US9270860B2 - Data processing method, image forming apparatus and computer-readable storage medium for storing data in a plurality of boxes assigned as storage areas - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of this invention is to improve user friendliness of the box function. In a system having a storage means capable of storing data in a plurality of data storage boxes including first and second boxes, when the first job data transmitted without performing any predetermined operation by the user in the data generation apparatus is stored in the storage means, acceptance of a process request for the first job data from the first user via the first display associated with the first box on a user interface is permitted. When the second job data transmitted after performing the predetermined operation by the user is stored in the storage means, acceptance of a process request for the second job data from the first user via the first display associated with the first box on the user interface is permitted. In addition, acceptance of a process request for the second job data from the second user via the second display associated with the second box on the user interface is permitted.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application filed under 35 U.S.C. §111(a) and 37 C.F.R. §1.53(b) of copending International Application No. PCT/JP2005/012937 having an international filing date of Jul. 13, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a job processing method for a system including a data processing apparatus capable of storing data in a plurality of boxes, a data processing system, a data processing apparatus, a computer program, and a storage medium.

BACKGROUND ART

There has conventionally been known a technique of temporarily storing, in the memory (e.g., hard disk) of a data processing apparatus (e.g., image forming apparatus), image data read by a scanner, or image data prepared by bitmapping PDL data sent from a host computer via a network. According to this technique, image data of an arbitrary document is repetitively read out from a memory and printed out.

Some image forming apparatuses of this type can connect a finisher having finishing functions such as stapling, punching, folding, and bookbinding functions.

There is also proposed an image forming apparatus in which the settings of the finishing functions, and job process conditions (e.g., double-sided printing) can be saved as job information together with input image data in the memory (e.g., hard disk) of the apparatus. The function of the data processing apparatus (e.g., image forming apparatus) is also called a box function. By using the box function, a plurality of storage areas (to be referred to as “boxes” hereinafter) can be so assigned as to be used for each user or each department. There is also proposed a method of designating an arbitrary box by the user and printing image data desired by the user under process conditions desired by the user (see, e.g., patent reference 1).

Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146115

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTIONProblems that the Invention is to Solve

However, the box function of the above-mentioned apparatus has a limitation that only one box can be designated as a recording destination (save destination) by one job. For example, when document data is to be saved in a box prepared in the hard disk of the image forming apparatus, document data to be processed (a series of document data by one job) cannot be simultaneously saved in a plurality of boxes. In this situation, to save the same document data in a plurality of boxes in the conventional image forming apparatus, the user must repeat the same operation a plurality of number of times. For example, to save the same job in three boxes, the user must repeat a series of user operations three times: designation of a box, setting of printing conditions (setting of job information), and input of a job into a box.

The data processing apparatus should cope with a situation in which the same job data is distributed and stored in a plurality of boxes desired by the user among a plurality of boxes prepared in the memory of the data processing apparatus. On the assumption of this situation, there should be provided a mechanism capable of distributing and saving the same job data in a plurality of boxes desired by the user by simple operation. The burden on the user is desirably minimized to improve operability.

In addition, it is considered more preferable to deal with the following situation. For example, when a conventional configuration as disclosed in the above reference is adopted, it is expected that the same image data is stored in a plurality of boxes. In the conventional configuration, it is expected that the same image data and their pieces of job information must be saved by the number of boxes. That is, in the conventional configuration, when image data are identical but have different job information, it is expected that the same image data must be repetitively recorded in a plurality of boxes in correspondence with the pieces of job information. Hence, the same image data is stored repetitively in different boxes in a memory (e.g., hard disk) which is a limited resource, thus limiting efficient use of the memory.

Therefore, demands have arisen for a user-friendly, convenient system capable of flexibly meeting various needs from various users for the box function provided by the data processing apparatus.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and has as its object to provide a job processing method, data processing system, data processing apparatus, computer program, and storage medium which can improve user friendliness of the box function.

Means of Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a job processing method for a system including a data processing apparatus having storage means capable of storing data in a plurality of data storage boxes including a first box and a second box is characterized by comprising

when first job data transmitted from a data generation apparatus is stored in the storage means without performing any predetermined operation by a user in the data generation apparatus, permitting acceptance of a process request for the first job data from a first user via first display which is executed by user interface means and associated with the first box, and

when the predetermined operation is performed by the user in the data generation apparatus and second job data transmitted from the data generation apparatus is stored in the storage means, permitting acceptance of a process request for the second job data from the first user via the first display which is executed by the user interface means and associated with the first box, and permitting acceptance of a process request for the second job data from a second user via second display which is executed by the user interface means and associated with the second box.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by a data processing system and data processing apparatus which are characterized by executing the job processing method, a computer program for causing a computer to execute the job processing method, or a computer-readable storage medium which stores the computer program.

Effect of the Invention

The present invention can improve user friendliness of the box function.

The present invention can flexibly cope with a situation in which the same job data is distributed and stored in a plurality of boxes desired by the user among a plurality of boxes prepared in the storage unit of the data processing apparatus. The present invention can provide a mechanism capable of distributing and saving the same job data in a plurality of boxes desired by the user by simple operation. In addition, the present invention can minimize the burden on the user to improve operability.

Further, for example, the present invention can preferably record a job to process image data in a plurality of boxes by one job, and reduce the amount of data recorded in each box to efficiently use the memory.

Moreover, for example, the present invention can provide a user-friendly, convenient system which can flexibly meet various needs from various users for the box function provided by the data processing apparatus.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the configuration of a network-compatible printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of animage forming apparatus100 inFIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an image forming apparatusmain body101 inFIG. 2 on which a finisher is mounted according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the key layout of anoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of the logical use method of animage memory107 of theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a window displayed on anLCD316 when abox key305 of theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100 is touched according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows an example of a box content window displayed on theLCD316 of theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts for explaining a box registration process sequence using theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a recording structure when image data and its job information are stored in a box area;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a recording structure when image data on a new document and its job information are stored in each box area in the state shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a detail storage process when a plurality of boxes are designated as recording destinations of new image data and its job information in step S805 ofFIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of an operation window (user interface) which is displayed on theLCD316 of theoperation unit102 shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 13 shows an example of a user interface window provided by ahost300 serving as an example of a data generation apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows another example of the user interface window provided by thehost300 serving as an example of the data generation apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by thehost300 serving as an example of the data generation apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 16 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by thehost300 serving as an example of the data generation apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 17 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by thehost300 serving as an example of the data generation apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 18 shows an example of a user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of a data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 20 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 21 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by thehost300 serving as an example of the data generation apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 22 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 23 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 24 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 25 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 26 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 27 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 28 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 29 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 30 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a view for explaining an example of the data structure status of a box prepared in thehard disk107;

FIG. 32 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 33 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 34 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 35 shows still another example of the user interface window provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The following embodiment will exemplify an image forming apparatus serving as a digital multi-functional apparatus having a plurality of functions (to be also referred to as “modes”) such as a copy function, print function, and facsimile function, and a printing system having the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the configuration of a network-compatible printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1, animage forming apparatus100 can communicate various data (transmit/receive data) via acommunication medium700 such as a network with aserver computer200, client computers A (300) and B (400) such as host computers, a digital multi-functional peripheral500 serving as another image forming apparatus having, e.g., the same configuration and functions as those of theimage forming apparatus100, and anInternet facsimile apparatus600. Theimage forming apparatus100 may communicate data wirelessly.

Theimage forming apparatus100 has a plurality of modes (plurality of functions) such as a copy mode, print mode, and facsimile mode. Theimage forming apparatus100 can cause its printer unit to perform a printing process via the storage unit (e.g., hard disk) of theapparatus100 for job data read by the scanner unit of theapparatus100, job data output from theclient computers300 and400, job data output from the scanner of the digital multi-functional peripheral500, job data output from theInternet facsimile apparatus600, or the like. Further, theimage forming apparatus100 can transfer the job data to anther apparatus via the communication unit of theapparatus100, and execute various output processes.

As a mechanical structure, theimage forming apparatus100 comprises an auto document feeder (so-called ADF) capable of successively, sequentially reading a plurality of document sheets automatically from the first page. Theimage forming apparatus100 comprises a plurality of sheet feed units (sheet feed cassettes) in its printer unit. The sheet feed units can store printing sheets of different medium types (different in printing paper size, printing paper type, and the like). A sheet can be selectively fed from a sheet feed unit desired by the user, and subjected to printing by the printer unit.

Theimage forming apparatus100 has a so-called sorting function of performing a sorting process for sheets printed by the printer unit, a stapling function of performing a stapling process for printing sheets, a punching function of performing a punching process (to be also referred to as a “punch process”) for a printing sheet printed by the printer unit, and a saddle stitch function of performing a folding process and bookbinding process for a sheet printed by the printer unit. The printer unit is equipped with a finisher as a sheet processing device for executing these sheet process functions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of theimage forming apparatus100 inFIG. 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 2, theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment is roughly formed from an image forming apparatusmain body101 and image input/output control unit105. The image forming apparatusmain body101 comprises anoperation unit102, reader unit (scanner unit)103, andprinter unit104.

Theoperation unit102 is used to operate the image forming apparatusmain body101 and image input/output control unit105. For example, theoperation unit102 comprises a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit and mechanical hard keys, and prompts the operator to make various settings. Thereader unit103 has a document feeder such as an ADF, executes a read process for a document image set on the document table, and outputs the read image data to theprinter unit104 and image input/output control unit105. Theprinter unit104 prints image data from thereader unit103 and image input/output control unit105 on a printing medium such as a printing sheet under printing process conditions set for job data.

The image input/output control unit105 comprises acontrol unit108 connected to thereader unit103, acomputer interface unit106 connected to thenetwork700, animage memory107, and abackup RAM110.

Thecomputer interface unit106 functions as an external communication unit, and is an interface between the print server (server computer)200 which is formed from a personal computer, work station (PC/WS), or the like, another external apparatus (each apparatus connected to thecommunication medium700 shown inFIG. 1), and thecontrol unit108. Thecomputer interface unit106 rasterizes code data (PDL) which is transferred from theserver computer200 and represents an image into image data which can be printed by theprinter unit104, and transfers the image data to thecontrol unit108. Thecomputer interface unit106 transmits/receives various data (e.g., command data, status request information, status information, and time data) other than image data to/from these external apparatuses. The data flow between thereader unit103, thecomputer interface unit106, and theimage memory107 is controlled by thecontrol unit108.

Thebackup RAM110 holds data even upon power-off, and saves important data which must be backed up in the image forming apparatusmain body101 and image input/output control unit105. That is, thebackup RAM110 comprises a storage area capable of storing and holding a plurality of job data (a series of image data), and can store and hold image data, job data, and the like input from thereader unit103 and external apparatus.

As described above, according to the embodiment, a plurality of print job data can be stored in thebackup RAM110 and sequentially processed. For example, even while theprinter unit104 executes printing operation for a given print job, print job data (image data) can be accepted on request from an external apparatus or the reader unit (scanner unit)103 of theimage forming apparatus100.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the image forming apparatusmain body101 inFIG. 2 on which a finisher is mounted according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 3, adocument feed device201 feeds document sheets one by one from the first sheet onto aplaten glass202, and at the end of document read operation, discharges the document sheet from theplaten glass202.

When a document is conveyed onto theplaten glass202, alamp203 is turned on, and ascanner unit204 starts moving to expose and scan the document. Light reflected by the document is guided to a CCD image sensor (to be referred to as a “CCD” hereinafter)209 bymirrors205,206, and207 and alens208. The scanned document image is read by theCCD209.

Alaser driver221 drives a laser-emittingunit210, and causes the laser-emittingunit210 to emit a laser beam corresponding to output image data. The laser beam irradiates aphotosensitive drum211, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on thephotosensitive drum211. A developer is attached from a developingunit212 to the latent image on thephotosensitive drum211. For example, a color image forming apparatus is equipped with developing units of four colors: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

A printing sheet is fed from any one ofcassettes213 and214 and a manualsheet feed stage227 at the timing synchronized with the start of irradiation with a laser beam. The printing sheet is conveyed to atransfer unit215, and the developer attached to thephotosensitive drum211 is transferred onto the printing sheet. The printing sheet bearing the developer is conveyed to afixing unit216, and the developer is fixed onto the printing sheet by the heat and pressure of the fixingunit216. The printing sheet having passed through the fixingunit216 is discharged viadischarge rollers217.

When double-sided printing is set, a printing sheet is conveyed to thedischarge rollers217, the rotational direction of thedischarge rollers217 is reversed, and then the printing sheet is guided to a sheet refeed conveypath219 by aflapper218. The printing sheet guided to the sheet refeed conveypath219 is fed to thetransfer unit215 at the above-mentioned timing.

When the image forming apparatus is equipped with a Z-folding unit226, a printing sheet is conveyed to the Z-folding unit and Z-folded in accordance with an operation from theoperation unit102. When the image forming apparatus is equipped with afinisher220, discharged printing sheets are bundled and sorted, punched by apuncher223, or stapled by astapler224 in accordance with designation by the user. When asaddle stitcher225 is used, printing sheets are stitched at the center, folded at the center, and bookbound.

Aninserter222 can feed, as a cover or slip sheet, a sheet which has undergone printing in advance, and in addition, can convey a paper sheet without any damage because the paper sheet does not pass through the printing sheet path of the printer unit. For a job which does not use thesaddle stitcher225, a paper sheet passes through adelivery port231 and is discharged to either ofmovable trays228 and229. Both of themovable trays228 and229 can move vertically, and when a paper sheet is to be output to themovable tray228, themovable tray228 is moved down to the position of thedelivery port231. For a job which uses thesaddle stitcher225, a paper sheet passes through thedelivery port232 and is discharged to abooklet tray230.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the key layout of theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 4, theoperation unit102 comprises anLCD316 serving as a display unit, and a mechanical hard key area. InFIG. 4,reference numeral301 denotes a power switch which controls power supply to the main body.Reference numeral302 denotes a preheat key which is used to switch the ON/OFF state of the preheat mode.Reference numeral303 denotes a copy A mode key which is used to select a copy A mode from a plurality of functions.Reference numeral304 denotes a copy B mode key which is used to select a copy B mode from a plurality of functions. Copy A and copy B provide the same copy function, but the embodiment describes the two copy modes separately for easy understanding of the user in order to permit input of the next copy when read of one copy by the scanner ends.

Reference numeral305 denotes a mail box key which is used to select a mail box mode from a plurality of functions. For the mail box function, a recording area is ensured in the internal memory of the image forming apparatus for each user or each department, and PDL data or scanned image data is stored in the recording area. The mail box function allows the user to output the stored data at an arbitrary timing.Reference numeral306 denotes an expansion key which is used to manipulate PDL data.

Thekeys303 to306 are used to invoke various function windows (to be described later) and display them on theLCD316. The user can check the status of each executed job from a window displayed on theLCD316.Reference numeral307 denotes a copy start key which is used to designate the start of copying.Reference numeral308 denotes a stop key which is used to suspend or stop copying.Reference numeral309 denotes a reset key which is used to return to a standard mode on standby.

Reference numeral310 denotes a guide key which is used when the user wants to know, e.g., details of each function of the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral311 denotes a user mode key which is used when the user changes basic settings of the system. Reference numeral312 denotes an interrupt key which is used to interrupt a job in execution (e.g., during copying) and execute another job (e.g., another copying).Reference numeral313 denotes a ten-key pad which is used to input a numerical value.Reference numeral314 denotes a clear key which is used to clear a numerical value.Reference numeral315 denotes an ID key which is used to shift to an ID input mode when the copying machine is used.

TheLCD316 functions as an LCD touch panel which is a combination of a liquid crystal screen and touch sensor, and displays a setting window unique to each mode. The user touches a key or the like on theLCD316, and can input various detailed settings. TheLCD316 also displays the operation statuses of various jobs and the like.Reference numeral317 denotes a tally lamp which represents a network communication state. Thetally lamp317 normally lights in green, blinks in green during communication, and lights or blinks in red when a network error occurs. Note that the UI is not limited to a touch panel type, and may be implemented by a key-operable configuration with a pointing device such as a mouse. In any form, the UI suffices to provide both a display function of displaying various types of information and an operation instruction function of inputting various instructions from the user.

Various operation window examples which are displayed on theLCD316 of theoperation unit102 under display control by thecontrol unit108, and various operation control examples based on user operation via these windows will be explained with reference toFIG. 12 and the like.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of an operation window (user interface) which is displayed on theLCD316 of theoperation unit102 shown inFIG. 4. As shown inFIG. 12, a display window1700 displayed on theLCD316 mainly has three display building components.

One display building component is afunction selection area1201 having operation instruction keys (operation buttons) for prompting the user to select a desired operation mode from a plurality of operation modes (to be also referred to as functions) of theimage forming apparatus100. The second display building component is a processcondition setting area1202 having operation instruction keys for allowing the user to set various process conditions (e.g., print setting parameters) for job data (image data) to be processed in an operation mode selected via thefunction selection area1201. The third building component is astatus display area1203 capable of notifying the user of various types of status information representing the operation status of the image forming apparatus100 (including operation status information (e.g., during read of image data or during printing), various types of error information (e.g., document jam, printing sheet jam, and staple jam), and various types of warning information (e.g., shortage of toner and shortage of paper)).

In this manner, the embodiment provides these three display building components as contents of a window displayed on theLCD316. The display of the processcondition setting area1202 is so controlled as to represent display contents corresponding to a mode selected in thefunction selection area1201. The display of thefunction selection area1201 is so controlled as to function even upon a shift to another window (e.g., a function can be selected on an operation window which displays thefunction selection area1201 even upon a shift to another window). The display of thestatus display area1203 is so controlled as to allow the user to always confirm status information of the image forming apparatus regardless of a shifted window (e.g., a status line1703 is displayed on the display unit regardless of a switched window).

Theimage forming apparatus100 has a copy mode in which job data (image data) from thereader unit103 such as a scanner is printed by theprinter unit104 via theimage memory107 such as a hard disk. Theimage forming apparatus100 also has an external print mode in which job data from an external apparatus such as theclient computer300 or400, digital multi-functional peripheral500, orfacsimile apparatus600 is printed by theprinter unit104 via theimage memory107 such as a hard disk. Theimage forming apparatus100 also has a box mode in which job data output from thereader unit103 or job data output from the external apparatus is stored and held in a predetermined storage area (box area) in theimage memory107 such as a hard disk, and after the job data is stored in the box, desired job data is selected via theoperation unit102, printed by theprinter unit104, or transmitted to an external apparatus via thecomputer interface unit106. Theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment has a plurality of operation modes including at least two operation modes. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and may be of a single-functional type having only one operation mode.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of the logical use method of theimage memory107 of theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the recording area in theimage memory107 such as a hard disk is logically separately used as atemporary area501 andbox area502 in accordance with the use purpose. Thetemporary area501 is a recording area which temporarily records PDL-rasterized data or image data from the scanner in order to, for example, change the output order of image data or output a plurality of copies by one scanning.

Thetotal box area502 is a recording area for using the box function, and is divided into a plurality of smaller recording areas (boxes)503 to507, as shown inFIG. 5. Theboxes503 to507 are assigned to respective users or respective departments of a company or the like. By designating a box, the user can input a PDL job or scan job in the box, actually confirm the contents of a box, change settings, and print out.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a window displayed on theLCD316 when thebox key305 of theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100 is touched according to the embodiment of the present invention. This window prompts the user to select a box. InFIG. 6, adisplay area601 displays various types of information such as the box number and box name of each box and the capacity of the box which occupies thetotal box area502 in theimage memory107.Reference numerals602 and603 denote up and down scroll keys which are used to scroll the window when boxes exceeding various displays represented byreference numeral601 are registered.

When the user touches one of box numbers in the window displayed on theLCD316 shown inFIG. 6, the window changes to a box content window shown inFIG. 7, and the user can access each box.FIG. 7 shows an example of the box content window displayed on theLCD316 of theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 7,reference numeral701 denotes a list of files which are stored in a box, and thelist701 represents the registration date and time of each file, its file name, and the like. For example, to select a desired file, the file name of the file is touched. Then, the currently selected file is highlighted. This display is based on toggle operation, and when a selected file name is touched again, selection is canceled.

Reference numeral702 denotes display which represents the selection order of selected files. In the window example shown inFIG. 7, “file name5”, “file name1”, and “file name4” are selected in an order named.Reference numeral703 denotes a scan key which is used to input an image from the scanner into a currently open box, and shifts the window to a scan setting window (not shown).Reference numeral704 denotes a print key which is used to print a file selected from thelist701.

Reference numeral705 denotes a setting change key which is used to change the print settings of a selected file. The settingchange key705 can be touched only when the number of selected files is one. Note that setting change items by the settingchange key705 include the number of print copies and addition of the print mode.

Reference numeral706 denotes an erase key which is used to erase a file selected from thelist701.Reference numeral707 denotes a select-all key which is used to select all files displayed in thelist701. When all files are selected with the select-all key707, the selection order is kept unchanged from, e.g., a display order in thelist701. Alternatively, the order may be designated after selection.Reference numerals708 and709 denote up and down scroll keys which are used to scroll thewindow701 when files exceeding the display of thewindow701 are registered.Reference numeral710 denotes a close key which is used to return to the window shown inFIG. 6.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts for explaining a box registration process sequence using theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The process of registration in a box includes registration of an image (to be referred to as a “PDL image” hereinafter) based on PDL data input from a host computer109 via a network, and registration of a scanned image from the scanner. The respective registration processes are shown inFIGS. 8A and8B.

When a PDL image is to be registered, the user performs print settings on the PC109 (step S801). The contents of print settings are, e.g., the number of copies, paper size, scaling factor, single-/double-sided printing, page output order, sort output, and stapling/non-stapling. By setting a box number on the PC109, an area in thebox area502 of theimage memory107 is designated (step S802). For example, when a box number “1” is designated, thebox area503 in thetotal box area502 is designated. When box numbers “1” and “2” are designated, thebox areas503 and504 in thetotal box area502 are designated.

Simultaneously when the user instructs the PC109 to print, driver software installed in the PC109 converts code data to be printed into so-called PDL data, and transfers the PDL data to the image input/output control unit105 of the image forming apparatus together with the print setting parameters set in step S801 (step S803). The transferred PDL data is rasterized into image data (step S804).

After rasterization of the image data is completed in step S804, the rasterized image data are sequentially recorded (stored) in thetotal box area502 of the image memory107 (step S805). For example, for the box number “1”, the image data are recorded in thebox area503. At this time, the print setting parameters set in step S801 are also recorded in thebox area503. For example, for the box numbers “1” and “2”, the rasterized image data and print setting parameters are recorded in thebox areas503 and504. For the box numbers “2” and “3”, the rasterized image data and print setting parameters are recorded in thebox areas504 and505. Details of the process of recording image data and print setting parameters when a plurality of box numbers are designated will be described later.

When a scanned image is to be registered, the number of a box to which image data is input is designated (step S806). Then, scan settings such as an image process are designated (step S807). The start of scanning is designated, and thereader unit103 reads a document (step S808). The image read in step S808 is stored in a box area designated in step S806 (step S809).

Details of the process of recording image data and print setting parameters when a plurality of box numbers are designated will be explained with reference toFIGS. 9 to 11.FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a recording structure when image data and its job information are stored in a box area. InFIG. 9, documents A and B are recorded inbox area1 shown inFIG. 6; document C, inbox area2; and document D, inbox area3.

Each of documents A to D shown inFIG. 9 means document information. Each document information contains an image data file (image (entity)) and job information (job information (entity)). The job information contains finishing information (e.g., the number of print copies and stapling), print attributes associated with an entire document (e.g., the number of pages contained in the document and double-sided information), and print attributes associated with each page (e.g., the resolution of the page, paper size, and the number of pixels).

The state of each box area after a plurality of jobs for whichbox areas1 to3 are designated as recording destinations of a new document are input to box areas in the state shown inFIG. 9 will be explained.FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a recording structure when image data on a new document and its job information are stored in each box area in the state shown inFIG. 9.

InFIG. 10, image data input from the host computer109 in accordance with a job which designates a plurality of boxes, and job information of the image data are recorded as document E inbox area1. A shortcut to the image data recoded inbox area1, and a copy of the job information recorded inbox area1 are recorded as document F inbox area2. Further, a shortcut to the image data recoded inbox area1, and a copy of the job information recorded inbox area1 are recorded as document G inbox area3.

The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment has a recording structure in which, for image data which may have a large data amount, a shortcut to the image data is recorded instead of its copy, thereby efficiently using the memory. In the embodiment, not a shortcut but a copy of job information is recorded in a box area because a setting change function operable with the settingchange key705 shown inFIG. 7 can be utilized. Since the setting change function can change the number of output copies contained in job information and add finishing settings, different pieces of job information for processing an image must be given to respective documents even for the same image.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a detail storage process when a plurality of boxes are designated as recording destinations of new image data and its job information in step S805 ofFIGS. 8A and 8B.

A box area which is registered at the start of a list of a plurality of recording destinations for recording new image data supplied from the host computer109 and its job information is acquired (step S1101). The new image data and its job information are recorded in the acquired box area (step S1102). It is determined whether an unrecorded box area exists in the recording destination list (step S1103). If an unrecorded box area exists (YES), the flow advances to step S1104; if no unrecorded box area exists (NO), the flow ends.

In step S1104, one of unrecorded box areas is acquired from the list of remaining recording destinations. A shortcut to the image data recorded in step S1102 is created and recorded in the acquired box area (step S1105). A copy of the job information recorded in step S1102 is created and recorded in the box area (step S1106), and then the flow returns to step S1103. In this way, image data and its job information are recorded when a plurality of boxes are designated as recording destinations of the image data and its job information.

By using the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, when pieces of job information are given for the same image data, these pieces of job information for executing a process of the image data are recorded in respective box areas. The original image data is recorded in any box, and a shortcut to the original image data is recorded in the remaining boxes. The same image data need not be repetitively recorded in boxes which require the same image data, and a hard disk or the like necessary to record repetitive image data can be efficiently used.

A concrete supplementary explanation of control which is disclosed in the embodiment and includes the explanations ofFIGS. 9 to 11 will be made. Especially, operations and user interfaces for use by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus and a data generation apparatus serving as a data transmitting side which transmits data of a job to be processed to theapparatus100 when the box function according to the embodiment is implemented will be exemplified. In other words, an example of operation control of the whole data processing system according to the embodiment including the data processing apparatus and data generation apparatus will be explained.

Concrete examples of the data generation apparatus serving as a data generation source in the embodiment are thecomputers200,300, and400 and thedevices500 and600 inFIG. 1. Thereader unit103 mounted in theimage forming apparatus100 also functions as a data generation source, and corresponds to an example of the data generation apparatus. This is because thereader unit1 also generates image data and transmits data to theprinter unit104, and in addition, theoperation unit102 serving as an example of the user interface is set on the housing of thereader unit1. Note that any system/apparatus configuration can be adopted as far as it can implement various control operations disclosed in the embodiment.

In this case, control will be explained using the client computer300 (to be referred to as thehost300 hereinafter) in which downloading of the printer driver of theimage forming apparatus100 is completed. As a method of downloading the printer driver of theapparatus100, for example, data is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet, or a storage medium such as a CD-ROM is set in thehost300 and data is downloaded from the storage medium.

First, for example, an application such as document creation software is activated in thehost300. Thehost300 opens a file of document data to be processed on the display unit (display) of the operation unit of thehost300.

Then, assume that the user of thehost300 performs predetermined key operation by using the operation instruction unit of the host300 (e.g., the keyboard of thehost300 or a pointing device such as a mouse). In response to this, the control unit of thehost300 displays awindow1300 inFIG. 13 on the display unit of thehost300. The user interface window inFIG. 13 is an example of the printer driver window of theimage forming apparatus100.

In the embodiment, the control unit of thehost300 controls thehost300 so that an operation mode to be executed by theimage forming apparatus100 can be selected by the user via a mode selection key1301 in thewindow1300 displayed on the display unit of thehost300.

For example, in response to the click of the key1301 by the user of thehost300 with the mouse, the control unit of thehost300 causes the display unit of thehost300 to execute display as shown inFIG. 14.

For example, the user selects the “print mode” via themode selection column1301 and clicks anOK key1302. In this case, the control unit of thehost300 transmits, to theimage forming apparatus100 via thenetwork700 as data of a job to be processed by theimage forming apparatus100, (1) print data (in this example, document data), (2) job information such as printing conditions, and (3) a print mode execution command and the like.

Upon reception of the job data via theinterface unit106, thecontrol unit108 controls theimage forming apparatus100 to execute an operation corresponding to an instruction from thehost300. More specifically, the “print mode” is designated as an operation mode by thehost300. Hence, thecontrol unit108 causes theprinter unit104 to execute a printing process for print data of the job via the hard disk of theimage memory107 on the basis of printing conditions set via theprinter driver window1300 of thehost300.

In the embodiment, an operation mode for job data to be processed which is input from the data generation apparatus is controlled to be selected by the user of the data generation apparatus via themode selection column1301 of theprinter driver1300. In addition to the print mode, a secure print mode, overtaking print mode, and the like are also controlled in a selectable manner.

Further, in the embodiment, the “save mode” is controlled to be selected by the user via themode selection column1301 of theprinter driver1300 serving as an example of the user interface unit.

For example, the user selects the “save mode” via themode selection column1301 of theprinter driver window1300 shown inFIG. 14, and clicks theOK key1302. In response to this, the control unit of thehost300 displays a dialog window as shown inFIG. 15 on the display unit of thehost300. The dialog window shows the guidance of an operation to be performed by the user, and prompts the user to confirm the operation. In response to the click of a key1501 by the user of thehost300, the control unit of thehost300 displays abox setting window1600 shown inFIG. 16 on the display unit of thehost300.

Thewindow1600 inFIG. 16 is displayed by thehost300 under the control of the control unit of thehost300 when the save mode is selected by the user via theprinter driver window1300 in thehost300.

Thewindow1600 is an example of a user interface for allowing the user of thehost300 to select which of a plurality of boxes (100 boxes in the embodiment) present in the internal hard disk of theimage memory107 of theimage forming apparatus100 is to save job data to be transmitted from thehost300. The user can execute, e.g., the following operation via thewindow1600 in thehost300 serving as an example of the data generation apparatus.

(1) The name of job data (print data) to be saved in the box of theimage forming apparatus100 from thehost300 can be input by the user of thehost300 via aname entry column1601 of thewindow1600. At this time, the user can select whether the file name of a file created by the application of thehost300 is directly used or the file name is changed and input from the keyboard via thewindow1600.

(2) When job data to be transmitted from thehost300 is to be saved in a box in the hard disk of theimage forming apparatus100, which of a plurality of boxes is to save the job data to be processed can be selected by the user of thehost300 via abox selection list1602.

Details of operation (2) will be explained. A list of boxes provided by theimage forming apparatus100 serving as a job data receiving side is displayed in thebox selection list1602 of thebox setting window1600 which is displayed on the display unit of thehost300. The box numbers of boxes which are provided by the image forming apparatus, and box names which have been registered in advance by the user via theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100 are displayed in thelist1602 so that the user can identify the boxes. The information reflects information which is acquired via a network from, for e.g., a currently selected image forming apparatus, i.e., theapparatus100. For example, in thelist1602, a name “box name1 of theimage forming apparatus100” is registered in association withbox number1. Note that a box whose box name is not registered can also be utilized.

In the embodiment, the control unit of thehost300 controls thehost300 so as to cope with two operations when the user of thehost300 selects only one box for saving job data and selects a plurality of boxes.

The former operation will be explained with reference toFIGS. 9 and 17. A case wherein document data transmitted from thehost300 is saved in the box ofbox number2 among a plurality of boxes (e.g., 100 boxes) ensured in the hard disk of theimage forming apparatus100 will be exemplified.

For example, when data of document C which is created by thehost300 and made up of six pages is to be saved inbox2 while the file name is directly utilized, the user of thehost300 checks a column “use a file name” in thename entry column1601 of thebox setting window1600 by mouse operation. In response to this, the control unit of thehost300 sets the file name of document C in thename entry column1601, as shown inFIG. 17. After that,box number2 is selected via thebox selection list1602 by key operation by the user of thehost300. In response to box selection operation, the control unit of thehost300 controls the display unit of thehost300 so as to reflect the selection status in thelist1602. In the display state ofFIG. 17, only one box ofbox number2 is selected at present.

When anOK key1701 of thewindow1600 is clicked upon setting a series of process conditions to theimage forming apparatus100 by the user in thehost300, the control unit of thehost300 returns to theprinter driver window1300 inFIG. 13.

In response to the click of theOK key1302 of thewindow1300 by the user of thehost300, thehost300 transmits the job data to theimage forming apparatus100. More specifically, thehost300 transmits (1) image data (6-page print data) of document C, (2) job information such as process conditions for data of document C (including various printing process conditions such as paper size “A3 size”, the number of output copies “three copies”, finishing setting “sort”, and double-sided printing setting), and (3) command data which notifies thecontrol unit108 of theimage forming apparatus100 of “the operation mode of theimage forming apparatus100 is the save mode, and a box to save the data is the box ofbox number2”.

When theimage forming apparatus100 receives job data input from thehost300 upon a series of settings, thecontrol unit108 controls theimage forming apparatus100 in the following manner on the basis of various instructions from the host that are contained in the job data.

(1) Entity image data and job information of document C (six pages) that are received from thehost300 are associated with each other and saved in a storage area (box area504 inFIG. 5) assigned to the box ofbox number2 in thehard disk107 of theimage forming apparatus100. The data storage status in thebox area504 ofbox2 at this time is, e.g., a state as shown inFIG. 9.

(2) The user interface unit (including theoperation unit102 anddisplay unit316 inFIG. 4) of theimage forming apparatus100 is controlled so that various manipulations to the job data saved in the box ofbox number2 can be executed by the user of theimage forming apparatus100 via theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100.

A concrete example of operation (2) will be described. For example, when the user touches a “box” key in the window ofFIG. 12 which is displayed on thedisplay unit316 of theoperation unit102 of the image forming apparatus, thecontrol unit108 of theimage forming apparatus100 displays the box selection window inFIG. 6 on thedisplay unit316. When the user selects the box ofbox number2 from thebox selection list601, thecontrol unit108 displays a boxdocument selection window1800 inFIG. 18 on thedisplay unit316.

Thewindow1800 is a user interface for allowing the user to execute various manipulations for data in a box selected by the user in the box selection window ofFIG. 6. A user instruction to store data in the currently selected box (in this case, box2) via thewindow1800 can be accepted via a document read key1802. Also, various instructions such as an instruction to print, by theprinter unit104, data which is saved in thebox area502 of thehard disk107 in association with the box, and an instruction to transmit data to an external apparatus can be accepted from the user.

Note that data which is saved in thebox area502 of thehard disk107 in association with the box is not only actual entity image data which is saved in the box. In the embodiment, the data also includes entity image data which is stored in the box area of another box and can be read out from thehard disk107 of theapparatus100 on the basis of the shortcut function of the embodiment.

In the example ofFIG. 18, the user selects the box ofbox number2 in the window ofFIG. 6, and thecontrol unit108 displays thedocument selection window1800 for the box ofbox number2 on thedisplay unit316.

In the embodiment, the user can select document data to be output via adocument selection list1801 of the boxdocument selection window1800. In addition, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to display a list of selectable candidates. Further, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to display information which allows the user to identify which document is stored in a selected box. In this example, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to display name information of document C, paper size information of the job, the number of pages, and the date and time of storage in the box on the basis of an instruction from the prin driver of thehost300, as described with reference toFIGS. 13 to 17.

In the embodiment, thedisplay unit316 also displays identification information for allowing the user to identify which of the currently selected box or another box saves actual entity image data of document data whose information is displayed in the boxdocument selection window1800 during browsing. For example, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to display “real image is held” near the display area of the document name in thedocument selection list1801.

In this fashion, thecontrol unit108 displays, on thedisplay unit316, identification information for allowing the user to identify that entity image data of document data whose name is document C is saved in the currently selected box (box area504) corresponding tobox number2. In addition, thecontrol unit108 displays, on thedisplay unit316, information for allowing the user to identify that the document has been saved on October 8, 12:00. Thecontrol unit108 also displays, on thedisplay unit316, information for allowing the user to identify that the document is made up of six pages in A3 size.

Assume that the user selects document C from thelist1801 in thewindow1800 ofFIG. 18. More specifically, thedisplay unit316 is a touch panel, and document C can be selected by touching the display line of document C in the list with a user's finger. In response to this operation, thecontrol unit108 changes the window to a display state as shown inFIG. 19.FIG. 19 shows a display state when the user selects a desired document in the window ofFIG. 18.

As shown inFIG. 19, in response to selecting a document by the user from thelist1801, thecontrol unit108 changes the display state of thelist1801 so that the user can identify which document has been selected.

In response to selecting the document by the user from thelist1801, thecontrol unit108 displays, below the display area of thelist1801 in thewindow1800, a display key for allowing the user to input various instructions to the selected document.

For example, as shown inFIG. 19, thecontrol unit108 displays a detailed information key1901 for allowing the user to input an instruction to display, on thedisplay unit316, detailed information of a document selected from thelist1801 of thewindow1800. Thecontrol unit108 displays an erase key1902 for allowing the user to input an instruction to erase, from thehard disk107, document data selected from thelist1801 of thewindow1800. Thecontrol unit108 displays aprint key1903 for allowing the user to input an instruction to execute a printing process by theprinter unit104 for document data selected from thelist1801 of thewindow1800. Thecontrol unit108 displays asend key1904 for allowing the user to input an instruction to execute a transmission process by theinterface unit106 for document data selected from thelist1801 of thewindow1800. Thecontrol unit108 displays anedit key1905 for allowing the user to input an instruction to execute an editing process and preview display for document data selected from thelist1801 of thewindow1800.

For example, the user touches theprint key1903 in the window state ofFIG. 19. In response to this, thecontrol unit108 displays awindow2000 shown inFIG. 20 on thedisplay unit316. Thewindow2000 inFIG. 20 is a print setting window displayed on thedisplay unit316 when theprinter unit104 executes a printing process for a document selected by the user from thelist1801 of the boxdocument selection window1800.

Thecontrol unit108 controls display so that process conditions (job information) that have been set in advance for a document selected from thelist1801 are referred to from the box area and the parameters are reflected in thewindow2000.

For example, currently selected document C of six pages is input from thehost300 tobox2 in the save mode after various printing process conditions (e.g., paper size “A3 size”, the number of output copies “three copies”, finishing setting “sort”, and double-sided printing setting) are set via theprinter driver1300 of thehost300. These parameters are reflected and displayed in adisplay area2001 of the window inFIG. 20.

In addition, thecontrol unit108 displays, in thewindow2000, a display key for allowing the user to change process conditions which have already been set for a selected document (in this example, paper size “A3 size”, the number of output copies “three copies”, finishing setting “sort”, and double-sided printing setting). For example, a “select paper” key, “sorter” key, “double-sided print” setting key, and the like are displayed in thearea2001 of thewindow2000, as shown inFIG. 20. Thecontrol unit108 also displays, in thewindow2000, a print start key2002 for accepting from the user an instruction to actually start a printing process by theprinter unit104.

When the user changes process conditions for the selected document and then touches the print start key2002, thecontrol unit108 causes theprinter unit104 to execute a printing process for currently selected document C under the process conditions which have been changed via thewindow2000. When the user touches the print start key2002 without changing the process conditions for the selected document by the user, thecontrol unit108 causes theprinter unit104 to execute a printing process for currently selected document C under the preset process conditions (in this example, paper size “A3 size”, the number of output copies “three copies”, finishing setting “sort”, and double-sided printing setting).

Actual entity image data of document C is stored in thebox storage area504 corresponding tobox number2 in thehard disk107. Further, job information (including various printing process condition data, document name data, the box storage date and time, and page count information described above) for document F is also registered in thebox area504 in association with the image data of document C. In response to operation by the user, thecontrol unit108 reads out the entity image data and job information of document C from thebox area504 of thehard disk107, and causes theapparatus100 to process document C on the basis of an instruction which is input by the user via theoperation unit102.

The description with reference toFIGS. 13 to 20 is directed to control executed when only one of a plurality of boxes prepared in thehard disk107 of the image forming apparatus100 (corresponding to an example of the data processing apparatus) is selected by the user of the host300 (corresponding to an example of the data generation apparatus) via the user interface of thehost300, and job data is input from thehost300 to the box of theimage forming apparatus100. The series of box operations can also be provided to another box.

For example, document A is selected by the user in a host computer (300,400, or the like). Also, the “save mode” is selected via the operationmode selection column1301 of theprinter driver1300. One “box1 of theimage forming apparatus100” is selected via thebox selection window1600 of theprinter driver1300. Various process conditions for document A are set via theprinter driver1300. Then, theOK key1302 of theprinter driver1300 is clicked to transmit job data from the host to theimage forming apparatus100.

In this case, thecontrol unit108 saves data (entity image data) of document A, and job information set for document A (including information (e.g., the number of pages) unique to image data, and printing process conditions set by the user for the image data) in thebox area503 corresponding tobox number1 in thehard disk107. If the user selects the box ofbox number1 via the window inFIG. 6 that is displayed on thedisplay unit316 of theoperation unit102 of the image forming apparatus, thecontrol unit108 controls to display the boxdocument selection window1800 forbox number1 so as to execute the same processes as those described with reference toFIGS. 18 to 20.

For example, document D is selected by the user in a host computer (300,400, or the like). The “save mode” is selected via the operationmode selection column1301 of theprinter driver1300. One “box3 of theimage forming apparatus100” is selected via thebox selection window1600 of theprinter driver1300. Various process conditions for document D are set via theprinter driver1300. Then, theOK key1302 of theprinter driver1300 is clicked to transmit job data from the host to theimage forming apparatus100.

In this case, thecontrol unit108 saves data (entity image data) of document D, and job information set for document D (including information (e.g., the number of pages) unique to image data, and printing process conditions set by the user for the image data) in thebox area505 corresponding tobox number3 in thehard disk107. If the user selects the box ofbox number3 via the window inFIG. 6 that is displayed on thedisplay unit316 of theoperation unit102 of the image forming apparatus, thecontrol unit108 controls to display the boxdocument selection window1800 forbox number3 so as to execute the same processes as those described with reference toFIGS. 18 to 20.

A data structure as shown inFIG. 9 can be obtained by control for performing the above operations.

Similar to the above example, the user selects one box via the user interface of thehost300 as a box for saving job data to be processed. In this case, thecontrol unit108 of theimage forming apparatus100 permits theapparatus100 to process job data under the condition that the user operates the box via theoperation unit102 of the apparatus. In the example ofFIG. 18, thecontrol unit108 permits theapparatus100 to execute various processes such as a printing process, erase process, editing process, and transmission process for image data of document C only when the user selects and operates the box ofbox number2 via thebox selection list601 displayed on thedisplay unit316. In other words, the user executes an operation other than an operation of selecting the box ofbox number2, for example, executes an operation of selecting another box via thebox selection list601. In this case, thecontrol unit108 inhibits execution of a process for image data of document C.

Referring toFIG. 9, execution of various processes for job data of documents A and B which are saved in thebox area503 ofbox1 is permitted when the user selectsbox number1 via theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100. To the contrary, when a box other thanbox1 is selected, processes for job data of documents A and B are inhibited. Also, execution of various processes for job data of document D which is saved in thebox area505 ofbox3 is permitted when the user selectsbox number3 via theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100. To the contrary, when a box other thanbox3 is selected, processes for job data of document D are inhibited.

The embodiment is premised on a configuration capable of executing the above-mentioned series of control operations, and can also provide the following series of control operations using the box function.

In the example ofFIG. 17, only one box is selected via thebox setting window1600 of theprinter driver window1300. The embodiment also controls to permit the user to select two or more boxes as save destinations via thebox setting window1600 of theprinter driver window1300. A concrete example will be described.

For example, control when data of document E which is created by thehost300 and made up of four pages is saved in threeboxes1,2, and3 of theimage forming apparatus100 while the file name is directly utilized will be explained.

The user of thehost300 activates an application for document E, and selects the “save mode” in themode selection column1301 of theprinter driver window1300 which is displayed on the display unit of thehost300. In response to this, the control unit of thehost300 displays thebox setting window1600 on the display unit of the host300 (see a series of display change control operations for theprinter driver1300 of the host in FIGS.13→14→15→16).

Referring toFIG. 16, the user of thehost300 checks the column “use a file name” in thename entry column1601 of thebox setting window1600 by mouse operation. Further, the user selects a box of “box number1” via thebox selection list1602 of thebox setting window1600, then selects a box of “box number2”, and finally selects a box of “box number3”. In response to the series of user operations, the control unit of thehost300 controls the display unit of thehost300 to change the display contents of thebox setting window1600 to those associated with these user operations. An example of the display contents is shown inFIG. 21.

As shown inFIG. 21, the embodiment controls to allow the user to identify that three boxes, i.e., box1 (box area503), box2 (box area504), and box3 (box area505) in thehard disk107 of theimage forming apparatus100 have been selected as save destinations of document data having a file name “document E” via thebox setting window1600 of thehost300. The control unit of thehost300 executes this display control for the display unit of thehost300.

In selecting a plurality of boxes from thelist1602, the pointer is adjusted to a display line corresponding to a desired document, the display line is clicked by mouse operation, and save destination boxes can be selected one by one on thelist1602. The control unit of thehost300 also monitors the selection order of selected boxes, and controls the display contents of thelist1602 to allow the user to identify the selection order, too. In the example ofFIG. 21, display control is executed so that the user can identify that “box1” has been selected first sequentially from the top, then “box2” has been selected, and finally “box3” has been selected.

When the user of thehost300 clicks the OK key1701 upon the completion of selecting three boxes by the above-described series of operations, the window returns to the basic window of the printer driver.

At the same time, job process conditions for 4-page document E are also set. In this case, printing process conditions such as paper size “A4 size”, the number of output copies “five copies”, finishing settings “staple & sort”, and single-sided printing are set.

Upon the completion of the series of setting operations for the job of document E to be processed, the user clicks theOK key1302 of theprinter driver window1300. In response to this, the control unit of thehost300 accepts from the user of thehost300 an instruction to transmit data of document E, and thehost300 transmits job data of document E to theimage forming apparatus100.

More specifically, thehost300 transmits (1) image data (4-page print data) of document E, (2) job information such as process conditions for data of document E (including various printing process conditions such as paper size “A3 size”, the number of output copies “five copies”, finishing setting “staple”, and single-sided printing setting), and (3) command data which notifies thecontrol unit108 of theimage forming apparatus100 of “the operation mode of theimage forming apparatus100 is the save mode, and boxes to save the data are three boxes ofbox numbers1,2, and3”.

When theimage forming apparatus100 receives job data on document E from thehost300, thecontrol unit108 of theimage forming apparatus100 controls theimage forming apparatus100 in the following manner on the basis of various instructions from the host that are contained in the job data.

(1-1) Entity image data and job information (entity) of document E (four pages) that are received from thehost300 are associated with each other and saved in a storage area (box area503 inFIG. 5) assigned to the box ofbox number1 in thehard disk107 of theimage forming apparatus100. The job information contains various printing process condition data for document E (e.g., “A4 size”, “five copies”, “staple”, and “single-sided printing setting”).

(1-2) As instruction command data for reading out entity image data of document E (four pages) from thehard disk107, data (defined as document F in the example ofFIG. 10) functioning as a “shortcut to the image entity of document E” is saved in a storage area (box area504 inFIG. 5) assigned to the box ofbox number2 in thehard disk107 of theimage forming apparatus100. Entity data of job information is saved inbox2.

(1-3) As instruction command data for reading out entity image data of document E (four pages) from thehard disk107, data (defined as document G in the example ofFIG. 10) functioning as a “shortcut to the image entity of document E” is saved in a storage area (box area505 inFIG. 5) assigned to the box ofbox number3 in thehard disk107 of theimage forming apparatus100. Entity data of job information is saved inbox3.

By processes (1-1) to (1-3), the data structure in thebox area502 of thehard disk107 is changed from the state inFIG. 9 to that inFIG. 10.

(2-1) The user interface unit (including theoperation unit102 anddisplay unit316 inFIG. 4) of theimage forming apparatus100 is controlled to allow the user of theimage forming apparatus100 to execute, via theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100, various manipulations to the job data for which entity image data of document E and job information (entity) for document E have been saved in the box (box area503) ofbox number1.

(2-2) The user interface unit (including theoperation unit102 anddisplay unit316 inFIG. 4) of theimage forming apparatus100 is controlled to allow the user of theimage forming apparatus100 to execute, via theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100, various manipulations to the job data for which “data (defined as document F) functioning as a shortcut to document E” and job information (entity) of document E have been saved in the box (box area504) ofbox number2.

(2-3) The user interface unit (including theoperation unit102 anddisplay unit316 inFIG. 4) of theimage forming apparatus100 is controlled to allow the user of theimage forming apparatus100 to execute, via theoperation unit102 of theimage forming apparatus100, various manipulations to the job data for which “data (defined as document G) functioning as a shortcut to document E” and job information (entity) of document E have been saved in the box (box area505) ofbox number3.

Thecontrol unit108 controls theimage forming apparatus108 to parallel-execute (simultaneously) a total of six processes: storage control processes (1-1) to (1-3) and operation control processes (2-1) to (2-3) on the basis of an instruction set by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600 inFIG. 21 from thehost300.

That is, these processes are a control sequence when the same document data (in this example, document E) is simultaneously saved in a plurality of boxes (in this example,boxes1,2, and3). This control sequence will also be called a plural-box simultaneous storage mode. A control sequence (sequence when one box is selected as a save destination) which has been described with reference toFIG. 17 will also be called a single-box storage mode. The embodiment provides these two modes which can be selectively executed for the box function, and controls to execute a mode corresponding to box setting operation by the user that is executed via the user interface of the data generation apparatus (e.g., host300).

Process (1-1) is performed in steps S1101 and S1102 ofFIG. 11. Processes (1-2) and (1-3) are performed in steps S1103 to S1106 ofFIG. 11.

An example of operation control (2-1) will be explained in more detail. Three boxes are selected via thebox setting window1600 of thehost300 inFIG. 21. At this time, the first selected box corresponds tobox number1. When the user instructs theimage forming apparatus100 to execute an output process for data in the box ofbox number1, the following control is adopted. Note that the data storage status of each box is set to the state inFIG. 10.

When the user touches the box key in the window ofFIG. 12 which is displayed on thedisplay unit316, thecontrol unit108 displays thebox selection window601 inFIG. 6 on thedisplay unit316. In response to selecting the box ofbox number1 by the user via thebox selection window601 inFIG. 6, thecontrol unit108 displays a box document selection window for the box ofbox number1 on thedisplay unit316. An example of the box document selection window is shown inFIG. 22.

As shown inFIG. 10, three jobs are stored in the box ofbox number1, and entity image data of each job is saved in the box (box area503). Thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to execute display corresponding to the storage status of jobs in the box. As shown inFIG. 22, thedisplay unit316 displays a total of three documents A, B, and E as documents saved inbox1. Thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to execute display for allowing a user who operatesbox1 to identify pieces of information of the three documents (paper size and page count information are storage date & time information). In addition, thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to execute display “real image is held” so that the user can identify that real image data of all the documents are saved in thebox area503 ofbox1.

Thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to gray outkeys1901A to1905A of awindow1800A before the user selects a job from alist1801A. With this setting, thecontrol unit108 controls not to accept any input instruction from the user via thekeys1901A to1905A. In response to selecting a desired document by the user via thedocument selection list1801A of thedocument selection window1800A forbox1 inFIG. 22, theoperation keys1901A to1905A are effectively displayed in thewindow1800A. After a document is selected, thecontrol unit108 controls to permit acceptance of various instructions from the user via thekeys1901A to1905A.

That is, even whenbox1 is operated, thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to execute various processes (detailed information display process, erase process, printing process, transmission process, editing process, preview process, and the like) for a desired document selected by the user frombox1 after the user selects the desired document via thelist1801A, similar to the examples ofFIGS. 19 and 20.

For example, in response to selecting document E by the user via thelist1801A of thedocument selection window1800A forbox1, the user touches the effectively displayed print key1903A. In this case, thecontrol unit108 reads out entity image data of document E from thebox area503 corresponding to currently operatedbox1 in thehard disk107, and causes theprinter unit104 to print the image data.

An example of the above-described operation control (2-2) will be explained in more detail. Three boxes are selected as document save destinations of document E via thebox setting window1600 of thehost300 inFIG. 21. At this time, the second selected box corresponds tobox number2. When the user instructs theimage forming apparatus100 to execute an output process for data in the box ofbox number2, the following control is adopted. Note that the storage statuses of data inboxes1 to3 are set to the state inFIG. 10.

When the user touches the box key of the window inFIG. 12 which is displayed on thedisplay unit316, thecontrol unit108 displays thebox selection window601 inFIG. 6 on thedisplay unit316. In response to selecting the box ofbox number2 by the user via thebox selection window601 inFIG. 6, thecontrol unit108 displays, on thedisplay unit316, a box document selection window for operating the box ofbox number2. An example of the box document selection window is illustrated inFIG. 23.

As shown inFIG. 10, two jobs are stored in the box ofbox number2. Of the two jobs, entity image data of document C is saved in the box, but entity image data of document F does not exist in the box. Document F is data which is defined by thecontrol unit108 as “data functioning as a shortcut to document E”. However, entity data of job information for document F (data functioning as a shortcut to document E) is saved in the box (box area504). The job information is assigned to document E to be read out from thehard disk107 on the basis of the shortcut function of document F. The job information contains, e.g., bibliographic information of document E (document name, the number of pages, and box storage date & time data), and process condition data of document E (a series of printing process condition data set by thehost300 for document E: e.g., paper size “A4 size”, the number of output copies “five copies”, finishing setting “staple”, and “single-sided printing setting”).

Thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to execute display corresponding to the storage status of jobs inbox2. As illustrated in a boxdocument selection window1800B ofFIG. 23, thedisplay unit316 displays a total of two documents C and F (no real image is held) as documents saved inbox2. In addition, thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to execute display for allowing a user who operatesbox2 to identify pieces of information of the two documents (paper size and page count information are storage date & time information). Thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to execute display “real image is held” in thelist1801A so that the user can identify that real image data of document C is saved in thebox area504 ofbox2. Further, thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to display text information “no real image is held: a shortcut to document E” in thelist1801A so that the user can identify that no real image data of document F is saved in thebox area504 ofbox2 and document F functions as a shortcut to document E. In order to clarify a message to this effect, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to display ashortcut icon2201 different in display form from the icon of document C whose real image is saved.

Keys1901B to1905B of the boxdocument selection window1800B for operatingbox2 are grayed out so as not to accept any instruction input from these keys by the user before a job is selected by the user from thelist1801B. In response to selecting a desired document by the user via thedocument selection list1801B of thedocument selection window1800B forbox2 inFIG. 23, theoperation keys1901B to1905B are effectively displayed in thewindow1800B. Accordingly, acceptance of various instructions from the user is permitted.

For example, the user selects document F (management data serving as a shortcut to document E) via thedocument selection list1801B of the boxdocument selection window1800B for operatingbox2 inFIG. 23. In response to selecting document F, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to change the display state of thedocument selection window1800B from the state inFIG. 23 to that inFIG. 24. As shown inFIG. 24, the display in which document F is selected is reflected in thelist1801B. All thekeys1901B to1905B are effectively displayed so that various manipulations to data inbox2 can be accepted from the user. Thecontrol unit108 controls to accept various instructions from the user via thekeys1901B to1905B. Similar to the above process, thecontrol unit108 controls theimage forming apparatus100 to execute a process corresponding to process contents requested by the user for a desired document selected by the user frombox2.

For example, in response to a touch on the detailed information key1901B by the user, entity image data linked to document F, i.e., detailed information (printing conditions of document E and the like) of job information of document E is displayed. If the key1903B is touched, a printing process for document E serving as entity image data linked to document F is executed. If the key1904B is touched, a data transmission process for document E serving as entity image data linked to document F is executed.

For example, when the key1905B is touched, thecontrol unit108 reads out data of document E serving as entity image data linked to document F from thearea503 ofbox1, and causes thedisplay unit316 to preview the data. An example of the preview is illustrated inFIG. 27. As shown inFIG. 27, even when the preview function is executed, a message such as “preview from a shortcut” is displayed so that the user can identify whether image data read out by the shortcut function is previewed on thedisplay unit316. In this fashion, if the key1905B is touched, an editing process and preview process for data of document E serving as entity image data linked to document F can be executed.

If the erase key1902B is touched, an erase process for document F is controlled. Note that an erase process when document F which is data functioning as a shortcut is selected is different from the above-described one, and will be described later.

A process when a document functioning as a shortcut is selected will be described in detail. For example, in the state ofFIG. 24, a user who operates a box corresponding tobox number2 selects document F (shortcut key to document E) via thedocument selection window1800B for the box ofbox number2 that is displayed on thedisplay unit316 of the image forming apparatus.

As shown inFIG. 24, assume that a user who operates the box ofbox number2 selects document F (shortcut key to document E), and touches the print key1903B which is effectively displayed in thewindow1800. In response to this, thecontrol unit108 displays asetting window2000A shown inFIG. 25 on thedisplay unit316.

The settingwindow2000A inFIG. 25 is a user interface window which allows the user to determine a process for document data to be read out from the hard disk107 (i.e., electronic data of document E whose entity image data is saved in the box area503) in response to selection of document F (shortcut key to document E) by the user.

In displaying thewindow2000A on thedisplay unit316, thecontrol unit108 reads out, from thehard disk107, job information corresponding to document data selected via the list1081B of thedocument selection window1800B.

Entity image data (document E) of document F to be processed is saved in box1 (box area503) different from currently selectedbox2. In contrast, job information for the entity image data (document E) of document F is saved in box2 (box area504). Hence, thecontrol unit108 controls to read out the job information from thebox area504 and reflect the job information in thewindow2000A.

In a display area2001A of thewindow2000A, thecontrol unit108 executes display for prompting the user to confirm process conditions which have been set in advance for the document data. That is, printing conditions for document E that are set by theprinter driver1300 of thehost300 contain various process condition parameters such as paper size “A4 size”, the number of output copies “five copies”, finishing settings “staple”, and “single-sided printing setting”. Thecontrol unit108 reads out the job information from thebox area504, refers to the job information, and reflects it in thewindow2000A. This can achieve an effect of prompting a user who operates theoperation unit102 to confirm process conditions which have already been set for a selected document.

Also, thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to execute display for changing, by the user via thewindow2000A, process conditions which have been set for a document in advance. For example, when the user selects a “paper selection key” in the window2001A, a paper setting window (not shown) is displayed to allow the user to change the paper setting via the paper setting window. In response to user operation of the ten-key pad313 of theoperation unit102, the number of output copies of a document can also be changed. When the user touches a “sorter” key in the window2001A, the finishing setting of the document can also be changed. Further, for example, in response to user operation of a “double-sided print” key in the window2001A, the user can determine whether to perform single- or double-sided printing for the document.

For example, the user performs the following operation via the window2001A for printing conditions of document E which is read out by document F (shortcut key to document E). For example, the paper size setting is maintained at “A4 size” which has been set in advance. The number of output copies is changed from “five copies” to “three copies”. The finishing setting is changed from “staple” to “sort”. The printing side setting is changed from “single-sided printing” to “double-sided printing”. Thecontrol unit108 accepts the user setting change, and controls thedisplay unit316 to reflect the changed parameters in the window2001A. On the basis of the setting change instruction from the user, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to change the display contents of the window2001A to those as shown inFIG. 26.

Assume that the user performs a series of box operations via various user interfaces described above, and touches a print start key2002A of theprint setting window2000A inFIG. 25. In response to this, thecontrol unit108 reads out, from thebox area502 in thehard disk107, entity image data of a document selected by the user from thelist1801B of thedocument selection window1800B inFIG. 24. Thecontrol unit108 causes theprinter unit104 to execute a printing process for the readout image data of the job on the basis of a series of process conditions which are set by the user via the area2001A of theprint setting window2000A inFIG. 25. At this time, thecontrol unit108 performs, e.g., the following process.

(1) A process of confirming a box to be operated by the user is done. In this example, it is determined that the box ofbox number2 is a selected box, on the basis of box selection operation executed by the user via the box selection window inFIG. 6.

(2) A process of confirming a selected document by the user is performed. In this example, it is determined that document F is selected data, on the basis of document selection operation executed by the user via thelist1801A of thedocument selection window1800B inFIG. 24.

(3) A process of reading out entity image data of the selected document from thehard disk107 is performed. On the basis of registration information on box data such as information on the recording destination list used in the above-described process ofFIG. 11 and information on a management table which manages the data structure of box data shown inFIG. 10, it is confirmed whether entity image data of the document to be processed exists in the storage area of the currently selected box. In this case, it is determined that entity image data of document F does not exist in thebox area504 of currently selectedbox number2, but document F is data defined as a shortcut function to document E. It is also determined that a box which saves the entity image data is the box (box area503) ofbox number1.

In this manner, thecontrol unit108 executes read control of data in theimage forming apparatus100 on the basis of the fact that document F selected by the user via thedocument selection list1801A of the boxdocument selection window1800B for the box ofbox number2 is data functioning as a shortcut. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 controls to read out, as entity image data of document F from the box (box area503 in the hard disk107) ofbox number1, document E which is associated with the shortcut function of document F selected by the user via an operation window for the box ofbox number2.

Thecontrol unit108 causes theprinter unit2 to execute a printing process for the image data of document E that is read out from thebox area503 ofbox number1 in thehard disk107, under printing process conditions set by the user via theprint setting window2000A which is displayed on thedisplay unit316 in order to operate the box ofbox number2.

For example, printing conditions (parameters which are reflected in the UI ofFIG. 25 and have been set by the host300) which have been set in advance for document E are changed by the user, as shown inFIG. 26. Then, the user touches the print start key2002A in thewindow2000A. In this case, thecontrol unit108 controls theprinter unit104 to execute double-sided printing and execute a sort process as a finishing process for the number of output copies=1 while the paper size is kept at A4 size. To the contrary, the user touches the print start key2002A in thewindow2000A without changing printing conditions which have been set for document E (while maintaining parameters which are reflected in the UI ofFIG. 25 and have been set by the host300). In this case, thecontrol unit108 controls theprinter unit104 to execute single-sided printing without executing double-sided printing and execute a staple process as a finishing process for the paper size=A4 size and the number of output copies=5.

According to the embodiment, when data selected in a selected box (box ofbox number2 in the above example) is data (document F in the above example) functioning as a shortcut, theimage forming apparatus100 is controlled so that entity image data (document E stored in the box ofbox number1 in the above example) of another box associated with the shortcut function can be output.

Moreover, according to the embodiment, when data to be output by the shortcut function (in the above example, image data of document E that is output in accordance with selection of document F by the user from a setting window forbox2 and has entity image data stored in box1) is actually output, theapparatus100 is controlled so that process conditions which have been set in advance for the data can be directly utilized. In the above example, theimage forming apparatus100 is controlled so that document E can be directly printed under process conditions which are reflected in theprint setting window2000A ofFIG. 25.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment, theimage forming apparatus100 is controlled so that even a document which is simultaneously stored in a plurality of boxes can be output for each box under process conditions desired by a user who performs box operation.

For example, when the user ofbox1 operates, real image data (document E) can be printed under process conditions desired by the user ofbox1 via an operation window (e.g., thewindow1800A inFIG. 22) forbox1. When the user ofbox2 operates, real image data (document E) can be printed under process conditions desired by the user ofbox2 via an operation window (e.g., thewindow1800B inFIG. 24) forbox2.

Naturally in the embodiment, even when another box to which image data is simultaneously distributed from thehost300 in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is to be operated, thecontrol unit108 controls to execute the same operation as the above-described box operation. The above description is directed to a concrete example of operation control (2-3).

For example, the data storage status of box (box area505) ofbox number3 has a data storage structure as shown inFIG. 9 before a job of document E is input from thehost300. That is, only entity image data of document D and job information for document D are stored. After that, thehost300 instructs theapparatus100 via thebox setting window1600 of the printer driver of thehost300 inFIG. 21 to input document E not only toboxes1 and2 but also tobox3. Upon reception of the instruction, thecontrol unit108 controls thehard disk107 to also save data functioning as a shortcut to document E in the box (box area505) ofbox number3.

As a result, the data storage status of box (box area505) ofbox number3 after theapparatus100 receives the job of document E from thehost300 changes to the data storage structure shown inFIG. 10. That is, virtual data which functions as a shortcut to document E and is defined as document G, and entity data of job information for document E are saved inbox3 in addition to document D.

Thereafter, the user selectsbox3 via thebox selection list601 inFIG. 6 that is displayed on thedisplay unit316. In response to this, thecontrol unit108 displays, on thedisplay unit316, adocument selection window1800C for the box ofbox number3 as shown inFIG. 28.

A window display as shown inFIG. 28 is also controlled by thecontrol unit108. For example, for document D whose entity image data is stored in currently selected box3 (box area505), “real image is held” is displayed in alist1800C. For document G whose entity image data is not stored inbox3, “no real image is held: a shortcut to document E” is displayed in thelist1800C. Similar to document F inbox2, ashortcut icon2201A is displayed.

Theimage forming apparatus100 according to the embodiment has a continuous printing function of allowing the user to select a plurality of documents in a box, reading out the selected documents from thehard disk107 at once, and continuously outputting the documents. For example, two documents D and G are selected via alist1801C of thedocument selection window1800C ofbox3. As shown inFIG. 29, thecontrol unit108 effectively displaysvarious keys1901C to1905C in thewindow1800C. When the user selects a plurality of documents, the selection order of these documents is displayed on the left side of thelist1800C, as shown inFIG. 29.

When the user touches a print key1903C of thewindow1800C, a print execution instruction is accepted. Then, thecontrol unit108 refers to, e.g., a management table for managing the data management structure inFIG. 10, and recording destination list information used in the process ofFIG. 11. Consequently, for example, thecontrol unit108 determines that document D is saved inbox3. In contrast, thecontrol unit108 determines that entity image data of document G does not exist in currently selectedbox3 and document G is shortcut function data for reading out document E whose entity image data is stored inbox1.

Thecontrol unit108 also controls the printing order when a plurality of documents are continuously printed. For example, when a plurality of documents are selected by the user from thelist1801C, as shown inFIG. 29, thecontrol unit108 controls to continuously print the selected documents in the same order as the document selection order by the user. In the example ofFIG. 29, document D is selected first, and then document G is selected. Thus, thecontrol unit108 prints document D first, and then document F. In this order, these documents are continuously printed at once.

For this purpose, a series of image data (3-page job) of document D which is selected first from thelist1800C are read out from thebox area505 of currently selectedbox3, and the data are printed by theprinter unit104. Thereafter, a series of image data linked to document G which is selected next from thelist1800C, i.e., document E (4-page job) is read out from thebox area503 ofbox1 different from currently selectedbox3, and the data are printed by theprinter unit104.

As described above, the embodiment is so configured as to continuously print a plurality of documents selected by the user via a box. The embodiment also employs a function of continuously printing at once a document whose entity image data is saved in a selected box and a document whose entity image data is saved in another box. As for the printing conditions of documents, the documents may be printed under preset process conditions, or the settings may be changed to continuously print the documents. In any case, thecontrol unit108 controls to utilize pieces of job information on jobs of documents D and E which are saved inbox3.

Control associated with job information will be explained.

In the embodiment, as described above, thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 so that a series of image data which are stored in a box can be output in response to user operation executed via the user interface window of a different box. Thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 not to save entity image data in the different box, but to save process conditions for the series of image data as job information in the different box. In the above example, entity image data of document E that is saved in thebox area503 ofbox number1 is not saved in either thebox area504 ofbox number2 or thebox area505 ofbox number3.

However, process conditions for document E are saved as job information in thebox areas504 and505. With this configuration, in an output process for the series of image data which are stored in the box, the process conditions which have been set in advance for the data can be controlled changeably via the user interface window of the different box. Under the changed process conditions, the output process for the data can be executed. This configuration is adopted to cope with, e.g., the following situation.

Assume that the user of thehost300 who selects the plural-box simultaneous storage mode via theprinter driver1300 inFIG. 21 is the owner ofbox1 in theimage forming apparatus100. Also, assume that a user who utilizesbox2 of theimage forming apparatus100 and a use who utilizesbox3 exist.

In this situation, assume that the user of thehost300 saves document E to be processed in hisbox1, and wants the users ofboxes2 and3 to utilize data of document E. The user of thehost300 will be called a distributing user, and the users ofboxes2 and3 will be called distributed users. As for process conditions for data of document E, document E may be used in an output form designated by the distributing user, or each distributed user may want to output document E in his desired output form.

The embodiment can cope with even this situation. For this purpose, the embodiment allows the distributing user to select which of a plurality of boxes subjected to distribution is to save actual data to be processed when the data to be processed is stored in thehard disk107 of theapparatus100 in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. In other words, which of boxes is to save data functioning as a shortcut can be determined on the basis of a setting instruction from the distributing user.

This control will be explained with reference to the above example. The control unit of thehost300 serving as an example of the data generation apparatus displays thebox setting window1600 as shown inFIG. 16 on the display unit of thehost300. The control unit controls to allow the user to select a plurality of boxes as data save destinations.

When the user of thehost300 selects a plurality of boxes via thelist1602, as shown inFIG. 21, the control unit of thehost300 monitors the selection order of the boxes selected by the user. The control unit controls theimage forming apparatus100 so that entity data of data to be processed is saved in a box area corresponding to a box which is selected first by the user of thehost300 via thelist1602.

That is, when the user of thehost300 makes box settings as shown inFIG. 21 and thehost300 inputs job data to be processed to theimage forming apparatus100, thecontrol unit108 of theimage forming apparatus100 executes various control operations described above.

More specifically, entity image data of document E is saved in a box (box area503) ofbox number1 that is selected first by the user of thehost300 via thelist1602 displayed on the display unit of thehost300. In a box (box area504) which is selected second via thelist1602 and corresponds tobox number2, data which is defined as document F and functions as a shortcut to document E is saved as data for allowing the user ofbox2 to input an instruction to output the entity image data of document E from thehard disk107. In a box (box area505) which is selected third via thelist1602 and corresponds tobox number3, data which is defined as document G and functions as a shortcut to document E is saved as data for allowing the user ofbox3 to input an instruction to output the entity image data of document E from thehard disk107. The series of data storage control operations are executed by thecontrol unit108.

Thecontrol unit108 saves, as entity data in each ofboxes1,2, and3, job information containing a series of process conditions set for document E by the user of thehost306. In the above example, a series of process condition parameters (e.g., paper size “A4 size”, the number of output copies “five copies”, “execute single-sided printing”, and finishing setting “staple”), and various types of information on document E (e.g., the box storage date and time, and page count information) are saved as job information in each box.

The reason that data is registered as documents F and G in boxes instead of using the repetitive document name is to deal with a data management trouble which may occur when, for example, a plurality of data are saved with the same name in thehard disk107. However, this file naming method need not always be employed as far as no trouble occurs and user needs can be satisfied.

In the embodiment, which of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode and single-box storage mode is to be executed can be determined in accordance with the number of boxes selected via thebox setting window1600 displayed on the display unit of thehost300. More specifically, when the user selects only one box via thelist1602 and a job is input, as shown inFIG. 17, the job is processed in the single-box storage mode. To the contrary, when the user selects a plurality of boxes via thelist1602 and a job is input, as shown inFIG. 21, the job is processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode.

However, the embodiment may selectively execute these modes by a determination method other than the above one. For example, the display unit of thehost300 displays a display window having two keys: a key to select the single-box storage mode by the user and a key to select the plural-box simultaneous storage mode by the user immediately after the user selects, e.g., the “save mode” in themode selection column1301 of theprinter driver300. These keys are alternatively controlled on the window, and a selected storage mode is determined as a mode to be executed. In this fashion, either of the two modes may be explicitly designated by the user.

The shortcut function in the above-described box function will be explained.

According to the embodiment, when user operation is done for data in a box via the user interface of the image forming apparatus, data functioning as a shortcut can be selected. For example, this process corresponds to selection of document F shown inFIG. 24 and selection of document G shown inFIG. 29. Further, the shortcut function data allows the user to use theapparatus100 and execute a desired process for entity image data to be read out from thehard disk107. A series of control operations for data input to a box are executed by thecontrol unit108.

In the embodiment, a box area for saving entity image data is prepared in thehard disk107 of theimage forming apparatus100 serving as an example of the data processing apparatus. In the above example, this box corresponds to the box (box area503) ofbox number1 that holds entity image data of document E. A box which saves entity image data to be read out by the shortcut function will be called a “first box (or first type box)”.

A box area which does not save any entity image data is also prepared in thehard disk107 of theimage forming apparatus100. In the above example, the box (box area504) ofbox number2 and the box (box area505) ofbox number3 correspond to boxes which do not hold any entity image data of document E but store data functioning as a shortcut. A box which saves data functioning as a shortcut for allowing the user to input an entity image data read instruction will be called a “second box (or second type box)”.

With this configuration, the embodiment performs various control operations described above. Main control operations will be listed below.

[Control 1]

Data of the first job (to be also referred to as the first type job) transmitted from the data generation apparatus without performing any predetermined operation by the user of the data generation apparatus via the user interface unit of the data generation apparatus is controlled to be accepted by the data processing apparatus.

In the above example,control 1 corresponds to a configuration in which thecontrol unit108 controls theimage forming apparatus100 to accept job data transmitted from thehost300 without selecting a plurality of boxes (but selecting only one box) by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600 displayed on the display unit of thehost300.

A job which is input from thehost300 via a series of UI operations in FIGS.13→14→15→16→17 corresponds to an example of the first type job. In other words, jobs such as jobs of documents A, B, C, and D inFIG. 9 are controlled.

[Control 2]

Data of the second job (to be also referred to as the second type job) transmitted from the data generation apparatus upon performing predetermined operation by the user of the data generation apparatus via the user interface unit of the data generation apparatus is controlled to be accepted by the data processing apparatus.

In the above example,control 2 corresponds to a configuration in which thecontrol unit108 controls theimage forming apparatus100 to accept job data transmitted from thehost300 upon selecting a plurality of boxes by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600 displayed on the display unit of thehost300.

A job which is input from thehost300 via a series of UI operations in FIGS.13→14→15→16→21 corresponds to an example of the second type job. In other words, a job of document E inFIG. 10 is controlled.

[Control 3]

Thecontrol unit108 controls the data processing apparatus to accept, from the user via display associated with the first box, a process request for the first job data when the first type job data is saved in thehard disk107 of the data processing apparatus. Thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to execute, for entity image data of the first job, a process corresponding to an instruction from the user that has been accepted via the display.

In the above example, when job data of documents A and B are transmitted from thehost300, thecontrol unit108 saves these job data in thebox area503 ofbox number1. These jobs are input from thehost300 by selectingonly box1 as a save destination by thehost300 via thebox setting window1600. Thecontrol unit108 causes thedisplay unit316 to execute display for allowing the user to execute operation of data in the box ofbox number1 in response to selection of the box ofbox number1 by the user of theapparatus100 via thebox selection window601 inFIG. 6. For example, thedocument selection window1800A forbox number1 inFIG. 22 corresponds to this display.

Manipulation for a series of image data of document A and those of document B in thehard disk107 is made acceptable from the user via the settingwindow1800A. Thecontrol unit108 controls to selectively accept various instructions from the user via thekeys1901A to1905A of the settingwindow1800A. Hence, theapparatus100 can execute processes (printing process, transmission process, erase process, editing process, and the like) desired by the user for documents A and B. In other words, thecontrol unit108 inhibits data manipulation for documents A and B from the settingwindow1800B for the box ofbox number2 and the settingwindow1800C for the box ofbox number3. Display control is executed to inhibit the user from selecting documents A and B from, e.g., thelists1801B and1801C.

This also applies to a job of document C. Thecontrol unit108 controls to execute various manipulations for job data of document C only via theoperation window1800B (seeFIGS. 18,19,23,24, and the like) ofbox number2. Manipulation for job data of document C cannot be done from a setting window of another box other than that ofbox2. This also applies to a job of document D. Thecontrol unit108 controls to execute various manipulations for job data of document D only via theoperation window1800C (seeFIGS. 28,29, and the like) ofbox number3. Manipulation for job data of document D cannot be done from a setting window of another box other than that ofbox3.

[Control 4]

Thecontrol unit108 controls the data processing apparatus to accept, from the user via display associated with the first box, a process request for the second job data when the second type job data is saved in thehard disk107 of the data processing apparatus. In addition, thecontrol unit108 controls the data processing apparatus to accept, from the user even via display associated with the second box, a process request for the second job data. Thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to execute, for entity image data of the second job, a process corresponding to an instruction which has been accepted from the user via the display associated with the first box. Also, thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to execute, for entity image data of the second job, a process corresponding to an instruction which has been accepted from the user via the display associated with the second box.

In the above example, when job data of document E is transmitted from the host300 (see the UI inFIG. 21), thecontrol unit108 saves the job data of document E (containing a series of image data of 4-page document E) in box1 (box area503) which is selected first via thelist1602 of thewindow1600 of thehost300. Thecontrol unit108 controls theimage forming apparatus100 to accept, from the user via the display associated with the box ofbox number1, a process request for entity image data of document E.

For example, thedocument selection window1800A ofbox1 inFIG. 22 is displayed on thedisplay unit316 in response to selection of the box ofbox number1 by the user of theapparatus100 via thebox selection list601 inFIG. 6, as described above. As a result, the user can select document E via thelist1801A from a plurality of document data associated withbox1. Thecontrol unit108 effectively displays thekeys1901A to1905A upon selection of document E by the user via thelist1801A. A request to execute a process for entity image data of document E can be accepted from the user via thekeys1901A to1905A. When a process request is accepted from the user via any one of thekeys1901A to1905A, thecontrol unit108 reads out the entity image data of document E from thebox area503 of thehard disk107. Thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to execute a process corresponding to the process request from the user for the entity image data of document E. Processes desired by the user (e.g., printing process, transmission process, detailed information process, and erase process) can be executed for document E.

Thecontrol unit108 executes not only the above-described series of control operations but also the following series of control operations. Like the above example, thecontrol unit108 controls theimage forming apparatus100 to accept a process request for entity image data of document E from the user via display associated with a distributed box for job data of document E other than the box ofbox number1. For example, thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to accept a process request for entity image data of document E from both the operation window of distributedbox2 and that of distributedbox3.

For example, thedocument selection window1800B ofbox2 inFIG. 23 is displayed on thedisplay unit316 in response to selection of the box ofbox number2 by the user of theapparatus100 via thebox selection window601 inFIG. 6, as described above. The user can select, via thelist1801B from a plurality of document data associated withbox2, document F functioning as a shortcut for reading out entity image data of document E from thehard disk107. Thecontrol unit108 effectively displays thekeys1901B to1905B upon selection of document F (shortcut key to document E) by the user via thelist1801B (seeFIG. 24). A request to execute a process for entity image data of document E can be accepted from the user via thekeys1901B to1905B.

When a process request is accepted from the user via any one of thekeys1901B to1905B, thecontrol unit108 reads out the entity image data of document E from thebox area503 of thehard disk107. Thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to execute a process corresponding to the process request from the user for the entity image data of document E. Processes desired by the user (e.g., printing process, transmission process, and detailed information process) can be executed for document E. Note that the entity image data of document E is a job which is stored inbox1 different from currently operatedbox2. For this reason, whenbox2 is to be operated, execution of a process to erase entity image data of document E is inhibited.

The same operation as that ofbox2 can also be executed forbox3 serving as the other distribution destination. For example, thedocument selection window1800C forbox3 inFIG. 28 is displayed on thedisplay unit316 in response to selection of the box ofbox number3 by the user of theapparatus100 via thebox selection window601 inFIG. 6, as described above. The user can select, via thelist1801C from a plurality of document data associated withbox3, document G functioning as a shortcut for reading out entity image data of document E from thehard disk107. Thecontrol unit108 effectively displays thekeys1901C to1905C upon selection of document G (shortcut key to document E) by the user via thelist1801C (seeFIG. 29). A request to execute a process for entity image data of document E can be accepted from the user via thekeys1901C to1905C.

When a process request is accepted from the user via any one of thekeys1901C to1905C, thecontrol unit108 reads out the entity image data of document E from thebox area503 of thehard disk107. Thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to execute a process corresponding to the process request from the user for the entity image data of document E. Note that the entity image data of document E is a job which is stored inbox1 different from currently operatedbox3. Thus, even whenbox3 is operated, execution of a process to erase real image data of document E is inhibited.

The embodiment provides the configuration described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 29. This configuration can flexibly deal with a situation in which the same job data is simultaneously distributed and saved in a plurality of boxes desired by the user among a plurality of data storage boxes prepared in the memory of a data processing apparatus having the box function, such as the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. With this configuration, the same job data can be distributed and saved in a plurality of boxes desired by the user by simple operation. The burden on various users who utilize the box function can be minimized to improve operability.

By providing control of the shortcut function in the box function, a job to process image data can be preferably recorded in a plurality of boxes by one job, and the amount of data recorded in each box can be reduced to efficiently use the memory.

The embodiment can, therefore, provide a user-friendly, convenient system which can flexibly meet various needs from various users for the box function provided by the data processing apparatus such as theapparatus100.

The above description mainly concerns control of a printing process when the user selects data functioning as a shortcut in performing box-operation via the user interface of theimage forming apparatus100.

Control of a data erase process when the user selects data functioning as a shortcut in performing box operation via the user interface of theimage forming apparatus100 will be explained. The data erase process will be described with reference toFIG. 24. This control is also performed by thecontrol unit108.

FIG. 24 shows a state in which thecontrol unit108 displays thekeys1901B to1905B in thedocument selection window1800B in response to selection of document F via thedocument selection list1801B of thewindow1800B forbox2 by a user who operates the box ofbox number2.

When the user selects document F corresponding to document E whose entity image data is saved inbox number1 is selected by the user in the boxdocument selection window1800B for the box ofbox number2, and the user touches the erase key1902B of thewindow1800B, thecontrol unit108 controls not to respond to an erase process request from the user.

More specifically, thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to inhibit execution of an erase process for entity image data to be read out from the memory in accordance with shortcut function data defined by document F, i.e., real image data of document E that is saved in thebox area503 of box number1 (4-page text data input from thehost300 via the printer driver inFIG. 21). The erase process includes a process of inhibiting read of data from the memory even if the user performs any box operation via theoperation unit102 of the image forming apparatus. An example of the erase process method is a complete data erase method of overwriting, with arbitrary data, real data which is stored in the memory and is to be erased. Another example is a simple data erase method of substantially inhibiting read of real data by performing data manipulation for management information in a management table (e.g., FAT table) associated with the data though the real data to be erased remains in the memory.

The reason why thecontrol unit108 inhibits erase, from thehard disk107, of entity image data of document E to be read out from thehard disk107 by user selection of document F corresponding to data functioning as a shortcut to document E will be described below.

For example, real image data of data is not saved in the currently operated box, i.e., the box (box area504) ofbox number2. The real image data of data is stored in another box (in this example, box1). Thus, erase is inhibited to prevent a situation in which the user of a box other than the currently operated box ofbox number2, e.g., the user ofbox1 or the user ofbox3 cannot utilize real image data of data. An error may occur when erase of real image data of document E corresponding to entity image data of document F is permitted via theoperation window1800B for the box ofbox number2 inFIG. 24. For example, the user ofbox number1 may not be able to output document E via an operation window (document selection window1800A inFIG. 22) for the box ofbox number1. Also, the distributed user ofbox number3 may not be able to output document E via an operation window (document selection window1800C inFIG. 28) for the box ofbox number3.

In order to prevent such an error, according to the embodiment, thecontrol unit108 controls to inhibit execution of an erase process for entity image data when a job selected via a box operation window is a job functioning as a shortcut for outputting entity image data saved in another box. In other words, thecontrol unit108 controls to permit execution of an erase process for entity image data when a job selected via a box operation window is a job for outputting entity image data saved in the currently selected box. For example, when the user selects document C via thelist1801B of thewindow1800B inFIG. 23 corresponding to the operation window ofbox2 and touches the erase key1902B, thecontrol unit108 permits erase of entity image data of document C from thehard disk107. For example, when the user selects document D via thelist1801C of thewindow1800C inFIG. 28 corresponding to the operation window ofbox3 and touches an erase key1902C, thecontrol unit108 permits erase of entity image data of document D from thehard disk107.

In order to further enhance the effects of the embodiment, user friendliness of a distributed user will be considered. Assume that the user ofbox2 corresponding to a distributed user does not need document E whose entity image data is saved in another box. According to the embodiment, thecontrol unit108 controls to cope with even this situation.

For example, thedocument selection window1800B forbox2 is displayed on thedisplay unit316, and the user selects document F from thelist1801B of thewindow1800B. In response to this, thecontrol unit108 changes the window state from the state inFIG. 23 to that inFIG. 24. Entity image data of the selected document is document E, and is saved inbox1. For this reason, even if the user touches the erase key1902B which is effectively displayed in thewindow1800B ofFIG. 24, thecontrol unit108 controls to inhibit erase of entity image data of document E associated with document F from thehard disk107. In this case, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to erase, from the window, the list display of document F from a document list displayed in thelist1801B of thewindow1800B.

More specifically, when the user selects document F from thelist1801B of thewindow1800B inFIG. 24 and touches the erase key1902B, the display of document F is erased from thelist1802B of the window. This result is illustrated inFIG. 30. In response to this operation, data in the memory is also updated. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 controls thehard disk107 to delete data functioning as a shortcut to document E and job information of document F from thebox area504 ofbox number2. Accordingly, the data structure ofbox number2 changes from the state inFIG. 10 to that inFIG. 9. That is, only data of document C is saved inbox2.

When the user selects, via a box document selection window, data functioning as a shortcut for reading out entity image data saved in another box from thehard disk107, and inputs an instruction to erase the data, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to inhibit an erase process for the entity image data, but permits deletion of the data from the list of the window.

This can avoid a situation in which a distributed user who receives data in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode cannot delete unnecessary data among document data associated with his box from a document selection list in his box selection window because the data is job data shared by another box to which the data is input in the simultaneous storage mode. Unnecessary data can be deleted from the list, and only necessary data can construct a list, providing a convenient user interface capable of easily selecting a document by the user.

By executing the above control, thecontrol unit108 controls to inhibit data manipulation for document E via theoperation window1800B for the box ofbox number2 but continuously permit data manipulation for document E via an operation window for another box.

More specifically, thecontrol unit108 executes display control as shown inFIG. 30 to thedisplay unit316, and inhibits acceptance of a process request for document E via theoperation window1800B for the box ofbox number2. To the contrary, when theoperation window1800A ofbox1 is displayed, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to execute the display shown inFIG. 22. Thecontrol unit108 inhibits data manipulation for document E via an operation window for the box ofbox number2. However, thecontrol unit108 controls to permit acceptance of a process request for document E from the user via an operation window for the box ofbox number1.

Similarly, when theoperation window1800C ofbox3 is displayed, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to execute the display shown inFIG. 28. Thecontrol unit108 inhibits data manipulation for document E via an operation window for the box ofbox number2, but permits acceptance of a process request for document E from the user via an operation window for the box ofbox number3. By executing the above series of control operations in the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

For example, the embodiment can prevent an error which may occur when the user ofbox2 corresponding to a distributed box executes data manipulation for document E corresponding to a job input in the plural-box simultaneous input mode. An example of this error is that the user ofbox1 or3 corresponding to another distributed box cannot read out document E from thehard disk107 even by box operation because document E has already been erased from thehard disk107. The embodiment can prevent generation of this error by employing the above-described control.

By adopting the above-described control, the embodiment can prevent generation of a situation in which the user of the box ofbox number2 wants to “delete document E from the document selection list of his box because he will not use document E”, but cannot delete document E from the document selection window for the user ofbox2 because the user of distributedbox1 or3 may use document E.

In this manner, the embodiment can prevent various problems which may occur when the plural-box simultaneous input mode is implemented, and the effects of flexibly meeting various needs from various users who use the box function according to the embodiment can be further enhanced.

The embodiment can provide various mechanisms, and these mechanisms are based on specifications which consider various user needs from various users who use the box function. The embodiment can also be applied to an apparatus which cannot execute all the mechanisms described in the embodiment.

For example, the embodiment can deal with a situation in which the same job data is simultaneously distributed and saved in a plurality of boxes desired by the user among a plurality of data storage boxes prepared in the memory of the data processing apparatus having a function such as the box function. The embodiment attains an effect capable of implementing distribution and save of the same job data in a plurality of boxes by simple operation by a user who wants them. For this reason, the following configuration may also be satisfactory as far as no attention need be paid to the resource (e.g., memory capacity) of the apparatus among the above-mentioned points.

The above example is a control example in which data functioning as a shortcut to entity image data is saved in a distributed box in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. Instead of this control example, the following control may be executed. The description starts from a state at which the box setting window inFIG. 21 is displayed on the display unit of thehost300. A series of control operations by thehost300 before the window inFIG. 21 is displayed on the display unit of thehost300 are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

For example, as shown inFIG. 21, three boxes,1,2, and33 are selected by the user of thehost300 via thelist1602 of thebox setting window1600 as save destinations of document data of document E which is transmitted from thehost300. The user clicks the OK key1701, and job data of document E is output from thehost300. After the job data of document E is received by theimage forming apparatus100, thecontrol unit108 analyzes the job data. Thecontrol unit108 determines that the job data is a job in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode and save destinations are threeboxes1 to3. Thecontrol unit108 simultaneously saves the job data of document E in the three boxes on the basis of an instruction from thehost300. At this time, thecontrol unit108 controls thehard disk107 to execute the following series of data storage control operations.

Entity image data (4-page document data, similar to the above example) and job information (containing a series of process parameters such as printing conditions of document E) of document E are saved in thebox area503 ofbox number1. In parallel with (at the same time as) a series of data save processes inbox1, thecontrol unit108 causes theapparatus100 to execute the following data storage control.

For example, electronic copy data of entity image data of document E is created using a proper memory work area such as thetemporary area501 of thehard disk107. Upon the completion of the electronic data copy creation process, thecontrol unit108 saves the electronic copy data of entity image data of document E with a file name “document F” in thebox area504 ofbox number2.

That is, data having the file name “document F” in this example is not virtual data functioning as a shortcut to document E. Document F is entity image data having the same contents as those of entity image data of document E.

The entity image data as copy data of entity condition image data of document E is saved with the file name “document F” in thebox area504 ofbox number2. At the same time, thecontrol unit108 also saves job information of document E in thebox area504 in association with document F.

Thecontrol unit108 controls to execute the same work as the above one for thebox area505 ofbox number3 corresponding to another distributed box. More specifically, after a creation process for entity image data corresponding to electronic copy data of entity image data of document E is completed in thetemporary area501, the electronic copy data of entity image data of document E is saved with a file name “document G” in thebox area505 ofbox number3. In addition, thecontrol unit108 also saves job information of document E in thebox area505 in association with document G.

The embodiment may also be applied to this configuration which controls theapparatus100 to distribute and save copy data of entity image data in a plurality of boxes selected in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode.

If the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is executed by this data storage method of storing electronic copy data of entity image data in a distributed box, the data storage statuses ofboxes1,2, and3 in thehard disk107 become different from a data structure as shown inFIG. 10.

For example, when job data of document E input from thehost300 in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is stored in a box by the data storage method, the data structures ofboxes1 to3 become a data structure as shown inFIG. 31. Although the data structure ofbox1 is identical to that inFIG. 10, those ofboxes2 and3 do not save any shortcut function data but save entity image data corresponding to electronic copy data of document E, unlikeFIG. 10. In the embodiment, thecontrol unit108 controls thehard disk107 to cope with even a case wherein the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is executed by this storage method.

When the same job data is simultaneously saved in a plurality of boxes by the data storage method, thecontrol unit108 executes user interface operation control which is synchronized with data storage control. For example, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to execute displays inFIGS. 32 and 33 on the basis of a criterion such as the data structure status inFIG. 31 or FAT information. This control will be explained.

Whenbox2 is selected in thebox selection list601 ofFIG. 6 that is displayed on thedisplay unit316 of theimage forming apparatus100, thecontrol unit108 displays thedocument selection window1800B shown inFIG. 32 on thedisplay unit316 as an operation window forbox2.

As is apparent from a comparison with the operation control example described with reference toFIG. 23, when display control shown inFIG. 32 is executed, thelist1801B does not display anyshortcut icon2201. This is because copy data of document E is created and entity image data having the same contents as those of document E is saved inbox2.

Hence, as shown inFIG. 32, the list18001A displays information which allows the user to recognize that entity image data of document F is saved inbox2 and document F is copy data of document E.

When the user selects any document via thelist1801B shown inFIG. 32, thecontrol unit108 effectively displays thekeys1901B to1905B in thewindow1800B ofFIG. 32, as described above.

For example, when the user selects document F via thelist1801B shown inFIG. 32, thecontrol unit108 effectively displays thekeys1901B to1905B in thewindow1800B ofFIG. 32 so as to accept a process request for document F from the user. For example, when the user touches the print key1903B which is effectively displayed in thewindow1800B ofFIG. 32, thecontrol unit108 displays the print setting window200A inFIG. 25 on thedisplay unit316, as described above. The user can set various printing process conditions for document F corresponding to copy data of document E via thewindow2000A.

Original data of document F displayed in the list ofFIG. 32 is document E. According to the embodiment, as described above, printing process conditions can be set in advance for document E via theprinter driver1300 of thehost300.

When printing conditions are set for original data in advance in this manner, the parameters are reflected in thewindow2000A. Thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to allow a user who operates a box to determine, via thewindow2000A, whether to print under printing conditions which have been set in advance for the original data, or to print after the conditions are changed. In order to execute this control, job information is saved in thebox area504 in association with document F, as shown inFIG. 31.

Assume that the user selects document F via thelist1801B shown inFIG. 32, completes various settings and confirmation, and touches the print start key2002A of thewindow2000A inFIG. 25. In response to user operation, thecontrol unit108 reads out, from thestorage area504 ofbox2 in thehard disk107, entity image data which is electronic copy data of document E and is defined with the file name “document F”. If the user touches the key2002A without changing printing conditions via the display inFIG. 25, thecontrol unit108 causes theprinter unit104 to print the readout entity image data (copy data of entity image data of document E) under the printing process conditions which have been set in advance by thehost300 for document E. If the user changes the process conditions via the display inFIG. 25 and then touches the key2002A, thecontrol unit108 causes theprinter unit104 to print the readout entity image data under the changed printing process conditions.

In executing control of creating copy data, thecontrol unit108 can also execute the following control of an erase process. For example, the user selects document F via thelist1801B shown inFIG. 32, and touches the erase key1902B which is effectively displayed in thewindow1800B ofFIG. 32. In response to this, thecontrol unit108 accepts an erase process request for document F.

In this case, thecontrol unit108 controls to erase document F, i.e., copy data of entity image data of document E from thebox area504. In this control example, thecontrol unit108 permits execution of an erase process for simultaneously distributed data. In executing an erase process, read of document F, i.e., copy data of entity image data of document E from thehard disk107 is inhibited by, e.g., overwriting real data with arbitrary data, or clearing management data in an FAT table. Job information of the document is also deleted from thearea504.

In executing control of creating copy data, thecontrol unit108 can also execute the following control of a data transmission process. For example, the user selects document F via thelist1801B shown inFIG. 32, and touches the send key1904B which is effectively displayed in thewindow1800B ofFIG. 32. In response to this, thecontrol unit108 accepts a data transmission process request for document F.

In this case, thecontrol unit108 controls thecomputer interface unit106 to read out document F, i.e., copy data of entity image data of document E from thebox area504 and transmit the readout entity image data to an external apparatus desired by the user in a data format desired by the user. In this fashion, thecontrol unit108 permits execution of a transmission process for entity image data of simultaneously distributed data.

Thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to execute the same process as the above one even whenbox number3 corresponding to another distributed box is operated.

For example, whenbox3 is selected in thebox selection window601 ofFIG. 6 that is displayed on thedisplay unit316 of theimage forming apparatus100, thecontrol unit108 displays thedocument selection window1800C shown inFIG. 33 as an operation window forbox3 on thedisplay unit316.

Data having a file name “document G” in thelist1801C ofFIG. 33 is copy data of entity image data of document E which is saved atbox number1. The copy data is saved in thebox area505 ofbox3.

If the user selects document G corresponding to copy data of entity image data of document E via thelist1801C inFIG. 33, thecontrol unit108 effectively displays thekeys1901C to1905C in thewindow1800C ofFIG. 33. Thecontrol unit108 controls to accept a desired process request for document G from the user.

Also in this example, a user interface forbox number1 at which entity image data of document E is saved is identical to thebox setting window1800A inFIG. 22, and the user of a box which saves original data can execute the same process as the above one. In this example, even whenbox1 is selected in the window ofFIG. 6, thecontrol unit108 displays thewindow1800A inFIG. 22 on thedisplay unit316, and executes the same control as the above-described one.

Also in executing an operation sequence of storing electronic copy data of entity image data in a distributed box in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode, various process requests for the data can be separately accepted from the user for each distributed box via a box operation window for the distributed box.

In the embodiment, the operation sequence of storing electronic copy data of entity image data in a distributed box in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode will be called an electronic copy data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. To the contrary, the above-described operation sequence of saving, in a distributed box, shortcut function data for allowing the user to input an instruction to read out entity image data present in a given box from the memory via the UI of a different box will be called a shortcut function data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode.

The merits of these modes will be explained. Merits common to these two modes will be described. For example, when either mode is executed, the embodiment can deal with a situation in which the same job data is simultaneously distributed and saved in a plurality of boxes desired by the user among a plurality of data storage boxes prepared in the memory of the data processing apparatus having the box function. In addition, this can be implemented by simple operation by a user who wants to distribute and save the same job data in desired boxes. As a result, user friendliness in simultaneously storing data in a plurality of boxes can be improved.

Merits specific to the former mode, i.e., the shortcut function data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode will be explained. If this mode can be executed, the resource necessary for the box function can be saved while the effects common to the two modes are achieved. For example, the embodiment uses thehard disk107 for the box function, but one box suffices to store entity image data for a job in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. Therefore, a job in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode can be dealt with at a small memory capacity.

Merits specific to the latter mode, i.e., the electronic copy data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode will be explained. If this mode can be executed, user friendliness of a distributed box can be further improved while the effects common to the two modes are attained.

For example, when the former mode described in the embodiment is to be executed, thecontrol unit108 can execute the following operation according to the embodiment. For example, the user ofbox1 selects document E via an operation window forbox1 and thelist1801A of thewindow1800A inFIG. 22, and touches the erase key1902A which is effectively displayed. In this case, thecontrol unit108 erases entity image data of document E from thebox area503 ofbox1.

As a result, read of the entity image data of document E from thehard disk107 is inhibited. Even if the user performs box operation, acceptance of a process request for entity image data of document E is inhibited. For example, the list display of information of document E is deleted from thelist1801A of thedocument selection window1800A inFIG. 22 that is associated with the box ofbox number1. In response to execution of the erase process for entity image data of document E, the list of the operation window of a distributed box such asbox2 orbox3 is also automatically updated.

For example, when the document selection window ofbox2 is displayed on thedisplay unit316 after the erase process for entity image data of document E is executed under the above control, the list display of information of document F associated with document E is automatically deleted from the list of thelist1801B inFIG. 23. Similarly when the document selection window ofbox3 is displayed on thedisplay unit316, the list display of information of document G associated with document E is automatically deleted from the list of thelist1801C inFIG. 28.

As described above, when theapparatus100 executes an operation like the shortcut function data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode, acceptance of an instruction to erase entity image data is permitted via the operation window ofbox1 which saves the entity image data. Upon reception of the instruction, thecontrol unit108 executes the erase process for the entity image data. Upon the completion of the erase process, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 so that a display item for accessing entity image data of document E from a window forbox number2 orbox number3 corresponding to another distributed box is automatically deleted from the list upon the completion of executing the erase process. Under this control, access from another distributed box is inhibited.

In contrast, if theapparatus100 can execute the electronic copy data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode, theapparatus100 can perform the following operation under the control of thecontrol unit108.

For example, the user ofbox number1 selects document E via thelist1801A inFIG. 22, and touches the erase key1902A which is effectively displayed in the window. Then, thecontrol unit108 erases entity image data and job information of document E from thebox area503 ofbox1. At the same time, thecontrol unit108 updates the display contents of the operation window ofbox1 so as to delete a display item corresponding to document E from thelist1801A of theoperation window1800A ofbox1. Under this control, acceptance of a process request for entity image data of document E from the user via theoperation window1800A ofbox1 is inhibited.

However, even if entity image data and job information of document E are erased from thestorage area503 ofbox1, thecontrol unit108 controls not to erase copy data (entity) of entity image data of document E and job information of the job from thestorage area504 ofbox2 and the storage area ofbox3 where the copy data of entity image data of document E is saved. Thecontrol unit108 controls thehard disk107 to leave the copy data of entity image data of document E and its job information in these areas.

Even if the list display of document E is deleted from thelist1801A of theoperation window1800A ofbox1 in synchronism with the control, thecontrol unit108 inhibits deletion of the list display of document F from thelist1801B of theoperation window1800B ofbox2. Also, thecontrol unit108 inhibits deletion of the list display of document G from thelist1801C of theoperation window1800C ofbox3.

That is, when the operation window ofbox number2 is displayed on thedisplay unit316 after the list display of document E is deleted from thelist1801A of theoperation window1800A ofbox number1 inFIG. 22, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to maintain the display state inFIG. 32. If document F is selected via thelist1801B of thewindow1800B ofbox2 inFIG. 32, various process requests for copy data of entity image data of document E associated with document F which is saved in thestorage area504 ofbox2 can be accepted from the user ofbox2. Thecontrol unit108 controls to execute a process corresponding to an instruction from the user ofbox2 for the copy data (entity) which is saved in thestorage area504 ofbox2.

Similarly, when the operation window ofbox number3 is displayed on thedisplay unit316 after the list display of document E is deleted from thelist1801A of theoperation window1800A ofbox number1 inFIG. 22, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to maintain the display state inFIG. 33. If document G is selected via thelist1801C of thewindow1800C ofbox3 inFIG. 33, various process requests for copy data of entity image data of document E associated with document G which is saved in thestorage area505 ofbox3 can be accepted from the user ofbox3. Thecontrol unit108 controls to execute a process corresponding to an instruction from the user ofbox3 for the copy data (entity) which is saved in thestorage area505 ofbox3.

The above control will be further explained. For example, a request to execute an erase process for document F is accepted via theoperation window1800B ofbox2 from the user ofbox2. In this case, thecontrol unit108 erases electronic copy data of entity image data of document E and its job information from thestorage area504 ofbox2. However, thecontrol unit108 controls to accept a process request for the entity image data of document E from the user ofbox1 via thewindow1800A ofbox1. Thecontrol unit108 also controls to accept a process request for the copy data of entity image data of document E from the user ofbox3 via thewindow1800C ofbox3.

With the configuration capable of storing job data in a plurality of boxes in the electronic copy data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode, control independent of other boxes can be executed box by box for job data to be simultaneously stored.

The embodiment can, therefore, prevent a problem which may be generated in an apparatus configuration capable of executing an operation such as the shortcut function data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. For example, in the shortcut function data distribution mode, the embodiment can prevent generation of a situation in which the users ofboxes2 and3 cannot access entity image data of document E and obtain any output product of data corresponding to the entity image data of document E because the user ofbox1 erases document E.

As described above, either the data sharing method using the shortcut function or the electronic copy data creation function for entity image data can be employed. As far as the above-mentioned effects which can be obtained commonly by these methods can be achieved, the embodiment can be applied to any system/apparatus configuration or any data processing method.

In other words, the embodiment adopts various control configurations concerning the box function, as described above. All these configurations are high-value-added specifications which consider user friendliness, use environment, and the like, and all these control configurations need not always be implemented. This is because, by employing at least one of the above-described control configurations, solutions for problems assumed in the background art can be proposed to contribute to improvements in box function and usability.

Considering further enhancement of the effect of flexibly meeting various user needs for the box function, the embodiment may execute the following control.

The above configuration example is a concrete example which is included in the embodiment as far as the apparatus can execute only one of an operation such as the shortcut function data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode and an operation such as the electronic copy data distribution mode in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. An apparatus which has these two modes is assumed, and the user can select and determine which of the modes is used to operate the apparatus.

Theapparatus100 according to the embodiment will be exemplified. In theapparatus100, when the user touches the user mode key311 of theoperation unit102 shown inFIG. 4, thecontrol unit108 displays, on thedisplay unit316, a user mode window for allowing the user to register initial settings of various functions of theapparatus100. As for the settings (e.g., a setting for registering a box name) of various box functions described above, their initial settings can also be registered by the user in the user mode.

When the user mode is selected and the user performs initial settings of the box function, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to display a window shown inFIG. 34.

Awindow3400 is a display window for performing initial settings of the box function. Thecontrol unit108 controls to allow the user to select in advance whether to permit or inhibit execution of the above-described plural-box simultaneous storage mode viakeys3402 and3403 in aselection item3401 of thewindow3400.

The example ofFIG. 34 corresponds to a state in which the key3403 is set to inhibit execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. If this setting is selected for theimage forming apparatus100, thecontrol unit108 transmits the setting information to the data generation apparatus. That is, even thehost300 corresponding to an example of the data generation apparatus is notified of the box setting information.

With this setting, for example, the control unit of thehost300 controls not to accept a request to execute the plural-box simultaneous storage mode from the user of thehost300. For example, when thebox setting window1600 inFIG. 16 is displayed on the display unit of thehost300, only one box can be selected, and selection of a plurality of boxes is inhibited. That is, a box selection setting in thelist1600 as shown inFIG. 17 is permitted, but selection of a plurality of boxes in thelist1600 as shown inFIG. 21 is inhibited. Under this control, execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is inhibited, but execution of the single-box storage mode is permitted.

To the contrary, when the user touches the key3402 in thewindow3400 ofFIG. 34 to make a setting of permitting execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode, thecontrol unit108 controls thedisplay unit316 to change the display contents of thewindow3400 to those as shown inFIG. 35. Also when this setting is made for theimage forming apparatus100, thecontrol unit108 transmits the setting information to the data generation apparatus. That is, even thehost300 corresponding to an example of the data generation apparatus is notified of the box setting information.

With this setting, for example, thehost300 can execute various control operations described above. More specifically, only one box can be selected via thebox setting window1600 as shown inFIG. 17, and a target job can be processed by theapparatus100 in the single-box storage mode (see a control example when document C is input). Moreover, a plurality of boxes can be selected by the user via thebox setting window1600 as shown inFIG. 21, and target job data can be processed by theapparatus100 in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode (see a control example when document E is input).

When the setting of inhibiting execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is made, thecontrol unit108 grays out aselection item3404 in thewindow3400, as shown inFIG. 34. This control inhibits the user from inputting any instruction via theitem3404.

When the setting of permitting execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is made, thecontrol unit108 effectively displays theselection item3404 in thewindow3400, as shown inFIG. 35. This control permits the user to input an instruction via theitem3404.

In the embodiment, when the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is executed, thecontrol unit108 controls to prompt the user to select either ofselection columns3404aand3404bin the selection item3505. The user can, therefore, determine in advance which of the shortcut function data distribution mode and electronic copy data distribution mode is executed by theapparatus100 in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode.

The display state inFIG. 35 represents an example when the shortcut function data distribution mode is selected by selecting theselection column3404a. When the shortcut function data distribution mode is set for theapparatus100 in executing the plural-box simultaneous storage mode, thecontrol unit108 can execute various control operations explained in the description of the shortcut function data distribution mode (see the descriptions ofFIGS. 10 and 22 to30).

Alternatively, the electronic copy data distribution mode can be set when the user selects theselection column3404bof theselection item3404 shown inFIG. 35. When the electronic copy data distribution mode is set for theapparatus100 in executing the plural-box simultaneous storage mode, thecontrol unit108 can execute various control operations explained in the description of the electronic copy data distribution mode (see the descriptions ofFIGS. 31,22, and31 to33).

This configuration can implement the plural-box simultaneous storage mode in a mode desired by the user among the shortcut function data distribution mode and electronic copy data distribution mode. Optimal operation can, therefore, be selected in consideration of the merits of these two modes. The effect of flexibly meeting various user needs for the box function can be further enhanced. However, this control is a specification which considers user merits in the box function, and need not always be employed.

In the embodiment, as described in detail above, the configuration is common to both the shortcut function data distribution mode and electronic copy data distribution mode in at least the following points.

A data processing system including a data processing apparatus (e.g., the image forming apparatus100) having a storage unit (e.g., the hard disk107) capable of storing data in a plurality of boxes including the first and second boxes is configured as follows.

When the first job data transmitted from the data generation apparatus is stored in the storage unit without performing any predetermined operation via the user interface unit of the data generation apparatus such as thehost300, the embodiment controls the data processing apparatus to permit acceptance of a process request for the first job data from the user via the first display associated with the first box.

This configuration corresponds to a control example when only the box ofbox number2 is selected as a save destination by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600 of thehost300 as shown inFIG. 17 without selecting a plurality of boxes, and then theapparatus100 receives job data of document C from thehost300. After analyzing the received data, thecontrol unit108 saves the job data in thebox area504 ofbox2 in thehard disk107. In this case, a process request for entity image data of document C can be accepted from the user via an operation window necessary to use the box ofbox number2. A process desired by the user can be executed for the entity image data of document C (seeFIGS. 18 to 20, and the like).

Similarly, the above configuration corresponds to a control example when only the box ofbox number1 is selected as a save destination by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600 of thehost300 without selecting a plurality of boxes, and then theapparatus100 receives job data of document A from thehost300. After analyzing the received data, thecontrol unit108 saves the job data in thebox area503 ofbox1 in thehard disk107. In this case, a process request for entity image data of document A can be accepted from the user via the operation window of the box ofbox number1. A process desired by the user can be executed for the entity image data of document A (seeFIG. 22 and the like).

In other words, thecontrol unit108 inhibits manipulation of entity image data of document A via a user interface window for a box (e.g.,box2 or3) other thanbox1. This configuration also corresponds to a control example when only the box ofbox number1 is selected as a save destination by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600 of thehost300 without selecting a plurality of boxes, and then theapparatus100 receives job data of document B from thehost300.

Similarly, the above configuration corresponds to a control example when only the box ofbox number3 is selected as a save destination by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600 of thehost300 without selecting a plurality of boxes, and then theapparatus100 receives job data of document D from thehost300. After analyzing the received data, thecontrol unit108 saves the job data in thebox area505 ofbox3 in thehard disk107. In this case, a process request for entity image data of document D can be accepted from the user via the operation window of the box ofbox number3. A process desired by the user can be executed for the entity image data of document D (seeFIGS. 28,29, and the like). In other words, thecontrol unit108 inhibits manipulation of entity image data of document D via a user interface window for a box (e.g.,box1 or2) other thanbox3.

A job which is input from the data generation apparatus after only one box is designated as a save destination without selecting a plurality of boxes will be called the first job. In other words, a job to be processed in the single-box storage mode will be called the first job. In this connection, a box which saves entity image data will be called the first box.

The embodiment is premised on this configuration, and further provides the following configuration.

When the second job data transmitted from the data generation apparatus is stored in the storage unit upon performing predetermined operation via the user interface unit of the data generation apparatus such as thehost300, the embodiment controls the data processing apparatus to accept a process request for the second job data via the first display associated with the first box, and accept a process request for the second job data via the second display associated with the second box.

This configuration corresponds to a control example whenboxes1,2, and3 are selected as save destinations by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600 of thehost300 as shown inFIG. 21 in plural-box selection operation, and then theapparatus100 receives job data of document E from thehost300. After analyzing the received data, thecontrol unit108 saves the job data in thebox areas503,504, and505 ofboxes1,2, and3 in thehard disk107. In the shortcut function data distribution mode, document F corresponding to data functioning as a shortcut for reading put entity image data of document E is saved inbox2. Similarly, document G corresponding to data functioning as a shortcut for reading out entity image data of document E is saved inbox3. In the electronic copy data distribution mode, entity image data corresponding to copy data of entity image data of document E is saved as document F inbox2. Similarly, entity image data corresponding to copy data of entity image data of document E is saved as document G inbox3. In either mode, original entity image data of document E is saved in box1 (seeFIGS. 10 and 31).

In this case, a process request for entity image data of document E can be accepted from the user via an operation window necessary to use the box ofbox number1. A process desired by the user ofbox1 can be executed for the entity image data of document E (seeFIG. 22 and the like).

Similarly, process requests for entity image data of document E (or entity image data corresponding to copy data of entity image data of document E) can be accepted from the users ofboxes2 and3 via the user interfaces ofboxes2 and3 which do not save any original entity image data of document E. Processes desired by the users ofboxes2 and3 can be executed for the entity image data of document E (seeFIGS. 23 to 27,28,29,30,32,33, and the like).

A job which is input from the data generation apparatus after a plurality of boxes are selected as save destinations by the user of the data generation apparatus will be called the second job. In other words, a job to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode will be called the second job. In this connection, a box which saves original entity image data will be called the first box, and a box which does not save any original entity image data will be called the second box.

The embodiment is premised on this configuration, and allows the user of the data generation apparatus to select a plurality of boxes which are to simultaneously save job data of the same contents from a plurality of data boxes (100 boxes in the embodiment) in the memory of the data processing apparatus.

As an example of this configuration, as shown inFIG. 21, the control unit of thehost300 controls the display unit of thehost300 to display thebox setting window1600 for allowing the user of thehost300 to select a plurality of boxes which are to simultaneously save image data of the same contents. The user of thehost300 can select a plurality of boxes such asboxes1 to3 via the window.

Moreover, the embodiment is premised on the above configuration, and controls to allow the user of the data generation apparatus to select which of boxes is to save entity image data when the same job data is simultaneously stored in a plurality of boxes.

As an example of this configuration, as shown inFIG. 21, entity image data can be saved in a box which is selected first by the user of thehost300 via thebox setting window1600.

In order to further improve user friendliness for a job to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode according to the embodiment, the embodiment may execute the following control.

For example, the user of thehost300 clicks an OK key via theprinter driver window1300 of thehost300 after making a setting of saving job data of document E inboxes1 to3. Upon reception of the job input instruction, the control unit of thehost300 transmits the job data to theimage forming apparatus100 page by page in an order from the first page if the document is made up of a plurality of pages. Theimage forming apparatus100 sequentially bitmaps the job data transmitted from thehost300 into bitmap images of respective pages, and then saves the entity image data in the boxes. Finally, the job data is saved in all the boxes designated by the user of thehost300.

The period of a series of work operations is generated as a period until a data save process for job data in a plurality of boxes by the data processing apparatus is completed after the data processing apparatus accepts a job data process start request from the user in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. The period of the series of work operations becomes longer as the number of boxes to save the same job data becomes larger.

In this situation, assume that the user of the data generation apparatus notices that job data should not be distributed to each box immediately after a request to execute a target job in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is input to the data generation apparatus. For example, the user of thehost300 tries to store job data of document E in a plurality of boxes but erroneously inputs another document. Alternatively, the user inputs document E but sets improper printing process conditions. In this case, the user of the data generation apparatus may want to cancel the job. It is considered preferable to flexibly cope with such a situation, and thus the embodiment may execute the following control.

For example, as shown inFIG. 21, the user of thehost300 selects a plurality of boxes via thebox setting window1600, and clicks theOK key1302 of thebasic window1300 of the printer driver inFIG. 13. Then, the control unit of thehost300 determines that an output start request has been accepted, and transmits job data of document E to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode to theimage forming apparatus100. After theimage forming apparatus100 receives the job data, thecontrol unit108 analyzes command data of the job data and determines the process request which has been input by the user via the user interface of thehost300. Thecontrol unit108 determines that job data of document E is a job to be saved inboxes1,2, and3, similar to the above example. Thecontrol unit108 controls thehard disk107 to start and execute a series of data storage processes, similar to the above example.

More specifically, entity image data (all bitmap image data of four pages) of document E, and job information (containing a series of printing process condition data designated by thehost300 for document E) of document E are saved in thebox area503 ofbox number1. In addition, shortcut function data of entity image data of document E (in the electronic copy data distribution mode, electronic copy data of entity image data of document E), and the job information of document E are saved in thebox area504 ofbox number2. Also, the shortcut function data of entity image data of document E (in the electronic copy data distribution mode, electronic copy data of entity image data of document E), and the job information of document E are saved in thebox area505 ofbox number3.

Upon the completion of all processes for the three boxes, thecontrol unit108 determines that all work for the job of document E from thehost300 has been completed (in the example ofFIG. 11, this state corresponds to the end of the process inFIG. 11 for NO in step S1103).

If all processes of the job are not completed, thecontrol unit108 controls thehard disk107 to keep executing the data storage process for the job till the completion of the job processes (in the example ofFIG. 11, this control corresponds to a loop process of repeating processes in steps S1104 to S1106 for YES in step S1103).

Thecontrol unit108 monitors various operation states of theapparatus100, a process request input from the user via theoperation unit102, and the like even during the period until a series of processes for the job are completed after thehard disk107 starts a series of data storage processes for the job of document E to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. Thecontrol unit108 accepts input of various data from an external apparatus even during execution of the job.

Further, thecontrol unit108 monitors the process status of the job (progress of the job). For example, thecontrol unit108 confirms whether a series of processes of storing job data to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode in all boxes selected by the user of the data generation apparatus are uncompleted.

Thecontrol unit108 controls to accept, from the user via a user interface, an instruction to cancel the process of a job while monitoring the process status of the job.

In the above example, thecomputer interface unit106 can accept an instruction to cancel a plural-box simultaneous storage process for job data of document E that is input by the user of thehost300 via a setting window on the display unit of thehost300 corresponding to a transmitting side for a job of document E. Also, an instruction to cancel the job can be accepted from the user of theimage forming apparatus100 via theoperation unit102 corresponding to the user interface of theapparatus100.

In this configuration, for example, an instruction (to be also referred to as an abort instruction or stop instruction) to cancel a job of document E is input via the user interface while a box storage process for the job of document E is executed by theimage forming apparatus100.

The progress of a job upon input of the job cancel instruction is as follows.

(1) A data storage process forbox1 has ended. That is, a process of saving entity image data (all bitmap image data of four pages) of document E, and job information (containing a series of printing process condition data designated by thehost300 for document E) of document E in thebox area503 ofbox number1 has ended.

(2) A data storage process forbox2 is in execution. That is, a process of saving shortcut function data of entity image data of document E (in the electronic copy data distribution mode, electronic copy data of entity image data of document E), and job information of document E in thebox area504 ofbox number2 is in progress.

(3) A data storage process forbox3 does not start yet because the process forbox2 has not ended. That is, a process of saving shortcut function data of entity image data of document E (in the electronic copy data distribution mode, electronic copy data of entity image data of document E), and job information of document E in thebox area505 ofbox number3 does not start yet.

As described above, a storage process for job data of document E inbox1 has been completed as the process status of the job upon acceptance of the job cancel instruction. A storage process for job data of document E inbox2 is in progress. A storage process for job data of document E inbox3 does not start.

When the control unit determines the above status on the basis of job process status information from thehard disk107, it causes theapparatus100 to execute a process of canceling the job of document E.

In order to further improve the effect of flexibly meeting various needs from users, the cancel process to be executed is desirably any one of the following control operations.

[Cancel Control 1: Plural-Box all Cancel Mode]

In executing this control, thecontrol unit108 cancels (invalidates) a job data save process for all boxes selected by the user of the data generation apparatus including even a box in which job data to be canceled has been stored, among a plurality of boxes selected by the user.

This control will be called a “plural-box all cancel mode” for a job to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode.

Control operation in executing this mode will be explained using the above example. Assume that at least part of shortcut function data of entity image data of document E (in the electronic copy data distribution mode, electronic copy data of entity image data of document E), and at least part of job information of document E have been saved in thebox area504 ofbox number2 in process. Incomplete data on a job of document E that is stored in thebox area504 ofbox number2 is erased from thearea504. However, thecontrol unit108 controls not to erase but to leave data of another job which has been saved inbox2. That is, data of document C is kept saved in thearea504 ofbox2.

While executing this control, thecontrol unit108 also controls theoperation unit102. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 executes the list display of document C in thelist1801B of thedocument selection window1800B for operating the box ofbox number2, as shown inFIG. 23 or32. However, thecontrol unit108 controls not to execute the list display of document F. Accordingly, thecontrol unit108 permits acceptance of a process request for data of document C from the user via thewindow1800B ofbox2, but inhibits acceptance of a process request for data of document F.

In executing the all cancel mode, thecontrol unit108 controls to erase all job data of document E from thebox area503 ofbox number1 where the job data of document E has been stored. That is, entity image data (all bitmap image data of four pages) of document E, and job information (containing a series of printing process condition data designated by thehost300 for document E) of document E are erased from thebox area503 ofbox number1. However, thecontrol unit108 controls not to erase but to leave data of another job which has been saved inbox1. That is, job data of documents A and B are kept saved in thearea503 ofbox1.

While executing this control, thecontrol unit108 also controls theoperation unit102. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 executes the list display of documents A and B in thelist1801A of thedocument selection window1800A for operating the box ofbox number1, as shown inFIG. 22. However, thecontrol unit108 controls not to execute the list display of document E. Consequently, thecontrol unit108 permits acceptance of a process request for data of documents A and B from the user via thewindow1800A ofbox1, but inhibits acceptance of a process request for data of document E.

After the above process is executed, thecontrol unit108 determines that the cancel process for the job of document E has been completed, and ends the process without executing a further process for the job of document E by theapparatus100.

As forbox3 which does not save any job data of document E, thecontrol unit108 ends the process directly. Thecontrol unit108 controls theoperation unit102 in correspondence with the control. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 executes the list display of document D in thelist1801C of thedocument selection window1800C for operating the box ofbox number3, as shown inFIG. 28 or33. However, thecontrol unit108 controls not to execute the list display of document G. Hence, thecontrol unit108 permits acceptance of a process request for data of document D from the user via thewindow1800C ofbox3, but inhibits acceptance of a process request for data of document E. The above operation is an example of the all cancel mode.

[Cancel Control 2: Plural-Box Individual Cancel Mode A]

In executing this control, thecontrol unit108 operates theapparatus100 as follows. When a storage process for job data to be canceled has ended in any one of boxes selected by the user of the data generation apparatus, the job data is left in the box. For a box in which a storage process for job data to be canceled is not completed (e.g., a box during the storage process for the job data or an unprocessed box in which no storage process for the job data does not start yet), thecontrol unit108 cancels (invalidates) a job data save process.

This control will be called a “plural-box all cancel mode” for a job to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode.

Control operation in executing this mode will be explained using the above example. Assume that at least part of shortcut function data of entity image data of document E (in the electronic copy data distribution mode, electronic copy data of entity image data of document E), and at least part of job information of document E have been saved in thebox area504 ofbox number2. Incomplete data on a job of document E that is stored in thebox area504 ofbox number2 is erased from thearea504. However, thecontrol unit108 controls not to erase but to leave data of another job which has been saved inbox2. That is, data of document C is kept saved in thearea504 ofbox2.

While executing this control, thecontrol unit108 also controls theoperation unit102. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 executes the list display of document C in thelist1801B of thedocument selection window1800B for operating the box ofbox number2, as shown inFIG. 23 or32. However, thecontrol unit108 controls not to execute the list display of document F. Accordingly, thecontrol unit108 permits acceptance of a process request for data of document C from the user via thewindow1800B ofbox2, but inhibits acceptance of a process request for data of document F.

In executing the individual cancel mode A, thecontrol unit108 controls not to erase but to leave job data of document E in thebox area503 ofbox number1 where the job data of document E has been stored. That is, entity image data (all bitmap image data of four pages) of document E, and job information (containing a series of printing process condition data designated by thehost300 for document E) of document E are kept saved in thebox area503 ofbox number1. In this way, when the mode A is executed, even job data to be canceled is not erased but is kept saved in a box in which data has been stored. Needless to say, another job data which has been saved inbox1 is also kept saved. That is, job data of documents A and B are also kept saved in thearea503 ofbox1.

While executing this control, thecontrol unit108 also controls theoperation unit102. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 executes the list display of documents A and B in thelist1801A of thedocument selection window1800A for operating the box ofbox number1, as shown inFIG. 22. At the same time, thecontrol unit108 controls to execute the list display of document E. As a result, thecontrol unit108 permits acceptance of a process request for data of documents A and B from the user via thewindow1800A ofbox1, and also permits acceptance of a process request for data of document E.

After the above process is executed, thecontrol unit108 determines that the cancel process for the job of document E has been completed, and ends the cancel process without executing a further process for the job of document E by theapparatus100.

As forbox3 which does not save any job data of document E, thecontrol unit108 ends the process directly. Thecontrol unit108 controls theoperation unit102 in correspondence with the control. Control forbox3 is the same as that in the all cancel mode.

The above operation is the plural-box individual cancel mode A.

[Cancel Control 3: Plural-Box Individual Cancel Mode B]

In executing this control, thecontrol unit108 operates theapparatus100 as follows. For example, job data to be canceled is kept saved in a box in which the job data to be canceled has already been stored when a cancel instruction is input. For a box in process in which a storage process for job data to be canceled starts, the job data storage process continues to save the job data to be canceled. After the end of saving the data in the box in which the data save process has proceeded, the job process ends. In other words, thecontrol unit108 cancels (invalidates) a job data save process for an unprocessed box in which no storage process for job data to be canceled does not start yet.

Control operation in executing this mode will be explained using the above example. Assume that at least part of shortcut function data of entity image data of document E (in the electronic copy data distribution mode, electronic copy data of entity image data of document E), and at least part of job information of document E have been saved in thebox area504 ofbox number2. The job data storage process continues in thebox area504 ofbox number2 until complete data on the job of document E is saved in thebox area504 ofbox2. The data of document E, and data of document C which has been saved inbox2 and corresponds to another job data are kept saved in thearea504 ofbox2.

While executing this control, thecontrol unit108 also controls theoperation unit102. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 executes the list display of document C in thelist1801B of thedocument selection window1800B for operating the box ofbox number2, as shown inFIG. 23 or32. Also, thecontrol unit108 controls to execute the list display of document F. With this setting, thecontrol unit108 permits acceptance of a process request for data of document C from the user via thewindow1800B ofbox2, and also permits acceptance of a process request for data of document F.

In executing the individual cancel mode B, thecontrol unit108 controls not to erase but to leave job data of document E in thebox area503 ofbox number1 where the job data of document E has been stored. That is, entity image data (all bitmap image data of four pages) of document E, and job information (containing a series of printing process condition data designated by thehost300 for document E) of document E are kept saved in thebox area503 ofbox number1. As a matter of course, another job data which has been saved inbox1 is also kept saved. That is, job data of documents A and B are kept saved in thearea503 ofbox1.

While executing this control, thecontrol unit108 also controls theoperation unit102. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 executes the list display of documents A and B in thelist1801A of thedocument selection window1800A for operating the box ofbox number1, as shown inFIG. 22. At the same time, thecontrol unit108 controls to execute the list display of document E. Accordingly, thecontrol unit108 permits acceptance of a process request for data of documents A and B from the user via thewindow1800A ofbox1, and also permits acceptance of a process request for data of document E.

After the above process is executed, thecontrol unit108 determines that the cancel process for the job of document E has been completed, and ends the process without executing a further process for the job of document E by theapparatus100.

As forbox3 which does not save any job data of document E, thecontrol unit108 ends the process directly. Thecontrol unit108 controls theoperation unit102 in correspondence with the control. Control forbox3 is the same as those in the all cancel mode and mode A.

The above operation is the plural-box individual cancel mode B.

The above effects can be expected by executing at least one of these three control modes by the apparatus of the embodiment.

The embodiment can also be applied when at least one of these three control modes is executed. From examination of the user status, however, it is estimated that the user is highly likely to cancel a job for the above-mentioned reason. At this time, the apparatus desirably executes, e.g., the all cancel mode.

Considering the fact that what is convenient for the user changes for each user, a cancel mode to be executed by theapparatus100 may be selected from the three cancel modes by the user in advance. Alternatively, any mode may be selected from at least two of the three modes by the user in advance as a cancel mode to be executed by theapparatus100.

The configuration which allows the user to designate a cancel mode to be executed can further improve the effects. In mode selection, thecontrol unit108 controls theoperation unit102 of theapparatus100 or the display unit of an external apparatus such as thehost300 to execute a user interface window for allowing the user to execute initial settings of the box function, as shown inFIG. 34. The user can designate a desired cancel mode via the window. However, this configuration is also a requirement for further improving user merits, and is not indispensable.

Although the embodiment can be applied to an apparatus which executes any one of the three cancel modes, the following control is more desirably executed.

In the above example, thecontrol unit108 causes theapparatus100 to execute a cancel process in accordance with an explicit cancel instruction which is input by the user via a user interface unit such as theoperation unit102 of theapparatus100 or the display unit of an external apparatus such as thehost300.

According to the embodiment, thecontrol unit108 can control to execute the above-described cancel process under operation conditions other than the above ones. More specifically, thecontrol unit108 can execute the cancel process when it detects generation of any trouble in theapparatus100.

For example, the user presses thepower key301 during a series of processes of storing, in a plurality of boxes designated by the user, job data of document E to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. In response to this, the state of theapparatus100 shifts from the power ON state to the power OFF state (power disconnection state). Upon detection of an event which shifts theapparatus100 to the power disconnection state (in this example, detection of the press of thepower key301 by the user), thecontrol unit108 executes the job cancel process.

Alternatively, the memory of thehard disk107 becomes full during a series of processes of storing, in a plurality of boxes designated by the user, job data of document E to be processed in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. Upon detection of an error event in the unit of the apparatus100 (in this example, detection of a hard disk-full error), thecontrol unit108 executes the job cancel process.

This control can also be adopted to prevent a situation in which the user believes that the process has been completed, but cannot obtain any desired result and is confused. This control can further enhance the above-described effects.

When thecontrol unit108 executes a job cancel process in accordance with an explicit cancel instruction from the user or automatically executes the job cancel process upon generation of an event in theapparatus100 without any explicit instruction from the user, as described above, thecontrol unit108 controls theapparatus100 to notify the data generation apparatus serving as a job generation source of status information to this effect.

For example, if a job of document E is canceled, thecontrol unit108 notifies thehost300 of information on the result of the cancel process. The control unit of thehost300 can display the information on the display unit of thehost300. For example, the control unit of thehost300 displays, on the display unit of thehost300, a message that a process of simultaneously storing job data of document E in a plurality of boxes has failed. Accordingly, the information can be fed back to the user of thehost300.

Not only when a plural-box simultaneous storage process fails but also when the process is normally completed (successful), the control unit of thehost300 may notify the data generation apparatus serving as a job input source of a message to this effect. This configuration can further improve the above effects.

However, these configurations are requirements for further improving user merits, and are not indispensable.

Points common to all the forms described above will be listed.

In the above example, a job from thehost300 is processed. However, in the data processing system according to the embodiment, the data generation apparatus is not limited to an external apparatus such as thehost300. For example, thereader unit103 of theapparatus100 also serves as the data generation apparatus because thereader unit103 performs a read process for document image data, and generates job data which can be transferred to theimage memory unit107,printer unit104, andcomputer interface unit106. In addition, thereader unit103 has, on the upper surface of the housing, the operation unit102 (FIG. 4) corresponding to an example of the user interface of the embodiment.

The embodiment can execute the same control as the above-described control example even when image data of a job which is acquired in a read process by thereader unit103 is saved in a plurality of boxes. A user interface used to store a scan job in a box is naturally theoperation unit102.

The user of theapparatus100 can execute, via a box mode setting window displayed on thedisplay unit316 of theoperation unit102, user settings upon input to various boxes, such as a setting of whether to process job data input from thereader unit103 in the plural-box simultaneous storage mode or single-box storage mode.

For example, after the user touches the box mode selection key in the window ofFIG. 12 that is displayed on thedisplay unit316, thecontrol unit108 displays, on thedisplay unit316, the same list as thebox selection list1602 of thebox setting window1600 as shown inFIG. 16. The user of theapparatus100 can select, via the box selection list displayed on thedisplay unit316, at least one box as a save destination of job data read by thereader unit102. The user of theapparatus100 can also set a series of printing conditions for job data to be stored in the box, via, e.g., a printing process condition setting window displayed on thedisplay unit316. When the user selects only one box via the box selection list displayed on thedisplay unit316, thecontrol unit108 determines that the single-box storage mode is selected. When the user selects a plurality of boxes via the list, thecontrol unit108 determines that the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is selected.

After box selection operation by the user via theoperation unit102 is done, the user inputs a job process start request via thestart key307 inFIG. 4 or the like. In accordance with the request, thecontrol unit108 causes thereader unit103 to execute a read process for a target job. Thecontrol unit108 controls to save the scan job data which is obtained by the read process and has a series of document image data, in one or a plurality of boxes designated by the user via theoperation unit102.

Control other than the above one is the same as control described in detail above (e.g., control which has been described with reference toFIGS. 6,18 to20,22 to35, and the like and is executed by thecontrol unit108, except control executed by the control unit of the host30), and a description thereof will be omitted.

In this manner, the embodiment can be applied not only when data is stored in the box of theapparatus100 from an external apparatus other than theapparatus100, but also when a job from the data generation apparatus of theapparatus100 is stored in a box. However, these configurations are also requirements for further improving user merits, and are not indispensable, but at least one of them is implemented.

In order to enhance various functions associated with the box function described in detail in the embodiment, the following control may be executed.

As described with reference toFIG. 34, according to the embodiment, the user can explicitly select, via thesetting item3401 of thewindow3400 inFIG. 34, whether to permit or inhibit execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode. As another method, for example, whether to permit or inhibit execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode can be determined on the basis of box settings which are executed by the user when job data to be processed is input to a box.

For example, the number of data storage boxes prepared in thehard disk107 of theapparatus100 according to the embodiment is 100. The above example is a control example in which job data of document E is simultaneously stored in three of the 100 boxes. User needs will be examined. Although 100 boxes are prepared, there are little needs for, e.g., distributing and storing the same job data in all the 100 boxes. This operation may give some load on the apparatus in consideration of the operability of theapparatus100, or may influence the productivity of another job. Even if the user designates the 100 boxes, the user operation may be wrong operation or a setting error by the user at high possibility.

Considering this situation, the embodiment controls to limit the number of boxes for which simultaneous storage is permitted when, e.g., a setting of storing the same job data in a plurality of boxes is made.

For example, the number of boxes which can be selected by the user via an operation window for allowing the user to select a plurality of boxes in which the same job data is to be simultaneously stored is controlled to be N at maximum. In the embodiment, the value N is at least 100 or less because thehard disk100 prepares only 100 boxes in the embodiment.

This control will be exemplified with reference to the example inFIG. 16. For example, the number of boxes which can be selected by the user via thebox selection list1602 of thebox setting window1600 is set to five at maximum. The control unit of thehost300 controls the display unit of thehost300 to inhibit the user from selecting five or more boxes.

When scan job data from thereader unit103 is stored in a box, thecontrol unit108 performs the following control. For example, when thedisplay unit316 displays a box selection list for prompting the user of theapparatus100 to select and designate boxes in which scan job data from thereader unit103 is to be saved, the number of boxes which can be selected by the user via the list is limited to five at maximum. Thecontrol unit108 controls thecontrol unit108 to inhibit the user from selecting five or more boxes.

In other words, according to these control operations, execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode is inhibited when five or more boxes are selected.

This configuration permits execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode when the number of boxes selected by the user via the user interface of the data generation apparatus is five or less (e.g., three boxes are selected, similar to the above example). To the contrary, the configuration inhibits execution of the plural-box simultaneous storage mode when the number of boxes selected by the user via the user interface of the data generation apparatus is five or more. Alternatively, the configuration inhibits the user from selecting five or more boxes. Accordingly, the configuration inhibits theapparatus100 from executing a process of simultaneously saving the same job data in five or more boxes.

The value “5” is a maximum permissible box count (N) representing the number of boxes which can be selected by the user when the same job data is simultaneously stored in a plurality of boxes. The value “5” is a concrete example of the value N, and N may be an arbitrary value other than “5”.

In order to further improve the above effects, the user may set an arbitrary value as the value N via a setting window for allowing the user to make initial settings of the box function, as shown inFIG. 34 or35. These initial settings are more preferably made by a user (e.g., administrator) who is authorized to a certain degree.

These configurations can further enhance the above-described effects. However, these configurations are also requirements for further improving the effects, and are not indispensable.

The embodiment has mainly described theimage forming apparatus100 as an example of the data processing apparatus. In addition to an apparatus of this type, the embodiment can also be applied to the following configuration. For example, the embodiment can be applied to an apparatus which has a storage unit capable of storing data in a plurality of data boxes, can accept a process request for data in the data boxes from the user via the user interface unit of the apparatus, and can execute an output process such as a transmission process or printing process for data saved in the data boxes. Examples of this apparatus are a facsimile apparatus, cell phone, digital camera, and personal computer.

A more preferable example of this apparatus is a product which may be requested by the user to, e.g., simultaneously store job data of the same contents in a plurality of data storage boxes prepared in the storage unit of a given apparatus, and implement this by simple operation. Each box is further preferably used to save contents for different users or different purposes.

From this viewpoint, the data generation apparatuses (200,300,400,500, and600) shown inFIG. 1 and thereader unit103 shown inFIG. 2 have mainly been explained as examples of the data generation apparatus in the embodiment, but an apparatus of another type (e.g., cell phone or digital camera) can also be applied to as the data generation apparatus. Note that the apparatus must be able to communicate data with the data processing apparatus, and must have a user interface unit which allows the user to select which of a plurality of data storage boxes prepared in the storage unit of the data processing apparatus is to save data. As described above, a more preferable apparatus is a product for which the above-mentioned user needs may arise.

The embodiment has been described in detail. The present invention can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium (recording medium), or the like. More specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus formed by a single device.

The present invention is also achieved by supplying a software program (in the above embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown inFIGS. 8A,8B, and11) for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus directly or from a remote place, and reading out and executing the supplied program codes by the computer of the system or apparatus.

The present invention is therefore implemented by program codes installed in the computer in order to implement functional processes of the present invention by the computer. That is, the present invention includes a computer program for implementing functional processes of the present invention.

In this case, the present invention can be implemented as a program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to an OS as long as a program function is attained.

A recording medium for supplying the program includes a Floppy® disk, hard disk, optical disk, magnetooptical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and DVD (DVD-ROM and DVD-R).

As another program supply method, the program can be supplied by connecting a client computer to an Internet Web page via the browser of the client computer, and downloading the computer program of the present invention or a compressed file containing an automatic installing function from the Web page to a recording medium such as a hard disk. The program can also be implemented by grouping program codes which form the program of the present invention into a plurality of files, and downloading the files from different Web pages. That is, the present invention also includes a WWW server which allows a plurality of users to download the program files for implementing functional processes of the present invention by a computer.

The program of the present invention can be encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to the user. A user who satisfies predetermined conditions is prompted to download decryption key information from a homepage via the Internet. The user executes the encrypted program by using the key information, and installs the program in the computer.

The functions of the above-described embodiment are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes. Also, the functions of the above-described embodiment are implemented when an OS or the like running on the computer performs some or all of actual processes on the basis of the instructions of the program.

The functions of the above-described embodiment are implemented when the program read out from the recording medium is written in the memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or the memory of a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs some or all of actual processes on the basis of the instructions of the program codes.

Concrete examples of these points have been described in relation to the printer driver of thehost300 with reference toFIGS. 13 to 17,21, and the like.

As has been described above, the configuration of the above embodiment can solve problems assumed in the background art. For example, the embodiment can flexibly meet user needs of, e.g., distributing and storing the same job data in a plurality of boxes desired by the user among a plurality of data storage boxes prepared in the storage unit of a data processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus. This can be implemented by simple user operation. As a result, the user can be provided with a convenient environment in which the burden on a user who utilizes the box function is minimized to improve operability while the box function is improved. For example, a job to process image data can be preferably recorded in a plurality of boxes by one job, and the amount of data recorded in each box can be reduced to efficiently use the memory. The embodiment can provide a user-friendly, convenient system which can flexibly meet various needs from various users for the box function provided by the data processing apparatus.

As described above, the present invention can improve user friendliness of the box function. The present invention can flexibly cope with a situation in which the same job data is distributed and stored in a plurality of boxes desired by the user among a plurality of boxes prepared in the storage unit of the data processing apparatus. The present invention can provide a mechanism capable of distributing and saving the same job data to a plurality of boxes desired by the user by simple operation. In addition, the present invention can minimize the burden on the user to improve operability. Further, the present invention can preferably record a job to process image data in a plurality of boxes by one job, and reduce the amount of data recorded in each box to efficiently use the memory. The present invention can provide a user-friendly, convenient system which can flexibly meet various needs from various users for the box function provided by the data processing apparatus.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. To make the scope of the present invention public, the following claims are appended.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-217773 filed on Jul. 26, 2004 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-196815 filed on Jul. 5, 2005, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

Claims (13)

The invention claimed is:

1. A data processing method for an image forming apparatus including a storage unit having a plurality of boxes assigned as storage areas for storing data, said method comprising:

a first reception step of receiving data to be stored in the storage unit, designation information indicating at least one of the plurality of boxes, and print setting information defining a print setting which is used for printing the data;

a first storage control step of storing, when the received designation information indicates one box, the received data and the received print setting information in a storage area corresponding to the one box indicated by the designation information;

a second storage control step of storing, when the received designation information indicates two boxes including a first box and a second box, the received data and the received print setting information in a first storage area corresponding to the first box indicated by the designation information, and of storing shortcut data for referencing the received data stored in the first storage area and the received print setting information in a second storage area corresponding to the second box indicated by the designation information, wherein the received data is not stored in the second storage area and wherein the shortcut data is not stored in the first storage area;

a second reception step of receiving a printing instruction of the data stored in the storage area corresponding to the one box or to the first box of the two boxes indicated by the designation information; and

a printing step of, when receiving the printing instruction, printing the data which is stored in the first storage area corresponding to the first box, based on the print setting information stored in the first storage area corresponding to the first box in a case where the storage area corresponding to the first box has been selected, and printing the data which is referred from the shortcut data stored in the storage area corresponding to the second box and is stored in the first box, based on the print setting information stored in the storage area corresponding to the second box in a case where the second box has been selected,

wherein the same print setting information received with the data is individually stored in each of the storage area corresponding to the first box and the storage area corresponding to the second box, and

the print setting information stored in the storage area corresponding to the first box and the print setting information stored in the storage area corresponding to the second box are capable of being individually edited.

2. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising a selection step of selecting the first box storing the received data from the plurality of boxes indicated by the received designation information, wherein, in said second storage control step, the received data is stored in the first storage area corresponding to the first box selected in said selection step, and the shortcut data is stored in the second storage area corresponding to the second box unselected in said selection step from the plurality of boxes indicated by the designation information.

3. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising:

a setting step of setting whether the shortcut data for referencing the received data is stored or electronic copy data of the received data is stored,

wherein, in said second storage control step, in the case that storing the shortcut data is set in said setting step, the shortcut data for referencing the received data stored in the first storage area is stored in the second storage area, or, in the case that storing the electronic copy data is set in said setting step, the electronic copy data of the received data is stored in the second storage area.

4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein, in said first reception step, the data is received from a document scanning apparatus generating image data based on image scanned from an original.

5. The method according toclaim 1,

wherein, in said first reception step, all of the data, the designation information, and the print setting information are received from a data generation apparatus connected via a network.

6. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for making a computer execute the data processing method ofclaim 1.

7. The method according toclaim 1, wherein, in said first reception step, the data is received from a reader unit for reading an image, and the designation information and the print setting information are received from a user via an operation unit.

8. An image forming apparatus processing data stored in a storage unit having a plurality of boxes assigned as storage areas for storing data, said image forming apparatus comprising:

a first reception unit configured to receive data to be stored in the storage unit, designation information indicating at least one of the plurality of boxes, and print setting information defining a print setting which is used for printing the data;

a first storage control unit configured to store, when the received designation information indicates one box, the received data and the received print setting information in a storage area corresponding to the one box indicated by the designation information;

a second storage control unit configured to store, when the received designation information indicates two boxes including a first box and a second box, the received data and the received print setting information in a first storage area corresponding to the first box indicated by the designation information, and to store shortcut data for referencing the received data stored in the first storage area and the received print setting information in a second storage area corresponding to the second box indicated by the designation information, wherein the received data is not stored in the second storage area and wherein the shortcut data is not stored in the first storage area;

a second reception unit configured to receive a printing instruction of the data stored in the storage area corresponding to the one box or to the first box of the two boxes indicated by the designation information; and

a printing unit configured to, when receiving the printing instruction, print the data which is stored in the first storage area corresponding to the first box, based on the print setting information stored in the storage area corresponding to the first box in a case where the first box has been selected, and to print the data which is referred from the shortcut data stored in the second box and is stored in the storage area corresponding to the first box, based on the print setting information stored in the storage area corresponding to the second box; in a case where the second box has been selected,

wherein the same print setting information received with the data is individually stored in each of the storage area corresponding to the first box; and the storage area corresponding to the second box; and

the print setting information stored in the storage area corresponding to the first box; and the print setting information stored in the storage area corresponding to the second box; are capable of being individually edited.

9. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 8, further comprising a setting unit configured to set whether the shortcut data for referencing the received data is stored or electronic copy data of the received data is stored, a carriage return wherein said storage control unit stores, in the case that said setting unit sets storing the shortcut data, the shortcut data for referencing the received data stored in the first storage area in the second storage area, and, in the case that said setting unit sets storing the electronic copy data, the electronic copy data of the received data in the second storage area.

10. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein said first reception unit receives the data from a document scanning apparatus generating image data based on image scanned from an original.

11. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 8, wherein said first reception unit receives the designation information and the print setting information from the user via an operation unit.

12. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 8,

wherein said first reception unit receives the data, the designation information, and the print setting information from a data generation apparatus connected via a network.

13. The image forming apparatus according toclaim 8, further comprising:

a printing unit configured to perform a printing process based on the data and the print setting information.

Images