JP2000048172A - Network image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the operation for the user of a host device, and to ensure versatility or flexibility as a system even when a data conversion processing accompanying the transfer of image data is necessitated in a network image processor connected through a network with the host device. SOLUTION: This network image processor is constituted of a transfer controlling means 15a for transferring image data specified by a transfer demand from a host device 20 and a converting means 15b for converting the format of image data to be transferred into a desired format related with the transfer demand when the format of the image data does not match with the desired format at the time of transferring the image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network image processing apparatus that connects to a host device (client) via a network and provides image data to the host device, such as an image server. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a network image processing apparatus such as an image server has an image input section (scanner apparatus, etc.) for inputting image data and an image storage section (disk apparatus, etc.) for holding the image data. In response to a request from a host device connected via a network, image data read by the image input unit or image data held and stored in the image storage unit is transferred to the requesting host device. It has become.

On the other hand, the host device performs display processing and the like of transferred image data using application software (hereinafter simply referred to as AP) such as document creation software and image processing software installed in advance. The AP
Does not always match the data format that can be processed by the image data and the data format of the image data read or held and stored by the network image processing apparatus. Therefore, when transferring image data between the network image processing apparatus and the host apparatus, the data format of the image data is converted.

Conventionally, as described below, conversion of a data format is performed on the host device side after transfer to the host device, when transfer is performed while transferring to the host device, or when a network image is transferred prior to transfer to the host device. When the processing is performed on the processing apparatus side, there are four cases in which a file server is provided between the network image processing apparatus and the host apparatus and the processing is performed on the file server.

[0005] When the conversion is performed on the host device side as described above, a predetermined conversion tool is provided in the host device, and the conversion tool is operated by inputting a command, a source or destination file, or the like, so that the network can be operated. After receiving the image data from the image processing apparatus, the host apparatus converts the image data into a desired data format.

In the case of performing conversion while transferring data to the host device as described above, a specific AP installed in the host device performs conversion while image data is being loaded. More specifically, the AP of the host device or its related software (such as a data read driver) has a data format conversion function, and the conversion function converts the image data while loading it, so that the AP can process the image data. Convert to data format.

When the conversion is performed on the network image processing apparatus side as described above, a predetermined conversion tool is provided in the network image processing apparatus, and the conversion tool is operated by a command or the like input on the host apparatus side. Prior to the transfer of the image data to the host device, the host device converts the image data into a desired data format. In other words, conversion is commanded by a remote command or the like from the host device side.

In the case of conversion in a file server as described above, image data to be transferred from a network image processing apparatus to a host device is once transferred to a file server, and then converted to a data format in the file server. In this case, for example, JP-A-9-625
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 47, a folder (directory) for temporarily holding image data in a file server and data conversion work are linked, and for example, image data (file) in folder A is It is conceivable that the data format in the A folder is automatically converted into the data format in the B folder by transferring (drag and drop, etc.) to the B folder, and stored in the B folder.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, that is, in the case of (1), the following problem occurs.

In the case of (1), all the host devices that want to receive image data from the network image processing device must be equipped with a conversion tool, which is not preferable for a large-scale network having many host devices. In addition, since the user who operates each host device must be aware of the data format and the conversion tool that can be processed by the AP of the host device, the user may be troublesome.

In the case of (1), the user does not need to be aware of the data format and the conversion tool.
No conversion is performed unless image data is loaded using. That is, on the host device side, only the specific AP that can be used is limited, so that the versatility and flexibility of the system are lacking, and it may be inconvenient for the user.

In the case of (1), it is not necessary for each host device to be provided with a conversion tool. Must be input, which may be troublesome for the user. In addition, there is a possibility that problems such as management difficulties may arise.

In the case of (1), the operation of the user is simplified, but the image data is newly transferred in the file server every time the data format is converted. As a result, the management of data (folders) becomes complicated. There is a risk that it will. Further, since it is necessary to provide a file server, the system configuration becomes complicated.

In view of the above-mentioned problems (1) to (4), the present invention provides a simple operation for a user of a host apparatus even when a conversion process is required for transferring image data. An object of the present invention is to provide a network image processing apparatus which can ensure versatility and flexibility as a system without complicating the system configuration, and which is also suitable for construction of a large-scale network.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a network image processing apparatus devised to achieve the above object,
Storage means for holding and storing image data, a display function for displaying that the storage means holds and stores image data in a desired format, and a request function for requesting transfer of image data displayed by the display function Connecting means for connecting to a host device having a communication device, and when there is a transfer request for image data in the storage means from a host device connected via the connecting means, the image data is taken out from the storage means and transferred. Transfer control means, and conversion means for converting the format of the image data into the desired format if the format of the image data in the storage means does not match the desired format according to the transfer request at the time of transfer by the transfer control means And characterized in that:

According to the network image processing apparatus having the above configuration, when transferring the image data by the transfer control means, the format (eg, data format) of the image data must match the desired format according to the transfer request from the host device. For example, the conversion means converts the format of the image data into a desired format. Therefore, if the display function of the host device corresponds to the display relating to the image data of the desired format and the conversion means supports the conversion to the desired format, the storage device may store the image data in a format different from the desired format. Even if the image data is held and stored, the transfer control means transfers the image data in a desired format. That is, even if the storage unit does not hold the image data of the desired format, the host device can handle the image data of the desired format as if it existed in the storage unit.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A network image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the network image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of a system using the network image processing apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 2, a network image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment optically reads image data from a document or the like, and holds and stores the image data read by the scanner apparatus 10a. An auxiliary storage device (hard disk device or the like) 10b, a printer device 10c for converting the image data in the auxiliary storage device 10b into a visible image and outputting it to recording paper or the like, and setting necessary conditions and acquiring statuses by user operation. A user interface (hereinafter, referred to as U / I) unit 10d is provided, and further connected to the host device 20 via a network 30 such as a LAN (local area network). Note that a plurality of host devices 20 may be connected to the network 30.

The host device 20 is composed of a personal computer, a workstation, or the like. When the host device 20 is connected to the network image processing device 10 via the network 30, the network image processing device 10
It functions as a client that can receive image data from.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the host device 20 includes an operation unit 21 for a user to operate, a display unit 22 for displaying information to the user, and an OS
(Operating system) and a control unit 23 for executing an AP or the like. Of these, the control unit 2
3 has a display function 23a and a request function 23b that function by executing an OS or a predetermined program to request the network image processing apparatus 10 to transfer image data.

The display function 23a is a function for displaying the type of image data that can be provided from the network image processing apparatus 10 on the display unit 22, as will be described in detail later. The request function 23b is provided by the display function 23a as described later in detail.
This is a function for requesting the network image processing apparatus 10 to transfer the image data designated by the operation unit 21 among the image data displayed in 2.

On the other hand, in FIG. 1, the network image processing apparatus 10 has functions as an input unit 11, a storage unit 12, an output unit 13, a connection unit 14, and a control unit 15.

The input means 11 comprises a scanner device 10a for inputting image data. However, in the input means 11, the input of the image data is
A predetermined data format, for example, Aldus (US)
s), TIFF (Tag Image File Format), which is a high-density bitmap image file compatible format developed by Microsoft and the like in the United States.

The storage means 12 comprises an auxiliary storage device 10b for storing image data input by the input means 11 in accordance with an instruction from the control means 15.

The output means 13 comprises the printer device 10c, and serves to visualize the image data in the storage means 12. However, the output means 13 outputs image data of a predetermined format, for example, Adobe (US)
e) Outputs image data described by PostScript developed by the company.

The connection means 14 comprises a network interface (not shown in FIG. 2) and the like, and is for connecting to the host device 20 via the network 30.

The control means 15 comprises a CPU (not shown in FIG. 2) of the network image processing apparatus 10 and controls the operation of the entire network image processing apparatus 10. In the control means 15, the functions of the transfer control means 15a, the conversion means 15b, and the erasing means 15c are realized by executing a predetermined program by the CPU.

When the request function 23b of the host device 20 requests the transfer of image data, the transfer control unit 15a extracts the image data specified by the transfer request from the storage unit 12, and stores the image data in, for example, Connecting means 14 to the host device 20 which has requested the transfer
And via the network 30.

The conversion means 15b transfers the image data by the transfer control means 15a, as will be described in detail later.
The conversion processing for the format of the image data in the storage means 12 is performed. The conversion process performed by the conversion unit 15b includes, for example, conversion of a data format of image data and conversion related to resolution or color correction. However, the conversion means 15b can cope with a plurality of types of conversion processing set in advance. Further, the image data after the conversion processing is once held and stored in the storage means 12, and then the image data is stored in the storage means 12. It is assumed that the transfer is performed by the transfer control means 15a.

The erasing means 15c stores the same image data having different formats such as a data format from each other.
When a predetermined period elapses, the image data is erased and stored. However, in the erasing means 15c, at least one of the image data of the respective image data is stored in the storage means 1
2, and the other image data is deleted from the storage unit 12.

Next, a description will be given of an example of a processing operation in the case where image data is transferred to the host device 20 using the network image processing device 10 configured as described above. However, here, the network image processing apparatus 10
The image data input by the input means 11 of the storage means 1
2 is stored with a name "temp", and the image data having the name "temp" is stored in, for example, Windows by Microsoft (US).
A case where s) is imported by the host device 20 operating as an OS will be described as an example.

In this case, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the user inputs an instruction to start image data capture (transfer request) at the operation unit 21 of the host device 20 (step 101, step is abbreviated as S hereinafter). Host device 2
At 0, the display function 23a of the control unit 23 causes the display unit 22 to display the data format folder and the application folder (S102).

As shown in FIG. 4, the data format folder and the application folder are icons for specifying the type of data format of the image data to be imported from the network image processing apparatus 10. The data format folder is for directly specifying the data format of image data, such as “TIFF” or “PostScript”. Also, the application folder specifies the AP installed in the host device 20 in advance, such as “PowerPoint”, which is an AP by Microsoft Corporation in the United States, and stores data of image data that can be processed by the AP. This is for specifying the format.

That is, the display function 23 a
On the 0 side, a folder for specifying a desired data format is displayed. However, the type of folder that the display function 23a displays on the display unit 22 is predetermined for each host device 20. The display function 23a may display only one of the data format folder and the application folder.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, when one of the data format folder and the application folder is selected (clicked) by the user who operates the operation unit 21 (S103), the host device 20 performs control. The unit 23 makes an inquiry to the network image processing apparatus 10 and checks whether or not image data (hereinafter, referred to as a process designation file) that can be captured exists in the storage unit 12 (S104).

If the processing specification file exists, the display function 23a causes the display unit 22 to display the name of the processing specification file. However, at this time,
In the display function 23a, an extension corresponding to the selected folder is added to the name of the process designation file and displayed (S105).

For example, in the previous step (S103), when an application folder for specifying "PowerPoint" is selected, the display function 23a converts the image data "temp" in the storage means 12 into a data format of "TIFF". (“Temp.tiff”) is displayed on the display unit 22 as if a processing specification file “temp.ppt” in a data format that can be processed in “PowerPoint” exists.

When the user who operates the operation unit 21 instructs the import of the process specification file "temp.ppt", that is, the transfer (copying process) from the network image processing apparatus 10 to the host apparatus 20 (S106). In the host device 20, the control unit 23 notifies the network image processing device 10 of the fact.

On the other hand, in the network image processing apparatus 10, upon receiving a notification from the host apparatus 20, first, the transfer control means 15a searches the storage means 12, and a processing specification file specified by the notification, for example, a processing specification file It is determined whether the file “temp.ppt” is stored and stored (S107). Here, if the corresponding process designation file exists in the storage unit 12, the transfer control unit 15a
Retrieves the process designation file from the storage means 12 and transfers it to the requesting host device 20 via the connection means 14 and the network 30 (S108).

However, if the corresponding processing designation file does not exist, the network image processing apparatus 10
The process designation file is created by the conversion by the conversion means 15b (S109). For example, when the process specification file “temp.ppt” is specified, the conversion unit 15b
The specified contents are recognized by the notification (transfer request) from the host device 20, and even if there is only the processing specification file “temp.tiff” of the data format by “TIFF” in the storage means 12, the data format of the data format is By performing the conversion, a new process specification file “temp.ppt” is created in the storage unit 12 separately from the process specification file “temp.tiff”. Then, the transfer control unit 15a takes out the process designation file “temp.ppt” from the storage unit 12, and
This is transferred to the requesting host device 20 (S10
8).

As described above, in the network image processing apparatus 10, when the image data is transferred by the transfer control unit 15a, the data format of the image data must match the data format of the transfer request from the host apparatus 20. For example, the conversion means 15b converts the data format of the image data. Therefore, even if the data format related to the transfer request from the host device 20 and the data format of the image data held and stored in the storage unit 12 are different, the conversion unit 15b can handle the conversion to the data format. In this case, image data in a desired data format is transferred to the host device 20. That is, the host device 2
On the 0 side, even if the image data of the desired data format is not stored and stored in the storage unit 12, it is possible to deal with the image data of the data format existing in the storage unit 12.

Therefore, in the network image processing apparatus 10, when transferring image data, the host apparatus 20
Since there is no need to provide a conversion tool on the side or to perform loading by a specific AP, it is suitable for constructing a large-scale network, and there is no lack of versatility and flexibility as a system. Moreover, the host device 2
On the 0 side, since image data of a desired data format can be handled as existing in the storage means 12,
This eliminates the need for the user to be aware of the relationship between both data formats and the conversion tool, and as a result, can solve problems such as user inconvenience and management difficulty. Further, since there is no need to provide a file server or the like between the network image processing apparatus 10 and the host apparatus 20, the system configuration does not become complicated, and data (folder) management becomes complicated. I don't have to.

Thereafter, in the network image processing apparatus 10, if a predetermined period set in advance elapses and, for example, a new processing designation file "temp.ppt" is not used (taken out) during that time, the erasing means 15c will Perform erasure processing on the data. That is, the erasing means 15c
If a plurality of image data “temp” having the same content but different data formats are held and stored in the storage unit 12,
After a lapse of a predetermined period, at least one of the image data “temp” (for example, the processing specification file “temp.tif
f)) and delete the others. And erasing means 1
When there is a transfer request from the host device 20 or the like again after the erasing by 5c, the conversion process is performed again in the same manner as in the above-described case.

Thus, in the network image processing apparatus 10, even when the same image data is used in a plurality of data formats, the image data is stored and held in each data format for a long time. Therefore, the storage capacity in the storage unit 12 can be effectively used. Even after the erasure of the image data, since the image data in at least one data format remains, even if there is a transfer request from the host device 20 or the like again, it is handled by the conversion processing by the conversion means 15b. It becomes possible.

In the example of the processing operation described above, the case where the image data in the storage means 12 is transferred to the host device 20 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applicable to a case where image data in the storage unit 12 is transferred to the output unit 13 in response to a transfer request from the host device 20 and the output unit 13 outputs the image data on a recording sheet. It is.

In the above-described processing operation example, the case where the conversion means 15b converts the data format of image data has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the data format folder specifying “TIFF” is selected in the previous step (S103), the display function 23a is subsequently changed to a plain folder,
MH (modified Huffman) folder, MMR (modified
modified READ) folder, JPEG (Joint Photogra
phic Experts Group) folder, and allows the user to select the compression format of the image data (the plain folder is uncompressed). The conversion means 15b may perform data compression processing in a different compression format.

The display function 23a displays an editing folder, such as a 75% reduction folder, instead of a data format folder or application folder, so that the conversion means 15b can perform scaling, color correction,
Editing processing such as resolution conversion processing may be performed.

Further, besides the data format folder, the application folder or the editing processing folder,
It is also conceivable to correspond to a folder combining these. For example, a folder in which these are combined is selected by the host device 20, and the host device 20 reads "{image processing device} scan image {80% min} JPE
When a transfer request such as "G@temp.tiff" is sent,
The network image processing apparatus 10 reduces the image data in the format of “tiff” by 80%, and transfers the data compressed by JPEG to the host apparatus 20.

More specifically, an AP for image editing is started in the host device 20, and
“￥￥ Image processing device ￥ Scan image ￥ 80% min
When "\ JPEG@temp.tiff" is specified, image data in the format of "tiff" is reduced by 80%, and the image data compressed by JPEG is transferred to the host device 20. Then, the host device 20 performs processing such as cutout, movement, combination, and color correction by the image editing AP, and creates a setting file. The image editing AP describes a process set by the user as a process performed on 100% image data in a specified description format, and a folder created by the user with a specified file name (for example, “chenge.prs”). (Hereinafter referred to as the fx folder). Thereafter, when the input image work, “{image processing device} scan image \ fuji \ work.tiff”, is designated to be transferred to the host device 20, the image editing AP cuts out, moves, combines, and corrects the color. Are transferred to the host device 20.

In this case, if a print command is issued for a specified file, the image data read by the input means 11 is edited and stored without transmitting a large amount of image data via the network 30. It is possible to output on paper. In addition, if the same operation is to be repeatedly performed, it is sufficient to transfer the data from the fx folder. If the processing method is constantly different, the image editing AP is started, and the processing is specified in the description file each time. I just need. Even in such a case, the transfer amount of the image data is small because the editing instruction is performed by the reduced data.

[0051]

As described above, according to the network image processing apparatus of the present invention, when transferring image data by the transfer control means, the format of the image data matches the desired format according to the transfer request from the host device. If not, the conversion means converts the format of the image data into a desired format. Therefore, even if the storage device does not hold the image data of the desired format, the host device can handle the image data of the desired format as if it existed in the storage device. Therefore, if this network image processing apparatus is used, the user of the host device does not need to be aware of the format of the image data in the storage means. Simplifies the operation and ensures the versatility and flexibility of the system without complicating the system configuration.
Moreover, it is suitable for construction of a large-scale network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an example of an embodiment of a network image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration of a system using the network image processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation example when image data is transferred to a host device using the network image processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a data format folder and an application folder displayed on the host device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 network image processing device, 10a scanner device, 10b auxiliary storage device, 11 input means, 12 storage means, 13 output means, 14 connection means, 15 control means, 15a transfer control means, 15b ... Conversion means, 15c ... Erasing means, 20 ... Host device, 21 ... Operation unit, 22 ... Display unit, 23 ... Control unit, 23a ... Display function, 23b ... Request function

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for holding and storing image data, a display function for displaying that the storage means holds and stores image data in a desired format, and a transfer of the image data displayed by the display function Connection means for connecting to a host device having a request function for requesting the image data, and when a transfer request for image data in the storage means is received from the host device connected via the connection means, the image data is stored in the storage means. Transfer control means for extracting and transferring the image data from the storage means, if the format of the image data in the storage means does not match the desired format according to the transfer request at the time of transfer by the transfer control means, A network image processing device, comprising: 2. When the storage means stores and stores the image data converted by the conversion means, after a predetermined period of time, at least one of the same types of image data of different formats is left. 2. The network image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing unit for erasing image data from the storage unit. 3. The network image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit converts a data format of the image data in the storage unit. 4. The network image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conversion means performs an editing process on image data in said storage means.