Image forming apparatus with controller for storing print data according to characteristic value

Abstract

An image forming apparatus is provided with a storage device having storage areas divided corresponding to a characteristic value allocated for each print requesting person. Upon receiving print data and a characteristic value from an external device, the image forming apparatus stores the print data into a storage area which has been allocated the same characteristic value as the received characteristic value. The image forming apparatus subjects print data stored in the storage areas in the storage device to image formation processing on a storage area basis.

1 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an interface which receives print data, in which a print start time and an inherent value are set, from an external device;   a storage which stores the print data received by the interface;   a timer which counts a current time; and   a controller which, if the current time counted by the timer coincides with the print start time of the print data stored in the storage, performs print of the print data corresponding to the print start time for each inherent value.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller determines whether the current time counted by the timer coincides with the print start time of the print data stored in the storage. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein if the storage stores a plurality of print data in which one of different inherent values is set at same print start time, the controller causes the print data including the print start time which coincides with the current time counted by the timer to be printed for the different inherent values. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein if the storage stores a plurality of print data which include a plurality of print data in which a predetermined print start time and a first inherent value are set and a plurality of print data in which the predetermined print start time and a second inherent value are set, if the current time counted by the timer coincides with the predetermined print start time, the controller performs print of the print data in which the first inherent value is set and thereafter print of the print data in which the second inherent value is set. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein if the storage stores a plurality of print data in which a first print start time and a first inherent value are set, a plurality of print data in which the first print start time and a second inherent value are set, a plurality of print data in which a second print start time and the first inherent value are set and a plurality of print data in which the second print start time and the second inherent value are set, if the current time counted by the timer coincides with the first print start time, the controller performs print of all the print data in which either of the first and second inherent values are set, of the print data associated with the first print start time, and thereafter performs print of the other print data, and if the current time counted by the timer coincides with the second print start time, the controller performs print of all the print data in which either of the first and second inherent values are set, of the print data associated with the second print start time, and thereafter performs print of the other print data. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the inherent value is any one of a print request person, a group containing a person or information specifying the external device. 
   
   
       7 . An image forming method comprising:
 receiving print data, in which a print start time and an inherent value are set, from an external device;   storing the print data received;   counting a current time; and   performing print of the print data corresponding to the print start time for each inherent value if the current time counted coincides with the print start time of the print data stored.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising determining whether the current time counted coincides with the print start time of the print data stored. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein if a plurality of print data is stored in which one of different inherent values is set at same print start time, causing the print data including the print start time which coincides with the current time counted to be printed for the different inherent values. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein if a plurality of print data is stored which include a plurality of print data in which a predetermined print start time and a first inherent value are set and a plurality of print data in which the predetermined print start time and a second inherent value are set, if the current time counted coincides with the predetermined print start time, a print of the print data is performed in which the first inherent value is set and thereafter a print of the print data in which the second inherent value is set is performed. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein if there is stored a plurality of print data in which a first print start time and a first inherent value are set, a plurality of print data in which the first print start time and a second inherent value are set, a plurality of print data in which a second print start time and the first inherent value are set and a plurality of print data in which the second print start time and the second inherent value are set, if the current time counted coincides with the first print start time, a print is performed of all the print data in which either of the first and second inherent values are set, of the print data associated with the first print start time, and thereafter a print of the other print data is performed, and if the current time counted coincides with the second print start time, a print is performed of all the print data in which either of the first and second inherent values are set, of the print data associated with the second print start time, and thereafter a print of the other print data is performed. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , the inherent value is any one of a print request person, a group containing a person or information specifying the external device. 
   
   
       13 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 receiving means for receiving print data, in which a print start time and an inherent value are set, from an external device;   storage means for storing the print data received by the receiving means;   counting means for counting a current time; and   control means for, if the current time counted by the timer coincides with the print start time of the print data stored in the storage, performing print of the print data corresponding to the print start time for each inherent value.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the control means determines whether the current time counted by the counting means coincides with the print start time of the print data stored in the storage means. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein if the storage means stores a plurality of print data in which one of different inherent values is set at same print start time, the control means causes the print data including the print start time which coincides with the current time counted by the counting means to be printed for the different inherent values. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein if the storage means stores a plurality of print data which include a plurality of print data in which a predetermined print start time and a first inherent value are set and a plurality of print data in which the predetermined print start time and a second inherent value are set, if the current time counted by the counting means coincides with the predetermined print start time, the control means performs print of the print data in which the first inherent value is set and thereafter print of the print data in which the second inherent value is set. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein if the storage means stores a plurality of print data in which a first print start time and a first inherent value are set, a plurality of print data in which the first print start time and a second inherent value are set, a plurality of print data in which a second print start time and the first inherent value are set and a plurality of print data in which the second print start time and the second inherent value are set, if the current time counted by the counting means coincides with the first print start time, the control means performs print of all the print data in which either of the first and second inherent values are set, of the print data associated with the first print start time, and thereafter performs print of the other print data, and if the current time counted by the counting means coincides with the second print start time, the control means performs print of all the print data in which either of the first and second inherent values are set, of the print data associated with the second print start time, and thereafter performs print of the other print data. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , the inherent value is any one of a print request person, a group containing a person or information specifying the external device.