JP7773134B2 - Image forming system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming device that downloads and prints files stored on a server.

Patent documents 1 to 3 disclose technologies for downloading documents stored on a cloud server to an image forming device and printing them.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-144473 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-022709 International Publication No. 2013/077045

Cloud servers are suitable for sharing files among multiple users. However, it is not easy for each user to individually find files that are useful to them from among the files stored on a cloud server.

The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to present users with files that are most useful to them from among the files stored on the server, making it easier for them to select files to print.

An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper, a communication unit that communicates data with an external device via a network, a display unit, an operation unit that accepts instructions based on user operations, and a control unit that downloads files from a server that stores multiple files via the communication unit and causes the image forming unit to form an image indicated by the downloaded file on recording paper. The control unit extracts at least one file that meets predetermined importance conditions from the multiple files stored on the server, displays the extracted at least one file on the display unit, and, upon receiving a selection instruction via the operation unit to select one of the at least one file, causes the image forming unit to form an image indicated by the file specified by the selection instruction on recording paper.

An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper, a communication unit that communicates data with an external device via a network, a display unit, an operation unit that accepts instructions based on user operations, and a control unit that downloads a file from a server that stores multiple files via the communication unit and causes the image forming unit to form an image indicated by the downloaded file on recording paper. The control unit downloads a first file from the server via the communication unit, uploads a second file created based on the first file to the server, displays on the display unit first files for which a corresponding second file has not been uploaded, and, upon receiving a selection instruction via the operation unit to select one of the displayed first files, causes the image forming unit to form on recording paper an image indicated by the first file selected by the selection instruction.

According to the present invention, files that are most useful to the user are presented to the user from among the files stored on the server, making it easier for the user to select files to print.

1 is a diagram showing an entire image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a series of flows of homework exchange between a teacher and a student realized using an image forming system. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the main internal configuration of the server. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a homework printing process. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an answer submission process. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the operation screen. FIG. 10 is an image diagram illustrating the concept of a process for determining whether a submitted file exists. FIG. 10 is an image diagram illustrating the concept of a process for determining whether a submitted file exists. FIG. 10 is an image diagram illustrating the concept of a process for determining whether a submitted file exists.

An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the entire image forming system 11 including an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming system 11 includes a server 2, an information processing device 3, and an image forming device 1, which are located on a cloud 4. The server 2, the information processing device 3, and the image forming device 1 are each connected to each other via a network such as the Internet.

The server 2 is, for example, a computer developed for schools to simplify the distribution, submission, and grading of homework. The server 2 has a storage area that allows files to be shared between teachers and students. The information processing device 3 is, for example, a personal computer (PC) that is capable of data communication over a network. The image forming device 1 is, for example, a multifunction device that combines multiple functions such as a printer, scanner, and copier.

Figure 2 shows a series of steps implemented using the image forming system 11, in which a teacher distributes homework to students, students receive the homework and submit answers, and the teacher grades the answers. Below, we will explain the data exchange between teachers and students implemented using the image forming system 11.

The teacher creates homework using information processing device 3 and uploads (UL) document data indicating the created homework to server 2. Server 2 stores the document data indicating the homework as homework file F1. The student downloads (DL) homework file F1 from server 2 using image forming device 1 and prints the homework content indicated in homework file F1 on recording paper. The student writes answers on the recording paper with the homework content printed on it, scans the recording paper with the answers written on it with image forming device 1, and uploads the scanned data indicating the submitted documents obtained by the scan from image forming device 1 to server 2. Server 2 stores the scanned data indicating the submitted documents in a memory area as submission file F2.

The teacher uses image forming device 1 to download submission file F2 from server 2 and prints the student's submitted document indicated by submission file F2 onto recording paper. The teacher grades the student's answers indicated in the submitted document and writes the grading results on the submitted document. The teacher has image forming device 1 scan the submitted document with the grading results written on it, and uploads the scanned data indicating the graded document obtained from the scan from image forming device 1 to server 2. Server 2 stores the scanned data indicating the graded document in a memory area as a grading file.

Students use the image forming device 1 to download the scoring file from the server 2 and print the scoring results recorded in the scoring file onto recording paper.

Figure 3 is a functional block diagram that shows the main internal configuration of the server 2. The server 2 comprises a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage device 23.

The communication unit 22 is a communication interface that performs data communication with external devices on the network. For example, the communication unit 22 performs data communication with the information processing device 3 or the image forming device 1.

The storage device 23 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage device 23 stores various control programs. As part of its storage area, the storage device 23 includes a teacher data storage unit 230, a student data storage unit 231, a class data storage unit 232, and a file storage unit 233.

The teacher data storage unit 230 stores teacher names, passwords, etc. for each teacher, corresponding to a teacher code, as teacher data.

The student data storage unit 231 stores student data such as student name or password for each student, corresponding to the student code.

The class data storage unit 232 stores, for each class, the class name, a teacher code indicating the teacher in charge of the class, or a student code indicating the students who can participate in the class, in association with the class code. A class is, for example, the type of lesson, such as "Japanese," "Mathematics," or "Contemporary Society."

The file memory unit 233 stores, for each class, a homework file containing document data indicating homework distributed to students, a submission file containing scanned data indicating documents submitted by students, and a grading file containing scanned data indicating documents graded by the teacher.

The document data contained in the homework file is created by the teacher using the information processing device 3 and uploaded from the information processing device 3 to the server 2. The file storage unit 233 stores the homework file in association with a homework code. In addition to the document data, the homework file includes attribute information such as the homework name, a class code indicating the class to which it is distributed, a teacher code indicating the uploader, the upload date and time, and the submission deadline date and time. The homework name, class code, and submission deadline date and time are set by the teacher through operation of the information processing device 3.

The substance of the submitted file is scanned data representing the submitted document. Here, the submitted document refers to a document on which the student has written answers written on a recording sheet on which the contents of the homework file are printed. In other words, the submitted document refers to a document on which the contents of the document data as the substance of the homework file are printed and to which changes have been made by writing.

In this way, the submitted file is a modified file in which changes have been made to the homework file. Therefore, the control unit 210 associates the submitted file with the homework file and stores it in the file storage unit 233. The submitted file includes attribute information such as a homework code, a student code indicating the uploader, and the upload date and time.

The actual part of the grading file is scanned data representing the graded document. A graded document is a document on which the contents of the document submitted by the student are printed and on which the teacher has written the grading results. In other words, a graded document is a document on which the contents of the submitted document are printed and on which changes have been made by writing.

In this way, the graded file is both a modified file in which changes have been made to the submitted file and a modified file in which two changes have been made to the homework file. Therefore, the control unit 210 associates the graded file with the submitted file and the homework file and stores them in the file storage unit 233. The graded file includes attribute information such as a teacher code indicating the uploader and the upload date and time.

The control unit 21 includes a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and dedicated hardware circuits. The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 21 functions as the control unit 210 when the processor operates in accordance with an operation control program stored in the ROM, etc.

The control unit 210 is responsible for overall operational control of the server 2. The control unit 210 is connected to the communication unit 22 and the storage device 23, and controls the operation of each of these components, or sends and receives signals or data between each of these components.

Figure 4 is a functional block diagram that shows the main internal configuration of the image forming device 1. The image forming device 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feed unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feed unit 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 91, and a storage device 8.

The document feed unit 6 is mounted on the top surface of the document reading unit 5 and can be opened and closed using a hinge or the like. The document feed unit 6 functions as a document holding cover when reading a document placed on the platen glass. The document feed unit 6 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). The document feed unit 6 has a document placement tray and supplies documents placed on the document placement tray to the document reading unit 5.

The following describes the case where a document is read by the image forming device 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads the image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory or the like.

The image forming unit 12 is a printing mechanism that includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device.

This section describes the image formation operation performed by the image forming device 1. Based on image data generated by the document reading operation, image data stored in an image memory, or image data received from a computer connected via a network, the image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 14 as a recording medium.

The fixing unit 13 applies heat and pressure to the recording paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, fixing the toner image to the recording paper. The recording paper after the fixing process is discharged onto an output tray. The paper supply unit 14 is equipped with a paper supply cassette.

The operation unit 47 accepts user instructions, such as instructions to execute an image forming operation, regarding various operations and processes that can be performed by the image forming device 1. The operation unit 47 is equipped with a display unit 473 that displays operation guides and the like for the user. The operation unit 47 accepts user instructions input via the touch panel of the display unit 473 based on user operations (touch operations) on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473.

The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The display unit 473 is equipped with a touch panel. When the user touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel accepts the instruction associated with the touched position.

The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface that sends and receives various data to and from external devices (e.g., server 2) within the local area or on the Internet. The network interface unit 91 is an example of a communication unit within the scope of the claims.

The storage device 8 is an HDD, SSD, etc. The storage device 8 stores various control programs, etc.

The control unit 10 includes a processor, RAM, ROM, and dedicated hardware circuits. The processor may be, for example, a CPU, ASIC, or MPU.

The control unit 10 functions as the control unit 100 through operation by the processor in accordance with the control program stored in the storage device 8. However, the control unit 100 can also be configured by hardware circuits, without relying on operation in accordance with the control program by the control unit 10. Unless otherwise specified below, this applies to each embodiment.

The control unit 100 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feed unit 6, document reading unit 5, image forming unit 12, fixing unit 13, paper feed unit 14, operation unit 47, network interface unit 91, and storage device 8, and performs drive control of each of these units. For example, the control unit 100 controls the image forming unit 12, etc., to form an image on recording paper as a recording medium.

The control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473. For example, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the home screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5. The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display, on the operation screen SC1, a selection button B1 indicating "Copy," a selection button B2 indicating "Print," and a selection button B3 indicating "Scan" as selectable items.

<Student printing homework>
Next, an example of homework printing processing executed between the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the control unit 210 of the server 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B2 on the home screen SC1 shown in Figure 5, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen SC2 shown in Figure 7A (step S1). The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display, on the operation screen SC2, a selection button B11 indicating a home mark, a selection button B12 indicating "Back," a selection button B13 indicating "From external memory," and a selection button B14 indicating "From cloud."

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B11 on the operation screen SC2, the control unit 100 switches the display on the display unit 473 to the home screen SC1. When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B12 on the operation screen SC2, the control unit 100 returns the display on the display unit 473 to the previously displayed operation screen.

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B13 on the operation screen SC2, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display an operation screen for receiving printing from an external memory such as a memory card. When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B14 on the operation screen SC2, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a login screen for accessing the server 2 (step S2).

When the user enters a student code and password by operating the touch panel via the login screen and the operation unit 47 accepts the above input, the control unit 100 transmits the student code and password entered by the user to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S3).

When the control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the student code and password via the communication unit 22 (step S4), it compares them with the legitimate student code and password stored in the student data storage unit 231 to determine whether the user is a legitimate qualified student. If the control unit 210 determines that the user is a legitimate qualified student, it allows the user to log in. The control unit 210 references the class data storage unit 232 to extract class information (class code and class name) indicating classes that the student identified by the received student code can participate in (step S5). The control unit 210 transmits the extracted class information to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22 (step S6).

When the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives the class information transmitted from the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S7), it creates the operation screen SC3 shown in Figure 7B based on the class names (here, Japanese, Mathematics, and Contemporary Society) indicated in the received class information and displays it on the display unit 473 (step S8). The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display on the operation screen SC3 a selection button B21 indicating the class name "Japanese," a selection button B22 indicating the class name "Mathematics," and a selection button B23 indicating the class name "Contemporary Society."

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on any of the selection buttons B21 to B23 on the operation screen SC3, the control unit 100 creates the operation screen SC4 shown in FIG. 7C and displays it on the display unit 473 (step S9). The operation screen SC4 shows the classification of documents within the class specified by the instruction. The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the selection button B31 indicating "Distributed," the selection button B32 indicating "Submitted," and the selection button B33 indicating "Graded" on the operation screen SC4.

When the user wants to input instructions to have the image forming device 1 print homework that has been distributed to students, the user selects selection button B31. When the user wants to input instructions to have the image forming device 1 print documents that have been submitted by students, the user selects selection button B32. When the user wants to input instructions to have the image forming device 1 print documents that have been graded by the teacher, the user selects selection button B33.

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B31 on the operation screen SC4, the control unit 100 sends a class code indicating the class name selected on the operation screen SC3 to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S10) and requests the transmission of homework information indicating the homework distributed to the students.

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the class code transmitted from the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22 (step S11). Upon receiving the request, the control unit 210 references the homework files stored in the file storage unit 233 and creates homework information indicating the homework distributed to students in the class indicated by the received class code (specifically, the homework information indicates the homework code, homework name, and submission deadline date and time for each piece of distributed homework information) (step S12). The control unit 210 then transmits the created homework information to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22 (step S13).

The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives the homework information transmitted from the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S14). The control unit 100 displays the operation screen SC5 shown in FIG. 8A on the display unit 473 based on the content of the received homework information (step S15). The operation screen SC5 displays the names of each homework assignment included in the homework information.

The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display selection buttons B41 to B45 on the operation screen SC5, which respectively indicate the homework names "Homework I" to "Homework V." That is, the operation screen SC5 uses selection buttons B41 to B45 to display a list of homework distributed to the logged-in student. Each of the selection buttons B41 to B45 indicates the submission deadline. For example, selection button B41 indicates "11/15" as the submission deadline for "Homework I." The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display selection button B46 on the operation screen SC5, which indicates "Sort by nearest deadline."

When the user touches any of the selection buttons B41 to B45 on the operation screen SC5 and the operation unit 47 receives a selection instruction to select one of the homework assignments, the control unit 100 sends a homework code indicating the homework corresponding to one of the selection buttons B41 to B45 selected by the user to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S16) and requests the transmission of the homework file corresponding to the homework code.

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the homework code sent from the image forming device 1 (step S17). When the control unit 210 accepts the request, it extracts the homework file corresponding to the received homework code from the group of homework files stored in the file storage unit 233 (step S18). The control unit 210 transmits the extracted homework file to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22 (step S19).

The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives the homework file sent from the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S20). The control unit 210 causes the image forming unit 12 to print the received homework file (step S21). This allows the user to obtain a printed copy on which the homework is printed.

Next, we will explain the control for extracting and displaying specific titles from homework names contained in homework information, which is one of the features of the present invention.

The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 extracts specific titles that meet predetermined importance conditions from the group of files stored on the server 2 and displays them on the display unit 473 in order of importance.

The control unit 100 extracts homework names (specific titles) that satisfy predetermined importance conditions from the homework names included in the homework information based on the attribute information associated with the homework names included in the homework information, and displays the extracted homework names on the display unit 473. Here, the control unit 100 pre-sets a condition that the attribute information includes the submission deadline date and time as the predetermined importance condition.

The control unit 100 further determines that the shorter the period between the current date and time and the submission deadline date and time for each homework name, the higher the importance, and displays the homework names on the display unit 473 in order of priority, starting with the homework that has the nearest submission deadline.

For example, when the control unit 100 receives homework information from the server 2, it extracts from the homework information the homework names that include the submission deadline date and time as date and time information, and causes the display unit 473 to display selection buttons indicating the extracted homework names on the operation screen SC5 shown in FIG. 8A. The control unit 100 further determines that the shorter the period from the current date and time to the submission deadline for each extracted homework name, the higher the importance, and causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen SC5 shown in FIG. 8B, in which the selection buttons indicating the homework names with the nearest submission deadline are arranged from top to bottom. Here, the display in which the selection buttons indicating the homework names with the nearest submission deadline are arranged from top to bottom is an example of the above-mentioned "priority display."

<Student homework submission>
As described above, the student uses the image forming device 1 to select homework, downloads the homework file corresponding to the selected homework from the server 2, and prints the homework on recording paper (step S21). The student writes answers on the recording paper on which the homework is printed. The student then scans the submitted document on which the answers have been written using the image forming device 1, and uses the image forming device 1 to upload the scanned data to the server 2, thereby submitting the answers to the homework.

Next, an example of an answer submission process executed between the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 and the control unit 210 of the server 2 will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 9.

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B3 on the home screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen SC11 shown in FIG. 10A (step S101). The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the selection button B15 indicating "Save to PC" and the selection button B16 indicating "Save to Cloud" on the operation screen SC11.

When the operation unit 47 accepts an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B15 on the operation screen SC11, the control unit 100 displays an operation screen on the display unit 473 to accept the saving of the scan data to the PC.

On the other hand, when the operation unit 47 accepts an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B16, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a login screen for accessing the server 2 (step S102).

When the user enters a student code and password on the login screen via the operation unit 47 and the operation unit 47 accepts the above input, the control unit 100 transmits the student code and password entered by the user to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S103).

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the student code and password (step S104). The control unit 210 compares the received student code and password with the valid student code and password stored in the student data storage unit 231 to determine whether the user is a valid qualified student. If the control unit 210 determines that the user is a valid qualified student, it allows the user to log in. The control unit 210 references the class data storage unit 232 to extract class information (class code and class name) indicating classes that the student identified by the received student code can participate in (step S105). The control unit 210 transmits the extracted class information to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22 (step S106).

The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives the class information transmitted from the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S107). The control unit 100 creates the operation screen SC12 shown in FIG. 10B based on the class names (here, Japanese, Mathematics, and Contemporary Society) indicated in the received class information, and displays it on the display unit 473 (step S108). The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display, on the operation screen SC12, a selection button B51 indicating "Japanese" as the class name, a selection button B52 indicating "Mathematics" as the class name, and a selection button B53 indicating "Contemporary Society" as the class name.

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on any of the selection buttons B51 to B53 on the operation screen SC12, the control unit 100 sends a class code indicating the class name selected on the operation screen SC12 to the server 2 (step S109) and requests the sending of homework information indicating the homework distributed to the students.

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the class code transmitted from the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22 (step S110). Upon receiving the request, the control unit 210 references the homework files stored in the file storage unit 233 and creates homework information indicating the homework distributed to students in the class indicated by the received class code (specifically, the homework information indicates the homework code, homework name, and submission deadline date and time for each piece of distributed homework information) (step S111). The control unit 210 then transmits the created homework information to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22 (step S112).

The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives the homework information transmitted from the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S113). The control unit 100 displays the operation screen SC13 shown in FIG. 10C on the display unit 473 based on the content of the received homework information (step S114). The operation screen SC13 shows the names of each homework assignment included in the homework information.

The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display selection buttons B61 to B65 indicating the homework names "Homework I" to "Homework V" on the operation screen SC13. In other words, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a list of homework distributed to the logged-in student.

When the user touches any of the selection buttons B61 to B65 on the operation screen SC5 and the operation unit 47 accepts a selection instruction to select one of the homework assignments, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a scan screen for performing a scan (step S115).

The user places the submitted document (the recording paper on which the homework assignment is printed and the answers written) on the platen glass of the document reading unit 5 and inputs a command to start scanning on the scan screen via the operation unit 47. When the operation unit 47 accepts the command to start scanning, the control unit 100 controls the document reading unit 5 to read the document (the submitted document) placed on the platen glass (step S116). The control unit 100 transmits the scan data obtained by the reading by the document reading unit 5 and a homework code indicating the homework assignment selected by the user in step S115 to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 (step S117). As a result, the scan data indicating the submitted document from the student is uploaded to the server 2.

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the scan data and homework code sent from the image forming device 1 (step S118). The control unit 210 associates the received scan data with the homework file indicated by the received homework code, and stores it in the file storage unit 233 as a submitted file belonging to the class indicated by the class code received in step S110 (step S119). The control unit 210 stores the homework code, the student code indicating the person who uploaded the scan data, and the upload date and time in the file storage unit 233 as attribute information of the submitted file.

The control unit 210 creates folders in advance in the file storage unit 233 for each class to store and link homework files. The control unit 210 saves the submitted file in the folder for the corresponding class.

<Printing of documents to be submitted by teachers>
As described above, the teacher downloads the submission file using the image forming device 1 and prints the submitted document indicated in the submission file onto recording paper. The submitted document printing process executed between the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 and the control unit 210 of the server 2 is similar to the flow of the homework printing process described above.

In the submitted document printing process, the user who logs in is the teacher, not the student. When the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 allows the teacher to log in, it displays the operation screen SC4 shown in Figure 7C on the display unit 473. The teacher as a user selects the selection button B32 indicating "Submitted" rather than the selection button B31 indicating "Distributed."

The flow of the submitted document printing process will be explained below using Figures 7C, 11A, and 11B. Figures 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of an operation screen that displays titles indicating submitted files in a list.

In the image forming device 1, assume that a teacher, who is a user, touches the selection button B32 while the display unit 473 is displaying the operation screen SC4 shown in Figure 7C. When the operation unit 47 accepts the instruction based on the touch operation, the control unit 100 transmits an instruction to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91 to request the transmission of the submitted file stored in the file storage unit 233.

When the control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the instruction transmitted from the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22, it reads out the attribute information for each of the submitted file groups for each class stored in the file storage unit 233. The control unit 210 creates submitted file information consisting of attribute information groups for each submitted file, and transmits the submitted file information to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22.

The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives submitted file information via the network interface unit 91. The control unit 100 identifies each submitted file, for example, for homework A, based on the homework code of each submitted file included in the submitted file information. The control unit 100 creates the operation screen SC21 shown in FIG. 11A based on the student code included in the submitted file information, and displays the operation screen SC21 on the display unit 473. The operation screen SC21 shows the student name associated with each identified submitted file.

The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the screen name "Print submissions for homework A" on the operation screen SC21, along with a selection button B71 indicating "Print all." The control unit 100 also causes the display unit 473 to display selection buttons B72 to B75 on the operation screen SC21, indicating the student names "Ichiro Sato," "Matsuko Suzuki," "Takahashi Takeko," and "Jiro Tanaka," respectively. This displays a list of students who have submitted answers to "Homework A."

The control unit 100 analyzes the submitted file information and causes the display unit 473 to display the submission date on each of the selection buttons B72 to B75. For example, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display "12/1" on the selection button B72, indicating the submission date of the answer to "Homework A" by student "Ichiro Sato." The control unit 100 also causes the display unit 473 to display the selection button B76 indicating "Specify period" on the operation screen SC21.

For example, on the operation screen SC21, when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B72, the control unit 100 transmits the homework code indicating "Homework A" and the student code indicating "Sato Ichiro", the student selected by the user, to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91, and requests the transmission of the submitted file.

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the homework code and student code sent from the image forming device 1. When the control unit 210 receives the request, it identifies and reads out the submitted file for "Homework A" by student "Sato Ichiro" based on the attribute information of each submitted file group for each class stored in the file storage unit 233. The control unit 210 transmits the read-out submitted file to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22. This makes it possible for the image forming device 1 that receives the submitted file to print the submitted document for "Homework A" by student "Sato Ichiro."

On the other hand, on the operation screen SC21, for example, when the operation unit 47 accepts an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B71, the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 transmits the homework code indicating "Homework A" and the student codes of all four students to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91, and requests the transmission of the submitted file.

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the homework code and student code sent from the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22. When the control unit 210 accepts the request, it identifies and reads out four files submitted for "Homework A" by students "Ichiro Sato," "Matsuko Suzuki," "Takahashi Takeko," and "Jiro Tanaka" based on the attribute information of each of the submitted file groups for each class stored in the file storage unit 233. The control unit 210 then transmits each of the read submitted files to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22. This enables the image forming device 1, which receives each submitted file, to print the submitted documents for "Homework A" for the four students.

Alternatively, when the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives submitted file information via the network interface unit 91, it identifies each submitted file for, for example, student "Sato Ichiro" based on the student code of each submitted file included in the submitted file information. The control unit 100 creates the operation screen SC22 shown in FIG. 11B based on the homework code included in the submitted file information, and displays the operation screen SC22 on the display unit 473. The operation screen SC22 shows the homework name associated with each identified submitted file.

The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the screen name "Print submissions from Sato Ichiro" on the operation screen SC22, along with a selection button B81 indicating "Print all." The control unit 100 also causes the display unit 473 to display selection buttons B82 to B85 on the operation screen SC22 indicating the homework names "Homework A" to "Homework D," respectively, as file-specific information. This displays a list of documents submitted by the student "Sato Ichiro."

The control unit 100 analyzes the submitted file information and causes the display unit 473 to display the submission date on each of the selection buttons B82 to B85. For example, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display "12/1" on the selection button B82, indicating the submission date of "Homework A" by student "Sato Ichiro." The control unit 100 also causes the display unit 473 to display the selection button B86 indicating "Specify period" on the operation screen SC22.

For example, on the operation screen SC22, when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B82, the control unit 100 transmits the homework code indicating "Homework A" corresponding to the selected selection button B82 and the student code indicating the student "Sato Ichiro" to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91, and requests the transmission of the submitted file.

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives the homework code and student code sent from the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22. When the control unit 210 accepts the request, it identifies and reads out the file submitted by student "Sato Ichiro" for "Homework A" based on the attribute information of each group of submitted files for each class stored in the file storage unit 233. The control unit 210 then transmits the read-out submitted file to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22. This enables the image forming device 1 that receives the submitted file to print the document submitted by student "Sato Ichiro" for "Homework A."

On the other hand, on the operation screen SC22, for example, when the operation unit 47 accepts an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B81, the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 transmits all four homework codes and the student code indicating the student "Sato Ichiro" to the server 2 via the network interface unit 91, and requests the transmission of each submitted file.

The control unit 210 of the server 2 receives all four homework codes and student codes sent from the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22. Upon receiving the request, the control unit 210 identifies and reads out the four submitted files "Homework A," "Homework B," "Homework C," and "Homework D" by student "Sato Ichiro" based on the attribute information of each of the submitted file groups for each class stored in the file storage unit 233. The control unit 210 then transmits each of the read submitted files to the image forming device 1 via the communication unit 22. This enables the image forming device 1, which receives the submitted files, to print the four submitted documents by student "Sato Ichiro."

Next, we will explain the control used by teachers to identify and print documents submitted within a specified period when printing submitted documents.

As described above, the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 identifies submitted files that have been submitted within a specified period based on the upload date and time included in each attribute information of the submitted file information received from the server 2. The control unit 100 further classifies the identified submitted files based on the homework code and student code included in each attribute information of the submitted file information, and displays an operation screen showing the classified submitted files on the display unit 473.

For example, the control unit 100 identifies submitted files that have attribute information indicating an upload date and time that matches the specified period specified by user operation on the operation unit 47, and displays information indicating the identified submitted files on the display unit 473 by homework name.

Specifically, when the operation unit 47 accepts an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B76 on the operation screen SC21 shown in FIG. 11A, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a period designation screen for designating a period. When the user operates the operation unit 47 to input a designated period (e.g., after December 3rd) on the period designation screen, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen SC21 shown in FIG. 12A. The operation screen SC21 displays the names of students who submitted documents for "Homework A" during the input designated period.

If a teacher's most recent grading date is December 3rd, it is highly likely that documents submitted by December 3rd have already been graded. Therefore, it would be extremely useful for teachers if the list displayed only included documents submitted after the most recent grading date.

Furthermore, when the operation unit 47 accepts an instruction based on a user operation on the selection button B86 on the operation screen SC22 shown in FIG. 11B, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a period designation screen in the same manner as described above. When the user operates the operation unit 47 to input a designated period on the period designation screen, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen SC22 shown in FIG. 12B. The operation screen SC22 displays the homework names corresponding to the documents submitted by student "Sato Ichiro" during the input designated period.

<Uploading of graded documents by teachers>
As described above, the teacher uses the image forming device 1 to download the submission file from the server 2 and print the submission documents indicated in the submission file onto recording paper. The teacher uses the recording paper on which the submission documents are printed to grade the students' answers to the homework. The teacher has the image forming device 1 scan the recording paper on which the grading results are written, and uses the image forming device 1 to send the scanned data indicating the graded documents to the server 2. The server 2 stores the scanned data indicating the graded documents as a grading file in the file storage unit 233.

The scoring document registration process executed between the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 and the control unit 210 of the server 2 is similar to the flow of the answer submission process described above.

In the graded document registration process, the user who logs in is the teacher, not the student. When the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 allows the teacher to log in, it displays the operation screen SC4 shown in Figure 7C on the display unit 473. The teacher as a user selects the selection button B33 indicating "Graded." When the control unit 100 sends scanned data indicating the graded document to the server 2, it also sends the scanned data accompanied by the class code, homework code, and student code entered by the user's operation on the operation unit 47. The control unit 210 of the server 2 associates the received scanned data with the associated class code, homework code, and student code, and stores it as a graded file in the file storage unit 233.

<Student printing of graded documents>
The student uses the image forming device 1 to download the marking file from the server 2 and print the marking document indicated in the marking file on recording paper. The marking document printing process executed between the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 and the control unit 210 of the server 2 is similar to the flow of the homework printing process described above.

During the graded document printing process, when the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 permits the student to log in, it displays the operation screen SC4 shown in Figure 7C on the display unit 473. The student as a user selects the selection button B33 indicating "Graded."

According to the above embodiment, specific files that meet predetermined importance conditions are extracted from multiple files stored on the server 2, and titles indicating the extracted specific files are displayed on the display unit 473 of the image forming device 1. This makes it possible to present highly useful files to the user preferentially. As a result, it becomes easier to prioritize printing of files that are highly useful to the user.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 100 uses the condition that the attribute information contains the submission deadline date and time as date and time information as the predetermined importance condition, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 100 may use information regarding the history of changes to the file as the predetermined importance condition.

Next, we will explain further file display formats on the display unit 473 of the image forming device 1.

As described above, the scanned data representing the submitted document, which is the substantial part of the submitted file, is modified data that represents changes made to the document data representing the homework, which is the substantial part of the homework file. Therefore, when the submitted file is stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2, the homework file that is the source of the submitted file has already been downloaded to the image forming device 1 used by the student user. Therefore, when the submitted file is stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2, the homework file that is the source of the submitted file does not need to be presented to the student user as a candidate for downloading for printing.

The scanned data representing the graded documents, which is the actual part of the graded file, is modified data resulting from changes made to the scanned data representing the submitted documents, which is the actual part of the submitted file. Therefore, when a graded file is stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2, the submitted file that is the basis for the graded file has already been downloaded to the image forming device 1 used by the teacher user. Therefore, when a graded file is stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2, the submitted file that is the basis for the graded file does not need to be presented to the teacher user as a candidate for downloading for printing.

(First Modification)
In a first modification of the above embodiment, the control unit 100 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines that a homework file for which a corresponding submitted file is not stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2 needs to be presented to the student user as a candidate for downloading for printing, and causes the control unit 100 to display a title indicating the homework file on the display unit 473. Alternatively, the control unit 100 determines that a submitted file for which a corresponding graded file is not stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2 needs to be presented to the student user as a candidate for downloading for printing, and causes the control unit 100 to display a title indicating the submitted file on the display unit 473.

Figures 13A and 13B are examples of operation screens showing the names of each homework assignment contained in homework information for a particular student received from server 2.

When the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by a specific student receives homework information about the specific student from the server 2 via the network interface unit 91, it displays the operation screen SC31 shown in FIG. 13A on the display unit 473 based on the content of the received homework information. The operation screen SC31 shows the names of each homework assignment included in the homework information.

The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display selection buttons B41 to B45 indicating the homework names "Homework I" to "Homework V" on the operation screen SC31, thereby displaying a list of homework distributed to the logged-in student. The control unit 100 also causes the display unit 473 to display selection button B46 indicating "Sorted by nearest due date" and selection button B47 indicating "Unsubmitted only" on the operation screen SC31. The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the submission deadline date on each of selection buttons B41 to B45 based on the attribute information of each file included in the homework information.

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction corresponding to a user operation on the selection button B47 on the operation screen SC31, the control unit 100 determines that homework files for which the corresponding submitted files are not stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2 need to be presented to the student user as candidates to be downloaded for printing. The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the homework name indicated by the homework file, i.e., the homework name indicated by the homework file for which the corresponding submitted file has not yet been submitted. Specifically, the control unit 100 displays the operation screen SC31 indicating the homework name of the unsubmitted homework on the display unit 473, as shown in FIG. 13B.

Meanwhile, when the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by the teacher receives submitted file information from the server 2 via the network interface unit 91, it identifies each submitted file, for example, for homework A, based on the homework code of each submitted file included in the submitted file information, creates the operation screen SC41 shown in Figure 14A based on each identified submitted file and student code, and displays the created operation screen SC41 on the display unit 473. The operation screen SC41 shows the student name associated with each identified submitted file.

The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the title "Print submissions for homework A" on the operation screen SC41, along with a selection button B71 indicating "Print all." The control unit 100 also causes the display unit 473 to display selection buttons B72 to B75 on the operation screen SC41 indicating the student names "Ichiro Sato," "Matsuko Suzuki," "Takahashi Takeko," and "Jiro Tanaka" as file-specific information, thereby displaying a list of students who have submitted documents for "Homework A." Each of the selection buttons B72 to B75 also indicates the submission date.

The control unit 100 further causes the display unit 473 to display a selection button B76 indicating "Specify period" and a selection button B77 indicating "Ungraded only" on the operation screen SC41.

When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction corresponding to a user operation on the selection button B77 on the operation screen SC41, the control unit 100 determines that a submitted file for which a corresponding graded file is not stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2 needs to be presented to the teacher user as a candidate for downloading for printing. The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the names of the students whose submitted files, i.e., the ungraded submitted files. Specifically, the control unit 100 displays the operation screen SC41 on the display unit 473, showing the names of the students whose submitted files have not been graded, as shown in FIG. 14B.

(Second Modification)
In a second modification of the above embodiment, when control unit 100 of image forming apparatus 1 receives homework information for a specific student from server 2, it causes display unit 473 to display an operation screen showing the names of each homework assignment included in the homework information, based on the content of the received homework information. At this time, control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display, as shown in Fig. 15A, unsubmission information indicating whether or not the student has submitted an answer to the homework (for example, submitted or not submitted), in association with file identification information for identifying the homework file (in this case, the homework name).

In yet another embodiment, when the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 receives class information from the server 2, it creates an operation screen showing the class names included in the received class information and displays it on the display unit 473. At this time, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display whether there are any unsubmitted answers for each class based on the unsubmitted information, as shown in FIG. 15B. If there is a homework file that has just been uploaded, the control unit 100 may also cause the display unit 473 to display "New Arrivals" along with the class name to which the homework file belongs, as shown in FIG. 15C, and switch the display from "New Arrivals" to "Unsubmitted Homework" after a predetermined period (e.g., seven days) has passed since the time of upload.

Based on the non-submission information, the control unit 100 can distinguish whether a student has submitted a submission file corresponding to a homework file. Therefore, when the operation unit 47 accepts a user operation on one of the selection buttons B21 to B23 indicating a class name on the operation screen SC3 shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen SC51 shown in FIG. 16A. When the operation unit 47 accepts a user operation on the selection button B34 indicating "Distribution (Not Submitted)," the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display the operation screen SC52 showing only the unsubmitted homework files, as shown in FIG. 16B.

(Third Modification)
In a third variation of the above embodiment, when control unit 100 of image forming apparatus 1 used by a teacher receives submitted file information from server 2, it identifies each submitted file, for example, for homework A, based on the homework code of each submitted file included in the received submitted file information, and causes display unit 473 to display an operation screen showing the student names associated with each identified submitted file based on the student code. At this time, control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display ungraded information (e.g., graded or ungraded) indicating whether the submitted documents have been graded by the teacher, in association with file identification information (in this case, the student name) for identifying the submitted file, as shown in FIG. 17A .

The control unit 100 may also cause the display unit 473 to display a reference date, such as the date of the previous grading, on the operation screen SC41, as shown in FIG. 17B. For example, the control unit 100 may cause the display unit 473 to display the last date on which a grading file was uploaded, the last date on which a submitted file was downloaded, or the last date on which a submitted file was printed as the "last grading date." This is useful for teachers as it provides a reference when specifying a period.

Figures 18 to 20 are conceptual diagrams showing the concept of the submitted file presence/absence determination process for determining whether a submitted file is stored in the file storage unit 233 of the server 2. Figure 18 shows a diagram in which the server 2 performs the submitted file presence/absence determination process. Figures 19 and 20 show a diagram in which the image forming device 1 performs the submitted file presence/absence determination process.

As shown in FIG. 18, the file memory unit 233 (FIG. 3) of the server 2 located on the cloud 4 stores homework files indicating homework that has been "distributed" to students and submitted files that have been "submitted" by the students. The control unit 210 of the server 2 generates unsubmitted information for each student by comparing the homework files and submitted files stored in the file memory unit 233 for each student. That is, the control unit 210 determines for each student whether there are any "unsubmitted" homework files for which a corresponding submitted file is not stored in the file memory unit 233 ("distributed" - "submitted" = "unsubmitted"). In response to a request for transmission of unsubmitted information (including the student code of the specific student) sent from the image forming device 1 used by the specific student, the control unit 210 transmits the unsubmitted information corresponding to the student code to the image forming device 1. When the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by the particular student receives the non-submission information, it causes the display unit 473 to display the title of the "non-submitted" homework file indicated by the received non-submission information.

The file storage unit 233 of the server 2 also stores homework files indicating homework that has been "distributed" to students and "submitted" submission files uploaded by students. In this case, as shown in FIG. 19 , the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by a specific student, who is a user of the image forming device 1, downloads from the file storage unit 233 the "submitted" submission files that the specific student has already submitted, and compares the previously downloaded "received" homework files with the downloaded "submitted" submission files to identify "unsubmitted" homework files for which the submitted files have not yet been submitted. The control unit 100 generates unsubmission information for the specific student indicating the identified homework files ("Received" - "Submitted" = "Unsubmitted"). The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by the specific student then displays on the display unit 473 the title of the "unsubmitted" homework file indicated by the unsubmission information.

For example, the storage device 8 (Figure 4) of the image forming device 1 used by a specific student stores homework files indicating previously downloaded "received" homework and "submitted" submission files that the specific student has already submitted. In this case, as shown in Figure 20, the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 compares the "received" homework files stored in the storage device 8 with the "submitted" submission files to identify "unsubmitted" homework files for the specific student that have not yet been submitted, and generates unsubmission information for the specific student indicating the identified homework files ("Received" - "Submitted" = "Unsubmitted"). The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by the specific student displays the title of the "unsubmitted" homework file indicated by the unsubmission information on the display unit 473.

The control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by the teacher generates ungraded information using the same process as the process for obtaining unsubmitted information described above. Specifically, the file storage unit 233 of the server 2, which resides on the cloud 4, stores homework files indicating homework that has been "distributed" to students and "graded" graded files that the teacher has graded and uploaded. The control unit 210 of the server 2 generates ungraded information for each student by comparing the homework files and graded files stored in the file storage unit 233 for each student. Specifically, the control unit 210 identifies, for each student, "ungraded" homework files for which a corresponding graded file is not stored in the file storage unit 233 ("distributed" - "graded" = "ungraded"). The control unit 210 of the server 2 transmits the ungraded information to the image forming device 1 in response to a request for ungraded information (including the teacher's teacher code) sent from the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by the teacher. When the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 used by the teacher receives the ungraded homework information, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a title indicating the "ungraded" homework file indicated by the ungraded homework information.

For example, the file storage unit 233 of the server 2 stores homework files indicating homework that has been "distributed" to students and "graded" grading files uploaded by teachers. In this case, the control unit 100 of the image forming device 1 compares the "graded" grading files created by the teacher (who is a user of the image forming device 1) stored in the storage device 8 with the homework files that the teacher created in the past and has already "distributed" to identify "ungraded" homework files for which grading files have not yet been submitted, and generates ungraded information for the teacher indicating the identified homework files ("distributed" - "graded" = "ungraded"). In the image forming device 1 used by the teacher, the control unit 100 displays the title of the "ungraded" homework file indicated by the ungraded information on the display unit 473.

In the above embodiment, the grading file was scan data representing a document to be graded that was uploaded from the image forming device 1 to the server 2, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit of the information processing device 3 may receive scan data of a submitted document uploaded to the server 2 by a student as GUI data, provided by the server 2, and cause an operation screen showing the content indicated by the GUI data to be displayed on the display unit of the information processing device 3. The control unit of the information processing device 3 accepts the grading results for the submitted document shown on the operation screen in response to the teacher's operation on the operation unit or touch panel of the information processing device 3. The communication unit of the information processing device 3 transmits data indicating the accepted grading results to the server 2. In other words, the teacher can assign grading results to the submitted file by operating the information processing device 3, which is capable of communicating with the server 2. In this case, when the communication unit 22 of the server 2 receives data indicating the scoring results from the information processing device 3, the control unit 210 (i) associates the data indicating the scoring results with the submitted file and stores it in the file memory unit 233 as a scoring file for that submitted file (assuming that a ``scored'' scoring file has been generated), or (ii) combines the contents indicated by the scoring result data with the data of the submitted document indicated by the submitted file and stores the combined data as a scoring file in the file memory unit 233 (generating a scoring file by combining the data of the scoring results and the data of the submitted document in the submitted file).

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, the configuration and processing of the above embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 20 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to such configuration and processing.

Claims (6)

An image forming system including at least a server and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the server ,
the image forming apparatus,
an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet;
a communication unit for performing data communication with an external device via a network;
A display unit;
an operation unit that receives instructions based on an operation by a user;
a control unit that downloads a first file from the server that stores a plurality of files via the communication unit, and causes the image forming unit to form an image indicated by the downloaded first file on the recording paper,
The control unit
extracting at least one file that satisfies a predetermined importance condition from the plurality of files stored in the server, and displaying the extracted at least one file on the display unit;
when a selection instruction for selecting one of the at least one file is received via the operation unit, the image forming unit is caused to form an image indicated by the file designated by the selection instruction on the recording paper;
Furthermore, a second file created based on the first file is transmitted to the server via the communication unit;
The server
a server-side communication unit that performs data communication with the image forming apparatus via a network;
a file storage unit that stores the first file and also stores the second file that is created based on the first file and that is received by the server-side communication unit from the image forming apparatus, in association with the first file ;
a server-side control unit that determines, among the first files stored in the file storage unit, the first files other than the first files stored in association with the second files, as the first files in which the second files are not stored, and generates information indicating the determined first files as non-submission information;
the server-side control unit transmits the unsubmitted information to the image forming apparatus via the server-side communication unit;
When the control unit of the image forming device receives the unsubmitted information from the server via the communication unit, the control unit of the image forming device designates the file extracted as satisfying the predetermined importance condition as the first file indicated by the unsubmitted information, and displays a title indicating the first file indicated by the unsubmitted information on the display unit. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein the control unit of the image forming device uses, as the predetermined importance condition, a condition that attribute information associated with the file includes date and time information indicating a specific date and time. the date and time information indicates a submission deadline date and time as the specific date and time;
3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit of the image forming apparatus causes the display unit to display the at least one file in order of the file with the nearest submission deadline based on the date and time information. the date and time information indicates the upload date and time of the file as the specific date and time;
The image forming system according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit of the image forming apparatus causes the display unit to display the at least one file in order of the upload date and time based on the date and time information. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein the control unit of the image forming device causes the display unit to display, together with the at least one file, the last date on which the at least one file was downloaded or the last date on which an image represented by the at least one file was formed. an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet;
a communication unit for performing data communication with an external device via a network;
A display unit;
an operation unit that receives instructions based on an operation by a user;
a control unit that downloads a first file from a server that stores a plurality of files, via the communication unit, included in the image forming system according to claim 1 , and causes the image forming unit to form an image indicated by the downloaded first file on the recording paper;
The control unit
extracting at least one file that satisfies a predetermined importance condition from the plurality of files stored in the server, and displaying the extracted at least one file on the display unit;
when a selection instruction for selecting one of the at least one file is received via the operation unit, the image forming unit is caused to form an image indicated by the file designated by the selection instruction on the recording paper;
Furthermore, a second file created based on the first file is transmitted to the server via the communication unit;
When the unsubmitted information is received from the server via the communication unit, the image forming device sets the file extracted as satisfying the predetermined importance condition as the first file indicated by the unsubmitted information, and displays a title indicating the first file indicated by the unsubmitted information on the display unit.