Image forming device

Abstract

To improve users' convenience in an image formation device including ports.SOLUTION: A controller 13 may execute an accumulation printing function and determines whether or not a rear port 21 is in a state that needs issuing an alert when the rear port 21 is set as a dedicated port. When it is determined that the rear port 21 is in the state that needs issuing the alert, the controller 13 causes an alert screen to be displayed to a user IF17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for printing print data stored in a portable memory. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming device that stores print data corresponding to received job data in a portable memory connected to the device, and prints the print data in response to an operation received through a user interface. Specifically, when the job data includes information indicating the portable memory as the storage destination, the controller of the image forming device creates print data from the job data and stores the created print data in the portable memory. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-160832 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a configuration having a plurality of ports to which portable memories can be attached and detached, and does not provide sufficient description of the states of the ports.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to improve user convenience in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of ports. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a housing, a print unit, a user interface, a controller, and a memory interface having a port to which a portable memory can be attached and detached. The ports of the image forming apparatus include a port located in a front part of the housing including the user interface, and a port located in a rear part not including the user interface. The controller executes a setting process to set one of the multiple ports as a dedicated port to which a dedicated memory is attached in a process related to a stored print function, the stored print function is a function to store print data corresponding to received job data in the dedicated memory and to cause the print unit to print the print data stored in the dedicated memory in response to an operation accepted via the user interface, and the dedicated memory is a memory of the portable memory in which the print data is stored in a process related to the stored print function. The controller is capable of executing processes related to the accumulated printing function, and when the port located in the rear section is set as a dedicated port, executes a judgment process to determine whether the port located in the rear section is in a state that requires notification, and a notification process to display on a user interface a notification screen indicating that the port located in the rear section is in a state that requires notification when the judgment process determines that the port located in the rear section is in a state that requires notification.

[0007] In the above configuration, the controller of the image forming apparatus can set the dedicated port to which the dedicated memory is attached among the multiple ports. This allows the dedicated port to be flexibly set for use in processing related to the accumulated print function according to the user's desire. On the other hand, if the port located in the rear section is set as the dedicated port, it becomes difficult for the user to check the state of the port located in the rear section from the front side of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when the port located in the rear section is set as the dedicated port, it is determined whether the port located in the rear section is in a state that should be notified. If it is determined that the port located in the rear section is in a state that should be notified, a screen corresponding to the state that the port located in the rear section should be notified is displayed on the user interface. This allows the user to visually check the screen displayed on the user interface and recognize the state of the port located in the rear section, which is a dedicated port, thereby improving user convenience. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] An external view of the MFP seen from above. [Diagram 2] MFP configuration diagram. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process for setting a destination memory; [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a save destination setting screen. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process for determining an alarm state. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for saving print data, among processes related to a storage print function. [Figure 12]6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for printing print data, among processes related to the accumulated print function. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process that is executed when a USB memory is attached. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a function display screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described using an MFP 10. MFP is an abbreviation for multifunction peripheral. The MFP 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is connected to a network 200 and can communicate with a PC 24 through the network 200. The network 200 is a LAN or the Internet. The Internet may be a wired connection as well as a wireless connection. The network 200 may be a USB cable connecting the MFP 10 and the PC 24.

[0010] 2, the MFP 10 includes memory IFs 11 and 12, a controller 13, an internal memory 14, a print unit 15, a reading unit 16, a user IF 17, a communication IF 18, a FAX unit 19, and a bus 20. Each of these components is connected to the bus 20 and can communicate with each other. Note that "IF" is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0011] The user IF 17 is an interface between the user who directly operates the MFP 10 and the controller 13, and has, for example, a touch panel or operation keys which are physical keys. The communication IF 18 is an interface that connects the MFP 10 to the network 200. The print unit 15 prints images on a recording medium such as a sheet or a disk. The recording method of the print unit 15 may be an inkjet method, an electrophotographic method, or the like. The MFP 10 may also be capable of executing a composite operation that combines a plurality of operations.

[0012] The memory IFs 11 and 12 are interfaces that perform communication in compliance with the USB (abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus) standard. The memory IFs 11 and 12 have ports 21 and 22 that are detachable from a USB memory 23. The USB standard is not particularly limited, but the USB 2.0 standard or the USB 3.0 standard may be adopted. The USB memory 23 is portable and may be a memory that is detachable from the MFP 10 via a port, and may be a HDD that can be connected to a USB or a memory card that can communicate with a card reader connected to a USB. In this case, the memory IFs 11 and 12 are provided with a card slot as a port into which a memory card can be attached and detached.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the port 22 of the memory IF 12 is located in the front part 41, which is a part of the housing 40 of the MFP 10 on the side where the user IF 17 is arranged. Specifically, when the side of the housing 40 on which the user IF 17 is arranged is defined as the front side, the front part 41 is a part including this front side and a front part of the side of the housing 40. Specifically, the front part 41 can be said to be a part where the user IF 17 is provided when the housing 40 is divided into two equal parts in the depth direction, which is the direction extending from front to back. Also, when the housing 40 is considered to be a substantially cube, the front part 41 can be said to be a part including the front side on which the substantially cube-shaped user IF 17 is provided and most of the side surface in contact with the front side, and the part in contact with the front side. In other words, the front part is a part where the user can easily see that the USB memory 23 is attached to the port 22 when the user is positioned facing the user IF 17 of the MFP 10. In this embodiment, the port 22 is located on the side surface of the housing of the front part 41. The port 21 of the memory IF 11 is located in the rear part, which is an area on the opposite side to the front part in the housing 40 of the MFP 10 when the user IF 17 is used as a reference. Specifically, the rear part 42 can be said to be a part where the user IF 17 is not provided when the housing 40 is divided into two equal parts in the depth direction. The rear part 42 can also be said to be a part including the part of the housing 40 that faces the front, that is, the back side, and the part that is not included in the front part 41 on the side surface adjacent to the front. In other words, the rear part is an area where it is difficult for a user to visually confirm that the USB memory 23 is attached to the port 21 when facing the user IF of the MFP 10.

[0014] The controller 13 is composed of a CPU, an ASIC (abbreviation of Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The internal memory 14 is composed of a combination of a RAM, a ROM, an SSD, an HDD, etc. A buffer provided in the controller 13 and used when executing various programs may also be considered as a part of the internal memory 14. The internal memory 14 may be a storage medium readable by the controller 13. The storage medium readable by the controller 13 is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. In addition, the non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal carrying 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 the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0015] The internal memory 14 stores a control program as a program executable by the controller 13. In this embodiment, the process of the controller 13 according to the instructions written in the program is mainly shown. That is, the processes of the controller 13, such as "judgment," "extraction," "selection," "calculation," "decision," "identification," "acquisition," "acceptance," and "control," in the following description, represent the processes of the controller 13. Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of the controller 13 receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "the controller 13 acquiring data." In addition, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by the controller. Data with the same substantial meaning but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification.

[0016] The data storage area of ​​the internal memory 14 stores management information 30, an encryption key 31, setting information 32, and an authentication DB 33. Details of the management information 30, the encryption key 31, the setting information 32, and the authentication DB 33 will be described later. As will be described later, the "management information 30" is also stored in the USB memory 23. Therefore, when distinguishing between the management information 30 stored in the internal memory 14 and the management information 30 stored in the USB memory 23, the alphabet "a, b" is added to the end of the reference numeral.

[0017] Next, the configuration of the PC 24 will be described. The PC 24 includes a communication IF, memory, and controller (not shown). The configuration of each part is the same as that of the communication IF, memory, and controller included in the MFP 10. The PC 24 can create job data JD by the function of an application program stored in the memory. The job data JD is data for causing the MFP 10 to execute printing. In this embodiment, the job data JD includes PJL data written in a printer job language (PJL: abbreviation for Printer Job Language) and page description language data (PDL data) written in a page description language (PDL: abbreviation for Page Description Language). The PDL data includes, for example, PS (abbreviation for Post Script) data, PCL (abbreviation for Printer Command Language) data, JPEG (abbreviation for Joint Photographic Experts Group) data, GDI (abbreviation for Graphic Device Interface) data, and the like.

[0018] The procedure of the process of setting the memory to be saved in the accumulated print function will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The accumulated print function is a function of storing print data corresponding to the received job data JD in a memory set as a storage destination, and causing the print unit 15 to print the print data stored in the memory set as the storage destination in response to an operation accepted via the user IF 17. The accumulated print function includes a first accumulated print function for job data JD with a PIN code and a second accumulated print function for job data JD with a user name. The first accumulated print function is enabled when the MFP 10 is shipped from the factory. The second accumulated print function can be enabled or disabled by an external instruction. When the controller 13 enables the second accumulated print function in response to an instruction from the user, the controller 13 disables the first accumulated print function. Conversely, when the controller 13 disables the second accumulated print function in response to an instruction from the user, the controller 13 enables the first accumulated print function. When the USB storage process is enabled, the accumulated print function can cause the print data to be saved in the USB memory 23. On the other hand, when the USB storage process is disabled, the print data can be stored in the internal memory 14 .

[0019] In Fig. 3, an example will be described in which the side port 22 is set as the port to which the USB memory 23 as the save destination is attached. The process shown in Fig. 3 is executed when the controller 13 receives an instruction to transition to a setting screen for the accumulation print function by an operation on the standby screen 50 shown in Fig. 4. The standby screen 50 is a screen for receiving selection instructions for various functions of the MFP 10, and is displayed on the user IF 17 to wait for instructions after the MFP 10 is powered on or a function of the MFP 10 is executed.

[0020] First, an example will be described in which the USB storage process is switched from a disabled state to an enabled state. In step 10 (hereinafter, "step" will be simply abbreviated as "S"), it is determined whether the USB storage process has been enabled. Specifically, after the standby screen 50 displayed on the user IF 17 is transitioned to a setting screen for the accumulated print function, if an instruction to enable the USB storage process is received on this setting screen, an affirmative judgment is made in S10.

[0021] If S10 is judged as positive, the process proceeds to S11, where a port in which the USB memory 23 is inserted as the save destination of the print data is set. Specifically, a save destination setting screen 55 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed in response to an operation on the user IF 17. The save destination setting screen 55 includes designation buttons 56, 57, and 58 for receiving an instruction to select a save destination of the print data. Each of the designation buttons 56, 57, and 58 is a button that is operated when selecting and instructing the internal memory 14 or the ports 21 and 22 as the save destination of the print data. The designation button corresponding to the current save destination has a different display color compared to the other designation buttons. Note that in the drawing, the difference in display color is indicated by diagonal lines. The setting information 32 is updated in response to an operation on the designation buttons 56, 57, and 58. The setting information 32 is information indicating the port (side or rear) in which the USB memory 23 is inserted or the internal memory 14 set as the save destination of the print data.

[0022] In S12, it is determined whether or not print data is stored in the internal memory 14 that was set as the save destination before the setting in S11. If a negative judgment is made in S12, the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in S12, the process proceeds to S13, where the print data stored in the internal memory 14 is deleted.

[0023] In S14, it is determined whether or not the rear port 21 has been set as the port to which the USB memory 23 in which the print data is saved in S11 is attached. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the setting information 32 stored in the internal memory 14 indicates that the rear port 21 is currently set as a dedicated port. If an affirmative decision is made in S14, the process proceeds to S15, where a decision process is performed for the rear port 21. Details of the process executed by the controller 13 in S15 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0024] In S30, it is determined whether or not the USB memory 23 is attached to the rear port 21. If a negative judgment is made in S30, the process proceeds to S34, where a notification screen 60 (FIG. 7) is displayed on the user IF 17. The notification screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 includes a message 61 indicating the cause of the notification, a message body 62, and a close button 63. The message 61 is a message indicating that the attachment of the USB memory 23 to the rear port 21 was not detected. The message body 62 includes a message indicating that the notification target is the rear port 22. For example, it is assumed that a user who is trying to set the side port 22 as a dedicated port operates the designation button 58 to attach a USB memory to the side port 22. However, there is a possibility that the user will operate the designation button 57 by mistake. In S34, in order to notify that a USB memory is not attached to the rear port 21, the user can understand that the side port 22 to which the USB memory is attached was not selected. The user who sees this message can simply operate the designation button 58. Of course, this message is also useful when the user mistakenly inserts a USB memory into the side port 22 while intending to use the rear port 21.

[0025] If an affirmative decision is made in S30, the process proceeds to S31, where it is determined whether the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is in a failed state in which access is not possible. If an affirmative decision is made in S31, the process proceeds to S35, where a notification screen 64 (FIG. 8) is displayed on the user IF 17. The notification screen 64 shown in FIG. 8 includes a message 65 indicating the cause of the notification, a message body 66, and a close button 67. The message 65 is a message indicating that the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 cannot be used in USB storage processing. The message body 66 includes a message indicating that the notification target is the rear port 21, and urging the user to remove the USB memory 23 and turn on the main power of the MFP 10 again. This message allows the user to understand that it is necessary to remove the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 and turn on the power of the MFP 10 again, or to replace the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 with a non-failed USB memory.

[0026] If a negative judgment is made in S31, the process proceeds to S32, where it is judged whether or not write protection is set on the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21. Write protection is a setting that prohibits writing or deleting data to the USB memory 23. In this embodiment, the USB memory 23 can switch between write protection and non-write protection by operating a switch that the device has. The reason for executing the process of S32 is that if write protection is set on the USB memory 23, even if the USB memory 23 is set as the save destination, it is not possible to store print data or to initialize the USB memory 23 (S21), which will be described later. If a positive judgment is made in S32, the process proceeds to S36, where a notification screen 68 (FIG. 9) is displayed on the user IF 17.

[0027] 9 includes a message 69 indicating the cause of the notification, a message body 70, and a close button 71. The message 69 is a message indicating that the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 has been write-protected. The message body 70 includes a message indicating that the notification target is the rear port 21 and prompting the user to confirm that the USB memory is correctly inserted. This message allows the user to recognize that the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 has been write-protected. Furthermore, the user can be prompted to cancel the write-protection set on the USB memory 23, or to reattach a USB memory that is not write-protected to the rear port 21.

[0028] If a negative judgment is made in S32, the process proceeds to S33, where it is judged whether the remaining capacity of the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is equal to or greater than the judgment value TH. This is because, if the remaining capacity of the USB memory 23 used in the USB storage process is small, it may become impossible to accumulate and save print data, that is, there is a concern that the accumulated print function may be hindered to be used. Also, if the remaining capacity of the USB memory 23 is small, the number of writes and reads per unit storage area of ​​the USB memory 23 increases, which increases the possibility of causing a breakdown of the USB memory 23. The judgment value TH used in the judgment in S23 is, for example, 8 GB.

[0029] If a negative decision is made in S33, the process proceeds to S37, where a notification screen 72 (FIG. 10) is displayed on the user IF 17. The notification screen 72 shown in FIG. 10 includes a message 73 indicating the cause of the notification, a message body 74, and a close button 75. The message 73 is a message indicating that the remaining capacity of the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is insufficient. The message body 74 includes a message indicating that the notification target is the rear port 21, and a message indicating that the remaining capacity of the USB memory 23 is insufficient. This message allows the user to understand that the remaining capacity of the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is low. This makes it possible to prompt the user to reattach a new USB memory 23 with a large remaining capacity to the rear port 21. In this embodiment, the processes executed by the controller 13 in S30, S31, S32, and S33 are examples of a determination process. The processes executed by the controller 13 in S34, S35, S36, and S37 are examples of a notification process.

[0030] When any one of the processes of S34, S35, S36, and S37 is completed, the process proceeds to S38. In S38, the notification flag is set to a value indicating that the rear port 21 is in a notification state, and the value is stored in the internal memory 14. In S39, it is determined whether or not operation of the close button has been detected on any of the notification screens. If operation of the close button has not been detected, the process waits. On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in S39, the process proceeds to S20 in FIG. 3. Similarly, if an affirmative decision is made in S33, the process proceeds to S20 in FIG. 3.

[0031] 3, if the side port 22 is set as the port to which the USB memory 23 serving as the save destination is attached, the process proceeds to S16. In S16, it is determined whether the side port 22 is in an alarm state. The processes in S16 are the same as those described in FIG. 6, except that the process is performed on the side port 22 rather than the rear port 21. When the process in S16 ends, the process proceeds to S20.

[0032] In S20, it is determined whether or not the value of the notification flag indicates a notification state. If a negative determination is made in S20, the process proceeds to S21, where the USB memory 23 attached to the port is initialized. For example, all data in the USB memory 23 is deleted. The storage area of ​​the USB memory 23 may be formatted. Note that, prior to the initialization of the USB memory 23 in S21, a confirmation screen for confirming that the USB memory 23 is to be initialized may be displayed. If an instruction to select initialization is received on the confirmation screen for initialization, the process proceeds to S25, and if an instruction to select initialization is not received, the process of FIG. 3 may be terminated.

[0033] In S22, USB storage processing is enabled. When USB storage processing is enabled, an enable determination flag indicating the state of USB storage processing is set to a value indicating that it is enabled, and the value is stored in the internal memory 14. In S23, an encryption key 31 is created. The encryption key 31 is information used to encrypt and decrypt print data and management information 30 stored in the USB memory 23 attached to the port. Every time USB storage processing is enabled, a new encryption key is generated.

[0034] In S24, identification information 34 is stored in the USB memory 23 attached to the port. The identification information 34 is information indicating that the USB memory 23 in which the identification information 34 is stored is set as a destination for saving print data in the USB storage process. Specifically, management information 30b is created, and the management information 30b is encrypted with the encryption key 31 created in S23, to create the identification information 34. At this point, no print data is stored in the USB memory 23, so the management information 30b encrypted in S24 does not contain any information related to the print data. Hereinafter, the USB memory 23 in which the identification information 34 is stored and set as a destination for saving print data is also referred to as a "dedicated memory."

[0035] In S25, the encryption key 31 used to create the identification information 34 in S24 is stored in the internal memory 14. That is, the encryption key 31 is information that forms a pair with the identification information 34. When the process of S25 ends, the process of Fig. 3 ends. In this embodiment, the processes executed by the controller 13 in S24 and S25 are an example of a setting process.

[0036] When S20 is judged as positive, the process shown in FIG. 3 is terminated. In this case, the standby screen 50 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the user IF 17. The user may input an instruction to transition to the setting screen of the accumulation print function after eliminating the state to be notified, or by operating the standby screen 50 to eliminate the state to be notified. Then, the user may issue an instruction to enable the USB storage process again. For example, when the USB memory 23 is not attached to the rear port 21 and the notification screen 60 is notified in S15, if the user mistakenly operates the designation button 57 even though the USB memory is attached to the side port 22, the user may redesignate the side port 22 by operating the designation button 58. If the user mistakenly attaches the USB memory to the side port 22, the user may reattach the USB memory 23 to the rear port 21 and then operate the designation button 57. In the process of FIG. 3 that is next performed by the controller 13, S20 is judged as negative, and the USB storage process is enabled.

[0037] Next, an example will be described in which the USB storage process is switched from an enabled state to a disabled state. If a negative judgment is made in S10, specifically, if an instruction to disable the USB storage process is received on the setting screen for the accumulated print function, the process proceeds to S17. In S17, it is determined whether or not the USB memory 23 is attached to the port currently being used in the USB storage process. If a positive judgment is made in S17, the process proceeds to S18, where a confirmation screen is displayed. The confirmation screen includes a message indicating that all data in the USB memory 23 will be deleted and its role as a storage destination for print data will be disabled, an OK button for receiving a selection instruction to initialize the USB memory 23, and a Cancel button for receiving an instruction not to initialize the USB memory 23.

[0038] If an affirmative decision is made in S18, the process proceeds to S19, where all data, including the print data and management information 30b, in the USB memory 23 currently attached to the port is deleted and initialized, thereby disabling the USB storage process. The activation decision flag stored in the internal memory 14 is changed to a value indicating that the USB storage process has been disabled. Furthermore, the value of the setting information 32 is changed from the ports 21 and 22 to the internal memory 14. As a result, in the accumulated printing function, the storage destination of the print data is set to the internal memory 14. Note that in S19, only the print data and management information 30 may be deleted from the data in the USB memory 23. Also, when disabling the USB storage process in S19, the print data and management information 30 may be moved to the internal memory 14 without deleting the print data and management information 30 in the USB memory 23. When the process of S19 is completed, the process of FIG. 3 is completed.

[0039] As in S19 when the USB storage process is disabled, when the first and second accumulated printing functions are switched between enabled and disabled, the print data stored in the USB memory 23 in the disabled accumulated printing function is deleted. This is because the information required in S67 (described later) is different between the first and second accumulated printing functions (user name, PIN code), and leaving the print data in the USB memory 23 may cause problems, such as print data remaining unprintable. In this case, information indicating the dedicated port or dedicated memory is not deleted. As a result, the already set USB storage process can be used as is even after the first and second accumulated printing functions are switched between enabled and disabled.

[0040] Next, a process executed when the MFP 10 receives job data JD while the accumulated print function is enabled will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Specifically, when the first accumulated print function is enabled, the controller 13 starts the flow of Fig. 11 when it detects that it has received job data JD with a PIN code added. When the second accumulated print function is enabled, the controller 13 starts the flow of Fig. 11 when it detects that it has received job data JD with a user name added.

[0041] In S40, it is determined whether or not the USB storage process is enabled. As described above, it is determined whether or not the USB storage process is enabled based on the enablement determination flag stored in the internal memory 14.

[0042] If the result of S40 is positive, the process proceeds to S44, where it is determined whether or not the rear port 21 is set as a dedicated port in the same manner as in S14. If the result of S44 is positive, the process proceeds to S45, where the state of the USB memory attached to the rear port 21 is determined in the same manner as in the process of S15 in FIG. 3, and if the state is one that should be notified, a message similar to that in FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 is displayed. When the USB storage process is enabled, the state of the dedicated port has already been determined in the procedure of S15. However, in the USB storage process, even if the dedicated memory is removed from the dedicated port and then re-attached to the dedicated port, it is possible to store print data in the dedicated memory attached to the dedicated port. Therefore, there is a concern that the user may set write protection for the USB memory 23 removed from the dedicated port, or may mistakenly leave the dedicated memory removed from the dedicated port, so the determination of S45 is made again. On the other hand, if the side port 22 is set as a dedicated port, the process proceeds to S46, where the same procedure as the process shown in S16 in FIG. 3 is executed.

[0043] When the process of S45 or S46 is completed, the process proceeds to S47, where it is determined whether the dedicated port is currently in a notification state. In other words, it is determined whether the dedicated port is in a state in which print data cannot be stored or should not be stored. Specifically, it is determined whether the dedicated port is currently in a notification state from the value of the notification flag set by the process of S45 or S46. If the determination in S47 is affirmative, the process proceeds to S48, where RIP processing is executed to convert the received job data JD into print data. Specifically, the print data is created by rasterizing the PDL data included in the job data JD.

[0044] In S49, the print data created in S48 is compressed, and then the compressed print data is encrypted and stored in a dedicated memory. At this time, the print data is encrypted using the encryption key 31 created in S23 of Fig. 3. In the process of S49, for example, the print data is encrypted in a format that cannot be processed by "Direct Print" described later, and then stored.

[0045] In S50, the management information 30b is read from the dedicated memory and decrypted, and information according to the currently received job data JD is added to the decrypted management information 30b. Specifically, the management information 30b stored in the USB memory 23 is decrypted using the encryption key 31. When the first accumulated print function is enabled, the job name, data name, and reception date and time are stored in the management information 30b as one record in association with the PIN code included in the job data JD. On the other hand, when the second accumulated print function is enabled, the job name, data name, and further reception date and time are stored in the management information 30b as one record in association with the user name included in the job data JD. This allows the MFP 10 to manage each record of the management information 30b and the print data stored in the internal memory 14 in association with each other. After the process of S50 is executed, the process shown in FIG. 11 is terminated.

[0046] If a negative judgment is made in S47, the process proceeds to S51, where the currently received job data is discarded. When the process of S51 ends, the process of FIG. 11 ends. Note that, instead of discarding the currently received job data JD in S51, the received job data JD or print data generated from the job data ID may be stored in the internal memory 14 in response to a user instruction. In this case, an error screen may be displayed on the user IF 17 or the PC 24.

[0047] After the print data received in S51 is discarded, a standby screen 50 is displayed on the user IF 17. The user can then operate the PC 24 to resend the print data to the MFP 10 after eliminating the state that should be notified. For example, if the dedicated memory is write-protected, the user can cancel the write-protection setting and then operate the PC 24 to send the job data JD to the MFP 10. As a result, in the process of FIG. 11 that is executed next time, a negative determination is made in S47, so that the process proceeds to S48, and the processes of S48 to S50 are executed, making it possible to store the print data in the dedicated memory.

[0048] If the USB storage function is disabled and a negative judgment is made in S40, the process proceeds to S41. In S41, RIP processing is performed on the received job data JD. The RIP processing performed in S41 is the same as the processing performed in S41.

[0049] In S42, the print data generated this time is stored in the internal memory 14, thereby accumulating and saving the print data. That is, in S42, unlike S49, the print data is not encrypted. In S42, the print data may be compressed to reduce the amount of data before being stored in the internal memory 14. In S43, information corresponding to the print data generated this time is added to the management information 30a stored in the internal memory 14. In S43 as well, depending on whether the second accumulated print function is enabled or disabled, the job name, data name, and even the reception date and time are stored as one record in the management information 30a in association with the user name or PIN code. When S43 is completed, the process shown in FIG. 11 is completed.

[0050] Next, a procedure for printing print data accumulated and saved in the internal memory 14 or the USB memory 23 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The process shown in Fig. 12 is executed by the controller 13 when a print instruction operation for print data is accepted through the user IF 17. Specifically, the process shown in Fig. 12 starts when a print instruction operation is accepted on the standby screen 50 displayed on the user IF 17. If the second accumulated print function is enabled, a login operation to the MFP 10 is accepted through the user IF, and when the controller 13 determines that the login authentication has been successful, the process shown in Fig. 12 starts.

[0051] In S60, it is determined whether or not USB storage processing is enabled based on the value of the enablement determination flag. If an affirmative decision is made in S60, the process proceeds to S62, where it is determined whether or not the rear port 21 is set as a dedicated port. If an affirmative decision is made in S62, the process proceeds to S63, where the state of the USB memory attached to the rear port 21 is determined in a similar procedure to the processing in S15 of Fig. 3, and if the state requires notification, a message similar to that in Figs. 7 to 10 is displayed. If a negative decision is made in S62, the process proceeds to S64, where the state of the USB memory attached to the side port 22 is determined in a similar procedure to the processing in S16 of Fig. 3.

[0052] When the process of S63 or S64 is completed, the process proceeds to S65, where it is determined whether or not the dedicated port is in an alarm state. If the determination in S65 is negative, the process proceeds to S66, where the management information 30b stored in the dedicated memory is decrypted using the encryption key 31 and read out. When the first accumulated print function is enabled and the USB storage process is enabled, the management information 30b is a list of print data to which a PIN code has been added. On the other hand, when the second accumulated print function is enabled and the USB storage process is enabled, the management information 30b is a list of print data to which a user name has been added. The decrypted management information 30b is stored in the internal memory 14. When S66 is completed, the process proceeds to S67.

[0053] If a negative decision is made in S60, the process proceeds to S61, where the control information 30a stored in the internal memory 14 is read out. The control information 30a read out in S61 is a list of print data associated with PIN codes or user names.

[0054] In S67, the management information 30 read in S61 or S66 is used to determine whether print data corresponding to the current function (first accumulated print function or second accumulated print function) is stored in the memory. Specifically, if the first accumulated print function is enabled, a screen for prompting the user to input a PIN code is displayed on the user IF 17, and it is determined whether the same PIN code as the PIN code input by the user is stored in the management information 30. On the other hand, if the second accumulated print function is enabled, it is determined whether the user name of the login user is stored in the management information 30. If a negative determination is made in S67, the process shown in FIG. 12 is terminated. Note that, if the second accumulated print function is enabled, the process shown in FIG. 12 may be started in response to a login operation being accepted from the standby screen. Also, if a print instruction operation is accepted on the standby screen 50 in a state where a login operation has already been accepted, the process shown in FIG. 12 may be started. Also, the acceptance of the login operation may be performed in S67. Also, when the second storage print function is enabled, the process of FIG. 12 may be started after receiving the input of the PIN code, and the reception may be omitted in S67.

[0055] On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in S67, the process proceeds to S68, where it is determined whether or not USB storage processing has been enabled in S61. If an affirmative decision is made in S68, the process proceeds to S70, and if a negative decision is made in S68, the process proceeds to S69. In S70 and S69, by referring to the management information 30, print data corresponding to the PIN code or the user name of the logged-in user is selected from the print data stored in the dedicated memory, and the print data is printed. In S70, the encryption key 31 is used to decrypt the print data stored in the dedicated memory. The print unit 15 is then caused to print the decrypted print data.

[0056] When the process of S69 or S70 is completed, the process proceeds to S71. In S71, the print data printed by the print unit 15 in S69 or S70 is deleted. Specifically, the print data itself and temporary data generated in the print process are deleted. In S72, information (records) related to the printed print data are deleted from the management information 30, and the management information 30 is updated. Note that the process of S72 may be executed after all of the print data associated with the input PIN code or the print data of the logged-in user has been printed.

[0057] When the process of S72 is completed, the process returns to S67. If an affirmative decision is made in S67, the processes of S68 to S72 are repeated. If a negative decision is made in S67, the process shown in Fig. 12 is terminated. Note that when returning from S72 to S67, if the first storage printing function is enabled, the PIN code has already been input by the user, so there is no need to accept input of the PIN code again in S67.

[0058] If the result of S65 is affirmative, the process of FIG. 12 is terminated. In this case, the standby screen 50 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the user IF 17. The user can perform a print instruction operation again by operating the standby screen 50 after eliminating the state that should be notified. When the USB storage process is enabled, the state of the dedicated port has already been determined in the procedure of S15. However, the determination of S63 is performed again for the same reason as when the process of S45 is executed. For example, when the notification screen is notified in S63 because the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is write-protected, the user can then cancel the write-protection of the USB memory 23. In the process of FIG. 12 that is next executed by the controller 13, the result of S65 is negative, and the process proceeds to S66. After the print data stored in the dedicated memory is printed in S70, the process proceeds to S71, and since the write-protection is not set in the dedicated memory, the print data can be deleted.

[0059] The above-described embodiment can achieve the following effects. When the rear port 21 is set as a dedicated port, the controller 13 of the MFP 10 determines whether the rear port 21 is in an alert state. When the controller 13 determines that the rear port 21 is in an alert state, it causes the user IF 17 to display an alert screen indicating that the rear port 21 is in an alert state. This allows the user to visually check the alert screen and recognize the state of the rear port 21, thereby improving user convenience.

[0060] When the rear port 21 is set as a dedicated port and job data subject to the accumulated printing function is received, the controller 13 judges whether the rear port 21 is in a notification state. This makes it possible to notify the user of the state of the rear port 21 even if the rear port 21 goes into a notification state after being set as a dedicated port.

[0061] When the rear port 21 is set as a dedicated port, the controller 13 displays on the notification screen that the USB memory 23 is not attached to the rear port 21. This allows the user to recognize that the USB memory 23 is not attached to the rear port 21, which is difficult for the user to see.

[0062] The controller 13 judges whether the rear port 21 is in a warning state or not when an instruction to set the rear port 21 to a dedicated port is received on the save destination setting screen 55. This makes it possible to notify the user of an erroneous port setting.

[0063] The controller 13 displays a notification screen when the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is in a state in which data cannot be stored. This allows the user to recognize that the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is in a state in which data cannot be stored.

[0064] The controller 13 displays a notification screen indicating that the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is write-protected. This allows the user to recognize that the USB memory attached to the rear port 21 cannot be used due to being write-protected.

[0065] (Modification of this embodiment) The controller 13 may display a notification screen when the rear port 21 is set as a dedicated port and a USB memory 23 that is not set as a dedicated memory is attached to the rear port 21. In this case, in the judgment of the notification state (FIG. 6) performed in S45 of FIG. 11, the controller 13 may proceed to S34 and display the notification screen when either the USB memory 23 is not attached to the rear port 21 or the USB memory 23 that is not set as a dedicated memory is attached to the rear port 21 in S30. The same applies to the judgment of the notification state performed in S63 of FIG. 12. This allows the user to recognize the situation where a USB memory other than a dedicated memory is attached to the rear port 21. In other words, the user can recognize that a dedicated memory needs to be attached to the rear port 21.

[0066] 3 and 11, it may be determined whether the rear port 21 is in the alarm state when the USB memory 23 is attached to the port 21, 22. The procedure of the process executed when the USB memory 23 is attached to the port 21, 22 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The process shown in FIG. 13 is executed by the controller 13. Note that, even when the power supply of the MFP 10 is turned on with the USB memory 23 attached to the port 21, 22, the attachment of the USB memory 23 is detected, and the process of FIG. 13 is started.

[0067] In S80, it is determined whether or not the standby screen 50 (FIG. 4) is displayed on the user IF 17. If a negative determination is made in S40, the processing in FIG. 13 is temporarily terminated. This is because when the standby screen 50 is not displayed on the user IF 17, the controller 13 is executing some processing, and therefore the memory to be used as the save destination, which will be described later, and the function using the USB memory 23 are not changed until the processing currently being executed is completed. If a positive determination is made in S40, the processing proceeds to S81.

[0068] In S81, the enable determination flag is referenced to determine whether or not the USB storage process is currently enabled. If an affirmative determination is made in S81, the process proceeds to S82, where it is determined whether or not the identification information 34 paired with the encryption key 31 is stored in the USB memory 23 currently attached to the port. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the encrypted management information 30b is stored in the USB memory 23 currently attached to the port, and whether or not the management information 30b can be decrypted using the encryption key 31. If an affirmative determination is made in S82, the process proceeds to S83.

[0069] In S83, the setting information 32 is referenced to determine whether the port into which the USB memory 23 is currently attached is a dedicated port. If an affirmative decision is made in S83, the processing in Fig. 13 ends. The MFP 10 is capable of storing print data in the accumulated printing function even if the dedicated memory is removed from the dedicated port and then reattached to the dedicated port. Therefore, if an affirmative decision is made in S83, it can be assumed that the user has simply removed the dedicated memory and then reattached it.

[0070] If a negative decision is made in S83, the process proceeds to S84, where a confirmation screen is displayed on the user IF 17. The confirmation screen displayed in S84 displays a message for confirming whether or not to transition to a save destination change screen for changing the port used in USB storage processing. If the NO button is selected in the confirmation screen, a negative decision is made in S85, and the process of FIG. 13 is terminated. On the other hand, if the YES button is selected in the confirmation screen, a positive decision is made in S85, and the process proceeds to S86.

[0071] In S86, the save destination setting screen 55 (FIG. 5) is displayed on the user IF 17. In S87, if the selection instruction received on the save destination setting screen 55 displayed in S86 selects and instructs the port 21, 22 other than the internal memory 14, the process proceeds to S88. In S88, a USB storage process is set in which the USB memory 23 attached to the port selected and instructed in S86 is set as the save destination for the print data. Specifically, if the user selects and instructs the port to which the dedicated memory is currently attached on the save destination setting screen 55, the port 21 to which the dedicated memory is currently attached is set as the dedicated port. At this time, the setting as the dedicated port for the port 22 that has already been set as the dedicated port is cancelled. When the dedicated port is set and cancelled, the setting information 32 is updated.

[0072] On the other hand, if the internal memory 14 is selected and instructed on the save destination setting screen 55 displayed in S86, a negative judgment is made in S87, and the process proceeds to S89, where the internal memory 14 is set as the save destination for print data in the accumulated print function. At this time, for a port that has already been set as a dedicated port, the setting as a dedicated port is cancelled, thereby disabling USB storage processing. When the process of S88 or S89 is completed, the process of FIG. 13 is completed.

[0073] If a negative decision is made in S82, the process proceeds to S90, in which it is determined whether or not the port to which the USB memory 23 is currently attached is set as a dedicated port by referring to the setting information 32. If a positive decision is made in S90, the process proceeds to S91, in which the save destination setting screen 55 is displayed on the user IF 17. This is because there is a possibility that the user has mistakenly attached a USB memory 23 that is not set as a dedicated memory to a port that is set as a dedicated port.

[0074] When either port 21 or 22 is selected on save destination setting screen 55 displayed in S91, an affirmative decision is made in S92 and the process proceeds to S93. In S93, it is determined whether or not the rear port is set as a dedicated port. If an affirmative decision is made in S93, the process proceeds to S95, where the state of USB memory 23 attached to rear port 21 is determined in a similar procedure to the process in S15 of Fig. 3, and if a notification is required, a message similar to that in Figs. 7 to 10 is displayed.

[0075] FIG. 14 shows a notification screen displayed when a failure state of the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is detected in S95. This notification screen 64 includes a message 65 indicating the cause of the notification state, a message body 66, and a close button 67, similar to the notification screen 64 displayed in S35 of FIG. 6. The difference from the notification screen displayed in S35 is that the message body 66 does not include a message indicating that the notification target is the rear port 21. This is because the process of FIG. 13 is a process executed due to the attachment of the USB memory 23 to the ports 21 and 22, and the user has already recognized the port to which the USB memory 23 is attached. Note that the message body does not include a message indicating that the notification target is the rear port 21, even in the notification screen when the write protection is set on the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 and the notification screen displayed when the free space of the USB memory 23 is insufficient. Note that in S95, it is not necessary to determine that the USB memory 23 is not attached to the rear port 21.

[0076] On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in S93, the process proceeds to S94, in which the state of the USB memory 23 attached to the side port 22 is determined in a similar procedure to the process in S16 of Fig. 3. Also in the process of S94, no message indicating that the notification target is the side port 22 is displayed on each notification screen displayed on the user IF 17.

[0077] When the process of S94 or S95 is completed, the process proceeds to S96, and it is determined whether or not the dedicated port is currently in a notification state based on the value of the notification flag set by the process of S94 or S95. When a negative determination is made in S96, the process proceeds to S97, and the USB storage process is enabled. Even in this case, the setting information 32 is updated to cancel the setting of the port that has already been set as a dedicated port. When the process of S97 is completed, the process of FIG. 13 is terminated. On the other hand, when a positive determination is made in S96, the process of FIG. 13 is terminated. In other words, no setting changes are accepted for the dedicated port and the dedicated memory. It should be noted that even when the internal memory 14 is selected and instructed on the save destination setting screen 55, a negative determination is made in S96, and the process of FIG. 13 is terminated.

[0078] If the USB memory 23 is currently attached to a port that is not set as a dedicated port, a negative judgment is made in S90, and the process proceeds to S98. In S98, it is judged whether or not a dedicated memory is attached to the dedicated port. If a negative judgment is made in S98, the process proceeds to S100, and the function display screen shown in Fig. 15 is displayed on the user IF 17. Note that in S98, it may also be judged whether or not a USB memory 23 different from the USB memory 23 currently attached to the port is attached to the dedicated port.

[0079] The function display screen 80 displayed in S100 displays instruction buttons 81, 82, and 83 that can accept selection instructions for processing using the currently attached USB memory 23. The instruction button 81 is a button that is operated when selecting and instructing "Scan to USB" as a processing using the currently attached USB memory 23. "Scan to USB" is a processing in which scan data is generated by having the reading unit 16 read an original image placed on an unillustrated original platen, and the generated scan data is stored in the USB memory 23 attached to the port. The instruction button 82 is a button that is operated when selecting and instructing "Direct Print" as a processing using the USB memory 23. "Direct Print" is a processing in which, when the USB memory 23 is attached to the port 21 or 22, a list of image data stored in the attached USB memory 23 is displayed on the user IF 17, and image data selected and instructed from the displayed list is printed by the print unit 15. The instruction button 83 is a button that is operated when selecting and instructing "USB storage processing" as a function using the USB memory 23.

[0080] On the other hand, if the result of S98 is affirmative, the process proceeds to S99, where a function display screen 80 different from the function display screen 80 displayed in S100 is displayed. Only instruction buttons 81 and 82 are displayed on the function display screen 80 displayed in S99. That is, in S99, "USB storage processing" cannot be selected as a function using the USB memory 23. This is because, if the USB memory 23 is already attached to the dedicated port, the user is unlikely to use the currently attached USB memory 23 for the accumulation printing function. In this embodiment, "USB storage processing" displayed on the function display screen 80 is an example of a first option, and "Scan to USB function" and "Direct Print" displayed on the function display screen 80 are examples of a second option.

[0081] When the process of S99 or S100 is completed, the process proceeds to S101, where it is determined whether or not any process has been selected and instructed on the function display screen 80. If a negative determination is made in S101, the process waits. If a positive determination is made in S101, the process proceeds to S102, where it is determined whether or not the rear port 21 is set as a port to be used in the selected process. If a positive determination is made in S102, the process proceeds to S103, where the state of the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is determined in a similar manner to the process in S15 of FIG. 3, and if the state should be notified, a message similar to that in FIGS. 7 to 10 is displayed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S102, the process proceeds to S104, where the state of the USB memory 23 attached to the side port 22 is determined in a similar manner to the process in S16 of FIG. 3.

[0082] When the process of S103 or S104 is completed, the process proceeds to S105, and it is determined whether or not the port used in the selected process is in a notification state. The determination in S105 is made using the notification flag set in S103 or S104. When a negative determination is made in S105, the process proceeds to S106, and the process selected on the function display screen 80 is performed. Specifically, when the USB storage process is selected and instructed again, the USB memory 23 currently attached to the port is set as a dedicated memory, and the port to which the USB memory 23 is currently attached is set as a dedicated port. In this case, the setting as a dedicated port is cancelled for the port that has already been set as a dedicated port. On the other hand, when a function other than the accumulation printing function is selected and instructed, the display is switched to an operation screen for using the USB memory 23 currently attached to the port in the different process for which the selection instruction was received, and the selected process is executed. When S106 is completed, the process of FIG. 13 is completed.

[0083] On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in S105, the processing in Fig. 13 is terminated. In this case, the standby screen 50 shown in Fig. 4 is displayed on the user IF 17. The user may insert the USB memory into the port again after resolving the state that should be notified, or in order to resolving the state.

[0084] In the present embodiment described above, the controller 13 determines whether the rear port 21 is in an alert state when the rear port 21 is set to a dedicated port on the save destination setting screen 55 displayed in response to the insertion of the USB memory 23 into either the port 21 or 22. The controller 13 causes the user IF 17 to display the alert screen without indicating that the rear port 21 is a target for alert. As a result, even when the rear port 21 is set to a dedicated port due to the insertion of the USB memory 23 into a port, an alert according to the state of the rear port 21 is performed, thereby improving user convenience.

[0085] When the USB memory 23 is inserted into either the port 21 or 22 while the save destination setting screen 55 is being displayed, the controller 13 maintains the save destination setting screen 55 in a state in which it is possible to accept an instruction as to which of the ports 21 and 22 should be set as the dedicated port. This prevents the determination of the notification state performed in conjunction with the setting of the save destination for print data and the determination of the notification state performed in conjunction with the insertion of the USB memory 23 from being performed consecutively, thereby preventing unnecessary determination of the notification state for the port.

[0086] In S91 of Fig. 13, a confirmation screen may be displayed instead of displaying the save destination setting screen 55. When the controller 13 detects that the YES button has been operated on the confirmation screen displayed in S91, it sets the USB memory 23 currently attached to the port as the save destination to be used in the USB storage process. Then, the process proceeds to S93. If the USB memory 23 is currently attached to the rear port 21, the process proceeds to S95, where the state of the USB memory 23 attached to the rear port 21 is determined in the same procedure as in the process of S15 of Fig. 3. If the state is one that should be notified, a message similar to that in Figs. 7 to 10 may be displayed. On the other hand, if the USB memory 23 is currently attached to the side port 22, the process proceeds to S94.

[0087] In each of the above-described embodiments, the side port 22 is disposed on the side surface of the front unit 41. Alternatively, the side port 22 may be disposed on the front surface of the front unit 41, that is, on the same side as the side on which the user IF 17 is disposed. The MFP 10 may also include three or more ports.

[0088] In S82 of Fig. 13, it is determined whether or not management information 30 that can be decrypted by the encryption key 31 is stored in the USB memory 23. Instead, in S23 of Fig. 3, a unique numerical value is generated as determination information and stored in the USB memory 23. In S24, the same numerical value as the numerical value generated in S23 is stored in the internal memory 14 as identification information. In S82 of Fig. 13, it is determined whether or not the numerical value stored in the USB memory 23 matches the numerical value stored in the internal memory 14. In this case, if it is determined that they match, the process proceeds to S83, and if it is determined that they do not match, the process proceeds to S90.

[0089] The controller 13 may store the print data in the USB memory 23 without encrypting it. In this case, S49 in Fig. 11 and S66 and S70 in Fig. 12 may be omitted. The MFP 10 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus may be a printer that does not include the reading unit 16. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10...MFP, 11, 12...memory IF, 13...controller, 15...print unit, 17...user IF, 21, 22...port, 23...USB memory

Claims

1. a housing, a print unit, a user interface, a controller, and a memory interface having a port to which a portable memory can be attached and detached, the ports being a port located in a front portion of the housing including the user interface, and a port located in a rear portion not including the user interface; The controller: a setting process is executed to set any one of the ports as a dedicated port to which a dedicated memory is attached in a process related to an accumulated printing function, the accumulated printing function being a function of storing print data corresponding to received job data in the dedicated memory and causing the print unit to print the print data stored in the dedicated memory in response to an operation accepted via the user interface, the dedicated memory being a memory among the portable memories in which the print data is stored in the accumulated printing function, The controller: A process related to the storage printing function can be executed, when the portable memory is attached to a port to which the portable memory can be attached and detached, if the port located at the rear portion is set as the dedicated port and if a standby screen is displayed on the user interface, a determination process is executed to determine whether or not the port located at the rear portion is in a state that requires a notification; executing a notification process for displaying, on the user interface, a notification screen indicating that the port located in the rear portion is in the state that should be notified, when the determination process determines that the port is in the state that should be notified; If the port located in the rear portion is set as the dedicated port but the standby screen is not displayed on the user interface, neither the determination process nor the notification process is executed. The determination process includes: The state to be notified includes at least a state in which the portable memory attached to the port located in the rear portion is set to prohibit writing or deleting data, The controller: When the judgment process determines that the portable memory attached to the port located in the rear section is set to prohibit writing or deleting data and thus the notification should be given, the image forming device is configured to, in addition to the notification process, prevent the print unit from printing the print data stored in the portable memory attached to the port located in the rear section.

2. a housing, a print unit, a user interface, a controller, and a memory interface having a port to which a portable memory can be attached and detached, the ports being a port located in a front portion of the housing including the user interface, and a port located in a rear portion not including the user interface; The controller: a setting process is executed to set any one of the ports as a dedicated port to which a dedicated memory is attached in a process related to an accumulated printing function, the accumulated printing function being a function of storing print data corresponding to received job data in the dedicated memory and causing the print unit to print the print data stored in the dedicated memory in response to an operation accepted via the user interface, the dedicated memory being a memory among the portable memories in which the print data is stored in the accumulated printing function, The controller: A process related to the storage printing function can be executed, a determination process for determining whether or not the port located in the rear portion is in a state that should be notified when the port located in the rear portion is set as the dedicated port; a notification process is executed to display, on the user interface, a notification screen indicating that a port located in the rear portion is in the state that should be notified, when the determination process determines that the port is in the state that should be notified; The determination process includes: If the dedicated memory is attached to any of the ports, it is determined whether the dedicated memory is attached to a port that is not set as the dedicated port; If the dedicated memory is attached to the port set as the dedicated port, it is determined whether the dedicated memory is set to prohibit writing or deleting data; The notification process includes: When it is determined that the dedicated memory is attached to a port that is not set as the dedicated port by the determination process, a notification can be performed, When the port located in the rear portion is set as the dedicated port but the dedicated memory is attached to the port located in the front portion, a notification is given; The controller: When the judgment process determines that the dedicated memory is attached to a port set as the dedicated port and that the dedicated memory is set to prohibit writing or deleting data, the image forming device is configured to notify the print unit of the printing data stored in the dedicated memory in addition to the notification process.

3. the controller, in the storage printing function, when the dedicated memory is removed from a port set as the dedicated port and then the removed dedicated memory is re-attached to the dedicated port, is capable of storing the print data in the attached dedicated memory; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the judgment process includes a process for determining whether the port located in the rear section is in a state that should be notified when the port located in the rear section is set to the dedicated port by the setting process and the job data that is the subject of the accumulated printing function is received.

4. the determination process includes a process of determining, when the port located at the rear portion is set as the dedicated port, that the portable memory is not attached to the port located at the rear portion, which is a state that should be notified; An image forming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in the notification process, when it is determined that the portable memory is not attached to the port located in the rear section, the notification screen indicating that the portable memory is not attached to the port located in the rear section is displayed.

5. the determination process includes a process of determining, when the port located at the rear portion is set as the dedicated port, that the portable memory that is not set as the dedicated memory is attached to the port located at the rear portion, which is a state that should be notified; An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in the notification process, when it is determined that a portable memory not set as the dedicated memory is attached to a port located in the rear section, the notification screen indicating that a portable memory not set as the dedicated memory is attached to a port located in the rear section is displayed.

6. the controller causes the user interface to display a setting screen for receiving an instruction as to which of the ports is to be set as the dedicated port, and sets the dedicated port in accordance with the instruction received on the setting screen; The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the judgment process judges whether or not the port located in the rear section is in a state that should be notified when an instruction to set the port located in the rear section to the dedicated port is received on the setting screen.

7. when the portable memory is attached to any one of the ports, the controller causes the user interface to display the setting screen; the determination process includes determining, on the setting screen displayed in response to the portable memory being attached to any one of the ports, whether or not the port located in the rear section is in a state that should be notified when the port located in the rear section is to be set as the dedicated port; The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein, in the notification process, when the judgment process determines that a port located in the rear section is in a state that requires notification, the notification screen that does not indicate that the port located in the rear section is the subject of the notification is displayed on the user interface.

8. the controller is capable of displaying the setting screen in response to an operation on a standby screen displayed on the user interface; In the determination process, when an instruction to set a port located in the rear section as the dedicated port is received on the setting screen displayed in response to an operation on the standby screen, it is determined whether or not the port located in the rear section is in a state that should be notified; The image forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein, in the notification process, when the judgment process determines that a port located in the rear section is in a state that requires notification, the notification screen indicating that the port located in the rear section is the target of the notification is displayed on the user interface.

9. the controller is capable of displaying the setting screen in response to an operation on a standby screen displayed on the user interface; In the determination process, when an instruction to set a port located in the rear section as the dedicated port is received on the setting screen displayed in response to an operation on the standby screen, it is determined whether or not the port located in the rear section is in a state that should be notified; in the notification process, when it is determined by the determination process that the port located in the rear section is in a state that requires notification, the notification screen indicating that the port located in the rear section is a target of the notification is displayed on the user interface; The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller maintains the setting screen in a state capable of accepting an instruction as to which of the plurality of ports to set as the dedicated port when the portable memory is attached to any of the plurality of ports while the setting screen is displayed.

10. the determination process includes a process of determining, when the port located at the rear portion is set as the dedicated port, that the portable memory is not attached to the port located at the rear portion, which is a state that should be notified; An image forming device as described in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, in the notification process, when it is determined that the portable memory is not attached to the port located in the rear section, the notification screen indicating that the portable memory is not attached to the port located in the rear section is displayed.

11. The determination process includes determining, when the port located at the rear portion is set as the dedicated port, that a portable memory that is not set as the dedicated memory is attached to the port located at the rear portion, which is a state that should be notified; An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, in the notification process, when it is determined that a portable memory that is not set as the dedicated memory is attached to the port located in the rear section, the notification screen indicating that a portable memory that is not set as the dedicated memory is attached to the port located in the rear section is displayed.

12. the determination process includes a process of determining whether or not the port located in the front unit is in a state that should be notified when the port located in the front unit is set as the dedicated port, An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, in the notification process, when the judgment process determines that a port located in the front section is in a state that requires notification, a notification screen indicating that the port located in the front section determined by the judgment process is in a state that requires notification is displayed on the user interface.

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