Image processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus capable of facilitating job setting without increasing the complexity of the apparatus.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus has a function of extracting setting data from a setting document on which a two-dimensional code storing setting data, generated in JSON format, is formed for specifying the contents of job settings. The apparatus comprises a control unit configured to execute a job on a document image obtained by scanning, in accordance with the contents of the job settings. The control unit analyzes the two-dimensional code formed on the setting document based on image data of the scanned setting document, extracts the setting data stored in the two-dimensional code, interprets the extracted setting data, and executes a job, in accordance with the contents of the job settings specified by the setting data, on a document image other than the setting document obtained by scanning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to job settings in an image processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An image processing apparatus such as a copier or a multifunction peripheral includes an original reading unit that reads an original image, and a control unit that executes a job (for example, a copy job, a scan transmission job, a fax transmission job) on the original image obtained by the reading by the original reading unit according to the content of job settings.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] To set job settings in detail, complex user operations may be required, but complex operations are troublesome for users. Further, to enable complex user operations, high performance of the apparatus such as enlarging the operation panel is required, and it may be difficult to implement on a low-end model apparatus.

[0005] The above Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe that job settings are realized by reading a setting document having information for specifying the content of job settings by the apparatus. However, the above setting document is special, its creation process is not simple, the apparatus may become complex, and it is difficult to adopt it for a low-end model apparatus.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable easy job setting without causing complication of the apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a document reading unit capable of sequentially reading a plurality of document images, and a control unit that executes a job on the document images obtained by the reading by the document reading unit according to the content of job settings. The image processing apparatus also has a function of extracting setting data from a setting document in which a two-dimensional code storing the setting data for specifying the content of the job settings is formed. The setting data is generated in a predetermined data format. The control unit analyzes the two-dimensional code formed in the setting document based on the image data of the setting document obtained by the reading by the document reading unit, extracts the setting data stored in the two-dimensional code, interprets the extracted setting data, and executes a job on a document image other than the setting document obtained by the reading by the document reading unit according to the content of the job settings specified by the setting data.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, job setting becomes possible by causing the document reading unit to read the setting document, so that job setting can be easily performed. Further, in the setting document, since a two-dimensional code is used to specify the content of the job settings, it is possible to use an easy-to-handle data format, such as JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), etc., to specify the content of the job settings. Therefore, complicated processing is not required for analyzing the job settings based on the two-dimensional code. Accordingly, according to the present invention, job setting can be easily performed without causing complication of the apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as, for example, a copying function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeder 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 91, and a storage unit 8.

[0012] The document feeder 6 is configured to be openable and closable by hinges (not shown) on the upper surface of the document reading unit 5. When reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown), the document feeder 6 functions as a document pressing cover. The document feeder 6 is also called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) or a DP (Document Processor), and includes a document placement tray 61 on which documents are placed, and a document discharge tray 62 provided below the document placement tray 61. The document feeder 6 supplies the documents placed on the document placement tray 61 to the document reading unit 5 one by one, and discharges the documents to the document discharge tray 62.

[0013] The document feeder 6 also includes a document sensor 63 for detecting whether a document is placed on the document placement tray 61. The document sensor 63 is composed of, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element. When a document is placed on the document placement tray 61, the light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected by the document, and this reflected light is received by the light receiving element. When the reflected light is received by the light receiving element, the document sensor 63 outputs a High-level signal to the control unit 10, and outputs a Low-level signal to the control unit 10 otherwise.

[0014] The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner or the like, reads the document fed from the document feeder 6, or reads the document placed on the platen glass. The document reading unit 5 can sequentially read a plurality of document images sent from the document feeder 6.

[0015] A case where the original document reading operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The original document reading unit 5 optically reads the original document supplied to the original document reading unit 5 by the original document feeding unit 6 or the image of the original document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the original document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0016] A case where the image forming operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a primary transfer device for each color, and is a mechanism for forming an image on a recording paper as a recording medium by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit 14 based on the image data generated by the original document reading operation, the image data stored in the image memory or the like, the image data received from a computer connected to the network, etc., and creates a printed matter.

[0017] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device including a heat roller, a pressure roller, and a driving mechanism for rotationally driving these, heats and presses the recording paper on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12 with the nip formed by the above two rollers, and fixes the toner image to the recording paper. The recording paper subjected to the fixing process is discharged to the discharge tray 151.

[0018] The paper feeding unit 14 includes a paper feeding cassette 141, and further includes a pickup roller, a conveyance roller, a conveyance path, and a rotation driving mechanism for each roller that picks up the recording paper from the paper feeding cassette and feeds it to the image forming unit 12.

[0019] The operation unit 47 includes various hard keys operated by the user, and receives an instruction such as an image forming operation execution instruction from the user regarding various operations and processes that the image forming apparatus 1 can execute according to the operation of the hard keys.

[0020] The operation unit 47 is provided with a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like for the operator. Further, the operation unit 47 receives an input of an instruction from the user based on an operation (touch operation) by the user on the screen displayed on the display unit 473 via the touch panel that the display unit 473 has.

[0021] The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. When the operator performs an operation of touching a button or a key displayed on the screen, an instruction associated with the touched position is received by the touch panel. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0022] The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface that performs transmission and reception of various data with external devices (for example, personal computers and servers) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0023] The storage unit 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various control programs and the like. Further, the storage unit 8 has a preset storage unit 81. The preset storage unit 81 stores the content of the job setting as a preset in association with a preset number.

[0024] The control unit 10 is configured to include a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 is provided with a control unit 100.

[0025] The control unit 10 functions as the control unit 100 by the operation of the above-mentioned processor according to the control program stored in the storage unit 8. However, the control unit 100 can also be configured by hardware circuits respectively without depending on the operation according to the control program by the control unit 10. Hereinafter, unless otherwise particularly noted, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0026] The control unit 100 is in charge of the overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the original document feeding unit 6, the original document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the operation unit 47, the network interface unit 91, and the storage unit 8, performs drive control and the like of these units, and executes various processes necessary for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0027] The control unit 100 executes a job (such as a copy job, a scan transmission job, a fax transmission job, etc.) for the original document image obtained by reading by the original document reading unit 5. For example, the control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 and executes a copy job for forming the original document image indicated by the above image data on a recording medium by controlling the image forming unit 12.

[0028] In addition, the control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473, displays a job setting screen on the display unit 473, and sets the content of the job based on the user operation received by the operation unit 47 on the job setting screen. For example, the control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473 and displays an operation screen G1 (an example of a job setting screen) as a home screen on the display unit 473 as shown in FIG. 3(A).

[0029] The operation screen G1 shown in FIG. 3(A) is a selection screen for allowing the user to select a function to be executed from among a plurality of functions executable by the image forming apparatus 1, and a "Copy" button, a "Transmit (Scanner Transmit)" button, a "Fax (Fax Transmit)" button, etc. are formed.

[0030] When the "Copy" button on the operation screen G1 is pressed by the user, the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to select the copy function, and the control unit 100 displays the operation screen G2 shown in Fig. 3(B) on the display unit 473 according to this instruction.

[0031] The operation screen G2 is a job setting screen for the user to set the "Copy" function. In the central part of the operation screen G2, six buttons marked "Paper Selection", "Color Selection", "Page Aggregation", "Reduction / Enlargement", "Double-sided / Split", and "Staple / Punch" are displayed. These buttons are images for receiving settings related to the "Copy" function.

[0032] Also, the control unit 100 stores the content of the job settings set at this time as a preset in the preset storage unit 81 in association with the preset number according to the instruction from the user performed via the operation unit 47.

[0033] The control unit 100 extracts the setting data from a setting document in which a two-dimensional code (QR code (registered trademark)) storing the setting data for specifying the content of the job setting is formed. The setting data is generated in a predetermined data format (for example, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)). Figs. 4(A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of the setting data described in JSON. In the setting data SD1 shown in Fig. 4(A), the execution job is specified as copy, and the copy paper size and the number of copies are specified. In the setting data SD2 shown in Fig. 4(B), the execution job is specified as send, and the destination of the image data is specified. Hereinafter, the setting data is also collectively referred to as the setting data SD.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a setting document in which a two-dimensional code storing setting data SD is formed. In the setting document CD1 shown in FIG. 5, a QR code is formed as the two-dimensional code, and the setting data SD as exemplified in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) is stored in this QR code. Further, below the QR code, the content of the job setting specified by the setting data SD stored in the QR code is described in text. Note that the setting document is hereinafter also collectively referred to as the setting document CD.

[0035] Based on the image data of the setting document CD obtained by reading by the document reading unit 5, the control unit 100 analyzes the two-dimensional code formed in the setting document CD, extracts the setting data SD stored in the two-dimensional code, interprets the extracted setting data SD, and according to the content of the job setting specified by the setting data SD, executes a job on the document image other than the setting document CD obtained by reading by the document reading unit 5 following the reading of the setting document CD.

[0036] Also, for the setting data SD extracted from the setting document CD, the control unit 100 applies it and executes a job only for the document obtained by reading by the document reading unit 5 until another setting document CD is read by the document reading unit 5. That is, when a new setting document is read, the role of the setting data adopted until then ends.

[0037] Next, the execution of the job based on the setting data SD extracted from the setting document CD will be described. FIGS. 6(A) to 6(D) are diagrams showing an example of a state in which a plurality of documents stacked on the document placement tray 61 are sequentially read by the document reading unit 5 and the setting document CD is included therein.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6(A), when the first setting document CD1 is read and then the normal originals D1 to D4 are read in order, the control unit 100 applies the setting data SD extracted from the two-dimensional code of the setting document CD1 and executes a job on the original images of the originals D1 to D4. For example, when a copy job is specified by the setting data SD extracted from the two-dimensional code of the setting document CD1, the control unit 100 executes a copy job on the original images of the originals D1 to D4.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6(B), when the first setting document CD1 is read, the second normal original D1 is read, the third setting document CD2 is read, and then the normal originals D2 and D3 are read in order, the control unit 100 adopts the setting data SD extracted from the setting document CD1 and executes a job on the original image of the original D1. Next, the control unit 100 applies the setting data SD extracted from the setting document CD2 and executes a job on the original images of the originals D2 and D3. For example, when a copy job is specified by the setting data SD extracted from the two-dimensional code of the setting document D1 and a scan transmission job is specified by the setting data SD extracted from the two-dimensional code of the setting document D2, the control unit 100 executes the specified copy job on the original image of the original D1, and further executes the specified scan transmission job on the original images of the originals D2 and D3.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6(C), when the first setting document CD1 is read, the second setting document CD2 is read, the third setting document CD3 is read, and then the normal originals D1 and D2 are read, the control unit 100 applies only the setting data SD extracted from the last read setting document, which is the setting document CD3 in this example, and executes a job on the original images of the originals D1 and D2. For example, when a fax transmission job is specified by the setting data SD extracted from the setting document D3, the control unit 100 executes the specified fax transmission job on the original images of the originals D1 and D2.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6(D), when the first and second normal originals D1 and D2 are read, the third set document CD1 is read, and then the normal originals D3 and D4 are read, the control unit 100 executes a job for the original images of the originals D1 and D2 according to the settings at the start of this reading, and applies the setting data SD extracted from the set document CD1 to execute a job for the original images of the originals D3 and D4 read successively after the set document CD1.

[0042] It should be noted that the control unit 100 performs the above-described processing only when the control unit 100 has set a mode of executing a job according to the set document CD in accordance with an instruction from the user received by the operation unit 47, and does not perform the above-described processing when the user does not request it. For example, when the set document CD1 and the originals D1 to D4 are read by the original reading unit 5 as shown in FIG. 6(A) in a state where the user does not request execution of a job according to the set document CD, the control unit 100 treats the set document CD1 as a mere original instead of a set document in the same manner as the originals D1 to D4, and executes a job for five pages of originals according to the settings at the start of reading.

[0043] Next, an example of the execution process of a job according to the setting data shown in the set document of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the execution process of a job according to the setting data shown in the set document of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. It should be noted that this process is performed when the control unit 100 has set a mode of executing a job according to the set document CD.

[0044] Based on the output signal from the document sensor 63, the control unit 100 determines whether a document is placed on the document placement tray 61 (S1). If the control unit 100 determines that no document is placed on the document placement tray 61 (NO in S1), this process ends. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that a document is placed on the document placement tray 61 (YES in S1), it controls the operations of the document feeding unit 6 and the document reading unit 5 to cause the document reading unit 5 to read the images of all the documents placed on the document placement tray 61 (S2).

[0045] Subsequently, in S4, the control unit 100 determines for each document image obtained by the reading by the document reading unit 5 whether the document image indicates the set document CD, in the order in which the images are read (S4). For example, if the control unit 100 determines that a QR code in which the set code SD is stored is included in the document image, it determines that the document image indicates the set document CD.

[0046] Here, when the control unit 100 determines that the document image is a normal document that is not the set document CD (NO in S4), it stores the document image in the storage unit 8 for job waiting, that is, as a document image to be processed by the job (S5). For example, as shown in FIG. 6(D), when the first document is the normal document D1, the control unit 100 stores the document image of the document D1 in the storage unit 8 for job waiting.

[0047] After that, the control unit 100 determines whether there are any document images remaining in the storage unit 8 for which the determination of whether they indicate the set document CD has not been made (S15). When the control unit 100 determines that there are document images remaining in the storage unit 8 for which the determination of whether they indicate the set document CD has not been made (Yes in S15), the process returns to S4.

[0048] On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that the document image indicates the setting document CD (YES in S4), it determines whether there is a document image stored in the storage unit 8 for job waiting at this time (S6). When the control unit 100 determines that there is a document image stored in the storage unit 8 for job waiting (YES in S6), first, for the document image stored in the storage unit 8, a job is executed with the setting content set at this time (S7). For example, when the setting document CD has not been determined yet, the job is executed with the setting content A set by the user's operation of the operation unit 47 at the start of document reading. On the other hand, when the setting document CD has been determined, the job is executed with the content indicated by the setting data extracted from the setting document CD. After that, the control unit 100 deletes the document image targeted for the job execution from the storage unit 8 (S8).

[0049] Subsequently, the control unit 100 extracts the setting data SD from the two-dimensional code included in the document image determined to be the setting document CD in S4 (S9), and changes the setting content A of the job to the setting content indicated by the extracted setting data SD (S10). After that, the control unit 100 determines whether there is a document image remaining in the storage unit 8 for which the determination of whether it indicates the setting document CD has not been made (S15). When the control unit 100 determines that there is a document image remaining in the storage unit 8 for which the determination of whether it indicates the setting document CD has not been made (Yes in S15), the process returns to S4.

[0050] After that, the processes of No in S4, Yes in S5, and Yes in S15 are performed. When Yes in S4 and Yes in S6 occur, in S7, the control unit 100 executes a job on the document image stored in the storage unit 8 according to the setting content set at this time. For example, as described above, when S7 is executed after the job setting is changed in S10, the control unit 100 executes the job on the document image stored in the storage unit 8 for job waiting with the content indicated by the setting data extracted from the setting document CD.

[0051] In this way, when the control unit 100 repeats the processes from S3 to S15 and determines that there is no manuscript image remaining in the storage unit 8 for which it has not determined whether it indicates a setting document (No in S15), the process proceeds to S11.

[0052] In S11, when the control unit 100 determines that there is a manuscript image stored in the storage unit 8 for job waiting (YES in S11), it executes a job on the manuscript image stored in the storage unit 8 for job waiting according to the setting content currently set (S12). After that, the control unit 100 deletes the manuscript image that was the target of job execution from the storage unit 8 (S13). Thus, the process ends. On the other hand, when the control unit 100 determines that there is no manuscript image stored in the storage unit 8 for job waiting (NO in S11), the processes of S12 and S13 are not performed. Thus, the process ends.

[0053] According to this embodiment, by causing the manuscript reading unit 5 to read the setting document, job setting becomes possible for the image forming apparatus 1, so that job setting can be easily performed. Further, in the setting document, since a two-dimensional code is used to specify the content of job setting, it is possible to use an easy-to-handle data format, for example, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), etc., to specify the content of job setting. Therefore, complicated processing is not required for analyzing the job setting based on the two-dimensional code. Accordingly, according to this embodiment, job setting can be easily performed without causing complication of the apparatus.

[0054] Since JSON is a lightweight text-based programming language, if a text editor etc. that is standardly equipped in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer is used, the user can relatively easily generate setting data. Also, it is possible to generate setting data using a web interface.

[0055] In addition, since JSON can be described in text format, the setting data generated in JSON can be converted into a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) by using existing software.

[0056] In this way, since the image data of the setting document can be easily created using a personal computer or the like, it is not necessary to create the image data of the setting document using a device such as a copier or a multifunction device. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily perform job settings without causing complication of the device.

[0057] In the above-described first embodiment, only the case where the job setting regarding one job is specified in the QR code formed on the setting document CD has been described, but the QR code may include job settings regarding a plurality of jobs. When each job setting regarding a plurality of jobs is specified in the setting data SD analyzed from the QR code, the control unit 100 executes all the jobs instructed by the setting data SD by applying each job setting.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of setting data specified for a plurality of jobs. In the setting data SD3 shown in FIG. 8, two jobs, namely copy and send, are specified as execution jobs. In the copy job, the copy paper size and the number of copies are specified, and in the send job, the destination of the image data is specified.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a setting document on which a QR code storing the setting data SD3 is formed. In the setting document CD10 shown in FIG. 9, a QR code is formed, and the setting data SD3 as shown in the example in FIG. 8 is stored in this QR code. Further, below the QR code, the contents of the job settings specified by the setting data SD3 stored in the QR code are described in text.

[0060] For example, when the setting document CD10 shown in FIG. 9 is read by the document reading unit 5 and then normal documents D1 to D4 are read by the document reading unit 5, the control unit 100 executes both a copy job and a scan transmission job on the image data shown in the documents D1 to D4.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of setting data in which a preset number is specified in addition to the content of job settings. The setting data SD4 shown in FIG. 10 includes a designated part SP1 in which a preset number is specified and a designated part SP2 in which the content of job settings is specified. In the designated part SP1 of the setting data SD4, a preset number (preset_id) is specified. In the designated part SP2, copy is specified as the execution job, and the copy paper size (paper_size) and the number of copies (copies) are specified.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 10 as an example, when a preset number is specified in addition to the content of the job settings indicated by the setting data SD, the control unit 100 executes the job in accordance with both the content of the job settings stored as a preset in the preset storage unit 81 corresponding to the preset number and the content of the job settings directly indicated by the setting data SD (the content specified in the designated part SP2). In this way, if a preset number is specified in the setting data SD, the number of characters in the setting data SD can be reduced, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0063] However, the control unit 100 does not adopt, for job execution, a predetermined job setting that conflicts with the content of the job setting directly specified in the setting data SD among the content of the job settings stored as a preset. For example, in the job settings stored as a preset corresponding to the preset number "1", if the copy paper size is specified as "B5 size" and in the setting data SD4, the copy paper size is specified as "8" (representing A4 size), the control unit 100 does not adopt the copy paper size "B5 size" and specifies the copy paper size as A4 size.

[0064] In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 6(C), when the setting documents CD1 to CD3 are continuously read by the document reading unit 5, the setting data SD extracted from the last read setting document CD3 is adopted for job execution. However, as another embodiment, when a plurality of setting documents CD1 to CD3 are continuously read by the document reading unit 5, the control unit 100 may apply all of the setting data SD extracted from the continuously read setting documents CD1 to CD3 to job execution.

[0065] For example, as shown in FIG. 6(C), when the setting documents CD1 to CD3 are continuously read and the setting documents CD1 to CD3 respectively specify a copy job, a scan transmission job, and a fax transmission job, the control unit 100 executes these three jobs on the documents D1 and D2. Also, even if all of the setting documents CD1 to CD3 are the same copy job, if the settings are different, three copy jobs are executed.

[0066] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in addition to the control unit 100, the control unit 10 further functions as a generation unit 101 by the operation of the processor according to the control program stored in the storage unit 8.

[0067] The generation unit 101 generates image data of the setting document CD. Further, the generation unit 101 generates data indicating the content of the current job setting as setting data SD in the predetermined data format (JSON), converts the generated setting data SD into a two-dimensional code (QR code), and generates image data having the converted two-dimensional code as the image data of the setting document SD.

[0068] Further, the generation unit 101 compares the content of the current job setting with the content of the job setting stored as a preset in the preset storage unit 81, and as shown in the example in FIG. 10, the preset number (designation unit SP1) and the content of the current job setting that differs from the content of the job setting corresponding to the preset number among the content of the current job setting (designation unit SP2), and generates data indicating these as setting data SD in the above-mentioned predetermined data format.

[0069] The control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 to print the setting document CD by forming an image indicated by the image data generated by the generation unit 101 on a recording sheet.

[0070] Next, an example of the generation process of the setting data SD in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. This process is, for example, a process performed when the operation unit 47 receives a user operation instructing the creation of the setting document CD.

[0071] The generation unit 101 generates data indicating the content of the job setting as setting data SD in the above-mentioned predetermined data format (JSON) (S21), and determines whether the number of characters of the generated setting data SD is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (S22).

[0072] When the generation unit 101 determines that the number of characters of the setting data SD is less than the threshold (NO in S22), it converts the setting data SD into a QR code (S23), and generates image data having the converted QR code as the image data of the setting document CD (S24).

[0073] The control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 to print the setting document CD by forming an image indicated by the image data generated by the generation unit 101 on a recording sheet (S25). After this, the process ends.

[0074] On the other hand, when the generation unit 101 determines that the number of characters in the setting data SD is equal to or greater than the threshold value (YES in S22), it refers to the contents of the job settings stored as presets in the preset storage unit 81, and detects a preset that approximates the job settings set at this time (S26). For example, the generation unit 101 stores a plurality of predetermined job settings as presets, and assigns a respective preset number to each of the job settings and stores them. The generation unit 101 detects the one with the highest degree of matching of the setting values for the current job settings and various setting items.

[0075] The generation unit 101 compares the content of the job settings set at this time with the content of the job settings indicated by the detected preset, and as shown in the example in FIG. 10, generates data indicating the preset number and the part that differs from the content of the job settings corresponding to the preset number among the content of the current job settings, as the setting data SD in the predetermined data format described above (S27), and then the process proceeds to S23.

[0076] According to the second embodiment described above, the setting document CD can be automatically created, improving the convenience for the user.

[0077] The setting document CD according to the present invention has the merit of not limiting the utilization device. However, if the utilization device is not limited, there is a possibility that an unexecutable job setting may be made due to differences in performance between devices. For example, for a device that cannot perform A3-size copying, the copy paper size may be specified as A3. Therefore, as shown in the example in FIG. 13, the generation unit 101 may generate the setting data SD5 including the serial number (serial_no.) and the model number (model_no.) so as to be able to limit the utilization device.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Also, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown by the above embodiment using FIGS. 1 to 13 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configuration and processing.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1 Image forming apparatus 5 Document reading unit 12 Image forming unit 47 Operation unit 81 Preset memory unit 100 Control unit 101 Generation unit 473 Display unit

Claims

1. A document reading unit that sequentially reads a plurality of document images, A control unit that executes a job on the document image obtained by the reading by the document reading unit according to the content of the job setting, comprising: The control unit, When a setting document in which a two-dimensional code including setting data for specifying the content of the job setting is formed is read by the document reading unit, the two-dimensional code formed in the setting document is analyzed from the image data of the setting document, and the setting data stored in the two-dimensional code is extracted, An image processing apparatus that executes a job on a document image other than the setting document obtained by the reading by the document reading unit following the setting document according to the content of the job setting specified by the extracted setting data.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a job setting for a plurality of jobs is specified in the setting data, the control unit executes all the jobs specified in the setting data.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for the setting data extracted from the setting document, the control unit applies it only to the document obtained by the reading by the document reading unit until another setting document is read by the document reading unit and executes the job.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of the setting documents are continuously read by the document reading unit, the control unit applies all of the setting data extracted from the plurality of continuously read setting documents to the execution of the job.

5. Further comprising a preset storage unit that stores the content of the job setting as a preset in association with a preset number, The control unit, When the preset number is specified in addition to the content of the job setting in the setting data, the control unit executes the job according to the content of the job setting stored as a preset in the preset storage unit corresponding to the preset number and the content of the job setting directly specified in the setting data, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein among the content of the job setting stored as the preset, the control unit does not execute a job according to a predetermined job setting that is contrary to the content of the job setting directly specified in the setting data.

6. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording paper, A display unit, An operation unit that receives an input of an instruction from a user, It further includes a generation unit that generates image data of the setting document. The control unit displays a job setting screen on the display unit, and sets the content of job settings according to an instruction received by the operation unit on the job setting screen. The generation unit generates data indicating the content of the set job settings in a data format predetermined as the setting data, converts the generated setting data into the two-dimensional code, and generates image data having the converted two-dimensional code as the image data of the setting document. Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, the control unit causes the image forming unit to form an image indicated by the image data generated by the generation unit on a recording paper to print the setting document.

7. It further includes a preset storage unit that stores the content of the job settings as a preset in association with a preset number. The generation unit compares the content of the job settings set according to an instruction received by the operation unit with the content of the job settings stored as a preset in the preset storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein data indicating the preset number and a portion different from the content of the job settings corresponding to the preset number among the content of the job settings set according to an instruction received by the operation unit is generated in the predetermined data format as the setting data.

Images