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

Abstract

To reduce a burden on a user in performing printing for a predetermined use.SOLUTION: When an information processing apparatus 100 performs printing of drawing data generated by an invoice creation application 108, the apparatus performs print settings related to an invoice with a printer driver 107 and generates a print job. The information processing apparatus 100 transmits the print job to an image forming apparatus 110. The image forming apparatus 110 receiving the print job analyzes job information on the print job. When an invoice print flag set to ON is included in the job information, the image forming apparatus 110 controls to display a method for setting a sheet used for printing on a display 115 of the image forming apparatus 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes that when printing image data converted by a printer driver on a PC (personal computer), the paper setting method linked to the set paper size, paper type, etc. is displayed on the PC screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-113060 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Image data of waybills used when delivering packages may be created on a PC and printed on a printer. In this case, paper (hereinafter referred to as waybill paper) conforming to a format specific to the shipping company is used. Waybill paper has a special size and type. In addition, borders and other markings are pre-printed on the paper. Therefore, the waybill paper must be set in the correct orientation. However, it is difficult for general users to understand how to set the waybill paper, and printing errors are likely to occur. In Patent Document 1, the paper setting method is displayed only on the PC screen, so the user must go back and forth between the PC and the printer. This is time-consuming and burdensome for the user.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on a user when printing for a specific purpose. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention has a receiving means for receiving print data, and a control means for controlling a display unit to display a paper setting method for printing the print data based on the fact that the received print data includes a predetermined setting. When the control means is displaying the paper setting method, the control means controls to start printing of the print data regardless of whether or not the settings of the paper feed unit specified in the received print data match the paper settings included in the received print data. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention aims to reduce the burden on the user when printing for a specific purpose. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of each device that configures the image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transmission sequence of an invoice print job. [Figure 3] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating examples of screens displayed on an information processing device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an invoice printing process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an invoice printing condition table. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transmission sequence of an invoice print job. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] <Configuration of image forming system> FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, the image forming system includes an information processing device 100 and an image forming device 110. The information processing device 100 is connected to the image forming device 110 via a wired or wireless network 120. The information processing device 100 is a computer device such as a PC (personal computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal device. The image forming device 110 performs printing in response to an instruction from the information processing device 100. The image forming device 110 is not particularly limited as long as it has an image forming means, and may be a copier, multifunction device, printer, facsimile, or the like, regardless of whether it is a monochrome or full-color type. In the following description, the image forming device 110 is assumed to be a printer specialized for printing functions.

[0011] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the image forming system shown in FIG. 1A is used to print a waybill to be affixed to a package when the package is sent to a destination using a service provided by a shipping company. In this case, paper (waybill paper) conforming to a format specific to the shipping company is used. The waybill paper has a special paper size and paper type. In addition, a frame line and the like are printed on the paper in advance. When printing the waybill, the information processing device 100 generates a print job using information such as the destination entered by the user and sends it to the image forming device 110. Next, the image forming device 110 prints on the waybill paper based on the print job received from the information processing device 100. Note that although this embodiment describes a case in which printing is performed using waybill paper, the present invention may also be applied to cases in which printing is performed using dedicated paper used for other purposes.

[0012] Fig. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of each device constituting the image forming system according to this embodiment. Fig. 1B(a) shows the hardware configuration of an information processing device 100 and an image forming device 110. First, the information processing device 100 will be described. The information processing device 100 is composed of a CPU 101, a memory 102, a RAM 103, an operation unit 104, a display unit 105, and a transmission / reception unit 106. These components are connected to each other via a system bus 109.

[0013] The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 100. The CPU 101 reads a program stored in the memory 102 into the RAM 103 and executes it to realize the information processing device 100's processing shown in the sequence diagrams described below. The memory 102 is a readable / writable memory such as an HDD or SSD, and stores an OS, various programs, and various data. The RAM 103 is a volatile random access memory that functions as a work area for the CPU 101 and is also used as a temporary storage area for various data. The operation unit 104 is, for example, a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and provides the CPU 101 with input information received through user operations. The display unit 105 is, for example, a display, and, under the control of the CPU 101, displays a screen in response to user operations on the operation unit 104 or displays information required by the user. If the information processing device 100 is a PC, the display unit 105 may be externally connected. The transmission / reception unit 106 transmits and receives information to and from external devices under the control of the CPU 101. In this embodiment, the transmitting / receiving unit 106 communicates with the image forming apparatus 110 via a network 120 to transmit and receive various types of data.

[0014] Next, a description will be given of the image forming apparatus 110. The image forming apparatus 110 is composed of a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an operation unit 114, a display unit 115, a transmission / reception unit 116, a non-volatile memory 117, an engine I / F 118, and a printer engine 119. These components are connected to each other via a system bus 130.

[0015] The CPU 111 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 110. The CPU 111 reads out a program stored in the ROM 112 or the nonvolatile memory 117 into the RAM 113 and executes it, thereby realizing processing on the image forming apparatus 110 side among the processing shown in sequence diagrams described later. The CPU 111 also reads out a program stored in the ROM 112 or the nonvolatile memory 117 into the RAM 113 and executes it, thereby realizing processing according to flowcharts described later. The ROM 112 stores programs executable by the CPU 111. The ROM 112 also stores various types of data such as font data. The RAM 113 functions as a work area for the CPU 111 and is also used as a temporary storage area for various types of data.

[0016] The operation unit 114 provides the CPU 111 with input information received through user operation. The display unit 115, under the control of the CPU 111, displays a screen in response to the user's operation on the operation unit 114 and displays information required by the user. The operation unit 114 and the display unit 115 may be realized by a touch panel display that functions as both an operation unit and a display unit. The transmission / reception unit 116 transmits and receives information to and from external devices under the control of the CPU 111. In this embodiment, the transmission / reception unit 116 communicates with the information processing device 100 via the network 120 to transmit and receive various types of data. The non-volatile memory 117 stores image data, print data, various programs, various setting information, an invoice printing condition table (FIG. 7) described later, and the like. In this embodiment, a flash memory is assumed as the non-volatile memory 117, but an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD, HDD, or eMMC may also be used.

[0017] The engine I / F 118 connects the printer engine 119 and the CPU 111. The printer engine 119 has a paper feed unit (not shown), such as a paper feed cassette and a manual feed tray. The CPU 111 transfers image data to be printed (image data to be printed) to the printer engine 119 via the engine I / F 118. The printer engine 119 prints the image data onto paper fed from the paper feed unit using toner supplied from a cartridge (not shown). Note that in this embodiment, an example will be described in which an image is formed on paper by an electrophotographic method, but the method for forming the image is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and other methods, such as an inkjet method, may also be used.

[0018] In the image forming apparatus 110, one CPU 111 executes the processes shown in the flowcharts described below using one memory (RAM 113), but other configurations are also possible. For example, multiple CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages can work together to execute the processes shown in the flowcharts described below. Also, some of the processes may be executed using hardware circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs.

[0019] 1B(b) shows the software configuration of the information processing device 100. The information processing device 100 includes, as software modules, a printer driver 107 and an invoice creation application 108. The CPU 101 executes programs stored in the memory 102 to realize the functions of the printer driver 107 and the invoice creation application 108.

[0020] Printer driver 107 performs the processing necessary to print, on image forming device 110, drawing data generated by various applications such as invoice creation application 108 included in information processing device 100. Printer driver 107 sets each item necessary for printing (paper size, paper type, image quality setting, etc.). Furthermore, it converts drawing data generated by various applications such as invoice creation application 108 into image data to be printed on image forming device 110, and transmits the image data to image forming device 110 as a print job together with print setting information that stores setting values ​​for each printing item. In this embodiment, printer driver 107 is a general-purpose printer driver that can be used for purposes other than printing invoices, and is capable of setting an item indicating whether it is an invoice. Hereinafter, a print job for which the item indicating whether it is an invoice is set to ON is referred to as an invoice print job.

[0021] The waybill creation application 108 is an application for inputting and generating data to be printed on a waybill. The format of the waybill form differs depending on the shipping company, such as A Transportation, B Transportation, or C Post. Therefore, the waybill creation application 108 may be configured with multiple applications, one for each shipping company. In this embodiment, the waybill creation application 108 is configured with a single application that is common to multiple shipping companies. Furthermore, there are multiple types of waybill form even for the same shipping company. Therefore, an identifier that can identify the shipping company name and the waybill type is assigned as the waybill type. Setting the waybill type for a waybill print job enables the image forming apparatus 110 to identify the waybill type for the waybill print job. In this embodiment, the waybill type is set when the printer driver 107 sets up the waybill print job. The waybill type may be a string that combines the company name and the waybill type, such as "A Transportation Waybill Type 1," or an assigned code may be used, such as "1" for "A Transportation Waybill Type 1" and "2" for "A Transportation Waybill Type 2."

[0022] <Transmission sequence for invoice print job> Next, the processing executed by the information processing device 100 and the image forming device 110 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a diagram showing a sequence in which the information processing device 100 according to this embodiment transmits an invoice print job to the image forming device 110. Figure 3 is a diagram showing examples of screens displayed on the display unit 105 of the information processing device 100 when setting up an invoice print job. In the following, the printer driver 107 and the invoice creation application 108 will be described as the subjects of the operations, but more specifically, the CPU 101 of the information processing device 100 executes the processing in accordance with the printer driver 107 and the invoice creation application 108. Each process (step) of the sequence will be described below with an S (step) added to the beginning of each reference number.

[0023] The user uses the operation unit 104 of the information processing device 100 to input information such as a delivery destination into a screen provided by the waybill creation application 108, and the waybill creation application 108 generates drawing data to be printed on the waybill. When the user instructs printing of the waybill, the waybill creation application 108 displays a print screen on the display unit 105. FIG. 3A shows an example of the print screen display. The print screen 300 shown in FIG. 3A has an area for displaying and selecting a printer to perform printing, and an area for displaying and selecting settings for each printing item. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming device 110 has been selected as the printer to perform printing. The print screen 300 also has a properties button 301 for displaying and selecting settings for items not displayed on the print screen 300. When the user presses the properties button 301 on the print screen 300, the waybill creation application 108 requests the printer driver 107 for print settings in S201.

[0024] In S202, the printer driver 107, which has accepted the print setting request, displays a print setting screen on the display unit 105. FIGS. 3(B) to 3(D) show display examples of the print setting screen. In S203, the printer driver 107 performs print settings based on the contents selected on the print setting screens shown in FIGS. 3(B) to 3(D). The print setting screen 310 shown in FIG. 3(B) has an area for displaying and selecting settings for each item such as paper size and paper type. The print setting screen 310 also has a waybill setting button 312 for setting a waybill. When the user presses the waybill setting button 312 on the print setting screen 310, the printer driver 107 displays a waybill setting screen on the display unit 105. FIG. 3(C) shows a display example of the waybill setting screen.

[0025] The invoice setting screen 320 shown in Fig. 3(C) has a check box 321. When the check box 321 is checked, the printer driver 107 sets ON an item indicating whether the print job generated by the printer driver 107 is an invoice print job (hereinafter referred to as an invoice print flag). Furthermore, before the check box 321 is checked, the UI components provided on the invoice setting screen 320 are displayed grayed out and input is disabled, but when the check box 321 is checked, the grayed-out display is canceled and input is enabled. The invoice setting screen 320 also has an area 322 for displaying and selecting invoice types.

[0026] When the pull-down button in area 322 is operated, a list of selectable waybill types is displayed, such as "Transport A Waybill Type 1" and "Transport B Waybill Type 1." Note that if the waybill types available as options were displayed with only the shipping company name and waybill type, it would be difficult for the user to understand when making a selection, so the paper size and paper type are also displayed in parentheses as an auxiliary option, such as "Transport A Waybill Type 1 (A5 label paper)."

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the waybill types are pre-registered in the printer driver 107, and the printer driver 107 determines the options to be displayed in the area 322 based on the registered information. Note that it is also possible to add options to be displayed in the area 322 by updating the printer driver 107 to a version with updated waybill types. Alternatively, a management server (not shown) that manages the waybill types may be provided, and the printer driver 107 may communicate with the management server to acquire the waybill types, and determine the options to be displayed in the area 322 based on the acquired waybill types.

[0028] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user selects "A Transportation Waybill Type 2 (A4 Label Paper)" on the waybill setting screen 320 and presses the OK button 323 to confirm the waybill setting. When the OK button 323 is pressed, the printer driver 107 retains the setting value of the waybill print flag and the selected waybill type, and displays the print setting screen 310 shown in FIG. 3(D) on the display unit 105. The print setting screen 310 shown in FIG. 3(D) displays paper size and paper type differently from the print setting screen 310 shown in FIG. 3(B). This is because the user selected "A Transportation Waybill Type 2" as the waybill type on the waybill setting screen 320, and the setting values ​​for paper size and paper type were changed accordingly. If the content displayed in FIG. 3(D) is satisfactory, the user presses the OK button 313 to confirm the setting values ​​for each item.

[0029] When the OK button 313 on the print setting screen 310 is pressed, the printer driver 107 retains the setting values ​​of each item displayed on the print setting screen 310. Thereafter, the waybill creation application 108 again displays the print screen 300 shown in FIG. 3A on the display unit 105. If there are no problems with the content displayed in FIG. 3A, the user presses the OK button 303 to execute printing. When the OK button 303 is pressed, in S204 the waybill creation application 108 instructs the printer driver 107 to execute printing. In S205, the printer driver 107 that has been instructed to execute printing converts the drawing data provided by the invoice creation application 108 into image data that can be printed by the image forming device 110. Then, the printer driver 107 generates a print job that includes the image data and print setting information, and transmits the generated print job to the image forming device 110. The print setting information includes the setting value of the invoice print flag and the selected invoice type.

[0030] <Shipping label printing process> Next, the invoice printing process in the image forming apparatus 110 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the invoice printing process. The process of the flowchart shown in Figure 4 is the process that occurs after the image forming apparatus 110 receives the invoice printing job in S205 of Figure 2. Each step shown in Figure 4 is realized by the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 110 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 or non-volatile memory 117 into the RAM 113 and executing it. Each process (step) of the flowchart will be described below with an S (step) added to the beginning of each reference number.

[0031] First, when a print job is received as print data from the information processing device 100, in S401, the CPU 111 analyzes the job information of the received print job. The job information includes print setting information such as the setting value of the invoice print flag as well as image data to be printed. The CPU 111 determines what type of printing to perform based on the results of analyzing the job information.

[0032] Next, in S402, the CPU 111 determines whether the received print job is an invoice print job based on the results of analyzing the job information. In this embodiment, if the job information includes an invoice print flag that is set to ON, it is determined to be an invoice print job. Note that other methods may be used to determine whether the print job is an invoice print job. For example, a paper name such as "Transportation A Invoice Type 1" may be pre-registered in the image forming apparatus 110 as the invoice name, and if the paper name included in the job information is "Transportation A Invoice Type 1," it may be determined to be an invoice print job. Alternatively, if the file name included in the job information is the same as the pre-registered file name, it may be determined to be an invoice print job. If the CPU 111 determines that the print job is an invoice print job, the process proceeds to S403. If the CPU 111 determines that the print job is not an invoice print job, the process proceeds to S408.

[0033] In S403, CPU 111 references the invoice printing condition table stored in non-volatile memory 117 to acquire printing conditions corresponding to the invoice type included in the job information. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the invoice printing condition table. Invoice printing condition table 701 in FIG. 7 holds printing conditions including paper size, paper type, paper orientation, print side orientation, and paper set image associated with the invoice type. In this embodiment, printing conditions corresponding to "A Transportation Invoice Type 2" are acquired. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the following printing conditions are acquired: paper size = "A4", paper type = "label paper", paper orientation = "portrait", print side orientation = "face up", and paper set image = "Image 2". The paper set image is an image that guides users on the correct way to set invoice paper, and is displayed on display unit 115 of image forming apparatus 110 after job analysis.

[0034] Whether printing occurs on the top or bottom of paper, even when paper is set in the same way, depends on the configuration of the paper transport path of the image forming apparatus 110 and the configuration of the developing unit and photosensitive drum (not shown) used for printing. Therefore, the print surface orientation is managed for each model of the image forming apparatus 110 according to the device configuration. Furthermore, the paper set image is also managed for each model of the image forming apparatus 110, taking into consideration the appropriate print surface orientation. Furthermore, by updating the program that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 110 to a version that includes updated invoice types, it is possible to add invoice types to the invoice printing condition table 701. As with the example of the printer driver 107, a management server (not shown) that manages invoice types may be provided, and the image forming apparatus 110 may communicate with the management server to acquire invoice types and update the invoice printing condition table 701 based on the acquired invoice types.

[0035] In S404, CPU 111 determines whether or not a guide screen for guiding the user on the correct way to set the shipping label paper needs to be displayed on display unit 115. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of how the guide screen is displayed. FIG. 5 will be described later. In this embodiment, non-volatile memory 117 stores setting information indicating whether or not to display the guide screen as a guide screen display setting. CPU 111 determines whether or not the guide screen needs to be displayed on display unit 115 based on the guide screen display setting. If CPU 111 determines that the guide screen needs to be displayed, processing proceeds to S405, and if CPU 111 determines that the guide screen does not need to be displayed, processing proceeds to S408.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for display settings of a guide screen. The setting screen 600 in Fig. 6 is displayed on the display unit 115 under the control of the CPU 111 when the management screen or the like of the image forming apparatus 110 is displayed. On the setting screen 600, the display settings for each paper feed unit can be changed by a user operation. Fig. 6 shows an example in which a manual feed tray and paper feed cassettes 1 and 2 can be used as paper feed units. Note that if an optional cassette or the like is additionally connected, the display settings for the added paper feed cassettes, such as paper feed cassettes 3 and 4, are also displayed so that they can be changed.

[0037] In area 601 of FIG. 6, "ON" is selected as the display setting for the guide screen when using the manual feed tray. When the display setting for the paper feed unit specified in the job information is "ON," CPU 111 determines that the guide screen needs to be displayed and controls the display unit 115 to display the guide screen. On the other hand, in area 603 of FIG. 6, "OFF" is selected as the display setting for the guide screen when using paper feed cassette 2. When the display setting for the paper feed unit specified in the job information is "OFF," CPU 111 determines that the guide screen does not need to be displayed and controls the display unit 115 not to display the guide screen. Users who frequently print invoices are likely to be able to correctly set invoice paper without checking the guide screen, so the display of the guide screen can be bothersome for such users and may actually reduce work efficiency. Therefore, for such users, the display setting for the guide screen can be set to "OFF" to prevent the guide screen from being displayed.

[0038] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the image forming apparatus 110 holds the guide screen display settings, but the guide screen display settings may also be included in the print setting information sent from the printer driver 107. For example, a button for displaying a setting screen for the guide screen display settings may be separately provided on the waybill setting screen 320 in Fig. 3(C), and when that button is pressed, the printer driver 107 displays a screen such as that shown in Fig. 6 and accepts the selection of the guide screen display settings. This allows each user to select whether or not to display the guide screen.

[0039] 6, "display only when necessary" is selected as the display setting for the guide screen when using paper feed cassette 1. When the display setting for the paper feed unit specified in the job information is "display only when necessary," and when a predetermined condition is met, CPU 111 determines that it is necessary to display the guide screen. The predetermined condition here refers to, for example, when no paper is set in the paper feed unit (no paper), or when the paper size and orientation of the paper set in the paper feed unit do not match the paper size and orientation included in the printing conditions acquired in S403. On the other hand, when the display setting is "display only when necessary," and when the predetermined condition is not met, CPU 111 determines that it is not necessary to display the guide screen.

[0040] In this embodiment, paper feed cassettes 1 and 2 are provided with sensors that detect the presence or absence of paper and sensors that can determine the paper size and orientation, and CPU 111 determines whether the above-mentioned predetermined conditions are met based on information provided by each of these sensors. The manual feed tray is provided with only a sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper, and no sensor that can determine the paper size and orientation. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 6, the "display only when necessary" option is selectable for paper feed cassettes 1 and 2, but the "display only when necessary" option is hidden and cannot be selected for the manual feed tray. As described above, whether or not to display the "display only when necessary" option for each paper feed unit is managed by the device configuration of image forming apparatus 110.

[0041] 6, when the setting button 604 is pressed, the CPU 111 changes the display settings to the selected content and closes the setting screen 600. On the other hand, when the back button 605 is pressed, the CPU 111 discards the selected content and closes the setting screen 600.

[0042] Returning to the description of FIG. 4, in S405, CPU 111 displays a guide screen on display unit 115 to guide the user on the correct way to set the shipping label paper. In this embodiment, CPU 111 determines the content of the guide screen based on the shipping label type, which is type information included in the job information. That is, CPU 111 varies the content of the guide screen for each shipping label type set by printer driver 107. Here, a guide screen generated using the printing conditions acquired in S403 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 5, guide screen 500 displays, in text and graphics, information regarding the paper feed unit, paper size, paper type, paper orientation, and print side orientation specified in the job information, along with the procedure for setting the shipping label paper. As described above, because the guide screen is displayed on the printer screen, the user can set the shipping label paper while immediately checking the correct setting method.

[0043] Next, in S406, CPU 111 determines whether a user operation has instructed the user to start printing. As shown in FIG. 5, guide screen 500 displayed in S405 has a print start button 501 for instructing the user to start printing. When print start button 501 is pressed, it is determined that the user has instructed the user to start printing. However, it may be determined by other methods whether the user has instructed the user to start printing. For example, CPU 111 may determine that the user has instructed the user to start printing when it detects, based on information provided by a sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper, that the user has transitioned from a paper-out state to a paper-present state.

[0044] Alternatively, the CPU 111 may determine that a command to start printing has been issued based on the detection that the paper size and orientation of the loaded paper match the paper size and orientation included in the printing conditions acquired in S403. If the CPU 111 determines that a command to start printing has been issued based on the detection that paper has been loaded correctly, the process skips S408 and proceeds to S413. If the CPU 111 determines that a command to start printing has been issued, the guide screen 500 in FIG. 5 is closed and the process proceeds to S408. If the CPU 111 determines that a command to start printing has not been issued, the process proceeds to S407.

[0045] In S407, CPU 111 determines whether or not a user operation has instructed to cancel printing. As shown in Fig. 5, guide screen 500 displayed in S405 has a cancel button 502 for instructing to cancel printing, and when cancel button 502 is pressed, it is assumed that an instruction to cancel printing has been issued. However, it may also be determined whether or not an instruction to cancel a job has been issued on another screen. If CPU 111 determines that an instruction to cancel printing has not been issued, the process returns to S405. If CPU 111 determines that an instruction to cancel printing has been issued, CPU 111 performs job cancellation processing and ends this series of flows.

[0046] In S408, CPU 111 determines whether the paper settings included in the job information match the settings of the paper feed unit specified in the job information. Note that CPU 111 may also determine whether the paper size and paper type included in the printing conditions acquired in S403 match the settings of the paper feed unit specified in the job information. If CPU 111 determines that they do not match, the process proceeds to S409, and if it determines that they match, the process proceeds to S413.

[0047] In S409, CPU 111 determines whether the print job being executed is an invoice print job. If CPU 111 determines that it is not an invoice print job (a normal print job), the process proceeds to S410. If CPU 111 determines that it is an invoice print job, the process returns to S405, and guide screen 500 of FIG. 5 is displayed. As a result, even if the user issues a command to start printing with paper loaded in the wrong way, the correct way to load the paper is displayed, so the user can immediately check the correct loading method, reload the invoice paper, and issue a command to start printing again.

[0048] However, since the user is less likely to make a mistake in setting paper if guide screen 500 of Fig. 5 is displayed in S405, CPU 111 may skip S408 and proceed to S413 if guide screen 500 of Fig. 5 is displayed in S405. Furthermore, CPU 111 may switch whether or not to skip S408 based on the display setting of the guide screen. Specifically, if the display setting of the paper feed unit to be used for printing is "OFF", CPU 111 executes the process of S408, and if the display setting is other than "OFF", CPU 111 skips S408. Note that in the case of a normal print job, CPU 111 performs control to execute the process of S408.

[0049] In S410, CPU 111 displays a confirmation screen on display unit 115 to prompt the user to confirm that the paper settings included in the job information do not match the settings of the paper feed unit specified in the job information. Fig. 8 shows an example of the confirmation screen displayed in S410. Confirmation screen 800 shown in Fig. 8 displays a message informing the user that the paper size or paper type being printed does not match the settings of the paper feed unit (here, the manual feed tray). This makes it possible to prompt the user to check the settings of the paper feed unit and the paper that is actually set.

[0050] Next, in S411, CPU 111 determines whether changes have been made so that the paper settings included in the job information match the settings of the paper feed unit specified in the job information. In this embodiment, the above changes are considered to have been made when start print button 801 on confirmation screen 800 in Figure 8 is pressed. If CPU 111 determines that the above changes have been made, the process returns to S408, and if it determines that the above changes have not been made, the process proceeds to S412.

[0051] In S412, the CPU 111 determines whether or not a printing cancellation instruction has been issued by a user operation. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a printing cancellation instruction has been issued when the cancel button 802 on the confirmation screen 800 in Fig. 8 is pressed. If the CPU 111 determines that a printing cancellation instruction has not been issued, the process returns to S410. If the CPU 111 determines that a printing cancellation instruction has been issued, the CPU 111 performs a job cancellation process and ends the series of flows.

[0052] In S413, the CPU 111 uses the printer engine 119 to print one page of the invoice. Next, in S414, CPU 111 determines whether printing of all pages has been completed. If CPU 111 determines that printing of all pages has been completed, the printing process is completed and the series of flows ends. If CPU 111 determines that there are pages that have not been printed, the process proceeds to S415. In S415, CPU 111 determines whether or not there is paper in the paper feed unit being used for printing. If CPU 111 determines that there is paper, the process returns to S413, and the remaining pages are printed. If CPU 111 determines that there is no paper, the process returns to S405, and guide screen 500 of Fig. 5 is displayed. CPU 111 then repeats the processes of S406 to S414, and prints the remaining pages.

[0053] According to the first embodiment described above, when printing an invoice, a guide on how to properly set the invoice paper can be displayed on the display unit 115 of the image forming apparatus 110. This allows the user to set the invoice paper while checking the correct setting method on the spot, thereby preventing printing errors caused by incorrect paper setting methods.

[0054] Although the present embodiment describes an example in which the printer driver is a general-purpose printer driver, the printer driver may also be a dedicated printer driver for invoices. In this case, the user does not need to configure the printer driver to indicate that the print job is a invoice, and the information processing device 100 sends the print job generated by the dedicated printer driver for invoices to the image forming device 110 as a invoice print job. Also, the invoice type may be selected when the dedicated printer driver for invoices is installed, and a fixed invoice type may be set when printing, eliminating the need for user selection.

[0055] As a first modification of this embodiment, after S402 in the flowchart of Fig. 4, CPU 111 determines whether a paper feed cassette with the same name as the invoice type included in the job information exists. If CPU 111 determines that a paper feed cassette with the same name exists, processing proceeds to S413. This is because if a paper feed cassette with the same invoice type as the invoice type set by printer driver 107 exists, it can be determined that the invoice paper is also set appropriately. If CPU 111 determines that a paper feed cassette with the same name does not exist, processing proceeds to S403.

[0056] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, the invoice creation application 108 generates the drawing data to be printed, but the printer driver 107 performs settings related to invoice printing, such as setting the invoice print flag. In the second embodiment, the invoice creation application 108 also performs settings related to invoice printing, and the printer driver 107 does not perform settings related to invoice printing.

[0057] <Transmission sequence for invoice print job> Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence in which the information processing device 100 according to this embodiment sends an invoice print job to the image forming device 110. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 105 of the information processing device 100 when setting up an invoice print job. In this embodiment, the invoice creation application 108 generates drawing data to be printed on an invoice and sets up settings related to invoice printing, and the printer driver 107 sends the invoice print job to the image forming device 110. The following mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment.

[0058] When the user instructs printing of a waybill, in S901, the waybill creation application 108 displays a print screen on the display unit 105 and sets up waybill printing. FIG. 10 shows an example of the print screen display. The print screen 1000 shown in FIG. 10 is provided with an area 1004 for displaying and selecting waybill types, in addition to the print screen 300 of FIG. 3(A). When the pull-down button in area 1004 is operated, a selectable list of waybill types, such as "Transport A Waybill Type 1" and "Transport A Waybill Type 2," is displayed. In this embodiment, the waybill creation application 108 is described as an application dedicated to Transport A. Therefore, only the waybill types of Transport A are listed in area 1004. However, if the waybill creation application 108 is not an application dedicated to a specific shipping company but is an application common to multiple shipping companies, waybill types of other shipping companies are also listed. Additionally, the setting values ​​for each item, such as paper size, paper orientation, and whether to print in color or monochrome, are changed in conjunction with the shipping label type selected in area 1004. As in the first embodiment, when the user presses the properties button 1001, the printer driver 107 displays a print setting screen. The print setting screen displayed here is the same as in the first embodiment, except that the shipping label setting button 312 is not required. By using the displayed print setting screen, it is possible to set items that are not displayed on the print screen 1000.

[0059] 10, the user presses an OK button 1003 to execute printing. When the OK button 1003 is pressed, in S902, the invoice creation application 108 instructs the printer driver 107 to execute printing. In this case, the invoice creation application 108 provides the drawing data and the setting values ​​of each item displayed on the print screen 1000 to the printer driver 107 as print setting information. The print setting information also includes the setting value of the invoice print flag, the selected invoice type, and the paper settings associated with that invoice type. In S903, the printer driver 107 instructed to execute printing generates an invoice print job using the information provided by the invoice creation application 108 in S902, and transmits the generated invoice print job to the image forming device 110. The image forming apparatus 110 that has received the invoice print job executes an invoice print process similar to the flow shown in Fig. 4. In this case, in S402 of Fig. 4, the image forming apparatus 110 may determine that the job is an invoice print job if the job information includes application information of the invoice creation application 108 that has performed settings related to the invoice print job.

[0060] According to the second embodiment described above, it is possible to use the invoice creation application 108 to configure settings related to invoice printing, and to send an invoice print job to the image forming apparatus 110 via the printer driver 107. In this embodiment, an example is described in which an invoice print job is sent via the printer driver 107 so that job information can be analyzed on the image forming apparatus 110 side. However, it is also possible for the invoice creation application 108 to generate an invoice print job so that job information can be analyzed on the image forming apparatus 110 side, and to send the invoice print job directly to the image forming apparatus 110 without going through the printer driver 107.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the above embodiments are merely illustrative of specific examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0062] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100: Information processing device, 110: Image forming device, 107: Printer driver, 108: Waybill application

Claims

1. a receiving means for receiving print data; a control means for controlling a display unit to display a paper setting method for printing the print data based on the fact that the received print data includes a predetermined setting; and The image forming device is characterized in that, when the control means displays the paper setting method, it controls the device to start printing the print data regardless of whether the paper feed unit settings specified in the received print data match the paper settings included in the received print data.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the paper setting method to be displayed on the display unit based on type information regarding the predetermined setting included in the received print data.

3. a storage means for storing printing conditions to be used for printing in association with the type information; an acquisition means for acquiring, from the storage means, printing conditions corresponding to the type information included in the received print data; and 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines the paper setting method to be displayed on the display unit based on the acquired printing conditions.

4. The printer further includes a setting unit for setting whether or not to display the paper setting method, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls whether or not the paper setting method is displayed based on the setting made by the setting unit.

5. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control means controls the display unit to display the paper setting method based on the fact that the paper feed unit settings specified in the received printing data do not match the paper settings included in the received printing data.

6. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that if there is a paper feed unit that has the same paper name set as the paper name included in the received print data, the control means controls the apparatus to start printing the print data without displaying how to set the paper.

7. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control means controls the display unit to display information indicating the paper feed unit, paper size, paper type, paper orientation, and printing surface orientation specified in the received printing data as the paper setting method.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined setting is a setting indicating that a shipping label conforming to a format specific to a shipping company is to be printed.

9. An image forming system including an information processing device and an image forming device, The information processing device includes: a generating means for generating print data; a transmitting means for transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus; and the image forming apparatus, a receiving means for receiving the print data from the information processing device; a control means for controlling a display unit to display a paper setting method for printing the print data based on the fact that the received print data includes a predetermined setting; and An image forming system characterized in that, when the control means displays the paper setting method, it controls to start printing of the print data regardless of whether the paper feed unit settings specified in the received print data match the paper settings included in the received print data.

10. The information processing device has an application that generates image data to be used for printing, and a printer driver that converts the image data into the print data, 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the generating unit includes the predetermined settings in the print data based on a user's operation on a setting screen displayed using the printer driver.

11. The information processing device has an application that generates image data to be used for printing for a predetermined purpose, and a printer driver that converts the image data into the print data, 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the generating unit includes the predetermined setting in the print data based on the fact that the image data is generated by the application.

12. a receiving step of receiving print data; a control step of controlling a display unit to display a paper setting method to be used for printing the print data, based on the fact that the received print data includes a predetermined setting; Including, A control method for an image forming device, characterized in that the control step controls to start printing of the print data when the paper setting method is displayed, regardless of whether the paper feed unit settings specified in the received print data match the paper settings included in the received print data.

13. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images