JP2001256015A - Image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation system capable of promptly re-forming an image which is once formed. SOLUTION: In the image forming system provided with a data input device 1 to input image data and an image forming device 3 which has an image forming means 2 and forms the image based on the image data transmitted from the data input device 1, the image forming device 3 is provided with a storage means 4 to store the image data transmitted from the data input device 1 and the image forming means 2 is provided with a re-formation instructing means 5 to instruct re-formation of the image data stored in the storage means 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system having a data input device and an image forming device, and more particularly to an improvement of an image forming system effective for improving time efficiency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when preparing a plurality of copies of a document, it is necessary to first print out a portion of the document with a printer, and then copy the required number of copies with a copier using the first portion as a document. However, with the recent increase in the speed and performance of printers, the above-mentioned work is changing to a form in which one high-speed printer outputs the required number of copies at a time.

[0003]

However, there is still a need for the user to print out a part of the document to check the contents and state of the print, and to print out the required number of copies after the check is completed.

In order to realize this, it is only necessary to first print out a part and then print out the required number of copies after confirmation, but image data must be transmitted to the printer twice. The amount that must be
There was a technical problem that time efficiency was reduced. Such a technical problem is conspicuous when the material to be created has a large number of pages or when the material to be created has many color images.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-212401 discloses a technique in which the printing operation is temporarily stopped after the first part is printed out, and the printing operation can be continued or stopped after the user confirms the contents. Proposed. However, in such a technique, since another user cannot execute another job unless the user who has executed the print job gives the next instruction (continue or cancel), for example, a plurality of users connect to one printer. In such a network environment, there is a technical problem that other users are troubled.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-269879 discloses that a large capacity server or the like is attached to a printer to save the contents of a print job, and that the user retrieves the content from a user interface (UI) of the server and performs reprinting. Although a technique has been proposed that allows the user to perform the search, the task of performing a search from the UI of the server is troublesome, and there has been a technical problem that the technique cannot be used by ordinary users.

The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of quickly re-forming an image once formed.

[0008]

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a data input device 1 for inputting image data, and an image forming device 2 for transmitting an image transmitted from the data input device 1. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus 3 that forms an image based on data, wherein the image forming apparatus 3 includes a storage unit 4 that stores image data sent from the data input device 1, A re-formation instructing means 5 for instructing the image forming means 2 to re-form the image data stored in the storage means 4 is provided.

In such technical means, the data input device 1 may be appropriately selected as long as it can input image data. For example, a word processor or an image processor for creating image data may be used. And a scanner device that scans image data on a sheet.

The image forming apparatus 3 includes an image forming unit 2.
Any function that has a function of forming an image based on the image data transmitted from the data input device 1, that is, a function as a printer, may have a facsimile function, a copy function, and the like in addition to a function as a printer. What is provided (so-called multifunction device) may be used. Here, the image forming unit 2 may be appropriately selected as long as it has a function of forming an image and printing it on a sheet such as a sheet of paper.

Further, the storage means 4 stores the image data sent from the data input device 1, and for example, a RAM (random access memory) or the like is used.
Here, the period during which the image data is stored by the storage unit 4 may be appropriately set according to the storage capacity of the storage unit 4, but at least the image data can be re-formed by the re-formation instruction unit 5 described later. It is necessary to keep remembering the time period that can be indicated.

Furthermore, the re-formation instructing means 5 instructs the image forming means 2 to re-form the image data stored in the storage means 4. Here, there is a request to change setting conditions such as image density, the number of copies, and post-processing steps (for example, stapling processing, collating processing, punching hole punching processing, folding processing, etc.) when re-forming image data. . Therefore, from the viewpoint of satisfying such a request, the image forming apparatus 3 changes the setting condition at the time of re-formation under the condition that the re-formation instructing means 5 instructs the image re-formation. It is preferable to provide a setting change unit that performs the setting.

When it is not necessary to form the same image data a plurality of times in the image forming apparatus 3, it is not necessary to store the image data in the storage means 4. Therefore, from the viewpoint of simplifying the process and saving the storage capacity of the storage unit 4, the data input device 1 has a storage instruction for instructing whether or not it is necessary to store the image data in the storage unit 4. Preferably, means are provided.

Next, the operation of the image forming system according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, a data input device 1
An image is formed by the image forming means 2 of the image forming apparatus 3 based on the image data transmitted from the printer. The image data is stored in the storage unit 4 at the same time. When an instruction to re-form an image is issued by the re-formation instructing means 5, the image is re-formed by the image forming means 2 based on the image data stored in the storage means 4. As described above, since the image data of the image to be re-formed is transmitted not from the data input device 1 but from the storage means 4 in the image forming device 3, the re-forming is carried out earlier by that amount.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an image forming system to which the present invention is applied.
In the figure, reference numerals 11 to 13 denote personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as personal computers) as image input devices. These personal computers 11 to 13 are connected to a digital MFP 20 as an image forming apparatus via a network 14. I have.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the digital MFP 20. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 20 according to the present embodiment has a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and a print function, as described later. Means), an automatic double-sided document feeder 40 disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body 30, and a stapling process or a punching process for a sheet bundle discharged from the apparatus main body 30 ( A post-processing unit 50 for performing post-processing is hereinafter provided.
Here, in addition to the above-described image forming unit 36, paper trays 31 to 34 accommodating various sizes of paper are provided in the apparatus main body 30, and multiple manual trays 35 are provided on the side thereof. Have been. Also, the post-processing unit 5
At 0, reference numerals 51 to 53 denote stacker trays for discharging the post-processed sheet bundle.

Further, an operation panel 9 for operating the image forming apparatus is provided in front of the automatic duplex document feeder 40.
0 is provided. This operation panel 90 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), a touch panel display 91 for instructing various functions and necessary operations, a communication / job confirmation button 92 for confirming a copy, fax, and print status, and a setting confirmation button 9 for confirming a set function
3, a function switching button 94 for switching the screen of the touch panel display 91 for each function, a numeric keypad 95 for inputting the number of copies / fax number and various functions when setting various functions, a start button 96 to be pressed when reading of the original M is started, One touch panel 99 having a stop button 97 for canceling communication work, a reset button 98 for canceling all settings and returning to an initial screen, a one-touch button 99a for storing a fax number, and a job memory button 99b for registering an operation procedure. Etc. Here, on the touch panel display 91, a screen from which a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and reprinting as re-formation instructing means to be described later can be selected is displayed as a start screen.

As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming system according to the present embodiment is performed by a control device 100 provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 20.
In FIG. 1, the control device 100 includes the PCs 11 to 1
3 and the operation signal from the operation panel 90 are transmitted to the CPU 10 via the input interface 101.
2 and then the CPU 102
Executing the control program stored in the RAM 10
After appropriately performing data processing between the image forming unit 36 and the image forming unit 36, a driving signal is transmitted to the image forming unit 36 and the post-processing unit 50 via the output interface 105. Further, the RAM 104 stores the PC 11
13 plays a role as storage means for storing the image data transmitted from.

Next, a process of printing a document file as image data in the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described. For example, the user instructs the digital MFP 20 to print a document file from the monitor screen of the PC 11. At this time, the monitor
As shown in (a), a screen for selecting normal printing or memorized printing appears. Here, normal printing is a mode in which printing is performed without storing image data in the RAM 104, and storage printing is a mode in which printing is performed while storing image data in the RAM 104. This is selected based on whether the same document needs to be printed later. That is, if the user wants to print the required number of copies after confirming the print content once, the user selects the storage print mode, and otherwise selects the normal print.

When the user selects the normal printing, image data is transmitted from the PC 11 to the digital multi-function peripheral 20 via the network 14, and the digital multi-function peripheral 20 performs a printing operation by the image forming unit 36. . When post-processing such as stapling or punching is selected, the post-processing unit 50 also performs a post-processing operation. In the meantime, the monitor of PC 11
As shown in (b), a message "Printing ..." is displayed.

On the other hand, if the user selects memory printing, the monitor of the PC 11 is turned on before printing starts, as shown in FIG.
The screen shown in (c) is displayed, and an input of a password for this document is required. After the password is input, the image data is transmitted from the PC 11 to the digital MFP 20 via the network 14, and the digital MFP 20
Then, a part of the printing operation is performed by the image forming unit 36 and the post-processing unit 50. Meanwhile, P
As shown in FIG. 6D, a message "Printing .... Reprinting can be instructed from the printer body" is displayed on the monitor of C11.

Then, the user checks the contents of the printed partial set of documents. If the user wants to print a plurality of copies of the same document continuously, the digital MFP 20
Side issues a print (reprint) instruction. That is, when the user wants to perform reprinting, the user selects “reprinting” on the touch panel display 91 in FIG.
Press the key. Then, when this key is pressed, a password input screen shown in FIG. Then, the user uses the numeric keypad 95 or the like to enter the password set previously.

If the password is correct, then
The reprint setting screen shown in (d) is displayed. The setting screen displays density adjustment such as dark / light, selection of post-processing / non-post-processing such as staple and punch, and the like. The number of prints can also be changed using the numeric keypad 95. The setting screen at the time of reprinting shown in FIG. 4D has substantially the same design as the setting screen in the copy mode of the digital MFP 20 (see FIG. 4B), and is understood by the user. It is easy to do. When the user presses the start button 96 after completing the setting, the image data (document file) stored in the RAM 104 is read out, and the image forming unit 36 performs a reprint operation. At this time, if the density change is instructed on the setting screen, the setting of the image forming unit 36 is changed. When post-processing such as stapling or punching is selected on the setting screen, the post-processing unit 50 executes the post-processing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the printed document (image data) is stored in the RAM 104 of the digital multifunction peripheral 20, and the image data is read from the RAM 104 at the time of reprinting. You can reprint quickly. Further, it is possible to prevent the image from deteriorating as compared with a method of copying a printed document. Furthermore, since the printing condition of the first part can be checked and then the remaining part can be printed, there is no risk of failure, and it is economical. Furthermore, even when the user stops printing a plurality of copies while viewing the print state of the first copy, the user is not in the temporary stop state and does not cause any trouble to other users.

Further, on the setting screen, the number of copies, density, presence / absence of post-processing, and the like at the time of reprinting can be set. The setting screen has the same design as that of the copier, so that the operation is easy.

Further, when printing is started, normal printing or storage printing is selected, so that unnecessary consumption of the memory of the RAM 104 can be prevented.

In addition, when performing storage printing, a password is set for a document, so that a desired document can be reprinted by inputting the password at any time while continuously giving a print instruction. And there is no danger of another user reprinting your document, so you can feel safe.

In the present embodiment, the case where the document (image data) transmitted from the PC 11 is reprinted has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. By storing the image data read in the same manner in the RAM 104, reprinting can be performed quickly.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the image data transmitted to the image forming apparatus is stored in the storage unit and the image data is read out from the storage unit when the image data is re-formed, the image once formed can be quickly re-formed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram of the image forming system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the digital multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 4A is an overall view of an operation panel, and FIGS.
(D) is an explanatory view showing an example of a display on the touch panel display.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control device.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a monitor screen during printing.

[Description of Signs] 1 data input device, 2 image forming means, 3 image forming apparatus, 4 storage means, 5 re-formation instructing means, 11 to 13
... Personal computer (PC), 14 ... Network, 20 ... Digital multifunction peripheral, 30 ... Device main body, 36 ... Image forming unit, 40 ... Automatic double-sided document feeder, 50 ...
Post-processing unit, 90 operation panel, 91 touch panel display, 95 numeric keypad, 100 control device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA03 AB06 BA03 BB01 BB10 BB16 BC05 BD46 CB05 CB10 5B021 AA01 AA19 DD12 EE01 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA14 AA15 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB35 AB43 AC04 AE15 AF06 AF12 BA00 9

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system comprising: a data input device for inputting image data; and an image forming device having image forming means for forming an image based on image data transmitted from the data input device. A storage unit for storing the image data sent from the data input device; and a re-formation instruction for instructing the image formation unit to re-form the image data stored in the storage unit. And an image forming system. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus changes a setting condition at the time of re-formation under a condition in which re-formation is instructed by the re-formation instructing unit. An image forming system comprising a setting change unit. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the data input device includes storage instruction means for instructing whether or not image data needs to be stored in the storage means. Characteristic image forming system.