JP5083136B2 - Image forming system, control device, driver program executed by control device, and print control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, a control device, a driver program executed by the control device, and a print control method, and more particularly, an image forming system capable of processing a structured document, a control device, and a driver executed by the control device. The present invention relates to a program and a print control method.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus represented by an MFP has a function of temporarily storing print data received from a personal computer or the like, instead of printing immediately after reception, and printing it at a necessary timing. . The necessary timing is, for example, when the user inputs an instruction to print to the MFP. In this case, after the user operates the PC and instructs the MFP to print data, printing is not performed while moving to the installation location of the MFP, thereby preventing others from seeing the paper output by printing. Can do.

  On the other hand, there is a case where it is necessary to change the printing conditions after an instruction to print data on the MFP on the PC and before the data is printed on the MFP. In this case, the print condition can be changed using the print condition setting function of the MFP. However, the print condition setting screen displayed by the print condition setting function of the MFP is different from the print condition setting screen displayed by the PC. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user who is not operating the MFP to change the printing conditions.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-223062 describes a technique for describing a user interface in data described in HTML (HyperText Markup Language). According to this technique, the setting screen can be customized for each user, but the description must be changed for customization, and the work is complicated.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-223062

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that facilitates changing of printing conditions.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a driver program that makes it easy to change print conditions for printing with an image forming apparatus.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a print control method that makes it easy to change print conditions for printing with an image forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming system is an image forming system including a control device that controls the image forming device and an information processing device, and the control device receives data. Data acquisition means to be acquired, setting screen display means for displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions in order to cause the image forming apparatus to print the data, and print for accepting print conditions input according to the displayed setting screen Condition accepting means, conversion means for converting data acquired in accordance with accepted print conditions into image data for printing, capability data for defining a range of print conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus, and accepted print and conditions setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed displays the setting screen displaying means, the setting And a generating unit that generates a structured document including a setting program for pasting, and an output unit that outputs the generated structured document to the information processing device, and the information processing device acquires the structured document. A structured document acquisition unit; and an analysis unit that analyzes the acquired structured document. The analysis unit extracts a setting program from the structured document, and a program that executes the extracted setting program. seen including execution means, the program executing means, by executing the setting program displays a setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed in the control device.

According to this aspect, a structured document including capability data that defines a range of print conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus, a print condition, and a setting program for displaying a setting screen and receiving settings is generated. In the information processing apparatus that is output to the information processing apparatus and acquires the structured document, the setting program is extracted from the structured document, and the setting program is executed. For this reason, in the information processing apparatus, the print conditions can be reset on the setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed by the control device. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming system that makes it easy to change print conditions.

  Preferably, the program execution means includes a setting screen display means for displaying a setting screen for setting the print conditions, a display means for displaying the print conditions included in the structured document on the displayed setting screen, and Change means for changing the print condition displayed within a range defined by the capability data included in the structured document.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the control device includes a data acquisition unit that acquires data and a setting screen display unit that displays a setting screen for setting print conditions in order to cause the image forming apparatus to print the data. A print condition receiving unit that receives a print condition input in accordance with the displayed setting screen, a conversion unit that converts data acquired according to the received print condition into image data for printing, and a process performed by the image forming apparatus Structured including capability data that defines the range of possible print conditions, accepted print conditions, and a setting program that displays a setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display means and accepts the setting comprising generation means for generating a document, and output means for output the generated structured document, and outputs the hand From the information processing apparatus structured document is inputted by executing the setting program included in the structured document, that displays a setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display unit.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a control device that makes it easy to change print conditions for printing with an image forming apparatus.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a driver program is displayed for acquiring data, displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions for causing the image forming apparatus to print the data, and displaying the driver program. A step of accepting print conditions input according to the set screen, a step of converting data acquired according to the accepted print conditions into image data for printing, and defining a range of print conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus Generating a structured document including a setting program for displaying the setting data corresponding to the setting data displayed by the capability data, the received print condition, and the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display means ; It is performed and outputting a structured document, to the computer The information processing apparatus to which the structured document output in the output step is input executes a setting program included in the structured document, so that a setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display unit is displayed. that displays.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a driver program that makes it easy to change print conditions for printing with the image forming apparatus.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a print control method includes a step of acquiring data, a step of displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions to cause the image forming apparatus to print the data, and a display A step of receiving a print condition input according to the received setting screen, a step of converting data acquired according to the received print condition into image data for printing, and a range of print conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus. Generating a structured document including a setting program for displaying the setting data corresponding to the setting data corresponding to the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed , the print conditions received, and the setting screen , it is performed and outputting the generated structured document, to the computer The information processing apparatus to which the structured document output in the output step is input executes a setting program included in the structured document, so that a setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display unit is displayed. that displays.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a print control method that makes it easy to change print conditions for printing with an image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 controls MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 100, 101, 102 that function as image processing apparatuses and MFPs 100, 101, 102 connected to a network 2. And a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 200 functioning as a device.

  The network 2 is a local area network (LAN), and is connected to the Internet via a gateway. The connection form of the network 2 may be wired or wireless. The network 2 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a network using a public switched telephone network, a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet.

  The PC 200 is a general computer, and a driver program for controlling the MFPs 100, 101, and 102 is installed in the PC 200. Therefore, the PC 200 can transmit print data to any of the MFPs 100, 101, and 102 to form an image of the print data. Further, the same operating system is installed in each of PC 200 and MFPs 100, 101, and 102. Therefore, a program that can be executed by PC 200 can be executed by one of MFPs 100, 101, and 102.

  Each of MFPs 100, 101, and 102 includes a scanner device for reading a document, an image forming device for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on image data, and a facsimile device. It has a transmission / reception function. The MFPs 100, 101, and 102 have a difference in image forming capability for forming an image and discharge capability for discharging a sheet on which an image is formed, but the basic configuration and function are the same. Here, MFP 100 will be described as an example where MFP 100 has the highest image forming ability and discharging ability among MFPs 100 to 102.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. 2 and 3, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 130 for reading a document, an automatic document transport device 120 for transporting a document to document reading unit 130, and a document reading unit. An image forming unit 140 for forming a still image, which is read and output by the document 130 on paper or the like, a paper feeding unit 150 for supplying paper to the image forming unit 140, and a post-processing unit for discharging the paper 155 and an operation panel 160 as a user interface. The main circuit 110 includes a CPU 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM 113, a RAM 114, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 115, a hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a mass storage device, A facsimile unit 117 and a card interface (I / F) 118 to which a flash memory 118A is attached are included. CPU 111 is connected to automatic document feeder 120, document reading unit 130, image forming unit 140, paper feeding unit 150, post-processing unit 155, and operation panel 160, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 or data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. The RAM 114 temporarily stores still images continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

  The post-processing unit 155 discharges the paper on which the image is formed. The post-processing unit 155 has a plurality of paper discharge trays, and can sort and discharge the recording sheets. The post-processing unit 155 includes a punch hole processing unit and a staple processing unit, and can perform punch hole processing or staple processing on the discharged paper.

  Operation panel 160 is provided on the upper surface of MFP 100 and includes a display unit 160A and an operation unit 160B. The display unit 160A is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electroluminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 160B includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. Operation unit 160B further includes a touch panel provided on display unit 160A.

  Communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to network 2. The CPU 111 communicates with the MFPs 101 and 102 or the PC 200 via the communication I / F unit 112 to transmit and receive data. The communication I / F unit 112 can communicate with a computer connected to the Internet via the network 2.

  The facsimile unit 117 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. The facsimile unit 117 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 116 or outputs it to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 117 on a sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 117 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to a facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

  The card I / F 118 is mounted with a flash memory 118A. The CPU 111 can access the flash memory 118A via the card I / F 118. The CPU 111 loads the program recorded in the flash memory 118A attached to the card I / F 118 to the RAM 114 and executes it. Note that the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the program recorded in the flash memory 118A, and the program stored in the HDD 116 may be loaded into the RAM 114 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the network 2 may rewrite the program stored in the HDD 116 of the MFP 100 or may add a new program and write it. Further, MFP 100 may download a program from another computer connected to network 2 and store the program in HDD 116. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the PC. Referring to FIG. 4, a PC 200 connects a CPU 201 for controlling the entire PC 200, a ROM 202 for storing a program executed by the CPU 201, a RAM 203 used as a work area of the CPU 201, and the PC 200 to the network 2. A network I / F 204 for connection, an HDD 205 as a large-capacity storage device, a display unit 206, an operation unit 207 that accepts an input of a user operation, and an external storage device 209 are included.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functions of the CPU included in the PC together with programs stored in the HDD. Referring to FIG. 5, PC 200 stores a GUI (Graphical User Interface) program 231 in HDD 205. The GUI program 231 includes at least one program constituting a part of the printer driver program installed in the PC 200 as a part. Here, the GUI program 231 includes a program for displaying a screen for setting print conditions and executing processing for receiving the print conditions.

  The external storage device 209 is mounted with a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM) 209A storing a driver program. The CPU 201 loads the driver program stored in the CD-ROM 209A via the external storage device 209 to the RAM 203 and executes it. The recording medium for storing the driver program is not limited to the CD-ROM 209A, and is a flexible disk, cassette tape, optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card. A semiconductor memory such as an optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (and EEPROM, etc.) may be used. The driver program stored in the HDD 205 may be loaded into the RAM 203 and executed. In this case, the PC 200 is connected to the network 2. The driver program may be downloaded from another computer connected to the computer, and the driver program may be stored in the HDD 205. The program here is the CPU 20. 1 includes not only a directly executable program but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  The CPU 201 provided in the PC 200 acquires data, a first setting screen display unit 211 that displays a setting screen for setting print conditions, a print condition reception unit 215 that receives print conditions input according to the displayed setting screen, and data A data acquisition unit 213, a conversion unit 217 that converts the data into image data for printing according to print conditions, a generation unit 219 that generates a structured document, and an output unit 221 that outputs the structured document. . By executing the GUI program 231, the CPU 201 forms a first setting screen display unit 211 and a print condition reception unit 215 in the CPU 201.

  The data acquisition unit 213 acquires data to be printed. Data is specified according to a print operation input to the operation unit 207 by the user, and the specified data is acquired. For example, when an operation for printing data stored in the HDD 205 is received, the operation is acquired by reading the data stored in the HDD 205. In addition, when an application program such as a browsing program or a document creation program is executed, the application program obtains data temporarily stored in the RAM 203 as a processing target. When the browsing program is executed, when an operation for printing the downloaded web page from the web server is accepted, an image for displaying the downloaded web page is acquired as data. The data acquisition unit 213 outputs the acquired data to the conversion unit 217.

  The first setting screen display unit 211 displays a setting screen for setting print conditions on the display unit 206. The setting screen includes an output destination setting screen that receives an instruction to select one of MFPs 100 to 102, and a print condition setting screen that receives print conditions. FIG. 6 shows an example of the print condition setting screen. First setting screen display unit 211 includes a device selection unit that receives an instruction to select one of MFPs 100 to 102. The device selection unit displays an output destination setting screen on the display unit 206, and outputs the device identification information of the MFP 100 to 102 selected according to the output destination setting screen to the print condition receiving unit 215 and the output unit 221. The print condition setting screen is displayed on the display unit 206.

  The print condition receiving unit 215 receives the print conditions within the capability of the MFPs 100 to 102 specified by the device identification information input from the setting screen display unit 211 to execute processing. The print condition is determined by a plurality of setting items for executing processing and setting values set for each of the plurality of setting items. Since the MFPs 100 to 102 have different processing capabilities, the printing conditions are different. For this reason, the print condition receiving unit 215 receives the print conditions within the range of the processing capability of the MFPs 100 to 102 specified by the device identification information input from the setting screen display unit 211.

  The print condition includes a condition for executing an image forming process for forming a data image on a sheet and a condition for executing a discharge process for discharging a sheet on which an image is formed. The conditions for executing the image forming process are, for example, setting items for determining whether the image is color or monochrome, and settings for determining the number of pages to be formed on one sheet and the page order when the data is composed of images of a plurality of pages. Items, setting items for determining the magnification to be reduced or reduced, images to be combined such as a background pattern, and setting items for determining the position thereof. The conditions for executing the discharge process are a setting item for determining the number of sheets on which one image is formed, a setting item for determining the number of sets (number of copies) in which a plurality of images are formed, a setting item for determining sorting conditions, a punch This includes setting items for determining the hole processing position, setting items for determining the position for driving the staple needle, and the like.

  Among the MFPs 100 to 102, there are cases in which color printing is possible and those in which it is not, and cases where there are a sort function, a punch function, and a staple function, respectively, and those that do not. The print condition receiving unit 215 acquires in advance capability data that determines the processing capability of the device from each of the MFPs 100 to 102, and is based on the device capability data specified by the device identification information input from the setting screen display unit 211. Accept print conditions.

  The print condition reception unit 215 outputs the received print condition to the conversion unit 217 and outputs the print condition and capability data to the generation unit 219. Note that only the conditions for executing the image forming process among the print conditions may be output to the conversion unit 217, and only the conditions for executing the discharge process may be output to the generation unit 219.

  The conversion unit 217 converts data input from the data acquisition unit 213 into image data for printing according to the print conditions input from the print condition reception unit 215. Then, the converted image data is output to the generation unit 219.

  The generation unit 219 generates a structured document including image data input from the conversion unit 217, capability data and print conditions input from the print condition reception unit 215, and a GUI program 231 stored in the HDD 205. The generated structured document is output to the output unit 221. Here, the structured document has an XPS (Extensible Markup Language Paper Specific) format.

  The output unit 221 outputs the structured document input from the generation unit 219 to the device specified by the device identification information input from the setting screen display unit 211 among the MFPs 100 to 102. The output destination setting screen may be displayed on the display unit 206, and the structured document may be output to an output destination designated by the user using the operation unit 207 in accordance with the output destination setting screen. The structured document is set to be printed by a device specified by the device identification information input from the setting screen display unit 211. The structured document is temporarily stored and stored in another device. This is to cope with output. Output destinations that can be specified on the output destination setting screen include MFPs 100 to 102, HDD 205 of PC 200, another computer connected to network 2, and the like. Further, a structured document may be attached to an e-mail and transmitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of capability data. Referring to FIG. 7, the capability data 310 includes a vertical direction (Portrait) and a horizontal direction with respect to a setting item “Orientation” that sets the direction of an image to be formed on a sheet, which is one of the items included in the print conditions. The setting value in two directions with (Landscape) is associated. For this reason, it is shown that setting values in two directions of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction can be set for the setting item “Orientation” for setting the direction of the image to be formed on the paper.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of print conditions. Referring to FIG. 8, print condition 320 is data associating a setting item “Orientation” with a vertical direction (Portrait) as a setting value.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a structured document. The structure of the structured document is shown on a browsing screen 300 for displaying a list of data stored in the HDD 205. Referring to FIG. 9, in the browsing screen 300, the XPS folder name 301 that is a structured document is displayed as “PrintData.xps” in the left column, and in the first column of the structured document in the right column 303. Displays the data or folder to be placed. In the right column 303, the folder name 305 of the folder in which the image data is arranged in the second hierarchy is displayed as “Documents”, and the file name 307 of the GUI program is displayed as “Themes-UI.dll”. The file name 311 is displayed as “UI-Ticket.xml”. Actually, the XPS folder and lower are compressed and converted into one XPS file with the file name “PrintData.xps”.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functions of the CPU provided in the MFP. Referring to FIG. 10, CPU 111 provided in MFP 100 has a structured document acquisition unit 51 that acquires a structured document, an analysis unit 53 that analyzes the structured document, and a program execution that executes a program included in the structured document. Part 55, and an image formation control part 57 that controls the image forming part 140 and the post-processing part 155.

  When the communication I / F unit 112 receives a structured document from the PC 200, the structured document acquisition unit 51 acquires the structured document. Further, when the structured document stored in the HDD 116 is designated by the operation unit 160B or a user who operates remotely, the structured document acquisition unit 51 obtains the designated structured document by reading the HDD 116 from the designated structured document. To do. The structured document acquisition unit 51 outputs the acquired structured document to the analysis unit 53. The structured document stored in the HDD 116 may be stored in the HDD 116 when the user performs an operation of moving the structured document stored in the other MFPs 101 and 102 to the MFP 100, for example. Alternatively, it may be a structured document received from the PC 200 and temporarily stored in the HDD 116.

  The analysis unit 53 is formed in the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 executes a tool program. When an instruction to execute the tool program is input to the operation unit 160B, the CPU 111 executes the tool program and displays a startup screen on the display unit 160A.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a startup screen. Referring to FIG. 11, start-up screen 400 includes a menu 401 representing “file” characters, a button 403 representing print setting characters, and a button 405 representing print characters. .

  Returning to FIG. 10, when the menu 401 on the startup screen 400 is instructed, the analysis unit 53 displays a screen for displaying the file name of the data stored in the HDD 116, and any of the displayed file names is displayed. An instruction to select is accepted. Then, the data of the selected file name, here, the structured document is set as a processing target.

  The analysis unit 53 includes a program extraction unit 61, a print condition extraction unit 63, a capability data extraction unit 65, and an image data extraction unit 67. The program extraction unit 61 analyzes the structured document and extracts the GUI program 231 included therein. When the button 403 on the startup screen 400 shown in FIG. 11 is designated, the program extraction unit 61 temporarily stores the GUI program 231 extracted from the structured document in the RAM 114 and executes it. When the GUI program 231 is executed by the CPU 111, a program execution unit 55 is formed in the CPU 111.

  The print condition extraction unit 63 analyzes the structured document and extracts print conditions included therein. When the button 403 on the startup screen 400 shown in FIG. 11 is instructed, the print condition extraction unit 63 outputs the extracted print conditions to the program execution unit 55, but when the button 405 on the startup screen 400 is instructed. The extracted print conditions are output to the image formation control unit 57.

  The capability data extraction unit 65 analyzes the structured document, extracts capability data included therein, and outputs the extracted capability data to the program execution unit 55. The image data extraction unit 67 analyzes the structured document, extracts image data included therein, and outputs the extracted image data to the image formation control unit 57.

  The program execution unit 55 includes a second setting screen display unit 71 that displays a setting screen for setting print conditions, a print condition display unit 73 that displays print conditions, a change unit 75 that changes the print conditions, including.

  Since the second setting screen display unit 71 is formed when the GUI program 231 is executed by the CPU 111, the first setting screen display unit 211 formed in the CPU 201 is displayed when the GUI program 231 is executed by the CPU 201. The same print condition setting screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 160A. For this reason, the user can see the same print condition setting screen on which the print conditions have been set on the PC 200, so that the operation becomes easy.

  The print condition display unit 73 displays the print condition input from the print condition extraction unit 63 in a predetermined area of the print condition setting screen. For this reason, the print conditions previously set on the PC 200 can be viewed on the same print condition setting screen. The print condition display unit 73 outputs the print conditions to the change unit 75.

  When the user operates the operation unit 160B to change the print conditions displayed on the print condition setting screen, the change unit 75 changes the print conditions according to the operation. The changing unit 75 receives capability data from the capability data extracting unit 65 and receives a change within a range determined by the input capability data. Note that the print condition changed here is a condition for executing the discharge process. The changing unit 75 outputs the changed printing conditions to the image forming control unit 57.

  The image formation control unit 57 forms the image of the image data input from the image data extraction unit 67 in accordance with the changed print condition input from the change unit 75.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of print data generation processing. The print data generation process is a process executed by the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 included in the PC 200 executes a driver program. Referring to FIG. 12, CPU 201 determines whether or not data is designated (step S01). The process waits until data is specified. When data is specified, the process proceeds to step S02. For example, when an operation for printing data stored in the HDD 205 is accepted, designation of data for which an operation for printing is received is accepted. When an operation for printing is input while the application program is being executed, the application program receives a designation of data temporarily stored in the RAM 203 as a processing target.

  In step S02, the designated data is acquired. Data stored in the HDD 205 or RAM 203 is acquired. Then, the output destination is accepted. The MFP 100, 101, 102 receives a designation of a device to be printed. Here, a case where MFP 100 is designated as an output destination will be described as an example.

  In step S04, the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. Then, a print condition input by the user to the operation unit 207 is received (step S05). Next, image data for printing an image of the data is generated from the data acquired in step S02 and the print conditions received in step S05 (step S06).

  In the next step S07, it is determined whether or not a program embedding instruction has been accepted. The program embedding instruction is an instruction input by a user that determines whether or not to transmit the GUI program in combination with image data. In the initial setting screen of the printer driver program, whether or not to transmit the GUI program in combination with image data may be set in advance. Alternatively, an inquiry screen may be displayed when setting of the print conditions is completed, and the user may select whether or not to transmit the GUI program in combination with image data at that stage. If an instruction to transmit the GUI program as a set with image data is accepted, the process proceeds to step S08; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, an XPS file incorporating the image data generated in step S06 is generated, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S08, an XPS file incorporating the image data generated in step S06 is generated, and the process proceeds to step S09. In step S09, the GUI program 231 stored in the HDD 205 is incorporated into the XPS file generated in step S08, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the output data received in step S03, the capability data of MFP 100 in this case, is incorporated into the XPS file, and the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the print conditions accepted in step S05 are incorporated into the XPS file, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the generated XPS file is output to the output destination accepted in step S03. Here, the XPS file is transmitted to MFP 100.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of setting change processing. The setting change process is a process executed by CPU 111 or CPU 201 when CPU 111 provided in MFP 100, 101, or 102 or CPU 201 provided in PC 200 executes a tool program. Here, a case where CPU 111 of MFP 100 executes a tool program will be described as an example.

  Referring to FIG. 13, CPU 111 displays activation screen 400 shown in FIG. 11 on display unit 160A (step S21). Then, it is determined whether an XPS file has been designated (step S22). The process waits until an XPS file is specified (NO in step S22). If an XPS file is specified (YES in step S22), the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the designated XPS file is analyzed. Then, based on the analysis result, the GUI program embedded in the XPS file is extracted (step S24), the printing conditions are extracted (step S25), the capability data is extracted (step S26), and the image data Is extracted (step S27).

  In the next step S28, it is determined whether a setting change instruction has been accepted. It is determined whether or not the button 403 indicating the print setting character on the startup screen 400 shown in FIG. If button 403 is instructed, a setting change instruction is accepted, and the process proceeds to step S29. If not, the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, it is determined whether a print instruction has been accepted. It is determined whether or not the button 405 indicating the print character on the startup screen 400 shown in FIG. 11 is instructed. If button 405 is instructed, a print instruction is accepted and the process proceeds to step S37. If not, the process returns to step S28. In step S37, the image data extracted in step S36 is printed under the print conditions extracted in step S25, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S29, the GUI program extracted in step S25 is executed. In step S30, the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 160A, and in the next step S31, the print condition extracted in step S25 is displayed on the display unit 160A. For this reason, when generating print data in the PC 200, the user can change the print conditions while viewing the same screen as the print condition setting screen viewed to input the print conditions.

  In step S32, it is determined whether an instruction to change the displayed print condition is accepted. Here, the set value is received within the range defined by the capability data extracted in step S26. Since the XPS file is generated for printing by MFP 100, the capability data extracted in step S26 is the capability data of MFP 100. For example, the XPS file may be generated for printing by the MFP 101. In this case, the capability data extracted in step S26 is different from the capability data of the own apparatus and the MFP 100. In this case, the change of the setting value of the item included in the print condition is accepted within the range defined by the capability data of MFP 100 as the self apparatus. In addition, when the setting value of the setting item included in the print condition is an item that is not defined in the capability data of the own device, or an item that is defined in the capability data of the own device, the setting value is A warning is displayed when it is not within the range defined in the device capability data. As a result, the user can be informed that printing cannot be performed with the print conditions extracted in step S25.

  In step S33, the print condition is changed with the changed setting value, and the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, it is determined whether an instruction to end the change has been accepted. If an instruction to end the change is accepted, the process proceeds to step S35; otherwise, the process returns to step S32.

  In step S35, the image data extracted in step S27 is printed under the print conditions changed in step S33, and the process ends. Here, the case where image data extracted from the XPS file is printed has been described as an example. However, a new XPS file incorporating the changed printing conditions and the like may be generated and stored in the HDD 116. .

  As described above, PC 200 receives print conditions input according to the print condition setting screen, converts the data acquired according to the print conditions into image data for printing, and sets the range of print conditions that can be processed by MFP 100. A structured document including GUI data 231 for displaying the capability data to be determined, the print condition, and the print condition setting screen and receiving the setting is generated and transmitted to MFP 100. The MFP 100 that acquires the structured document extracts the GUI program 231 from the structured document and executes it. Therefore, in MFP 100, the print condition can be reset on the same screen as the print condition setting screen displayed by PC 200, and the print condition can be easily changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the PC 200 has been described as an example of the control device. However, the print control method for executing the processing illustrated in FIG. 12 and the computer for executing the print control method are described. It goes without saying that the invention can be understood as a driver program.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of an image forming system in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an MFP. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of PC. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function which CPU with which PC is provided with the program memorize | stored in HDD. An example of a setting screen is shown. It is a figure which shows an example of capability data. It is a figure which shows an example of printing conditions. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a structured document. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP. It is a figure which shows an example of a starting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of print data generation processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a setting change process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image formation system, 2 network, 51 Structured document acquisition part, 53 Analysis part, 55 Program execution part, 57 Image formation control part, 61 Program extraction part, 63 Print condition extraction part, 65 Capability data extraction part, 67 Image data Extraction unit, 71 setting screen display unit, 73 print condition display unit, 75 change unit, 100, 101, 102 MFP, 110 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 communication I / F unit, 117 facsimile unit, 118 card I / F, 118A flash memory, 120 automatic document feeder, 130 document reading unit, 140 image forming unit, 150 paper feeding unit, 155 post-processing unit, 160 operation panel, 160A display unit, 160B operation unit, 200 PC, 201 CPU, 206 display Section, 207 operation section, 211 first setting screen display section, 213 data acquisition Part, 215 print condition reception part, 217 conversion part, 219 generation part, 221 output part, 231 program.

Claims (6)

An image forming system including a control device for controlling an image forming device and an information processing device,
The controller is
Data acquisition means for acquiring data;
Setting screen display means for displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions in order to cause the image forming apparatus to print data;
Print condition accepting means for accepting print conditions input in accordance with the displayed setting screen;
Conversion means for converting the acquired data into image data for printing in accordance with the accepted print conditions;
The setting data corresponding to the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the capability data that defines the range of the printing conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus is received. Generating means for generating a structured document including a setting program for
Output means for outputting the generated structured document to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes structured document acquisition means for acquiring the structured document;
Analyzing means for analyzing the acquired structured document,
The analysis means includes program extraction means for extracting the setting program from the structured document;
And program executing means for executing the extracted setting program, only containing,
The program execution unit displays the setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed on the control device by executing the setting program . The program execution means includes a setting screen display means for displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions;
Display means for displaying print conditions included in the structured document on the displayed setting screen;
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: a changing unit configured to change the displayed print condition within a range determined by capability data included in the structured document.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is the image forming apparatus. Data acquisition means for acquiring data;
Setting screen display means for displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions in order to cause the image forming apparatus to print data;
Print condition accepting means for accepting print conditions input in accordance with the displayed setting screen;
Conversion means for converting the acquired data into image data for printing in accordance with the accepted print conditions;
The setting data corresponding to the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the capability data that defines the range of the printing conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus is received. Generating means for generating a structured document including a setting program for
Output means for outputting the generated structured document ,
An information processing apparatus to which the structured document is input from the output unit executes a setting program included in the structured document, thereby setting screen corresponding to the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display unit Control device to display . Obtaining data, and
Displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions in order to cause the image forming apparatus to print data;
Receiving print conditions input according to the displayed setting screen;
Converting the acquired data into image data for printing in accordance with the accepted print conditions;
The setting data corresponding to the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the capability data that defines the range of the printing conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus is received. Generating a structured document including a setting program for
Outputting the generated structured document to a computer ,
The information processing apparatus to which the structured document output in the outputting step is input, and by executing the setting program included in the structured document, the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display means Driver program that displays the corresponding setting screen . Obtaining data, and
Displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions in order to cause the image forming apparatus to print data;
Receiving print conditions input according to the displayed setting screen;
Converting the acquired data into image data for printing in accordance with the accepted print conditions;
The setting data corresponding to the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the setting data displayed by the capability data that defines the range of the printing conditions that can be processed by the image forming apparatus is received. Generating a structured document including a setting program for
Outputting the generated structured document to a computer ,
The information processing apparatus to which the structured document output in the outputting step is input, and by executing the setting program included in the structured document, the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display means A print control method that displays the corresponding setting screen .

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