Image forming apparatus and generating program

Abstract

To describe print setting by reducing data amount of a job ticket.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 includes: an analysis section 101 that analyzes a job ticket in which print setting is described and sets a print condition when executing a print job on the basis of the print setting; and a control section 100 that executes the print job by controlling an operation of an image formation section 12 in accordance with the print condition set by the analysis section 101 and forms an image indicated by print target data on a recording medium. The analysis section 101 analyzes the print setting described in the job ticket and sets the print condition by prioritizing print setting indicated by exception setting indicating print setting to be applied to a specific page of the print target data over print setting indicated by whole setting for indicating print setting applied to all pages of the print target data while setting the print condition on the basis of the whole setting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a generation program, and more particularly to a technique for executing a print job according to printing conditions. [Background technology]

[0002] The printing industry has industry-standard formats for describing print settings, such as JDF (Job Definition Format) and XJDF (Exchange Job Definition Format), which are based on a markup language called XML (Extensible Markup Language).In industrial printing, in order to perform a variety of printing, job tickets (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below) in which print settings are described in JDF or similar are sometimes used to set detailed printing conditions when executing a print job. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5372209 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Using a job ticket, for example, when printing a 10-page manuscript, the paper size can be freely set for each page, such as A4 size (first instruction) for pages 1 to 3, B5 size (second instruction) for page 4, A4 size (third instruction) for pages 5 to 8, A3 size (fourth instruction) for page 9, and A4 size (fifth instruction) for page 10.

[0005] However, conventional descriptions have the problem of job tickets becoming redundant and the amount of data becoming large. For example, setting the paper size as described above requires five instructions.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to make it possible to describe print settings while reducing the data volume of a job ticket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, an analysis unit that analyzes a job ticket in which print settings are described and sets print conditions for executing a print job based on the print settings, and a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming unit to execute the print job in accordance with the print conditions set by the analysis unit and form an image indicated by the data to be printed on the recording medium, wherein the analysis unit analyzes the print settings described in the job ticket and sets print conditions based on overall settings that indicate print settings to be applied to all pages of the data to be printed, while giving priority to print settings indicated by exception settings that indicate print settings to be applied to specific pages of the data to be printed over the print settings indicated by the overall settings.

[0008] In addition, a generation program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer provided in an information processing device having an operation unit that accepts input of instructions from a user and a display unit to function as: a display control unit that displays on the display unit a print setting screen for accepting, for each print setting item, overall settings, which are print settings for all pages of data to be printed, and exception settings, which are print settings to be applied to specific pages among the all pages; and a generation unit that generates a job ticket by describing the print settings specified by the user in accordance with user instructions input from the operation unit via the print setting screen, and further causes the generation unit to generate the job ticket by describing the exception settings after the overall settings, for the overall settings and the exception settings for the same print setting item. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, by using a job ticket in which the majority settings are described first as the overall settings (basic settings) and the minority settings are described later as the exception settings, the user can set the printing conditions they desire. Therefore, since it is possible to treat the majority as the basis and the minority as the exception, the data volume of the job ticket can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an entire image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a job ticket. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a job ticket. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a job ticket. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a job ticket. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by an analysis section of a control unit in the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An image forming apparatus and a generation program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the entire image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] An image forming system 11 according to one embodiment is configured to include an image forming apparatus 1, an information processing apparatus 2, and a server 3, which are present on a network such as the Internet. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions, such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0013] The information processing device 2 is, for example, a personal computer, and includes a control unit 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a storage unit 25. Each of these components can transmit and receive data or signals to and from each other via a communication bus.

[0014] The operation unit 22 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is used to input commands and characters to the control unit 21, and also to operate a pointer on the screen of the display unit 23. The operation unit 22 accepts input of instructions from the user based on operations by the user. The display unit 23 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., and displays responses and data results from the control unit 21. The display unit 23 is provided with a touch panel on its display screen as part of the operation unit 22.

[0015] The communication unit 24 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various data to and from external devices such as the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 3 within a local area or on the Internet.

[0016] The storage unit 25 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various control programs, etc. A generation program 250 is installed in the information processing device 2. The generation program 250 is stored in the storage unit 25.

[0017] The control unit 21 includes 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 21 includes a control unit 210, a display control unit 211, and a generation unit 212.

[0018] The control unit 21 functions as a control unit 210 by operation of the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage unit 25, and functions as a display control unit 211 and a generation unit 212 by operation of the processor in accordance with a generation program 250 stored in the storage unit 25. However, the control unit 210 and the like can also be configured by hardware circuits, regardless of operation in accordance with a control program by the control unit 21. Unless otherwise stated below, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0019] The control unit 210 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 2. The control unit 210 is connected to the operation unit 22, the display unit 23, the communication unit 24, and the storage unit 25, and controls the driving of these units.

[0020] The display control unit 211 displays on the display unit 23 a print setting screen that can accept overall settings for all pages of data to be printed and exceptional settings to be applied to specific pages for each print setting item (for example, paper size, color selection, staple function). When the print setting screen is displayed, the operation unit 22 accepts instructions to specify the content of the print settings based on operations by the user. For example, when the print setting screen is displayed, the operation unit 22 accepts instructions from the user to specify A4 size as the paper size for the overall settings (1st to Nth pages), and to specify B5 size for the specific page, page 10, and A3 size for page 15, etc., as exceptional settings.

[0021] The generation unit 212 generates a job ticket by describing the print settings specified by the user in a predetermined format in accordance with the rules shown below, in accordance with user instructions input from the operation unit 22 via the print setting screen. Furthermore, when there is a general setting and an exception setting for the same print setting item, the generation unit 212 generates a job ticket by describing the exception setting after the general setting.

[0022] Figures 2 and 3 show examples of generated job tickets. Job tickets JT1 and JT2 shown in Figures 2 and 3 are each written in a predetermined format, in this example XJDF. Note that job tickets will hereinafter also be referred to collectively as job ticket JT.

[0023] Job ticket JT1 has element syntax elements 401 to 403 enclosed by a start tag <Media Size> and an end tag <Media Size / >, and these element syntax elements 401 to 403 constitute a print setting content section D_40. Job ticket JT1 is generated so that the print setting content section D_40 defines the paper size (Media Size).

[0024] Job ticket JT2 has element syntax elements 411 and 412, each of which is a description enclosed between a start tag <Color> and an end tag <Color / >, and these element syntax elements 411 and 412 constitute a print setting content section D_41. In other words, the description portion enclosed between a start tag and an end tag is interpreted as an element syntax element (rule 1). Job ticket JT2 has been generated so that the print setting content section D_41 defines color selection (Color). Note that these print setting content sections will hereinafter be collectively referred to as print setting content section D.

[0025] For example, in element syntax 401 shown in Figure 2, A4 size is first defined as the paper size, and the page range is defined as pages 1 to N (i.e., all pages of the data to be printed). Here, "1" is written as the value indicating the first page in the page range, and "N" is written as the value indicating the last page, and the page range specified from "1" to "N" is interpreted as element syntax indicating global settings for all pages of the data to be printed (rule 2). Here, the content written first is defined as element syntax 401 indicating global settings for all pages (rule 3), and it has already been stated that the paper size is to be set to A4 size.

[0026] In element syntax 402 written following element syntax 401, B5 size is defined as the paper size, and pages 1 to 10 are defined as the page range. In other words, the element syntax group following the element syntax indicating the global setting is defined as an element syntax indicating an exception setting to the content indicated by element syntax 401 indicating the global setting (rule 4), and it is written that the paper size for pages 1 to 10 is to be set to B5 size.

[0027] In element syntax 403, A3 size is defined as the paper size, and pages 100 and 200 are defined as the page range. In other words, element syntax 403, which is written after element syntax 401, is defined as an exception setting, and describes that the paper size for pages 100 and 200 is to be set to A3 size.

[0028] That is, job ticket JT1 specifies that the paper size is A4 as the basic setting for all pages, and that, as exceptions to this, the paper size is B5 for pages 1 to 10 and A3 for pages 100 and 200. This indicates that the print settings are described as follows: the paper size for pages 1 to 10 is B5, the paper size for pages 11 to 99 is A4, the paper size for page 100 is A3, the paper size for pages 101 to 199 is A4, the paper size for page 200 is A3, and the paper size for pages 201 and onward is A4. In conventional descriptions, six instructions were required to describe this content because a description was required for each range in which the paper size changed. However, in the job ticket description according to this embodiment, the first described syntax is defined as the global setting, and the syntaxes described after this are defined as exceptions to the global setting. By interpreting the content of the job ticket according to these definitions, it becomes possible to describe only three instructions, as shown in FIG.

[0029] 3 defines monochrome as the color selection, and defines the page range from page 1 to page N (i.e., all pages of the data to be printed). That is, element syntax 411 describes that monochrome printing is set as the overall setting for all pages.

[0030] In element syntax 412 following element syntax 411, full color is defined as the color selection, and pages 4 to 6 are described as the page range. In other words, element syntax 412 defines that pages 4 to 6 are to be set to full color printing as an exception setting.

[0031] That is, job ticket JT2 describes print settings such as printing pages 1 to 3 in black and white, pages 4 to 6 in full color, and pages 7 and beyond in black and white. Conventionally, this required three instructions, but in this embodiment, this can be reduced to two instructions, as shown in FIG.

[0032] Furthermore, when the user has instructed the contents of print setting items that are exceptional settings but not the contents of the overall settings, the generation unit 212 generates a job ticket by describing only the exceptional settings and not the overall settings for the print setting items. In other words, the generation unit 212 also generates a job ticket in which the overall settings are not described, in accordance with instructions from the user.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a job ticket in which no overall settings are described. Job ticket JT3 shown in Fig. 4 is written in XJDF, an example of a predetermined format, and has element syntax elements 421 and 422 enclosed by a start tag <Staple> and an end tag <Staple / >. These element syntax elements 421 and 422 constitute a print setting content section D_42, which describes the staple function (Staple).

[0034] For example, element syntax 421 defines the staple binding position as upper left and defines pages 1 to 10 as the page range. That is, in job ticket JT3, the first element syntax described has "1" written as the value indicating the first page and "N" written as the value indicating the last page, and therefore does not specify a page range from "1" to "N." Therefore, the first element syntax 421 is interpreted as an exception setting (rule 5), and defines that the staple binding position is to be set to the upper left for pages 1 to 10, which is a partial page range. In such a case, the first syntax described is not interpreted as a syntax indicating a global setting, and the global setting is interpreted as a setting consisting of predetermined default values ​​(rule 6).

[0035] In element syntax 422, the upper right is defined as the staple binding position, and pages 100 and 200 are described as the page range. Therefore, element syntax 422 is also interpreted as defining, as an exception setting, that the staple binding position for pages 100 and 200, which are a partial page range, is set to the upper right. For example, in this case, the default value used for the overall setting is interpreted as "no staples."

[0036] 2 to 4 show a job ticket JT having only one print setting content section D. That is, although Fig. 2 to 4 show a case where only print settings for one print setting item are defined in one job ticket JT, the print settings that can be defined in one job ticket JT are not limited to one print setting item.

[0037] For example, the generation unit 212 also generates a single job ticket JT4 that defines print settings for multiple print setting items, as shown in Fig. 5. The job ticket JT4 shown in Fig. 5 has multiple print setting content sections D_1, D_2, etc. These print setting content sections D correspond to the print setting content sections D_40, D_41, D_42 shown in Figs. 2 to 4, respectively. Note that Fig. 5 shows the print setting content sections in a simplified manner, omitting start tags, end tags, values ​​indicating setting contents, etc.

[0038] When the operation unit 22 receives an instruction from a user to execute a print job using a job ticket JT, the control unit 210 moves the data to be printed and data indicating the job ticket JT to a location (storage unit or storage area) that can be accessed from the outside, and notifies the image forming apparatus 1 of the location via the communication unit 24, while requesting the image forming apparatus 1 to execute the print job. The location that can be accessed from the outside is, for example, the storage unit 25 of the information processing apparatus 2 or a shared folder (not shown) formed on the server 3.

[0039] 6 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic diagram of the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 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.

[0040] The document feed unit 6 is configured to be openable and closable on the top surface of the document reading unit 5 using a hinge or the like (not shown), and the document feed unit 6 functions as a document pressing cover when reading a document placed on the platen glass (not shown).

[0041] The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner and the like, and reads the document fed from the document feeding unit 6 or reads the document placed on the platen glass. The document reading unit 5 is also capable of sequentially reading multiple document images sent from the document feeding unit 6.

[0042] The following describes the case where a document is read by the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0043] The following describes an image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 12 is equipped with a photosensitive drum, charging device, exposure device, developing device, and primary transfer device for each color, and is a mechanism for forming an image on recording paper as a recording medium by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 14 based on image data generated by a document reading operation, image data stored in an image memory, etc., and image data received from a computer connected via a network, to create a printed matter.

[0044] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device equipped with a heat roller, a pressure roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating these rollers. The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 at the nip between the two rollers, fixing the toner image to the recording paper. The recording paper that has been fixed is then discharged to an output tray (not shown).

[0045] The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette, a pickup roller that picks up recording paper from the paper feed cassette and feeds it to the image forming unit 12, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotation drive mechanism for each roller.

[0046] The operation unit 47 includes various hard keys that are operated by the user, and receives instructions from the user, such as an instruction to execute an image forming operation, regarding various operations and processes that the image forming apparatus 1 can execute in response to the operation of the hard keys.

[0047] The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guides and the like to the operator. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473 via a touch panel that the display unit 473 has.

[0048] The display unit 473 is made up of an LCD or the like. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0049] The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from external devices (for example, the information processing device 2 or the server 3) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0050] The storage unit 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD, and stores various control programs and the like.

[0051] The control unit 10 includes a processor, RAM, ROM, and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a CPU, an ASIC, or an MPU. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100 and an analysis unit 101.

[0052] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 and an analysis unit 101 by the operation of the processor in accordance with a control program, etc. stored in the storage unit 8. However, the control unit 100, etc. can also be configured by a hardware circuit, without relying on the operation in accordance with a control program by the control unit 10. Unless otherwise stated below, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0053] The control unit 100 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feeding unit 6, the 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, and performs drive control of each of these units and executes various processes required for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0054] The analysis unit 101 analyzes the job ticket in which the print settings are described according to predetermined rules (for example, the above-mentioned rules 1 to 6), and sets the print conditions for executing the print job based on the print settings obtained by the analysis. The analysis unit 101 analyzes the print settings described in the job ticket in order from the beginning, interprets the overall settings and the exceptional settings, and sets the print conditions by prioritizing the exceptional settings over the overall settings.

[0055] 2, the analysis unit 101 analyzes the element syntax 401 to 403 in that order. The analysis unit 101 analyzes the element syntax 401 as an overall setting and sets the printing conditions for the paper size of pages 1 to N (all pages of the data to be printed) to A4 size, and then analyzes the element syntax 402 as an exception setting.

[0056] The print settings described in element syntax 402 are inconsistent with the print settings described in element syntax 401, but the analysis unit 101 gives priority to element syntax 402, which is an exception setting, and overwrites the print conditions so that the paper size for pages 1 to 10 is B5, and then analyzes element syntax 403.

[0057] Although the print settings described in element syntax 403 are inconsistent with the print settings described in element syntax 401, the analysis unit 101 gives priority to element syntax 403, which is an exception setting, and overwrites the print conditions so that the paper size for pages 100 and 200 is A3.

[0058] Therefore, the analysis unit 101 analyzes the job ticket JT1 and sets the printing conditions as follows: the paper size for pages 1 to 10 is B5, for pages 11 to 99 is A4, for page 100 is A3, for pages 101 to 199 is A4, for page 200 is A3, and for pages 201 and beyond is A4.

[0059] Furthermore, when the job ticket JT describes exceptional settings to be applied to specific pages of the data to be printed, but the job ticket does not describe overall settings for all pages, the analysis unit 101 sets printing conditions using default settings consisting of default values ​​predetermined in the image forming apparatus 1 as the overall settings, as described above. Furthermore, the analysis unit 101 sets printing conditions by prioritizing the exceptional settings over the overall settings (default settings).

[0060] For example, when analyzing job ticket JT3 as shown in Fig. 4 in accordance with the above rules 1 to 6, the analysis unit 101 analyzes element syntaxes 421 and 422 in that order. When the analysis unit 101 analyzes element syntax 421 and determines that element syntax 421 does not contain a description of the overall setting for the staple function, it first sets the printing conditions to the default setting (for example, the staple function "disabled", indicating no stapling).

[0061] The print settings described in element syntax 421, which is an exception setting, are inconsistent with the overall settings (default setting of staple function "disabled"). However, the analysis unit 101 prioritizes the exception setting, overwrites the print conditions by setting the staple function for pages 1 to 10 to "enabled" and the binding position to the upper left, and then analyzes element syntax 422.

[0062] The print settings described in element syntax 422, which is an exception setting, are inconsistent with the overall settings (default setting of staple function "disabled"), but the analysis unit 101 prioritizes the exception setting and overwrites the print conditions by setting the staple function for pages 100 and 200 to "enabled" and the binding position to the top right.

[0063] Therefore, the analysis unit 101 analyzes the job ticket JT3 and sets the printing conditions such that the staple function is "enabled" for pages 1 to 10 with the binding position at the upper left, "disabled" for pages 11 to 99, "enabled" for page 100 with the binding position at the upper right, "disabled" for pages 101 to 199, "enabled" for page 200 with the binding position at the upper right, and "disabled" for pages 201 and onward.

[0064] The control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 in accordance with the printing conditions set by the analysis unit 101 to execute a print job, and forms an image indicated by the print target data on a recording medium (such as recording paper).

[0065] For example, the control unit 100 receives, via the network interface unit 91, a notification indicating a storage location of data indicating the data to be printed and the job ticket JT transmitted from the information processing device 2, and upon further receiving a request to execute a print job from the information processing device 2, the control unit 100 accesses the storage location via the network interface unit 91 and acquires the job ticket JT and image data from the information processing device 2. The analysis unit 101 analyzes the job ticket JT and sets printing conditions, and the control unit 100 executes the print job based on the analysis results by the analysis unit 101.

[0066] An example of processing performed by the analysis unit 101 of the control unit 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 to analyze the print setting content section D of the job ticket JT and set printing conditions will be further described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0067] The analysis unit 101 analyzes the element syntax written at the beginning of the print setting content section D and determines whether or not it describes overall settings (S1). If it determines that overall settings are written at the beginning of the print setting content section D (YES in S1), it sets the overall printing conditions based on the print settings (overall settings) written in the element syntax (S2).

[0068] On the other hand, if the analysis unit 101 determines that the overall settings are not described at the beginning of the print setting content section D (NO in S1), it sets the printing conditions for the entire document using the default settings as the overall settings (S3), and then sets the printing conditions for the exceptions based on the print settings (exception settings) described in the element syntax (S4).

[0069] Then, the analysis unit 101 determines whether any element syntax remains to be analyzed in the print setting content section D (S5). If it determines that there is an element syntax remaining to be analyzed (YES in S5), it analyzes the element syntax and sets the printing conditions for the exception based on the print settings (exception settings) described in the element syntax, giving priority to the overall settings or default settings (S6). After this, the process returns to S5. On the other hand, if the analysis unit 101 determines that there is no element syntax remaining to be analyzed (NO in S5), the process ends.

[0070] As in the above embodiment, by using a job ticket JT in which the overall settings (basic settings) are described first and the exception settings, which are partial settings, are described later, the amount of element syntax or description used to indicate the settings can be reduced.

[0071] When describing exception settings in a Job Ticket JT, conventionally, the print settings for the basic settings and the exception settings are described alternately. For example, if the paper size is set by switching between the basic setting (A4), the exception setting (B5), the basic setting (A4), the exception setting (A3), and the basic setting (A4), the element syntax indicating each of the basic setting (A4), the exception setting (B5), the basic setting (A4), the exception setting (A3), and the basic setting (A4) must be described in that order in the Job Ticket JT. Therefore, if there are x exception settings, there will be (x + 1) basic settings. However, if the exception settings do not alternate with the basic settings but appear consecutively, such as the basic setting (A4), the exception setting (B5), the exception setting (A3), and the basic setting (A4), the number of basic settings will be less than (x + 1).

[0072] If the number of characters required for each of the exception settings and basic settings is assumed to be 20 characters, and the number of characters that need to be written other than these is assumed to be 200 characters, then in conventional writing, the number of characters WC1 to be written in the job ticket JT is 200 + 20(x + 1) + 20x. On the other hand, in the above embodiment, since it is sufficient to write the basic settings once, the number of characters WC2 to be written in the job ticket JT is 200 + 20 + 20x, which can be reduced by 20x characters (difference Δ=WC1-WC2).

[0073] Therefore, the reduction rate of the number of characters can be expressed as difference Δ / number of characters WC1, and the reduction rate is x / (11+2x). Therefore, when there are 10 exception settings, the number of characters can be reduced by approximately 32% (≒10 / (11+2*10)), and when there are 40 exception settings, the number of characters can be reduced by approximately 44% (≒40 / (11+2*40)).

[0074] Note that this is the reduction rate for each print setting item, so if there are 10 print setting items and the reduction rates for each item are 20%, 20%, 10%, 10%, 25%, 25%, 15%, 15%, 10%, and 10%, the overall reduction rate will be the average of these, 16%.

[0075] In another embodiment, the analysis unit 101 may analyze multiple job tickets JT and set printing conditions based on the print settings described in the multiple job tickets JT, and further, if the print settings described in a later analyzed job ticket JT are inconsistent with the print settings described in an earlier analyzed job ticket JT, the analysis unit 101 may set printing conditions by giving priority to the print settings described in the later analyzed job ticket JT.

[0076] Some image forming devices 1 have a hot folder function. The hot folder function is a function that automatically executes a print job according to the associated print settings when a print file such as a document is input (drag-and-drop) into a folder (hot folder) to which print settings are associated.

[0077] When hot folders are hierarchically organized, have a main hot folder and sub-hot folders, and different job tickets JT are linked to each of the main hot folder and sub-hot folders, the settings and processing by the image forming apparatus 1 as another embodiment described above become effective.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 7 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Image forming device 2. Information processing equipment 12 Image forming unit 22 Control section 23 Display section 100 control section 101 Analysis Department 211 Display control unit 212 Generation part 250 Generator

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; an analysis unit that analyzes a job ticket in which print settings are described and sets print conditions for executing a print job based on the print settings; a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming unit to execute the print job in accordance with the printing conditions set by the analysis unit, and forms an image indicated by the print target data on the recording medium; The analysis unit analyzes the print settings described in the job ticket, and sets the print conditions based on the overall settings that indicate the print settings to be applied to all pages of the data to be printed, while giving priority to the print settings indicated by the exception settings that indicate the print settings to be applied to specific pages of the data to be printed over the print settings indicated by the overall settings, in an image forming device that sets the print conditions.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the exceptional setting is described in the job ticket and the overall setting is not described in the job ticket, the analysis unit sets the printing conditions to default settings predetermined in the image forming apparatus as the overall setting, and sets the printing conditions by giving priority to the exceptional setting over the overall setting.

3. the analysis unit analyzes the plurality of job tickets and sets the printing conditions based on the print settings described in the plurality of job tickets; 3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein if the print settings described in the later analyzed job ticket are inconsistent with the print settings described in the earlier analyzed job ticket, the print settings described in the later analyzed job ticket are given priority in setting the print conditions.

4. an operation unit that accepts input of instructions from a user; A computer provided in an information processing device having a display unit, a display control unit that displays on the display unit a print setting screen for accepting overall settings, which are print settings for all pages of data to be printed, and exceptional settings, which are print settings to be applied to specific pages of the all pages, for each print setting item; a generation unit that generates a job ticket by describing print settings instructed by a user in accordance with a user instruction input from the operation unit via the print setting screen, a generation program that causes the computer to further function such that, for the general setting and the exception setting for the same print setting item, the generation unit generates the job ticket by describing the exception setting after the general setting.

5. The generation program according to claim 4, further causing the computer to function such that, when there is no user instruction for the overall settings for a print setting item for which there is a user instruction for the exceptional setting, the generation unit generates the job ticket without describing the overall settings for that print setting item.

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