JP2002356020A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To edit and print printing data stored in a removable external storage medium by an imaging apparatus itself without depending on the host computer. SOLUTION: A PC card reader (removable external storage medium reading unit) 500 for reading printing data stored in a PC card (removable external storage medium) 510 is disposed in an image inputting system (imaging apparatus: copying machine) 100 so as to be connected with a controller part 110. The controller part 110 of an image inputting system 100 reads cut the printing data stored in the PC card 510 by the PC card reader 500 according to an operation of an operating part 150 so as to print the same by a printer part 300. Furthermore, it edits the read out printing data so as to store the same again in the PC card 510. Furthermore, it executes a process of deleting the printing data from the PC card 510.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a recording medium, and a program for forming an image by inputting print data from a removable storage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the storage capacity of a removable storage (collective name of an external storage system in which storage media can be exchanged) has been increased, and its use form has been diversified as represented by a notebook personal computer, a digital camera and the like. Was. The type of the storage medium (hereinafter, referred to as a removable external storage medium) is also a floppy (registered trademark) disk, MO (Magneto-optic) disk, compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, ZIP disk, CD-RW (CD ReWritable), DVD (Digital V
ersatile Disk). Removable external storage media are not portablely connected to the system like a hard disk, but can read and write data while replacing the storage media as necessary. It has become common practice to store document data or image data in a medium and carry it around, and print out the document data or image data stored in a removable external storage medium by an image forming apparatus using a host computer in an office or home. Hereinafter, the data to be printed out is referred to as print data.

In order to print the print data stored in the removable external storage medium, the removable external storage medium is connected to a host computer via a driver (also called a reader), and the host computer reads the print data read from the removable external storage medium. This is realized by performing necessary processing and transferring the processing from the host computer to the image forming apparatus through a dedicated line or a network. At that time, the host computer sends the print data to P
The image data is converted into DL (page description language) data and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus expands the received PDL data into a bitmap image, stores the expanded image data in a built-in hard disk, and stores the data in the built-in hard disk. Image data is read out and printed out on recording paper. Editing of print data stored in a removable external storage medium is made possible by using an editing application on a host computer.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems to be solved.

A first problem to be solved is that print data stored in a removable external storage medium cannot be printed without a host computer capable of accessing the image forming apparatus. That is, there is no image forming apparatus capable of directly reading the print data stored in the removable external storage medium, and there has been no other method but to read the print data from the removable external storage medium on the host computer side and transmit the read data to the image forming apparatus.

[0006] A second problem to be solved is that print data stored in a removable external storage medium can be edited only on a host computer, and the image forming apparatus can delete print data stored in the removable external storage medium. There was no way to edit. The second problem is caused by the first problem.

As described above, in the prior art, when the print data stored in the removable external storage medium is edited and printed, the dependency on the host computer is extremely high, and the removable external storage medium is stored in the image forming apparatus itself. It was very inconvenient to use as a medium.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to solve the first problem as described above and to provide an image forming apparatus which can use a removable external storage medium as one of directly readable storage media. It is in.

A second object of the present invention is to provide the above-mentioned second object.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of editing print data stored in a removable external storage medium.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention sets reading means for reading print data stored in a removable external storage medium and sets various image forming conditions. And an image forming means for recording, on a recording material, print data read by the reading means according to image forming conditions set by the printing operation means.

Here, the reading means includes a removable external storage medium slot accessible to the removable external storage medium, and a list display control means for displaying a list of print data names stored in the removable external storage medium. And a specific print data can be designated from a list of print data names displayed by the list display control means.

Further, the reading means further comprises print data detail display means for displaying details of specific print data from a list of print data names displayed by the list display control means. can do.

[0013] The image processing apparatus further comprises editing operation means for issuing an instruction for editing the print data, and editing means for editing the print data read by the reading means based on the instruction of the editing operation means. It can be.

Further, the editing means enables image processing and editing of print data specified by the editing operation means among print data stored in the removable external storage medium. it can.

Further, the image processing and editing is a processing for at least one of density change, mirror image / rotation, enlargement / reduction, sharpness, emboss, trimming, mask, and black / white inversion. it can.

Also, a storage operation means for giving an instruction to store the print data edited by the editing means in the removable external storage medium, and a print edited by the editing means in accordance with the instruction of the storage operation means Storage means for storing data in the removable external storage medium.

Further, the storage means has a function of changing the name of the print data and storing the same, and a function of checking the free space of the removable external storage medium to determine whether the print data can be stored. It can be a feature.

[0018] Further, deletion operation means for instructing deletion of print data stored in the removable external storage medium in units of pages or jobs, and storage in the removable external storage medium in accordance with the instruction of the deletion operation means. And a deletion unit for deleting the print data obtained in units of pages or jobs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: reading means for reading print data stored in a removable external storage medium. A first step of recognizing that the printer has been connected to the reading unit, a second step of reading the print data stored in the removable external storage medium by the reading unit in response to the recognition, A third step of designating print data to be printed from the print data, a fourth step of setting print conditions, and recording the designated print data on a recording material according to the set print conditions. And a fifth step.

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 18 is a recording medium storing a program for controlling a computer to control an image forming apparatus having reading means for reading print data stored in a removable external storage medium. The program is transmitted to a computer
Recognizing that the removable external storage medium has been connected to the reading means, reading the print data stored in the removable external storage medium in accordance with the recognition, and causing the reading means to read the print data. , The print data to be printed can be specified, the print conditions can be set, and the print data specified by the set print conditions is recorded on a recording material.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for controlling, by a computer, an image forming apparatus provided with a reading unit for reading print data stored in a removable external storage medium. A first step of recognizing that the removable external storage medium is connected to the reading unit, and a second step of reading the print data stored in the removable external storage medium by the reading unit in response to the recognition. Step, a third step of specifying print data to be printed from the read print data, a fourth step of setting print conditions, and the print data specified by the set print conditions Recording on the recording material.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, an overall configuration of an image input / output system including an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. Next, a PC card is taken as an example of a removable external storage medium.
A procedure in which the user prints out the print data in the C card will be described.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the image input / output system. A reader unit (image input device) 200 included in the image input / output system (copier) 100 optically reads a document image and converts the image into image data. Reader unit 20
Reference numeral 0 denotes a scanner unit 210 having a function of reading a document, and a document feed unit 250 having a function of conveying document sheets.

A printer unit (image output device) 300 constituting the image input / output system 100 conveys a recording sheet, prints image data on the sheet as a visible image, and discharges the sheet outside the apparatus. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 310 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing print data to recording paper, and a device that sorts and staples printed recording paper and performs external printing. And a paper discharge unit 330 having a function of discharging paper to the paper.

The PC card reader 500 is an interface for connecting the image input / output system 100 and the PC card 510, and is installed in the image input / output system 100 to detect connection (set) of the PC card 510. The PC card reader 500 has a reading function of reading print data from a memory area in the PC card 510,
A write function of writing print data to the memory area. The PC card 510 is a PC card reader 500
Is a removable external storage medium that is detachably connected to and stores print data. PC card 5
00 is stored in the PC card reader 5
Read by 00.

Controller 11 of image input / output system 100
Numeral 0 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200, the printer unit 300, the PC card reader 500, and the hard disk 600, and further connected to the host computers 401 and 402 via the network 400. The control device 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read the print data of the document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the print data to recording paper to provide a copy function. Also,
The control device 110 converts the print data read from the reader unit 200 into code data, and
A scanner function of transmitting code data received from the host computers 401 and 402 via the network 400 to print data, and outputting the print data to the printer unit 300; And a function of transmitting a control signal to the control unit 500 for control. Further, the control device 1
Reference numeral 10 also has a function of storing print data in the hard disk 600.

Operation unit 150 of image input / output system 100
Is connected to the control device 110, is configured by a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F (interface) for operating the image input / output system 100.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a sectional structure of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 of the image input / output system (copier) 100 of FIG. The document feeding unit 250 of the reader unit 200 feeds the loaded documents one by one onto the platen glass 211 in the leading order, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 211 after the reading operation of the document is completed. . When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on, the movement of the optical unit 213 is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 214, 215, 216 and lens 21.
The light is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 218 by 7. In this manner, the scanned image of the document is read by the CCD 218. CCD21
The image data output from 8 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the control device 110.

The laser driver 321 of the printer unit 300
Drives the laser light emitting unit 322, and causes the laser light emitting unit 322 to emit a laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the control device 110. The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 323, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 323. The developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 323 by the developing device 324.

Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, a recording sheet is fed from one of the cassette 311 and the cassette 312 and conveyed to the transfer section 325 to record the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 323. Transfer to paper.
The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 326, and the developer (also referred to as a toner image) is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 326. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 326 is discharged by discharge rollers 327, and a discharge unit 330 sorts the discharged recording paper and sorts the recording paper, and staples the sorted recording paper.

When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 327, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 327 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path 329 by the flapper 328. . The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 329 is fed to the transfer unit 325 at the timing described above.

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the operation unit 150 of the image input / output system (copying apparatus) 100 shown in FIG. Here, a power lamp (power lamp) 502 indicates whether or not the image input / output system 100 is turned on.
The power is turned on by pressing a power switch (power switch) 501 to turn on the power. A copy function selection key 503 is used to select a copy function (copy function).
A fax function selection key 04 selects a fax function, and a personal box selection key 505 selects a personal box function.

517 is a PC card reader (50 in FIG. 1).
A PC card access key for accessing a PC card (510 in FIG. 1) connected to the PC card (0). By pressing this key, the print data stored in the PC card can be referred to on the touch panel 516.

Reference numeral 512 denotes a numeric keypad, which is used to set the number of images to be formed and to input numerical values for mode setting. The ten keys 512 are used to input a telephone number on the facsimile setting screen. The clear key 513 is used to invalidate the settings entered using the ten keys 512. The reset key 508 is used to return the set mode such as the number of formed images, the operation mode, and the selected paper feed stage to default values. A start key 506 is pressed to start image formation, and a stop key 507 is used to stop a copying operation. The guide key 509 is a key that is pressed when a certain key function is unknown, and displays a description of the key whose function is unknown on the touch panel 516. A user mode key 520 is a key used to change settings of the copying apparatus. The interrupt key 511 is a key that is pressed when the user wants to perform another operation during the image forming operation.

Reference numeral 514 denotes twenty one-touch dial keys, which are used for one-touch dialing in facsimile transmission. Reference numeral 515 denotes two lids, each of which is a double lid in which the key portions of the one-touch dial key 524 are hollowed out. The first state in which the two lids are closed by a sensor switch (not shown), 1
The second state in which the second lid is closed and the third state in which the two lids are open are detected, and a combination of the three open / close states of the lid and the one-touch dial key 514 provides a total of 60 in this embodiment. Has the same effect as the presence of the key.

Reference numeral 516 denotes a touch panel with a display function (hereinafter, referred to as a touch panel). A setting screen is displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings can be made by touching drawn keys. .

In this embodiment, the PC card 510
Is connected to the PC card reader 500. The operator connects the PC card 510 to the PC card reader 500 and presses the PC card access key 517 on the operation unit 150. PC card access key 517
When is pressed, the mode shifts to the access mode for the PC card 510.

FIG. 4 shows that the PC card 510 storing the print data is a PC of the image input / output system (copier) 100.
9 shows an example of a print data designation screen 900 displayed on the touch panel 516 of the operation unit 150 when inserted into a card slot (not shown). Here, 901, 90
Reference numeral 2903 denotes a print data designation key displaying the name of the print data stored in the PC card 510;
90 for print data not displayed on the screen
The screen can be displayed by pressing a screen scroll key of 7,908. These print data names 90
Numerals (01, 02, 03) on the left of 1 to 903 indicate the indexes of the print data.

A detail key 904 is a key for displaying detailed properties of print data. When the user presses the detail key 904 after designating the print data by pressing the print data designation keys 901 to 903, the detailed properties relating to the corresponding print data are read, and the detail screen 1000 of FIG. 5 is displayed.

On the detail screen shown in FIG. 5, the owner of the designated print data, the data size, the creation date, the file format
A reduced screen for the matte and print data is displayed. 1001
By pressing the key, the detail screen is closed, and the screen returns to the print data designation screen 900.

A file operation key 906 shown in FIG. 4 stores print data in the PC card 510, or
This key is pressed to delete print data from the memory of the card 510. The file operation keys will be described later.

Next, a method of printing out print data from the PC card 510 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure up to printing the print data stored in the PC card 510. Here, S in S301 to S305 means a step of each processing procedure.

First, it is recognized that the PC card 510 has been inserted into the PC card reader 500 of the copying apparatus 100 from a PC card slot (not shown). The PC card reader 500 detects a signal indicating that the PC card 510 is connected by using an optical sensor or a micro switch, and notifies the control device 110 of the connection of the PC card 510 (S301).

The PC card reader 500 is a PC card 5
If the PC 10 is recognized, the print data stored in the PC card 510 is read, and a print data designation screen 900 is displayed on the touch panel 516 of the operation unit 150 (S30).
2).

Next, the operator sets the print data designation key 90
By pressing 1,902,903, the print data to be printed is specified (S303).

Next, when the operator sets desired printing conditions from a printing condition setting screen (not shown) of the touch panel 516 (S304) and presses a start key (also called a copy key) 506, the printing conditions are set. And PC card 5
An image formed from the designated print data in 10 is printed out on recording paper (S305).

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment of the present invention, a PC card is used as an example of a removable external storage medium, and print data stored in the PC card is transferred to an image input / output system (copier) 100. A method of editing using the operation unit 150 of FIG. Note that the configurations of FIGS. 1 to 5 in the first embodiment described above are similarly applied to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows an edit screen 700 for print data stored in the PC card 510. After designating print data from the print data designation screen 900 in FIG. 4, by selecting an edit mode from a print condition setting screen (not shown), the edit screen 700 is displayed on the touch panel 5 of the operation unit 150.
16 is displayed. In FIG. 7, 701 to 709
Are keys for designating edit contents of print data, for example, density change, mirror image / rotation, enlargement /
It has functions such as reduction, sharpness, emboss, eraser, and trimming. The editing work can be canceled by pressing a cancel key 710, and the editing work can be ended by pressing an OK key 711.
An area 712 is a part for displaying the file name of the selected print data.

Hereinafter, a sharpness function will be described as an example of the editing operation. FIG. 8 shows the sharpness key 7 of FIG.
A sharpness setting screen 800 displayed on the touch panel 516 by pressing the button 04 is shown. On the sharpness setting screen 800, mark 801 and mark 8
Reference numeral 02 denotes a mark for visually recognizing the sharpness effect by the operator. A mark 801 indicates that the sharpness effect is small, and a mark 802 indicates that the sharpness effect is large. To set the sharpness effect, the user presses a soft key 804 or a hard key 805. Pressing the soft key 804 reduces the sharpness effect, and pressing the hard key 805 increases the sharpness effect.

The mark 803 is a bar indicating the setting state of the sharpness effect, and the black area in the center indicates the current degree of the sharpness effect. Soft key 8
When the key 04 is pressed, the black area moves one to the left, and when the hard key 805 is pressed, the black area moves one to the right. In the present embodiment, there are three levels of softness and hardness sharpness effects, and the soft levels are -75, -50,
-25 steps, hard level is +25, +5
0 and +70. The initial value is 0. The sharpness effect is calculated, for example, using a 3 × 3 matrix ((x0, y0)
= 0, (x0, y1) = 1, (x0, y2) = 0, (x
(1, y0) = 1, (x1, y1) = − 4, (x1, y
2) = 1, (x2, y0) = 0, (x2, y1) = 1,
It is obtained by adding a matrix obtained by multiplying (x2, y2) = 0) by the degree of the sharpness effect for each pixel of the print data.

To cancel the sharpness setting, the user presses a cancel key 806. To end the sharpness setting, the user presses an OK key 807.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for setting the sharpness. S of S101 to S109 means a step of each processing procedure.

First, the control device 110 checks whether or not the sharpness setting has been canceled (S101). When the cancel key 806 is pressed, the processing ends without executing the sharpness setting, and when the cancel key 806 is not pressed. Determines whether the OK key 807 has been pressed in the next step S102. If the OK key 807 is pressed, a sharpness calculation is performed on the print data using the above 3 × 3 matrix (S109).

If the user has not pressed the OK key 807, the process advances to step S103. In S103, the soft key 804
It is determined whether or not is pressed, and if pressed, S10
At 4, it is determined whether or not the current sharpness level is smaller than -75, and if it is smaller, -25 is added to the sharpness level (S105), and the process proceeds to S106.

If the soft key 804 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S106 without changing the sharpness level. S
At 106, it is determined whether the hard key 805 has been pressed. If the hard key 805 is pressed, it is determined in S107 whether or not the current sharpness level is smaller than 75, and if it is smaller, 25 is added to the sharpness level (S108), and the process returns to S101.

If the hard key 805 has not been pressed, the process returns to S101 without changing the sharpness level.

(Third Embodiment) In a third embodiment of the present invention, a trimming function will be exemplified as an example of the editing function. Note that the configurations of FIGS. 1 to 5 in the above-described first embodiment and the configuration of FIG. 7 in the above-described second embodiment are similarly applied to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a trimming setting screen 1200 displayed on the touch panel 516 of FIG. 3 by pressing the trimming key 707 of FIG. The print data specified by the operator is stored in the trimming setting screen 1200.
Are displayed in the print data display area 1201 and the start point 1202 and the end point 1203 of the trimming area 1204 are displayed by the operator using the direction key 1 displayed on the touch panel 516.
The selection is made by pressing the buttons 205 to 1208, and the trimming area is set. This direction key includes an upward movement key 120.
5. There are a rightward movement key 1206, a downward movement key 1207, and a leftward movement key 1208. By pressing these keys, the start point and the end point can be moved in the direction desired by the operator.

When the trimming setting screen 1200 is displayed, only the starting point 1202 is displayed at the origin 1213 of the print data display area. When the start point of the trimming area 1204 is determined, the start key 1210 is depressed, and the state shifts to the start point setting state.
08 is moved to move the starting point 1202. After the operator moves the start point 1202 to the requested position, the operator presses the start point key 1210 again to determine the start point position.

Similarly, when the end point of the trimming area 1204 is determined, the end key 1209 is depressed to shift to the end point setting state, and then the direction keys 1205 to 1208 are set.
Is pressed to move the end point 1203 (the initial position of the end point is the start point determination position). After the operator moves the end point 1203 to the required position, the operator presses the end point key 1209 again to determine the end point position. The trimming area 1204 is within a rectangular area having a start point 1202 and an end point 1203 as diagonal vertices.

To cancel the trimming setting, a cancel key 1211 is pressed, and to end the trimming setting, an OK key 1212 is pressed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the result of performing the trimming setting. In the print data display area 1201, only the image of the trimmed area 1204 is displayed.

(Fourth Embodiment) In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a method for storing edited print data in the PC card 510 will be described. Note that the configurations of FIGS. 1 to 5 in the first embodiment described above are similarly applied to the fourth embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, three functions are provided when the edited print data is stored in the PC card 510. That is, a file name change function, a free space check function, and a file deletion function. The file name change function is a function of storing both the print data before editing and the print data after editing in the PC card 510 with different file names, and renaming a file name suitable for the print data. The free space check function prints the edited print data
This function determines whether or not the PC card 510 has a sufficient free memory space when stored in the C card 510.
The file deletion function is a function for deleting print data from the memory of the PC card 510.

FIG. 12 shows a print data designation screen 900 shown in FIG.
3 shows a file operation screen 1300 displayed on the touch panel 516 in FIG. 3 when the file operation key 906 is pressed. Here, an area 1308 is an area for displaying the file name of the selected print data. 13
01 to 1303 are operation keys for the selected print data. A key 1301 is a save key pressed to store print data in the PC card 510.
A key 1302 is a file name change key pressed to change the file name of the selected print data, and a key 1303 is a delete key pressed to delete the selected print data from the PC card 510. It is.

To cancel the file operation, the user presses the return key 1304, and the print data designation screen shown in FIG.
Return to 0.

When the save key 1301 is pressed, before the print data is stored in the PC card 510, the capacity of the print data and the free memory capacity of the PC card 510 are checked to determine whether the print data can be stored in the PC card 510. Determine whether or not. As a result of the determination, if there is sufficient free space in the PC card 510, the print data is stored in the PC card 510. If there is not enough free space, the print data is not stored in the PC card 510.

When the print data can be stored in the PC card 510, a storage result screen (not shown)
Displays a message stating that "print data has been stored on PC card", and if the print data could not be stored on PC card 510, a message "not enough for PC card" appears on the storage result screen (not shown). No space available "message.

When the file delete key 1303 is pressed, the print data selected in the area 1308 is
It is deleted from the memory of the C card 510.

When the file name change key 1302 is pressed, a file name change screen 1400 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. In the file name change screen 1400, each character key 1401 is a key for inputting each of the 26 letters of the alphabet. When the character key is pressed, the input character string is displayed in the file name area 1402. The extension area 1404 displays the format of the print data, and displays the same extension as the format of the original print data. The extension cannot be changed. P with input file name
When storing the print data in the C card 510,
If the user presses the key 1405 and cancels the file name change, the user presses a cancel key 1406.

(Other Embodiments) In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, a laser beam printer is exemplified as the printer unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other electrophotographic printers may be used. Alternatively, another printer system such as an ink jet printer may be used. Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a copying machine, but includes a facsimile apparatus having an image forming function, a multifunction printer having a plurality of functions, and the like.

The removable external storage medium to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a PC card. For example, a floppy disk, MO (Magneto-optic) disk, compact flash, smart media, ZIP disk,
D-RW (CD ReWritable), DVD (Digital Versati)
le Disk) and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium (storage medium) recording software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer for the system or the apparatus. Needless to say, the present invention is also achieved when the CPU (or the CPU or the MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the recording medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.

As a recording medium for recording the program code and for recording variable data such as a table, for example, a floppy disk (FD), hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, A nonvolatile memory card (IC memory card), a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that an operating system) may perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The print data stored in a removable external storage medium (for example, a PC card) is read and printed by a removable external storage medium reader (for example, a PC card reader) provided in the image forming apparatus, and the read print data is formed into an image. It is possible to edit the print data in the device, store it again in the removable external storage medium, and delete the print data from the removable external storage medium, so that the print data stored in the removable external storage medium can be edited and edited. When printing, there is no need to rely on the host computer, and the effect of improving operability, convenience, simplification of the system, and the like can be obtained.

More specifically, in the first embodiment of the present invention, print data stored in a removable external storage medium can be read and printed by a removable external storage medium reader provided in the image forming apparatus.
When the user prints the print data stored in the removable external storage medium with the image forming apparatus, the print data stored in the removable external storage medium does not need to be read once by the host computer. And the effect of increasing the convenience of the removable external storage medium can be obtained.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, print data stored in a removable external storage medium is read by a removable external storage medium reading device provided in the image forming apparatus, and the read print data is read by an operator. Selected editing items such as sharpness and trimming so that desired editing can be performed, so when the user edits the print data stored in the removable external storage medium and prints the image forming apparatus, The restriction that editing must be performed by the host computer is eliminated, and the effect of increasing the independence of the removable external storage medium with respect to the host computer and improving the convenience of the removable external storage medium is obtained.

Further, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the print data can be stored directly in the removable external storage medium from the image forming apparatus, and the print data can be deleted from the removable external storage medium. Therefore, the user can reflect his intention to store and delete the print data without going through the host computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image input / output system (copying apparatus) including an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of a sectional control structure of a reader unit 200 and a printer unit 200 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an arrangement configuration of an operation unit 150 in FIG.

4 shows a touch panel (with a display function) of the operation unit 150 shown in FIG. 3 when a PC card 510 storing print data is inserted into a PC card slot (not shown) of the image input / output system (copier) 100. Touch panel)
FIG. 516 is a plan view showing an example of a print data designation screen displayed on 516.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a detailed screen displayed when the user presses a detail key 904 after designating print data by pressing the print data designation keys 901 to 903 in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a PC card 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure up to printing of print data stored in the print data.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the operation unit 150 according to the second embodiment of the present invention by designating print data from a print data designation screen 900 in FIG. 4 and then selecting an edit mode from a print condition setting screen (not shown). FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of an edit screen of print data stored in a PC card 510 displayed on a touch panel 516 of FIG.

8 is a plan view showing an example of a sharpness setting screen displayed on a touch panel 516 by pressing a sharpness key 704 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of sharpness setting according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a trimming setting screen displayed on a touch panel 516 in FIG. 3 by pressing a trimming key 707 in FIG. 7 in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a screen obtained as a result of performing trimming setting in the third embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a plan view showing an example of a file operation screen displayed on the touch panel 516 of FIG. 3 when the file operation key 906 of the print data designation screen 900 of FIG. 4 is pressed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is.

13 is a plan view showing an example of a file name change screen displayed on the touch panel 516 when the file name change key 1302 in FIG. 12 is pressed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Image input / output system (copier) 110 Controller 150 Operation unit 200 Reader unit (image input device) 210 Scanner unit 211 Platen glass 212 Lamp 213 Optical unit 214, 215, 216 Mirror 217 Lens 218 CCD image sensor (CCD) 250 Document feed unit 300 Printer unit (image output device) 310 Feed unit 311, 312 Cassette 320 Marking unit 321 Laser driver 322 Laser light emitting unit 323 Photosensitive drum 324 Developing unit 325 Transfer unit 326 Fixing unit 327 Discharge roller 328 Flapper 329 Resupply Paper transport path 330 Paper discharge unit 400 Network 401, 402 Host computer 500 PC card reader 501 Power switch (power switch) 50 Power lamp (power lamp) 503 Copy function selection key 504 Fax function selection key 505 Personal box selection key 506 Start key 507 Stop key 508 Reset key 509 Guide key 510 PC card 511 Interrupt key 512 Numeric keypad 513 Clear key 514 One-touch dial key 515 2 Sheet lid 516 Touch panel with display function (touch panel) 517 PC card access key 520 User mode key 600 Hard disk 700 Print data edit screen 701 Density change key 702 Mirror image / rotate key 703 Magnify / Reduce key 704 Sharpness key 705 Emboski 706 Eraser key 707 Trimming key 708 Mask key 709 Black / white inversion key 710 Cancel key 711 OK key -711 712 Area 800 Sharpness setting screen 801 802 803 Mark 804 Soft key 805 Hard key 806 Cancel key 807 OK key 900 Print data specification screen 901 902 903 Print data specification key 907 908 Screen scroll key 904 Detail key 1000 Detail screen 1200 Trimming setting screen 1201 Print data display area 1202, 1203 Start point 1204 Trimming area 1205 Up move key 1206 Right move key 1207 Down move key 1208 Left move key 1209 End point key 1210 Start point key 1211 Cancel key 1212 OK key 1213 Print Origin of data display area 1300 File operation screen 1301 Save key 1302 File name change key 1303 File delete key 130 Back key 1306 cancel key 1307 OK key 1308 area 1400 file name change screen 1401 character key 1402 file name area 1404 extension area 1405 OK key 1406 cancel key

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/00 107 H04N 1/00 107A 5C076 1/21 1/21 1/387 1/387 F term (reference ) 2C061 AQ06 CQ05 CQ34 HH03 HN02 HN04 HN11 HN15 2C087 AA18 AB01 AC08 BB01 BB16 BC12 BD06 BD24 BD52 CB18 5B021 AA19 BB01 CC05 5C062 AA05 AA13 AB10 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB23 AB42 AC04 ACO3 AC03 ACO3

Claims (33)

[Claims] A reading unit for reading print data stored in a removable external storage medium; a printing operation unit for setting various image forming conditions; and the reading unit based on image forming conditions set by the printing operation unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that records print data read by a printer on a recording material. 2. The reading means includes: a removable external storage medium slot accessible to the removable external storage medium; and a list display control means for displaying a list of print data names stored in the removable external storage medium. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein specific print data can be designated from a list of print data names displayed by said list display control means. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading unit further includes a print data detail display unit for displaying details of specific print data from a list of print data names displayed by the list display control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 4. An editing operation unit for issuing an instruction for editing print data, and an editing unit for editing the print data read by the reading unit based on the instruction of the editing operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing unit enables image processing and editing of print data specified by the editing operation unit among print data stored in the removable external storage medium. 5. The image forming apparatus according to 4. 6. The image processing and editing includes density change, mirror image /
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processing is performed for at least one of rotation, enlargement / reduction, sharpness, embossing, trimming, masking, and black / white reversal. 7. A storage operation unit for issuing an instruction to store the print data edited by the editing unit in the removable external storage medium, and a print edited by the editing unit in response to the instruction of the storage operation unit. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a storage unit configured to store data in the removable external storage medium. 8. The storage unit has a function of changing the name of the print data and storing the print data, and a function of checking the free space of the removable external storage medium and determining whether the print data can be stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: 9. A deletion operation unit for issuing an instruction to delete print data stored in the removable external storage medium in units of pages or jobs, and stored in the removable external storage medium in response to the instruction of the deletion operation unit. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a deletion unit configured to delete the print data obtained in units of pages or jobs. 10. An image forming method for an image forming apparatus, comprising: reading means for reading print data stored in a removable external storage medium, wherein the method recognizes that the removable external storage medium is connected to the reading means. A first step, a second step of reading the print data stored in the removable external storage medium by the reading means in response to the recognition, and designating print data to be printed from the read print data. A third step of setting printing conditions, and a fifth step of recording the specified print data on a recording material in accordance with the set printing conditions. Image forming method. 11. The third step includes: displaying a list of print data names stored in the removable external storage medium; and designating specific print data from the displayed list of print data names. 11. The image forming method according to claim 10, further comprising: 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the third step further comprises a step of displaying details of specific print data from the displayed list of print data names. Method. 13. A step of displaying an edit screen for editing print data read from the removable external storage medium by the reading means, and editing the print data using the displayed edit screen. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a step of giving an instruction for the image forming; and a step of editing print data read by the reading unit based on the editing instruction. Method. 14. The step of editing the print data includes performing an edit selected from among edit processing of density change, mirror image / rotation, enlargement / reduction, sharpness, emboss, trimming, mask, and black / white inversion. The image forming method according to claim 13, wherein: 15. A step of giving an instruction to store the print data edited in the step of editing the print data in the removable external storage medium, and a step of editing the print data in response to the storage instruction 15. The image forming method according to claim 10, further comprising: storing edited print data in the removable external storage medium. 16. The storing step includes a step of changing the name of the print data and storing the same, and a step of checking the free space of the removable external storage medium to determine whether the print data can be stored. The image forming method according to claim 15, wherein: 17. A step of giving an instruction to delete the print data stored in the removable external storage medium on a page or job basis, and converting the print data stored in the removable external storage medium into a page in response to the deletion instruction. 17. The image forming method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of deleting the job unit. 18. A recording medium on which a program for controlling a computer to control an image forming apparatus provided with a reading unit for reading print data stored in a removable external storage medium is provided. Recognizing that the removable external storage medium is connected to the reading means, reading the print data stored in the removable external storage medium by the reading means in response to the recognition, and from among the read print data, Recording an image forming program, wherein print data to be printed can be specified, print conditions can be set, and the print data specified by the set print conditions is recorded on a recording material. Recording medium. 19. The program causes a computer to display a list of print data names stored in the removable external storage medium, and allows a specific print data to be designated from the displayed list of print data names. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein
A recording medium according to claim 1. 20. The program according to claim 19, wherein the program causes a computer to display details of specific print data from the displayed list of print data names.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 21. The program causes a computer to display an editing screen for editing print data read from the removable external storage medium by the reading means, and an operation input from the displayed editing screen 21. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the print data read by the reading unit is edited in accordance with the print data. 22. The program instructs the computer to edit the print data selected from among density change, mirror image / rotation, enlargement / reduction, sharpness, embossing, trimming, masking, and black / white inversion editing processing. 22. The recording medium according to claim 21, wherein the recording medium is read. 23. The program allows a computer to issue an instruction to store the edited print data in the removable external storage medium, and the computer prints the edited print data in response to the storage instruction. 23. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the recording medium is stored in a removable external storage medium. 24. The recording medium according to claim 23, wherein the program causes a computer to check a free space of the removable external storage medium to determine whether the print data can be stored. 25. The program according to claim 18, wherein the program causes the computer to delete the print data stored in the removable external storage medium in units of pages or jobs in response to a deletion instruction from an operation unit. 25. The recording medium according to any one of 24. 26. A program for controlling, by a computer, an image forming apparatus provided with reading means for reading print data stored in a removable external storage medium, said program comprising: A first step of recognizing that the connection has been made; a second step of reading print data stored in the removable external storage medium by the reading means in accordance with the recognition; A third step of specifying print data to be printed, a fourth step of setting print conditions, and a fifth step of recording the specified print data on a recording material according to the set print conditions. A program for image formation, comprising: 27. The method according to claim 27, wherein the third step includes a step of displaying a list of print data names stored in the removable external storage medium; and a step of designating specific print data from the displayed list of print data names. 27. The program according to claim 26, further comprising: 28. The program according to claim 27, wherein the third step further includes a step of displaying details of specific print data from the displayed list of print data names. 29. A step of displaying an editing screen for editing print data read from the removable external storage medium by the reading means, and editing the print data using the displayed editing screen. 29. The program according to claim 26, further comprising a step of giving an instruction for the printing, and a step of editing the print data read by the reading unit based on the editing instruction. 30. The step of editing the print data, wherein an edit selected from among density change, mirror image / rotation, enlargement / reduction, sharpness, embossing, trimming, masking, and black / white inversion editing processing is performed. 30. The program according to claim 29, 31. A step of giving an instruction to store the print data edited in the step of editing the print data in the removable external storage medium, and a step of editing the print data in response to the storage instruction Storing the edited print data in the removable external storage medium. 31. The program according to claim 26, further comprising the steps of: 32. The storing step includes a step of changing and storing a name of the print data, and a step of checking a free space of the removable external storage medium to determine whether the print data can be stored. 32. The program according to claim 31, wherein: 33. A step of giving an instruction to delete the print data stored in the removable external storage medium on a page or job basis, and printing the print data stored in the removable external storage medium in response to the deletion instruction. 33. The program according to claim 26, further comprising a step of deleting the job.