Image forming apparatus, control method for image forming apparatus, program, and image forming system

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus, a method for controlling an image forming apparatus, a program, and an image forming system that can reduce the time required for completing output processing from establishment of authentication.SOLUTION: A multi-function peripheral (MFP) 1 executes print processing and server storage processing of storing a log image 77 in a file server 45 based on an image forming job 75. When authentication related to the image forming job 75 is established (S45: YES), the MFP 1 executes the print processing (S51). Meanwhile, the MFP 1 executes the server storage processing regardless of success or failure of the authentication related to the image forming job 75 (S35). The MFP 1 can thus precedingly execute the server storage processing before the authentication is executed and distribute processing loads related to the image forming job 75 before and after the authentication.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs user authentication and a plurality of types of output processing, a control method for the image forming apparatus, a program, and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are image forming devices that, when receiving print data for which a password is set, store the received print data without immediately executing it (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). The image forming device described in Patent Document 1 executes authentication using a password, and prints the stored print data after authentication is successful. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-159123 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, some image forming devices are capable of performing multiple types of output processes, such as a print process and a FAX transmission process, in addition to a print process. In this case, the image forming device can execute multiple types of output processes based on one print data. However, if multiple types of output processes are executed collectively after authentication is established, the processing load may be concentrated, and the time required to complete all the output processes may be extended.

[0005] The present application has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method for an image forming apparatus, a program, and an image forming system that can shorten the time required to complete output processing after authentication is established. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present application comprises a communication unit, a memory unit, a control unit, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and the control unit executes a storage process that causes the communication unit to receive an image formation job and stores the image formation job in the memory unit, a first judgment process that determines whether authentication for the image formation job stored in the memory unit by the storage process is established, an image formation process that, upon determining in the first judgment process that the authentication is established, causes the image forming unit to execute a process of forming an image related to the image formation job on the sheet, and a first transfer process that transfers image data related to the image formation job from the communication unit regardless of the determination of whether the authentication is established.

[0007] Furthermore, the technology disclosed in this specification can be implemented in various forms. For example, in addition to being implemented as the image forming apparatus described above, it is also useful to implement the technology as a control method for an image forming apparatus, a program, and an image forming system.

[0008] According to this, two output processes are executed based on the image formation job: an image formation process for forming an image on a sheet, and a first transfer process for transferring image data. The image forming device executes the image formation process when authentication related to the image formation job is established. Furthermore, the image forming device executes the first transfer process regardless of whether authentication related to the image formation job is successful. The image forming device can execute the first transfer process in advance before authentication is executed. This allows the processing load related to the image formation job to be distributed before and after authentication, and makes it possible to suppress concentration of output processing compared to a case in which both the first transfer process and the image formation process are executed in response to establishment of authentication. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required to complete the image formation process (output process) after establishment of authentication. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the image forming apparatus and the like according to the present application, the time required to complete the output process after authentication is established can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing data stored in an authentication DB. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an activity diagram illustrating operations by a user and processing by an MFP in parallel. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of a data receiving process. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of an output process during idling. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of a login time output process. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an activity diagram illustrating operations by a user and processing by the MFP in parallel when transition to the idle state is not possible. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation timing and deletion timing of each data item in another example. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation timing and deletion timing of each data item in another example. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation timing and deletion timing of each data item in another example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation timing and deletion timing of each data item in another example. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation timing and deletion timing of each data item in another example. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation timing and deletion timing of each data item in another example. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation timing and deletion timing of each data item in another example. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing generation timing and deletion timing of each data item in another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An image forming system 10, which is an embodiment of the image forming system of the present application, will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming system 10 includes an MFP (abbreviation of Multi-Function Peripheral) 1, a router 29, a plurality of PCs 41, a mail server 43, and a file server 45.

[0012] (1. MFP Configuration) The MFP1 is a multifunction machine having a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, and a fax function. As shown in Fig. 1, the MFP1 has a CPU 12, a RAM 13, a memory 15, an image forming unit 16, an image reading unit 17, a fax communication unit 18, a user interface 20, and a network interface 24. The CPU 12 and the like are connected to each other via a bus 11. The MFP1 also has a power supply 25 that supplies power from a commercial power source. The power supply 25 has a power cord and a power supply circuit (bridge diode, smoothing circuit, etc.), generates DC power from the commercial power source, and supplies power to each unit of the MFP1 via a power line.

[0013] The memory 15 (an example of the storage unit of the present application) is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as NVRAM. The storage unit of the present application is not limited to NVRAM, and may be a RAM, a ROM, a HDD, an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the MFP1, or a storage unit that combines them. The storage unit of the present application may be a file server 45 connected via the network interface 24. The storage unit may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0014] The memory 15 also stores various programs such as a control program 71. The control program 71 is, for example, a program that comprehensively controls each unit of the MFP 1. The CPU 12 executes the control program 71, and while temporarily storing the results of the executed processing in the RAM 13, controls each unit connected via the bus 11. The memory 15 also stores an authentication DB (short for database) 73. As will be described later, the authentication DB 73 is data that associates, for example, the user names of login users who can log in to the MFP 1, passwords required for login authentication, and output processing to be executed for each user (see FIG. 2). In the following description, the MFP 1 that executes the control program 71 and the like with the CPU 12 may be simply described as the device name. For example, the description "MFP 1 accepts operation input to the touch panel 21" may mean "MFP 1 executes the control program 71 with the CPU 12 and controls the touch panel 21 to accept operation input to the touch panel 21."

[0015] The image forming unit 16 prints an image on a sheet (such as paper or an OHP) under the control of the CPU 12. The image forming unit 16 has a photosensitive drum 161 and a toner cartridge 162 that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 161. The photosensitive drum 161 is exposed to a laser beam after being charged on the surface by a charger (not shown) to form an electrostatic latent image. The toner cartridge 162 supplies toner carried on a developing roller (not shown) to the electrostatic latent image on the exposed photosensitive drum 161 to form a toner image. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 161 is then transferred to a sheet, and the toner image is thermally fixed to the transferred sheet, thereby printing an image on the sheet by an electrophotographic method. Note that the image forming unit 16 of the present application is not limited to a configuration that performs printing by an electrophotographic method, and may be a configuration that performs printing by another method, for example, an inkjet method.

[0016] The image reading unit 17 includes an original table (not shown) and an image sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device). The image reading unit 17 moves the CIS or the like relative to an original placed on the original table, reads the image of the original, and generates image data. The FAX communication unit 18 transmits and receives FAX data to and from other facsimile devices via a telephone line.

[0017] The user interface 20 has operation buttons such as a touch panel 21 and a numeric keypad 22. The touch panel 21 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel, a light source such as an LED that irradiates light from the rear side of the liquid crystal panel, and a touch-sensitive film attached to the surface of the liquid crystal panel. The user interface 20 displays, for example, various setting screens and the operating state of the device on the touch panel 21 under the control of the CPU 12. The user interface 20 also outputs a signal according to an operation input to the touch panel 21 or the numeric keypad 22 to the CPU 12. Note that the MFP 1 of this embodiment includes the touch panel 21 that serves both as a display unit and an operation unit, but is not limited thereto, and for example, hardware keys may be provided as an operation unit in addition to the display unit.

[0018] The network interface 24 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface, and is connected to the router 29 via a LAN cable (not shown). For example, a plurality of PCs 41, a mail server 43, and a file server 45 are connected to the router 29 in this embodiment. A user can transmit an image formation job 75 from the PC 41 to the MFP1 by operating the PC 41. The MFP1 executes a print process based on the image formation job 75 received from the PC 41. Note that a device that transmits the image formation job 75 to the MFP1 is not limited to the PC 41, and may be, for example, a mobile terminal capable of wireless communication with the MFP1. In addition, the network that connects the MFP1, the PC 41, the mail server 43, and the file server 45 is not limited to a wired LAN, and may be, for example, a wireless LAN or a WAN (including the Internet). In addition, the method of connecting the MFP1 and the file server 45, etc. is not limited to a LAN, and may be a connection conforming to the USB standard.

[0019] Furthermore, the MFP 1 is capable of sending an email with an image attached to it to the mail server 43. For example, the MFP 1 attaches an image based on the image formation job 75 to an email, and sends the email to the mail server 43 by communication conforming to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The user, for example, operates the PC 41 to start a mailer, and receives the email with the image attached from the mail server 43 by communication conforming to the Post Office Protocol (POP) 3. This allows the user to obtain an image printed by the MFP 1 by email.

[0020] Furthermore, the MFP 1 is capable of storing a log image 77 in the file server 45. This log image 77 is, for example, an image for later checking an image printed by the image forming unit 16. The log image 77 is, for example, an image showing an outline of a printed image, such as an image obtained by cutting out a part of the printed image, an image obtained by reducing the printed image, or an image obtained by lowering the resolution of the printed image. For example, a system administrator of the image forming system 10 can check what kind of image the user printed by checking this log image 77 later.

[0021] The MFP 1 transmits the log image 77 to the file server 45 by communication conforming to, for example, FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The file server 45 is provided with, for example, folders created for each user. The MFP 1 selects a storage destination folder in the file server 45 based on, for example, a user name 85 set in the image formation job 75, and stores the log image 77. This allows the system administrator to later confirm which user the log image 77 belongs to. Note that the method of associating the log image 77 with the user is not limited to the above-mentioned method of dividing the folder. For example, the MFP 1 may add information about the user name 85 to the log image 77 and store it. Also, the method of transmitting the log image 77 is not limited to the method using FTP. For example, the MFP 1 may transmit the log image 77 to the file server 45 by communication conforming to a CIFS (Common Internet File System) protocol or a SMB (Server Message Block) protocol.

[0022] Next, the authentication DB 73 stored in the memory 15 will be described. FIG. 2 shows an example of data stored in the authentication DB 73. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, a user name 111, a password 113, and a multiple output execution setting 114 are associated with each other and registered as one record in the authentication DB 73. For example, four user names such as "inoue" are registered in the authentication DB 73 of this embodiment. The user name 111 and the password 113 are given to each user by, for example, a system administrator who manages the MFP 1. Each user performs a login operation of the MFP 1 using the user name 111 and the password 113.

[0023] Further, the multiple output execution setting of the authentication DB 73 is a setting for changing the output process to be executed based on the image formation job 75 for each user name 85 set in the image formation job 75. The print process is an output process for causing the image forming unit 16 to print an image based on the image formation job 75. The FAX transmission process is an output process for causing the FAX communication unit 18 to transmit an image based on the image formation job 75 by FAX. The server storage process is an output process for storing the above-mentioned log image 77 in the file server 45. The email transmission process is an output process for transmitting an email to which an image based on the image formation job 75 is attached, to the PC 41 or the like via the email server 43.

[0024] A circle mark in the execution setting of multiple outputs indicates an output process permitted for the user, and a cross mark indicates an output process prohibited. In the setting example shown in FIG. 2, when the MFP1 receives an image formation job 75 set with the user name "inoue", for example, the MFP1 executes a print process, a FAX transmission process, and a server storage process. The system administrator can change the contents of the output process for each user by changing the setting value of the authentication DB 73. The method of changing the authentication DB 73 is not particularly limited. For example, a WEB server may be built in the MFP1, and changes to the authentication DB 73 may be accepted on a WEB page.

[0025] (2. Accumulated Print Function) The MFP 1 of this embodiment has a storage print function. When the storage print function is set to ON, when the MFP 1 receives an image formation job 75 from the PC 41, the MFP 1 stores the received image formation job 75 in the memory 15 without executing it. The MFP 1 displays, for example, user names 111 registered in the authentication DB 73 on the touch panel 21 in a selectable manner. When any user name 111 is selected by the touch panel 21, the MFP 1 accepts input of a password 113. The MFP 1 judges whether or not the combination of the selected user name 111 and password 113 matches that in the authentication DB 73. When the combination of the selected user name 111 and password 113 matches that in the authentication DB 73, the MFP 1 judges that authentication has been established and enters a logged-in state. The image formation job 75 is described, for example, in PDL (page description language), and a user name 85 is set by a printer driver of the PC 41. When authentication is successful, the MFP 1 executes the image formation job 75 by setting the user name 85 that matches the user name 111 of the login user among the image formation jobs 75 stored in the memory 15. The image formation job 75 stored in the memory 15 and the image formation job 75 executed after storage may not be completely identical to the data of the image formation job 75 at the time of reception. For example, the MFP 1 may store and execute the data of the image formation job 75 received from the PC 41 with some changes, deletions, or additions. Also, the method of setting the on / off of the stored print function is not particularly limited. For example, the MFP 1 may be configured to be able to switch between a mode in which the stored print function is enabled and a mode in which the stored print function is disabled. Also, for example, the MFP 1 may be configured to be able to set the on / off of the stored print function for each user registered in the authentication DB 73 as a setting value of the authentication DB 73. This allows the administrator of the MFP 1 to set the on / off of the stored print function for each user. Alternatively, when transmitting the image formation job 75 from the PC 41, the stored print function may be set to on / off on software that transmits the image formation job 75, such as a printer driver of the PC 41. This allows the user to set the stored print function to on / off.

[0026] Furthermore, when executing an image formation job 75, the MFP 1 executes output processing for each user set in the multiple output execution setting of the authentication DB 73. Furthermore, when the storage print function is set to off, the MFP 1 searches the authentication DB 73 for a user name 111 that matches the user name 85 set in the image formation job 75, for example, without storing the received image formation job 75, and executes the output processing associated with the user name 111.

[0027] (3. Processing of MFP1) Next, an example of processing by the MFP1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. FIG. 3 is an activity diagram illustrating operations by a user and processing by the MFP1 in parallel. The left frame of FIG. 3 shows operations by the user. The right frame of FIG. 3 shows processing by the MFP1. When the accumulated print function is set to ON as described above, the MFP1 of this embodiment accumulates the received image forming job 75 in the memory 15. Furthermore, the MFP1 executes output processing such as printing processing, FAX transmission processing, server storage processing, and e-mail transmission processing according to the output settings of each user set in the authentication DB 73. In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which the image forming job 75 of a user set in the authentication DB 73 is executed to execute three output processes, namely, printing processing, FAX transmission processing, and server storage processing. Note that the activity diagram and flowcharts in this specification basically show processing by the CPU 12 according to instructions written in a program (such as the control program 71). That is, processing such as "determination," "reception," and "storage" in the following description represent processing by the CPU 12. The processing by the CPU 12 includes hardware control. For this reason, in the following description, the subject of processing may be simply referred to as the CPU 12.

[0028] 3, a user operates, for example, one of the PCs 41 to transmit an image formation job 75 from the PC 41 to the MFP 1. The CPU 12 of the MFP 1 receives the image formation job 75 from the PC 41 (S13). The CPU 12 stores the received image formation job 75 in the memory 15 (S13).

[0029] (4. Data Reception Processing) Fig. 4 shows the contents of the data reception process executed by the CPU 12 when an image formation job 75 is received. For example, when the power is turned on and the CPU 12 executes the control program 71 to start up the system, the MFP 1 starts the data reception process shown in Fig. 1. In S15 in Fig. 4, the CPU 12 determines whether or not an image formation job 75 has been received. The CPU 12 repeatedly executes the determination process of S15 until the image formation job 75 is received from the PC 41 (S15: NO).

[0030] When the CPU 12 receives the image formation job 75 from the PC 41 (S15: YES), it converts the image formation job 75 into intermediate data (S17). The CPU 12 executes rasterization to convert the image data of the image formation job 75 described in, for example, a page description language (PDL) into image data in a bitmap format, and generates data including the image data in the bitmap format as intermediate data of the image formation job 75 (S17). When generating the image data into bitmap data, the CPU 12 deletes the original data of the image formation job 75 in the PDL format from the memory 15, and releases the storage area of ​​the memory 15.

[0031] Next, the CPU 12 judges whether the accumulation printing function is set to ON (S19). If the CPU 12 judges that the accumulation printing function is set to ON (S19: YES), the CPU 12 stores the image formation job 75 including the bitmap data in the memory 15 (S21), and ends the data receiving process shown in FIG.

[0032] On the other hand, when the CPU 12 determines that the storage print function is set to off (S19: NO), it executes the image formation job 75 (S23). The CPU 12 searches the authentication DB 73 for the output setting of the user name 111 corresponding to the user name 85 set in the image formation job 75. For example, when three output processes, a print process, a FAX transmission process, and a server storage process, are set as the output setting associated with the user name 111 in the authentication DB 73, the CPU 12 executes the three output processes. The CPU 12 may execute the three output processes in parallel, or may execute them one by one in order. The CPU 12 generates data required for each output process from the intermediate data (the image formation job 75 including the bitmap data) generated in S17, and outputs the data. When the execution of the image formation job 75 is completed, the CPU 12 ends the data reception process shown in FIG. 4. Details of data conversion in the three output processes will be described later.

[0033] (5. Output processing during idle) Next, the idle output process executed by the CPU 12 during idle time will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Here, when the MFP 1 of this embodiment receives an image formation job 75, it executes, for example, a server storage process among the output processes related to the image formation job 75 during idle time. The MFP 1 also executes the remaining output processes (printing process, FAX transmission process, etc.) in response to a login by a user. The idle state here refers to a standby state in which, for example, a printing process based on another image formation job 75 or a copy process based on an operation input on the touch panel 21 is not being executed.

[0034] 5, the CPU 12 transitions to an idle state when, for example, there is no image formation job 75 being executed and a certain period of time has elapsed. Next, the CPU 12 determines whether there is an image formation job 75 stored in the memory 15 (S27). When the CPU 12 determines that there is no image formation job 75 being stored (S27: NO), it ends the idle output process shown in FIG.

[0035] On the other hand, when the CPU 12 determines that there is an image formation job 75 being stored (S27: YES), it determines whether or not the stored image formation job 75 is an image formation job 75 that requires multiple outputs (S29). For example, the CPU 12 searches the authentication DB 73 (see FIG. 2) for a user name 111 that matches the user name 85 of the stored image formation job 75, and determines whether there are multiple types of output processes associated with the user name 111. If only one output process is associated, or if the CPU 12 cannot find a matching user name 111 in the authentication DB 73, it determines that the image formation job 75 does not require multiple outputs (S29: NO), and ends the idle output process shown in FIG. 5.

[0036] Furthermore, when multiple types of output processes are associated, the CPU 12 determines that the image forming job 75 requires multiple outputs (S29: YES), and executes S31. In S31, the CPU 12 determines whether or not there is an output process that can be executed during idle among the multiple output processes detected in S29. The type of output process to be executed during idle is set in the authentication DB 73 by, for example, a system administrator. Alternatively, a user who transmits the image forming job 75 may set the type of output process to be executed during idle on a setting screen of a printer driver or the like. The type of output process to be executed during idle is not particularly limited, but is set, for example, based on a required security level or the like. Specifically, if the print process is executed before the user logs in, the printed matter will be discharged to the paper output tray of the MFP 1 before the user arrives at the MFP 1, and there is a risk that the printed matter will be taken away by another user. For this reason, when a higher security level is required, it is preferable not to execute the print process during idle. Furthermore, in the FAX transmission process, once image data is transmitted to the destination FAX machine, it is difficult to delete the transmitted image data later. On the other hand, as described below, there is a possibility that the execution of the stored image forming job 75 may be interrupted (S53: NO in FIG. 6). When the user interrupts the execution of the image forming job 75, it is highly likely that the user will wish to interrupt all output processing related to the image forming job 75. For this reason, it is preferable not to execute the FAX transmission processing during the idle state.

[0037] The server storage process is a process of storing the output contents as a log image 77 in the file server 45 in order to check the output contents of each user. The log image 77 stored in the file server 45 is managed by a system administrator, for example, and is unlikely to be seen by other users. Even if the server storage process is executed in advance before login, it is possible to delete the log image 77 stored in the file server 45 in response to the interruption of the image forming job 75. For this reason, the server storage process can be executed during idle. The method of deleting the log image 77 stored in the file server 45 is not particularly limited. For example, the CPU 12 transmits a deletion request such as an FTP command instructing deletion to the file server 45. In response to receiving the deletion request, the file server 45 overwrites and erases the log image 77 with other data. Alternatively, the file server 45 may change the address information of the management file so that the log image 77 cannot be read from outside, although it is stored as the log image 77.

[0038] Furthermore, in the mail transmission process, there is a low possibility that image data transmitted to the mail server 43 will be seen by other users. Furthermore, if mail stored in the mail server 43 can be deleted before the mail is transmitted from the mail server 43 to the user's mailer, the mail (image data) on the mail server 43 can be deleted in conjunction with the interruption of the image formation job 75 after login. Therefore, if mail that has been transmitted to the mail server 43 can be deleted before being delivered to the mailer, the mail transmission process can be executed during idle time.

[0039] Returning to Fig. 5, in S31, if the multiple output processes detected in S29 include a server storage process, the CPU 12 determines that there is an output process that can be executed during idle (S31: YES). The CPU 12 starts the server storage process in S33 or later. On the other hand, if the multiple output processes detected in S29 include a server storage process, the CPU 12 determines that there is no output process that can be executed during idle (S31: NO), and ends the idle output process shown in Fig. 5.

[0040] In S33, the CPU 12 generates data necessary for server storage processing from the bitmap data (intermediate data) generated in S17 of Fig. 4. Specifically, for example, the CPU 12 generates image data in JPEG format as the log image 77 from the bitmap data. The format of the log image 77 stored in the file server 45 is not limited to the JPEG format, but may be, for example, the TIFF format.

[0041] When the CPU 12 generates the log image 77 in JPEG format in S33, it transmits the generated log image 77 to the file server 45 and stores it (S35). Next, the CPU 12 judges whether or not the log image 77 has been successfully stored in the file server 45 (S37). For example, when the CPU 12 receives a response indicating that the log image 77 has been successfully stored from the file server 45, the CPU 12 judges that the storage has been successful (S37: YES). When the CPU 12 successfully stores the log image 77 (S37: YES), the CPU 12 deletes the log image 77 from the memory 15 and releases the storage area of ​​the memory 15. The CPU 12 ends the idle output process shown in FIG. 5. When multiple image formation jobs 75 are stored in the memory 15, the CPU 12 may execute the process from S29 for each image formation job 75.

[0042] On the other hand, for example, if an error occurs in communication with the file server 45 and the log image 77 cannot be transmitted, the CPU 12 determines that storage of the log image 77 has failed (S37: NO). Alternatively, for example, if the CPU 12 receives an instruction from the PC 41 to interrupt execution of the image formation job 75 and interrupts transmission of the log image 77, the CPU 12 determines that storage of the log image 77 has failed (S37: NO). When the CPU 12 determines that storage of the log image 77 has failed (S37: NO), it executes S39.

[0043] In S39, the CPU 12 determines whether an instruction has been given to delete from the memory 15 the image formation job 75 for which the log image 77 has failed to be stored. When another output process (printing process or FAX transmission process) related to the image formation job 75 for which the log image 77 has failed to be stored is executed, the image for which the log image 77 could not be left is printed or the like. In this case, even if the system administrator attempts to check the image printed or the like by the user later, it becomes difficult to check because the log image 77 has not been stored. This may result in a decrease in the security level. For this reason, when the server storage process fails, it becomes necessary to delete the failed image formation job 75.

[0044] The instruction as to whether or not to delete the image formation job 75 may be given by, for example, providing a set value for instruction in the authentication DB 73 and changing the set value. Alternatively, for example, the CPU 12 may notify the system administrator in S39 that the server storage process has failed, and may receive an instruction as to whether or not to delete the image formation job 75 from the system administrator.

[0045] In S39, when the CPU 12 determines that there is an instruction to delete the image formation job 75 that has failed in the server storage process (S39: YES), the CPU 12 deletes the image formation job 75 that has failed in the server storage process from the memory 15 (S41). When the CPU 12 deletes the image formation job 75 (S41), the idle output process shown in Fig. 5 is terminated. In this case, even if the user performs a login operation, the image formation job 75 has already been deleted, so the CPU 12 does not execute a print process or the like in response to a successful login, which will be described later.

[0046] Furthermore, in S39, if the CPU 12 determines that there is no instruction to delete the image formation job 75 (S39: NO), the CPU 12 ends the idle output process shown in Fig. 5 without deleting the image formation job 75. In this case, the CPU 12 executes a print process or the like in response to a successful login. Note that the CPU 12 may execute the server storage process again during idle or after login.

[0047] In the above description, the criterion for whether or not the CPU 12 is idle is a standby state in which printing processes based on other image forming jobs 75 and copying processes based on operation inputs on the touch panel 21 are not being executed, but this is not limiting. For example, the idle state may be a state in which the processing load is sufficient. For example, the idle state may be a state in which the processing load of the CPU 12 is low enough that other processes executed by the CPU 12 are not affected even if the server storage process is executed. For example, when the CPU 12 receives two image forming jobs 75 consecutively, if the processing load during the data reception process (FIG. 4) of the second image forming job 75 is low, the CPU 12 may execute the idle output process (FIG. 5) of the first image forming job 75 in parallel. In addition, the CPU 12 may transition from the idle state to the login state when authentication is established by a login operation and login is performed.

[0048] (6.Login output process) Next, the login output process executed in response to a successful login will be described with reference to FIG. 6. For example, the MFP 1 starts the login output process shown in FIG. 6 after the power is turned on and the CPU 12 executes the control program 71 to start the system. In S45 of FIG. 6, the CPU 12 judges whether the login by the user has been successful. For example, the user transmits an image formation job 75 from the PC 41, moves to the front of the MFP 1, and operates the touch panel 21 to perform a login operation (S43 of FIG. 3). The CPU 12 judges whether the combination of the user name 111 selected on the touch panel 21 and the password 113 input via the touch panel 21 is correct by using the authentication DB 73 (S45). If the combination of the user name 111 and the password 113 matches those in the authentication DB 73, the CPU 12 judges that a login has occurred (S45: YES) and enters a logged-in state. On the other hand, the CPU 12 repeatedly executes the process of S45 until the login is successful (S45: NO).

[0049] When the state transitions to the login state, the CPU 12 judges whether or not there is an image formation job 75 being stored (S47). In response to a successful login, the CPU 12 executes the image formation job 75 for which the user name 85 that matches the user name 111 of the login user is set. Therefore, in S47, if an image formation job 75 for which the user name 85 that matches the user name 111 of the login user is stored, the CPU 12 judges that there is an image formation job 75 being stored (S47: YES). When the CPU 12 judges that there is an image formation job 75 being stored (S47: YES), it generates data required to output the image formation job 75 being stored (S49). When the CPU 12 judges that there is no image formation job 75 being stored (S47: NO), it ends the login output process shown in FIG. 6.

[0050] In S49, for example, when the CPU 12 executes a print process based on the image forming job 75, the CPU 12 generates print data (PrintData in FIG. 3) used in the print process from intermediate data (bitmap data) (S49). The print data is generated by compressing, for example, the run-length compression method. Also, for example, when the CPU 12 executes a FAX transmission process based on the image forming job 75, the CPU 12 generates JBIG format data from the intermediate data as data for the FAX transmission process (FAX data in FIG. 3) (S49). Note that the format of the data for the print process is not limited to the run-length compression method. Also, the format of the data for the FAX transmission process is not limited to the JBIG format data, and may be data converted into other encoding formats such as MMR, MR, and MH. Also, the CPU 12 does not need to generate data for output from intermediate data (bitmap data). For example, the CPU 12 may generate JBIG format data for the FAX transmission process from the print data for the print process.

[0051] When the CPU 12 generates data for output in S49, it executes the output process (S51). After executing the output process of S51, the CPU 12 determines whether the output process is successful or not (S53). For example, in the case of print processing, the CPU 12 determines that the output process is successful if printing of all images is normally completed (S53: YES). Also, for example, in the case of FAX transmission processing, the CPU 12 determines that the output process is successful if it receives a notification from the destination FAX machine that reception of image data is complete (S53: YES).

[0052] When the CPU 12 determines that the output process is successful (S53: YES), it deletes the data (print data and JBIG data) used in the output process from the memory 15 and releases the storage area of ​​the memory 15. When the CPU 12 determines that the output process is successful (S53: YES), it determines whether or not all the output processes are completed (S55). When the CPU 12 determines that all the output processes are not completed (S55: NO), it executes the process from S49 again. For example, the CPU 12 executes the print process in S51 for the first time, and then executes the FAX transmission process in S51 for the second time. When a plurality of image formation jobs 75 for a user name 85 that matches the user name 111 of the logged-in user are stored, the CPU 12 executes the process from S49 for each image formation job 75. The CPU 12 may execute the print process and the FAX transmission process in parallel.

[0053] Furthermore, when the CPU 12 determines that all output processes have been completed (S55: YES), it deletes the data used in the output processes (print data and JBIG data) from the memory 15, and releases the storage area of ​​the memory 15. The CPU 12 also ends the login output process shown in Fig. 6. This allows the server storage process to be executed during idle time before login, and the print process and FAX transmission process to be executed in conjunction with login.

[0054] On the other hand, when the CPU 12 determines in S53 that the output process has failed (S53: NO), it suspends the execution of the image forming job 75. For example, when an error (lack of sheets or toner) occurs in the printing process, or when an error (such as a transmission error) occurs in the FAX transmission process, the CPU 12 determines that the output process has failed (S53: NO) and suspends the execution of the image forming job 75. Alternatively, when the CPU 12 receives an instruction to suspend the execution of the image forming job 75 via the touch panel 21 or the like, it determines that the output process has failed (S53: NO) and suspends the execution of the image forming job 75. When the CPU 12 determines that the output process has failed (S53: NO), it determines whether or not the log image 77 of the image forming job 75 that has failed in the output process is stored in the file server 45 (S57). In the above-described idle output process of FIG. 5, if the log image 77 is stored in the file server 45 prior to the login operation, the log image 77 is stored in the file server 45 at this point. When the CPU 12 determines that the output process has failed (S53: NO) and interrupts the execution of the image formation job 75, the CPU 12 may notify the interruption of the image formation job 75. For example, the CPU 12 may notify the interruption of the image formation job 75 to the touch panel 21 or the PC 41 of the system administrator.

[0055] When the CPU 12 determines that the log image 77 is not stored in the file server 45 (S57: NO), it ends the login output process shown in Fig. 6. In this case, the image formation job 75 that has failed to be output remains accumulated. For this reason, for example, if printing is not possible due to a shortage of sheets or toner, the CPU 12 displays a display on the touch panel 21 requesting the refilling of sheets or toner. Then, when the CPU 12 detects the refilling of sheets or toner, it may execute the failed printing process again. Alternatively, for example, if a FAX transmission has failed due to congestion on the telephone lines, the CPU 12 may execute the failed FAX transmission process again after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0056] Furthermore, in S57, when the CPU 12 determines that the log image 77 is stored in the file server 45 (S57: YES), it determines whether or not there is an instruction to delete the log image 77 in the file server 45 (S59). The method of instructing the deletion of the log image 77 is not particularly limited. For example, when a setting value indicating an instruction to delete the log image 77 is stored in the memory 15, the CPU 12 determines that there is an instruction to erase the log image 77 in the file server 45 (S59: YES). Alternatively, the CPU 12 may display a screen on the touch panel 21 for receiving an instruction as to whether or not the log image 77 should be deleted. Then, when the CPU 12 receives an operation input indicating that the log image 77 may be deleted on the touch panel 21, it may determine that there is an instruction to erase the log image 77 in the file server 45 (S59: YES).

[0057] When the CPU 12 determines that there is an instruction to delete the log image 77 (S59: YES), it deletes the log image 77 stored in the file server 45 (S61). The CPU 12, for example, transmits an FTP command of a deletion request to the file server 45 and deletes the log image 77. In addition to setting an instruction to delete the log image 77, the MFP 1 can also set an instruction to delete the image formation job 75 that has failed in the printing process or the like from the memory 15. For example, when the CPU 12 is set to delete the log image 77, it is set to automatically delete the image formation job 75. Therefore, when the CPU 12 determines that there is an instruction to delete the log image 77 (S59: YES), it deletes the image formation job 75 that has failed in the printing process or the like from the memory 15 (S61). As a result, the image formation job 75 that has failed in the printing process or the like and has also deleted the log image 77 can be deleted from the memory 15 and interrupted.

[0058] The MFP 1 may be configured to be able to set an instruction to delete the log image 77 and an instruction to delete the image formation job 75 separately. For example, the CPU 12 may display a screen for receiving an instruction to delete the log image 77 and an instruction to delete the image formation job 75 on the touch panel 21 and receive the individual settings. After determining in S57 that the log image 77 is stored (S57: YES), the CPU 12 may determine separately whether there is an instruction to delete the log image 77 and whether there is an instruction to delete the image formation job 75. Then, the CPU 12 may delete the log image 77 and the image formation job 75 according to the respective determination results. After executing S61, the CPU 12 ends the login output process shown in FIG. 6.

[0059] On the other hand, if the CPU 12 determines that there is no instruction to erase the log image 77 (S59: NO), the CPU 12 executes S55. In this case, the CPU 12 repeatedly executes the processes from S49 until all output processes (printing processes and FAX transmission processes) related to the image formation job 75 being executed are completed.

[0060] (7. When not outputting during idle) In the above embodiment, the MFP 1 transitions to the idle state before login, and executes the server storage process during the idle state. However, depending on the state of the MFP 1, there is a possibility that the MFP 1 will not transition to the idle state until the user performs a login operation. In this case, the CPU 12 cannot execute the server storage process before login. Therefore, the CPU 12 executes the server storage process after login. FIG. 7 shows an activity diagram in the case where the MFP 1 cannot transition to the idle state. In the following description, the same processes as those in FIGS. 3 to 6 above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, when the CPU 12 receives the image formation job 75 from the PC 41, the CPU 12 executes the data reception process (see FIG. 4) and generates intermediate data from the image formation job 75 (S17). Then, for example, if the CPU 12 continues to execute another image formation job 75 and the like and the processing load is high, the state in which the CPU 12 cannot transition to the idle state continues. As a result, a login operation is performed before the execution of the server storage process (S43, S45). In this case, the CPU 12 executes, for example, the print process, the FAX transmission process, and the server storage process that could not be executed beforehand in parallel in response to the success of the login (S49, S51). Although the processing load is concentrated compared to the case of FIG. 3, the CPU 12 can execute all the output processes associated with the image formation job 75 in accordance with the login. The CPU 12 may execute the print process, the FAX transmission process, and the server storage process in sequence, without executing the output processes in parallel.

[0062] (8. Timing of generation and deletion of each data) Next, the timing of generating and deleting each data will be described. As described above, the CPU 12 generates intermediate data (bitmap data) when it receives the image formation job 75 (S17 in FIG. 4). It also generates data required before executing each output process such as server storage process, print process, and FAX transmission process (S33 in FIG. 5, S49 in FIG. 6). Then, when each output process ends normally, the used data is deleted from the memory 15. However, the timing of generating and deleting each data is not limited to the above-mentioned timing.

[0063] Figures 8 to 11 show the generation timing and deletion timing of each data in another example. In Figures 8 to 11, a square shown with a solid line indicates that the generation of the data within the square has been completed in each phase. Also, a square shown with a dashed line indicates that the generation of the data within the square has not been completed in each phase. Also, a cross indicates deleted data. In the example shown in Figures 8 to 11, unlike the embodiment described above, all necessary data is generated in advance.

[0064] Phase 101 shown in Fig. 8 indicates a process performed at the timing of receiving an image formation job 75. As shown in Fig. 8, the CPU 12 receives the image formation job 75 described in PLD from the PC 41 and stores it in the memory 15. At this stage, intermediate data (bitmap data) and the like indicated by the dashed line are not generated.

[0065] Next, phases 102 and 103 shown in FIG. 9 indicate image data conversion processing executed by the CPU 12 after receiving the image forming job 75. For example, the CPU 12 executes the processing of phases 102 and 103 immediately after receiving the image forming job 75. Alternatively, the CPU 12 executes the processing of phases 102 and 103 at a timing when the processing load becomes lighter after receiving the image forming job 75. The CPU 12 generates bitmap data (intermediate data) from image data (hereinafter referred to as PDL data) included in the image forming job 75 stored in the memory 15, and deletes the unnecessary PDL data from the memory 15 (phase 102). The CPU 12 determines the output processing associated with the user name 111 that matches the user name 85 of the image forming job 75 in the authentication DB 73, and generates data required for the output processing to be executed. For example, the CPU 12 generates JPEG data (log image 77) for server storage processing, print data for print processing, and JBIG data for FAX transmission processing from the bitmap data. When the CPU 12 generates data for each output process, it deletes the bitmap data from the memory 15 (phase 103). The CPU 12 executes the processes of phases 102 and 103, for example, in S17 of Fig. 4. Alternatively, the CPU 12 may execute the processes of phases 102 and 103 in S33 of Fig. 5.

[0066] Phases 104 and 105 shown in FIG. 10 indicate the server storage process during an idle period. The CPU 12 executes a server storage process using the JPEG data generated in phase 102 (phase 104). If the CPU 12 succeeds in storing the JPEG data (S37 in FIG. 5: YES), it deletes the JPEG data used in the server storage process (phase 105). During this time, the print data and JBIG data remain stored in the memory 15.

[0067] Phases 106 and 107 shown in FIG. 11 indicate the printing process and FAX transmission process associated with login. As described above, at the stage where the login operation is performed, the printing data and JBIG data are stored in the memory 15. The CPU 12 reads the printing data from the memory 15 and executes the printing process, and reads the JBIG data from the memory 15 and executes the FAX transmission process (phase 106). When the CPU 12 completes the printing process, etc., it deletes the printing data and JBIG data from the memory 15 (phase 107). When the CPU 12 succeeds in each output process, for example, in S53 of FIG. 6, it deletes the data used in that output process. In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 11, data for output processing (JPEG data, printing data, JBIG data) is generated in advance. Therefore, while the usage amount of the memory 15 increases, by generating data for output processing in advance, the printing process and FAX transmission process can be started quickly after login. Therefore, this is an effective processing procedure when, for example, the memory 15 has a large storage capacity and it is desired to increase the processing speed.

[0068] Next, another processing procedure will be described. Figures 12 to 15 show the generation timing and deletion timing of each data in another example. In the processing procedure shown in Figures 12 to 15, each data is generated from an image formation job 75 (PDL data) immediately before executing the output process. In the following description, the same processes as those in Figures 8 to 11 above are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0069] Phase 121 shown in Fig. 12 indicates a process performed at the timing of receiving the image formation job 75. As in Fig. 8, the CPU 12 receives the image formation job 75 described in PLD from the PC 41 and stores it in the memory 15 (phase 121). At this stage, the CPU 12 does not generate bitmap data or the like. Also, as shown in phase 122 of Fig. 13, unlike Fig. 9, the CPU 12 does not generate bitmap data or the like as a process after receiving the image formation job 75. Generally, the amount of data of PDL data is smaller than that of bitmap data or the like. Therefore, by storing the PDL data in the memory 15 as it is, the amount of memory 15 used can be reduced.

[0070] Phases 123 and 124 shown in FIG. 14 indicate the server storage process during an idle period. The CPU 12 generates bitmap data from the PDL data stored in the memory 15, generates JPEG data from the bitmap data, and executes server storage processing (phase 123). When the CPU 12 has successfully stored the log image 77 in the file server 45, it deletes not only the JPEG data but also the bitmap data (phase 124). In this way, by deleting the bitmap data from the memory 15, in other words, by leaving only the PDL data in the memory 15, it is possible to free up as much storage area in the memory 15 as possible.

[0071] Phases 125 and 126 shown in FIG. 15 indicate the printing process and FAX transmission process associated with login. As described above, at the stage where the login operation is performed, only PDL data is stored in the memory 15. Therefore, the CPU 12 generates bitmap data from the PDL data, and generates print data and JPEG data from the bitmap data (phase 125). Then, the CPU 12 executes the printing process and FAX transmission process using the generated data (phase 125). When the printing process or the like ends normally, the CPU 12 deletes the bitmap data, print data, and JBIG data from the memory 15 (phase 126). In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 15, only PDL data with the smallest possible data amount is stored in the memory 15, thereby reducing the usage of the memory 15. This makes it possible to prevent memory shortages. On the other hand, since each data needs to be generated from the PDL data immediately before each output process is executed, there is a risk of delaying the start of the output process. Therefore, this is an effective processing procedure when, for example, the memory area of ​​the memory 15 is small and it is desired to reliably prevent a shortage of free space.

[0072] The CPU 12 may execute a combination of the processing procedure of the above embodiment, the processing procedures shown in Figures 8 to 11, and the processing procedures shown in Figures 12 to 15. For example, the CPU 12 may change the processing procedure to be used depending on the free space when the image formation job 75 is received. If there is a lot of free space when the image formation job 75 is received, the CPU 12 may execute the processing shown in Figures 8 to 11, and if there is little free space, execute the processing shown in Figures 12 to 15. Alternatively, the CPU 12 may receive the selection of the processing procedure to be used through the touch panel 21.

[0073] Incidentally, the MFP 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus. The CPU 12 is an example of a control unit. The memory 15 is an example of a storage unit. The network interface 24 is an example of a communication unit. The file server 45 is an example of an external device. The log image 77 is an example of image data.

[0074] (9. Effects) According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are achieved. (1) The MFP1 of this embodiment includes a network interface 24 (an example of a communication unit), a memory 15 (an example of a storage unit), a CPU 12 (an example of a control unit), and an image forming unit 16 that prints an image on a sheet. The CPU 12 of the MFP1 executes a storage process (S13) that causes the network interface 24 to receive an image forming job 75 and stores the image forming job 75 in the memory 15, a first determination process (S45) that determines whether authentication related to the image forming job 75 stored in the memory 15 by the storage process is established, a print process (S51: an example of an image forming process) that causes the image forming unit 16 to execute a process of printing an image related to the image forming job 75 on a sheet when it is determined in the first determination process that authentication is established, and a server storage process (S35: an example of a first transfer process) that transfers a log image 77 (an example of image data) related to the image forming job 75 from the network interface 24 regardless of whether authentication is established.

[0075] According to this, the MFP 1 executes two output processes, a print process (S51) and a server storage process (S35), based on the image formation job 75. When authentication related to the image formation job 75 is established (S45: YES), the CPU 12 of the MFP 1 executes the print process (S51). Furthermore, the CPU 12 executes the server storage process (S35) regardless of whether authentication related to the image formation job 75 is established. The CPU 12 can execute the server storage process in advance before the authentication is executed. This allows the processing load related to the image formation job 75 to be distributed before and after the authentication, and the concentration of the output process can be suppressed compared to the case where both the server storage process and the print process are executed in response to the establishment of the authentication. Therefore, the time required to complete the print process (an example of the output process) after the authentication is established can be shortened. Furthermore, since the print process is executed after the authentication is established, the possibility that the printed matter is seen by other users can be reduced compared to the case where the print process is executed before the authentication. This improves the security level related to printing.

[0076] (2) In addition, the server storage process of S35 (an example of a first transfer process) is a process of transferring the log image 77 from the network interface 24 to the file server 45, and is a process of transferring the log image 77 to the file server 45 by a transfer method that complies with a protocol that can delete the log image 77 that has already been transferred to the file server 45 by sending a deletion request to the file server 45.

[0077] For example, after the server storage process is performed first, the image formation job 75 may be interrupted when the print process is performed. In this case, it may be desired to cancel the server storage process in accordance with the interruption of the image formation job 75. In response to this, if the transfer method complies with the above-mentioned protocol, a deletion request can be sent to the file server 45 in response to the interruption of the image formation job 75, and the log image 77 that has already been transferred to the file server 45 can be deleted.

[0078] (3) The CPU 12 can also execute a second transfer process (FAX transmission process, email transmission process) for transferring an image related to the image formation job 75 in at least one of a facsimile and an email format. When the CPU 12 determines in the first determination process that authentication is established (S45: YES), the CPU 12 executes a print process, a FAX transmission process, etc. (S51).

[0079] For example, when transferring images by facsimile or e-mail, it may be difficult to delete images that have already been transferred to an external device (such as the recipient's fax machine or mail server). For this reason, if a second transfer process such as a fax transmission process is executed before a print process, the transferred images cannot be deleted even if an attempt is made to cancel the second transfer process when the image formation job 75 is interrupted. In contrast, by executing the second transfer process after authentication is established and execution of the print process is confirmed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which images that have been transferred and cannot be deleted due to an interruption of the image formation job 75 are interrupted.

[0080] (4) When the image formation job 75 is interrupted, the CPU 12 deletes the log image 77 transferred in the server storage process by transmitting a deletion request to the file server 45 (S61). According to this, in response to the interruption of the image formation job 75, a deletion request is transmitted to the file server 45, and the log image 77 already transferred in the server storage process is deleted later. This makes it possible to prevent the log image 77 related to the interrupted image formation job 75 from continuing to be stored in the file server 45 to which the image formation job 75 is transferred.

[0081] (5) When the image formation job 75 is interrupted, the CPU 12 executes a second determination process to determine whether or not there is an instruction to delete the log image 77 transferred in the server storage process (S59), and when it is determined in the second determination process that there is an instruction to delete (S59: YES), the CPU 12 deletes the log image 77 transferred in the server storage process by sending a deletion request to the file server 45 (S61). This allows the MFP 1 to be instructed as to whether to delete or leave the transferred log image 77 in response to the interruption of the image formation job 75.

[0082] (6) When the server storage process is interrupted, the CPU 12 also interrupts (S61) the execution of the image formation job 75. This makes it possible to interrupt the execution of the image formation job 75 itself in accordance with the interruption of the server storage process.

[0083] (7) Furthermore, the image data related to the image formation job 75 in the server storage process is a log image 77 related to the image formed in the print process. According to this, by transferring the log image 77 by the server storage process, the printed image can be checked later from the log image 77. Furthermore, by interrupting the image formation job 75 when the server storage process is interrupted and the log image 77 cannot be left, it is possible to prevent the image formation job 75 without a record of the log image 77 from being executed. Therefore, it is possible to take a more appropriate measure in response to the interruption of the server storage process.

[0084] (8) When the server storage process is interrupted, the CPU 12 executes a third determination process to determine whether or not there is an instruction to interrupt the execution of the image formation job 75 (S59), and when it is determined in the third determination process that there is an instruction to interrupt (S59: YES), the CPU 12 interrupts the execution of the image formation job 75 (S61). This allows the MFP 1 to be instructed as to whether the image formation job 75 should also be interrupted in response to the interruption of the server storage process, or whether the image formation job 75 should be executed without interruption.

[0085] (9) In addition, the CPU 12 generates print data (an example of image formation data) to be used in the print process based on the image formation job 75 in conjunction with the execution of the server storage process (see FIG. 9), and executes the print process using the print data when it is determined in the first determination process that authentication is successful (see FIG. 11). By generating print data to be used in the print process in conjunction with the execution of the server storage process, the print process can be started quickly after authentication is successful. Therefore, the time required to complete the print process (an example of output process) after authentication is successful can be further shortened.

[0086] (10) Furthermore, when it is determined in the first determination process that authentication is successful, the CPU 12 may generate print data to be used in the print process based on the image formation job 75, and execute the print process using the generated print data (see FIG. 15). In this way, the print data to be used in the print process is not generated until authentication is successful. Then, after authentication is successful, the print data is generated and the print process is executed. This prevents the storage area of ​​the memory 15 from being overwhelmed, and prevents the free space of the memory 15 from running out, by not generating the print data until just before the print process is executed.

[0087] (10. Modifications) Incidentally, the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the authentication DB 73 is stored in the memory 15 of the MFC 1, and the authentication process is performed based on the user name 85 of the received image forming job 75, the password 113 input via the touch panel 21, and the authentication DB 73, but the authentication method is not limited to this. For example, the MFC 1 may receive authentication information from an authentication card or a mobile terminal via wireless communication such as NFC, BlueTooth (registered trademark), or Wifi (registered trademark), and perform a comparison with the authentication DB 73. The MFC 1 may also perform user authentication by an authentication server installed on the network. In this case, the authentication DB 73 may be stored in the authentication server. Also, the transmission side of the image forming job 75 (such as the printer driver of the PC 41) may set authentication information (password or PIN code) in the image forming job 75 and transmit it, and the MFC 1 may perform login authentication based on the authentication information of the image forming job 75. In this case, the MFP 1 may also perform biometric authentication such as fingerprint authentication.

[0088] Furthermore, the protocol used for the server storage process may be a protocol that does not allow the log image 77 once stored in the file server 45 to be deleted. In the above embodiment, the printing process is used as the image forming process of the present application, but other image forming processes such as scanning process, FAX transmission process, etc. may be used. For example, the MFP 1 may be configured to execute only the server storage process and the FAX transmission process as the output process, and may transfer the log image 77 of the FAX transmission process. Furthermore, when the image forming job 75 is interrupted, the CPU 12 may leave the log image 77 instead of deleting it. Furthermore, the CPU 12 may not execute the second determination process (S59) of determining whether or not there is an instruction to delete the log image 77. For example, when the CPU 12 determines that the log image 77 is stored in the file server 45 (S57: YES), the CPU 12 may automatically delete the log image 77.

[0089] Furthermore, the CPU 12 does not need to execute the process of suspending the execution of the image forming job 75 (S61) in accordance with the suspension of the server storage process. Furthermore, the image data transferred as part of the server storage process is not limited to the log image 77, but may be, for example, the image itself, such as a printed image. Furthermore, the CPU 12 may not execute the third determination process (S59) for determining whether or not there is an instruction to interrupt the execution of the image formation job 75. For example, when the CPU 12 determines that the log image 77 is stored in the file server 45 (S57: YES), the CPU 12 may automatically delete the image formation job 75. In the image forming system 10 of the above embodiment, the data reception process in FIG. 4, the idle output process in FIG. 5, and the login output process in FIG. 6 are executed by the CPU 12, but this is not limiting. The image forming system 10 may execute a part or the whole of the processes shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 by another control unit. For example, the control unit of the file server 45 may be the main control unit for controlling the transmission and reception process of the image forming job 75 between the MFP1 and the PC 41. The file server 45 may periodically inquire the PC 41 about the presence or absence of the image forming job 75, and transfer the image forming job 75 acquired from the PC 41 to the MFP1. In this case, the file server 45 may accumulate the image forming job 75, and generate, store, transfer, and the like the log image 77. Furthermore, the MFP 1 may use the file server 45 as an authentication server to perform user authentication. Then, in response to a successful authentication, the file server 45 may transmit the stored image formation job 75 to the MFP 1 to execute the printing process.

[0090] Furthermore, the storage destination of the control program 71 is not limited to the memory 15, but may be other computer-readable storage media, such as a RAM, HDD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other recording medium. In the above embodiment, the CPU 12 that executes a predetermined program is used as the control unit of the present application, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be configured with dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit may also be configured to operate using a combination of software processing and hardware processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 MFP (image forming apparatus), 12 CPU (control unit), 15 memory (storage unit), 16 image forming unit, 24 network interface (communication unit), 45 file server (external device), 75 image forming job, 77 log image (image data).

Claims

1. The Communications Department and A storage unit; A control unit; an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; Equipped with The control unit is a storage process of causing the communication unit to receive an image formation job and storing the image formation job in the storage unit; an image forming process for causing the image forming unit to execute a process for forming an image on the sheet based on image data related to the image forming job; a second transfer process for transferring the image data related to the image forming job in at least one of a facsimile and an e-mail format; a first determination process for determining whether or not authentication of the image forming job stored in the storage unit by the storage process is established; The present invention is capable of carrying out the following: generating data necessary for executing the image forming process and the second transfer process from the image data related to the image forming job after the storage process and before the first determination process; When it is determined in the first determination process that the authentication is established, the image forming process and the second transfer process are each executed based on the data. Image forming device.

2. The data is intermediate data, The control unit is When generating the intermediate data, rasterization is performed to convert image data related to the image forming job into an image in a bitmap format, thereby generating intermediate data including the image in the bitmap format; When the image forming process is executed, image forming data used in the image forming process is generated from the intermediate data, and an image is formed on the sheet using the image forming data; when executing the second transfer process, facsimile transmission data is generated from the intermediate data, and an image is transferred in a facsimile format using the facsimile transmission data; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit is executing a first transfer process for transferring image data related to the image forming job from the communication unit to an external device after the storage process and before the first determination process; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The first transfer process includes: The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the process transfers the image data from the communication unit to an external device, and the process transfers the image data to the external device using a transfer method that complies with a protocol that allows the image data that has been transferred to the external device to be deleted by sending a deletion request to the external device.

5. A communication unit, A storage unit; A control unit; an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; Equipped with The control unit is a storage process of causing the communication unit to receive an image formation job and storing the image formation job in the storage unit; an image forming process for causing the image forming unit to execute a process for forming an image on the sheet based on image data related to the image forming job; a second transfer process for transferring the image related to the image forming job in at least one of a facsimile and an e-mail format; a first determination process for determining whether or not authentication of the image forming job stored in the storage unit by the storage process is established; The present invention is capable of carrying out the following: generating data necessary for executing the image forming process and the second transfer process from the image data related to the image forming job after the storage process and before the first determination process; When it is determined in the first determination process that the authentication is established, the image forming process and the second transfer process are executed based on the data. An image forming apparatus, The control unit is executes a first transfer process for transferring image data related to the image forming job from the communication unit to an external device after the storage process and before the first determination process; When the image forming job is interrupted, a second determination process is executed to determine whether or not there is an instruction to delete the image data transferred in the first transfer process; when it is determined in the second determination process that there is an instruction to delete the image data, a deletion request is transmitted to the external device, thereby deleting the image data transferred in the first transfer process. Image forming device.

6. A communication unit, A storage unit; A control unit; an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; Equipped with The control unit is a storage process of causing the communication unit to receive an image formation job and storing the image formation job in the storage unit; an image forming process for causing the image forming unit to execute a process for forming an image on the sheet based on image data related to the image forming job; a second transfer process for transferring the image related to the image forming job in at least one of a facsimile and an e-mail format; a first determination process for determining whether or not authentication of the image forming job stored in the storage unit by the storage process is established; The present invention is capable of carrying out the following: generating data necessary for executing the image forming process and the second transfer process from the image data related to the image forming job after the storage process and before the first determination process; When it is determined in the first determination process that the authentication is established, the image forming process and the second transfer process are executed based on the data. An image forming apparatus, The control unit is executes a first transfer process for transferring image data related to the image forming job from the communication unit to an external device after the storage process and before the first determination process; When the first transfer process is interrupted, a third determination process is executed to determine whether or not an instruction to interrupt the execution of the image forming job is given; When it is determined in the third determination process that an instruction to suspend is given, the image forming apparatus suspends execution of the image forming job.

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