JP2003173248A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly convenient image forming device capable of transmitting an image by setting an output condition so as to output or store the image to or in the designated image forming device by designating the image forming device of an image output destination. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 2 first executes output device setting processing for setting the image output destination in image output processing, and next, executes HDD selecting processing for setting the output condition. Next, when selecting the preservation of the image as the output condition, password setting processing is executed for setting a password for controlling the image, and then, file name setting processing is executed for setting a file name of a preserving image file. When setting the printing number, the output condition and control information set by the respective setting processing are added to the image read as output information, and are transmitted to the preset output destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus connected to an image output system via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected via a communication network such as LAN or WAN constructed in a company or school, and a main image forming apparatus having a server function is used as a sub-image via the network. 2. Description of the Related Art A system for managing a forming apparatus is used, and a technique for transmitting an image read by a main image forming apparatus to a connected sub image forming apparatus and printing the image is developed. In addition, an HDD (Hard Disk) that can save the read image as an image file
Image forming apparatuses equipped with a disk drive have become widespread, and images to be printed frequently are stored in an HDD, so that it is possible to easily print by simply reading the saved image file when printing next time.

In the conventional image output system as described above, the image forming apparatus having the HDD is set as the main image forming apparatus, the image is stored only by the main image forming apparatus, and the sub image forming apparatus prints. The desired image is transmitted from the main image forming apparatus to the sub image forming apparatus for printing.

[0004]

However, in the image output method as described above, when the image stored in the main image forming apparatus is frequently printed by the sub image forming apparatus, the user can print the main image every time the image is printed. Since it is necessary to go to the forming apparatus to perform an image transmission operation, which is troublesome for the user, work efficiency is lowered.

An object of the present invention is to specify an image forming apparatus as an output destination of an image, set an output condition so that the specified image forming apparatus outputs or stores the image, and transmits the image. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient image forming apparatus.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In an image forming apparatus having a server function for providing image information to at least one image forming apparatus having an image storage unit, which is connected via a communication network,
An output destination designating unit that designates an image forming apparatus that provides the image information, an output condition setting unit that sets an output condition when an image is output by the designated image forming apparatus, and an output condition that has been set. It is characterized by comprising information control means for adding to the image information as output information, and transmitting means for transmitting the image information added with the output information to the designated image forming apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus for outputting the image information is designated, the output condition for outputting the image information is set, and the output condition is used as the output information in the image information. Since the image is output additionally to the designated image forming apparatus, the image output condition can be easily set for each output destination image forming apparatus, and the operability and the work efficiency at the time of setting the output condition can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the output condition is at least whether or not the image information to be transmitted is stored in the image storage means of the designated image forming apparatus. It is characterized by including.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the output condition includes at least whether or not the designated image forming apparatus is allowed to output and print the image information to be transmitted. Is characterized by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, at least the output condition is such that the image information to be transmitted is stored in the image storage means of the designated image forming apparatus and the output printing is performed. It is characterized by including whether or not to allow it.

According to the invention described in claims 2, 3, and 4,
The output condition for outputting the image information includes at least one of storing the image information in the image storage unit of the image forming apparatus specified to be output, performing output printing, or executing both of them, and the user desires it. Since the output condition can be easily set, it is possible to improve the work efficiency regarding image output in the image forming apparatus of the output destination. Further, when image information is stored in the image storage means of the image forming apparatus designated for output, the processing speed at the time of output can be improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or fourth aspect, management information for managing the image information stored in the image storage means of the designated image forming apparatus is set. When the output condition setting unit sets the storage of the image information to be transmitted in the image storage unit of the designated image forming apparatus as the output condition, the information control unit is configured to output the management information setting unit. It is characterized in that management information is added to the image information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, at least the management information restricts reading of the image information stored in the image storage means of the designated image forming apparatus. It is characterized by including a password.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, when storing the image information in the image storage means of the image forming apparatus designated for output is set as the output condition, the stored image information is managed. Since the password for setting the password is set, and the password is added to the image information and transmitted to the designated image forming apparatus, the management function of managing the image information stored in the image forming apparatus of the output destination can be improved.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration will be described. Figure 1
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image output system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image output system 100 includes a main image forming apparatus 1 and a sub image forming apparatus 2.
0a to 20e are connected and configured to be able to mutually transmit and receive data via the hub 30. That is, the main image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20a.
The sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e are operated via the hub 30 by functioning as a server that manages information about the 20e.
Is connected to the main image forming apparatus 1 to form a network N.

Next, each part of the image output system 100 will be described. The main image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a copying machine, a printer, an MFP (Multifunction Periph).
eral), a printing machine, a printer information providing terminal (for example, a kiosk terminal), etc., and transmits / receives information to / from the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e via the network N. That is, the main image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus having both the function as an image forming apparatus and the function as a server.

The sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e are image forming apparatuses similar to the main image forming apparatus 1, and the hub 3
By connecting to the main image forming apparatus 1 via 0, information relating to each processing such as image output processing is transmitted and received to and from the main image forming apparatus 1.

The sub-image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e are also provided.
Is configured such that a built-in type or a detachable HDD can be connected, and when an image to which output information is added is transmitted from the main image forming apparatus 1 in the image output processing, the image is displayed based on the output information. The processing of printing, saving in the connected HDD, or both is executed.

The hub 30 is a concentrator used for branching and relaying cables on a network such as a LAN, has a plurality of modular jacks, and has a plurality of sub-image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e connected to the network N. It is connectable.

The network N is a communication network dedicated to the image forming apparatus constructed using a leased line or an existing general public line, but various networks such as WAN (Wide Area Network) and LAN (Local Area Network) are available. A line form can be applied. In addition, WWW (World Wide W
eb) and TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / I)
By constructing the network N using technologies widely used on the Internet, such as
A reliable network can be built.

In FIG. 1, a case in which a network N is constructed by connecting five sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e to one main image forming apparatus 1 via one hub 30. Although shown, the number of these units and the installation location are not particularly limited.

Next, the internal structure of the main image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main image forming apparatus 1. Figure 2
As shown in FIG. 1, the main image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 2, an image reading unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a transfer unit 5, a communication control unit 6,
Display unit 9 having storage unit 7, RAM 8, and operation input unit 10
And each part is connected by a bus.

The control unit 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing).
Unit) and the like, and a program specified from among various system programs stored in the storage unit 7 and various image forming application programs
The data is expanded in a work area (not shown) in the AM8, each process according to the program is executed according to the data input from each component such as the operation input unit 10, and the processing result is stored in the RAM8.
Stored in the storage unit 7 and displayed on the display unit 9, and further stored in the storage unit 7.
Save it in a predetermined area. Specifically, the control unit 2
The image output processing program stored in the storage unit 7 is read out and the image output processing described later (see FIG. 4) is executed.

In the image output process, the control unit 2
First, the output device setting process is executed. In the output device setting process, the control unit 2 controls the sub image forming device management file 7
1 is displayed and the output unit setting screen (see FIG. 6) displaying the initial setting of the output condition is displayed on the display unit 9 to cause the user to set the sub image forming devices 20a to 20e that output the image. When an instruction to approve the displayed output condition is received from the operation input unit 10, image reading is started, and when an HDD selection instruction is received from the operation input unit 10 in the output device for which output is set, the process proceeds to the HDD selection processing. To do.

In the HDD selection processing, the control unit 2 causes the display unit 9 to display an HDD selection screen (see FIG. 8) for selecting output conditions such as image storage and printing. It is determined whether the output condition selected by the user is to be stored in the HDD, and H
In the case of saving in the DD, the process shifts to a password setting process for setting a password for managing the saved image file.

In the password setting process, the control unit 2
Displays a password setting screen (FIG. 10) on the display unit 9 and prompts the user to input a password, which is management information for managing the image, and connects the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e by the communication control unit 6. , It is determined whether there is the same password as the input password in the saved image file, and if there is the same password, the image file information with the same password is acquired and the file name setting process is performed. Move to.

In the file name setting process, the control unit 2
Is a file name setting screen (Fig. 1
2) is displayed on the display unit 9 and the user is prompted to input the file name of the image to be saved. The control unit 2 determines whether or not there is the same file name as the input file name in the acquired file information, and if there is the same file name, warns that there are duplicate file names. A message asking whether to re-input another file name is displayed on the display unit 9 together with the message to display, and it is determined whether or not an instruction to re-input is received from the operation input unit 10. When the re-input instruction is received, the above-mentioned discrimination processing is performed again for the re-input file name, and when the re-input instruction is not received, the image is overwritten with the input file name and set. Determine the file name to use.

Then, the control unit 2 causes the display unit 9 to display the output device setting screen again, allows the user to set the number of print copies, and stores the output conditions set in various setting processes in the RAM 8 as output information. , Start scanning the image on the original. The output information stored in the RAM 8 is added to the read and image-processed image, and the image is transmitted to the sub-image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e for which the output is set, and the image output process is ended.

That is, the control unit 2 has a function as information control means. The output information to the image information and the addition of the password as the management information may be added to the image information file or may be in the form of another file associated with the image information file. The information format is binary, text, print description language (PDL), markup language (HTML, XML).
Etc.).

The image reading section 3 is constructed by providing a scanner below the contact glass on which the original is placed, and reads the image of the original. The scanner consists of a light source, lens, CCD (Ch
argeCoupledDevice) and the like, the image of the original is read by focusing and photoelectrically converting the reflected light of the light scanned from the light source to the original, and the read image is output to the image forming unit 4. Here, the image includes not only image data such as figures and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.

The image forming section 4 performs image processing such as enlargement / reduction, rotation, and position change on the image output by the image reading section 3 in accordance with an input instruction from the operation input section 10, and then the image is processed. The processed image is output to the transfer unit 5.

The transfer section 5 comprises a photosensitive drum, toner, a paper discharge section, a paper feed section, etc., and prints in the size and orientation specified by the operation input section 10 according to the print instruction from the control section 2. The paper is conveyed from the paper supply unit, and the electrostatic latent image of the image input from the image forming unit 4 is exposed on the print paper by the photosensitive drum. Further, the transfer paper 5 is formed by transferring the toner onto the exposed printing paper to fix it, and then ejecting the paper from the paper ejection port.

The communication control section 6 is composed of a modem, a terminal adapter, etc., and performs communication control for communicating with an external device connected to the network via a communication line such as a telephone line, an ISDN line, or a dedicated line. I do.
That is, the communication control unit 6 has a function as a transmission unit.

The storage unit 7 is an EEPROM (Electrically
A system program configured by a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and executable by the main image forming apparatus 1, various processing programs corresponding to the system, and data processed by various processing programs are stored. To do. The program is stored in the form of a computer-readable program code, and the control unit 2 executes an operation according to the program code.

Further, the storage unit 7 internally stores the sub-image forming apparatus management file 71 in an updatable file format. Specifically, the sub image forming apparatus management file 71 is
Sub image forming apparatus 2 connected to main image forming apparatus 1
Device numbers 0a to 20e and sub image forming devices 20a to 20e
The individual information of 20e, the IP address indicating the address information on the network, and the subnet mask thereof are stored in association with each other. In addition, the sub image forming apparatus management file 7
When the sub-image forming apparatus number or the IP address is newly registered or changed on the IP address setting screen (see FIG. 3) described later, 1 stores the input data updatable.

Here, the IP address is TCP / IP
It is 32-bit address information for identifying the computer on the network, and the IP address of the computer connected to the LAN or the like is fixed and does not change. An IP address can be divided into a network address number and a host address number. Of these, a subdivided network address is called a subnet, and the mask used when deriving a subnet from an IP address is the subnet. Called a mask.

Next, the sub image forming apparatus management file 71
An example of a setting screen displayed on the display unit 9 when a new registration or a change of the sub-image forming apparatus number stored in and the IP address corresponding to the sub-image forming apparatus number is performed will be described with reference to FIG. explain.

As shown in FIG. 3, the setting screen displays an area for setting the sub image forming apparatus number, IP address, and subnet mask, and an input key screen for inputting each numerical data. When the user newly installs the sub-image forming apparatus or when the IP of the sub-image forming apparatus is used,
When the address is changed, the sub image forming apparatus number (for example, serial number) of the corresponding sub image forming apparatus,
Input the IP address and the numerical data of the subnet mask corresponding to the sub image forming apparatus number.

The storage unit 7 is also provided with an HDD (not shown), and the image read in this HDD can be saved as an image file. The HDD is not limited to the built-in type, and may be a form that can be attached to and detached from the own device.
It may be a recording medium such as a D-ROM. That is, the storage unit 7 has a function as an image storage unit.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 8 is
In various processes executed and controlled by the control unit 2, a temporary storage area for the program, input or output data read from the storage unit 7, parameters, etc. is formed.

The display unit 9 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
play) and the like, and displays various operation buttons and image states on the screen in accordance with the instructions of the display signal input from the control unit 2.

The display unit 5 is integrally formed with the operation input unit 10. The operation input unit 10 is composed of a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure) touch panel or the like in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern, and it is preferable that the operation input unit 10 has a high light transmittance from the viewpoint of visibility. The operation input unit 10 detects the XY coordinates of the force point pressed by a finger or a dedicated touch pen with a voltage value, and outputs the detected position signal to the control unit 2 as an operation signal. The operation input unit 10 also includes various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and function buttons for switching various settings.

In the image output process, the operation input unit 10 receives a user's designation of the output destination sub-image forming apparatus and the HDD of the output destination sub-image forming apparatus, and responds to the operation input instruction. The operation signal is output to the control unit 2. That is, the operation input unit 10 has a function as an output destination designating unit.

In the image output process, the operation input section 10 receives an operation input of the output condition from the user,
An operation signal according to the operation input instruction is output to the control unit 2. That is, the operation input unit 10 has a function as an output condition setting unit. Note that the output conditions include all conditions for handling the image information in the image forming apparatus of the output destination, and specifically, the method of storing the image information in the image storage means (for example, HDD Selection of storage device, format of data to be stored, data deletion period from storage means, image forming method based on image information (for example, image quality such as density, contrast, color balance, number of output, enlargement / reduction, etc.) Variable magnification, setting of double-sided printing, etc.), operation of optional devices (for example, sorter, finisher, bookbinding device) installed in the image forming device (for example, staple position, punch hole position, center folding, Z folding, etc.) Whether to store the image information in the image storage means of at least the designated image forming apparatus,
It is preferable that the designated image forming apparatus includes information on whether or not to perform image formation based on the image forming apparatus.

Further, the operation input section 10 outputs the operation signal to the control section 2 when the user inputs the password as the management information in the image output processing. In addition,
The management information is information necessary for managing the image information when the image information is stored in the image storage unit of the image forming apparatus of the output destination, and specifically, the file name of the image information, the image information. Password for reading out, creator of image information,
Includes creator information, thumbnail image information, data deletion period from the storage device, login information (login name, password) for accessing the HDD of the specified sub-image forming device, but at least when reading out the image information. It preferably contains a password. Further, a part of the management information may overlap with the above-mentioned output information.

Since the internal structure of each of the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e is the same as that of each of the main image forming apparatuses 1, detailed description of each of the constituent elements of each of the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e will be omitted. . Further, the sub-image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e are configured to be connectable to an HDD capable of storing images, like the main image forming apparatus 1,
The sub-image forming apparatus having the DD can store the image in the HDD as an image file. For example, when the sub image forming apparatuses 20c and 20e are equipped with HDDs, the number of sub image forming apparatuses that can specify to save an image from the main image forming apparatus 1 in the image output process is 20.
c, 20e.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, when an image read by the main image forming apparatus 1 is transmitted to each of the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e and printing or saving is performed, an image output process executed by the control unit 2 of the main image forming apparatus 1 is performed. This will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 4, the control unit 2 first executes the output device setting process shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an output device setting process executed by the control unit 2 as one step of the image output process described above. Figure 5
3, the control unit 2 first reads the individual information of the registered sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e from the sub image forming apparatus management file 71 of the storage unit 7, and outputs the output device number corresponding to the sub image forming apparatus 20a to 20e. Then, the output device selection screen displaying the initial setting of the output condition related to the storage and printing of the image is displayed on the display unit 9 (step S11).

Next, the control section 2 determines whether or not the OK button for approving the displayed output conditions has been pressed (step S12). When the OK button is pressed (step S12; YES), the displayed output condition is stored in the RAM 8 as output information (step S13), and the process proceeds to step S5 of FIG. 4 (step S14). If the OK button has not been pressed (step S12; NO), HD
It is determined whether or not the D selection button has been pressed (step S1).
5).

If the HDD selection button has not been pressed (step S15; NO), the procedure returns to step S12 and the HDD
When the selection button is pressed (step S15; YES),
The image forming apparatus file 71 is read to determine whether the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e having the output apparatus number corresponding to the pressed HDD selection button have an HDD, that is, whether or not an image can be stored. (Step S1
6).

When no HDD is provided (step S1)
6; NO), the process returns to step S12, and if the HDD is provided (step S16; YES), the process proceeds to the HDD selection process (step S2 in FIG. 4).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the HDD selection processing executed by the control unit 2 as one step of the image output processing. In FIG. 7, first, the control unit 2 operates as shown in FIG.
The HDD selection screen shown in FIG.
The output device selected by the selection button causes the user to select the output condition such as whether to print the image only, to save the image, or to execute both (step S21).

Next, the control section 2 determines whether or not the OK button for approving the output condition selected by the user is pressed (step S22), and when the OK button is pressed (step S22; YES), Whether the output condition selected by the user is to be stored in the HDD, that is, H shown in FIG.
In the DD selection screen, only HDD save or HDD
It is determined whether or not the save + print button has been pressed (step S23). If it is stored in the HDD (step S2)
3; YES), the process proceeds to the image output process (step S3 in FIG. 4), and if not stored in the HDD (step S23;
No), the process returns to the output device setting process (step S1 in FIG. 4), and the setting process for each of the sub image forming devices 20a to 20e is performed again.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the password setting process executed as one step of the image output process. In FIG. 9, the control unit 2 first displays the password setting screen shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 9 (step S
31) The user is prompted to input the image management password for managing the saved image (step S32). Next, it is determined whether or not the OK button for approving the input password has been pressed (step S33). If the OK button has not been pressed (step S33; NO), step S3
Returning to step 2, when the OK button is pressed (step S33;
YES), the control unit 2 acquires the image file information having the same password as the password input from each of the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e via the communication control unit 10 (step S34), and sets the image file name. Processing (Fig. 4
To step S5).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining the file name setting process executed by the controller 2 as one step of the image output process. In FIG. 11, first, the control unit 2
Displays a list of file names of the image file information acquired in step S34 of FIG. 9 and displays the file name setting screen shown in FIG. 12 (step S41). Next, the user is prompted to input the file name of the image to be saved (step S42), and it is determined whether or not the OK button for approving the input file name has been pressed (step S43). OK
If the button has not been pressed (step S43; NO),
Returning to step S42, when the OK button is pressed (step S43; YES), it is determined whether or not there is the same file name as the input file name (step S4).
4).

If there is no same file name (step S
44; NO), the process proceeds to step S47, and if there is the same file name (step S44; YES), a message warning that there is a duplicate file name and a question of whether to re-enter another file name are asked. A message is displayed (step S45), and it is determined whether or not an instruction to re-input another file name is received from the user (step S45).
46). When the instruction to re-input another file name is received (step S46), the process returns to step S42, and when the instruction to re-input another file name is not received (step S46; NO), an image with the same file name is displayed. The file name to be set as the file to be overwritten is determined (step S47), and the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG.

The password and the file name set by the password setting process and the file name setting process are used as the management information of the image to be stored in the main image forming apparatus 1.
Added to the image transmitted from the sub-image forming apparatus 20.
In a to 20e, it is set to the image stored in the HDD.

Next, the control unit 2 causes the display unit 9 to display the output device setting screen (see FIG. 6) and allows the user to set the number of print copies for each of the sub image forming devices 20a to 20e (step S5). When the setting of the number of prints is completed, the output condition and the management information set in the various setting processes are stored in the RAM 8 as output information, and the reading of the image of the document placed on the document table by the user is started ( In step S6), the read image is image-processed by the image forming unit 4, and then the output information stored in the RAM 8 is added to the image-processed image and the sub-image forming apparatus 20 is set to output.
a to 20e (step S6), and the image output process ends.

Sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e which have received the image to which the output information is added from the main image forming apparatus 1
Prints an image based on the output information, saves the image in the HDD provided in the device, or executes both of them to output the image.

The above-described image output processing will be specifically described. In FIG. 1, the sub image forming apparatuses 20c and 20e are equipped with HDDs, and an image read by the main image forming apparatus 1 is output by the sub image forming apparatus 20a having the output apparatus number 1 to 3
Copy printing, output device number 3 sub image forming device 20c H
Saved in DD, output device number 5 sub-image forming device 20e
When outputting under the output conditions of printing 3 copies with and saving to HDD, first, on the output device setting screen (see FIG. 6),
Output conditions are set for the output device numbers 1, 3, and 5.

For example, when the HDD selection button for output device number 3 is pressed, the HDD selection screen for output device number 3 (see FIG. 8) is displayed. If you press the HDD save button,
When the image management password setting screen (see FIG. 10) is displayed and the password is entered, a file name list of file information having the same password is displayed (see FIG. 12).
Next, the file name is input, the screen returns to the output device setting screen, the number of copies is set, and the setting of the output condition in the sub image forming apparatus 20c is completed. The set output condition is stored as output information.

Similarly, in the output device numbers 1 and 5, after setting the output conditions, the main image forming device 1 starts reading the image, and the output information is added to the read image to set the output setting. Image forming apparatuses 20a, 2
0c and 20e. The sub-image forming apparatus 20a prints three copies of the transmitted image based on the added output information, and the sub-image forming apparatus 20c saves the transmitted image with the file name set in the HDD of the own apparatus. Then, the sub-image forming apparatus 20e prints three copies, and then saves the transmitted image with the file name set in the HDD included in the own apparatus.

As described above, in the image output system 100, the sub image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e for outputting the image read by the main image forming apparatus 1 are set, and the HDDs are set.
In the sub-image forming apparatus equipped with, the user can select whether to save the image in the HDD, print the image, or both.
In the case of the DD save, the user is allowed to set the image management password and the file information name, the output conditions thus set are automatically added to the image as output information, and the image is transmitted to the sub image forming apparatus set to output. The sub-image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e set to output print a predetermined number of images based on the output information transmitted, save the images in the HDD,
Alternatively, since both of them are executed, it is possible to specify the sub-image forming apparatuses 20a to 20e to which the image is output and to output the image to the specified output destination by a simple operation.

Further, since the output condition can be selected such that the image is printed, saved, or both are executed, the convenience of the image output can be further improved. Further, even when the main image forming apparatus is not provided with the HDD, the image to be saved can be saved in the sub image forming apparatus side, and an image output system having applicability can be constructed. Furthermore, when the image is stored in the sub image forming apparatus, the processing speed of the image printing process in the sub image forming apparatus can be improved.

Further, since the file names of the images are set so as not to overlap in the same network, the storage area of the HDD for storing the images can be utilized without waste.
Further, since a password is set for the image file to be saved, it is possible to manage its security.

The description contents in this embodiment are as follows.
This is a preferred example of the image output system according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, although the setting screen displayed on the display unit 9 in each setting process of the above-described image output process is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 8, 10, and 12, this is an example of a suitable setting display screen, and output conditions are It is not limited to this as long as it is set by the user.

In addition, the detailed configurations and detailed operations of the image forming apparatuses or the constituent parts of the image output system 100 can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0068]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus for outputting the image information is designated, the output condition for outputting the image information is set, and the image is used as the output information. Since it is added to the information and transmitted to the designated image forming apparatus, the image output conditions can be easily set for each output destination image forming apparatus, and the operability and the work efficiency at the time of setting the output conditions can be improved. it can.

According to the invention described in claims 2, 3, and 4,
The output condition for outputting the image information includes at least one of storing the image information in the image storage unit of the image forming apparatus specified to be output, performing output printing, or executing both of them. Since desired output conditions can be easily set, it is possible to improve work efficiency regarding image output in the image forming apparatus of the output destination. Further, when image information is stored in the image storage unit of the image forming apparatus designated for output, the processing speed at the time of output can be improved.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention, when the output condition is to store the image information in the image storage means of the image forming apparatus designated for output, the stored image information is managed. Since the password for setting the password is set, and the password is added to the image information and transmitted to the designated image forming apparatus, the management function of managing the image information stored in the image forming apparatus of the output destination can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conceptual system configuration of an image output system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a main image forming apparatus 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for registering an IP address displayed on the display unit 9 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an image output process executed by a control unit 2 of FIG.

5 is a flowchart for explaining an output device setting process executed by a control unit 2 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an output device setting screen displayed on the display unit 9 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating HDD selection processing executed by control unit 2 in FIG.

8 is a diagram showing an example of an HDD selection screen displayed on the display unit 9 of FIG.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a password setting process executed by the control unit 2 of FIG.

10 is a diagram showing an example of a password setting screen displayed on the display unit 9 of FIG.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a file name setting process executed by the control unit 2 of FIG.

12 is a diagram showing an example of a file name setting screen displayed on the display unit 9 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main image forming device 2 control unit 3 Image reading section 4 Image forming section 5 Transfer part 6 Communication control unit 7 memory 8 RAM 9 Display 10 Operation input section 20a to 20e Sub-image forming apparatus 30 hubs 100 image output system

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takao Kurohata             2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica stock             Inside the company F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AP07 AQ06 CL08                       HJ06 HN15 HQ02                 5B021 BB01 DD12 EE03                 5C062 AA05 AA35 AB38 AC41 AC42                       AE16 BA04

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a server function for providing image information to at least one image forming apparatus having an image storage unit, which is connected via a communication network, and an image forming apparatus for providing the image information. An output destination designating unit for designating an apparatus, an output condition setting unit for setting an output condition when an image is output by the designated image forming apparatus, and the set output condition added to the image information as output information An image forming apparatus, comprising: an information control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus; and a transmitting unit for transmitting the image information added with the output information to the designated image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output condition includes at least whether or not to store the image information to be transmitted in an image storage unit of the designated image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output condition includes at least whether or not the designated image forming apparatus is made to output and print the image information to be transmitted. 4. The output condition according to claim 1, wherein the output condition includes at least whether or not the image storage means of the designated image forming apparatus stores the image information to be transmitted and the output printing is performed. Image forming apparatus. 5. A management information setting unit for setting management information for managing image information stored in the image storage unit of the designated image forming apparatus is further provided, and the output condition setting unit is designated. 5. The information control means adds the management information to the image information when setting the storage of the image information to be transmitted in the image storage means of the image forming apparatus as an output condition. The image forming apparatus described. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the management information includes at least a password for restricting reading of the image information stored in the image storage means of the designated image forming apparatus.