JP2004088182A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a well-balanced image processing system wherein a network environment is utilized, effective utilization of data between apparatuses connected to a network is realized, and a user can easily set setting information such as an image print form. <P>SOLUTION: In the image processing system constituted of an image processor 1 having an image read means for reading an image from an original, an image printer 2 having an image forming means for forming an image on paper, and an information processor 3 which are interconnected by the network 4, the image processor 1 includes a Web server for storing a setting information file denoting contents to be processed when image data are printed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing system, and more particularly, to an image processing system in which an image processing device for processing image data, an image printing device, an information processing device, and the like are connected via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus such as a scanner apparatus that has an image reading unit that obtains scanner data by reading an image from a document on which an image is recorded, and an image processing unit that performs various image processes on the scanner data It has been known.
[0003]
Also, by connecting this image processing apparatus to a network like a network scanner, an image processing system in a network environment that communicates with an image printing apparatus such as a printer or an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer connected to the same network. It has been known.
[0004]
In such an image processing system, it is desired to make effective use of data between the devices by utilizing the network environment. Further, in the image processing system, it is desirable that the image data can be printed in a format desired by the user, and it is necessary to improve the usability of the user such as how the user gives the instruction to the system.
[0005]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-145657 discloses a network printing system that enables combining, reprinting, editing, and printing of a plurality of print data and instructing them on a Web browser. Has been disclosed.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described related art has the following problems.
[0007]
That is, in the "network printing system" described in JP-A-2001-142657, print data is stored in a printing apparatus, held, and can be reprinted as needed. However, if all printing requests are stored in the printing device that collects the printing requests from the devices connected to the network, a huge memory capacity is required, which is not practical. There was a problem.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and makes use of a network environment to realize effective use of data between devices connected to a network, and also provides a user with setting information such as a format for printing an image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing system in which the image processing system can be easily set and the balance of the system is improved.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus for processing image data, an image printing apparatus having image forming means for forming an image on paper, and an information processing apparatus connected by a network. In the processing system, the image processing apparatus includes a Web server that stores a setting information file indicating contents to be processed when printing image data.
[0010]
Further, according to the present invention, in the image processing system according to claim 1, the information processing apparatus has a browsing unit for accessing the Web server and browsing the setting information, and an editing unit for editing the setting information. It is characterized by the following.
[0011]
Further, according to the present invention, in the image processing system according to claim 2, the setting information file is described in an HTML format, the information processing apparatus has a Web browser, and the browsing unit and the editing unit are configured by the Web browser. The setting information file is browsed and edited.
[0012]
Further, according to the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, the Web server is an HTTP server.
[0013]
Further, according to the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, the setting information file can set a plurality of image data in one file.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting an image processing device 1, an image printing device 2, and an information processing device 3 via a network 4. For example, a personal computer can be used as the information processing device 3.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2 described later, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 11 that reads an image from a document on which an image is recorded and outputs scanner data, and the image printing apparatus 2 performs an image forming operation that forms an image on a sheet. Having a part. The image processing apparatus 1 and the image printing apparatus 2 can be used integrally, and in this case, a function as an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine can be realized. However, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention does not necessarily have to have a scanner unit, but may have any means that has means for performing image processing on image data.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 10 for displaying information to a user or performing an operation input by the user, a scanner unit 11 for reading an image from a document and outputting scanner data, An image conversion unit 12 for converting scanner data from the scanner unit 11 into PDL data, a network I / F unit 13 serving as an interface with the network 4, and a PDL (application program) input via the network I / F unit 13. Alternatively, a spool unit 14 for temporarily storing page description language (Page Description Language) data that can be interpreted by a printing apparatus by software called a printer driver, and PDL data from the image conversion unit 12 and PDL data from the spool unit 14 are rasterized. And then P F (Portable Document Format; a file format developed by Adobe Systems, Inc. in the United States to realize digital document communication) data, and an image processing unit 15 that outputs PDF data from the image processing unit 15 And a Web server 17 for storing data from the processing interpreting unit 16 and an HTML file for displaying a guidance screen for the user.
[0020]
The image processing unit 15 of the image processing apparatus 1 has a function as a rasterizer that obtains a raster image by rasterizing image data. In this embodiment, the image processing unit 15 converts a rasterized raster image into PDF data. However, the present invention is not limited to PDF data, and may be used to convert rasterized raster images into general-purpose image format data. Just fine. Other general-purpose image formats include PostScript, TIFF, and the like, and any publicly available data format may be used.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the processing interpretation unit 16 will be described.
[0022]
When image data is input by the scanner unit 11, the user can input the content (setting information) of a process to be performed on the image data by the operation unit 10, and the input setting information is The data is input to the processing interpreting unit 16 along with the data. Further, the PDL data input via the network I / F unit 13 also includes the content of the processing (setting information) to be performed on the image data, and this setting information is attached to the image data and is included in the processing interpretation unit 16. Will be entered.
[0023]
The setting information, that is, the content of the processing to be performed on the image data includes, for example, punching or stapling the paper when printing the image, or allocating a plurality of images to one sheet. Printing (imposition).
[0024]
The processing interpretation unit 16 saves the image data (PDF data in the present embodiment) as a document in the document folder 17b of the Web server 17, and saves the setting information as a setting information file in the setting folder 17c of the Web server 17. In the following, such a combination of the document and the setting information file is referred to as a print job.
[0025]
The Web server 17 further includes an HTTP server 17a. The HTTP server 17a includes, for example, HTML (HyperText Markup Language: a common language for transmitting hypertext documents on the WWW) and XHTML (Extensible HyperText MarkupLanguage). A file of a page to be displayed to the described user, a template file of setting information, and the like are stored.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the scanner data from the scanner unit 11 is once converted into PDL data by the image conversion unit 12, and then converted into general-purpose image format data (PDF data) by the image processing unit 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the scanner data may be converted into general-purpose image format data (PDF data) without passing through the PDL data.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information processing device 3 shown in FIG.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 3 includes an operation unit 30 for displaying information to the user and inputting an operation by the user, a control unit 31 for controlling the entire operation of the information processing device 3, and a document. A storage unit 32 having a document folder 32a for storing image data, a printer driver 33 for converting image data of an image to be printed into PDF data which is a general-purpose image format, a Web browser 34 for referencing and displaying an HTML file or the like, It has a network I / F 35 serving as an interface with the network 4.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process when printing data from an information processing apparatus in the image processing system illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0030]
The user creates an image file using the operation unit 30 using an application operating on the information processing apparatus 3 and instructs printing of the image file. In response to this, the information processing device 3 converts the designated image file into general-purpose image format data (PDF data in the present embodiment) by the printer driver 33 (A-1). The conversion processing to the general-purpose image format data may be performed by the image processing apparatus 1.
[0031]
Further, the printer driver 33 creates a setting information file in HTML format based on the information specified when printing the image file, and transmits the setting information file to the Web server 17 of the image processing apparatus 1 (A-2). ). The setting information file may be created by the image processing apparatus 1.
[0032]
The setting information file includes information such as the number of copies, print pages, print date and time, sender, print document storage location, password, and designation of output options such as sorting and stapling.
[0033]
The Web server 17 of the image processing apparatus 1 receives the setting information file and stores it in the setting folder 17c (A-3). Further, the Web server 17 obtains a print document in the general-purpose image format (PDF) from the storage location based on the information included in the setting information file (A-4), and saves the print document in the document folder 17b as necessary. Further, the Web server 17 transmits the received setting information file and general-purpose image format data to the image printing apparatus 2 (A-5).
[0034]
The image printing device 2 rasterizes the print document based on the received setting information file and prints it on paper (A-6). The rasterization may be performed by the image processing apparatus 1 and the resulting raster image may be transmitted to the image printing apparatus 2.
[0035]
When printing is performed, the history may be added to the setting information file.
[0036]
Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process when printing the general-purpose image format data already registered in the Web server 17 in the image processing system shown in FIG.
[0037]
First, the user accesses the Web server 17 of the image processing device 1 using the information processing device 3 (B-1). As a result, the information is transmitted from the Web server 17 to the information processing device 3, and a setting information file list and a new setting information file as shown in FIG. 6 are displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 30 of the information processing device 3. (B-2).
[0038]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the content displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 30 of the information processing device 3 in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram showing a screen when newly inputting the print setting information. .
[0039]
In FIG. 6, 40 is a display screen, 41 is a setting information file list display field, and 42 is a setting field of a new setting information file.
[0040]
The user uses the operation unit 30 to input print setting information while referring to the content displayed on the display screen 40 of the operation unit 30, and designates a location where general-purpose image format data to be printed is stored ( B-3).
[0041]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 30 of the information processing apparatus 3 in the image processing system shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen when transmitting to a user.
[0042]
7, reference numeral 40 denotes a display screen as in FIG. 6, reference numeral 46 denotes a setting information file list display column, reference numeral 47 denotes a column for displaying the file name of general-purpose image format data selected to be printed, and reference numeral 48 Reference numeral 49 denotes a display field for the set print setting information. Reference numeral 49 denotes a transmission button for instructing execution of printing after setting of the print setting information is completed. The transmission button 49 can be input by the user by positioning the cursor on the position.
[0043]
Returning to the description of FIG. 5, when the setting of the print setting information is completed, the user inputs a transmission button 49 to instruct transmission of the setting information file to the image printing apparatus 2. This is executed (B-4).
[0044]
The image printing device 2 obtains the general-purpose image format data specified in the received setting information file, and prints on paper based on the data (B-5).
[0045]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process in the case where the setting information file already registered in the Web server 17 is edited in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1 and printing is performed based on the setting information file.
[0046]
First, the user accesses the Web server 17 of the image processing device 1 using the information processing device 3 (C-1). As a result, the information is transmitted from the Web server 17 to the information processing device 3, and a setting information file list and a new setting information file as shown in FIG. 6 are displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 30 of the information processing device 3. (C-2).
[0047]
The user selects a setting information file to be printed using the operation unit 30, and the information processing device 3 receiving the selection displays the general-purpose image format data of the selected setting information file on the display screen 40 of the operation unit 30. (C-3).
[0048]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 30 of the information processing device 3 in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1, and displays the general-purpose image format data of the setting information file selected by the user. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen to be displayed.
[0049]
9, reference numeral 40 denotes a display screen as in FIG. 6, and reference numerals 51 and 52 denote images displaying general-purpose image format data of the setting information file selected by the user. In order to display these images, an application program capable of directly browsing the general-purpose image format data may be installed in the information processing apparatus 3. For example, when the general-purpose image format data is PDF data, Acrobat reader, Illustrator , The target file can be browsed by an application program such as Page Maker.
[0050]
The user inputs print setting information using the operation unit 30 with reference to the image displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 30 (C-4).
[0051]
The user can select a plurality of document files to be printed, and the Web server 17 may update the files at any time according to the user's selection.
[0052]
When the setting of the print setting information is completed, the user inputs a transmission button 49 shown in FIG. 7 to instruct transmission of the setting information file to the image printing apparatus 2, and the information processing apparatus 3 transmits the setting information file. Execute (C-5).
[0053]
The image printing apparatus 2 obtains the general-purpose image format data specified in the received setting information file, and prints on paper based on the general-purpose image format data (C-6).
[0054]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process when the image processing apparatus 1 reads a document image and stores it in the image processing system shown in FIG.
[0055]
The user operates the operation unit 10 to read a document image using the scanner unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 (D-1).
[0056]
The scanner data from the scanner unit 11 is converted into general-purpose image format data (here, PDF data) by the image conversion unit 12 and the image processing unit 15 and stored in the document folder 17b (D-2).
[0057]
Along with this, based on the input from the operation unit 10 by the user, the processing interpretation unit 16 creates a setting information file and saves it in the setting folder 17c (D-3). In the setting information file, for example, information such as the file name of the read image data, the read date and time, and the storage location of the image data is described in, for example, HTML.
[0058]
In the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus 3 accesses the image processing apparatus 1 Web server 17, but the real name of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be accessed from other image processing apparatuses or image printing apparatuses. It goes without saying that you can do it. That is, the image processing apparatus and the image printing apparatus can use the Web browser to browse and edit the setting information file stored in the Web server of another image processing apparatus. Can also be an information processing device.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a network environment is utilized, data can be effectively used between devices connected to a network, and setting information such as an image printing format can be easily set by a user. And an image processing system with an improved system balance.
[0060]
Further, according to the present invention, general-purpose image information can be used as it is for one print job, so that image data can be easily reused.
[0061]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to add various types of information to a single print JOB using a setting information file while utilizing general-purpose image information.
[0062]
Further, according to the present invention, since the setting information file can be browsed and changed on the Web, a simple and excellent user interface can be realized. That is, by operating the setting information file on the browser, printing and synthesizing the document file on the network can be easily performed. Also, in the case of editing, reprinting, or printing of already stored PDF data, since the setting information file indicating the print setting information is described in general-purpose HTML or the like, the user needs an extra driver or the like for the information processing apparatus. Can be operated by common browsers without having to install a new one.
[0063]
Further, according to the present invention, reprinting is facilitated by using the setting information file including the history.
[0064]
Further, according to the present invention, editing and combining at the time of printing can be easily performed by designating a plurality of pieces of image information in the setting information file.
[0065]
Further, according to the present invention, in the case of a print operation, it is not necessary to always store image data in a printing apparatus unlike the related art, and a print document file does not need to exist on a server (setting information). Since only files are required), the memory capacity required for the server can be reduced.
[0066]
Further, according to the present invention, since general-purpose data is exchanged in the network, in the image printing apparatus, data from the image processing apparatus and data from the information processing apparatus can be treated the same.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process when printing data from an information processing apparatus in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1;
5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process when printing general-purpose image format data already registered in a Web server in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating contents displayed on a display screen of an operation unit of the information processing apparatus in the image processing system illustrated in FIG. 1, and is a diagram illustrating a screen when newly inputting print setting information.
7 is a diagram showing contents displayed on a display screen of an operation unit of the information processing apparatus in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1, in which print setting information is input and transmitted for a print execution instruction It is a figure showing a screen at the time of doing.
8 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process in a case where a setting information file already registered in a Web server is edited in the image processing system illustrated in FIG. 1 and printing is performed based on the setting information file.
9 is a view showing contents displayed on a display screen of an operation unit of the information processing apparatus in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1, and is a screen for displaying general-purpose image format data of a setting information file selected by a user; FIG.
10 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process when an image processing apparatus reads an original image and stores it in the image processing system shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing device 2 Image printing device 3 Information processing device 4 Network 10 Operation unit 11 Scanner unit 12 Image conversion unit 13 Network I / F unit 14 Spool unit 15 Image processing unit 16 Processing interpretation unit 17 Web server 17a HTTP server 17b Document folder 17c Setting folder 30 Operation unit 31 Control unit 32 Storage unit 32a Document folder 33 Printer driver 34 Web browser 35 Network I / F unit

Claims (5)

In an image processing system in which an image processing apparatus for processing image data, an image printing apparatus having an image forming unit for forming an image on paper, and an information processing apparatus are connected via a network,
An image processing system, wherein the image processing apparatus has a Web server that stores a setting information file indicating contents to be processed when printing image data. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a browsing unit that accesses the web server and browses the setting information, and an editing unit that edits the setting information. 3. The configuration information file is described in an HTML format, the information processing apparatus includes a Web browser, and the browsing unit and the editing unit browse and edit the configuration information file by the Web browser. Item 3. The image processing system according to Item 2. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the Web server is an HTTP server. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the setting information file can perform settings for a plurality of image data in one file.

Images