JP7543812B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Description

This application relates to an image forming device, an image forming system, and a program that store processing information related to image formation processing.

Various technologies have been proposed for storing image jobs that include image data. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printer with a so-called secure print function. In a printer with a secure print function, for example, when a print job with a password attached is received from a PC, the printer stores the received print job in memory without immediately printing it. If the password entered via the user interface matches a password stored in advance, the printer executes printing of the stored print job.

JP 2010-113595 A

Before printing image data, a printer refers to processing information such as font data and performs image processing before printing. If an accepted job such as the one described above is stored without being executed immediately, a problem arises as to how to store processing information such as font data.

The present application therefore aims to provide an image forming device, an image forming system, and a program that can change the storage destination of processing information related to image processing depending on whether or not an image job is to be stored.

The image forming device according to the present application includes a main memory, a first connection interface to which an external memory can be connected, an image forming unit that performs image formation, and a control unit. When an image job including image data is received, the control unit executes an image forming process in which the image forming unit performs image formation based on the image data included in the received image job, and when a specific storage setting for storing the image job in the external memory is set, the control unit executes a storage process in which the image data included in the image job is stored in the external memory, and when a setting job including processing information related to image processing of the image data of the image job is received in the case where the specific storage setting is not set, the control unit executes a first storage process in which the processing information included in the received setting job is stored in the main memory, and when the specific storage setting is set, the control unit executes a second storage process in which the processing information included in the received setting job is stored in the main memory or the external memory based on storage destination determination information, when the setting job is received.

The storage process is a concept that includes not only the process of storing image data included in an image job in an external memory without changing it, but also the process of performing image processing on the image data of an image job and then storing it in an external memory. The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in various forms, such as an image forming system including the image forming device and an external device connected to the image forming device, a computer program for realizing the functions of the image forming device, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

According to the image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program of the present application, when a specific storage setting is set, image data is stored in an external memory. When a specific storage setting is not set, when a setting job is received, processing information included in the received setting job is stored in the main memory. When a specific storage setting is set, the processing information included in the received setting job is stored in the main memory or the external memory based on the storage destination determination information. This makes it possible to change the storage destination of the processing information depending on whether or not image data of the image job is stored. When the processing information is stored in the main memory, the processing information can be read out more quickly when performing image processing than when the processing information is stored in an external memory, and can be used for image processing. The processing time required for image processing can be reduced. When the processing information is stored in the external memory, the setting information is stored in the external memory together with the image data, making it easier to manage data. In addition, it is possible to prevent the available storage capacity of the main memory from being reduced by storing the setting information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the MFP. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the contents of an image job and a setting job. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of a registration process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a registration screen of a printer driver for registering macro data. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a registration screen of a printer driver for registering font data. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a job process. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a job process.

Below, an MFP1, which is one embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present application, will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the MFP1. The MFP (short for Multi Function Peripheral) 1 is a multifunction machine equipped with a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, and a fax function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP1 is equipped with a memory 11, a CPU 12, a printing unit 16, an image reading unit 17 for reading images, a fax IF (short for interface) 18 for sending and receiving faxes, a user IF 20, a network IF 24, a USB IF 27, and the like. These CPUs 12 and the like are connected to each other via a bus 10.

The memory 11 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, and a non-volatile memory (such as an EEPROM). The memory 11 includes, for example, a program area 11A, an engine area 11B, a common key area 11C, a processing information area 11D, and an image data storage area 11E. The program area 11A, the engine area 11B, the common key area 11C, and the processing information area 11D are non-volatile storage areas configured, for example, by ROM or non-volatile memory. The image data storage area 11E is a volatile storage area configured, for example, by RAM. The configuration of the memory 11 is not particularly limited. The memory 11 may include, for example, an HDD, an NVRAM, a flash memory, etc. Also, the program area 11A, the engine area 11B, etc. may be volatile storage areas, and the image data storage area 11E may be a non-volatile storage area.

The program area 11A stores various programs 31 and image processing programs 32 executed by the CPU 12. The programs 31 are, for example, programs that provide overall control over the various parts of the MFP 1. The image processing programs 32 are programs that execute RIP (short for Raster Image Processor) processing. In the following description, the MFP 1 that executes the programs 31 with the CPU 12 may be referred to simply by its device name. For example, the statement "MFP 1 accepts jobs via the network IF 24" may mean "MFP 1 controls the network IF 24 by executing the programs 31 with the CPU 12, and accepts jobs via the network IF 24."

The engine area 11B is a storage area used by the printing unit 16. The common key area 11C stores a common key 78 used to encrypt and decrypt the second image data GD2 and processing information PD2 stored in the USB storage 47 described below. The processing information area 11D is used to store the processing information PD1 described below. The image data storage area 11E is used to store the second image data GD2 described below. The printing unit 16 has, for example, an electrophotographic printing engine and performs printing by the electrophotographic method. The printing unit 16 performs printing based on the image data stored in the engine area 11B. The printing engine may be configured to print by the inkjet method using, for example, an inkjet head or the like.

The user IF 20 includes, for example, a touch panel and keys, and displays, for example, various setting screens and the operating status of the device on the touch panel based on the control of the CPU 12. The user IF 20 also transmits signals to the CPU 12 in response to operation inputs to the touch panel and keys. The network IF 24 is, for example, a LAN interface. For example, a plurality of PCs (abbreviation of personal computers) 53 are connected to the network 51 of this embodiment. The network IF 24 is an example of a second connection interface. The second connection interface may be, for example, an IEEE 1394 interface, or a wireless communication interface such as a wireless LAN, NFC, or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The MFP 1 may also be connected to a WAN via the second connection interface. The PC 53 is an example of an external device. The external device is not limited to the PC 53, and may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

USBIF27 is, for example, an interface that complies with the USB standard. USBIF27 is an example of a first connection interface. As with the first connection interface, various types of interfaces can be used for the first connection interface.

The USBIF 27 executes input and output of data between the USB device connected to the USB port 46 under the control of the CPU 12. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a USB storage 47 is connected to the USB port 46 as a USB device. The USB storage 47 is, for example, a portable storage device such as a USB memory. The USB storage 47 is an example of an external memory. Note that the external memory is not limited to a USB memory, and may be a storage device such as a HDD that can be connected via USB, a memory card that can communicate with a USB-connected card reader, a HDD of a PC or mobile terminal that is connected to the MFP 1 via a network, an SD card, or network storage.

Next, the operation of the PC 53 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 2, the image job GJ includes, for example, instruction information DI written in printer job language (abbreviated as PJL) and first image data GD1 written in page description language (abbreviated as PDL). The instruction information DI is, for example, written using multiple PJL commands.

The first image data GD1 is data written in, for example, PCL (short for Printer Command Language). The first image data GD1 is written in, for example, multiple PCL commands. The first image data GD1 is not limited to PDL data written in PCL, but may be PS data, JPEG data, GDI data, etc. The setting job CJ is written in, for example, PJL or PCL, and includes processing information PD to be registered in the MFP1.

Figure 3 shows the contents of the registration process executed by PC 53. When PC 53 receives an operation input to display a print setting screen of the printer driver, for example, it starts the registration process shown in Figure 3. The following flowchart basically shows the processing of PC 53 according to the commands written in the printer driver program. That is, the processing such as "display" in the following explanation represents the processing of PC 53. The processing by PC 53 also includes hardware control.

First, in step (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 11 in FIG. 3, PC 53 displays a screen for accepting registration of macro data. For example, a user uses content creation software to create template content, such as an image with a company logo inserted, a document with header information set, and a document with margins set, and then performs a specified operation on the content creation software. The content creation software calls a driver program to display a print settings screen. For example, PC 53 starts the driver program, displays the print settings screen, and then accepts an operation input to select the "Macro registration settings" button on the print settings screen, displaying the registration screen 81 shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, the PC 53 displays an ID input field 83, a storage destination display field 85, and an OK button 87 on the registration screen 81. The PC 53 accepts the ID number of the macro data to be registered in the ID input field 83 (S13), and displays the entered ID number in the ID input field 83 (see FIG. 4). The method of accepting the ID number is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, the PC 53 may inquire of the MFP 1 by a PJL command or the like whether the entered ID number is the same as the ID number of the macro data already registered. If there is an overlap, the PC 53 may display an error on the registration screen 81. Alternatively, if there is an overlap, the PC 53 or the MFP 1 may automatically assign a unique ID number. Also, the PC 53 or the MFP 1 may automatically assign a unique ID number without accepting an ID number input from the user. Furthermore, when an ID number that has already been registered is specified, the PC 53 or MFP 1 may delete or overwrite the macro data for that ID number and register new macro data.

The PC 53 obtains information on the storage destination of the second image data GD2 from the MFP 1 (S15). For example, the PC 53 uses a PJL command to inquire about the storage destination information from the MFP 1. Here, the MFP 1 has an accumulation printing function and a specific storage function. The accumulation printing function is a function that, when an image job GJ is received from the PC 53, accumulates image data (referred to as second image data GD2) obtained by RIP processing the first image data GD1 of the received image job GJ, and prints it when instructed via the user IF 20. The specific storage function is, for example, a function that stores the second image data GD2 in a specific storage destination in the accumulation printing function. When the specific storage function is enabled, the MFP 1 accumulates the second image data GD2 in the USB storage 47. When the specific function is disabled, the MFP 1 accumulates the second image data GD2 in the memory 11. The specific storage function is disabled in the factory default state, for example, and can be enabled by an operation via the user IF 20. Instead of the user IF 20, for example, an EWS program may be executed by the CPU 12 to make the MFP 1 function as a web server, and a setting to enable the specific storage function may be received via a web page. Note that any storage device that can be connected to the first connection interface, not limited to the USB storage 47, may be used as the storage destination when the specific storage function is enabled.

When the accumulated printing function or the specific storage function is disabled, the MFP 1 responds to the PC 53 with information indicating that the storage destination is the memory 11. Also, when the accumulated printing function and the specific storage function are enabled, the MFP 1 responds to the PC 53 with information indicating that the storage destination is the USB storage 47.

When the PC 53 determines that the storage destination is the USB storage 47 based on the storage destination information acquired from the MFP 1 (S17: YES), it executes S19. In S19, the PC 53 displays a screen (not shown) for selecting whether to store the macro data in the USB storage 47 or in the memory 11 (S19). After displaying the selection screen, the PC 53 accepts the selection of the storage destination (S21). When the PC 53 accepts the operation input for selecting the storage destination, it displays the information of the selected storage destination on the registration screen 81 (S21, see FIG. 4). FIG. 4 shows a case where the memory 11 has been selected as the storage destination, and the words "Main body memory" are displayed in the storage destination display field 85. After executing S21, the PC 53 executes S23.

On the other hand, if the PC 53 determines in S17 that the storage destination is the memory 11 (S17: NO), it executes S25 and displays on the registration screen 81 that the memory 11 has been selected as the storage destination for the macro data (S25, see FIG. 4). In other words, the PC 53 and the MFP 1 accept the selection of whether to store the macro data in the USB storage 47 or in the memory 11 only when the second image data GD2 is stored in the USB storage 47 (when the specific storage function is enabled). After executing S25, when the PC 53 accepts the selection of the OK button 87, it sends to the MFP 1 a setting job CJ (see FIG. 2) in which the macro data, storage destination information, and ID number are set as processing information PD (S27). The macro data is data converted by the printer driver so that the MFP 1 can use the content created by the content creation software as macro data.

Although the above description has been about registering macro data, the same can be done for registering font data. Figure 5 shows a registration screen 81A when registering font data. The ID input field 83 and storage destination display field 85 are the same as those in Figure 4. In S13, the PC 53 accepts the ID number and information about the source of the font data to be registered. For example, the PC 53 accepts the file path of the font data in the path input field 89. This path information may be, for example, the path of the font data stored in the PC 53, or it may be a URL indicating the download source of the font data.

After receiving the information on the acquisition source in S13, the PC 53 executes S15 to S27 in the same manner as for registering macro data. The PC 53 transmits a setting job CJ in which the font data, storage destination information, and ID number are set as processing information PD to the MFP 1 (S27). The macro data is font data acquired by the PC 53 using the information on the acquisition source.

Next, the operation of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. When the MFP 1 accepts an image job GJ or a setting job CJ, it starts the job processing shown in Figures 6 and 7. The following flowchart basically shows the processing of the CPU 12 according to the commands written in the program 31.

The job processing in FIG. 6 will first be described when a setting job CJ is received from the PC 53. When the CPU 12 of the MFP 1 receives a setting job CJ or an image job GJ from the PC 53, it executes the processing from S31 onwards for each command included in the received job. For example, the CPU 12 sets the command in the first line in the job as the command to be processed, and executes the processing while changing the command to be processed from the first line to the last line.

In S31, the CPU 12 judges whether the command to be processed is a command indicating the use of the storage print function (e.g., Storage Print=ON). Since the current job is the setting job CJ and the command indicating the above-mentioned use is not set, the CPU 12 judges negative (S31: NO) and executes S35. In S35, the CPU 12 judges whether the command to be processed is a command (e.g., PJL ENTER LANGUAGE=PCL) that instructs transition to processing of data described in a page description language (hereinafter referred to as page description data. For example, the first image data GD1, processing information PD). If the CPU 12 judges negative (S35: NO), it processes the remaining PJL commands. If the CPU 12 judges positive (S35: YES), it executes the processing from S37 onwards to process the page description data.

In S37, the CPU 12 determines whether the command to be processed is a registration command for processing information PD (e.g., font data or macro data). The CPU 12 determines that the processing information PD is set in the setting job CJ (S37: YES), and obtains the storage destination and ID number of the processing information PD (S39). This storage destination and ID number information is, for example, the information that the PC 53 sets in the setting job CJ in S27 and sends to the MFP 1 in the registration process of FIG. 3 described above.

The CPU 12 executes registration of font data or macro data in the processing information PD based on the information acquired in S39 (S41). For example, when the CPU 12 acquires information to be stored in the USB storage 47 as the storage destination in S39, it encrypts the font data or macro data included in the processing information PD with the common key 78 in the memory 11, associates an ID number with the encrypted data, and stores it in the USB storage 47 as processing information PD2 (S41). For example, the common key 78 is stored in the common key area 11C of the memory 11 at the time of shipment from the factory. The CPU 12 may generate a device-specific common key 78 using random numbers or the like when the system is started for the first time after shipment from the factory.

In addition, when the CPU 12 acquires information to be stored in the memory 11 as the storage destination in S39, the CPU 12 associates the font data or macro data with an ID number without encrypting it, and stores the data in the memory 11 as processing information PD1 (S41). Thereafter, the CPU 12 can manage the processing information PD1 and PD2 by the ID number.

The CPU 12 changes the command to be processed to the command in the next line of the processed processing information PD, and executes S43. The CPU 12 judges whether the command to be processed is a command requesting the use of the processing information PD (S43). In the case of the setting job CJ shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 12 judges negative (S43: NO). In S49, if the command to be processed is a drawing command, the CPU 12 causes the image processing program 32 to execute RIP processing to generate the second image data GD2. In the case of the setting job CJ shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 12 does not execute RIP processing. If the CPU 12 judges that there is unprocessed page description data (S51: YES), the CPU 12 changes the command to be processed to the command in the next line, and executes the process from S37. On the other hand, if the CPU 12 has processed all the page description data, if the command to be processed is a command to instruct the ejection of the paper being printed, or if the command to be processed is a command indicating the end (S51: NO), the CPU 12 executes S53.

The CPU 12 determines whether the generation of the second image data GD2 executed by the image processing program 32 in S49 has been completed (S53). If the setting job CJ shown in FIG. 2 has been received, the RIP process is not executed, so the CPU 12 makes a negative determination (S53: NO) and ends the process shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This allows the font data or macro data included in the processing information PD of the setting job CJ to be registered in the memory 11 or USB storage 47.

Next, a case where an image job GJ including a command to use accumulated printing is received will be described. In the following explanation, the same processing as that when the above-mentioned setting job CJ is received will be omitted as appropriate. The image job GJ shown in FIG. 2 contains a command indicating the use of the accumulated printing function. Therefore, the CPU 12 makes a positive determination in S31 (S31: YES), and obtains information on the user name, job name, and password from the image job GJ while changing the command to be processed (S33, see FIG. 2).

The CPU 12 judges S35: YES for the line "PJL ENTER LANGUAGE = PCL" in the first image data GD1, and judges S37: NO for the line "PCL font use request command font ID". Since the line "PCL font use request command font ID" is a use request command (S43: YES), the CPU 12 searches for font data or macro data from the processing information PD1 stored in the memory 11 or the processing information PD2 stored in the USB storage 47 using the ID number specified in the use request command (S45). If it is a font data use request command, the font data is searched for, and if it is a macro data use request command, the macro data is searched for. For example, the CPU 12 reads out the detected font data and stores it in the working area of the memory 11 (S45). When the CPU 12 reads the processing information PD2 from the USB storage 47, it decrypts it using the common key 78 and stores it in the memory 11 (S45).

Next, the CPU 12 causes the image processing program 32 to execute a process to acquire the font data or macro data stored in the memory 11 in S45 (S47). The CPU 12 processes the command in the next line. Since the next command is a drawing command, the CPU 12 causes the image processing program 32 to execute a RIP process to generate the second image data GD2 (S49). The CPU 12 uses the font data or macro data acquired in S47 in the RIP process of the image processing program 32. Note that, for example, if the first image data GD1 contains multiple usage request commands, the CPU 12 causes the image processing program 32 to acquire multiple font data or macro data by repeatedly executing the processes of S45 and S47. This allows the image processing program 32 to execute a RIP process using multiple font data and macro data to generate the second image data GD2. If the first image data GD1 includes a print request command for font data or macro data that differs for each print page, the CPU 12 can change the font data and macro data that the image processing program 32 acquires for each print page by repeatedly executing the processes of S45 and S47.

When there is no unprocessed data (S51: NO), the CPU 12 executes S53. When it determines that the generation of the second image data GD2 instructed to the image processing program 32 in S49 is complete (S53: YES), the CPU 12 executes S55. Because the image job GJ includes a command to use accumulated printing (S55: YES), the CPU 12 executes S61.

When the accumulated printing function is enabled, the CPU 12 may target all received image jobs GJ for accumulated printing, regardless of whether or not they contain an accumulated printing usage command. In this case, the CPU 12 may, for example, make a positive judgment in S55 when the accumulated printing function is enabled (S55: YES). The CPU 12 may also target image jobs GJ that contain an accumulated printing usage command for accumulated printing, even if the accumulated printing function is disabled.

The CPU 12 associates the user name, job name, and password acquired in S33 with the second image data GD2 for which generation has been completed, and stores them (S61). When the specific storage function is disabled, the CPU 12 stores the user name, job name, and password information and the second image data GD2 in the memory 11 without encrypting them. When the specific storage function is enabled, the CPU 12 encrypts the user name, job name, and password information and the second image data GD2 with a common key 78 and stores them in the USB storage 47. Therefore, the MFP 1 of this embodiment uses the same common key 78 to encrypt the second image data GD2 and the processing information PD2. Also, the storage destination of the second image data GD2 can be changed depending on whether the specific storage function is enabled or disabled. When the CPU 12 executes S61, it ends the processing of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. It is also possible to use different common keys for the second image data GD2 and the processing information PD2.

Next, a case where an image job GJ that does not specify storage printing is received (not shown) will be described. An image job GJ that does not specify storage printing is an image job that does not include the command to use the storage printing function (e.g., Storage Print = ON) and the password from the image job GJ in FIG. 2. Note that in the following explanation, explanations of the same processing as when an image job GJ that includes the above-mentioned setting job CJ and a command to use storage printing is received will be omitted as appropriate.

The CPU 12 judges the command from the first line of the image job GJ that does not specify storage printing, and processes it in the same way as the image job GJ that includes a usage command up to S53. Since the image job GJ does not include a usage command for storage printing (S55: NO), the CPU 12 causes the image processing program 32 to output the generated second image data GD2 to the engine area 11B of the memory 11 (S57). The CPU 12 causes the printing unit 16 to print the second image data GD2 stored in the engine area 11B (S59), and ends the processing shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this way, printing of the image job GJ that does not specify storage printing can be executed. Note that the CPU 12 may instruct the image processing program 32 to set the output destination of the second image data GD2 to the engine area 11B at the time of S49, and omit S57. The printing unit 16 may also be configured to print the second image data GD2 stored in the engine area 11B without the need for the instruction of S59.

When printing the stored second image data GD2, the MFP1, for example, receives a print instruction via the user IF 20, and displays a list of the stored second image data GD2 on the user IF 20. If the specific storage function is enabled, the second image data GD2 stored in the USB storage 47 is displayed as a list, and if the specific storage function is disabled, the second image data GD2 stored in the memory 11 is displayed as a list. When the CPU 12 receives the selection of any second image data GD2, it performs authentication via the user IF 20 using a password associated with the selected second image data GD2, and executes printing if the authentication is successful. If the selected second image data GD2 is stored in the USB storage 47 and is associated with a password, the CPU 12 decrypts the second image data GD2 and the password using the common key 78.

The method of instructing printing of the stored second image data GD2 and the authentication method are not limited to the above-mentioned methods. For example, the CPU 12 may perform authentication using a username and password in the user IF 20. Then, if the authentication is successful, the CPU 12 may print all of the second image data GD2 associated with the successfully authenticated username.

(Other processing)
As described above, when storing the processing information PD, which is font data or macro data, the CPU 12 of this embodiment assigns an ID number to the processing information PD and stores it (S41). When the CPU 12 uses the font data or macro data for printing, the CPU 12 searches for and uses the font data or macro data by the ID number. For example, if the USB storage 47 storing the processing information PD is designed to be usable by the MFP1 or another MFP even when the USB storage 47 is removed from the MFP1 and reconnected or when the USB storage 47 is connected to another MFP, the ID number of the processing information PD1 stored in the memory 11 and the ID number of the processing information PD2 stored in the USB storage 47 may overlap. For example, while the USB storage 47 is being removed, the ID number of the processing information PD2 stored in the USB storage 47 may be assigned to the processing information PD1 to be newly stored in the memory 11.

In such a case, the CPU 12 may prioritize the memory 11 or the USB storage 47 for processing information PD with duplicate ID numbers, and use the prioritized processing information PD. For example, when searching for processing information PD by ID number, the CPU 12 may prioritize the order of searches and use the processing information PD found first. The CPU 12 may search for the ID number from the USB storage 47 first, and when processing information PD with the same ID number is stored in the memory 11 and the USB storage 47, the CPU 12 may detect the processing information PD in the USB storage 47 first, and use the processing information PD in the USB storage 47 preferentially.

Alternatively, when the CPU 12 detects processing information PD with a duplicate ID number, it may invalidate the processing information PD stored in the memory 11 or the USB storage 47. For example, when the CPU 12 detects that font data or macro data with the same ID number is stored in the memory 11 and the USB storage 47 when the USB storage 47 is connected, it may search for the ID number in only one of the memory 11 or the USB storage 47, without searching the other. In this case, even if processing information PD2 with an ID number not found in the memory 11 is stored in the USB storage 47, the processing information PD2 will not be used when the USB storage 47 is invalidated.

The CPU 12 may also accept a deletion process for the processing information PD by specifying an ID number and the storage destination of the processing information PD for that ID number. This allows one of two processing information PDs with overlapping ID numbers to be specified and deleted as being unnecessary. When the USB storage 47 is connected, the CPU 12 may also delete the processing information PD stored in the memory 11 with the same ID number as the ID number stored in the USB storage 47.

The CPU 12 may also accept the movement of processing information PD between the memory 11 and the USB storage 47. For example, the CPU 12 may accept an instruction from the printer driver to move font data from the memory 11 to the USB storage 47 individually or all at once. In this case, the CPU 12 may encrypt the font data in the memory 11 before moving it to the USB storage 47.

In the above embodiment, when the specific storage function is enabled, the PC 53 accepts the selection of the storage destination of the processing information PD, but this is not limited to the above. For example, when the specific storage function is disabled, the CPU 12 may accept the selection of the storage destination of the processing information PD from the PC 53. Also, the CPU 12 may determine the storage destination without accepting the selection by the PC 53. The CPU 12 may determine the storage destination according to the data amount of the font data or macro data of the processing information PD. For example, when the specific storage function is enabled, the CPU 12 stores the font data in the USB storage 47 when it determines that the data amount of the font data is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. This threshold can be determined according to, for example, the storage capacity and free space of the memory 11. For example, for font data with a large data amount that is a proportion of several tens of percent or more of the total storage capacity of the memory 11, the memory 11 can be prevented from running out of storage capacity by storing the font data in the USB storage 47. In this case, the data amount of the processing information PD is an example of storage destination determination information.

Alternatively, the CPU 12 may change the storage destination depending on the type of processing information PD. For example, the CPU 12 may store font data in the USB storage 47 and macro data in the memory 11. This allows font data, which is likely to be larger in data volume than macro data, to be stored in the USB storage 47, preventing the memory 11 from running out of storage capacity. In this case, the type of processing information PD is an example of storage destination determination information. The printer driver of the PC 53 may also determine the storage destination based on the data volume and type described above. When the CPU 12 automatically determines the storage destination of the processing information PD described above, if the USB storage 47 is not connected and storage is not possible, the CPU 12 may take measures such as displaying an error or storing the information in the memory 11.

Incidentally, MFP1 is an example of an image forming device. CPU 12 is an example of a control unit. Memory 11 is an example of a main body memory. Printing unit 16 is an example of an image forming unit. Network IF 24 is an example of a second connection interface. USB port 46 is an example of a first connection interface. USB storage 47 is an example of an external memory. PC 53 is an example of an external device. Common key 78 is an example of an encryption key. First image data GD1 is an example of image data.

As described above, according to the embodiment, the following effects are achieved.
(1) The CPU 12 of the MFP 1 of this embodiment executes printing based on the first image data GD1 included in the accepted image job GJ (S59, an example of an image forming process). When the specific storage function (an example of a specific storage setting) is enabled, the CPU 12 stores the second image data GD2 obtained by RIP processing the first image data GD1 in the USB storage 47 (S61, an example of a storage process). When the specific storage function is disabled, the CPU 12 stores the processing information PD included in the accepted setting job CJ as processing information PD1 in the memory 11 (S41, an example of a first storage process). When the specific storage function is enabled, the CPU 12 stores the processing information PD included in the accepted setting job CJ in the memory 11 or the USB storage 47 based on the information (an example of storage destination determination information) received from the PC 53 in S39 (S41, an example of a second storage process). According to this, when the specific storage function is enabled, the storage destination of the processing information PD is changed in response to an instruction from the PC 53. This makes it possible to change the storage destination of the processing information PD depending on whether or not the second image data GD2 is to be stored in the USB storage 47. For example, if the processing information PD is stored in the memory 11, the processing information PD can be read out quickly when the RIP process is executed.

(2) Furthermore, when the specific storage function is enabled, the CPU 12 acquires from the PC 53 a setting job CJ including information on the storage destination of the processing information PD (S15, S39, an example of an acquisition process). The CPU 12 changes the storage destination of the processing information PD based on the storage destination information acquired from the PC 53. This makes it possible for the PC 53 to instruct the MFP 1 to select the storage destination of the processing information PD only when the specific storage function is enabled.

(3) The CPU 12 also notifies the PC 53 of whether or not the specific storage function is enabled by notifying information about the storage destination of the second image data GD2 (S15, an example of a notification process). If the CPU 12 notifies the PC 53 that the storage destination is set to memory 11, the PC 53 specifies memory 11 as the storage destination of the processing information PD (S25). If the CPU 12 notifies the PC 53 that USB storage 47 is set as the storage destination of the second image data GD2, the PC 53 accepts the selection of the storage destination of the processing information PD. This makes it possible to change the processing content on the PC 53 side that determines the storage destination in accordance with the information notified from the MFP 1.

(4) Furthermore, when the specific storage function is enabled, the CPU 12 performs RIP processing on the first image data GD1 to generate second image data GD2 (S49, an example of image processing), and stores the generated second image data GD2 in the USB storage 47 (S61). At this time, in S49, the processing information PD specified in the first image data GD1 of the image job GJ is read from at least one of the memory 11 and the USB storage 47, and the second image data GD2 is generated based on the read processing information PD. In this way, before storing the first image data GD1, RIP processing using font data or macro data can be completed, and then the first image data GD1 can be stored in the USB storage 47.

(5) In addition, in S41, the CPU 12 assigns an ID number (an example of identification information) to the processing information PD and stores it. In RIP processing, the CPU 12 searches the memory 11 and the USB storage 47 for the processing information PD specified in the image job GJ based on the ID number (S45). In this way, by assigning an ID number to the processing information PD and storing it at the stage of storing it, it is possible to identify the processing information PD required in RIP processing by the ID number.

(6) When the USB storage 47 storing the processing information PD is connected, if the memory 11 and the USB storage 47 have processing information PD with the same ID number, the CPU 12 may preferentially use the processing information PD in the USB storage 47 for printing. For example, a user may connect the processing information PD that was previously purchased and stored in the USB storage 47 to the MFP 1 and use it. Also, if the processing information PD used in an arbitrary MFP 1 can be used in another MFP 1, the user may connect the USB storage 47 storing the processing information PD to the other MFP 1 and use it. In such cases where there is a possibility of duplication of ID numbers, the processing information PD in the USB storage 47 may be preferentially used for printing, so that the processing information PD that matches the user's intention may be preferentially used.

(7) Furthermore, the CPU 12 uses the same common key 78 when encrypting the second image data GD2 and processing information PD2 stored in the USB storage 47. This allows the encryption and decryption processes of the second image data GD2 and processing information PD2 to be executed efficiently, and the processing time required for encryption and decryption can be shortened. Furthermore, by encrypting the data stored in the USB storage 47, it is possible to prevent the decryption and leakage of data.

(8) Furthermore, the CPU 12 does not encrypt the processing information PD1 stored in the memory 11. This reduces the time it takes to read the processing information PD1 from the memory 11 and use it in the RIP process.

(9) In addition, the processing information PD in the above embodiment is font data used in the RIP process. According to this, when the specific storage function is enabled, the font data used in the RIP process can be stored in the USB storage 47 together with the second image data GD2.

(10) The processing information PD is also macro data that sets the logo to be printed, header information, margins, etc. According to this, when the specific storage function is enabled, the macro data used in the RIP process can be stored in the USB storage 47 together with the second image data GD2.

(11) The CPU 12 may also determine the storage destination of the processing information PD based on the data size of the processing information PD as storage destination determination information. This eliminates the need to accept information on the storage destination of the processing information PD from the user, and allows the storage destination to be automatically determined and the processing information PD to be allocated to the storage destination.

(12) The CPU 12 may also determine the storage destination of the processing information PD based on the type of the processing information PD as storage destination determination information. This eliminates the need to accept information on the storage destination of the processing information PD from the user, and allows the storage destination to be automatically determined and the processing information PD to be allocated to the storage destination.

(13) Information on whether or not a specific storage function is set (enabled/disabled information) may also be used as storage destination determination information. For example, if the specific storage function is enabled, the CPU 12 may store the processing information PD uniformly in the USB storage 47. This allows the storage destination of the processing information PD to be changed in conjunction with the allocation of the second image data GD2.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the image job GJ processed by the MFP1 is not limited to the image job GJ received from the PC 53, but may be, for example, a job received in email format from a mail server and instructed to print. The image job is not limited to a print job, but may be, for example, a FAX job. The CPU 12 may store the processing information PD in the USB storage 47 when the specific storage function is disabled. The second image data GD2 and the processing information PD2 stored in the USB storage 47 may not be encrypted. The second image data GD2 stored in the memory 11 and the processing information PD1 stored in the memory 11 may be encrypted. Different common keys 78 may be used for the second image data GD2 and the processing information PD2. The processing information PD1 may be stored in the memory 11. Moreover, the image processing is not limited to RIP processing, and other image processing such as gamma correction processing can be adopted. Moreover, the processing information PD may be either font data or macro data, or may be other parameters used in image processing such as gamma correction values. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the image job GJ and the setting job CJ are different jobs, but this is not limited to this. The image job GJ may include the processing information PD and be both an image job and a setting job. Moreover, the CPU 12 may store the first image data GD1 in the memory 11 or the USB storage 47 without RIP processing. Moreover, the image job is not limited to a print job, and may be a scan job that instructs the execution of a scan function, or a FAX job that instructs the execution of a FAX function. Moreover, the image forming unit is not limited to the printing unit 16, and may be other devices that form images, such as the image reading unit 17 and the FAX IF 18. Moreover, the identification information is not limited to an ID number, and may be information including characters, or information only of characters. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the CPU 12 that executes a predetermined program is adopted as the control unit, but this is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured with dedicated hardware such as an ASIC. The control unit may also be configured to operate using a combination of software processing and hardware processing. In addition, in the above embodiment, the image forming device according to the present invention is a multifunction device, MFP1, but this is not limited to this. The image forming device according to the present invention may also be a printer device that has only a print function.

1 MFP (image forming device), 11 memory (main body memory), 12 CPU (control unit), 16 printing unit (image forming unit), 24 network IF (second connection interface), 46 USB port (first connection interface), 53 PC (external device), 78 common key (encryption key), CJ setting job, 47 USB storage (external memory), GD1 first image data (image data), GD2 second image data, GJ image job, PD, PD1, PD2 processing information.

Claims (15)

The internal memory and
a first connection interface to which an external memory can be connected;
an image forming unit that performs image formation;
A control unit;
Equipped with
The control unit is
an image forming process in which, when an image job including image data is received, an image is formed by the image forming unit based on the image data included in the received image job;
a storage process for storing the image data included in the image job in the external memory when a specific storage setting for storing the image job in the external memory is set;
a first storage process for storing, in the main body memory, the processing information included in a setting job received when the specific storage setting is not set and the processing information is related to image processing of the image data of the image job;
a second storage process for storing the processing information included in the accepted setting job in the main body memory or the external memory based on storage destination determination information when the specific storage setting is set and the setting job is accepted;
An image forming apparatus that performs the above. a second connection interface capable of communicating with an external device;
The control unit is
executes an acquisition process for acquiring the setting job including information indicating whether the storage destination of the processing information is to be the main memory or the external memory from the external device via the second connection interface when the specific storage setting is set;
2. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein, if, as a result of the acquisition process, an instruction to store in the main memory is received from the external device as the storage destination determination information, in the second storage process, the processing information included in the setting job is stored in the main memory, and, if, as a result of the acquisition process, an instruction to store in the external memory is received from the external device as the storage destination determination information, in the second storage process, the processing information included in the setting job is stored in the external memory. The control unit is
a notification process is executed to notify the external device via the second connection interface of whether or not the specific storage setting is set, and if the notification process notifies that the specific storage setting is not set, the external device is capable of transmitting a command to specify the main body memory as a storage destination for the processing information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein, in the notification process, after notifying that the specific storage setting has been set, the acquisition process and the second storage process are executed. The control unit is
An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in the storage process, the image processing is performed on the image data included in the image job to generate second image data, and the generated second image data is stored in the external memory, and, in the image processing, the processing information specified in the image job is read from at least one of the main memory and the external memory, and the second image data is generated based on the read processing information. The control unit is
In the first storage process and the second storage process, identification information is assigned to the processing information and stored;
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the storing process, the processing information designated in the image job is searched for from the main memory and the external memory based on the identification information. The control unit is
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the external memory in which the processing information is stored is connected and the processing information having the same identification information exists in the main memory and the external memory, the processing information in the external memory is used preferentially for the image processing. The control unit is
In the storage process, the image data included in the image job is encrypted and stored in the external memory;
In the second storage process, when the processing information is to be stored in the external memory based on the storage destination determination information, the processing information is encrypted and stored in the external memory;
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing information is encrypted using an encryption key used to encrypt the image data. The control unit is
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the second storage process, when the processing information is stored in the main body memory based on the storage destination determination information, the processing information is stored without being encrypted. The processing information is
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is font data used in the image processing. The processing information is
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the macro data indicates the processing content of the image processing, and the image forming apparatus is capable of specifying an image to be added in the image processing by the macro data, and of specifying the form of image data to be formed in the image processing by the macro data. The control unit is
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the second storage process, the storage destination of the processing information is determined as the storage destination determination information, based on the data size of the processing information, to be the main memory or the external memory. The control unit is
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the second storage process, the storage destination determination information is determined as to whether the storage destination of the processing information is to be the main memory or the external memory based on the type of the processing information. The storage destination determination information is
information on whether the specific storage setting is set or not,
The control unit is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when the specific storage setting is set, the processing information is stored in the external memory in the second storage process. An image forming apparatus;
an external device connected to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system comprising:
The image forming apparatus includes:
The internal memory and
a first connection interface to which an external memory can be connected;
an image forming unit that performs image formation;
A control unit;
Equipped with
The control unit is
an image forming process in which, when an image job including image data is received from the external device, an image is formed by the image forming unit based on the image data included in the received image job;
a storage process for storing the image data included in the image job received from the external device in the external memory when a specific storage setting for storing the image job in the external memory is set;
a first storage process for storing, when the specific storage setting is not set, the processing information included in the accepted setting job, which is related to image processing of the image data of the image job, in the main body memory when the specific storage setting is not set, and
a second storage process for storing the processing information included in the accepted setting job in the main body memory or the external memory based on storage destination determination information when the specific storage setting is set and the setting job is accepted from the external device;
An image forming system that performs the above steps. The internal memory and
a first connection interface to which an external memory can be connected;
an image forming unit that performs image formation;
A program for causing a computer to execute control of an image forming apparatus comprising:
The computer includes:
an image forming process in which, when an image job including image data is received, an image is formed by the image forming unit based on the image data included in the received image job;
a storage process for storing the image data included in the image job in the external memory when a specific storage setting for storing the image job in the external memory is set;
a first storage process for storing, in the main body memory, the processing information included in a setting job received when the specific storage setting is not set and the processing information is related to image processing of the image data of the image job;
a second storage process for storing the processing information included in the accepted setting job in the main body memory or the external memory based on storage destination determination information when the specific storage setting is set and the setting job is accepted;
A program to execute.

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