JP2012038115A - Image formation apparatus, image formation method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent pages whose printing is completed normally from being printed duplicately to waste when executing re-printing as to print data, stored in a printer such as a multifunction apparatus, whose printing is cancelled halfway during print processing.SOLUTION: When receiving an instruction to re-print printing data of which printing is cancelled during printing, an image formation apparatus obtains a previous printing final page, specifies a page from which the re-printing is started on the basis of the obtained previous printing final page, and re-prints from the page. Especially when the image formation apparatus receives a re-printing instruction of printing data with double-side printing set and the previous printing final page is an odd page, the image formation apparatus specifies whether to start printing from the previous printing final page or the following page.

Description

  The present invention relates to print data print processing, and more particularly to print processing for efficiently performing reprint processing when a print instruction is issued again for the print data after the print data print processing is canceled halfway.

  Currently, in printing devices such as multifunction devices that are widely used, if the printing process is stopped due to a paper jam or the like, the printing process is restarted from the beginning when the cause of the stopping of the printing process is resolved. Instead, it resumes from the point where the printing process was stopped. This technique is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like.

JP-A-5-84968

  In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, when printing processing is temporarily stopped due to a failure or the like, it is possible to resume from a page in the middle. However, reprinting after canceling the printing process due to a canceling process or the like has not been considered.

  Normally, after reprinting processing, if reprinting is performed on the same print data, printing is performed from the first page. Therefore, some pages are duplicated and printed. When there is a page that has been printed normally by the above printing (print canceled halfway), the user designates the print start page, sets the printer driver on the computer, re-creates print data, and prints again. By performing the above, it is possible to prevent duplicate printing of pages.

  However, when reprinting print data stored in a storage device such as a multifunction peripheral, the print start page cannot be specified, and reprinting is performed from the first page. For this reason, it is a situation that one page must be printed repeatedly, and paper, toner, ink, and the like are wasted.

  In the present invention, in view of the above-described problems, when reprinting the print data after canceling the print processing for the print data stored in the storage device such as a multifunction peripheral, the print resume page is designated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that enables reprint processing.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing reprinting of print data whose print processing has been stopped, and is transmitted from an information processing apparatus and stored in a storage device A receiving unit that receives a print instruction for the received print data, a print execution unit that acquires the print data received by the receiving unit from the storage device and executes a printing process, and a print that is printed by the print execution unit A canceling unit for canceling the print processing of data, and a print start page according to a print end page at the time of the previous printing after the receiving unit receives a reprint instruction for the print data for which printing has been stopped by the print canceling unit. Reprinting comprising: specifying means for specifying; and reprint executing means for executing reprint processing of the print data from the print start page specified by the specifying means When the print data that has been received is print data that has been set to duplex printing, and the previous print end page is an odd page, the specifying unit starts printing either the previous print end page or the previous print end page. It is characterized by specifying whether it is a page.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming method of the present invention is an image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus capable of executing reprinting of print data for which printing processing has been stopped, and is transmitted from an information processing apparatus. A reception step for receiving a print instruction for print data stored in the storage device, a print execution step for acquiring the print data received in the reception step from the storage device, and executing a print process, and the print execution step. Canceling the print processing of the print data being printed, and finishing the printing at the previous printing after receiving the reprinting instruction for the print data that the receiving process has stopped printing in the printing canceling process A specific step of specifying a print start page according to the page, and a reprint for executing reprint processing of the print data from the print start page specified in the specific step And when the print data for which the reprint instruction has been received is print data set for double-sided printing and the previous print end page is an odd page, the specific step One of the print end pages is specified as the print start page.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a computer program according to the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of executing reprinting of print data for which printing processing has been canceled, transmitted from an information processing apparatus, and stored in a storage device. A reception unit that receives a print instruction for data, a print execution unit that acquires print data received by the reception unit from the storage device, and executes print processing; and printing of print data that is printed by the print execution unit A canceling unit for canceling processing, and a specification for specifying a print start page according to a print end page at the time of previous printing after receiving the reprint instruction for the print data for which printing has been stopped by the print canceling unit And a reprint execution unit that executes reprint processing of the print data from the print start page specified by the specifying unit. When the print data for which the reprint instruction has been received is print data in which the print data is set to duplex printing, and the previous print end page is an odd page, the specifying unit determines whether the previous print end page or the previous print end page Is specified as a print start page.

  According to the present invention, when print processing for print data stored in a storage device such as a multifunction peripheral is stopped and then reprinting for the print data is performed, reprint processing in a form in which a print resume page is designated is performed. Can be done.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a printing system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 101 in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the client PC102 of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of a multifunction machine 101 and a client PC 102 in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a printing process performed by the printing system of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating stored data printing processing performed by the multifunction machine 101. It is a figure which shows the detail of the reprint process of FIG.6 S611 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detail of the reprint process of step S611 of FIG. 7 in 2nd Embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print data list screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a printing start condition designation | designated screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a document reading start screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a printing start instruction | indication screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a document reading result screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of print data information. FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a printing system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system of the present invention includes a multifunction machine 101, client PCs 102-1 and 102-2 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “client PC 102”), and the like. The LAN 103 is a network for connecting the above-described devices so that they can communicate with each other.

  The multifunction machine 101 is an apparatus that functions as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and has a function of receiving and printing print data created by the client PC 102. In addition, if the print data is designated to be saved, the print process is not performed immediately, the print data is once stored in the storage device, and the print process for the saved print data is performed after receiving the print instruction from the user. It also has a stored data printing function to be executed.

  The client PC 104 receives the print instruction from the user, creates print data, and prints the print data to the multi-function peripheral 101 in order to cause the multi-function peripheral 101 to print, and stores the print data in the multi-function peripheral 101. Therefore, a function for transmitting the print data is provided.

  Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 101 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 101 in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 216 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 214 functioning as an image input device and a printer 212 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 103 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). By connecting to (for example, PSTN or ISDN), electronic image data and device information are input and output.

  In the controller unit 216, 201 is a CPU, which is a processor for controlling the entire system. A RAM 202 is a system work memory for the CPU 201 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 203 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 204 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 207 is an interface unit with the operation unit 208. Further, the operation unit I / F 207 serves to transmit the key information (for example, pressing of the start button) input from the operation unit 208 to the CPU 201.

  A network interface (network I / F) 205 is connected to a network such as the LAN 103 and inputs / outputs data. A modem 206 is connected to the public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  An external interface (external I / F) 218 is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, it is necessary for user authentication. A card reader 219 for reading a non-contact IC card (storage medium) is connected to the external I / F unit 218. The CPU 201 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 219 via the external I / F 218, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 209.

  An image bus interface (image bus I / F) 220 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 209 and an image bus 215 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure. The image bus 215 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 215.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 210 expands vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 211 connects the printer 212 and the controller unit 216, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 213 connects the scanner 214 and the controller unit 216, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 217 corrects, processes, and edits input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 217 performs rotation of image data and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for binary image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data. Then, the image processing unit 217 drives the scanner 214 to perform image processing on the image data that has been read, converts the image data into a file outputable format (for example, a PDF format file), and cooperates with the CPU 201 to perform network processing. An image data file can be transmitted to an external device such as the client PC 102 via the I / F 205.

  The scanner 214 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 208, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 214, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer 212 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array to directly image an image on the paper. There are inkjet methods for printing, but any method may be used. Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 201. The printer 212 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 208 includes an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 208 displays an operation screen of the system, and when a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 207. To the CPU 201. The operation unit 208 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, a numeric keypad, a logoff key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 208 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 208 serves to stop the operation in operation. For example, the user can input a command to stop the print processing of print data to the CPU 201 by pressing the stop key being executed. The ID key of the operation unit 208 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 219 reads information stored in the non-contact IC card under the control of the CPU 201 and notifies the CPU 201 of the read information via the external I / F 218.

  With the above-described configuration, the multi-function peripheral 101 transmits electronic image data created by reading a document with the scanner 214 to the LAN 103, and print data received via the LAN 103 is printed out by the printer 212. be able to.

  Further, electronic image data created by reading a document with the scanner 214 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 206, and fax data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer 212.

  The above is an explanation of an example of the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. The hardware configuration of the multi-function peripheral 101 is described as having the configuration shown in FIG. 2, but is not necessarily limited to having the configuration shown in FIG. If the configuration is executable, the configuration of the multifunction machine 101 may be modified as appropriate.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the authentication server 102 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the authentication server 102.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 304. Further, the ROM 303 or the external memory 311 is necessary for realizing various functions executed by the authentication server 102, such as a basic input / output system (BIOS) that is a control program of the CPU 301, an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), and the like. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 301. The CPU 301 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 303 or the external memory 311 into the RAM 302 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 305 controls input from an input device 309 such as a keyboard or a pointing device. A video controller 306 controls display on a display device such as the display device 310. These are used by the operator as needed.

  A memory controller 307 is connected via an adapter to a hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. The access to the external memory 311 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication interface (I / F) controller 308 connects and communicates with an external device (for example, the multifunction peripheral 101 illustrated in FIG. 1) via a network (for example, the LAN 103 illustrated in FIG. 1). The communication control process is executed. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 301 enables display on the display device 310 by, for example, executing outline font rasterization processing on the display information area in the RAM 302. In addition, the CPU 301 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display device 310.

  Each step executed by the client PC 102 to be described later for realizing the present invention is executed by a program that can be read and executed by a computer, and the program is recorded in the external memory 311. Then, it is executed by the CPU 301 by being loaded into the RAM 302 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 311, and detailed descriptions thereof will be described later.

  The above is an example of the hardware configuration of the client PC 102 in FIG. The hardware configuration of the client PC 102 will be described as having the configuration shown in FIG. 3, but is not necessarily limited to having the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and the following processing described as processing performed by the client PC 102 is executed. If possible, the hardware configuration of the client PC 102 may be modified as appropriate.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, functional configurations of the multifunction machine 101 and the client PC 102 in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the multifunction machine 101 and the client PC 102.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the MFP 101 includes a print data reception unit 401, a print data storage unit 402, a print execution unit 403, and a print cancel instruction reception unit 404. The client PC 102 includes a print condition setting unit 411 and a print data creation unit 412. , A print data transmission unit 413 is provided.

  A print data reception unit 401 of the multifunction machine 101 is a functional unit that receives print data transmitted from a print data transmission unit 413 of the client PC 102 described later. The print data storage unit 402 is a functional unit that stores, in the HDD 204, print data that is designated to be stored among the print data received by the print data receiving unit 401.

  The print execution unit 403 is a functional unit that performs print processing of print data, and includes a normal print execution unit 403-1, a stored data print execution unit 403-2, a reprint execution unit 403-3, and a print cancel unit 403-4. I have. The normal print execution unit 403-1 is a functional unit that prints the received print data immediately. The stored data print execution unit 403-2 is a functional unit that executes print processing of print data stored in the HDD 204. The reprint execution unit 403-3 is a functional unit that prints print data in which the print processing by the saved data print execution unit is canceled in the middle, and starts printing from the page for which the print processing has already ended when the cancel is canceled. It is a functional unit that identifies a page and executes print processing for the identified page and subsequent pages. The print cancel unit 403-4 cancels the print processing being executed by the saved data print execution unit 403-2 or the reprint execution unit 403-3 when the print cancel instruction reception unit 404 (to be described later) receives a print cancel instruction. It is a functional part to do.

  The print cancel instruction receiving unit 404 is a functional unit that receives a print cancel instruction from the user.

  The print condition setting unit 411 of the client PC 102 prints out print paper designation, double-sided / single-sided designation, Nup designation (1 page / sheet, 2 pages / sheet, etc.) for any print data, and print output from any printing device (including multifunction devices). Is a functional unit for setting printing conditions such as whether to perform printing, print data immediately or save it in a storage device, and sets printing conditions according to a user operation instruction to the UI of the printer driver.

  The print data creation unit 412 is a functional unit that creates print data according to the print conditions set by the print condition setting unit 411. The print data transmission unit 413 is a functional unit that transmits the print data created by the print data creation unit 412 to the multifunction peripheral 101. The above is the description of the functional configuration of the multifunction machine 101 and the client PC 102 in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the outline of the printing process performed by the printing system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the printing process performed by the printing process of the present invention. The processes shown in steps S501 to S504 in FIG. 5 are executed by the client PC 102, and the processes shown in steps S511 to S515 are executed by the multifunction machine 101.

  If the CPU 301 of the client PC 102 determines that a print instruction for data being edited by the application program being executed has been received (YES in step S501), the UI of the printer driver is displayed on the display device 310, and the user uses the input device 309. The print setting is performed in accordance with the operation instruction for the printer driver UI (step S502). Here, from which printing device (including the MFP 101) the print data is printed, whether the print data is printed immediately / stored in the storage device, duplex / single-sided setting, color / monochrome setting, Nup setting, etc. I do. The process in step S502 is performed by the print condition setting unit 411 of the client PC 102 shown in FIG.

  Then, after the print setting is completed, print data of the data being edited is created using the printer driver according to the print setting set in step S502 (step S503). This processing is performed by the print data creation unit 412 of the client PC 102. After that, the print data created in step S502 is transmitted to the printing apparatus designated by the function of the printer driver (step S503). This processing is performed by the print data transmission unit 413 of the client PC 102 shown in FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the multi-function peripheral 101 receives the print data transmitted from the client PC 102 (step S511: processing by the print data receiving unit 401 of the multi-function peripheral 101), the CPU 201 of the multi-function peripheral 101 determines whether the print data is designated to be saved (step S51). S512). If it is determined that the print data is designated to be stored (YES in step S512), the process proceeds to step S513, and the print data received in step S511 is stored in the HDD 204. Then, the print data information of the print data is stored (step S514). The processes in steps S512 to S514 are performed by the print data storage function of the multifunction machine 101 shown in FIG.

  Here, the data structure of the print data information stored in the HDD 204 of the multifunction machine 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the print data information 1400.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the print information data 1400 includes a document ID 1401, a creator 1402, a document name 1403, a creation date 1404, a paper size 1405, a page number 1406, a copy number 1407, color information (color / monochrome) 1408, duplex printing information. (Double-sided / single-sided) 1409, Nup information (1 page / sheet, 2 pages / sheet,...) 1410, a cancel flag 1411, and other data items.

  In the document ID 1401, identification information for uniquely identifying print data stored in the HDD 204 is registered. In the creator 1402, creator information set by the printer driver of the client PC 102 is registered. In the document name 1403, a document name set by the printer driver is registered. In the creation date 1404, creation date information of the print data set by the printer driver is registered.

  In the paper size 1405, paper size information for printing the print data set by the printer driver is registered. In the page number 1406, page number information of the print data is registered. In the number of copies 1407, the number of copies of the print data is registered. In the color information 1408, information for specifying whether the print data is color data or monochrome data is registered. In double-sided printing information 1409, information indicating whether the print data is print data for which single-sided printing is set or print data for which double-sided printing is set is registered. In the Nup information 1410, information indicating how many pages of application data are to be printed on one side of the paper when the print data is printed is registered.

  Registered in the cancel flag 1411 is information indicating whether or not the print data has been canceled due to a cancel instruction being issued during printing. The above is the description of the data configuration of the print data table 1400.

  Returning to the description of FIG. If it is determined in step S512 that the print data is not designated to be saved, the process proceeds to step S515, and the print data received in step S511 is printed. This processing is performed by the normal printing execution unit 403-1 of the multifunction machine 101 shown in FIG. The above is the outline of the printing process by the printing system of the present invention.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a print process for stored data performed by the multifunction peripheral 101 will be described. Here, a description will be given of print processing for print data stored in the HDD 204 of the multifunction peripheral 101.

  First, the CPU 201 of the multifunction machine 101 performs user authentication processing for a user who uses the multifunction machine. By performing this user authentication process, the user who uses the multifunction device is specified. In this login process, for example, user authentication is performed using card information obtained by holding an IC card owned by the user over the card reader 219. It is also possible to perform user authentication using a user ID or password.

  When an input of a print request for print data stored in the HDD 204 is received from the user via the operation unit 208 after the user authentication processing in step S601 is completed (YES in step S502), the print data list screen shown in FIG. 900 is displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation unit 208, and a list of print data for which the user can instruct printing is displayed (step S503).

  Here, an example of the configuration of the print data list screen 900 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the print data list screen 900. As shown in FIG. 9, the print data list screen 900 includes a user name display unit 901, a print data list display unit 902, a “select all” button 903, a “deselect” button 904, a “delete” button 905, and “print”. "Button 906 is set.

  The user display unit 901 displays the user information of the user authenticated at step 601 in FIG. The print data list display unit 902 displays print data information corresponding to print data that can be instructed to be printed by the user among print data stored in the HDD 204.

  More specifically, information registered in the document name information 1403 in the print data information 1400 is displayed in the document name display field 902-1. In the print setting display section 902-2, information registered in the color information 1408 and the duplex printing information 1409 is displayed. In the page number / copy number display section 902-3, information registered in the page number 1406 and the number of copies 1407 is displayed. Information registered in the creation date information 1404 is displayed in the date display section 902-4. In the cancel display 902-5, display according to the information registered in the cancel flag 1411 is performed. When TRUE is registered in the cancel flag, a check display is performed as indicated by 902-6 in the figure. Note that the print data information selected as a print target (or deletion target) in the print data list display unit 902 is displayed in a braided manner as indicated by reference numeral 902-7, so that it can be distinguished from unselected print data information. It is displayed.

  The “select all” button 903 is a button used to select all print data information displayed in the print data list display unit 902. A “deselection” button 904 is a button used for deselecting print data information in all of the data displayed in the print data list display unit 902.

  A delete button 905 is a button used to delete print data corresponding to the print information data selected in the print data list display unit 902 from the HDD 204. When an instruction to press the delete button is received, the print data corresponding to the print information data stored in the HDD 204 is deleted and the print data information is deleted.

  A print button 906 is a button used to execute print processing of print data that is manipulated by the print information data selected in the print data list display unit 903. When an instruction to press the print button is received, the print data corresponding to the print data information stored in the HDD 204 is printed. When the print data printing process is completed, the print data and the print information data are deleted. Note that the timing of deletion may not be immediately after the end of printing, but may be after a certain period of time.

  The above is an example of the configuration of the print data list screen 900 of FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. After the print data list display screen 902 is displayed in step S602, the print data list is displayed, and then the print data information displayed on the print data list display section 902-2 of the print data list display screen 902 is designated. Accept (step S604). After that, it is determined whether a print execution instruction input by receiving a press instruction for the print button 906 on the print data list display screen 902 is received (step S605).

  If it is determined that a print execution instruction has been received (YES in step S605), the process proceeds to step S606, and print data corresponding to the selected print data information is acquired from the HDD 204. Then, it is determined whether or not the cancel flag of the selected print information data is “TRUE” (step S607). If the cancel flag is not TRUE (ie, “FALSE”) (NO in step S607), the process proceeds to step S608, and print processing of the print data acquired in step S606 is executed (step S608). Thereafter, it is determined whether the stored data printing process in step S608 has been completed by accepting the pressing of the stop key set in the operation unit 208, or whether the printing process has been completed normally (step S609). If it is determined that the process has been completed normally (that is, not “cancel end”: NO in step S609), the print data for which print processing has been completed is deleted from the HDD 204 (step S610), and the print data information 1400 of the print data is displayed. Are also deleted (step S611).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S609 that the cancel is complete (YES), the process proceeds to step S612, and the cancel flag 1411 of the print data information 1400 of the print data that has been canceled is set to “TRUE”. Set. With such a configuration, the CPU 201 of the multifunction peripheral 101 can determine which print data is print data for which print processing has been canceled in the past. As described above, the processing in steps S601 to S611 is performed by the saved data print execution unit 403-2 of the multifunction machine 101. Further, the process in step S612 is a process performed by the print cancel unit 403-4. The cancel instruction receiving unit 404 receives a print cancel instruction from the user.

  If it is determined in the determination process in step S607 that TRUE is set in the cancel flag 1411 of the print data information 1400 (YES), the process proceeds to step S613 and the reprint process is executed. Details of this processing will be described with reference to FIG. This reprinting process is a process performed by the reprinting execution unit 403-3 of the multifunction machine 101. The above is the description of the printing process for the stored data performed by the multifunction machine 101.

  Next, details of the reprint process in step S613 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the reprinting process in step S613 of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the multi-function peripheral 101 determines that the cancel flag of the print data information 1400 is “TRUE” in the determination process of step S607 in FIG. 6, that is, the print process has been canceled for the print data once canceled. Obtains information (previous printing end page information) indicating which page of the print data has been canceled after the end of printing (step S701). Even if this information is received by an operation instruction to the operation unit 208 from the user, a data item (for example, print end page information 1412) for registering the previous print end page information is added to the print data information, and printing is performed. When the cancellation is completed, the print cancel unit 403-4 of the multifunction peripheral may register the previous print end page information in the data item and acquire the information.

  Thereafter, the print start instruction screen 1000 is displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation unit 208 (step S702).

  Here, the screen configuration of the print start instruction screen 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the print start instruction screen 1000. As shown in FIG. 10, a “print from the first page” button 1001 and a “print from previous continuation” button 1002 are set on the print start instruction screen 1000.

  A “print from the first page” button 1001 is a button used to input an instruction to the CPU 201 to reprint the print data canceled during printing from the first page again. A “print from the previous continuation” button 1002 is a button used to input an instruction to the CPU 201 to reprint from an intermediate page in accordance with a page for which printing has been completed last time. The above is the description of the configuration of the print start instruction screen 1000 in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. After displaying the print start instruction screen 1000 in step S <b> 702, whether a reprint instruction from the first page is accepted by accepting an instruction to press the “print from first page” button 1001, or the “print from previous time” button 1002 is pressed. By receiving the instruction, it is determined whether a reprint instruction from the intermediate page has been received (step S703). If the CPU 201 determines YES in this determination process, the process advances to step S704 to perform reprinting from the first page (stored data printing process). This process is performed by the stored data printing execution unit 403-2 of the multifunction machine 101.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the determination process in step S703 is NO (that is, pressing of the “print from previous time” button 1002 on the print start instruction screen 1000 is accepted), the process proceeds to step S705, and the print data is Whether or not the print data has been designated for duplex printing is determined according to duplex printing information 1409 of the print data information 1400 of the print data.

  If it is determined in the determination processing in step S705 that the print data is print data for which single-sided printing is set (that is, “NO in“ double-sided printing data? ”), The process proceeds to step S707. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print data has been set for duplex printing (YES), the process proceeds to step S706 to determine whether the previous print end page is an odd page. This determination process is performed when the previous print end page is an odd page, and when printing from the continuation of the previous print end page, it is necessary to print on the back side of the paper on which the previous print end page was printed. Because there is.

  If the CPU 201 determines NO in the determination process of step S706, the process proceeds to step S707. In step S707, the reprint process is performed from the next page after the previous print end page. If single-sided printing is set in the print data, single-sided printing is performed. If double-sided printing is set, double-sided printing is performed.

  On the other hand, if YES is determined in the determination process of step S706, the print start page instruction screen 1100 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation unit 208.

  Here, the configuration of the print start page instruction screen 1100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the print start page instruction screen 1100. As shown in FIG. 11, a “print from previous print end page” button 1101 and a “print from next page after previous print end page” button 1102 are set on the print start page instruction screen 1100.

  When an instruction to press the “print from previous print end page” button 1101 is received, the previous print end page is printed on the front side of the paper, and then double-sided printing processing is performed in which the subsequent pages are printed. When an instruction to press the “print from the next page after the previous print end page” button 1102 is received, the previous print end page is printed on the back side of the paper on which the previous print end page has been printed on the front side, and the double-sided printing process for the subsequent pages Execute. The above is the description of the configuration of the print start page instruction screen in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. If it is determined in step S708 that a reprint instruction from the previous print end page has been received via the print start page instruction screen 1100 displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation unit 208, that is, a “print from previous print end page” button 1101. If it is determined that an instruction to press the button is accepted (YES in step 709), the process advances to step S710 to execute double-sided printing processing from the previous printing end page.

  On the other hand, if NO is determined in the determination process of step S709, a screen (not shown) notifying that the paper on which the previous print end page has been printed is set on the manual feed tray is displayed on the LCD display unit, and then the process is performed. Proceeding to step S711, the next page is printed on the back side of the paper on which the previous print end page was printed. Then, the subsequent pages are printed on the paper prepared in the paper feed cassette (step S712).

  The above is the detailed description of the reprint process performed by the multifunction machine 101. In the present invention, printing processing in a form that eliminates wasteful use of paper by determining from which page printing is performed according to the previous printing end page information and duplex printing setting information and performing reprinting processing. Is possible. In particular, when double-sided printing is set for the print data to be reprinted and the previous print end page is an odd page, printing starts from the back side of the paper on which the previous print end page has already been printed. It becomes possible.

  In addition, when printing of the previous print end page is faint, the reprint processing can be started from the previous print end page. Regardless of which reprinting is performed, the printed matter created as a result of the reprinting process becomes a printed matter according to the print settings set by the user on the client PC 102, and the printed matter originally assumed by the user may be created. It becomes possible.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the reprint process in step S611 in FIG. 6 will be described. In the reprinting process in the second embodiment, unlike the reprinting process already described with reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment in which the previous printing end page is specified by the feeder device included in the multifunction machine 101 and the reprinting process is performed. Will be described. Processes other than the reprint process are the same as those already described, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the reprint process in step S611 of FIG. 6 in the second embodiment.

  First, when receiving a print instruction for print data corresponding to print data information whose cancel flag 1411 is “TRUE”, the CPU 201 of the multifunction peripheral 101 displays an original reading instruction screen 1200 shown in FIG. To display.

  Here, the configuration of the document reading instruction screen 1200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the document reading instruction screen 1200. As shown in FIG. 12, an “original reading button” 1201 and a “print button from the first page” 1202 are set on the original reading instruction screen 1200.

  A “document reading button” 1201 is a button used to input an execution instruction for reading a printed document set in the feeder to the CPU 201. A “print from first page” button 1202 is a button used to input an execution instruction for reprint processing from the first page of print data to the CPU 201. The above is the description of the configuration of the document reading instruction screen 1200.

  Returning to the description of FIG. If it is determined in step S801 that an original reading instruction has been received by receiving an instruction to press the “original reading” button 1201 on the original reading start instruction screen 1200, the process proceeds to step S804. On the other hand, if a print instruction is accepted by accepting an instruction to press the “print from the first page” button 1202, the process advances to step S803 to perform a process of printing saved data from the first page.

  In step S <b> 804, the CPU 201 of the multifunction peripheral 101 performs a reading process on a sheet on which some pages of print data already placed on the feeder device are printed. Here, a method of simply counting the number of sheets using a feeder device may be used, or the sheet may be read by the scanner 214 to check whether any data is printed on the page. When the reading process is performed by the scanner, when the print data is print data with single-sided print setting, only one-sided reading is performed, and when the print data is double-sided print setting data, double-sided reading processing is performed. Then, the last printed last page is determined.

  In step S805, the last print last page is acquired according to the result of the reading process in step S804. Then, a document reading result screen 1300 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation unit 208.

  Here, an example of the configuration of the document reading result screen 1300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the document reading result screen 1300. As shown in FIG. 13, a “print” button 1301 and a “document reading” button 1302 are set on the document reading result screen 1300.

  A “print” button 1301 is a button used to input a reprint processing execution instruction to the CPU 201 of the multifunction peripheral 101. A “document reading” button 1302 is a button used to input a document re-reading instruction to the CPU 201 of the multifunction peripheral 101. The above is an example of the configuration of the document reading result screen 1300 in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. If the CPU 201 determines that a print instruction is received by receiving a press instruction for the “print” button 1301 set on the screen after the original reading result screen is displayed in step S806 (YES in step S807), the process is performed. The process proceeds to step S808. On the other hand, if it is determined that an instruction to press the “document reading button” has been received (NO in step S807), the process proceeds to step S803, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  In step S808, it is determined whether the print data is print data for which duplex printing is set or print data for which simplex printing is set. If it is determined that the print data is set for single-sided printing (NO in step S808), the process proceeds to step S810. On the other hand, if it is determined that the print data is set for duplex printing (YES in step S808), the process proceeds to step S809, and the last print last page acquired in step S805 is odd or even. Determine if there is.

  If it is determined in step S809 that the print end page is an even number (not an odd number: NO), the process proceeds to step S810. In step S810, reprint processing from the next page of the previous print end page is performed. In this reprinting process, single-sided printing processing is performed when the printing data is printing data set for single-sided printing, and double-sided printing processing is performed when printing data is set for double-sided printing.

  If it is determined in step S809 that the print end page is an odd number (YES), the process proceeds to step S811, and the print start page instruction screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the LCD display unit. Since the processing from step S812 to step S815 is the same as the processing from step S709 to step S712 in FIG. 7, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the second embodiment, since the last printed last page is specified by using the feeder device and the scanner 214 provided in the multi-function peripheral 101, the occurrence of miscounting is reduced, for example, when the number of pages already printed is large. It becomes possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the reprinting process is performed when the printing process is canceled halfway, a page that has been successfully printed is not printed repeatedly. As a result, the use of paper, toner, ink, etc. can be reduced.

  In the above description, if the last printed last page is an odd page, whether to print the next page on the back of the paper on which the last printed last page has already been printed is shown via the print start page instruction screen 1100 in FIG. The configuration in which the CPU 201 determines according to the operation instruction has been described. For example, when paper is set in the manual feed tray included in the multifunction peripheral 101, the paper set in the manual feed tray (that is, the last print last page is printed). The CPU 201 may determine that the next page is printed on the back side of the printed paper.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  Note that the present invention includes a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely from a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

101 MFP 102-1 and 102-2 Client PC
103 LAN
201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
204 Hard disk drive (HDD)
205 Network interface (I / F)
206 Modem 207 Operation unit interface (I / F)
208 Operation unit 209 System bus 210 RIP
211 Printer interface (I / F)
212 Printer 213 Scanner Interface (I / F)
214 Scanner 215 Image bus 216 Controller unit 217 Image processing unit 218 External interface (I / F)
219 Card reader 220 Image bus interface (I / F)
301 CPU
302 RAM
303 ROM
304 system bus 305 input controller 306 video controller 307 memory controller 308 communication interface (I / F) controller 309 input device 310 display device 311 external memory

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus capable of reprinting print data whose print processing has been canceled,
Receiving means for receiving a print instruction for print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus and stored in the storage device;
Print execution means for acquiring print data received by the reception means from the storage device and executing print processing;
A canceling unit for canceling the print processing of the print data being printed by the print execution unit;
A specifying unit for specifying a print start page according to a print end page at the time of previous printing after the receiving unit receives a reprint instruction for print data for which printing has been stopped by the print cancel unit;
Reprint executing means for executing reprint processing of the print data from the print start page specified by the specifying means;
With
When the print data for which the reprint instruction has been received is print data for which double-sided printing is set, and the previous print end page is an odd page, the specifying unit displays either the previous print end page or the previous print end page. An image forming apparatus characterized by specifying whether to be a print start page. The reprint execution unit prepares a print start page in the manual feed tray when the specifying unit specifies that the print start page is an even page when executing the reprint processing of the print data for which duplex printing is set. An image forming apparatus that prints on printed paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specifying unit specifies whether the print start page is an odd page or an even page depending on whether paper is prepared in the manual feed tray. apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a feeder device,
It further comprises a counting means for counting paper that has already been printed using the feeder device,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specifying unit specifies a print start page according to the number of sheets counted by the counting unit. The image forming apparatus includes a scanner device,
The scanner device comprises reading means for reading the paper on which the print data is printed by the printing means,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specifying unit specifies a print start page according to a reading result by the reading unit. The reading unit determines whether the reading setting of the paper is to be double-sided reading or single-sided reading according to the double-sided printing setting of the print data, and performs reading processing of the paper on which the print data is printed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: An image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus capable of executing reprinting of print data whose print processing has been canceled,
A reception step of receiving a print instruction for print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus and stored in the storage device;
A print execution step of acquiring the print data received in the reception step from the storage device and executing a print process;
A stop step of stopping the print processing of the print data that is being printed in the print execution step;
A specifying step of specifying a print start page according to a print end page at the time of previous printing after the reception step receives a reprint instruction for print data for which printing has been stopped in the print stop step;
A reprint execution step of executing reprint processing of the print data from the print start page specified in the specific step;
With
When the print data for which the reprint instruction has been received is print data for which double-sided printing is set, and the previous print end page is an odd page, the specifying step determines whether the previous print end page or the previous print end page is Specifying whether to start printing,
An image forming method. An image forming apparatus capable of reprinting print data whose print processing has been canceled,
Receiving means for receiving a print instruction for print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus and stored in the storage device;
Print execution means for acquiring print data received by the reception means from the storage device and executing print processing;
A canceling unit for canceling the print processing of the print data being printed by the print execution unit;
A specifying unit for specifying a print start page according to a print end page at the time of previous printing after the receiving unit receives a reprint instruction for print data for which printing has been stopped by the print cancel unit;
Function as reprint execution means for executing reprint processing of the print data from the print start page specified by the specifying means,
When the print data for which the reprint instruction has been received is print data in which the print data is set to duplex printing, and the previous print end page is an odd page, the specifying unit determines whether the previous print end page or the previous print end page Identifying which of these should be the print start page,
A computer program characterized by the above.

Images