JP6674638B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Some image forming apparatuses such as a printer and a multifunction peripheral require a user to input a user name and a password when using the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, some image forming apparatuses are capable of performing job box printing. In job box printing, a user sends a job box print request from a terminal device such as a personal computer to the image forming apparatus. Upon receiving the job box print request, the image forming apparatus stores the print data in the job box. After detecting a predetermined user operation (selection of a job box, input of a password, and the like), the image forming apparatus performs image processing based on the print data. Execute printing.

JP 2011-76621 A

  In the above-described technology, the job box printing is executed by the user selecting the job box and inputting the password to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it takes time and effort for the user to execute the job box printing.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to execute job box printing with a simple operation.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention receives a printing device, an operation panel including a plurality of keys, and a job box print request including print data and designation information for designating any of the plurality of keys as a print execution permission key. A job management unit, (a) when the job box print request is received, storing the print data in a job box, and (b) holding the designation information of the print execution permission key in association with the job box, (C) a job for automatically reading out the print data from the job box upon detecting an operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel, and automatically printing an image based on the print data by the printing device; A box print processing unit. Further, it has any one of the following configurations (A), (B) and (C). (A) the job box print processing unit: (a) stores the print data in a job box corresponding to the user who transmitted the job box print request, among a plurality of job boxes corresponding to a plurality of users; (B) detecting an operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel in a case where the print execution permission key specified by the specification information of the job box print request by the plurality of users is the same; Executing the password authentication, and (c) printing the image based on the print data in the job box on the printing device when the password authentication is successful. (B) the job box print processing unit: (a) stores the print data in a job box corresponding to the user who transmitted the job box print request among a plurality of job boxes corresponding to a plurality of users; (B) detecting an operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel in a case where the print execution permission key specified by the specification information of the job box print request by the plurality of users is the same; Executing the password authentication, and (c) printing the image based on the print data in the job box on the printing device when the password authentication is successful. (C) The job box print processing unit, when another user is operating the operation panel when the job box print request is received, determines that the operation of the operation panel by the other user has been completed. Until the determination, the specification information of the print execution permission key is temporarily invalidated, and even if an operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel is detected, an image based on the print data is automatically output to the printing apparatus. Do not print with.

  According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus that allows a user to execute job box printing with a simple operation is obtained.

  The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the operation panel 5 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral. The image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes an image reading device 1, a storage device 2, a communication device 3, a printing device 4, an operation panel 5, and an arithmetic processing device 6.

  The image reading device 1 is an internal device that optically reads a document image from a document and generates image data (here, RGB data) of the document image.

  The storage device 2 is a device that can store various data and programs. As the storage device 2, a nonvolatile large-capacity storage medium such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk drive is used. The storage device 2 is further provided with a job box 11 capable of storing print data of each registered user for each user.

  The communication device 3 is an internal device such as a network interface that performs data communication with a terminal device (not shown) of a user via a network or the like.

  The printing device 4 prints an image based on the print data on printing paper.

  The operation panel 5 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display for displaying various screens to the user, and an input device such as a touch panel and a hard key for detecting a user operation (such as pressing a soft key).

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the operation panel 5 in FIG.

  The operation panel 5 includes a plurality of hard keys 5a and a plurality of soft keys 5b. The soft keys are composed of a display panel 51 and a touch panel 52, and an image of the soft keys is displayed on the display panel 51, and pressing of the image portion is detected by the touch panel 52.

  The arithmetic processing device 6 is a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. When the program is executed by the CPU, it operates as various processing units. In this embodiment, the arithmetic processing unit 6 operates as a job management unit 21 and a job box print processing unit 22.

  The job management unit 21 receives a job request from a user, and executes the job requested to be printed using the image reading device 1, the communication device 3, the printing device 4, and the like.

  The job management unit 21 receives a job box print request using the communication device 3. The job box print request includes designation information for designating any of a plurality of keys in the operation panel 5 as a print execution permission key and print data.

  When the job management unit 21 receives a job box print request, the job box print processing unit 22 stores the above-described print data in the job box 11, and (b) specifies the print execution permission key (C) When an operation on a print execution permission key in the operation panel 5 is detected, print data is automatically read from the job box 11 and an image based on the print data is automatically stored. Is printed by the printing device 4.

  The user designates the print execution permission key by operating a terminal device (not shown) in which the driver of the image forming apparatus is installed, and selects from the keys in the operation panel 5, and designates the selected key in the job box. The job box print request included in the print request is transmitted from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus.

  When the password authentication based on the password input to the operation panel 5 succeeds, the job box print processing unit 22 causes the printing device 5 to print an image based on the print data in the job box 11. That is, the user can execute the job box printing by a normal operation such as selection of the job box 11 and input of the password.

  Further, the job box print processing unit 22 starts timing when the job box print request is received, discards the above-mentioned designation information after a predetermined valid time from the reception of the job box print request, and thereafter, the operation panel 5 An image based on print data is not automatically printed even when an operation on a print execution permission key in the printer is detected.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  When the job management unit 21 receives the job box print request, the job box print processing unit 22 converts the print data included in the job box print request into the job box 11 corresponding to the user who transmitted the job box print request. (Step S1). Further, the job box print processing unit 22 determines whether or not designation of a print execution permission key is detected in the job box print request (step S2). If the designation of the print execution permission key is not detected, the process ends.

  When the specification of the print execution permission key is detected in the job box print request, the job box print processing unit 22 holds the specification of the print execution permission key in association with the job box 11 and starts the timer count. (Step S3).

  Then, the job box print processing unit 22 monitors whether a user operation on the print execution permission key designated by the job box print request is detected, and whether a predetermined valid time has elapsed based on a timer count. (Steps S4 and S5).

  If a user operation on the print execution permission key is detected before the predetermined valid time has elapsed, the job box print processing unit 22 specifies the job box 11 associated with the print execution permission key, and 11 is specified (step S6). Then, the job box print processing unit 22 causes the printing device 4 to execute printing based on the specified print data (step S7).

  On the other hand, if the predetermined valid time has elapsed in steps S4 and S5, the job box print processing unit 22 deletes the designation of the print execution permission key (step S8). After erasing the designation of the print execution permission key, the job box printing is not executed even if the print execution permission key is pressed, but the job box printing is possible by selecting the job box 11 and inputting the password as described above. It is.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the job management unit 21 sends a job box print request including print data and designation information for designating any one of a plurality of keys in the operation panel 5 as a print execution permission key. Accept. When the job box print processing unit 22 receives the job box print request, the job box print processing unit 22 stores the print data in the job box 11, and (b) holds the specification information of the print execution permission key in association with the job box 11. (C) When an operation on a print execution permission key in the operation panel 5 is detected, print data is automatically read from the job box 11 and an image based on the print data is automatically printed by the printing device 4.

  This allows the user to execute the job box printing by a simple operation without selecting the job box 11 and inputting the password.

Embodiment 2 FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, the job box print processing unit 22 converts the print data of the job boxes 11 corresponding to the plurality of users into the job box corresponding to the user who transmitted the job box print request. 11 is stored. For example, the job box print request is described in the job box print request and notified to the image forming apparatus.

  In the second embodiment, when the print execution permission key specified by the specification information of the job box print request by the plurality of users is the same, the job box print processing unit 22 executes the print execution on the operation panel 5. Each time an operation on the permission key is detected, a user is selected from the plurality of users in the order of the time when the job box print request is received, and an image based on the print data in the job box 11 corresponding to the selected user is printed by the printing apparatus. Print with 5.

  If the print execution permission keys specified by the specification information of the job box print requests by the plurality of users are different, job box printing is executed for each user as in the first embodiment.

  The other configurations and operations of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when a plurality of users transmit job box print requests to the image forming apparatus in parallel, job box printing is smoothly performed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the job box print processing unit 22 transmits print data of a plurality of job boxes 11 corresponding to a plurality of users to a job box print request. The job is stored in the job box 11 corresponding to the transmitted user. For example, the job box print request is described in the job box print request and notified to the image forming apparatus.

  In the third embodiment, when the print execution permission key specified by the job box print request specification information by the plurality of users is the same, the job box print processing unit 22 When an operation on the key is detected, the above-described password authentication is executed. If the password authentication is successful, the job box print processing unit 22 identifies the user's job box 11 associated with the password in the password authentication, and prints an image based on the print data in the job box 11. Printing is performed by the device 4.

  If the print execution permission keys specified by the specification information of the job box print requests by the plurality of users are different, job box printing is executed for each user as in the first embodiment.

  The other configurations and operations of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, even when a plurality of users transmit job box print requests to the image forming apparatus in parallel, job box printing is smoothly performed.

Embodiment 4 FIG.

  In the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4, when another user is operating operation panel 5 when a job box print request is received, job box print processing unit 22 Until it is determined that the operation 5 is completed, the designation information of the print execution permission key is temporarily invalidated. That is, in this case, the image based on the print data is automatically generated even if the operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel 5 is detected until it is determined that the operation of the operation panel 5 by the other user is completed. It is not printed by the printing device 4.

  Here, the job box print processing unit 22 operates the operation panel 5 by another user when (a) a predetermined non-operation time elapses or (b) a predetermined key is operated. Is determined to be completed.

  The other configurations and operations of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, erroneous execution of job box printing is prevented by another user operating the image forming apparatus pressing the print execution permission key. .

  Various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. That is, such changes and modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the print execution permission key may be a display object (a pattern, an icon, or the like) on the operation panel 5 that is not normally used as a soft key.

  The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral or a printer.

4 Printing Device 5 Operation Panel 12 Job Box 21 Job Management Unit 22 Job Box Print Processing Unit

Claims (5)

A printing device;
An operation panel having a plurality of keys,
A job management unit that receives a job box print request including designation information and print data designating any of the plurality of keys as a print execution permission key;
(A) when the job box print request is received, store the print data in a job box; (b) hold the designation information of the print execution permission key in association with the job box; A job box print processing unit that automatically reads out the print data from the job box when an operation on the print execution permission key in the panel is detected, and automatically prints an image based on the print data in the printing device; ,
Equipped with a,
The job box print processing unit stores (a) the print data in a job box corresponding to the user who transmitted the job box print request, among a plurality of job boxes corresponding to a plurality of users; When the print execution permission key specified by the specification information of the job box print request by the plurality of users is the same, each time an operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel is detected, the plurality of Selecting a user from the user in the order of the time when the job box print request is received, and printing an image based on the print data in the job box corresponding to the selected user with the printing device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A printing device;
An operation panel having a plurality of keys,
A job management unit that receives a job box print request including designation information and print data designating any of the plurality of keys as a print execution permission key;
(A) when the job box print request is received, store the print data in a job box; (b) hold the designation information of the print execution permission key in association with the job box; A job box print processing unit that automatically reads out the print data from the job box when an operation on the print execution permission key in the panel is detected, and automatically prints an image based on the print data in the printing device; ,
With
The job box print processing unit stores (a) the print data in a job box corresponding to the user who transmitted the job box print request, among a plurality of job boxes corresponding to a plurality of users; In a case where the print execution permission key specified by the specification information of the job box print request by the plurality of users is the same, the password authentication is performed when an operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel is detected. (C) printing the image based on the print data in the job box on the printing device when the password authentication is successful ;
Images forming device you characterized. The job box print processing unit discards the specified information after a predetermined valid time from the reception of the job box print request, and detects the operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel, and the print data possible not to automatically print an image based on the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein. A printing device;
An operation panel having a plurality of keys,
A job management unit that receives a job box print request including designation information and print data designating any of the plurality of keys as a print execution permission key;
(A) when the job box print request is received, store the print data in a job box; (b) hold the designation information of the print execution permission key in association with the job box; A job box print processing unit that automatically reads out the print data from the job box when an operation on the print execution permission key in the panel is detected, and automatically prints an image based on the print data in the printing device; ,
With
The job box print processing unit, if another user is operating the operation panel when the job box print request is received, until the other user determines that the operation of the operation panel has been completed Even if the specification information of the print execution permission key is temporarily invalidated and an operation on the print execution permission key in the operation panel is detected, an image based on the print data is not automatically printed by the printing apparatus. that,
Images forming device you characterized. The job box print processing unit determines that the operation of the operation panel by the another user has been completed when (a) a predetermined non-operation time has elapsed or (b) a predetermined key has been operated. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

Images