JP2002320079A - Image forming terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To effectively utilize a storage device in an image forming terminal device used as a terminal device of a network, to reduce a communication load when transmitting image data via a network, Eliminates the need for data conversion. When storing image data in a large-capacity storage device, if the image data is data to be stored only without being subjected to print output, the output destination of the image data is analyzed (S1, S2). ). If only the print output is performed at the analyzed output destination, data in the YMCK format is selected (S3, S4), otherwise, data in the RGB format is selected (S5). In S6, if the data formats of the image data to be stored and the data selected in S4 and S5 do not match, data conversion is performed between YMCK format data and RGB format data (S7).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming terminal device, and more particularly, to transmitting image data via a network for use other than print output by the image forming terminal device itself.
The present invention relates to an image forming terminal device that stores data in RGB format in a storage device in consideration of a case where it is unclear whether the destination information processing device processes image data in RGB / YMCK format data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a color printing machine such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., color image data includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
Is used as a print output data format, the print output data format is also used when storing image data in a large-capacity storage device (mass storage). But L
AN (Local Area Network), PSTN (Public Switc)
hed Telephone Network), ISDN (Integrated Serv)
The outside world via a network such as ices Digital Network) (in particular, personal computers, workstations, and other terminal devices that output displays)
Is often processed with RGB format image data,
Since the file size tends to be larger in the YMCK format image data (print output data format) than in the RGB format image data, it is disadvantageous when storing in a storage device in consideration of the memory usage. To send image data via a network for purposes other than printout at the image forming terminal, if the destination device is RGB
Even if it is not clear whether to process the image data in the YMCK format or in the YMCK format,
The use of data in a format is disadvantageous in terms of communication load, and the cost is high in a pay line, and cannot be ignored.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned prior art, and has been described in connection with an image forming terminal device or the like used as a terminal device on a network. The image data in the RGB format, which becomes smaller, is stored in a large-capacity storage device (mass storage) to effectively use the storage capacity of the storage device, and to omit a file conversion process required for processing other than print output. With the goal. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the communication cost without causing a disadvantage in terms of a communication load when transmitting image data via a network.

[0004] Even if the immediate output is a print output by the image forming terminal device itself, the use of color data after being stored in the mass storage device is not limited to the print output by the image forming terminal device itself, and is exclusively used. It may be used via a network. For example, in a certain usage environment, data input from a scanner attached to an image forming terminal device is used only for output by the image forming terminal device itself in the case of reuse after being stored in a mass storage device. But TCP
/ IP (Transmission Control Protocol) FTP (F
In the case of data transferred by the ile transfer protocol), there is only print output for the time being, but after that, depending on the type of business use or the particularity of the network system, such as requests for transfer from various terminals. It is conceivable that the input destination requests reuse of the file stored in the mass storage device. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to select a data format (RGB / YMCK) of image data to be stored by a data input unit, thereby improving more effective memory utilization and convenience without file conversion. .

When image data is transferred from an external terminal device, for example, header information in a mail (From information indicates a sender address, and Subj indicates a use)
ect information), and FTP
In some cases, identification of a user or identification of a use or terminal may be possible, for example, with an account name and password. In such a case, it is conceivable that a method of reusing the file stored in the storage device is expected depending on the user and the application. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to increase the more effective memory utilization and convenience by eliminating the need for file conversion by selecting a data format (RGB / YMCK) for identifying and storing the data transferer. .

Further, according to the present invention, a data format (RGB / YMCK) is estimated by estimating a later use by means of data input.
Is selected, the more effective memory utilization and the convenience due to the unnecessary file conversion are improved, and the data transfer (RGB / Y / Y
By selecting (MCK), the object is to improve more effective memory utilization and convenience by eliminating the need for file conversion. In addition, especially when the remaining memory capacity of the storage device is small, there is a high possibility that the subsequent storage will be adversely affected,
By checking the remaining memory and file size,
It is an object of the present invention to reduce the possibility that the memory becomes insufficient and the storage becomes impossible.

[0007]

A first technical means of the present invention is an image data input means, a print output means, an output means other than the print output means, and stores the image data in a storage device. In an image forming terminal device having a storage unit and a conversion unit that converts the image data between RGB format data and YMCK format data, the image data including an output destination other than a print output unit is stored in the storage unit. When storing, it is characterized in that it is stored in RGB format data.

The second technical means is that, in the image forming terminal device of the first technical means, a data format of the image data to be stored in the storage device is set in advance according to the input means of the image data. It is characterized by.

The third technical means is that, in the image forming terminal device according to the first or second technical means, a user and a data format of the image data corresponding to the user are registered in advance, and In the case of image data transfer, when storing the image data in the storage device, the image data is stored in the registered data format corresponding to the user.

[0010] A fourth technical means is the image forming terminal device according to the first or second technical means, wherein the image forming terminal device uses a predetermined default data format at the beginning of use of the image forming terminal device according to the input means of the image data. It is characterized in that the storage is stored in the storage device, the usage history is recorded thereafter, and after a certain amount of history is accumulated, the usage history is analyzed and stored in a data format that is more frequently used.

A fifth technical means is the image forming terminal device according to the first or second technical means, wherein the image forming terminal device is used by a new user to record the image data in the storage device. Storing the user information in a history, storing the image data in the storage device in a predetermined default format at the beginning of use of the image forming terminal device, and further correlating the use history with the user information. After a certain amount of history is accumulated, the usage history is analyzed and stored in a more frequently used data format.

A sixth technical means is the image forming terminal device according to any of the first to fifth technical means, further comprising means for monitoring a remaining amount of the storage device, and when the remaining amount is smaller than a reference value,
The image data is stored in the storage device as RGB format data.

According to a seventh technical means, in the image forming terminal device according to the first to sixth technical means, there is provided a means for counting the size of the image data.
When the size of the data in the CK format is larger than the reference value, the data is converted into data in the RGB format and stored.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
A description will be given based on the embodiment shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming terminal device 1 includes a CPU 2, a ROM 3, a RA
M4, operation port 5, modem 6, NCU 7, scanner 8, plotter 9, external memory 10, NIC 11, system bus 12, and the like. In FIG. 1, a CPU 2 executes a control process of the entire image forming terminal device serving as a communication terminal, and a ROM 3 stores a control process program executed by the CPU 2 and various data necessary for the control process. . The RAM 4 stores document data such as image data and text data, registration information such as mail addresses and passwords of mail servers and image forming terminal devices, and account and password information when using FTP. The operation port 5 includes a key input unit for the user to operate the communication terminal and input registration setting information, and a liquid crystal display unit for displaying a message or the like from the communication terminal to the user.

The modem 6 is used for transmitting / receiving a facsimile and for receiving a PS.
Modulation / demodulation of a signal is performed at the time of mail transmission / reception via TN, and the NCU 7 is connected to a PSTN line. The scanner 8 is for inputting image data to the image forming terminal device or reading a document for data transfer such as mail, and the plotter 9 is for printing out image data and the like. The external memory 10 is a mass storage device (mass storage) for storing a large amount of data. The NIC 11 is a network interface unit which is connected to a LAN and transfers data to a server or a terminal device by mail, FTP, a unique protocol, or the like. For example, besides connecting to an unspecified terminal via a LAN or the like,
A specific terminal device may be directly connected by a serial connection or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an environment in which the image forming terminal device of the present invention is used. In FIG. 2, the image forming terminal device 1 can read a document, print out input data, send and receive a facsimile to and from the facsimile device 21 via the PSTN 20, Mail server 3 on Internet 30 with dial-up connection
2 for sending and receiving mails via the LAN 40, and data transfer and mail sending and receiving between the personal computers 41, 42, 43 and the mail server 44 using FTP or a unique protocol. Of course, 1
One input data may be output to a plurality of destinations. For example, image data read from a scanner may be printed and mail may be transmitted. Also, while image data received by FTP may be printed, a specific personal Any combination, such as transfer to a computer, does not matter. Further, the output destination of the file (image data) already stored in the local storage may be plural.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the image forming terminal device according to the first embodiment, and shows a process when image data is stored in a mass storage device (mass storage).
Hereinafter, the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 will be described. When an image data accumulation command is issued to the image forming terminal device, it is determined whether or not the image data is image data that is not to be printed out, and is data only to be accumulated. (Step 1) If it is determined in step 1 that the image data is not only data that is not to be printed out, the output destination of the image data is analyzed. (Step 2) Next, it is determined whether or not only the printout of the image data is performed at the output destination of the analyzed image data. (Step 3) In step 3, if only the print output is performed at the output destination of the image data, the data in the YMCK format is selected. (Step 4) In Step 1, if the image data is image data that is not to be printed and is only related to storage, or if Step 3 does not perform only print output at the output destination In this case, the data in the RGB format is selected. (Step 5)

The format of image data to be stored (YM
CK / RGB) and the format of the image data selected in step 4 or 5 are compared to determine whether data conversion is necessary. (Step 6) If it is determined in step 6 that the image data needs to be converted, the data is converted between the YMCK format data and the RGB format data (step 7), and the process is terminated. If it is determined in step 6 that data conversion is not necessary, the process is terminated. In the above processing, when storing the image data in the mass storage device,
For image data whose output destination is not always clear, R
The image data in the GB format is selected.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing performed by the image forming terminal device according to the second and third aspects. When color image data is stored in the large-capacity storage device, the image is displayed in accordance with the input destination of the image data. 5 shows a flow of a process for selecting a data format. FIG. 5 is a table in which the input destination of the image data and the data format for storing the input image data are set in advance in association with each other. In this example, when the image data is stored in the large-capacity storage device, the input destinations for selecting the image data format (RGB / YMCK) are three types of scanner, FTP, and SMTP, and the data format of FIG. Is registered in advance so that That is, when a scanner is used for data input, the data is set so that YMCK format data is selected, and when FTP and SMTP are used, the data is set as default so that RGB format data is selected. I have.

FIG. 6 is a table in which, when FTP is used for data input, an account name and a data format for storing the input image data are set in association with each other. Is a table in which, when an e-mail via SMTP is used, a mail address and a data format for storing the input image data are set in advance in association with each other. When FTP or SMTP is used for data input, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for a user registered as a table, the data format shown in the table of FIG. Is given priority. (The default in the tables shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is the table shown in FIG. 5.) In this example, the mail address in FIG. It is good also as a method of comparing not only one part but the whole.

Hereinafter, the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 will be described. When an image data accumulation command is issued to the image forming terminal device, the input destination of the image data is checked.
(Step 11) If the input destination is a scanner, YMCK format data is selected as image data to be stored as shown in the table of FIG. (Step 12) If the input destination is FIP in step 11, FI
The account name of the data sent in P is analyzed (step 13), and the designated data format is selected based on the table of FIG. 6 according to the account name (step 14).
If no account name is detected in step 13, the default data format is selected as shown in the table of FIG. 6, that is, the data in the RGB format shown in the table of FIG. In step 11, if the input destination is SMTP, a mail address is extracted (step 15), and a designated data format is selected based on the table of FIG. 7 according to the mail address (step 16).
If the mail address is not extracted in step 15, the default data format as shown in the table of FIG. 7, that is, the RGB data shown in the table of FIG.
Select format data.

Next, the format (YMCK / RGB) of the image data to be stored is compared with the format of the image data selected in step 12, step 14, or step 16 to determine whether data conversion is necessary. . (Step 1
7) If it is determined in step 17 that the image data needs to be converted, the data is converted between the YMCK format data and the RGB format data (step 18), and the process ends. If it is determined in step 17 that data conversion is not necessary, the process is terminated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the image forming terminal device according to the fourth and fifth aspects. In this example, when image data is stored as a file in the mass storage device, the input destination of the file (scanner, FTP, SMT
P) and the user of the input destination are stored together. FIG. 9 shows a file and its input destination,
It is a figure showing the table which made the input user contrast. FIG.
0 is the number of file reuses and R
It is a figure which shows the table which contrasted the data use frequency of GB format, and the data use frequency of YMCK format.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a table in which the number of times of file reuse, the number of times of data use in RGB format, and the number of times of data use in YMCK format are compared for each user input through FTP. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a table in which the number of file reuses, the number of data uses in RGB format, and the number of data uses in YMCK format are compared for each user input through SMTP. Each time the number of reuses for each input destination reaches the specified number of times, it is determined which data format is most frequently used, and thereafter, the table shown in FIG. 5 is changed to store the data in the larger data format. . 11 and 12 for FTP and SMTP.
As shown in FIG. 6, the history of the number of times of use is managed for each input destination user, and similarly, each time the specified number of times of reuse of each input destination user is reused, FIG.
Modify the table shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 will be described. When an image data accumulation command is issued to the image forming terminal device, the input destination of a reuse file of the image data is checked (step 21). If the input destination is a scanner, the data of the file reuse frequency and the data of the RGB format or the data of the YMCK format corresponding to the scanner in the table shown in FIG. 10 are updated. (Step 2
2) Next, it is determined whether or not the data corresponding to the scanner in the table of FIG. 10 has reached a specified number of times (step 23). If the specified number has been reached, the data in the table of FIG. To end. If the number has not reached the specified number in step 23, the process is terminated.

In step 21, if the input destination is FTP, the number of reuse times and the data of the RGB format data or the YMCK format data use frequency corresponding to FTP in the table shown in FIG. 10 are updated. Update each data corresponding to the input user in the table shown.
(Step 25) It is determined whether or not the data of the tables shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has reached the specified number of times (Step 26). If the number of times has been reached, the data of the table of FIG. 5 is updated (Step 27). ). Next, it is determined whether the account of the data input through the FIP has reached a specified number of times (step 2).
8) If the specified number of times has been reached, the data in the table of FIG. 6 is updated (step 29), and the process is terminated. If the number has not reached the specified number in step 28, the processing is terminated.

In step 21, the input destination is SMTP
If so, the data of the file reuse count and the data count of the RGB format or the data count of the YMCK format corresponding to SMTP in the table shown in FIG. 10 are updated, and the data corresponding to the input user in the table shown in FIG. Update each data. (Step 30) It is determined whether or not the data in the tables shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 has reached a specified number of times (step 31). If the specified number has been reached, the data in the table of FIG. 5 is updated (step 32). ). Next, it is determined whether or not the address of the data input through the SMTP has reached a specified number (step 3).
3) When the specified number of times has been reached, the data in the table of FIG. 7 is updated (step 34), and the process is terminated. If the number has not reached the specified number in step 33, the process is terminated.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing performed by the image forming terminal device processing of claims 6 and 7. It is assumed that the reference value of the storage device remaining amount and the reference value of the file size are respectively set in advance by the user, and the “selection of the data format according to the setting” is, for example, the selection method according to the present invention. .

Hereinafter, the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 will be described. Check the remaining capacity of the storage device. (Step 4
1) It is determined whether the remaining amount of the storage device is equal to or greater than a set reference value. (Step 42) If the remaining amount is not equal to or more than the reference value in Step 42,
Measure the file size. (Step 43) It is determined whether or not the file size is equal to or larger than the reference value.
(Step 44) If the file size is not larger than the reference value in Step 44, the selected data format selection is selected. (Step 45) If the remaining amount of the storage device is equal to or larger than the set reference value in Step 42, or if the file size is equal to or larger than the reference value in Step 44, the data in the RGB format is selected. (Step 46)

Next, the format (YMCK / RGB) of the image data to be stored and step 45 or step 4
The format of the image data selected in step 6 is compared to determine whether data conversion is necessary. (Step 47) If it is determined in step 47 that the data conversion of the image data is necessary, the data in the YMCK format is converted into the data in the RGB format, and the process is terminated. If it is determined in step 47 that data conversion is not necessary, the process is terminated.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, when storing image data including anything other than print output as an output destination, the image data is stored as RGB format image data having a small file size, so that the memory of a mass storage device (mass storage) is used. And file conversion processing other than print output can be omitted.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the data format (RGB /
By setting YMCK) in advance, more effective memory utilization and convenience due to no file conversion can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by selecting a data format (RGB / YMCK) for identifying and storing the data transferer, more effective memory utilization and convenience due to no file conversion are required. Can be enhanced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the subsequent use is estimated based on the use history of the data input means and the data format (RGB / YMCK) is selected, so that more effective memory utilization can be achieved. Convenience can be improved because file conversion is unnecessary.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the subsequent use is estimated based on the use history of the data transferer and the data format (RGB / YMCK) is selected, so that more effective memory utilization and file utilization can be achieved. Convenience due to no conversion is improved.

According to the present invention, the data format of the image data to be stored is selected and stored based on the remaining amount of the storage device and the size of the image data. The possibility of being disabled can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an environment in which the image forming terminal device of the present invention is used.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the image forming terminal device according to claim 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the image forming terminal device according to claims 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a table in which an input destination of image data and a data format for storing the input image data are set in advance.

FIG. 6 is a table in which, when FTP is used for data input, an account name and a data format for storing input image data are set in association with each other.

FIG. 7 is a table in which, when an e-mail via SMTP is used for data input, a mail address and a data format for storing input image data are set in advance in association with each other.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the image forming terminal device according to claims 4 and 5;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a table in which files, their input destinations, and input users are compared.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a table in which the number of times of file reuse, the number of times of RGB use, and the number of times of YMCK use are compared for each input destination of a file.

FIG. 11 shows the number of times of file reuse, the number of times of use of RGB format data, and YMC for each user input through FTP.
It is a figure which shows the table which made the data use frequency of K format contrast.

FIG. 12 shows the number of times of file reuse, the number of times of use of data in RGB format,
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a table in which the number of times of use of data in the CK format is compared.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the image forming terminal device according to claims 6 and 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Image forming terminal device 2. CPU 3. ROM 4.
RAM, 5 ... operation port, 6 ... modem, 7 ... NCU, 8
... Scanner, 9 ... Plotter, 10 ... External memory, 11 ...
NIC, 12: System bus, 20: PSTN, 21 ...
Facsimile machine, 30 ... Internet, 31 ... Internet service provider, 32 ... Mail server,
40 LAN, 41, 42, 43 personal computer, 44 mail server.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/46 H04N 1/46 Z 5C079 F term (Reference) 2C087 AA03 AA09 AA15 BA03 BA06 BA07 BB10 BD24 BD31 BD34 BD52 2C187 AD03 5B021 AA01 AA05 AA19 LG07 NN19 5C062 AA05 AA29 AB42 AC28 AC38 AC43 AE03 BA01 5C073 AA03 BB02 BC01 CD13 CE02 5C079 HA02 HB01 HB03 HB12 LA26 LB11 MA02 NA25 PA01

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image data input device, a print output device, an output device other than the print output device, a storage device for storing the image data in a storage device,
In the image forming terminal device having a conversion unit for converting between data in the GB format and data in the YMCK format, when the image data including an output destination other than the printout unit is stored in the storage unit, an RGB format is used. An image forming terminal device storing data. 2. The image forming terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a data format of the image data stored in the storage device is set in advance according to the input unit of the image data. Terminal device. 3. The image forming terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a user and a data format of the image data corresponding to the user are registered in advance, and the image data is transferred from the registered user. In the case, when storing the image data in the storage device, the image data is stored in the registered data format corresponding to the user. 4. The image forming terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the image forming terminal device is stored in the storage device in a preset default data format at the beginning of use of the image forming terminal device according to the input means of the image data. An image forming terminal device that records a usage history thereafter, and after a certain amount of history is accumulated, analyzes the usage history and stores it in a more frequently used data format. 5. The image forming terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the image forming terminal device is used by a new user to record the image data in the storage device.
The user information is left in the history, the image data is stored in the storage device in a predetermined default format at the beginning of use of the image forming terminal device, and the later use history is made to correspond to the user information. An image forming terminal device which records, stores a certain amount of history, analyzes the usage history, and stores the usage history in a more frequently used data format. 6. The image forming terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising means for monitoring a remaining amount of the storage device, and when the remaining amount is smaller than a reference value, the image data is converted to RGB. An image forming terminal device storing data in a format in the storage device. 7. The image forming terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit for counting a size of the image data, wherein a size of the YMCK format data stored in the storage device is larger than a reference value. An image forming terminal device which, when large, converts the data into RGB format data and stores the data.