JP2013098723A - Operation control program, information processor, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent occurrence of a job error caused by the shortage of free capacity of memory when private printing is performed, by securing a state allowing an operator to sufficiently manage data to be printed.SOLUTION: A private printing instruction receiving unit 302 receives an instruction to execute private printing, a display control unit 303 controls the display 315 of a PC 31 to display a message to quicken inputting of an instruction to remove restriction. When a restriction removal instruction receiving unit 304 receives the instruction to remove restriction, a communication unit 307 transmits to a composite machine 1 an operation control instruction to execute private printing with restriction removal conditions added thereto.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation control program, an information processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for controlling the timing of image formation of print target data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when performing printing by an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus that forms an image called private print is known for protecting the privacy of an operator. In this private print, for example, when an operator transmits print target data from a network-connected personal computer to the image forming apparatus when executing a print job, the image forming apparatus immediately forms an image of the print target data. If the print target data is temporarily held in a storage unit such as a built-in memory and the image forming instruction is input by the operator from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, Image formation of target data is performed in front of the operator.

  When this private printing is performed, the data to be printed cannot be held if there is no more free space in the memory. For this reason, as a technique for solving deficiencies in handling image data due to insufficient free space in the memory, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-228542 discloses that the memory has no free space when scan data is temporarily stored in the memory. In such a case, a technique has been shown in which the scan data is transferred to a server connected to a network, thereby eliminating the deficiency in handling image data due to insufficient memory capacity.

JP 2010-171720 A

  However, when an attempt is made to solve the above problem by applying the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 to an image forming apparatus that performs private printing, the print data that cannot be stored in the memory is transferred, so Although the error end of the print job due to lack of capacity can be resolved, the data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the server regardless of the operator's intention, so the operator fully manages the print target data I can't.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and it is possible to generate a job error due to insufficient memory free space during private printing while ensuring that an operator can sufficiently manage data to be printed. The purpose is to prevent.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image for executing private print permitting image formation on the condition that an image forming instruction is received from an operator for print target data temporarily held in a built-in storage unit. A computer that transmits an operation control instruction to the forming apparatus;
A first instruction receiving unit that receives a private print execution instruction for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the private print;
Restriction release instruction for adding to the private print a restriction release condition for releasing the holding of the print target data and forming an image of the print target data when the storage unit runs out of space during execution of the private print A display control unit that displays a message prompting the input on the display unit of the computer when the private print execution instruction is received by the first instruction receiving unit;
A second instruction receiving unit that receives the restriction release instruction when the message is displayed on the display unit by the display control unit;
Functions as an instruction transmission unit that transmits an operation control instruction to execute private printing with the restriction release condition added to the image forming apparatus when the restriction release instruction is received by the second instruction reception unit. This is an operation control program to be executed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that executes private printing that permits image formation on condition that an image forming instruction is received from an operator for print target data temporarily held in a storage unit. An information processing apparatus that transmits an operation control instruction to the information processing apparatus,
A first instruction receiving unit that receives a private print execution instruction for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the private print;
Restriction release instruction for adding to the private print a restriction release condition for releasing the holding of the print target data and forming an image of the print target data when the storage unit runs out of space during execution of the private print A display control unit that displays a message prompting the input on the display unit of the computer when the private print execution instruction is received by the first instruction receiving unit;
A second instruction receiving unit that receives the restriction release instruction when the message is displayed on the display unit by the display control unit;
An instruction transmission unit that transmits an operation control instruction for executing private printing with the restriction release condition to the image forming apparatus when the restriction release instruction is received by the second instruction reception unit; An information processing apparatus is provided.

  According to these inventions, when the first instruction receiving unit receives the private print execution instruction, the display control unit displays a message prompting the input of the restriction release instruction on the computer display unit, and transmits the instruction. When the second instruction receiving unit receives the restriction release instruction, the unit transmits an operation control instruction to execute private printing with the restriction release condition added to the image forming apparatus. In addition, it is possible to avoid a situation in which image formation is not performed due to insufficient storage capacity during private printing, and input the above restriction release instruction when releasing the hold of the print target data and forming the print target data as an image Reflect the intention of the operator. For this reason, information is leaked in the image forming apparatus more than in the case of forming an image of pending print target data by private printing, regardless of the operator's intention in order to eliminate the trouble caused by the memory full. There is little fear. Further, the image formation of the print target data can be completed without transmitting the print target data that cannot be held in the storage unit from the image forming apparatus to another apparatus. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a job error due to insufficient memory free space during private printing while ensuring that the operator can sufficiently manage the print target data.

The invention according to claim 2 is the operation control program according to claim 1, wherein the computer is
A capacity information acquisition unit that acquires capacity information indicating a capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus when the private print execution instruction is received by the first instruction reception unit;
Further function as a determination unit that determines whether or not the capacity indicated by the capacity information acquired by the capacity information acquisition unit has reached a predetermined value,
When the determination unit determines that the capacity has not reached the predetermined value, the display control unit causes the display unit of the computer to display a message urging input of the restriction release instruction. It is to function.

  According to this invention, the determination unit determines whether or not the capacity indicated by the capacity information acquired by the free capacity information acquisition unit has reached a predetermined value, and the display control unit determines whether the capacity is When it is determined that the predetermined value has not been reached, a message prompting the user to input the restriction release instruction is displayed on the display unit of the computer. Only when there is a high possibility that the reservation is insufficient, a message prompting the input of the restriction release instruction is displayed on the display unit of the computer. For this reason, if the storage unit of the image forming apparatus has a sufficient capacity for holding the data to be printed by the private print, the operator is instructed whether to add the restriction release condition to the private print. It is possible to provide an environment in which a private print execution instruction can be input without consideration.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image forming unit that forms an image of print target data;
A storage unit for temporarily holding the print target data;
An image formation instruction accepting unit that accepts an image formation instruction from an operator to cause image formation of the print target data temporarily held in the storage unit;
A control unit that causes the image forming unit to form an image of the held print target data when the image forming instruction is input to the image forming instruction receiving unit;
A release instruction receiving unit that receives a restriction release instruction for releasing the hold and performing image formation of the print target data when there is no free space to hold the print target data in the storage unit;
When the restriction release instruction is received by the release instruction receiving unit, the control unit performs the operation of the image formation instruction receiving unit when there is no free space in the storage unit to hold the print target data. The image forming apparatus causes the image forming unit to perform image formation of the print target data by canceling the hold without using the image forming instruction as a condition.

  According to the present invention, the control unit accepts the image formation instruction when the restriction accepting instruction is accepted by the instruction accepting unit and there is no more free space in the storage unit to hold the print target data. The storage unit at the time of private printing allows the image forming unit to perform image formation of the print target data by canceling the hold of the print target data by the private print without being subjected to the reception of the image formation instruction by the copy unit. When the image formation is not performed due to the lack of capacity, the intention of the operator by inputting the restriction release instruction is reflected when the print target data is released and the image is formed. . For this reason, information is leaked in the image forming apparatus more than in the case of forming an image of pending print target data by private printing, regardless of the operator's intention in order to eliminate the trouble caused by the memory full. There is little fear. Further, the image formation of the print target data is completed without transmitting the print target data that cannot be held in the storage unit from the image forming apparatus to another apparatus. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a job error due to insufficient memory free space during private printing while ensuring that the operator can sufficiently manage the print target data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a job error due to insufficient memory capacity during private printing while ensuring that the operator can sufficiently manage the print target data.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of an image forming apparatus and a computer that form an image forming system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of an internal structure with which PC as an information processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is provided. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job execution processing by a PC. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job execution processing by the multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of a display part. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a print job execution process by a PC and a multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of a display part.

  Hereinafter, an operation control program, an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of an image forming apparatus and a computer constituting an image forming system according to the present invention.

  The image forming system 10 includes a server, a computer (an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention), and an image forming apparatus that are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). In the present embodiment, the image forming system 10 includes four computers and one multifunction device as apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, the number of computers and image forming apparatuses provided in the image forming system according to the present invention is not limited to this.

  The multifunction device 1 according to an embodiment of the image forming apparatus has functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The multifunction device 1 prints out data stored in the internal storage device of the multifunction device 1, prints out data sent from the server SV2 or the PCs 31 to 34, and the like. The multi-function device 1, the server SV2, and the PCs 31 to 34 can perform data communication with each other. The multifunction device 1 has a function of receiving a job transmitted from the server SV2 and each of the PCs 31 to 34 and executing the job.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the PC 31 as the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Since the necessary configuration in the present invention is the same for the PCs 31 to 34, the following description will be given using the PC 31 as an example. The PC 31 includes a control unit 300, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, an HDD 314, a display unit 315, a communication interface 318, and an input unit 319. These units can transmit / receive data or signals to / from each other via a CPU bus.

  The control unit 300 is composed of a CPU and the like, and controls operation of the entire PC 31. The ROM 312 stores an operation program for basic operations of the PC 31. The RAM 313 is used as an operation area of the control unit 300.

  The HDD 314 stores various data such as document data or image data to be printed in a part of the storage area. The HDD 314 stores an image forming program according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 300 operates in accordance with the image forming program, so that a control unit 301, a private instruction reception unit 302, a display control unit 303, a restriction release instruction reception unit 304, a capacity information acquisition unit 305, a determination unit 306, which will be described later, It functions as the communication unit 307. Note that the image forming program has the capability of causing the control unit 300 to function as the capacity information acquisition unit 305 and the determination unit 306 as long as necessary in the embodiments described later. Similarly, it is assumed that the control unit 300 includes the free space information acquisition unit 305 and the determination unit 306 by an operation based on the image forming program as long as necessary in the embodiments described later. However, the control unit 301, the private instruction reception unit 302, the display control unit 303, the restriction release instruction reception unit 304, the capacity information acquisition unit 305, the determination unit 306, and the communication unit 307 of the control unit 300 are based on an image forming program. If not, each may be constituted by a hard circuit. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The display unit 315 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various data contents, operation guidance for the operator who operates the PC 31, and the like. The communication interface 318 functions as an interface for performing data communication with the multifunction machine 1, the other PCs 32-34, the server SV2, and the like.

  The input unit 319 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and a job for the multifunction device 1 is input by an operator. For example, in the input unit 319, as a print job, designation of print target data from data stored in the HDD 314 or data created by an application executed on the PC 31, etc., execution instruction of the print job, etc. Is input from the operator, and for the print job, for example, each function such as original size, original setting, original reading resolution, file format, color / monochrome printing, necessity of executing private printing, necessity of executing restriction release printing, etc. An instruction is input from the operator. However, it is not intended to limit the types of instructions that the input unit 319 receives from the operator.

  As described above, the control unit 300 includes the control unit 301, the private print instruction reception unit 302, the display control unit 303, the restriction release instruction reception unit 304, the free space information acquisition unit 305, the determination unit 306, and the communication unit 307. .

  The control unit 301 manages operation control of the entire PC 31.

  A private instruction receiving unit (first instruction receiving unit) 302 receives a private print execution instruction input from the operator via the input unit 319. For example, when the operator transmits print target data to the multifunction device 1 from the PC 31 or the like connected to the multifunction device 1 during execution of a print job, the multifunction device 1 immediately The print target data is temporarily held in the image memory 120 provided in the multifunction device 1 without image formation of the print target data, and the operator of the multifunction device 1 inputs an image formation instruction from the operation unit 20. As a condition, an image formation of the print target data that has been put on hold is performed in front of the operator.

  The display control unit 303 controls display of the display unit 315, and for example, causes the display unit 315 to display a guide having a message prompting the user to input an instruction for a print job.

  The restriction release instruction receiving unit (second instruction receiving unit) 304 instructs the restriction release addition when the display control unit 303 displays a message prompting the input of the instruction for the print job on the display unit 315. Accept restriction release instructions. This restriction release addition is to release the hold of the print target data stored in the image memory 120 when there is no more free space in the image memory 120 (described later) of the multifunction device 1 during execution of private printing. The addition of a restriction release condition for forming an image of the print target data to the private print.

  The capacity information acquisition unit 305 acquires capacity information indicating the capacity of the image memory 120 from the multifunction device 1. The capacity information acquisition unit 305 performs a transmission request for the capacity information to the multifunction machine 1 and receives the capacity information from the multifunction machine 1 via the communication interface 318.

  The determination unit 306 determines whether or not the capacity indicated by the capacity information acquired by the capacity information acquisition unit 305 has reached a predetermined value. As the predetermined value, for example, a value indicating a capacity sufficient to store image data when 50 sheets of an A4 size document are read at a resolution of 200 dpi × 200 dpi by the image reading unit 110 of the multifunction machine 1 is used. It is done. However, the predetermined value is not limited to this value.

  A communication unit (instruction transmission unit) 307 performs processing necessary for data transmission / reception with the multifunction machine 1, the server computer SV2, and the other PCs 32 to 34. For example, the communication unit 307 transmits to the multifunction device 1 an operation control instruction for executing image formation by private printing or restriction release printing. The communication unit 307 performs the data transmission / reception via the communication interface 318.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction machine 1 includes a control unit 100, an image reading unit 110, an image memory 120, and an image forming unit 130.

  The image reading unit 110 includes a scanner that reads an original image.

  The image memory (storage unit) 120 serves as an area for temporarily storing data of an original read by the image reading unit 110 and temporarily storing data to be printed by the image forming unit 130. The image memory 120 temporarily stores print target data that is an object of image formation in a print job sent from the PC 31 or the like, and holds the print target data until an image formation instruction is issued by the operator. Functions as a memory.

  The image forming unit 130 forms an image of document data read by the image reading unit 110, data transmitted from the server computer SV2 or the PC 31 (including data to be printed held in the image memory 120), and the like. To do.

  The multifunction device 1 executes various functions necessary for facsimile communication and receives image data from an external facsimile apparatus via a public line, an image formation or transmission start key, a numeric keypad, an abbreviated number key, and the like. An operation unit 20 that receives input of various operation instructions (for example, an instruction to execute image formation on print target data temporarily stored in the image memory 120 for private printing) from the operator; And a display unit 150 including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like for displaying operation guidance to a person. The display unit 150 may be provided with a touch panel function to accept various operation instructions from the operator.

  Further, the multifunction machine 1 has an HDD (hard disk) 170 having a large-capacity storage area for storing document image data read by the image reading unit 110.

  The control unit 100 is composed of a CPU and the like, and governs the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1. The control unit 100 includes an image formation instruction reception unit 101, a restriction release instruction reception unit 102, a control unit 103, a capacity detection unit 104, and a communication unit 105. Note that an operation control program of the MFP 1 is stored in the HDD 170 or a ROM (not shown), and the control unit 100 operates in accordance with the operation control program, thereby causing the image formation instruction receiving unit 101 and the restriction release instruction receiving unit 102 to operate. , Control unit 103, capacity detection unit 104, and communication unit 105. However, the image formation instruction accepting unit 101, the restriction release instruction accepting unit 102, the control unit 103, the capacity detecting unit 104, and the communication unit 105 of the control unit 100 are each implemented by a hardware circuit when not based on an operation based on the operation control program. It may be configured. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The image formation instruction reception unit 101 receives an image formation instruction for performing image formation of the print target data temporarily held in the image memory 120 from the operator through the operation of the operation unit 20 by the operator. .

  The restriction release instruction receiving unit 102 receives a restriction release instruction for performing image formation by private printing with the restriction release condition described above from the PC 31 or the like via the network interface 160.

  The control unit 103 governs the overall operation of the multifunction device 1. When the image forming instruction that causes the image forming instruction receiving unit 101 to form an image of the print target data temporarily held in the image memory 120 is received, the control unit 103 causes the image forming unit 130 to form an image. Control such as to perform.

  The capacity detection unit 104 detects the capacity of the image memory 120 (the total storage capacity of the image memory 120). For example, the capacity detection unit 104 detects the total capacity of the storage area set to be used as the image memory 120 among the storage areas of the RAM provided in the multifunction machine 1 as the capacity of the image memory 120. The capacity detector 104 also detects the free capacity of the image memory 120 set in this way.

  The communication unit 105 performs processing necessary for data transmission / reception between the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34. For example, the communication unit 105 transmits capacity information indicating the capacity of the image memory 120 detected by the capacity detection unit 104 to the PC 31 or the like via the network interface 160.

  Further, the multi function device 1 includes an image processing unit 190 that performs image image data editing / processing (code / decoding processing, enlargement / reduction processing, compression / decompression processing) processing read by the image reading unit 110, a server computer SV2, And a network interface used for exchanging various data with the PCs 31 to 34.

  Next, a first embodiment of print job execution processing by the multifunction peripheral 1 and the PC 31 constituting the image forming system 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing print job execution processing by the PC 31 or the like. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing print job execution processing by the multifunction device 1. 6 and 7 show examples of display screens of the display unit.

  In the image forming system 10, when the operator inputs a print job of the MFP 1 from any of the PCs 31 to 34, the PC (any of PCs 31 to 34) receives the print job. When the print job is transmitted to the MFP 1 and the print job is received, the MFP 1 executes the received print job. Hereinafter, the print job execution process will be described by taking as an example a case where a print job is transmitted from the PC 31 to the multifunction device 1.

  First, a print job execution process in the PC 31 will be described with reference to FIG. When an instruction to display a print job setting screen is input during operation of an application such as a word processor by the operation of the input unit 319 by the operator on the PC 31 (YES in S1), the display control unit 303 displays the display unit 315. Then, the print job setting screen is displayed (S2).

  For example, the print job setting screen has a plurality of setting screens, and each setting screen is switched by the operation of the input unit 319 by the operator, and the original size, original setting, original reading resolution, file format, color / monochrome printing It is possible to input instructions for each function. The display control unit 303 performs display switching of each screen. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, on the job storage screen D <b> 1 that can set a print job and can store the contents of the set print job, an instruction to execute a private print as a job expansion function, a job name Can be set.

  When a private print execution instruction is input by the operation of the input unit 319 by the operator when the job storage screen D1 is displayed (YES in S3), the private instruction reception unit 302 receives a private print execution instruction ( S4).

  For example, in the job saving screen D1 shown in FIG. 6, the operator designates the radio button B1 of the display portion of “Private Print” by operating the mouse pointer or the like as the input unit 319, and presses the “OK button” B2. Thus, a private print execution instruction is input, and the private instruction execution unit 302 receives the private print execution instruction.

  When the private instruction execution unit 302 receives the private print execution instruction in this way, the display control unit 303 sets the above-described restriction release conditions in the job storage screen D1, as shown in FIG. A message is displayed to prompt the operator to input an instruction as to whether or not to add to (S5).

  When the display unit 315 displays the message prompting the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to add the restriction release condition in the job save screen D1, the restriction release condition is added by the operator. When an instruction to do so is input (YES in S6), a restriction release instruction for adding a restriction release condition is received by the restriction release instruction receiving unit 304 (S7). The restriction release instruction specifies, for example, the radio button B3 in the display portion of the message “Release and print when memory is full”, which is the message, by operating the mouse pointer or the like as the input unit 319 by the operator. It is input by pressing the “button” B 2 and is received by the restriction release instruction receiving unit 304.

  After receiving the restriction release instruction by the restriction release instruction receiving unit 304, the communication unit 307 transmits a print job including an instruction to execute image formation by private printing to which the restriction release condition is added, to the multifunction peripheral 1 (S8). ).

  On the other hand, when the display unit 315 displays the above message instructing the operator to input an instruction as to whether or not to add a restriction release condition in the job storage screen D1, the restriction release instruction is issued from the operator. If NO is input (NO in S6), the communication unit 307 transmits a print job including an instruction to execute image formation by private printing (without adding a restriction release condition) to the multifunction device 1 (S10). . For example, when the operator operates the mouse pointer or the like as the input unit 319, the radio button B3 in the display portion of the message “Restore and print when memory is full” is not designated, and the “OK button” B2 When is pressed, a print job including an instruction to execute image formation by the private print (without adding a restriction release condition) is transmitted.

  In S3, when the private print execution instruction is not input from the operator when the job storage screen D1 is displayed (NO in S3), the communication unit 307 performs normal printing ( That is, a print job for executing image formation is transmitted by image formation not using private print (S9). For example, when the operator operates the mouse pointer or the like as the input unit 319 and the “OK button” B2 is pressed without designating the radio button B1 of the “private print” display portion, the image is printed by normal printing. A print job for executing formation is transmitted.

  Next, a print job execution process in the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the multifunction device 1, when the communication unit 105 receives the print job (YES in S21), the control unit 103 determines whether the print job is a normal print or a private print (including a private print with restriction release). It is determined whether the formation is to be performed (S22).

  Here, when the control unit 103 determines that the print job is to perform normal printing (“normal printing” in S22), the control unit 103 prints that are the targets of image formation in the print job. The image forming unit 130 immediately forms an image without holding the target data in the image memory 120 (S29).

  If the control unit 103 determines that the print job is to perform image formation by private printing (“private print” in S22), the control unit 103 is targeted for image formation by the print job. The data to be printed is temporarily stored in the image memory 120 and held (S23).

  After starting to store the print target data in the image memory 120, the capacity detection unit 104 starts detecting the free capacity of the image memory 120 (S24).

  Here, when the capacity detection unit 104 does not detect that there is no free space in the image memory 120 (NO in S25, and further NO in S26), if all the print target data has been stored in the image memory 120 ( In this way, with the print target data being held in the image memory 120, the image formation instruction receiving unit 101 inputs an image formation instruction from the operator for the held print target data. Wait (S27).

  During this standby, when the operator operates the operation unit 20 to input an image formation instruction for the held print target data, and the image formation instruction receiving unit 101 receives the image formation instruction (YES in S27). The control unit 103 reads the print target data held in the image memory 120, and causes the image forming unit 130 to form an image using the print target data (S28).

  On the other hand, when the print target data is not completely stored in the image memory 120 (NO in S25) and the capacity detection unit 104 detects that there is no free space in the image memory 120 (YES in S26), the control unit In step S30, it is determined whether the private print instruction detected in step S22 is a private print with restriction release or a private print without restriction release (S30).

  When the control unit 103 determines that the private print instruction detected in S22 is a private print with restriction release (YES in S30), the print data out of the print target data targeted for image formation by the print job is described above. At this time, the image forming unit 130 is caused to form an image for both the data that has been stored in the image memory 120 and the data that has not yet been stored in the image memory 120 (S31). That is, the control unit 103 prints the print target data in the image memory 120 even if the image formation instruction receiving unit 101 has not received the above-described image formation execution instruction for forming an image of the print target data held in the image memory 120. Is released, and the image forming unit 130 forms an image of the print target data that has been saved in the image memory 120 and has not yet been saved.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 103 determines that the private print instruction detected in S22 is a private print without restriction release (NO in S30), the control unit 103 determines whether the image memory 120 has been completed or not. The process is terminated without causing the image forming unit 130 to perform image formation on the print target data.

  According to the first embodiment, the display control unit 303 instructs whether or not to add the restriction release condition to the private print when the private print execution instruction is input to the private print instruction reception unit 302. In this state, the restriction release instruction accepting unit 304 waits for the input of the restriction release addition instruction, so that the multifunction device is in a capacity shortage of the image memory 120 when executing private printing. In the case of avoiding the situation in which image formation is not performed in 1 and releasing the hold of the print target data based on the private print in the multifunction machine 1 and forming the image of the print target data held in the image memory 120 The intention of the operator indicated by inputting the above restriction release instruction It is reflected. For this reason, regardless of the operator's intention to solve the problem caused by the memory being full, information leaks in the multi-function device 1 as compared with the case of forming an image of pending print target data by private printing. There is little fear. Even when print target data that cannot be held in the image memory 120 due to insufficient capacity of the image memory 120 is generated, the print target data of the print job input by the operator without being transmitted from the multifunction device 1 to another device. Image formation can be completed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a job error due to insufficient memory free space during private printing while ensuring that the operator can sufficiently manage the print target data.

  Next, a second embodiment of print job execution processing by the multifunction peripheral 1 and the PC 31 constituting the image forming system 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of a print job execution process by the PC 31 and the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit. In the description of the second embodiment, the description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment is omitted. The processing on the multifunction device 1 side is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the processing shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, when a private print execution instruction is received by the private print instruction reception unit 302 (S44), the capacity information acquisition unit 305 sends an image memory to the multifunction device 1 via the communication interface 318. The transmission of capacity information indicating the capacity of 120 (the total storage capacity of the image memory 120) is requested (S45).

  At this time, in the multifunction device 1, when the communication unit 105 receives the request (S61), the capacity detection unit 104 detects the capacity of the image memory 120 (S62), and the capacity information indicating the detected capacity is transmitted to the communication unit. 105 transmits to the PC 31 (S63).

  The capacity information acquisition unit 305 of the PC 31 receives and acquires the capacity information from the multi function device 1 via the communication interface 318 (S46). After the acquisition, the determination unit 306 determines whether or not the capacity indicated by the acquired capacity information has reached the above-described predetermined value (S47).

  The capacity information acquisition unit 305 requests transmission of the capacity information of the image memory 120 from the multifunction device 1 when the private print instruction reception unit 302 receives a private print execution instruction as described above. Instead (S43 to S46), the capacity information of the image memory 120 is acquired from the multi-function device 1 in advance, and the determination unit 306 receives the acquired image memory when a private print execution instruction is received. The determination may be performed based on the capacity indicated by the capacity information 120.

  When the PC 31 has a function for managing the device settings of the multifunction machine 1, the capacity information acquisition unit 305 may store the capacity of the image memory 120 as follows. . The PC 31 has a function of receiving an instruction to set how much storage area of the RAM storage area included in the multi-function peripheral 1 is used as the image memory 120. When this instruction is received, The instruction is transmitted to the multi-function device 1, and the control unit 103 of the multi-function device 1 is configured to set a RAM storage area having a capacity designated by the instruction as the image memory 120. The capacity information acquisition unit 305 stores the capacity of the image memory 120 set in this way.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the display control unit 303 causes the display unit 315 to display the setting screen D2, and among the storage areas of the RAM described above, the storage area that functions as the image memory 120 is indicated by the arrow buttons B4 and B5. When the operator operates a mouse pointer or the like as the input unit 319, a storage area having a capacity corresponding to the operation is received as a storage area of the image memory 120, and the communication unit 307 transmits the received capacity to the multifunction device 1. . The control unit 103 of the multifunction device 1 sets a RAM storage area having a capacity designated by the instruction as the image memory 120.

  Here, when the determination unit 306 determines that the capacity indicated by the acquired capacity information has not reached the predetermined value (NO in S47), the display control unit 303 displays the job storage screen D1. Then, a message for prompting the operator to input an instruction as to whether or not to add the restriction release condition is displayed (S48).

  When the display unit 315 displays the job storage screen D1 including a message prompting the operator to input an instruction as to whether or not to add a restriction release condition on the display unit 315, the restriction release printing is performed by the operator. Is input (YES in S49), and when the restriction release instruction is accepted by the restriction release instruction accepting unit 304 (S50), the communication unit 307 gives the multifunction device 1 a private print with a restriction release condition added. A print job including an instruction to execute image formation is transmitted (S51).

  On the other hand, in a state where the display control unit 303 displays the job storage screen D1 including the above message to prompt the operator to input an instruction as to whether or not to add the restriction release condition on the display unit 315, the operator If the restriction release instruction is not input from (NO in S49), and if the determination unit 306 determines in S47 that the capacity indicated by the acquired capacity information has reached the predetermined value (in S47) YES), the communication unit 307 transmits a print job including an instruction to execute image formation by private printing (without adding a restriction release condition) to the multifunction device 1 (S53).

  According to the second embodiment, when the determination unit 306 determines that the capacity indicated by the capacity information acquired by the capacity information acquisition unit 305 has not reached the predetermined value, the display control unit 303 Since the display unit 315 displays a message prompting the user to input an instruction as to whether to add the restriction release condition, the storage capacity of the image memory 120 is insufficient to hold the print target data in the private print mode. Only when there is a high possibility that the restriction release condition is high, a message urging input of an instruction as to whether or not to add the restriction release condition is displayed on the display unit 315. For this reason, if the image memory 120 of the multifunction device 1 has a sufficient capacity for holding the print target data in the private print, whether the above restriction release condition is added to the private print. It is possible to provide an environment in which an instruction for forming an image in a private print can be input without further examination of whether or not.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is described as a multifunction peripheral, but the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be a copier, a facsimile machine, or the like.

  Note that the configurations and processes shown in the above embodiments using FIGS. 1 to 9 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the configurations and processes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming system 1 Multifunction device 100 Control unit 101 Image formation instruction reception part 102 Restriction release instruction reception part 103 Control part 104 Capacity detection part 105 Communication part 120 Image memory 130 Image formation part 20 Operation part 31-34 Personal computer 300 Control unit 301 Control Unit 302 Private Print Instruction Accepting Unit 303 Display Control Unit 304 Restriction Release Instruction Accepting Unit 305 Capacity Information Acquisition Unit 306 Determination Unit 307 Communication Unit 315 Display Unit 319 Input Unit

Claims (4)

A computer that transmits an operation control instruction to an image forming apparatus that executes private printing that permits image formation on condition that an image forming instruction is received from an operator for print target data temporarily held in a built-in storage unit The
A first instruction receiving unit that receives a private print execution instruction for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the private print;
Restriction release instruction for adding to the private print a restriction release condition for releasing the holding of the print target data and forming an image of the print target data when the storage unit runs out of space during execution of the private print A display control unit that displays a message prompting the input on the display unit of the computer when the private print execution instruction is received by the first instruction receiving unit;
A second instruction receiving unit that receives the restriction release instruction when the message is displayed on the display unit by the display control unit;
Functions as an instruction transmission unit that transmits an operation control instruction to execute private printing with the restriction release condition added to the image forming apparatus when the restriction release instruction is received by the second instruction reception unit. Operation control program to make. The computer,
A capacity information acquisition unit that acquires capacity information indicating a capacity of the storage unit of the image forming apparatus when the private print execution instruction is received by the first instruction reception unit;
Further function as a determination unit that determines whether or not the capacity indicated by the capacity information acquired by the capacity information acquisition unit has reached a predetermined value,
When the determination unit determines that the capacity has not reached the predetermined value, the display control unit causes the display unit of the computer to display a message urging input of the restriction release instruction. The operation control program according to claim 1, which is caused to function. An information processing apparatus that transmits an operation control instruction to an image forming apparatus that executes private printing that permits image formation on condition that an image forming instruction is received from an operator for print target data temporarily held in a storage unit Because
A first instruction receiving unit that receives a private print execution instruction for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the private print;
Restriction release instruction for adding to the private print a restriction release condition for releasing the holding of the print target data and forming an image of the print target data when the storage unit runs out of space during execution of the private print A display control unit that displays a message prompting the input on the display unit of the computer when the private print execution instruction is received by the first instruction receiving unit;
A second instruction receiving unit that receives the restriction release instruction when the message is displayed on the display unit by the display control unit;
An instruction transmission unit that transmits an operation control instruction for executing private printing with the restriction release condition to the image forming apparatus when the restriction release instruction is received by the second instruction reception unit; Information processing apparatus provided. An image forming unit that forms an image of data to be printed;
A storage unit for temporarily holding the print target data;
An image formation instruction accepting unit that accepts an image formation instruction from an operator to cause image formation of the print target data temporarily held in the storage unit;
A control unit that causes the image forming unit to form an image of the held print target data when the image forming instruction is input to the image forming instruction receiving unit;
A release instruction receiving unit that receives a restriction release instruction for releasing the hold and performing image formation of the print target data when there is no free space to hold the print target data in the storage unit;
When the restriction release instruction is received by the release instruction receiving unit, the control unit performs the operation of the image formation instruction receiving unit when there is no free space in the storage unit to hold the print target data. An image forming apparatus that releases the suspension and causes the image forming unit to form an image of the print target data without using the image forming instruction as a condition.