apparatus is turned off, it is desirable to be a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD.

  The operation panel 130 includes a function setting key, the number of copies, a display unit (not shown) for displaying a message indicating the status of the multifunction device 100, a numeric keypad, a clear / stop key, a start key, a preheat key, a reset key, and an initial setting. An input unit (not shown) for receiving key inputs such as a key, a print key, a transmission key, and a storage key. The display unit also serves as an input unit that displays an image and can be operated and input by a touch panel method.

  The operation panel 130 performs image scanning and printing processing instructions, reprinting processing instructions, setting of printing conditions for printing, and the like.

  The printer engine 140 forms image data on a recording sheet or the like by a method such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method, and includes a marking unit 141 and an image acquisition unit 142.

  The marking unit 141 generates a marking obtained by encoding the PID designated by the print control unit 102. The printer engine 140 combines the marking image (code image) generated by the marking unit 141 with the image data of the document and prints it.

  The image acquisition unit 142 acquires an image corresponding to the EID acquired by the ID acquisition unit 106 from the image storage unit 121. The printer engine 140 prints the image acquired by the image acquisition unit 142.

  The marking unit 141 and the image acquisition unit 142 are provided outside the printer engine 140, and an image obtained by combining the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 142 with the code image generated by the marking unit 141 is sent to the printer engine 140. Alternatively, printing may be performed.

  The scanner engine 150 drives the scanner and executes document scanning processing.

  The display input control unit 101 controls display of various screens on the display unit of the operation panel 130 and accepts key input events from the input unit.

  The print control unit 102 controls the printer engine 140. In this embodiment, the print control unit 102 stores the image input from the scanner engine 150 when the print instruction is given in the image storage unit 121 and then prints the stored image. It also controls the image storage process.

  The scanner control unit 103 controls the scanner engine 150.

  The ID management unit 104 manages various IDs stored in the ID storage unit 123. For example, the ID management unit 104 generates a print unit ID such as JID or BID for each image input / print output, and stores the ID in the ID storage unit 123. Further, EID of each image generated by the document management unit 107 described later is stored in the ID storage unit 123 in association with JID or the like.

  Further, the ID management unit 104 performs processing for acquiring various IDs corresponding to the inquiry from the ID storage unit 123 and responding. For example, when the ID management unit 104 receives an inquiry about the FID or BID corresponding to the PID detected by the detection unit 105, the ID management unit 104 acquires the FID or BID corresponding to the PID from the ID storage unit 123 and returns it to the inquiry source. .

  The detecting unit 105 detects the marking from the document image read by the scanner engine 150, and detects the PID of the document by decoding the detected marking.

  The ID acquisition unit 106 reprints by acquiring the FID corresponding to the PID detected by the detection unit 105 from the ID storage unit 123 and further acquiring the EID corresponding to the acquired FID from the document information storage unit 122. The image is specified. Further, when the FID is not stored in the ID storage unit 123, the ID acquisition unit 106 specifies the image to be reprinted by acquiring the EID of all the images included in the printing unit to which the detected PID belongs. To do.

  Specifically, the ID acquisition unit 106 first acquires the JID corresponding to the detected PID and information for each JID by inquiring the ID management unit 104. Next, the ID acquisition unit 106 determines whether or not the FID is set as information for each JID. If the FID is set, the ID acquisition unit 106 inquires the ID management unit 104 for an EID corresponding to the FID. To do. When no FID is set, the ID acquisition unit 106 inquires and acquires all EIDs corresponding to the acquired JID from the ID management unit 104.

  The image information is transmitted through the following transmission path. First, an image input by the scanner or the network I / F is transmitted to the image storage unit 121 according to an instruction from the print control unit 102. The image stored in the image storage unit 121 is transmitted to the printer engine 140 in accordance with an instruction from the print control unit 102, and printing is performed.

  The document management unit 107 manages document information stored in the document information storage unit 122. For example, the document management unit 107 generates an FID every time a document is accumulated and stores it in the document information storage unit 122. Also, EID of each image input for printing is generated and stored in the document information storage unit 122 in association with the FID.

  Further, the document management unit 107 performs a process of acquiring various IDs corresponding to the inquiry from the document information storage unit 122 and responding. For example, when the document management unit 107 receives an EID inquiry corresponding to the FID detected by the detection unit 105, the document management unit 107 acquires the EID corresponding to the FID from the document information storage unit 122 and returns it to the inquiry source.

  Next, a printing process performed by the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the overall flow of the printing process in the first embodiment.

  First, when a job start instruction is input from the operation panel 130 by the user (step S601), the print control unit 102 transmits a JID generation instruction to the ID management unit 104 (step S602). The ID management unit 104 newly generates a JID and stores it in the ID storage unit 123 (step S603).

  Next, the print control unit 102 transmits an FID generation instruction to the document management unit 107 (step S604). The document management unit 107 newly generates an FID and stores it in the document information storage unit 122 (step S605).

  Next, the print control unit 102 repeats image storage processing for reading an image with a scanner and saving the image in the image storage unit 121 for the number of input images (steps S606 to S615). Note that the image storage process is not executed when marking and printing the stored image.

  Specifically, first, the print control unit 102 transmits an EID generation instruction to the document management unit 107 (step S606). The document management unit 107 newly generates an EID, stores it in the document information storage unit 122, and notifies the print control unit 102 of the EID (step S607).

  Next, the print control unit 102 notifies the ID management unit 104 of the notified EID registration instruction (step S608). The ID management unit 104 stores the instructed EID in the ID storage unit 123 in association with the JID stored in step S603 (step S609).

  Next, the print control unit 102 instructs the image storage unit 121 to start image storage (step S610). At this time, the image storage unit 121 prepares to store image data for one page. Next, the print control unit 102 instructs the scanner engine 150 to start image input (step S611). Upon receiving the instruction, the scanner engine 150 starts transferring the read image to the image storage unit 121 (step S612).

  When the transfer is completed, the image storage unit 121 notifies the scanner engine 150 of the completion of the image transfer (step S613). Further, the scanner engine 150 notifies the print control unit 102 that the image input has been completed (step S614). Further, the print control unit 102 notifies the image storage unit 121 of completion of accumulation of image data for one page (step S615).

  When the image accumulation process is completed, the print control unit 102 repeats the accumulated image printing process for printing the stored image for the number of copies for which the output is designated and the image for which the output is designated (steps S616 to S627).

  Specifically, first, the print control unit 102 refers to the document information storage unit 122 and determines whether or not the latest document reflection flag corresponding to the FID of the document to be printed is “◯” (step S616). . When the latest document reflection flag is “◯”, since the FID needs to be stored in the ID storage unit 123, the print control unit 102 notifies the ID management unit 104 of an instruction to register the FID (step S617).

  In the case of the first image accumulation instead of marking printing, the display input control unit 101 receives designation from the user via the operation panel 130 or the like as to whether or not to reflect the latest document. Then, according to the accepted specification, the latest document reflection flag is stored in the document information storage unit 122 in association with the FID, for example, in step S605, and is referenced in step S616. The print control unit 102 refers to the designation received from the user and executes the determination in step S616, and the document management unit 107 stores the latest document reflection flag corresponding to the user designation in the document information storage unit 122. You may comprise.

  Next, the ID management unit 104 stores the FID that has received the registration instruction in the ID storage unit 123 (step S618). Specifically, the ID management unit 104 stores the FID that has received the registration instruction in the information for each JID corresponding to the JID stored in step S603.

  Next, the print control unit 102 transmits a BID generation instruction to the ID management unit 104 in accordance with the number of copies to be printed (step S619). The ID management unit 104 newly generates a BID and stores it in the ID storage unit 123 (step S620).

  Next, the print control unit 102 transmits a PID generation instruction to the ID management unit 104 (step S621). The ID management unit 104 newly generates a PID and stores it in the ID storage unit 123 (step S622).

  Subsequently, the print control unit 102 instructs the printer engine 140 to print an image (step S623). The print instruction includes the EID of the image to be printed and the PID to be encoded and combined on the paper to be printed. Is included.

  The image acquisition unit 142 of the printer engine 140 starts a process of reading an image corresponding to the EID for which printing has been instructed from the image storage unit 121 (step S624). When the reading of the image from the image storage unit 121 is completed (step S625), the marking unit 141 generates a marking obtained by encoding the PID, and the printer engine 140 combines the generated marking with the print image and prints it (step S625). S626).

  When printing is completed, the printer engine 140 notifies the print control unit 102 of the completion of printing (step S627).

  When the accumulated image printing process is completed for all the copies and images, the print control unit 102 displays job completion on the operation panel 130 via the display input control unit 101 (step S628). Exit.

  Next, reprint processing by the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. The reprinting process is a process for reproducing the printing of the document corresponding to the paper by scanning the paper on which the marking is printed by the printing process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the reprint process in the first embodiment.

  First, when a reprint process is designated by the user via the operation panel 130 or the like, the print control unit 102 instructs the detection unit 105 to start marking detection (step S801). At this time, the user only needs to scan one of the printing papers constituting the document desired to be reprinted.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the detection unit 105 detects the marking from the read document image, and detects the PID by decoding the detected marking. Then, the detection unit 105 notifies the print control unit 102 of the detected PID (step S802).

  Next, the print control unit 102 repeats the image specifying process for specifying the image to be reprinted for the number of detected PIDs (steps S803 to S811). Specifically, first, the print control unit 102 instructs the ID acquisition unit 106 to start an image specifying process (step S803). This instruction includes the detected PID.

  Upon receiving the instruction, the ID acquisition unit 106 inquires of the ID management unit 104 about the JID corresponding to the PID (step S804). Upon receiving the inquiry, the ID management unit 104 acquires the JID corresponding to the PID and information for each JID from the ID storage unit 123 and notifies the ID acquisition unit 106 (step S805).

  The ID acquisition unit 106 determines whether or not the FID included in the received information for each JID is “none”, that is, whether or not the reproduction of the image at the time of printing is designated instead of the reproduction of the latest document. (Step S806).

  If FID = “none” (step S806: YES), the ID acquisition unit 106 inquires of the ID management unit 104 about the PID corresponding to the JID acquired in step S805 (step S807). The ID management unit 104 acquires all EIDs associated with the JID from the ID storage unit 123, and notifies the ID acquisition unit 106 of the acquired list of EIDs (step S808).

  If FID = “none”, that is, if the FID is set (step S806: NO), the ID acquisition unit 106 inquires of the document management unit 107 about the EID corresponding to the FID (step S809). . The document management unit 107 acquires all EIDs associated with the FID from the document information storage unit 122, and notifies the ID acquisition unit 106 of the acquired list of EIDs (step S810).

  As described above, when the image included in the document is changed, the document information storage unit 122 stores the EID of the image included in the latest document after the change. Therefore, in step S808, the EID of the image included in the latest document is acquired. By such processing, according to the present embodiment, the printed image can be managed in units of documents, and the latest document can be reprinted.

  After receiving the EID notification in step S808 or step S810, the ID acquisition unit 106 notifies the print control unit 102 of the printing conditions included in the information for each JID acquired in step S805 and the notified EID list. (Step S811).

  Next, the print control unit 102 executes image reprint processing for an image corresponding to the acquired EID (steps S812 to S816). In the image reprinting process, as in the printing process, the PID of the paper to be reprinted and the BID of the part to be reprinted are generated, but they are omitted in the figure.

  Also, print settings such as the designation of the number of copies can be changed during reprinting, and the BID for reprinting is generated with reference to the changed number of copies. As a result, even when the number of copies required at the time of previous printing is different from that at the time of reprinting, it is possible to designate and print the required number of copies.

  Specifically, first, the print control unit 102 instructs the printer engine 140 to perform reprinting (step S812). This instruction includes the EID of the image to be printed and the generated PID.

  Next, the image acquisition unit 142 of the printer engine 140 starts a process of reading an image corresponding to the instructed EID from the image storage unit 121 (step S813). When the reading of the image from the image storage unit 121 is completed (step S814), the marking unit 141 generates a marking obtained by encoding the PID, and the printer engine 140 combines the generated marking with the print image and prints it (step S81). S815).

  When the reprint is completed, the printer engine 140 notifies the print control unit 102 of the completion of the reprint (step S816).

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the related document can be reprinted by rereading the marking on the print sheet with the scanner. For this reason, the printed image can be managed in units of documents, and the latest document can be reprinted even when the document is changed.

(Second Embodiment)
According to the method of the first embodiment, if the FID is set, the corresponding document is reprinted. However, the user cannot determine whether the printed document has the same content as that at the time of printing or whether it is the latest document changed after printing. For this reason, there is a problem that an unintended document may be printed even though the user desires to print the contents at the time of initial printing.

  The image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment determines whether or not a document is updated, and executes reprinting after confirming with the user whether or not reprinting is performed when the document is updated.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral 900 that is an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, an MFP 900 according to the second embodiment includes an image storage unit 121, a document information storage unit 122, an ID storage unit 123, an operation panel 130, a printer engine 140, and a scanner engine. 150, a display input control unit 101, a print control unit 102, a scanner control unit 103, an ID management unit 104, a detection unit 105, an ID acquisition unit 906, and a document management unit 107.

  The MFP 900 according to the second embodiment is different from the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment in the function of the ID acquisition unit 906. Since other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted here.

  The ID acquisition unit 906 determines whether or not the document is updated by comparing the update date and time of the document stored in the document information storage unit 122 with the print date and time stored in the ID storage unit 123. In this case, a warning screen that prompts the user to confirm reprinting is displayed, which is different from the ID acquisition unit 106 according to the first embodiment. The ID acquisition unit 906 acquires the latest EID corresponding to the FID when the user selects to continue the printing process.

  Next, a printing process performed by the MFP 900 according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of the printing process according to the second embodiment.

  Since the PID detection process from step S1001 to step S1008 and the EID identification process at the time of printing are the same as those from step S801 to step S808 in the multi-function device 100 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that processing for determining whether or not a document is updated and displaying a warning screen at the time of updating is added in steps S1009 and S1010.

  Specifically, if FID = “none” is not determined in step S1006, that is, if it is determined that the FID is set (step S1006: NO), the ID acquisition unit 906 prints the information included in the information for each JID. The date and time are compared with the update date and time stored in the document information storage unit 122, and it is determined whether or not the print date and time is before the update date and time (step S1009). Although omitted in the figure, the update date and time can be acquired from the document information storage unit 122 via the document management unit 107 by specifying the FID.

  If the print date is earlier than the update date (step S1009: YES), it is determined that the document has been updated, and the ID acquisition unit 906 displays a warning screen on the operation panel 130 using the display input control unit 101. (Step S1010).

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen. As shown in the figure, a warning message indicating that the document has been updated is displayed at the top of the warning screen 1101. If the continue button 1102 is pressed, the reprint process is continued (step S1011 and subsequent steps in FIG. 10). When the cancel button 1103 is pressed, the reprint process is canceled (omitted in FIG. 10).

  Returning to FIG. 10, if processing continuation is selected, or if the printing date / time is not earlier than the updating date / time in step S1009 (step S1009: NO), the ID acquisition unit 906 manages the EID corresponding to the FID as document management. The unit 107 is inquired (step S1011).

  Since the EID notification processing and the image reprinting processing from step S1012 to step S1018 are the same as the processing from step S810 to step S816 in the multi-function device 100 according to the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the document is updated, the latest document is not reprinted unconditionally, but a warning screen for confirming whether reprinting can be continued is displayed and continued by the user. The latest document is reprinted only when is specified. Thereby, it is possible to avoid printing a document unintended by the user.

  Note that a function for changing print settings may be added to the warning screen. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a warning screen when configured in this way. As shown in FIG. 12, a setting change button 1204 for changing print settings is added to the warning screen 1201. When a setting change button 1204 is pressed, a setting screen (not shown) for changing the print condition setting is displayed, and the user can change the print condition.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user when performing reprinting. In addition, for example, when the total number of images belonging to the latest document is larger than the total number of images belonging to the original document, the setting amount is changed from single-sided printing to double-sided printing, thereby reducing print paper consumption. It becomes possible.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment determines whether or not a document has been updated, and executes reprinting after confirming with the user whether or not to reprint when the document has been updated. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the problem that a document unintended by the user is printed.

(Third embodiment)
The image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment specifies an image at the time of printing, even when the reproduction of the latest document is specified for a user having a specific authority such as an administrator. The document at the time of printing can be reproduced with the specified image.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral 1300 that is an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, an MFP 1300 according to the third embodiment includes an image storage unit 121, a document information storage unit 122, an ID storage unit 123, an administrator information storage unit 1324, an operation panel 130, and the like. , Printer engine 140, scanner engine 150, display input control unit 101, print control unit 102, scanner control unit 103, ID management unit 104, detection unit 105, ID acquisition unit 1306, document management unit 107 and an authentication unit 1308.

  The MFP 900 according to the second embodiment is different from the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment in that an administrator information storage unit 1324 and an authentication unit 1308 are added, and the function of the ID acquisition unit 1306 is different. ing. Since other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted here.

  The administrator information storage unit 1324 stores information related to an administrator user having administrator authority that can reproduce a print document at an arbitrary time as a user having specific authority.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of information stored in the administrator information storage unit 1324 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the administrator information storage unit 1324 stores an administrator ID for identifying a user having administrator authority, a login name, and a password in association with each other. The administrator information storage unit 1324 is referred to when the authentication unit 1308, which will be described later, determines whether the user who has been authenticated for login has administrator authority.

  The authentication unit 1308 authenticates a user who uses the multifunction machine 1300 and determines whether the authenticated user has administrator authority. The authentication processing by the authentication unit 1308 is performed by any method conventionally used, such as a method of checking the input login name and password with a login name and password stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown). Applicable. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that a method using a login name and a password is applied.

  The authentication unit 1308 determines whether or not the login name and password of the user authenticated in this way are stored in the administrator information storage unit 1324, so that the authenticated user has administrator authority. Determine whether or not.

  When the authentication unit 1308 determines that the user has administrator authority, the ID acquisition unit 1306 acquires the EID of the image at the time of printing as the EID of the reprint image regardless of whether or not the FID is set. This is different from the ID acquisition unit 106 of the first embodiment.

  Next, a printing process performed by the MFP 1300 according to the third embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of the printing process according to the third embodiment.

  Since the PID detection process and the JID acquisition process from step S1501 to step S1505 are the same as the process from step S801 to step S805 in the multi-function device 100 according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it is determined in step S1506 whether the FID is “none” and whether the user has administrator authority. ing. Specifically, the ID acquisition unit 1306 refers to the determination result by the authentication unit 1308 as to whether or not the user has administrator authority and performs the determination in step S1506.

  Although omitted in the figure, as a premise that reprint processing is designated by the user, an authentication unit using authentication information (login name, password) input from a login screen or the like displayed on the operation panel 130 is used. Assume that 1308 authenticates the user.

  If FID = “none” in step S1506, or if the user has administrator authority (step S1506: YES), the ID acquisition unit 1306 assigns the PID corresponding to the JID acquired in step S1505 to the ID management unit. An inquiry is made to 104 (step S1507). Since the EID acquisition process in step S1508 is the same as that in step S808 in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Except when FID = “none” or the user has administrator authority (step S1506: NO), the ID acquisition unit 1306 inquires the document management unit 107 about the EID corresponding to the FID (step S1509). Since the EID acquisition process in step S1510 is the same process as step S810 in the multi-function device 100 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the EID notification processing and the image reprinting processing from step S1511 to step S1516 are the same as the processing from step S811 to step S816 in the multi-function device 100 according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a user having administrator authority can reproduce an image at the time of printing even when reproduction of the latest document is designated. For this reason, even when the document is edited, it is possible to appropriately manage the printing results by a user having specific authority.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. As shown in the figure, this multifunction machine has a configuration in which a controller 10 and an engine unit (Engine) 60 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire MFP, drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 60 includes a printer engine 140 and a scanner engine 150 that can be connected to a PCI bus. The printer engine 140 is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 60 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 10 includes a CPU 11, a north bridge (NB) 13, a system memory (MEM-P) 12, a south bridge (SB) 14, a local memory (MEM-C) 17, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 16 and the HDD 120, and the NB 13 and the ASIC 16 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 15. The MEM-P 12 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and a RAM 12b.

  The CPU 11 performs overall control of the multifunction peripheral, and has a chip set including the NB 13, the MEM-P 12, and the SB 14, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11 to the MEM-P 12, SB 14, and the AGP bus 15, and includes a memory controller that controls reading / writing with respect to the MEM-P 12, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 12 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing a printer, and the like, and includes a ROM 12a and a RAM 12b. The ROM 12a is a read-only memory used as a program / data storage memory, and the RAM 12b is a writable / readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, or the like.

  The SB 14 is a bridge for connecting the NB 13 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 14 is connected to the NB 13 via a PCI bus, and a network I / F is also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 16 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 15, the PCI bus, the HDD 120, and the MEM-C 17. The ASIC 16 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 16, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 17, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform rotation of image data by hardware logic and the like. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 60 via the PCI bus. An FCU (Fax Control Unit) 30, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 40, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 50 are connected to the ASIC 16 via a PCI bus.

  The MEM-C 17 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer, and the HDD 120 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms.

  The AGP bus 15 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP bus 15 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 12 with high throughput. It is.

  The image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first to third embodiments is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first to third embodiments is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD. (Digital Versatile Disk) or the like may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Further, the image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first to third embodiments is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and is provided by being downloaded via the network. It may be configured. Further, the image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first to third embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first to third embodiments includes the above-described units (display input control unit, print control unit, scanner control unit, ID management unit, detection unit, ID acquisition unit). The module configuration includes a document management unit, etc., and as actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads out and executes the image forming program from the ROM, and the respective units are loaded onto the main storage device. Each of the above parts is generated on the main storage device.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus, the image forming method, and the image forming program according to the present invention are suitable for the image forming apparatus that controls the printing process using the marking printed on the printing paper.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a sheet printed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining reprint processing by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of the document information stored in the document information storage part of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of ID information stored in ID storage part of 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of a printing process according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of a printing process according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of reprint processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of a printing process according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a warning screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of a warning screen. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of the information memorize | stored in the administrator information storage part of 3rd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of a printing process according to a third embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Controller 11 CPU
12 System memory (MEM-P)
12a ROM
12b RAM
13 North Bridge (NB)
14 South Bridge (SB)
15 AGP bus 16 ASIC
17 Local memory (MEM-C)
30 FCU
40 USB
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 IEEE1394 interface 60 Engine part 100 Multifunction machine 101 Display input control part 102 Print control part 103 Scanner control part 104 ID management part 105 Detection part 106 ID acquisition part 107 Document management part 121 Image storage part 122 Document information storage part 123 ID storage part 130 Operation Panel 140 Printer Engine 141 Marking Unit 142 Image Acquisition Unit 150 Scanner Engine 900 Multifunction Device 906 ID Acquisition Unit 1101 Warning Screen 1102 Continue Button 1103 Stop Button 1201 Warning Screen 1204 Setting Change Button 1300 Multifunction Device 1306 ID Acquisition Unit 1308 Authentication Unit 1324 Administrator information storage

Claims (9)

Image storage means for storing the input image and the image ID for identifying the image in association with each other;
Document information storage means for storing a document ID for identifying a document and the image ID of the image included in the document in association with each other;
ID storage means for storing ID information in which the document ID of the printed document is associated with a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed;
Scanner means for reading a code image obtained by encoding the medium ID from the recording medium;
Detecting means for detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the read code image;
An ID acquisition unit that acquires the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit, and acquires the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID from the document information storage unit;
Image acquisition means for acquiring all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from the image storage means;
Printing means for printing the acquired image ,
The ID storage means stores the ID information further associating a unit ID for identifying a printing unit composed of the image at the time of printing and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit,
Designating means for designating whether to store the document ID in the ID storage means;
A storage unit that stores the document ID in the ID storage unit when storage of the document ID is designated;
The ID acquisition unit is configured to identify the printing unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the detected medium ID when the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID is not stored in the ID storage unit. Obtaining the image IDs of all the images included in the ID storage means,
Image forming apparatus. Image storage means for storing the input image and the image ID for identifying the image in association with each other;
Document information storage means for storing a document ID for identifying a document and the image ID of the image included in the document in association with each other;
ID storage means for storing ID information in which the document ID of the printed document is associated with a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed;
Scanner means for reading a code image obtained by encoding the medium ID from the recording medium;
Detecting means for detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the read code image;
An ID acquisition unit that acquires the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit, and acquires the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID from the document information storage unit;
Image acquisition means for acquiring all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from the image storage means;
Printing means for printing the acquired image,
The ID storage means stores the ID information further associating a unit ID for identifying a printing unit composed of the image at the time of printing and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit,
The ID acquisition means includes the image ID of all the images included in the print unit identified by the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID and the unit ID corresponding to the detected medium ID. Is acquired from the ID storage unit, the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID is acquired from the document information storage unit, the number of the image IDs acquired from the ID storage unit, and the document information storage unit Compare the number of acquired image IDs,
When the number of the image IDs acquired from the ID storage unit and the number of the image IDs acquired from the document information storage unit do not match, a selection screen for selecting whether to continue printing is displayed. It further comprises display control means for displaying on
The image acquisition unit acquires all the images corresponding to the image ID acquired from the document information storage unit from the image storage unit when printing continuation is selected .
Image forming apparatus. The display control unit can further change the printing condition for the printing unit when the number of the image IDs acquired from the ID storage unit does not match the number of the image IDs acquired from the document information storage unit. Displaying the selection screen on the display unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 . Image storage means for storing the input image and the image ID for identifying the image in association with each other;
Document information storage means for storing a document ID for identifying a document and the image ID of the image included in the document in association with each other;
ID storage means for storing ID information in which the document ID of the printed document is associated with a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed;
Scanner means for reading a code image obtained by encoding the medium ID from the recording medium;
Detecting means for detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the read code image;
An ID acquisition unit that acquires the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit, and acquires the image ID corresponding to the acquired document ID from the document information storage unit;
Image acquisition means for acquiring all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from the image storage means;
Printing means for printing the acquired image;
Authenticating means for authenticating the user and determining the authority of the user ,
The ID storage means stores the ID information further associating a unit ID for identifying a printing unit composed of the image at the time of printing and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit,
When the user has the specific authority, the ID obtaining unit obtains the image IDs of all the images included in the printing unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the detected medium ID. Obtained from the ID storage means ,
Image forming apparatus. A scanner unit that reads a code image obtained by encoding a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which an image included in a document is printed, from the recording medium; and
A detecting step of detecting said medium ID by detection means, for decoding the medium ID from the code image read,
The ID acquisition unit is detected from an ID storage unit that stores ID information that associates the document ID for identifying the printed document with the medium ID of the recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed. The document ID corresponding to the medium ID is acquired, and the document ID corresponding to the acquired document ID is stored from the document information storage unit that stores the document ID and the image ID for identifying the image included in the document in association with each other. An ID acquisition step of acquiring the image ID;
Image acquisition means, said image input from the image storage means stores an association with the image ID of the image, an image acquisition step of acquiring all of the image corresponding to the acquired image ID ,
The printing means, a printing step of printing the image acquired,
In the ID storage means for storing the ID information further associating a unit ID for identifying a printing unit composed of the image at the time of printing and the image ID of the image included in the printing unit. A designation step for designating whether to save the document ID;
A storage unit that stores the document ID in the ID storage unit when storage of the document ID is designated;
In the ID acquisition step, the printing unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the detected medium ID when the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID is not stored in the ID storage unit. Obtaining the image IDs of all the images included in the ID storage means,
Image forming method. A scanner unit that reads a code image obtained by encoding a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which an image included in a document is printed, from the recording medium; and
A detecting step for detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the read code image;
The ID acquisition unit is detected from an ID storage unit that stores ID information that associates the document ID for identifying the printed document with the medium ID of the recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed. The document ID corresponding to the medium ID is acquired, and the document ID corresponding to the acquired document ID is stored from the document information storage unit that stores the document ID and the image ID for identifying the image included in the document in association with each other. An ID acquisition step of acquiring the image ID;
An image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from an image storage unit that stores the input image and the image ID of the image in association with each other. ,
A printing step in which printing means prints the acquired image;
The ID acquisition means, from said ID storing means for storing said ID information and image ID further association of the images included in the print unit as ID for identifying the printing unit consisting of the image during printing Acquiring the image ID of all the images included in the print unit identified by the document ID corresponding to the detected medium ID and the unit ID corresponding to the detected medium ID The image ID corresponding to the document ID is acquired from the document information storage unit, and the number of the image ID acquired from the ID storage unit is compared with the number of the image ID acquired from the document information storage unit. A comparison step to
Display control means, and the number of the image ID obtained from the ID storage unit, if the number of the image ID acquired from the document information storage unit do not match, that can select whether to continue printing comprising a display control step of displaying a selection screen on the display unit, and
The image acquisition step acquires all the images corresponding to the image ID acquired from the document information storage unit from the image storage unit when printing continuation is selected .
Image forming method.   In the display control step, when the number of the image IDs acquired from the ID storage unit does not match the number of the image IDs acquired from the document information storage unit, the printing condition for the printing unit can be further changed. Displaying the selection screen on the display unit;
  The image forming method according to claim 6. A scanner unit that reads a code image obtained by encoding a medium ID for identifying a recording medium on which an image included in a document is printed, from the recording medium; and
A detecting step for detecting the medium ID by decoding the medium ID from the read code image;
The ID acquisition unit is detected from an ID storage unit that stores ID information that associates the document ID for identifying the printed document with the medium ID of the recording medium on which the image included in the document is printed. The document ID corresponding to the medium ID is acquired, and the document ID corresponding to the acquired document ID is stored from the document information storage unit that stores the document ID and the image ID for identifying the image included in the document in association with each other. An ID acquisition step of acquiring the image ID;
An image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires all the images corresponding to the acquired image ID from an image storage unit that stores the input image and the image ID of the image in association with each other. ,
A printing step in which printing means prints the acquired image;
Authentication means, and an authentication step of determining the authority of the user to authenticate the user,
In the ID acquisition step, when the user has the specific authority, the unit ID for identifying the printing unit including the image at the time of printing is further associated with the image ID of the image included in the printing unit. Acquiring the image IDs of all the images included in the print unit identified by the unit ID corresponding to the detected medium ID from the ID storage unit that stores the ID information;
Image forming method. An image forming program for causing a computer to execute the image forming method according to any one of claims 5 to 8 .

Images