JP6992853B2 - Client terminal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a client terminal.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of sequentially assigning a designated file name to an image file generated in the reading order of a manuscript according to a job template for renaming generated by a template generation unit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-2716114

When performing a test print to judge the quality of the image to be printed, it is convenient to use a template in which print settings are set in advance. In addition, when performing test prints many times, it is desirable that the time and effort required to use the template is small.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the time and effort required to use the template in the test print.

The client terminal according to claim 1 of the present invention has an instruction data list display unit that displays a list of first instruction data, and a first reception unit that accepts selection of one first instruction data from the list of first instruction data. , A template list display unit that displays a list of templates, a second reception unit that accepts the selection of one template from the template list, and the selected first instruction data and the selected template. Specific on the print start request unit that requests the image forming apparatus to start the test print using the second instruction data, and the screen displayed when the test print is performed using the second instruction data. It is characterized by including a first change unit that changes the setting of the first instruction data to the setting of the second instruction data when the operation is performed.

The client terminal according to claim 2 of the present invention has an instruction data list display unit that displays a list of first instruction data, and a first reception unit that accepts selection of one first instruction data from the list of first instruction data. , A template list display unit that displays a list of templates, a second reception unit that accepts the selection of one template from the template list, and the selected first instruction data and the selected template. The print start request unit includes a print start request unit that requests the image forming apparatus to start a test print using the second instruction data, and the print start request unit reflects a plurality of templates belonging to a group to which the plurality of templates belong. It is characterized in that a plurality of second instruction data instructing each of the plurality of test prints are generated.

In the configuration according to claim 2, when the operation of selecting one of the plurality of groups is performed, the client terminal according to claim 3 of the present invention gives the plurality of instructions to the selected group. It is characterized by including an instruction data generation unit for generating data.

In the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the client terminal according to claim 4 of the present invention identifies the template on a medium for performing a test print using the template in the previous term instruction data generation unit. It is characterized in that data indicating an instruction to print the information to be printed is generated as instruction data instructing a test print reflecting the setting of the template.

The client terminal according to claim 5 of the present invention requires an image forming apparatus to generate a plurality of templates in which the settings of specific items are different from each other in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It is characterized by having a template editing request unit.

In the configuration according to claim 5, the client terminal according to claim 6 of the present invention is provided with a probability that the template editing request unit assigns a weight determined by a user to each setting and adopts it as a template setting. It is characterized in that the image forming apparatus is required to perform a process of changing according to the weight.

According to the inventions according to claims 1 and 9, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required to use the template in the test print.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required to use the original instruction data as compared with the case where the setting of the original instruction data is changed and overwritten.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required to reflect the template on the original instruction data as compared with the case where the operation for reflecting the template on the instruction data is performed on another screen.
According to the inventions of claims 4 and 5, the time and effort required to try a plurality of settings in a test print can be reduced as compared with the case where a test print start operation using a template is performed a plurality of times.
According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to facilitate confirmation of the template used in the test print as compared with the case where the information for identifying the template is not formed on the medium.
According to the invention of claim 7, the time and effort required to generate a plurality of templates can be reduced as compared with the case where each template is set individually by the user.
According to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to control the tendency of setting a plurality of templates.

The figure which shows the hardware composition of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example. Diagram showing the hardware configuration of the client terminal A diagram showing the functional configuration realized by the image processing unit and the client terminal. A diagram showing an example of the displayed instruction data list Diagram showing an example of the displayed operation menu Diagram showing an example of the displayed properties A diagram showing an example of the displayed template list A diagram showing an example of the displayed template list A diagram showing an example of a medium on which an image is formed by a test print. Diagram showing an example of the displayed test print status The figure which shows an example of the operation procedure of each apparatus in image formation processing. Diagram showing the functional configuration realized in the second embodiment Diagram showing an example of the template edit screen Diagram showing an example of the displayed group list Figure showing an example of the edit screen of the template of the modified example A diagram showing an example of a template list of modified examples A diagram showing an example of the template property screen

[1] Example FIG. 1 shows the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus for forming (printing) an image on a medium such as paper. FIG. 1 shows a client terminal 2 that accepts an operation of instructing an image forming apparatus 1 to print. The client terminal 2 can operate the client terminal 2 to specify an image to be printed on a medium or to determine printing settings (settings such as paper, layout, color, image quality, etc.). Instruction data (also referred to as a job) representing the content of the print instruction is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image according to the instruction indicated by the received instruction data.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image processing unit 10, an operation panel unit 20, and an image forming unit 30. The image processing unit 10 processes the image represented by the above-mentioned instruction data, and the image forming unit 30 converts the image into a format capable of forming an image on the medium. The operation panel unit 20 includes a display and a touch panel provided on the surface of the display, displays an image, and receives an operation from a user. The image forming unit 30 forms an image represented by the image data on a medium, for example, by an electrophotographic method, based on the image data converted by the image processing unit 10.

The image processing unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile RA M) 14, a storage 15, and a panel I. A computer including a / F (Interface) 16, an engine I / F17, and an external I / F18.

The CPU 11 controls the operation of each part by executing a program stored in the ROM 13, the NVRAM 14, and the storage 15 using the RAM 12 as a work area. The NVRAM 14 is a storage means capable of reading and writing and holding the stored contents even when the power of the own device is turned off, and stores data and programs used for control by the CPU 11. The storage 15 is a storage means such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores data and programs used for control by the CPU 11.

The panel I / F 16 is connected to the operation panel unit 20 and relays the exchange of the image data of the image displayed by the operation panel unit 20 and the operation data representing the operation accepted by the operation panel unit 20 with the CPU 11. When the image forming unit 30 is connected and the instruction data indicating the printing instruction to the image forming unit 30 is supplied from the CPU 11, the engine I / F 17 relays the instruction data and supplies the instruction data to the image forming unit 30. The external I / F 18 is connected to the client terminal 2 and relays the exchange of data between the client terminal 2 and the CPU 11. The external I / F 18 receives, for example, instruction data transmitted from the client terminal 2 and supplies the instruction data to the CPU 11.

FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the client terminal 2. The client terminal 2 is a computer including a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, an I / F 24, a storage 25, and a UI unit 26. The CPU 21, RAM 22, ROM 23, and storage 25 are hardware common to the hardware of the same name shown in FIG. The I / F 24 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 and relays the exchange of data between the image forming apparatus 1 and the CPU 21. The UI unit 26 includes a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, displays an image, and receives an operation from a user.

The functions described below are realized by the CPU 11 included in the image processing unit 10 and the CPU 21 included in the client terminal 2 executing programs to control each unit. In this embodiment, a function that operates when the user operates the client terminal 2 will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration realized by the image processing unit 10 and the client terminal 2. The image processing unit 10 includes an instruction data storage unit 101, a print control unit 102, a test print control unit 103, a template storage unit 104, and a template reflection unit 105.

The client terminal 2 includes a print setting operation reception unit 201, a first print start instruction operation reception unit 202, an instruction data generation unit 203, a first print start request unit 204, an instruction data list display operation reception unit 205, and the like. The instruction data list display unit 206, the property display operation reception unit 211, the property display unit 212, the second print start instruction operation reception unit 213, the second print start request unit 214, the test print status display unit 215, and the like. Template list display operation reception unit 221, template list display unit 222, template reflection operation reception unit 223, template reflection request unit 224, and third print start instruction operation reception unit 2
25 and a third print start requesting unit 226 are provided.

The print setting operation receiving unit 201 accepts the user's setting operation performed on the setting screen for determining the print (image forming) setting. The print settings include the above-mentioned paper, layout, color, image quality, and the like. When the print setting operation receiving unit 201 accepts the operation for confirming the setting as the setting operation, the print setting operation receiving unit 201 notifies the instruction data generation unit 203 of the selected setting.

The first print start instruction operation reception unit 202 receives an operation instructing the user to start printing. The first print start instruction operation reception unit 202 receives, for example, an operation of pressing the print start button performed on the print screen for instructing printing as a print start instruction operation. When the first print start instruction operation reception unit 202 receives the instruction operation, the first print start instruction operation reception unit 202 notifies the instruction data generation unit 203 and the first print start request unit 204 to that effect.

When the instruction data generation unit 203 receives the print start instruction operation by the first print start instruction operation reception unit 202, the instruction data generation unit 203 prints with the setting notified from the print setting operation reception unit 201, that is, the currently selected setting. Generate instruction data indicating that the instruction is given. The instruction data includes image information indicating an image to be formed by the image forming unit 30, and setting information indicating a setting in the print. The instruction data generation unit 203 transmits the generated instruction data to the image processing unit 10.

The instruction data storage unit 101 is a function of storing instruction data instructing printing, and stores instruction data transmitted from, for example, the client terminal 2. Instruction data storage unit 1
01 forms a queue for storing instruction data. The instruction data stored in this queue are sequentially fetched and used for printing. In addition to the queue, the instruction data storage unit 101 stores instruction data for which printing has been completed and instruction data for which printing has been stopped. These instruction data may be read out as needed and used for a new print.

The print control unit 102 controls the print operation performed by the image forming unit 30. The print control unit 102 monitors the queue formed by the instruction data storage unit 101, and when the instruction data is stored in the queue, reads the stored instruction data in order, and outputs an image according to the instruction indicated by the read instruction data. The image forming unit 30 is instructed to form.

When the first print start instruction operation reception unit 202 receives the print start instruction operation, the first print start request unit 204 transmits the request data requesting the start of printing to the image processing unit 10 to start printing. To request. When the instruction data is generated by the instruction data generation unit 203, the request data requests printing based on the generated instruction data, and the instruction data stored in the instruction data storage unit 101 is utilized. In that case, a print based on the instruction data to be utilized is requested.

The instruction data list display operation reception unit 205 accepts an operation for displaying a list of instruction data, and notifies the instruction data list display unit 206 that this operation has been accepted. The instruction data list display unit 206 displays a list of instruction data stored in the instruction data storage unit 101. The instruction data list display unit 206 requests the image processing unit 10 for instruction data when the notification from the instruction data list display operation reception unit 205 is received, that is, when the operation for displaying the instruction data list is received. Upon receiving this request, the instruction data storage unit 101 reads out the stored instruction data and transmits it to the client terminal 2.

The instruction data list display unit 206 displays a list of instruction data based on the transmitted instruction data.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the displayed instruction data list. In the example of FIG. 4, the instruction data list display unit 206 displays a tab indicating each state such as "completed" and an instruction data list B1 in the state of "completed" (printing is completed). is doing. When the user selects any of the instruction data included in the instruction data list B1 and performs a specific operation (for example, right-clicking), the selected instruction data (in the example of FIG. 4, the instruction data whose ID is "002") is related. The operation menu for performing the operation is displayed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the displayed operation menu. In FIG. 5, an operation menu B2 including a property button A1, a print start button A2, a test print start button A3, and a test print button A4 using a template is displayed. When the operation of pressing the print start button A2 is performed, the first print start instruction operation reception unit 202 accepts the operation as a print start instruction operation, and the first print start request unit 204 prints based on the selected instruction data. To request. As a result, the selected instruction data is stored in the queue and printing is performed.

The second print start instruction operation reception unit 213 accepts an operation instructing the user to start the test print. The test print is to print in order to judge the quality of the image to be printed, and in this embodiment, it means to print each page of the document to be printed one by one. The second print start instruction operation reception unit 213 accepts the operation of pressing the test print start button A3 as the test print start instruction operation, and notifies the second print start request unit 214 to that effect.

When the second print start instruction operation reception unit 213 receives the test print start instruction operation, the second print start request unit 214 transmits the test request data requesting the start of the test print to the image processing unit 10. The second print start request unit 214 requests the image processing unit 10 to start the test print by transmitting the test request data. The test request data includes information (for example, an ID of the instruction data) that identifies the instruction data used for the test print.

The test print control unit 103 controls the operation of the test print performed by the image forming unit 30. When the test print control unit 103 receives the test request data, the test print control unit 103 stores the instruction data specified from the information contained in the test request data in the queue. The test print control unit 103 monitors the queue, and when it is the turn to read the stored instruction data, the test print control unit 103 reads the instruction data and forms an image of each page on one medium according to the instruction indicated by the read instruction data. The image forming unit 30 is instructed to do so.

When the image forming unit 30 prints based on this instruction, each page of the document is printed one by one (that is, a test print is performed). In this way, in the test print, the test print control unit 103 controls the operation of printing using the instruction data already stored in the instruction data storage unit 101. On the other hand, the test print control unit 103 includes an instruction data generation unit 131 and an instruction data output unit 132, which are used for test printing using a template described later.

The property display operation reception unit 211 accepts a display operation for displaying the property of the selected instruction data. The property of the instruction data is information about the instruction data, and includes, for example, image data for which printing is instructed by the instruction data and settings in the print. The property display operation reception unit 211 accepts the operation of pressing the property button A1 shown in FIG. 5 as a property display operation, and notifies the property display unit 212 to that effect.

Upon receiving the notification from the property display operation reception unit 211, the property display unit 212 determines that the property display operation has been accepted, and displays the property of the selected instruction data.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the displayed property. In the example of FIG. 6, the property display unit 212 displays the property screen B3 including a list of settings represented by the selected instruction data. Further, the property display unit 212 displays the print start button A5 and the template use button A6 on the property screen B3. When the operation of pressing the print start button A5 is performed, it is accepted as a print start instruction operation by the first print start instruction operation reception unit 202, and printing is performed based on the instruction data in which this property is displayed.

When the operation of pressing the template use button A6 is performed, the template list display operation reception unit 221 accepts this operation as a display operation for displaying the template list. When the template list display operation reception unit 221 receives this display operation, the template list display operation reception unit 222 notifies the template list display unit 222 to that effect.

Upon receiving the notification from the template list display operation reception unit 221, the template list display unit 222 determines that the template list display operation has been accepted, and displays the template list. A template is data representing predetermined print settings. In this embodiment, the template is stored in the image processing unit 10. Therefore, the template list display unit 222 requests the image processing unit 10 for a template.

The template storage unit 104 is a function of storing a template that defines print settings performed by the image forming unit 30, and is an example of the “storage unit” of the present invention. When the template storage unit 104 receives the template request from the client terminal 2, the template storage unit 104 reads the stored template and transmits it to the client terminal 2. The template list display unit 222 receives the template transmitted in this way and displays it as a list.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the displayed template list. In the example of FIG. 7, the template list display unit 222 superimposes on the property screen B3 shown in FIG. 6 and includes a template list C1 (for “business card print”, “photo print”, and “catalog print”. ) Is displayed as the selected image B4 of the template. Further, the template list display unit 222 displays the template reflection button A7 and the template reflection cancel button on the selected image B4.

In the example of FIG. 7, the template for "photo printing" is selected. When the operation of pressing the reflection button A7 is performed in this state, the template reflection operation reception unit 223 accepts this operation as a reflection operation that reflects the setting of the template for "photo print" in the instruction data, and accepts that effect as a template. Notify the reflection request unit 224.

When the template reflection request unit 224 receives the notification from the template reflection operation reception unit 223, the template reflection request unit 224 reflects the template setting selected in the template selection image B4 in the setting of the instruction data displayed on the property screen B3. The request data for requesting is transmitted to the image processing unit 10. By transmitting this request data, the template reflection request unit 224 requests the image processing unit 10 to reflect the template on the instruction data.

When the template reflection unit 105 receives the request data transmitted from the template reflection request unit 224, the template reflection unit 105 reads the instruction data represented by the request data from the instruction data storage unit 101, and the template (FIG. 6) represented by the request data in the read instruction data. In the example of 7, the setting of "template for photo printing") is reflected. The template reflection unit 105 overwrites and saves the instruction data reflecting the settings in the instruction data storage unit 101. In this way, when the template reflection operation is performed on the template selection image B4, the setting of the instruction data is changed to the template setting.

The template list display operation reception unit 221 also displays this operation as a display operation for displaying the template list even when the test print button A4 using the template included in the operation menu B2 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed. accept. When the template list display operation reception unit 221 accepts this display operation, the template list display unit 222 displays a list of templates as follows.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the displayed template list. In the example of FIG. 8, the template list display unit 222 displays the template selection image B5 including the template list C1 on top of the instruction data list B1 shown in FIG. Further, the template list display unit 222 displays a print start button A8 and a test print cancel button using the template on the selected image B5.

When the operation of pressing the print start button A8 is performed by the user, the third print start instruction operation reception unit 225 performs this operation in a test print using a template (in the example of FIG. 8, the template for "photo printing"). It is accepted as an operation instructing the start, and the third print start request unit 226 is notified to that effect.

Upon receiving the notification from the third print start instruction operation reception unit 225, the third print start request unit 226 receives the instruction data selected in the instruction data list B1 (in the example of FIG. 5, the instruction data whose ID is "002"). ), Which reflects the setting of the template selected in the template selection image B5 (the template for "photo print" in the example of FIG. 8), and the test request data requesting to start the test print. It is transmitted to the image processing unit 10.

The third print start request unit 226 requests the image processing unit 10 to start the test print using the template by transmitting the test request data. The test request data includes information that identifies the instruction data used for the test print (for example, the ID of the instruction data) and the selected template.

The test print control unit 103 controls the operation of the image forming unit 30 to perform a test print using the template. Upon receiving the test request data, the instruction data generation unit 131 included in the test print control unit 103 reads the instruction data specified from the information included in the test request data from the instruction data storage unit 101. The instruction data generation unit 131 generates new instruction data in which the setting of the read instruction data is changed to the setting of the template represented by the test request data. That is, at this time, the original instruction data is still stored in the instruction data storage unit 101.

Further, the instruction data generation unit 131 generates data indicating an instruction to print information for identifying the template on a medium for performing a test print using the template as new instruction data. The information that identifies the template is, for example, the template name (such as "for business card printing") shown in FIG. The instruction data generation unit 131 supplies the instruction data newly generated in this way to the instruction data output unit 132. The instruction data output unit 132 outputs the supplied instruction data to the instruction data storage unit 101 and stores it in the queue. After that, by operating each part as in the case of test print, test print based on the instruction data reflecting the template settings is performed.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a medium on which an image is formed by a test print. In FIG. 9, the medium F1 in which the identification information D1 of the template “for photographic printing” and the image E1 of the photographic are formed is shown. By forming the identification information D1 in this way, it is easier to confirm the template used in the test print as compared with the case where the information for identifying the template is not formed on the medium.

In this way, the test print control unit 103 reflects the setting of the template when the instruction operation for instructing the test print using the template (the operation of pressing the print start button A8 in the example of FIG. 8) is performed. Instruction data for instructing the image forming unit 30 to perform a test print is generated and output. The test print control unit 103 is an example of the "generation / output unit" of the present invention.

This instruction operation is performed on the screen on which the template used for the test print is displayed (in the example of FIG. 8, on the screen on which the template selection image B5 is displayed). For example, the instruction operation for instructing the test print using the test print start button A3 shown in FIG. 5 is performed on the screen on which the template is not displayed as shown in FIG. Further, even when the template shown in FIG. 7 is reflected, the operation of pressing the print start button A5 shown in FIG. 6 is an instruction operation for instructing the start of printing, so that the operation is also performed on the screen where the template is not displayed.

Further, it is assumed that the instruction data read from the instruction data storage unit 101 by the test print control unit 103 is used as the first instruction data and the instruction data generated by the test print control unit 103 from the first instruction data is used as the second instruction data. When the first instruction data and the template are selected, the print control unit 103 generates and tests the second instruction data in which the setting of the first instruction data is changed to the setting of the template, separately from the first instruction data. The second instruction data is output as instruction data instructing printing.

The test print control unit 103 notifies the client terminal 2 of the status of the test print. The test print status display unit 215 displays the status of the test print based on this notification.
FIG. 10 shows an example of the displayed test print situation. In FIG. 10, the test print status display unit 215 displays the test print status image B6. On the situation image B6, the character string "The test print using the template for photo printing is completed. Do you want to reflect the settings?", The setting reflection button A11, and the test print using other templates. The button A12 and the test print end button A13 are displayed.

When the operation of pressing the test print button A12 is performed, the template list display unit 222 displays the template selection image B5 shown in FIG. 8 again. When the operation of pressing the end button A13 is performed, the display returns to, for example, the instruction data list B1 shown in FIG. When the operation of pressing the reflection button A11 is performed, the template reflection operation reception unit 223 accepts this operation as a reflection operation that reflects the template setting of "for photo printing" in the instruction data, and the template reflection request unit to that effect. Notify 224. By this notification, the template reflection request unit 224 and the template reflection unit 105 perform the above operations, and the template settings used in the test print are reflected in the instruction data.

In this way, the template reflection operation reception unit 223 is displayed on the screen (the user displays the screen) when the test print is performed by the instruction of the second instruction data (instruction data generated by the test print control unit 103) described above. A specific operation (in this example, an operation of pressing the reflection button A11 performed on the screen including the situation image B6) performed on the screen displayed without any operation for displaying) is reflected to reflect the template settings. Accept as an operation. When this reflection operation is performed, the template reflection unit 105 changes the setting represented by the first instruction data (original instruction data) to the setting represented by the second instruction data (in short, the template setting). The template reflection unit 105 is an example of the "first modification unit" of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 1 and the client terminal 2 perform a test print process for performing a test print based on the above configuration.
FIG. 11 shows an example of the operation procedure of each device in the image forming process. This operation procedure is started, for example, when an operation of displaying a list of instruction data is performed by the user and the instruction data is transmitted from the image processing unit 10 to the client terminal 2. First, the client terminal 2 (instruction data list display unit 206) displays a list of instruction data (for example, the instruction data list B1 shown in FIG. 4) (step S11).

Next, the client terminal 2 (template list display operation reception unit 221) right-clicks the instruction data of the ID "002" shown in FIG. 5 to display the template list, and includes it in the displayed operation menu B2. (Operation of pressing the test print button A4 using the template) is accepted (step S12). This operation is also an operation for selecting instruction data. Subsequently, the client terminal 2 (template list display unit 222) requests the template to the image processing unit 10, and the image processing unit 10 (template storage unit 104) transmits the requested template to the client terminal 2 (step S13). ..

The client terminal 2 (template list display unit 222) displays a template list (for example, the template list C1 shown in FIG. 8) based on the template transmitted in step S13 (step S14). The client terminal 2 (template list display unit 222) displays a template list based on the template transmitted in step S13 (step S14). Next, the client terminal 2 (third print start instruction operation reception unit 225) uses the instruction data selected in step S12 and the template selected in step S15 to perform a test print start instruction operation (for example, in FIG. 8). The operation of pressing the representative print start button A8) is accepted (step S15). Subsequently, the client terminal 2 (third print start request unit 226) requests the image processing unit 10 to start the test print using the template (step S16).

The image processing unit 10 (test print control unit 103) reads out the instruction data selected in step S12 from the instruction data stored in the own device based on the request received in step S16 (step S17). Next, the image processing unit 10 (test print control unit 103) gives an instruction to print the identification information of the template on the medium, which is new instruction data in which the setting of the read instruction data is changed to the setting of the template. The new instruction data to be shown is generated (step S18). Subsequently, the image processing unit 10 (test print control unit 103) outputs the generated new instruction data and stores it in the queue (step S19).

Next, the image processing unit 10 (test print control unit 103) reads out the instruction data stored in the queue, and instructs the image forming unit 30 to form an image according to the instruction indicated by the read instruction data (step S20). .. The image forming unit 30 forms an image on the medium based on the instruction received in step S20, and performs a test print using the template (step S21). Next, the image processing unit 10 grasps that the image forming unit 30 has completed printing (step S31), and notifies the client terminal 2 to that effect (step S32).

The client terminal 2 (test print status display unit 215) displays a screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 10) indicating that the test print using the template has been completed (step S33). Next, the client terminal 2 (template reflection operation reception unit 223) receives a reflection operation for reflecting the template in the instruction data (step S34). Subsequently, the client terminal 2 (template reflection request unit 224) requests the image processing unit 10 to reflect the template in the instruction data (step S35). The image processing unit 10 (template reflection unit 105) reflects the template in the instruction data in accordance with this request (step S36).

As described above, in this embodiment, when performing a test print using a template, an instruction operation for instructing printing (for example, an operation of pressing the print start button A8 shown in FIG. 8) is performed on the screen on which the template is displayed. Just need it. As a result, the template is used in the test print as compared with the case where the operation of reflecting the template in the instruction data (for example, the operation of pressing the template reflection button A7 shown in FIG. 7) is required in addition to the operation of instructing the test print. The time and effort for this is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, when a certain instruction data (first instruction data) and a template are selected, the setting of the first instruction data is changed to the setting of the template separately from the first instruction data. Instruction data is generated. As a result, compared to the case where the setting of the original instruction data (first instruction data) is changed and overwritten, the time and effort for using the original instruction data after the test print is reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the setting of the original instruction data (first instruction data) is not changed even if the test print reflecting the template setting is performed as described above, but it is displayed when the test print is performed. If a specific operation (operation of pressing the reflection button A11) is performed on the screen (for example, the screen including the status image B6 of the test print shown in FIG. 10), the original instruction data setting is changed to the template setting. As a result, the original operation (operation of pressing the template reflection button A7) is performed on another screen (for example, the screen including the template selection image B4 shown in FIG. 7) for changing this setting. The effort to reflect the template in the instruction data is reduced.

[2] Second Example The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a test print reflecting the settings of one template is performed, but in the second embodiment, a test print reflecting the settings of a plurality of templates is performed.

FIG. 12 shows the functional configuration realized in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 shows the functions realized by the client terminal 2a and the image processing unit 10a according to the second embodiment. The client terminal 2a includes a template editing operation receiving unit 231 and a template editing request unit 232 in addition to the units shown in FIG. The image processing unit 10a includes a template generation unit 106 in addition to the units shown in FIG. The client terminal 2a displays the template editing screen based on the user's operation.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a template editing screen. In FIG. 13, the client terminal 2a displays the template editing screen B11. On the template edit screen B11, an allocation target check box G1, a range specification field G2, an option specification field G3, an execution presence / absence specification field G4, a template number designation field G5, a group name designation field G6, and a template generation button are displayed. A21 is displayed. The allocation target check box G1 is a check column for designating an item to be automatically allocated in the settings. Automatic allocation means that when multiple templates are generated, different settings are allocated to each template.

The range designation column G2 is a display column for accepting an operation for designating a range of numerical values to be automatically allocated for a setting represented by a numerical value. In the state of FIG. 13, a concentration range (range from 1 to 9) of "1-9" is designated in the range designation column G2. This range is specified by operating the up and down buttons or by directly inputting a numerical value. The option designation column G3 is a display column for accepting an operation for designating an option to be automatically allocated among settings composed of a plurality of options. In the state of FIG. 13, the options of "long side binding", "same top and bottom", and "reverse top and bottom" are designated in the option designation column G3.

The execution / non-execution designation column G4 is a display column representing a setting consisting of two choices of whether to execute or not execute a specific operation. In the state of FIG. 13, the setting of "rotate the image by 180 degrees" is the target of automatic allocation. Also, the setting "Invert image horizontally" is not subject to automatic allocation, but it is checked by the user's operation (that is, it is set to execute this operation). As described above, for the settings that are not the target of automatic allocation, the settings specified by the user are used.

The template number designation field G5 is a display field for designating the number of generated templates. The number of templates is specified by operating up and down buttons or directly inputting numerical values. The group name designation field G6 is a display field for designating the group names of a plurality of generated templates. In FIG. 13, the group name "AAA" is designated. The template editing operation receiving unit 231 accepts an operation of determining the specified contents of each designated field as a template editing operation. Further, the template editing operation receiving unit 231 accepts the operation of pressing the template generation button A21 as an operation of confirming the content of automatic allocation of settings and instructing the start of generation of a plurality of templates.

When the template edit operation reception unit 231 accepts this operation, the template edit operation reception unit 231 notifies the template edit request unit 232 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the template editing request unit 232 requests the image processing unit 10a to generate a plurality of templates with the contents specified in the template editing screen B11. Upon receiving this request, the template generation unit 106 of the image processing unit 10a generates a plurality of templates having different settings of specific items from each other based on the received request.

In the case of the example of FIG. 13, the template generation unit 106 has 9 density settings, 3 double-sided settings, 2 180-degree image rotation settings, and 10 templates. Since it is specified, 10 combinations of settings are extracted from 9 × 3 × 2 = 54 combinations of settings, and a template of the extracted 10 combinations of settings is generated. In this embodiment, for example, in the case of setting the density, the template generation unit 106 randomly adopts the density setting in each template from the nine settings.

The template generation unit 106 stores the plurality of templates thus generated in the template storage unit 104 in association with the designated group name. The template storage unit 104 thus stores a group to which a plurality of templates belong. Further, the template storage unit 104 stores a plurality of groups by generating a group to which the plurality of templates belong a plurality of times. The template list display unit 222 of this embodiment displays a list of the template groups stored in this way.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a list of displayed groups. In the example of FIG. 14, the template list display unit 222 has a list C21 of groups "business card print group 1", "business card print group 2", and "catalog print group 1", a print start button A22, and a group. The template group selection screen B12 including the cancel button for canceling the selection of is displayed, and the "business card print group 2" is selected.

When the operation of pressing the print start button A22 is performed in this state, the third print start instruction operation reception unit 225 instructs this operation to start a test print using a plurality of templates belonging to the selected group. And notify the third print start request unit 226 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the third print start request unit 226 uses a test print using a plurality of templates belonging to the selected group to set the original instruction data (for example, the instruction data selected in the instruction data list). Request the start of.

The test print control unit 103 controls the operation of the image forming unit 30 to perform a test print using a plurality of templates belonging to the selected group. Specifically, the test print control unit 103 newly generates a plurality of instruction data instructing a plurality of test prints reflecting the plurality of templates belonging to the group. The instruction data output unit 132 outputs a plurality of generated instruction data to the instruction data storage unit 101, and stores each of them in a queue. After that, by operating each part as in the case of test print, test print based on a plurality of instruction data reflecting the template settings is performed. As a result, in this embodiment, a plurality of test prints continue until all of them are completed without stopping in the middle.

When multiple templates with different settings are stored, the test print using multiple templates is executed by performing the test print start operation using the templates multiple times while reselecting the target template. .. On the other hand, in this embodiment, if any of the above groups is selected, a test print using a plurality of templates belonging to the group is executed. As described above, according to this embodiment, the time and effort required to try a plurality of settings in the test print is reduced as compared with the case where the test print start operation using the template is performed a plurality of times. Further, by generating a plurality of templates by automatically allocating the settings, the time and effort required to generate the plurality of templates is less than when the user individually sets each template.

[3] Modifications Each of the above-mentioned examples is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and may be modified as follows. Moreover, each Example and each modification may be carried out in combination as necessary.

[3-1] Automatic allocation of settings In the second embodiment, each setting may be weighted when the automatic allocation of settings is performed in the generation of a plurality of templates. In that case, for example, on the template editing screen B11 shown in FIG. 13, an operation for determining the weight of each setting is performed.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the editing screen of the template of this modification. In FIG. 15, the client terminal 2a superimposes the template editing screen B11 on the weighting setting image G11. The weighting setting image G11 is an image for determining the weight of each option that is the target of automatic allocation in the setting item "both sides". In this example, the weights of each option of "long side binding", "top and bottom same", and "top and bottom reverse" are determined to be "50%", "25%", and "25%".

As a result, the template generation unit 106 adopts "long side binding" with a probability of 50% as the setting of the item "both sides", and has a probability of either "same top and bottom" or "reverse top and bottom" with a probability of 25%, respectively. To generate multiple templates. In this way, the template generation unit 106 assigns a weight determined by the user to each setting, and changes the probability of being adopted as the template setting according to the assigned weight. As a result, the tendency of setting a plurality of templates generated by automatic allocation is controlled based on the user's intention.

The automatic setting allocation method is not limited to the above. For example, the template generation unit 106 may generate a plurality of templates so that the settings to be allocated appear evenly. For example, in the case of the item of "concentration" shown in FIG. 13, the template generation unit 106 adopts nine settings for nine templates out of ten templates, and nine settings for the remaining one template. Randomly adopt one of the settings. This prevents the settings from being biased and adopted so that the test print with the settings you want to try is not performed.

[3-2] Template duplication The method of generating multiple templates is not limited to the above. For example, a copy of an existing template may be generated, and a plurality of templates may be generated by changing the settings of the generated copy.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a template list of this modification. In the example of FIG. 16, the template list display unit 222 shown in FIG. 12 displays the template list screen B13. On the template list screen B13, a template named "Business card print 1" and duplicated "Business card print 1 (copy 1)", "Business card print 1 (copy 2)", and "Business card print 1" are displayed. (Copy 3) ”is displayed. Further, by right-clicking, for example, with "Business card printing 1 (copy 1)" selected, the operation menu B14 including the copy button A23 and the property button A24 is displayed.

When the operation of pressing the copy button A23 is performed, the template editing operation receiving unit 231 accepts this operation, and the template editing requesting unit 232 requests the image processing unit 10 to duplicate the template. Upon receiving this request, the template generation unit 106 duplicates the template stored in the template storage unit 104 and generates a new template. The template generation unit 106 stores the duplicated template in the template storage unit 104.

When the operation of pressing the property button A24 is performed, the property display operation receiving unit 211 accepts this operation, and the property display unit 212 displays the property of the template.
FIG. 17 shows an example of the property screen of the template. In FIG. 17, the property screen B15 of the template “1 for business card printing (copy 1)” is displayed. On the property screen B15, a reflection button A25 that reflects the editing result of the setting performed on this screen and a cancel button A26 that does not reflect the editing result are displayed.

When the user edits the settings on this screen and presses the reflect button A25, the template generation unit 106 reads the template whose properties are displayed from the template storage unit 104 and reflects the changed settings. Generate a new template whose settings have been changed by the user. The template generation unit 106 overwrites the original template stored in the template storage unit 104 with a new template whose settings have been changed. By repeating this setting change operation by the user, from the template "Business card print 1", "Business card print 1 (copy 1)", "Business card print 1 (copy 2)", "Business card print 1 (" A template with three settings different from each other is generated.

The user may also display the properties of each template for the plurality of templates generated by the automatic allocation of the second embodiment and change the settings to be tried in the test print. In short, if the user sets all the items, it will take a lot of trouble, so the user can save the trouble by setting only some items by using the template generated by automatic allocation or the duplicated template. Just do it.

[3-3] Test print In the second embodiment, a plurality of test prints were continued without stopping in the middle until all of them were completed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the test print control unit 103 outputs instruction data reflecting the template and stores it in the instruction data storage unit 101, but does not store other than the first instruction data in the queue. Then, the test print control unit 103 stores the instruction data one by one in the queue each time the user performs an operation to start the test print.

In this case, the test print is stopped every time the test print reflecting one template is completed, so that the user determines the result of the test print image every time. As a result, when the user determines that the image is sufficiently produced, the test printing after that is stopped, and the cost of the electric power for operating the medium and the image forming apparatus is reduced.

Further, in the test print, the test print control unit 103 may not only print each page of the document to be printed one sheet at a time, but may print, for example, two or more sheets at a time, or print only a part of the pages. May be good. Further, when the document of one page is divided into a plurality of areas, the test print control unit 103 may print only one of the areas.

[3-4] Generation of instruction data In the above embodiment, when the first instruction data and the template are selected, the test print control unit 103 sets the first instruction data separately from the first instruction data. The second instruction data is generated by changing the setting of the first instruction data to the setting of the template, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the setting of the first instruction data may be changed to the setting of the template and saved by overwriting. In this case, it is not necessary to reflect the template setting in the first instruction data.

[3-5] Category of Invention The present invention can be regarded as an image processing device that processes an image like the image processing unit 10, as well as an image processing device and an image forming device including the image forming unit, and is a client terminal. It can also be regarded as an image forming system including a device serving as a user interface and an image forming device as in 2. Further, the present invention can be regarded as an image processing method for realizing the processing performed by each device, and also as a program for operating a computer that controls each device. This program may be provided in the form of a recording medium such as an optical disk that stores it, or may be downloaded to a computer via a communication line such as the Internet, and installed and made available. May be provided.

1 ... Image forming device, 2 ... Client terminal, 10 ... Image processing unit, 20 ... Operation panel unit, 30 ... Image forming unit, 101 ... Instruction data storage unit, 102 ... Print control unit, 103 ... Test print control unit, 104 ... Template storage unit, 105 ... Template reflection unit, 106 ... Template generation unit, 201 ... Print setting operation reception unit, 202 ... First print start instruction operation reception unit, 203 ... Instruction data generation unit, 204 ... First print start request Unit, 205 ... Instruction data list display operation reception unit, 206 ... Instruction data list display unit, 211 ... Property display operation reception unit, 212 ... Property display unit, 213 ... Second print start instruction operation reception unit, 214 ... Second print Start request unit 215 ... Test print status display unit 221 ... Template list display operation reception unit 222 ... Template list display unit 223 ... Template reflection operation reception unit 224 ... Template reflection request unit 225 ... Third print start instruction Operation reception unit, 226 ... Third print start request unit, 231 ... Template editing operation reception unit, 232 ... Template editing request unit.

Claims (5)

The instruction data list display unit that displays the list of the first instruction data, and
The first reception unit that accepts the selection of one first instruction data from the list of the first instruction data, and
Template list display section that displays a list of templates, and
The second reception section that accepts the selection of one template from the list of templates,
A print start request unit that requests an image forming apparatus to start a test print using the second instruction data generated from the selected first instruction data and the selected template, and a print start request unit.
The first change to change the setting of the first instruction data to the setting of the second instruction data when a specific operation is performed on the screen displayed when the test print is performed using the second instruction data. A client terminal with a department. The instruction data list display unit that displays the list of the first instruction data, and
The first reception unit that accepts the selection of one first instruction data from the list of the first instruction data, and
A template list display unit that displays a list of templates or a list of groups to which the relevant template belongs , and
A second reception unit that accepts the selection of one template from the list of templates or one group from the list of groups .
If the selection of the one template is accepted, a test print using the second instruction data generated from the selected first instruction data and the selected template , or the selection of the one group may be performed. If accepted, an image of the process of starting multiple test prints using the plurality of second instruction data generated from each of the selected first instruction data and the selected templates belonging to the group. A client terminal including a print start request unit required for a forming device. It is provided with a print start request unit that generates data indicating an instruction to print information identifying the template on a medium for performing a test print using the template as instruction data for instructing a test print reflecting the settings of the template.
The client terminal according to claim 1 or 2 . The client terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising a template editing request unit that requests an image forming apparatus to generate a plurality of templates having different settings of specific items. The fourth aspect of claim 4 , wherein the template editing request unit assigns a weight determined by a user to each setting, and requests an image forming apparatus to change the probability of being adopted as a template setting according to the assigned weight. Client terminal.

Images