JP4333053B2 - Image forming apparatus, printing method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a printing function and capable of communicating via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a network printer connected to a network such as a LAN is known as an image forming apparatus having a printing function and capable of communicating via a network. Such an image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of computers (such as a PC) connected to a network, and prints an image according to a print instruction from the computers via the network.
[0003]
In recent years, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus having a function (PULL printing function) for designating and printing a file such as an image stored on a computer connected to a network from the image forming apparatus side. In such an image forming apparatus, a file to be printed is directly specified from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus and the file is received without issuing a print instruction by operating a computer in which the file is stored. Can be printed.
[0004]
In recent years, an image forming apparatus capable of sending and receiving electronic mail via a network has been put into practical use. In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to directly designate and print a file such as an image attached to the received electronic mail by the image forming apparatus.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the file format that can be printed in the image forming apparatus is limited to a format created by a predetermined application or OS. When the file to be printed is directly specified as described above, the file format depends on the file format. Cannot be printed. For this reason, if you want to print a file in a format that cannot be printed, you must go to a computer that stores application software that can handle the file format, open the file with this application software, and give a print instruction. It must be very complicated.
[0006]
In order to solve this problem, a program that interprets all types of files and converts them into printable data is stored in the image forming apparatus so that any type of file can be printed. However, the number of file formats is increasing day by day, and it is practically impossible to support a wide variety of formats.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing without limiting the file format even when the file to be printed is directly specified. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having a printing unit and capable of communicating via a network, and a file designating unit for designating a print target file to be printed; When the specified file to be printed is in a format that cannot be printed by the printing means, an instruction is given to convert the file to be printed into a printable file in a printable format; Knowledge Conversion instruction means for generating a conversion instruction signal including another number and sending the conversion instruction signal to the network; and receiving means for receiving the converted printable file to which the identification number is added via the network And the receiving means uses the identification number added to the converted printable file to convert the printable file after conversion. Is the printable file for which printing process Identify
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the file designating unit can designate a file stored in an external device connected to the network as the print target file. It is characterized by that.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a format determining unit that determines whether or not the print target file has a format that cannot be printed by the printing unit. I have.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the format determination unit receives only the format information of the print target file from the external device storing the print target file. Then, the format determination is performed.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print target file stores whether or not the print target file has a format that cannot be printed by the printing unit. The apparatus further includes format determination result receiving means for causing an external device to determine and receiving the determination result.
[0013]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the conversion instruction signal causes the external apparatus storing the print target file to perform the format conversion. Since the external device cannot perform the format conversion, the external device is searched for a convertible external device capable of performing the format conversion, and the conversion is performed. Allow the external device to perform the format conversion And adding the identification number to the printable file after conversion. The printable file is received from the convertible external device.
[0014]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the conversion instruction signal causes the external apparatus storing the print target file to perform the format conversion. Since the external device cannot perform the format conversion, the external device can perform the format conversion on a pre-designated convertible external device that can perform the format conversion. Perform format conversion And adding the identification number to the printable file after conversion. The printable file is received from the convertible external device.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising mail receiving means for receiving an electronic mail via the network, wherein the file specifying means receives the received electronic mail. The file attached to can be designated as the file to be printed.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 9 further comprises search means for searching for a convertible external device capable of performing the format conversion in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 8, wherein the conversion instruction signal is , Causing the convertible external device to perform the format conversion. And adding the identification number to the printable file after conversion. It is characterized by that.
[0017]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or eighth aspect, the conversion instruction signal is converted into a predesignated convertible external device capable of performing the format conversion. Do And adding the identification number to the printable file after conversion. It is characterized by that.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 11 is a printing method, wherein a file designation step for designating a print target file to be printed, and when the designated print target file is in a non-printable format, the print target Instructs the file to be converted to a printable file in a printable format and Knowledge A conversion instruction step for generating a conversion instruction signal including another number and sending the conversion instruction signal to the network; and a reception step for receiving the converted printable file to which the identification number is added via the network. And the converted printable file according to the identification number added to the converted printable file in the receiving step. Is the printable file for which printing process Identify
[0019]
According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, when executed by a computer included in the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus operates as the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. .
[0020]
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to the twelfth aspect is recorded.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
<1. First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is a so-called multi-function peripheral (MFP), and is a complex machine having functions such as a scanner, a copier, a printer, and a facsimile. The image forming apparatus 1 has a function corresponding to various communication standards, and can transmit and receive facsimile data via a telephone line or the like by a G3 facsimile communication function. In addition, data communication via a network such as a LAN is possible, and it functions as a network printer that prints an image in response to a print instruction from an external computer via the network. Further, a file such as an image or a document stored in an external device such as a computer connected to the network is directly designated from the image forming apparatus 1 as a file to be printed (hereinafter referred to as “print target file”), and the file Can be received and the contents can be printed as an image.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 11 that displays various information and receives input of various commands and data, a scanner unit 13 that photoelectrically reads a document and obtains image data, and a recording sheet. A printing unit 14 for printing an image is provided.
[0024]
Further, an automatic document feeder (feeder unit) 17 for feeding a document to the scanner unit 13 is provided at the upper part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and a sheet feeding unit 18 for supplying a recording sheet to the printing unit 14 at the lower part. Is provided. Further, a tray 19 on which a recording sheet on which an image is printed by the printing unit 14 is discharged and a reading device 24 that reads a recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a memory card are provided in the center, and the inside is provided via a network. A communication unit 16 that transmits / receives a print target file and the like to / from the computer, and a storage unit 23 including a nonvolatile memory and a fixed disk for storing the received print target file and the like are provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 has an interface for connecting to a network such as a LAN or a telephone line, and the communication unit 16 is capable of transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external computer via the interface. Connected to a network or the like.
[0025]
The operation panel 11 has a plurality of input keys 11a and a liquid crystal display screen 11b. The display screen 11b displays various information including a file list stored in an external computer when a file to be printed is designated. Further, the display screen 11b has a function as a touch panel, and the operability is improved so that the user can directly operate the screen. The user can input necessary data and commands to the image forming apparatus 1 via the input key 11a or the display screen 11b as a touch panel while confirming the content displayed on the display screen 11b. When designating a file to be printed, the operation panel 11 functions as a file designation unit.
[0026]
The scanner unit 13 photoelectrically reads image information such as photographs, characters, and pictures from a document and generates image data. The image data generated by the scanner unit 13 is image data after various known image processing and image conversion are performed. Then, it is sent to the printing unit 14 and the communication unit 16 and used for image printing and data transmission.
[0027]
The printing unit 14 receives image data acquired by the scanner unit 13, a print instruction received from an external computer via the communication unit 16, and a print target directly designated from the image forming apparatus 1 side and received via the communication unit 16. Based on the file or the like, an image is printed on the recording sheet supplied from the paper supply unit 18.
[0028]
The communication unit 16 transmits / receives facsimile data via a public telephone line, and transmits / receives various data to / from a computer or the like connected to the network via a network using a predetermined protocol. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can receive various data such as a print instruction via the network together with facsimile communication. Furthermore, it is possible to specify a print target file from the image forming apparatus 1 side and receive the specified print target file via the network. Note that the network communication performed by the image forming apparatus 1 may be either wired or wireless.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 20 that performs various arithmetic processes, a RAM 21 that stores various data, and a ROM 22 that stores a processing program, and each is electrically connected via a bus line 29. Has been. Further, the operation panel 11, the scanner unit 13, the printing unit 14, the communication unit 16, the storage unit 23, the reading device 24 and the like are connected to the bus line 29. As a result, various data can be exchanged between the units in the image forming apparatus 1 via the bus line 29.
[0030]
In the image forming apparatus 1, a program is read from the recording medium 30 via the reading device 24 and stored in the ROM 22 in advance. Then, when the CPU 20 executes arithmetic processing according to the program in the ROM 22, each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled under the control of the CPU 20. Such a program may be downloaded from a predetermined server storage device or the like via a network and stored in the ROM 22.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a network system to which the image forming apparatus 1 is applied. As shown in FIG. 3, the network system 10 includes a plurality of computers 2 together with the image forming apparatus 1, and each is connected via a network 5 such as a LAN. As a result, various data can be transmitted and received between the image forming apparatus 1 and the computer 2 or between the computers 2. The network 5 may be connected to an external network such as the Internet.
[0032]
Each computer 2 includes a general personal computer equipped with a memory, a CPU, a fixed disk, a display, a recording medium reader, and the like. Each computer 2 can transmit a normal print instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 5.
[0033]
The fixed disk of each computer 2 stores a plurality of files of various formats created by using various application software (hereinafter simply referred to as “applications”) such as document creation software and drawing creation software. These files are set so that they can be shared by other devices in the network system 10. Accordingly, these shared files can be directly designated as print target files from the image forming apparatus 1, and the designated print target file can be received by the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 5.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration according to the present embodiment of the image forming apparatus 1 and the computer 2 in the network system 10. In FIG. 4, a file specification unit 101, a format determination unit 102, a format conversion instruction unit 103, a file reception unit 104, and a print processing unit 105 are realized by the CPU 20 performing calculations according to programs stored in the ROM 22 of the image forming apparatus 1. Indicates the function to be performed.
[0035]
The print processing unit 105 performs image data creation processing based on the file so that the file to be printed can be printed by the printing unit 14. The file formats that can be processed by the print processing unit 105 are limited, such as the format of image data acquired by the scanner unit 13 and the format of a print file received together with a print instruction from an external computer. It is. A format that can be processed by the print processing unit 105 is a format that can be printed by the printing unit 14.
[0036]
The file designating unit 101 searches for files 90 shared by the computers 2 connected to the network 5 and displays the searched files 90 in a list on the display screen 11 b of the operation panel 11. By touching the display screen 11b, the user can designate the displayed file 90 as a file to be printed. When a file to be printed is designated, the file designation unit 101 stores the address of the file 90 in the RAM 21. This address includes the computer name and file name storing the file 90 designated as the file to be printed, and indicates the absolute position in the network 5. By referring to this address, it is possible to perform subsequent processing on the file.
[0037]
The format determining unit 102 determines whether the format of the print target file specified by the file specifying unit 101 can be processed by the print processing unit 105. That is, it is determined whether or not the file to be printed is in a format that cannot be printed by the printing unit 14. In this format determination, the file format is specified by information indicating the format such as the extension included in the file name of the file to be printed and the header information of the file to be printed (hereinafter referred to as “format information”), and stored in the storage unit 23 in advance. This is done by comparing the printable format data stored with the file format.
[0038]
When the format determination unit 102 determines that the file to be printed is in an unprintable format, the format conversion instruction unit 103 receives a conversion instruction signal that instructs the format conversion to be performed in a format that can be printed. appear. This conversion instruction signal is transmitted to the computer 2 in which the file to be printed is stored.
[0039]
The file receiving unit 104 receives a file to be printed. If the file to be printed is in a printable format, the file receiving unit 104 receives the file as it is. If the file is not printable, the file receiving unit 104 is converted into a printable format. Receive the file to be printed. The received print target file is converted into image data by the print processing unit 105 and printed as an image by the printing unit 14.
[0040]
On the other hand, a conversion program 120 for the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in advance in each computer 2 connected to the network 5. It is preset that the conversion program 120 is always activated during the activation of the computer 2 (calculated by the CPU of the computer 2). The conversion program 120 receives a print request from an application, receives data of a file opened by the application, converts the file into a print file in a format that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1, and sends the converted data to the image forming apparatus 1. It has a transmission function (so-called printer driver function).
[0041]
Further, the conversion program 120 can receive a conversion instruction signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 and performs processing according to the conversion instruction signal. Further, the conversion program 120 can perform data communication processing between the conversion programs 120 executed on other computers 2. Details of processing according to these conversion instruction signals and data communication processing will be described later.
[0042]
In FIG. 4, the file 90a stored in one computer 2a and the file 90b stored in another computer 2b have the same format, and the computer 2a can handle this format. Is stored in advance, and a case where this application is not stored in the computer 2b is shown as an example.
[0043]
Next, a description will be given of a printing process when a print target file is directly designated from the image forming apparatus 1 side. FIG. 5 shows the flow of this printing process.
[0044]
First, a print target file is designated by the user via the operation panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the address of the print target file is stored in the RAM 21 by the processing of the file designating unit 101 (step S1).
[0045]
Subsequently, the format determination unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives only the format information (for example, header information) of the print target file from the computer 2 storing the print target file (step S2). In other words, the format is specified by receiving only the format information that is part of the data to be printed, and then the format is determined (step S3). Therefore, since the format determination is performed without receiving all the data of the print target file, the data determination of the network 5 can be reduced and the format determination can be performed quickly. If the format information is an extension included in the file name of the file to be printed, the format determination may be performed from an address stored in the RAM 21.
[0046]
As a result of the format determination, if the format is a printable format (Yes in step S3), the file receiving unit 104 receives all data of the file to be printed (step S12), and the print processing unit 105 receives the image data. Is generated and printing is performed in the printing unit 14.
[0047]
On the other hand, as a result of the format determination, if the format is not printable (No in step S3), the format conversion instruction unit 103 applies the conversion program 120 of the computer 2 in which the print target file is stored. Then, a conversion instruction signal for instructing the format conversion of the file to be printed into a printable format is transmitted (step S4). To this conversion instruction signal, an identification number for identifying which print processing is the conversion instruction signal is added.
[0048]
By the way, in converting the format of a print target file into a print file that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1, first, the print target file is opened by an application that can handle the format of the print target file, and a print request is issued from this application. The conversion program 120 receives the data of the open file to be printed, and the conversion program 120 converts the format into a print file. That is, in order to perform format conversion, both an application capable of handling the format of the print target file and the conversion program 120 are required.
[0049]
Therefore, the conversion program 120 that has received the format conversion signal determines whether or not an application that can handle the format of the file to be printed is stored in the computer 2 (step S5). This can be easily determined because the basic software (Operating System) of the computer 2 stores the file format and the application corresponding to the format in association with each other in advance.
[0050]
Here, for example, when the file 90a of the computer 2a in FIG. 4 is designated as a file to be printed, an application 121 capable of handling the file 90a is stored in the own computer 2a (Yes in step S5). ). For this reason, it is possible to start the application 121 in the computer 2a and convert the format into a printable print file (step S9 described later).
[0051]
On the other hand, when the file 90b of the computer 2b in FIG. 4 is designated as a file to be printed, the application 121 that can handle the file 90b is not stored in the own computer 2b (No in step S5). For this reason, the computer 2b cannot convert the format into a print file. Therefore, the conversion program 120 searches for the computer 2 (for example, the computer 2a) in which the application 121 is stored among the other computers 2 connected to the network 5. That is, the computer 2 that can convert the print target file into a printable print file (hereinafter, “convertible computer”) is searched (step S6).
[0052]
Specifically, the conversion program 120 of the computer 2 storing the print target file is searched for the format information of the print target file with respect to the conversion program 120 of one other computer 2 connected to the network 5. Send a signal. The conversion program 120 that has received the search signal determines whether or not an application corresponding to the format information is stored via the basic software of the computer 2, and returns the determination result to the conversion program 120 that has transmitted the search signal. It is supposed to be.
[0053]
The conversion program 120 of the computer 2 storing the print target file can finally search for convertible computers by transmitting this search signal to each of the other computers 2. If even one target convertible computer can be searched, it is not necessary to transmit a search signal to all the computers 2, and this search process may be terminated.
[0054]
Here, if a convertible computer cannot be searched even if the search signal is transmitted to all the computers 2 connected to the network 5 (No in step S7), the file to be printed is stored. The conversion program 120 of the computer 2 returns a conversion impossible signal to the image forming apparatus 1 together with the identification number included in the conversion instruction signal. The image forming apparatus 1 that has received this conversion disable signal renders the printing process corresponding to the identification number impossible (print error) and displays a message to that effect on the display screen 11b.
[0055]
If a convertible computer can be searched (Yes in step S7), the conversion program 120 of the computer 2 storing the print target file causes the convertible computer to convert the print target file into a print file. The file to be printed and the conversion instruction signal are transferred to the convertible computer.
[0056]
When the conversion program 120 of the convertible computer receives the print target file and the conversion instruction signal, the conversion program 120 starts the application and opens the print target file. Further, the application is requested to print the opened print target file (step S9).
[0057]
When the print request from the application is output, the conversion program 120 receives the data of the print target file opened by the application, and converts the format into a print file that is a printable format in the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the format-converted print file is added with the identification number included in the conversion instruction signal and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S10).
[0058]
If the application is stored in the computer 2 in which the print target file is initially stored (Yes in step S5), the processes in steps S9 and S10 are performed in the computer 2 in which the print target file is initially stored. Done. The format-converted print file is added with the identification number included in the conversion instruction signal and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 as described above.
[0059]
In the image forming apparatus 1, the file receiving unit 104 receives the format-converted print file (step S11). Since the transmission source of the print file is the computer 2 in which the file to be printed is stored or a convertible computer, the file receiving unit 104 selects which print process to use depending on the identification number added to the received print file. Identifies whether the file is for printing. Therefore, even if the print file is received from any computer, the process can be appropriately performed. Since the received print file has a format that can be processed by the print processing unit 105, image data is created based on the print file by the print processing unit 105, and printing is performed by the printing unit 14. .
[0060]
Although the first embodiment has been described above, in the present embodiment, when the print target file is in a format that cannot be printed by the image forming apparatus 1, the format can be handled. In the computer 2 in which the application is stored, format conversion is performed on the print file. For this reason, even when a file stored in the computer 2 is directly designated as a file to be printed, it is possible to print without limiting the file format. Also, a user who uses the image forming apparatus 1 can print files of various formats by directly specifying from the image forming apparatus 1 side without being aware of the format.
[0061]
In addition, when format conversion is impossible in the computer 2 storing the print target file, a convertible computer storing an application that can handle the format of the print target file is searched, and the format in the searched convertible computer is searched. Conversion is in progress. For this reason, format conversion is possible even when format conversion is impossible in the computer 2 storing the print target file, and information resources in the network 5 are actively used, and more various types are possible. A variety of formats can be supported.
[0062]
<2. Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. A network system 10 to which the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is applied is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, but one computer 2 among the computers 2 connected to the network 5 is used in the network system 10. Functioning as an application server 3 in which all applications to be stored are stored.
[0063]
In the first embodiment, when format conversion is impossible in the computer 2 storing the file to be printed, format conversion is performed in the searched convertible computer. In the present embodiment, however, format conversion is performed. The difference is that the format conversion is performed by the application server 3.
[0064]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration according to the present embodiment of the image forming apparatus 1 and the computer 2 in the network system 10. As shown in the figure, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. The computer 2 connected to the network 5 stores a conversion program 120 for the image forming apparatus 1 in advance, as in the first embodiment, and the application server 3 also has a similar conversion program 120. Is stored in advance.
[0065]
FIG. 6 shows an example in which an application capable of handling the format of the file 90c stored in a certain computer 2c is not stored in the computer 2c. Since the application server 3 stores all applications (121a, 121b,... 121x) used in the network 5, the application server 3 also stores applications (for example, 121a) that can handle the format of the file 90c. Has been.
[0066]
The printing process when the print target file is directly specified from the image forming apparatus 1 side in the present embodiment is substantially the same as that in the first embodiment, but steps S6 to S8 shown in FIG. Step S20 is replaced with Step S20 shown in FIG.
[0067]
When the file 90c of the computer 2c in FIG. 6 is designated as a file to be printed, the application 121a capable of handling the file 90b is not stored in the own computer 2c. For this reason, the computer 2c cannot convert the format into a print file (No in step S5). Therefore, the conversion program 120 of the computer 2c transfers the print target file and the conversion instruction signal to the application server 3 in order to cause the application server 3 to convert the format of the print target file into a file for printing (step S20). In other words, if format conversion is impossible in the computer 2 storing the file to be printed, the format conversion is performed by the application server 3 designated in advance.
[0068]
When receiving the print target file and the conversion instruction signal, the conversion program 120 of the application server 3 starts an application capable of handling the format of the print target file via the basic software of the application server 3 and opens the print target file. . Also in the basic software of the application server 3, since the file format and the application corresponding to the format are stored in association with each other in advance, an appropriate application is started. When the file 90c in FIG. 6 is designated as a file to be printed, the application 121a is activated and the file 90c transferred to the application server 3 is opened. Further, the conversion program 120 of the application server 3 makes a print request to the application 121a (step S9).
[0069]
When a print request is output from the application 121a, the conversion program 120 receives data of a file to be printed opened by the application, and converts the format into a print file that can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the format-converted print file is added with the identification number included in the conversion instruction signal and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S10).
[0070]
If the application is stored in the computer 2 in which the print target file is initially stored (Yes in step S5), the processes in steps S9 and S10 are performed in the computer 2 in which the print target file is initially stored. What is performed is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0071]
Further, the subsequent processing in step S11 is the same as that in the first embodiment.
[0072]
The second embodiment has been described above. In the present embodiment, when format conversion is impossible in the computer 2 storing the print target file, the format is specified in the application server 3 designated in advance. Conversion is in progress. For this reason, even if the format conversion is impossible in the computer 2 storing the print target file, the format conversion can be performed by a simple process without searching for a convertible computer. In addition, since time required for search processing is not required, format conversion can be performed at a relatively high speed.
[0073]
<3. Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. The network system 10 to which the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is applied is the same as that shown in FIGS.
[0074]
In the first embodiment, the format determination of the designated print target file is performed by the format determination unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 1. However, in the present embodiment, the computer 2 storing the print target file. This is different in that the conversion program 120 is executed.
[0075]
The printing process when the print target file is directly specified from the image forming apparatus 1 side in the present embodiment is substantially the same as in the first embodiment, but step S2 shown in FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. Since the steps are replaced with steps S21 and S22, the difference will be mainly described.
[0076]
First, in step S1, the user designates a file to be printed via the operation panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, as in the first embodiment.
[0077]
Subsequently, a format determination instruction signal is transmitted from the format determination unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 1 to the conversion program 120 of the computer 2 storing the print target file. The conversion program 120 that has received the format determination instruction signal specifies the format by referring to the format information of the print target file. Further, by referring to data in a format printable by the image forming apparatus 1 stored in advance in a predetermined storage device of the computer 2, it is determined whether or not the format of the file to be printed can be printed by the image forming apparatus 1. The format is determined (step S21). The conversion program 120 transmits the format determination result to the image forming apparatus 1.
[0078]
The format determination unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the format determination result transmitted from the conversion program 120 (step S22), and performs the processing from step S3 onward according to the format determination result.
[0079]
The processes after step S3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. When the application server 3 is prepared in the network system 10 as in the second embodiment, the processing after step S3 may be the same as that in the second embodiment.
[0080]
Although the third embodiment has been described above, in this embodiment, the computer 2 that stores the print target file performs format determination, and the image forming apparatus 1 receives only the format determination result. Therefore, the format determination can be performed without receiving data such as the format information of the file to be printed, the data traffic on the network 5 can be further reduced, and the format determination can be performed quickly.
[0081]
<4. Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the network system 10 to which the image forming apparatus 1 is applied is also the same as that shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 of the form has an e-mail address and can send and receive e-mail via the network 5.
[0082]
E-mail transmission / reception is performed via the communication unit 16 in the same manner as transmission / reception of various data in the network 5. The image forming apparatus 1 communicates with a predetermined mail server provided in the network system 10 via the communication unit 16 to send and receive electronic mail. When the network 5 is connected to an external network such as the Internet, it is possible to receive electronic mail from the external network.
[0083]
Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can directly designate an attached file attached to the received e-mail as a print target file and print the attached file. The received electronic mail is stored in the storage unit 23, and the attached file of the stored electronic mail can be designated as a file to be printed from the operation panel 11.
[0084]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration according to the present embodiment of the image forming apparatus 1 and the computer 2 in the network system 10. Components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0085]
In FIG. 9, an e-mail receiving unit 106 and a computer search unit 107 indicate functions realized by the CPU 20 performing calculations according to programs stored in the ROM 22 of the image forming apparatus 1.
[0086]
The e-mail receiving unit 106 communicates with the mail server using a predetermined protocol at regular intervals, and receives e-mail addressed to the image forming apparatus 1. The received electronic mail is stored in the storage unit 23. In FIG. 9, only one electronic mail 110 is shown, but a plurality of electronic mails are actually stored.
[0087]
The computer search unit 107 searches for a computer 2 that can convert the format of the file to be printed into a print file that can be printed. That is, the computer 2 (convertible computer) that stores an application that can handle the format of the file to be printed is searched, and the search process performed by the conversion program 120 of the first embodiment. The same processing is performed.
[0088]
The file specification unit 101 according to the present embodiment can specify an attachment file 90 of the electronic mail 110 as a file to be printed. When a file to be printed is designated, the received e-mail list and its attached file are displayed on the display screen 11b of the operation panel 11. By touching the display screen 11b, the user can designate the displayed attached file 91 as a file to be printed.
[0089]
Similarly to the first embodiment, the computer 2 connected to the network 5 previously stores a conversion program 120 for the image forming apparatus 1.
[0090]
In FIG. 9, an example is shown in which an application 121d capable of handling the format of the attached file 91 of an e-mail 110 is stored in advance in the computer 2d, and this application is not stored in the computer 2e. As shown.
[0091]
Next, a description will be given of print processing when a file to be printed is designated as an attached file of an e-mail. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of this printing process.
[0092]
First, the user designates a print target file from the attached file of the received electronic mail stored in the storage unit 23 via the operation panel 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S31).
[0093]
Subsequently, the format determination unit 102 specifies the format with reference to the format information of the print target file. Then, it is determined whether or not the file to be printed is in a format that cannot be printed by the printing unit 14 (step S32).
[0094]
As a result of the format determination, if the format is a printable format (Yes in step S32), the print processing unit 105 can process the attached file of the e-mail as it is. Is generated and printing is performed in the printing unit 14.
[0095]
On the other hand, if the result of the format determination indicates that the format cannot be printed (No in step S32), the computer search unit 107 selects the format of the file to be printed in the computer 2 connected to the network 5. The computer 2 (convertible computer) in which the application that can be handled is stored is searched (step S33). The specific processing method of this search process is the same as the search process of the convertible computer (step S6 in FIG. 5) by the conversion program 120 of the first embodiment. For example, when the attached file 91 in FIG. 9 is designated as a print target file, the computer 2d storing the application 121d is searched as a convertible computer.
[0096]
Here, even if the search signal is transmitted to all the computers 2 connected to the network 5, if a convertible computer cannot be searched (No in step S34), the printing process is impossible (print error). And a message to that effect is displayed on the display screen 11b.
[0097]
When the convertible computer can be searched (Yes in step S34), the format conversion instructing unit 103 formats the print target file into a printable format for the conversion program 120 of the convertible computer. A conversion instruction signal for instructing conversion is transmitted, and a print target file is transmitted (step S35).
[0098]
The subsequent steps S36 to S38 are the same as the steps S9 to S11 in FIG.
[0099]
Although the fourth embodiment has been described above, in the present embodiment, when an email attachment file is designated as a print target file, even if the format of the print target file is not printable. Then, format conversion is performed to a printable format in the searched convertible computer. For this reason, there is a possibility that the format of the attached file of the e-mail may be various, but it is possible to print without limiting this format. Also, a user who uses the image forming apparatus 1 can designate and print attachment files of various types of e-mails as print target files without being aware of the formats.
[0100]
When the application server 3 is prepared in the network system 10 as in the second embodiment, it is not necessary to search for a convertible computer as described above, and the conversion instruction signal and the print target are sent to the application server 3. The file may be directly transmitted to convert the format into a printable format. In other words, the format conversion may be performed by the application server 3 designated in advance. In the printing process in such a case, the processes in steps S33 and S34 in FIG. 10 are omitted.
[0101]
<5. Modification>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, some or all of the functions realized by software processing by the CPU 20 of the image forming apparatus 1 in the above embodiment may be realized by a dedicated circuit.
[0102]
In the fourth embodiment, a file stored in a recording medium may be designated as a print target file via the reading device 24. According to this, even in the case of a file stored in a recording medium, it is possible to print various types of files by directly specifying the image forming apparatus 1 without using an external computer device or the like.
[0103]
The image forming apparatus according to the above embodiment has been described by taking an MFP having functions such as a scanner, a copier, and a facsimile as an example. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and has a printing function via a network. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus that can communicate.
[0104]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, when the print target file to be printed is directly specified, the conversion instruction signal is output even if the print target file is in a non-printable format. Since the file is sent and converted into a printable file, the file to be printed can be printed. Further, it is possible to print without limiting the format of the file to be printed.
[0105]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, even when a file stored in an external device connected to a network is designated as a print target file, printing can be performed without limiting the format.
[0106]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not the format is unprintable without the user being aware of the format of the file to be printed.
[0107]
In particular, according to the invention of the fourth aspect, the format determination can be performed without receiving all the data of the file to be printed, so that the data determination in the network can be reduced and the format determination can be performed quickly. .
[0108]
According to the invention of claim 5 in particular, since the external device storing the file to be printed determines whether or not the format is unprintable and receives only the format determination result, the data in the network It is possible to quickly determine the format while reducing the traffic.
[0109]
In particular, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, format conversion is possible even when format conversion is impossible in the external device storing the file to be printed. In addition, it is possible to cope with a wider variety of formats by actively utilizing external devices of the network.
[0110]
In particular, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, format conversion is possible even when format conversion is impossible in the external device storing the file to be printed. In addition, since a convertible external device is designated in advance, it is not necessary to search for convertible external devices, and format conversion processing can be performed at a relatively high speed.
[0111]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 8, even when the attached file of the received electronic mail is designated as the file to be printed, it is possible to print without limiting the format.
[0112]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 9, it is possible to automatically search for convertible external devices, and to deal with a wider variety of formats by actively utilizing external devices on the network. Can do.
[0113]
In particular, according to the invention of claim 10, since the convertible external device is designated in advance, it is not necessary to search for the convertible external device, and the format conversion process can be performed at a relatively high speed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a network system to which an image forming apparatus is applied.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus and the computer according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a printing process according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus and a computer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a printing process according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a printing process according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating functional configurations of an image forming apparatus and a computer according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of printing processing according to the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming device
2 Computer
3 Application server
5 network
10 Network system
11 Operation panel
14 Printing department
23 Memory unit
24 Reader
90 files
102 Type determination unit
103 Format conversion instruction section
104 File receiver
105 Print processing section
106 Email receiver
120 conversion program

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus having a printing unit and capable of communicating via a network,
A file specifying means for specifying a print target file to be printed;
When specified the print target file is unprintable format by the printing means, including an indication to且one identification number so as to perform format conversion of the print target file into printable file printable format A conversion instruction means for generating a conversion instruction signal and sending the conversion instruction signal to the network;
Receiving means for receiving the converted printable file to which the identification number is added via the network;
With
The receiving means is
An image forming apparatus, wherein the printable file after conversion is identified as a printable file for which print processing by the identification number added to the converted printable file. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The file specifying means is:
An image forming apparatus, wherein a file stored in an external device connected to the network can be designated as the file to be printed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
Format determination means for determining whether or not the file to be printed is in a format that cannot be printed by the printing means;
An image forming apparatus further comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the format determination unit receives only format information of the print target file from the external apparatus storing the print target file and performs the format determination. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
Format determination result receiving means for causing the external device storing the print target file to determine whether or not the print target file is in a format that cannot be printed by the printing means, and receiving the determination result;
An image forming apparatus further comprising: The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The conversion instruction signal is for instructing the external apparatus storing the print target file to perform the format conversion,
Since the external device cannot perform the format conversion, the external device searches for a convertible external device that can perform the format conversion, and performs the format conversion on the convertible external device. The image forming apparatus receives the printable file from the convertible external device when the identification number is added to the printable file after conversion . The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The conversion instruction signal is for instructing the external apparatus storing the print target file to perform the format conversion,
For the external device is unable to perform the format conversion, the external device is converted and to perform the format conversion to convertible external device that is designated in advance as possible to perform the format conversion An image forming apparatus, wherein the printable file is received from the convertible external device when the identification number is added to the printable file. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Mail receiving means for receiving electronic mail via the network;
Further comprising
The file specifying means is:
An image forming apparatus, wherein a file attached to the received e-mail can be designated as the print target file. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 8,
Search means for searching for a convertible external device capable of performing the format conversion;
Further comprising
The conversion instruction signal, the image forming apparatus according to claim Rukoto by adding the identification number to the printable file after and converted to perform the format conversion to the convertible external device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 8,
The conversion instruction signal, and characterized Rukoto by adding the identification number to the printable file after and converted to perform the format conversion to convertible external device is possible to perform the format conversion is specified in advance as possible Image forming apparatus. Printing method,
A file specification process for specifying a print target file to be printed;
When specified the print target file is unprintable format, the conversion instruction signal including an instruction to且one identification number so as to perform format conversion of the print target file into printable file printable format A conversion instruction step that occurs and sends the conversion instruction signal to the network;
Receiving the printable file after conversion to which the identification number is added via the network; and
With
In the receiving step,
A printing method, wherein the printable file after conversion is identified as a printable file for which print processing is performed by the identification number added to the printable file after conversion. 11. A program that, when executed by a computer included in an image forming apparatus, causes the image forming apparatus to operate as the image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 12 is recorded.

Images