JPH11134126A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Image] An image capable of directly acquiring data from a WWW server on a network without passing through an information processing device and improving operability related to printing of the data acquired from the WWW server. A forming device is provided. A program in a network I / F unit 7 includes an IP 250, a TCP, a UDP 251, an application layer protocol 254, an HTTP client 252, and an HTML Parser 253. In the Web print mode,
Each soft key 30 that performs the same setting instruction as in the copy mode
6,310 (paper selection key, sorter key)
5 and a numeric keypad 318, a start key 319, and a STO for performing the same setting instruction in the Web print mode and the copy mode.
A P key 321 and a reset key 320 are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for printing data stored in a WWW server,
The present invention relates to an image forming method and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the networking of information, a WWW (World Wide Web) server holding various information, and an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Pr
otocol) is connected to a computer equipped with dedicated software (hereinafter referred to as a browser) for access via a network (Internet or intranet), and a system capable of referring to information on a WWW server from the computer has been realized. I have. In this system, since the information on the WWW server can be stored in the computer by the browser, the user instructs the printer to print out the information once stored in the computer. The above information can be printed out.

A system for printing information stored in a WWW server will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional system for printing information stored in a WWW server.

In this system, as shown in FIG. 18, a PC client 11 equipped with a browser can connect to an intranet WWW server 12 via an intranet and connect to an Internet WWW server 13 via an internet network 14. It is possible. A printer 15 that is shared with other clients including the PC client 11 is connected on the intranet.

[0005] The PC client 11 is connected to the intranet W
When acquiring information such as homepage data of the WW server 12, a browser on the PC client 11 is first activated. Next, this browser is called Intranet W
It accesses the WWW server 12 and acquires information stored in the WWW server 12. The acquired information is displayed on the display of the PC client 11.

Similarly, when information such as homepage data of the Internet WWW server 13 is acquired, the information is acquired by accessing the Internet WWW server 13 via the Internet network 14, and the acquired information is displayed on a display. I do.

When printing the acquired information, a print menu is activated from a browser on the PC client 11, and
The acquired information is converted by the browser into print data that can be printed by the printer 15 and transmitted to the printer 15. The printer 15 that has obtained the print data executes a printing process based on the obtained data.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional system, when printing information held by the Internet WWW server or the intranet WWW server, the PC client 11 uses the WWW server 12, 1 to print the information.
3 performs the process of converting the information of No. 3 into data that can be printed by the printer 15, the processing load on the PC client 11 increases, and when other programs are executed in parallel, there is a problem in executing the processes. May be harmful.

In addition, the print data is often large in size, and the print data is transmitted to the printer 15 via the network. Therefore, the load on the network becomes heavy, and other data connected to the network may become heavy. The operation of the system may be hindered.

Further, when printing the information held by the WWW server, the PC client 11 starts the browser, issues a print instruction to the printer 15, and the like. It is necessary to individually perform the input operation for the print instruction, and the input operation is troublesome.

An object of the present invention is to provide a WWW on a network.
Provided are an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a storage medium that can directly acquire data from a server without passing through an information processing device and can improve operability related to printing of data acquired from a WWW server. It is in.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus for printing data held by a WWW server on a network, a copy mode for inputting image data and printing the input image data, and accessing the WWW server via the network. Mode execution setting that acquires data held by the WWW server, converts the acquired data into image data that can be subjected to print processing, and selectively executes a web print mode in which the image data is printed. Means for issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the copy mode when the copy mode is set, and issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the web print mode when the web print mode is set; Means are the same when the web print mode is set and when the copy mode is set. Characterized in that it comprises at least one common operation input means for performing an input operation for instructing to issue the instruction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the operation unit is configured to issue at least one command for issuing the same command when setting the web print mode and when setting the copy mode. It has three common instruction keys.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the operating means has a start key as the common instruction key, and the command issuing means operates when the start key is operated. When the copy mode is set, a command to start the copy mode is issued, and when the web print mode is set, a command to start the web print mode is issued.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the operating means has a stop key and a reset key as the common instruction key, and the command issuing means has the stop key and the reset key. When any one of the above is operated, the copy mode operation stop command is issued when the copy mode is set, and the web print mode operation stop command is issued when the web print mode is set.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the operation means has a print copy number setting key for setting the number of print copies as the common instruction key, and the print copy number setting key Is the same when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the operation means has a sorter processing setting key for setting a sorter processing as the common instruction key, and The operation mode is the same when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for printing data held by a WWW server on a network, wherein a copy mode for inputting image data and printing the input image data is provided. A web print mode for accessing the WWW server via the network to acquire data held by the WWW server, converting the acquired data into printable image data, and printing the image data. Selectively setting to executable, and issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the copy mode when setting the copy mode, and issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the web print mode when setting the web print mode in response to an input operation. And when the web print mode is set and the copy mode is set. Characterized in that at least one common input operation for instructing to issue instructions has been enabled.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the seventh aspect, at least one common input for issuing an instruction having the same contents when the web print mode is set and when the copy mode is set. For the operation, the same instruction key provided on the operation means is used.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the eighth aspect, a start key is used as the instruction key, and when the start key is operated, the copy mode is activated when the copy mode is set. An instruction command is issued, and when the web print mode is set, a start instruction command for the web print mode is issued.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the eighth aspect, a stop key and a reset key are provided as the instruction keys, and when one of the stop key and the reset key is operated. When the copy mode is set, a command to stop the operation of the copy mode is issued, and when the web print mode is set, a command to stop the operation of the web print mode is issued.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the eighth aspect, a print copy number setting key for setting the number of print copies is used as the instruction key. It is the same when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the eighth aspect, a sorter processing setting key for setting a sorter processing is used as the instruction key. It is characterized in that it is the same when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, image data is input to a storage medium storing a program executable by an image forming apparatus for printing data held by a WWW server on a network, and A copy mode for printing image data, and accessing the WWW server via the network to obtain data held by the WWW server, converting the obtained data into print-processable image data, and An execution mode setting module for selectively setting a web print mode for performing data printing to be executable; and issuing an instruction related to the operation of the copy mode at the time of setting the copy mode in accordance with an input operation. An instruction issuing module for issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the web print mode at the time of setting; The command issuing module, when an input operation common in the web print mode setting and the copy mode setting is performed, the same content in the web print mode setting and the copy mode setting Issuing an instruction.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the thirteenth aspect, the command issuing module is provided with the same instruction key provided on the operation means when the web print mode is set and when the copy mode is set. Is operated, a command having the same content is issued when the web print mode is set and when the copy mode is set.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the fourteenth aspect, when the start key forming the instruction key is operated, the instruction issuing module instructs the start of the copy mode when the copy mode is set. And issuing a command to start the web print mode when the web print mode is set.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the fourteenth aspect, the instruction issuing module is configured to execute the copy operation when any one of a stop key and a reset key constituting the instruction key is operated. When the mode is set, the operation stop command of the copy mode is issued, and when the web print mode is set, the operation stop command of the web print mode is issued.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the fourteenth aspect, the command issuance module is configured such that when a copy number setting key serving as the instruction key is operated, when the copy mode is set and when the web print is set. A command for instructing printing of the number of copies set by operating the number-of-prints setting key at the time of mode setting is issued.

The invention according to an eighteenth aspect is the storage medium according to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the instruction issuance module is configured such that when the sorter processing setting key serving as the instruction key is operated, the instruction issuance module sets the copy mode and the web print. A command for instructing a sorter process set by operating the sorter process setting key is issued at the time of mode setting.

[0030]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, and an image input / output control unit 3. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 connects the reader unit 1, and also includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network I / F unit (network interface unit).
7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, and a core unit 10.

The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and compresses and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. Is a circuit for transmitting the compressed image data obtained through a telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4.
Can temporarily store the received compressed image data.

A magneto-optical disk drive 6 is connected to the file unit 5. The file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and sends the compressed image data to the magneto-optical disk drive 6 together with a keyword for searching the image data. Write to the set magneto-optical disk. The file unit 5 searches compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses the image data, and stores the decompressed image data in the core. Transfer to unit 10.

The network I / F unit 7 has an interface for connecting the image input / output control unit 3 to a network. This network consists of an intranet, which has a plurality of intranets WWW.
The server 12 is connected, and an Internet network 14 that spreads all over the world is connected. The Internet network 14 has a huge number of Internet WWW servers 1
3 and each WWW server 12, 13 publishes a homepage. In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, each WWW server 1 is connected via a network I / F unit 7.
The information of each home page can be obtained from 2 and 13.

The formatter unit 8 has a network I / F
A circuit for developing code data representing an image transferred from a computer connected to the unit 7 into image data printable by the printer unit 2.

The image memory section 9 is a circuit for temporarily storing image data.

Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 includes a reader unit 1, a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5,
It controls the flow of data between each block of the network I / F unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9.

Next, the configurations of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of an image input / output device in which a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2 are provided integrally.

As shown in FIG. 2, a document feeder 101 is mounted on the reader unit 1. The document feeder 101 feeds a document one by one from a last page onto a platen glass 102 one by one. After the document reading operation is completed, the document on the platen glass 102 is discharged.

When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on and the scanner unit 10 is turned on.
The movement of No. 4 is started. The original is exposed and scanned by the movement of the scanner unit 104, and the reflected light from the original at the time of the exposure scanning is transmitted through a mirror 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108 to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD image sensor).
(Referred to as CCD) 109. Thus, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 109,
The CD 109 converts an optically read image into image data by photoelectric conversion and outputs the image data. The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via a video bus (not shown).

The printer unit 2 inputs the image data output from the reader unit 1 to the laser driver 201. The laser driver 201 drives the laser emitting unit 221 based on the input image data. That is, the laser light emitting unit 221 is driven so as to emit laser light according to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser light is irradiated while being scanned on the photosensitive drum 202, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drum 202.

The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 202 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developing device 203. Further, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, a recording sheet is fed from one of the cassettes 204 and 205, and the recording sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 202 and the transfer unit 206. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred onto a recording sheet fed by the transfer unit 206.

The recording paper onto which the developer image has been transferred is fixed to the fixing unit 20.
The fixing unit 207 fixes the developer image on the recording paper by heat-pressing the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by discharge rollers 208,
The sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each bin. In addition, the sorter 220
When the sorting is not set, the operation is performed so that the recording paper is stored in the uppermost bin. When double-sided recording is set, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed after the recording paper is conveyed to the position of the discharge roller 208, and the recording paper is guided by the flapper 209 to the re-feed conveyance path. I have. If multiplex printing is set, the flapper 20 prevents the recording paper from being conveyed to the discharge roller 208.
9 is set so as to be switched and guided to the re-feeding conveyance path. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path is fed again between the photosensitive drum 202 and the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

Next, the configuration of the reader unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the reader unit 1 of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image data output from the CCD 109 is converted into digital data by analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110, and the digital data is subjected to shading correction. Is done. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and the image data of the image input / output control unit 3 via the I / F unit (interface unit) 113. The data is transferred to the core unit 10. The image processing unit 113 performs various image processing such as a trimming process, and the I / F unit 113
It manages the interface with the core unit 10, such as taking in data including image data transferred from the.

The image processing unit 111 and the I / F unit 113 are controlled by the CPU 114 in accordance with the settings set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode in which a copy is performed by performing a trimming process with the operation unit 115 is set, the CPU 114 executes the trimming process in the image processing unit 111 and outputs the trimmed image data to the printer unit 2. Control to transfer to. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the CPU 114 controls the I / F unit 113 to transfer image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode to the core unit 10.

The control by the CPU 114 is executed according to a control program stored in the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

Next, the configuration of the core unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the core unit 10 of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

The core unit 10 is an I / F unit 1 with the reader unit 1.
22 and the image data transferred from the reader unit 1 is I
/ F unit 122 to the image data processing unit 121 and the control command from the reader unit 1
123. The image data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing on the input image data as necessary.
The image data subjected to the image processing is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, or the network I / F unit 7 via the I / F unit 120 according to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. .

The code data representing the image input via the network I / F unit 7 is transferred to the image data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 where it is expanded into image data. Is transferred to the facsimile unit 4 or I
The data is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the / F unit 122. The image data received by the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the image data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, or the network unit 7. File part 5
Output from the image data processing unit 121
After that, it is transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4 or network unit 7.

The CPU 123 controls the transfer of data between the blocks according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1, and controls the execution of image processing by the image data processing unit 121. . Further, the memory 124 stores the CPU 12
3 is also used as a work area.

As described above, processing combining the functions of reading the original image, printing the image, transmitting and receiving the image, storing the image, and inputting / outputting data from / to the computer is performed mainly on the core unit 10. Is possible.

Next, a program configuration in the network I / F unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a program configuration in the network I / F section of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, a program in the network I / F unit 7 is an IP (Internet Protocol).
250, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP),
It comprises a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) 251, an application layer protocol 254, and a plurality of applications 252 and 253.

The IP 250 is an Internet protocol layer that provides a service for sending a message from a sending host to a destination host in cooperation with a relay node such as a router. The most important information for sending the message is the address of the transmission and destination, and the address of the transmission and destination is managed by the IP 250. The routing of a message to a destination host in the Internet network according to address information is determined by I
Perform at P250.

The TCP and UDP 251 are transport layers that provide a service for sending a message from a sending application process to a receiving application process. While TCP is a connection-type service and guarantees high reliability of communication, UDP is a connectionless service and does not guarantee reliability.

Application layer protocol 254
Specifies several protocols, which include:
There are TELNET which is a remote login service, FTP which is a file transfer service, SNMP which is a network management protocol, LPD which is a server protocol for printer printing, and HTTPd which is a protocol of a WWW (World Wide Web) server.

The application includes an HTTP client 252 for acquiring data from the WWW server, and an HTML for converting the acquired HTML data and image data into a data format for printing on recording paper.
A Parser 253 is provided.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit 115 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of the operation unit 115 provided in the reader unit 1 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a copy mode display on the operation unit 115.

The operation unit 115 has a liquid crystal display unit provided with a touch panel and a plurality of hard keys 318 to 321 as shown in FIG. For example, when the copy mode is set, a window 300 for displaying a current state and a soft key 30 for performing various settings are provided on the liquid crystal display unit.
1 to 316 are displayed. In this figure, window 30
At 0, it is displayed that copying is currently possible, and that one copy is printed at an enlargement ratio of 100% on an A4 paper size.

The soft key 301 is a guide key and is a key for instructing display of an appropriate advice when the operation is unknown. Soft keys 302 to 304 are mode change keys. When the soft key 302 is pressed, a copy mode is selected, a soft key 303 selects a FAX mode, and a soft key 304 selects a Web print mode. A soft key 305 is a key for displaying another mode key which is not currently displayed. When this key is pressed, a printer mode key and a FILE mode key are displayed.

A soft key 306 is a paper selection key.
When this key is pressed, a paper selection input screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed, and a paper size is selected by an input operation on the paper selection input screen. When the paper size is selected, paper is fed from the cassettes 204 and 205 that store the paper of the selected size.
A soft key 307 is a key for displaying a processing menu screen for performing settings related to image processing. Using the processing menu screen displayed by this key, settings such as trimming, masking, negative / positive inversion, and shadow processing are performed. It can be carried out. A soft key 308 is a key for displaying a menu screen for performing processing settings related to double-sided printing.
Using the menu screen displayed by this key, one setting can be selected from three settings for copying from one-sided original to one-sided original, from one-sided original to two-sided original, and from two-sided original to two-sided original. The soft key 309 is an application zoom key for displaying a menu screen for setting so that the vertical and horizontal magnifications can be changed.

The soft key 310 is a sorter key. When this key is pressed, a menu screen for the sorter 220 shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. When sort is selected on this menu screen, a plurality of printed materials are sorted by the sorter 220.
Sort and discharge one copy per bin. When the staple sort is selected, a setting is made so that the sorted printed materials are stapled. When the group sort is selected, a plurality of originals are set so that printed matter of the same page is discharged to the same bin.

The soft key 311 is a document mixed key, which is a key for indicating whether documents of different sizes are mixed or only originals of the same size are stacked. If mixed originals of different sizes are specified, the original size is checked each time scanning is performed. If mixed originals are not specified, the original page size is checked only for the first page. Soft key 31
Reference numeral 4 denotes a 1: 1 key for returning the enlargement ratio to the setting of 100%.
Soft keys 315 and 316 are reduction and enlargement keys for displaying menus for setting the enlargement ratio and reduction ratio, respectively.

As hard keys, a ten key 318, a start key 319, a reset key 320, and a STOP key 321 are provided. In this screen example, ten keys 31
Reference numeral 8 is used to input the number of copies. Reset key 320
When is pressed, parameters required for copying are returned to the default values. The parameters necessary for copying are set before the start of copying, and when the start key 319 is pressed after setting each necessary parameter, the copying operation is started. After starting copying, STOP key 321 and reset key 3
By pressing 20, the copy operation is interrupted.

Next, an example of an operation screen in the WEB print mode displayed on the operation unit 115 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 14 show the operation unit 11.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a Web print mode displayed on a screen 5;

When setting the WEB print mode,
As shown in FIG. 8, first, a soft key 304 (Web print mode key) is pressed, and a window 300 displaying the current state of the Web print mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. In this example, the window 300 indicates that printing is to be performed on an A4 sheet size, that the enlargement ratio is 100%, and that one copy is to be printed. Also, on the liquid crystal display unit, soft keys 301 to 306 and 3 for instructing the same setting as in the copy mode are displayed.
10 and soft keys 332 to 339 for performing setting instructions different from those in the copy mode are displayed.

The soft key 339 is a key for displaying a menu screen for performing processing settings relating to double-sided printing.
Intranet WWW server 12, Internet WWW
When printing data from each WWW server such as the server 13, it is possible to set whether to print on one side or both sides. Note that the setting contents of the soft key 339 related to double-sided printing are different from the setting contents of the screen (shown in FIG. 6) soft key 308 in the copy mode.
In the X mode and the printer mode, the same contents as those of the soft key 339 are set. In this screen example, the numeric keypad 318 is used to set the number of copies, as in the screen in the copy mode.

The soft key 331 is a URL key. The URL key also serves as an input screen for inputting a domain name of each WWW server such as the intranet WWW server 12 and the Internet WWW server, and a file name of HTML data to be obtained. When this soft key 331 is pressed,
A virtual alphabet keyboard (not shown) is displayed, and a character string for designating the above data is input using the virtual alphabet keyboard.

The soft key 332 is a print time key.
The print time key is a key for accessing a WWW server to open a window for setting a date and time for acquiring data in HTML format, an image file, and the like. When this soft key 332 is pressed, a window shown in FIG. 9 is opened. In this window, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the cursor blinks so as to prompt the input of the print date 350, and the date for printing is set by inputting a numerical value from the ten keys 318. When the input of the print date 350 is completed, the cursor moves to the input field of the print time 351 and blinks to prompt the input. Similarly to the input for the print date 350, a numerical value indicating the print time is input from the numeric keypad 318, and the print time is set. When the input of the printing time 351 is completed, an OK key 352 is displayed. By pressing the OK key 352, the printing time is set, and the screen is switched to the screen of FIG. 8 again. Since data of the WWW server may not be correctly acquired during a time period when network traffic is heavy, this time period can be avoided by specifying the printing time in this way.

The soft key 333 is a periodic patrol key for periodically accessing the WWW server and executing printing. When this periodic patrol key is pressed, a window shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. In this window, as shown in FIG. 10, soft keys including a day key 360, an interval (day) key 361, an interval (month) key 362, and a print time key 363 are displayed, and the day key 360, the interval (day) are displayed. Key 361 and interval (month) key 362
It is possible to select whether to enter the interval for periodically going around the WWW server in units of days of the week, in units of days, or in units of months. These three soft keys 360, 3
Out of 61 and 362, only one soft key becomes active. When one key is selected, the setting items by other keys are canceled. For example, when the day key 360 is selected, seven keys from the month key 364 to the day key 370 are set.
One key is valid. A plurality of these keys can be selected. When selected, the keys are displayed in black, and when pressed again in a selected state, the selection is released and displayed in white.
When the interval (day) key 361 is selected, the cursor moves to the day input box 371 and blinks, and a date interval for accessing the WWW server is set by inputting a numerical value from the numeric keypad 318 in the input box 317. You. When the interval (month) key 362 is selected, the cursor moves to the month input field 372.
And flashes, and the numeric keypad 318
By entering a numerical value from, a month interval for accessing the WWW server is set.

When the print time key 363 is depressed, the cursor moves to the time input field 373 and blinks, and the time for accessing the WWW server is set by inputting a numerical value from the ten keys 318 in this input field 373. You.

Each data is set in this way and O
When the K key 362 is pressed, the parameters for the periodic tour are determined, and the screen is switched to the screen in FIG. 8 again.

The soft key 334 is used for the BOO shown in FIG.
Book M for displaying K MARK window
ark key, and when this key is pressed, a BOOK
A MARK window is opened. In this window,
As shown in FIG. 11, a list (each of five registered URLs from 380 to 384 can be displayed on one screen) describing each registered URL is displayed, and when an up arrow key 386 is pressed in this window, , The URL list is scrolled up, and when the down arrow key 387 is pressed, the URL list is scrolled down. When the registration key 385 is pressed, the URL of the WWW server input with the soft key 331 (URL key) shown in FIG. 8 is additionally registered in this list. A description portion 380 of each URL on the URL list
Press any one of ~ 384 to get the URL of the pressed description
Is selected and data is set to the soft key 331 (URL key). When the delete key 388 is pressed, the URL
By pressing the description portion 380 to 384 of each URL on the list, the selected URL is deleted from the URL list.

The soft key 335 is a time designation list key for displaying the time designation list shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, a job specified by the soft key 332 (printing time specifying key) or the soft key 333 (periodic patrol specifying key) is registered in the time specifying list. The display items of the time designation list are URL 405,
A print date 406 and a print time 407 are shown. In this time designation list, five registered URLs from 400 to 404 can be displayed on one screen, and the list can be scrolled up with the up arrow key 408 and down with the down arrow key 409, respectively. . When any one of the area parts 400 to 404 on the list is pressed, the URL described in the pressed area part is selected. When the delete key 410 is pressed in a state where this URL is selected, the selected U
The RL is deleted from the time designation list. In the example of the time designation list, the job 400 is a job registered with the day of the week using the soft key 333 (a regular tour designation key), and the day of the week to be executed is displayed in association with the job.
The specified number of days is displayed in association with the job 401 specified at intervals of days. Jobs 403 and 404 specified on a monthly basis are displayed in association with the specified number of months. The job 402 has the soft key 332
(Print time designation key)
The specified print date is displayed in association with the job.

The soft key 336 is used for the standby J shown in FIG.
This is a standby job list key for displaying an OB list window. When this key is pressed, a standby job list describing URLs 420 to 424 of waiting jobs is displayed as shown in FIG. If there are many jobs waiting to be executed, the list is scrolled up by pressing the up arrow key 425 and down by pressing the down arrow key 426. In addition, each area portion 420 to 424 on the list
Is pressed, a job described in the pressed area is selected. When the delete key 427 is pressed in a state where this job is selected, the selected job is deleted from the standby JOB list.

The soft key 337 is a log key for displaying the log list shown in FIG. 14, and this log list describes the result of accessing the WWW server in the WEB print mode as shown in FIG. The access results are listed in the order of new jobs from the top, and older jobs that exceed the maximum number are automatically deleted. Specifically, the display items of the log list include URL 437, date 438, time 439, and result display 440. URL437 is the URL of the accessed WWW server
And a date 438 and a time 439 indicate the date and time of accessing the WWW server. When it is possible to normally access the WWW server and print out the data acquired from the WWW server, the URLs 430, 433, and 43
4 is described as a normal end.
On the other hand, if printing is interrupted by the reset key 320 by the user, reset completion is described as in the URL 431. If printing cannot be performed normally due to the state of the network or the state of the WWW server, the URL is reset.
An error end is described as in L432. This list can be scrolled up with the up arrow key 435 and down with the down arrow key 436.

The soft key 338 is a detailed setting key for displaying a menu screen for setting parameters described in Table 1.

[0080]

[Table 1] The data in the HTML format received from the WWW server can be hyperlinked to another HTML data, and the hyperlinked HTML data is converted to another HTML data.
Sometimes hyperlinked to To set the link level, parameter 1 is set. Parameter 1 is a parameter for setting the maximum link level at which the link of the designated URL is to be followed and printed, and the maximum number of HTML links to be printed is set by this parameter.

Parameter 2 is a parameter for setting the maximum number of pages to be printed.
As a result of laying out the ML data on the paper size set by the soft key 306 (paper selection key), if the required number of pages exceeds the maximum number of pages set by this parameter 2, the subsequent pages It is set not to print out. In this example, “0” is set as the default value, and this default value “0” is set.
Then, the maximum number of pages to be printed is set without limitation.

Parameter 3 is a parameter for setting whether or not to print the current HTML data even if the maximum number of pages is exceeded. When this parameter exceeds the maximum number of pages set in parameter 2, One HT
This is a function that can be selected by the user because it may be difficult to print the ML document until the end.

Parameter 4 is a parameter for setting whether or not to print HTML of another site.
If the link level of parameter 1 is set to 1 or more,
There is a case where a printed HTML document is hyperlinked to HTML of another site. In this case, since the HTML document of another site may be a homepage that is not of interest to the user at all, the parameter 4
User prints HTML of other site by setting
Allows you to choose / not.

Parameter 5 is a parameter for setting a timeout period. By setting the timeout period with this parameter, TCP, UDP 25
When a network-related communication error such as 1 (shown in FIG. 5) occurs, repetition of retry for a long time is prevented.

Parameter 6 is a parameter for setting the number of retries when a communication error occurs in the HTML client program 252.

A parameter 7 is a parameter for setting a font name to be used, and a parameter 8 is a parameter for specifying a font size. Parameter 9 is a parameter for setting the thickness of the Font.
Reference numerals 8 and 9 are used for setting a font for printing HTML text data.

Parameter 10 is the printing left margin, parameter 11 is the printing right margin, and parameter 12
Is the print top margin, parameter 13 is the print bottom
These parameters are used to set margins, and the parameters 10, 11, 12, and 13 are used to define the top, bottom, left, and right margin widths in the paper size set by the soft key 306 (paper selection key).

The parameter 14 is a parameter for setting whether the background is to be printed or not. If this parameter is set, a problem arises when displaying a home page with a black background or the like on a color display. Even if this is not the case, if this homepage is printed by a black-and-white printer, the text portion will also be black and the background will be black, making it possible to prevent the text from being indeterminate.

The parameter 15 includes a header and a footer (UR
(L, Page number, print date) to set whether or not to print. Due to the setting of this parameter, the home page on the WWW server is not described at the stage of printing layout. URL, Page
You can select whether to add the number and print date or not.

The parameter 16 is a parameter for setting whether or not to print the link map. When the maximum link level to be printed is set to 1 or more with the parameter 1 using this parameter, the printed HTML is set.
The user can select whether or not to print the link information indicating how the document was hyperlinked.

Parameter 17 is a parameter for setting whether or not to use a style sheet. This style sheet is used because the name of the font to be printed and the font size are not specified in the HTML data. This is a data sheet that describes parameters for preventing a layout result from being different for each program that lays out a home page. When using this style sheet, it is necessary to specify the name of the sheet to be used. By specifying the name of this sheet, the sheet to be used is specified, and the layout is performed according to the information of the specified sheet.

Next, HTML Parser 253, H
A processing procedure for executing a program such as the TTP client 252 and printing a homepage of the WWW server will be described. FIG. 15 shows the WW in the image forming apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure for printing the home page of the W server, FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the command receiving process in step S502 in FIG. 15, and FIG.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a schedule job process in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1.

When printing the home page of the WWW server, a command is issued from the operation unit 115 as shown in FIG. When a command is issued from the operation unit 115, as described above, parameters necessary for printing a home page are set using the operation unit 115, and then the start key 319 is pressed. Issues a print instruction command to the network I / F unit 7 via the core unit 10.

A command is also issued from the PC client 11. The operation unit 1 is provided on the PC client 11.
A print parameter setting program set in step 15 is installed, and after a print parameter is set by the setting program, a print instruction command including the print parameter is issued. This print instruction command is issued to the network I / F unit 7 via the network by LPR (client protocol for printer printing). Since the command flowing through the network is a parameter necessary for printing, the data length is extremely short as compared with the data converted from the homepage and printable by the printer. P
The print instruction command issued from the C client 11 is received by the LPD which is one of the protocols 254 of the application layer of the network I / F unit 7 in step S501.

Further, a print instruction command is issued by a schedule job process described later. Details of the schedule job process will be described later.

The print instruction command from the operation unit 115, the print instruction command from the client PC 11, and the print instruction command from the schedule job process have the same data format. Operation unit 115, client PC
11 issues a schedule job inquiry command in addition to the print instruction command. The issuance timing of the schedule job inquiry command from the operation unit 115 is determined by the soft key 335 on the display screen of the operation unit 115.
(Time designation list key) is set at the time of pressing. Also, a schedule job deletion command (issued at the timing when the time designation list delete key 410 is pressed on the operation unit display screen) and an immediate job inquiry command (soft key 336, that is, the standby JOB list key is pressed on the operation unit display screen) Issued at the time of pressing), an immediate job list delete command (a timing at which the delete key 427 of the standby job list is pressed on the operation unit display screen, and a timing at which the STOP key 321 or the reset key 320 is pressed during the printing operation) Is issued).

When the above-mentioned command is issued from any one of the operation unit 115, the PC client 11, and the schedule job process, in step S502, the command receiving process is executed by the command receiving process program.

In the command receiving process, as shown in FIG. 16, first, in step S520, it is determined whether or not the received command is a schedule job inquiry command, and the received command is a schedule job inquiry command. If there is, the process proceeds to step S521 to acquire a schedule job list (time designation list), and in a succeeding step S524, the acquired schedule job list is transmitted as a message to the destination that has issued the schedule job inquiry command, and the process ends. I do. Here, when the operation unit 115 issues a schedule job inquiry command, the operation unit 115 creates and displays a time designation list shown in FIG. 12 based on the received message.

If the received command is not a schedule job inquiry command, the flow advances to step S522 to determine whether the received command is a schedule job deletion command. If the received command is a schedule job deletion command, the process advances to step S523 to delete the job specified by the schedule job deletion command from the schedule list. In the next step S524, the schedule list deleted to the command issuing destination is deleted. Is transmitted as a message, and the process ends. Here, when the operation unit 115 issues a schedule job deletion command, the operation unit 115 creates and displays a time designation list shown in FIG. 12 based on the received message.

If the received command is not a schedule job deletion command, the flow advances to step S525 to execute
It is determined whether or not the received command is an immediate job inquiry command. If the received command is an inquiry command for an immediate job, the process proceeds to step S526 to acquire an immediate job list, and then proceeds to step S52.
In step 4, the acquired immediate job list is transmitted as a message to the destination that has transmitted the command, and the process ends. When the operation unit 115 issues an immediate job inquiry command, the operation unit 115 creates and displays a standby JOB list shown in FIG. 13 based on the received data.

If the received command is not an immediate job inquiry command, the flow advances to step S527 to determine whether the received command is an immediate job deletion instruction. If the received command is an immediate job deletion command, the process proceeds to step S528, where the designated job is stored in the HTTP client 252 or HTMLPLa.
It is determined by the rser 253 whether or not it is being executed.
If the specified job is not being executed, step S
Proceeding to 529, the specified job is deleted from the immediate job list, and in step S524, the deleted job list is transmitted as a message to the destination that issued the command, and the process ends. Here, when the operation unit 115 issues the immediate job deletion command, the operation unit 115 executes the standby J shown in FIG. 13 based on the received message.
Update and display the OB list.

The job instructed to be deleted is HTT
P client 252 or HTML Parser2
If the process is being executed in step S53, the process proceeds to step S530, in which a cancel flag is set, and the process ends.

If the received command is not an immediate job delete command, the flow advances to step S531 to determine whether or not the received command is an immediate job print command. It is determined that the job is a print command, and in step S532, this job is registered as a schedule job, and the process ends.

If the received command is an immediate job print command, step S50 shown in FIG.
The processing shifts to the processing of the HTTP client 252 of No. 4. H
TTP client 252, HTTP Parser2
53 does not process a plurality of jobs in parallel at a time so as not to consume a large amount of memory. If another process is already in operation, the job is designated by this immediate job print command. The job is registered in the job list immediately, and is executed as soon as the processing is completed.

In step S504 shown in FIG. 15, an operation for acquiring HTML data, image data, and the like, which are homepage data, from the WWW server by the HTTP client 252 is executed.

When the operation by the HTTP client 252 is completed, the flow advances to step S505 to determine whether a cancel flag is set. If the cancel flag has been set, the flow advances to step S509 to execute a print stop process, and then to step S510.
Then, a message indicating that the printing has been canceled is transmitted to the operation unit 115, and the processing is terminated. If the cancel flag has not been set, the process proceeds to step S506, and H
The processing by the TML Parser 253 is started. H
In the processing of the TML Parser 253, print data that can be printed by the printer unit 2 is generated based on data acquired from the WWW server.

After the processing of the HTML Parser 253 ends, the flow advances to step S507 to determine again whether or not the cancel flag is set. Here, if the cancel flag is set, as described above, step S
In step 509, a print stop process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S510.
Then, a message indicating that the printing has been canceled is transmitted to the operation unit 115, and the processing is terminated. If the cancel flag is not set, the process proceeds to step S508, and H
The image data created by the TML Parser 253 is transmitted to the core unit 10 and the process ends. The core unit 10 that has received the image data transfers the image data to the printer unit 2 via the reader unit 1, and the printer unit 2 feeds a sheet of a corresponding size from the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and prints the sheet.

Next, the schedule job process will be described with reference to FIG.

The schedule job process is periodically started once every minute. The schedule job is a job whose execution date and time is set by the soft key 332 (printing time key) or the soft key 333 (periodic patrol key).

In the schedule job process, as shown in FIG. 17, first, in step S541, it is determined whether or not there is a schedule job. If there is no schedule job, this process ends. If there is a schedule job, the process proceeds to step S542, and it is determined whether the print time set for this schedule job has arrived. If the print time set for the schedule job has not arrived, the process proceeds to step S542. To end. If the print time set for the schedule job has arrived, the process proceeds to step S543, where a print instruction command is transmitted, and the process ends. When the print instruction command is transmitted, as described above, the immediate print job is received in the command receiving process in step S502, and the command is transmitted in step S51.
At a time designated in the step 1, the WWW server is accessed to print the home page.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the Web print mode, the soft keys 306 and 310 (sheet selection key and sorter key) for performing the same setting instructions as in the copy mode are displayed on the operation unit 115, and the operation is performed. Part 1
Reference numeral 15 denotes a numeric keypad 318, a start key 319, a STOP key 321, and a reset key 320 for performing the same setting instruction in the Web print mode and the copy mode.
Is provided, the same setting instruction can be performed by a common input operation in the Web print mode and the copy mode, and the operability for printing data acquired from the WWW server can be improved.

Further, data can be directly obtained from the WWW server on the network without using the PC client 11.

Although the present embodiment has been described using TCP / IP as the communication protocol of the network,
The same effect can be obtained by using a communication protocol such as PX / SPX or Apple Talk. Further, although LPR and LPD are used as a communication protocol with the client PC 11, a similar effect can be obtained by using a communication protocol such as HTTP or FTP instead.

[0114]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, a copy mode for inputting image data and printing the input image data is provided, and a WWW server is accessed via a network. Executing a mode in which the data held by the WWW server is acquired, the acquired data is converted into image data that can be subjected to print processing, and a web print mode in which the image data is printed is selectively executable. Setting means, an instruction issuing means for issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the copy mode when the copy mode is set, and issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the web print mode at the time of setting the web print mode in accordance with the input operation; At least one for instructing to issue an instruction of the same content when setting the mode and when setting the copy mode And an operation input means for performing common input operations, so that data can be directly obtained from a WWW server on a network without passing through an information processing device, and operability related to printing of the data obtained from the WWW server is improved. Can be improved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the operating means has at least one common instruction key for issuing the same content command when setting the web print mode and when setting the copy mode. At the time of setting the print mode, a command having the same content can be issued by the same input operation using the common instruction key as at the time of setting the copy mode.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the operating means has a start key as a common instruction key, and when the start key is operated by the instruction issuing means, the start instruction of the copy mode is set when the copy mode is set. Since a command is issued and a web print mode start instruction command is issued when the web print mode is set, the web print mode can be started using the start key in the same manner as the start of the copy mode.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the operating means has a stop key and a reset key as common instruction keys, and one of the stop key and the reset key is operated by the command issuing means. When the copy mode is set, the copy mode operation stop command is issued, and when the web print mode is set, the web print mode operation stop command is issued. The operation of the mode can be stopped.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the operation means has a print copy setting key for setting the number of print copies as a common instruction key, and the operation mode of the print copy setting key is different from when the copy mode is set. Since the setting is the same as when the web print mode is set, the number of print copies in the web print mode can be set using the print copy setting key in the same manner as the setting of the number of print copies in the copy mode.

According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the operation means has a sorter processing setting key for setting the sorter processing as a common instruction key, and the operation mode of the sorter setting key is different from that in the copy mode setting. Since the setting is the same as when the web print mode is set, the sorter processing in the web print mode can be set using the sorter processing setting key in the same manner as the setting of the sorter processing in the copy mode.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, a copy mode in which image data is input and the input image data is printed is stored in the WWW server by accessing the WWW server via a network. A step of acquiring data, converting the acquired data into image data that can be subjected to print processing, selectively setting a web print mode for printing the image data to be executable, and copying in accordance with an input operation. Issuing a command relating to the operation of the copy mode when the mode is set, and issuing a command relating to the operation of the web print mode when the web print mode is set. Since at least one common input operation for instructing issuance is set to be enabled, Along with the data can be acquired directly without going through the information processing apparatus from the WWW server on the workpiece, it is possible to improve the operability regarding the print data obtained from the WWW server.

According to the image forming method of the present invention, at least one common input operation for issuing a command having the same content at the time of setting the web print mode and at the time of setting the copy mode is provided in the operating means. Since the same instruction key is used, when the web print mode is set, the same instruction can be issued by the same input operation using the same instruction key as when setting the copy mode.

According to the image forming method of the ninth aspect, the start key is used as an instruction key, and when the start key is operated, a copy mode start instruction is issued when the copy mode is set, and the web print mode is set. Since a start instruction command for the web print mode is sometimes issued, the web print mode can be started using the start key in the same manner as the start of the copy mode.

According to the image forming method of the tenth aspect,
A stop key and a reset key are provided as instruction keys, and when one of the stop key and the reset key is operated, a copy mode operation stop command is issued when the copy mode is set, and the web print mode is set when the web print mode is set. Since the operation stop command is issued, the operation of the web print mode can be stopped using the start key in the same manner as the operation stop of the copy mode.

According to the image forming method of the eleventh aspect,
A print copy setting key for setting the number of print copies is used as an instruction key, and the operation mode of the print copy setting key is the same between the copy mode setting and the web print mode setting. In the same manner as the setting, the number of print copies can be set in the web print mode using the print copy number setting key.

According to the image forming method of the twelfth aspect,
A sorter processing setting key for setting the sorter processing is used as an instruction key, and the operation mode of the sorter setting key is the same in the copy mode setting and the web print mode setting. Similarly, the sorter processing setting in the web print mode can be performed using the sorter processing setting key.

According to the storage medium of the thirteenth aspect, the program executes the copy mode in which the image data is input and the input image data is printed, and the WWW server is accessed via the network and the WWW server is accessed. An execution mode setting module for acquiring data to be held, converting the acquired data into image data that can be subjected to print processing, and selectively setting a web print mode for printing the image data to be executable; And a command issuing module for issuing a command relating to the operation of the web print mode when setting the copy mode, and issuing a command relating to the operation of the web print mode when setting the web print mode. If a common input operation is performed between and when the copy mode is set, Since the same command is issued when the copy mode is set and when the copy mode is set, the data can be directly obtained from the WWW server on the network without passing through the information processing device, and the data obtained from the WWW server can be printed. Operability can be improved.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, when the same instruction key provided on the operation means is operated by the instruction issuing module when the web print mode is set and when the copy mode is set, the web print mode is set. Since the same instruction is issued at the time of setting and at the time of setting the copy mode, the same instruction can be issued at the time of setting the web print mode by the same input operation using the same instruction key as at the time of setting the copy mode. .

According to the storage medium of the present invention, when the start key forming the instruction key is operated in the instruction issuing module, a copy mode start instruction is issued when the copy mode is set, and when the web print mode is set. Since the start instruction command for the web print mode is issued, the web print mode can be started using the start key in the same manner as the start of the copy mode.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, when one of the stop key and the reset key constituting the instruction key is operated by the instruction issuing module, the operation stop instruction of the copy mode is set when the copy mode is set. Is issued, and a web print mode operation stop command is issued when the web print mode is set. Therefore, the web print mode operation can be stopped using the start key, similarly to the copy mode operation stop.

According to the storage medium of the seventeenth aspect, when the number-of-prints setting key forming the instruction key is operated in the instruction issuing module, the number of keys set in the copy mode and the web print mode is changed. Since a command for instructing printing of the number of print copies set by the operation is issued, the number of print copies in the web print mode can be set using the print copy setting key in the same manner as the setting of the number of print copies in the copy mode. .

According to the storage medium of the eighteenth aspect, when the sorter processing setting key forming the instruction key is operated in the instruction issuing module, the sorter processing setting key is switched between the copy mode setting and the web print mode setting. Since the command for instructing the sorter process set by the operation is issued, the sorter process setting in the web print mode can be performed using the sorter process setting key in the same manner as the sorter process setting in the copy mode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image input / output device in which a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2 are integrally provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader unit 1 of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit 10 of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a program configuration in a network I / F unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1;

6 is an operation unit 11 provided in the reader unit 1 of FIG.
5 is a diagram showing a configuration of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a copy mode display on the operation unit 115.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a Web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in a Web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a Web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in a Web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a Web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a Web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a Web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for printing a homepage of a WWW server in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a command receiving process in step S502 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a schedule job process in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional system for printing information stored in a WWW server.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output control part 7 Network I / F part 10 Core part 11 PC client 12 Intranet WWW server 13 Internet WWW server 14 Internet network 114,123 CPU 250 IP 251 TCP, UDP 252 HTTP client 253 HTML Parser 254 Application layer protocol 302 Soft key (copy mode key) 304 Soft key (Web print mode key) 310 Sorter key 318 Numeric key 319 Start key 320 Reset key 321 STOP key

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/00 107 G03G 15/00

Claims (18)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus for printing data held by a WWW server on a network, a copy mode for inputting image data and printing the input image data, To obtain data held by the WWW server, convert the obtained data into print-processable image data, and selectively execute a web print mode for printing the image data. Mode execution setting means for setting, and command issuing means for issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the copy mode when setting the copy mode and issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the web print mode when setting the web print mode in response to an input operation Setting the web print mode and setting the copy mode in the command issuing means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: operation input means for performing at least one common input operation for instructing to issue an instruction having the same content at different times. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has at least one common instruction key for issuing a command having the same content when setting the web print mode and when setting the copy mode. Image forming device. 3. The operation means has a start key as the common instruction key, and when the start key is operated, the command issuing means issues a start instruction instruction of the copy mode when the copy mode is set. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the web print mode is set, an instruction to start the web print mode is issued. 4. The operation means has a stop key and a reset key as the common instruction key, and the command issuing means operates when any one of the stop key and the reset key is operated when the copy mode is set. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an instruction to stop operation of the copy mode is issued, and an instruction to stop operation of the web print mode is issued when the web print mode is set. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has a print number setting key for setting the number of prints as the common instruction key. The operation mode of the print number setting key is when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 6. The operation means has a sorter processing setting key for setting a sorter processing as the common instruction key, and the operation mode of the sorter setting key is set when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 7. An image forming method for printing data held by a WWW server on a network, wherein a copy mode for inputting image data and printing the input image data is provided. To obtain data held by the WWW server, convert the obtained data into print-processable image data, and selectively execute a web print mode for printing the image data. Setting, and in response to an input operation, issuing a command relating to the operation of the copy mode when setting the copy mode, and issuing a command relating to the operation of the web print mode when setting the web print mode. Issuing the same instruction when setting the web print mode and when setting the copy mode An image forming method, wherein at least one common input operation for instructing is performed. 8. The same instruction key provided on an operation means is used for at least one common input operation for issuing an instruction having the same content when setting the web print mode and when setting the copy mode. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein: 9. A start key is used as the instruction key, and when the start key is operated, an instruction to start the copy mode is issued when the copy mode is set, and the web print mode is set when the web print mode is set. 9. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein a start instruction command is issued. 10. A stop key and a reset key are provided as the instruction keys, and when any one of the stop key and the reset key is operated, an instruction to stop the operation of the copy mode is issued when the copy mode is set. 9. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein an instruction to stop the operation of the web print mode is issued when the web print mode is set. 11. A print copy setting key for setting the number of print copies is used as the instruction key, and the operation mode of the print copy setting key is the same when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein: 12. A sorter processing setting key for setting a sorter processing is used as the instruction key, and the operation mode of the sorter setting key is the same between when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein: 13. Image data is input to a storage medium storing a program executable by an image forming apparatus for printing data held by a WWW server on a network, and the input image data is printed. A copy mode, a web for accessing the WWW server via the network to acquire data held by the WWW server, converting the acquired data into print-processable image data, and printing the image data An execution mode setting module for selectively setting a print mode to be executable, and issuing an instruction relating to the operation of the copy mode when the copy mode is set according to an input operation; And a command issuing module for issuing a command relating to the operation of the command. The line module, when a common input operation is performed at the time of setting the web print mode and the time of setting the copy mode, issues a command having the same content at the time of setting the web print mode and at the time of setting the copy mode. Characteristic storage medium. 14. The command issuing module, when the same instruction key provided on the operation unit is operated between the time of setting the web print mode and the time of setting the copy mode,
14. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein a command having the same content is issued when the web print mode is set and when the copy mode is set. 15. The command issuing module, when a start key serving as the instruction key is operated, issues an instruction to start the copy mode when the copy mode is set, and issues the web print mode when the web print mode is set. 15. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein a start instruction command is issued. 16. The command issuing module, when one of a stop key and a reset key serving as the instruction key is operated, issues an operation stop instruction of the copy mode when the copy mode is set. 15. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein when the web print mode is set, an operation stop command of the web print mode is issued. 17. The command issuance module is set by operating the number-of-prints setting key when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set when the number-of-prints setting key serving as the instruction key is operated. 15. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the storage medium issues a command for instructing the printing of the number of copies to be printed. 18. The instruction issuance module is set by operating the sorter processing setting key when the copy mode is set and when the web print mode is set, when a sorter processing setting key serving as the instruction key is operated. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the storage medium issues an instruction instructing the sorted processing.