U.S. patent application number 10/808289 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for image forming apparatus capable of performing trial printing, and image forming system.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Iwase, Akinori, Ogaki, Takeshi, Ogura, Kazuhiro, Takeda, Yoshiko.
Application Number | 20040179223 10/808289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 15494971 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040179223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iwase, Akinori ; et
al. |
September 16, 2004 |
Image forming apparatus capable of performing trial printing, and
image forming system
Abstract
An image forming apparatus having a receipt interface I/F, a
hard disk, and a printer section. The receipt interface I/F
receives pages of image data transmitted and a partial print
request signal requesting that only a part of the image data be
printed, both transmitted through a communication line. The hard
disk stores both the image data and the partial print request
signal. The printer section prints a part of the image data stored
in the hard disk, in response to the partial print request signal
that the receipt interface I/F has received.
Inventors: |
Iwase, Akinori;
(Yokosuka-shi, JP) ; Takeda, Yoshiko;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Ogura, Kazuhiro;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Ogaki, Takeshi; (Tama-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
|
Family ID: |
15494971 |
Appl. No.: |
10/808289 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10808289 |
Mar 25, 2004 |
|
|
|
09321828 |
May 28, 1999 |
|
|
|
6724492 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.13 ;
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 2215/0011 20130101;
G06K 2215/0082 20130101; G06K 15/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/001.13 ;
358/001.15 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 29, 1998 |
JP |
10-150345 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: receiving means for
receiving a plurality of pages of image data transmitted through a
communication line and receiving a partial print request signal
requesting that only a part of the image data be printed; storage
means for storing the image data and the partial print request
signal, both received at the receiving means; and printing means
for printing a part of the image data in response to the partial
print request signal stored in the storage means.
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes second printing means for printing a part
of the image data in response to the partial print request signal
stored in the storage means, upon receiving a partial print
instruction from a user through a control panel provided on the
image forming apparatus.
3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing a part
of the image data in response to the partial print request signal
stored in the storage means, upon receiving a partial print
instruction from a user through a control panel provided on the
image forming apparatus; and third printing means for printing all
pages of image data stored in the storage means, upon receiving an
all-page print instruction from the user through the control panel
after the second printing means has printed the part of the image
data.
4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes second printing means for printing a part
of the image data stored in the storage means, immediately in
response to the partial print request signal stored in the storage
means.
5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes second printing means for printing a part
of the image data stored in the storage means, together with an
image indicating that data printed is a part of the image data,
immediately in response to the partial print request signal stored
in the storage means.
6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing a part
of the image data in response to the partial print request signal
stored in the storage means, upon receiving a partial print
instruction from a user through a control panel provided on the
image forming apparatus; and third printing means for printing all
pages of image data stored in the storage means, upon receiving an
all-page print instruction from the user through the control panel
after the second printing means has printed the part of the image
data, said all-page print instruction demanding that the image data
be printed in a specific fashion.
7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing a part
of the image data stored in the storage means, immediately in
response to the partial print request signal stored in the storage
means; and third printing means for printing all pages of image
data stored in the storage means, upon receiving an all-page print
instruction from a user through a control panel provided on the
image forming apparatus after the second printing means has printed
the part of the image data, said all-page print instruction
demanding that the image data be printed in a specific fashion.
8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing a part
of the image data stored in the storage means, together with an
image indicating that data printed is a part of the image data,
immediately in response to the partial print request signal stored
in the storage means; and third printing means for printing all
pages of image data stored in the storage means, upon receiving an
all-page print instruction from a user through a control panel
provided on the image forming apparatus after the second printing
means has printed the part of the image data, said all-page print
instruction demanding that the image data be printed in a specific
fashion.
9. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing a part
of the image data in response to the partial print request signal
stored in the storage means, upon receiving a partial print
instruction from a user through a control panel provided on the
image forming apparatus; third printing means for printing all
pages of image data stored in the storage means, upon receiving an
all-page print instruction from the user through the control panel
after the second printing means has printed the part of the image
data, said all-page print instruction demanding that the image data
be printed in a specific fashion; and transfer means for
transferring data representing the specific fashion to a data
processing device which has transmitted the image data to the image
forming apparatus through the communication line, after the third
printing means has printed all pages of image data.
10. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing a part
of the image data stored in the storage means, immediately in
response to the partial print request signal stored in the storage
means; third printing means for printing all pages of image data
stored in the storage means, upon receiving an all-page print
instruction from a user through a control panel provided on the
image forming apparatus after the second printing means has printed
the part of the image data, said all-page print instruction
demanding that the image data be printed in a specific fashion; and
transfer means for transferring data representing the specific
fashion to a data processing device which has transmitted the image
data to the image forming apparatus through the communication line,
after the third printing means has printed all pages of image
data.
11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing a part
of the image data stored in the storage means, together with an
image indicating that data printed is a part of the image data,
immediately in response to the partial print request signal stored
in the storage means; third printing means for printing all pages
of image data stored in the storage means, upon receiving an
all-page print instruction from a user through a control panel
provided on the image forming apparatus after the second printing
means has printed the part of the image data, said all-page print
instruction demanding that the image data be printed in a specific
fashion; and transfer means for transferring data representing the
specific fashion to a data processing device which has transmitted
the image data to the image forming apparatus through the
communication line, after the third printing means has printed all
pages of image data.
12. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing a part
of the image data in color in response to the partial print request
signal stored in the storage means, upon receiving a partial color
print instruction from a user through a control panel provided on
the image forming apparatus; and third printing means for printing,
in color, all pages of image data stored in the storage means, upon
receiving an all-page color print instruction from the user through
the control panel after the second printing means has printed the
part of the image data in color.
13. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing, in
color, a part of the image data stored in the storage means,
immediately in response to the partial print request signal stored
in the storage means; and third printing means for printing, in
color, all pages of image data stored in the storage means, upon
receiving an all-page color print instruction from a user through a
control panel provided on the image forming apparatus, after the
second printing means has printed the part of the image data in
color.
14. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing, in
color, a part of the image data stored in the storage means,
together with an image indicating that data printed is a part of
the image data, immediately in response to the partial print
request signal stored in the storage means; and third printing
means for printing, in color, all pages of image data stored in the
storage means, upon receiving an all-page color print instruction
from a user through a control panel provided on the image forming
apparatus, after the second printing means has printed the part of
the image data in color.
15. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing, in
color, a part of the image data in color in response to the partial
print request signal stored in the storage means, upon receiving a
partial color print instruction from a user through a control panel
provided on the image forming apparatus; third printing means for
printing, in color, all pages of image data stored in the storage
means, upon receiving an all-page print instruction from the user
through the control panel after the second printing means has
printed, in color, the part of the image data, said all-page print
instruction demanding that the image data be printed in a specific
fashion in color; and transfer means for transferring data
representing the specific fashion to a data processing device which
has transmitted the image data to the image forming apparatus
through the communication line, after the third printing means has
printed, in color, all pages of image data.
16. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing, in
color, a part of the image data stored in the storage means,
immediately in response to the partial print request signal stored
in the storage means; third printing means for printing, in color,
all pages of image data stored in the storage means, upon receiving
an all-page color print instruction from a user through a control
panel provided on the image forming apparatus, after the second
printing means has printed the part of the image data in color,
said all-page print instruction demanding that the image data be
printed in a specific fashion in color; and transfer means for
transferring data representing the specific fashion to a data
processing device which has transmitted the image data to the image
forming apparatus through the communication line, after the third
printing means has printed, in color, all pages of image data.
17. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing means includes: second printing means for printing, in
color, a part of the image data stored in the storage means,
together with an image indicating that data printed is a part of
the image data, immediately in response to the partial print
request signal stored in the storage means; third printing means
for printing, in color, all pages of image data stored in the
storage means, upon receiving an all-page color print instruction
from a user through a control panel provided on the image forming
apparatus, after the second printing means has printed the part of
the image data in color, said all-page print instruction demanding
that the image data be printed in a specific fashion in color; and
transfer means for transferring data representing the specific
fashion to a data processing device which has transmitted the image
data to the image forming apparatus through the communication line,
after the third printing means has printed, in color, all pages of
image data.
18. An image forming system comprising: a plurality of data
processing devices for transferring image data to be printed and a
partial print request signal requesting that only a part of the
image data be printed, both through a communication line; and a
printing apparatus having: receiving means for receiving a
plurality of pages of the image data and the partial print request
signal from the data processing devices through the communication
line; storage means for storing the image data and the partial
print request signal, both received at the receiving means; first
printing means for printing a part of the image data in response to
the partial print request signal stored in the storage means;
second printing means for printing a part of the image data in
response to the partial print request signal stored in the storage
means, upon receiving a partial print instruction from a user
through a control panel provided on the image forming apparatus;
and third printing means for printing all pages of image data
stored in the storage means, upon receiving an all-page print
instruction from the user through the control panel after the
second printing means has printed the part of the image data.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a
printing system, such as a shared printer and a digital printing
system, which receive data from a plurality of clients though, for
example, a local area network (LAN) or the like.
[0002] Recently, more and more office automation (OA) apparatuses
have been connected to a LAN and used. Personal computers (PCs) and
the like are also connected to a LAN, and data is exchanged between
them. In many cases, a plurality of PCs share one printer, not each
PC having one printer connected to it. Each PC may receive data
from any other PC in the network and transmits it to the shared
printer in the network, whereby the shared printer prints the data.
Another PC called "server" is provided in the network to control
data that is to be transmitted to the shared printer.
[0003] Upon receipt of pieces of print data from a plurality of
PCs, the server stores them into a queue. The printer then prints
pieces of data sequentially, in the order they have been input to
the queue. Namely, the printer performs so-called "first in, first
out" process.
[0004] Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 10-11234 discloses
the technique of storing data into a queue and processing, thereby
to alter the setting of particular print data.
[0005] More specifically, one printer is connected two or more PCs
by a LAN. The printer can therefore receive pieces of print data
from the plurality of PCs. Thus, one printer is shared by a
plurality of PC users. In addition, the printer and the PCs can be
arranged more freely than otherwise. For example, each PC user can
put the PC on his or her desk, while the shared printer can be
installed at any place the PC users have agreed on.
[0006] A problem will arise, however, if the printer and the PC are
arranged so. Some users may have their PCs located relatively near
the printer, but some others inevitably have their PCs located far
from the printer. The PC users of the latter group have to walk a
long distance to take the printed sheets at the shared printer.
[0007] To make matters worse, the user may find that the printed
sheets are of lower quality than he or she really wants. For
example, the hatching over some printed characters in a
word-processed document happens to be darker or lighter than is
desired. In this case, the user needs to print the data again and,
hence, must walk back to his or her PC. The user must reset the
various print instructions on the PC, then push the print button,
and walk again all the way to the shared printer to take the new
printed sheets.
[0008] Thus, the user may need to spend much time to get desirable
printed sheets if his PC is located far from the shared printer and
if the sheets printed first by the printer are undesirable ones,
compelling him or her to walk back to the PC and reset the print
instructions on the PC.
[0009] As mentioned above, in a system comprising one printer and a
plurality of PCs, each PC user needs to walk to the printer to get
printed sheets unless the printer is installed just beside his or
her PC. Moreover, if the printed sheets are of undesirable quality,
the PC user must walk back to his or her PC to reset the print
instructions and push the print button, and must walk again to the
printer to take the sheet printed for the second time. As a
consequence, the PC user cannot get desirable print sheets
quickly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a printing
apparatus and a printing system, the system comprising at least one
printing apparatus and a plurality of personal computers and which
enables each user to reset print instructions at the printing
apparatus to get printed sheets of the quality the user
desires.
[0011] According to the invention there is provided an image
forming apparatus which comprises: receiving means receiving a
plurality of pages of image data transmitted through a
communication line and receiving a partial print request signal
requesting that only a part of the image data be printed; storage
means for storing the image data and the partial print request
signal, both received at the receiving means; and printing means
for printing a part of the image data in response to the partial
print request signal stored in the storage means.
[0012] The image forming apparatus, or the printer, prints at least
a part of the image data, not all the image data transmitted an
image data processing device through the communication line as in
the conventional printing system.
[0013] The user examines the printed sheets and, if necessary,
changes the print values by operating the control panel provided on
the printer. Then, the user operates the control panel to have all
image data printed at the printer.
[0014] Thus it can be prevented that all pages printed in
accordance with print values all set at a personal computer turn
out to have undesirable quality as may happen in the conventional
printing system. That is, all pages can be printed only when the
user checks at least one page printed for trial and then changes,
if necessary, the print values to desired ones on the control panel
of the printer. This helps the user to have sheets printed in the
desired quality, with ease and reliability.
[0015] Therefore, the user need not repeatedly walk between his or
her personal computer and the printer, to check the print quality
and change the print values, as in the conventional printing
system. Thus, the present invention provides a printing system that
enables the user to get quickly printed sheets of desired
quality.
[0016] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the
general description given above and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles
of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a printing system
having a digital copier according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically depicting the digital
copier;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data to be
transmitted from a personal computer to the digital copier;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an image of a paper sheet printed for trial;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of the queue management
table provided in the digital copier;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data to be
printed;
[0024] FIG. 7 shows an example of a user management table;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a flow chart explaining the ordinary printing that
the digital copier performs;
[0026] FIG. 9 is flow chart explaining the trial printing that the
digital copier performs;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a flow chart explaining the job deletion that the
digital copier performs;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of windows displayed
on the digital copier;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a diagram depicting a menu displayed on the
display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another menu displayed on the
display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing still another menu displayed on
the display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0032] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a different menu displayed on
the display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0033] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a menu displayed on the
display-display section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0034] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a different menu displayed on
the display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0035] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a menu displayed on the
display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0036] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a still another menu displayed
on the display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0037] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a different menu displayed on
the display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0038] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another menu displayed on the
display-input section of the control panel of the digital
copier;
[0039] FIG. 22 shows the driver management table incorporated in a
personal computer; and
[0040] FIG. 23 illustrates an example of the queue management table
incorporated in the digital copier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a printing system according to the invention.
The system comprises a digital copier (PPC) 1, a plurality of
personal computers (PCs) 2 and 3, and a local area network (LAN) 4.
The PPC 1 is used as a printer in the system. The LAN 4 connects
PCs 2 and 3 to the PPC 1. The PCs 2 and 3 are of the ordinary type.
Each can transmit print data to the digital copier 1. The digital
copier 1 receives the print data from any PC and prints the
data.
[0043] The PC 2 has a display section 2a and a keyboard 3a.
Similarly, the PC 3 has a display section 3a and a keyboard 3b.
[0044] The first embodiment of the invention will be described
below.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the digital copier
1, which is the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 2, the digital copier 1 comprises a scanner section 11 and
a printer section 12. When the copier 1 is used as an ordinary
copying apparatus, the scanner read an image signal from an
original document, and the image signal is supplied to the printing
section 12. The printer section 12 prints the image represented by
the image signal. The scanner section 11 has a CCD sensor (not
shown). The CCD sensor converts the light reflected from the
original document into an electric image signal. The printer
section 12 is an electro-photographic device. It prints the image
represented by the signal, on a sheet of paper. The printer section
12 may be replaced with an ink-jet printer.
[0046] The digital copier 1 further comprises a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) 13, a ROM 14 (Read Only Memory) 14, a RAM (Random
Access Memory) 15, a hard desk drive (HDD) 16, a network interface
(I/F) 17, a printer interface (I/F) 18, a scanner interface (I/F)
19, a control panel 20, a control panel interface (I/F) 21, a
sorter 22, a sorter control section 23, and a sorter control
interface (I/F) 24. The CPU 13 controls the other components of the
digital copier 1. The ROM 14 stores operating software. The RAM 15
is provided to store temporarily image data and other data for
operating the other components of the copier 1. The HDD 16 is used
to store various kinds of data. The network interface 17 transfers
signals between the LAN 4 and the other components of the copier 1.
The printer interface 18 receives signals to and supplies signals
to the printer section 12. The scanner interface 19 receives
signals to and supplies signals to the scanner section 11. The
control panel 20 receives various instructions and displays them
when operated by a user. The control panel interface 21 receives
signals to and supplies signals to the control panel 20. The sorter
22 sorts printed paper sheets into bins so that the sheets in the
same bin may be stapled into a copy of document. The sorter control
section 23 controls the sorter 22. The sorter control interface 24
receives signals to and supplies signals to the sorter control
section 23.
[0047] The control panel 20 has a display-input section 20a. The
display-input section 20a is designed to display and input data, as
will be described later in greater detail.
[0048] The digital copier 1 has a bus 25. The bus connects the CPU
13 to the ROM 14, RAM 15, HDD 16, network interface 17, printer
interface 18, scanner interface 19, control panel interface 21 and
sorter control interface 24. Signals are transferred through the
bus 25 between the components 13-19, 21 and 24.
[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates the data, which is transmitted from the
PC 2 in the LAN 4 to the digital copier 1 when the PC 2 gives a
print request to the digital copier 1. This data consists of a user
ID field 31, a job number field 32, a document name field 33, a
trial print mode field 34, a trial preceding mode field 35, a page
field 36, an initial value field 37, and a print data ID field
38.
[0050] To use the PC 2, the user performs log-in procedure,
inputting the user data into the PC 2 to identify himself or
herself. The user ID based on the user data is recorded in the user
ID field 3. The user ID is the code of the person who wishes to
have data printed by the digital copier 1. The PC 2 may give
several print requests to the digital copier 1. In this case, it is
necessary to manage the print requests. To this end, serial numbers
are assigned to the print requests. Each print request shall be
called "job" hereinafter. The serial numbers are recorded in the
job number field 32 and will be transmitted from the PC 2 to the
digital copier 1.
[0051] In the document name field 33, the name of the job is
recorded. The job name is assigned by the software used on the PC 2
to make the print request. The job name will be changed to one that
depends on the software.
[0052] The fields that characterize the present invention are the
trial print mode field 34, the trial preceding mode field 35, and
the page field 36.
[0053] In the trial print mode field 34, either "normal" or "trial"
is recorded. "Normal" indicates that normal printing has been
designated. If the job is "normal," the digital copier 1 will print
data in the same way as ordinary printers. If "trial" is recorded
in the trial print mode field 34, the printer section 12 will print
data for trial. To effect trial printing, the job is set in the
print queue 16a provided in the HDD 16, whereby the data is printed
for trial.
[0054] In the trial preceding mode field 35, either "normal" or
"pre-printing, trial print indication" is recorded. These values
indicate the types of trial print modes. In the page field 36, the
page to be printed for trial is recorded if "trial" and
"pre-printing, trial print indication" are recorded in the trail
print mode filed 34 and the trial preceding mode field 35,
respectively. In this case, the page is set in the print queue 16a
of the HDD 16. If "normal" is recorded in the trail print mode
filed 34, the values recorded in the trial preceding mode field 35
and page field 36 will be neglected. If "trial" and "normal" are
recorded in the trail print mode filed 34 and the trial preceding
mode field 35, respectively, the value recorded in the page field
36 will be neglected.
[0055] The trial print mode will be described in greater
detail.
[0056] This print mode is classified into the following three
sub-modes:
[0057] (1) Normal mode of trail printing
[0058] (2) Pre-print mode of trail printing
[0059] (3) Pre-print display mode of trial printing
[0060] These sub-modes will be explained below.
[0061] (1) To print data in the normal mode of trial printing, the
user operates the PC 2, setting this sub-mode. Then, the data shown
in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the digital copier 1. In the digital
copier 1, the data is stored into the print queue 16a of the HDD
16. The user cannot get the data printed, merely by storing it into
the print queue 16a. To have the data printed, he or she has to
walk to the digital copier 1 and operate the control panel 20 of
the copier 1 to designate the page he or she wants to print.
[0062] The user examines the data printed for trial on paper
sheets, to see whether the data has been printed in desired quality
(i.e., the print density and the like). If the data has not been
printed as he or she desires, the user operates the control panel
20 and gets the data printed for trial, repeatedly, until he or she
obtains the data printed in the very quality he or she desires.
[0063] (2) To print data in the pre-print mode of trail print, the
user operates the PC 2, setting this sub-mode and designating the
page he or she wants to have printed for trail. Then, the data
shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted to the digital copier 1. In the
digital copier 1, the data is stored into the print queue 16a of
the HDD 16. When the job is assigned to the printing of the data in
the print queue 16a, the digital copier 1 prints the designated
page of the data. Thus, the job is performed while the user is
walking to the copier 1, and the user can examine the data printed
no paper sheets upon arriving at the digital copier 1. If the data
has not been printed as desired, the user operates the control
panel 20 and gets the data printed for trial, repeatedly, as in the
normal mode of trial printing, until he or she obtains the data
printed in the very quality he or she desires.
[0064] (3) In the pre-print display mode, the user operates the PC
2, setting this sub-mode, whereby the digital copier 1 prints the
designated page of the data while the user is walking to the copier
1, as in the pre-print mode of trail print. In the pre-print
display mode differs from the digital copier 1 in that a sentence 7
is automatically printed at the head of each paper sheet 6 as is
illustrated in FIG. 4, indicating that the sheet is a trial print.
The sentence 7 may be replaced with a mark and may be printed at
any part of the paper sheet 6. The sentence 7 may be replaced with
the user ID, the user name, the job number, the document name, or
the like. If this is case, it will be easy for the user to identify
the job for which the trial printing has been made.
[0065] Management of print jobs and processing thereof will be
described in detail.
[0066] When the digital copier 1 receives from the PC 2 a print
request which includes the data shown in FIG. 3, the data is stored
into the print queue 16a provided in the HDD 16. FIG. 5 shows an
example of the queue management table 41 stored in the print queue
16a. Instead, the queue management table 41 may be stored in the
RAM 15 if it is small and the RAM 15 has a large storage
capacity.
[0067] The queue management table 41 shown in FIG. 5 consists of a
queue order field 42, a trial print mode field 43, a trial
preceding mode field 44, a page field 45, a user ID field 46, a job
number field 47, a document name field 48, a state field 49, a
receipt date-time field 50, and a file pointer field 51.
[0068] When received at the digital copier 1, the data shown in
FIG. 3 is stored into the queue management table 41. In the queue
order field 42, the numbers of jobs are stored in the order the
jobs are to be executed. Thus, the job of number "1" will be
executed first. In the trial print mode field 43, the value
recorded in trial print mode field 34 is recorded. In the trial
preceding mode field 44, the value recorded in the trial preceding
mode field 35 (FIG. 3) is recorded. In the page field 45, the value
recorded in the page field 36 (FIG. 3) is recorded. In the user ID
field 46, the value recorded in the page field 36 (FIG. 3) is
recorded. In the job number field 47, the value recorded in the job
number field 32 (FIG. 3) is recorded.
[0069] In the document name field 48, the value recorded in the
document name field 33 (FIG. 3) is recorded. In the state field 49,
the value showing the state of the job is recorded. More precisely,
either "printing proceeding" or "printing standby" is stored in the
state field 49. In the receipt date-time field 50, the date of
receiving the data of the job is stored. In the file pointer field
51, pointer data for the file, which contains the values recorded
in the initial value field 37 and print data ID field 38,
respectively, is stored.
[0070] In the present embodiment, the values recorded in the
initial value field 37 and print data ID field 38, both shown in
FIG. 3, are combined into one file 55, and the name of this file 55
is stored into the file pointer field 51 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is
a schematic representation of this file 55. The file 55 consists of
initial value data 56 and print data 57 and is stored in the HDD 16
incorporated in the digital copier 1.
[0071] As indicated above, any specified job recorded in the queue
management table 41, such as trial printing, can be carried out in
the digital copier 1 by operating the control panel 20. To enhance
the security of the print data, the HDD 16 stores a password table
in which user IDs and passwords for the user IDs are recorded.
[0072] FIG. 7 shows the password table 60. The password table 60 is
composed of a user ID field 61, a user full-name field 62, and a
password field 63. In the user ID field 61, user IDs are stored. In
the user full-name field 62, the full names of the users assigned
with the user IDs are stored. In the password field 63, the
passwords assigned to the users are stored. Since the full names of
the users and the like are difficult to input at the control panel
20 of the digital copier 1, the password table 60 is prepared as a
file in the PC and transmitted to the digital copier 1 by using
file transfer protocol. The password table 60 is thereby stored
into the HDD 16 of the digital copier 1.
[0073] The operation of the digital copier 1 will now be described.
Many tasks are performed in the digital copier 1. Of these tasks,
the printing routine, the trial printing routine and the
job-deleting routine will be explained in detail.
[0074] FIG. 8 is a flow chart explaining the printing routine.
First, the job having the smallest serial number is read from the
queue order field 42 of the queue management table 41, and the mode
for the job, which is recorded in the trial print mode field 43 of
the table 41, is confirmed (Step S10). Then, it is determined
whether the mode recorded in the trial print mode field 43 is the
trial print mode (Step S11).
[0075] If the mode recorded in the trial print mode field 43 is
"normal," not "trial," the name of the file, in which the ID and
initial value of the print data are recorded, is fetched from the
file pointer field 51 (Step S12). The print data is developed into
image data in the RAM 15 so as to be printed (Step S13). The image
data is supplied via the printer interface 18 to the printer
section 12, which prints the image data on paper sheets (Step S14).
Upon completion of the printing at the printer section 12, the file
in which the ID and initial value of the print data are recorded is
deleted, and the job is deleted from the queue management table 41
(Step S15). Thereafter, the operation returns to Step S10. In Step
S10, the job having the second smallest serial number is read from
the queue order field 42, and the mode for this job is
confirmed.
[0076] If it is determined in Step S11 that the mode recorded in
the trial print mode field 43 is "trial," the trial preceding mode
field 44 of the queue management table 41 is checked to see if the
mode is "pre-printing" or "trial print indication" (Step S16). If
the mode is "normal," not "pre-printing" or "trial print
indication," the job is skipped (Step S17), and the operation
returns to Step S10. In Step S10, the job having the third smallest
serial number is read from the queue order field 42, and the mode
for the job is confirmed.
[0077] If it is determined in Step S16 that the mode is either
"pre-printing" or "trial print indication," the name of the file in
which the ID and initial value of the print data are recorded is
fetched from the file pointer field 51 (Step S18). The print data
is developed into image data in the RAM 15 so as to be printed
(Step S19). Next, it is determined whether the value recorded in
the trial preceding mode field 44 is "trial" or not (Step S20).
[0078] If the value in the trial preceding mode field 44 is either
"pre-printing" or "trial print indication," the image data of the
page designated by the value recorded in the page field 45 is
supplied via the printer interface 18 to the printer section 12.
The printer section 12 prints this image data for trial on paper
sheets (Step S21). If the value in the trial preceding mode field
44 is "trial," the image data of the page designated by the value
recorded in the page field 45 is developed in the RAM 15, and a
mark indicating that the data is printed for trial is added to the
image data. The image data containing the mark is supplied via the
printer interface 18 to the printer section 12, which prints this
image data for trial on paper sheets (Step S22).
[0079] The operation goes to Step S23, in which the value in the
trial preceding mode field 44, which is "pre-printing" or "trial
print indication," is changed to "normal." The job is skipped (Step
S24), and the operation returns to Step S10. In Step S10, the job
having the fourth smallest serial number is read from the queue
order field 42, and the mode for the job is confirmed.
[0080] FIG. 9 is a flow chart explaining the trial printing
routine. The trial printing routine is started when the user walks
to the digital copier 1 and operates the display-input section 20a
of the control panel 20, thereby selecting the trial print
mode.
[0081] First, it is determined whether or not the printer section
12 of the digital copier 1 is printing a job (Step S30). If the
section 12 is printing a job, the print data of the job is saved
temporarily so that it may be printed later (Step S31). To be more
specific, the various values set, print data and the number of
pages already printed are stored, in the form of a file, into the
HDD 16 of the digital copier 1.
[0082] Next, the user operates the display-input section 20a of the
control panel 20, inputting his or her user ID (Step S32). The user
then operates the display-input section 20a, inputting his or her
password (Step S33). The user further operates the display-input
section 20a, inputting the number of the job he or she wants to
print for trial (Step S34). The queue management table 41 and the
password table 60 are checked to determine whether the user ID and
the password, thus input, are correct ones (Step S35). If the user
ID or the password, or both are not correct, this fact will be
indicated on the display-input section 20a of the control panel 20
(Step S36). Thus ends the trial printing routine.
[0083] If it is determined in Step S35 that the user ID and the
password are correct, the name of the file, in which the ID and
initial value of the print data are recorded, is fetched from the
file pointer field 51 (Step S37). The print data is developed into
image data in the RAM 15 so as to be printed (Step S38).
[0084] Then, the user operates the display-input section 20a,
setting various print values (Step S39). These print values are
print density, sorting mode, stable mode, stapling position,
double-side print, number of copies, and the like. To print color
images, additional print values, such as color saturation, color
balance, and the like, must be input. Also in Step S39, the page of
data to be printed for trial can be designated.
[0085] Next, it is determined whether or not the trial printing has
been designated, or whether a trial printing button displayed on
the display-input section 20a has been selected (Step S40). If YES,
that is, if the trial print button has been selected, the image
data of the pages, which are designated by the values set in Step
S39 and which are to be printed, is supplied through the printer
interface 18 to the printer section 12. The printer section 12
prints only the designated page of image data for trial on paper
sheets (Step S41). Then, the operation returns to Step S39. After
examining the quality of the image printed for trial, the user can
set, if necessary, different print values to have the same image
data printed in more desirable quality.
[0086] If NO in Step S40, that is, if the print button displayed on
the display-input section 20a has been selected, all pages of image
data are supplied via the printer interface 18 to the printer
section 12. The printer section 12 prints all pages of image data
on paper sheets in accordance of the print values set in Step S39
(Step S42).
[0087] Upon completion of the printing at the printer section 12,
the file in which the ID and initial value of the print data are
recorded is deleted, and the job is deleted from the queue
management table 41 (Step S43). It is then determined whether data
has been saved in Step S31 in any file (Step S44). If there is data
saved, the data is fetched from the file, and the job interrupted
at the start of the trial printing routine is resumed (Step S45).
Thus, the trial printing routine does end.
[0088] The job-deleting routine will be described, with reference
to the flow chart of FIG. 10. This routine is initiated when the
user comes to the digital copier 1 and operates the display-input
section 20a of the control panel 20, thereby selecting the
job-deleting mode.
[0089] First, the user operates the display-input section 20a,
inputting his or her user ID (Step S51). The user then operates the
display-input section 20a, thereby inputting his or her password
(Step S52). It is then determined whether the user ID and the
password are correct or not (Step S53). If the user ID and the
password are not correct, this fact is displayed on the
display-input section 20a of the control panel 20 (Step S54). The
job-deleting routine ends.
[0090] If it is determined in Step S53 that the user ID and the
password are correct, all data of the job is read from the queue
management table 41 (Step S55). The job data is displayed in the
form of a table on the display-input section 20a of the control
panel 20 (Step S56). Seeing the job data displayed, the user
operates the display-input section 20a designating the job to be
deleted (Step S57). Then, the file containing the initial value and
print data of the job and the job itself are deleted from the queue
management table 41 (Step S58). Thus ends the job-deleting
routine.
[0091] FIG. 11 shows a window 101 which is displayed on the display
section 2a of the PC 2, which is used to set the trial print mode
on the PC 2.
[0092] This window 101 is displayed to set print values for the
digital copier 1, while the PC 2 is using software. Hence, the
window 101 is displayed by the use of the driver software installed
in the PC 2 for driving the digital copier 1.
[0093] Shown in the window 101 are a trial print tab 102, a
density-adjusting tab 103, and a sheet-selecting tab 104. The trial
print tab 102 is used to designate trial printing. The
density-adjusting tab 103 is used to adjust the print density. The
sheet-selecting tab 104 is used to select sheets of a desired size.
One of these tabs 102, 103 and 104 is selected by moving a pointer
105 to the tab and clicking a mouse (not shown).
[0094] If the trial print tab 102 is selected to make the digital
copier 1 print data for trial, check buttons 106 to 109, page input
area 110, all-page area 111, job number area 112, OK button 113,
and cancel button 114 will be displayed in the window 110. The
check button 106 is selected to designate trial printing, a check
button 107 to designate the normal mode of trail printing, a check
button 108 to designate the pre-print mode of trial printing, and a
check button 109 to designate pre-print display mode of trial
printing. The page of data to be printed for trial is displayed in
the page input area 110. The number of all pages to be printed is
displayed in all-page area 111. The number of the job is displayed
in the job number area 112.
[0095] In order to print the data for trial, the user moves the
pointer 105 to the check button 106 and clicks the mouse, thus
setting the digital copier 1 in the trial print mode. Unless or
until the check button 106 is thus activated, the other check
buttons 107, 108 and 109 and the areas 110 and 112 remain
invalid.
[0096] While the check button 106 is active, only one of the check
buttons 107 and 108 can be activated. If the check button 107 is
activated, the pre-print mode of trail printing cannot be set, the
area 110 cannot be selected, and the check button 109 cannot be
activated.
[0097] If the check button 108 is activated, the trial printing
precedes the normal printing. In this case, the area 110 can be
selected and the check button 109 can be activated. While the check
button 10 remains active, the user may operates the keyboard 3a of
the PC 2, inputting the page he or she wishes to get printed for
trial and displaying the page in the area 110. If so, the number of
all pages of the document is displayed in the area 111. Any one of
the pages displayed in the area 111 can be designated and printed
for trial.
[0098] While the check button 108 remains active, the check button
109 can be activated to designate the printing of a mark indicating
that the data is printed for trial, as illustrated in FIG. 4, along
with the image data printed in the pre-print display mode of trial
printing. Unless the check button 108 is activated, the mark cannot
be printed.
[0099] Every time the digital copier 1 receives a print job, it
issues a serial number for the job to the PC 2. This serial number
is displayed in the job number area 112. The serial number is a
decimal four-digit number, which is easy to learn. When the digital
copier 1 receives a print job after the serial number has reached
"9999," the serial number will change to "0001."
[0100] The OK button 113 is selected by clicking the mouse while
the pointer 105 is pointing this button 113, after all values have
been set for trail printing as described above. The cancel button
114 is selected by clicking the mouse while the pointer 105 is
pointing the button 114, thereby to cancel all values that have
been set for trial printing.
[0101] Various menus, which the display-input section 20a of the
control panel 20 provided on the digital copier 1 can display, will
now be described.
[0102] FIG. 12 depicts the initial menu displayed on the
display-input section 20a. That is, a PPC-setting button 201, a
trail printing button 202, and a job-deleting button 203 are
displayed on the display-input section 20a when the power switch of
the digital copier 1 is turned on. The PPC-setting button 201 is
touched to use the copier 1 as an ordinary one and set various
print instructions. The print instructions are set in the known
manner and will not be described. The job-deleting button 203 is
touched to delete the job from the queue management table 41.
[0103] The trial printing button 202 will be described. After
designating the trial printing by selecting the buttons displayed
on the display section 2a and by operating the key board 3a, the
user comes to the digital copier 1. The user touches the trial
printing button 202 displayed on the display-input section 20a. As
a result, the display-input section 20a displays the menu shown in
FIG. 13.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 13, this menu consists of a user ID area
231, a password area 232, a job number area 233, a character key
pad 234, a reset button 235, and an input button 236.
[0105] First, the user inputs his or her user ID in the area 231,
by touching the selected keys of the character keypad 234. If the
user makes a wrong user ID, he or she touches the reset button 235,
thereby clearing the wrong user ID. After inputting the user ID in
the area 231, the user touches the input button 236. Then, the user
touches the selected keys of the character key pad 234, thereby
inputting his or her password. The password is not displayed in the
password area 232. Rather, a prescribed number asterisks (*) or
underline bars (_) are displayed in the password area 232. After
inputting password, the user touches the input button 236. Then,
the user touches the selected keys of the character key pad 234,
inputting the job number in the job number area 233. Finally, the
user touches the input button 236. If the user has input a wrong
job number, an error message will be displayed, and he or she can
perform no further operations.
[0106] If the user has input a correct job number, the menu will
change to the new one shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the
new menu consists of a density tab 241, a sort tab 242, a
double-side print tab 243, and a copy number tab 244. While each of
these tabs remains selected, the value for the tab can be set. FIG.
14 shows the case where the density tab 241 is selected. In this
case, a photograph mode button 245, a density scale 246, a
density-increasing button 247, a density-decreasing button 248, a
ten-key pad 249, a reset button 250, a trial print page area 251, a
total page number area 252, a trial print button 253, and a print
button 254 are displayed in the menu.
[0107] The user may touch the photograph mode button 245 to print a
document in photograph mode. The button 245 is displayed in reverse
mode as long as it remains active.
[0108] On the density scale 246, a mark 255 indicates the density
selected at present. The user may touch the density-increasing
button 247 to shift the mark 255 toward the upper limit, thereby to
increase the print density. Alternatively, the user may touch the
density-decreasing button 248 to shift the mark 255 toward the
lower limit, thereby to decrease the print density.
[0109] The ten-key pad 249 is provided for inputting a page number
in the trial print page area 251 that is displayed below the
ten-key pad 249. The number displayed in the trial print page area
251 is cleared when the reset key 250 is touched.
[0110] In the total page number area 252, the total page number of
the document is displayed. The trial print button 253 is touched to
print the page of the document, which is displayed in the trial
print page area 251. When the button 253 is touched, the menu as
shown in FIG. 14 does not change at all.
[0111] When the print button 254 is touched, all pages of the
document are printed on paper sheets in accordance of the print
values that have been set as described above. When the digital
copier 1 finishes printing all pages of the document, the menu
automatically changes back to the initial menu of FIG. 12.
[0112] If the user selects the sort tab 242, the display-input
section 20a will displays the menu shown in FIG. 15. This menu has
a stable button 260, a sort button 261, a group button 262, an
upper staple position button 263, a middle staple position button
264, a lower staple position button 265, a staple position area
266, a ten-key pad 249, a reset button 250, a trial print page area
251, a total page number area 252, a trial print button 253, and a
print button 254.
[0113] The user may touch the staple button 260 to staple printed
sheets into a copy of document. While the button 260 remains
active, it is displayed in reverse mode, enabling the user to
activate the upper staple position button 263, middle staple
position button 264 and lower staple position button 265. If the
upper staple position button 263 is activated, the copied sheets
will be stapled at the upper margin. If the middle staple position
button 264 is activated, the copied sheets will be stapled at the
middle margin. If the lower staple position button 265 is
activated, the copied sheets will be stapled at the lower margin.
Only one staple position button can be activated at a time. The
staple position selected is schematically indicated in the staple
position area 266.
[0114] The user may touch the sort button 261 to sort copied paper
sheets into bins. The group button 262 is touched to sort copied
sheets, thereby to make groups. The sort button 261 and the group
button 262 cannot be selected at the same time. The ten-key pad
249, reset button 250, trial print page area 251, total page number
area 252, trial print button 253 and print button 254 are identical
in function to those displayed in the menu of FIG. 14.
[0115] If the user selects the double-side print tab 243, the
display-input section 20a will displays the menu shown in FIG. 16.
The menu has a double-side print button 268, a single-side print
button 269, a ten-key pad 249, a reset button 250, a trial print
page area 251, a total page number area 252, a trial print button
253, and a print button 254.
[0116] The user may touch the double-side print button 268 to print
any two consecutive pages of data on the two side of a paper sheet,
respectively. Alternatively, the user may touch the single-side
print button 269 to print each page of data on one side of a paper
sheet.
[0117] The ten-key pad 249, reset button 250, trial print page area
251, total page number area 252, trial print button 253 and print
button 254 are identical in function to those displayed in the menu
of FIG. 14.
[0118] If the user selects the copy number tab 244, the
display-input section 20a will displays the menu shown in FIG. 17.
This menu has a copy number area 270, a copy number button 271, a
trial print page button 272, a ten-key pad 249, a reset button 250,
a trial print page area 251, a total page number area 252, a trial
print button 253, and a print button 254.
[0119] While this menu remains displayed on the display-input
section 20a, the user can set a desired number of copies. Once the
copy number setting button 271 has been activated, the user can
operate the ten-key pad 249 and can activate the reset button 250
to set any desired number of trial copies. The desired number of
trial copies, set by operating the ten-key pad 249, is displayed in
the copy number area 270. The user then touches the trial print
page button 272, whereby he or she can operates the ten-key pad 249
and activate the reset button 250 to designate the page that should
be printed for trial. As long as the trial print page button 272
remains active, the ten-key pad 249, reset button 250, trial print
page area 251, total page number area 252, trial print button 253
and print button 254 function in the same way as those displayed in
the menu of FIG. 14.
[0120] How the digital copier 1 operates while set in monochrome
printing mode has been described above. Nonetheless, the digital
copier can be set into color print mode. It will now be described
how the copier 1 operates in the color-printing mode.
[0121] When the user sets the copier 1 into color print mode, the
menu shown in FIG. 18 is displayed on the display-input section
20a. The menu has a sort tab 242, a double-side print tab 243, a
copy number tab 244, a density-saturation tab 280, and a color
balance tab 281.
[0122] The menu shown in FIG. 18 is displayed while the
density-saturation tab 280 remains selected. The menu further has a
density scale 246, a density-increasing button 247, a
density-decreasing button 248, a color saturation scale 282, a
saturation-increasing button 283, a saturation-decreasing button
284, a ten-key pad 249, a reset button 250, a trial print page area
251, a total page number area 252, a trial print button 253, and a
print button 254.
[0123] How the color saturation is set at a desired value will be
explained below. The color saturation scale 282 has a mark 285 that
indicates the color saturation set at present. The user may touch
the saturation-increasing button 283 to shift the mark 285 toward
the upper limit, thereby to increase the color saturation. Instead,
the user may touch the saturation-decreasing button 284 to shift
the mark 285 toward the lower limit, thereby to decrease the color
saturation.
[0124] When the user touches the color balance tab 281 to adjust
the color balance, the display-input section 20a displays the menu
shown in FIG. 19. The menu of FIG. 19 has a cyan density scale 290,
a cyan-density increasing button 291, a cyan-density decreasing
button 292, a magenta density scale 294, a magenta-density
increasing button 295, a magenta-density decreasing button 296, a
yellow density scale 298, a yellow-density increasing scale 299, a
yellow-density decreasing scale 300, a black density scale 302, a
black-density increasing button 303, and a black-density decreasing
button 304. The menu further has a ten-key pad 249, a reset button
250, a trial print page area 251, a total page number area 252, a
trial print button 253, and a print button 254.
[0125] To adjust the cyan density, the user touches the
cyan-density increasing button 291 or the cyan-density decreasing
button 292, whereby a mark 293 moves on the cyan density scale 290.
To adjust the magenta density, the user touches the magenta-density
increasing button 295 or the magenta-density decreasing button 296
to adjust the magenta density, whereby a mark 297 moves on) the
magenta density scale 294. In order to adjust the yellow density,
the user touches the yellow-density increasing button 299 or the
magenta-density decreasing button 300 to adjust the magenta
density, whereby a mark 301 moves on the yellow density scale 298.
To adjust the black density, the user touches the yellow-density
increasing button 299 or the magenta-density decreasing button 300
to adjust the magenta density, whereby a mark 301 moves on the
yellow density scale 298.
[0126] While the display-input section 20a is displaying the
initial menu shown in FIG. 12, the user may touch the job-deleting
button 203 in order to delete the job from the queue management
table 41.
[0127] In this case, the display-input section 20a displays the
menu shown in FIG. 20, instead of the initial menu (FIG. 12). The
menu of FIG. 20 has a user ID area 321, a password area 322, a
character keypad 323, a reset button 324, and an input button
325.
[0128] At first, the user inputs his or her user ID in the area
321, by touching the selected keys of the character keypad 323. If
the user makes a wrong user ID, he or she touches the reset button
324, thereby clearing the wrong user ID. After inputting the user
ID in the area 321, the user touches the input button 325. The user
then touches the selected keys of the character keypad 323, thereby
inputting his or her password. The password is not displayed in the
password area 322. Rather, a prescribed number asterisks (*) or
underline bars (_) are displayed in the password area 322. After
inputting password, the user touches the input button 325. If a
wrong password has been input, the display-input section 20a will
displays an error message. In this case, the user cannot user the
digital copier 1.
[0129] If the user has input the correct password, the
display-input section 20a will display a job deletion menu. For
example, the section 20a displays the job deletion menu for user B,
which is shown in FIG. 21. As shown in FIG. 21, the menu has a user
name area 330, a job list area 331, and a deletion button 332. The
jobs which user B has performed and which are recorded in the queue
management table 41 are displayed in the job list area 331. Seeing
these jobs displayed in the area 331, User B touches any job he or
she wishes to delete. Then, the job thus selected is displayed in
reverse mode. When user B touches the deletion button 332, the job
selected is deleted.
[0130] The second embodiment of the present invention will be
described.
[0131] In the second embodiment, the print values, which have been
set in any personal computer (PC 2, PC 3) shown in FIG. 1 to make a
print request to the digital copier 1, are stored in the personal
computer. If the print values are changed in the digital copier 1
to new values, the new print values are transmitted to the personal
computer. Hence, the same file can be printed again in the new
print values, even if some of the print values, such as print
density, are altered to print the file for trial.
[0132] The print driver provided in the personal computer (PC 2, PC
3) that makes a print request has the driver management table 340
shown in FIG. 22 to store the print values. The driver management
table 340 is recorded on a hard disk (not shown) provided in the
personal computer (PC 2, PC 3). The driver management table 340
provided in, for example, PC 2 will be described.
[0133] As shown in FIG. 22, the driver management table. 340
consists of a path/file name field 350, an issue date field 351, a
document name field 352, and a set value field 353.
[0134] The paths and file names on the PC 2 are recorded in the
path/file name field 350, so that the files containing the
documents, for which a print request has been made, may be
identified. The date of making the print request is recorded in the
issue date field 351. The name of the document is recorded in the
document name field 352. And the print values set, such as the
density, are recorded in the set value field 353.
[0135] When the driver management table 340 becomes full of data,
the old data is erased from the issue date field 351 and new data
is stored therein. Thus, the print driver provided in the PC 2
holds the data set when the print request is made in the PC 2.
[0136] FIG. 23 illustrates the queue management table 400 provided
in the digital copier 1. As FIG. 23 shows, the table 400 consists
of a queue order field 354, a trial print mode field 355, a trial
preceding mode field 356, a page field 357, a user ID field 358, a
job number field 359, a document name field 360, a state field 361,
a receipt date-time field 362, a PC address field 363, and a file
pointer field 364. The queue management table 400 is recorded, for
example, on the hard disk provided in the digital copier 1.
[0137] This table 400 differs from the queue management table 41
used in the first embodiment, only in that it has an additional
field, i.e., the PC address field 363. Therefore, the other fields
of the table 400 will not be described.
[0138] In the PC address field 363, the address of any PC that has
sent a print job to the digital copier 1. The header of any data
packet transmitted via the LAN usually contains the source address
and the destination address. Thus, the address of the PC is
acquired from the header of the data packet and is recorded in the
PC address field 363.
[0139] Then, in Step S39 (FIG. 9), the various print values are
changed. More precisely, the address of the PC which has sent the
job is read from the queue management table 400 after all pages of
the image data are printed in Step S42. The digital copier 1
transmits the data representing the print values to the PC having
this address. Upon receipt of this data from the copier 1, the
print driver provided in the PC writes the data in the set value
field 353 of the driver management table 340, deleting the data
that has recorded therein before.
[0140] The print values set for the file and changed in the PC to
achieve trial printing in the digital copier 1 can thereby be
restored to ones initially set in the copier 1 for the file. Hence,
the file can be printed again in the print values set in the
digital copier 1.
[0141] As has been described, the embodiments of the present
invention enable the user of a personal computer connected to a LAN
to reset print instructions easily at the printer or digital copier
connected to the LAN, thereby to get printed sheets of the quality
he or she desires.
[0142] As has been described in detail, the present invention can
provide a printing apparatus and a printing system, which comprises
at least one printer and a plurality of personal computers and
which enables each user to reset print instructions at the printer
to get printed sheets of the quality he or she desires.
[0143] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *