JP5251564B2 - Image forming apparatus, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for each type of application in an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus having a macro function for setting and holding an operation condition for each process for executing the application and executing the application according to the held operation condition There is.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-185661 (Patent Document 1), in an image forming apparatus, a macro editing setting state is stored in an editing memory in association with a macro key, and then the editing memory is operated by operating the macro key. A technique for reading out an edit setting state from a macro and executing a macro is disclosed.

  In addition, in JP 2006-44161 A (Patent Document 2), when generating a macro that reproduces an operation procedure of an operation unit in an image forming apparatus, information on an operation unit of another image forming apparatus is acquired. A technique for changing a macro so that it can be executed by an operation unit of another image forming apparatus is disclosed.

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the macro operating condition has a certain fixed setting value, it depends on a setting item specifically defined in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when there is a change in the image forming apparatus configuration, management data in the image forming apparatus, etc., it is necessary to change to a macro desired by the user. In this case, it is complicated for the user because the setting value of the management data not related to the procedure defined by the macro is changed.

  In addition, there are cases where it can only be used effectively in an image forming apparatus that has created a macro, and when it is used in another image forming apparatus, it is necessary to change a setting value related to the image forming apparatus.

  Further, in order to solve the problem of the setting value related to the image forming apparatus, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260688, when the setting items and the configuration of the operation screen are different, the macro data itself can be changed and used. However, from the point of view of the user who originally used the macro, if the configuration of the operation screen of the own device has changed, it cannot be used in the conventional operation, and the setting value of the setting item is There is a possibility that the operation has changed, and there is a possibility that an operation that is not desired by the user who uses the macro may be obtained.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention registers macros having macro data that can be defined by concept rather than specific values, so that even if a change occurs in the device configuration of the image forming apparatus or management data in the apparatus, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming processing method, and a program which can use a macro without requiring complicated processing by a user.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus that executes a macro in which macro data including a condition value of each operation condition is set , and includes storage means for storing information management data including at least the condition value, the macro data being , look including a stored-data to which the condition value indicating whether the relative variables, condition values contained in the set macro data is included in the information management data stored by the storage means If the condition value matches, the condition value is set as the variable .

Alternatively, an information management that executes a macro in which macro data including a condition value of each operation condition and storage type data indicating whether or not the condition value is a relative variable is set, and includes at least the condition value An image processing method in an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores data, wherein a condition value included in the set macro data matches a condition value included in the information management data stored in the storage unit If so, the method includes a setting step of setting the condition value as the variable in the macro data .

Alternatively, Ru program der for executing the image processing method on a computer.

  According to the present invention, by registering a macro having macro data that can be defined by concept instead of a specific value, even if a change occurs in the apparatus configuration of the image forming apparatus or management data in the apparatus, it is complicated by the user. Macro processing can be used without requiring special processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration related to a macro of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the macro data concerning this invention. The figure which shows the example of personal information management data. The figure which shows the example of the apparatus information management data regarding a scanner function. The sequence diagram in which the macro data contained in the macro for mail transmission are memorize | stored. The figure which shows an example of the display screen which displays macro data. The figure which shows an example of the display screen for making an inquiry to a user. The figure which shows an example of the display screen which displays the macro data after converting and setting a condition value to a variable. The sequence diagram in case "C" calls "e-mail to a boss". The sequence diagram in case "E" calls "mail to a boss". The figure which shows another example of the apparatus information management data shown in FIG. The figure which shows the example of the apparatus information management data regarding the performance of a copy function. The figure which shows the macro data of the macro which makes the printing image quality the highest. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration related to a macro of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of macro data according to a second embodiment. The conceptual diagram which showed an example of the organization structure of a group. The figure which showed an example of the data structure of the group C. The figure which showed an example of the data structure of the group E. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure example 1 of macro registration in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure example 1 of macro call in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure example 2 of macro call in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of macro data according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows an example of specific information. The figure which shows an example of the determination method of a condition value. The figure which shows an example of the inquiry screen with respect to a user. FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the sequence shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the display screen which selects the system which specifies condition values. The flowchart which shows an example of a process when "selection at the time of a macro call" is set as a condition value determination system. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the macro data shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted and received between image forming apparatuses. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which the macro data shown in FIG. 15 is transmitted and received between image forming apparatuses. The figure which shows the example of the data structure of the macro data in the modification 2. The figure which shows the example of the display screen which displays only the condition value acquired from information management data.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Hardware configuration of image forming apparatus>
First, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a control unit 101, a main storage unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, a network I / F 104, an external storage device I / F 105, an input unit 106, a display unit 107, a printing unit 108, The scanner unit 109, an external device I / F 110, and the like are included.

  The control unit 101 is a CPU that controls each device, calculates data, and processes in a computer. The control unit 101 is an arithmetic device that executes a program stored in the main storage unit 102. The control unit 101 receives data from the input device or the storage device, calculates and processes the data, and outputs the data to the output device or the storage device.

  The main storage unit 102 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, and stores or primarily stores programs and data such as an OS and application software that are basic software executed by the control unit 101. Device.

  The auxiliary storage unit 103 is an HD (Hard Disk) or the like, and is a storage device that stores data related to application software and the like. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores various types of information (for example, user information) managed by the image forming apparatus, and is managed by functions such as a database (DB: DataBase) and a file system (FS: File System). .

  The network I / F 104 includes peripheral devices having a communication function connected via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and a WAN (Wide Area Network) constructed by a data transmission path such as a wired and / or wireless line. An interface of the image forming apparatus.

  The external storage device I / F 105 is an interface between the image forming apparatus and an external storage device 111 (for example, a storage media drive) connected via a data transmission path such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

  The input unit 106 and the display unit 107 include a key switch (hard key) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) having a touch panel function (including a GUI user key: Graphical User Interface), and the functions of the image forming apparatus It is a display and / or input device that functions as a UI (User Interface) when using.

  When the printing unit 108 receives image data including C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), the electrophotographic process (exposure, latent image, development, and transfer) using a laser beam is received. The plotter device outputs (prints) received image data onto transfer paper (printing paper) using a process.

  The scanner unit 109 includes a line sensor composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) photoelectric conversion element, an A / D converter, and a drive circuit for driving them, and scans a document set on a document reading surface (on a contact glass). This is a reading device that generates digital image data of 8 bits for each of RGB (reads information from a document and digitizes it).

  The external device I / F 110 exchanges (transmits / receives and reads / writes) with an external device 112 (for example, a digital camera) connected via a data transmission path such as a USB.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus executes a program stored in a storage device such as the main storage unit 102 or the auxiliary storage unit 103 by the control unit 101 and sends a control signal (control command) to each device (each By controlling the apparatus), applications such as copy, fax, scanner, and printer that the image forming apparatus has are realized, and information managed by the image forming apparatus or information managed in the system to which the image forming apparatus is connected Can be processed.

<Regarding Functional Block Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
Next, a functional block configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The function of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a layer structure including a UI layer 201, an activity layer 202, and a filter layer 203.

  The user interface (UI) layer 201 is a part on which a UI function for receiving an execution request of an application (for example, copy, fax, scanner, print) is implemented. The UI layer 201 includes an operation unit device 211 and a UI 212.

  The operation unit device 211 plays a role of a device driver that controls devices (key, LCD, Light Emitting Diode: LED, buzzer, etc.) attached to the operation panel. The UI 212 receives a request input via the operation panel. Specifically, the UI 212 includes a reading UI 213, an editing UI 214, a printing UI 215, and an activity UI 216.

  The reading UI 213 is a UI that receives a request for controlling the scanner unit 109 of the image forming apparatus. The editing UI 214 is a UI that receives a request for controlling an image processing unit (IPU) (not shown) in the image forming apparatus. The print UI 215 is a UI that receives a request for controlling the printing unit 108 of the image forming apparatus. The activity UI 216 is a UI that receives a request for controlling execution of an application.

  The activity layer 202 is a part in which each filter included in the filter layer 203 described later is connected by a pipe according to a requested application, and a function for controlling the execution of the application based on the connected filter is implemented. .

  The activity 221 provides the user with a function such as a transmission operation by controlling the operation of each filter.

The filter layer 203 is a part on which a component (filter) group that realizes a part of functions provided in the image forming apparatus and a lower function commonly used by each filter are mounted.
The filter layer 203 includes a reading filter 231, an editing filter 232, a transmission filter 233, personal information management 234, device information management 235, data management 236, authentication 237 and the like.

  The reading filter 231 controls reading of image data by the scanner unit 109 and outputs the read image data. The edit filter 232 outputs image data edited by an image processing unit (IPU) (not shown) in the image forming apparatus. The transmission filter 233 transmits the input data by, for example, FAX transmission or mail transmission.

  The personal information management 234 manages user information of the image forming apparatus. The device information management 235 manages device information of the image forming apparatus. The data management 236 makes the information of the image forming apparatus permanent. The authentication 237 manages information on a user who logs in to the image forming apparatus.

  The plug-in management 204 controls installation or uninstallation of the module on the image forming apparatus.

<Functional Block Configuration for Macro of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration related to a macro of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 300 includes a macro data input unit 301, a macro data setting unit 302, a storage unit 303, a macro reading unit 309, and a condition value acquisition unit 310.

  The macro data input means 301 is input or selected (hereinafter referred to as input or the like) of condition values of operating conditions included in macro data for executing a macro. At this time, if there is an instruction to register a macro having the input macro data, the macro data input unit 301 outputs the input macro data to the macro data setting unit 302.

  The macro data setting unit 302 determines whether or not the condition value included in the input macro data matches the condition value included in the information management data 305 stored in the storage unit 303. When the macro data setting unit 302 determines that they match, the macro data setting unit 302 acquires, from the storage unit 303, a variable for relatively expressing the condition value determined to match.

  Here, the relative variable means a variable that can uniquely specify a condition value from data or the like included in information management data 305 described later.

  Further, when the macro data setting unit 302 acquires the variable from the storage unit 303, the macro data setting unit 302 inquires of the user whether or not to convert the condition value into the variable. If it is instructed to convert the condition value to a variable as a result of the query, the condition value is converted to a variable and macro data is set. If it is instructed not to convert the condition value into a variable as a result of the query, the condition value itself is set in the macro data. The macro data that has been set is stored in the storage unit 303.

  In this example, the user is confirmed when the condition value can be converted into a variable. However, the condition value may be converted into a variable without confirmation from the user.

  The storage unit 303 stores data such as macro data 304, information management data 305, and user identification information 308. The information management data 305 includes personal information management data 306 and device information management data 307.

  Here, the macro data 304 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of macro data when a transmission macro is registered. The macro data shown in FIG. 4 includes an operation condition, a condition value, a storage type, a specific destination, and a definition name.

  The operation condition indicates an operation condition necessary for executing the transmission macro. Here, the operating conditions for transmission include destination, transmission time, file format, compression, and the like. The condition value indicates a set value of the operating condition. For example, the condition value whose operation condition is “destination” is set to “boss” which is a variable described later. In addition, the condition value whose operation condition is “transmission time” is set to “after 10 minutes” of the condition value itself set by the user or the like.

  The storage type is an absolute value indicating whether the set condition value is a relative value for acquiring the condition value from the information management data 305 different from the macro data 304, or the condition value itself set in the macro data 304 Indicates the value. In the example shown in FIG. 4, if the condition value is “boss” which is a variable, the storage type is “relative”, and if the condition value is “10 minutes later” which is the condition value itself, the storage type is “absolute”. Is set.

  The identification destination indicates in which information management data of the storage unit 303 the condition value is stored. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, if the specific destination is “personal information management”, the personal information management data 306 includes a condition value. If the specific destination is “device information management”, the device information management data 307 is included. Indicates that the condition value is included.

  The definition name indicates an identifier used for referring to the condition value included in the macro data from the information management data. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the definition name of the operation condition “compression” whose storage type is “relative” is “DEFAULT SEND COMP”. It is only necessary to refer to the condition value of the information management data having the same definition name from this definition name “DEFAULT SEND COMP”.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the information management data 305 will be described. The information management data 305 has data that can convert the condition value included in the macro data as a relative variable.

  Here, personal information management data 306 and device information management data 307 included in the information management data 305 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the personal information management data 306. As shown in FIG. 5, the personal information management data is divided into personal information and group information, and each includes items, definition names, and condition values.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing device information management data of initial setting values of the reading conditions and transmission conditions of the scanner function. As shown in FIG. 6, the device information management data has a reading condition and a transmission condition.

  The reading condition and the transmission condition are composed of an item, a condition value, and a definition name, respectively. For example, the initial setting value of the reading condition item “density” is set to “dark”, and the initial setting value of the transmission condition item “compression” is set to “yes”.

  Note that the information management data 305 may not necessarily be stored separately as the personal information management data 306 and the device information management data 307 as long as the condition value can be uniquely identified from the definition name.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the user specifying information 308 is information that can specify the user who has logged into the apparatus. For example, when “A” shown in FIG. 4 is logged in to the apparatus, the information identifying that “A” is the user specifying information.

  The above is the configuration until the macro data is stored in the storage unit 303. The configuration for reading the macro data 304 stored in the storage unit 303 and executing the macro will be described below.

  The macro reading unit 309 reads the macro data 304 from the storage unit 303 and outputs the read macro data 304 to the acquisition unit.

  The condition value acquisition unit 310 acquires the macro data 304 from the macro reading unit 309 and determines whether the storage type included in the macro data 304 has “relative”. When the storage type is “relative”, a condition value is acquired (loaded) from the information management data 305 indicated in the specified destination based on the definition name and the variable.

  Further, when the identification destination is “personal management information”, the user identification information 308 is further acquired, and based on the acquired user identification information 308, the definition name, and the variable, the condition value is obtained from the personal information management data 306. To get. The condition value acquisition unit 310 outputs the macro data acquired from the macro reading unit 309 and the condition value acquired from the storage unit 303 to the macro data setting unit 302.

  The macro data setting unit 302 sets the macro data of the macro to be executed based on the macro data and the condition value acquired from the condition value acquisition unit 310. After the macro data is set, the macro is executed by macro execution means (not shown).

  In FIG. 3, the above-described functional configuration is used. However, as long as the above-described function is provided, the configuration is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, and a plurality of configurations may be combined into a single configuration. In this case, it goes without saying that the input and output of data between the combined components is unnecessary.

<Procedure for setting macro of image forming apparatus>
Next, a procedure until macro data according to the first embodiment is set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram in which macro data (see FIG. 4) included in a mail transmission macro “mail to boss” is stored.

  The example shown in FIG. 7 shows a procedure until the macro data shown in FIG. 4 is finally set with reference to FIGS. Also, the title “email to boss” can be any title as long as the macro can recognize what the user can do.

  First, in step S101, “A” logs into the apparatus. Next, in steps S102 to S109, “A” sets the condition value of the transmission condition by inputting data from a display screen such as a touch panel. FIG. 8 shows an example of specific condition values input by the user. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen that displays macro data including a condition value input by the user. As shown in FIG. 8, the user sets “bbb@xxx.co.jp” as the destination, “00:10” as the transmission time, “TIFF” as the file format, and “Yes” as the compression.

  Next, in step S110, “A” is instructed to register a macro having macro data of the set transmission condition. At this time, in step S111, the activity 221 inquires using the data of the information management data 305 whether the set condition value can be converted as a variable (macro data setting means 302).

  The case where it is determined whether the destination “bbb@xxx.co.jp” cannot be converted as a relative variable will be described. First, the macro data setting unit 302 sets “bbb@xxx.co.jp” for the destination “bbb@xxx.co.jp” based on the definition name “USER ADDRESS” from the “personal information management” data of the specified destination. It is determined whether or not the condition value “can be converted with a variable. At this time, since the identification destination indicates “personal information management” data, the macro data setting unit 302 also uses the user identification information 308 “A” for the determination.

  In steps S112 and S113, the personal information of the personal information management data shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the logged-in user is “A” from the user identification information 308, and then the group of “A” is “A”. I understand that. Next, from the group information, the boss of the group “A” is known as “B”, and when the address of “B” is examined, it is found that it is “bbb@xxx.co.jp”.

  That is, it can be determined that the destination “bbb@xxx.co.jp” set by “A” is the address of the boss “B”. In step S114, the activity 221 determines that “bbb@xxx.co.jp” as the destination condition value can be set in the macro data as “boss” as a relative variable (macro data setting unit 302).

  Next, in step S115, the activity 302 inquires of the user whether to set the condition value “bbb@xxx.co.jp” as a relative variable “supervisor” (macro data setting means 302). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for making an inquiry to the user. In step S116, if the user instructs to set as a variable, the set condition value is converted to "supervisor" and set in macro data (macro data setting means 302).

  Next, a case where it is determined whether or not the transmission time “after 10 minutes” can be converted as a relative variable will be described. First, in step S117, the activity 221 sets the condition value “10 minutes later” for the transmission time “10 minutes later” from the “device information management” data of the specified destination based on the definition name “MACHINE SEND TIME”. Judge whether conversion with variables is possible.

  Since the device information management data shown in FIG. 6 does not have the definition name “Machine Send Time”, it is determined in step S118 that the activity 221 cannot be converted as a variable.

  Next, a case where it is determined whether the file format “TIFF” cannot be converted as a relative variable will be described. First, in step S119, for the file format “TIFF”, the activity 221 cannot convert the condition value “TIFF” as a variable based on the definition name “DEFAULT READ FILETYPE” from the specified “device information management” data. To determine.

  From the device information management data shown in FIG. 6, it is found that the condition value corresponding to the definition name “DEFAULT READ FILETYPE” is “PDF”. Therefore, in step S120, it is determined that “TIFF”, which is the condition value of the set file format, cannot be set in the macro data as the relative variable “initial setting value”.

  Next, a case where it is determined whether the compression “perform” cannot be converted as a relative variable will be described. First, in step S121, the activity 221 is able to convert the condition value of “Yes” with a variable based on the definition name “DEFAULT SEND COMP” from the specified “device information management” data for compression “Yes”. judge.

  From the device information management data shown in FIG. 6, it is found that “Yes” is obtained when the condition value corresponding to the definition name “DEFAULT SEND COMP” is examined. Therefore, it is determined that the compression condition value “Yes” can be set in the macro data as a relative variable “initial setting value”. It should be noted that if conversion is possible using relative variables based on the condition values of the device information management data, all conversion is performed using a variable called “initial setting value”.

  In step S123, the activity 221 inquires the user whether to set the condition value “YES” as a relative variable “initial setting value”. In step S124, if the user instructs to set as a variable, the set condition value is converted into “initial setting value” and set in macro data.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the macro data after the condition value is converted into a variable and set. The destination and compression are set in the macro data as variables “boss” and “initial setting value”, respectively. According to the above configuration, it is determined whether all input condition values can be converted into relative variables. However, the condition values relate to personal information management data and basic function initial setting values. This determination may be made only in the case of device information management data.

  In the case of the macro data shown in FIG. 4, the transmission time identification destination is “device information management”, but since the definition name does not have “DEFAULT”, it can be determined that the data is not related to the initial setting value. Without making such a determination, the condition value itself is set in the macro data as the memory type “absolute”. As a result, the processing load on the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

<Procedure for calling a macro of an image forming apparatus>
A procedure for calling a macro of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when “C” calls the macro “Mail to boss” registered by “A” in FIG.

  First, in step S101, “C” logs into the apparatus. Next, in steps S201 and S202, “C” executes the “email to boss” macro registered by “A”, so “email to boss” registered by “A” using the macro ID or the like. Call the macro. At this time, since the activity 221 has “relative” in the storage type of the macro data in step S203, it is necessary to acquire the condition value from the information management data. Here, since the identification destination is “personal information management” data, the condition value is acquired using the user identification information.

  Next, in steps S204, S205, and S206, the personal information management 234 acquires condition values based on the variable “boss”, the specific destination “personal information management”, the definition name “USER ADDRESS”, and the user specific information “C”. (Condition value acquisition means 310). More specifically, it can be understood from the personal information of the personal information management data shown in FIG. 5 that the group of the logged-in user “C” is “yes”.

  Next, from the group information of the personal information management data, it can be seen that the “boss” of the group “I” is “D”. Therefore, in step S <b> 206, the condition value acquisition unit 310 acquires the address “ddd@xxx.co.jp” of “D”, which is the supervisor of “C”, as the address set for the variable “supervisor”.

  Next, in step S207, the activity 221 acquires the condition value of the variable “initial setting value” whose storage type is “relative”. In other words, the condition value acquisition unit 310 acquires the condition value based on the specific destination “device information management” data and the definition name “DEFAULT SEND COMP”.

  At this time, it is assumed that the device information management data shown in FIG. 6 has been changed to the device information management data shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the device information management data shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, the compression condition value is “not”.

  Therefore, in step S208, the device information management 235 acquires “do not” from the device information management data as the condition value for the compression variable “initial setting value” (condition value acquisition unit 310).

  Next, in step S <b> 209, the activity 221 sets the acquired condition values “ddd@xxx.co.jp” and “no” in the macro data, and outputs them to the transmission filter 233.

  Here, the example in the case where “C” calls the macro “Mail to boss” whose “C” is “A” has been described, but the example in the case where “E” calls the macro “Mail to boss” whose “A” is called 12 will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram in a case where the macro “E-mail to boss” whose “E” is “A” is called. A description of processing that performs the same processing as in FIG. 11 is omitted. The problem in FIG. 12 is that, as shown in FIG. 4, the group “E” is not set in the personal information of the personal information management data. Therefore, since there is no uniquely identifiable address for the variable “boss”, the condition value is “not applicable” (S301). At this time, an address to which the user wants to send can be input from the display screen (S302).

  The above has described an example of calling the macro “Mail to Boss”. Next, the macro call will be described using an example of a macro relating to a copy with the highest image quality that differs for each model as device information.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information management data regarding the performance of the copy function determined for each device. The device information management data related to the copy function includes, for example, reading performance data and print setting data.

  The reading performance data includes items such as resolution MAX and MIN, which are stored in association with the condition value and the definition name, respectively. The print performance data includes items such as the maximum number of colors and the minimum number of colors in the color mode, which are stored in association with the condition value and the definition name, respectively.

  Here, a macro that maximizes the print image quality will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing macro data of a macro that maximizes the print image quality. The macro data shown in FIG. 15 has a resolution and a color mode set as operating conditions. In this macro data, a condition value is set with a variable “MAX” in the resolution and a variable “maximum number of colors” in the color mode.

  At this time, when the macro with the highest print image quality is called, since the data storage type of the macro is “relative” for both the resolution and the color mode, it is necessary to acquire the condition value from the specified data.

  The condition value acquisition unit 310 can acquire the condition value “1200 dpi” from the device information management data based on the definition name “MODE READ RESOLUTION MAX” and the variable “MAX” for the resolution. The condition value acquisition unit 310 can acquire the condition value “full color” from the device information management data based on the definition name “MODE PRINT COLOR HIGH” and the variable “maximum number of colors” for the color mode.

  Therefore, it is possible to perform a macro copy that maximizes the print image quality based on the macro data in which the condition values “1200 dpi” and “full color” are set.

As described above, according to the first exemplary embodiment, by registering a macro having macro data that can be defined by concept instead of a specific value, even if a change occurs in the device configuration of the image forming apparatus or management data in the apparatus, the macro data can be used. The macro can be used conceptually without requiring complicated processing by the user. Moreover, by dividing the information management data 305 into the personal information management data 306 and the device information management data 307, only when logged-in user specific information is required User specific information can be acquired.

  In addition, when it is determined that the condition value can be converted as a relative variable, the user can further determine whether the condition value is converted to a variable and confirmed with the user whether or not to register the macro data. Macros to be registered can be registered.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 will be described. Since the macro data is a variable, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment can uniquely specify a condition value even when there are a plurality of condition values for the variable when a macro call is performed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration related to a macro of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 400 includes a macro data input unit 301, a macro data setting unit 403, a storage unit 401, a macro reading unit 309, and a condition value acquisition unit 406. 16, the same functions as those shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the specific information 403 is included in the macro data 304 stored in the storage unit 401. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of macro data according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, specific information 403 is added to the macro data 304 as compared to the first embodiment. Here, the specific information 403 refers to information for uniquely characterizing a condition value when there are a plurality of condition values when a condition value is acquired from a “variable” whose storage type is “relative”.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, when there are a plurality of “group length destination” condition values, the condition value is uniquely identified based on the identification information “ID12”. Specifically, the condition value can be uniquely identified by referring to the definition destination “DECISION FACTOR” of the identification information “ID12” (see FIG. 17B). This “DECISION FACTOR” stores information that can uniquely specify a condition value. For example, when there are a plurality of group lengths, the first hierarchy and the second hierarchy, if “Xth hierarchy” is stored in this “DECISION FACTOR”, it is possible to uniquely identify the superior of which hierarchy. Can do.

  FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the organizational structure of a group. As shown in FIG. 18, “Group A” includes “A Leader”, “Suzuki”, “Satoh”, and “Murata”. “Group B” includes “B leader”, “Satoh”, “Sasaki”, and “Nakamura”. “Group C” includes “C leader”, “Group A”, and “Group B”.

  The “group D” includes “D leader”, “Yamada”, “Miyamoto”, and “Hoshino”. “Group E” includes “E leader” and “group D”.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of group C. FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of group A. FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of group B. FIG. 19C is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of group C.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of group E. FIG. 20A is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of group D. FIG. 20B is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of group E.

  The relationship between the members of the group and the leader can be understood from the data shown in FIGS. The data shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 is personal information management data 306.

  For example, since “Satoh” shown in FIG. 19 belongs to both “Group A” and “Group B”, when the macro data shown in FIG. 4 is called, “A leader”, “B leader”, or “C leader” “I do n’t know which group head to use.

  Therefore, the destination of the group length “ID1” of the macro data is specified using the specific information indicated by “ID12”. In the second embodiment, this specific information is included in the macro data. When the macro data shown in FIG. 17 is called, the definition destination “DECISION_FACTOR” of the specific information is referred to and “A leader”, “B leader” or “C leader” is identified. “DECISION_FACTOR” includes information for specifying “A leader”, “B leader”, or “C leader”. For example, a “MEMBER ID” of a certain leader may be included, or information that can be uniquely identified indirectly such as “one with a large number of past transmissions” or “one with many constituent members” may be included. Good.

  The specific information “DECISION_FACTOR” may be held by being included in the macro data of FIG. 17 or may be placed in another data area and the specific information may be called by referring to this data area. .

  Returning to FIG. 16, the specific information setting unit 404 included in the macro data setting unit 403 determines what specific information should be set for the variable when the macro data is registered by the user. Set the result to specific information. Even when there are two or more supervisors for a certain user, it is determined from the address set in the macro data what level the supervisor is, and set as specific information.

  The specific information selection unit 405 can select what specific information should be set when there are a plurality of condition values for the variable. For example, the specific information list is displayed to the user, one specific information is selected from the list, and the selected specific information is registered in the macro data.

  The condition value specifying unit 407 of the condition value acquiring unit 406 specifies the condition value using the specific information when the macro is read, if the specific information is set in the macro data variable.

  The condition value selection unit 408 presents other condition values not selected by the condition value specifying unit 407 to the user, and allows other condition values to be selected. As a result, in addition to the condition value automatically specified by the system, the condition value can be selected by the user's specification, so that the macro desired by the user can be executed flexibly.

<Procedure example 1 for registering a macro>
FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure example 1 of macro registration in the second embodiment. Here, in the case of the group configuration as shown in FIG. 18, the supervisor of “Suzuki” can be “A leader” or “C leader”. Therefore, in order to identify each boss, “A leader” who is a direct boss is set as “first level boss”, and “C leader” means “boss who is one level above“ A leader ”. It is assumed that “the boss of the second hierarchy”. In such a case, the supervisor can be uniquely specified by having “hierarchy” as the specific information.

  As shown in FIG. 21, an example will be described in which “Suzuki” registers a macro that performs a process of sending mail to the “C leader” who is the boss of the second hierarchy.

  In step S401, when “Suzuki” selects “C leader” who is the boss of the second hierarchy and performs macro registration, the activity 221 (macro data setting means 404) has selected the personal information management 234 in step S402. Queries the relative information of the destination.

  In steps S403 to S405, the personal information management 234 (specific information setting means 405) shows in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 what level of boss's macro registration is requested for the login person (“Suzuki”). Judge using personal information management data.

  Next, in step S 406, the personal information management 234 (specific information setting unit 405) returns “specific information” indicating relative information “supervisor” and the boss of what level to the activity 221. Here, information “second layer” is returned as the specific information. In step S 407, the activity 221 (macro data setting unit 404) stores macro data information in the storage unit 401.

  As a result, even when there are multiple condition values corresponding to a variable when calling macro data, the specific information is represented as higher or lower in the hierarchical structure, and the specific information is registered in the macro data so that the condition value can be uniquely set. Can be identified.

<Macro call procedure example 1>
FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure example 1 of the macro call in the second embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 22 is an example in which “Yamada” of “Group D” shown in FIG. 18 calls the macro registered in FIG.

  In step S501, “Yamada” logs into the apparatus. In step S <b> 502, “Yamada” requests to call a macro (email to the boss) registered by “Suzuki”. In step S503, the activity 221 calls the requested macro (email to the boss) from the storage unit 401 (macro reading unit 309).

  In step S504, the activity 221 inquires for absolute information based on the relative information variable set in the macro data (condition value acquisition unit 406). At this time, if the relative information includes the specific information, the specific information (second layer) is designated. When the user information “Yamada” is acquired through steps S403 and S404, in step S505, the personal information management 234 uses “personal information management data 306 shown in FIG. The “e-leader” who is the “boss” is specified (condition value specifying means 407).

  In step S506, the personal information management 234 acquires the destination (address) of the “E reader” from the storage unit 401, and outputs the acquired destination (“e@xxx.co.jp”) to the activity 221 (condition value). Acquisition means 310). In step S507, the activity 221 sets the acquired destination in the transmission filter 233 (macro data setting unit 403).

  Thus, even when a plurality of condition values can be considered when calling macro data created by another person, the condition values can be uniquely set by using the specific information.

  Further, even when the “A leader” shown in FIG. 18 selects the group address of “group A” and performs macro registration, the sequence is the same as in FIG. In this case, the hierarchical structure of “group” is registered as “first hierarchy” as a destination variable.

  Next, when “C leader” calls a macro registered by “A leader”, the sequence is the same as in FIG. 22, and the group address of “C group” under “C leader” is expanded. The mail will be sent to all members of “Group C”.

<Macro call procedure example 2>
FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure example 2 of the macro call in the second embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 23 is an example in which “Satoh” calls macro data registered by selecting “A leader” (superior of the first hierarchy) as the destination by “Suzuki” of “Group A” shown in FIG. It is.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 18, the boss of the first layer of “Satoh” is both “A leader” and “B leader”. In such a case, the boss cannot be specified only by the “hierarchy” described above as the specific information. Therefore, a supervisor can be uniquely determined by adding specific information. Further, specific information to be added includes “transmission count priority” and “text search hit frequency priority”. The sequence for registering this macro is the same as in FIG.

  However, if the variable is information having a plurality of possibilities as condition values (such as a boss and a group), the behavior when there are a plurality of candidates is automatically added as the macro information ID 13 (see FIG. 24). FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating another example of macro data according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, information that can uniquely identify the condition value is stored in ID13. Information stored in the ID 13 may be prepared as an initial setting or may be set by a user.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of the specific information. As shown in FIG. 25, for example, the identification information 2 of ID 13 includes “transmission count priority”, “text search hit frequency priority”, and “select when calling macro”. In the example shown in FIG. 25, “transmission count priority” is initially set, and when there are a plurality of condition values, it means that the transmission count is prioritized and the destination is set with a high transmission count.

  In the process shown in FIG. 23, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same processes as those shown in FIG. 22, and the description thereof is omitted. As a result of the personal information management 234 specifying the destination (supervisor) in step S505, two addresses of “A leader” and “B leader” are returned to the activity 221.

  In step S601, the activity 221 confirms a determination method for determining how to determine a plurality of condition values (in this case, addresses). The determination method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a condition value determination method. As shown in FIG. 26, as a determination method, “manual determination” in which the user selects and determines from a plurality of condition values is automatically determined by the system using specific information, and “automatic determination (not confirmed) is not allowed to be confirmed by the user. ) ”,“ Automatic determination (confirmation) ”for automatically determining by the system using specific information and allowing the user to confirm. Note that this determination method is set in advance.

  In the example shown in FIG. 23, it is assumed that this determination method is “automatic determination (confirmation)” (S601). In step S602, the activity 221 determines how to uniquely specify the condition value from the information stored in the ID13. In the example illustrated in FIG. 23, it is assumed that “transmission count priority” is stored in ID13.

  Next, in steps S603 to S605, the activity 221 inquires the transmission filter 233 for the number of transmissions of both “A leader” and “B leader”, and compares the number of transmissions of “A leader” and “B leader” ( Condition value specifying means 407). Here, it is assumed that “A leader” has a larger number of transmissions.

  In step S606, the activity 221 inquires (confirms) whether the “A leader” is acceptable because the determination method confirmed in step S601 is “automatic (confirm)”. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inquiry screen for the user. As shown in FIG. 27, the condition value specified by the system is displayed so that it can be distinguished from other condition values. The condition value selection means 408 can select another condition value (the address of “B reader”) from the display screen as shown in FIG. If the determination method is “automatic (not confirmed)”, the user inquiry is not performed and the destination is set to the address of “A leader”.

  In step S <b> 607, the activity 221 sets the destination (“A leader” address) confirmed by the user in the transmission filter 233.

  From the above, by specifying one condition value preferentially from a plurality of condition values in the system and making other condition values selectable, the user can save time from selecting from a plurality of condition values. . In addition, when it is desired to correct a condition value specified with priority, it can be easily corrected by selecting another condition value.

  Here, FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the sequence shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 28, the information stored in the ID 13 is “selected when calling a macro”.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in step S701, the activity 221 determines how to uniquely specify a condition value from the information stored in ID13. In the example shown in FIG. 28, it is assumed that “select when calling macro” is stored in ID 13.

  In step S702, the activity 221 inquires of the user about a method for automatically specifying a condition value. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for selecting a method for specifying a condition value. As shown in FIG. 29, the user selects “transmission count priority” and “text search frequency hit priority” (specific information selection means 405).

  In step S703, the user selects “transmission count priority” and presses a confirmation button. The subsequent processing is the same as in FIG.

  Next, FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when “select when calling macro” is set as the condition value determination method. 30 is mainly performed by the activity 221 (condition value acquisition unit 406 and the like).

  As shown in FIG. 30, in step S801, it is determined whether to use a means for specifying a condition value using specific information. If “manual determination” shown in FIG. 26 is set in the system (NO), the determination in step S801 proceeds to step S802, and “automatic determination (not confirmed)” or “automatic determination (confirmation) shown in FIG. ) ”Is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S803.

  In step S802, the user manually specifies a condition value (for example, a destination address). In step S803, the specific information is referred to. In step S804, it is determined whether specific information can be selected. If “select when calling macro” shown in FIG. 25 is set (YES), the process proceeds to step S805, and if other than “select when calling macro” shown in FIG. 25 is set (NO), the process proceeds to S806.

  In step S805, specific information is selected by the user. That is, by setting “select when calling macro” as the condition value determination method, desired specific information can be selected every time the user calls a macro. In step S806, the set specific information is determined. In step S807, the condition value is identified based on the identification information.

  In step S808, it is determined whether to confirm the specified condition value. If it is “automatic determination (confirmation)” shown in FIG. 26 (YES), the process proceeds to step S809, and if it is “automatic determination (not confirmation)” shown in FIG. 26, (NO) processing is ended.

  In step S809, the user is prompted to confirm the condition value. At this time, another condition value can be selected by the user so that the condition value can be corrected.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when there are a plurality of condition values corresponding to a variable when calling macro data, the condition value can be uniquely specified by using the specific information. Further, the specific information may be information indicating a hierarchical structure. In addition, when the condition value is uniquely specified, the condition value that has not been specified is also presented to the user, thereby giving the user an opportunity to correct it.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the user can be set in advance to set specific information in the system in advance, or to select specific information each time. It is also possible for the user to set in advance whether or not the user should confirm the condition value uniquely specified by the specific information.

(Modification)
Next, an image forming apparatus according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described. In addition, although each modification of Example 1 is demonstrated below, since it can implement similarly about the modification of Example 2, description is abbreviate | omitted. The image forming apparatus according to the first modification further includes transmission / reception means for writing macro data to another image forming apparatus or reading macro data from another image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, since it is known that the macro configuration and the data structure of the macro data are the same between the image forming apparatuses, the image formation according to the first modification is performed with reference to FIG. 16 on the assumption that only the macro data is transmitted / received (written / read). The apparatus will be described. If it is only known that the data structure of the macro data is the same, it may be transmitted and received together with the macro data including the macro.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the macro data illustrated in FIG. 4 is transmitted and received between image forming apparatuses. The macro data stored by the device A includes a condition value whose storage type is “relative”. The macro data stored in the device A is transmitted to the device B so that the device B can use the macro data.

  At this time, apparatus A and apparatus B may transmit / receive macro data via a network using an information device such as a personal computer, may transmit / receive using a Web screen operating in the apparatus, or may be dedicated. You may send and receive using an application. In addition, devices may be directly connected to transmit and receive.

  When device B receives the macro data transmitted from device A and there is an operation condition of “relative” storage type, device B searches the information management data in device B for the same definition name and corresponds to the definition name. The condition value to be acquired is acquired, and the acquired condition value is set as the condition value of the received macro data. If there is no definition with the same definition name, the condition value of the most similar definition name may be acquired, or it may be ignored and ignored so that the macro does not malfunction.

  Thus, without changing or adding macro data, the device A can transmit the file without compressing it, and the device B can transmit the file after compressing it. That is, if the data structure of the macro data according to the present invention is provided, the same macro can be executed even if the initial setting values of the functions of the apparatuses A and B are different.

  Next, another example of Modification 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the macro data illustrated in FIG. 15 is transmitted and received between image forming apparatuses. The macro data stored in the device A includes a condition value whose storage type is “relative”. The macro data stored in the device A is transmitted to the device B so that the device B can use the macro data.

  The device B receives the macro data transmitted from the device A, and has the same definition name from the information management data in the device B for the variables “MAX” and “maximum number of colors” whose storage type is “relative”. And the condition values “600 dpi” and “monochrome” corresponding to the definition name are acquired, and the acquired condition values “600 dpi” and “monochrome” are set in the received macro data.

  As a result, even between apparatuses having different basic function performances, the apparatus A can perform the copy of the resolution “1200 dpi” and the color mode “full color” without changing the macro data, and the apparatus B can perform the resolution “ “600 dpi” and color mode “monochrome” can be copied.

  Therefore, if it is known that the same macro structure and the same macro data structure are obtained, the macro can be used without problems between apparatuses by transmitting and receiving (writing and reading) only the macro data.

  It should be noted that the image forming apparatus according to the first modification has the same macro data structure as that of its own apparatus based on the apparatus ID and the previously received other party macro data before sending and receiving macro data. The macro data may be transmitted after it is determined whether or not it has.

  Next, an image forming apparatus in Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In Modification 2, when it is not desired to provide information such as an address to other users, the condition value can be set only by a variable.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of macro data in the second modification. The difference from the macro data described above is that prohibition setting data is added. When the prohibition setting is “Yes”, the condition value is set as a variable. Thus, when another person uses this macro data, the condition value itself set by the person is not known to the other party.

  If the set condition value is not in the information management data, or if there is no variable that can be uniquely identified, the condition value cannot be converted into a variable and set. However, when the prohibition setting is “Yes”, the condition value cannot be stored in the information management data. Therefore, in such a case, it may be configured such that a macro is meaningless to the user, or the condition value is not selected or set to macro data without being input.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the modified example 2, when there is information that other users do not want to be known, such as personal information, the condition value is stored with the storage type as “absolute” by the prohibition setting data. Can be prevented.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to Modification 3 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen that displays only the condition values acquired from the information management data. 34 shows that the destination condition value “ddd@xxx.co.jp” and the compression condition value “none” are condition values acquired from the information management data. In addition, the condition value itself that is not a variable and the condition value acquired from the information management data may be displayed on different screens.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the third modification, it can be confirmed whether or not a condition value not intended by the user is set.

  At this time, if the condition value acquired from the information management data is a condition value that is not intended by the user, for example, if the data of the information management data has not been updated and the address of the old boss is displayed However, this condition value may be corrected. Thus, the macro can be further executed with the condition value intended by the user.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and other than the above-described modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, various modifications and changes can be made.

  It should be noted that the processing content described in each embodiment and each modification may be a program, and the program may be executed by a computer to cause the image forming apparatus to execute the above-described processing. It is also possible to record the program on a recording medium, cause the computer to read the recording medium on which the program is recorded, and cause the image forming apparatus to execute the processing described above.

201 UI layer 202 Activity layer 203 Filter layer 211 Operation unit device 212 UI
213 Reading UI
214 Editing UI
215 Print UI
221 Activity 231 Reading filter 232 Editing filter 233 Transmission filter 234 Personal information management 235 Device information management 236 Data management 237 Authentication 300 Image forming device 301 Macro data input means 302, 403 Macro data setting means 303, 401 Storage means 304 Macro data 305 Information Management data 306 Personal information management data 307 Device information management data 308 User specific information 309 Macro reading means 310, 406 Condition value acquisition means 402 Specific information 404 Specific information setting means 405 Specific information selection means 407 Condition value specification means 408 Condition value selection means

JP 2002-185661 A JP 2006-44161 A

Claims (18)

An image forming apparatus that executes a macro in which macro data including a condition value of each operating condition is set,
Storage means for storing information management data including at least the condition value;
The macro data is viewed contains a stored-data to which the condition value indicating whether the relative variables, condition values contained in the set macro data, the information management stored by the storage means An image forming apparatus , wherein if the condition value included in the data matches, the condition value is set as the variable . The information management data includes personal information management data related to personal information and device information management data related to device information,
The macro data includes specific destination data indicating whether a condition value included in set macro data is included in the personal information management data or the apparatus information management data. The image forming apparatus according to 1 . The information management data has a definition name that is an identifier for referring to a condition value included in the information management data;
When the storage type data indicates that the condition value is the variable, the storage type data further includes an acquisition unit that acquires the condition value from the information management data based on the definition name and the variable. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 . The storage means further stores user identification information of a user who has logged into the device,
The acquisition means, when the storage type data indicates that the condition value is the variable, and when the specific destination data indicates that the condition value is included in the personal information management data, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the condition value is acquired from the personal information management data based on a definition name, the variable, and the user specifying information. Other the image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus according to claims 1 to 4 one wherein any further comprising a transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving the macro data having the same data structure as the macro. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising selection means for selecting whether or not to set a condition value included in set macro data as the variable. Forming equipment. The macro data is image forming apparatus according to an item any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a prohibition setting data indicating whether the conditional value not the variable may be set to the macro data . When the condition value is acquired from the information management data by the acquisition unit, the display unit further includes a display unit that displays the condition value acquired by the acquisition unit and the condition value that is not the variable. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 . The macro data includes specific information that is information for specifying the condition value when there are a plurality of condition values corresponding to the variable,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a condition value specifying means for specifying the condition value based on said variable and the specifying information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the specific information is information indicating a hierarchical structure. Among the plurality of condition values corresponding to the variable, the condition value not specified by the specifying means and the specified condition value are distinguished and displayed on the display screen, and the unspecified condition value can be selected. the image forming apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein further comprising a condition value selecting means. Specific information selection means for selecting which of information for specifying a condition value or information indicating that the specific information is selected when registering the macro data is stored with respect to the specific information. the image forming apparatus as claimed in any one claims 9 to 11, further comprising. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 , wherein when there are a plurality of condition values corresponding to the variable, whether the condition value is specified using the specifying information or the condition value is specified by a user is set in advance. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Executing a macro in which macro data including a condition value of each operation condition and storage type data indicating whether or not the condition value is a relative variable is set, and information management data including at least the condition value An image processing method in an image forming apparatus comprising a storage means for storing,
Setting that sets the condition value in the macro data as the variable when the condition value included in the set macro data matches the condition value included in the information management data stored in the storage unit An image processing method comprising steps. The information management data has a definition name that is an identifier for referring to a condition value included in the information management data;
When the storage type data indicates that the condition value is the variable, the storage type data further includes an acquisition step of acquiring the condition value from the information management data based on the definition name and the variable. The image processing method according to claim 14 . The image processing method according to claim 14 or 15 with respect to other image forming apparatus having the same data structure as the macro, further comprising a reception step of transmitting and receiving the macro data. The macro data includes specific information that is information for specifying the condition value when there are a plurality of condition values corresponding to the variable,
The image processing method according to any one of claims 14 to 16 , further comprising a condition value specifying step of specifying the condition value based on the variable and the specifying information. A program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of claims 14 to 17 .

Images