JP7528546B2 - Control program and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control program that can be read by a computer of an information processing device for executing a printing process.

The printing parameters used when printing an image are usually set just before the printing process is executed, as described in the following patent document, and the printing process is executed according to the set printing parameters.

JP 2019-207365 A

The objective of the present invention is to optimally execute printing processing according to printing parameters.

To solve the above problem, the control program disclosed in the embodiment is a control program readable by a computer of an information processing device, and causes the computer to function as a first acquisition means for acquiring image data and a determination means for determining target image parameters, the target image parameters being printing parameters to be used when printing an image based on the image data acquired by the first acquisition means, and the control program causes the computer to function as an addition means for adding the target image parameters determined by the determination means to the image data acquired by the first acquisition means.

In order to solve the above problem, the control program disclosed in the embodiment is a control program readable by a computer of an information processing device, and is characterized in that it causes the computer to function as a first output means that outputs a print instruction according to the target image parameters when the target image parameters, which are print parameters used when printing the target image, are added to the image data of the target image, which is an image to be printed, and outputs a print instruction according to the print parameters set for the control program when the target image parameters are not added to the image data of the target image.

In the control program etc. disclosed in the embodiment, if print parameters are added to the image data of the image to be printed, a print instruction according to the print parameters is output, and if print parameters are not added to the image data of the image to be printed, a print instruction according to the print parameters set in the control program is output. This makes it possible to preferably execute the print process according to the print parameters.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a control program 30. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a control program 30. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a control program 30. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a control program 30. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a control program 30. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a home screen 100. FIG. 1 shows a scan execution screen 110. FIG. 13 shows a full setting screen 120. FIG. 13 shows a print execution screen 130. FIG. 13 shows a print execution screen 130. FIG. 13 shows a print execution screen 130. FIG. 13 shows a parameter selection screen 150.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, the execution order of each process described below can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 1 according to this embodiment. The communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a PC (an example of an information processing device) 10 and an MFP (an example of a scanner) 50. The MFP 50 is a device capable of executing various processes such as scanning and printing. The MFP 50 has a color printing function and a layout printing function as printing process functions, and is capable of executing color printing and layout printing in printing processes. Layout printing is printing a layout of multiple images on a single sheet of printing paper, which is known as N-in-1 printing.

The PC 10 mainly comprises a CPU (an example of a computer) 12, a memory 14, an LCD 16, an input I/F (an example of a user interface) 18, and a communication I/F 20. These components are capable of communicating with each other via a bus 24.

The PC 10 can communicate with the MFP 50 through the communication I/F 20 and the communication paths 54. The communication method for each communication path 54 can be, for example, a wired LAN, USB, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The CPU 12 executes processing in accordance with a control program (one example of a control program) 30 in the memory 14. The control program 30 is, for example, an application program for causing the MFP 50 to execute image formation processes such as scanning and printing. Note that in the following explanation, the CPU 12 that executes the control program 30 may also be referred to simply by the program name. For example, the statement "the control program 30" may mean "the CPU 12 that executes the control program 30."

As described above, the control program 30 is a program that performs image forming processes such as scanning and printing, but the program A that performs only scanning may be installed in the PC 10, and the program B that performs only printing may be installed in a PC 10' that is different from the PC 10. In such a case, the program A may execute the flowcharts shown in Figures 2 to 4 described later to store image data in a storage area accessible by the PC 10 and the PC 10', and the program B may execute the flowcharts shown in Figures 5 to 6 described later. The programs A and B may be installed in the same PC. Furthermore, the program 30' that can execute the same process as the control program 30 may be installed in the PC 10' that is different from the PC 10, and the control program 30 may execute the flowcharts shown in Figures 2 to 4 described later to store image data in a storage area accessible by the PC 10 and the PC 10', and the program C may execute the flowcharts shown in Figures 5 to 6. The programs 30 and 30' may be installed in the same PC.

The memory 14 also includes a data storage area 34. The data storage area 34 is an area for storing data necessary for executing the control program 30 and the like. The memory 14 is configured by combining RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, portable storage media such as a USB memory that is detachably attached to the PC 10, a buffer provided in the CPU 12, and the like.

The memory 14 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, electrical signals that carry programs downloaded from a server on the Internet are a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but are not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

The LCD 16 displays various information of the PC 10. The display of the present application is not limited to a liquid crystal display, but may be a display of another display type such as an organic electroluminescence display. The input I/F 18 includes a keyboard, mouse, etc., and is an interface for inputting user operations. The input I/F 18 is not limited to a keyboard, etc., but may be a membrane-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the LCD 16.

In this specification, the term basically refers to the processing of the CPU 12 according to the instructions written in the program. In other words, the processes of "judgment," "extraction," "selection," "calculation," "decision," "identification," "acquisition," "acceptance," "control," and "setting" in the following description represent the processing of the CPU 12. The processing by the CPU 12 also includes hardware control via the OS. Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. In other words, the process of the CPU 12 receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "the CPU 12 acquiring data." In addition, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data with the same substantial meaning but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. In addition, the processing of "command," "response," "request," etc. is performed by communicating information indicating "command," "response," "request," etc. In addition, the words "command," "response," "request," etc. may be written to mean the information itself indicating "command," "response," "request," etc. Furthermore, the process by the CPU to determine whether information A indicates event B is sometimes conceptually described as "determining from information A whether it is event B." The process by the CPU to determine whether information A indicates event B or event C is sometimes conceptually described as "determining from information A whether it is event B or event C."

In the communication system 1, according to the above-mentioned configuration, a scan instruction is sent from the PC 10 to the MFP 50, whereby the MFP 50 executes a scan process and creates scan data by reading a document set in the MFP 50. The scan data created by the MFP 50 is then sent to the PC 10, where the scan data is stored in the data storage area 34. At this time, the PC 10 adds print parameters related to the setting items (hereinafter referred to as "print setting items") used during the print process as supplementary information to the scan data acquired from the MFP 50, and the scan data to which the print parameters have been added is stored in the data storage area 34. In addition, when an image based on the scan data to which the print parameters have been added is selected in the PC 10 as an image to be printed (hereinafter referred to as "target image"), the PC 10 sends a print instruction to the MFP 50, including the print parameters added to the scan data and the scan data. As a result, the MFP 50 executes a printing process for an image based on the scan data according to the print parameters that were added to the scan data. Below, the process of the control program 30 when the print parameters are added to the scan data will be explained in detail using the flowcharts shown in Figures 2 to 4.

First, the control program 30 displays the home screen 100 shown in FIG. 7 on the LCD 16 (S100). The home screen 100 displays icons 102 corresponding to image processing that can be performed by the MFP 50. For this reason, the home screen 100 displays an icon 102a for performing a print process (hereinafter, referred to as a "print icon") and an icon 102b for performing a scan process (hereinafter, referred to as a "scan icon"). In addition, the home screen 100 allows a workflow to be created by operating the Create button 104. A workflow is a process for performing any image processing according to parameters of any setting items by any device. For this reason, by operating the Create button 104, the user inputs any device, parameters of any setting items, and any image processing. Specifically, for example, the user inputs the MFP 50 as the any device, inputs a print process as the any image processing, and inputs print parameters of print setting items such as the size of print paper and print color as parameters of the any setting items. Furthermore, when a print process is set as a workflow, the user also inputs the name of the file in which the image data to be printed is stored. This creates a workflow for the MFP 50 to execute the print process of an image based on the image data stored in the file with the input file name (hereinafter referred to as the "setting file") according to the input print parameters. When a workflow is created in this way, an icon (hereinafter referred to as the "workflow icon") (an example of an object) 102c for executing a process according to the workflow is also displayed on the home screen 100.

Next, when, for example, the scan icon 102b is operated on the home screen 100, the control program 30 displays the scan execution screen 110 shown in FIG. 8 on the LCD 16 (S102). The scan execution screen 110 displays a plurality of scan setting buttons 112 for setting parameters of setting items (hereinafter, referred to as "scan setting items") used during scanning. Specifically, a plurality of scan setting buttons 112 for setting parameters of setting items related to the document size to be scanned, setting items related to the scan color, and setting items related to the image resolution are displayed. Therefore, the parameters of any scan setting item can be set by operating any scan setting button 112. In addition, an all settings button 114 for setting setting items other than these setting items is also displayed on the scan execution screen 110.

When the all settings button 114 is operated (S104: YES), the control program 30 displays the all settings screen 120 shown in FIG. 9 on the LCD 16 (S106). The all settings screen 120 displays a plurality of tabs 122, and when any one of the plurality of tabs 122 is operated, a screen for setting parameters of the scan setting items corresponding to the tab 122 is displayed on the all settings screen 120. This allows the user to set parameters of scan setting items other than the scan setting items corresponding to the scan setting button 112 displayed on the scan execution screen 110 on the all settings screen 120 by user operation. However, among the plurality of tabs 122, there is a tab 122a corresponding to a print setting item, not a scan setting item, and when the tab 122a is operated, a screen for setting parameters of the print setting items (hereinafter referred to as a "print setting screen") 124 is displayed on the all settings screen 120.

The print setting screen 124 displays print setting buttons 126 for setting parameters for multiple print setting items. Specifically, multiple print setting buttons 126 are displayed for setting parameters for a setting item related to the type of print paper, a setting item related to the size of the print paper, a setting item related to the presence or absence of a border on the print image, and a setting item related to the print color. Then, the parameters of any print setting item can be set by operating any print setting button 126. Also, a check box 128 is displayed on the full setting screen 120, and the parameters of the print setting items set by operating the print setting button 126 are made valid by operating the check box 128. In other words, in the print setting screen 124, any parameter is set by operating the print setting button 126, and the parameters of the setting items at the time of printing are set as valid parameters by operating the check box 128. Specifically, for example, in the print setting screen 124 shown in FIG. 9, "glossy paper" is set as the parameter for the setting item related to the type of print paper, "L size" is set as the parameter for the setting item related to the size of the print paper, "borderless" is set as the parameter for the setting item related to the presence or absence of a border in the printed image, and "color printing" is set as the parameter for the setting item related to the print color. Then, by operating the OK button 129 on the full setting screen 120, the scan execution screen 110 is displayed on the LCD 16 instead of the full setting screen 120.

In addition to the above-mentioned scan setting button 112 and all settings button 114, the normal scan button 116 and eco scan button 118 are also displayed on the scan execution screen 110. When the normal scan button 116 is operated (S108: YES), the control program 30 sends a scan instruction to the MFP 50 (S110). At this time, the control program 30 sends the scan instruction to the MFP 50 together with the parameters of the scan setting items set by operating the scan setting button 112 on the scan execution screen 110 or by operating the all settings screen 120. As a result, the MFP 50 executes a scan process according to the parameters of the scan setting items sent to create scan data. The MFP 50 then sends the created scan data to the PC 10. As a result, the control program 30 acquires the scan data from the MFP 50 (S112).

Next, the control program 30 determines whether the parameters of the setting items at the time of the print process are set as valid parameters (S114). That is, the control program 30 determines whether the parameters of the print setting items are set in the print setting screen 124 and the check box 128 is operated. Then, if the parameters of the setting items at the time of the print process are set as valid parameters (S114: YES), the control program 30 determines the parameters of the print setting items set in the print setting screen 124 as the parameters of the print setting items at the time of the print process when the image based on the scan data is selected as the image to be printed (hereinafter referred to as the "target image parameters") (S116). Next, the control program 30 adds the target image parameters as additional information to the scan data acquired from the MFP 50 in S112 (S118). In other words, when the user operates the normal scan button 116 to execute the scan process, the print setting item parameters are set on the print setting screen 124, and the target image parameters set by the user's operation are added to the scan data formed by the scan process. Then, the control program 30 stores the scan data to which the target image parameters have been added in the data storage area 34 (S120).

On the other hand, if the parameters of the setting items during the print process are not set as valid parameters (S114: NO), that is, if the parameters of the print setting items are not set on the print setting screen 124 and the check box 128 is not operated, the processes of S116 and S118 are skipped, and the control program 30 stores the scan data acquired from the MFP 50 in the data storage area 34 (S120). In other words, if the user does not set the print parameters of the print setting items on the print setting screen 124 when operating the normal scan button 116 to execute the scan process, the scan data without the parameters of the print setting items is stored in the data storage area 34.

In addition, when the eco scan button 118 is operated instead of the normal scan button 116 on the scan execution screen 110 shown in FIG. 8 (S122: YES), the control program 30 sends a scan instruction to the MFP 50 (S124). At this time, the control program 30 sends the scan instruction to the MFP 50 together with the parameters of the scan setting items set by operating the scan setting button 112 on the scan execution screen 110 or by operating the all settings screen 120. As a result, the MFP 50 executes a scan process according to the parameters of the scan setting items sent, and creates scan data. The MFP 50 then sends the created scan data to the PC 10, and the control program 30 acquires the scan data (S126).

Next, the control program 30 analyzes the acquired scan data and determines whether the image based on the scan data is a document image (S128). Specifically, a document image is an image of a document, paper, etc., and the control program 30 determines whether the image based on the scan data contains characters, symbols, etc. that make up the document. If characters, symbols, etc. are included in the image based on the scan data, the control program 30 determines that the image based on the scan data is a document image. On the other hand, if characters, symbols, etc. are not included in the image based on the scan data, the control program 30 determines that the image based on the scan data is a picture image composed of photographs, illustrations, etc., rather than characters, symbols, etc.

If the image based on the scan data is a document image (S128: YES), the control program 30 automatically sets the print parameters related to the print color among the print setting items to monochrome printing (S130). Next, the control program 30 analyzes the scan data and determines whether the size of the characters included in the image based on the scan data is equal to or larger than the set size (S132). At this time, if the size of the characters is equal to or larger than the set size (S132: YES), the control program 30 sets the print parameters related to the image layout among the print setting items to layout printing (S134). Then, the process proceeds to S136.

Incidentally, there are two types of layout printing: layout printing in which two images are laid out and printed on one sheet of printing paper, known as 2-in-1 printing, and layout printing in which four images are laid out and printed on one sheet of printing paper, known as 4-in-1 printing. Depending on the size of the characters contained in the image based on the scan data, either 2-in-1 printing or 4-in-1 printing is set as the layout printing. Specifically, when the size of the characters contained in the image based on the scan data is equal to or larger than the set size but smaller than a second set size that is larger than the set size, the control program 30 sets the printing parameters related to the image layout to 2-in-1 printing. On the other hand, when the size of the characters contained in the image based on the scan data is equal to or larger than the second set size, the control program 30 sets the printing parameters related to the image layout to 4-in-1 printing.

Also, if the size of the characters included in the image based on the scan data is smaller than the set size in S132 (S132: NO), the control program 30 does not set the printing parameters related to the image layout to layout printing, but sets them to normal layout printing, that is, a process in which one image is laid out and printed on one sheet of printing paper (S138). Then, the process proceeds to S136.

Also, if the image based on the scan data is not a document image in S128 (S128: NO), that is, if the image based on the scan data is a picture image, the control program 30 automatically sets the print parameters related to the print color among the print setting items to color printing (S140). Then, the process proceeds to S136.

In S136, the control program 30 determines the automatically set printing parameters as the target image parameters (S116). That is, if the image based on the scan data is a document image and the size of the characters included in the image is equal to or larger than the set size, the control program 30 automatically sets the printing parameters related to the printing color to monochrome printing as the target image parameters, and automatically sets the printing parameters related to the image layout to layout printing. Also, if the image based on the scan data is a document image and the size of the characters included in the image is smaller than the set size, the control program 30 automatically sets the printing parameters related to the printing color to monochrome printing as the target image parameters, and automatically sets the printing parameters related to the image layout to normal layout printing. Also, if the image based on the scan data is a picture image, the control program 30 automatically sets the printing parameters related to the printing color to color printing as the target image parameters.

Then, the control program 30 adds the automatically set target image parameters as incidental information to the scan data acquired from the MFP 50 in S126 (S142). That is, when the user operates the eco-scan button 118, the target image parameters are automatically set, and the automatically set target image parameters are added to the scan data formed by the scan process. If the image based on the scan data is a document image, the printing parameters related to the print color are automatically set to monochrome printing as described above. In this way, by setting the printing of a document image such as a document to monochrome printing, it is possible to reduce the consumption of color ink, etc. Also, if the size of the characters included in the image based on the scan data is equal to or larger than the set size, the printing parameters related to the image layout are automatically set to layout printing as described above. In this way, by setting the printing of an image with a character size equal to or larger than the set size to layout printing, it is possible to reduce the consumption of printing paper, etc. In this way, when the eco-scan button 118 is operated, print parameters related to print setting items for executing eco-print processing that can reduce consumables such as ink and printing paper are automatically set, and the print parameters, i.e., the target image parameters, are added to the scan data. Then, the control program 30 stores the scan data to which the target image parameters have been added in the data storage area 34 (S120). The eco-print processing not only reduces consumables such as ink and printing paper, but also reduces power consumption. In other words, the eco-print processing can be said to be a printing process that takes environmental and economical aspects into consideration by reducing consumption costs.

In this way, the data storage area 34 of the PC 10 stores scan data to which target image parameters set by user operation have been added, scan data to which target image parameters set automatically by the processing of the control program 30 have been added, scan data to which no target image parameters have been added, etc. Then, by selecting any image data from the image data such as the scan data stored in the data storage area 34, the MFP 50 executes a printing process of an image based on the selected image data. Below, the processing of the control program 30 when executing a printing process of an image based on the image data stored in the data storage area 34 will be explained in detail using the flowcharts shown in Figures 5 and 6.

First, the control program 30 displays the home screen 100 shown in FIG. 7 on the LCD 16 (S200). As described above, the home screen 100 displays a print icon 102a for executing a print process, a scan icon 102b for executing a scan process, and a workflow icon 102c for executing a process according to a workflow. Note that the workflow executed by operating the workflow icon 102c is a workflow for causing the MFP 50 to execute a print process of an image based on image data stored in a setting file, according to the print parameters (hereinafter referred to as "set print parameters") (an example of setting parameters) of the print setting items set when the workflow was created.

When the print icon 102a is operated on this home screen 100 (S202: YES), the control program 30 displays an image selection screen (not shown) on the LCD 16 for selecting an image to be printed (hereinafter referred to as the "target image") (S204). On the image selection screen, multiple file names of files in which image data of various images are saved are displayed, and an arbitrary file name is selected from the multiple file names, and the image data saved in the file with the selected file name is selected to determine the target image.

Then, when the target image is determined on the image selection screen, the control program 30 judges whether the target image parameters are added to the image data of the target image (S206). That is, the data storage area 34 stores scan data to which the target image parameters are added and scan data to which the target image parameters are not added by the above-mentioned process, and the scan data to which the target image parameters are added may be selected as the image data of the target image from the file in which the scan data is stored. In such a case, it is judged that the target image parameters are added to the image data of the target image (S206: YES). Then, the control program 30 displays the print execution screen 130 shown in FIG. 10 on the LCD 16 (S208). Note that the print execution screen 130 displays a preview screen 132, and the target image selected on the image selection screen is displayed on the preview screen 132. Also, the print execution screen 130 displays a setting field 136 for a plurality of print setting items, and the target image parameters are displayed in the setting field 136 for the plurality of print setting items.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when "glossy paper" is set as a parameter for a setting item related to the type of print paper, "L size" is set as a parameter for a setting item related to the size of the print paper, "borderless" is set as a parameter for a setting item related to the presence or absence of a border in the print image, and "color printing" is set as a parameter for a setting item related to the print color in the print setting screen 124, these parameters are added to the image data as target image parameters. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the setting field 136 of the print execution screen 130 displays "glossy paper" as a parameter for a setting item related to the type of print paper, "L size" as a parameter for a setting item related to the size of the print paper, "borderless" as a parameter for a setting item related to the presence or absence of a border in the print image, and "color printing" as a parameter for a setting item related to the print color.

For example, when the target image parameters are automatically set by the control program 30 by operating the eco-scan button 118, the automatically set target image parameters are displayed in the setting field 136 of the print execution screen 130. That is, for example, when the parameter of the setting item related to the print color is automatically set to "monochrome printing" and the parameter of the setting item related to the image layout is automatically set to "2-in-1 printing", as shown in FIG. 11, the setting field 136 of the print execution screen 130 displays "monochrome printing" as the parameter of the setting item related to the print color and displays "2-in-1 printing" as the parameter of the setting item related to the image layout.

In this way, when the target image parameters are added to the image data of the target image, the print parameters of the print setting items set when the scan data was created are displayed in the setting field 136 of the print execution screen 130. Then, when the print button 138 is operated on the print execution screen 130 (S210: YES), the control program 30 transmits a print instruction to the MFP 50 including the print parameters displayed in the setting field 136, that is, the target image parameters added to the image data of the target image and the image data of the target image (S214). Then, the MFP 50 executes the print process of the target image according to the target image parameters. As a result, when the target image parameters are set by a user operation on the print setting screen 124, the print process is executed with the print parameters according to the intention of the user who created the scan data when printing the image based on the scan data. Also, when the target image parameters are automatically set by operating the eco-scan button 118, the eco-print process is executed with the print parameters automatically set according to the type of image, the size of the characters, etc.

In addition, if it is determined in S206 that the target image parameters have not been added to the image data of the target image (S206: NO), the control program 30 displays the print execution screen 130 shown in FIG. 12 on the LCD 16 (S212). At this time, the setting fields 136 for the multiple print setting items on the print execution screen 130 display the parameters that are preset in the control program 30, i.e., the default parameters, rather than the target image parameters.

Specifically, for example, if "plain paper" is set as the default parameter for the setting item related to the type of print paper, "A4" is set as the default parameter for the setting item related to the size of the print paper, "bordered" is set as the default parameter for the setting item related to whether the print image has a border, and "monochrome printing" is set as the default parameter for the setting item related to the print color, then, as shown in FIG. 12, in the setting field 136, "plain paper" is displayed as the parameter for the setting item related to the type of print paper, "A4" is displayed as the parameter for the setting item related to the size of the print paper, "bordered" is displayed as the parameter for the setting item related to whether the print image has a border, and "monochrome printing" is displayed as the parameter for the setting item related to the print color.

In this way, if the target image parameters are not added to the image data of the target image, the default print parameters are displayed in the setting field 136 of the print execution screen 130. Then, when the print button 138 is operated on the print execution screen 130 (S210: YES), the control program 30 sends a print instruction to the MFP 50 that includes the print parameters displayed in the setting field 136, i.e., the default print parameters, and the image data of the target image (S214). The MFP 50 then executes the print process of the target image according to the default print parameters.

The printing parameters displayed in the setting field 136 can be changed by user operation. Therefore, if the user operates the setting field 136 to change the printing parameters, when the print button 138 is operated (S210: YES), the control program 30 sends a print instruction to the MFP 50 that includes the printing parameters displayed in the setting field 136, i.e., the printing parameters changed by the user operation, and image data of the target image (S214). The MFP 50 then executes the printing process of the target image according to the printing parameters changed by the user operation. As a result, the printing process is executed with the printing parameters according to the intention of the user executing the printing process.

In addition, when the workflow icon 102c is operated on the home screen 100 (S216: YES), the control program 30 acquires image data from the file that was set when the workflow corresponding to that workflow icon 102c was created, that is, the setting file (S218). In other words, in the workflow corresponding to the workflow icon 102c, the image data stored in the setting file is set as the image data of the target image, so the control program 30 acquires the image data stored in the setting file as the image data of the target image.

Then, the control program 30 judges whether the target image parameters are added to the image data acquired from the setting file (S220). That is, in the data storage area 34, the scan data to which the target image parameters are added and the scan data to which the target image parameters are not added are stored by the above-mentioned process. At this time, if the scan data to which the target image parameters are added is stored in the setting file, it is judged that the target image parameters are added to the image data acquired from the setting file (S220: YES). Then, the control program 30 transmits a print instruction including the target image parameters added to the image data and the image data of the target image to the MFP 50 (S222). Then, the MFP 50 executes the print process of the target image according to the target image parameters. As a result, if the target image parameters are set by the user's operation on the print setting screen 124, when printing the image based on the scan data, the print process is executed with the print parameters according to the intention of the user who created the scan data. In addition, when the target image parameters are automatically set by operating the eco-scan button 118, the eco-printing process is performed with printing parameters that are automatically set according to the image type, character size, etc.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S220 that the target image parameters have not been added to the image data obtained from the setting file (S220: NO), the control program 30 sends a print instruction to the MFP 50 including the set print parameters, i.e., the print parameters set when the workflow corresponding to the workflow icon 102c was created, and the image data of the target image (S224). The MFP 50 then executes the print process of the target image according to the set print parameters. This causes the MFP 50 to execute the print process according to the workflow.

The CPU 12 that executes S108 and S122 is an example of a first reception means. The CPU 12 that executes S112 and S126 is an example of a first acquisition means. The CPU 12 that executes S114 is an example of a second reception means. The CPU 12 that executes S116 and S136 is an example of a determination means. The CPU 12 that executes S118 and S142 is an example of an addition means. The CPU 12 that executes S128 and S132 is an example of a second acquisition means. The CPU 12 that executes S130, S134, S138, and S140 is an example of a setting means. The CPU 12 that executes S214 is an example of a first output means. The CPU 12 that executes S216 is an example of a third reception means. The CPU 12 that executes S222 and S224 is an example of a second output means.

In the above embodiment, when the workflow icon 102c is operated, if the target image parameter is added to the image data acquired from the setting file, the control program 30 transmits the target image parameter and the image data acquired from the setting file to the MFP 50, but the print parameter according to the user's intention may be transmitted to the MFP 50. Specifically, when the workflow icon 102c is operated on the home screen 100 (S216: YES) and the target image parameter is added to the image data acquired from the setting file (S220: YES), the control program 30 displays the parameter selection screen 150 shown in FIG. 13 on the LCD 16. The parameter selection screen 150 displays a first selection button 152 and a second selection button 154. The first selection button 152 is a selection button for selecting the target image parameter, and the second selection button 154 is a selection button for selecting the set print parameter, that is, the print parameter set when the workflow is created. When the first selection button 152 is operated, the control program 30 sends the target image parameters and the image data obtained from the setting file to the MFP 50. On the other hand, when the second selection button 154 is operated, the control program 30 sends the set print parameters and the image data obtained from the setting file to the MFP 50. This allows the print process to be performed using print parameters according to the user's wishes.

In addition, instead of having the user select whether to use the target image parameters or the set print parameters by displaying the parameter selection screen 150, the user may set whether to use the target image parameters or the set print parameters when creating the parameters. Specifically, when the image data acquired from the setting file contains the target image parameters, the user sets parameter information (an example of specified information) indicating whether to use the target image parameters or the set print parameters when creating the workflow, together with the print setting parameters, the setting file, etc. Then, when the workflow icon 102c is operated on the home screen 100 (S216: YES) and the target image parameters are added to the image data acquired from the setting file (S220: YES), the control program 30 determines whether the parameter information specifies the target image parameters or the set print parameters. Then, when the parameter information specifies the target image parameters, the control program 30 transmits the target image parameters and the image data acquired from the setting file to the MFP 50. On the other hand, if the parameter information specifies the set print parameters, the control program 30 sends the set print parameters and the image data obtained from the setting file to the MFP 50. In this way, by setting the parameter information when creating the workflow, the print process can be performed using print parameters according to the user's wishes.

The above-described embodiment provides the following advantages:

When the control program 30 acquires image data such as scan data, it determines the print parameters to be used when printing an image based on the image data, i.e., the target image parameters. The control program 30 then adds the target image parameters to the acquired image data. This allows the printing process of the image based on the acquired image data to be performed according to the print parameters determined when the image data was acquired. The acquisition destination of the image data is specified by a user operation. This allows image data to be acquired from an acquisition destination according to the user's intention, and the target image parameters to be added to the acquired image data. Furthermore, by specifying the MFP 50 as the acquisition destination of the image data, it is possible to acquire scan data created by the MFP 50, and add the target image parameters to the acquired scan data.

The control program 30 also determines the print parameters entered on the print setting screen 124 as the target image parameters. The control program 30 then adds the target image parameters entered on the print setting screen 124 to the scan data. This makes it possible to perform print processing with print parameters according to the intentions of the user who created the scan data.

In addition, when the eco-scan button 118 is operated, the control program 30 automatically sets the print parameters of the setting items related to the print color depending on whether the image data is a document image or a picture image. In addition, the control program 30 automatically sets the print parameters of the setting items related to the image layout depending on the size of the characters included in the image based on the image data. That is, the control program 30 acquires image type information indicating whether the image data is a document image or a picture image, or size information indicating the size of the characters included in the image, as related information related to the print setting items, and automatically sets the print parameters based on the related information. Then, the control program 30 adds the automatically set print parameters to the scan data. That is, even if the user does not input the print parameters, the print parameters are automatically set based on the related information related to the print setting items, and the automatically set print parameters are added to the scan data. This reduces the burden of user operations and executes the print process with the print parameters according to the related information. In particular, in the PC 10, print parameters are automatically set based on related information related to print setting items for executing eco-print processing, such as setting items related to print color and setting items related to image layout, and the automatically set print parameters are added to the scan data. This makes it possible to execute eco-print processing with print parameters that are automatically set according to the related information, that is, image type information and character size information.

In addition, when the print process is executed, if the target image parameters are added to the image data to be printed, the control program 30 sends the target image parameters and the image data to be printed to the MFP 50. This makes it possible to execute the print process according to the print parameters added to the image data. In addition, when the print process is executed, if the target image parameters are not added to the image data to be printed, the control program 30 sends default parameters and the image data to be printed to the MFP 50. This makes it possible to execute the print process even for image data to which the target image parameters are not added.

When the workflow icon 102c is operated to execute the print process, if the target image parameters are added to the image data to be printed, the control program 30 sends the target image parameters and the image data to be printed to the MFP 50. This makes it possible to execute the print process according to the print parameters added to the image data. When the workflow icon 102c is operated to execute the print process, if the target image parameters are not added to the image data to be printed, the control program 30 sends the print parameters set when the workflow corresponding to the workflow icon 102c was created, that is, the set print parameters, and the image data to be printed to the MFP 50. This makes it possible to execute the print process according to the print parameters set when the workflow was created.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, when the eco-scan button 118 is operated, the control program 30 automatically sets the print parameters of the print setting items for executing the eco-printing process. However, a check box may be displayed on the scan execution screen 110 instead of the eco-scan button 118, and when the normal scan button 116 is operated with the check box operated, the control program 30 may automatically set the print parameters of the print setting items for executing the eco-printing process. In addition, when the check box is operated, the control program 30 may automatically set the print parameters when it receives a scan instruction from an application program different from the control program 30. In addition, the print parameters are not limited to the print setting items for executing the eco-printing process, and the print parameters of the print setting items for executing various print processes may be automatically set.

In the above embodiment, the scan data is analyzed, and the type of image based on the scan data, that is, whether it is a document image or a picture image, is identified. However, the type of image may be identified by other methods. For example, a screen for selecting either a document image or a picture image may be displayed on the LCD 16, and the type of image may be identified according to a user operation on the screen. For example, the type of image may be identified based on the extension of the image data. That is, if the extension is ".jpg" or ".raw", the image may be identified as a picture image, and if the extension is ".docx" or ".xlsx", the image may be identified as a document image. For example, the type of image may be identified based on the folder in which the image data is stored. That is, if the image data is stored in a picture folder, a scan folder, a camera folder, or the like, the image may be identified as a picture image, and if the image data is stored in a folder in which picture images are not stored, such as a document folder, the target image may be identified as a document image. Also, for example, if the control program 30 is configured to send a scan instruction to the MFP 50 in response to receiving a scan instruction from an application program different from the control program 30, the type of image may be identified based on the type of the application program. That is, if the application program is for forming picture images such as Illustrator, the image may be identified as a picture image, and if the application program is for forming document images such as Office, the image may be identified as a document image.

In the above embodiment, the printing parameters are automatically set based on the type of image, the size of the characters included in the image, etc., but the printing parameters may be automatically set based on the functions of the device that executes the printing process. Specifically, for example, if the device that executes the printing process has a double-sided printing function, the control program 30 may set the printing parameters of the setting items indicating the printing side to double-sided printing, and if the device that executes the printing process does not have the double-sided printing function, the control program 30 may set the printing parameters of the setting items indicating the printing side to single-sided printing. Note that the control program 30 needs function information indicating the functions of the device that executes the printing process to determine whether the device that executes the printing process has a double-sided printing function. For this reason, the control program 30 may acquire the function information from the selected device. Also, the function information may be stored in the data storage area 34, and the control program 30 may acquire the function information from the data storage area 34. Specifically, for example, when the device driver is installed, the function information of the device is associated with the device name of the device and stored in the data storage area 34. Also, for example, the control program 30 acquires function information and a device name from a device capable of communicating with the PC 10, and associates the acquired function information with the device name and stores them in the data storage area 34. The control program 30 may then acquire a device name from the device, and acquire function information associated with the acquired device name from the data storage area 34.

Also, for example, the print parameters may be automatically set based on the image supply source, not on the function of the device that executes the print process. Specifically, for example, an image capture button is displayed on the LCD 16, and image data is acquired from a camera by operating the image capture button, and the image data is stored in a folder for the camera. When an image is selected from the folder for the camera, the control program 30 identifies the image supply source as the camera. Also, for example, a copy button is displayed on the LCD 16, and image data is acquired from a scanner by operating the copy button, and the image data is stored in a folder for the scanner. When an image is selected from the folder for the scanner, the control program 30 identifies the image supply source as the scanner. Then, for example, when the image supply source is a camera, the control program 30 may set the print parameters of the setting items indicating the print color to color printing. Also, for example, when the image supply source is a scanner, the control program 30 may set the print parameters of the setting items indicating the print color to monochrome printing.

In the above embodiment, size information indicating the size of the characters included in the target image is used as the feature information indicating the features of the image, but information other than size information can be used as the feature information. For example, barcode information indicating whether the image includes a barcode, information indicating the content rate of text data included in the image data of the image, etc. can be used as the feature information. For example, when the barcode information indicates that the image does not include a barcode, the control program 30 may set the print parameters of the setting items related to the image layout to layout printing, and when the barcode information indicates that the image includes a barcode, the control program 30 may set the print parameters of the setting items related to the image layout to normal layout printing. In other words, an image that does not include a barcode is set to layout printing, but an image that includes a barcode is not set to layout printing. This ensures that the barcode is properly read when the image is printed on a printing paper.

The control program 30 may also adjust the automatically set print parameters based on the scan parameters of the setting items during the scan process. Specifically, for example, the setting items related to the image layout during the scan process may be set to 2-in-1 scan. The 2-in-1 scan is a scan process in which images based on the scan data of two originals are laid out on one original. For this reason, for example, when the print setting items related to the image layout are automatically set to 2-in-1 printing by the control program 30, when the scan data created by the 2-in-1 scan is printed in 2-in-1 printing, the image written on one scanned original is printed on one printing paper in a state reduced to 1/4. For this reason, even if the print setting items related to the image layout are automatically set to 2-in-1 printing by the control program 30, if the setting items related to the image layout during the scan process are set to 2-in-1 scan, the control program 30 may adjust the automatically set 2-in-1 printing to normal layout printing, that is, 1-in-1 printing.

In addition, when the control program 30 automatically sets the image quality of the print image, the image quality of the automatically set print image may be adjusted based on the scan resolution during the scan process. That is, for example, when the control program 30 automatically sets the image quality of the print image to medium quality, if the scan resolution during the scan process is high resolution, the image quality of the print image may be adjusted to low quality. Then, the control program 30 adds the adjusted print parameters to the scan data as target image parameters and stores them in the data storage area 34. On the other hand, the control program 30 may add the target image parameters before adjustment and the scan parameters during the scan process to the scan data, store the scan data in the data storage area 34, and adjust the target image parameters before a print instruction is sent. That is, before sending a print instruction, the control program 30 adjusts the target image parameters added to the scan data based on the scan parameters added to the scan data. Then, the control program 30 may send the adjusted target image parameters together with the print instruction.

In the above embodiment, when the target image parameters input on the print setting screen 124 are added to the image data, the target image parameters are displayed on the print setting button 126 on the print execution screen 130, but the display on the print setting button 126 may be switched by a user operation. That is, for example, the control program 30 displays a selection screen on the LCD 16 for selecting whether to enable or disable the target image parameter. Then, when the enable of the target image parameter is selected on the selection screen, the control program 30 may display the target image parameter on the print setting button 126 on the print execution screen 130, and when the disable of the target image parameter is selected on the selection screen, the control program 30 may display the default parameter on the print setting button 126 on the print execution screen 130.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the process (S116) in which the normal scan button 116 is operated and the print parameters set on the print setting screen 124 are determined as the target image parameters, and the process (S136) in which the eco scan button 118 is operated and the print parameters that are automatically set are determined as the target image parameters are executed as separate processes, but these processes may be executed as the same process. That is, for example, the process of S116 may be executed after the processes of S134, S138, and S140 are executed. In such a case, the processes of S136 and S140 are deleted.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the processes shown in Figures 2 to 6 are executed by the CPU 12, but these processes may be executed not only by the CPU 12 but also by an ASIC or other logic integrated circuit, or these processes may be executed by a CPU, an ASIC, or other logic integrated circuit working together.

10: PC, 12: CPU, 16: LCD, 18: input I/F, 30: control program, 50: MFP

Claims (4)

A control program readable by a computer of an information processing device,
The computer,
a first output means for outputting a print instruction according to the target image parameters when target image parameters, which are print parameters used when printing the target image, are added to image data of a target image that is an image to be printed, and for outputting a print instruction according to the print parameters set for the control program when the target image parameters are not added to the image data of the target image;
a third receiving means for receiving, via a user interface of the information processing device, an operation on an object for executing a print process according to a setting parameter which is a preset print parameter;
a second output means for outputting a print instruction according to the set parameters if the target image parameters have not been added to the target image when the third acceptance means accepts an operation on the object, and for outputting a print instruction according to the target image parameters if the target image parameters have been added to the target image;
a fourth reception means for receiving an operation for designating one of the target image parameters and the setting parameters via the user interface;
and make it work.
The second output means is
A control program characterized in that, when the third receiving means receives an operation on the object, if the target image parameters have been added to the target image, a print instruction according to the target image parameters is output, provided that the operation received by the fourth receiving means specifies the target image parameters, and even if the target image parameters have been added to the target image, if the operation received by the fourth receiving means specifies the setting parameters, a print instruction according to the setting parameters is output. A control program readable by a computer of an information processing device,
The computer,
a first output means for outputting a print instruction according to the target image parameters when target image parameters, which are print parameters used when printing the target image, are added to image data of a target image that is an image to be printed, and for outputting a print instruction according to the print parameters set for the control program when the target image parameters are not added to the image data of the target image;
a third receiving means for receiving, via a user interface of the information processing device, an operation on an object for executing a print process according to a setting parameter which is a preset print parameter;
a second output means for outputting a print instruction according to the set parameters if the target image parameters have not been added to the target image when the third acceptance means accepts an operation on the object, and for outputting a print instruction according to the target image parameters if the target image parameters have been added to the target image;
and make it work.
when the setting parameters are set for a print process executed by an operation on the object, designation information is also set to designate either the target image parameters or the setting parameters as print parameters of the target image to which the target image parameters are added,
The second output means is
A control program characterized in that, when the third receiving means receives an operation on the object, if the target image parameters are added to the target image, a print instruction according to the target image parameters is output, provided that the designation information specifies the target image parameters, and even if the target image parameters are added to the target image, if the designation information specifies the setting parameters, a print instruction according to the setting parameters is output. An information processing device including a computer,
The computer,
a first output means for outputting a print instruction according to the target image parameters when target image parameters, which are print parameters used when printing the target image, are added to image data of a target image that is an image to be printed, and for outputting a print instruction according to the print parameters set in the computer when the target image parameters are not added to the image data of the target image;
a third receiving means for receiving, via a user interface of the information processing device, an operation on an object for executing a print process according to a setting parameter which is a preset print parameter;
a second output means for outputting a print instruction according to the set parameters if the target image parameters have not been added to the target image when the third acceptance means accepts an operation on the object, and for outputting a print instruction according to the target image parameters if the target image parameters have been added to the target image;
a fourth reception means for receiving an operation for designating one of the target image parameters and the setting parameters via the user interface;
and make it work.
The second output means is
When the third reception means receives an operation on the object, if the target image parameters have been added to the target image, a print instruction according to the target image parameters is output, provided that the operation received by the fourth reception means specifies the target image parameters, and even if the target image parameters have been added to the target image, if the operation received by the fourth reception means specifies the setting parameters, a print instruction according to the setting parameters is output. An information processing device including a computer,
The computer,
a first output means for outputting a print instruction according to the target image parameters when target image parameters, which are print parameters used when printing the target image, are added to image data of a target image that is an image to be printed, and for outputting a print instruction according to the print parameters set in the computer when the target image parameters are not added to the image data of the target image;
a third receiving means for receiving, via a user interface of the information processing device, an operation on an object for executing a print process according to a setting parameter which is a preset print parameter;
a second output means for outputting a print instruction according to the set parameters if the target image parameters have not been added to the target image when the third acceptance means accepts an operation on the object, and for outputting a print instruction according to the target image parameters if the target image parameters have been added to the target image;
and make it work.
when the setting parameters are set for a print process executed by an operation on the object, designation information is also set to designate either the target image parameters or the setting parameters as print parameters of the target image to which the target image parameters are added,
The second output means is
When the third receiving means receives an operation on the object, if the target image parameters are added to the target image, a print instruction according to the target image parameters is output, provided that the designation information specifies the target image parameters, and even if the target image parameters are added to the target image, if the designation information specifies the setting parameters, a print instruction according to the setting parameters is output.

Images