JPH11232055A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a memory recall without increasing the memory of a network connected image forming device and to rationally manage memory recall operation when plural image forming devices are connected on a network. SOLUTION: Concerning a printer server device for receiving print data from a client device on the network and performing image formation related to these print data through the image forming device, at such a time, the print data after the image formation due to the image forming device are stored by a print data storage means and corresponding to a request from the image forming device, the print data stored in the print data storage means are transmitted to that image forming device by a print data retransmitting means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print system in which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus via a printer server in accordance with an instruction from a client apparatus on a network, and more particularly, to performing memory recall printing from the image forming apparatus. To a printing system that can

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses such as digital copiers and printers have a memory recall print function. In memory recall printing, image data for which image formation has already been performed is stored in an image memory provided in a copying machine or the like, and when a user requests further image formation for the stored image data, the image data is stored in the memory. Image data is read from the memory to form an image.

[0003]

However, in order to perform memory recall printing as described above, it is necessary to provide an image memory for storing past image data for memory recall, but this image memory is required for reasons such as cost. Is difficult to increase. Since the image memory for memory recall is limited as described above, the amount of image data that can be recalled cannot be increased.

On the other hand, in recent years, in order to share a printer with a plurality of client devices, a printer system in which each client device, a print server, a digital copier, and a printer are connected via a network has been formed. In such a printer system, data to be printed is transmitted from a client device to a printer server, and the printer server transmits the transmitted print data to a digital copying machine or the like for printing.

When an image forming apparatus connected to such a printer system performs a memory recall, the image data does not exist in any of the networks without providing an image memory for memory recall in the image forming apparatus itself. do it. Further, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected on a network, an image memory is provided in one place on the network and intensively provided, rather than providing an image memory for memory recall in each image forming apparatus. It is more reasonable to manage.

Accordingly, the present invention enables a memory recall without increasing the memory of an image forming apparatus connected to a network, and rationally performs a memory recall operation when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected on a network. The purpose is to manage.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printer server for receiving print data from a client device over a network and causing an image forming apparatus to form an image relating to the print data. A print data storage unit for storing print data after image formation by the image forming apparatus; and, in response to a request from the image forming apparatus, the print data stored in the print data storage unit to the image forming apparatus. And a reprint data transmission unit for transmitting. The print data includes text data represented by a character code in addition to the data of the image itself.

In the case where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected on the network, the print data storing means stores the print data formed by each image forming apparatus in association with each image forming apparatus. And
The reprint data transmitting unit transmits, to the one image forming apparatus, print data stored in the print data storing unit and formed by another image forming apparatus in response to a request from one image forming apparatus. It is effective to do so.

In this case, furthermore, all image forming history storage means for storing the image forming history of the print data by each image forming apparatus for each image forming apparatus, and in response to a request from one image forming apparatus, It is desirable to provide an image forming history transmitting unit that transmits the image forming history of print data by another image forming apparatus stored in the all image forming history storing unit to the one image forming apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus connected to the printer server on a network, the image forming history storing means for storing an image forming history of print data, and An image formation history display unit for displaying an image formation history of print data; a selection unit for selecting one or more print data from the image formation history of the print data displayed according to a user's instruction; Data request means for requesting retransmission of the selected print data.

It is preferable that the image generation apparatus starts image formation of print data retransmitted from the printer server before receiving at least all of the print data. Further, in the image forming apparatus, when the print data includes information designating a specific process to be performed at the time of image formation, the specific process included in the retransmitted print data is performed. Processing changing means for changing the information for designating by the user's instruction.

In this configuration, when one or more other image forming apparatuses are connected to the network, the image data is further designated by print data that has been transmitted by the other image forming apparatus. It is preferable to provide a processing change request unit for requesting the user to change the specific processing when the specific processing cannot be performed by the image forming apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer server for receiving print data transmitted from a client device over a network, and an image forming apparatus for forming an image related to the print data in accordance with an instruction from the printer server. A print data storage unit for storing print data after an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus; and a print data storage unit that stores the print data in response to a request from the image forming apparatus. Means for transmitting the print data stored in the means to the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus has received a user's instruction and has already formed an image on the printer server apparatus. Retransmission requesting retransmission of print data It is provided with a requesting unit.

In this printing system, the retransmission requesting means includes: an image forming history storing means for storing an image forming history of print data; an image forming history displaying means for displaying an image forming history of the stored print data; Selecting means for selecting one or more print data from the image formation history of the print data displayed in accordance with the instruction, and requesting means for requesting the printer server apparatus to retransmit the selected print data. Is desirable.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (1) Configuration of Printer System Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer system according to the present embodiment. This printer system is LA
A plurality of client apparatuses (client PCs (personal computers)) 1000, 1000,... Connected through an N (local area network), a printer server 1100, and two digital copying machines 1200, 1200 connected to the printer server 1100. It consists of. Although a digital copier is used as a printer here, a printer dedicated machine may be used, and the number of connected printers may be arbitrarily set.

(2-1) Configuration of Digital Copier FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of a digital copier 1200. The two digital copying machines 1200 have substantially the same configuration. The digital copying machine 1200 reads a document and converts it into an image signal. The image signal processing unit 2 processes an image signal sent from the scanning system 10.
0, a memory unit 30 for directly printing image data input from the image signal processing unit 20 or storing the image data in a memory; a printing process for driving the semiconductor laser 62 based on the image data input from the memory unit 30 Unit 40, an external interface unit 50 for converting network signals and exchanging data with the memory unit 30, an optical system 60 for guiding laser light from the semiconductor laser 62 to an exposure position on the photosensitive drum 71, formed by exposure An image forming system 70 that develops the transferred latent image, transfers the image to a recording sheet, and fixes the image to form an image, an operation panel OP provided on the upper surface of the main body, a document that conveys the document, and reverses the front and back as necessary It is configured by the transport unit 500.

Image data transmitted from the printer server 1100 to the digital copier 1200 is received by the external interface unit 50 and transmitted to the memory unit 30. Further, the external interface unit 50 also controls transmission and reception of control signals and image data with the printer server 1100. The image data is sent from the memory unit 30 to the print processing unit 40, and the semiconductor laser 62 is driven according to the image data. Laser light generated by the semiconductor laser 62 is polarized by the optical system 60 and guided to the image forming system 70.

In the image forming system 70, the photosensitive drum 71 charged by the charging charger 72a is irradiated with the laser light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 71, and this electrostatic latent image is developed. Developed with toner by the container 73. The toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 74 to the recording sheet conveyed from the paper feed trays 80a and 80b, and the recording sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the position of the fixing roller 84, and the fixing roller 84 The image is finally formed on the recording sheet by fixing the image on the recording sheet.

The digital copier 1200 receives a user's instruction from an operation panel OP as shown in FIG. The operation panel OP includes a liquid crystal touch panel 91, numeric keys 92 for inputting numbers such as the number of copies and a copy magnification, a clear key 93 for resetting the numbers and the like to standard values, a panel reset key 94 for resetting all set values to standard values, A stop key 95 for stopping the operation, a start key 96 for starting the operation, an interrupt key 97 for interrupting another operation during the operation, and an application switching key 98 for switching the display of the liquid crystal touch panel 91 by an application such as copy or facsimile. There are provided a network key 99 for using the functions of the devices connected to the network and for registering the devices in the network, and a job management key 90 for managing jobs in process or waiting for processing.

Further, the liquid crystal touch panel 91 can display information such as a copy operation state such as a copy magnification, a recording paper size, a facsimile transmission destination and a facsimile operation state, and can specify an operation mode. Then, by pressing the touch panel keys TP1 to TP4, another screen can be opened. Operations on other screens will be described later in detail.

(2-2) Control Unit of Digital Copier FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the control unit 100 of the digital copier 1200. The control unit 100 is mainly controlled by six CPUs 1 to 6. These CPUs 1 to 6 have ROMs 111 to 111 storing programs.
ROM 116 and RAM serving as a work area for each CPU
121 to 126 are provided respectively.

The CPU 5 issues an instruction to each CPU to adjust the overall timing of the control unit 100, and further performs processing for setting an operation mode. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 5. In CPU5, first,
After performing the initial setting (S101), the internal timer starts measuring time (S102). Then, the contents of the various data input by the interruption are analyzed (S103), and when the operation mode is changed, the mode setting process is performed (S1).
04). Further, after writing to the memory according to the copy mode (S105), data to be output in the interrupt processing is set (S106), and other processing is performed (S105).
107). Then, the above operations of S102 to S107 are performed every time the internal timer time elapses (S108).

The CPU 1 controls the input from the various operation keys of the operation panel OP and the display output to the liquid crystal touch panel 91. In addition, the initial mode of the operation panel,
Various counters, telephone directory information, etc. are sent to NVR via CPU1.
AM127. In FIG.
4 shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of U1. First, the CPU 1 performs an initial setting (S201), and starts counting an internal timer (S202). Then, operation panel O
Control processing of input operation from P and input signals from various sensors inside the apparatus (S203), display control processing of liquid crystal display panel, LED, etc. on operation panel OP (S20)
4) Perform control processing for other internal mechanisms (S205). The CPU 1 repeats the above operations from S202 to S205 each time the internal timer count ends (S206). The operation of the CPU 1 will be described later in further detail.

The CPU 6 is a document reading document transport unit 500
To transport a plurality of documents placed on the document tray to a document reading position on the platen, and discharge the document whose image has been read. FIG.
2 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG. The CPU 6 first performs the initial setting (S301), and repeats the normal scanning control every time the time counted by the internal timer elapses (S30).
2 to S304).

The CPU 3 performs an external I / F process and controls the memory unit 30. This memory unit 3
The configuration operation of 0 will be described in further detail later. FIG. 8 shows C
4 shows a flowchart illustrating an outline of the operation of PU3. CP
U3 performs the initial setting (S401), and then sets the external I / F
The processing (S402) is performed. Then, write control to the image memory (S403), compression control processing (S404),
Decompression control processing (S405), reading processing from the image memory (S406), and other processing (S407) are performed.
Then, the CPU 3 repeats the processing of S402 to S407 described above.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the external I / F process in S402 in more detail. In the external I / F processing, a communication request from another CPU is checked, and if there is a request, network transmission / reception control is performed (S41).
1), a process of receiving a command from another CPU (S41)
2) Perform status transmission processing (S413) and report transmission processing (S414). Then, control for creating a printer job management table PJT, which will be described later, is performed (S4).
16) Then, other processing is performed (S417), and the external I / F processing ends.

The CPU 2 controls the image signal processing section 20 and the scanning system 10. In the image signal processing unit 20, the CP
Under the control of U2, A / D conversion, shading correction,
It performs scaling processing, image quality correction, and the like. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 2. The CPU 2 first performs an initial setting (S501), sets an internal timer, and starts time measurement (S502). Then, image data input processing (S503), image processing (S504), image data output processing (S505), and other processing are performed (S5).
06). The CPU 2 repeats the above processing of S502 to S506 every time the internal timer count ends.

The CPU 4 includes a print processing unit 40, an optical system 6
0, the image forming system 70 is controlled, the semiconductor laser is driven in accordance with the image data, a toner image is formed by the image forming system, transferred to a recording sheet and fixed. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 4. The CPU 4 first performs an initial setting (S601), and then starts counting an internal timer (S602). Then, control processing of the development transfer system (S603), control processing of the transport system (S604), control processing of the fixing system (S605), control processing of the print processing unit (S606), and other processing (S607) are performed. Then, the CPU 4 sets the above-mentioned S6 every time the internal timer ends.
The processing from 02 to S608 is repeated.

(2-2-1) Configuration of Memory Unit FIG. 12 is a detailed block diagram of the memory unit 30 controlled by the CPU 3. In the memory unit 30,
From the printer server 1100 to the external interface unit 50
When the image data D2 is transmitted via the image processing unit 20 or when the image data D2 is transmitted from the image processing unit 20, the image data D2 is transmitted through the switching unit 301.
The image is binarized by the binarization processing unit 302 and written into the image memory. The image data written in the image memory is further compressed by the compressor 311 of the code processing unit 305 and stored in the code memory 306.

Conversely, when printing an image, the data stored in the code memory 306 is decompressed by the decompressor 312, edited by the editing processor 310, and scaled by the scaling processor 309. The data is written to a predetermined position in the image memory to generate one page of data. Then, the multi-value processing unit 308 generates multi-value image data, which is
3 is output to the print processing unit 40.

The code memory 306 for storing the encoded image data is managed by a memory management table MT. FIG. 13A shows a memory management table MT.
FIG. 13B conceptually shows a data area of the code memory 306. The code memory 306 divides a memory area into 32K bytes as one unit, and stores all or a part of image data encoded for each area.

The memory management table MT stores the code memory 30
No. 6, the number indicating the number of the area, the job number and page number of the data stored in the area, the numbers indicating the pre-connection and post-connection indicating the connection between the areas, and additional information of the data. . As the number indicating the previous connection, the number of the area connected before the data is recorded, and when the data is the first, "00" is recorded. In the number indicating the post-connection, the number of the area connected to the end of the data is recorded, and when the data is the last, "FF" is recorded.

The CPU 3 adds new information to the memory management table MT when storing data in the code memory 306. When data is read from the code memory 306 and an image is formed normally, the CPU 3 deletes information on the data from the memory management table MT. (2-2-2) Printer job management table The CPU 3 further includes a printer job management table PJT
And manages image data transmitted from the printer server 1100 to form an image or image data after forming an image. FIG. 14 shows an example of the printer job management table PJT. Printer job management table PJ
T is stored in the RAM 123.

The printer job management table PJT includes selection information of the digital copier 1200 as a print destination requested from the printer server 1100, that is, a print destination machine ID indicating its own digital copier 1200, and a print operation instruction indicating a mode at the time of printing. Information, digital copier 1
The print server 200 includes a print destination job ID, which is a job identification number of the print server 200 itself, a print request reception time at which a print request was received from the printer server 1100, and a server job ID, which is an identification number of the print job in the printer server 1100.

This printer job management table PJT
Is generated by the CPU 3 when a server job management table SJT, which will be described later, is sent together with a print request from the printer server 1100. (3-1) Configuration of Printer Server FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printer server 1100. The printer server 1100 includes an overall control unit 1101 mainly operated by a CPU, a ROM 1102 storing initial programs and data, and a RAM 110 serving as a work space of the overall control unit 1101.
3. Hard disk 1105 connected to the outside and having a sufficiently large capacity and hard disk control unit 1 for controlling the hard disk 1105
104, a keyboard 1106 and a mouse 1107 for receiving instructions from the server administrator, an instruction input control unit 1108 for controlling them, a display 1109 and VRAM 1110 for displaying server information, and a display control unit 1111 for controlling these. Network control unit 11 for controlling protocol processing on a network
12. A data analysis unit 1113 that analyzes the contents of the packet extracted from the network in accordance with the protocol and performs control such as separation of image data and command data, and image storage processing that performs processing to store the separated image data on a hard disk. Unit 1114, a job management control unit 1 for managing and controlling image data stored in the hard disk
115, an interface unit 1116 for exchanging data with the digital copying machine 1200 and switching between the plurality of digital copying machines 1200.

With this configuration, the printer server 1100
Temporarily stores a print job requested by each client apparatus 1000, checks the operation status of the digital copying machine 1200, and transmits image data to the digital copying machine 1200 to perform a printing operation. Further, in response to a request from the digital copier 1200, the image data stored for memory recall is transmitted.

(3-2) Server Job Management Table In the printer server 1100, each digital copying machine 120
The print job that has made a request for 0 is managed by the server job management table SJT. FIG. 16 shows an example of the server job management table SJT. The server job management table SJT includes a server job ID, which is an identification number of a print job in the print server 1100,
A network ID of the client device indicating the requesting client device 1000, a print destination machine ID indicating selection information of the digital copying machine 1200 at the print destination, print operation instruction information indicating a print mode in the requested print job, and further, Print job I in the digital copying machine 1200 at the print destination as additional information
D and the time when the digital copying machine 1200 at the time of printing receives the print request.

In the server job management table SJT, a portion excluding additional information is generated by the job management control unit 1115 when a print request from the client device 1000 is received, and is recorded on the hard disk 1105. The additional information portion is generated based on the above-described printer job management table PJT transmitted from the digital copying machine 1200 that has issued the print request.

The image data stored in the hard disk 1105 is linked with the server job ID recorded in the server job management table SJT and stored.
It is called immediately based on the server job management table. (4) Configuration of Client Device FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the client device 1000. Client device 1000
Are a CPU 1001 for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 1002 for storing initial programs and data, a RAM 1003 for a work space of the CPU, a hard disk 1005 connected externally, a hard disk control unit 1004 for controlling the hard disk, and an instruction from an operator. Keyboard 1006 and mouse 1007 to be accepted, instruction input control unit 10 for controlling these input devices
08, a display 1009 and VRAM 1010 for displaying information of the client device, a display control unit 1011 for controlling these, and a network control unit 1012 for controlling a protocol on the network with the printer server 1100. .

With this configuration, the client device 10
00 transmits image data to the printer server 1100 in accordance with the instruction of the operator, and requests printing of the image data. Further, the client device 1000 makes a print request by transmitting a packet to the printer server 1100. FIG. 18 shows the structure of the packet. The packet includes a destination network address, a source network address, data length information of the packet frame, a packet data part, and a packet end part including error check information. Among them, the packet data section further includes a packet data header section indicating the type of data and the like and a packet data core section which is actual data.

The packet data header further includes a job type ID indicating the type of the job, a machine ID indicating the image forming apparatus in which the job is to be executed, and a PC job ID for identifying the job to be executed. And a serial number section indicating the order when packets are continuous, and a data length section indicating the data length of the packet data section.

The packet data core unit has a job type I
A command block based on the content of D, a status block, and an image data block storing image data requested to be printed. When a packet having such a configuration is transmitted from the client device 1000, the data analysis unit 1
After the packet is analyzed by 113 and the server job management table SJT is created, the image data is stored in the hard disk 1105 in association with the server job ID.

(5) Operation of the Printer System Next, the client device 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.
00, printer server 1100, digital copier 120
The operation of the entire printer system constituted by 0 is described. (5-1) Normal Printing Operation First, an operation in which a print job is issued from the client apparatus 1000 and the digital copying machine 1200 performs image formation will be described. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the printing system in the case shown in FIG. First, when the operator of the client device (PC) 1000 issues an instruction to make a print request, the client device 1
000 is a “connection request” to the printer server 1100
Is transmitted (seq1). When the printer server 1100 receives this, if it can be connected, it returns "ACK" which is a control character meaning an affirmative response to the client apparatus 1000 which has transmitted the "connection request" (seq2). The client apparatus 1000 that has received “ACK” transmits a “print request” to the printer server 1100 (seq3). When the printer server 1100 returns “ACK” in response to this request (se
q4), the client apparatus 1000 transmits a print operation instruction and image data to the printer server 1100 (seq5). Further, the client device 100
0 transmits a “transmission end notification” to the printer server 1100 at the time when transmission ends (seq 6). The printer server 1100 that has received this returns “ACK” to the client device 1000 (seq 7). Note that all communications with the client device 1000 and the printer server 1100 are performed using packets as shown in FIG. As described above, the client device 1000 sends the print server 110
Communication with 0 ends.

The printer server 1100 having received necessary data from the client apparatus 1000 first analyzes the data and creates a server job management table SJT as shown in FIG. 16 (seq 8). However, at this point, since the print job ID in the digital copying machine 1200 as the printing destination and the time when the digital copying machine 1200 has accepted the print request are undecided, the creation of this part is suspended. Server job management table SJT
Is created, the printer server 1100 specifies the print destination digital copier (PPC) 1200 specified by the client apparatus 1000 from the print destination machine ID in the server job management table SJT, and Send connection request ”(seq
9). Receiving this, the digital copying machine 1200 returns "ACK" if it can be connected (seq 10), and the printer server 1100 further sends a "print request" (seq 11). Further, the digital copying machine 1200 returns “ACK” if printing is possible (seq1
1) Upon receiving this, the printer server 1100 transmits the server job management table SJT (seq13).

The digital copier 1200 uses the received server job management table, determines its own print job ID and print request reception time, and sets the printer job management table P as shown in FIG.
JT is created and stored (seq 14). Then, the print job ID in the digital copier 1200 and the time at which the digital copier 1200 received the print request in the server job management table SJT, which has not been determined, are transmitted to the printer server 1100 (seq 16).
Thus, the printer server 1100 completes the server job management table SJT (seq 16).

When the server job management table SJT is completed, the printer server 1100 sets the digital copier 120
“ACK” is sent to 0 (seq 17). The digital copier 1200 receiving this prints the printer server 110
0 requests image data (seq 18), and the printer server 1100 transmits the image data in response to the request (sequence 18).
q19). However, the image data is stored in the printer server 1100.
Is left unerased from the hard disk. When all the image data has been transmitted, the printer server 1100 sends "transmission end" (seq 20), and upon receiving this, the digital copying machine 1200 returns "ACK" and performs print processing based on the printer job management table PJT. (S
eq22). The operations of seq1 to seq22 described above are repeated each time the client device 1000 issues a print request.

(5-2) Operation in Memory Recall Mode Next, the operation in the memory recall mode will be described. FIG. 21 shows a sequence diagram illustrating the operation according to FIG. In the memory recall mode, first, the user requests a memory recall process from the digital copying machine 1200 (seq 23). Specifically, the user operates the memory recall screen of the operation panel OP to select and confirm a print job to be recalled. The operation of the digital copying machine 1200 at this time will be described later in further detail. Upon receiving this request, the digital copier 1200 sets the printer job management table P as a print job for newly performing the print job for which the memory recall request has been issued.
A new JT is created (seq 24).

When the creation of the printer job management table PJT is completed, the digital copying machine 1200 transmits a “connection request” to the printer server 1100 (seq2).
5) Upon receiving this, the printer server 1100 returns "ACK" if it can be connected (seq 26). "ACK"
Received, the digital copier 1200 stores the newly created printer job management table PJT in the printer server 1.
100 (seq 27). Printer server 11
00 is the transmitted printer job management table PJ
A new server job management table SJT is created using T (seq 28).

When the creation of the server job management table SJT is completed, the printer server 1100 sends “ACK” to the digital copying machine 1200 (seq 29). The digital copier 1200 that has received this print server 11
The printer server 1100 requests the image data to the digital copier 1200 according to the new server job management table SJT (seq 31). When all the image data has been transmitted, the printer server 1100 transmits “transmission completed” (seq 32), and the digital copier 12
00 returns "ACK" and performs print processing on the image data sent (seq 33). The printing process of the digital copier 1200 is performed by the digital copier 1
In order to reduce the use of the memory in the memory 200, the processing is started at the timing when the reception of the image data is completed. However, the print processing may be started before all the image data is received. Thus, the memory recall mode process ends.

(5-3) Search Process in Memory Recall Mode In this printer system, one digital copying machine 1200 searches the image forming history of another digital copying machine 1200 by referring to the printer server 1100. Is available. Hereinafter, the operation in this case will be described. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram showing the operation according to FIG. First, a user of the digital copying machine (PPC) 1200 specifies another digital copying machine (PPC) 1200 to be searched from the operation panel OP as described later in detail, and records the print job history of the digital copying machine 1200. A search is requested (seq 35). As a result, the digital copier 1200 transmits a “connection request” to the printer server 1100 (seq 36), and the printer server 11
00 returns "ACK" if connection is possible (seq3
7). Receiving this, the digital copying machine 1200 requests the transmission of the server job management table SJT of another digital copying machine 1200 designated by the user (seq 38).
In response to this request, the printer server 1100 stores the corresponding part of the server job management table SJT in the digital copier 12.
00 (seq 39). Based on this, the digital copying machine 1200 displays the search result on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 of the operation panel OP, as described later.

(6) Operation of Digital Copier As described above, the digital copier 1200 forms an image of print data sent from the client device 1000 in response to a print request from the client device 1000, Memory recall printing can be performed using the print data stored in the server 1100. In the memory recall printing, the digital copying machine 1200 can perform not only the memory recall of the print data formed by itself but also the memory recall printing of the print data formed by another digital copying machine 1200.

The operation of the digital copying machine 1200 (digital copying machine) during the memory recall will be described below.
The details will be described while following the operation of the operation panel OP by the user. First, the operation panel OP of the digital copying machine 1200 is in an initial state as shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing input control by the CPU 1 of the operation panel OP. This flowchart corresponds to S203 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Here, the user determines which key has been pressed by operating the keys TP1 to TP4, and according to the key operation, the basic screen display processing, the finishing screen display processing, the copy format screen display processing, the memory recall screen. One of the display processes is performed (S701 to S706). Then, it is determined by the on-edge of the start key whether or not the start key 906 for instructing the start of copying is pressed (S
707) If the start key has been pressed, a scan start request is output (S708).

Incidentally, the transition to the memory recall mode is made when the TP4 is pressed and the memory recall screen display processing is performed. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the memory recall screen display processing. In the memory recall screen display processing, first, the printer job management table PJT is read (S801), and a memory recall mode setting screen as shown in FIG. 24A is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 (S802). A print job history is displayed on the memory recall mode setting screen, and a selection key TP7 for directly selecting a job therefrom, scroll keys TP5 and 6 for scrolling the displayed print job, a print mode for the selected job Key TP8 for confirming the execution of the job, a job confirmation key TP10 for confirming the execution of the memory recall print of the selected job, and a job search key for shifting to a mode for searching the job history in another digital copying machine 1200. TP9 is provided.

When the memory recall mode setting screen is displayed, the process branches to some processing by a key operation of the user (S803). Here, when one print job is selected by the TP7 from the displayed print job history, the process shifts to a print mode determination process (S80).
4). The selected print job is shown in FIG.
The mode confirmation key TP8 and the job confirmation key TP10 become valid only in this state.
FIG. 25 shows a flowchart of the print mode determination process.

In the print mode determination processing, it is determined whether or not an operation (mode) that cannot be realized is instructed. When the user himself / herself requests the job in which the image recorded in the print job management table PJT is formed, the image can be formed as it is because the image has been formed once.
0 may not be able to form an image as it is after forming a print job or changing the mode. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a print mode determination process.

First, the printer job management table PJT
(S901), it is determined whether or not the selected job has a mode to be determined (S901).
902). If there is a mode to be determined here, a search is performed to determine whether the mode is recorded in a feasible mode table (not shown) that records a mode that can be realized by the digital copying machine (S903). And
If the mode is recorded in the feasible mode table, if there is a mode already determined, it is checked whether the combination with the determined mode is prohibited (S905). If the combination is not prohibited (S904), OK is recorded as a determination in a determination table (not shown) that records whether the mode can be realized (S907). On the other hand, if the mode is not recorded in the feasible mode table in S903, or if the combination is prohibited in S905, NG is recorded as a determination in the determination table (S908).

Then, in S902, if there is no mode to be determined, or if all modes have been determined, the contents of the determination table are checked and if all are OK, "OK" Is returned, and if there is at least one NG, "NG" is returned. When the print mode determination processing ends, the processing branches according to the determined result (S807 in FIG. 23). Here, "
If “OK” is recorded, the mode confirmation key TP
8. Display the job confirmation key TP10 and validate these keys. Here, the user confirms the mode confirmation key TP8
(TP809), and if the job determination key TP10 is pressed, the CPU 3 rebuilds the printer job management table PJT for a new print (S81).
0). Thereafter, image data is acquired from the printer server 1100 based on the new printer job management table PJT, a print process is performed on the image data, and memory recall printing is completed. During the execution of the printing process, a screen indicating that printing is in progress is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 91 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the mode confirmation key TP8 is pressed in S808, a mode confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 27 is displayed (S811). The memory recall mode confirmation screen is a screen that indicates what mode the selected print job is instructed. The memory recall mode confirmation screen includes an OK key T for approving the confirmation screen.
Mode change key TP1 for changing the mode with P11
2 are provided. When the mode confirmation screen is displayed, it is determined which key the user has pressed (S81).
2) When the OK key is pressed, a memory recall mode setting screen shown in FIG. 24A is displayed (S816).
Returning to S808, if the mode change key TP12 has been pressed, the flow shifts to mode change processing (S815).

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mode change processing. In the mode change processing, first, in S80
4 is read (S1001),
Then, a memory recall mode change screen as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B is displayed (S1002). The memory recall mode change screen displays a selection key TP13 for displaying and selecting all the modes specified in the selected print job, and a mode that can be changed with respect to the mode selected by the selection key TP13. Change selection key TP14 and change selection key TP1
A change confirmation key TP15 for confirming the change to the mode selected by the user is provided. FIG. 29
(A) and (b) select different modes respectively.
13 shows how the contents of the change selection key change when selected. Further, whether or not the mode selected by the selection key TP13 can be realized by the digital copier 1200 is displayed based on the determination table.

Here, the user waits for a key input (S1003), and when the user presses the selection key TP13 to select a mode, the mode is highlighted (S1).
005) Further, a changeable mode for the mode is displayed (S1006), and the process returns to S1003. When the user presses the change selection key TP14 to select a mode to be changed, the mode is highlighted (S1007), and the process returns to S1003. Further, when the user presses the change confirmation key TP15, the mode change is confirmed and the mode change processing ends (S1004). When the mode change processing ends, the memory recall mode setting screen is displayed again (S816 in FIG. 23), and the process returns to S808.
The change selection key TP14 is set so that it cannot be pressed while the changeable mode is not displayed, and the change confirmation key TP15 cannot be pressed while the mode to be changed is not selected.

Then, in the determination of whether or not the print mode can be realized in S807 of FIG.
If G "is recorded, printing cannot be performed as it is, and a print mode change request screen shown in Fig. 30 is displayed (S813). The selected print job is canceled on the print mode change request screen. Key TP18 for changing the mode of the selected print job
19 are provided.

Here, any key input is awaited (S
814) When the cancel key TP18 is pressed, the process returns to S802 to allow the user to reset the setting, and the memory recall mode setting screen is displayed. When the mode change key TP19 is pressed, the flow shifts to the mode change process in S815, and the above-described process is performed. At S803 in FIG. 23, the job search key TP9 is displayed from the memory recall mode setting screen.
Is pressed, the process proceeds to the job search process (S80).
5). FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the job search process. In the job search process, first, a list of printers connected to the printer server 1100 is requested to the CPU 3 (S1101), and using this, a job search screen as shown in FIG. 32 is displayed (S1102). Note that C
The PU 3 can acquire the printer connected to the printer server 1100 by communicating with the printer server 1100. On the job search screen, a printer selection key TP16 for displaying and selecting all printers (digital copier 1200) connected to the printer server 1100 and a selection confirmation key TP17 for confirming the selected printer are displayed. Is provided.

Here, it is determined which key is pressed by the user (S1103). If the printer selection key TP16 has been pressed, the selected printer is displayed in black and white inverted, and the process returns to S1103. On the other hand, when the selection confirmation key TP17 is pressed, the job search request
3 (S1105). As a result, FIG.
In the sequence shown in FIG.
00, a server job management table for the printer whose selection has been confirmed is requested and obtained.

The above job search process (S80 in FIG. 23)
When 5) ends, the flow returns to S802 again, and the memory recall mode setting screen is displayed. However, the memory recall mode setting screen displayed here does not display the history of its own print job, as shown in FIG. 33, but uses another printer (here, digital copy) searched by the job search process. Machine) print job history is displayed. Hereinafter, the operations from S803 onward are performed on the other searched printer job.

The CP in the job search process
FIG. 34 shows a sequence diagram showing the transfer of data between U1 and CPU3. As shown in the drawing, when a specific printer (digital copying machine) is selected from the operation panel OP to the CPU 1 and a job search request for the printer is made (seq 51), a job search request is made to the CPU 3. (Seq52). CPU 3 is shown in FIG.
The job is searched according to the job search sequence shown in (1), a server job management table SJT relating to the selected printer is obtained (seq53), and transmitted to the CPU 1 (seq54). Upon receiving this, the CPU 1 displays the job history of the selected printer on the memory recall mode setting screen (seq 55). Thereafter, when the user selects and specifies one of the displayed jobs (seq 56), the CPU 1 requests the CPU 3 to create a new printer job management table PJT (seq 59). In response to this, the CPU 3 creates a printer job management table PJT (seq 58).
As in the procedure shown in FIG.
00 (seq59), request image data, and perform print processing through the CPU 5 (seq59).
60).

(7) Others In the above embodiment, only the image requested to be printed from the client device 1000 is stored in the printer server 1100.
Is stored in the printer server 1 and is used for memory recall printing. The image data copied using the scanner of the digital copying machine 1200 is further stored in the printer server 1.
100, and can also be stored in the printer server 1100 and used for memory recall printing.

In the job search process in the memory recall mode of the above embodiment, the printer server 11
The print job history of another digital copying machine is displayed by referring to the server job management table SJT recorded at 00, but this directly requests the printer job management table PJT of another digital copying machine. Then, a history of print jobs of another digital copying machine may be displayed.

Further, in the above embodiment, each digital copying machine records its own print history in the printer job management table PJT, and displays the print history using this in the memory recall mode. Without recording the print history in the table PJT,
In the memory recall mode, the print history can be obtained by accessing the server job management table SJT of the printer server.

[0070]

According to the above description, the present invention has the following effects. That is, in the printer server device according to the present invention, the print data storage means stores the print data after the image forming apparatus performs the image formation related to the print data transmitted from the client device on the network, and reprints the print data. In response to a request from the image forming apparatus by the transmitting unit, the print data stored in the print data storing unit is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. With such an operation, when performing a memory recall print in which the image forming apparatus performs an image formation performed in the past again, it is not necessary to provide a memory for storing print data in the image forming apparatus itself. When the device is connected, the memory recall print can be reasonably managed.

In the above-mentioned printer server device, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected on the network, and the print data after image formation by each image forming apparatus is stored in the print data storage means in association with each image forming apparatus. In response to a request from one image forming apparatus to the reprint data transmitting means, the print data formed by another image forming apparatus stored in the print data storing means is transmitted to the one image forming apparatus. By doing so, each image forming apparatus can perform not only the memory recall print related to the image formation performed by itself, but also the memory recall print related to the image formation performed by another image forming apparatus connected to the network.

In the above-mentioned printer server apparatus, the image forming history of print data by each image forming apparatus is stored for each image forming apparatus by the all image forming history storing means, and one image forming apparatus is stored by the image forming history transmitting means. In response to a request from the image forming apparatus, the image forming history of print data stored in the all image forming history storage unit and stored by another image forming apparatus is transmitted to the one image forming apparatus. When memory recall printing relating to image formation performed by another image forming apparatus above is to be performed, the history of image formation by another image forming apparatus can be easily obtained, and image formation by another image forming apparatus can be performed. The memory recall print for can be simplified.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the printer server is connected to the printer server via a network, the image forming history storage means stores the image forming history of the print data, and the image forming history displaying means. Displays the image formation history of the stored print data, the selection means selects one or more print data from the image formation history of the print data displayed in accordance with the instruction of the user, and the data request means transmits the print data to the printer server device. Requesting retransmission of the selected print data. With this operation, when performing memory recall printing, it is possible to easily request the printer server for necessary print data from the image forming history performed by itself.

In the above image forming apparatus, if the image formation of the print data retransmitted from the printer server is started at least before all the print data is received, the print data received by the image forming apparatus Need not be stored, and the memory capacity can be reduced. Further, in the above image forming apparatus, when the print data includes information designating a specific process to be performed at the time of image formation, the print data retransmitted by the process changing unit is further included. If the information designating the specific processing included in the above is changed according to a user's instruction, it is possible to more flexibly perform image formation when performing memory recall printing.

In the image forming apparatus, when one or more other image forming apparatuses are connected to the network, the image is formed by the other image forming apparatus transmitted by the processing change request unit. If a specific process designated by the print data cannot be performed by the own image forming apparatus, if the user is requested to change the specific process, another image forming apparatus on the network performs the process. Even when the memory recall print relating to image formation cannot be performed as it is because a specific process cannot be performed, the user can be notified of this and change the process so that the memory recall print can be performed.

Further, in the printer system according to the present invention, in the printer server device, the print data storage means stores the print data after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and the reprint data transmitting means includes the print data transmitting means. The print data stored in the print data storage unit is transmitted to the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the image forming apparatus. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus, the retransmission request unit receives a user's instruction and requests the printer server to retransmit the print data on which the image has been formed. With this operation, it is possible to perform memory recall printing without providing a memory in the image forming apparatus connected to the network,
Further, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected, memory recall printing by these image forming apparatuses can be rationally managed by the printer server device.

In the retransmission request means of the print system, the image formation history storage means stores the image formation history of the print data, the image formation history display means displays the image formation history of the stored print data, and the selection means And selecting one or more print data from the image formation history of the print data displayed according to the user's instruction, and requesting the printer server device to retransmit the selected print data by request means. When the user performs a memory recall print from the image forming apparatus,
The required print data can be easily requested from the printer server while viewing the displayed image forming history.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a control unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a CPU 5 of FIG. 4;

6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 1 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 6 of FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 3 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the external I / F processing of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the CPU 2 of FIG. 4;

11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 4 in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory unit of FIG. 4;

13A is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory management table, and FIG. 13B is a diagram conceptually illustrating a data area of a code memory;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a printer job management table.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printer server.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a server job management table.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a client device.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a communication packet.

FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the printing system in a normal printing operation.

FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the printing system in a memory recall mode.

FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing a search processing operation in a memory recall mode.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an input control operation of the operation panel.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an operation of a memory recall screen display process.

24A is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial state of a memory recall mode setting screen, and FIG. 24B is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a print job is selected on the memory recall mode setting screen.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a print mode determination process.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen indicating that printing is in progress.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a memory recall mode confirmation screen.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mode change process.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrams illustrating examples of a memory recall mode change screen.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print mode change request screen.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a job search process.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job search screen.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a memory recall mode setting screen after a job search.

FIG. 34 shows CPU1 and CPU3 in a job search process.
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 memory unit section 40 print processing section 50 external interface section 60 optical system 70 imaging system 91 liquid crystal touch panel 100 control section 1000 client apparatus 1100 printer server 1101 overall control section 1104 hard disk control section 1105 hard disk 1112 network control section 1113 data analysis section 1114 Image storage processing unit 1115 Job management control unit 1116 Interface unit 1200 Digital copier

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A printer server device that receives print data from a client device over a network and causes an image forming device to form an image related to the print data, the print data after image formation by the image forming device. Printer server device, comprising: a print data storage unit for storing print data; and a reprint data transmission unit for transmitting print data stored in the print data storage unit to the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the image forming apparatus. . 2. A plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected on the network, and the print data storage unit stores print data after an image is formed by each image forming apparatus in association with each image forming apparatus. The print data transmitting unit transmits, to the one image forming apparatus, print data stored in the print data storage unit and formed by another image forming apparatus in response to a request from the one image forming apparatus. Item 2. The printer server device according to item 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an image forming history storage unit configured to store, for each image forming apparatus, an image forming history of print data by each image forming apparatus; Image forming history transmitting means for transmitting, to the one image forming apparatus, an image forming history of print data by another image forming apparatus stored in the all image forming history storing means in response to a request from the apparatus. Printer server device. 4. An image forming apparatus connected to the printer server according to any one of claims 1 to 3 on a network, comprising: an image forming history storage unit configured to store an image forming history of print data; An image forming history display unit for displaying an image forming history of the stored print data; a selecting unit for selecting one or more print data from the image forming history of the print data displayed according to a user's instruction; And a data requesting unit for requesting retransmission of the print data selected for the image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein image formation of print data retransmitted from the printer server is started before receiving at least all of the print data. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the print data includes information designating a specific process to be performed at the time of image formation, the print data is further retransmitted. An image forming apparatus provided with a process changing unit for changing information specifying the specific process included in the received print data according to a user's instruction. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the printer server according to claim 2 or 3 and at least one other image forming apparatus are connected to the network, If a specific process specified by print data formed by another image forming apparatus cannot be performed by the image forming apparatus itself, a process change request unit that requests the user to change the specific process is provided. Image forming apparatus. 8. A print system comprising: a printer server device for receiving print data transmitted from a client device on a network; and an image forming device for forming an image related to the print data in accordance with an instruction from the printer server device. The printer server device includes: a print data storage unit that stores print data after an image is formed by the image forming device; and a print data storage unit that stores the print data in response to a request from the image forming device. The image forming apparatus receives a user's instruction and requests the printer server to retransmit the print data that has already been subjected to image formation. Print system having retransmission request means 9. The print system according to claim 8, wherein the retransmission request unit includes: an image forming history storing unit that stores an image forming history of print data; and an image forming unit that displays an image forming history of the stored print data. History display means, selection means for selecting one or more print data from the image formation history of the print data displayed by a user's instruction, requesting the printer server device to retransmit the selected print data. Request means and a print system comprising: