JP6607042B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus , an image forming method, and a program that collect and print received print job data in Nin1 on the apparatus side.

  There are roughly two methods of setting so as to execute so-called aggregate printing, in which images of a plurality of pages are reduced and arranged on one page for output. One is a method of setting aggregate printing by a printer driver every time a print job is transmitted from a PC (Personal Computer) by the printer driver, and the other is setting aggregate printing as an apparatus setting in the image forming apparatus. In other words, this is a method of applying aggregate printing to all received print jobs.

  As an example in which the former setting method is used, for example, a case where materials for a plurality of pages are printed and distributed in a meeting or the like. By performing the collective printing, the materials can be printed together on a smaller number of pages than the original number of pages, and the paper required for printing can be saved.

  As an example in which the latter setting method is used, for example, in an enterprise or a department, in order to save the number of printed sheets, there is a case where aggregate printing is set as an apparatus setting in the image forming apparatus using the Imposition function. As a result, when printing is performed by the image forming apparatus, collective printing is always performed.

JP 2012-183390 A

  The aggregate print setting in the printer driver and the aggregate print setting by the apparatus setting can be used together, and the apparatus setting is reflected in all jobs. For example, the following situation occurs. FIG. 15 shows a state where the administrator has set up 2in1 printing in which two pages are combined into one page for printing to save paper, and a user who does not know it sets 2in1 printing on the printer driver side. An example is shown below. As a result of overlapping application of 2-in-1 printing on the printer driver side and 2-in-1 printing according to device settings, a 4-in-1 configuration is formed in which four pages are collected into one sheet at the time of output.

  In this way, even if each of the user and the device administrator wants to print with a 2 in 1 configuration, both settings are applied simultaneously, resulting in a 4 in 1 configuration, so printing with a configuration not intended by the user is possible. It will be executed.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and even if the setting of aggregate printing by the printer driver and the setting of aggregate printing by the apparatus setting overlap, the number of aggregations according to the intention of the setter It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus , an image forming method, and a program capable of performing aggregate printing.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] A device setting unit for setting consolidated printing as the device setting of the own device;
A print job accepting unit for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the print job received by the print job reception unit is a print job that performs aggregate printing, and if the print job is a print job that performs aggregate printing;
When the determination unit determines that the print job received by the print job reception unit is a print job for performing aggregate printing, the aggregated printing set by the device setting unit and the page aggregation number specified in the print job An aggregation number adjustment unit that changes the page aggregation number of aggregation printing set by the device setting unit according to the page aggregation number of
An aggregation unit that creates an output image in which images based on a print job received by the print job reception unit are aggregated according to the page aggregation number after being changed by the aggregation number adjustment unit;
An image forming unit that forms an image based on the output image created by the aggregation unit;
Equipped with a,
The aggregation number adjustment unit obtains a value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of the changed device setting by using the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the device setting. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set by the apparatus setting unit is changed so as to be a larger value among the set page aggregation numbers .

  In the above invention, it is determined whether or not the received print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing (hereinafter referred to as an aggregate print job), and if it is an aggregate print job, the number of page aggregation is determined. If it is determined that the received print job is an aggregate print job, the aggregated page aggregation number set in the apparatus setting is changed according to the aggregated page number specified in the print job. . As a result, the final result of the page aggregation number according to the intention of the user who has submitted the print job and the setting person of the apparatus setting is output.

  For example, if 2in1 is set in the print job and 4in1 is set in the device setting, the final result of the 4in1 configuration is output by changing the page aggregation number in the device setting from 4 to 2.

  In the above invention, the value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number on the print job side by the page aggregation number of the device setting after the change is the larger of the page aggregation number on the print job side and the page aggregation number of the device setting before the change. Change the page aggregation number of the device setting so that it becomes the value of. For example, if the page aggregation number on the print job side is 4 and the page aggregation number of the device setting before change is 2, the page aggregation number of the device setting is changed from 4 to 1.

[2] A device setting unit for setting consolidated printing as the device setting of the own device;
A print job accepting unit for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the print job received by the print job reception unit is a print job that performs aggregate printing, and if the print job is a print job that performs aggregate printing;
When the determination unit determines that the print job received by the print job reception unit is a print job for performing aggregate printing, the aggregated printing set by the device setting unit and the page aggregation number specified in the print job An aggregation number adjustment unit that changes the page aggregation number of aggregation printing set by the device setting unit according to the page aggregation number of
An aggregation unit that creates an output image in which images based on a print job received by the print job reception unit are aggregated according to the page aggregation number after being changed by the aggregation number adjustment unit;
An image forming unit that forms an image based on the output image created by the aggregation unit;
With
The determination unit performs the determination based on an object obtained by PDL analysis of the print job, and two or more sets in which all objects having the same shape are combined into one set in one page. In some cases, if the relative positions of the objects for each set are the same in all sets, it is determined that the print job received by the print job receiving unit is a print job for performing aggregate printing. The number of objects constituting one of the sets is determined as the page aggregation number
An image forming apparatus.

  In the above invention, whether or not the received print job is an aggregate print job and the determination of the page aggregation number in the case of the aggregate print job are performed based on an object obtained by PDL analysis of the print job. . Therefore, it is not necessary to newly use another information to make the determination.

  In the above invention, when there are two or more sets in which all objects having the same shape are combined into one set in one page, the relative positions of the objects in each set are the same in all sets. Determines that the received print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing. In addition, the number of objects constituting one set of the two or more sets is determined as the page aggregation number set in the received print job. Each set consists of two or more objects.

  For example, if there are four objects that make up a template that is common to all pages in the original page, the four objects appear on any page, and the arrangement on those pages is the same. Become. Therefore, for example, when the 4in1 configuration is used, the same object appears four times in one page. In addition, even after aggregation in a 4-in-1 configuration, the relative position of each object is the same in each page. Therefore, when there are a plurality of sets of the same object appearing a plurality of times in one page, the relative positions of the objects in one set are the same in any set. If there is the above-mentioned feature in one page, it is determined that the received print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing. In addition, it is determined that the number of objects constituting one set among the plurality of sets of objects corresponds to the number of page configurations.

[ 3 ] The image forming apparatus according to [ 2 ], wherein the determination unit performs the determination on objects that exist in common in all pages.

In the above invention, a set of objects having the same shape is created for objects that exist in common on all pages, and whether or not the received print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing and determining the number of page aggregations. Doing so avoids misjudgment.
[4] The aggregation number adjusting unit may calculate a value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number specified in the print job by the page aggregation number of the changed device setting and the page aggregation number specified in the print job. Change the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set by the device setting unit so that the device setting becomes the larger one of the page aggregation numbers set
The image forming apparatus according to [2] or [3], wherein
[5] An image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus in which aggregate printing is set as the apparatus setting,
A print job accepting step for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and determining the number of page aggregation when the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing;
When it is determined in the determination step that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, according to the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as a device setting. An aggregation number adjustment step for changing the aggregated page aggregation number set as the device setting;
An aggregation step of creating an output image in which images based on the print job are aggregated according to the number of page aggregations changed in the aggregation number adjustment step;
An image forming step of performing image formation based on the output image created in the aggregation step;
With
In the aggregation number adjusting step, a value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number specified in the print job by the page aggregation number of the changed device setting is set as the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the device setting. Change the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as the device setting so that it will be the larger of the set page aggregation numbers
An image forming method.
[6] An image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus in which aggregate printing is set as the apparatus setting,
A print job accepting step for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and determining the number of page aggregation when the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing;
When it is determined in the determination step that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, according to the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as a device setting. An aggregation number adjustment step for changing the aggregated page aggregation number set as the device setting;
An aggregation step of creating an output image in which images based on the print job are aggregated according to the number of page aggregations changed in the aggregation number adjustment step;
An image forming step of performing image formation based on the output image created by the aggregation step;
With
In the determination step, the determination is made based on an object obtained by PDL analysis of the print job, and two or more sets in which all objects having the same shape are combined into one set in one page. In some cases, if the relative positions of the objects for each set are the same in all sets, it is determined that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and one set of the two or more sets is set. The number of objects constituting the page is determined as the page aggregation number
An image forming method.
[7] A program to be executed by an image forming apparatus in which aggregate printing is set as the apparatus setting,
A print job accepting step for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and determining the number of page aggregation when the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing;
When it is determined in the determination step that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, according to the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as a device setting. An aggregation number adjustment step for changing the aggregated page aggregation number set as the device setting;
An aggregation step of creating an output image in which images based on the print job are aggregated according to the number of page aggregations changed in the aggregation number adjustment step;
An image forming step of performing image formation based on the output image created in the aggregation step;
With
In the aggregation number adjusting step, a value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number specified in the print job by the page aggregation number of the changed device setting is set as the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the device setting. Change the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as the device setting so that it will be the larger of the set page aggregation numbers
A program characterized by that.
[8] A program to be executed by an image forming apparatus in which aggregate printing is set as the apparatus setting,
A print job accepting step for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
A determination step of determining whether or not the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and determining the page aggregation number when the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing;
When it is determined in the determining step that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, according to the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as a device setting. An aggregation number adjustment step for changing the aggregated page aggregation number set as the device setting;
An aggregation step of creating an output image in which images based on the print job are aggregated according to the number of page aggregations changed in the aggregation number adjustment step;
An image forming step of performing image formation based on the output image created by the aggregation step;
With
In the determination step, the determination is made based on objects obtained by PDL analysis of the print job, and two or more sets in which all objects having the same shape are combined into one set in one page. In some cases, if the relative positions of the objects for each set are the same in all sets, it is determined that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and one set of the two or more sets is set. The number of objects constituting the page is determined as the page aggregation number
A program characterized by that.

According to the image forming apparatus , the image forming method, and the program according to the present invention, even when the setting of the aggregate printing by the printer driver and the setting of the aggregate printing by the apparatus setting overlap, the page aggregation according to the intention of the setter is performed. Aggregate printing can be performed with a number.

1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which aggregated printing is executed when aggregated printing is set in both the print job and the apparatus setting in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example at the time of employ | adopting one template and performing 4 in 1 printing in presentation material creation software. It is a figure which shows the example at the time of performing 4 in 1 printing in the Word document. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the language processing performed with an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows a mode that an object is acquired by PDL analysis. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating position information of each object in one page in the case of 2in1 printing. It is a figure which shows a mode that the distance between the objects which comprise a group is compared in the case of 2 in 1 printing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating position information of each object in one page in the case of 4in1 printing. It is a figure which shows a mode that the distance between the objects which comprise a group is compared in the case of 4in1 printing. It is a figure which shows the other method for confirming whether 4in1 arrangement | positioning conditions are satisfied. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a printing system performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a job analysis process. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a general case where consolidated printing is executed in a state where consolidated printing is set in both a print job and apparatus setting.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming system 7 including an image forming apparatus 10 and a PC terminal 40 of the present invention. The image forming system 7 is configured by communicably connecting the PC terminal 40 and the image forming apparatus 10 through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) 3.

  The PC terminal 40 plays a role of creating a document file or the like, creating a print job based on the document file or the like, and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus 10. The PC terminal 10 receives a print setting operation from the user by the printer driver, and creates a print job with the print settings of the received content. In the embodiment of the present invention, the PC terminal 10 can create a print job for performing aggregate printing (hereinafter referred to as an aggregate print job) in addition to a normal print job.

  Aggregated printing refers to printing performed by reducing and consolidating images for a plurality of pages to be printed on one sheet, and is also referred to as Nin1 printing (N is the number of images to be aggregated). Hereinafter, the number (N) of images (pages) to be aggregated is referred to as a page aggregation number.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a copy job for optically reading a document and printing a duplicate image on a recording sheet, a scan job for storing image data of the read document as a file (scanned image), and a PC terminal 40. This is a so-called multi-function machine having a function of executing a job such as a print job (print job) for printing an image related to the sent print data on a recording paper and outputting the print data.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 can set aggregate printing (Nin1) in the apparatus setting. For example, when consolidated printing is set in the device settings, if a normal print job that has not been set for consolidated printing is sent from the PC terminal 40, the number of page consolidations set in the device settings The print job is executed in (N) consolidated printing. In the embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given assuming that consolidated printing is set in the apparatus settings.

  Further, when the aggregate printing is set in the apparatus setting, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the aggregate print job from the PC terminal 40, the page aggregation number set on the PC terminal 40 side, and the own apparatus The larger of the page aggregation numbers set in the device setting is selected, and the page aggregation number in the device setting is adjusted so that the final result has the configuration of the page aggregation number.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The CPU 11 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, a hard disk device 15, an image processing unit 16, a scanner unit 17, a printer unit 18, and a facsimile via a bus. A communication unit 19, a network communication unit 20, and an operation panel 30 are provided.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various processes according to these programs. The ROM 12 stores a program for the CPU 11 to execute a series of controls of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes processing based on a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information. The hard disk device 15 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, various application programs, user information, print data and image data, a job information history, and the like.

  The image processing unit 16 performs processing such as image enlargement / reduction, rotation, rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression / decompression processing, and the like.

  The scanner unit 17 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 17 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving unit, a lens or a mirror that guides the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor and forms an image, a conversion unit that converts the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is configured with. In the present embodiment, a document (object to be read) is set on an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) or platen glass before the user performs reading. When the document is set on the ADF, the document is conveyed by the ADF, and the image data is acquired by reading the document while moving the document relative to the reading position. When the document is set on the platen glass, the document is read with the document placed on the platen glass, and image data is acquired.

  The printer unit 18 has a function of forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. Other methods may be used for image formation.

  The facsimile communication unit 19 performs a function of transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external device having a facsimile function through a public line.

  The network communication unit 20 performs a function of communicating data with the PC terminal 40 and other external devices through a network such as the LAN 3.

  The operation panel 30 includes a display unit 31 and an operation unit 32. Among these, the operation unit 32 includes a switch unit 33 such as a start button and a touch panel unit 34. The display unit 31 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The CPU 11 performs control related to display contents displayed on the operation panel 30 and control related to reception of operations by the operation panel 30.

  The touch panel unit 34 is provided on the display unit 31. The touch panel unit 34 detects a touch position (coordinate position) on the display unit 31 pressed by a touch pen or a finger, a flick operation, a drag operation, and the like. Further, the CPU 11 recognizes a handwritten input by the user from a continuously detected change in touch position (operation information).

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the function as the determination unit 35 that determines whether the print job received from the PC terminal 40 is an aggregate print job and the number of page aggregations when the print job is an aggregate print job is the CPU 11. Fulfills. In addition, the CPU 11 also serves as a device setting unit 36 that performs device settings with contents corresponding to operations received on the operation panel 30. In addition, the CPU 11 selects the larger one of the page aggregation number set on the PC terminal 40 side and the page aggregation number set in the device setting of the own device, and the final result is the page aggregation number. In order to achieve this configuration, it also serves as an aggregation number adjusting unit 37 that adjusts the page aggregation number of the device setting.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a flow in the printing system 7 from when the PC terminal 40 creates a print job until the image forming apparatus 10 outputs the result. First, the user calls a printer driver screen on the PC terminal 40 in a state where a file to be printed such as a document file or a presentation file is opened (or selected), and the printer driver screen is displayed. Then, settings related to printing are performed (T1).

  In FIG. 3, the user has set 2 in 1 printing (consolidated printing with the page aggregation number being 2) using the printer driver of the PC terminal 40. When the setting is completed, the PC terminal 40 creates an aggregate print job based on the file to be printed according to the user's instruction, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 10 (T2).

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when the PC terminal 40 creates a print job with the 2-in-1 setting, the PC terminal 40 creates PDL data corresponding to an image in which two pages are combined into one page, and the print job including the PDL data Is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10.

  In FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 is set in advance with 2 in 1 printing as an apparatus setting. When the image forming apparatus 10 receives the print job, it determines whether the print job is an aggregate print job by analyzing the PDL data included in the print job. The number is judged (T3).

  When the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the received print job is an aggregate print job and determines the page aggregation number (in FIG. 3, it is determined that the page aggregation number = 2), the aggregate print job is used. Select the larger one of the page aggregation number set and the page aggregation number set in the device settings. As shown in FIG. 3, when the page aggregation number of the aggregate print job is the same as the page aggregation number of the apparatus setting, either one may be selected.

  Then, image formation is performed by adjusting the page aggregation number of the apparatus setting so that the final product has the configuration of the selected page aggregation number (T4). In FIG. 3, since both the page aggregation number set in the aggregate print job and the page aggregation number set in the apparatus setting are “2”, the apparatus setting side makes the final result a 2-in-1 configuration. Is turned off (the page aggregation number is changed to “1”), and image formation based on the print job is performed.

  As a result, even if consolidated printing is set in both the print job and the device settings, printing is performed with the number of page aggregations according to the intention of the user who submitted the print job or the user who performed the device settings. Is possible.

  Next, a description will be given of a method in which the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the received print job is an aggregate print job and the number of pages aggregated when the print job is an aggregate print job.

  When the print job created by the PC terminal 40 is created from, for example, a presentation material or a Word document, there may be a case where common contents exist on all pages. Therefore, in the 2in1 configuration, there is a high possibility that there are two sets of common contents in one page, and in the 4in1 configuration, there are four sets of common contents in one page.

  For example, FIG. 4 shows an example of one page when the presentation material is printed in 4in1. When creating presentation materials, it is common to specify templates and apply them to all pages to create materials with a unified design. In FIG. 4, only the template portion is shown, and the body portion and the like are omitted. In FIG. 4, since the images for four pages are collected on one page, there are four objects (circles, horizontal bars, etc.) constituting the template.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of one page when a Word document is printed in 4in1. When creating a Word document, a common description (date, version number, company name, document name, etc.) may be added to the same position on all pages as a header or footer. In FIG. 5, since four pages of images are collected on one page, there are four objects such as headers and footers.

  If there are four objects constituting the template in the original page, the four objects appear on any page, and the arrangement in those pages is the same. Therefore, when the 4in1 configuration is used, the same object appears four times in one page. In addition, even after aggregation in a 4-in-1 configuration, the relative position of each object is the same in each page. Therefore, when there are a plurality of sets of the same object appearing a plurality of times in one page, the relative positions of the objects in one set are the same in any set. Since the relative position is the same in any pair, for example, the distance between the first object on the original first page and the first object on the original second page is the second object on the original first page. And the distance from the original second page to the second object.

  The image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not the print job is an aggregate print job and the number of page aggregations based on the presence or absence of the above-described aggregate printing characteristics within one page of the received print job.

  An outline of the determination method will be described. First, among the received print jobs, all objects having the same shape are grouped into a set of objects in one page. Each created group is composed of two or more objects.

  If there are two or more sets and the number of objects constituting each set is the same, an arrangement condition corresponding to the number of objects is selected. Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the selected arrangement condition is satisfied. When the selected arrangement condition is satisfied, it is determined that the received print job is an aggregate print job in which the number of objects constituting each group described above is the page aggregation number.

  First, timing for acquiring information related to objects in one page will be described with reference to an outline of language processing until image formation is performed based on a received print job. FIG. 6 shows the flow of language processing during execution of a print job. First, print data described in PDL included in a print job is analyzed, and an object to be printed, its placement position, characters, its font, and the like are acquired (S1). Next, rasterization processing is executed based on the object obtained by the above-described PDL analysis and device settings, and an output image is created (S2). Here, for example, when 2in1 is set in the apparatus settings, the image for two pages is compressed and stored in the page memory, and an output image is created. Thereafter, image formation (printing output) is performed on the paper based on the output image (S3). In this way, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the shape information and position information of the object in (S1). The object shape information and position information are used to determine whether the print job is an aggregate print job and the page aggregation number.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which information relating to each object in one page is acquired in (S1) of FIG. Here, the shape information and position information of each object are acquired.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 acquires information related to each object in one page, the image forming apparatus 10 creates a set of objects having the same shape from them. Note that a set of objects having the same shape may be made of only objects common to all pages. If there are two or more sets and the number of objects constituting each set is the same, it is confirmed whether the arrangement condition corresponding to the number of objects is satisfied.

  When the number of objects constituting each group is “2”, the image forming apparatus 10 selects a 2in1 arrangement condition, which is an arrangement condition of the 2in1 configuration, and confirms whether the 2in1 arrangement condition is satisfied. .

  When confirming whether or not the 2 in 1 arrangement condition is satisfied, first, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the coordinates of the center point of each object (plane coordinates by the X axis and the Y axis). In FIG. 8, when there are three sets of objects having the same shape and the number of objects constituting each set is “2”, the coordinates of the coordinates of the six objects (objects 101 to 106) and the center point of each object are shown. An example is shown.

  In FIG. 8, an object 101 and an object 104, an object 102 and an object 105, and an object 103 and an object 106 are a set of objects having the same shape.

  Next, the distance between each set of objects is obtained on the X axis and the Y axis. However, in the case of the 2-in-1 configuration, since two pages are arranged vertically or horizontally, one of the values on the X-axis distance and the Y-axis distance is 0. Whether or not the 2 in 1 arrangement condition is satisfied is determined by the distance that is not zero.

  In FIG. 8, since the distance on the X axis of each set is 0, the distance on the Y axis is obtained. The distance between the object 101 and the object 104 is Y1, the distance between the object 102 and the object 105 is Y2, and the distance between the object 103 and the object 106 is Y3.

  Next, Y1 to Y3 are compared. FIG. 9 shows how Y1 to Y3 are compared. The 2 in 1 arrangement condition is satisfied when Y1 to Y3, which are the distances between the objects of each set, are all the same value. If the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the 2in1 arrangement condition is satisfied, the received print job is determined to be an aggregated print job with the page aggregation number being 2 (2in1 printing).

  It should be noted that if there is a pair having a different distance from the other pairs among the distances between objects in each pair, the 2 in 1 arrangement condition is not satisfied, and the image forming apparatus 10 does not normally receive the print job as an aggregate print job. Is determined to be a print job.

  Next, a case where the number of objects constituting each set is “4” will be described. When the number of objects constituting each set is “4”, the image forming apparatus 10 selects a 4in1 arrangement condition that is an arrangement condition of the 4in1 configuration, and confirms whether the 4in1 arrangement condition is satisfied. .

  Even when it is confirmed whether or not the 4-in-1 arrangement condition is satisfied, first, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires the coordinates of the center point of each object (plane coordinates by the X axis and the Y axis). FIG. 10 shows that when there are three sets of objects having the same shape and the number of objects constituting each set is “4”, the 12 objects (111A to 116A, 111B to 116B) and the center of each object Point coordinates.

In FIG. 10, the three sets are configured as follows.
Object 111A, object 114A, object 111B and object 114B
Object 112A, object 115A, object 112B and object 115B
Object 113A, object 116A, object 113B and object 116B

  In the case of the 4-in-1 configuration, since the four pages are arranged in 2 rows and 2 columns, the distance between the objects on the X axis and the distance on the Y axis are numbers other than 0 or 0. Whether or not the 4in1 arrangement condition is satisfied is determined based on the distance that is not 0.

  First, a pair is formed with the same value on the X axis in each group. In FIG. 10, a pair of an object 111A and an object 114A, an object 112A and an object 115A, an object 113A and an object 116A, an object 111B and an object 114B, an object 112B and an object 115B, and an object 113B and an object 116B.

  Thereafter, the distance between each pair on the Y axis is obtained. The distance between the object 111A and the object 114A is YA1, the distance between the object 112A and the object 115A is YA2, the distance between the object 113A and the object 116A is YA3, the distance between the object 111B and the object 114B is YB1, and the distance between the object 112B and the object 115B. Is YB2, and the distance between the object 113B and the object 116B is YB3. Thereafter, it is checked whether YA1, YA2, YA3, YB1, YB2, and YB3 are all the same value.

  Next, pairs are reassembled with the same values on the Y axis in each group. In FIG. 10, a pair of an object 111A and an object 111B, an object 112A and an object 112B, an object 113A and an object 113B, an object 114A and an object 114B, an object 115A and an object 115B, and an object 116A and an object 116B.

  Then, the distance between each pair on the X axis is obtained. The distance between the object 111A and the object 111B is XC1, the distance between the object 112A and the object 112B is XC2, the distance between the object 113A and the object 113B is XC3, the distance between the object 114A and the object 114B is XD1, and the distance between the object 115A and the object 115B Is the distance XD2, and the distance between the object 116A and the object 116B is XD3. Thereafter, it is checked whether XC1, XC2, XC3, XD1, XD2, and XD3 are all the same value.

  FIG. 11 shows how the values in the YA1, YA2, YA3, YB1, YB2, and YB3 groups are compared and the values in the XC1, XC2, XC3, XD1, XD2, and XD3 groups are compared. Show. The 4in1 placement condition is that all values of the groups YA1, YA2, YA3, YB1, YB2, YB3 are the same value, and all the values of the groups XC1, XC2, XC3, XD1, XD2, XD3 are also the same value. This is true if If the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the 4in1 arrangement condition is satisfied, it determines that the received print job is an aggregated print job with a page aggregation number of 4 (4in1 printing).

  If at least one of the two groups has a pair with a different distance from other pairs in the group, the 4in1 arrangement condition is not satisfied, and the image forming apparatus 10 receives the received print job as a normal print job. Judge that there is.

(Second determination method)
When the number of objects constituting each set is “4”, it may be determined whether or not the 4 in 1 arrangement condition is satisfied by the following method. First, a rectangular shape (size) formed by connecting the center points is compared for each of the four objects constituting each set. The image forming apparatus 10 determines that the 4-in-1 arrangement is established even when all the rectangles have the same shape. FIG. 12 shows a state in which three rectangles (120 to 122) formed by connecting the center points for each of the four objects constituting each set are compared. When all three rectangles (120 to 122) have the same shape, the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the 4in1 arrangement condition is satisfied.

  The arrangement conditions (including the 2in1 arrangement condition and the 4in1 arrangement condition described above) corresponding to the number of objects constituting each set are generalized as follows: “A set of objects having the same shape is created, The relative positional relationship between them is the same in all sets. Therefore, even when the number of objects constituting each set is greater than 4, if the relative positional relationship between the objects constituting the set is the same in all sets, the image forming apparatus 10 In addition, it is determined that an arrangement condition corresponding to the number of objects constituting each set is established, and the received print job is determined to be an aggregate print job in which the number of objects constituting the set is the page aggregation number.

  Next, processing until a print job is created and executed in the printing system 7 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the printer driver is activated while the PC terminal 40 is opening a file to be printed, and print settings are made according to the operation received on the screen of the printer driver (step S101). If consolidated printing is set in step S101, the page aggregation number set here is NA (NA = 1 for normal printing).

  When the setting is completed, the PC terminal 40 creates PDL data corresponding to an image obtained by collecting NA pages into one page, and transmits a print job including the PDL data to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S102). ). The image forming apparatus 10 that has received the print job performs job analysis processing including PDL analysis on the print job (step S103). In the job analysis process, it is also determined whether the received print job is an aggregate print job, the number of page aggregations, and the like. Details of the job analysis process will be described later.

  The image forming apparatus 10 checks whether or not the page aggregation number (NA) set for the print job obtained by the job analysis process is 2 or more (step S104). If it is less than 2, that is, NA = 1 (step S104; No), the process proceeds to step S109 and the process is continued. If NA = 1, the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the received print job is a normal print job.

  If NA ≧ 2 (step S104; Yes), the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the received print job is an aggregate print job and sets the aggregate print page aggregation number (NB) set in the self apparatus. (Step S105), and compares the aggregated page aggregation number (NB) set in the self apparatus with the aggregated page aggregation number (NA) set in the print job (step S105). S106).

  If NB ≦ NA (step S106; No), the integrated print setting set in the own apparatus is canceled only during execution of the print job received in step S103 (the value of NB is changed to 1). (Step S108), the process proceeds to Step S109.

  If NB> NA (step S106; Yes), the aggregated page aggregation number (NB) set in the own apparatus is changed to NB / NA only during execution of the print job received in step S103 (step S106). S107), the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, aggregate printing is executed with the page aggregation number of NA × NB (the changed NB when passing through step S107 and step S108) (step S109). Thereafter, this process is terminated.

  In this way, in FIG. 13, when executing the print job received in step S103, out of the aggregated page aggregation number (NB) and the aggregated page aggregation number (NA) set in the print job, The value of NB at the time of image formation is changed so that the final result is output with the larger numerical value. Specifically, the NA × changed NB value is set to be the same as the larger one of NA and NB. For example, when NA = 2 and NB = 4, changing the value of NB to 2 results in NA × NB after change = 4, and as a result, 4-in-1 printing is performed.

  As an administrator who has set the apparatus, the purpose of saving paper is achieved if the aggregate printing is performed with the number of page aggregations set by the administrator or more. Therefore, if the page aggregation number of the print job is larger than the page aggregation number of the device setting, if the final result is output with the configuration of the page aggregation number of the print job, the print job submitter and the device setting are performed. Collective printing is performed according to the intentions of both managers.

  Next, the job analysis process executed in step S103 of FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. First, PDL analysis is performed on the PDL data included in the print job, an object for one page is acquired (step S201), and shape information and position information thereof are acquired (step S202).

  Objects having the same shape are extracted from the acquired objects, and a set is created for each shape (step S203). Each set consists of two or more objects. Also, the objects constituting each set are objects common to all pages of the print job.

  When there are no two or more sets of objects having the same shape, or when there are two or more sets but the number of objects constituting each set is not the same (step S204; No), the page aggregation of aggregate printing set in the print job is performed. It is determined that the number (NA) = 1 (step S207), and the process is terminated.

  When there are two or more pairs of objects having the same shape and the number of objects constituting each pair is the same (step S204; Yes), the distances on the X and Y axes between the objects constituting each pair Is calculated (step S205).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not an arrangement condition corresponding to the number of objects constituting each group is satisfied. If the arrangement condition is satisfied, it is determined that the number of objects constituting the set = the page aggregation number (NA) set in the print job (step S206), and this process ends. If the arrangement condition is not satisfied, it is determined that the print job is not an aggregate print job, and it is determined that NA = 1.

  As described above, when the aggregate print is set in the apparatus setting, the image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention receives the aggregate print job from the PC terminal 40, and the page aggregation set on the PC terminal 40 side is performed. The larger one of the number and the page aggregation number set in the device setting of the own device is selected, and the page aggregation number in the device setting is adjusted so that the final result becomes the selected aggregation number. As a result, even if aggregate printing is set in both the print job and the device setting, the final result is a Nin1 configuration in accordance with the intention of the user who has submitted the print job and the device setting user. Is output.

  Further, since the determination as to whether or not the received print job is an aggregate print job is performed by analyzing the PDL data included in the print job, the image forming apparatus 10 newly determines a print job other than the print job. It is not necessary to obtain other information for the determination.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the cases of 2 in 1 and 4 in 1 have been described. However, the number of page aggregation in the aggregate printing is not limited to 2 and 4. For example, when the page aggregation number exceeds 4 (when Nin1 printing (N> 4)), as shown in FIG. 12 (the second determination method described above), the same shape acquired in one page to be printed. The figure formed by connecting the central points for each of the N objects may be compared, and if all of them have the same shape, it may be determined that the received print job is an Nin1 consolidated print job.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, whether or not the received print job is an aggregate print job is determined based on the number of objects or the like, but it is determined whether or not the received print job is an aggregate print job by another method. Also good. For example, when the printer driver creates PDL data with Nin1 setting, information indicating the setting contents may be described in the PJL unit, and this may be referred to and recognized on the image forming apparatus 10 side.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, PDL data corresponding to an image obtained by consolidating N pages into one page is created on the printer driver side, but the Nin1 condition is simply set on the printer side without performing Nin1 processing. When the image data is added to the print data header or the like and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 10 expands the PDL data into image data, and finally refers to the Nin1 condition for the image data of each page. Reduce and arrange to correspond to the number of page aggregation. The reduction and arrangement described above are executed so as to correspond to the larger page aggregation number by comparing the value of N (NA) indicated by the Nin1 condition with the page aggregation number (NB) set by the own apparatus.

3 ... LAN
7 ... Printing system 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Nonvolatile memory 15 ... Hard disk device 16 ... Image processing part 17 ... Scanner part 18 ... Printer part 19 ... Facsimile communication part 20 ... Network communication part 30 ... Operation panel 31 ... Display part 32 ... Operation part 33 ... Switch part 34 ... Touch panel Unit 35 ... Determination unit 36 ... Device setting unit 37 ... Aggregation number adjustment unit 40 ... PC terminal 101 ... Object 102 ... Object 103 ... Object 104 ... Object 105 ... Object 106 ... Object 111A ... Object 111B ... Object 112A ... Object 112B ... Object 113A ... Object 113B ... Object 114A ... Object 114B ... Object 115A ... Object 115B ... Object 116A ... Object 116B Object 120 ... rectangle 121 ... rectangle 123 ... rectangular

Claims (8)

A device setting unit for setting consolidated printing as the device setting of the own device;
A print job accepting unit for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the print job received by the print job reception unit is a print job that performs aggregate printing, and if the print job is a print job that performs aggregate printing;
When the determination unit determines that the print job received by the print job reception unit is a print job for performing aggregate printing, the aggregated printing set by the device setting unit and the page aggregation number specified in the print job An aggregation number adjustment unit that changes the page aggregation number of aggregation printing set by the device setting unit according to the page aggregation number of
An aggregation unit that creates an output image in which images based on a print job received by the print job reception unit are aggregated according to the page aggregation number after being changed by the aggregation number adjustment unit;
An image forming unit that forms an image based on the output image created by the aggregation unit;
Equipped with a,
The aggregation number adjustment unit obtains a value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of the changed device setting by using the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the device setting. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set by the apparatus setting unit is changed so as to be a larger value among the set page aggregation numbers . A device setting unit for setting consolidated printing as the device setting of the own device;
A print job accepting unit for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the print job received by the print job reception unit is a print job that performs aggregate printing, and if the print job is a print job that performs aggregate printing;
When the determination unit determines that the print job received by the print job reception unit is a print job for performing aggregate printing, the aggregated printing set by the device setting unit and the page aggregation number specified in the print job An aggregation number adjustment unit that changes the page aggregation number of aggregation printing set by the device setting unit according to the page aggregation number of
An aggregation unit that creates an output image in which images based on a print job received by the print job reception unit are aggregated according to the page aggregation number after being changed by the aggregation number adjustment unit;
An image forming unit that forms an image based on the output image created by the aggregation unit;
With
The determination unit performs the determination based on an object obtained by PDL analysis of the print job, and two or more sets in which all objects having the same shape are combined into one set in one page. In some cases, if the relative positions of the objects for each set are the same in all sets, it is determined that the print job received by the print job receiving unit is a print job for performing aggregate printing. images forming device you characterized by determining the number of objects constituting one set of the set as the page number of compiled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the determination unit performs the determination on an object that exists in common on all pages.   The aggregation number adjustment unit obtains a value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of the changed device setting by using the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the device setting. Change the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set by the device setting unit so that it is the larger value of the set page aggregation numbers
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   An image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus in which aggregate printing is set as an apparatus setting,
  A print job accepting step for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
  A determination step of determining whether or not the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and determining the number of page aggregation when the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing;
  When it is determined in the determination step that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, according to the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as a device setting. An aggregation number adjustment step for changing the aggregated page aggregation number set as the device setting;
  An aggregation step of creating an output image in which images based on the print job are aggregated according to the number of page aggregations changed in the aggregation number adjustment step;
  An image forming step of performing image formation based on the output image created in the aggregation step;
  With
  In the aggregation number adjusting step, a value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number specified in the print job by the page aggregation number of the changed device setting is set as the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the device setting. Change the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as the device setting so that it will be the larger of the set page aggregation numbers
  An image forming method.   An image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus in which aggregate printing is set as an apparatus setting,
  A print job accepting step for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
  A determination step of determining whether or not the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and determining the number of page aggregation when the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing;
  When it is determined in the determination step that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, according to the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as a device setting. An aggregation number adjustment step for changing the aggregated page aggregation number set as the device setting;
  An aggregation step of creating an output image in which images based on the print job are aggregated according to the number of page aggregations changed in the aggregation number adjustment step;
  An image forming step of performing image formation based on the output image created by the aggregation step;
  With
  In the determination step, the determination is made based on an object obtained by PDL analysis of the print job, and two or more sets in which all objects having the same shape are combined into one set in one page. In some cases, if the relative positions of the objects for each set are the same in all sets, it is determined that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and one set of the two or more sets is set. The number of objects constituting the page is determined as the page aggregation number
  An image forming method.   A program that is executed by an image forming apparatus in which aggregate printing is set as the apparatus setting,
  A print job accepting step for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
  A determination step of determining whether or not the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and determining the number of page aggregation when the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing;
  When it is determined in the determination step that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, according to the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as a device setting. An aggregation number adjustment step for changing the aggregated page aggregation number set as the device setting;
  An aggregation step of creating an output image in which images based on the print job are aggregated according to the number of page aggregations changed in the aggregation number adjustment step;
  An image forming step of performing image formation based on the output image created in the aggregation step;
  With
  In the aggregation number adjusting step, a value obtained by multiplying the page aggregation number specified in the print job by the page aggregation number of the changed device setting is set as the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the device setting. Change the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as the device setting so that it will be the larger of the set page aggregation numbers
  A program characterized by that.   There is a program to be executed by an image forming apparatus in which aggregate printing is set as the apparatus setting,
  A print job accepting step for accepting a print job transmitted from an external device;
  A determination step of determining whether or not the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and determining the number of page aggregation when the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing;
  When it is determined in the determination step that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, according to the page aggregation number specified in the print job and the page aggregation number of aggregate printing set as a device setting. An aggregation number adjustment step for changing the aggregated page aggregation number set as the device setting;
  An aggregation step of creating an output image in which images based on the print job are aggregated according to the number of page aggregations changed in the aggregation number adjustment step;
  An image forming step of performing image formation based on the output image created by the aggregation step;
  With
  In the determination step, the determination is made based on an object obtained by PDL analysis of the print job, and two or more sets in which all objects having the same shape are combined into one set in one page. In some cases, if the relative positions of the objects for each set are the same in all sets, it is determined that the print job is a print job for performing aggregate printing, and one set of the two or more sets is set. The number of objects constituting the page is determined as the page aggregation number
  A program characterized by that.