Image formation apparatus, control method thereof and program

Abstract

To solve such a problem that it is necessary to perform printing by considering the status of a scoring system and avoiding the printing congestion time since printing is congested when returning tests using electronic scoring.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus sets the time at which printing is automatically executed, acquires test information from a scoring system at the set time, acquires a scoring test image corresponding to the test information from the scoring system and prints the scoring test image when the test information satisfies prescribed conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is an electronic marking system that electronically marks exam papers using a device such as a PC based on test images obtained by scanning answer sheets with a scanner. In such a system, when returning a test that has been marked, the marked data is printed again and returned. Therefore, when returning a test using an electronic marking system, the marked data is reprinted and the correct answer data is printed. In regular tests in educational settings, marking is performed simultaneously for multiple grades, multiple classes, and multiple subjects. Therefore, during the period when the tests are returned, the printer is used more frequently to print the returned data, and printing can be delayed. For such cases, Patent Document 1 describes a print schedule function called reserved print or time-specified print as a method for distributing large-volume printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-186745 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a typical electronic marking system, a distributed marking method may be adopted in which multiple people are in charge of marking one test. In that case, even if the person in charge of returning the documents has finished marking, they may wait for the other people to finish marking, or they may wait for the final approval of the person in charge of coordinating the marks after all people have finished marking. Therefore, printing cannot be performed immediately after one person has finished marking. Even if there is a confirmation of the returner's status or a completion notice, printing must be performed after receiving the final notice. On the other hand, if printing is performed at the time when the final marking is confirmed, printing will be performed regardless of the busy time such as during the day, and as described above, a situation will occur in which printing has to be delayed. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve both printing control according to the marking status and control of the time to perform printing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the above-mentioned conventional techniques.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables smooth printing of graded tests. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: A setting means for setting a time for automatic printing; an acquisition means for acquiring test information from a marking system at the time set by the setting means; and a control means for controlling the grading system to obtain a graded test image corresponding to the test information from the grading system and print it when the test information satisfies a predetermined condition. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to advantageously print out graded tests, for example, during times when the test is not busy.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components throughout the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the transition of screens displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4A] 6 is a flowchart for explaining an automatic printing process of a graded test by the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4B] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the scored data determination process in S413 by the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4C is a flowchart for explaining the individual scored determination process of S424 in FIG. 4B. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining test information and scoring data associated with the test information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the scoring system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on an operation unit of a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9A] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an automatic printing process of a graded test by a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9B] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a partition process in S917. [Figure 10] 13A to 13C are views for explaining a print example by a division process on a job basis according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0012] In this specification, the term "image forming apparatus" broadly includes apparatuses that form (record) images on recording materials (recording media), such as single-function printers, copiers, multifunction machines, commercial printing machines, etc. The image forming apparatus may also be a system (image forming system) that connects an image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a recording material with devices such as a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus.

[0013] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 will be described taking as an example a multifunction peripheral 100 realized as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) in which multiple functions such as a scan function and a print function are integrated.

[0014] In the multifunction device 100, the CPU 101 is a control unit for the entire multifunction device 100 and controls the operation of the entire multifunction device 100. The ROM 102 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores the control program for the CPU 101. The RAM 103 is a volatile memory that includes a program development area, stores program control variables, and can temporarily store processed image data. The storage device 104 is, for example, a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SD, and stores various data such as image data in a non-volatile manner. The operation unit 105 displays various information and functions as an interface with the user, and is equipped with a display unit having a touch panel function, hard keys, and the like. The communication unit 106 is an interface between the multifunction device 100 and an external communication network.

[0015] Test information processing unit 107 acquires test information in JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format, including the title of the test and the score, from scoring system 200, which will be described later. Then, based on the acquired test information, it determines whether to perform automatic printing according to the contents of the test information. Graded test image acquisition unit 108 acquires a graded test image from scoring system 200. The image acquired here is an image that has been determined by test information processing unit 107 to be automatically printed. The path of this test image is included in the test information, and is expressed as image data in a format that can be acquired via that path.

[0016] The print control unit 109 applies image processing to the input image data to generate print data. The print unit 110 receives the print data generated by the print control unit 109 and prints it on a recording medium such as paper. The read control unit 111 processes the read settings of the document image and the read image data according to the settings. The read unit 112 reads the document image and generates image data. The CPU 101 is connected to these via a system bus 113. Note that the test information processing unit 107, the graded test image acquisition unit 108, the print control unit 109, and the read control unit 111 may be configured as hardware using, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Here, the functions of these units will be described using an example in which the CPU 101 executes a program and realizes them as software.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to the embodiment.

[0018] In this system, the multifunction device 100 and the scoring system 200 are connected via a network 220. The scoring system 200 is a server system that manages the above-mentioned test information, test images, and the like. This scoring system 200 is primarily intended to be an electronic scoring system that can perform electronic scoring on the system using a device such as a PC, but in the embodiment, a configuration such as storage in which only the test information and test images are managed is also acceptable. In addition, since the embodiment mainly focuses on processing after scoring, a detailed explanation of the scoring process and the like will be omitted.

[0019] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the transition of screens displayed on the operation unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0021] A home screen 300 in Fig. 3(A) shows an example of a screen (home screen) displayed on the operation unit 105 of the multifunction device 100. This home screen 300 is mainly displayed on the operation unit 105 immediately after the start-up of the multifunction device 100, and the user can display a screen registered to an icon by tapping the icon displayed on this home screen 300. For example, by tapping an education support icon 301, an operation related to an education support app is performed, and for example, a screen 310 shown in Fig. 3(B) is displayed.

[0022] A top screen 310 of the education support application in FIG. 3(B) shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 105 of the multifunction device 100 immediately after the start of the education support application. This screen 310 includes a grading and tallying button 311, an automatic print setting button 312, and an application end button 313. When the grading and tallying button 311 is pressed, for example, an answer sheet is scanned, and the image obtained by the scan can be sent to the grading system 200. Note that the functions and screens operated when the grading and tallying button 311 is pressed are not directly related to the present case, so detailed explanations thereof will be omitted. When the automatic print setting button 312 is pressed, the screen transitions to an automatic print setting screen 320 in FIG. 3(C). When the application end button 313 is pressed, the education support application is ended.

[0023] The automatic print setting screen 320 in FIG. 3C is an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 105 of the multifunction device 100 for specifying whether or not automatic printing is performed and the time to perform automatic printing. This screen 320 has an automatic setting enable button 321, a designated time display section 322, numeric keypad buttons 323 for specifying the time, and a confirm button 324. When the automatic setting enable button 321 is set to on, the time can be set in the designated time display section 322. When the designated time display section 322 is pressed, the time of automatic printing can be set using the numeric keypad buttons 323. When the confirm button 324 is pressed, the settings of the automatic setting enable button 321 and the designated time display section 322 are confirmed, and the contents are stored in, for example, the RAM 103 or the storage device 104 and reflected in subsequent processing. In addition to the time, the designated time display section 322 may be configured to allow the date to be set. Here, an example is shown in which only the time is set so that printing can be set to be performed at a fixed time every day.

[0024] FIG. 3D shows the automatic print setting screen 330 when the automatic setting enable button 321 is in an OFF state, and in this case the designated time display section 322 may be displayed grayed out so that input cannot be made.

[0025] Next, automatic printing of a graded test by the multifunction device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0026] 4A, 4B, and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the automatic printing process of a graded test by the multifunction device 100 according to the embodiment 1. Each step of these flowcharts is realized by the CPU 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing it.

[0027] In describing the process shown in this flowchart, an example of test information 600 and associated scoring data will first be described with reference to FIG.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating test information 600 and the marking data associated with the test information 600 according to the first embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of test information 600 according to the first embodiment.

[0030] The test information 600 is represented by JSON data including a data path 601 of the test image data, an update date and time 602, a score 603, a test status 604, and a test title 605. The data path 601 of the test image data indicates a path on the marking system 200 where a graded test image with a circle for a correct answer and an X for an incorrect answer is stored. When a test image is to be printed, the test image is obtained using this path. The update date and time 602 indicates the date and time when the test information 600 was last updated. The score 603 indicates the score tallied when marking is completed on the marking system 200. The score 603 column indicates "not set" if marking has not been performed. The test status 604 indicates whether the test has been submitted to the teacher (submitted status) or returned to the student (returned status). In FIG. 6(A), it is "submitted status". The test title 605 indicates the name of the test. 6(B) and (C) show examples of test information aggregation, in which test information 600 is aggregated and visualized for each class, test, and individual.

[0031] In Figure 6(B), for Test A, the scores of A and B in class A and C and D in class B have all been confirmed and graded. On the other hand, for Test B, only A in class A has a confirmed score and has been graded, and all the others have not been graded.

[0032] In Figure 6(C), for Test A, A and B in class A have their scores confirmed and are in the returned state, so their work has been graded. Meanwhile, C in class B has their scores confirmed and are in the returned state, so their work has been graded, but D has their scores confirmed, but has submitted their work, not returned, so their work has not been graded. For Test B, A in class A has their scores confirmed, but has submitted their work, so their work has not been graded, and all the other people have their work graded.

[0033] That is, FIG. 6(B) shows an example in which it is determined whether or not a comment has been graded based only on the score, and FIG. 6(C) shows an example in which it is determined whether or not a comment has been graded based on the score and the posting status.

[0034] Next, the setting process for automatic printing by the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 4A(A).

[0035] First, in S401, CPU 101 acquires the settings of the automatic print function. When automatic setting enable button 321 on automatic print setting screen 320 in FIG. 3C is set to ON, the automatic print function is enabled, and the settings are stored in storage device 104. Therefore, in S401, the saved settings of the automatic print function are read and acquired. Next, the process proceeds to S402, where CPU 101 determines whether the automatic print function acquired in S401 has been enabled and set. If it is determined here that the settings enable the automatic print function, the process proceeds to S403, and if not, this process ends.

[0036] In S403, the CPU 101 acquires the time input in the designated time display section 322 of the automatic print setting screen 320 in Fig. 3C, which is stored in the storage device 104. Then, the process proceeds to S404, and the CPU 101 performs automatic print processing. This automatic print processing in S404 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4A(B).

[0037] In S411, CPU 101 determines whether to start automatic printing based on the automatic printing time acquired in S403. This determination can be made in various ways, such as by comparing the time with the current date and time information set in multifunction device 100 or the current date and time information acquired from the network. If it is determined that it is the time (date and time) to start automatic printing, the process proceeds to S412, and if not, the process returns to S411.

[0038] At S412, CPU 101 acquires test information. At this time, CPU 101 transmits a request to acquire test information to scoring system 200, and acquires test information 600 sent from scoring system 200 in response to the request. Note that this request includes, for example, identification information for identifying which test and which class the test information is for. Next, the process proceeds to S413, where CPU 101 performs a process of determining whether or not there is a graded test to be printed, based on the test information acquired at S412. Details of this process will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 4B.

[0039] The process then proceeds to S414, where CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a graded test to be printed by the determination process of S413, and if it determines that there is a graded test to be printed, the process proceeds to S415, otherwise the process ends. In S415, CPU 101 transmits a request to the marking system 200 to obtain a graded test image, and obtains the graded test image. The graded test image obtained here can be obtained via data path 601 of the test image data in test information 600. The process then proceeds to S416, where CPU 101 performs print processing of the graded test image obtained in S415, and ends this process.

[0040] With the above process, if automatic printing is set, and there is a graded test, and the time (date and time) for automatic printing has arrived, the graded test image can be automatically printed.

[0041] FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating the scored data determination process of S413 in FIG. 4A(B).

[0042] In S421, CPU 101 determines whether or not there is test information whose update date and time is today. This is determined by checking whether or not there is test information 600 whose update date and time 602 is between the automatic print execution date and time of the previous day and the automatic print execution date and time of today. If there is no test information whose update date and time is today, this process ends. On the other hand, if there is test information whose update date and time is today, a determination is made by looping through S422 to S427 for the number of tests in the test information, and through S423 to S426 for the number of students included in each test. If it is determined in S423 to S426 that all students have been graded, the test in question is determined to have been graded.

[0043] In S424, the CPU 101 determines whether or not grading of, for example, student A has been completed for each individual test. Details of this process will be described later with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. Then, if grading of student A for that test has been completed in S425, the process proceeds to S426 where the CPU 1101 selects the next student B for the same test and executes the judgment process for that student in S424. On the other hand, if the test has not yet been graded, the judgment process for the same test ends and the process proceeds to S427 where the judgment process for the next test is executed.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining whether or not a test has been scored individually in S424 in Fig. 4B. In the first embodiment, Figs. 5(A) and 5(B) show the two patterns of determination methods explained in Figs. 6(B) and 6(C) as an example.

[0045] First, Fig. 5(A) shows an example of the judgment process based on score information, as explained in Fig. 6(B), where in S501 CPU 101 acquires score 603 from test information 600. Next, the process proceeds to S502, where CPU 101 judges whether score information has been set in score 603 acquired in S501. If score information has been set, it is considered that grading has been completed, and the process proceeds to S503, where CPU 101 judges the judgment result as "graded," and ends this process. On the other hand, if score information has not been set, the process proceeds to S504, where CPU 101 judges that grading has not been completed, and ends this process.

[0046] A specific example will be described with reference to Fig. 6(B). In Fig. 6(B), in class A, Mr. A and Mr. B have all been assigned scores for Test A, and Mr. A for Test B, so they can be determined to have been graded. In class B, Mr. C and Mr. D have all been assigned scores for Test A, so they can be determined to have been graded. Furthermore, Test A in class A and Test A in class B, both of which have been graded by all who have taken the test, can be determined to have been graded.

[0047] Next, Fig. 5(B) shows an example of the judgment process based on posted information described in Fig. 6(C), where in S511 CPU 101 acquires test status 604 from test information 600. Next, the process proceeds to S512 where CPU 101 judges whether or not "returned" is set in test status 604 acquired in S511. If the return information indicates "returned", this is regarded as a state in which grading has been completed, and is used to judge whether grading has been completed. If "returned" is set in test status 604, the process proceeds to S513 where CPU 101 judges the judgment result as "graded" and ends this process. On the other hand, if "returned" is not set in test status 604, the process proceeds to S514 where CPU 101 judges that the test has not been graded and ends this process.

[0048] In addition, two patterns of judgment methods are shown here as examples of judgment methods, but these may be combined and when both are judged to be graded, it may be judged as graded. Also, although it is judged whether the test has been graded by scanning the individual student, if information that can be used to judge whether the test has been graded on a test-by-test basis is held, it may be used.

[0049] A specific example will be explained with reference to Figure 6(C). In class A, student A and student B have Test A, and in class B, student C has Test A, and student C has Test B, in the "returned state." Therefore, it can be determined that student A and student B have finally graded Test A in class A, and student C has graded Test A in class B. In addition, since everyone has already graded Test A in class A, it can be determined that only Test A in class A has been graded.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the scoring system 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating the test information transmission process performed by the scoring system 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0052] First, in S701, the scoring system 200 receives a request to obtain test information from the multifunction device 100. Next, the process proceeds to S702, where the scoring system 200 transmits to the multifunction device 100 the test information corresponding to the request received in S701. In the first embodiment, the test information to be transmitted is described assuming that all data corresponding to the request is transmitted, but it is also possible to transmit only the difference from the data transmitted last time. Alternatively, the scoring system 200 may determine and transmit only the test information whose update date and time determined in S421 is today.

[0053] FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating the process of transmitting a graded test image by scoring system 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0054] First, in S711, the scoring system 200 receives a request to obtain a graded test image from the multifunction device 100. Next, the process proceeds to S712, and the scoring system 200 transmits to the multifunction device 100 the graded test image corresponding to the request.

[0055] Regarding the graded test images, in the first embodiment, only graded graded test images are managed. However, any configuration is possible as long as the graded test images can be transmitted to the multifunction device 100. For example, the configuration may hold both ungraded and graded images, or alternatively, the configuration may hold only the ungraded state and add marking information before transmission.

[0056] As described above, according to the first embodiment, when printing a graded test image, the time or date when printing is to be performed automatically can be specified, and if the conditions for printing the graded test image are met at the specified time (date and time), printing can be performed automatically. Such conditions include, for example, that the update date and time of the test information is a specified date and time, and that graded data exists. In this case, for the number of tests on the corresponding day, the graded data of multiple students who took each test can be automatically printed at the specified time.

[0057] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, when a large amount of test information is automatically printed and the print size of the test information is the same, it becomes necessary to search for and extract the corresponding test that the teacher returns. In view of this problem, in the second embodiment, when there are multiple jobs that print graded test images, print settings are made so that the sheets printed on a test basis can be identified. Note that the system configuration and the configuration of the multifunction device 100 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 105 of the multifunction peripheral 200 according to the second embodiment. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0059] 3C, the automatic print setting screen 800 further includes an automatic partition function setting button 801. When the automatic setting enable button 321 is turned on, partition setting using the automatic partition function setting button 801 becomes possible.

[0060] 9A and 9B are flowcharts for explaining the automatic printing process of a graded test by the multifunction device 100 according to the second embodiment. Note that, similar to the first embodiment, the processing of each step of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing the program. Also, a description of the same processes as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0061] FIG. 9A(A) is a flowchart illustrating the automatic print setting process by the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0062] In steps S901 to S903, the same processing as in steps S401 to S403 in FIG. 4A of the first embodiment is carried out. Then, the process proceeds to step S904, where the CPU 101 sets the automatic separator function to on or off according to the setting of the automatic separator function setting button 801. This enables the automatic separator function when the automatic separator function setting button 801 in the automatic print setting screen 800 is set to on, and this is stored in the storage device 104. Then, the process proceeds to step S905, where the CPU 101 carries out automatic print processing. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9A(B).

[0063] FIG. 9A(B) is a flowchart illustrating the automatic printing process in S905.

[0064] In steps S911 to S915, the same processes as those in steps S411 to S415 in FIG. 4A of the first embodiment are carried out. Then, the process proceeds to S916, where the CPU 101 determines whether or not there are multiple jobs for printing the graded tests. If it is determined that there are multiple jobs, the process proceeds to S917, and if not, the process proceeds to S918. In S917, the CPU 101 performs a division process. The contents of this division process will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9B. Then, the process proceeds to S918, where the CPU 101 performs the print process set in S917.

[0065] In the second embodiment, the print settings are switched collectively for each test. However, in order to improve printing performance, the print process may be executed each time a graded test image is acquired.

[0066] Fig. 9B is a flowchart for explaining the partition process of S917 in Fig. 9A(B). In the second embodiment, in order to separate printing by test unit, the print orientation of each test is alternately changed between landscape and portrait for printing, so that, for example, the paper on which the test results for each class are printed is easily identified. Alternatively, if it is not possible to change the print orientation between landscape and portrait, the paper on which the test results for each class are printed is separated using partition paper.

[0067] First, in S921, the CPU 101 acquires paper feed tray information from the print control unit 109. Next, the process proceeds to S922, and the CPU 101 determines whether the paper feed tray setting allows rotation sorting to be performed to change the orientation to landscape or portrait and print based on the paper feed tray information acquired in S921. If the multifunction device 100 is equipped with multiple paper feed trays and one of the paper feed trays has paper of the same size stacked vertically and another has paper of the same size stacked horizontally, the CPU 101 determines that rotation sorting is possible. If the CPU 101 determines in S922 that the paper feed tray allows rotation sorting, the process proceeds to S923, and determines whether an odd-numbered test is to be printed. If the CPU 101 determines that an odd-numbered test is to be printed, the process proceeds to S924, and the CPU 101 sets landscape printing. Here, the paper feed tray with landscape paper set is selected. At this time, if landscape rotation is required to match the format of the test image, the rotation process is performed.

[0068] On the other hand, if it is determined that the test is not an odd-numbered print, the process proceeds to S925. In S925, CPU 101 sets portrait printing and ends this process. At this time, the paper feed tray with portrait paper set is selected. At this time, if rotation to portrait is required to match the format of the test image, rotation processing is performed. Note that there is no problem even if the print orientation settings in S924 and S925 are swapped between portrait and landscape.

[0069] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a print example by the division process on a job-by-job basis according to the second embodiment.

[0070] Fig. 10(A) shows an example of printing when the print orientation of each test is alternately changed to landscape and portrait to make it easier to identify the paper on which the test results for each class are printed. Starting from the first test, the orientation is set in order for each test: landscape, portrait, landscape.

[0071] Returning to FIG. 9B, if the paper feed tray is not capable of performing rotation sorting in S922, the process proceeds to S926 where partition processing is performed using partition paper. In S926, CPU 101 acquires test title 605 from test information 600. Next, the process proceeds to S927 where CPU 101 generates partition paper. For this partition paper, print data is generated for the partition paper, which prints the character string of test title 605 acquired in S926 on blank paper. At this time, the layout may be changeable, for example by changing the font size according to the number of characters in test title 605. The process then proceeds to S928 where CPU 101 inserts partition paper printed according to the print data. Here, the partition paper generated is inserted into the first or last page of the test printing for each class.

[0072] Figure 10B shows an example of printing when interleave printing is set. If the interleave paper created is inserted into the last page of the test print, printing will be performed in the order shown in the figure.

[0073] In the second embodiment, the partition paper is printed on paper with a test title printed thereon, regardless of the type of paper, but it may be possible to print only on paper of different paper sizes or types.

[0074] In the second embodiment, the automatic separator function is described as having a higher priority than the rotary sort function, but this is not limited to the above. Also, the automatic print setting screen 800 may be configured to allow the user to specify whether the rotary sort function or the use of separator paper is to be given a higher priority, or to specify only one of them.

[0075] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when there are multiple jobs for printing a graded test image, the sheets printed by each job can be automatically separated, making it easy to identify the sheet stacks printed by each job. In addition, when distinguishing by the separator, the sheets can be identified by changing the print direction, and when it is not possible to change the print direction for printing, the sheet stacks printed by each job can be easily identified by using separator paper.

[0076] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0077] This specification and drawings disclose the following image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

[0078] [Item 1] A setting means for setting a time for automatic printing; an acquisition means for acquiring test information from a marking system at the time set by the setting means; a control means for controlling the retrieval of a graded test image corresponding to the test information from the grading system and printing the graded test image when the test information satisfies a predetermined condition; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0079] [Item 2] 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the test information indicates that the test has been graded.

[0080] [Item 3] 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, wherein the predetermined condition further includes that the update date and time included in the test information is the current date and time.

[0081] [Item 4] 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, wherein the "graded" is a case where the test information includes score information.

[0082] [Item 5] 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, wherein the "graded" indicates a state in which the test information is to be returned to the student.

[0083] [Item 6] 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the setting unit can further set to execute printing at the set time every day.

[0084] [Item 7] The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the setting means includes a means for setting whether or not to automatically execute printing, and a means for setting the time when the setting for automatically executing printing is made.

[0085] [Item 8] 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, further comprising a sorting unit that separates printed sheets by job unit when there are a plurality of jobs for printing the marking test image.

[0086] [Item 9] 9. The image forming apparatus according to item 8, wherein the sorting unit switches the printing direction of the sheet on which the marking test image is printed for each job.

[0087] [Item 10] 9. The image forming apparatus according to item 8, wherein the sorting unit separates the printed sheets by job unit using separator paper.

[0088] [Item 11] 9. The image forming apparatus according to item 8, wherein the setting unit further comprises a setting unit for dividing the printed sheets on a job-by-job basis.

[0089] [Item 12] The image forming apparatus described in item 9, characterized in that when the sorting means is set to separate the sheets printed on a job basis and the sheets are not ones that can be printed by switching the print direction, the sorting means separates the sheets printed on a job basis with separator paper.

[0090] [Item 13] 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the test information using identification information for identifying which class and which test the test information is for.

[0091] [Item 14] 14. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the test information includes a data path of the graded test image.

[0092] [Item 15] 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the test information is information in a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format.

[0093] [Item 16] A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a setting step of setting a time when printing is to be automatically performed by a setting unit of the image forming apparatus; an acquisition step in which an acquisition means of the image forming device acquires test information from a marking system at the time set in the setting step; a control step of controlling the image forming apparatus so that, when the test information satisfies a predetermined condition, a graded test image corresponding to the test information is acquired from the grading system and printed; A control method comprising the steps of:

[0094] [Item 17] A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 15.

[0095] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 100... multifunction device, 101... CPU, 102... ROM, 103... RAM, 105... operation unit, 107... test information processing unit, 108... graded test image acquisition unit, 109... print control unit, 110... printing unit

Claims

1. A setting means for setting a time for automatic printing; an acquisition means for acquiring test information from a marking system at the time set by the setting means; a control means for controlling the retrieval of a graded test image corresponding to the test information from the grading system and printing the graded test image when the test information satisfies a predetermined condition; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the test information indicates that the test information has been graded.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition further includes that the update date and time included in the test information is the current date and time.

4. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the test information includes score information to indicate that the test information has been graded.

5. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the "graded" state indicates that the test information has been returned to the student.

6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means further sets the printing to be executed at the set time every day.

7. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit includes a unit for setting whether or not to automatically execute printing, and a unit for setting the time when the setting for automatically executing printing is made.

8. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sorting unit that separates the printed sheets by job unit when there are a plurality of jobs for printing the marking test image.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sorting unit switches a printing direction of the sheet on which the graded test image is printed for each job.

10. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sorting means separates the printed sheets for each job with a separator paper.

11. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the setting unit further comprises a setting unit for setting so as to separate printed sheets on a job-by-job basis.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the sorting means separates the sheets printed on a job-by-job basis with separator paper when the sorting means is set to separate the sheets printed on a job-by-job basis and when the sheets cannot be printed by switching the print direction.

13. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit acquires the test information using identification information for identifying which class and which test the test information relates to.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the test information includes a data path of the graded test image.

15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the test information is information in a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format.

16. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a setting step in which a setting unit of the image forming apparatus sets a time for automatically executing printing; an acquisition step in which an acquisition means of the image forming device acquires test information from a marking system at the time set in the setting step; a control step of controlling the image forming apparatus so that, when the test information satisfies a predetermined condition, a graded test image corresponding to the test information is acquired from the grading system and printed; A control method comprising the steps of:

17. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 16.

Images