Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image formation device that is useful for printing transmitted print job data on multiple copies, on an image formation device that can print image data in accordance with Internet printing protocol (IPP).SOLUTION: When print job data in accordance with received Internet printing protocol (IPP) includes image data as much as multiple copies but does not include a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy in accumulation print processing, a controller 23 stores the image data as much as multiple copies, which is included in the print job data in accordance with the received IPP, in a memory 28 and restricts reception of an instruction for the number of copies via a user IF 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for performing printing according to the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol).

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus that receives print job data according to the IPP and performs printing based on the received print job data. When the image forming apparatus prints print job data according to the IPP, a specific driver program is not required.

[0003] Some image forming apparatuses can store the received print job data in a memory and execute an accumulation printing process for printing the image data included in the stored print job data according to an instruction received via a user interface. In the accumulation printing process, when an instruction for the number of printed copies is received via the user interface, the image data stored in the memory can be printed by the received number of copies.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 does not describe at all the case where an image forming apparatus performs an accumulation printing process according to the IPP.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with good usability for printing a plurality of copies of transmitted print job data in an image forming apparatus capable of printing image data according to the IPP.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus disclosed herein comprises a user interface, a printer, a controller, and memory. The controller receives print job data in accordance with IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), stores the received print job data in memory, and can perform a stored print process to print the image data contained in the stored print job data in memory in response to instructions received via the user interface. In the stored print process, when the controller receives a copy instruction indicating the number of copies to print via the user interface, it can perform printing for the number of copies indicated by the copy instruction based on the print job data stored in memory. P When the print job data, which conforms to the above, includes image data for multiple copies and a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, the received IP P In the print job data that complies with the IPP, the image data for the number of pages per copy, as indicated by a specific parameter, is stored in the memory. The stored image data for the number of pages per copy is printed a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the copy instruction. If the print job data that complies with the received IPP contains image data for multiple copies but does not contain the number of pages per copy, the image data for multiple copies contained in the print job data that complies with the received IPP is stored in the memory, and the acceptance of copy instructions via the user interface is restricted.

[0008] In the above configuration, when print job data containing image data for multiple copies in accordance with IPP is received, if the correspondence between the image data and the number of pages per copy is clearly defined by specific parameters, printing will be performed for the multiple copies according to the number of copies specified via the user interface. On the other hand, if the correspondence between the image data and the number of pages per copy is unclear, the acceptance of the number of copies specified via the user interface will be restricted. This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is easy to use for printing multiple copies. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for accumulating print job data. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the image data included in print job data. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the image data included in print job data. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the image data included in print job data. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for the process executed in S19 of Figure 2. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for the process executed in S31 of Figure 6. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the cumulative printing process when the number of pages per copy is specified. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the cumulative printing process when the number of pages per copy is not specified. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for printing accumulated image data. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating the screens displayed in the user interface. [Figure 12] This is a diagram illustrating the screens displayed in the user interface. [Figure 13] This is a diagram for explaining the screen displayed on the user IF. [Figure 14] This is a diagram for explaining the screen displayed on the user IF. [Figure 15] This is a diagram for explaining the screen displayed on the user IF.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be described by the MFP20. MFP is an abbreviation of Multifunction peripheral. In the image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the MFP20 is connected to the network 200 and can communicate with the PC10 through the network 200. The network 200 is a LAN or the Internet. The MFP20 may be connected to the network 200 either wirelessly or by wire.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP20 includes a communication IF21, a user IF22, a controller 23, a scanner 24, a printer 25, a bus 27, and a memory 28. These components are connected via the bus 27 and can communicate with each other. Note that "IF" is an abbreviation of interface.

[0012] The communication IF21 is an interface for connecting the MFP20 to the network 200. The printer 25 prints an image on a recording medium such as a sheet or a disk. As the recording method of the printer 25, an inkjet method, an electrophotographic method, or the like can be adopted. The scanner 24 reads a document set on the document table and generates scan data corresponding to the document.

[0013] The user IF22 is an interface interposed between the user who directly operates the MFP20 and the controller 23, and has a touch panel having a display unit and operation keys which are physical keys.

[0014] The controller 23 is composed of a CPU, an ASIC (abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The memory 28 is composed of a combination of a RAM, a ROM, an SSD, a HDD, etc. A buffer provided in the controller 23 that is used when executing various programs may also be regarded as a part of the memory 28. Further, the memory 28 may be an external memory such as a USB or a storage medium readable by the controller 23. A storage medium readable by the controller 23 is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include, in addition to the above examples, recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Also, non-transitory media are tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal that conveys a program downloaded from a server on the Internet or the like is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0015] Stored in the memory 28 as a program executable by the controller 23 is a control program (not shown). In the present embodiment, mainly, the processing of the controller 23 according to the instructions described in the program is shown. That is, the processing such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "specification", "acquisition", "reception", "control", etc. in the following description represents the processing of the controller 23. Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of the controller 23 receiving data without requesting it is also included in the concept of "the controller 23 acquiring data". Also, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string readable by the controller. And data having substantially the same meaning content but different formats shall be treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification.

[0016] Next, the configuration of PC10 will be described. PC10 is equipped with a communication interface, memory, and controller (not shown). The configuration of each part is the same as that of the communication interface, memory, and controller of MFP20. The memory of PC10 stores the OS11 and application program 12. OS11 is a program that enables the basic operation of PC10. Application program 12 is a program that instructs MFP20 to print according to the procedure of IPP (short for Internet Printing Protocol). Application program 12 may be installed on MFP20 from a server on the Internet provided by the MFP20 vendor, for example, or from media shipped with MFP20. Alternatively, application program 12 may be installed on MFP20 from a server on the Internet provided by a different company than the MFP20 vendor.

[0017] Figure 2 illustrates the processing performed by the controller 23 in response to print job data sent from the PC 10. The processing shown in Figure 2 begins when the controller 23 receives the print job data, and the controller is the primary operator.

[0018] When print job data is received via communication IF21, step 10 (hereinafter referred to simply as "S") determines whether the received print job data conforms to IPP. Specifically, it determines whether the following commands conforming to IPP have been received from PC10: "Validate-Job" (hereinafter referred to as "VJ"), "Create-Job" (hereinafter referred to as "CJ"), and "Send-Document" (hereinafter referred to as "SD"). If these commands are received, S10 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to S11.

[0019] The VJ command contains print settings information specified by PC10. Specifically, the VJ command may include post-processing data, the parameter "copies", and the parameter "job-pages-per-set". Below, the parameter "job-pages-per-set" will be referred to as the parameter "jpps".

[0020] The CJ command contains the same information as the VJ command. That is, both the VJ and CJ commands contain the print settings information specified by PC10. The SD command may include a job ID, data format information, and image data. The job ID is information that identifies the job. The data format information indicates the data format of the image data included in the print job data. The data format information can be PWG (Printer Working Group) raster format, PDF (Portable Document Format) format, or "AUTO".

[0021] In S11, the parameter "jpps" included in the VJ command is used to determine whether the number of pages per copy is indicated. Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the differences in image data and parameters included in the print job data. Figures 3 to 5 all show the image data and parameters included in the print job data when PC10 specifies printing two copies of image data with 3 pages per copy. However, the value of "copies" and the number of pages of image data included differ depending on the data format of the image data.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, when the data format information is "PWG raster format," the print job data sent from PC10 contains image data corresponding to the total number of pages in the print run. In this example, the print job data contains image data for 6 pages (3 pages x 2 copies). In this case, the parameter "jpps" is "2 copies of 3 pages," representing the number of copies ("2") and the number of pages per copy ("3"). The parameter "copies" is "1," indicating the number of copies of the image data included in the print job data.

[0023] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, in print job data, the data format information may be "PWG raster format" and the parameter "jpps" may be "NULL". In this case as well, the print job data contains image data for 6 pages (3 pages x 2 copies). The parameter "copies" also shows a value of "1", which indicates the number of copies of the image data included in the print job data.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, when the data format information is "PDF format," the print job data sent from PC10 includes image data corresponding to the number of pages per copy. In this example, the print job data includes only image data for 3 pages (3 pages x 1 copy), and does not include image data for the total number of copies specified by PC10. The parameter "jpps" is a value of "2 copies of 3 pages," representing the number of copies ("2") and the number of pages per copy ("3"). The parameter "copies" is a value of "2," indicating the number of copies of the image data included in the print job data.

[0025] If S11 is judged positively, the process proceeds to S12, where the number of copies specified by the parameter "jpps" and the number of pages per copy are stored in memory 28. In S13, 1 is assigned to the variable C stored in memory 28. In other words, in S13, even if the parameter "copies" included in the VJ command indicates 2 copies, the variable C, which represents "1", is stored in memory 28.

[0026] If the parameter "jpps" is "NULL" (S11: NO), the process proceeds to S14, and the NULL flag is stored in memory 28. In S15, it is determined whether the parameter "copies" is specified. If the parameter "copies" is specified (S15: YES), the process proceeds to S16, and the number of copies indicated by the parameter "copies" is assigned to variable C. On the other hand, if the parameter "copies" is not specified (S15: NO), the process proceeds to S17, and the default value is assigned to variable C. The default value is used when the number of copies is not specified in the print job data, and is stored in memory 28 beforehand. The factory default value for the MFP20 is "1". Note that the default value can also be changed to a different value of 2 or more through operations via the user interface.

[0027] In S18, it is determined whether secure printing is specified based on instructions from PC10. In this embodiment, it is determined that secure printing is specified based on instructions from PC10 if the print job data contains the parameter "job-password" which indicates authentication information. Secure printing is a function that allows printing of the print job data after the print job data has been stored in memory 28, provided that the password specified by "job-password" has been entered via user IF22. If the print job data contains the password "job-password", the process proceeds to S19, where the image data contained in the print job data is stored in memory 28.

[0028] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the steps of the process performed in S19 of Figure 2. In S30, it is determined whether or not print job data conforming to IPP has been received, that is, whether or not S10 in Figure 2 was determined to be YES. In this example, since the print job data conforms to IPP, the process proceeds to S31, where raster data determination processing is performed to determine the data format of the image data included in the print job data.

[0029] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for the process performed in S31. In S50, it is determined whether the print job data includes the parameter "Auto," which does not specify the image data format. If either "PWG raster format" or "PDF format" is specified by the SD command (S50:NO), the process proceeds to S51.

[0030] In S51, the SD command is used to determine whether "PWG raster format" is specified. If S51 is determined to be positive, the process proceeds to S52, where the format of the image data included in the print job data is set to "PWG raster format". On the other hand, if "PDF format" is specified by the SD command (S51: NO), the process proceeds to S55, where the image data format is set to "other than raster format".

[0031] In S50, if the SD command is set to "Auto" (S50:YES) and does not specify the image data format, the process proceeds to S53, where the image data included in the print job data is directly analyzed. In S54, if information indicating that the image data is in "PWG raster format" is detected, for example, if the string "Raster" is detected, the process proceeds to S52, where the image data format is set to "PWG raster format". On the other hand, if no information indicating that the image data is in "PWG raster format" is detected, the process proceeds to S55, where the image data format is set to "non-raster format". After the processing in S52 or S55 is completed, the process proceeds to S32 in Figure 6.

[0032] In S32 of Figure 6, if the image data format is determined to be PWG raster format (S32:YES), the process proceeds to S33, where it is determined whether the NULL flag is stored in memory 28 by the process in S14 of Figure 2. If the NULL flag is not stored (S33:NO), the process proceeds to S34 because the number of copies and the number of pages per copy are specified by the parameter "jpps".

[0033] In S34, image data corresponding to the number of pages indicated by the value stored in S12 is stored in memory 28. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, if the parameter "jpps" included in the print job data indicates "2 copies of 3 pages", the image data for 3 pages, which is the number of pages per copy, is identified from the image data included in the print job data and stored in memory 28. At this time, the image data for the first 3 pages from among the multiple image data included in the print job data is acquired as the image data corresponding to the number of pages per copy.

[0034] The processing in S34 only requires saving the image data contained in the received print job data; it does not need to save all the parameters contained in the print job data as they are. The concept of "saving the image data contained in the print job data" means that the image data may be saved directly to memory 28, or it may be converted to a different data format before saving. The same applies to the processing in S37 and S43, which will be described later.

[0035] In this embodiment, the parameter "jpps," which indicates the number of copies and the number of pages per copy, is an example of a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy. On the other hand, the parameter "jpps" being "NULL" is an example of the absence of a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy in the print job data. In addition to this, the absence of the parameter "jpps" itself in the print job data may also be interpreted as the absence of a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy in the print job data, and S33 may be rejected based on this interpretation.

[0036] In S35, the number of copies stored in memory 28 in S12 is associated with and saved to the image data corresponding to the number of pages per copy accumulated in S34. In the example shown in Figure 8, since "Number of copies: 2" is stored in S12 according to the value of the parameter "jpps", in S35, "Number of copies: 2" is saved in association with the image data.

[0037] In S36, the special processing flag is set to a value indicating "off". The special processing flag indicates whether or not to restrict the acceptance of copy quantity instructions via user IF22 during the cumulative printing process. As described later, if the special processing flag is "on", the acceptance of copy quantity instructions via user IF22 is restricted during the cumulative printing process. On the other hand, if the special processing flag is "off", the acceptance of copy quantity instructions via user IF22 is not restricted during the cumulative printing process.

[0038] If the NULL flag is stored (S33:YES) and the number of copies and the number of pages per copy are not specified in the parameter "jpps", the process proceeds to S37, where all image data included in the print job data is stored in memory 28. In the example in Figure 9, the image data for all copies (i.e., 2 copies), which is 6 pages, is stored in memory 28.

[0039] In S38, the number of copies is identified from the value assigned to variable C in S16 or S17, and stored in memory 28 in association with the image data saved in S37. In the example in Figure 9, since variable C is "1", "Number of copies: 1" is stored in association with the image data.

[0040] In S39, it is determined whether the print job data contains only one page of image data. Even if the NULL flag is stored (S33: YES), the print job data may still contain only one page of image data. If the print job data contains one page of image data (S39: YES), proceed to S36 and set the special processing flag to "off". On the other hand, if the print job data contains image data for multiple pages (S39: NO), proceed to S40 and set the special processing flag to "on". After completing the processing in S36 or S40, return to Figure 2 and terminate the process.

[0041] Even if the print job data contains only one page of image data, it is acceptable to configure the system to perform the S38 process, then proceed to S40, and set the special processing flag to "on". In this case, the S39 process can be omitted.

[0042] Alternatively, the processes S15 to S17 in Figure 2 may be omitted, and instead, the processes S15 to S17 in Figure 2 may be executed between the processes S37 and S38 in Figure 6. In other words, a configuration in which the execution timing of S15 to S17 is changed is also acceptable.

[0043] In S32, if the data format information indicates "PDF format" (S32:NO), the process proceeds to S41, where all image data included in the print job data is stored in memory 28. In S42, the number of copies is identified based on the value assigned to variable C in S16 or S17, and saved in association with the image data saved in S41. In S43, the special processing flag is set to "off".

[0044] Similarly to the omission of processes S15 to S17 in Figure 2, processes S22 to S24 may be omitted in Figure 2, and instead, processes S22 to S24 may be executed between processes S41 and S42.

[0045] In Figure 2, if secure printing from PC10 is not specified in S18 (S18:NO), the process proceeds to S20, and the print operation is performed on the image data. In this case, the image data included in the print job data is printed instead of being stored in memory 28.

[0046] In Figure 2, the configuration may be such that the decision in S10 is made immediately after the decision in S18, and if the decision in S18 is positive, the process proceeds to S19 to execute the storage process. In this case, instead of S33 in Figure 6, the presence or absence of the parameter "jpps" specified in S11 in Figure 2 may be determined, and in S34 and S35, the value of the parameter "jpps" may be directly referenced instead of the value stored in S12. Alternatively, the processes S15 to S17 in Figure 2 may be executed between the process in S37 and the process in S38.

[0047] Next, we will explain the case where MFP20 receives print job data that does not conform to IPP. If S10 in Figure 2 is deemed negative, the process proceeds to S21, where the parameter "jpps" is set to "not specified". In S22, it is determined whether the number of copies is specified by a parameter similar to the parameter "copies" based on the parameters included in the print job data. If the number of copies is specified (S22: YES), the number of copies specified by a parameter similar to the parameter "copies" is assigned to variable C, similar to S16 (S23). On the other hand, if the number of copies is not specified (S22: NO), the default value is assigned to variable C in S24, similar to S17. The default value assigned to variable C in S24 may be the same value as the value assigned to variable C in S17.

[0048] In S25, similar to S18, it is determined whether secure print is specified for the print job data. If S25 is determined to be positive, the process proceeds to S19, where the storage process is executed. If print job data that does not conform to IPP is received, the processing in S19 is the same as when PDF format print job data is received, with processing S41-S43 being performed, and in S43, the special processing flag is set to "off". In this case, in S42, the value assigned to variable C in either S23 or S24 in Figure 2 is saved in association with the image data stored in S41.

[0049] Next, Figure 10 will be used to explain the procedure for printing image data stored in memory 28. The process shown in Figure 10 is executed by the controller 23 on the condition that the user performs an operation to instruct the start of the stored print process on the waiting screen displayed on the user IF 22. When the controller 23 receives the instruction to start the stored print process, it displays the job selection screen 40 shown in Figure 11 on the user IF 22. The job selection screen 40 is a screen that accepts the operation to select the print job data to be printed from the print job data stored in memory 28. The job selection screen 40 includes selection icons 41A and 41B that accept the operation to select the print job data stored in memory 28. In the example in Figure 11, since image data etc. corresponding to two print job data are stored in memory 28, two selection icons 41A and 41B corresponding to each print job data are displayed.

[0050] First, we will explain using the example of selecting print job data on the job selection screen 40 where the data format information is "PWG raster format" and the special processing flag is set to "off". In S60, the system accepts the instruction to select print job data based on the operation received via user IF22. In S61, the initial value of the number of copies in the settings screen described later is set to the number of copies saved in association with the print job data selected in S60. Specifically, the number of copies saved in association with the image data in one of S35, S38, or S42 in Figure 6 is set as the initial value.

[0051] In S62, it is determined whether the special processing flag is set to "off". In this example, the special processing flag is set to "off" (S62: YES), so the process proceeds to S67. In S67, the settings screen is displayed to user IF22. As shown in Figure 12, the settings screen 50 is a screen that accepts operations for various settings in the accumulated print process.

[0052] The settings screen 50 includes a name display field 51, a copies display icon 52, a delete icon 53, and a start icon 54. The name display field 51 is a field that displays the name of the print job selected on the job selection screen 40. The copies display icon 52 includes a copies field 52A that displays the current number of copies in the print job, and icons 52B and 52C that accept operations to increase or decrease the number of copies. Here, the initial value of the number of copies displayed in the copies field 52A (shown as 2 in Figure 12) is the value set in S61. In this embodiment, the copies display icon 52 is an example of an operation icon that indicates the print job indicated by the parameter as the initial value.

[0053] The delete icon 53 accepts an instruction operation to delete the selected print job data from the memory 28 among the print job data displayed in the name display field 51. The start icon 54 accepts an instruction operation to start printing for the selected print job data among the print jobs displayed in the name display field 51.

[0054] S69 receives instructions corresponding to operations on the settings screen 50. When the user operates icons 52B and 52C to increase or decrease the number of copies displayed in the number of copies field 52A, the value of the number of copies stored in memory 28 in association with the image data is changed. For example, if the controller 23 detects an operation on icon 52B on the settings screen 50 shown in Figure 12, it changes the number of copies from "2" to a value corresponding to the number of times icon 52B has been operated. Here, we will continue the explanation assuming that no change was made to the number of copies on the settings screen 50.

[0055] When it is detected that a start operation has been performed on the start icon 54 on the settings screen 50 (S70: YES), the process proceeds to S71, and printing of the specified number of copies begins using the image data selected on the settings screen 50 from the image data stored in memory 28. In this embodiment, operating the start icon 54 displays the printing continuation screen 55 shown in Figure 13 to the user IF22. In this example, the data format information is "PWG raster data" and the special processing flag is set to "off," so as shown in Figure 8, the image data per copy stored in memory 28 is printed a number of times (2 times) corresponding to the number of copies stored in association with this image data. If the number of copies is changed from "2" to "3" in S69, then in S71, the image data per copy stored in memory 28 is used to print a number of times (3 times) specified by the number of copies. When the process in S71 is completed, the accumulated printing process is terminated.

[0056] Next, we will explain using the example of selecting a print job data on the job selection screen 40 where the data format information is "PWG raster format" and the special processing flag is set to "on". Since the special processing flag is set to "on" (S62:NO), proceed to S63.

[0057] In S63, it is determined whether or not the number of copies can be changed. In this embodiment, if the setting value 30 stored in memory 28 indicates a value that allows the number of copies to be changed, S63 is judged affirmatively, and if the setting value 30 indicates a value that does not allow the number of copies to be changed, S63 is judged negatively. The value of the setting value 30 stored in memory 28 can be changed on a screen not shown displayed on user IF22. At the time of factory shipment of the MFP20, the value of setting value 30 is set to a value that allows the number of copies to be changed. It is also possible to change the setting value 30 to a value that does not allow the number of copies to be changed by operation via user IF22. In addition, the value of setting value 30 may be a value that does not allow the number of copies to be changed at the time of factory shipment of the MFP20.

[0058] If the setting value 30 is a value that allows changing the number of copies (S63: YES), the process proceeds to S64, and a warning screen is displayed to user IF22. As shown in Figure 14, warning screen 60 is a screen that displays a warning message to the user that the number of copies specified by PC10 has been changed by user IF22. This is because the parameter "jpps" does not indicate the number of pages per copy, and memory 28 has image data for the entire number of copies stored, so changing the number of copies may result in printing an unintended number of pages.

[0059] One example of a process executed by controller 23 in S64 is "displaying a warning on user IF22". In S64, instead of a warning message, a graphic or color may be displayed to indicate a warning. The warning may be displayed within the settings screen 50, rather than before it is displayed. The graying out of the copy count icon 52, which is performed in S68 as described later, is one example of a color display used to indicate a warning within the settings screen 50.

[0060] If the close icon 61 included in the warning screen 60 is operated (S65:YES), the warning screen 60 is hidden and the process proceeds to S67.

[0061] If the setting value 30 stored in memory 28 is a value that does not allow changes to the number of copies (S63: NO), the process proceeds to S66, where changes to the number of copies by operations on the setting screen 50 are disabled. In S68, the setting screen 50 is displayed on the user IF. In S68, the setting screen 50 displayed on the user IF 22 shows the number of copies display icon 52 grayed out, as shown in Figure 15, and the user IF 22 is unable to accept operations to change the number of copies. In this case, in S69, operations are accepted only if the user operates the delete icon 53 or the start icon 54 on the print job displayed in the name display field 51.

[0062] In this embodiment, the processing in S64, S66, and S68 performed by the controller 23 is an example of "restricting the number of copies specified via the user IF22". Other configurations include accepting operations via the user IF22 but not changing the number of copies, or accepting operations to change the number of copies but printing the image data included in the print job data for the number of copies specified by the parameter "copies" included in the print job data, regardless of the operation. One example of the first operation is graying out the number of copies display icon 52 on the setting screen 50 in S67 and S68, and another example of the first operation is displaying the warning screen 60 on the user IF22 in S64.

[0063] As a restriction on the number of copies specified via user IF22, only one of the following may be performed: displaying the warning screen 60 in S64 or graying out the number of copies display icon 52 in S68. In this case, if the special processing flag is set to "off" (S62:NO), the process may proceed to S64 and display the warning screen 60. Alternatively, the result of S62 may be rejected, and the process may proceed directly to S66.

[0064] When a start operation is detected on the settings screen 50 (S70:YES), the process proceeds to S71, and printing is started for the print job data using the image data stored in memory 28. In this example, the data format information is "PWG raster data" and the special processing flag is set to "on," so as shown in Figure 9, all the image data stored in memory 28 is associated with this image data and printed a number of times (1 time) corresponding to the number of copies saved.

[0065] Next, we will explain using an example of accumulating and printing print job data where the data format information is "PDF format" and the special processing flag is set to "off". Since the special processing flag is set to "off" (S62:YES), the process proceeds to S67, and the settings screen 50 is displayed to the user IF22. In S69, instructions corresponding to the operation on the settings screen 50 are received. When it is detected that the user has performed a start operation by operating the start icon 54 on the settings screen 50 (S70:YES), the process proceeds to S71, and printing of the print job for the specified number of copies is started. In this example, since the data format information is "PDF format", the memory 28 stores image data for each copy. The controller 23 uses the image data for each copy stored in the memory 28 to perform printing a number of times corresponding to the current number of copies.

[0066] Note that when accumulating and printing print job data that does not conform to IPP, the special processing flag is set to "off," and processing S60-S62, S67, S69-S71 should be executed as is the case for print job data with data format information in "PDF format," so the explanation is omitted.

[0067] The embodiment described above can achieve the following effects. When the MFP20's controller 23 receives print job data containing image data for multiple copies in accordance with IPP, if the correspondence between the multiple image data and the number of pages per copy is clearly defined by the parameter "jpps", it will print the multiple copies according to the number of copies specified via the user IF22. On the other hand, if the correspondence between the image data and the number of pages per copy is unclear, the acceptance of the number of copies specified via the user IF22 will be restricted. As a result, the MFP20 can be provided with ease of use for printing multiple copies.

[0068] If the print job data contains image data for multiple copies and the number of pages per copy is not clearly specified by the parameter "jpps", the controller 23 stores all the image data for multiple copies in memory 28 and displays a warning regarding the number of copies on the user interface 22. This provides a user-friendly MFP 20 for printing multiple copies.

[0069] The controller 23 can switch between restricting the execution of print jobs with specified copy counts and displaying warnings via the user interface 22, according to the setting values ​​30 stored in the memory 28. This provides a user-friendly MFP 20 for printing multiple copies.

[0070] Controller 23 has decided not to impose any restrictions on the number of copies specified, even if the parameter "jpps" in the print job data indicates "NULL," as long as the print job data contains only image data for one page. This allows for a more user-friendly MFP20 by not imposing any restrictions on the number of copies specified in the print job data when the number of copies output from the MFP20 does not change due to the number of copies specified during the storage print process.

[0071] When the received print job data follows a protocol other than IPP, there are no restrictions on the number of copies specified by the user IF22. This allows for a more user-friendly MFP20 by removing restrictions on the number of copies specified in the copy count command when the number of copies output from the MFP20 does not change due to the copy count command during the storage print process.

[0072] The controller 23 displays a copy count icon 52 to the user IF 22, which initially shows the number of copies indicated by the parameter. When the controller accepts a change in the copy count instruction in response to an operation on the copy count icon 52, it prints the accumulated image data for the number of pages per copy a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the copy count icon 52. This allows the user to understand the number of copies even when the number of pages per copy is indicated by the parameter "jpps".

[0073] The technology disclosed herein can be modified in various forms without departing from its essence. The MFP 20 is described as an example of an image forming apparatus; however, the image forming apparatus may not necessarily include a scanner 24. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 10...PC, 20...MFP (Multi-Function Printer), 22...User Interface, 23...Controller, 25...Printer, 28...Memory

Claims

1. User interface and A printer and Controller and Memory and Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, The system can receive print job data in accordance with the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), store the received print job data in the memory, and perform a stored print process to print the image data contained in the stored print job data in the memory in response to instructions received via the user interface. In the stored print process, when a quantity instruction indicating the number of copies to print is received via the user interface, the system can perform printing for the number of copies indicated by the quantity instruction, based on the print job data stored in the memory. In the aforementioned storage printing process, If the print job data received according to the IPP includes image data for multiple copies and a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, Of the image data for multiple copies included in the print job data according to the received IPP, the image data for the number of pages per copy indicated by the specific parameter is stored in the memory. The accumulated image data for the number of pages per copy is printed a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the copy number instruction. If the print job data received according to the IPP contains image data for multiple copies and does not include the specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, The image data for multiple copies, which is included in the print job data according to the received IPP, is stored in the memory. An image forming apparatus configured to restrict the acceptance of the number of copies instruction via the user interface.

2. User interface and A printer and Controller and Memory and Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, The system can receive print job data in accordance with the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), store the received print job data in the memory, and perform a stored print process to print the image data contained in the stored print job data in the memory in response to instructions received via the user interface. In the stored print process, when a quantity instruction indicating the number of copies to print is received via the user interface, the system can perform printing for the number of copies indicated by the quantity instruction, based on the print job data stored in the memory. In the aforementioned storage printing process, If the print job data received according to the IPP includes image data for multiple copies and a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, Of the image data for multiple copies included in the print job data according to the received IPP, the image data for the number of pages per copy indicated by the specific parameter is stored in the memory. The accumulated image data for the number of pages per copy is printed a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the copy number instruction. If the print job data received according to the IPP contains image data for multiple copies, and does not include the specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, The image data for multiple copies, which is included in the print job data according to the received IPP, is stored in the memory. An image forming apparatus configured to display a warning regarding the number of copies indicated on the user interface.

3. User interface and A printer and Controller and Memory and Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, The system can receive print job data in accordance with the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), store the received print job data in the memory, and perform a stored print process to print the image data contained in the stored print job data in the memory in response to instructions received via the user interface. In the stored print process, when a quantity instruction indicating the number of copies to print is received via the user interface, the system can perform printing for the number of copies indicated by the quantity instruction, based on the print job data stored in the memory. The system can receive an operation via the user interface to instruct which of the first and second operations should be enabled for the storage and printing process, and can store a setting value indicating the enabled operation in the memory according to the received operation. In the aforementioned storage printing process, If the print job data received according to the IPP includes image data for multiple copies and a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, Of the image data for multiple copies included in the print job data according to the received IPP, the image data for the number of pages per copy indicated by the specific parameter is stored in the memory. The accumulated image data for the number of pages per copy is printed a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the copy number instruction. If the print job data received according to the IPP contains image data for multiple copies and does not include the specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, The image data for multiple copies, which is included in the print job data according to the received IPP, is stored in the memory. If the setting value indicating that the first operation is valid is stored in the memory, the acceptance of the number of copies instruction via the user interface is restricted. An image forming apparatus configured to display a warning related to the number of copies instruction on the user interface if the setting value indicating that the second operation is valid is stored in the memory.

4. In the aforementioned storage printing process, Even if the print job data received according to the IPP does not include the specific parameter, if it includes image data for one page as image data for the number of copies, The image data for one page included in the print job data according to the received IPP is stored in the memory. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, configured to print the accumulated image data for one page a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the number of copies instruction.

5. In the aforementioned storage printing process, If the received print job data follows a protocol other than IPP, All image data included in the print job data that conforms to a protocol other than IPP is stored in the memory. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, configured to print the accumulated image data for multiple copies a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the number of copies instruction.

6. In the aforementioned storage printing process, The user interface displays an operation icon indicating the number of copies to print, and can accept the instruction for the number of copies in response to an operation on the operation icon. If the print job data received according to the IPP includes image data for multiple copies and the specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, The user interface displays the operation icon that indicates the number of copies to be printed, as defined by the specific parameter, as the initial value. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in response to an operation on the operation icon, when a change in the number of copies instruction is accepted, the stored image data for the number of pages per copy is printed a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the operation icon.

7. User interface and A printer and Controller and Memory and Equipped with, The system can receive print job data in accordance with the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), store the received print job data in the memory, and perform a stored print process to print the image data contained in the stored print job data in the memory in response to instructions received via the user interface. In the stored print process, when a quantity instruction indicating the number of copies to print is received via the user interface, the system can perform printing for the number of copies indicated by the quantity instruction, based on the print job data stored in the memory. In the aforementioned storage printing process, If the print job data, which is based on the received IPP, contains image data for multiple copies and does not include a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, The image data for multiple copies included in the print job data according to the received IPP is stored in the memory. The acceptance of the number of copies instruction via the user interface is restricted, If the print job data received according to the IPP contains image data for one page, and does not include the specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, The image data for one page included in the print job data is stored in the memory. An image forming apparatus configured to print the accumulated image data for one page a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the number of copies instruction.

8. User interface and A printer and Controller and Memory and Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, The system can receive print job data in accordance with the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), store the received print job data in the memory, and perform a stored print process to print the image data contained in the stored print job data in the memory in response to instructions received via the user interface. In the stored print process, when a quantity instruction indicating the number of copies to print is received via the user interface, the system can perform printing for the number of copies indicated by the quantity instruction, based on the print job data stored in the memory. In the aforementioned storage printing process, If the print job data, which is based on the received IPP, contains image data for multiple copies and does not include a specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, The image data for multiple copies included in the print job data according to the received IPP is stored in the memory. A warning regarding the number of copies indicated is displayed on the user interface. If the print job data received according to the IPP contains the image data for one page, and does not contain the specific parameter indicating the number of pages per copy, The image data for one page included in the print job data according to the received IPP is stored in the memory. An image forming apparatus configured to print the accumulated image data for one page a number of times corresponding to the number of copies indicated by the number of copies instruction.

Images