JP4355462B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a blank image created on the application side by PDL printing or the like and an image other than a blank page (hereinafter also referred to as a non-blank image) are processed in the same manner. Was output.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For this reason, even when a blank image is output, billing processing is performed in the same manner as a non-blank image, which is disadvantageous for the user.
[0004]
In addition, simply processing so as not to charge for a blank image has a problem that it is not possible to charge correctly when a malicious usage method or modification is performed.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of accurately recognizing and outputting a blank image and a non-blank image and performing a correct billing process.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention performs print output based on image data that is input and stored in a storage means, and performs a billing process according to attribute data of the image data that is input together with the image data. an image forming apparatus, based on the attribute data of the image data, and detection means for the image data to detect whether a blank image, in blank with respect to image data sensed with blank image by said detecting means A processing unit that performs processing for discharging paper and an image that is not detected as a blank image by the detection unit without performing a charging process for a print output based on the image data detected as a blank image by the detection unit A charge processing means for performing charge processing for data-based print output is provided.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0008]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009]
In FIG. 1, a workstation 11, a personal computer 12, a server computer 13 having a large-capacity storage, a fax machine 15 for transmitting and receiving images, a network scanner 16, a print server 20, a multi-function printer 21, a printer 22, and a scanner as an image input device. 100, a printer 120 as an image output apparatus (image forming apparatus), a multifunction controller 200 that controls the scanner 100 and the printer 120, and the like are connected to a LAN 10 such as an Ethernet to constitute the image forming system 1. In this image forming system 1, each of the scanner 100 and the printer 120 is connected to the multi-function controller 200 by a dedicated bus (not shown).
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction controller 200 in FIG.
[0011]
In FIG. 2, a multifunction controller 200 is a controller that inputs and outputs image information and device information, and is connected to a scanner 100 and a printer 120 on the one hand, and connected to a LAN 10 and a public line (WAN) 50 on the other hand.
[0012]
A CPU 201 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 202 is a system work memory for the CPU 201 to operate, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 203 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 204 is a hard disk drive and stores system software, image data, and the like.
[0013]
An operation unit I / F 206 is an interface unit for connecting to an operation unit (UI) 210, and outputs image data to the operation unit 210. An image is displayed on the operation unit 210 based on the image data. Also, it serves to convey information input from the operation unit 210 by the user of this system to the CPU 201.
[0014]
A network 209 is connected to the LAN 10 and inputs / outputs information. The Modem 220 is connected to the public line 50 and inputs / outputs information via the public line 50. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 207.
[0015]
The Image Bus I / F 205 is a bus bridge that connects an image bus 208 that transfers image data at high speed and a system bus 207 and converts a data structure. The image bus 208 is configured by a high-speed bus such as a PCI bus.
[0016]
The following various devices are arranged on the image bus 208. A raster image processor (RIP) 230 develops a PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 240 connects the multifunction controller 200 to the scanner 100 and the printer 120, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The scanner image processing unit 250 performs correction, processing, editing, and the like on input image data. The printer image processing unit 260 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on the print output image data. The image rotation unit 270 rotates image data. The image compression unit 280 compresses and decompresses multi-valued image data into JPEG and performs binary image data compression and decompression into JBIG, MMR, and MH.
[0017]
Further, the HDD 204 stores information such as image output speed and installation position related to nodes connected to the network (LAN 10) for each address.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of the scanner 100 in FIG.
[0019]
The scanner 100 irradiates light on an image of an original, scans it with a CCD licensor (not shown), reads image information from the original, and converts the read image information into raster signals 30 as electrical signals. The document is set on the tray 102 of the document feeder 101. When the user issues an instruction to start reading by operating the operation unit 210 (see FIG. 2), the CPU 201 of the multifunction controller 200 gives the instruction to the scanner 100. Upon receiving the instruction, the scanner 100 feeds the originals one by one by the original feeder 101 and reads an image on the original.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of the printer 120 in FIG.
[0021]
The printer 120 forms raster image data 40 (see FIG. 2) as an image on recording paper. This image forming method includes an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum and a photosensitive belt (both not shown) and an ink jet method in which an image is directly printed on a recording sheet by ejecting ink from a minute nozzle array. is there.
[0022]
The printing operation is started by an instruction (raster image data 40) from the CPU 201. Inside the printer 120, a plurality of paper feed stages are provided so that the size of the recording paper and the orientation of the recording paper can be selected, and a plurality of paper feed cassettes 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d corresponding to them are mounted. Has been. The paper discharge tray 123 receives the recording paper on which printing has been completed. When the finisher 124 is attached to the printer 120, the printed recording paper is conveyed to the finisher 124. A stapler unit 125 (post-processing unit) is attached to the finisher 124. The stapler unit 125 can bind 50 recording sheets or 100 recording sheets.
[0023]
An inserter unit 126 is attached to the finisher 124. The inserter unit 126 can be used as one paper feed stage like the paper feed cassettes 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d. Since the inserter unit 126 is mounted on the finisher, the sheet fed from here does not pass through an image forming unit or a fixing device (none of which is shown) in the printer 120. For this reason, printing (image formation) cannot be performed, but a sheet can be inserted (assembled) between printed recording sheets without being affected by heat. In addition, when a color-printed document or the like is placed, a mixed-color discharge (output) can be performed even in a monochrome printer.
[0024]
When printing on both sides of the recording paper, the recording paper is reversed in the printer 120 after printing an image on one side. After that, according to the instruction 40 from the CPU 201, an image is printed on the surface not yet printed.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the multifunction controller 200 at the time of image input.
[0026]
The multi-function controller 200 executes the following processing every time image data for one page is input by the device I / F 240, RIP 230, NETWORK 209, or MODEM 220.
[0027]
In step S5001, the multifunction controller 200 receives attribute data of image data of the input page.
[0028]
In step S <b> 5002, the multifunction controller 200 receives the input page image data in an image memory secured on the RAM 202.
[0029]
In step S5003, the attribute data received in step S5001 is referenced to determine whether the input image data is a blank image. If it is determined that the image data is blank page image data, the process proceeds to step S5004. If the image data is determined to be non-blank page image data, the process proceeds to step S5005.
[0030]
In step S5004, the multi-function controller 200 creates a white image by overwriting a part or all of the input image data with white data. This process prevents mismatch between attribute data and image data. Further, the fact that a white image is formed is additionally stored in the attribute data.
[0031]
In step S5005, image data and attribute data are written from the image memory on the RAM 202 to the storage device (HDD 204 in this example).
[0032]
In step S5005, after the writing to the HDD 204 is completed and the image memory on the RAM 202 is released, this process is terminated.
[0033]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the multifunction controller 200 at the time of image output.
[0034]
The multi-function controller 200 executes this flowchart every time image data for one page is output. The following processing may be executed in parallel with the processing at the time of image input shown in FIG.
[0035]
In step S <b> 601, the multifunction controller 200 determines whether image data of a page necessary for image output exists in the image memory on the RAM 202. If it is determined that the image data still exists in the image memory, the process proceeds to step S602. If it is determined that the data has already been written in the HDD 204 and does not exist in the image memory on the RAM 202, the process proceeds to step S604.
[0036]
In step S602, the multifunction controller 200 refers to the attribute data of the page to be output, and determines whether or not the image data to be output is a blank image. If it is determined that the image data is a blank image, the process proceeds to step S603. If it is determined that the image data is not a blank image, the process proceeds to step S608.
[0037]
In step S603, the multifunction controller 200 refers to the attribute data and determines whether the image data has already been converted into a white image. If it is determined that the whitening of the image data has already been performed, the process proceeds to step S608. If it is determined that the whitening of the image data has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S607.
[0038]
On the other hand, if the image data has already been written in the HDD 204, the multifunction controller 200 reads the image data of the page output from the HDD 204 in step S604.
[0039]
In step S605, the multifunction controller 200 reads the attribute data of the page to be output.
[0040]
In step S606, the multifunction controller 200 refers to the read attribute data and determines whether the image data is a blank image. If it is determined that the image data is a blank image, the process proceeds to step S607. If it is determined that the image data is not a blank image, the process proceeds to step S608.
[0041]
In step S607, the multi-function controller 200 converts the image data into a white image by overwriting part or all of the image data with white data. By this processing, it is possible to prevent mismatch between attribute data and image data. Further, the fact that the image data is converted into a white image is additionally stored in the attribute data.
[0042]
In step S608, the multi-function controller 200 performs image output processing on the printer 120, the NETWORK 209, and the MODE 220 via the device I / F 240, and executes print output of image data and transmission of image data.
[0043]
In step S609, the multi-function controller 200 refers to the attribute data and determines whether the image data subjected to the output process in step S608 is a blank image. If it is determined that the image data is a blank image, the process is terminated. If it is determined that the image data is a non-blank image, the process advances to step S610.
[0044]
In S610, the multi-function controller 200 performs a billing process for the output of the image data, and ends this process.
[0045]
The image data may be a compressed image, an uncompressed image, a monochrome image, a color image, a binary image, or a multi-value image.
[0046]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the charging process is not performed when the image data is a blank image has been described. However, when the image data is the blank image, the charging process is performed at a lower charge than the non-blank image. It may be.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, each process is described as being executed by the multifunction controller 200 (image control apparatus). However, a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus may execute the above process. .
[0048]
An arbitrary storage medium storing the processing method supplies a program for executing the processing method to the control unit of the image control apparatus or the image forming apparatus, and either one of the CPU of the image control apparatus or the MPU (not shown). One may execute the program. Alternatively, the storage medium may supply the program to the control unit of the image forming apparatus, and any one of the CPU or MPU (not illustrated) of the image forming apparatus may execute the program. Examples of the storage medium include a hard disk and a ROM.
[0049]
Further, instead of any one of the CPU and MPU of the image control apparatus, a circuit (not shown) that performs the same operation as these may implement the above-described embodiment. Alternatively, instead of any one of the CPU and MPU of the control unit of the image forming apparatus, a circuit (not shown) that performs the same operation may implement the above-described embodiment.
[0050]
Further, the program supplied by the storage medium is written in a memory (not shown) provided in a function extension board (not shown) inserted in the image control apparatus or a function extension unit (not shown) connected to the image control apparatus. A CPU or the like (not shown) provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit may execute part or all of the program. Alternatively, the program supplied by the storage medium is written in a memory (not shown) provided in a function extension board (not shown) inserted in the image forming apparatus or a function extension unit (not shown) connected to the image forming apparatus. A CPU or the like (not shown) provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit may execute part or all of the program.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform an appropriate charging process depending on whether the image data is a blank image or a non-blank image.
[0053]
Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the image data is a blank image, a non-blank image is erroneously output as a blank image by performing a blank image processing on the image data. It is possible to prevent charging processing as an image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of a scanner according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an outline of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the multifunction controller at the time of image input according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the multifunction controller during image output according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming system 10 Ethernet (network)
11 Workstation 12 Personal Computer 13 Server Computer 15 Fax 16 Network Scanner 20 Print Server 21 Multifunction Printer 22 Printer 100 Scanner 120 Printer (Image Forming Apparatus)
200 Multifunction controller

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that performs printing output based on image data that is input and stored in a storage unit, and performs a charging process according to attribute data of the image data input together with the image data,
Detection means for detecting whether the image data is a blank image based on the attribute data of the image data;
Processing means for performing processing for discharging the blank image with respect to the blank image and the detected image data by the detection means;
Charge processing is not performed for print output based on image data detected as a blank image by the detection means, and charge processing is performed for print output based on image data not detected as a blank image by the detection means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a processing unit.   2. The processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs a process of overwriting the image data with white data as a process for discharging the image data detected as a blank image by the detection unit. Image forming apparatus.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the image data is overwritten with white data by the processing means, the fact is stored in the storage means. A control method in an image forming apparatus that performs print output based on image data that is input and stored in a storage unit, and performs charging processing according to attribute data of the image data input together with the image data,
A detection step of detecting whether the image data is a blank image based on the attribute data of the image data;
A processing step for performing processing for discharging the blank image with respect to the blank image and the detected image data in the detection step;
Billing processing is not performed for print output based on the blank image and the image data detected in the detection step, and billing processing is performed for print output based on the image data not detected in the detection step. A control method comprising: a processing step.   A program for realizing the control method according to claim 4 by a computer.

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